What is a Real Patriot?

It seems today, that the word and term Patriot gets thrown around like it is a curse word meant to create a public response.

I have heard many Men and Woman say that they are a Patriot, especially since September of 2001; if anyone can remember back that far in our generally left wing moderated media.

It is almost heartbreaking and sad to see, that this word that means so much to me personally and many other Americans as well today, is used with such disparaging taste in the course of our Human events.

So what is a Patriot?

Merriam-Webster defines it as; 'one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests'

Princeton WordNet defines it as; '(n) patriot, nationalist (one who loves and defends his or her country)'

The etymology of Patriot is; 'Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriōtēs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patēr father
Date: 1605

By definition it is one who defends and loves His/Her Country, by etymology it is in my understanding the Fathers/Strength of defense; since in ages past the Father of a family was it's staunch supporter, its protector, its gatherer.

Though much has changed since those days in our current Nuclear Family structures supported by those who discredit family values and some even moral values.

So understanding what a Patriot truly is may be hard for some; the Patriot, a Patriot at least in the American sense which I have to thank the French for, (since they popularized the term), is someone who takes a stand no matter how unpopular, in an effort to make change in support of ideals that are an attempt to better the status quo of those taking such a stance. Who is also ready and willing to defend those same ideals in the face of present and future tyranny at any cost.

So what is a Patriot? As I define it above that is what it means to me, as well I hope it means that to many others. Though today all I seem to see and hear are people, especially those in high authority who like to wear the mask of Patriotism but are completely unwilling to do its duty.

Would I like to be called a Patriot? Am I a Patriot?

I would like to believe that my actions and words show my dedication and staunch support to the compact known as the United States Constitution, my birth Country of the United States of America, as well as the Fore Fathers and all the 1st Americans who shed blood, sweat and tears to bring about the Democratic-Republic that I love so dear.

Would I label myself as a Patriot? Probably not; would I like to be called one, definitely, yet I do believe the things I do are Patriotic and in light of that I am a supporter of Patriotic endeavors in my Society in which I live.

Today there are very few true Patriots, ones defending the American Dream, the American way, even the American Constitution which I am sad to say has been more like bathroom tissue paper to our current form of Government, than a highly respected piece of paper that defines the instrumentation of what and who we are and what our responsibilities and duties are.

There are some exceptions and one of those is the State of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is one of those States that deserves the Medal of Freedom, for its undying and staunchest support of the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Principals of this Country as a whole. Maybe that's not correct, maybe it would be better for New Hampshire as a whole state to receive the DAR Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism, I put my vote in now!

New Hampsire is apart of the Free State Project, which "is an agreement among 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. The success of the Project would likely entail reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms at all levels of government, to expand individual rights and free markets, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world." [freestateproject.org]

Yet even more exciting is 'The New Hampshire Resolution', as introduced this year as HCR 6, (House Concurrent Resolution 6), which is a Resolution affirming States' Rights based on Jeffersonian Principles.

This declares, "that the people of this State have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent State; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right, pertaining thereto, which is not, or may not hereafter be, by them expressly delegated to the United States of America in congress assembled;", and;

"That any Act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States of America or Judicial Order by the Judicatories of the United States of America which assumes a power not delegated to the government of United States of America by the Constitution for the United States of America and which serves to diminish the liberty of the any of the several States or their citizens shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution for the United States of America by the government of the United States of America. Acts which would cause such a nullification include, but are not limited to:

I. Establishing martial law or a state of emergency within one of the States comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that State.

II. Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

III. Requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of 18 other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

IV. Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government.

V. Any act regarding religion; further limitations on freedom of political speech; or further limitations on freedom of the press.

VI. Further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition;" [newhampshireresolution.com]

Hard words to swallow? Yes! Words that resound with the sound of true American Patriotism. Yes! Treasonous? No! For it is a right allotted for by the United States Constitution to protect our Democratic-Republic.

And if said Democratic-Republic is no longer following the founding rules, then it is the Right of the Citizen, each and everyone to stand up and make change where necessary.

So what is a Real Patriot? Go look at every Citizen of the State of New Hampshire. They are Citizens our Founding Fore Fathers would be proud of. For upholding the Principal Foundations of our Country!

Thank you New Hampshire, maybe this wild fire, this Patriotism will spread to the rest of the States in our Blessed Union and cause for a renewal and rebirth of the Founding Principles of our Nation.

Just maybe we will be able to return to our beginning and be Patriots one and all!

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sources:
SeacoastNH
DAR
Merriam-Websters Dictionary
Princeton WordNet Web
New Hampshire State Website
Medal of Freedom
Free State Project
New Hampshire Resolution

That Cartoon and Free Speech

Professor Richard Thompson Ford made a good point on Lou Dobbs tonight, on the relationship between the possible racist nature of the New York Post’s cartoon, depicting a shot chimpanzee which actually represented the Stimulus bill over all.

