Happy 4th Of July!

This weekend let's put aside our differences and celebrate the birth of our Nation!

Happy Independence Day!

Rock on Santa!

George Thorogood & the Delaware Destroyers!

Crank up the volume and rattle the needles right off the Tree!

Merry Rock & Roll Christmas! From me in the Great White North to you where-ever you are!

Santa d.

Ho Ho Fucking Ho! Merry Christmas! (X Rated)

Think the Elves have had enough?



Merry! Merry!

d.

Christmas Elf Bootcamp - Not for Children!

What really motivates the Elves!



Merry Christmas!

d.

Merry Christmas From the Kings of Cool!

d.

Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah to Those who Serve...

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother...
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Semper Fidelis to ALL who serve...

d.

Cross posted at The American Patriot Institute

Happy Birthday Marines!

234 years of service to the United States of America






Mess With The Best...Die Like The Rest






HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY TO ALL MY BROTHER AND SISTER MARINES!

SEMPER FIDELIS!

d.

Brother Mike The Marine has an excellent video up at his place. One he did himself. Definitely worth a look. Go wish him a Happy Birthday!

From The Halls To The Shores

Happy New Year!

Just want to take a minute to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! May the world find Peace and may all of you find the love I have been blessed with from my Magster!

This is for you, Baby! Happy New Year!



'Cause Baby, this is how I feel when I'm away from you...



Let's not only have a Happy New Year together, let's have a Happy Little Life!

I love you, Baby...

d. (aka Your Boo)

Merry Christmas!

(After today, I'm heading for Atlantic City and the casinos - I need a little R&R!)

Well, I haven't been around in a while - working my ass off, mainly to pay for this holiday! Also, with a potential Actor's strike looming in the near future, I figured I'd better make hay while the sun shines...sigh...

Anyway, we all know that Christmas is for the little ones, don't we? (Somehow I kinda thought it was a Christian Holy day. How that morphed into a spending frenzy Holiday is still kinda bewildering to me, but, it is what it is...) So now that Christmas is finally here, and all the little dear ones are frantically shredding wrapping paper, losing tiny parts and breaking those oh so expensive toys, it's time for us adults to pour a stiff one and sit back and relax.

With that in mind, I give you the following...

Oh, this is for us! So keep the curtain climbers and the crumb crushers away from the keyboard for a few minutes and enjoy!

Merry Christmas from deuddersun and damarvelous44magster!


For those serving, especially my Marines...



For the rest of us, especially my Union Brothers & Sisters...



And a Happy New Year! (Uh, the one that starts January 20th!)



d.

4th of July Weekend

The title of this post says "4th of July weekend", I know, but I just couldn't come up with any Patriotic-type stuff to post. No matter how many tokes I took on the old peace pipe, (and I just got some new incredibly amazing "pipe-weed"), I couldn't quite wrap my brain around the idea.

So I went in search of those who originally came up with the whole "Independence/Democracy" plan in the first place. The painting above, is John Trumbull's dipiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, (look closely, John Adams appears to be stepping on Thomas Jefferson's foot!). No matter how hard I tried, no matter how long I stared at the painting above, I could get no closer to the truth of what it was they intended for the future of this new nation.

So I thought maybe I ought to read the document they came up with, something called the "Declaration Of Independence".

Now I've read it before, most of us have. Sometime in school I'm sure. And at that time it must have been a tedious task for a rambunctious little rascal like me. But I must have muddled thru none-the -less, it all seemed so familiar. Kinda reminded me of a place I used to live. America.

And it kinda made me remember what "Patriotism" is really all about. Kitchen Window Woman wrote a terrific post on it the other day at the American Patriot Institute site.

And it made me kinda sad when I realized that many of the Charges that these brave men, (to whom we pay homage today, well...yesterday), brought against King Geroge of Great Britain could well be brought against our own "King" George in the White House.

And that made me kinda angry.

So, if I'm feeling Patriotic this weekend, it's not in the ususal sense, that is to say, a sense our current government would approve of.

But a sense of patriotism that I'm sure the Founding Fathers, the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, who started this whole Democracy thing, would be proud of me for.

Happy 4th of July!


Oh, if you'd care to refresh your memory a bit, go here.

d.

Welcome To The American Patriot Institute, Michael

Nothing seems more appropriate to me than welcoming a new Resident Scholar to the American Patriot Institute on Independence Day. So it is with great pleasure that I ask you to welcome Michael, of Pendragon's Hold, to our ranks.

