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Co-founder of GraniteGrok, my concern is around Individual Liberty and Freedom and how the Government is taking that away. As an evangelical Christian and Conservative with small "L" libertarian leanings, my fight is with Progressives forcing a collectivized, secular humanistic future upon us. As a TEA Party activist, citizen journalist, and pundit!, my goal is to use the New Media to advance the radical notions of America's Founders back into our culture.

Whatsa matta John DiStaso, don’t like the ‘Grok much?

“As New Hampshirite Steve MacDonald notes, “this sounds like tyranny.”

Given that Rush Limbaugh brought up NH Democrat House Rep Cynthia Chase’s name (AND STEVE MAC DONALDS!!) this past Friday, it was expected that the local NH media would be FORCED to also give a few column inches as well.  And DiStaso of the UL does so (reformatted and emphasis mine) – reluctantly.  But guess who he left out?

FRIDAY, JAN. 4: GOING VIRAL. A Democratic state lawmaker’s recent web post critical of the libertarian-leaning Free State Project has gone virtually viral in the past few days and, as one might expect, has drawn criticism.  Reacting to reports that the Free State Project is aggressively trying to bring 20,000 supporters to live in the state over the next two years, Rep. Cynthia Chase, D-Keene, wrote on BlueHampshire.com:  “In the opinion of this Democrat, Free Staters are the single biggest threat the state is facing today.”

She went on to write that while there is “legally, nothing we can do to prevent them from moving here to take over the state, which is their openly stated goal,” she proposed making “the environment here so unwelcoming that some will choose not to come, and some may actually leave.”

Chase continued, “One way is to pass measures that will restrict the ‘freedoms’ that they think they will find here. Another is to shine the bright light of publicity on who they are and why they are coming.”

…The post this week was picked up by the Breitbart.com website, the creation of the late conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart, with columnist Warner Todd Huston opining:

Warner – a long time Samsphere blogger buddy of mine – got the story from GraniteGrok which he reads often as we are the leading Conservative / Libertarian leaning blogsite in NH.  He and I think a lot of like, and he likes what we do, commenting on local politics.  Anyway, see these next lines from DiStaso’s post quoting Warner’s?

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Your move, Kathy Sullivan – the offer has been accepted. What say you?

My previous post commenting about John DiStaso went a tad long, so I’ve decided to make sure that all can see – I happily accept Kathy Sullivan’s offer: She said she was not surprised Limbaugh picked up on the matter, but added, “Maybe everyone on either side needs to calm down and talk to each … Read more

Laconia Daily Sun’s “journalist” Mike Kitch decides to make sport of newly elected NH House Rep Mike Sylvia

I met Mike Sylvia a couple of years ago now.  Being a Big “L” Libertarian, his outlook on the size and role of Government is different than mine (not in direction but in a matter of degree; same page, different paragraph).  Which, however, puts him in the cross-hairs of the local Hobbessian believing scribbler Michael Kitch (not same page, not just different paragraph – a completely different book) who has a major problem with anyone that doesn’t acknowledge the Primacy of Government in the smallest affairs of individuals (lots of samples of similar behavior after the jump).  He has this thing for anyone that attacks his belief that only Big Government can maintain peace AND demand equality (including redistribution of political and financial capital).

Laconia Daily Sun Michael Kitch Makes Sport Of Michael Sylvia

Now in this case, reporting on how the Belknap County NH House reps voted on the rules that have now reversed the ability of people to protect themselves (and now have to rely on the State – a Liberal denial of the Right to self-defense), could Kitch just have reported the news (which would have been just the vote count)?  Sure.  Did he? Nope. He decided that he had to take a poke at Micheal Sylvia, who sits on the side of Natural Rights (including that of self-defense).  Did Kitch add anything of like manner from any of the Democrats?  Nope – not even a whisper (and I bet there would have been an opposing view).

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Gun Control – are Republicans in DC about to go weak-knees again?

Are we to the point of asking “what will the Republicans stand for – do they even know what they stand for”?  Or do we relegate them mostly sit in the corner, mumbling to themselves, drooling?  Anyone that knows me knows that I am always good for a debate (er, not that I am always “good” – just always ready to debate) but I also like to listen to a good debate as well.  Best part for me is listening to the Round Table segments of Fox News “Special Report with Bret Baier”.

