Friday, December 31, 2021

Bonus! Song o' New Year's Eve

Sufjan Stevens, "Auld Lang Syne" from Silver & Gold (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:
"For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne!
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!

Orange Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal)
The University of Michigan Marching Band, "Let's Go Blue" from Forever Valiant (Mike Papa Wolverine)

Commentary: The valiant Wolverines of Team 142 last played in Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, 1 December, in the B1G Championship Game again the tenacious Hawkeyes of Iowa. Tonight, they tilt against the epithetless Bulldogs of Georgia for the chance to return to Indianapolis, this time to compete for all the marbles in the National Championship Game.

Go Blue!

Bonus! Song o' the 7th Day o' Christmas

Optional Memorial of Saint Sylvester I, Pope
The Klezmonauts, "Little Drummer Boy" from Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Bonus! Song o' the Day: Go Blue!

Rob Carricker, "Marching through Georgia" from Over There!: Songs from America's Wars (Mike Papa Wolverine)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 6th Day o' Christmas

Sufjan Stevens, "Once in Royal David's City" from Songs for Christmas (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 5th Day o' Christmas

Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr
Christine Mason, "Away in a Manger" from Christmas Hope (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 4th Day o' Christmas

Feast of the Holy Innocents
Sufjan Stevens featuring Marla Hansen, "Coventry Carol" from Silver & Gold (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Never forget, this is how much the world hates Jesus Christ & the Gospel—enough to slaughter every male child two years & under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 27, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 3rd Day o' Christmas

Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist
Duvall, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" from O Holy Night (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Sunday, December 26, 2021

The Explorers' Club, № DCCCLX

Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars
25 December 1921: Eugene V. Debs was released from the United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, where he had been imprisoned since 13 April 1919 for opposing the draft during the World War; Debs was not pardoned, rather his sentence was commuted by President Harding, who received Debs at the White House; fifty thousand well-wishers greeted Debs's return to his home of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Lest we forget.

Bonus! Song o' the 2nd Day o' Christmas

The Klezmonauts, "Good King Wenceslas" from Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Today is the Feast if the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph, which falls on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas. Otherwise, 26 December would have been the feast of Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr. This rendition of "Good King Wenceslas" is instrumental, but the song's lyrics references the feast of Stephen.

The R.B.D. Song o' the Lord's Day: The Holy Family

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph
Daniel Schmit, "Joseph's Song" from Christmas Hope (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saturday, December 25, 2021

The Stars My Destination: Jas. Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (J.W.S.T.), originally planned for a 2007 launch, has lifted off from French Guiana's Centre Spatial Guyanais ("Guiana Space Centre") aboard an Ariane 5 rocket: Spaceflight Now-link. The J.W.S.T. is an incredibly complex & astonishingly ambitious observatory, with over three-hundred potential single-point failures. The full deployment/unfolding of the observatory—the innovative Sunshield & the multifaceted Optical Telescope Element—will occur over the next month: N.A.S.A.-link. This is a very exciting time, but also quite nerve-racking.

Godspeed, James Webb Space Telescope!
Bonus! Song o' the Day: James Webb Space Telescope
Tally Hall, "Fate of the Stars" from Good & Evil (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Christmas Day

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Duvall, "Joy to the World" from O Holy Night (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Friday, December 24, 2021

Bonus! Moonshot Song o' the Day: Apollo 8

Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 53rd Anniversary of Apollo 8
Public Service Broadcasting, "The Other Side" from The Race for Space (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Commentary: 2021 has been a hard year, a bad year, made all the worse because so many bought into the cynical lie that once the calendar turned from 2020 to 2021 all would again be well. 1968 was a hard year, a bad year, too. Many looked on Apollo 8's flight to the Moon as having "saved" 1968. Amidst the darkness all around us, more spiritual & psychological than physical, let us continue to look for & embrace the light wherever we find it. Like the good Earth in the famous "Earthrise" photo, the light shines brightest in the darkness. Godspeed to one & all.

The Wayback Machine Tour of Apollo 8
№ DCCXXIV: The Fiftieth Anniversary of Apollo 8, Part I
№ DCCXXV: The Fiftieth Anniversary of Apollo 8, Part II
№ DCCXXVI: The Fiftieth Anniversary of Apollo 8, Part III

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Christmas Eve

The Puppini Sisters, "O Holy Night" from Christmas with The Puppini Sisters (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:
"Fall on your knees,
O hear the angels' voices,
O night Divine
O night when Christ was born!…
O night Divine
O night, O night Divine…

"Christ is the the Lord!
O praise His Name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!"

