Doug

Oh Tree of Love! Oh tree of Love! Of all the Trees so Lovely!

Well, that time of year is once again upon us. You know- the time of year when one can still find a few people around that are brazen and uncouth enough to use the “C” word. That’s right- there is a small minority of people who still dare to refer to the “Holiday Season” as (gasp!) Christmas! Can you imagine? Don’t “those” kinds of people understand that they might offend somebody with such blatant attempts at forcing their “belief system” on others?
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The good news is that with each passing year, the list of entities that can be counted on to respect the Constitution’s recently discovered ban on all things Christian continues to grow. We all know that the public school system has been systematically erasing our Nation’s Christian religious heritage for what is now going on an entire generation. Indian “spiritual” rituals? No problem. Japanese paper origami cranes for “the gods”? No problem. Singing “Silent Night” at a “seasonal concert”? BIG PROBLEM!
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We are now at a point where it has become a societal taboo to even utter the word “Christmas”.  Consider the local hospital’s annual decorative tribute/ fundraiser, which occurs each year around this time: The “Holiday Tree of Love”. How nice. How non-sectarian. How “non-offensive”. How very “sixties”. Can you imagine the uproar if the hospital referred to its tree by the term Americans used to call this ubiquitous December decoration- a CHRISTMAS tree? Heaven forbid they do so because that would be “imposing” a religion on people!
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It’s really not all bad, however. Perhaps we can, through the simple replacement of certain words, re-introduce some traditional Christmas (oops) songs back into the various “holiday concerts” and other “winter celebrations”. How great it would be to once again hear the children singing Bing as he croons, “I’m dreamin’ of a rainbow solstice…Just like the ones we used to know.”
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Or better yet, they can sing a seasonal song AND celebrate alternative lifestyles at the same time with this beloved little ditty: “Have yourself a merry little winter, Let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight; Have yourself a merry little winter, Make the Yule-tide GAY…” How perfectly politically correct! In the same vein, how about this updated classic:  “I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus underneath the tree of love last night. He didn’t see me creep down the stairs to have a peep; He thought that I was zoned in front of the TV. Then, I saw Daddy tickle Santa Claus underneath his beard so snowy white; Oh, what a laugh it would have been If Mommy had only seen Daddy kissing Santa Claus last night.”
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Such wonderfully updated songs could demonstrate once and for all that no religious intent is connected with this time of year while simultaneously celebrating tolerance and diversity!
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He’s not half the man he used to be…

Have you ever come across some little tidbit of information and just scratch your head in wonderment? Such was the case when I came upon this bit of news: Doctors and Children’s Groups Say Male Circumcision Must be Voluntary, Consensual National Institutes of Health’s endorsement of adult male circumcision leaves the question of infant circumcision … Read more

Uh-oh! This NH conservative is starting to feel a little more “blue”…

The headline from the Concord Monitor struck me like a thunderbolt: Shaheen considers another Senate run The December 11th article reports  Former New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen is weighing a run for U.S. Senate, her husband said last night. . "She’s thinking about it," Bill Shaheen told the Monitor at a Democratic fundraiser last night in … Read more

Global Warming “Hot Air” to Suffocate US Supreme Court?

As the hot air generated by global-warming acolytes reaches new levels now that the US Supreme Court is hearing a case related to the climate-change issues, it is good to stop and take a deep breath. Do not allow yourself to get caught up the unquestioned belief in global warming caused by man as fact. Despite what … Read more

Constitutional rights for terrorists, but not law-abiding gun owners.

This is rather interesting: DALLAS, Nov. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ — A United States citizen who now lives in Great Britain has joined with the country’s leading gun owner rights organization in a federal lawsuit that says nonresident citizens are unfairly being targeted by existing laws that restrict gun ownership to those who live in the … Read more

It’s the economy, stupid, redux. President speaks about the importance of small business.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush touts the value of small businesses in today’s economy. Full disclosure: I am a small business owner, and am therefore, completely biased in that I want continued success for all small businesses. I have always known that as a rule, Democrats are anti-business. Thankfully, we have a leader in President Bush that understands the importance of small businesses as being absolutely vital to our Nation as opposed to Democrats who view small business simply as another revenue stream for their socialist programs and a target for regulation.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I’m speaking to you today from the Mile High Coffee Shop in Englewood, Colorado. Mile High Coffee was founded by Brian Verbeck who is the city’s entrepreneur of the year. I’m here to have a cup of his famous coffee, and have breakfast with a group of local entrepreneurs to discuss our strong and growing economy.

Yesterday, [Friday] we received more good news about our economy. The national unemployment rate has dropped to 4.4 percent. It’s the lowest rate in more than five years. Over the past three months, America has added 470,000 new jobs, for a total of more than 6.8 million new jobs since August of 2003. Real wages rose 2.4 percent over the past year, which means an extra $1,327 for the typical family of four with two wage earners. Americans are finding jobs, and they’re taking home more pay.

The President then rightfully identifies the major reason for this good economic news: the American people, led by small business. When government staeps aside and lets the people do their thing, we all flourish.

