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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.

Framing of the issue.

Steve, in his post on Public School Propaganda, had this:

…Probably, but it goes on to frame the issues a president faces as serious business requiring critical thinking by experts with the obligatory jab at President Bush.  It’s soft core political porn for the attention-span challenged.  It’s also a form of what Marx called ‘False Consciousness.’  Or maybe it’s just propaganda…

..To describe how the dominant class shape and control, the non-physical Marx outlined the process by which the dominant class systematically uses education and media to distort the understanding of the subordinate class through the promotion and distribution of errors and lies.

Framing this issue, and it never stops.  I was listening to Special Report on Fox during the round table, and Juan Williams (the Liberal on the panel, who seemingly has become a bit more militant lately for the Liberal agenda):

"for small business, the ability to then to have additional capital that they should be able then to invest in employment would be a big bonus. Charles says that the government is trying to tell people what to do but the government is giving them a tax break and I think the government would be foolish if not to say to people here is what we want done in order to create more jobs for those that are out of work."

Let’s translate this Liberal pap, shall we?

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An observation – hey, they’re only doing what he’s been doing…

Role Model – that’s what many of us are, like it or not.  The Youngest paid me what I consider one of the highest compliments the other night that a Dad could ever get "Dad, I saw what you went through; you almost gave up – but you didn’t!  Now I know how you feel – and I’m not giving up either"

Role models – I have been heard to say that Character is what a man does when no one is around to see him.  I guess I was doing the right thing at the time – and simply did so because it was the right thing to do at the time.  Little did I know that a young Youngest was watching.  No higher praise can a Dad receive.  It also shows that we all are role models, even a simpleton of an ordinary schlub that I am.

On the other thand, how about the most powerful person in the world: President Obama?  What has he modeled?

“It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election,” Obama said.

Whatever complaints they might have about climate change or other issues, Obama said, it is “just irresponsible” that some Democrats and progressives were lacking enthusiasm for the election.

“If people now want to take their ball and go home that tells me folks weren’t serious in the first place,” he said. “If you’re serious, now’s exactly the time that people have to step up.”

Why should he be so incensed – or the word that has been thrown around by both the Right and the Left – "condenscending"?

When one is a good role model, this applies: say what you mean, do what you say.  And always remember that actions speak louder than words.

What is the behavior that former Obama voters are modeling?

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And then there were four – plus one more

It looks like the race for NH Speaker for the House (pretty much, the most powerful political position in NH, outstripping that of the Governor) has just gotten more interesting.  From the NH GOP, this was incoming:

 New Hampshire Republican Party Communications Director Ryan Williams released the following statement today on Terie Norelli’s (D-Portsmouth) announcement that she intends to seek another term as New Hampshire House Speaker:

"Under Speaker Norelli’s watch, Democrats have increased spending, raised job-killing taxes and driven New Hampshire to the brink of an unprecedented fiscal disaster. The state now faces a projected deficit of nearly $800 million as a result of the Democrats’ failed leadership and gross mismanagement of the budget.

The entire release is after the jump. So, on the Republican side we have four:

  • Bill O’Brien (who has received the GraniteGrok endorsement)
  • Gene Chandler (lots of traffic at his area at the NH GOP Convention – but there were LOTS of donuts there too!)
  • Susan Emerson (Steve’ observations here)
  • John Reagan (who set up next to the GraniteGrok area at the NH GOP Convention – not much traffic there from what I saw) 

First thoughts?

  • If and Only IF

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NH: Republican Primary aftermath….

I would be remiss if I didn’t post up the obligatory current poll results – and given that it is now a couple of weeks after the primary, I’m looking at these as more real than ‘bounce": NH CD-1: Fmr. Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta (R) 50%Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D) 40% NH CD-2: Fmr. Rep. Charlie … Read more

Notable Quote – Neal Boortz

We’ve fought revolutions before. There’s a difference though. In 1776 we had patriots who were willing to die for this country. Next month we only need patriots who are willing to inconvenience themselves for a few hours by going to their voting precinct. In 1776 we had heroes who left bloody footprints on ice covered … Read more

The ‘Grok interviews Bill O’Brien – Part 6

This is Part 6 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: Progressive ideals or ideals of Individual Freedom; which is more important – the supremacy of Govt (Progressives) or People (Constitutional values)?

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

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

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

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

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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