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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.

BlogLine of the Day – from our very own New Hampshire-ite, Mark Steyn

Over at The Corner, there is a discussion going on about Obama’s “best shot” against Romney is Big Bird – how DARE he take Big Bird away from little children!  Well, Mark decides to “help” out the Obama campaign staff with a suggestion: Katrina, re that ruthless Obama attack ad hanging the albatross of Big … Read more

Notable Quote: Jonathan Haidt

The most important principle for designing an ethical society is to make sure that everyone’s reputation is on the line all the time, so that bad behavior will always bring bad consequences. – Jonathan Haidt (H/T: Cafe Hayek) IMHO, much of the problem that we see in Society nowadays is that Progressives embarked on a … Read more

Hypocrisy: Thy name be Al Gore (yet another Progressive)!

Since the Kyoto Climate Change treaty was rejected by the US Senate (and this uber-Progressive getting “the boot from the Oval Office” (losing his election)), we’ve had to put up with his (environmental) screeds in the national papers (and TV) about how Republicans (and Conservatives and Climate Deniers)  that if we all didn’t don his brand of hairshirt, drive electric Tonka trucks, use only 1 lightbulb, and the like, that the “planet’s fever” would destroy the planet.  Deniers: hate the poor, hate seniors, hate the disadvantaged, hate Bambi, and want the Greedy Capitalists to rule the world.  Profit is a dirty!

…Al Gore also talks to investors. Since 2007, the former Vice President in Bill Clinton’s administration has been preaching the benefits of putting your money where his mouth is: Alternative energy.

But if Al Gore has any message for investors today, it might very well be this: “Stay the hell away from alternative energy!”

 Not that he would say so. At least out loud.

Climate policy is still firmly on the political agenda and corporate climate-related activity is increasingly strategic. Innovation is driving costs down and improving the business case for low carbon and high efficiency solutions.

Oh…wait!  That’s what he says…..but what is his Venture Capital fund, Generation Investment, actually doing?

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Data Points – Presidential Executive Orders

Update: I stand corrected: William Tucker (in Comments) is correct; the proper value for Executive Orders issued by President Obama is not 923.  I looked it up at the NationalArchive – the proper number is 135.  It is still, however far higher than all of his predecessors combined.  Also changed were Bush II (from 62), … Read more

Some observations on affirmative action…

Affirmative action vs color-blindnessOnce again during this Presidential season, we see the three main weapons of Progressivism on display: gender, class, and race.  Take those three away, and they don’t have much, do they?  Anyways, the last of those three is under attack in the Supreme Court as the University of Texas use of affirmative action in admissions and whether it still fulfills a “compelling” reason for the State to force “color-blindness” or continue skin color discrimination.  That is the question – in the quest for a color-blind nation, at what time do we really start to do as we preach?  In my lifetime (and the grey hairs are becoming more prevalent such that they are the majority color now), much wrong has been seen, many many of those wrongs have been righted, and attitudes have been changed for the better.  Yes, there is still more to be done, but I ask, in a tangental fashion: other than the usual race baiting suspects (e.g., the Al Sharptons and David Dukes of the world), are we close to closing down affirmative action?  Or are we doomed forever to have the spector of race overhang much of society (e.g., when does color-blindness actually disappear – when those that  profit from race-baiting can no longer do so?)?  When do we really go more than skin-deep?

Anyways, here are some thoughts from Roger Clegg at The Corner (reformated) listing why affirmative action (with around 60 years of having affirmative action):

How, then, can they possibly be “compelling” (which is what the law requires them to be), especially when they must be weighed against the many and undeniable costs of racial discrimination:

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Obamacare and the IRS – such a cute couple

So much for Democrats wanting to protect your privacy – I guess, like all of the anti-war protesters when Bush was President, the privacy advocates have all gone silent in support of The Won.  It just goes to show that for almost all Progressives, it’s all for show – if they truly believed in what they have told us, they’d be marching on DC.  Much time and energy has been spent on the Individual Mandate and the IPAB (aka “the death panels”).  Well, here’s a part that I didn’t know – or realize:

The IRS will also determine who is eligible for taxpayer-financed subsidies to purchase health care on the exchanges that will be set up in every state. Anytime anyone’s situation changes — a raise, a new job, a move to another state — that person will be required to report it to the IRS for the purpose of recalculating their eligibility.

Got that??  Generally when you have a serious change in life, and you have to report that event to…Mom.  Or Dad.  Or some other loved one or friends.

