Who is Sununu protecting?

Last week, I wondered who exactly MY U.S. Senator John E. Sununu actually represents in Washington, DC. because of what he said in a September 12th speech given at a luncheon hosted by the American Arab Institute. In that speech, he discussed how his Lebanese ancestry allowed him to bring a "personal perspective" to debates involving Arab-related issues in … Read more

Kissinger: “War of Civilizations”

Henry Kissinger- people either like him, or hate him. My Dad can’t stand him and has long blamed the oil mess we’ve been in since 1973 on "that rat Kissinger." I’m not sure whether I agree with Dad on that one, but I guess I must say I’ve long wondered about the enigmatic Henry Kissinger. … Read more

Axis of Evil Summit in Cuba. Deja-Vue Again.

The Washington Times reports on what I call the "Axis of Evil Summit" wrap-up in Havana, Cuba with the requisite America-bashing we have come to expect from this bunch. Additionally,  the attendees backed Iran’s "peaceful" nuclear program. No real surprise there, either.
Developing countries yesterday wrapped up a multinational summit with North Korea charging that U.S. threats drove it to acquire deterrent atomic weapons and Iran winning solid support for its nuclear ambitions. Iran, Venezuela and Cuba joined North Korea in leading efforts to forge an anti-U.S. alliance. Summit leaders, in a statement on Iran, "reaffirmed the basic and inalienable right of all states to develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes."
Of course, it’s all OUR fault that these countries seek the weapons of mass destruction. Seeing the writing on the wall regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, given President Bush’s resolve in his pledge to prevent that country’s development of atomic weapons, the collected rogue regime leaders
warned that any attack or threat against any nuclear facility used for peaceful purposes was a violation of international law.
Since when does Iran, Cuba, and North Korea care about "international law?" Only when pointing fingers at the US, naturally.
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As I noted in past postings, the sides are being drawn in the new world war, and enemy players include countries right in our own hemisphere.

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From the horse’s mouth… President’s Weekly Radio Address

Every week, President Bush delivers a radio address, a-la- the famous "Fireside Chats" by FDR. Because of the vast differences in our daily lives since the Roosevelt administartion, most people no longer gather ’round the radio for news and entertainment, especially on the weekends- which means you, like most Americans, didn’t hear what the President had to say. GraniteGrok feels it’s important for well-informed people to give the President a listen, whether you agree with him or not.
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This week he discusses the need for two pieces of legislation he feels is needed to properly interrogate and prosecute terrorists. This is the same legislation you have been hearing about this week in the media involving "renegade" Republicans (including, naturally, John McCain) trying to derail the president’s proposals:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday, I visited New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon to attend memorials marking the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It was an emotional day for me and for our country. On that day, we remembered those who lost their lives, and we paid tribute to those who gave their lives so that others might live. We rededicated ourselves to protecting the American people from another attack.
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Next week, I will return to New York, where I will address the United Nations General Assembly. I look forward to talking to the world leaders gathered there about our obligation to defend civilization, and how we must work together to support the forces of freedom and moderation throughout the Middle East.
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As we work with the international community to defeat the terrorists and extremists, we must also provide our military and intelligence professionals the tools they need to keep our country safe. Congress is considering two vital pieces of legislation to help us do just that. My Administration is working closely with members of both parties to pass these bills.

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Roger Waters- Old news here at the ‘Grok…

Matt Drudge is reporting on the floating pig at the Roger Waters concert in NY with "vote Democrat" slogans painted on its side and the anti-Bush/Blair song lyrics sung by the former Pink Floyd bassist/songwriter. . GraniteGrok blogged this story a week ago. What Drudge hasn’t covered so far is my contention that, in addition … Read more

“Islamists Riot in Rage at ( fill in blank )”

Another day. Another "outrage." The never-ending indignation of the always "insulted" Muslim street continues apace. Day after day come the headlines and scrolling kyrons at the bottom of the news TV screens. By now, they are completely ubiquitous and part of the "background" like so much white noise. You’ve all seen them:
"Islamists riot in rage at the Muhammed Cartoons"
"Islamists riot in rage at the Israeli incursion"
"Islamists riot in rage at the toilet flushing of Koran"
"Islamists riot in rage at Abu Graib prisoner abuse"
"Islamists riot in rage at (_enter grievance dujour here__)."
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Of course, today’s grievance entry is Pope Benedict XVI. You know the story: Pope gives speech-Mentions Islam in an historical context, and denounces violence. The "offended" party reacts with violent outrage at the insinuation they are violent… From the BBC, here are some reactions from Muslim leaders to the Pope’s words:

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Friday Humor- Lighten up, Francis!

