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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.

One more example of Opinion disguised as news…against the NH Advantage

I used to tout that the journalists in my local area "played it straight" in their respective papers; unfortunately, one of them is really starting to show the same leftward bias that most journalists seem to have (doubt me?  Show me a poll of newsrooms that, in a majority count, either self-describe as Conservatives or give predominately to either Republicans or TEA Party type organizations – gotcha!). 

But I have to admit, this latest "screed acting as a news item" by Michael Kitch in the Sept 23, 2010 issue of the Laconia Daily Sun (p 1, 9) pretty much is as blatant as it gets (unless, of course, you’re writing for Newsweek – and if so, you’d better get your resume ready, as they are dumping employees at a rate even faster than the NYT, CBS, NBC, ABS, and the other MSM organizations).

So with that – caution!  Liberally biased Journalist goes after "The New Hampshire Advantage" with a wealth envy Op-ed disguised as a front page "news" front page / top of fold story.  First, it starts with the headline:

The N.H. Advantage? Some towns can spend twice as much as comparably populated neighbor & still have lower rate

So, when is the last time you saw a headline THAT long – if not to make a point? Trust me when I say this:  Michael Kitch, the author of the piece, has a really bad case of wealth envy.  It continues:

In the Lakes Region, the “New Hampshire Advantage” amounts to abundant waterfront property and seasonal residents, which are reflected in higher assessed valuations, much larger annual budgets and lower tax rates.

That’s all.  NH Advantage – simply just rich people giving rich taxes to towns – and don’t share with others that have less than they do.  That’s strike one and the first deliberate mis-characterization.

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Data Point – And they wonder why the TEA Party folks are concerned?

We hear SO much about how our lifetyle is so unsustainable from the "Green" perspective.  All these Green activists have decided that mere cleaning up the environment is no longer sufficient.  Just like M.A.D.D., who has gone way past their original mission statement to become what some are calling "neo-prohibitionists", they have decided that "behavior … Read more

Another example of math for the math challenged NH Dem Chair Ray Buckley

Steve points out that cocksure Ray Buckley, head of the NH Democrat Party, is trying to throw water on the NH GOP delegate turnout here.  Problem for him is, I wonder how he’ll spin this too?  From Politico (not exactly a right leaning collection of journalists, eh?): Voters trust congressional REPUBLICANS more than Obama to … Read more

OK, maybe they’re not, but *I* am!

"It’s all about you, Niel"  – Larry Frates, Laconia resident  True words, indeed.  All the time.  OK, folks, this is, as legendary Boston Democrat pol Tip O’Neil (former Speaker of the US House) would have said, REAL local NH politics, specifically to Belknap County.  Niel Young, the Rigor Mortis Conservative, shows once again that he … Read more

Notable Quote – Ben Stein

"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but they don’t have to prove they are citizens". – Ben Stein (author, columnist, economist, actor, investor) (H/T: Paul)

Endorsement – John Stephen for NH Governor

  I wish to point out that there has been a change in our Endorsement section (Right sidebar) since the results of the Primary – GraniteGrok is now endorsing John Stephen for NH Governor and the above sign can now be found here.  And we will be enthusiastically supporting him as we move forward towards … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 5

This is Part 5 of GraniteGrok’s interview with Bill O’Brien who is running for Speaker of the NH House of Representatives from the "Liberty and Freedom" wing of the NH GOP. Question asked: Previously: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

GrokTalk! – The walk back / mea culpa

Well, being "a step ahead" is what GraniteGrok has always tried to be about.  Be it going out and live covering events, then videoing the events and bringing (pretty much uncut) an entire event, and now trying to do GrokTalk! – we’ve always want to push the boundary of what we try to do and … Read more

NH GOP Convention: Chair, John Sununu

Yesterday, the NH GOP held it’s Convention where the winners of the Primary races had the chance to speak to the Delegates, Press, and Guests.  In addition, several amendments to the Party Platform were offered, discussion, and voted upon. In this clip, Chairman (and former NH Gov.) John Sununu gives his intro address to the … Read more

