GraniteGrok

Regular readers of the 'Grok have hopefully seen the change in what has been posted the last few months.  While I am thankful for folks that have offered aid in posting (e.g., Andrew, Angus, Anne Marie, Bob, The Mechanic, and Tim), I'm still the one responsible for the outlook and tone for most of the posts. 

And yes, the tone has changed a bit over the last few months.  My emphasis has changed - a bit more serious, more focused on TEA Party movement and what it stands for, and viewing all things politic from the stance of Liberty and Freedom.  Those last two values and principals are what this country was founded on, over which wars were fought, and for which brave men and women sacrificed their lives and their families over these last couple centuries.  The freedom to live as one wanted and make the choices best for them and their families.

And for a while, I shied away from blogging on a lot of politics writ small here in NH and stayed with the larger context.  That time, if you haven't noticed lately, has passed.  Why?

With election drawing neigh, I refuse to let the Progressives, with their nonsense that freedom is without cost or responsibility, their benighted ideas that by taking to give to others and having Government allow which choices we as free men may have, win these battles.

The 'Grok will be spotlighting those candidates, over the next few weeks and months, that I think deserve your attention and, eventually, your vote.  They have (or are, depending on their political experience) showing a commitment similar to that of the 'Grok's vision of limited government, fiscal frugality, a hard fast love of the Constitution as written,and self-responsibility with other values as well. And certainly the 'Grok will certainly call out all those that do not fit this mold.

Congressional, Senatorial, Gubernatorial, NH Senate, NH House - you bet!

Politics writ NH small - let's go!

Posted by Skip at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I've added two new sites to the NH Conservative Blogroll section:

RBOBlog (had the top mention in my latest "Round about some of the NH Conservative sites" this week)

Lighthouse Patriot (which is also in there as well)

Also, updated the link to NH Election and Take Back Orford, NH which I noticed is now named TBONH.

Know of any other Conservative NH Blogs?  Send them along.  What I normally do is bookmark them, visit them for a while, and then update the blogroll.  Here in NH, life's hard enough for Conservatives lately - gotta have some like-minded friends and hightlight their good writings!

Posted by Skip at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Granite Status: Newt set for NH return
By John DiStaso
UnionLeader.com
January 5, 2010

“GINGRICH IN NH. With his profile and penchant for controversy as high as ever, Newt Gingrich will return to New Hampshire for the first time in nearly three years at the end of the month.

“The Granite Status has learned that Gingrich, the former U.S. House speaker and author of the mid-1990s ‘Contract with America,’ will keynote a ‘Grassroots Communications Conference’ sponsored by businessman Fred Tauch's…STEWARD watchdog organization on Jan. 30.

“The daylong event is scheduled to be held at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.

…

 “He last visited New Hampshire in the spring of 2007 for a book signing and to organize workshops for a nationwide ‘Solutions Day’ that his 527-group, American Solutions for Winning the Future, held in September of that year.

“Gingrich can been seen almost nightly on one news network talk show or another commenting on health care, the war on terrorism, the Obama administration and the state of the GOP.

“In New Hampshire, he'll join other speakers at the conference in talking about ‘emerging methods of communications to reach voters, constituents and activists,’ according to STEWARD.

“In a release to be issued later this week, STEWARD, an acronym for Save The Economy Without Accumulating Record Debt, says the conference ‘will empower participants to disseminate a conservative message, organize and mobilize online.’

“Gingrich noted in a statement released to the Granite Status that in the summer of 2008, American Solutions ‘gathered the signatures of 1.5 million Americans who supported our “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less”’ campaign in support of offshore drilling, an online grassroots achievement that created the momentum that led to the repeal of the executive and legislative branch bans.

“‘I look forward to discussing with New Hampshire conservatives how to utilize new media to drive our message of safety, prosperity and freedom and spur people to demand real change from their government,’ Gingrich said.

“Other speakers so far scheduled for the conference are Andrew Breitbart, publisher of Breitbart.com and Breitbart.tv, and Stephen Gillett, Starbucks' Digital Ventures senior vice president, chief information officer and general manager.

“Concord political strategist Michael Dennehy, a consultant for STEWARD and Tausch, called Gingrich ‘the pre-eminent creative thinker in the Republican Party. We could not ask for a better national figure to help underscore the importance of new media communications in campaigns and public advocacy today.’

…

 “The event is free and open to the public but space constraints will limit attendance to about 500, Dennehy said. Those attending must register first at www.STEWARDofProsperity.org.”

Posted by Skip at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hayyp ewN, peoples!

blogging will resume tomorrow!

Posted by Skip at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

....with some family duties involving The Most Esteemed Wife, the Eldest, the Youngest, and the four footed wonder 'Grok dogs....and presents, and..well, other stuff...including some range time today (you know, this practicing the Second Amendment really has charged up TMEW - more often than not, she's the one asks first "Can we go over?".  Hmm, the family that shoots together....

And doing some research on some posts I want to do would like to have already done but haven't had the chance.  Problem is, the research takes time - and there's only me here now...and I know you all who come and visit (and I thank each and every one of you!) like to see more stuff..

Posted by Skip at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Skip at 8:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

As to the events of the last couple of days, I would again refer to my original statement:

CLICK HERE FOR STATEMENT

Since the time I issued that, I have spoken to the several media that I was able to receive their calls. I have taken an honest and contrite approach to my actions and the resulting consequences, and have been as open and frank as I can possibly be. There is nothing that can “unring the bell” so to speak, and all I can do is stand by my apology and continue to ask for forgiveness.

For those who do not know, I no longer have my position as the Thursday columnist at the Laconia Daily Sun, and, understandably, Meet the New Press radio has been axed by Nassau Broadcasting as well. I believe that these are the proper and appropriate consequences, and I apologize to the good people at the paper and the radio station who have been wonderful to me over the years and were completely undeserving of the grief my actions have caused them.

Additionally, I will no longer write at GraniteGrok for an as yet undetermined amount of time. I plan on spending my time in prayer and reflection, looking inward to the unhealthy malice in my heart, for which I will ultimately have to face my Maker , begging for His undeserved mercy.

One last point-- and then I ask for peace and privacy in this matter. In addition to those listed in my original apology statement, I owe my great friend Skip Murphy the most sincerest of apologies for all that has resulted from my inexcusable actions. Through no fault of his, all that has been built with great effort and heartache is now mostly all gone. In an instant. Like that…

Let this be a lesson to those who harbor such hatred as I have demonstrated—think about it. We must love EVERYBODY as we do ourselves.  And all the world is a camera. There is no hiding anymore.

I engaged in a WHOLE lot of free speech around here. With that, comes responsibility. Use it wisely.

Posted by Doug at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (44) | TrackBacks (0)

From another post that I recently put up

...flying to the aid of rock-ribbed freedom loving and liberty seeking / leaning Conservatives anywhere!

Doug is a passionate guy and sometimes often pushes the envelope - mostly on strictly political grounds. He skates to the edge - this time, he went over that edge.  He Did A Real Dumb Thing - and I have, in no uncertain terms, let him know that. All of us have done stupid things in life that cause one to say "What the heck was I thinking??" - this is certainly one of those moments for Doug.

The 'Grok has played in this 24x7 political realm for a while now - and Doug far longer than I.  Thus, he knows full well the consequences of saying what he did in this overly Politically Correct charged world.  Decisions have consequences; there have been some already and certainly there will be more.  It only takes one word, one action, and years of work can disappear - such is the reality of politics "in the now".

Many on the Left / Democrats have already called for his hide on the carpet - one only has to review the comments here on the 'Grok to see the vitriol and abuse he is receiving. Local gay activist and former Laconia Democrat Chair Ron Tunning is already working to have Doug removed from his column and the show canceled as he has already run to DailyKos et al in an no-holds barred effort akin to that seen in the aftermath of the people of California simply supporting Proposition 8.   I'm sure that many Republicans et al may will soon follow suit - after all, it is the Politically Correct thing to do in cases like this.  Many political candidates that were seeking to come on the show are now turning the other way - it is how things operate now.

No one is perfect all the time; we are all, in fact, imperfect pretty much most of the time.  It is what that person does AFTER the screw up that is important.  He has already apologized.  I'm afraid for many that will be insufficient - I wrote in the Podcast post:

For folks like you, and your brethren in CA who have literally have had people fired and businesses shut down merely for supporting CA's Proposition 8, it seems that NO apology will ever be sufficient.

The response was as I thought it would be:

No apology will ever be sufficient, that's correct

Thus, the ability to accept an apology, nowadays, seems to be in short supply as well.  There will those that will use this incident for their own political hay and opportunity.  They, too, are unable or unwilling to accept apologies.  Such is politics nowadays, and such is life if one is judged to be Politically Incorrect by those that get to set the rules.  So, was it Dumb do have done what Doug did?  Yup.  Stupid? Yup. Impolite?  You bet.  Would I have done that?  Nope.  Was it Politically Correct?  Not a chance. Will there be a fallout for me and my family?  I'm fairly sure there will.

So why do I write this?  I felt that I need to give this very politically incorrect answer to that question: he remains my friend.  

I, in no way, will "throw him under the bus" as many in the political sphere or those wedded to Political Correctness may now do so - to do so would be hypocrisy of the highest level on my part.  No, I do not condone what he did, but true friendship accounts for even dumbness - I don't kick my friends when they are down (even when self-induced).  Some may say this is too Old Fashioned an outlook; perhaps...but to not do so makes the phrase at the top of this post mere words at best and hypocrisy at worst.

I have accepted Doug's apology to me (and yes, he knows in no uncertain terms that I believe it to have been a Really Dumb Thing to have done).  He asked for forgiveness, as he not only put his efforts at risk with his remarks but he also put all my hard work over the last few years at great risk as well;  I have done so.

That said, I understand that the consequence of accepting his apology may be quite offensive to some - just review some of the comments already written to get the idea that an apology is not the end game they seek.

Posted by Skip at 6:39 PM | Permalink

Following today's MTNP Radio program, while the webcam was still streaming, I unleashed on a rant against NHDP chair Ray Buckley. Reacting to the fact that today is his birthday, and that a national gay rights group would be on hand to celebrate it--and the role he played in getting gay marriage passed in NH-- I made a play to the camera that was watched and reported on by an online media outlet.

To be blunt, what I said is something that never should have been said in any kind of a public setting, or, quite frankly, in a private one either. Being human, and an honest person that is used to freely speaking my mind, my passion got the best of me. Politically correct? Nah, that's not my style. Calling people names, THAT'S usually not my style, either, as I prefer to debate the issues in a battle of ideas.

I would like to apologize to Ray Buckley and those whom I may have offended for my unfortunate remarks following this morning’s program. There is no excuse for the tone or language I used to characterize Ray or anyone for that matter.  I would also like to apologize to my guests, my co-hosts, the folks at WEMJ, and the readers of the Grok.  I care deeply about my family, my state and my country. My sole reason for having this show is to shed light on just how quickly our country is being led down the wrong path. My remarks were not helpful to protecting the rights and the freedoms I fight for everyday.

Posted by Doug at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (48) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! Thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio? (Or voices for newspapermen bloggers?)

Live Broadcast by Ustream.TV

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... The results are in. MTNP Radio BLOWS AWAY the competition!

Posted by Doug at 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio? (Or voices for newspapermen bloggers?)

Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

• Margo Thorning is senior vice president and chief economist with the American Council for Capital Formation and director of research for its public policy think tank. Dr. Thorning also serves as the managing director of the International Council for Capital Formation, a new think tank incorporated in Brussels. The ICCF is an affiliate of the ACCF. In North America, Dr. Thorning has testified as an expert witness on capital formation and environmental issues before various U.S. congressional committees. 

In commenting on the Congressional Energy Package known as Waxman-Markey, otherwise dubbed “Cap and Trade,” she provided evidence that its passage will cause "higher energy prices slow economic growth.”

Thorning recently presented stark economic conclusions on the high economic costs of a cap and trade system before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and also to the House Ways and Means Committee.  As one example of a cap and trade system effect on energy prices, Thorning pointed to an analysis by the American Council for Capital Formation and the National Association of Manufacturers of last year’s legislation by Senators Lieberman (I-CT) and Warner (R-VA) S.2191, which set targets to reduce GHGs to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and to 70 percent below by 2050. The ACCF/NAM analysis shows the cost of electricity to the residential sector will rise by 101 to 129 percent by 2030. The share of U.S. electricity generated by natural gas compared to the baseline forecast increases and industrial natural gas prices would rise by 180 to 244 percent by 2030. 

Dr. Thorning will join us to explain what that means for us.

• The NH Watchdog, AKA Grant Bosse, the Lead Investigative Reporter for the Josiah Bartlett Center, joins us to chat the passage of the Manchester Spending Cap, the dismal October revenue report for NH, and the final numbers on the cash for clunkers debacle. Time permitting, we'll get his take on the latest unemployment figures. Stimulus saved jobs? Really?

• Robert J. Giuda is a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for NH's 2nd congressional district. Bob graduated from Pittsfield (NH) High School and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Operations Analysis. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1975. He served ten years as an attack pilot and instructor, including carrier operations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and achieved the rank of Captain. Bob also served as an FBI Agent before leaving government service to pursue a career in commercial aviation. He has spent the last 23 years as a pilot for a major U.S. airline, and is currently a Boeing 777 Captain flying international routes to Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East.

Bob served four years as a member (3 as Chairman) of the Board of Selectmen in Warren, and was elected to three consecutive terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives (2001-2006). He was appointed Deputy Majority Leader of the House and served on the Ways & Means, Labor, and Rules Committees.

We will discuss his campaign and what sets him apart from his opponents both in the GOP and the Democrat ranks. We'll also get his take on Cap and Trade and the looming health care bill.

• Doug and Skip talk this week's election results, the defeat of gay marriage in Maine, the Fort Hood shootings, and the hat-flap in Merrimack. Seems you can cover your head in a yearbook photo if you're a Muslim, nut not if you're a soldier...

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... The results are in. MTNP Radio BLOWS AWAY the competition!

Posted by Doug at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio? (Or voices for newspapermen bloggers?)

Live Video streaming by Ustream

While we cannot get at Barack Obama or his socialist comrades infesting Congress for another year, there are a few elections coming this week that will certainly give citizens an opportunity to show some big government-loving liberals the door, be it at the local, state, or national level...

• ROLAND MAHEU. Many people agree that America's civil decline, ignorance of the Constitution, and thus, loss of liberty, starts in the government schools. Movement Conservatives know they must engage in the battle for the hearts and minds in the school systems, and work for a return to understanding of the values and foundational principles that made this Nation great. Former Laconia City Councilor Roland Mahue, local businessman and former teacher and administrator, has stepped up and decided to make a run for that city's Ward 6 school board seat. Despite the realities of the present economic times, and the existence of a tax cap, the big spenders and cheerleaders of the educational-industrial complex have dreams of closing the existing centrally-located high school and moving it to the far outskirts of town. Aside from adding additional busing costs, the larger question is whether it really fixes what's broke? Roland will be instudio and looks forward to taking calls at 603 527 1490. We'll ask him about all the federal bucks falling from Heaven, and the supplemental appropriation process and whether it has the effect of circumventing the tax cap.

• Andy Sanborn wowed 'em at the recent "tax summit" held by NH's Democrat "leaders" with his detailed description of all the taxes a small business owner here in the Granite State must pay (video here). Joining us in the studio, we'll discuss the list of taxes, and why it is paramount a line in the sand must be drawn against any more. We'll get his overall take of the summit and we'll review (again) the importance of the so-called NH Advantage. We'll look at creeping OVER-regulation overtaking the state used as a means to raise more revenue WITHOUT legislative approval-- Labor, Liquor, etc, and how its stifling business activity and causing further harm like pushing the under-eighteen demographic from the job market. Most likely we'll chat the NY-23 House race and whether former NHGOP Chair Fergus Cullen is correct in using it in his Union Leader column as an example of the "civil war" in the Republican Party between conservatives and the not-so conservatives...

• Not Evil, Just Wrong is the movie Al Gore and his ilk wish had never been made. After viewing it at the premier thanks to our friends at the Josiah Bartlett Center, (and Andy Sanborn & The Draft) one can see why. Is this the beginning of the end for the radical global warming movement? New polling shows people are starting to wake up on this issue. Hopefully...

• Lynne Blankenbeker. One of the races Fergus laments about in the aforementioned column is the special election for a NH House seat in Concord. According to him, the big bad mean conservatives chased away a perfectly acceptable RINO from Party under the threat of a serious primary challenge, forcing him to instead switch parties. The culpable (in Fergus' view) conservative upstart, Lynne Blankenbeker, will join us to discuss Tuesday's election, where she hopes to defeat former Concord Mayor (and, now, FORMER Republican) Jim MacKay.

• Lynne has been a resident of New Hampshire since 1993.

• She was raised in Florida and moved to Alabama in 1982 where she earned her BS degree in nursing. She joined the Air Force while in college and was commissioned into the Nurse Corps in 1986. In 1990 Lynne was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After her tour, she returned home and started her family. She has one daughter, a senior at Concord High School. She took an 8 year break from military service while she was home with her daughter.

• Lynne and her husband moved to NH because they felt it was the best place to raise their young family. She practiced nursing part-time at DHMC and was a Risk Manager for a DHA hospital until the move to Concord in 2004. In 2001 she returned to military service as a nurse in the Navy Reserves. In 2003 she was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, caring for the injured soldiers and sailors. Currently, Lynne is a Commander and the CO of 2 medical units in MA. She also owns her own law practice where she focuses mainly on healthcare law and healthcare risk management consulting. She worked part-time at Concord Hospital until April 2009.

