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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.

Sometimes to make it work, you have to shut things down…

I’m a software guy, and like any other coder out there, there are times you look at what you’ve written and go "hey, let me just add this one thing more" – and a while later, you say "time to test".  And THEN that famous phrase kicks in: "Aw, crap".

Not only has the new "feature" turned into a bug, but it has taken other parts of the system with it.  Even after commenting out all that new / modified code, the bug is still there.  Examples of this conundrum have been seen here on the ‘Grok – add a new post and all of a sudden, the front page look wacky;

  • all older posts have the same nutty formatting
  • picture look crazy
  • videos won’t vid
  • and the sidebars take a vacation.

OK, the normal thing is to remove the offending post.  Ooops – that "one more thing" wasn’t enough to put things right.  More posts have to be taken out to get back to a stable system before adding stuff back in to "progress forward".  Perhaps tickling a few other areas of code too, in many cases.

Because when a software app is broke, adding more stuff to it ain’t gonna make it right, not going to make work, and you aren’t going to move forward.  You’re only going to make a bigger, more tangled spaghetti code mess.  And as you add new features to a system, especially those that were not originally "designed in", things get more and more tangled.  It finally crushes itself under it’s own weight.  Sure, you may get that new feature, but the overall system ends up harder to maintain (costing more to keep running), works slower (forcing users to use "faster" computers), and takes up more space (bigger disks).  That’s why most engineers always call the smallest possible solution that does the job is called "elegant"; those that construct such packages are hailed as superstars by their peers.

A great proxy (or metaphor) for our government?

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FRANKLY SPEAKING By Congressman Frank Guinta: Taking stock of my first two months in Washington

Taking stock of my first two months in Washington

Sometimes, when you’re moving fast, it’s a good idea to take a moment and look back at all the ground you’ve covered.  March 5th marks two months since the new Congress convened.  I want to tell you about the many things I’ve been doing these past eight weeks.

I’m proud to follow-through on my pledge to be a Congressman who is actively in touch with folks here in New Hampshire.  My guiding rule is simple: I will be in Washington whenever there is a debate or vote on the House floor, and for committee hearings and meetings.  Otherwise, I will be here in the district so I can stay in touch with people.  This is the best way I can effectively represent you on Capitol Hill.

I held my first town hall meeting in Laconia in early February. We had to delay it for 24 hours because of one of the many snowstorms that have pounded us all winter, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 100+ folks who showed up on a frigid Thursday night.  The crowd was so large, we had to move it to a bigger facility next door in order to seat everyone.  As this column was going to press, I was scheduled to hold my first tele-town hall on March 1st.  Look for more of both types of meetings in the near future.

My staff has held open office hours in Jackson and Conway, with more scheduled in different towns soon.

I’m also traveling across the district, talking about issues that matter to Granite Staters and listening to their concerns.  I’ve met with the Great Bay Water Community Coalition in Dover, toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, visited the GE Aviation Plant in Hooksett and talked with fishermen at the Yankee Fishermen’s Coop in Seabrook.  I’ve visited Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, Lake Regional General Hospital in Laconia and Exeter Hospital to discuss healthcare concerns, and Bakersville School in Manchester and Spaulding High School in Rochester to learn more about education needs.  

The pace has been just as fast in Congress.  In one of our first acts during the new session, I had the honor of reading the Second Amendment during the first time the U.S. Constitution was ever read aloud on the House floor.  One of our very first votes was to cut Congressional staff spending by 5%.  It is only right that the very first spending reduction came in our own budgets; the House must lead the way by example as we ask all Americans to get by with less federal funding.

Of course, the first major piece of legislation we passed was the long-sought repeal of last year’s healthcare reform law.  I was proud to vote with the majority in passing it.  The existing law fails to deliver the very thing Americans want: affordable, quality healthcare coverage.  It is so badly flawed, it would be better to scrap it and start over from scratch to give people the true reform they want.

I voted for…

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Data Point – Selling those electric cars

As I pointed out here, President Obama has decided that: With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015. That’s 4 years for now.  Thinking that’s about a quarter million cars / year, that … Read more

Moultonborough, NH edition: Scary leanings of Teachers

As I pointed out here, there seems to be a side of teachers to believe that they are of more importance to a child’s well being and success than their parents.  Yes, I know about how some parents are doing the best they could (according to teachers) to help their kids through school and the like; I get that.  Having run a daycare center, I saw it first hand and gently shook my head at some parents.  But that was a minority, a real small minority of parents.

