Doug

It’s not what you think. She really did it for love…Friday Humor

Bob, a 70-year-old, extremely wealthy widower, shows up at the Country Club with a breathtakingly beautiful and very sexy 25-year-old blonde who knocks everyone’s socks off with her youthful sex appeal and charm. She hangs onto Bob’s arm and listens intently to his every  word. His buddies at the club are all aghast. . At … Read more

A Book Blog Meme

The Online Dictionary defines the word “meme”:
A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.
So I get this email from Paul Sand at Pun Salad informing me that I’ve been “tagged” with a “bookish blog meme.” My first response was, “Huh?” After a few clicks, I realized that a blog meme is a series of questions/thoughts/beliefs passed from blog to blog, much like a chain letter. A reader should click forward and back from link to link to see how different bloggers answered the questions. I’m sure long-time practitioners of this medium have seen this before, but for me, it’s something new. Looking back at how this progressed to me here at GraniteGrok,, I take it as a compliment to have been chosen…

Ten Questions

1.  One book that changed your life?

The book that changed my life in the literary sense, leading to my heightened political and cultural views is Shelby Foote’s trilogy, The Civil War: A Narrative. A voracious reader from a young age, to that point I had always read fiction. Laid up with a multi-week illness, I had the time to read the three lengthy volumes. I have not really read a book of fiction, other than a Tom Clancy or two, since. Non-fiction and book-length histories, biographies, and news-documentaries fill my “library.”  This led to politics, column-writing, and finally, this blog. Thanks Shelby! His books were so informative and interesting that my wife and I, when the opportunity arose, visited Arlington National Cemetery where many of the people brought to life by Mr. Foote now reside…
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I know it’s cheating, but other choices include The Prince by Machiavelli- his advice on leadership, the wielding of power, and dealing in reality is applicable in all of life’s affairs. David Herbert Donald’s Lincoln biography taught me that politics, despite what we are led to believe by those wishing “the people” to remain apathetic, is not bad in and of itself. Lincoln was above all else a master politician. He knew mastering the art of politics was the road to the implementation of the ideas he saw as right. My guess is that Lincoln studied Machiavelli at some point. The E-Myth defines to this day my view of how a business should be run. Reading this book, recommended by a fellow entrepreneur caused sea-changes in my business operations (especially my role as owner), without which our companies probably would not exist today.

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Diversity Week at URI. “Celebrating the values of diversity & multiculturalism.” Values?

With the oldest offspring in her senior year of high school, the spectre of choosing a college and sending her away from the nest looms large. While I did not attend, I have a number of friends who went to the University of Rhode Island (URI). That, combined with the fact that I am originally from RI, has caused me to maintain an e-scription to the student paper- The Good 5-cent Cigar. Through the years, by reading the paper and watching the events at the school, one can get the sense of which way the pendulum has swung on that campus- back and forth from standard liberal to moonbat leftie. As with most state universities these days, conservative thought and viewpoints need not apply.
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What caught my eye most recently was an article on that university’s Diversity Week 2006, which led me to the URI Multicultural Center website, noting the event’s ten-year anniversary:
Diversity Week is a full week (September 25-29) with over 60 workshops, presentations, music performances and festivities celebrating the values of diversity and multiculturalism. It offers students and the community at large the opportunity to step outside their familiar zones and into other worlds (without leaving Kingston, RI!!!) . It is supported by over 30 University departments and campus organizations. Each individual event is a treasure but taken together as a whole, the week is truly an amazing tapestry. The fact that Diversity Week is now celebrating its 10th anniversary at URI is a testament to resonance and importance on campus.
Sounds like the standard liberal pap one would find on most college campuses. As usual, the devil is in the details…

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There’s waaaaay too much partisanship goin’ on around here!