• A veteran, she is a life-member of the VFW Post 1631 and the American Legion. She is the co-founder of the Central NH Republican Women's club and a member of the Concord Republican City Committee.

Lynne on some of the issues: 1) Against Big Government. 2) Fiscal Conservative. Does not support an Income Tax or a Sales Tax. 3) Would like to see local control of education. 4) Against a National Healthcare Plan. 5) Does not support a seat belt or helmet law. 6) Opposes the current NH law that allows minors to have abortions without parental notification. 7) Pro Small Business 8) Supports the State's right to govern itself as enumerated in the Constitution. 9) Dedicated to Veteran's issues

• Obama to give miliions and millions for technology in the Muslim world?! Where the bleep is he getting THIS money?!

•  And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603-527-1490.

Posted by Doug at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio? (Or voices for newspapermen?)

Free Webcam Chat at Ustream

• Joining Doug and Skip for the full program will be Andrew Hemingway. Presently contemplating a run for NH's 2nd CD seat, Andrew is a self-employed entrepeneur. He'll join us for co-host/roundtable duties as we bring yet another week of what's hot in the Blogosphere to the airwaves.

• What's up with the Republican establishment? Don't they get it? Why would the GOP set about picking pseudo-Democrats like Dede Scozzofava and, closer to home, consider a Charlie Bass to put forth in the '10 midterms in this era of Tea Parties and general discontent with the leftist, government knows best approach? Thankfully, not all Republicans and leading conservative figures have swallowed the Kool-Aide...

• John C. Wohlstetter is a foreign policy and national security expert and the founder and editor of the blog “Letter from the Capitol”.  He is the senior fellow of technology and democracy at the Discovery Institute and a board member of the Hudson Institute.   He is the author of the book The Long War Ahead and the Short War Upon Us.  John has been published online and in print for, Town Hall, Washington Times, Human Events, The American Spectator, The Fenton Report, National Review Online and many other local and national outlets.  He appeared here on MTNP radio back in January.

 John joins us to discuss the subject of a recent talk he gave at the Discovery Institute centering on the focus of a new book he's working on. The speech, entitled "Nuclear Arms: Sleepwalking Towards Armageddon"  gives a historical overview of the 64 years spanning 1945-2009, the Nuclear Age.  He uses examples of various countries to illustrate the problems of nuclear proliferation & arms control. 

Russia presents problems of big power linkage, in which arms control is conjoined with a host of other problems Russia poses; Iran represents the problem of an aspiring regional hegemon, with perhaps still a messianic streak that makes deterrence exceptionally problematic; North Korea is the "crazy aunt in the attic"--a rogue proliferator; Pakistan presents problems of command & control of its growing nuclear arsenal; the United States faces the problem of negotiating agreements with disagreeables.

There is no question this subject is important-- and timely-- for all Americans as we stand by watching events unfold across the globe. And you thought the threat of nuclear annihilation was behind us...

• It's been a rough week for Carol Shea Porter... again. With the results (or lack thereof) of the reckless spending in the name of "stimulus" by her and her big spending Democrat candidates starting to come home to roost, she was forced into admitting that none of it seems to be working. Of course it isn't. NONE of her bankrupt ideas, fed directly through the direct pipeline to Nancy Pelosi, can possibly work in a nation of free markets and liberty.

Joining us to talk about Shea Porter's failed representation for New Hampshire is someone who wishes to change that, come November 20010: Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta. We'll discuss the failed policies and, more importantly, what HE would do in order to help jumpstart a struggling economy. Something tells me more taxes and fees are NOT part of the Guinta prescription. We'll also chat the health care issue, cap and trade tax, and anything else that might come up. Of course, phone calls are always welcome!

• Not Evil, Just Wrong is the movie Al Gore and his ilk wish had never been made. After viewing it at last Sunday evening's premier thanks to our friends at the Josiah Bartlett Center, one can see why. Is this the beginning of the end for the radical global warming movement? New polling shows people are starting to wake up on this issue. Hopefully...

• Despite being billed as a "Tax Summit", there were some participants that put forth an "anti-tax" message. Thanks to excellent reporting by Grant Bosse over at the NH Watchdog, we know who they are, and the gist of what they said. Kudos to all the "good guys"!

• Obama to give miliions and millions for technology in the Muslim world?! Where the bleep is he getting THIS money?!

•  And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... The results are in. MTNP Radio BLOWS AWAY the competition!

Posted by Doug at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio? (Or voices for newspapermen?)

OR

Just use the handy player:

Streaming live video by Ustream

• All politics is local. While the names and places may be different, the issues and kinds of players remain much the same. Many people agree that America's civil decline, ignorance of the Constitution, and thus, loss of liberty, starts in the government schools. Movement Conservatives know they must engage in the battle for the hearts and minds in the school systems, and work for a return to understanding of the values and foundational principles that made this Nation great. Former Laconia City Councilor Roland Mahue, local businessman and former teacher and administrator, has stepped up and decided to make a run for that city's Ward 6 school board seat. Despite the realities of the present economic times, and the existence of a tax cap, the big spenders and cheerleaders of the educational-industrial complex have dreams of closing the existing centrally-located high school and moving it to the far outskirts of town. Aside from adding additional busing costs, the larger question is whether it really fixes what's broke? Roland will be instudio and looks forward to taking calls at 603 527 1490. We'll ask him about all the federal bucks falling from Heaven, and the supplemental appropriation process and whether it has the effect of circumventing the tax cap.

• Tea Partiers "complicating" some Republican primary races? Good. Isn't that partly the point? (At least when it comes to the bad ones?)

• Hodes & comrades take a hike rather than provide oversight in the Chris Dodd Countrywide Loan scandal. Nice. Real nice...

• Film maker Phelim McAleer is certainly hitting the stage in a big way this week. In addition to the release this weekend of his new move, Not Evil, Just Wrong, he gained notoriety as being one of the few people to publicly challenge Al Gore and his global warming assertions. No doubt you've either heard or watched the exchange involving the questioning of facts in Gore's Inconvenient Truth movie and polar bears, and the cutting of the mic.

 

The result, of course, is allowing even more people to see for themselves the facade that is AlGore and his global warming hucksterism. We'll thank Phelim, both for the question, and his movie. Not Evil, Just Wrong examines the shaky scientific work that Al Gore used in his documentary "An Inconvenient Truth", the costs of environmental alarmism in Africa stemming from the ban on DDT, and the economic price that Gore's climate change regime would impose on coal-producing rural America.  The producers are debuting the film simultaneously across the country at 8pm EST on Sunday, October 18th. (We will be joining our friends at the Josiah Bartlett Center at the Draft Bar and Grill on Main Street in Concord for the event)

• Earlier this week, we noted that businessman Fred Tausch's STEWARD of Prosperity group released a new study regarding the impact of the Democrat health care plan on New Hampshire businesses. Highlights of the report, entitled “Federal Health Care Reform Includes Hidden Penalties for New Hampshire Businesses,” include,

  • The “play-or-pay” health insurance mandate for employers being considered by Congress would cost Granite State businesses $215 million to $229 million.
  • As a result of a proposed income tax surcharge that would create three new marginal tax rate brackets, New Hampshire businesses that file through the individual tax code would face a combined income tax rate of 47.25%
  • In a survey of American states and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations, this higher tax rate (47.25%) would place New Hampshire behind Canada (46.41%), France (45.8%) and Italy (44.9%) in terms of combined federal, state and local income tax rate burdens.

One of the report's authors, NH-based economist J. Scott Moody joins us to discuss the findings and what it could mean for the future of our New Hampshire Advantage. You can hang out with the people of STEWARD and many of its grass roots supporters at this Saturday's (17th) Free "Stop the Spending" Chowderfest at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth. Click here to sign up.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... The results are in. MTNP Radio BLOWS AWAY the competition!

Posted by Doug at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So much so, it should be made it's own mandatory food group!  So tomorrow - Chowdah, with a heaping side plate of politics and policy (does this make me a New England blogger-wonk? Or just a participant in two of NH best delicacies? Yikes!)

The 'Grok has been invited and the intention is to leave right after the show and try to make it on time for the politics....and CHOWDAH (er, TMEW is looking at me again, with the bathroom scale in hand...!):

STEWARD of Prosperity to Host “Stop the Spending Chowderfest” in Portsmouth

CONCORD, NH – STEWARD of Prosperity, a Concord-based grassroots political organization, will host the “Stop the Spending Chowderfest” on Saturday, October 17 in Portsmouth from 1 to 3 p.m. Fiscal conservatives will rally at the event, which features potential U.S. Senate candidates, as New Hampshire Democrats prepare for a summit next week to consider a new state income tax.

EVENT DETAILS:

WHO: Potential Senate candidates Kelly Ayotte, Jim Bender, Ovide Lamontagne and Sean Mahoney; joined by former New Hampshire House Speaker Doug Scamman, who will deliver remarks on state spending.

WHAT: STEWARD of Prosperity’s “Stop the Spending Chowderfest”

WHERE: Redhook Brewery, 35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH

WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 1 to 3 p.m.

About STEWARD of Prosperity:

STEWARD of Prosperity is committed to holding politicians in Concord and Washington accountable to taxpayers. Using traditional grassroots tactics and harnessing the power of online communities, the group works to stop wasteful public spending and demands transparency in government. To advance its goal of putting government back on the side of the people, STEWARD releases investigative reports on key public policy issues and actively recruits new civic leaders across New Hampshire. The organization’s Web site – www.STEWARDofProsperity.org – is intended to provide a public information resource center for working families, policy-makers and members of the media.

See you there - stop by and say hello!

Posted by Skip at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

Once again this week you can WATCH us at our USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here. Check it out. Do we really have faces for radio?

OR

Just use the handy player:

Free video chat by Ustream

• Mark Holden is the President of the New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Writing in an op-ed published in the Union Leader back in September, Mark told us that the Federal Department of Labor has ordered that the new $35 million Job Corp Center Project in Manchester NH benefit only union contractors, workers and their families by requiring the use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA).

 There's a bit of new news regarding this matter, which has caught some national attention thanks to a story in the Washington Times.

North Branch Construction, a Concord, N.H.-based general contractor and member of the business group Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), filed a bid protest this week with the Government Accountability Office, claiming the PLA "unduly restricts competition."

"PLAs are special-interest handouts that deny taxpayers the accountability they deserve from government contracts," said Ken Holmes, president of North Branch Construction.

Mark will discuss the details, and point out that these rules basically prevent New Hampshire companies from getting a chance to even bid on the project. Some "stimulus," huh? As noted on their website, this amounts to "compulsory unionism."

• Last Sunday we linked to an interesting article in the Washington Examiner by Diana West on "how to 'lose' Afghanistan and win the war."

And what war would that be? Since 9/11, the answer to this question has eluded our leaders, but it remains the missing link to a cogent U.S. foreign policy.

It is not, as our presidents vaguely invoke, a war against "terrorism," "radicalism," or "extremism"; and it is not, as the current hearts-and-minds-obsessed Afghanistan commander calls it, "a struggle to gain the support of the [Afghan] people."

It is something more specific than presidents describe, and it is something larger than the outlines of Iraq or Afghanistan. The war that has fallen to our generation is to halt the spread of Islamic law (Shariah) in the West, whether driven by the explosive belts of violent jihad, the morality-laundering of petro-dollars, or decisive demographic shifts.

Diana lays out the steps we MUST take if we're going to ultimately win this thing-- meaning the war against Sharia, not some nation-building stint in the Islamic World. What other choice do we have, but victory? The alternative is to submit... West lays out some hard realities and solutions. One wonders if our country can ever summon up the will... and the right leadership necessary to cary it out. I have my doubts. We'll ask her what she thinks... One thing's for sure- she doesn't think McChrystal's strategy will win the day in Afghanistan.

• Doug 'n Skip kick around a few random topics... Yeah, we're not ashamed to admit we're NOT Nobel Prize winners. Could it be the world's consolation prize to Obama to make up for not granting him and his Chicago cronies the Olympics? And what about the cool million bucks? Can a president take that money? Could this help replenish that Obama-money being handed out to the homeless?

• Jennifer Rubin, writing at Commentary Magazine's Contentions Blog last week (BEFORE Obama landed his Nobel Farce Prize) noted, following the failed Chicagoland Olympic bid:

Observers were convinced that the deal to give it to Chicago was set, because no president would go—and no staff would let him go—to Copenhagen to be humiliated, right? Uhh, no. They hadn’t a clue and they had no game plan. They played roulette with the president’s prestige—and lost.

Could it be that there is less to Obama and his team of geniuses than we were led to believe? Maybe Obama’s domestic and foreign-policy agenda is all based on wishful thinking...

Gulp! Is this any way to run a country?

Jen also wrote of some interesting points being raised by, of all people, Lanny Davis, regarding the Obama Administration's bass-ackwards Honduran policy. A long-time MTNP Radio fave, Jen Rubin contributes to the American Spectator, Human Events, Commentary Magazine.com's Contentions blog, along with a host of other excellent magazines, websites, and news organizations.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... The results are in. MTNP Radio BLOWS AWAY the competition!

Posted by Doug at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

UPDATE:  We are trying something new this week - join us on a LIVE USTREAM.TV feed by clicking here (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/meet-the-new-press---schlubcam)!

OR

If everything is working during the show, just enjoy by watching us below:

Live Broadcast by Ustream.TV

and if it doesn't well, you never get anywhere without a bit of work....

• Amanda Carpenter. So I'm listening to the O'Reilly Factor on the satellite radio while driving to work Friday morning and caught a bit of an interesting discussion on health care and, more specifically, a new proposal to allow larger rate discounts for "healthy" people- basically not obese or otherwise out of shape. Unfortunately, it was a short segment, and I didn't catch everything said on the topic by one of the guests, Amanda Carpenter. It all worked out, however, because she will join us on the radio to give the details.

We'll also talk about the continuing Carol Shea Porter town hall fiasco which has caught Amanda's eye down in DC and get her take on the failed Obama bid for a Chicagoland Olympics.

In addition to occasionally appearing on the Fox News Channel & other outlets, Amanda Carpenter writes the daily "Hot Button" column for The Washington Times. Prior to that, she was a national political reporter for Townhall.com.

• While at the RI 9-12 Tea Party, I had the pleasure of meeting James Dunn, who has written a book about history entitled "The United States of Empire- The passing of the mantle from the United Kingdom to the United States." Writes Dunn: "So it was World War I changed the whole of world history and set the stage for the "American Century." It was a war we need not have joined. But we did and since then, we have become: The United States of Empire." The book makes for some deep and interesting reading, and posits the notion that had we approached the "war to end all wars" differently, the 20th Century would have been a very different time. If the Kaiser had indeed won the war, would there have been a Hitler? Would there have even been an aggressive Soviet bear? Perhaps there would have been no Korean or Vietnam wars. We'll also consider one of the more controversial assertions he makes that challenges some traditional notions (or maybe not) of how much Roosevelt knew before the Day of Infamy at the dawn of WWII. Following this, Dunn will stay with us throughout the show and participate in the panel discussion as it unfolds.

• State Representative Dan Itse was the sponsor of HCR6, a resolution affirming States’ rights based on Jeffersonian principles. While ultimately not passed, his proposal gained attention well beyond the Granite State's borders, with other states joining in. Rep. Itse even appeared on the Glenn Beck Show to discuss the plan to tell the Federal government it's "gone far enough." Indeed the States' Rights Movement has gained momentum, with one of Alaska Gov Sarah Pailin's final acts being the signing similar legislation, along with many others as well. Certainly, Dan is giving it another go here in the Granite State. He will describe what it actually means, how it works, and why the act of the States reclaiming their Constitutional rights is the only chance we have at saving the Republic.

We'll also talk parental rights, petitions and bills of address, his aim to correct the miswording in Art 73A of the NH Constitution, and the movement to audit the Federal Reserve. Representative Itse is the Director of Political Action for the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA).

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... 

Posted by Doug at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

UPDATE: Fixed with the help of Dirk, the Station Engineer!

PLEASE NOTE: We are experiencing technical problems with the live stream - our "phone" guests are being heard by our "over the air" listeners but not being delivered to our live stream

We apologize for the problem.

Taking off Saturday morning at 9 am!

 As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• It has been said that the Right to Know law is the most violated law in the Granite State. Paul Punturieri of Moultonborough asserts that among the more recent examples is the process used by his town to replace a police chief. In fact, he feels so strongly that he has filed a lawsuit, noting

 The Moultonborough Board of Selectmen met in non-public session on an unannounced date to discuss, plan and coordinate the process it would use to hire a new Police Chief.  This is illegal and violates RSA 91-A. Any and all discussion of how the Police Chief would be replaced, if and how a search/screening committee would be formed, and who would be appointed should have occurred in a public session. It did not. The Plaintiff does not dispute that the candidate interviews, review of resumes and other personnel documents are legal in non-public session under 91-A:3 II(b). The Plaintiff is contesting that the decision to appoint a committee (or accept volunteers), the membership of that committee and the process leading up to the interviews violates RSA 91-A as they were never held in public session.

Oops! And guess what? The sheriff that always seems to be at the nexus of RTK matters in Belknap County is involved in this one too! Doesn't he get it? Paul will give us the latest, as he gets ready to head to court in the near future.

• Ellen Sauerbrey, writing in a guest post here on the 'Grok, reported on the chilling story of Congress issuing a spank down to a private insurer daring to warn its customers against the dangers of Obamacare.