But as I was listening Thursday night, my head snapped around from the laptop when I heard Tucker Carlson.  They had been talking about the Fiscal Cliff and what was next:

But look, this is not the end.  Even in this month, so Democrats have said that they want to get an immigration bill and a gun control bill through by the end of January.  Whether they do that or not is an open question.

I spoke to a senior Republican, VERY senior republican last night and asked a simple question “Do you think that a lot of members in your caucus will break and vote for gun control.  He said “YES”. That has got to be the last core Republican issue there is.  If you see a sizable number of Republicans peel off to vote for a new version of the assault weapons ban, say, then, you know, it’s over at that point. They are just not a credible opposition if that happens.

Sure, I railed about the Congressional vote (“For a meager mess of porridge; so what DOES the Republican Party stand for now?“).  Yes, it could have been cast as a win, as the long decided Bush tax cuts are now permanent – but not for all.  The Republicans were willing to sacrifice some – letting Obama crow that he had broken their will on raising taxes, as their compromise did exactly that.  $620 Billion more to fund an even bigger Government (any thoughts of it going to reduce the defict are about as illusory as the “clean” air in the Choom Gang’s Volkswagen bus).

Do the Republicans wish to defend the innocence of the vast majority of Americans, many of them Republicans, who the Left are declaring to be guilty simply because we own “scary” looking rifles?

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Lunatics? To NOT spend more than what the US can repay?

$16 Trillion for our national debt.  A whole ton of money, which I’m not entirely sure that IF (and that is a mighty BIG IF) our CongressCritters and President were truly serious about our financial affairs, we could pay back in any kind of reasonable time frame.  But actions to date have proven that Obama is continuing his policy of Determined Weakness, other Progressives are hoping for a Cloward-Pivens moment, and Establishment Republicans continue to be “Appropriators” (that is, people who figure out how to spend other peoples’s monies).  The only folks that seem to be extremely serious (and scared out of their gourds) are TEA Party type ConcressCritters who realize that a 2% change in interest rates on our debt could Greece look like a lawn party.

So, who is the lunatic here?  I’ll side with Rick Santelli (emphasis mine):

The analyst said that the only obstacle he sees to the continued expansion of the U.S. economy were “lunatic Republicans” who may bring about an “insane technical default” when they attempt to negotiate spending cuts as part of a deal to increase the debt ceiling limit.

 “That’s the worry here,” Evans concurred. “Will we have a self-inflicted wound – a gunshot to the head?”

Right, so forget HOW much is on the national credit card and the “lunatics” that say we need to say stop – we HAVE to keep spending !!!!  These folks are all about paying what we have spent, and I’m ok with that.  What is missing in their equation is the adult part of this – and here, Rick Santelli again lends himself to the “adult in the room” scenario that is absolutely missing here:

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What IS that Fair Share, Democrat Socalists?

How much does your pound of flesh actually weigh?  Do you view the successful as sovereign citizens – or subjects to be punished because no one should ever be THAT successful (perhaps, because you think they stole it) ?

Obama is crowing “I got Republicans to raise taxes on the wealthy” – thus, fulfilling a campaign promise to make our income tax system even MORE Progressive (philosophically and financially); it’s bite in punishing those that have been successful far exceeds any in the developed world (including the real socialist European democracies that Obama is hellbent in turning us into).  So, what does CongressWacko Maxine Waters (who wants to nationalize oil companies) think about the tax hikes?  Are the rich now paying their Fair Share?

Hardly:

WATERS: Well, you know, the Republicans are talking about, what all they’re going to do with these tax cuts. The president has said we cannot cut our way out of a deficit and he’s absolutely correct. The first thing that we’ve got to do is look at where we still have unfairness in the tax system and make sure that the people of influence, the billionaires and the millionaires and the corporate interests are paying their fair share. And I believe that whether we’re talking about the financial speculation tax or the elimination of the carried interest or defense spending, we’ve got areas that we could look at to get fair share so that we’re able to take care of the basic needs of this country rather than going to Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security and focusing on those areas as the only place that we can get more revenue.