In several prior postings, I have written about NH’s long-time RNC committeeman Tom Rath’s joining the Mitt Romney presidential team. I wrote about Mr. Rath:
This guy Rath is a big party guy, eh? He must be quite the conservative with this resume. Well, er, maybe not- Lamar Alexander? Warren Rudman? Bob Dole? Conservatives? Not hardly. And neither is Tom Rath. He’s what I would describe as a "country club" "Rockefeller Republican". Always looking for the deal. The consummate party man. I guess I’m a bad Republican to feel a "party man" loyalist is in some way bad- so be it. When have I heard Rath say anything in defense of Republican principles lately? Has he defended the war? Supported the troops? Written a letter? Of course not- he’s too busy being that genteel diplomatic, deal making sort. Don’t rock the boat.
While it sounds rather harsh, it is true. As President Bush gets assailed from all quarters on every step he takes on anything, his popularity plummets. As this happens, the Republican party, guilty by association, gets caught in the crossfire. As I’ve said before, I’m no Republican rumpswab by any means, but to allow the Democrats, hostage to the hard left wing, victory and a majority in the government would be a disaster for the war. (Don’t forget- the Dems war "plans" are the same as the terrorists- they want us to exit the battlefield in defeat.)
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And where’s Tom been while all this has been going on? Has "Mr. NH Bigtime GOP Man" been pounding the pavement, spilling ink, or giving big speeches in defense of our Republican president? Of course not. That might be too undiplomatic…
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GraniteGrok Analysis: GOP Prez Primary- An October Snapshot

Living in the heart of central NH, home of the "almost first in the nation" presidential nominating vote, we always get a front-row seat view of the early political "ground game" as the race to the White House gets cranked up. With a month left until the mid-term elections, the various Republican hopefuls have been busy traveling the country helping congressional candidates in the final stretch, looking for that return favor less than two years from now. This is not to say that the candidates aren’t still working on their own campaigns, it’s just that much of it remains below the radar screen at the moment.
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With the primary still a ways over the horizon, other than polling data, how would one go about designating the so-called frontrunners? One way that seems as good as any other method is to look at who is attracting the technicians that might be instrumental in any NH Republican party campaign. Who is successful in winning over the potential members of a victorious team? One could safely assume that these veterans would be hanging their hats with candidates they perceive as having a fighting chance at winning (except for those in it strictly for the money).
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Making up the most valuable of these highly prized team members are the party regulars- you know, those stuffy "big shots"- persons some might call the “usual suspects.” Although I am a (somewhat) young conservative more true to actual principles and values than I am to the party, and tend to view the rigid party types as too "establishment" for my liking, I do recognize the obvious, immediate benefit they bring to a campaign. With donor lists, phone numbers, and political IOUs in hand, these party apparatchiks can bring instant momentum to any political organization. The candidate that lands such people early in the game can be granted major candidate status because the people concerned want to be with a winner, and they are more privy than the rest of us to the "inside track." Their judgment must be given a degree of credibility. Count almost as important the successful, professional political operatives. They too wish to work for a winner, which always looks better in the portfolio.
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 Another way to roughly gauge a leading contender is the ability to draw a crowd and build excitement.
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Based upon my criteria as noted, I am designating three main Republican frontrunners here in NH as of the start of October.

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Bush tells his side. Weekly radio address.

I’m with the president on this…
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today I want to talk to you about a matter of national security that has been in the news — the National Intelligence Estimate on terrorism. The NIE is a classified document that analyzes the threat we face from terrorists and extremists. Parts of this classified document were recently leaked to the press. That has created a heated debate in our Nation’s capital, and a lot of misimpressions about the document’s conclusions. I believe the American people should read the document themselves and come to their own conclusions, so I declassified its key judgments.
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The National Intelligence Estimate confirms that we are up against a determined and capable enemy. The NIE lists four underlying factors that are fueling the extremist movement: first, long-standing grievances such as corruption, injustice, and a fear of Western domination; second, the jihad in Iraq; third, the slow pace of reform in Muslim nations; and fourth, pervasive anti-Americanism. It concludes that terrorists are exploiting all these factors to further their movement.
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Some in Washington have selectively quoted from this document to make the case that by fighting the terrorists in Iraq, we are making our people less secure here at home. This argument buys into the enemy’s propaganda that the terrorists attack us because we are provoking them. Here is what Prime Minister Tony Blair said this week about that argument: "This terrorism isn’t our fault. We didn’t cause it. It’s not the consequence of foreign policy." Prime Minister Blair is right. We do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism. The terrorists are at war against us because they hate everything America stands for, and because they know we stand in the way of their ambitions to take over the Middle East. We are fighting to stop them from taking over Iraq and turning that country into a safe haven that would be even more valuable than the one they lost in Afghanistan.