In an outrageous and un-American attack on dissent aimed at Humana Inc., a major health insurer is being investigated for the crime of communicating its concerns about health care legislation to its enrollees.

Recently, Humana sent a mailing to seniors subscribed to the Medicare Advantage Program warning that "millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many ... important benefits and services that make Medicare advantage health plans so valuable." The letter urges enrollees to protest the proposed legislation to their members of Congress.

The response?

Congressional Democrats have issued their own official response to Humana, Inc. In short: "Shut up - or else!" Unhappy that an insurer disagrees with the impact of their legislative proposal, they have directed the Administration bureaucracy Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to go after Humana and any other insurance company that sends out letters that might alarm the elderly.

Ellen will lay out the details of this ugly chapter of the ongoing story of the Democrat majority in Congress, in cahoots with their President Obama.

• Jack Kimball, the Portsmouth businessman and Tea Party activist leader seeking the GOP nomination for governor, checks in from the campaign trail. We'll ask him what he thinks about the fact that NH is ranked as the 7th most business-friendly state in the country. Should we be satisfied with the fact that Sarah Palin's Alaska beat us, finishing 3rd? What will a few more years of Democrat rule of the Granite State do to this ranking?

Earlier this week, Kimball questioned Lynch's continued silence as his comrades in the Democrat Party plot new taxes, signaling a death knell for the NH Advantage, noting he

is concerned, as are many citizens of New Hampshire, that Gov. Lynch will once again go back on another pledge and allow members of the Democratic Party to impose either an  income tax, sales tax, or both.  "But more concerning is Gov. Lynch's silence as members of his party seriously consider more tax increases at a time when the people and the businesses of New Hampshire are struggling.  This is just another example that the foxes are in charge of the hen house." stated Mr. Kimball.

"Integrity seems to be something Gov. Lynch has forgotten.  When you give your word, you stand by it.  Gov. Lynch seems incapable of controlling members of his own party, which we all have witnessed this past year. The mere talk of new taxes will scare businesses away." 

Yikes! 

• Our friend Karen Testerman joins us for a discussion on the looming passage of the insidious UN Treaty on the Child. She'll also fill us in on developments involving the latest proposal to merge CMC (Catholic Medical Center) with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock. What happens to the Catholic mission, and, more importantly, to LIFE?

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... 

Posted by Doug at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

• Grant Bosse, Lead Investigative Reporter for the Josiah Bartlett Center reporting regularly at the NH Watchdog blog, checks in on a variety of topics, which will include:

• ARRA Signs. Judd Gregg joins the rest of the regular people in wondering what the heck money needs to be spent on these for?

• The ongoing kabooki dance between Gov. Lynch and the state's unionized employees. We'd re-enact PATCO, if it was up to us...

• In a recent release from the Associated Builders and Contractors  we learned that the Federal Department of Labor has ordered that the new $35 million Job Corp Center Project in Manchester NH benefit only union contractors, workers and their families by requiring the use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). All contractors on the project will be required to either use union workers or apply union apprenticeship and work rules to their employees. Non-union contractors, even if you already provide benefits, will also be required to make contributions to union health, pension funds and other union programs that non-union workers will never be eligible for or benefit from.  Non-union contractors will have to factor double benefit costs into their bids to maintain their existing benefits for their employees and to pay into the union funds. This deters competition and increases the cost of construction by 10 - 20%. This week, the Union Leader reports Judd Gregg has taken note, as well. What a waste of money! More here.

• Joe Wilson. HE told the truth...

• The NH Senate Republican primary kicks it up a notch with Sean Mahoney's announcement that he's thinking of joining Ovide LaMontagne and Kelly Ayotte in the race to replace Judd Gregg. We'll discuss.

• Doug & Skip hot topics TBD...

• Bill Wilson was elected President of Americans for Limited Government two years ago, which was the latest step in over 30 years of work within the conservative movement. Wilson began as an organizer for Ronald Reagan's 1976 Presidential campaign in Maryland and southeast Pennsylvania and later spent a decade at the National Right-to-Work Committee before spending the last 15 years with the Americans for Limited Government organization. He's also been active on the political end, managing a number of Congressional, state, and local campaigns. We are pleased to feature materials provided by the ALG here on the 'Grok as informative guest posts and editorials. Recently, they covered two of the biggest stories NOT covered by the traditional main stream media.

• This week, Mr Wilson sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called upon the duo to remove Congressman Charlie Rangel as the Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

  “Madame Speaker and Leader Hoyer, the time has come for you to remove Charles Rangel from the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee. Any further delay will make you little more than willing accomplices to his malfeasance,”

  Wilson wrote in his letter, explaining,

  “Mr. Rangel’s nefarious financial wheeling and dealing has brought disgrace upon himself, his office, our nation, and your House. Time and again, he has been caught red handed violating tax laws and House rules, only to plead a degree of unmitigated ignorance absolutely intolerable for a man in his position.”

•  Thursday, the House voted 345-75 to approve the "Defund ACORN Act." According to the legislation, no organization may receive funding that has "been indicted for a violation under any Federal or State law governing the financing of a campaign for election for public office or any law governing the administration of an election for public office, including a law relating to voter registration… had its State corporate charter terminated due to its failure to comply with Federal or State lobbying disclosure requirements… [or] has filed a fraudulent form with any Federal or State regulatory agency."........ Bill Wilson Friday defended the constitutionality of the House-approved "Defund ACORN Act" against charges by Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) that the bill is designed to "inflict punishment" on ACORN "without trial."

 Says Wilson: "Congress has a right and a responsibility to set the terms and conditions under which organizations are eligible to receive funding.  And it has a duty to make sure that partisan political or corrupt organizations like ACORN are no longer on the taxpayer dole."

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

 WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... 

Posted by Doug at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

.

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• DCE, AKA Chan, AKA the WeekendPundit joins the gang once again and helps out with co-hosting duties. 

• Noted New Hampshire political reporter James Pindell, purveyor of NHPoliticalReport.com, checks in for some discussion of a variety of the hot topics and buzz here in the Granite State. We'll chat the major races as they start to shape up: US Senate; Hodes versus the Republican Ayotte, LaMontagne or others? James predicts that a group of 50-100 key activists and players will play a pivotal role in who ultimately gets the GOP nod. To that end, he has created a "scorecard" to keep track. Guess who's on the list? (Hint: 3 are affiliated with GraniteGrok) We'll get his thoughts on the 1st and 2nd Congressional District races, with a few familiar names now in the mix. Given the disastrous congressional break for the NH's Democrat reps, are Republican chances looking up? We'll see what he thinks of activst leader turned Governor candidate Jack Kimball's chances at electoral success in this, the Tea Party era. One popular feature is the weekly "Political Standing" tracking who's up and who's down in New Hampshire. How did we let Jeanne Shaheen escape heat of her fellow Democrats' summer of discontent? Oh, and what's up with all the income tax talk all of a sudden? How's that going to work out for the Democratic majority? At the same time, they want to MANDATE businesses pay sick time? What the heck is going on? Is Barack Obama and his merry bunch of Chicago hucksters suddenly running the Granite State? What will they hurl at us next?

• NHAC's Matt Murphy checks in live from the Washington, DC 9-12 rally with an update of the festivities. It almost feels like me and Skip are the only activists left in the state this weekend!

• Our buddy John Hawkins of RightWingNews and the Linkiest wrote an excellent piece for Townhall.com-- 10 Lessons We Can Learn From the Rise of the Nazis. We'll go through the list, keeping in mind that there was more to the regime than the obvious inhumane treatment of the Jews and others they deemed undesirable. Using newly available mass communication methods, the Nazis were the masters of propaganda and the arts of political pursuasion, the forerunners of much of what we can witness today as part of the "process." We ignore what history shouts at us at our own peril... John interviewed Congressman Joe Wilson, the man speaking truth to power by calling Obama what he is: a liar. We'll get his thoughts on that, and the Obamessiah's speech in general.

• A great channel just got better: Stossel moves to Fox News

• Nobody covers global warming, also known, more scientifically as AGW, better than Chan. Sadly for the AlGore acolytes and apostles, with each passing day, it seems more and more holes get poked in the theory. Can enough people be brought to greater understanding on this before we do something stupid and pass Cap and Trade Tax?

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

 WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... 

Posted by Doug at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• 'Grok contributor and education activist Ann Marie Banfield made the circuit this week, along with the rest of the crew attending town hall meetings, forums, gubernatorial announcements and other various events taking place across the Granite State as the political season kicks off in earnest after the summer break. Wait--there was a break? Not around here! We'll discuss Ann Marie's experience at the Manchester Carol Shea Porter town hall meeting and compare it to what Doug observed at the Portsmouth one. As reported in this prior post, Ann Marie went armed with plenty of info on the matter of tort reform, which, as she wrote here on the 'Grok, has worked out quite well in Texas. Sadly, our Congresswoman Carol Shea Porter would hear none of that... Even the Union Leader noted this on their editorial page this week.

• Joe Byron is the founder of the Honor Flight New England, a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all of their sacrifices. Through generous donations they transport our heroes to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials AT NO COST TO THE VETERAN. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Along with Blue Star Mother Karen Thurston, we'll chat with Herk Stritburger, a WWII radioman shot down and held captive, who has recently made the trip to the Nation's capitol. The group's motto comes from Will Rogers: "WE CAN’T ALL BE HEROES. SOME OF US HAVE TO  STAND ON THE CURB AND CLAP AS THEY GO BY.” Indeed.

• Seacoast native Attorney John Anthony Simmons, allied with the Alliance Defense Fund, is a former State Representative, started his legal career as a prosecutor and has been in private practice since 1999, during which time he has served as Town Counsel to the Town of Seabrook, NH. You may have heard his name lately in the news, as he is the attorney representing the mother of the Christian homeschool girl in New Hampshire that has been ordered into government-run public school for having "sincerely held" religious beliefs. We'll get the details, and find out what's next for the Meredith girl and her mother.

• Additionally, Attorney Simmons is involved in a case defending the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance in Federal District Court. He also served as local counsel in a lawsuit against a school district who denied a Christian mother access to the “Friday Folder” where organizations send home information to the children about community events. This mother wanted to pass along information about Vacation Bible School and was refused simply because she was a Christian.

• Simmons, with Co-Counsel, defended two clients who were arrested for street preaching on Hampton Beach. They broke no laws and were only exercising their constitutional rights. Prior to going to trial, a Motion to Dismiss the matter was granted after the State’s case was made and before they had to put on a single witness.
  

• We'll finish the show with a roundtable discussion by Doug, Skip, and Ann Marie. Among the topics we'll try to hit on are:

• Our "Dear Leader" President Obama's reach into schools across the country. Does he really belong there? Is it even legal?

• The Frank Guinta Town Hall meeting was a smashing success. Many of those in attendance agreed the Manchsester Mayor, seeking the GOP nomination for NH's 1st CD seat, currently held by moonbat Carol Shea Porter, appeared well-prepared and conversant in the matters discussed. Heck, he LOOKED like a congressman. Why, he even READ THE BILL!

• Paul Hodes claimed this week he's held "a variety of forums" to engage his constituents. There are those that beg to differ. Do we really need ANOTHER US Senator from NH that artfully dodges the public? I don't think so... Oh, and don't forget, this public servant calls those who disagree with him members of the "flat earth society." All in all, It's been a tough month for NH's Democratic congressional delegation. What, you're surprised?

• Jack Kimball completes week one of his quest for the GOP gubenatorial nomination. Even the Dems have taken notice, remarking, that he "effectively touches that literally reactionary nerve," and that "he speaks for real numbers of people." They further note that he "does seem like a real candidate with an actual agenda... unlike Kenney and [Coburn].

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... 

 

Posted by Doug at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• New Hampshire has its first candidate for the 2010 governor race: Portsmouth businessman Jack Kimball. MTNP radio seems to be the hot spot for Republicans lately, as Jack'a appearance comes on the heels of visits by Ovide LaMontagne, Sean Mahoney, and Jennifer Horn, all indicating interest in possible runs for federal office. We'll spend an hour discussing a variety of issues and topics as Jack begins his quest for the Republican nomination. Says Jack,

I have decided that the best way for me to fight for my Country and our State is to lead the charge in taking our State back from the radical Liberals that have worked so hard to bankrupt us.

I believe that there is no tomorrow.  I believe that we are at a crossroads in our Country and our State.  We either stand up and fight to remove those people from office who would harm us or we will surely lose everything.  The upcoming mid-term elections are the most significant and impacting in my lifetime.  In fact, they are probably the most important in our history.

He told me tonight that,

 It's going to be one wild ride.  I'm a warrier and I intend to win.

Jack spends an hour in studio. Let the games begin!

• Leslie Carbone discusses her newly released book, Slaying Leviathan, The Moral Case for Tax Reform, which couldn't be more timely. Leslie served served as the director of Family Tax Policy at the Family Research Council, chief of staff to the late assemblyman Gil Ferguson of California, and a speechwriter for U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. Her writing has been published in the Weekly Standard, the American Enterprise, the San Francisco Chronicle, and numerous other magazines and journals. She has lectured on more than 100 college campuses and has been interviewed on more than 250 radio shows, including here on MTNP. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia.  In addition to her book, we'll discuss the town hall she attended hosted by Congresscritter Jim Moran and Howard Dean. We'll note some similarities we discovered in "stacking" tactics deployed by the DNC's OFA both in VA and here in NH.

• Doug and Skip discuss:

• Homeschooler forced to attend public school by NH Court because she was adopting her mother's "sincerly held" religious beliefs, which held the child's

"interests, and particularly her intellectual and emotional development, would be best served by exposure to a public school setting in which she would be challenged to solve problems presented by a group learning situation and...Amanda would be best served by exposure to different points of view at a time in her life when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief and behavior."

• Obama's plan to take over the Internet in an "emergency"

• FED crackdown on YARDSALES? What's next? What's left?

• Shea Porter calls attendees at Seacoast GOP gathering "teabaggers." Buckles the Clown, AKA Dem Party Chair Ray Buckley calls Jack Kimball part of the "radical fringe." Both know NOTHING about the people they criticize. What do you expect from someone that thinks the Constitution "didn't cover everything." Say WHAT!?

Posted by Doug at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

 .

I will be joining Alex and Kevin on their Voice of Liberty radio show on BlogTalkRadio tonight starting at 8PM EST. The topic of discussion will be the militarization of our local police forces thanks to the "generosity" of the Feds, and the abuse that happens when some law enforcement officials lose sight of the fact that they are here to protect and serve the people, not themselves and/or their desire for power.

Click here to listen live. Call in number: (347) 838-9512 Click here to listen to the podcast.

..

Posted by Doug at 6:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Sean Mahoney, a native of New Hampshire from Portsmouth checks in.  He is a well-respected small businessman and currently is President of Millyard Communications, Inc., the Publisher of BusinessNH Magazine, the leading business publication in New Hampshire. 

Highly active in NH’s political and non-profit communities, Sean ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative in the 2002 primary in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District, was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004 and in January, 2007 was elected as the New Hampshire Committeeman to the Republican National Committee. He currently fights for the New Hampshire First in the Nation Primary on the RNC’s Rules Committee, which establishes the Presidential primary process every four years.

During a recent appearance on TV, which we posted here, Sean discussed the health care issue and its implications for small business with such skill and detail that he caught the attention of a great many people, judging by the number of emails I received telling me about it. Also, with reports that almost every job supposedly created with "stimulus" here in NH are government ones, we'll find out if it was really worth it. He'll give us his take on what's happening at the RNC (We had NH's National CommitteeWOMAN Phyllis Woods last week- click here) and NH's First in the Nation primary status, along with his view of America and NH in this the age of Obama. We'll find out what he believes needs be done about it. Oh, and we might even ask about what he thinks HE can do about it...

Sean earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1994. He resides in Portsmouth with his wife Kirsten and son Jack. A lover of the outdoors, he has climbed to the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Rainer and Mount Washington. He is an avid skier and runner. 

• Jennifer Horn lives in Nashua and is the host of “On The Air With Jennifer Horn” on radio station WSMN 1590. She was the 2008 Republican nominee for NH's 2nd Congressional District, during which time she joined us on several occasions on MTNP radio. She is  very active in both politics and in volunteering for a wide variety of causes and charitable groups and lives in Nashua with her husband Bill where they raise 5 children.
  

Jennifer will be in studio to join us in a roundtable discussion of  a variety of issues which will include:

• Jen's great Nashua Telegraph column (posted here on the 'Grok, as well) entitled "When did speaking up become "un-American?" (After all, we're just agreeing with Hillary)

• Why do our representatives hide? Hodes, at an event at a UNION HALL, and Shea Porter, during a time when many grassroots (the REAL kind) activists will be gathered in Rochester?

• Guns. OMIGAWDHESGOTTAGUN!!! Imagine- people exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. Who knew?! Of course, the gun-grabbers don't miss their chance.

• Is Obama reaching out to "faith based organizations" and straight out asking them to preach from the pulpit the need for health care reform? What would have been the reaction of media/populace if a certain former President had done that?

• Healthcare. Sarah Palin wins a round. He (or she) who controls the soundbite can sometimes win the day. Oh, and the as to "at the end" counseling by the government, it already happens. At the VA.

• Where have all the antiwar protesters gone? Sadly, the death of a NH soldier in Afghanistan reminds us the war rages on. Byron York noted that without Bush, it seems the war is no longer a big deal in a recent piece for the Washington Examiner, which brought a response from uber-protester Cindy Sheehan who, in fact, IS still protesting. Except the media no longer cares.