The main reason for our growing economy is that we cut taxes and left more money in the hands of families and workers and small business owners. Entrepreneurs like the ones I’m having breakfast with this morning have put that money to good use. They expanded their businesses and they’re creating jobs in their communities

Man, this guy is just singin’ my song! It is because I know these are the true beliefs of President Bush that I am still in his "strong supporter" camp (other than the border issue). I have long maintained that the administration does many small, little noticed things behind the scenes in support of business and hardworking people that goes under-appreciated.

President Bush continued, highlighting several businesses that exemplify the entrepenurial spirit contributing to America’s continued economic successes:

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GraniteGrok Analysis: Bass Wins in NH. Blue state RI turns bluer: Chafee out.

With the countdown to election day ticking, the dynamics of the assorted races seemingly change by the minute. "He’s up. She’s down. The election is won. The election is lost. It will  be bad for the GOP. All is lost. Dems get control. Republicans hang on." And all before  a single vote gets cast. Thankfully, for better or worse, it all ends Tuesday.
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I never really know what to make of the political polling- As can be often heard at the lunchroom table or by the watercooler, I too must confess I have never been polled. Neither, to the best of my knowledge, has anybody that I know. What does this mean? I know plenty of people that vote that don’t really have a traditional phone by which they can be reached- they instead use cell phones. How are these folks polled? It is widely agreed that opinion and exit pollsters badly called the last string of elections. Should this one be different?
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With that being said, reports indicate that polls are showing the Democrat candidates are surging ahead. Pundits question whether "the base" of the GOP will even bother to turn out. As I’ve previously noted, none of the people that I know who are card-carrying members of "the base" will sit this election out- as they would not in ANY election. Most of them that don’t care for their candidate will "hold their noses" and do the right thing. They, more than most people, understand the implications of a Pelosi-led House aided and abetted by wingnuts like Charles Rangel. No, this election will hinge on that large group of voters in the middle- the so-called "swing voter"- or, as myself and others are wont to call them, "the great unwashed".
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This is how I see it: The electorate is roughly split into 3 groups. (1.) Left. (2.) Right. (3.) Don’t know. Those on the left will always be there, much as those on the right (my camp) will stay put where they are. No amount of persuasive argumentation will cut it with either group. You might call them collectively, "the base". Then we have the aforementioned "great unwashed" or, more accurately, those who "don’t know".
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These people pay no attention to politics or government whatsoever, and get most of what they do "know" from the traditional main stream media (MSM). When it’s election time, they rely almost completely on TV ads and whatever their chosen MSM outlet decides to tell them for help in making a "decision".. It is the hearts and minds of these people for which all both sides fight. Sadly enough, when voting day comes, some will simply cast a ballot for whoever was in the last TV ad they saw as they headed out the door…
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Let’s consider two key congressional races with perennial favorites of "don’t know" voters (moderate)- Sen. Lincoln Chafee in RI and Rep. Charles Bass here in NH.
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Doug endorses… a DEMOCRAT?! Watch out for flying pigs!*UPDATE*

On September 27, 2005, just a little over a year ago, the Portsmouth Herald (NH) reported that “Gov. John Lynch and New Hampshire’s four congressmen called for the resignation of Executive Councilor Ray Burton Monday, citing recent revelations about the criminal record of one of his campaign workers.” You remember the story- the long time … Read more

LAC- Title of Honor

Our good friend and mentor Jorge sends the following note, with an idea that, with any luck, might catch on… Doug and Skip,  . While reading your posts about the Kerry snafu and the Hazelton, PA crackdown on illegals a few moments ago, it occurred to me that perhaps we, native born or properly naturalized American … Read more

Friday Humor. Blame it on the dog…

I got stopped for speeding yesterday. . I almost talked my way out of it until the dog barked and caught the cop’s attention… .   . H/T Cousin Kim

It’s the economy, stupid! What the MSM doesn’t want known ’till Nov.8th.

While I’m not a Denny Hastert cheerleader, his office released a statement that sums up the economy in a nutshell. Remember the dire predictions of economic ruin that a Bush presidency was expected bring upon the nation? That seems so long ago. WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ — Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert … Read more

The devil you know… Consider the “big picture”. Vote Republican Tuesday.

Other than the NH Governor’s Executive Council race, I will be voting for Republicans across the board. Is it because they’ve done great things lately? Of course not, because they haven’t. At the state level, while the majority Republicans once again dithered away the chance to enact a constitutional amendment to keep the courts out … Read more

Headline to make your day…

"Hispanics Flee Pa. Town Before Crackdown" No, I’m not being racist here… calm down. The "crackdown" is on illegal aliens per an ordinance passed by the Hazleton, PA City Council back in September that, according to an article at Breitbart.Com imposes fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and denies business permits to companies … Read more

Blue Star Mothers condemn Senator Kerry’s recent dishonoring of the troops

One of my friends here in Gilford, NH is one of the leaders of the NH Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers. She forwards the following statement from the national organization regarding John Kerry’s recent statement on the intelligence of US soldiers: We, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc, do not accept the dishonor … Read more

The Romney campaign plays the victim card early in the game.

