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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.

Guess WHAT Shawn Millerick? Establishment R’s DID plan to have a meetup to pick their Chair!

I am still waiting for NH Journal (as far as I know, still co-owned by political operatives Patrick Hynes of Hynes Communications and Shawn Millerick of Millerick Financial) to post a retraction to their story that a number of grassroot activists met to “choose” someone to run against the Establishment candidate, Jennifer Horn.  Every person named in that story has told Millerick that there was no meeting to which they were “not invited.”  To date, the only notation that Millerick has put on his post has been verbiage intimating there was a meeting but that the “invitees” were not invited (re: how else would you take his phrasing of “UPDATE: Surprise! Diane Bitter tells NH Journal she was not invited to the meeting.” ?).

Well, the bigger problem for him is that the Establishment was talking about having such a meeting – I was forwarded an email thread speaking to that point.  Here are two of them (emphasis mine):

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So, CNN blabbermouth Piers Morgan decided to expound on the 2nd Amendment too?

Herd instinct and “mee too”-ism of the talking punditry class – of the “You don’t need that” kind.  Ya’d think a Brit would get the idea of self-defense (Magna Carta and common law, y’all).  Well, The Corner has the amusing Twitter spat that showed how outgunned (heh!) Piers Morgan was in this word duel on Twitter.  So he decides to make the FACT that parts of the Constitution no longer apply simply due to the age of the document.  Muskets, swords, primitive cannons, horses – how COULD a modern AR-15 have been contemplated by the Founders?

Piers Morgan on the 2nd Amentment -1

 

Stupid Constitutionalists – that was so 18th century and so, well, times have changed – no longer apply.  Fortunately, somebody who actually understands the Constitution decided to “correct” him:

Piers Morgan on the 2nd Amentment -2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Carol was absolutely correct – the Constitution has nothing to do with technology.

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NH GOP vs NH DEM fund raising

NH GOP Chair terms:

  • Fergus Cullen: 2007 – 2008
  • John Sununu: 2008 – 2010
  • Jack Kimball 2011 (Jan to Sept)
  • Wayne MacDonald: 2011 (Sept – Dec) – 2012

It is obvious that the threatened shutoff of donations from Washington during Jack Kimball’s term is easily seen; it also seems that NH based PACs also went along with a self-imposed drought. But it is also clear that from NH individuals, Jack Kimball did better than Wayne MacDonald (and just a little bit less in PAC and “other” contributions) yet Jack is the one that gets the political shaft – what hasn’t MacDonald received the same opproprium?.

In fact, looking at the “off-years”, it seems to be apparent that Jack Kimball did better than John Sununu?

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It’s only one small, teeny-weeny bite….right? Who could it hurt?

  It seems that US House Speaker John Boehner is being sorely tempted?  His words about semi-caving into Obama’s demands on new taxes, new spending, and new debt ceiling limits show us that he’s already got his eye on the prize: How well will the new NH Republican legislators resist the same temptation, especially under … Read more

Wolverinity !!!!

One of my favorite movies is “Red Dawn”, a movie from the 1980 starring the late Patrick Swyze (er, a fairly young one) had a plot of what a group of High School kids would do when the US was invaded and their parents killed. Sure, a bit hokey, but it showed a love of family and friends, and certainly a love of country. The “redo” is now out – I do need to go see it.  Anyways, a blog I go to once in a while, The Daily Brief, combined that with what a lot of Conservatives and traditionalists are thinking about the country’s political situation (emphasis mine):

And besides … as it turns out, maybe the dedicated socialists didn’t have to militarily invade at all. They’re already here, and plenty of them, ready to set aside the Constitution, to govern by decree and by thousands and thousands of dictates and rules touching upon everything from what kind of light bulbs we may buy, to what kind of healthcare we might have, what we pack in the kid’s school lunch and a thousand other matters large and small. And all of it decreed by the best and brightest for the very, very best of reasons and our own good, of course. Just call them the new Ruling Class. Some are political, some are academics or in business, or even entertainment – but all wish to cement their place at the apex of authority as quasi-aristocrats.

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Bob Costas – showing that he is a true Liberal with a single phrase

We’re not done covering sports broadcaster Bob Costas and his outburst for gun control during Monday Night Football.  In trying to “explain” his MNF soliliquoy, he let this sally forth as some kind of an explanation.  Now, there are a lot of folks that are just concentrating on the talk specifically about guns; my beef with him is how he phrased it (see if you can catch it).  From the Washington Post (via Breitbart):

“Here’s where I stand: I do not want to see the Second Amendment repealed. … People should be allowed to own guns for their own protection. Obviously, those who are hunters. … Access to guns is too easy in some cases. I don’t see any reason a citizen should be able to arm himself in some states in ways only police or military should — to have a virtual militia [by] mail order or gun shows. Why do you need a semi-automatic weapon? What possible use is there? … Whitlock wrote about a gun culture. That’s what I was focusing on.”

