A Patriot's Rants

Barium? But he's still alive!!!!

2012-03-16T23:22:00.002-05:00

Last night and this morning I was reminded about how horrible having cancer can be. Today I had to go in for a CT Scan for my 5 year mark since my cancer surgery to find out if I'm still cancer free. The CT Scan was fine. However, the events that unfolded before the scan are the nightmare.

If you have never had cancer or needed a CT Scan considered yourself lucky. It's not the cancer or the surgery or the recovery that's the nightmare. The nightmare is having to drink 900 mL of barium contrast before the actual CT Scan. Just the mere thought of the diabolic liquid makes me cringe and have gag reflexes.

So last night around 9:00 pm I decided I would drink my first 450 mL of barium. I decided to stay up until a little after midnight because I knew the satanic liquid from Hell would upset my stomach. I was fine until about 12:30 am after I had laid down in bed that my stomach became upset. To spare the gory details I believe I had to urgently run to the bathroom 6 times last night between the hours of 12:15 am and 7:00 am.

My CT Scan was scheduled for 8:30 am this morning so I had to drink an additional 450 mL of barium contrast at 7:30 am. The hardest part of my day was not avoiding getting shanked by an inmate or getting into a car wreck and bursting into flames. No. It was drinking that last 450 mL of pure evil. I knew my stomach and bowels would make me regret it soon after. Fortunately, I was able to hold off from the ungodly explosion until after I got home from the hospital. Thank goodness!!!!

So that was my day. How was yours?

Cha cha cha cha cha changes

2012-03-15T16:56:00.008-05:00

So I decided I needed some change in my life. I decided I needed to eliminate some unnecessary distractions from my life. One of those distractions was Facebook. I no longer have a Facebook account so if you want to get in touch with me feel free to do so through other avenues.

I also decided to spend more time participating in some activities I love. As some of you may know I completed the GLOCK armorers course back in January. I actually completed my first customer's order the other day. I had a blast working on his GLOCK 23 and he now has one sweet trigger and some nice night sights.

I made the decision to do a little more shooting and to get even better with my off-duty carry weapon. I carry a Gen4 GLOCK 26 in a Don Hume J.I.T. holster. So now my focus will be less with competition shooting and more on perfecting my skills to protect myself, my family, and those around me.

For the past month I have been on evening watch (1600 hrs - 2400 hrs) at work. So I am currently enjoying my time off before work sitting at home, playing Battlefield 3 on XBOX 360 (argyle641), hitting the gun range, and working on any GLOCKS anyone sends me.

If you are interested in having any work done on your GLOCK whether it be improvements, sights, or you have a problem and need it fixed; let me know. Also, if you want any instruction on firearms safety or shooting tips/techniques I can as well. I have 6 years law enforcement experience and have completed several firearms training courses including qualifying as Expert Shooter at FLETC.

Feel free to email me at with any questions at: m.machugh@gmail.com

The River

2012-02-07T21:09:00.002-06:00

Two thumbs down. Talk about a disappointment. This show is beyond weak. The River is a new series on ABC about a rescue expedition in the Amazon basin. If you want cheap scary thrills with a horrible plot and everything based around magic and possessions, this is for you. I for one found the show to be very disappointing and not scary at all. I found the script to be weak with shallow dialogue. Many of the scenes are predictable without leaving much to the imagination. I have already deleted this show from my scheduled DVR recordings and won't be wasting anymore of my precious "TV time real estate" on this one.

Super Bowl Sunday

2012-02-05T17:48:00.002-06:00

So today is Super Bowl Sunday. This is a national holiday of sorts. Everyone makes plans to watch the game with friends and family. Youth groups all over the country illegally host the game with pizza parties at their churches.

You may ask "What are you doing for Super Bowl Sunday"? Well, I am working. Yes, I am not at a shooting match or at home watching the game with my family nor am I watching it at a bar with buddies. I am sitting here in my office working from 4-midnight tonight. Some would say that's a crying shame. I actually don't mind. I'm getting Sunday and night differential pay for working toda and thanks to the modern advent of the DVR I am recording the commercials at home. I think this should be the way every year. Just work and get the extra pay and record the commercials. This way I get to skip the boring game and get straight to the good stuff.