Our little ragtag bunch has grown. What started out as a "Rogues Gallery" is becoming something of a minor force in the socio-political blogosphere. When Moderate Man took the Rogue's Gallery one step further, and founded the American Patriot Institute, it was more of an inside joke than anything-else. Why shouldn't we, he reasoned, who have served our nation and believe in the oath we swore to defend the Constitution of The United States of America, have an "umbrella organization" from which we could "issue papers" countering the propaganda of other "patriotic" organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute, and none has done so more effectively than the Moderate Man himself. (With the possible exception of Kitchen Window Woman, whose posts continue to amaze me.) Yet we all have something to contribute in our own way, and we all do. Whether it be Spadoman regaling us with details of "The Longest Walk" or the Ashland Peace Vigil, or Buffalo spinning a tale that takes us back to our lost youth, we have all continued to "fight" for the America we were once so proud to serve. We are all in accordance that the path this current Administration has chosen is terribly wrong for America and we are united in our efforts to change it for the better. While we don't always agree on all things, we do agree that we love our country and that our meager efforts to restore her to her once great glory is Patriotic and that by doing so, we are fulfilling the oaths we swore, (for some of us), so long ago.

Michael's voice will strengthen us. His writing is poignant and insightful. His dedication to our cause is clearly evident in his posts. His service in the United States Navy provides him with a perspective no chickenhawk can ever have.

Welcome aboard, Michael.

At some time in the near future, please post your "baby picture" (boot graduation pic or any pic of you in uniform), for inclusion in the image map posted in the sidebar of many of our sites. Your pic will be included and will link directly to your site, These Thoughts Escape Me. You may copy and paste the Flag and Eagle logo of the API in your sidebar, as evidence of your membership. You may also copy the link-list to the other members from my site, (I believe I have the most recent list). Shortly, you will receive an invitation to post here with full admin rights. This site is a "we" thing, so feel free to add links, change the template, whatever. This site will only grow if we all water and feed it.

Once again, welcome. Welcome home, Brother.

d.

Michael posts at These Thoughts Escape Me.

Please update your API linklists to include Michaels' website.

Oh, and Happy Independence Day Brothers and Sisters! Let us continue our efforts to win our Independence from those who have abused our nation and it's Constitution!

Semper Fi!

Also posted at The American Patriot Institute

Happy Mother's Day, Marge & Sis

Four generations of remarkable women.

The Grand Dame in the center is Marge, Mag's beloved Mom. Marge left us in 2002 and we still miss her. She is surrounded by the women in her family, 'Mare (short for Rosemary) to her right, Mag's sister,Rosemary, in blue, Maggie, in black and little Melissa, ('Mare's daughter), sitting on Marge's lap.

Marge was a terrific woman who wanted to live to be 100. She was always up for anything. Mags and I would show up at her house at 0200 looking for breakfast and Marge was always there to make it for us, with a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart. The amazing thing to me is that she really loved my sorry ass and believed that I was the only guy for her daughter. I hope I haven't let you down, Mom.


This picture was taken at a barbeque we had at my parents home in the Catskills. From left to right, we are: me, my Father (deoleman), my oldest daughter, Melissa, my youngest, Moira, my Mom and scroff my brother, attempting to lift Cardboard Elvis to his shoulders, lol!

My Mom left us in 2004. She was a real Brooklyn goil and she loved my Mags as much as Marge loved me. We are both so lucky to have had such wonderful Moms.

If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mother with you, show her you love her, not just today, but everyday. You only get one, you only get one.

For All the Mom's on their Special Day!




Happy Mother's Day to all of our Moms!

d.

A Belated Saint Patricks Day

Oglaigh nah Eriann!

For my Mother, Mary Regina Connaughton Markunas...Happy Saint Patrick's Day!



The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Tommy Makem & The Clancy Brothers


The Patriot Game


The Rising of The Moon


The Broad Black Brimmer, The Wolfetones


Remember! One man's Freedom Fighter is another man's terrorist!

The Wee White Turban, Joe Mulheron


The Men Behind The Wire


The Minstrel Boy, Charlie Zahm


Some things are still worth fighting for. Like my Irish ancestors, I too, will be a Minstrel Boy for my country, and fight to take back America from the thieves and liars who have shredded our Constitution and corrupted our beloved United States of America.

Happy Saint Pat's!

d.

Post script: It was July of 1973. My best friend at the time, Brian, a former United States Army Ranger, and an Irish-American, called me to tell me that his Mother had just been arrested. It seems the Police found some M-16's in her basement that were meant to be shipped to the "Boyos" in Belfast and he needed help bailing her out. I grabbed what money I had and picked him up and together we headed for the "Roundhouse", (Police Headquarters and Central Booking here in Philly). When we got there we were informed that his Mom had been picked up by "Federal Authorities" and taken to the Greene Federal Building a few blocks away. So off we went. Let me tell you it was no easy task getting her out. We were interviewed by the FBI and other Government "agents". Both of us were Veterans, so they were very concerned about our "activities" and "affiliations". After 5 or 6 hours of this crap, we were finally able to bail her out, but not without some help from other "friends". It seems our Government likes to pick and choose which organization is comprised of "Freedom Fighters" and which is "terrorist". Needless to say, they didn't regard us as "Freedom Fighters". This has hung over my head ever since and was even mentioned at my trial in 1980. I was to be regarded as a "dangerous person".