Part of the culture is the proliferation of weapons, he said.

“There are those who believe that denying a semi automatic weapon or an assault rifle is the first step down a slippery slope in denying an old lady a gun for her own protection,” Costas said. “There are people who honestly believe that in Aurora [Colo.] if only a dozen or so people there to watch the Batman movie had been packin’, they would have been able to take down the nut job in full body armor with military-type guns

No, you didn’t leave much open for interpretation, sir.  You said one of the magic Liberal phrases:

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A joke at a crass unionista’s expense

A union shop foreman walks into a bar next door to the factory and is about to order a drink to celebrate Obama’s victory when he sees a guy close by wearing a Romney for President button and two beers in front of him. He doesn’t have to be an Einstein to know that this guy is a Republican. So, he shouts over to the bartender so loudly that everyone can hear, “Drinks for everyone in here, bartender, but not for the Republican.”

Soon after the drinks have been handed out, the Republican gives him a big smile, waves at him, then says, “Thank you!” in an equally loud voice. This infuriates the union official.

The union captain once again loudly orders drinks for everyone except the Republican. As before, this does not seem to bother the Republican. He continues to smile, and again yells, “Thank you!”

The union thug once again loudly orders drinks for everyone except the Republican. As before, this does not seem to bother the Republican. He continues to smile, and again yells, “Thank you!”

The union guy asks the bartender:

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Andrew Hemingway for NH GOP Chair – questions from the ‘Grok

Andrew Hemingway For NH GOP ChairUpdated and Bumped:  Since a number of GraniteGrok readers have already posed questions on the posts I put up concerning Andrew Hemingway’s running for NH GOP Chair, I decided to see if they could get answers to those questions.  I have emailed with Andrew and he has indicated that he’d be most  happy to oblige.  So, I’ll gather them up and will start / continue to post both the questions and the answers here over the next few weeks. The idea will be to have answered questions “up top” and unanswered ones after the jump; so prepare to see this post a number of times.  Stay tuned!

Sidenote:  Other than this particular outreach to the Hemingway campaign, this is about all the contact we have with his campaign.  Neither I, GraniteGrok, or any of the other writers (that I know of) are working for the campaign (just in case you were wondering).

Answers from Andrew:

  • Andrew, Why are you seeking this position?

I am seeking this position because I believe I am uniquely qualified and positioned to help move the party in a new direction. I believe the NH is a better state when Republicans are leading, and so I want to dedicate my efforts to seeing republicans elected all over the state. The party needs leadership, creativity, and a sound understanding of technology. I can provide all of these and we can once again begin winning elections and helping turn around our state and our country.

  • Our current method of reaching unknown, prospective voters in nonexistent, what your vision to help reach voters?

This hits the area I am most excited about. We need to expand our Republican voting base and we can do this through data collection, analysis, and implementation. Data will drive the decisions that we make if I am elected as Chairman. We will be able to target new voters and deliver the right message to them.

  • Andrew, how will you bypass the old media (or do you have to) bias towards Republicans and conservatives in this state?

Social media allows Republicans a great opportunity not only reach voters and to bypass the media, but to target exactly who we are talking to, and what to say to them. We can talk to “Business Owners” about taxes and spending and to “hunters” about gun rights and land ownership, etc. The NHGOP needs to build a complete technology infrastructure that will facilitate such targeting and messaging.

More unanswered questions after the jump.

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Dr. Paul Rahe – the real problem that the Republican Party faces is not campaigning, technology, or GOTV

The money lines:

The deepest source of our present discontents is the sexual revolution. Our abandonment of chastity as a norm has had dire political consequences.

Her right to be promiscuous trumps our right to the fruits of our own labor.

From commenter John Walker (a self described “flaming libertarian”):  The libertarian society in which I wish to live (and in which, to large extent I lived prior to 1965), was made up of people who shared a common moral code. Today we may call it “social conservatism”, but then we just called it “proper behaviour”.

Proper behavior may now be long gone.  Dr. Rahe is a professor at Hillsdale College and I would rank him with the likes of Mark Steyn, Victor Davis Hanson, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell – awe, heck -just go here for the list!  He has penned one of his best (IMHO) called “The Deepest Source of Our Troubles” in which he describes one of the ugliest reasons (from a Conservative’s viewpoint) why our outlook that Obama would lose his re-election bid.  He postulates, and I agree, that the reason we lost was the culture has been changed from underneath what traditional America is – or, perhaps, is.  But he also posits, and I agree, that this change to the culture is not enhancing the sense of Liberty & Freedom which and here are a few snippets (emphasis mine):

One of the reasons that Romney was unable, despite my hopes, to do in 2012 what Reagan did in 1980 is that, in the intervening 32 years a great many of the American citizens who voted for Ronald Reagan had died and been replaced by Americans educated and morally formed in a very different fashion.

Indeed.