If I were to root for any of the teams playing tonight I would pick the Giants. I could care less about any NFL team but since my grandfather was a scout for the Giants that's who I'm picking.

I hope everyone has a good Super Bowl Sunday and a great week. Be safe and as always; don't get dead.

Long Time No See

2012-01-25T19:24:00.006-06:00

Wow!!! It's been a long time since I have posted on this blog. I apparently still have 3 followers. Thank you for being faithful!!

A lot has happened since the last time I posted an entry to this blog. I try to list some things in chronological order.

Left AT&T.
Worked as a Covert Field Operative for a private investigations company.
Sold my motorcycle. :-(
Graduated college with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Had my first baby. It's a boy!
Started a new job with a federal government law enforcement agency.
Received my first 1911.

Some of you may have a few questions for me. I will answer a few for you:
Yes; I am still a patriot. Yes; I am still a Republican. Yes; I still can't stand our current administration or the legislative branch. No; I do not know "so-and-so that works at so-and-so".

On August 18, 2011, my wife gave birth to the cutest little boy in the world, Holden. He is our first and I love this little guy to death. He is the cutest kid EVER!! Some of you may disagree with me, but you're wrong. It is a proven fact!!

In November I attended FLETC in Glynco, GA. I had a blast! I did not graduate with honors but I did qualify with an award of Exceptional Firearms for shooting perfect with all three weapons platforms (9mm pistol, M-16, & Remington 870 shotgun).

I recently acquired a 1911 pistol. I was thrilled to own my first 1911. I took this legendary gun to a local gunsmith who is a friend and famous for his customizing of weapons (www.accurateiron.com). I found out that my new 1911 was a "frankenstein" gun with parts from different guns. The slide is Colt; the barrel is Springfield Armory; no clue who makes the frame or the internals. I do know the ambi-safety and disconnector are Cylinder and Slide due to the fact that I replaced them myself.

I seem to have been bitten by a bug after the acquisition of my new pistol. I found myself suddenly wanting to compete in pistol matches. I have been reading non-stop about 1911's so I can learn more about them and read through the Jerry Kunnhausen 1911 Shop Manual in a couple of days. After learning how each part in the 1911 interacts with the other, I decided to take it apart and replace the disconnector. Piece of cake!! It took me less than an hour to stip the pistol, replace the disconnector, and safety and function check the pistol. I also had Jared from www.coldhandarms.com refinish my slide with a Cerakote finish.

Now that I am wanting to shoot in some matches I have started visiting an awesome website: www.boomershooter.com. My username on there is: argyle64. It's a great site promoting firearms safety and competitions. Friendly members who are always ready to give great advice are always available on here. It's because of this site I shot my first match at Heartland Outdoors in Edmond, OK on January 15, 2012. This was my first real match other than a bowling pin shoot (which happened 3 years ago). Since my 1911 was nowhere near ready for a match I shot my Glock G26. In my first match I took first place in my division (sub-compact) and 7th place out of 40 shooters. I also won a $50 gift certificate in a random drawing just for being present. Not a bad experience for my first real match.

There is another Carry Gun Match at Heartland Outdoors in Edmond, OK on January 29. I will be attending this match and will be shooting my Glock 26 once again.

My next post will be about my 1911 and the upgrades I'm making to her.

Thank you to everyone who follows my blog and reads my posts (all 3 of you). I promise this time to keep it updated more frequently than once a year.

Plan? What plan?

2010-04-05T10:44:00.001-05:00

Let me get this straight. We're going to be gifted with a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president who also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, to be overseen by a surgeon general who needs to lose weight, and financed by a country that's broke.

What could possibly go wrong?

New Political Party

2010-03-18T17:02:00.000-05:00

New Political Party.

Not Democrat, Not Republican, Not Independent.

It's called the "PISSED OFF PARTY" (or POP).
This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections.
If you're Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don't vote for the incumbent.
If you're Republican, vote Republican. Just don't vote for the incumbent..

We need to send a message to all politicians, that we're tired of their B.S.
If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message.
It's pretty simple. Nobody needs to change parties and lets face it, there's plenty of blame to spread around.