"Lighten up, Francis!" -What movie and who said it? Post answer in comment section below. Anyway, here’s a joke (which is probably only new to me, but, what the hey…) to lighten things up (temporarily) going into the weekend, where here in Central New Hampshire, summer’s back for a brief last hurrah and the streets … Read more

Gizmos gone bad redux…

 
 
More bad news for that quirky gadget known as the "Segway Personal Transporter". You know- that two wheeled oddity of a scooter that many remember best from that infamous clip when George W. Bush fell off the thing. For the second time in 3 years, the device has been recalled. Today’s New Hampshire Union Leader reports
Segway Inc. is recalling all 23,500 of the self-balancing scooters it has shipped to date because of a software glitch that can make its wheels unexpectedly reverse direction, causing riders to fall off — and in at least one incident, break some teeth. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, with whom Segway is cooperating on the voluntary recall announced yesterday, said consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately.
As I read the story, my question, as it has been since the debut of the Segway, is what "consumers" use this thing in the first place? While my fellow ‘Grokster Skip thinks that they’re "neat", I still believe it’s a product in search of an actual use.
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Click the link below to read what I wrote last year in my weekly newspaper column about this native NH "vehicle."
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MY Senator John Sununu: Who does he represent?

The September 13th New Hampshire Union Leader ran a story on page A9 by Boston University Intern Kendra Gilbert covering Senator Sununu’s Tuesday remarks at an Arab American Institute luncheon. She reports he told the group Arab-Americans can bring a "personal perspective" to congressional debate. Sununu, a Lebanese-American, is the only senator of Arab descent. Huh? … Read more

Which Dem annoys you the most?

GOPProgress.com has a fun poll for those of us that cringe at the mere mention of certain Democratic party bigshots. "Which Democrat annoys you the most?" is the question. Choose from the list: Joe Biden Hillary Clinton Howard Dean John Kerry John Murtha Nancy Pelosi Harry Reed Charles Schumer Pretty tough, heh? I went with … Read more

NH primary analysis by GraniteGrok

Primary day has come and gone with few surprises, at least from where I sit.
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While the major media claim Democrat Carol Shea-Porter’s victory in the 1st District is an "upset", I disagree. Being an outspoken antiwar liberal, Shea-Porter reflects where the so-called "base" of the Democrats are at this moment- far to the looney left. Call this one NH’s "Lieberman/Lamont" race. Moonbat Shea-Porter handily beat the establishment candidate with impeccable party credentials, support from higher up the Democratic food-chain, and gobs of money. While the grass-roots Dems may think their warmed-over sixties version of peace, love, and happiness combined with a "cut and run" war plan is wildly popular at the moment, if a majority of the electorate in the general stop and think, they will realize why, as bad as the Repubs might be, the alternative is worse.
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This November, voters in the 1st CD will have a clear choice between the Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley (he handily won the primary) who is great on the border issue, lousy on the environment (votes against drilling for oil), correct with his support for the war, and generally fiscally conservative- and the ultra-left wing Cindy Sheehan type, Carol Shea-Porter. After people think about the two candidates positions, they will do the right thing and send Jeb back to D.C.
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The 2nd NH Congressional District primary has set the stage for a re-match of the last general election between Republican incumbent Charlie Bass and Democrat Paul Hodes. Charlie is more often than not a liberal on most issues. Most of my conservative brethren would like to see Charlie go away. Another primary… and still Charlie stays. He is right on the war, however, and that is of paramount importance. Bass and Hodes might be in lockstep on many social and environmental issues, but the Democrat also favors a "cut and run" strategy of withdrawal from Iraq. Like it or not, we must send Charlie back to D.C.
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Continue reading for local (central NH) race analysis…

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Judicial reason in NH: “Pure Poppycock”