Sidenote: Sometimes, parents give up trying to help.  I’ll admit – I’m not a math major as I only got through multi-variate calculus and I do computers instead of my major, biology (where I concentrated on energy transfers within sub-cellular mechanisms).  I figured that SURE, I can help my kids with their math and science homework.  But I’ll tell you, all I ever got was “THAT’s not how my teacher teaches me!”.  And when I finally figured out the cockamamie way it was being done, I finally learned why Johnnie and Janie can’t read and make change in the 7-11; I admit, I stopped trying to “help” my kids – it caused more problems than it solved.  It brought back memories of trying to teach a Education student what Y=MX+b was.

But I would never, not even in my wildest dreams of megalomania or delusions of being “Emperor for the World for a Week”, would presuppose to believe that I was better for their kids than they were – my staff were paid to watch over and teach age appropriate lessons.  Never did I think that we were that important to believe that we should or could supplant parents.

Unfortunately, like the teachers in that post, there are others that need to relearn that lesson – like these words uttered by teachers in Moultonborough, NH back in October, whose words were similar to that of the WI teachers:

…students are WAY ahead of the times, way ahead of parents on multiple issues especially when it comes to openness and sexuality…I disagree with having parent being allowed in.  I think that students are willing to talk about this because they have different views than their parents…a huge disservice to the community and the school.

And I wonder why they have different views…as another teacher admitted (also speaking against letting parents into that workshop:

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WI Protesters: Scary leanings of Teachers

You know, this is a continued theme I hear from teachers – parents are secondary to kids success.  It is we, the teachers, that knows what is best for your kids.  Think I’m kidding?

Scary in that it seems to be a trend that is emerging from teacher that have taken Hillary’s triteness ("It takes a village…") all too much to heart – WE are the village and we count more than parents do.  And the Teachers Union seems to be fine with as we saw it from the Wisconsin union takeover of the State Capital for two weeks (at which point, the fleebagger Dem Senators finally returned with their tails between their legs, lost the vote, and continued home, still with their tails between their legs – except the tails got clipped by the Republicans; but I digress).

Once again, the Left has no problem in making it "all about the children" – especially when they are in control of that child.  And one of the biggest components of the Left was represented there was the Teachers Union.   and this attitude that teachers know better than parents was this:

On the curb, teacher Leah Gustafson held a sign saying, "Scott, your son is in my class. I teach him, I protect him, I inspire him."

When I read this, I nearly wretched as her words sunk in:

  • I know where your son is….he’s mine.
  • *I* protect him (with the subliminal message, perhaps, of "and better than you do")
  • *I* inspire him (he looks to me first)

This is a teacher that, in my estimation, is willing to use a child as a political pawn and has no problem at all in doing it.  In fact, it it worse – she is using her political opponent’s (WI Gov. Scott Walker) son directly as that pawn. Instead of the message of "we teach everyone, including your’s", it came across as "I have what is your’s". I often have local parents refuse to get involved in local school funding issues, or to bring up certain situations to a more public light, for fear of retribution by the teachers.  Oh, to be sure, some may well be flagrantly done, but many would be much more subtle.  However, WHO in their right mind wants to put their kids at risk – especially in schools. Imagine the Gov. reaction to that?

What hit more was the possessiveness shown and the yin/yang logic:  I protect him (and you don’t). She even goes further with the inspire comment.  Now, to be fair, many of us have been inspired by teachers we have had in the past.  But in this context, she is pushing aside the primary responsibility of parents in a political grab; she has taken the mantle of deciding that she does do all these thing – and how dare you mess with my compensation for doing so!  Further was this that I read at the tail end of the show on Saturday:

Is this fair to the kids?

Yes.  This is about the kids.  if we don’t have good pay, the kid are never going to benefit in the long run.

Go back. Read that slowly.  Look at the linkage that is being made: unless you taxpayers give us more of your money, kiss your kid’s future goodbye.  Think I’m kidding?  Here’s the clip:

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MicroInterview: author Dr. Tom E. Woods

Dr. Tom Woods is the author of 11 books, holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard and a Masters of Philosophy and Ph.D from Columbia University.  A senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, ("…the world center of the Austrian School of economic [free markets] and libertarian political and social theory…". He is … Read more

Press Release: Congress Frank Guinta on the Continuing Resolution

For Immediate ReleaseContact:  J. Mark Powell(202) 226-8530 GUINTA STATEMENT ON A SHORT-TERM CONTINUING RESOLUTION “I won’t vote for a stopgap spending bill that doesn’t contain meaningful cuts in federal spending.” (Washington – February 28, 2011)    Rep. Frank Guinta (NH-01) released the following statement on a short-term Continuing Resolution. Background:    On February 19th, the House passed … Read more

TEA Party influence? Certainly!

Seated is Bill O’Brien – Speaker of the NH House – signing the first bill of this session (and the first bill as Speaker).  Mazel Tov!