A few good politicians will lose their job but they probably have better retirement and insurance then 95% of the American public.

You've had to struggle for the last 5 years. Some of you have lost your job and may be working in some other sector just to feed your family.

I guarantee you, none of them will suffer like this country has. If you really think this has legs then a website and a blog could help get the word out.

To All 535 voting members of the Legislature; it is now official you are ALL corrupt morons:
The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.
Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.
Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.
War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.
Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.
The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.
You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE, IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT.

Good Morning Vietnam!!!!

2010-03-04T07:41:00.000-06:00

President Obama has proposed a 1.4% pay increase for active duty military in 2011. This is THE LOWEST SINCE 1973! Nice to know that during a time of rampant inflation, while war is fought in 2 theaters, our men and women in uniform get A LOWER PAY INCREASE THAN WELFARE RECIPIENTS!!! You asked for "change" now we have it. THANKS....retards.

1783!!!

2010-02-12T07:28:00.000-06:00

Remember 1783!!!

In 1783, a group of soldiers from Pennsylvania marched on Congress, demanding their pay. Armed and angry, they surrounded Independence Hall. The members of Congress eventually were allowed to leave the building; they fled to Princeton, New Jersey.

Anyone for some Tea?

2010-02-10T07:08:00.000-06:00

They label us who support the Tea Parties as whackos and crazies. They are the ones that are crazy if they think the American people are going to idly sit by and watch the government destroy this great nation of ours. I employ every American citizen that calls themselves a patriot to stand up for your rights and not allow this to happen.

1783!!!!!!!!!!!

Promises Promises

2010-02-04T07:32:00.002-06:00

President Obama made a couple of campaign promises on a number of occasions. Those promises were to: not raise taxes and that the reconciliation discussions would be broadcast live on C-SPAN. President Obama has failed on both of those promises.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Api4fUziAnI

So whatever happened to this campaign promise? Nothing. C-SPAN requested broadcasting rights to the reconciliation discussions. The White House denied the request which President Obama promised the citizens of America.

Yesterday the Feds upped the federal taxes. So now every legal working American now has more Federal taxes taken out of each paycheck. Yay!!!!! I hope you can sense the sarcasm in that.

PSA #2

2010-02-03T07:25:00.000-06:00

Dear Mentally Unstable Individuals,

If you are planning on killing a large number of people in workplaces or schools would you please be considerate of other law abiding citizens who own guns and would like to remain that way? If you are going to commit a crime please use other items such as: a baseball bat, knife, tennis racket, axe, chainsaw, beanie baby, or a reality television star. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Me

Would you like to play global thermonuclear warfare?

2010-02-02T07:58:00.002-06:00

Dear Iran,

If you do choose to nuke us please make your first target the set and cast of Jersey Shore. Please make your second target the Kardashian house and your third target the MTV offices. Thank you and have a happy new year you whacky Iranians.

Sincerely,
Me

Handouts!!! Get your handouts!!!!

2010-02-01T13:27:00.001-06:00

Just so you all know. On December 30, 2009, our government gave an additional $3.8 billion, yes billion, to GMAC Financial Services to help bail them out. The fresh infusion is on top of $12.5 billion in taxpayer money Detroit-based GMAC has already received from the government. The new agreement will boost the federal government's ownership in GMAC to 56%, from 35%.

Welcome Back!!!

2010-01-31T08:08:00.003-06:00

Well, everyone I made it back to Oklahoma safely. I just spent two weeks in Nashua, NH for training with AT&T. It's great to be home. I will say the weather up there was horrible. Extremely cold and snowed a lot. I hate snow so I was bummed when it was 68 degrees here in OK while I was stuck in NH. I get to New Hampshire and there's snow. I get back to Oklahoma and there's snow. UGH!!!! Oh well. It won't be too long before I can get out and ride the bike again.

Would You Like to Play A Game?

2010-01-31T08:07:00.000-06:00

Obamopoly:The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything!
Want to play? No??? Too bad, you're already playing....
and just don't know it.

Road Trip!!!!

