My attempt to use facebook has been subverted by a moronic element. I wanted to utilize it to help raise awareness for this entity but elements from high school have come back into my life and have turned it into a circus.
I left high school a number of years ago and I would have hoped that many of thes other people would have too----I guess not.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
True Horror
I have been known to write many a horror story. Ghosts, monsters, many of the mind and have had some success with those.
But I cannot conceive the true horror of what took place in Japan this past week. Our prayers and dollars are with thos in the hopes some manner of recovery can happen.
Godspeed.
But I cannot conceive the true horror of what took place in Japan this past week. Our prayers and dollars are with thos in the hopes some manner of recovery can happen.
Godspeed.
The Change
As some of you can see we have removed all of the pre-election vitriol and campaigning. This blog, while it will sometimes touch upon politics will root itself firmly in the foundation of history to show that the more things change the more they remain th same.
We are committed to see that the United States of America returns to its days of exceptionalism and we will call out every Democrat, every Republican and every independent---and yes tea party independent who feels our political system serves their own need rather than the need for public service.
So eenough with the chap crass jokes. Enough with being dragged down to the level of one's opponent; let us seek out those inviduals who can truly lead without being holden to special interests and self agendas.
More history to folow.
We are committed to see that the United States of America returns to its days of exceptionalism and we will call out every Democrat, every Republican and every independent---and yes tea party independent who feels our political system serves their own need rather than the need for public service.
So eenough with the chap crass jokes. Enough with being dragged down to the level of one's opponent; let us seek out those inviduals who can truly lead without being holden to special interests and self agendas.
More history to folow.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Milford Connecticut’s First Presidential Visit
This blog originates in Milford, Connecticut and today we bring a tale from Milford's history:
Many of you are aware of the small monument just outside of the Parsons Center that memorializes George Washington’s visit to Clark’s in Milford Connecticut in November of 1789.
If you believe the tourist motivated legends, George Washington slept in so many places it is inconceivable he had the time to win our independence. Now with his own diaries accessible online facts can now be sifted from the myths; with one other point of solace to those misguided local historians—-the guy still had to eat.
What actually occurred at Milford’s Ye Olde Clark Tavern that November morning in 1789 may not be as celebrated as the crossing of the Delaware but it is just as well documented. The General was a meticulous diarist noting daily a full weather report each morning upon waking, along with his destinations and adventures in between. A forerunner to Zagat, his restaurant reviews mostly left a bad taste.
We know from a variety of sources that 18th century taverns more so than the confines of the local house of worship were the meetinghouses of the day, where the pressing issues of political and local intrigue were debated with spirit and spirits.
Clean drinking water was scarce and a printed menu even scarcer. Not so much to dispense with a paper trail but planning just wasn’t in the cards. Meals were based upon the availability of that morning’s find at the local market. This being wartime, the pickings were slim. Despite the knowledge of scarcity and an aroma of surprise sitting in each serving; in general, the General was appalled with the
poor quality of the grub he received; but again, a guy still has to eat.
Sources indicate he may have been to Clark’s on more than one occasion. Diary aside, his favorite meal, breakfast, was porridge. But on this memorialized morning he was hungry from a 5 am ride and needed sustenance and a break. Given first a plate of boiled meat and potatoes, the future President expressed great disappointment; Subsequently requesting a bowl of plain bread and milk he found his luck had not changed because he was also given a broken pewter spoon.
To say this meal at Clark’s was consistent is not an understatement, as history reports that this was the only spoon in residence. Upon being informed of this George Washington tossed two shillings to his server, commanding that he go to a local minister’s house and return with a silver spoon on loan.
It is normal for us all to conjure romanticized visions of our founders, larger than life, charging on steeds into battle against injustice and repression; however the reality portrays a time of great turmoil, in a land drained of its resources by a despot. Of people larger than life and persons forgotten living with sacrifice and even despair, having to make do with less. I see this marker almost every day and, no matter its original intention, to me it stands more as a testament to those times than a simple celebration of celebrity.
Many of you are aware of the small monument just outside of the Parsons Center that memorializes George Washington’s visit to Clark’s in Milford Connecticut in November of 1789.
If you believe the tourist motivated legends, George Washington slept in so many places it is inconceivable he had the time to win our independence. Now with his own diaries accessible online facts can now be sifted from the myths; with one other point of solace to those misguided local historians—-the guy still had to eat.
What actually occurred at Milford’s Ye Olde Clark Tavern that November morning in 1789 may not be as celebrated as the crossing of the Delaware but it is just as well documented. The General was a meticulous diarist noting daily a full weather report each morning upon waking, along with his destinations and adventures in between. A forerunner to Zagat, his restaurant reviews mostly left a bad taste.
We know from a variety of sources that 18th century taverns more so than the confines of the local house of worship were the meetinghouses of the day, where the pressing issues of political and local intrigue were debated with spirit and spirits.