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An endorsement on behalf of Andrew Hemingway’s quest for NH GOP Chair

I received this earlier today from Ms. Monson – I do not know her but certainly we can put up her Letter: “I’m electrified for Andrew Hemingway’s bid for Chairman of the NH GOP.  Andrew inspired me when I met him a couple years ago. Andrew is friendly and is animated. At our first meeting, … Read more

Andrew Hemingway for NH GOP Chair

Andrew Hemingway For NH GOP ChairAs reported here and here, grassroots activist Andrew Hemingway has decided to challenge the Establishment candidate, Jennifer Horn.  If you are looking for more information, he has a Facebook page up here.  In fact, he is planning a reach out tonite via Facebook:

Dear Concerned Republicans,

 Today has been an exciting day for the future of our party! This morning I announced my candidacy for Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party. I am doing this because I have a unique set of skills that I want to use to serve our party and strengthen it. Tonight I will be laying out some of my vision for the future of our party. Please join me tonight at 8pm for a live Facebook Town Hall about my candidacy and my ideas to help Republican Party in New Hampshire. The video will be streamed on my Facebook page via Ustream.

Sidenote: or watch it live here after the jump:

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Blogline of the Day from Brad Thor

Actually a tweet: Obama like angry spouse who wants everything: house, car, kids, & only scorched earth for other side. Did we have a divorce or an election? concerning the Fiscal Cliff – he wants everything or a tantrum he throws. As I have said before – he cannot govern, he can and only be … Read more

Bloggers on the Right picking the Right’s best columnists

From John Hawkins who has done yet another one of his RightWingNews polling of Right-side bloggers!  Top folks are the folks I enjoy the most: 6) Walter Williams 5) Jonah Goldberg 4) Ann Coulter 3) Victor Davis Hanson 2) Thomas Sowell 1) Mark Steyn Kudos to NH’s own Mark Steyn for ending up on top! … Read more

“Jennifer Horn – Wayne MacDonald in a Skirt?” or even more derogatory “Jennifer has a bus – just like Obama’s”

Skirt.  This reminded me of something that happened when Jack Kimball was running for NH GOP Chair

There is a crying need for revised American (and Israeli) military doctrine in the face of enemies who hide behind women’s skirts

Associated Sidenote: I also note with disdain from this morning’s WMUR Channel 9’s Closeup interview with Wayne MacDonald:

“When Jennifer Horn decided it was time for Jack Kimball to go..”

I wasn’t aware that it was her decision to make.  Interesting that the present NH GOP Chair would make such a statement.

Derogatory.   Yes, you’ve been seeing that word in my posts for a while – there’s been a reason for it (Steve sneaks it in every once in a while too).  It’s a blogger inside joke – something happens and you write about it in such a way that only those that were involved in the incident (generally a bad one) will “get it”.  And sometimes, if done right, it’s like that old Carly Simon song “I bet you think this song is about you“, you have a bunch of people thinking “Oh jeeze, he’s at it aGAIN”?  And you giggle, knowing that you succeeded.  And sometimes, it’s just enough to be eternally tearing off their scab.

So let this be a response of mine  to this FB page notification:

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Kevin Landrigan – how often do you call the subjects of your reporting?

Kevin Landrigan?  Did you even BOTHER to contact Jack?  Or is this merely simple plagiarism? “Defrocked Republican State Chairman Jack Kimball hosted a meeting Friday to express outrage about the Horn ascendancy and volunteered to run against her if no one else would.” You need to read the ‘Grok more often, or are your sources … Read more

NH Journal – Shawn Millerick: stooge for the Gnome of the North

Well, I guess that the battle will now be joined.  Shawn Millerick is a partner / friend with Pat Hynes (a former friend and co-host in “Meet The New Press” radio show that was the number one talk show in the NH Lakes Region) in NH Journal (and other activities) decided that NH Journal was going to start to “shape the battlefield” with this “out of thin air” post:

Sources: Kimball to stage comeback attempt as party chairman

After having served a failed half-term as Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee – a term that ended in his last-second resignation just before being ousted – Jack Kimball may attempt to engineer a comeback and challenge Jennifer Horn for the post, sources tell NH Journal.

 According to sources, Kimball will host a private strategy meeting on Friday to discuss the race for chairman and seek an opponent to Horn, who is backed by most party big-wigs. According to one source, if no other candidate emerges from the meeting, Kimball has said he would go for it.

Some of those invited to the meeting include Kimball, Skip Murphy, Diane Bitter, Joe Barton and Gerry and Sue DeLemus.

Really?  “Sources”?  Those in his head? So be it.  I sent that post to all the folks  to check because I was never contacted for verification.  Turns out, nobody was.  Simply put, this was a hit piece just like the Obama folks do – an attempt to discredit folks that might be playing a role in fighting yet another Sununu sock puppet.

“Sources“?  Those in his head? Or those just whispering in his ear (the Left one)?  Journalistic Integrity? So be it.    #WAR

Let’s  follow some connections in a quick exercise of “Six degrees of Kevin Bacon”?

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