2010-01-23T08:55:00.003-06:00

Today I don't have any training and I've taken it upon myself to see some of New England today. Since I'm getting off to a late start I can't see as much as I would like. I'm going to leave Nashua, NH and head down to Stratford, CT and pick up Garth (training classmate). Then I'm going to head over to Providence, RI. Next I'm off to Boston, MA to see the USS Constitution and then to Salem to see the witch trial museum. After that I'm heading up to Kittery, ME. If I had more free time I would swing through Vermont and go to Montreal, Canada. I actually have my passport with me. Oh well. Maybe next time. Wish me luck since I'm doing this on my own.

Good Ole Days

2010-01-19T05:36:00.001-06:00

I encourage everyone that has enjoyed your freedoms such as: owning guns, choosing your own doctor, and low taxes (compared to what they will be) to stand up for your rights as an American citizen and write your congressmen and state representatives to let them know you're not happy and want the "good ole times" back.

Sky Diving

2010-01-17T19:40:00.001-06:00

This country has been in a downward spiral for years. I know some of you hate George W. Bush. One of the big problems here is now that we have a Democrat as President we're no longer on a downward spiral but now we're in a nose dive and accelerating towards terminal velocity every week.

"Live Free or Die!"

2010-01-17T08:13:00.001-06:00

That's the motto of New Hampshire and that's where I'm flying to in an hour. I'm going to be there for two weeks for new hire training with AT&T. I have a blog app on my iPhone so I will be able to keep this blog up to date while I'm gone.

It's a TARP!!!

2010-01-16T11:58:00.002-06:00

Top 10 reasons you shouldn't have voted for "change":

10. TARP or as I like to call it the Congressional Relief Action Program - The money for TARP was so urgent that Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and company didn’t add any transparency to the process and now we don’t know where much of the money went.

9. First Stimulus Bil...l - It stimulated spending in Democrat Congressional districts and created almost no new jobs.

8. Auto Bailout - Another bailout and another expansion of government.

7. ACORN – This corrupt organization was a favorite of House and Senate Democrats and well funded by their congressional patrons. Voters will remember.

6. Obama Czars – Special advisors to the President, circumventing the traditional Congressional confirmation process. The Obama administration’s widespread and deliberate use of “Czars” is a misuse of power and needs to be reined in.

5. CAP and TAX – Another massive tax increase on American families and small businesses.

4. Ben Nelson’s Payoff – Ben Nelson sold his health care vote to Harry Reid for $300+ million in lower taxes for Nebraska.

3. The $12 Trillion+ National Debt – Democrats in Congress spending money they don’t have. Mortgaging our children’s future.

2. Nationwide Unemployment rate at 10% - The Democrats are spending money like it’s going out of style and yet they are ignoring policies that would create new jobs.

1. The Government Takeover of Health Care - If the bill that comes out of Congress is signed into law, it will amount to a massive government expansion into our daily lives. It is the number one reason why Democrats should be defeated.

Don't Be A Dick

2010-01-15T22:33:00.002-06:00

Due to the debacle known as NBC Sports, the XFL, and the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien mess, I'm calling for the resignation of Dick Ebersol at NBC!!!!!!!

What were you expecting? A Messiah?

2010-01-15T09:46:00.001-06:00

I have to ask everyone that voted for Obama. What type of change were you expecting? Well, you all put us in a worse position than before. If you think the government knows what's best for us then please do us all a favor and do NOT vote.

In the beginning....

2010-01-15T09:07:00.000-06:00

I, Marshall MacHugh, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. So help me God.

My intention with this blog is to allow readers who are not my friends on Facebook to have some insight into how I feel about life. I'll keep my introduction brief because I'm sure most of you don't care too much about my past and just want to get to the nitty gritty.

I'm 30 years old. I'm married to my wonderful wife Leah and have two awesome beagles. I'm a testicular cancer survivor. I'm a retired rockstar and trying to have a good time riding my motorcycle and shooting guns. I am currently a student at the University of Phoenix here in Oklahoma City in my last year of finishing my bachelors in Criminal Justice Administration.

Yes, I am a Republican that believes in restricted federal government powers. Ronald Reagan once said "Government is not the solution; it's the problem". I am a non-denominational Christian and a member of a local church I attend regularly and drum for.

I will do my best to keep this blog up to date and current.