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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.

Just listen to his own words – nothing new….

One of the most devastating and humiliating things that can happen to a politician is to use their own words against them.  It’s rather easy to do nowadays – the Internet forgets NOTHING and the barrier to play this game is about zilch. “By their words, ye shall know them”

Notable Quote

Democrats talk a lot about kindness, compassion, and fairness. They say Republicans like me lack those things. One thing to say, in rebuttal, is: There is nothing kind, compassionate, or fair about financial collapse. Absolutely nothing. You think entitlement reform is cruel? Wait’ll you see collapse. Been to Greece lately? Seen the formerly well-off people … Read more

Data Point – Republican Registrations Up; all time high

This canNOT be good news in Chicago (HQ for Obama Campaign) After falling for two straight months, the number of Americans who consider themselves Republicans jumped nearly three points in August. During August, 37.6% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s up from 34.9% in July  and 35.4% in June. It’s also the largest number of … Read more

GraniteGrok Endorsement – NH State Senate District 5: Cynthia Coolidge Howard

It is now time to start listing the candidates for NH State Senate that will get the nod from GraniteGrok in this election season.   As with all of the previous candidates, we expect them to  be Conservative and supportive of policies that stress and enhance the sense of and pursuit of Individual liberty & Freedom (something that absolutely drives both Establishment Republicans and Democrat Socialists nuts – but for different reasons (mostly)).  We want them to stand tall and standfast – don’t speak words now and then fade like the Red Sox when the action (and criticism) gets hot and heavy.  Face it – a lot of flack was thrown at the just past session and not just from the Progressives Regressives and the media in their pocket; they sorely disappointed a lot of the grassroots, like us, that expected FAR more from them than the Bragdon-Bradley led SUPERMAJORITY Republicans in the Senate.

Cynthia Coolidge Howard for NH State Senate District 5In no particular order, we begin then, with District 5 with Cynthia Coolidge Howard.  Most of our recommendations start with me – this time, it came from some of the other Groksters (and they were adamant about it, too!).    She has a history as a tax fighter and understands why local taxes are so high.  A bona fide member of the TEA Party movement, she understands and supports the three main philosophical points of it:

  • Free Markets
  • Taxed Enough Already – a more frugal, careful Government at all levels
  • Adherence to Constitutional principles

All this adds up to Democrats decrying “EXTREMIST!”.  Well, in that case, we’re with her.  She understands that we are adults, can make adults decisions, and that (unlike Democrats who wish to treat us all as wards of the State that), self-responsibility and self-reliance are the pillars of a successful Society (and that Government has encroached to much into general Society).  From her website:

“I am the founder of Claremont Citizens for Lower Taxes, a Tea Party group. I have fought for several years against high property taxes and wasteful spending locally, statewide, and nationally. I served one term on the Claremont School board where I fought against the Stevens Renovation Project addition (a cost of $22.9 million dollars). I have proposed spending cap initiatives to alleviate the local tax burden.

I have organized tea party events locally and statewide, and have spoken at many events as well as at the annual Coalition of NH Taxpayer’s picnic.”

Works for us!

We fully endorse Cynthia for NH State Senate and ask for your vote for her.

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GraniteGrok Endorsement – NH State Senate District 9: Andy Sanborn

Andy and Laurie Sanborn for NH Senate and NH HouseHappy Warrior time!  We endorsed Andy Sanborn for NH State Senate District 8 last cycle and continuing to support one of our favoritist State Senators, we are doing it again.  As always, we don’t ALWAYS see eye to eye on all of his votes (and yes, he does gets that hang dog look when he sees me walking toward him loaded for bear) but I do have to say, he genially takes what we Groksters dish out.  That said, Andy has been one of the folks that we most agree with most often in the Senate.  His old district, 8, having basically written out from underneath him, he is once again doing the hard work in District 9 (and made me smile in doing it).

Please note that Grokster Steve had personally endorsed Andy a while ago.  All in all, we believe that Andy is a FAR better candidate, and better suited to represent his constituents, than his opponent.

We fully endorse Andy for NH State Senate and ask for your vote for him.

We had done an interview series with Andy back in July – we revisit this after the jump.