Clean drinking water was scarce and a printed menu even scarcer. Not so much to dispense with a paper trail but planning just wasn’t in the cards. Meals were based upon the availability of that morning’s find at the local market. This being wartime, the pickings were slim. Despite the knowledge of scarcity and an aroma of surprise sitting in each serving; in general, the General was appalled with the
poor quality of the grub he received; but again, a guy still has to eat.
Sources indicate he may have been to Clark’s on more than one occasion. Diary aside, his favorite meal, breakfast, was porridge. But on this memorialized morning he was hungry from a 5 am ride and needed sustenance and a break. Given first a plate of boiled meat and potatoes, the future President expressed great disappointment; Subsequently requesting a bowl of plain bread and milk he found his luck had not changed because he was also given a broken pewter spoon.
To say this meal at Clark’s was consistent is not an understatement, as history reports that this was the only spoon in residence. Upon being informed of this George Washington tossed two shillings to his server, commanding that he go to a local minister’s house and return with a silver spoon on loan.
It is normal for us all to conjure romanticized visions of our founders, larger than life, charging on steeds into battle against injustice and repression; however the reality portrays a time of great turmoil, in a land drained of its resources by a despot. Of people larger than life and persons forgotten living with sacrifice and even despair, having to make do with less. I see this marker almost every day and, no matter its original intention, to me it stands more as a testament to those times than a simple celebration of celebrity.
A Long Layoff
I took this layoff for a number of reasons mostly because I was getting tired of the grind to respond to the idiocy in the news and rival blogs. I fully underestimated the time required, realizing that the people who do these are either paid as in a full time job or these people are basically unemployed and write in between rants out of the window.
College students have the time since their work loads appear light. To be a successful collegian these days it simply is a matter to blame all the world ills on Bush and ride the coatails of one parents through age 26 or so.
This blog will comment on some of the news of the day; however we hope to open to literature, philosophy, science and evn music commentary. We go forward....
College students have the time since their work loads appear light. To be a successful collegian these days it simply is a matter to blame all the world ills on Bush and ride the coatails of one parents through age 26 or so.
This blog will comment on some of the news of the day; however we hope to open to literature, philosophy, science and evn music commentary. We go forward....
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Day To Remember
This is the text of a speech I gave today in Bridgeport at a 9-11 remembrance/tea party. This is the speech in its entirety. God Bless.
Thank you for coming today.
You heed your nation’s call and for that I am grateful.
My name is Joseph Patchen and I am by vocation an attorney.
My story is not unlike those of others you have heard about. My story may mirror many of yours.
I was parked in a federal parking lot; there on business. Someone employed there complained about my bumper stickers “DUMP DODD” and “DUMP DELAURO”; they were deemed to be ”offensive”; they were deemed “hateful”; in short, I was accused of laying the foundation to start “trouble”.
I was threatened with a tow if I did not remove my vehicle.
I have a right to own these stickers. I have a right to display them.
But in the same breath I can tell you that they have a right to ask me to leave. They have a right to segregate me to the farthest edge of the parking lot.
And of course, when push comes to shove they will deny it ever happened.
So what can I do? I could sue - and in 6 to 10 years as my case works its way through the judicial system - I might have a resolution.
But I, we, our nation need something more immediate.
The First Amendment of our founders is not the First Amendment of today. The First Amendment of your grandparents doesn’t resemble the First Amendment of your parents; and your First Amendment may not be same as that of your grandchildren.
This right and all of our rights are affected by political power.
The Fighting Words Doctrine of 1942; The Miller Obscenity Test; Free Speech Zones; The Fairness Doctrine; Political Correctness; to name a few, have had their effects on our freedom of speech.
What we need to do is exactly what we are doing today. By being here, you are taking that first step. You are sending a message to Washington.
When I see Barack Obama I see apathy; when I see Chris Dodd I see apathy; when I see Henry Reid I see apathy; and when I see Nancy Pelosi I get sick to my stomach. We have allowed a ruling class, a government answerable to no one, to manifest because we have disassociated ourselves from the process. We let this happen by not closely vetting our elected officials; we have let this happen by failing to hold them accountable and we have allowed them to become rulers rather than representatives.
To that I say ‘the party is over’.
Our Constitution is both a sword and shield. It can lead us to our freedom and it can allow others to suppress our ideas and actions. We need to work now; we need to labor for our democracy and our God given freedoms; we need to get involved in every aspect of our government, local, state and federal; we need to ask and re-ask the hard questions; and then we need to re-ask them again when they are side-stepped or ignored.
Freedom is a right, but it is also a sacred responsibility. And we have to be prepared to stand up for it whenever it is threatened.
In the past week I have been called a racist; a Nazi; an agitator; a crazy; a nut. I have been threatened and ridiculed. But I understand what is happening to our Republic and my fellow citizens. These names and threats aimed at me are nothing compared to the bullets and bombs hurled at those who have walked before me in the defense of freedom.
We have to vote; we have to raise our voices; to run for office; to actively force the debate; to demand higher standards from our elected officials. You may be called names, you may be threatened too, but what is the alternative?
Big, intrusive government control, soaring deficits, and undue burdensome taxation.