Thursday, December 23, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "This Time of Year" from Medium Rare (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:
"The bells, the bows, and the flashing lights,
The mistletoes and the 'Slient Nights,'
It's all for show and it's alright,
That's not why I love this time of year.

"It gets me and it never lets me act like I don't care,
This time of year's my favorite time of year 'cause all of us are here together!…"

Bonus! Festivus Song o' the Day

Barenaked Ladies, "Aluminum" from Everything to Everyone (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Santa Claus's Party!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary:
"Come on, everbody, to Santa Claus's party,
You may be sure both rich and poor are welcome at Santa's door!
You don't need a ticket to Santa Claus's party!
A lot of toys for girls and boys and plenty of fun in store!

"A Christmas tree so high it floats right through the sky,
And Santa will be there to call, 'Merry Christmas to you all!'

"Come on, everbody, to Santa Claus's party,
A cheery grin will get you in, so what are you waiting for?…"

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Advent Edition

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 349.8 lbs
This weigh-in: 348.8 lbs.
Difference: -1.0 lbs.

One pound (1 lbs.) is only half our weekly goal, but since the last weigh-in I've been to a dinner party & a catered Christmas dinner. This time of year, any weight loss is a victory; heck, even holding steady would be welcome. I've largely abstained from sweets this Advent, but I expect to put on a few pounds once the Christmas cookies are available & there are visits from kith & kin, times for feasting not fasting.
Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
Darius Rucker, "Candy Cane Christmas" from Candy Cane Christmas (Mike Papa Watercress)

Commentary: There will not be a "Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in" next week. Look for the next Operation ÖSTERREICH post on Wednesday, 5 January 2022.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

No Doubt, "Oi to the World" from Everything in Time (B-Sides, Rarities, Remixes) (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:
"If God came down on Christmas Day,
I know exactly what He'd say,
He'd say, 'Oi to the punks! Oi to the skins!
'Oi to the world!' and everybody wins!…"

Monday, December 20, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Holiday Road!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary: This is a surprisingly straight cover of the Lindsey Buckingham classic. Why is "Holiday Road!" on a Christmas album? Why not?

Sunday, December 19, 2021

The Explorers' Club, № DCCCLIX

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 61st Anniveraries of Mercury-Redstones 1 & 1A
21 November & 19 December 1960: Mercury 1 started to lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, until the Redstone rocket shut off & fell back to the launch pad; the escape rocket lifted off, leaving the unmanned Mercury capsule behind; Mercury 1A lifted off for a suborbital flight of the same capsule, which splashed down in the Atlantic & was recovered by the U.S.S. Valley Forge.
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Mercury-Redstone 1
John Williams, "Mouse Robot/Blasting Off" from Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Mercury-Redstone 1A
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, "I Believe I Can Fly" from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Take a Break (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Semper exploro.

The R.B.D. Song o' the Lord's Day: IV Sunday o' Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent
London Brass, "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel" from Christmas with London Brass (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saturday, December 18, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Christmas Is Awesome!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary: Forty-seven seconds of unrelenting Christmas awesomeness.
"Christmas is awesome!
Christmas is rad! (Wo-wo-wo)
Time to remember
All the good things we have!

"Christmas is awesome!
Christmas is great! (Wo-wo-wo)
Time we get together
And super celebrate!

"Christmas! Ha ha! Yeah!

"Christmas!
Awesome!
Christmas!
Rad!
Christmas!
Awesome!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Friday, December 17, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Bite Me Bambi, "Holiday Cheer" from the Holiday Cheer single (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:
"Now absinthe (Now vodka),
Now whiskey (And beer!),
On brandy (
¡Tequila!),
And holiday cheer!
To the top of the shelf,
We'll drink 'til we fall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!…"

Thursday, December 16, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Christmas Steve!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary: "Christmas Steve" is my niece & nephew's, the Cupcake & the Bear, favorite song from I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too!. Those are some dark kids. Perhaps I'll change their code names to Wednesday Addams & Pugsley Addams.
"Christmas Steve will find you!
He's hiding in the garage,
No one knows where he goes,
He's stealing someone's [garbled].