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Notable Quotes – W.H. Hutt

The essence of an effective constitution is that it is built on mistrust, not on faith. – W.H. Hutt (H/T:  Cafe Hayek)

What is it with Professors Believing they are Arrogant Kings of their Classrooms?

concealed carry shorts
Image from Masada Tactical Blog

Professors – what is it that convinces them that just because they are smart in their small “micro-field”, that expertise automatically  transfers to them the right to supercede the Rule of Law?  I’ve already had one run-in with a local professor:

Bad laws are required to be broken by people of conscience and my conscience is the highest authority. If a person with a gun refuses to leave my class, then I will announce that the class is over and I will leave. If the student in question insists on carrying a gun to future classes, then I will have no choice but to turn the class into an on-line class so that I can ensure the safety of my students. People who make these foolish rules are out of touch with reality and any rules they make must be trumped by morality and reason.

My response:

Just as he seemingly scoffs at the rules at Plymouth State. His last Letter stated that if someone continually brought a gun to his class that he’d “have no choice but to turn the class into an on-line class”. Well, I could and he can’t – I called Plymouth State and verified that your grandiose statement aside, you do not have the legal authority to do that.  Leo [Leo Sandy, that is], just because you say something is true doesn’t make it so.

Master of the Universe in his own mind, and the same thing again with this one? I understand that many years have been spent in acquiring that sheepskin that has Ph.D on it – and getting to that next step, that of tenure, can be fraught with anxiety over every little thing: have I written enough, have I published enough, have I taught enough, have I said enough right things and none of the bad (have I said anything that is politically incorrect?) so as to have culled myself from the mono-mindset herd?  And, have I kissed enough butts and sucked up to the right people?

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GraniteGrok Endorsement – NH Executive Council District 5: Dave Wheeler

Dave Wheeler
Image from Nashua Patch.com

Of all of the incumbents already on the NH Executive Council, we think it is fair to say that Dave Wheeler is the most likely always to stand on Conservative NH values – frugality, individual freedom, pro-life, Second Amendment and an absolute stand on Constitutional grounds (both NH and US).  It is VERY easy for us to have said “Endorse Dave?  That’s not even a question to ask – we are good to go!”.  He will protect our pocketbooks and our freedoms when it comes to contracts and appointments.  Controversial issues, in which many would quietly slink away?  That would not be him – like all warriors, he runs to the good fight and stands up for those that cannot stand for themselves.

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GraniteGrok Endorsement – NH Executive Council: Bob Burns

Bob Burns for NH Executive CouncilIn NH’s Executive Council District 4, we are endorsing Bob Burns.  While his youthful demeanor might signify little experience, the opposite is true.  His family has been active in politics in various ways and he has been actively involved for a long time; he is the current Hillsborough County Treasurer.  Having known Bob for several years now and having had the chance to listen and speak with him, we believe him to be the best suited candidate from the District to sit at the table to ride herd on the next Governor and keep the taxpayers’ interests first.  Of the folks we have had the chance to talk to about the position, he was the most able to talk about some of the nuances of what he would face and how he would bring a conservative view to that table.  We believe that he will translate those words into action.

We did have the chance to do an interview series with Bob Burns:

  • Question 1: Why are you running?
  • Question 2: You have a short list of things that the  Executive Council needs to do or needs not to do?
  • Question 3:  State Govt too big, too small, or just right and if you gain the seat on the Exec. Council, how would you answer that question and what would the Exec. Council be able to do to implement that?
  • Question 4:  But you are voting not on the bills but on the contracts stemming from passed legislation, right?  Can you change the contracts?
  • Question 5: “Hacks” vs “Public Servants” for appointments?
  • Question 6: A comment from Question 5: If you want a friend in DC, get a dog.
  • Question 7: You’ve mentioned contracts, you’ve mentioned judges / dept. heads; what else does the Council do that has a specific interest in your heart that you would need to monitor or change or…
  • Question 8: Coming up to a primary – why “me” versus those I am running against?

We fully endorse Bob for Executive Council and ask for your vote for him.

