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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.

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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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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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: 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

Gallows Humor

(H/T: while I was there, Maggie’s Farm)

GraniteGrok Endorsement: Rick Parent for US Congress

We had endorsed Ovide Lamontagne in the Republican Primary for NH Governor early in this election cycle; it is now time to roll out additional endorsements. We reviewed a number of races, talked with a number of candidates, reviewed objective ratings done by groups that mirror the ‘Grok philosophically (e.g., Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire, NH House Republican Alliance, and HRA, New Hampshire Liberty Alliance), and then talked / voted amongst ourselves.  Now, we are asking for your votes for them.

Rick Parent for US Congress (NH CD1)This cycle, we are endorsing Rick Parent to be the next US Congressman representing New Hampshire in the First Congressional District.

We first met Rick last cycle as he ran then as well – a nice guy but not sure of the process, what he had to do to be successful, how to articulate his positions, and the best ways to get his message out.  We liked him as a person but really didn’t feel that it was his time – while his heart and his intent was there, he was not ready.

This time, he is better situated – and we believe that he is much improved!  He has always been a Patriot – as Chief Engineer on a cargo ship that supplies our troops in the Middle East, he is a down to earth guy that knows the value of hard work and showing up.  A plus for me – I wish MORE Engineers would run instead of just politicians looking for the next rung up the political ladder – he has spent years learning his craft in the private sector.  I “get” his campaign tagline: “Engineering the future, one step at a time” – Go back to fundamental principles, consider the problem in the light of those principles, break the problem down to more manageable pieces, make sure those pieces will work individually and as a whole knowing that a SYSTEM is better than a point solution, and then roll it out incrementally instead wholesale changes.  While politics is much less deterministic than engineering software, electronics, or hardware, the point of considering the whole and how even the smallest legislative  changes can impact Society is a skill that many (if not most) politicians never learn.  It is never good to start a runaway train…

Rick knows from personal experience what it is to get his hands dirty and keep things running – his is the responsibility to ensure that both the lives of his shipmates are safe and that our Armed Services get the supplies to keep them safe.  He has spent his time in the Gulf better learning the issues and how to explain his stances based on the Constitution as “his system”.  Oh yes, big time on the Constitution – and we believe that will not change just because the election is over.  He understands that the Constitution is not just legal foundation but now IS our lifeboat.

We did an interview series with Rick Parent – links after the jump.  Oh, and for those that remember that we endorsed someone else last time…

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GrokTV: Rochester City Council – “Rochester City Councilors, just say “NO!” to the Granite State Future plan for Rochester!

Granite State Future plan – that plan by which Federalizes (via “free money”) local zoning ordinances.  And if you haven’t looked or known, they can have a LARGE effect on how you live and where / how businesses can be run.

Sidenote: From a post a while ago on when EVIL uses of ordinances by a Utopian wishing to get their way by using Govt to achieve their aim:

There is a long standing animus between a business entity called the Ames Farm and a lawyer by the name of Stephen Nix here in my hamlet.   For years now, the latter has tried to shut down parts of the operation of this 120 year cottage / restaurant / boat launch resort by using a number of legal maneuvers.  In essence, he is trying to take away one of our basic Rights, that of Private Property, from this family so as to enhance the value of his property.  Gordon Gecko has no skin on this play!

Nix’s warrant failed, but not through his lack of trying.  Federal Departments (EPA, DOT, and HUD) are trying to do the same thing by dangling easy money in front of cash hungry politicians – like gold seekers, some of the latter will do what is necessary to get that honey pot regardless of what the “strings attached” may do to the Property Rights of the taxpayers (yet another tale of Washington taking local money and saying “You can have your own money back, but only if you behave in the way we want you to (after all, we have our own version of what Utopia is – and YOUR Individual version no longer counts)).  Well, those that attended this past Tuesday’s Rochester City want this program to fail as well.  Lots of folks spoke up:

  

NH State Senator Fenton Groen                                         NH State Representative Lou Vida

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Guest Post / Movie Review by Steve Patton – “2016”

Both Groksters Mike and Tom put up posts concerning the now out move “2016” – the stealth movie on Barack Obama (“who or what is he really?”).  ‘Grok friend, Steve Patton, went to see the movie today and offered to write a quick review of his thoughts:

I took my family to see Dinesh D’Souza’s “2016” at the Fox Run Mall, just one day after it’s release.  I can lay claim to being somewhat of a student of Barack Obama, having read his autobiography “Dreams From My Father” in 2008 as his election drew near.  I published a website (now only found on the Wayback Machine) of direct quotes from the book, hoping to dissuade my countrymen from electing this anti-American as their next president, alas to no avail.

Much of the material for the movie “2016” comes from the book “Dreams From My Father” and is heavily supplemented by extensive research done by D’Souza. The movie is engaging, and insightful.  My teenage children were equally interested in the content, sparking healthy conversations on the way home. Be forewarned, however, that the movie is not hopeful.  A nation foolish enough to elect Obama once may indeed be foolish enough to do it again.

The key insight of the movie is the identification of Obama’s core principles. The journey to discover those principles is as unsettling as it is illuminating.  The movie analyzes a number of confusing decisions by the President which highlight his true values even as they disorient most Americans and even traditional Democrats:

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