• Hey, you, Macaca! Are you wee- wee'd up? We'll listen and try to figure out what the Obamessiah meant.

• Time permitting, we'll discuss other politics like the US Senate race, the House races, and what some of us are looking for in a governor candidate.

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

WHEW! It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here...

Posted by Doug at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Ethan Murphy of EEGAD Productions, a new theatre company in Laconia with an emphasis on continuous entertainment throughout the year, drops by for a preview of their weekly comedy show that made its recent debut. With a vision to provide ongoing theatrical productions for the Lakes Region community, the production company seeks to utilize local talent and promote arts organizations throughout the area. The Thursday night shows will feature performers engaging in a variety of sketch comedy skits in the spirit of popular TV shows such as "Saturday Night Live" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

• State Senator Jeb Bradley will talk about the state of the budget, given the JUA lawsuit mess, and the outlook for Republicans and conservatives in the days ahead. **Jeb could not make the time slot & will join us on a future program. We'll find something suitable in his place, I'm sure...

• RNC National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods will fill us in on happenings at the recent RNC committee meeting in San Diego and the three resolutions that were passed.  She'll talk about what happened with the Rules committee at the meeting, the status of NH's First in Nation primary, and her impressions of the Obamessiah's sermon in Portsmouth.

• Roundtable featuring Bill Anderson, a local resident and retired Teamster that attended the Obama Town Hall meeting, Matt Murphy of the NH Advantage Coalition, Doug, and Skip. We'll discuss the meeting itself, the "festivities" outside and who the REAL astroturfers are, the attempt at knocking Glenn Beck off the air, and some specifics of the health care plan that folks ought to know. Time permitting, we'll discuss some of the unfolding political races as we get ready to gear up for the 2010 elections.

• And of course,=======>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

• It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here...

Posted by Doug at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• In a press release posted here on the 'Grok Friday following the Sotomayer confirmation, Ovide Lamontagne stated that, if he had been a US Senator, he would have voted NO. The same press release referred to him as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. After serving as Chairman of the NH State Board of Education from 1993-1996, he was the 1996 Republican nominee for governor of New Hampshire.  Today, he practices law at Devine, Millimet & Branch, P.A., and is a recognized leader in the charitable and non-profit communities, having been honored in June of this year as New Hampshire’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Daniel Webster Council – Boy Scouts of America. He will join us for the full first hour to chat the issues of the day, take phone calls, and tell us why he is considering taking a shot at this seat at this particular time.

• Joining in for co-host duties for the full program is our good friend and mentor Jorge Mesa-Tejada of Hampstead. He was at the now infamous Shaheen staffer meeting where it is claimed he and others were mean and somehow trampled her constituents rights! (Watch actual footage here and here). We'll also celebrate his 55 years as a proud, LEGAL US citizen.

• Former Laconia Mayor Thomas A Tardif drops by to review the ongoing lawsuit involving the local JAG grant ("stimulus" $$) and how the state's Right to Know law has been cited in a new filing. This story and the suit's outcome has the potential to shake up how grants are processed statewide. Taxpayers are being put on the hook for some serious dough in some cases without any real transparency or oversight thanks to some relatively simple laws not being followed. Consider this  a promo the Right to Know law seminar we will be participating in Monday eve in Moultonboro.

• Pat McSweeney practices law in the City of Richmond where he was born in 1943.  He received his undergraduate education from the University of Virginia and his law degree in 1968 from the University of Richmond, where he was editor-in-chief of the University of Richmond Law Review.  With a long and distinguished career serving in a variety of positions in the Federal and Virginia State governments, and a stint as chairman of the state GOP under his belt, Pat is currently the Board President of Restore the Founders Vision, a project of The Virginia Grassroots Conservative Coalition, which was established to restore the Founders' vision of an American Republic dedicated to the protection of our God given rights to life, liberty and property and to limiting government to preserve our freedom.

Singing our song, they believe that more government always results in less individual freedom and less prosperity. According to their website,

We believe more government always results in less individual freedom and less prosperity. We must assume far greater responsibility for ourselves, our families and our communities in order to safeguard our rights and secure our future. We are committed to training, organizing, and mobilizing Virginians to be active participants in our communities, government and the political process.

Hmm. An informed, empowered citizenry? The forces of freedom are on the march!

• And of course, ====================>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here...

Posted by Doug at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Congress has now let out for their August recess.  Many of the CongressCritters will be holding "town halls" around their districts...

Or not.  Many are sending their staffs only, as you may have seen some of the YouTubes of our elected officials returning to their States and districts and being confronted by angry citizens (here and here as examples) who seem to know better what the bills (e.g., Cap and Trade, Healthcare) actually have written in them than these clowns (whom, I will remind you, are paying themselves around $170K / year - can you say "GREEDY" politicians??).

It seems that our Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH, CD-2) are not willing to be put into the situation to allow NH citizens "to seek redress from their Goverment" (This is your RIGHT -remember, they work for us!)- only their staffs will be there.

Please, BE THERE!

As of yet, we have no information on Congressman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH, CD-1) or Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) after repeated inquiries to their offices.  We will update this post as we get more info.

From the NH TEA Party Coalition:

This is the message we are sending out for attending Congressional  Town Halls during the recess.  Please pass it on if you know anyone or any group who is not on the eblast list.

Shaheen has dozens of these planned for towns all across NH!  Hodes is sure to have more, and Shea-Porter too even though we cannot find any for her right now.

- Webmaster, NH TEA Party Coalition

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE NH TEA PARTY COALITION

THERE ARE NOW NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND "TOWN HALLS" ACROSS NH., including a POSSIBLE, repeat, POSSIBLE visit by the President on or around a window of time starting August 11. We want to be especially 'on alert' for that - so stay tuned!

NH-TPC activists WILL be planning to be present at these locations on WEDS AND THURS:

JEANNE SHAHEEN STAFF

HEALTH CARE FORUM

HAMPSTEAD TOWN HALL
HAMPSTEAD, NH
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2009
FROM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Please try to be outside by 12:15 PM.  Bring ppropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*  CAP AND TRADE and HEALTH CARE are the issues WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.  WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

PAUL HODES STAFF

HEATH CARE FORUM

ATKINSON TOWN HALL
21 Academy Ave, ATKINSON, NH
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2009
FROM 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM

Please try to be outside by 11:15 AM
Bring appropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*
HEALTH CARE is the issue
WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.
WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

JEANNE SHAHEEN STAFF

HEALTH CARE FORUM

GRAFTON TOWN HALL
GRAFTON, NH
THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2009
FROM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Noon

ANDREW HEMINGWAY and OMER AHERN WILL ATTEND
Please try to be outside by 9:15 AM
Bring appropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*
CAP AND TRADE and HEALTH CARE are the issues
WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.
WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

*Please remember to bring concise, readable, issue-appropriate signs, wear your yellow t-shirt if you have one, and comport yourself  properly at all times, both outside and inside any venue.

Details:

Continue reading "A note to our NH readers during the US Congressional recess" »

Posted by Skip at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Jean Coutu joins us once again to preview this year's Live Free or Die Rally (LFOD) which features, among other things, live music, camping, cannon blasts, fireworks, guns, free speech and, of course, political discourse-- you know, our kind of event. Jean is a member of Citizens Alliance Against Creepy Politics (CAACP) and is active in local government and promoting the use of the Right to Know law.

The LFOD Rally is unique, as it is the ONLY all free, TRUE First Amendment Rally in the U.S. This year, it is happening on AUGUST 21, 22, 23, 2009 at The Grand View Inn, a fabulous 300 acre facility on beautiful Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

We will discuss the rally and Jean will remind us that having an event based on the most basic human right we retain--free speech-- isn't as easy as you might think. This year, were it not for the help of (gasp!) the ACLU, there might not have been a Live Free or Die Rally

• Charlie Arlinghaus is the president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, a free-market think tank in Concord. He also writes an always excellent column every Wednesday in the Union Leader. We will discuss the JUA Lawsuit ruling, its aftermath, and the effect on the already stressed New Hampshire budget.

• Paul Mitchell has been posting his Thoughts of a Regular Guy blog since 2005. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Paul is the father of five children and holds a BA in Economics from The University of Texas at Arlington and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Interpreting and Translating from the Community College of the Air Force.

Not content with all that, Paul, a true conservative, has decided to throw his hat into the ring for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. Only, there's a slight problem-- his primary opponent is an entrenched establishment politician. Much like last year's Commissioner race here in Belknap County between a grass-roots activist and the local Party chair- a faux conservative, it turns out the local GOP apparatus is not all that welcoming of a platform-adhering upstart. Writes Paul,

Traditionally, the Republican booth at the Lake County Fair has been a place where all Republican candidates have been welcome to present their information and make contact with the voters. Even primary challengers to Republican incumbents have historically been welcomed there.

No more.

Two hours after I arrived at the booth this morning, with no warning, after no incident, I was informed by Avon Township Chairman Bob Powers that “[Lake County GOP Chairman] Dan [Venturi] says no candidates, elected officials only.” He handed me my small stack of handbills, the only materials I had placed on the table.

Wow! I wonder if he, like our friend Tom here in Belknap, is banned from making speeches to fellow Republicans at party functions?

Let's face it-- "Republican" doesn't always mean "conservative" and the country-clubbers have never made it easy for us.

• Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta is running in the Republican primary for NH's 1st Congressional District seat presently held by Democrat Pelosi-clone Carol Shea-Porter. It's been a pretty good stretch for him with the naming of Manchester by Forbes Magazine as the most affordable city in America and being designated as "on the radar" by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) this week in its "Young Guns" program which means that, according to a report by The Hill,

candidates must demonstrate a base of support, develop a media messaging plan for the race and show they are capable of raising enough money to get their message out.

We'll find out what that all means in reality, and we'll get the Mayor's take on nationalized health care, the cash for clunkers program, and the Waxman-Markey cap and trade (and tax) proposal.

• Party politics from on high. Too much interference? Skip says yes. I say yes... and no.

• And of course, ====================>> Your calls are always encouraged at 603-527-1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Suing "stimulus" at the local level. Despite some local drones, elitist rumpswabs, and even a former advocate for honest and open government calling it "frivolous," local activists have filed a lawsuit questioning the grant process here in Belknap County. It cannot be a good thing as the feds beef up our local police forces with heavy duty paramilitary gear and training-- all in the name of "stimulus"-- if the required representative oversight and citizen input mechanisms are bypassed. Who controls them? If you think taxation without representation is bad, you probably won't like representation without representation, either...

• Bagging on Fairpoint. And rightfully so...

• Right to Know Law saves the Tax Cap referendum for Manchester!

• Froma Harrop is a liberal-leaning columnist based in RI's Providence Journal. Her work is syndicated, and appears in one of our local papers, The Laconia Daily Sun. This is her third appearance on MTNP radio. The thing is, sometimes, we actually find ourselves agreeing with her! One such area is illegal immigration, where we have a degree of common ground. Recently, Froma wrote an interesting piece about this subject, noting that the federal government is trying something novel: actually going after the employers who violate such labor laws! Imagine that... and this is the OBAMA administration. Go figure!  We disagree, however, on the government takeover of healthcare. We want to stop it. Ms. Harrop wants Obama to put the petal to the metal and get it done! We'll chat the good, the bad, and the ugly of health care "reform."

• Following up on the Bristol, RI Independence Day flap where Tea Party activists were told they were not welcome in future parades because someone supposedly with their group was (gasp!) passing out those little Declaration/Constitution handbooks... While last week we learned that the parade committee had issued an apology and a retraction of the ban in the face of an avalanch of negative national publicity, there is still more to the story that is amazing to consider. Chris Kairnes, the person that was handing them out will join us. In an email, he told me that things were tough right from the get-go:

From the very beginning, they told the TEA Party they would not be able to have a sound system, they could not have more than six people on the float, nor could those people dress as Indians, as the Colonists did when they originally boarded the Beaver. This ridiculous attempt to disparage my fellow patriots makes me sick. The fact that they decided to come after me because the TEA Party members were wearing the same t-shirt as me, gives them no right to stop a private citizen from passing out anything, especially the Declaration of Independence on Independence Day.

Amen! I cannot believe that the town claiming to be the most patriotic in America would have the audacity to require a re-write of one of the seminal events of our Founding. We'll also talk some states' rights. Lost in the recent shuffle is the news that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in one of the final acts she will take in that position, signed that state's House Joint 27 Resolution, which

"claims sovereignty for the state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States."

You go girl!

• NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams joins us to discuss what he has found regarding the growing NH scandal involving key Democratic players dubbed "RAILGATE", which gets more interesting by the day. Has New Hampshire's Democrat majority-- led by Gov Lynch-- finally met its Waterloo? The NH Watchdog has the complete roundup of this unfolding story. Ryan submitted Right to Know requests that helped reveal some of what is known. Now THAT'S good party activism! With pieces of the new state budget's revenues and policy tied up in litigation, a heated battle with the state's labor union, and dropping poll numbers, the Lynch Administration is in the greatest disarray we've seen yet.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Discussing national healthcare. (From the bill they probably won't read) Page 16: Outlawing private health insurers. Page 425 (1:27mins): Every 5 years-- "counseling" on how to end your life sooner. Couple that with a "science czar" that believes in eugenics, much like, apparently, Ruth Bader Gingsburg and, ahem, "prominent" famous scoundrels from history, and what have you got? Brave New World meets Logan's Run?

• How's that "stimulus" workin' for ya? We'll review the new Obama vs. Obama ad put out by the House Republican Conference. "Recovery?" Really? And what does it have to do with a new lawsuit filed here in Belknap?

• After being told they would NEVER be allowed to participate in the Nation's oldest Independence Day parade again because they were passing out copies of the Declaration/Constitution, it appears that cooler heads have prevailed, and the Rhode Island Tea Party folks have been granted a reprieve. They will NOT, after all, be prevented from participating in the future. Float organizer and activist Marina Peterson will join us and give us the scoop. It's amazing what hundreds of emails, phone calls, and the white hot glare of new media attention can accomplish in a short time!

• US Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), according to the flap on his new book, Saving Freedom, "understands a country's greatness is found in its people and values, not its government." Ranked by National Journal as the Senate's "most conservative member," we are pleased to welcome him to MTNP radio to discuss the number one issue we face today: socialism. We'll find out why its sirens' song is so strong, and what we must do to resist it. Have we become a nation of dependency, cashing in our personal responsibilities and freedom?

• 'Grok readers will certainly recall the post about Arizona Pastor Steven Anderson's run in with US Border Patrol agents 50 miles NORTH of the Mexican border and the frightening violation of his 4th Amendment rights... and the subsequent tazing and injuries he sustained during his arrest and detention back on April 14th. During a July 4th Tea Party speech, he told the crowd, "big government is the enemy!" Pastor Anderson will join us to discuss the events back in April, and why it is important to take a stand for ALL of our God-given rights. He also had some harsh words for Republicans, who he contends are just as complicit in the problems we face today as the Democrats.

• Time permitting, we'll give our thoughts on the Sarah Palin news and the race to succeed Judd Gregg in the Senate. HANG ON!!!!

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here...

Posted by Doug at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

1,000,000 total visits

1,300,000+ page views

It has been quite the ride - your two ordinary schlubs from central New Hampsha thank you all for stopping for a bit to read the 'Grok.  We still remember the early days when we got all excited over a few new readers (and still thank Chan from Weekend Pundit, Pat Hynes from AnkleBitingPundits and now, NOW!Hampshire, John Hawkins from RightWingNews, and Paul Sand from Pun Salad for some of our initial links from the rest of the blogosphere!).

Deets on the visitor:

Came in from this page

Came in to see this page.

Once again THANKS!

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Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• This week we welcome guest co-host Lori Ingham of the ConChrist blog, who joins us for the full 2 hours.
• FOIAs have been issued to Congresscritters and denied, including one by Skip . Constituents nationwide want to know what the phone call numbers were. pro and con, regarding how to vote on the Waxman-Markey cap and trade energy tax bill. Inexplicably,  not a one has coughed up the requested data at this point. What are they trying to hide? Maggie Thurber, who first thought to do such a request,  will join us. As a former County Commissioner in her state, we'll ask her what she thinks of the latest "stimulus" grants flowing into local law enforcement via the so-called annual "JAG" program, and whether she thinks that it really matters if the rules and laws are followed or not...
• David Kreutzer is the Senior Policy Analyst in Energy Economics and Climate Change at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis. In this position, Kreutzer researches how energy and climate change legislation will affect economic activity at the national, local, and industry levels. In a new study, he looks at the economic impact of passage of Waxman/Markey cap and trade by congressional district, noting,

It has become quite clear over the past several months that placing a cap on carbon emission--via rationing, taxing, and eliminating consumer choice--will have major implications for American families and the economy.

• We met Andrew Hemingway at the Tea Party gathering the other night at the 1875 Inn in Tilton where we had an opportunity to hear him speak. Running for the nomination for NH's 2nd CD US House seat, this young conservative is definitely worth a listen. What caught our attention is the fact that he is the chairman of the Bristol Municipal Budget Committee and, this year, under his chairmanship, have managed to actually CUT the budget in that town, thereby REDUCING taxes! We'll find out the secret, if any, and we'll discuss Thursday night's gathering.
• Guest co-host Lori Ingham lives in Franklin where, after a 20 year run, the City Council has voted to override the tax cap, despite a meeting this week where 23 people spoke against the action, and 2 vetoes by the outstanding Mayor Ken Merrifield. Lori was one of the speakers. We'll get her reaction to the actions of her representatives and find out what she thinks this will mean for the future.
• Time permitting, we'll give our thoughts on the Sarah Palin news and the race to succeed Judd Gregg in the Senate. HANG ON!!!!
• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here...