So, what have the Democrats wrought here?  That’s right – just ONE MORE STEP in having Government be your family (like it or not).  So, how’s that gonna feel – literally having a brand new Big Brother (again, brought to you by Democrats as not one Republican voted for this Liberty crushing, 2700 page fiasco.  Why is it beginning to feel like it should be called not Obamacare but ObamaBigBrother or ObamaJail ?  How’s it feel to now know that the IRS is now an intimate member of your family?  Now that you’ve gone “all growed up”, Democrats like President Obama and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)  and (at the time of Obamacare passage) Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) and Hodes(D-NH) decided that you STILL needed a set of parents – and they thought it just a dandy idea that it be the folks that “touch” you every April 15th (there has to be a Democrat joke in there somewhere…)

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Public Unions – “Why yes, we do use union dues to buy politicians”

From a press release from James O’Keefe and Project Veritas via RedState:

“This is significant because labor unions are some of the biggest beneficiaries of taxpayer-funded jobs,” says O’Keefe. “If they’re intentionally propping up paper jobs, then they’re complicit in the fleecing of taxpayers.”

The latest video from Project Veritas captures Newark SEIU President Rahaman Muhammad laying out in explicit terms the nature of the relationship between his union and lawmakers like Democrat Senator Robert Menendez.

Project Veritas: “So that means you’re going to get the union dues…”

SEIU: “Exactly!”

Project Veritas: “…to your campaign.”

SEIU: “Exactly! It benefits them.”

So, why do I think that this is no different than the announcement (Laconia Daily Sun, (10/4, page 15)that the Gilford firefighters union endorsing the Democrats in all of the races that touch my hamlet (e.g., NH House, NH Senate),

Er, I don’t.

The latest James O’Keefe video is after the jump

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From ‘Grok friend Chan at WeekendPundit: Use the backup site!

WeekendPundit is in a slow fail.  He uses Moveable Type (newer than what failed us, but still MT).  No new posts possible, so go to his backup site at WeekendPundit.blogspot.com.  As a favor to an old blogging friend, this will stay at the top of the front page for a few days.

Data Point – annual Presidential deficits since 2000

What is startling is viewing this from the promise that Obama made that he would reduce the annual deficit by half. He didn’t.  Not even close.  And ask yourself – how much credence do you now give the Obama Administration’s guesses? (H/T: Instapundit)

“Mostly Free” and “Here to shut you down”: Scott & Mike have an economic point to make….but it really isn’t about economics!

It’s about Freedom, plain and simple. Scott has the simple example – a childhood lemonade stand; Mike has the ramifications – do we have Economic Freedom anymore?  If a child can’t even open a side-walk-side homemade drink stand that almost ALL of us have tried at one time or another (or if not personally, someone who has, or has bought such from the same), ask yourself – have we gone overboard?  Have we the type of society that has become all that insistent that every tittle and jot of a bureaucratic rule making insane asylum?

We have prided ourselves, as a country, as being the Land of Opportunity.  What does is say when our children are denied that opportunity at the get-go?  What does it say when adults masquerading has “our protectors” can’t see the difference between a commercial venture and a kiddy stand (who most often, get shamed into backing down)?

Even worse, that these “inspectors” have the chutzpah to believe that they NEED to be there in that child’s face saying “YOU didn’t follow the rules!”.  And lots of rules are being generated quickly, ruthlessly, and without a view to the cost (reformated, emphasis mine):

Last week, 1,571 new pages of regulations were published in the 2012 Federal Register, bringing the total for this year to more than 55,300 pages, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute.  In those pages, 76 new final rules were approved, up from 51 final rules during the shortened Labor Day holiday week. That figure is equivalent to a new regulation being published every two hours and 13 minutes, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  Those new rules bring the total number of pages of regulation to 55,324, with the government set to have 79,463 pages of regulations at its current pace.  Thirty-six economically significant rules published this year have combined compliance costs of more than $17.4 billion, though CEI estimates the true costs are actually higher.

And then we wonder why the US is now only 18th in the world for Economic Freedom.  Those of us who believe in entrepreneurial activities, and that it starts early.  No, it doesn’t mean that the lemonade stand then goes to to something bigger (although a boyhood friend of mine turned his into a little hut that then began to sell candy, then added hot dogs and soda, then ice cream treats….you get the idea.  He now owns several restaurants).

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Well, it’s about time somebody warns Karzai

Heck, it’s about time that a high ranking US official tell this two-bit Stone Age nation head this:

101st In AfghanistanLIMA, Peru (AP) — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lashed back at Afghan President Hamid Karzai Friday, saying the Afghan leader should say thank you now and then to the allied forces who are fighting and dying there, rather than criticizing them.

Panetta was responding to Karzai’s complaints Thursday that the U.S. is failing to go after militants based in Pakistan, and instead is concentrating on the insurgents in Afghanistan.