Yet, what do the new tax tables actually show?

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Blogline of the Day – Glen Beck

On the event of Al Gore (environmentalist) selling his “Current TV” to Al Jazeera (bankrolled by Middle East Big oil) for $100 Million: “He didn’t sell to the highest bidder. We were not allowed to the table.” He added, “I am proud to say that Al Gore finds my principles reprehensible but aligns his principles … Read more

A tale of Opportunity – it isn’t where you think it is.

From Cafe Hayek (emphasis mine):

Not only capital but also people move to where there is opportunity; and this is an essential part of creating new wealth and prosperity. This was dramatically illustrated for me in 1978, during a taxicab trip from the Wellington, New Zealand, airport to my hotel. The driver was friendly, and I asked, “Tell me about your country.” He replied, “It’s really wonderful. I don’t like paying half my small salary in taxes, but we receive so much that is free: health benefits, prescriptions, free education through college and advanced graduate study. I am just a cab driver, but my son is going to be a medical doctor. He has finished his medical degree and internship, and will begin practicing next year.”

Isn’t a socialized society just grand!  I bet his son will have have a lovely career where everything is free (after, ahem, large chunks of your wages for taxes).

Oh wait – no!

In recognition of his obvious pride, I said, “How wonderful. You have every right to be proud. Is he going to practice in Wellington?” He replied, “Oh no, he’s going to Australia. You can’t make any money here.” The New Zealand economic crisis hit about two years later. New Zealand could not compete in world markets – and could no longer afford socialism.

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Progressive Theology: “The State is my Shephard, I shall not want”

(H/T: Instapundit) I have never been able to understand why Progressives go apoplectic every time any one says “we need to cut the size and scope of Big Government” – no one wants anyone to diss their religion (and it certainly seems that Progressives, being amongst the most unchurched in the nation, would cling to … Read more

Finally, Frank decides to listen.

I have been ragging on Frank Guinta since he voted to support the first Continuing Resolution that raised the debt limit (and did not stand with the Patriots who said “No” as in “no more spending” and “this  is not how we fund Government).   And then duplicated it again with the second Continuing Resolution.  And … Read more

So, what’s the reaction been to the gun grabbers? Lots!

Once the horror of the tragedy of Sandy Hook set in, the two sets of folks I figured would appear right away, did.  The gun grabber group are certainly not letting a crisis / tragedy go to waste – tomorrow, the Chiefest one will be unveiling the details of her legislature tomorrow (via her past … Read more

YAY! I am vindicated! Pass that pint of Ben and Jerry’s right on over

Even better if it’s “Chocolate Therapy” for desert.  I’ll take the Prime Rib Medium please….:

In a review of almost 100 past studies covering nearly three million people, researchers found that being overweight or slightly obese was linked to about a 6 percent lower risk of dying, compared to people considered “normal weight.“

Being severely obese, however, was still tied to an almost 30 percent higher risk of death.

The idea that being somewhat overweight could be linked to better health has been dubbed the obesity paradox, even though actual obesity is generally not associated with the apparent “benefit.”

“This is actually the common finding,” said the new study’s lead author Katherine Flegal, a senior scientist from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Her work, she said, confirms what previous analyses found – a link between being somewhat overweight and having a lower risk of death.

OK, I might need to shed a few pounds to be in that sweet spot (methink I may be a bit higher than needed)

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So, what’s the reaction been to the gun grabbers? Lots! – Part II

Rassmussen is reporting that MORE guns in schools are the right way to go:

Fifty-four percent (54%) of American adults would feel safer if their child’s school had an armed security guard. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% would feel safer if their child attended a school where no adults were allowed to have guns. Another 20% are undecided.

Among parents of school-aged children, support for armed guards is even higher. Sixty-two percent (62%) of such parents would feel safer with an armed security guard at the school, while 22% would feel safer if their child attended a gun-free school.