Posted by Doug at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As we continue to celebrate America's Independence, please note Meet the New Press radio is taking the weekend off. Really, as much as we think we're worth a couple of hours of your time every Saturday, who wants to spend Independence weekend near the radio when there's so much celebrating to be done?

Posted by Doug at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Businessman Jack Kimball is the head of the Granite State Patriots (GSP) group, and is most well known for the prominent message board sign that he uses to push out messages of activism and patriotism to all that go by on a daily basis. His speeches have electrified and energized crowds at a series of rallies and Tea Parties around the state. The GSP "Platform" states it exists to

To actively support our troops and our country on the Home Front by:

• Aggressively countering any planned Anti-American, Anti-Israeli, Pro Hamas (or other terrorist groups), Anti-war demonstrations within a one hour radius of Portsmouth, NH.

• Going on the offensive with our own Pro USA, Israel, Troop demonstrations at pre-planned locations and dates.

• Determining who is behind any Anti-American, Anti-Israeli or Pro-terrorist organizations and exposing them to the Public.  This would include individuals such as college Professors, High School Teachers, Politicians, Newspapers or anyone else who is found to be doing this.  This may also include showing up, in force, at their college or school and exposing them.

• The organization will protect and defend the Constitution of the USA and also expose our new President when his policies or actions are detrimental to our Troops, our Constitution, our Veterans, or our Country's well being.

Jack spoke at this week's Tea Party rally where he read the NH Tea Party Coalition's Citizen Pledge. We'll discuss the rally, the pledge, and what happened in NH this week with the passage of the budget. He'll stay with us throughout the program as we discuss the Cap & Trade tax scheme, the nationalization of our health care system, and other fun and exciting topics.

• Our friend Grant Bosse, writing at the NH Watchdog blog notes,

Michael Kitch has been doing some excellent reporting in the Laconia Daily Sun on the legal battle surrounding the state's raid on the Joint Underwriting Association.

Michael joins us to explain this rather strange place for the state to take money- a malpractice medical insurance fund. It seems as though the very sanctity of contracts and trust itself is at stake here. And what happens to the state's budget should it lose in Court?

• Frequent 'Grok contributor Amil Imani is an Iranian-born American citizen and pro-democracy activist residing in the United States of America. Imani is a columnist, literary translator, novelist and an essayist who has been writing and speaking out for the struggling people of his native land, Iran. He and his family escaped Iran after the radical Islamic revolution. His observations on the growing Islamo-fascist threat need to be heard and understood by as many people as possible if we are going to stem the tide.

We'll discuss ongoing events in his home land of Iran. We'll find out the real scoop behind the players, the real numbers both in terms of the recent sham elections and the deathtoll from recent violence and the government backlash. An email making the rounds this week featured a picture of a beautiful young woman killed in the violence-- wearing a Christian Cross around her neck. Amil wrote a tribute piece to her memory, Neda: Angel of Freedom. We'll ask Amil what he thinks the chances are for real change coming to Iran, and what it could mean for Western/ Islamic relations, long term.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. No "pretenders" here!

Posted by Doug at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• NH's Watchdog, AKA Grant Bosse, the Lead Investigative Reporter for the Josiah Bartlett Center, liveblogged the budget action this week down in Concord.  When we wanted to figure out what it all means, we thought, who better than Grant to clue us in? He'll join us and outline how the budget, as it stands now, affects us as citizens and workers here in the Granite State.

• MTNP Radio fave John Hawkins of RightWingNews checks in for some chat.
• Why DO they hate Sarah Palin?
• The NORKS are gonna shoot a missile at Hawaii. Like, OMG! What's a newb president to do? Cancel missile defense? Will Obama express (gasp!) grave concern? Will he actually order the military to board one of their ships?
• Obama & the American people. The affair fades. Relationship analyst Hawkins will review the stages of a love going bust... You know there'll always be the media
• Can we let the Sunshine State fail?

• We'll review the GraniteGrok NH governor poll-- those on, and left off the list. We'll also ponder the US Senate race apparently heating up here in the Granite State.

• Ryan Bilodeau appeared on MTNP Radio several years ago to discuss events transpiring at URI. At the time, he was the chair of the College Republicans in that Rhode Island school. Fast forwarding two years to the present, Ryan has just graduated and sets off on a new path in life. In a very moving note delivered via Facebook (and reprinted here on the 'Grok), Ryan told friends

I’m writing this message today in a medium that provides for the most amplification possible. My motivation also emanates from the joy resulting from the path down which I have begun to walk and the subsequent desire to share it.

Let me begin with a passage from the Bible that explains everything: "I will give you shepherds after my own heart." Words found first in Jeremiah 3:15 and echoed later by John Paul II in his encyclical letter "Pastores Dabo Vobis," they truly represent my pivoting from the political and earthly world in which I resided into the one I enter next: a spiritual one. This Fall I will be entering Our Lady of Providence Catholic Seminary.

We'll discuss his motivation to pursue a vocation desperately in need of new members. With the local Catholic priests rotating out, and the merging of several parishes, it will be good to get this young man's take on the future of the Church. Interestingly, down in RI, which iis where Ryan lives, the Churches are still quite full. Is it coincidence that that state is the lone New England hold out with regards to gay marriage?

• Tea Party Wednesday at Noon!

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. No "pretenders" here!

Posted by Doug at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Troop Rally at 11 AM in Concord! Karen Thurston of the NH Blue Star Mothers fills us in. Also, even bigger, the Freedom Ride this coming Thursday.

• Kevin Smith of CPR-Action will review what's happening down in Concord, and what gems the majority Dmes have in store next. What follows in the aftermath of the passage of gay marriage in the Granite State? We'll also preview the "It's the Spending, Stupid tea party scheduled for 12 Noon on June 24th.

Governor Lynch has announced plans to unveil yet more tax schemes, including a new tax on home mortgage refinances, as part of the House and Senate budget negotiations.  The House and Senate meanwhile have proposed, among others: a 83% increase in the gasoline tax, a 5% capital gains tax, an 8% "death" tax, an increase in toll fees, a 25% increase in the home heating oil tax, and casino-style slots at five locations around the state.  These revenue schemes are an effort to fill a budget hole caused by runaway spending increases that include: a 17% increase in the SFY08-09 budget and a proposed 8% increase in spending in the SYF10-11 budget.

Speaking to the press, Governor John Lynch noted that an across-the-board spending cut would be,"simplistic and poor financial management."  Representatives from both CPR-Action and the NHAC called Lynch's remarks frightening and unacceptable especially during a recession.

• Philip Klein is the Washington correspondent for the American Spectator, where he writes for the monthly print edition and contributes to the daily website and blog. Prior to joining the Spectator, Klein worked for more than three years as a reporter at the New York bureau of Reuters, where he covered financial news. Klein's writing and commentary has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dallas Morning News, the Politico and the Atlanta-Journal Constitution among other publications. He holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor's degree from the George Washington University, where he majored in history and economics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Phil has written extensively about the new push for health care "reform." Whether it's cost, or what it could do to existing services, there's no doubt the changes proposed are radically different than what we find with the present system.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 7:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Careful... there's a ferocious watchdog in the house! The NH Watchdog AKA Grant Bosse, Lead Investigative Reporter for the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy joins us for the full two hours of the program. Unlike the NH Senate President, who tossed him out on his keister earlier this week, we actually LIKE having him around, as he knows more about what's happening in state government with regards to budgets and taxation than pretty much anyone else-- and of course, given what the Democrats have been doing in Concord lately, they want to keep the folks as much in the dark as possible. Grant spoils all that with his excellent reporting, and we're pleased to have him join us. Among the topics we'll hit will be:
• It's D-Day. It's also the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Grant wrote a piece noting this pivotal point of World War 2
• Budget details-- what the tax and spend majority in Concord don't want you to know... until it's too late. Watch out- the tax and fee man cometh!
• The Dems reveal themselves as anti tax cap. Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield had a good piece on the subject in the UL this week. We'll ponder why some politicians don't wan't to simply allow people the chance to vote whether or not to limit taxes using this tool.
• We'll analyze the GraniteGrok GOP Gov poll results. Who won? Who did we forget?
• The war on alternative education continues apace. Why? So does the war on breakfast. Grant explains.
• NH GOP Chair former Gov John H Sununu checks in to review the events of the week, and what Republicans would be doing differently were they in charge at the moment. We'll ask him what exactly is the message Granite State Republicans want to get out to voters and how they plan on delivering it. We'll get his take on President Obama and the Islamic World speech, the President and the Germans, and, the President and our World War 2 veterans.
• Leslie Carbone previews her soon to be released book, Slaying Leviathan, The Moral Case for Tax Reform, which couldn't be more timely. Leslie served as the director of Family Tax Policy at the Family Research Council, chief of staff to the late assemblyman Gil Ferguson of California, and a speechwriter for U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. Her writing has been published in the Weekly Standard, the American Enterprise, the San Francisco Chronicle, and numerous other magazines and journals. In addition to her book, we'll discuss:
• Federal spending and the budget. What will stimulus end up doing to us?
• The government takeover of GM. Good for America?
• Our former NH state Republican Party chair wrote a column in Friday's Union Leader telling members, when it comes to Ronald Reagan: GET OVER HIM! I think Leslie has  a different take on this, the fifth anniversary week of the Gipper's death.

Posted by Doug at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Widened out the entire front page and made more space for the "content" column in the middle and the right sidebar.

• Worked on the top banner

• On the front page, the post titles are now "clickable" (as opposed to only the Permalink that are at the end of the post).

• Duplicated the poster's name right under the title in a bit larger type so it is a bit clearer who did the piece.

There will be a few more to be done as well.  As always, suggestions from readers are always welcome!

Posted by Skip at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

LIVESTREAM TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

• Karen Thurston- Blue Star Mother, discussion: Reflection Fountain dedication

• Doug Stanton- NY Times bestselling author of HORSE SOLDIERS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW A SMALL BAND OF SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS SECRETLY ENTERED AFGHANISTAN AND TOPPLED THE TALIBAN

• Discussion: stimulus dollars as grants; etc.

• Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. is the founder and President of the Ruth Institute. Dr. Morse brings a unique voice to discussions of love, marriage, sexuality and the family. We'll discuss (again) the (still) ongoing battle over gay marriage here in the Granite State.

• Jeb Bradly: "Meanwhile for most NH citizens, Rome is burning"

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 6:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• An amendment to HB 183 will, if passed, protect existing spending caps and will allow citizens the right to vote for a budget control charter amendment that would provide another layer of local government accountability for taxpayers. Matt Murphy checks in with the details.

• Transparency in stimulus? Not in Belknap County. Why it matters to YOU.

• Former Senator George Lovejoy could be called one of the "founding fathers" of the modern taxpayer movement here in the Granite State. At present, he is the honorary chairman of one of our favorite groups, the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition. This week, he penned an excellent piece about the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade Energy tax in which he wrote,

Cap and trade will provide us no discernible progress against climate change; a business government has no business being in.  It will place an unreasonable financial burden on average American families who rely on economic stability which relies on businesses ability to succeed; Cap and trade offers neither.

We'll get the latest. Time permitting, we'll ask him what he thinks conservatives must do to begin the fight to retake New Hampshire.

• Robert Bestani, frequent 'Grok contributor and a candidate for the Republican nomination for NH's District 1 House seat, presently held by Carol Shea Porter, joins us in studio for guest/co-host duties. Mr. Bestani is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Collaboratory for Research on Global Projects at Stanford University. As a resident of Newmarket, NH he is the Chairman of both the Municipal Audit and Energy Committees and serves as a member of the Municipal Budget Committee.  He is also a member of the Republican State Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Rockingham County Republican Committee. Bob also served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the first Bush Administration (GHWB 1989-1992).  His principal responsibilities included: the G-7 negotiations.

 Among the topics we'll cover:

• Job Creation Issues including - economics, finance, trade, banking, banking regulation, etc. Budget matters too.

•  Energy Policy

• Foreign Policy - especially as it relates to Asia and the Middle East. Bob spent 14 years of in these areas. He speaks Arabic.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

For the first portion of the program, we are pleased to welcome several area bloggers and friends into the studio for a free-wheeling roundtable discussion about many of the issues of the day and, well, whatever interests us.

Panelists:

• Chan Eddy AKA "DCE"of the Weekend Pundit
• Lori Ingham of ConChrist
• Jorge Mesa Tejada-- our mentor.
• Skip Murphy of GraniteGrok
• Doug Lambert of GraniteGrok

Topics will include:

• The Obama Administration, Chrysler, and that pesky thing called the Constitution. Was I the only one rattled when I read the headline on Drudge and elsewhere: "Obama orders Chrysler to slash advertising budget in half"?
• Flip Flop Lynch. Lynch the Flinch. Liar. There are many words to describe the Governor with regards to his position on gay marriage as announced late this week. In true Lynch fashion, he tries to have his cake & eat it too. Are triad marriages next?
• Free Chicken? Good luck!
• Saul Alinski is all the rage these days. I was at a meeting of conservative activists recently, and a copy of "Rules for Radicals" was on the table. Fight fire with fire, I say!
• Speaking of fighting, the world-- and, additionally, the Republican Party-- needs more great men like Dick Cheney.
• And then, the founder of the grass roots group STEWARDofProsperity will join the gang in studio...

When Fred Tausch decided to create a movement to "fight reckless spending and massive deficits" and to "raise awareness of the problems with President Obama's stimulus package" which has since become law, he wasn't kidding. In addition to newpaper, radio, and a very respectable Internet presence, STEWARD is getting to the folks via the US Mail with these eye-catching, informative pieces. What makes this story even more interesting is the fact that Fred Tausch-- a citizen and concerned taxpayer from Nashua, NH-- supported Barack Obama for President in 2008!

Said Fred in a statement on economic news Friday,

“Reports of the ballooning federal deficit and reckless government borrowing, coupled with the rapid destabilization of the nation’s two most important safety net programs, should sound alarm bells for taxpayers across the Granite State.

 Our representatives can no longer hope to tax, borrow and spend their way to economic stability.  They must take control of the nation’s fiscal situation and make the difficult choices necessary to leave the country on sound economic footing for our children and grandchildren.

Unfortunately, it seems solving this crisis will require the sort of realistic, long-term financial planning the Democrats in Congress and the Obama Administration have proven incapable of conducting.”

• Budget Deficit to surpass 1.8 trillion this year
• Government to borrow 50 cents for every dollar it spends
• Social Security & Medicare-- broke sooner than expected?

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• On Monday, Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta will be making a formal announcement regarding his future political plans. As has been noted here and here, this most likely means a run for the Republican nomination for NH's 1st Congressional District seat presently held by Democrat Carol Shea Porter. During his stint as Mayor, he has never forgotten the taxpayers, noting that politicians shouldn't be fleecing them. We LIKE that message, and, frankly, we could use a few more pols that feel that way...

• AWR Hawkins, Ph.D., has a doctorate in U.S. Military History from Texas Tech University and is a History Professor West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas. He has been extensively published in numerous scholarly publications and journals, and magazines and online sites including Human Events and Pajamas Media. Last week he wrote an excellent piece in HumanEvents Online entitled Will NH Adopt Same Sex Mariage? in which he explores who is behind the gay movement suddenly so successful in supposed conservative states like Colorado, Iowa,and, of course, New Hampshire. Asks Dr. Hawkins: "Who's running New Hampshire, Tim Gill, or John Lynch?" "Who is Tim Gill," you ask? Hint: Those pushing the gay agenda here in the Granite State might refer to him as that "man behind the curtain" you shouldn't pay attention to...

We'll also ask him if he thinks Democrats want to take our guns.

• Ed Mosca is an attorney in private practice in Manchester, New Hampshire and an occasional contributor to GraniteGrok. He wrote an excellent piece on the Souter retirement in which he describes the liberal record of the disappointing Republican appointee and speculates on what an Obama replacement will most likely look like. Says Ed:

I think Obama is going to “go for it,” that is nominate a “heavyweight” from the far-left of the legal spectrum and use his personal popularity and the lopsided numbers on the Senate to ram him or her through.

• An amendment to HB 183 will, if passed, protect existing spending caps and will allow citizens the right to vote for a budget control charter amendment that would provide another layer of local government accountability for taxpayers. 3 state senators need to hear from us on this:

• Sen. Betsi DeVries
  Betsi.Devries@leg.state.nh.us
  603-271-6933

• Sen. Matthew Houde
  Matthew.houde@leg.state.nh.us
  603-504-2744

• Sen. Kathleen Sgambati
  Kathleen.sgambati@leg.state.nh.us
  603-271-2641
  

• Mitt Romney to move to our backyard. What do you suppose this means?

• Laconia Prison closure. The argument over what to do with this superb property will now commence... again.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Doug & Skip discuss issues of the day, including

• Justice Souter departure

• Arlen Specter becomes a Democrat (like he wasn't already?)

• Stimulus $$ come to NH law enforcement agencies. Money well spent, or further burdening our children?

• Local pols who voted for gay marriage

• Guinta to challenge Shea Porter

• Air Force One buzzes NYC. Imagine if Bush had done something like this...

• Sarah Palin-- Say it ain't so!