“We have made progress in Afghanistan because there are men and women in uniform who have been willing to fight and die for Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” Panetta snapped, as he spoke with reporters traveling with him to South America. “Those lives were lost fighting the right enemy not the wrong enemy and I think it would be helpful if the president, every once in a while, expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that have been made by those who have fought and died for Afghanistan, rather than criticizing them.”

There are have a number of occasions that the Afghans, including Karzai, have criticized US / NATO (ok, let’s be real here, the brunt is being borne by the US) when thinks have not gone well – Afghans have done the double-cross, turn turncoat, and within the fog of war, innocents have suffered and died and collateral damage has occurred.  I oft think that Karzai fogets that if the US had not gone after the Taliban that had given safe quarters to Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden, Karzai would not be sitting there with that peculiar hat and mantle.  Yet, he has been quick to beat up on the US and Nato, demanding apologies and money and enhancing the anti-American rhetoric that serves us poorly.

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Anti-Semitism rearing its head in the Lakes Region?

Road side signs of the plastic type on short wire frames are popping up all over the place – a fair number during the Primary last month but exploding in number as the election draw neigh.  Being a news / political junkie, I pay attention to them: whose signs are placed where, are they Democrat, … Read more

How to start a Fight – Part 10

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the boat up to the van and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50mph, so I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the … Read more

How to start a Fight – Part 9

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver’s License to verify my age. I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would … Read more

Nothing says real volunteer grassroots like “pay is $12.00 an hour”, eh Mark Fernald?

From a reader comes this missive from Mark “I WANT AN INCOME TAX on NH workers!!” Fernald.  I guess it is a NH Democrat Value that “Grassroots” doesn’t mean what it does to Conservative activists – not just the passion about an issue or candidate, nor for the feeling of banding together voluntarily to get something done.  That’s all that most Conservatives want.  It seems, however, that not enough Progressive activists have the will – I guess “being passionate” comes with a price tag (emphasis mine, reformatted to be more bloggish):

From: <mark@markfernald.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 3:37 PM
Subject: PAID canvassing!
To: <redacted>

Dear Readers:

Here’s an opportunity to do some paid canvassing in the next five weeks.

Mark Fernald

Grassroots Solutions ((www.grassrootssolutions.com), a national political field organization, is looking for dedicated individuals to join its New Hampshire Democratic Canvass Team 2012 and go door-to-door to talk with New Hampshire voters in Manchester and other areas in New Hampshire about the upcoming election.  Maybe you are a student with no afternoon classes, a parent whose children are off to college, or someone who works the night shift in your current job but would like to earn extra money. If you are at least 18 years old and enjoy talking with people about important issues that affect their lives and the lives of their families and community, then we are interested in hearing from you.  This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to gain experience in the world of politics. It is a fast paced and dynamic job in a Presidential election year.  The pay is $12.00 an hour and you have the potential to gross over $2,500 between now and the November election. You will be paid either by check or direct deposit every two weeks.

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Here’s a “Thank’em” for Papa Smurf for playing with Andrea Mitchell’s head

Also known around these parts as TGOTN (“The Gnome Of The North“).  Well, our official motto IS “Thank’em when they’re right and spank’em when their wrong”.  We’ve been hard on him since the manuver to install Julianne Bergeron as his handpicked success as Chair of the NH GOP (hey, how’s that Wayne MacDonald doing, eh, since the second Act of this tragedy – we’ll see what the final tally is come November; but I digress).

Anyways, in the light of the absolutely disaster of a performance by Obama in last night’s debate John Sununu was on with the uber-sour puss Andrea Mitchell.  She did not take well to to what he called Obama in a quite uppity way:

He earned this “Thank’em”.

(H/T: Hot Air, who also has the transcript)

And of course, all the other Democrat Operatives With Bylines have their panties in a wad:

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And now Axelrod is calling out the Progressive troops – Democrat Operatives with bylines

“To you and your whole crew have a powerful influence on the political scene,

you have an obligation as well to check some of these allegations”

Axelrod – Obama’s svengali of campaign, is probably STILL shaking in his boots.  How could that know-nothing, that businessman turned politician, that CAPITALIST, outsmart the country’s best Community Organizers whose head is forever encased in the Holy Light of Progressive Thought (Peace be upon Obamessiah) that has been so effective in dismantling America As We Knew It.  My GOSH, that usurper even bowed to the words in the Constitution and Declaration – BLASPHEMY!

And yet, the CAPITALIST kicked my guy’s butt all up and down the stage – did he know who he was talking to?  Where was the respect for the First Black President Of The United States (er, Bill Clinton aside).

So know he’s going to the shock troops for Democrat purposes – the Media (H/T: The Corner):

But Axelrod already has a BIG problem – they’ve been on this case, this Mission for Liberalism, for months now. They’ve painted Romney as

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