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Weekend Read: von Mises Part 2

Friend Jorge follows up his first recommendation for a second helping of Ludwig von Mises: Some more thoughts on von Mises—a collection of what the world press and intellectuals said in his obituaries.  Interesting, fast reading. Jorge Here is a sample: McFalls, John, investment advisor. "The Passing of Ludwig von Mises." Broadcast memorial to Ludwig … Read more

Weekend Read Part 1: von Mises

GraniteGrok friend and reader Jorge forwards the following link perfect for some deep, informative weekend reading. Doug and Skip,I think you’ll enjoy this tribute to Ludwig von Misses, on the occasion of his 125th birthday. I particularly enjoyed the narrative of his work and ideas in the context of the social and political history of … Read more

Here Kiddies- Come get a cookie… Part 2

As a followup to yesterday’s posting, here is my weekly newspaper column as published in the Laconia Daily Sun, which is not available online…

Exercising the First    by Doug Lambert

Education? Marketing? Propaganda.

 

When I wrote of the canceling of the OreoMobile demonstration at the Laconia Teen Center several weeks ago, I reminded readers never to underestimate the ability of the hardcore political left in their attempts to indoctrinate America’s youth. There is no end to the tricks liberals use to ensnare young minds. Through the clever visual use of a popular food treat, the disingenuous purveyors of the leftist, anti-military agenda are quite busy in their mission to bring the upcoming generation into their political camp. What is more innocent than the beloved Oreo cookie? With a hint of Ben & Jerry’s excellent tasting ice cream? Here kiddies… come and get a treat!

As I noted before, nothing could be more insidious than this simplistic sounding fun- because that’s not what it is at all. The demonstration is an overt antiwar, anti-military exhibition using cookies as props. It begins with stacks of large, plastic “cookies” showing the disparity of military spending between the US and other countries, with the “Axis of Evil” included. Naturally, the U.S. “stack” is taller than the rest- implying that we spend way more- and too much- on national defense. The presenter then gives the audience a breakdown of federal budget spending, showing in dramatic fashion, how military dollars spent surpasses those being spent on education, hunger, health care, and other familiar liberal causes. He ends with a call for the redistribution of defense monies to those programs instead- despite the fact that the US Constitution clearly provides for a national defense while saying nothing about the funding of what his group deems important.

Last week, the Daily Sun published a letter and an editorial op-ed piece written in defense of the OreoMobile program, accusing me of putting forth “utter fiction” that prevented “the community from discussing critical issues facing us today.” There is a big difference between “having a discussion” and giving a one-sided lecture dripping with objective points of view sold as fact. While both writers inadvertently prove this point quite well, they missed my main point- this particular “show” is not appropriate for a “Day for Kids” event or the mission of the Teen Center. Most normal folks would agree that the OreoMobile show features topics and themes that go beyond the understanding of young minds (and many adults, too) – unless the mission is to plant an anti-military “seed” that will grow with careful liberal nurturing in the schools. “Oh but Doug, it’s just fun… the kids get COOKIES for crying out loud. What’s wrong with that?”