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Notable Quotes – Michael J. Fell

Having a fair shot has always been about a constitutionally limited government not interfering with the private sector free market’s ability to afford equal opportunity to everyone, regardless of their starting point in life. In America, government’s job is not to “take care of us”. In America, a centrally planned big government can never replace … Read more

Well, TWO of the NH RNC Delegation are enjoying themselves

NH Delegation At RNC listening to Artur Davis…problem is, there were four of them in the shot!  Steve showed one shot of the speaker: Artur Davis (for former Democrat Alabama  Congressman) was addressing the assembled crowd.  I watched it, and was rather suprised:

  • NH State Rep Paul Mirski (with the bow-tie) is enjoying himself
  • RNC Committeewoman Phyllis (who is running for the NH State Senate!) is as well
  • Doug Scammon (behind Paul, former NH House Speaker) – not so much it seems
  • Wayne McDonald (behind Phyllis, seems a wee bit hunched over to be in a “enjoying himself” moment) to me

In listening to Artur Davis, I had this as the best part of his speech:

“And what do you say about a House that doesn’t honor the pictures on its walls?  John Kennedy asked us what we could do for America.  This Democratic Party asks ‘What can Government give you?’  Don’t worry about paying the bills on your kids and grandkids.”

Good point – all that debt:

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GraniteGrok Endorsement – NH Executive Council: Jerry Thibodeau

We now switch our attention, and our endorsements, back from the US Congress to NH based races.  Specifically, the New Hampshire Executive Council is now our focus and our first endorsement is for Jerry Thibodeau in District 1 where the aged Ray Burton has been the incumbent since, well, dirt was made – with similar political practices.  The operative question is asked by Jim Pindell:

 Might Ray Burton lose his primary?

The answer is that he should!

NH born and bred, Jerry is well respected and long time Republican and former Manchester Republican Chair.  I have talked with him at length and was impressed with his background of going from little to a very successful entrepreneur of a multi-million dollar business.  He knows what it takes from a negotiating side, knows how to read contracts, and knows how to ferret out the details that would otherwise “lopside” a deal against the State.  Having been one that has spent his own money on building his business and signing the front of paychecks, he’ll be watching out for our money as closely as he has his own (instead of doing “favors” and voting to increase the size of government) as he scrutinized the cost of every contract.  Based on his philosophical stances, I certainly would be assured that when it came to appointments for either bureacrats, Commissioners, or judges.

Please note that Grokster Rick gave Jerry his personal endorsement a little bit ago.  The Republican Liberty Caucus of NH also has endorsed him.  Karen Testerman has also endorsed Jerry.

Best of all, he will bring a fresh perspective that has been sorely lacking for a long, long time.  Change for the sake of change is never good – change IS good, however, when it is for a purpose, and that is what Jerry brings to the table.  And never, ever, would Jerry be endorsing Democrats for races like Ray Burton has in which there are Republicans running.

We fully endorse Jerry for Executive Council and ask for your vote for him.

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GraniteGrok Endorsement: Dennis Lamare for US Congress

Like Rick Parent, Dennis Lamare ran in the last cycle for US Congress.  Like Rick, he decided to run for US Congress again, this time in New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District against Progressive Republican, Charlie Bass.  Like Rick, he is MUCH improved with regards to the issues, where his foundational principles come from, where he … Read more

Is it EVER about anybody but Obama?

Obama Praising Armstrong With Picture Of ObamaThis by Iowahawk was sent along by Grokster Susan:

Special Iowahawk Guest Commentary
By Barack Obama, Stargazer-in-Chief

When I learned of the untimely passing of Neil Armstrong I was, like all Americans, deeply moved and saddened. I share your sense of loss for this American hero, even if his fame had been eclipsed by others over the years. But in our shared moment of grief, let us also celebrate his historic accomplishment in becoming the first astronaut eulogized by me, Barack Obama, our nation’s historic first African-American president.

Neil’s passing gives all of us all pause to consider deeper questions. What does it mean for the future of space exploration? How proud would Neil have been to have a famous historic president refer to him by first name? And, most importantly, how did his death inspire that historic president to make ever more gigantic leaps for mankind?

For one thing, it inspired me to venture off on a historic twilight photo mission in a Maryland cabbage field. There I stood, gazing into the night sky, providing a dramatic backlit silhouette of inspiration for generations of future space explorers. In the centuries to come, space fans around the world will look to this indelible dorm poster image of Barack Obama, representing humankind’s enduring pioneering spirit of exploration, and be spurred to dream their impossible dreams of Obama-like accomplishment.

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Notable Quote – Sultan Knish

The essential 21st Century conflict is between the rationers and the producers. This is not a class conflict, that is the fallacy that the left has fallen into for over a century. It is a conflict between a system of bureaucratic collectivism and a society of individuals. It is not a conflict between the rich … Read more

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