He mentioned that whether the cartoon was in bad taste or was meant as racism or not, things like these are protected by the 1st Amendment and no matter whom it offends, that right is there.

I agree with Professor Ford’s position, because once you start to trample over free speech, then you start to restrict and reduce that Right. The whole reason for the 1st amendment in our Country of the United States is to protect any and all free speech from regulation whether it is Government or it be some yahoo on the street who thinks their way is the only way and everyone else should fall in line.

Reverend Al Sharpton dully has the afforded Right to be offended by the cartoon since there is the possibility of racial intent, and the choice of the chimpanzee was definitely in poor taste. However Reverend Al Sharpton does not have the right to call for a Federal investigation by way of the FCC since it is protected free speech under the first amendment. As well he neither has the right to lump the cartoon free speech issue together with a person’s right to own and regulate one or many News outlets. These are two totally different issues that Reverend Sharpton seems to have an ulterior motive for attacking.

I personally agree with the New York Post that the cartoon Chimpanzee represents the Stimulus Bill which is out of control like a chimpanzee. However in light of the fact that most people in this Country refuse or haven’t let go of racism in general, the cartoon’s artist and the Post’s Editor should have been a little bit more sensitive to this fact. Yet in the end they spoke their mind in regards to free speech and I do not hold that point against them.

Reverend Al Sharpton though correct in his manner to be offended, should rethink his manner of outrage because racism comes in more than one color and form, and he frequently pursues courses that are unconstitutional in manner and I personally believe his actions are one of the main reasons we still are combating racism among many other famous personalities in this Country.

There are many in the United States who are perfectly willing to leave and throw away permanently the race issue/card, and many of us already have. Because it is neither productive nor is it even reasonable in this day in age. We, (the majority), all live and work in an inter-racial society here in the U.S., and have inter-racial friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.

It is groups such as the KKK, Weather Underground, Black Panthers, and People like Jessie Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton who keep pressing the issue as if there were still race riots in the streets, far and wide bigotry in Public and Private places, and full and complete hatred and refusal to serve any of those that are not of some accepted perception.

This is simply just not true and it is unacceptable and inappropriate, this is not to say that there isn’t still racial crime and bigotry, however it means we just need to continue to educate each other on reality instead of immediately jumping on the Race bandwagon.

Bill Cosby probably said it best, that education is key. Whether it is the slums, the middle class or even multi-millionaire neighborhoods, everyone should be educated.

That everyone should go through a self empowerment course and learn that blaming others and making excuses neither serves yourself or those around you. That taking responsibility for yourself is key to being a successful participant in our society, and that jumping to racial conclusions is just as racial as what is supposedly causing the issue in the first place.

So to the New York Post I say, I understand that the cartoon was not meant in a racial proportion, however though it is not required, and being a well know conservative publication a little sensitivity could have been marked, that there are other animals out there that get the point across that markedly don’t have racial implications.

To Reverend Al Sharpton I say, I agree and understand the reasons you are outraged against the Post’s cartoon publication and you have every right to be, however your attack on the Post by trying to get the FCC involved is irresponsible on your part since your attack on the Post is a transparent and egregious effort to undermine the 1st Amendment, the same amendment that you yourself use on a daily basis to make outrageous claims and unconstitutional efforts.

The leader of the NAACP should also be a better Citizen and rethink this Racist and Socialist attack upon the Post and the 1st Amendment as well as Letitia James and all the others ramping up to try and Bring down the 1st Amendment by attacking the Post’s use of Free Speech and News Corps ability to own more than one News Publication.
Of which as I stated before are two totally different issues, and may I remind you all again that the reason for the 1st amendment and the supposed separation of Press and Government, is so that there is a freedom to say what one thinks without repercussions, whether what one says is offensive or not.

It is ones right to not read or view such things, as well as to create an opinion based on such, yet it is not your Right to try to involve the Federal Government of whom has no authority in this area on purpose as it would be an infringement of that Right.

It seems odd that someone like Reverend Al Sharpton who makes a living off of free speech and attacking the Caucasian element and any others who come under his line of site. Would in fact make such an effort to dissolve the Right he uses so freely.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sources:
http://loudobbs.tv.cnn.com/

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nypost236046660feb23,0,5909861.story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/19/AR2009021903331.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/18/new-york-post-chimp-carto_n_167841.html

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02192009/postopinion/editorials/that_cartoon_155984.htm

Comet Lulin Tonight: 9:43pm CST: closest pass by

Comet Lulin will be visible in its closest approach to Earth since it's find by Quanzhi Ye who was 19 in 2007 at the Lulin Observatory in Taiwan.