• Biden explained

• Elizabeth Crum, better known as E!! joins us to chat up her new project which seeks to shine the spotlight on the infamous George Soros. Said E!! to her fellow bloggers when announcing the new website SorosWatch.com,

If you know only 1/10th of all there is to know about George Soros, you know he is constantly fiddling with international markets and currencies, sometimes illegally and unethically.

Yikes! In these dire financial times, we MUST keep a close eye on those with the power to manipulate global markets-- and heavily influence US elections!

E!! will also tell us about the new online radio for conservatives-- RFC Radio which she describes as a 24/7 internet streaming radio station with 20+ talk shows (and growing), hourly news reels, public service announcements, advertisers, sponsors, and - when they're not jibber-jabbering - Rock and Roll.

Elizabeth Crum blogs at her site, E!! The True Conservative Story™, which is located at  http://elizabethcrum.blogivists.com/ . She is an award-winning Nevada blogger (2009 Sammie: Blogivist of the Year) who covers state and national issues & has received link-ups from Politico and Instapundit & and has been published on National Review Online. Additionally, she does part-time Communications work for Citizen Outreach, a non-profit group that seeks to get every day citizens more involved in the political process. Elizabeth regularly appears on KNPR and local Las Vegas TV as guest political analyst.

• Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. is the founder and President of the Ruth Institute. Dr. Morse brings a unique voice to discussions of love, marriage, sexuality and the family. A committed career woman before having children, she earned a doctorate in economics, and spent fifteen years teaching at Yale University and George Mason University. In 1991, she and her husband adopted a two year old Romanian boy, and gave birth to a baby girl. She left her full-time university teaching post in 1996 to move with her family to California. She was a Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, and at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. Until August 2006, Dr. Morse and her husband were foster parents for San Diego County. In the summer of 2008, Dr. Morse founded the Ruth Institute, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to bringing hope and encouragement for life-long married love.

We'll discuss this week's gay marriage vote in the NH Senate and what happens if this thing isn't stopped when the House votes again on the measure or if Gov Lynch chooses NOT to use his veto pen. She'll also discuss the Ruth Institute’s summer conference for college students: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village: Training the Next Generation to be Marriage Champions. We'll ask why a free society needs marriage as the preferred and supported context for both sexual activity and child-rearing and find out why the substitutes for conjugal marriage are either unjust to children and damaging to freedom.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Kevin Smith and the Cornerstone Policy Research folks have been leading the charge in getting the necessary information out to enough people so that they may fully understand the implications of what is being foisted upon New Hampshire in the form of gay marriage, the "bathroom bill" and key changes to the star chamber-like Human Rights Commission. The Democratic led House, controlled by the gay movement that funds the party apparatus, has brought New Hampshire to the brink of disaster with regards to traditional norms and values. Kevin will detail where we're at, and what must be done in the next few days to defend against the ongoing assault. We must stop this garbage before it's too late!

• Fred Tausch is a citizen and concerned taxpayer from Nashua, NH who supported Barack Obama for President in 2008. A small businessman, an entrepreneur and an investor, Fred moved to NH in January 2008 because of its low tax structure which has no sales or income tax. His business experience has taught him that we don’t tax and spend ourselves into prosperity and he is passionate about preserving New Hampshire’s unique status as a smaller government and low tax state. To that end, he has gone from supporter to critic when it comes to the economic "solutions" emanating from the present leadership in Washington. In an effort to sound the alarm regarding the ongoing "stimulus" and "recovery" spending and the danger it poses for our economic future, Fred helped form a grassroots project called STEWARD of Prosperity, ("Save The Economy Without Accumulating Record Debt") which seeks to hold politicians from both parties accountable through  a series of economic studies and detailed analysis of the impact of actions on New Hampshire's working families.  The first major study released caused a minor stir when it revealed that the

Granite State ranks lowest in New England and among the lowest in the nation in terms of stimulus money received on a per-capita basis, with most of the money coming to the state being used to balance the state budget, rather than create jobs.

We'll get Fred's take on the $100 million "cut" from the Obama budget, why he rained on Hodes' Granite State Progress parade celebrating his support of "stimulus" and whether he thinks the education dollars coming to the state are saving anything (except inflated budgets). Tausch graduated from Tufts University with a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1994.

• Our buddy John Hawkins of RightWingNews, the Conservative Grapevine, Townhall.com, and RightWingVideo checks in to cover a few things, including:

• The Super CEO of the auto industry-- Is he already running off the road?

• Barck Obama's Pardon, Prostate, and Plead Foreign Policy-is this what America needs?

• Is trying to prosecute the Bush Administration for "torture" really such a good idea?

• Is it the Miss USA Pageant or the Miss Politically Correct Liberal USA Pageant?

• Time permitting, we'll discuss a couple of John's favorite "Classic Conservative Quotes."

• Doug and Skip will analyze Jeb Bradley's decisive win over "Bathroom Bud" Martin and what it means, if anything, for the road ahead.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

• It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!
  

Posted by Doug at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Liz Mair checks in to discuss the meaning of the Tea Parties from a national point of view. Are they significant? Were the organized by some shadowy group or groups? Were the Republicans behind it all? Skip and I were involved with the Manchester Party from the get go, and, we know all the players and orgs involved. Nothing but "grass roots" here...

• Doug and Skip continue the Tea Party discussion. It is, after all, the spending, stupid!

• How about those greedy SOB's, eh? No more easy money for the fat cats! The Magic Obama and his comrades in Congress are gonna see to that. My wife stumbled across this story about the new MLK memorial in Washington, DC. Guess who's looking to turn more than a few bucks off of the name of the man with a dream? The National Park Service says they've never seen anything like this before. Let's listen for the media-led outrage... Are those cricket chirps I hear?

• Stimulus? 9 miles of resurfaced road? I still say we continue to waste and squander highway money. Grant Bosse, the NH Watchdog, had an excellent Youtube report on stimulus, NH style. Did you know that there's dough comin' for high speed trains? Nationwide!! Aren't you excited? Pay no attention to the cost...

• Lynn Savage is the mother of Cpl. Matthew Stanley of Wolfeboro, who gave our Nation his life in the ultimate sacrifice in 2006. This gives her the bittersweet "honor" of being a Gold Star Mother. This Sunday is NH Gold Star Mothers Day. We all join together in making sure that our brave fallen and their families are not forgotten. Lynn is the VP of the NH Gold Star Mothers.

• John Randall, eCampaign Director, National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). Prior to returning to the NRCC in January, he was the Online Communications Manager for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. We'll discuss what some are calling "the new wedge issue" in the culture wars: parental rights. Do we want the UN determining what's best for America's children? Some believe such moves pose threats to the ability and right of parents to homeschool their children. Yikes! We'll also analyze Congressman Paul Hodes' statement that the stimulus monies are just a "down payment on the American dream." Double-YIKES!!! 

• This is it! It's down to the wire with the NH Senate District 3 special election taking place this Tuesday. Republican candidate Jeb Bradley joins us for one last pitch for votes. His opponent, "Bathroom Both Way Bud" Martin must be kept from winning. With all the silliness emanating from Concord these days, he's the last person we need down there. Jeb will serve the people well. He'll make the case.

Posted by Doug at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

"Without God, everything is permitted."

- Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky

We encourage anyone who is tired of the Liberals ramming down this drastic change in our society to come to Concord:

Marriage Rally

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Concord, NH

State House (on Main Street)

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Come tell our NH Senators and Governor Lynch that we do not want marriage to be redefined; it is time to tell them that heterosexual marriage is a traditional NH value.

The LGBT activists are trying to Change our society by redefining the definition of marriage.  It goes without saying that no historical faith system of any religion has ever condoned same sex marriages - Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, et al. Our fundamental culture has widely discourage this idea but now we are labeled as homophobic or as being a bigot.   

That said, in this day and age, this extremely active lobby group is trying to achieve the redefinition of marriage legally and succeeded in the NH House last week.  They are also trying to make it impossible for NH people of faith to protest against homosexual marriage WITH a real LEGAL threat of being penalized by the State of NH if we decided to protest this fundamental change in societal mores. Indeed, it could soon become criminal to speak out against this radical change in the definition of marriage. It now goes to the NH Senate. 

In short, for many of us of faith, it comes down to this - if these pass:

The assumed right of sexual practice now will be trumping the enumerated Constitutional First Amendment Right to free expression of religion and free speech.

The freedoms of the many will be diminished for the wants of a tiny few.

Remember:

• HB 436 - The Gay Marriage Bill - creates same sex marriage in NH
  
• HB 415 - The Bathroom Bill - The unintended (intendent?) result is that a man could go into any womens' bathroom or changing facility.
  
• HB 686 - Making it easier for a complaintant who feels that they have been slighted due to "sexual expression" to bring anyone to the NH Human Rights Council who could levy massive penalties against the defendant without recourse to a jury trial.
  

Add to this but our parental rights will be diminished.  If these pass, our children can (and will) be taught in school that this lifestyle is totally acceptable and moral regardless of a parent's moral and value system to the contrary; we will have lost the right to raise our kids in the value system WE choose and that of the State will have preeminence.

Don't think it can happen here in NH?  It already is in other places:

Continue reading "Supporting Traditional Marriage Rally" »

Posted by Skip at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• What the heck is happening in NH? While House Democrats argued, debated, and constructed bathrooms and who can go in them, and were busy repealing the death penalty for cop killers, they also passed a budget. Perhaps you heard? Probably not, though, given everything else dominating the agenda and the news. And the fact that there was very little debate or discussion to begin with. ======= ** NHGOP Chair Gov. John H. Sununu drops by for some damage assessment and what can be done to make a last ditch attempt at saving the Granite State as we know it. ======= ** We'll also chat the District 3 Senate race. Has it come to a referendum on gay marriage? It's not too often people have such a direct say at such a critical juncture of the legislative process. Jeb will vote no. Apparently, the Democrat will vote yes. Every vote on the Senate is crucial. This vote couldn't come at a more opportune time for the voters of that district.

• Dr. Donna Harrison is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She resides in Berrien Center, MI, with her husband, Dr. Mark Harrison, and their five children. In 2000, Dr. Harrison closed her clinical practice to pursue a more active role in public policy work and is the president of American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) ======= ** The conscience regulation is a Health and Human Service clarification of three existing civil laws that protect a doctor’s right to practice medicine according to his or her conscience. The regulation was passed in December 2008 by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect healthcare workers from discrimination, intimidation and coercion to perform or refer patients for abortions. The conscience regulation applies to doctors, healthcare providers, medical interns and medical students. Abortion special interest groups have met the regulation with strong opposition and are pressuring the current administration to rescind, which, is being actively considered, with public input just wrapping up last week.Dr. Harrison warns:

“If passed, future tax dollars and the government could discriminate against doctors, nurses and other health specialists who choose not to perform medical procedures that conflict with their ethical convictions such as abortion.  If the conscience clause is rescinded, many of the faith-based hospitals (557 Catholic hospitals that make up 15-20% of hospital patient care in the US) around the country that provide services to millions of patients could be shut down rather than perform abortions. The future impact on U.S healthcare would be dire.”

Did you know a majority of Americans support conscience rights protection?

• Drew Johnson is the president of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR) During his first appearance on MTNP radio, he had recently received notoriety with a Drudge link, reporting that the AlGore mansion in Nashville consumed over twenty times the electricity of the average American household-- using in a month more than most homes use in a whole year. More recently, Mr. Johnson provided the following in a Facebook entry regarding Earth Hour and Gore:

Since Earth Hour was recognized today, Saturday, March 28 from 8:30-9:30pm, I thought I’d see how the hypocritical, fear-mongering former Veep was celebrating at his home. I pulled up to Al’s house, located in the posh Belle Meade section of Nashville, at 8:48pm – right in the middle of Earth Hour. I found that the main spotlights that usually illuminate his 9,000 square foot mansion were dark, but several of the lights inside the house were on.

In fact, most of the windows were lit by the familiar blue-ish hue indicating that floor lamps and ceiling fixtures were off, but TV screens and computer monitors were hard at work. (In other words, his house looked the way most houses look about 1:45am when their inhabitants are distractedly watching “Cheaters” or “Chelsea Lately” reruns.) The kicker, though, were the dozen or so floodlights grandly highlighting several trees and illuminating the driveway entrance of Gore’s mansion.

I [kid] you not, my friends, the savior of the environment couldn’t be bothered to turn off the gaudy lights that show off his goofy trees.

We'll also get his assessment of the new Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP) and his take on the Tea Party movement.

• Was that President Obama sitting at the picnic table with Hillary? Gee, do you think they even bothered discussing the pirate situation? Does anyone think we'll follow the procedure to deal with this very issue as plainly laid out by President Jefferson? Those that forget history are doomed to repeat it...

• The big Tea Party happens Wednesday at 5:30 in Manchester's Victory Park. Will you enter the best sign contest or take the GraniteGrok video rant challenge? Click here to sign up. Come visit us at the GraniteGrok tent and say hello.

• Time permitting, we'll touch on a few more points about the travesty called the House budget.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• All eyes are on the HOT race-- NH Senate District 3. It's former US Congressman Jeb Bradly versus the Democratic candidate "Bathroom Bud" Martin. We've got Jeb in the studio taking questions and, unlike his opponent, ANSWERING them!

• Pam Smith is one of five NH 9-12 Project Coordinators. The 9-12 Project was established on March 13th of this year.  Only 22 days later its membership nationwide is 425,453 & growing.  There are approx 160+ members in the NH Chapter. The premise of the group is based on "9" Principles and "12" values, hence the name. But there's more... From the website:

 This is a non-political movement. The 9-12 Project is designed to bring us all back to the place we were on September 12, 2001. The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the greatest nation ever created.

That same feeling – that commitment to country is what we are hoping to foster with this idea. We want to get everyone thinking like it is September 12th, 2001 again.

Sounds good to us! We'll also chat up the April 15th Tea Party in Manchester, which lists among its primary sponsors the 9-12 Project-- and GraniteGrok.

• IPods. Hugs for the Queen. Bowing for the Saudi King. No one can dispute that "change" has indeed come to the US presidency. What was once a smooth, well run operation is now seemingly one gaffe after another.

• The Magic Obama goes to Europe and APOLOGIZES for "our arrogance." Speak for YOURSELF, sir...

• Cap and Trade. RGGI. All of it will add new costs (taxes) to most existing sources of energy. While the left and their radical environmentalist comrades won't admit it, they simply wish to reduce the American standard of living. There's no better way to do that than to strangle its ability to make it's own power. At the federal level, all is not peaches and cream, with some 26 Democrats joining all of the Republicans in the Senate assuring no new caps and taxes will be passed by simple majority. Here in NH, a key Senate committee has voted against a move against the Bow power plant.

• Fairpoint. Is this the end of the line for "landlines" in NH? With options, why WOULDN'T people flee the ship?

• Carol Shea Porter office attacked by... a tea bag? Was the response proper safety, or much ado about nothing?

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have decided to change up the blogroll a bit and there are a lot of good bloggers in this list: they all exemplify a love for free markets and limited government.  It's just that I wanted to showcase some other bloggers (this time, from NH) for a while.

 Sam Adams Alliance

Erick Erickson:    RedState
Allan Fuller:        Flat Creek Management
John Fund:         Wall Street Journal
Brad Jones:        Face the State
Jenn Sierra:        Fort Hard Knox
Erick Telford:     Americans for Prosperity
E.M. Zanotti:      American Princess
Bill Smith:          ARRA News Service
Ben DeGrow:       Mount Virtus
Mark Johnson:     ILGOPnet
Doug Welch:        Stix
Bob Weeks:        Wichita Liberty
Bob Weeks:        Kansas Meadowlark
Jeff Blanco:         Louisiana Conservative
Lance Dutson:     Maine Web Report
Jack McHugh:      Mackinac Center
Chet Zarko:        Outside Lansing
Jim Hoft:              Gateway Pundit
Craig Sprout:        Montana Politics
Chuck Muth:         Muth’s Truths
Mario Burgos:        Mario Burgos
Maggie Thurber:  Thurber’s Thoughts
Chris Arps:         Oklahoma Political News

                         Service 
Leslie Carbone:  Leslie Carbone
Don Ward:         Sound Politics
Fred Dooley:       Real Debate Wisconsin
Tristen Cramer:  Haemet
Chad Everson:    Grizzly Groundswell
Steve Sibson:     Sibby Online

Posted by Skip at 1:10 AM | Permalink

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

!! LIVESTREAM IS WORKING FINE !!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• All we do is try to share what we know with others. Who knew we'd find ourselves in the eye of a storm over our simple recounting of NH Senate District 3 Democrat candidate "Bathroom" Bud Martin's record while serving as a judge on the NH bench?  It seems the Dems are somewhat uncomfortable with defending their champion's record, choosing instead to shed crocodile tears and crying "foul." Well, we cry "foul" when it comes to Martin and his liberal ways.
• Steve DeMaura is the president of Americans for Job Security. We'll discuss that group's recent ads featuring two of the leading characters in the present fiscal disaster: Timothy Geithner and Senator Dodd, and their call for the former to be replaced, and the latter to step aside. We'll find out the reasons why they did this, and how it relates to saving jobs. We'll also get an update on EFCA, AKA "card check."
• The Obama Youth Give/Serve program and the ongoing campaign to "sell" the president's budget to the American people is unprecedented in American politics. We'll discuss the tactics and Skip will recount his discussion with one of the Obama footsoldiers last weekend at the peacenik rally. As I commented in this week's National Journal bloggers poll on the subject, "I continue to marvel at the ongoing campaign-like tactics being employed by the Obama machine. Like it or not, it helps him get his way. If only the conservatives could build such a structure..."
• Skip Reilly of Skip's Gun & Sport Shop in Bristol, NH checks in to set the record straight on a couple of issues of interest to those that care about the 2nd Amendment. First, contrary to what some might have us think, there is no way that law-abiding Americans and gun dealers are supplying arms in great numbers to Mexican thugs. He'll describe the process and hoops through which one must jump to export firearms. He'll also reveal the change in rules that has greatly added to the cost of any international trades of firearms. We'll also discuss Obama's education leader's antigun record, and what might be in store for the Nation's students. After all, if you're going to disarm an entire country, you have to start young, and brainwash the kids... It may take a while, but it's the only way. Lastly, we'll also discuss Congressman Paul Hodes' surprising stand on the assault weapons ban. Who knew? 65 of them actually submitted a strong letter to Holder defending the Second Amendment. Who said all Democrats are fools? Some, obviously get it on this issue.
• Etcetera

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• As noted here, Jeb Bradley is doing the state and the NHGOP a huge service by stepping up to the plate for the run for the senate seat in NH District 3. His opponent is a flaming liberal that believes expanded government is the end all and be all to everything. Haven't we had enough of THAT, lately? Jeb joins us for an update on the short campaign.