Like many states, NH has a growing problem of legislation via judicial diktat. As I noted in this prior post,
a small band of lifetime-appointed unelected lawyers with black robes have once again trampled upon the votes and decisions of the state legislature- the duly elected representatives of the people.
They have done so by again ruling the method that NH uses to fund education in the state is unconstitutional. Additionally, they have issued a deadline, with the threat of "seizing" the defined right of the people, through their elected representatives to define what is an "adequate" education and how it is to be funded.
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Ed Mosca, noted Manchester attorney forwarded the following commentary that I thought worthy to share with ‘Grok readers everywhere plagued by activist judges….
TWO ALL BEEF PATTIES, SPECIAL SAUCE, LETTUCE, CHEESE, PICKLES, ONIONS ON A SESAME SEED BUN
by Ed Mosca, Esquire
 The New Hampshire Supreme Court’s latest education funding decision is simply a political manifesto camouflaged as constitutional law.  The Court’s stated reason for striking down the latest funding law was that the other branches had not passed an acceptable definition of an adequate education.  But where in the Constitution does it say that the Legislature and Governor must define an adequate education, let alone a definition acceptable to the Supreme Court?  Certainly not in Part II, Article 83, the supposed source of the duty to define an adequate education.  Article 83 simply says that “it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools.”   
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The Court has never explained how this language obligates the representative branches to pass legislation defining an adequate education.  Prior supreme courts never interpreted this language to create such a duty.  In fact, the first time the notion of a constitutional right to an adequate education ever appeared in a supreme court decision was in Claremont I in 1993, which was more than 200 years after Part II, Article 83 was enacted.  
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While one would never know it from reading the Claremont decisions, defining an adequate education is one of many legitimate policy approaches to delivering public education.  For example, it certainly is arguable that a better way to deliver public education is to allow school districts or individual schools to develop their own curriculums and policies.  Another arguably superior policy approach is to force public schools to improve by allowing school choice.   
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The Constitution leaves it to the Legislature and the Governor to determine which of these and other education policies to use to cherish the public schools.  So for the Court to say that throughout the Claremont litigation it has deferred to the representative branches regarding education policy is pure poppycock.  Whether to enact a statewide definition of an adequate education is every bit as much a policy choice as how to write such a definition. 
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The Court’s contention in its latest Claremont decision that it has consistently deferred to the representative branches regarding the “substantive content of a constitutionally adequate public education” is also pure poppycock.  The Court has never refrained from weighing in on what the definition of an adequate education should look like.
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Primary Day in NH

(UPDATE: Analysis of results click here.)
Today is primary day here in NH for state and national elected offices, many of which remain safely held, as they have for years, by Republicans. The major primary races such as the US Rep seats will undoubtedly remain the possesion of the incumbents. Jeb Bradley and Charlie Bass (no conservative, he) should then go on to win their seats again the general election this November. Neither of our US Senators are up this time around.
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Neither party has a primary for governor, setting up a Jim Coburn(r) / Gov. Lynch(d) match in November.
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The only real excitement are a handful of state senate races and a couple of executive council seats. Unfortunately, none of the contested executive council races include my district, where long-time incumbent Ray Burton (R-ino) is unnoposed. (Read a post on Burton from our sister-blog here). This guy is so "not a Republican" that the Dems rarely run a candidate against him.
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Over in the 3rd District, it is a different story. Businessman Sean Mahoney, outgoing state senate Finance Chair Chuck Morse, and former state Sen Russ Prescott are all vying for the seat vacated by long term Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin. I have friends and aquaintances, most conservatives, that are evenly split in their support of all three. It appears that this race is one of those rare ones where any one of the three would be a great choice. If I voted in that district, it would be a tough choice. In the end, based on what I know about the candidates, which is admittedly not much, I would cast a ballot for Sean Mahoney. Having the opportunity to have the business talents Sean would bring to the conduct of our state’s business is one that ought not be passed up. I supported Sean when he ran in the primary for US House and I would support him today. Pat Hynes over at AnkleBitingPundits agrees.
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Back in my neck of the woods, we do have what has turned out to be a very competitive challenge to incumbent Senator Rob Boyce, a conservative’s conservative, by long-time football coach/ teacher Jim Fitzgerald. What has really made things interesting are the shenanigans of the local dems and their liberal friends as they switch parties to sway the "party" choice. I wrote on our sister-blog (gilfordgrok.com) back in July:

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Headlines that make your day…

"OPEC concerned over falling oil prices"– I’ll bet the Dems are too… . "Clinton vs. Gore?"– Could it get any more delicious for those of us in the "pundit" class? . "CNN Headline News scraps afternoon newscast"– The old dinosaur continues to flail in the face of real competition. . "Khatemi Is Served With Summons at … Read more

Explaining the war. September 11th, 5 years later.