           

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Here kiddies…come get a cookie! UPDATED-Pt.1

I originally posted the following here on the ‘Grok on September 18th. The piece was part of my weekly Laconia Daily Sun (unavailable online)  column published on the 14th:
Never underestimate the ability of the hardcore political left in their attempts to indoctrinate America’s youth. There is no end to the hidden tricks the liberals will use to ensnare young minds. A good example of just such a thing right here in central New Hampshire was this past Saturday’s now-cancelled event offered up by the Lakes Region Teen Center. What could be more innocent than “Ben & Jerry’s OreoMobile”, right? Isn’t it nice…cookies! For the kids!
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Nothing could be more insidious than this simplistic sounding fun- because that’s not what it is. The demonstration, which I have witnessed on several occasions, is nothing more than an antiwar, anti-military propaganda exhibition using cookies as props. You would be hard-pressed to find something more overtly political than the ideas presented. I called the center to alert them as to the nature of the “show.” Naturally, they were unaware of the dirty details. Shame on Ben & Jerry for pushing this political trickery on unsuspecting people trying to do right for the children! Thankfully, those running the Teen Center did the right thing and called it off.
Well, the libs who seek to indoctrinate the kiddies in any way they can have responded. They aren’t going to take this setback without a fight… The September 21st Daily Sun printed (alongside my weekly column) a letter and column written in response to what I wrote (above).
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If the Dems win… a look to the future.

The taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Tax Reform has issued the following press release. While they may not openly trumpet their real plan for America, Democratic party leaders do give clues from time to time. Discerning their actual agenda should they win in the November elections reminds me of the days of "Kremlin watchers" trying to get a … Read more

Pelosi on Ramadan. Pelosi on Christmas.

Nancy Pelosi releases statement on Ramadan: WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /U.S. Newswire/ — House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today to commemorate the start of Ramadan, which began on Saturday: . "Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marks a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control for the more … Read more

Cold Pizzas & Warm Cokes…

I’m sure this isn’t good news for the consumer. The Saturday Palm Beach Post contained the headline: Pizza Delivery Drivers Form a Union. Yikes! Here’s the story: PENSACOLA, Fla. — Eleven Domino’s employees hoping to make a little more dough and get a bigger slice of the profits have formed the nation’s first union of pizza delivery … Read more

It’s official: Rath says Mitt is it…

Today’s New Hampshire Union Leader is reporting that longtime Republican National Committeeman Tom Rath will resign that position and officially sign on with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in his quest for the Republican party’s presidential nomination: Veteran Republican strategist Tom Rath of Concord has chosen his candidate for the 2008 Presidential election: Gov. Mitt Romney … Read more

From the horse’s mouth… President’s weekly radio address 9/23

As we do every week, GraniteGrok prints the transcript of President Bush’s weekly radio address. This week he discusses moderate reformer leaders from the broader Middle East. I’m not sure I completely agree with his take on Abbas…
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, I traveled to New York City to address the United Nations General Assembly. In my speech to the leaders gathered there, I spoke about a more hopeful world that is within our reach — a world beyond terror, where ordinary men and women are free to determine their own destiny, where the voices of moderation are empowered, and where the extremists are marginalized by the peaceful majority.
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I said that every nation must make a choice: We can support the moderates and reformers working for change across the broader Middle East, or we can yield the future to the terrorists and extremists. America has made its choice – we’re standing with the moderates and reformers.
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In New York, I met with two such leaders, President Talabani of Iraq and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. In my meeting with President Talabani, I told him that America will continue to support Iraq’s democratic government as it makes the tough decisions necessary to bring security and prosperity to the Iraqi people. I assured President Talabani that America will not abandon the Iraqi people in their struggle to defeat the terrorists and build a free society in the heart of the Middle East.
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In my meeting with President Abbas, I told him that America remains committed to the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security. President Abbas shares this goal. He’s working hard to oppose violent extremists and build a society in which the Palestinian people can raise their children in peace and hope.
By supporting moderate leaders such as President Abbas, the United States can help Israelis and Palestinians build a more hopeful future and achieve the peace we all want in the Holy Land.

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Mr. Clinton- Take a chill pill!