It can be found looking south about halfway up, Find the big dipper follow its handle down to its tip and you'll see Regulus and Spica; Look above Spica and south of Saturn with a High powered Binoculars or a good telescope and you should be able to see a fuzzy Green ball," unless your tugging a telescope the size of a small vehicle." [Quote: Mark Hammergren-Adler Planetarium]

Sources:
http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=best-chance-to-view-comet-lulin-is-2009-02-23

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1442784,CST-NWS-comet21.article

Distant Cry

It seems to me that no matter how much good we pour into our World, we just have no way to win. I am by no means giving up, for giving all to the good fight, (as it were), is well worth the pain in return.
All things aside it seems that it is though a losing battle and a battle at which we have no one at the reigns anymore.
I am personally tired of seeing all these good people lose and or die in a quest to put right the wrongs in this plane of existence.
I am sick and tired of all these obnoxious, arrogant, and self-serving individuals who think it is their God-given right, (or where ever they put their rights), to take everything for themselves and leave nothing for the rest, (as if the rest of us do not matter and are just labor and stepping stones for the upper class to walk upon).
I am no more implying we need anything like socialism or the like, nor am I in any way trying to insight any actions like revolution.
However, it stands to be said since not many today are saying anything of the sort.
The Citizens of the World, you and I are not innocent of the issues we let grow, manifest and breed all around us.
From our Politicians, our Leaders, to our Homes... while we let malfeasance and complacency fester in our schools and every day life.
All because it is easier to ignore a problem than try to fix it, at least until that problem becomes un-ignorable.
I don't know if it is because each new generation wants to be less like the last, or that people really think that a government can really live their life for them, or there are really secret societies out to doom the World and fashion it after their own image.
Whatever it is, the root of the problem lies within in each and everyone of us and that is the inability to act and stand up for our rights.
We have to stop listening to those who are more than willing to tell us how to do things and how to live, and start doing and living for ourselves.
Here in the United States our Fore-Fathers did it and successive generation thereafter also did just that.
I understand too well that greed, selfishness, covetousness, anger, lies and hate will always be prevalent on this World but it is up to each and everyone of us to try and make it better than that.
Life from my understanding is all about living, living to the best of your ability each and everyday, experiencing all that life has to offer and more.
There really is something to the positive nature of things, when people work together and live together in a harmonious relationship, as well that is Humanity.
We will not always get along from day to day, we will not always like the same things that others like, we will not always pay attention to those people and those things that we should.
Yet, an attempt to appreciate each of our differences will do better to make this World a much better place than not caring at all.
For it is not just I who is important, and even though I can go about thing alone it is but with the assistance, caring and the very things that make each and everyone of us different that makes our way in this World that much easier, that much more exciting and intriguing, and that much more peculiar.
One problem I notice is rampant today is that parents are all to willing to make it 'EASY' for their children so they don't have to suffer the impairments of life.
The single problem with that is that without falling down we will never learn how to pick ourselves up.
It is not to say that we must create an Oliver type experience for our children, or purposely create hardships for them, nay.
It is without saying that if those in their early learning years of life never learn to make mistakes early on so that they can differentiate between what is wrong and what is deemed right. Then that is a future I fear to tread upon.
We can already see the start of this behavior with our younger leaders, former leaders, especially within the past two generations of leadership and political body in the United States.
It is scary to see an individual elected to power completely take advantage of our livelihoods, Rights and freedoms.
It is down right intolerable and I am shocked by the lack of motivation by my fellow Americans to do anything about it.
We keep,(like in a game of Pong), bouncing back and forth between two sides, two elements within our society. Both offering greener pastures, but in the end all both ever give us is poverty and the run around.
We don't seem to realize there is a third option and even a fourth and maybe even a fifth option.
Many of our leaders and those that are supposed to protect us by our Rights and Freedoms, seem to have become so removed from regular society they don't understand what is really going on any more. They think it is appropriate to make money out of thin air and spend it against debt. Which of course will not solve the problem, but will only create more debt.
They think we need indoor Tropical rain forest parks in the Midwest, they think we need to reface and upgrade the commerce buildings, they think spending more than $100.00 on a hammer is perfectly well and ok.
They hear what is going on but either don't fully comprehend or just don't care, I have worked in many elements of society and have firends and have met many people who also do the same and whether it is the plumber, the construction worker, the electrician, the engineer, the DJ, an accountant or even your local minister we are all the backs that the out of tune elite are walking upon and we are feeling that weight.
People here in the U.S. and even around the World believe that President Obama is the Answer, I do not believe he is the answer, he may do as he said he would and try and change things yet I believe having had him as my Senator that he is not the answer.
If and I stress 'IF', Obama really does care about this country and each individual Citizen, that would be quite welcome, but it is as the freedom fighters who sit on the backburner keep trying to bring to light, like Ron Paul, like Badnarik and so many others.
When we finally get someone voted into office that truly cares about the Constitutional Rights and Freedoms of each and every Individual Citizens in this Country. That will show finally that we are ready to move away from the rut we have dug ourselves into.
I vote that we all move to change our lives, shake up the status quo, and fight for our Constitutional Rights.
...but, that is just me.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.