"Christmas Steve's behind you!
You'd better call the police,
The phone is dead, he's on your roof,
You'll never go to sleep.

"Look out!"

"Christmas Steve, this is the police. Come off the roof now!

"Christmas Steve, untie me!
Stop going through the fridge!
He's eating all our Christmas food,
Can no one hear us scream?
Can no one hear us scream?

Hear us scream?
Hear us scream:
'It's Christmas Steve!'

"My name is Steve."

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Saints + Scripture: Adventus

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-five, verses six(c), seven, eight, eighteen, & twenty-one(c) thru twenty-five;
Psalm Eighty-five (R/. the Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-five, verse eight), verses nine(a/b) & ten, eleven & twelve, & thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses eighteen(b) thru twenty-three.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, John the Baptist summons two of his disciples to ask if Jesus is “the one… or are we to look for another?” When this inquiry is conveyed to Jesus, the Lord does not respond theoretically, but rather by pointing to things that are happening. “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.”

Was Jesus doing all of this in the literal sense? Yes! That he was a miracle worker and a healer was one of the most fundamental perceptions regarding Jesus. When God came among us in Christ, he effected the work of repairing his broken and hurting creation. He is not interested simply in souls but in bodies as well.

And so we hear indeed of the man born blind, of Bartimaeus, of the paralyzed man lowered down through the roof to Jesus, of the woman with the flow of blood, of the man who is deaf and dumb to whom Jesus says
“Ephphatha!” (Be opened!) (Mark 7:34). We hear of Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus and the son of the widow of Naim.

Reflect: How are good works an integral part of claiming to believe in Jesus Christ?
Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Advent Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Advent Reflection.


Papal Quote o' the Day
"The peace of Christ can establish itself only where people are prepared to rid themselves of sin. Those who do not live in peace with God can hardly live in peace with each other."
—Pope Saint John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast:22 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass."
—Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap. (1887-1968, feast: 23 September)
Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
"Saint Joseph knew, when Mary became pregnant, that this Child was not his child. He saw that she was pregnant but didn't know how. If he had gone to the high priest, she would have been stoned to death. Do you see the charity & thoughtfulness of Saint Joseph? If we have the same kind of charity & thoughtfulness toward each other, our families will become the abode of the Most High. How beautiful our families will become where there is total thoughtfulness for others."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
"If the bringing of children into the world today is an economic burden, it is because the social system is inadequate; & not because God's law is wrong. Therefor the State should remove the causes of that burden. The human must not be limited & controlled to fit the economic, but the economic must be expanded to fit the human."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Catherine O'Hara, Danny Elfman, & Paul Reubens, "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" from The Nightmare before Christmas: Special Edition (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:
"'Let's say that we take a cannon,
Aim it at his door and then—'

"'Knock three times and when he answers,
Sandy Claws will be no more!'

"You're so stupid, think!
Now, if we blow him up to smithereens,
We may lose some pieces—'

"'And then Jack will beat us black and green!'…"

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Advent Edition

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 352.2 lbs (Wednesday, 1 December)
This weigh-in: 349.8 lbs.
Difference: -2.4 lbs.
Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "I Love Rocky Road" from "Weird Al" Yankovic (Mike Papa Watercress)

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Saints + Scripture: Adventus

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.C.D. (1542-1591, A.K.A. Juan de Santa María de Yepes y Álvarez), co-founder of the Discalced Carmelites (1562, O.C.D.), formally the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter three, verses one, two, & nine thru thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. seven[a]), verses two & three, six & seven, seventeen & eighteen, & nineteen & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-two.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel is the parable of the two sons, a story about obedience to God. To live the good life is not finally a matter of autonomy but of obeying commandments.

The obedience that Jesus desires is a surrender to the one who wants what is best for the surrenderer. The entire to-be of the Son is a listening to the command of the Father, and the creature, consequently, is meant to be nothing but a listening to the command of the Son.

This is why Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer… I have called you friends” (John 15:14–15). What was lost in the Garden of Eden was friendship with God, symbolized by the easy fellowship enjoyed by Adam and Yahweh.

The whole of the biblical revelation—culminating in Jesus—could be construed as the story of God’s attempt to restore friendship with the human race. In the Last Supper discourse we hear the conditions for this restoration: coinherence with God.

Reflect: Is there any limit in this life to our opportunity to repent and be forgiven by God? How does repentance facilitate coinherence, or unity, with God?
Video reflection by Deacon Arthur L. Miller (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Advent Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Advent Reflection.