• Matt Murphy of the NH Advantage Coalition checks in to bring listeners up to date on a variety of topics. Included will be the cap and trade snowjob, a NH "tea party", the spending cap votes at NH Town Meetings, as well as pretend government outrage over AIG bonuses protected by the porkulus bill they never read but signed. We'll also learn about the "Republican Report."

• Stimulus money comes to the Lakes Region to fund WHAT?! What a waste. What a shame!

• Don't forget the Blue Star Moms in Concord today, as well as the Granite State Patriots.

• New NHGOP Chair John H. Sununu joins us to discuss the ongoing attack by NH's Democrats against one of the Granite State's key producers of electrity. As noted in this prior post, Gov Sununu says,

 “No matter how hard the Democrats try to sound like they have a constructive energy policy, their actions prove they are anti-energy, anti-growth and anti-jobs. The repeated attempts by the House and Senate liberals to force the Merrimack Station Power Plant out of business are perfect examples of the radical and destructive agenda that has been adopted by the New Hampshire Democrat Party. Their actions should serve as a clear indicator for anyone who doubted that the Democrat leadership supports the debilitation of the traditional power sources that supply the majority of New Hampshire residents with cheap and efficient energy.

 “This effort to shutter the Merrimack Station is part of a larger effort by the national Democrat Party to abandon our domestic coal as a principal supply of energy."

We'll also get his take on Carol Shea Porter's decision NOT to take on Paul Hodes in a primary for the upcoming US Senate race.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Things have been heating up on all fronts at the state level with the ongoing budget work and the dispensing of federal "stimulus" dollars. Our friend Grant Bosse, AKA the NH Watchdog, and the lead investigator for the Josiah Bartlett Center, figured there's so much to discuss, he might as well join us in the studio for the full two hours.

• Socialism: 75% of earnings to the government. Are you down with that? Are we too stupid and weak to make it without government?

• We'll discuss the results of Town Meeting votes throughout the state and what message voters sent. Spending caps passed in five of six towns with it on the ballot, and spending measures, including a police department project right here in the 'Grok hometown, were defeated, despite last minute promises of "stimulus" money.

• This week, Grant released a new study for the JBC outlining how a legislative proposal to end revenue sharing would impact local property tax rates.  Berlin taxpayers would face an increase of $3.16 per thousand in their tax rate unless state revenues were replaced by other sources.  A dozen New Hampshire communities would face increases of over a $1.00 per thousand. The Bartlett Center relied on revenue data from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and local property values from the state Department of Revenue Administration in calculating the local tax impact across New Hampshire.  Governor John Lynch proposed suspending the state's two largest revenue sharing formulas in his February Budget Address, cutting $160 million that would otherwise go to cities and towns.  Lynch has since backed away from suspending one revenue stream, while continue to support suspending the other.  Both sources of local revenue would be suspending under House Bill 2, know pending before the House Finance Committee. Says Grant Bosse:

"New Hampshire towns voted on their annual budgets [this week], but their tax rate might go even higher if the Legislature ends revenue sharing, Lawmakers would be forcing local taxpayers to bear the burden of their budget problem."

• NHDOT Commissioner George Campbell and Josiah Bartlett Center President Charlie Arlinghaus are engaged in a pitched battle of words over highway fund transfers and the question of shifting dollars contrary to the laws of our state. Grant will explain. My reaction is how crazy does one need be to try to take on Charlie Arlinghaus?

• Kevin H. Smith is the Executive Director of Cornerstone Policy Research, a NH-based, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 research and education organization dedicated to the preservation of strong families, limited government and free markets. As a designated Family Policy Council, Cornerstone conducts policy analysis, promotes responsible and informed citizenship, facilitates strategic leadership involvement, and influences public opinion.

In an email this week, CPR asked, 

Is the CO 'Bathroom Bill' Coming to NH? If the liberals in Concord have their way it will!  It is very clear now that some of our legislators are using the current economic crisis to quietly pass through the most radical far-left legislation New Hampshire has ever seen: enter House Bill 415,  the 'Bathroom Bill'.

HB 415, similar to legislation passed in Colorado in 2008 which has since become known there as the 'Bathroom Bill', is a veiled attempt to allow for previously unthinkable acts, all under the guise of anti-discrimination and "gender expression". So why did it become known as the 'Bathroom Bill'?  Previously, "establishments open to the public were allowed to restrict certain restrooms and locker rooms to one sex if it made sense to do so, as it almost always does.  But under the new law, CO no longer has two "sexes"; they entered a brave new world with a myriad of "sexual orientations" that must not be discriminated against, upon pain of the substantial civil and criminal penalties contained in the bill."

Kevin will discuss the status of this bill in Concord, along with HB 436, the so-called "genderless marriage" bill. Yikes! And you thought lawmakers were busy trying to "fix" the economy!

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

WIth local elections Tuesday, we basically focus on the local races and issues. While what we talk about may not be specific to where YOU live, similar events and issues are no doubt taking place.

• Chan Eddy of the WeekendPundit joins us again this weekend. He is running for Selectman in our town, and Skip and I are entuusiastically supporting him. He'll make the case...
• We met Jean Lavin as a result of her activism in fighting onerous new laws being proposed by the liberals down in Concord. After an appearance here on MTNP, her passion and communication skills caused several people in town to encourage her to run for the Budget Committee.
• Say goodbye to the ViewMaster.
• The gas tax is passed by Democrat-led NH House. Is this a good idea?
• Skip is running for re-election to the Budcom. We need him back. As a highly trained statistical analylist, who better to analyze a budget? Oh, and he's a good conservative, too!
• Lisa Merrill has made two appearances here on MTNP. As a school board candidate from Meredith, she has shaken up the establishment, and earned the endorsement of the local weekly paper. Her mission is openness and transparency through the use of modern tools like video & Internet.
• SB2 is on the ballot in Meredith, Moultonborough and Hopkinton-- all within the listening area. We've had it here in Gilford for some five years. Nobody on either side would see it repealed.
• Dick Hickok has served as the chairman of our budget committee in a way that has gained the respect of partisans on both sides. Like herding cats, the Gilford Budget Committee is not always an easy bunch. Dick gets the job done & should return for another three years.
• We'll cover some particular warrant articles that voters need to become familiar with... and why they should vote NO on certain items,and yes on others.
• Why is the Laconia school budget up so much while eveyone else's in the area is level, or down?
• Is the Obama honeymoon over?

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

  It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!
  

Posted by Doug at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• We're happy to be joined in studio this week by two special guest/co-hosts: Our friends Jorge Mesa-Tejada of Hampstead and Chan Eddy of the WeekendPundit. Jorge has long been our mentor in understanding local politics and budgets. Chan is running for Selectman in our town, and Skip and I are eagerly supporting him.

• Jennifer Rubin, a long-time MTNP radio fave, checks in with an update from CPAC, with reviews of great discussions by Michael Barone & Newt Gingrich. She'll also discuss 2012 speculation, Larry Kudlow for Senate, and, of course, the Obama budget & the reaction of the Markets thus far. Jen contributes to the American Spectator, Human Events, Commentary Magazine.com's Contentions blog, along with a host of other excellent magazines, websites, and news organizations.

• The question of adopting the Official Ballot-- AKA SB2 (RSA 40:13)-- in area towns has once again raised a firestorm with those opposing the participation- increasing measure. Our friends in Moultonborough and Meredith are among those seeing this firsthand. With the days winding down, the opponents are pulling out all the stops. Jorge will draw back the curtains and reveal who is supporting the opponents-- and they aren't locals! We'll discuss how well SB2 has worked in many towns, including Gilford and Hampstead.

• We met Jean Lavin as a result of her activism in fighting onerous new laws being proposed by the liberals down in Concord. After an appearance here on MTNP, her passion and communication skills caused several people in town to encourage her to run for the Budget Committee. She'll join us by phone and talk about her reasons for deciding to give it a go.

• Doug, Skip, Chan, and Jorge will continue to discuss the issues being considered at the annual Town Meetings. While we're not all in the same town, the issues are similar-- much like in YOUR town. We'll get Chan's reasons for seeking the Selectman's seat and, oh, yeah... Skip is running for the Budget Committee, too! We'll "grill" him as well...  We'll discuss the PD facility plan, the proposed new fire codes, and the Meadows Fund and why we don't need any more free "gifts." We'll also tout the value of printing the salaries and vendor payments in the Annual Report, as being considered in Gilford.

• Mike Andrews will check in from the Verizon Center in Manchester as the Gilford Robotics Team competes in the FIRST challenge.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

Posted by Doug at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At 1:40pm today, we received our 750,000th visitor to the 'Grok; we are now also over 1,000,000 page views since we started.

The visitor came in through Comcast from Chicago, IL (uh-oh, is that a good thing for a conservative - the home grounds of uber-liberals and the Political Machine?) via via a Google search (which is not surprising).

But I do have to grimace a bit - the object of the visitor's concern was not one of our spiffy, in depth, hard hitting posts about the politics of the world, the nation, our state, or of our town.  Nor was it one of our deep analysis posts about the culture and its effect on us and our families. No, not quite that high-brow....

Let me extract my tongue from it's deep hole in my cheek.

No, it was this one (scroll down about 12 times) which was a follow up to this one - a 30 second slap at Muslims that involved the Pussycat Dolls.  At the time, I considered it a "throwaway" only because the juxtaposition of bare midriffs and the Muslim insistence of a burqua was just too much to ignore...and too easy to do.

Anyways, not too shabby for a couple of ordinary Schlubs from central New Hampsha (along with some friends along the way) who thought just perhaps our families might read us....but only once in a while...

We thank you, the readers, for making it happen and sharing your day with us!

Posted by Skip at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Doug and Skip discuss the issues of the day. We'll spank those who sold yet another chunk of Granite Staters' liberty for a few million dollars in bribe money requiring mandatory seat belts. With all the economic news-- none of it good-- how can it be that Laconia's school board is proposing increased spending of more that $2 million? Some politicians NEVER get it...

• New NHGOP Chair John H. Sununu joins us for round 2 of a conversation started last week. We'll discuss what principles the Party stands for, and what we can do with politicians that ignore them. A seatbelt law for NH? What's next... an income tax? We'll also get his take on Judd Gregg's turnabout in the face of phony "bipartisanship" on Pres Obama's part; and the national Republicans hanging tough on "stimulus." Are things already looking up for Republicans and conservatives for 2010? What does he think of the selection of Michael Steele as head of the National Committee?

• State Representative Dan Itse is the sponsor of HCR6, a resolution affirming States’ rights based on Jeffersonian principles. It seems that his proposal has started to gain attention well beyond the Granite State's borders, with other states joining in. Rep. Itse even appeared on the Glenn Beck Show to discuss the plan to tell the Federal government it's "gone far enough." Will Democrats join his call for the feds to keep their hands off NH? Mr. Itse is the Director of Political Action for the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA).

• Peyton Wolcott is the Texas-based public school activist who founded the national grassroots online check register movement with the names of a small handful of Texas districts; the movement has grown to almost 435 districts in 30 states.  "Start small, start local and start simple" is one of Peyton's guiding principles.  Her commentaries have been published regularly in local newspapers and nationally in Education News, and interviews with Peyton have appeared in The Dallas Morning News and the Austin American-Statesman, plus regional radio across America.  Her voluntary ethics pledges for school board candidates were featured last month in Human Events and other venues.  Honors include being named to the Sam Adams Alliance Hall of Fame, and receiving the Upton Sinclair Award (also named in 2006 was ABC's John Stossel).  "My goal is to educate our children better, for less money," says Peyton.  Oh yeah--- she has a great website with stories that you just knew were happening someplace...

In addition to talking about the progress we've made in Gilford with getting the check register placed online, we'll talk about the importance of using smart Golden Rule-based PR in dealing with public schools. Peyton will tell us why persuading our vendor-driven local school districts to voluntarily post their check registers online is one of the single most effective and patriotic acts available to citizens. This issue is related to our push to get the Town and School District to publish the salaries and benefit costs of all employees in the Annual Report.

And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

PLEASE NOTE: It appears that WEMJ is having technical difficulties in getting their feed to us - the Live Stream may or may not be operational.  We apologize if it is not working!  -Skip

-->Jim Rubens*John H. Sununu*FIRST Robotics*Doug 'n Skip<--

• Former State Senator Jim Rubens checks in to discuss the "Unlucky 13" reasons why expanded gambling is bad for our state. Representing the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling (full disclosure: They are currently running a banner ad here on the 'Grok), he will update us on the current push to take advantage of the economic times by pro-gambling forces. Are they making headway in the legislature? What is the latest polling data?

• New NHGOP Chair John H. Sununu has hit the ground running. A phone call to HQ revealed that "change" has indeed come to the Grand Ole Party. The former governor will join us to discuss Democrat John Lynch's newly unveiled budget plan, where it leaves the Democrat-controlled House; Judd Gregg's turnabout in the face of phony "bipartisanship" on Pres Obama's part; and the national Republicans hanging tough on "stimulus." Are things already looking up for Republicans and conservatives for 2010? We'll also get his take on the selection of Michael Steele as head of the National Committee.

• The Granite State region FIRST competition is underway. Once again, our local robotics team is working hard and hopes their efforts will pay off. We know it already has. Watching the group of students and their mentors working to bring the project last year to its conclusion, we have no doubt that this has benefits that will long outlast the program itself. This is real "hands on" education that works! This program is part of the GOOD stuff one finds in education today, as opposed to some of the junk that gets mixed in.

• Doug and Skip will review the week, including the Laconia City Council's newfound frugality when it comes to where Laconia's Fire Dept.'s responsibilities end. We'll also discuss the new information soon to be found on Gilford's website and the salary/vendor payment question on the warrant. The question of SB2 is once again being aired in area towns & school districts including Meredith and Moultonborough. The system works well for Gilford, and we highly recommend it. Belknap County is learning that, once you grow government, like a cancer, it is hard to reel in. The battle over outside agencies and the juvenile justice industrial complex continues apace.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• In an 2004 article, New York magazine reported that New York Post columnist

Andrea Peyser is the local Madame Defarge, shaking her fist as the tumbrels roll by, the Post’s class warrior, channeling populist rage and unleashing it on the likes of Donna Hanover, Hillary Clinton... In her column, Peyser is usually going for the jugular. Her list of enemies includes not only the "spoiled jerk" athletes with whom she made her reputation but the cancerous U.N., those Frenchy antiwar weasels, gay people who adopt children and/or feel legally entitled to be married, and feminist follies. Men who disappoint are feminized; after he lost to Bush, Al Gore was "the man who raids Katherine Harris's pancake makeup supply."

Since that was written, she has released a book that has been getting some attention lately. Entitled  Celebutards: The Hollywood Hacks, Limousine Liberals and Pandering Politicians Who Are Destroying America,  you can well imagine what it's about. When I came across the latest story involving Bruce Springsteen-- the "communist guitar player, as my dad calls him-- and his hypocritical relationship with Wal-Mart, the book immediately came to mind. We'll get Ms. Peyser's take on the so-called "Boss" and his latest demonstration of conscience...

• Meredith resident and school board candidate Lisa Merrill thinks her fellow residents would benefit by having the school board's meetings videotaped and aired on the public access channel, just like the town's select board meetings. Based upon the reaction she's getting, it seems the schoolies are a little camera shy. Gee, I wonder why? Don't you think elected representatives would jump at the thought of allowing their adoring voters the chance to see them in action?

We'll discuss her efforts and perhaps offer a few helpful pointers. We'll also encourage her to spend some time explaining and spreading the word about the importance of passing SB2-- the "Official Ballot RSA 40:13" in her town. It's looking like the massive growth of new, taxable properties has run its course, the government having effectively killed the golden goose in that they've spent every dime. If the voters don't claim their right to have their say in all-day voting in the privacy of the booth, the big spenders will no doubt continue with reckless abandon, having been spoiled for the last decade or so.

• Doug & Skip will mix in some Gilford stuff with Lisa's Meredith issues, as she is experencing what Gilford USED to be like many years ago until citizens stood up, having had enough, and, among other improvemnets, passed SB2...

Hour 2: Education-Palooza...

• Ann Marie Banfield, the Education Liason for Cornerstone Policy Research, joins us once again in the studio to discuss-- yes, you guessed it-- education! 