I just watched Chris Wallace interview former president Bill Clinton on Fox News Sunday. It has been quite some time since I’ve paid the slightest bit of attention to the second worst president of my lifetime. (click here for the worst) Ordinarily, I would have just lunged for the channel-changer at the first sight of the impeached president, but, given the pre-airing publicity and the fact that I always watch FNC, I tuned in. I was not disappointed.
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Let me first say that Wallace was flawless in his journalistic approach to the interview. He was as he always is no matter who his subject may be: unflappable. His cool handling of Clinton’s obvious combativeness helped bring out for those watching a side to Clinton that he usually keeps in check- a bitter enmity towards those who oppose him politically. The anger and rage unveiled through his words and body language are what I believe to be the TRUE Bill Clinton- a truth he and his handlers have worked very hard to keep under wraps. 
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The other theme brought out in the interview was that of the "conspiracy." Acting like some sort of paranoidical madman "supreme leader"-type fearing unseen "enemies" always looking to do him harm, Clinton raised that all-too-familiar specter:

WALLACE: … but the question is, why didn’t you do more, connect the dots and put them out of business?

CLINTON: OK, let’s talk about it. Now, I will answer all those things on the merits, but first I want to talk about the context in which this arises.

I’m being asked this on the FOX network. ABC just had a right- wing conservative run in their little "Pathway to 9/11," falsely claiming it was based on the 9/11 Commission report, with three things asserted against me directly contradicted by the 9/11 Commission report.

And I think it’s very interesting that all the conservative Republicans, who now say I didn’t do enough, claimed that I was too obsessed with bin Laden. All of President Bush’s neo-cons thought I was too obsessed with bin Laden. They had no meetings on bin Laden for nine months after I left office. All the right-wingers who now say I didn’t do enough said I did too much — same people.

Sounds like that "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" is still alive and well with…

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Four NH Gov’s Call for NH Constititutional Amendment

NEWS  from The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy 7 South State Street                Concord, NH 03301             603/224-4450        Fax 603/224-4329                 jbartlett@jbartlett.org   September 22, 2006 For Immediate Release Contact:          John H. Sununu  — Jackie Kennedy 890-1630                         Judd Gregg – Joel Maiola 496-3457                         Stephen Merrill – Kieran Preston 617-951-8828                         … Read more

Midweek Humor: NH Barbie

I have no idea who authored this, but it sure made me laugh. If you find it offensive, too bad. Lighten up. Laugh a little. Life’s too short… (hat tip Bob J.- former NH resident)
Mattel recently announced the release of Limited Edition Barbie Dolls for the New Hampshire Market:
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Bedford Barbie This princess Barbie is only sold at exclusive Bedford stores. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a cookie cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with "augmented" version.
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Concord Barbie This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full time occupation or secondary education. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.
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Manchester Barbie This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and can only be paid for in cash. Preferably small, untraceable bills. Unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about.
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Watch the ad. It’s good… and true too.

The Rumor Mill at NH Insider.com has a YouTube posting of an excellent ad being aired in support of Republicans in the upcoming election. Now, I am no Republican rumpswab, but I do believe that a Democratic win in November would be a disaster for our war efforts. With the impeachment of President Bush as the … Read more

GraniteGrok presents the Dope of the Week Award

Thanks to a September 19th  press release, The Neturei Karta International, "a worldwide organization of Orthodox Jews opposed to Zionism," earns GraniteGrok’s prestigious "Dope of the Week Award" (DOTW) with their announcement that the group
has officially extended her hand, together with many believing Jews, to the Iranian President Ahmadinejad, upon his historic viisit to the United States. The respectful display of friendship brings peace, harmony, respect and trust.
OK- while this is certainly a nutty idea- it’s an idea espoused by a great number of emotionally guided liberals and their Democratic comrades in government, this alone does not earn this obscure group the DOTW award- otherwise we would run out of space and time handing out awards.
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This statement (while certainly deserving) from their press release doesn’t earn it for them either:
It is the sincere hope of Torah true Jews, with the help of the Almighty, that this expression of peace will counter the provocations of the Zionist organizations. The motes operandi of Zionism and its organizations, is the cause of animosity and mistrust, which can only bring catastrophic results, endangering Jews and non-Jews alike, in Palestine, the U.S.A. and around the world.
This is the belief of moonbats of all stripes. No what earns them the GraniteGrok DOTW award is when Neturei Karta International says this:

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