Mass Readings—Memorial of St. John of the Cross
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses one thru ten(a);
Psalm Thirty-seven (R/. thirty[a]), verses three & four, five & six, & thirty & thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-five thru thirty-three.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Open your hearts to Christ & go out to meet Him; quench your thirst at His spring. He offers a water that will satisfy your thirst for joy, for happiness, & for love."
—Pope Saint John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)
Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
"It is not a sin to be rich. When it provokes avarice, it becomes a sin. Richness is given by God & it is our duty to divide it with those less favored."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
"Very few people believe in the devil these days, which suits the devil very well. He is always helping to circulate the news of his own death. The essence of God is existence, & He defines Himself as: 'I am Who am.' The essence of the devil is the lie, & he defines himself as: 'I am who am not.' Satan has very little trouble with those who do not believe in him; they are already on his side."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Well & good if all things change, O Lord God, provided I am rooted in You."
—Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church (1542-1591, feast: 14 December)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Too!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary:
"Where's my freaking hippo!?
Did you miss the memo?
Let's circle back around, O.K.?
Where's my freaking hippo!?

"I demand a hippopotamus for Christmas, too!
My lawyer's on the phone, we're gonna sue…

"I deserve this hippo, but Mom says I don't.
Lucky for me, you see, Mom & Dad don't have a vote…"

Monday, December 13, 2021

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "The Night Santa Went Crazy" from Bad Hair Day (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture: Adventus

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Monday of the Third Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (circa 283-304, of Syracuse), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution.
Commentary: Wayback Machine '19.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Numbers, chapter twenty-four, verses two thru seven, fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen(a);
Psalm Twenty-five (R/. four), verses four & five(a/b), six & seven(b/c), & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-three thru twenty-seven.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the chief priests and elders question Jesus: "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?"

The Greek word used for "authority" is most enlightening: exousia. It means, literally, "from the being of." Jesus speaks with the very exousia of God, and therefore, his words effect what they say. He says, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43), and the dead man comes out of the tomb. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, "Be still!" (Mark 4:39), and there is calm. And the night before he dies, he takes bread and says, "This is my body" (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). And what he says is.

Friends, this is the authority of the Church. If we are simply the guardians of one interesting philosophical perspective among many, then we are powerless. If we rely on our own cleverness in argumentation, then we will fail. Our power comes—and this remains a great mystery—only when we speak with the authority of Jesus Christ.

Reflect: How can we, mere humans, "speak with the authority of Jesus Christ"?
Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Advent Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Advent Reflection.


Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Lucy
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter ten, verse seventeen(b) thru chapter eleven, verse two;
Psalm Thirty-one (R/. six), verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Love is great & authentic not only when it seems easy & pleasant, but also & most of all when it is strengthened in life's small & big trials."
—Pope Saint John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"O eternal light, lift up my blindness! O perfect unity, create in me simplicity of being. Humble my heart to reeceive your graces."
—Saint Louise be Marillac, D.C. (1591-1660, feast: 9 May)
Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
"Let us not be afraid to be humble, small, helpless, to prove our love for God. The cup of water you give the sick, the way you lift a dying man, the way you feed a baby, the way you teach a dull child, the way you give medicine to someone suffering of leprosy, the joy with which you smile at your own home—all this is God's love in the world today."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
"Any book which inspires us to lead a better life is a good book."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Sunday, December 12, 2021

The Explorers' Club, № DCCCLVIII

Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars—The Anglo-Irish War, Part IV
6 December 1921: The Anglo-Irish Treaty—Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain & Ireland was signed in London, providing for the creation of an Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Empire & allowing Northern Ireland to opt out of the Free State & remain within the United Kingdom; the Dáil was deeply divided & only narrowly ratifed the Treaty, sparking the Irish Civil War.
The Wayback Machine Tour of the Anglo-Irish War
№ CDXCIV: The Easter Rising (Prologue)
№ DCLXXI: Declaration of Independence & the Soloheadbeg Ambush (Part I)
№ DCCLXXXVI: Bloody Sunday in Dublin (Part II)
№ DCCXCII: The Burning of Cork (Part III)

Bonus! Song o' the Day: The Anglo-Irish Treaty
Irish Band, "Minstrel Boy" from 100 Hits: Irish & Celtic Favorites (Mike Papa Whiskey)
Lest we forget.