• Also with us will be Mike Donnelly, who serves as staff attorney for the Home School Legal Defense Association. He represents member affairs in the states of Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and manages HSLDA’s involvement on behalf of persecuted homeschoolers in the Federal Republic of Germany. He also teaches constitutional law at Patrick Henry College where he is an adjunct professor of government.

• Rounding out our panel will be Jim Parison, President of the Christian Home Educators of NH (CheNH). Jim is a research engineer and homeschool father of six.  Together with his wife Margaret, they began homeschooling thier oldest daughter Lyudia in 1988 before home education was “legal”.  Lydia is now a college graduate teaching English and Art to students in India.  He has served as a volunteer on the CheNH Board of Governors since 1991.   In those days he maintained a bulletin board service (BBS) and later, when the www became accessible to the public, developed the first CheNH website.   Since the enactment of RSA193-A he has been involved in legislative action, educating and organizing parents across the state to participate in preserving the right of parents to train their children. 

• Once again, the homeschooling community is under attack. With all the problems we face in the present, why can't lawmakers resist taking aim at one of the few areas of education that actually works? We'll discuss two bills introduced here in New Hampshire that do just that-- HB 367 and HB 368. Happily, we'll also discuss a proposal that is GOOD, CACR 8, which reinforces the importance and necessity of local control of education.

• Other related topics we'll no doubt touch upon will be NH state standards; Education czar Lyonel Tracy leaving; Follow the Child; Constructivist teaching approach in many of the classrooms; New/fuzzy math; Competencies/Outcome Based Ed  (this is in Bedford right now)

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• The Josiah Bartlett Center's lead investigative reporter, Grant Bosse, AKA the NH Watchdog, joins us to discuss his recent report on so-called "shovel-ready" bailout projects being prepared by the Granite State that heavily tilts infrastructure improvements in favor of rail over roadways. It got plenty of publicity, with transportation officials begging to differ with some of Grant's contentions. We suspect it's mostly because he hits a nerve (the truth!). We'll get an update on the state of the state's budget and what Gov. Lynch and his Democrat-controlled legislature have in mind for the future. Will he really cut people? And what about NH's growing mountain of debt? YIKES! Time permitting, we'll chat tolls and cigarette taxes, too. And, what about those state salaries. Should a hockey coach at the state university be the highest paid?
• Doug & Skip talk local stuff. Don't worry- all politics is local. Our town's Deliberative Sessions for Town & School take place this week, and we also have a slate of candidates making for contested races in all major seats.
• Jennifer Rubin, a long-time MTNP radio fave, wonders if perhaps President Obama has been had by Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Democrats. We'll get her opinion of the latest version of the bailout and the newfound bravery on the part of House Republicans. Will Senate Republicans follow suit? Is Judd Gregg a BO Republican? Will Michael Steele help the GOP? Despite the economic times, the Magic Obama found a few spare millions to send to the Palestinians of Gaza. We'll assess the Obama Administration, a dozen days in. Jen contributes to the American Spectator, Human Events, Commentary Magazine.com's Contentions blog, along with a host of other excellent magazines, websites, and news organizations.
• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• NH's Republican National Committeewoman, Phyllis Woods (also a 'Grok contributor) checks in with an update on the race for RNC Chair. Given the present state of the GOP both on the state and national levels, the outcome of this race is more important than ever. This week, Phyllis announced she was throwing her support in with Saul Anuzis, noting, "he has pledged to work to preserve our conservative values and believes they can be a winning strategy. We don’t need to ‘moderate’ our message - we need to ‘modernize’ it and present it in a fresh new light."... We'll also discuss the latest on bailout mania, and the movement for a resolution opposing such measures. What's ahead for NH Republicans? Inside baseball stuff, maybe, but it's all important, as the government and its politicians are coming at us more than ever, and if we don't fight them in the political arena, we'll end up getting steamrolled.

• Doug and Skip roll through some local stuff. As regular listeners know, while we might be talking about our town, it just might-- or should-- be happening in yours. Gilford's teachers still don't seem to get it when it comes to declining enrollment. With the school board and administration rightly trimming administrative staff, the teachers have managed to convince a number of parents this is bad for the children. Please... Because these people are so unwilling to part with one red cent from their budget, without regard for compromise, I have decided I can no longer support their contract with its generous (especially given the times) raise provisions. I know I'm not alone both in town, and on the budget committee. After all, as reported in the Laconia Daily Sun Friday, "no statistics would persuade them that fewer guidance hours or assistant principals would be acceptable to their children or students." See?

• First it was the iron horses, and now its real ones. Is nothing safe from the fee-chargers? What is happenning to the Live Free or Die State? Last week it was onerous motorcycle rules with HB95, and now this week it's licensing and the mandatory vaccination of all horses in NH through HB427.  Jean Lavin, motorcyclist and horse-lover is feeling like she's got a bullseye on him lately and will join us as we sound the alarm yet again as NH's government continues to assault our freedoms...

• One means of protection against excessive government growth and intrusion into our lives is to know what the politicians are up to as they do their business in the first place. Here in NH, that insight and right is guaranteed and protected by the Right-To-Know law, RSA 91-A. With the legislature about to embark on its annual attempts to "fix" this most important law, we thought we'd get the straight skinny from two people who should know: Democratic state representative Jim Splaine, and Republican representative William O'Brien.

• Jim Splaine has been a member of the House and Senate for 29 years, being first elected in 1968 at the age of 21, the youngest member of the 400 member House that year.  He sponsored two of the most important expansions of the NH Right To Know Law as a member of the House in 1977, and the Senate in 1979, (requiring a specific reason for governing bodies to go behind closed-doors, and requiring a recorded, public, roll-call vote to do so) and continues to defend the law to make it stronger. He is a frequent contributor to the NH Insider. He is the "token Democrat" co-sponsor of the bill to make actions in violation of 91-A invalid (HB135).

• William L. O'Brien is an attorney with 32 years of legal experience.  He has been a partner in a Boston, Massachusetts law firm and has served as general counsel for three companies.  Bill holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston and a Masters of Law degree from Franklin Pierce Law in Concord. At present he maintains a law practice in New Hampshire and Massachusetts specializing in litigation, intellectual property licensing, and corporate and international law. He also is an adjunct professor of law at New England School of Law in Boston. Bill O'Brien's community involvement includes serving as an elected member of his local school and budget committees and as a state representative in New Hampshire from the Hillsborough County towns of Lyndeborough, Mont Vernon, New Boston, Temple and Wilton. He is currently in his second term as a legislator and serves on the Judiciary committee in the House of Representatives. He is the primary sponsor of the bill making the actions in violation of the Right-To-Know Law invalid (HB135).

We expect much agreement between the four of us on this subject. We all concur- we might be on different parts of the political spectrum, but open and transparent government is in EVERYBODY'S interest. And while there are some like Reps. O'Brien and Splaine seeking to strengthen the RTK law, there are others seeking to weaken it.

Where we might disagree is when, time permitting, we cover several other topics. Given that Rep. Splaine sponsored the successful civil unions bill two years back and has sponsored a gay marriage bill this year for NH, we might have some words on that. We'll also talk about Mr. Splaine's death penalty study bill, called a "reasonable move" by the Union Leader. I will ask him his position on abortion, and why parental notification of an invasive medical procedure like that shouldn't be required in the case of a minor here in NH.

Since Bill O'Brien is the Vice-chairman of Granite State Taxpayers and the co-chair of the House Republican Alliance, we'd just bet he's got a thought or two about the present budget situation here in NH, and what needs to be done to fix it. Surely Mr. Splaine and his fellow Democrat big spenders are no help.

We'll get the group's take on whether or not newly minted NH GOP chief John H. Sununu is right when he says "democrats are ruining the state." This should be great fun!

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

Posted by Doug at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We're mad as heck and we're not gonna take it any more!

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Paul Punturieri has been a resident of Moultonboro for the past 6 years. Prior to that he lived and worked in Saudi Arabia in the healthcare sector for a number of years. He is a core member of the Moultonboro Citizens Alliance (MCA), a local citizen's group that promotes openeness and transparency in local governement. Politically he is a "self proclaimed moderate with a slight rightward list."  While the MCA might hail from one of the Granite State's smaller populated towns, they made their presence felt this week down in Concord in a BIG way.

As reported in this prior post, an area "Republican" sponsored a series of onerous law changes designed to thwart or diminish the powers of local government: HB114 that will gut the ability of SB2 towns to change warrants at their deliberative sessions.  Another, HB72, makes it harder to allow citizens to ask for secret ballot voting on certain items during a Town Meeting / Deliberative Session by raising the number of signers needed to request this from five (5) to fifty (50).  If you have EVER been at a Town Meeting, you know this will effectively eliminate the ability citizens the option to cast their votes privately.  It also forces a change for a request for a recount from five (5) to twenty-five (25) voters. The third government-friendly bill offered by state representative Betsy Patten (R-Moultonboro) is HB71, which will allow town officials to bond TEN TIMES the present amount they are allowed now without being required to hold a public hearing.

Enter the activists of the MCA. With members speaking at public hearings held in Concord this week, well, lets just say Ms. Patten's proposals were given the thorough negative reception they so richly deserved. The MCA efforts-- brought together thanks to the quick and coordinated actions of its members-- show what a dedicated group of activists can achieve. Mr. Punturieri will detail the efforts.

• As noted in this previous posting, Vietnam Veteran (Navy) and loyal Pease Greeter Jack Kimball sent a passionate email about a new and insidious phenomena occuring recently throughout the US-- INCLUDING HERE IN NH:

As I explained last night, after Greeting the Troops, I have found out that there have been very large Pro Hamas, Anti-Israeli Rallies all over our country.  Some of them turned violent. The key point here is that we now have an element in this country that is not afraid to demonstrate their Anti Americanism as well as their support for terrorist organizations such as Hamas. 

This is the kind of stuff that our kids are learning in US colleges all over the country and it cannot go unchallanged. 

We have the responsibility to fight the good fight at home while our wonderful troops are fighting the other fight, overseas.  Imagine what they must think when they see this garbage going on in our own country.  What they really need to see is that we are doing something abut it.  So, if any of you have video cameras, please bring them a take some video of our group during the counter rally and get it up on YouTube.

And indeed, we will have Jack on to discuss the counter demonstration rally that is to take place in Durham Center from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM this coming Sunday. Jack, like me, and I'm sure many of you, is rightfully angry that, given the events of September 11, and the price paid by our brave soldiers in the fighting since, people would have the gall to march and openly demonstrate in FAVOR of terrorists. We'll also talk a bit about the troops he greets at Pease, and what he thinks is coming down the pike, given some recent danger signs most people probably gave scant attention...

• All politics is local... Even though we may discuss several items specific to Gilford with our friend and fellow GilfordGrok blogger Terry Stewart, you should note that what's happening here could (or maybe SHOULD) be happening where you live. We'll cover the wrap of the budget season for the budget committee and the Town and School District. What was achieved and what was missed. And now, once again, the blog has caused a stir among some of the locals. For them, there's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much free speech going on around here! It seems that the tax and spend crowd doesn't like it when their ways are exposed.

• Are there any Republicans left in the US Senate these days? How can it be that Hillary Clinton can sail through the appointment hearings with nary a peep from "our side"? Why shouldn't we be upset that someone that "didn't know" he had to pay income taxes for 4 to six years is now slated to head the IRS... yes THAT IRS? Arrghh!

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

Posted by Doug at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, it has been interesting so far:

I've been playing with Twitter for a couple / three weeks now, trying to learn how it can be useful.  As many have said, lots is dross, but then there are gems!  After all, how much info can you pack into 140 characters?  The word "microblogging" certainly sums it up - each "tweet" can be thought of as a nano-post, or if equiped with a "short" URL, as a pointer to something interesting.

I'm getting the hang of it, so follow the 'Grok on Twitter (after normal working hours)!

http://twitter.com/granitegrok

Posted by Skip at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• All politics is local... 2 of the 3 Gilford Selectmen and the Town Administrator join Skip and Doug for a roundtable discussion of the issues affecting the town. As we often say-- While it may not be YOUR town, many of the issues are probably the same-- and, you might hear something helpful as you live the engaged life of an active citizen where you live. Selectmen Kevin Hayes and Gus Benevides will field calls and questions along with our recently-hired Town Administrator Scott Dunn.

• John C. Wohlstetter is the Vice President of the American Jewish Congress and a foreign policy expert as well as a senior fellow at Discovery Institute.   He is the author of  The Long War Ahead and the Short War Upon Us and founder and editor of the blog “Letter from the Capitol.”  Since fighting broke out last week between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian controlled area of Gaza, Israel has delivered a startling blow by air and ground.  Throughout the battle Hamas has remained steadfast in their commitment to fight the Israelis to the bitter end.  Wohlstetter says, “Israel is stuck in a Values Trap.” As the fighting continues, it becomes complicated to understand exactly what’s at stake for Israel.  Wohlstetter joins us on air with details and explanations on:

• Values Trap – Israel is attempting to fight a fair and just war with its humane, civilized sensibility, facing an enemy with genocidal hatred.
• Diplomacy – Israel does not need a diplomatic settlement which offers concessions that the Palestinians will be unlikely to keep.
• Negotiations – Israel needs cessation to violence which is an achievable goal with the help of the international community.

• WMD Attack – Should the Palestinians decide to unleash a WMD on the Israelis, the Israelis would realize en masse that there are far worse things than putting aside one's cherished humane values.  The Israelis would begin a real war which would likely draw in Iran.  

• Todd Lancaster and Cassandra Nichols are co-Producers/co-Directors at the independent Ether Films. Regular listeners might recall that some time back, Cassandra and Todd joined us in the studio as they shot footage for their documentary film (podcast here) about the 2008 presidential campaign. While at the time tentatively entitled "What it Takes", it has been released as "MIle High: How to Win... and lose... the White House". They'll chat with us over the phone to give us an update, and to let us know whether we need to pack our bags and head out to Hollywood...

According to the film's official website,

At 17 years old, Luke is too young to vote; but he's not too young to make a difference. After campaigning for Barack Obama for more than a year, he decides to travel to the Democratic National Convention in Denver to see Obama deliver his acceptance speech...hoping he can find a ticket once he gets there.

Mile High follows Luke on his journey, from Super Tuesday to Denver and through to Election Day. Along the way it delves into his past, his efforts to help elect President Obama, and his hopes for the future: both his own future and that of his country. The film also follows the presidential candidates themselves, talking to pundits and experts about what it really took to win...and lose...the White House in 2008.

Mile High is a nonpartisan documentary consisting entirely of original footage shot during and after the 2008 election.

In addition to Luke, the film features Tim Russert, Dan Rather, Ron Paul, Terry McAuliffe, Mike Huckabee, Keith Olbermann, Jesse Jackson, Steve Forbes, Chuck Norris (yep- THAT Chuck Norris) Ted Kennedy (THAT Ted Kennedy) Joe Scarborough, Joe Klein, Carl Cameron, Pat Buchanan, along with the major candidates, the Clintons, Arnie Arnesen, and Doug and Skip. HUH!? Doug and Skip? Yep THAT Doug and Skip! It's a pretty cool movie and, whether you're an Obama fan or not, if you're at all interested in the political details that came to bear on the road to the White House in 2008, you'll like it.

MILE HIGH was recently accepted to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival which runs from January 22nd through February 1st.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

Posted by Doug at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and AnkleBitingPundits brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

NOTE: LIVESTREAM IS BROKEN. STAY TUNED FOR THE PODCAST.

• All politics is local-- While the names & places may change, you just KNOW it's going on somewhere else... Skip and Doug discuss the local town and school budgets, what they accomplish... or don't, and what happenes when the additional warrant articles are added in. We'll also discuss the pros and cons of the new police department expansion/renovation proposal.

• Matthew Murphy is a director with the NH Advantage Coalition, a taxpayer advocacy and watchdog group that works with local activists to limit government spend and send the message to elected officials at all levels that low taxes are a direct result of low spending. The NH Advantage Coalition is also working to prevent the implementation of new broad-based taxes.  Raised in Hampstead, Matthew is a longtime conservative political activist,  prior to joining the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition was the director of Granite Staters for Employee Freedom. (Fighting EFCA).

With town warrant article writing season upon us, Matt will discuss what shenanigans to expect from the pro-tax and spend crowd and how to best fight the broad-based taxers. We'll discuss how to place a tax cap articlle on YOUR ballot.

• Drew  Cline has been editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader since October of 2001. His writing has appeared in more than 100 newspapers and magazines, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Review.

We'll discuss bailout mania, and how rail has its hand out like everyone else, and why they should get nothing.

Is fining PSNH and other utilities for extended outages really a good idea? Apparently there's at least one lawmaker (A Republican, no less) that thinks so. Sheesh!

And finally, Mr. Cline views our low gas tax part of our NH Advantage, mirroring our feelings about the subject here at the 'Grok. We'll find out why now is exacly NOT the time to be raising gasoline taxes in the Granite State. I have a novel idea-- let's just stop WASTING the money we've already got!

• Doug and Skip at the movies. As you might have guessed, Skip went to the doggie movie, and I went to the Nazi movie. Neither of us were disappointed.

• Time permitting, we'll have yet another word about the goings-on at Belknap County government, and the Republicans and their involvement. With "friends" like these...

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!

Posted by Doug at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

The gang from Meet the New Press radio is taking this weekend off, given the holidays. We thank all of our loyal listeners for putting up with us, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!

Posted by Doug at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Due to the Christmas holiday, postings will be light today (to non-existent).  Continue to reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas, enjoy the company of family and friends, and we'll have more stuff put up tomorrow!

Posted by Skip at 7:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)