NH GOP Convention: Kerry Marsh, Chair of the NHYR

The next speaker was Kerry Marsh who is the Chair of the New Hampshire Young Republicans – and that is a growing group of folks!  In fact, the best line "You know it is going to be a good Republican year when you’re my age and it’s cool to be Conservative again!" and these are … Read more

NH GOP Convention: Phyllis Woods, RNC Committeewoman from NH

One of my favorite people in the NH Grand Old Party is Phyllis Woods – a veteran within the Party, she has always been a stalwart ally of the grassroots and conservatives wing within the NH GOP.  I’ve always found her to have a willing ear and better year, a sharp tongue (when needed) toward … Read more

NH GOP Convention: The candidates for Congress

Frank Guinta, Charlie Bass, and Kelly Ayotte also gave their addresses to to NH GOP State Delegates.  Of the three, I do believe that Frank gave the best address (and yes, I’m a bit biased in that outlook) but hey, that’s why the ‘Grok goes to the event, the ‘Grok does the work, the ‘Grok does the presenting, but YOU get to decide!

In fact, let us know who did the best of these three running for Congress:

Who gave the better speech?
Kelly Ayotte
Charlie Bass
Frank Guinta
  
pollcode.com free polls

The Videos:

          

Kelly Ayotte, US Senate               Frank Guinta, NH CD-1

Charlie Bass is after the jump:

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NH GOP Convention: John Stephen

Yesterday, the NH GOP held it’s Convention at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, NH.  A status of the Party was given, a discussion of the amendments to the Platform took place, and the Primary winning candidates for major office spoke to the crowd. Here, John Stephen, the Republican nominee for NH Governor … Read more

NH GOP Convention – Keynote Speaker: Mitt Romney

The last speaker of the day at yesterday’s NH GOP Convention at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, NH was former MA Governor Mitt Romney.  Confident in his manner, much of the talk was "folksy" in delivery, but there are a few times when he allowed glimpses of future plans (of which, talking … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 3

This is Part 3 of GraniteGrok’s interview with Bill O’Brien who is running for Speaker of the NH House of Representatives from the "Liberty and Freedom" wing of the NH GOP. Question asked: Are you going to be instituting a radical difference in how Government works?  Power: People or the Political Class?

GrokTalk! – A Plethora of Politics on a Road Trip!

GrokTalk! Saturday morning at 9 – 11 am!   GrokTalk! A mixture of politics, culture, current events, and well, politics, it is an Internet Radio show streaming live audio and video directly from GraniteGrok.  Using a solidly Conservative and Rational Libertarian lens, we’ll take on almost any topic and have notables from the news, political … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 4

This is Part 4 of GraniteGrok’s interview with Bill O’Brien who is running for Speaker of the NH House of Representatives from the "Liberty and Freedom" wing of the NH GOP. Question asked: How is standing on Principles being divisive?  You are for "The People" or the "Political Class"? Previously: Part 1, Part 2, Part … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 1 in a series

Back in June, the ‘Grok took notice of an announcement that many missed – and would have gone "So?" if they had.  Yet, it was for what the office that most of the politically aware people in NH acknowledge is probably the most powerful in NH – that of Speaker of the NH House of … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 2

This is Part 2 of GraniteGrok’s interview with Bill O’Brien who is running for Speaker of the NH House of Representatives from the "Liberty and Freedom" wing of the NH GOP. Question asked: The Democrats claim a $63 million surplus; Republicans say up to an $800 million deficit – who is right?  And if there … Read more

The Draft in Concord, NH – a ‘Grok thank you!

In doing the interview with Bill O’Brien, we partook of some of the fine victuals to be found at The Draft in Concord, NH.  Letting us borrow the upper room made it far easier logistically and allowed us to "break bread" as well – a GRAND old time! We thank Andy and Laurie Sanborn for … Read more

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