All well and good. So be it. According to the Government which I served with Honor, I am a "potential terrorist". I prefer to regard myself as a "Freedom Fighter". What do you think?

As for the Government, well, you can't dictate to me who I can and can't support. Israel would never have come into being without a little "terrorist activity" on the part of the Haganah, Etzel and Lehi. In fact, Israel, our bestest friend in the Middle-east attacked a United States Ship in International waters on June 8, 1967. (See Remember the Liberty.)

The point is simply this: One man's terrorist is another man's Freedom Fighter. If you watched the videos above, it is easy to see that the British treated and in some ways, still treat, the Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland much the same way as we are treating the Iraqi people. The Special Powers Act allowed British authorities to arrest and hold Irish Catholics without charge, without access to legal representation for as long as the Authorities deemed necessary. ( Here and here ) This resulted in the Hunger Strike of 1981, in which MP Bobby Sands and 9 other political prisoners starved to death in protest in the Maze Prison, also known as Long Kesh, in Northern Ireland. Now if supporting the right of a people to free and independent rule makes me a terrorist, well...I dare say that had the concept existed in 1776, Great Britain would have regarded George Washington and the Continental Congress as "terrorists".

The similarities to what has and is happening in Northern Ireland and what is happening right now in Iraq are disturbing, to say the least.

To this day, I continue to support Irish Northern Aid and I will continue to do so regardless of the twits in power here in the United States. Personally, I consider George W. Bush to be the biggest terrorist on the planet.

d.


Support Irish Northern Aid

Merry Christmas!

To All Of My Friends And My Family

Merry Christmas!

Who Better To Welcome
The King
Of Peace
Then
The
Queen Of Soul!

Enjoy!

See you next year!

d.

Tagged by Moderate!

This little cardboard Nativity is older than I am. I think my Mother bought it at the 5 & Dime. Funny thing is, Mag's Mom bought the same exact Manger at about the same time, over 50 years ago! What we have today is a combination of the two sets, thus continuing a Tradition that had been observed in both our households.

(Lifted directly from da Mod hisself! Hey I'm lazy!)

Got "tagged" by my buddy Chuck. So here are the rules for you to follow:

Da Rulez

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Wrapped.

2. Real or artificial tree?
Real, well, they used to be. Now we just put up the little artificial one seen to the right of the Manger in the photo above.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Varies. I'm not big on decorations and usually won't do squat until Mag's makes me, lol!

4. When do you take the tree down?
I try to get it done before the 4th of July so I have room for those decorations!

5. Do you like egg nog?
Only if liberaly laced with Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
The Ballad of Davey Crockett and a "coonskin" hat. I don't know if I actually got these for Christmas. I do remember driving my parents crazy with the record, especially on Saturday morning when they were trying to sleep. (See Extravaganza below, For my Dad)

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yep. See the picture above!

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Can't say I ever received a "bad" Christmas gift since every gift was given in love and appreciation. But if pressed, I'd have to say the one Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sargent Caywood gave us Christmas Day back at Parris Island: bends and mothers forever! (Ya gotta be a Jarhead to get that one, lol!)

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Both

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Miracle On 34th Street, the original

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Don't really have a time, whenever I see something I think someone would like or need. The nieces and nephews throw me off tho, because their parents don't know what they want until Thanksgiving. Then I try to shop for everything online.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Whatever they are serving, lol!

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Colored

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?
See next post, the Extravaganza!

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Christmas Eve at Mag's Niece Mare's, Christmas Day at her Nephew Jimmie's.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
No, can you?

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel, when we have a real tree.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Well, I have a tendency to give Mags her presents as I get them, lol, but generally Christmas Day.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Gauche, obnoxious light displays and rampant commercialism.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?
No.

21. What do you leave for Santa?
A glass of Johnnie Black, a Bud and a a "bud", lol!

22. Least favorite holiday song?
Grandma Got Runned Over By A Reindeer

23. Favorite ornament?
Huh? See picture below, lol!

24. Family tradition?
Setting up the Nativity in the picture above. Everything else is "freestyle".

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?
Yes.

I will be passing this "tag" on to the following blogfriends:

To All and any that wish to participate! Like I said, I'm lazy!

Merry Christmas!

d.