But what was more interesting was the picture Gadsden Flag (the adopted icon of the TEA Party movement) behind him.  According to Seth Cohn, the signatures are of those new folks from the Liberty & Freedom wing of the Republican Party (among others) that helped to vote him into the Speakership.

I’ve listened to the jounalist based pundits here in NH that stated that most people here in NH voted for anyone with an R after their name (as opposed to D in 2006 & 2008), yet, they admit that these "less conservative voters" certainly did vote for candidates that espoused much more conservative (and in many cases, much more libertarian) than themselves.  I wondered about that statement – was it true?  Or whether this was part of the TEA Party movement ramifications that has, in part, caught up the general public?

No, not in the overall fervor and sturm und drang, but more in the question of "where is this country and state headed?".  Is this our heritage – what ARE our founding principles?

And a backlash NOT just against Democrats, but the overall sliding of the Dems to the Left (aka, Progressive socialism) even as many Republicans didn’t move to the Right but burrowed down to bedrock fundamentals like archeologists seeking buried truths (or miners, seeking that shiny gold and sparkling diamonds of limited govt, individual freedom, and self-reliance)?

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GrokTALK! – after thoughts…

During yesterday’s GrokTALK! show, we discussed the Right To Work bill  (HB 474) making its way through the NH Legislature.  After the show, I received this from GrokTALK! listener, Barbara: "…why does the public sector think they deserve a pension when pensions have largely been eliminated for the private sector?" Here were my 10 quick … Read more

GrokTALK! – left over links

When we talked with NH Rep. Andrew Manuse yesterday, he talked that a number of the public union employees are unhappy with him for his Right To Work stances – you can read that here.  Certainly, the unions are trying to redefine the meme – against unions?  Their claim? "You are against Rights, you are against the Middle Class, and you are against America!".
 
Nonsense.  But, coming from the second most militant public sector union (after the Teachers), why am I not surprised?
 
I also read the following from my friend Warner Todd Huson:
Proving that there seems to have been a good reason that in many eras of American history the “Irish Need Not Apply,” a bunch of drunken morons calling themselves the Dropkick Murphys have added their off key voices to American union thuggery by writing a protest song that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has glommed onto.
Link is here at Publius’ Forum.  SEIU, the most socialist of the unions, has taken DropKick Murphys’ song as an unofficial theme song, it seems.  Lyrics?
 
    When the boss comes calling he’ll put us down
    When the boss comes calling you gotta stand your ground
    When the boss comes calling, don’t believe their lies

    When the boss comes calling he’ll take his toll
    When the boss comes calling will ya sell you soul
    When the boss comes calling we gotta organize

    Let them know
    We gotta take the bastards down
    Let them know
    We gotta smash ‘em to the ground
    Let them know
    We gotta take the bastards down
   

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GrokTALK! – a thank you

From Ed Naile, staunch Democrat and Chair of CNHT, a thank you of sorts from having him on the show yesterday over at NH Insider: Nailestradamus: Quatrain # 2010 And the son of Madis known as Walker Unleashed the thugs of girth and waist And they shouted and made great noise As benefits once bargained were … Read more

Belknap County – Employee Compensation

The "invisible" level of government in NH is that at the County level – most people "get" their local town or city level, and at the State.  How often, though, do people know about County level? Or that their NH Representatives (their "County Delegation") not only help set the spending at the State level, but at the County level as well.  Sure, the Commissioners help to craft the budget, but it is the NH Reps from that County that finalize it.

And here in Belknap County, as with all levels of Government, the largest expenditure is always labor.  Here is the total compensation (thanks to loyal reader Tom) we "bosses" pay our employees (after all, it is we taxpayers that hire and fire, and set the compensation of, our employees via our elected politicians).

So, fellow bosses – you good with what we are paying?  Or are some a bit out of line in your thinking? I’ve also sorted the data other ways as well, but I have one OBVIOUS question:  WHY are these two positions paid so high?

Citizens Council Director 104,229 7,604 111,833
Economic Dev Council Director 100,840 9,036 109,876

Remember – your property taxes pay these levels of compensation – and as you mull that question over, ask yourself, in this time of economic distress, my favorite question:

What is the Proper Role of Government?

And are these kinds of positions "absolutely necessary" – or "nice to have when thing are flush, rich, dumb, and happy?" Remember – the "invisible level of government" – did you know these folks got this?  Do you even know what they do???

Hey, you in the other Counties!  Send me your numbers – do a Right To Know if you have to!  Let’s find out who has the highest numbers!

Note: I think a couple of the position’ numbers are not quite right – that the benefit level is the same as the wages – am checking into that.