And of course, we hear from many of the “Education Professionals” that the last thing they want to do is to disturb “the status quo” of the gun free zone (aka – “gun free victims here!!”).  But the actual Employers (aka, the parents, whose tax monies pay their salaries) are telling them otherwise).  Yet, reports are coming back that private offers of gun training for teachers and school staffs are being accepted far beyond expectations – so when you listen to “the professionals”, not all are of the mind to “lock the door and cower in the corner, defenseless.”

After all, it took the Sandy Hill police 20 minutes to arrive at that school – and they had drilled on this.  Yet, the Diane Feinsteins of the world want us defenseless even as the vast majority of us are being judged to be guilty for the acts of a few.

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A Flip-Flop? No, more of being an on-going feature than a bug

“…does this enhance a perception by them as a Stand on Principle or a Politics as Usual?“

Steve’s post brought up that fact that when Jennifer Horn (running to be the next NH GOP Chair – oh my!), she changed her tune might fast once it was pointed out that she included one of the “Five Families” (er, that would be US Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in excoriating the Fiscal Cliff vote.

Sidenote: Once again, just like Obamacare, we see legislation done by the Elite (Boehner and Reid) instead by open and accountable hearings, and voted upon in the middle of the night.  In that same vein, their information either came talking point and/or most likely, from Cliff Notes (yes, I could not resist) – once again, I am betting that the number of Senators (vs their staff) who actually took the time to read the actual bill.

Back to Jennifer and the title.  Software developers often talk about new development and stuff that is in process – when something “looks bizarre”, it is often laughed off as “a feature or a bug” (unless a VIP is asking the question).  In real life, everyone yields a “bug” now and then – stuff said before all of the news and information is verified.  But it seems with Horn to this observer (and others who have easily commented upon it as well without syllable one from my lips) that this has been an on-going progression since I first met her running for Congress in 2008.  I have watched someone move from being a TEA Party person, who said “THESE are my principles”, morph to being more Establishment “We gotta win!” (or more to the point “I gotta win”) – and a real grassrooter (as opposed to a faux one) understands EXACTLY what I just said.  Sure, one with TEA Party principles has to win to have them be of value….but not at the risk of losing what defines one as being a “grassrooter”.  I am not the only one.

This event certainly is a case in point: Agreeing with grassroot ire – until it became quickly and painfully obvious that:

  1. the deal stunk all the way around and a pox on those that voted for it
  2. Oh crap on that pox – I’m ALSO dissing a VERY IMPORTANT NH Person (who is also getting on some folks Prez-wannabe list, heightening the IMPORTANT part)

So, is this who you (those of you who are now voting Members of the NH Republican Party) want as NH GOP Chair?

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Notable Quote – Thomas Jefferson

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” -Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father   (Er, that would be OUR Government)

For a meager mess of porridge; so what DOES the Republican Party stand for now?

From RedState Twitter Feed:

RSBooBooKitty: Blank Check Barry and his Blue Journalism Gang just knocked over the Hapless Hill Savings Bank of Other People’s Money. #RSRH

Such a Happy New Year start – Senate Republicans caved into Obama’s Progressive Punish the Successful campaign.  $620 Billion more in taxes.  Only $15 Billion in reduced spending.  A ratio of $41 in new taxes to $1 in spending cuts.  Welcome to Obama’s definition of “balanced” deficits.   Obama poured coals on their head during his press conference, utterly belittling them and what they stand for:  “Keep in mind that just last month Republicans in Congress said they would never agree to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.”…“Obviously the agreement that’s currently being discussed would raise those rates and raise them permanently.”

#GROVEL.  Trading a mainstay of Republicanism, a pillar of Republican philosophy – lower taxes, limited government.  They voted for neither.  Again.  Again, they didn’t even read the 157 page bill.

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Notable Quote – F. A. Hayek

Wherever liberty as we understand it has been destroyed, this has almost always been done in the name of some new freedom promised to the people.

– F. A. Hayek, the Road to Serfdom

 

Certainly, Progressives believe that they have new “freedom not to be bankrupted from illness” with Obamacare – but are destroying the First Amendment Right to expression of religion (the HHS mandate, and opposed to Obama’s “freedom of worship”)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

and making others indentured servants to pay for it:

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