Welcome to...deuddersun's Christmas Extravaganza!!!!

Don't even bother putting her under the tree!
I'll unwrap her myself!

Featuring:
An Allstar lineup of

Dean Martin
Frank Sinatra
Elvis Presley
Bing Crosby
David Bowie
Bono
Luciano Pavarotti
Mariah Carey
John Lennon
Yoko Ono
The Royal Guardsmen
Run DMC
Nat King Cole
George Thorogood & The Delaware Destroyers
Perry Como
Johnny Mathis
The Association
Bill Hayes
&
That Annoying House With Lights Set to Music!


First up isn't a Christmas song, but it is dedicated to my Mags in the Spirit of the Season.

Merry Christmas Baby!

(uh...the picture above???? Just a joke Dear....Ouch!)

The Association




OKAY!

Let's kick it off with those hard rocking boys from Delaware!
Ladies & Gentlemen,

George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers!
(with Hank Carter on sax and John Lee Hooker as Santa!)

Now here's one for the ladies,
Miss Mariah Carey!

Hey! Mag's thinks he's great, uh, Johnny, that is!

Christmas is a tradition with us, and since we're, uh, Children of the '60's, our fondest memories are often of that period of youthful innocence. The next series of performers reflect those cherished memories we hold so dear.

This next performance is dedicated to Sissy and Marge.

We still miss you and love you more than ever!

The King
Elvis Presley!

This next performance is for my Dad. While it isn't a Christmas song, it is one I know he will remember. If you sit there and replay it a couple of hundred times you may begin to realize it's significance here!

Bill Hayes!

The next song is dedicated to Muffin and Mo.

The Smoothest, the Coolest, the One & Only
Dean Martin

This next video brings me back to my teenage years.
It's a bit of fun and while not the original, it's still good.

The Royal Guardsmen!

No Christmas in the '60's or early '70's passed without listening to
the Incomparable
Nat King Cole!

Although it hasn't snowed in Philly yet, I'm still hoping it will by Christmas morn.
I guess
I'm Dreaming Of a White Christmas!

Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra!

When I was a teenager, you couldn't pay me to listen to these guys, now, well, I just can't seem to get enough. So one more time!

Dean & Frank
Marshmellow World

And in case we forgot, there was always someone to remind us.
Ladies and Gents,
Perry Como

As time wore on, the songs changed, but the Love remained the same.
These guys brought Rap into the mainstream.
A great beat, lyrical magic and a fine sense of humor.

The originals,

Run DMC

It is evident now that Rock & Rap are here to stay. Some of the best Christmas performances combined the old with the new. And the results were truly amazing.

Bing Crosby and David Bowie

Not only did the Old and the New blend together beautifully, the performance below shows how a world renowned Opera Star and a world renowned Rock Star could somehow team up and teach us the meaning of Christmas.

For your listening and viewing pleasure,

Luciano Pavarotti
and
Bono

There was, however, one musical message, that to me at least, seemed to sum it up. It is as relevant today as it was when they made it. I met Yoko Ono in 1985 when I worked on "John & Yoko: A Love Story", for CBS. In spite of all reports to the contrary, I found her to be an amazing woman, full of love. She was kind, gentle and courteous and she believed in what she said.

Listen to her now, with the Light of her life.

John Lennon & Yoko Ono

The next and almost last video is a prime example of what Christmas is NOT about.
Glad I don't live across the street from

The Annoying House with The Lights Set To Music!

Let's all remember that this is a time for love and peace. Perhaps the Most Wonderful Time of 'The Year.

Mr. Johnny Mathis

Last my Friends, is a song I keep dear to my heart, and I hope it is so with you as well.
No matter what may happen,
No matter Where I end up,
Well, I'll let the
Chairman of The Board tell it:

Frank Sinatra

So to all of my friends and loved ones, may you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

(This post may undergo editing up to and including Christmas Day!)

d.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays?

I am breaking my self-imposed "strike" to wish all of my friends a very Merry Christmas, a most Happy Chanuka, an excellent Kwanza...in short, a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

There are, however, some Americans who will not be able to share these special days with those they love. Some, who, a million miles from home, will gaze at the stars and wonder if their loved ones are seeing them too. Wonder if some kind of heavenly connection can be made so that the one's they miss will "feel" their love.

Forget not those who serve.

Honor the Warrior. Not the War.


Merry Christmas.


Christmas In Fallujah
Cass Dillon & Billy Joel



This song will be available on iTunes December 4th. Net proceeds to benefit Homes for our Troops.
d.

PS: Notice the "Back-up" Group? Ooh-Rah! Hat tip to the Howard Stern Radio Program on Sirius Satellite Radio

Addendum

For my Brother Spadoman, Merry Christmas!