Annul Compensation Report Fiscal Year: 2009 – 2009
Gross County Paid Total
Department Description Wages Benefits Compensation





NH – Administration Social Services Director 63,267 63,267 126,535
NH – Nursing – RN Registered Nurse 103,139 21,300 124,439
Dept of Corrections Superintendent 98,948 24,755 123,702
Finance Chief Administrator & Finance Officer 92,373 24,737 117,110
Citizens Council Director 104,229 7,604 111,833
Economic Dev Council Director 100,840 9,036 109,876
County Attorney County Attorney 89,164 19,852 109,016
Sheriffs Dept Deputy 80,554 26,274 106,828
Administrator Administrator 86,649 19,353 106,001
NH – Administration Director of Nursing 79,687 23,672 103,359
NH – Nursing – RN Registered Nurse – F/T 76,285 22,748 99,032
NH – Nursing – RN Registered Nurse – F/T 76,862 18,469 95,331
NH – Nursing – LPN Licensed Practical Nurse – F/T 74,751 18,657 93,409
Sheriffs Dept Deputy 67,080 25,042 92,122
Sheriffs Dept Sheriff 74,968 16,579 91,547
Dept of Corrections Correction Officer 45,593 45,593 91,186
Sheriffs Dept Sergeant 65,806 24,880 90,686
Dept of Corrections Registered Nurse 72,038 18,407 90,444
Sheriffs Dept Sergeant 69,332 20,741 90,072

Rest are after the jump:

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Making lemonade from somebody else’s lemons

Filed under Capitalism – but could as well be filed under Humor! We certainly have been watching the unfolding events in Wisconsin – especially as the Democrat "fleebaggers" went to Illinois.  Well, it looks like someone decided to capitalize on somebody else’s woes: Hey, capitalism is all about taking advantage of an opportunity – and … Read more

Drug testing for food stamp recipients – a quick observation

HB 484 is titled "Food Stamp Program Eligibility; Random Drug Testing Required".  Kevin Landrigan (Telegraph) did a write up of the pros / cons view; of course, Conservatives have the tack that recipients should not be doing drugs and that with testing, one can see the old Reagan mantra at work: Trust but verify. The … Read more

Guest post: “Our Elastic Constitution in Crisis and the GOP”

Guest post by ‘Grok friend, Matt Kittredge

Our Elastic Constitution in Crisis and the GOP

In 1803, after much thought, Jefferson signed a treaty with France, purchasing the Louisiana Territory without express Constitutional Authority. When he sent the treaty to the Senate, it was ratified. He later wrote, "[a] strict observance of the written law is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to the written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the ends to the means."

I agree with Jefferson, especially in time of war, but with some caveats. Our elastic Constitution can and has been abused. And ‘justifying’ crises manufactured, as well.  Think about the internment of Japanese Americans without a shred of evidence in WW2 by FDR, who, among other assaults on our Constitution, seized monetary gold and devalued our currency by 43% and essentially destroyed the right of property. The bar seems to get lower and lower each time the ‘crisis’ passes, with Federal authority returning ever less and less to the ante pro ante limits of original wording and intent.

Jefferson’s reasoning is an underlying the premise of the…

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GrokTALK! – Podcast page for 02/26/11

GrokTALK!

Podcast – week of 02/26/11

GrokTALK!

Streaming Live! from GraniteGrok

To play (or "stream") a clip now, just click on it.  To download it to your PC, right click on it and tell the process where to save the file for you.

(Click here for the promo page)

Hour 1      Hour 2

Grokster Steve came up to Liberty Studio, bringing our first guest and…well, that person knows who…

Ed Naile, Chairman of the CNHT (Coalition of NH Taxpayers) came in studio to talk about the voter fraud bills now going through the NH Legislature as well as being a great raconteur of some of his first hand personal experience in sleuthing voter fraud cases here in NH (as opposed, seemingly, to the protestations of the NH Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the NH Democrat party).   Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4

Second guest of the day was John Kalb who does advocacy work on Right To Work issues.  A most timely issue – the Right To Work bill that was passed by the NH House and will now be debated in the NH Senate.  Given the furor in Wisconsin and the class warfare of what organized labor which is simply described at "the Haves and Have-Yours" (where the Haves are the taxpayers and the Have-your where the public sector unions want what you have).  Part 1   Part 2

Andrew Manuse (who is getting to be a frequent guest on GrokTALK!) talks about his experience as a freshman legislator, having his bill ITL (Inexpedient To Legislate), and the reaction of the NH House leadership to and with the Natural Rights Council. We also had a great laugh (at least, those of us in studio) that the Derry public union aren’t much liking Andrew (heh! This should give us some blogging fodder!).   Part 1   Part 2

Recorded live stream:

Note: We lost the live video stream during the broadcast (the camera went dark).  Thus, we resort to the backup cam for the first hour – and since the discussion was all in studio, it worked well.  Given that the second hour was mostly phone based, not so much – after the jump.

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