Today is the fifth anniversary of the most devastating attack on our homeland since December 7th, 1941. The events of both days demonstrate again history’s ability to repeat itself.
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Following the Pearl Harbor attack, in his December 9th radio address to the nation, President Roosevelt explained the state of war thrust upon the country:
“The sudden criminal attacks perpetrated by the Japanese in the Pacific provide the climax of a decade of international immorality. Powerful and resourceful gangsters have banded together to make war upon the whole human race…Together with other free peoples, we are fighting to maintain our right to live among our world neighbors in freedom and in common decency without fear of assault… We are now in this war. We are all in it- all the way. Every single man, woman, and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories- the changing fortunes of war.”
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As we know, that war was enormous in its scope and ferocity. At times, things looked pretty bleak for our side.
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On September 20th, 2001, President Bush addressed a joint session of Congress and the American people, describing for the nation the sudden state of a new war:
“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country.  Americans have known wars — but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941.  Americans have known the casualties of war — but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning.  Americans have known surprise attacks — but never before on thousands of civilians.  All of this was brought upon us in a single day — and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.”
The President identified the enemy:
“Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them.”
He then declared war:
 “Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there.  It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.”

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I knew Pink Floyd, and you Mr. Roger Waters, are NOT Pink Floyd!

Pink Floyd has long been one of my favorite bands. Their music is to this day unique and timeless. My kids like them as much as I do, therefore they "bridge the generation gap."
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When I heard that Roger Waters was coming to town, I knew we had to go. While not actually Pink Floyd, seeing the former bassist and songwriter/sometimes singer from the band would be the next best thing. Given the progression of time, I figured that this may be the last chance to see any remaining vestige of my long time favorite band with my children. We’ve had the tickets for several months.
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Guess what? It wasn’t worth the wait! Putting the politics aside for a moment (why can’t they just "shut up and sing?"), the Roger Waters concert was a disappointment of monumental proportions. The first set contained several songs from one of my personal favorite Floyd albums, Wish You Were Here. They weren’t too bad at first, but the more it went on, the more I asked myself, "Is it live, or is it Memorex?"
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When I saw the David Gimour/Pink Floyd tour some 10-15 years back, it was an awesome musical event. Everything was performed on stage by the musicians. When performing the Dark Side of the Moon set, everthing was live- including the famous madcap’s laugh. Fast forward to last night’s Roger Waters performance, and one might question whether any of it was live. Every song sounded EXACTLY as they do on the albums- nothing special- no extended solos. Nothing. Last night, I could have stayed home, played a Pink Floyd album, added audience noise (and barf on the seats) and simulated exactly the performance I witnessed for some 75 bucks.
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The disappointing "performance" was bad enough. When playing "Dogs" from my favorite Floyd album, Animals, a large pig balloon was released. Pretty cool, right? Just like the old days of Pink Floyd, right?

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A really good question…

Travelling to RI for the weekend, which we do from time to time, having family there, we attended Church in the hamlet of Manville, RI.- St.James Catholic Church. As I waited for mass to start, I read the bulletin, which contained the following piece worthy of repeating: REMEMBERING 9/11 NOW that the President has called … Read more

Despotic oligarchs about to seize power! Will anyone stop them?

There they go again- On Wednesday, the NH Superior Court issued their latest edict: the present method by which the state of New Hampshire funds its public education system is unconstitutional. In the latest "deja-vu all over again" ruling in favor of those who harbor broad-based taxation desires here in NH, a small band of lifetime-appointed … Read more

Guess who’s coming to dinner? Who invited him?

In this previous posting, I applauded  Mitt Romney’s stance regarding Sunday’s lecture in Massachusetts at Harvard’s Institute of politics. Today’s Boston Herald published a letter from Daniel Wolfson of Brookline, MA expressing a similar sentiment to mine on the upcoming visit of the former Iranian leader and Gov. Mitt Romney’s refusal of the use of … Read more

Mitt: Thumbs up. US State Dept.: Thumbs down.

Here at GraniteGrok, we spank ’em when they’re wrong… and thank ’em when they’re right- . While we have been somewhat tough on possible presidential wannabee Mitt Romney (here and here), today we congratulate him for his stance on a visiting terror state leader. Today’s (Sept. 6) Boston Herald reports: Gov. Mitt Romney is refusing to … Read more

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