I remember the words of a wise man who so rightly said "Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem."
Demand your Representatives, your Senators and even your President speak the truth; and hold them accountable each and every day, on each and every issue.
I was at a wedding on Saturday and a gentleman turned to me and said, “What you‘re doing is foolhardy. By the time 2010 rolls around the electorate will forget and we’ll be left with the status quo”.
He might be right; but deep down in my heart and my soul I think this time is different. I think this generation will have to defend freedom, without bombs and bullets, but with intellect and hard work.
I believe in the American Spirit; its possibilities and its strengths. Stand up for your Constitution, Stand up for your ideals, Stand up for your Country.
Americans have, at times, for centuries, stood up to stop facism; to stop socialism; to stop the infringement of rights; to allow each and every citizen of this great land to pursue his or her dreams.
Stand up and demand the same of your friends and neighbors. Stand up and send Washington the message that this is our government and our Constitution and we will not allow it to be gutted by out of control politicians.
So when this Administration says ‘Yes We Can’, you have to tell them ‘No You Can’t’.
God Bless You and May God Bless that shining city up on a hill known as the United States of America.
Thank you for coming today.
You heed your nation’s call and for that I am grateful.
My name is Joseph Patchen and I am by vocation an attorney.
My story is not unlike those of others you have heard about. My story may mirror many of yours.
I was parked in a federal parking lot; there on business. Someone employed there complained about my bumper stickers “DUMP DODD” and “DUMP DELAURO”; they were deemed to be ”offensive”; they were deemed “hateful”; in short, I was accused of laying the foundation to start “trouble”.
I was threatened with a tow if I did not remove my vehicle.
I have a right to own these stickers. I have a right to display them.
But in the same breath I can tell you that they have a right to ask me to leave. They have a right to segregate me to the farthest edge of the parking lot.
And of course, when push comes to shove they will deny it ever happened.
So what can I do? I could sue - and in 6 to 10 years as my case works its way through the judicial system - I might have a resolution.
But I, we, our nation need something more immediate.
The First Amendment of our founders is not the First Amendment of today. The First Amendment of your grandparents doesn’t resemble the First Amendment of your parents; and your First Amendment may not be same as that of your grandchildren.
This right and all of our rights are affected by political power.
The Fighting Words Doctrine of 1942; The Miller Obscenity Test; Free Speech Zones; The Fairness Doctrine; Political Correctness; to name a few, have had their effects on our freedom of speech.
What we need to do is exactly what we are doing today. By being here, you are taking that first step. You are sending a message to Washington.
When I see Barack Obama I see apathy; when I see Chris Dodd I see apathy; when I see Henry Reid I see apathy; and when I see Nancy Pelosi I get sick to my stomach. We have allowed a ruling class, a government answerable to no one, to manifest because we have disassociated ourselves from the process. We let this happen by not closely vetting our elected officials; we have let this happen by failing to hold them accountable and we have allowed them to become rulers rather than representatives.
To that I say ‘the party is over’.
Our Constitution is both a sword and shield. It can lead us to our freedom and it can allow others to suppress our ideas and actions. We need to work now; we need to labor for our democracy and our God given freedoms; we need to get involved in every aspect of our government, local, state and federal; we need to ask and re-ask the hard questions; and then we need to re-ask them again when they are side-stepped or ignored.
Freedom is a right, but it is also a sacred responsibility. And we have to be prepared to stand up for it whenever it is threatened.
In the past week I have been called a racist; a Nazi; an agitator; a crazy; a nut. I have been threatened and ridiculed. But I understand what is happening to our Republic and my fellow citizens. These names and threats aimed at me are nothing compared to the bullets and bombs hurled at those who have walked before me in the defense of freedom.
We have to vote; we have to raise our voices; to run for office; to actively force the debate; to demand higher standards from our elected officials. You may be called names, you may be threatened too, but what is the alternative?
Big, intrusive government control, soaring deficits, and undue burdensome taxation.
I remember the words of a wise man who so rightly said "Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem."
Demand your Representatives, your Senators and even your President speak the truth; and hold them accountable each and every day, on each and every issue.
I was at a wedding on Saturday and a gentleman turned to me and said, “What you‘re doing is foolhardy. By the time 2010 rolls around the electorate will forget and we’ll be left with the status quo”.
He might be right; but deep down in my heart and my soul I think this time is different. I think this generation will have to defend freedom, without bombs and bullets, but with intellect and hard work.
I believe in the American Spirit; its possibilities and its strengths. Stand up for your Constitution, Stand up for your ideals, Stand up for your Country.
Americans have, at times, for centuries, stood up to stop facism; to stop socialism; to stop the infringement of rights; to allow each and every citizen of this great land to pursue his or her dreams.
Stand up and demand the same of your friends and neighbors. Stand up and send Washington the message that this is our government and our Constitution and we will not allow it to be gutted by out of control politicians.
So when this Administration says ‘Yes We Can’, you have to tell them ‘No You Can’t’.
God Bless You and May God Bless that shining city up on a hill known as the United States of America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