Regular readers know that, because the GraniteGrok "bunker" is located here in the heart of NH, the still "almost first in the Nation" presidential nominating state, we will be reporting on the race to the White House ’08 from time to time… . With the silly season leading up to the midterm elections in high … Read more

Ve vill take zee bird… Shnell!

I haven’t seen this story anywhere but in my actual real paper copy of the Citizen (Laconia, NH) newspaper: Government agents have served notice on a Camden [ME] restaurant that the stuffed bird that adorned its upstairs dining room for more than 20 years is illegal. . The US Fish and Wildlife agents, unshaven and … Read more

Dope of the Week (Month? Year?): John “Loathesome” Kerry

Via Matt Drudge ======== . John Kerry addressing some college students, on education: if you make the most of it… You study hard. You do your homework and you make an effort to be smart… ah… you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq. This really needs no comment, as … Read more

Lies, damned lies, and campaign rhetoric. The silly season reaches its apex.

The midterm congressional and state office campaigns are now in the final push to election day. The airwaves are filled with ads- "I’m candidate Joe Inyoorface and I approved this message." This time is alway inevitabley accompanied by the traditional calls of unfairness and accusations of mudslinging from all quarters. . Here in NH, the Dems are in … Read more

The Forgotten Story: It’s the Economy, Stupid!

In this week’s radio address, President Bush talks about the economy. It is no secret that the economy is humming along at a pretty good clip at the moment and jobs are generally available to those who want to work. Additionally, opportunities abound for those with the entrepreneurial drive to make it on their own. All in all, for many people, these are good times. Funny though, we don’t hear much about any of this from the mainstream media these days. That’s because any good news might reflect kindly on the President, and of course, we couldn’t have that now, could we? If Clinton were the President, that’s all we’d be hearing 24/7- you know, the great "Clinton economy."
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While I believe that it’s the people themselves that actually make this great economy work, there are actions engaged in by the federal government that can help it or hurt it. Luckily for us, President Bush’s policies are more about helping it by getting government out of the way of the forward motion of our industrious spirit. Oh- and these policies allow more of us to keep a larger portion of the fruits of our labor by paying less in taxes. On this, President Bush is spot-on. The President explains:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Election Day is around the corner, and one of the biggest issues at stake in this campaign is your taxes. Here is my philosophy: I believe that our economy grows and the American Dream reaches more citizens when you keep more of what you earn. With more money in your pocket, it is easier for families to afford a good education, it is easier for young people to afford the down payment on a home of their own, and it’s easier for small business owners to go out and invest and create jobs.
Amen! While President Bush isn’t much of a conservative when it comes to the size of government and how his administration prepares the budget, his aforementioned "philosophy" should be music to every conservative’s (and ordinary working American’s, for that matter) ears. But alas, we don’t hear it much these days, as the mainstream media focuses on all that they can to make Bush and the Republicans look bad. The President continues, explaining what’s been done to let us keep more of our hard-earned paychecks:
So my administration and the Republican Congress enacted the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. We cut taxes for every American who pays income taxes. We doubled the child tax credit. We reduced the marriage penalty. We cut taxes on small business. We cut taxes on capital gains and dividends to promote investment and jobs. And to reward family businesses and farmers for a lifetime of hard work and savings, we put the death tax on the path to extinction.
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Now the results of these tax cuts are in. The tax cuts we passed have left more than a trillion dollars in the hands of American workers, families, and small businesses, and you have used that money to fuel a strong and growing economy. Last year, our economy grew faster than any other major industrialized nation. This week, we learned that our economy grew by 1.6 percent during the third quarter of this year. As we expected, this rate is slower than in previous quarters. Yet the evidence still points to a vibrant economy that is providing more jobs and better wages for our workers and helping reduce the federal deficit.
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So my administration and the Republican Congress enacted the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. We cut taxes for every American who pays income taxes. We doubled the child tax credit. We reduced the marriage penalty. We cut taxes on small business. We cut taxes on capital gains and dividends to promote investment and jobs. And to reward family businesses and farmers for a lifetime of hard work and savings, we put the death tax on the path to extinction.
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Now the results of these tax cuts are in. The tax cuts we passed have left more than a trillion dollars in the hands of American workers, families, and small businesses, and you have used that money to fuel a strong and growing economy. Last year, our economy grew faster than any other major industrialized nation. This week, we learned that our economy grew by 1.6 percent during the third quarter of this year. As we expected, this rate is slower than in previous quarters. Yet the evidence still points to a vibrant economy that is providing more jobs and better wages for our workers and helping reduce the federal deficit.
Ah, the deficit- did you know it’s been halved from where it stood several years back? Many people probably don’t, because the mainstream media doesn’t seem to care as much when it goes down as it does when it goes up (and a Republican occupies the White House).

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Now THAT’S gravitas! Lynne Cheney reams CNN.

Back when Dick Cheney was getting excoriated for telling Pat Leahey to go "f" himself while on the floor of the Senate, I jumped for joy. Finally, somebody told the Vermont Senator something he needed to hear for a long time! Now THAT’S gravitas, I thought. . Behind every successful man is a good woman … Read more

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