Among the many other questions raised by the nebulous concept of “greed” is why it is a term applied almost exclusively to those who want to earn more money or to keep what they have already earned—never to those wanting to take other people’s money in taxes or to those wishing to live on the largess dispensed from such taxation. No amount of taxation is ever described by the anointed as “greed” on the part of government or the clientele of government. . . .

Families who wish to be independent financially and to make their own decisions about their lives are of little interest or use to those who are seeking to impose their superior wisdom and virtue on other people. Earning their own money makes these families unlikely candidates for third-party direction and wishing to retain what they have earned threatens to deprive the anointed of the money needed to distribute as largess to others who would thus become subject to their direction. In these circumstances, it is understandable why the desire to increase and retain one’s own earnings should be characterized negatively as “greed,” while wishing to live at the expense of others is not.

– Prof. Thomas Sowell, Ph.D., Economics (“The Vision of the Anointed” (1995))

After all, what gives anyone the “right” to take

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Jeanne Shaheen is a beneficiary of money flowing from the Sierra Club, but Sierra has recently come under scrutiny for some of its fundraising tactics, including commercial arrangements that financially benefited their leadership and also resulted in Sierra Club profits for which no taxes were ever paid.

We know how ‘concerned’ senator Shaheen is about how non-profits use their money.  Is she equally concerned about how they acquire it and when they should pay taxes?

Regarding its failure to pay taxes on unrelated business income, the Sierra Club sends its members into communities to sell the products of a selected local solar panel company in Maryland, Utah and dozens of other states in exchange for contributions to the group. In Maryland, for example, the Sierra Club makes a $750 profit from every sale and has never paid taxes on that commercial enterprise.

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At the beginning of this year, I intended to post a reminder on the Trial of the Century every quarter and it looks like I just about made it in time for this one.  Many political junkies are aware of the trial, but for the sake of clarity, I’ll clarify.

The trial of the century is the glacierly slow trial between New Hampshire’s very own “scary conservative with a hidden agenda” Mark Steyn and the First Amendment detonating jackhole Michael E. Mann of Penn State (Yes, the same Penn State where boys fear the locker room) and of the fallacious global warming Hockey Stick fame (stop laughing).

So for this installment, a little update along with an obnoxious, embarrassing pleading from me to you that I’ll get out of the way now.  Please consider helping Mark out by visiting the store at  www.steynonline.com and purchasing one of his excellent books, a mug, shirt or other items including a never expiring gift certificate.  The proceeds go to his trial expenses—expenses that seem never ending as I think we’re in the third year of this “speedy” trial.  It’s for a good cause, a cause Mark must win, not just for himself but for anyone who believes that freedom of speech is freedom of speech for everyone not just the anointed and well connected.

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Late to the party for the NH GOP Platform changes (2014-Platform—Red-Ruled)….should have looked at this stuff before (have now scraped them and will be doing more commenting later).  Didn’t get to any of the meetings and reading the changes for the first time.  Frankly, I blame myself for my lack as, overall, I’m not groovin’ to these changes  Oh well – some quick thoughts on the changes that seem to ditch our history as (as the Dems say) be more “inclusive):

• It seems like the NH GOP wishes to drop formally recognizing traditional families – every current mention of such is to be eliminated.
• Founding Fathers?  Yeah, they’re getting dropped too.  I guess the NH GOP is bowing to the Left’s “dead white men” and trying to distance themselves from our Founding Fathers.
• Overall all, it seems to have gone mushy in order to be less specific – I guess pastels are more the shade of the times.
• Some new clauses, draping itself in verbiage that the Republican Party MUST be supported as the only bulwark against the Democrat agenda (er, did anyone tell them about the NH State Senate Republican votes FOR major Democrat agenda items??).

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Here I gave some of my overall thoughts of the changes proposed to the NH GOP Platform on Saturday (redlined changes here: 2014-Platform—Red-Ruled).  Fair to say, I’m not overly impressed but hey, that’s what happens when you don’t participate in the process (bad on me) but at least I get to vote on them (good for me). In order presented:

We believe that the New Hampshire and United States Constitutions were written by our forefathers to limit our government, not our freedoms  protect freedoms and define the boundaries of our government.

Limit is a much stronger word and puts a better nuance of who comes first when it comes to government and our freedom.  I downcheck this change.

We believe that the Founding Fathers gave the 1st Amendment has its pre-eminent position with intent that religious freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and freedom of redress of grievances, all deserves to be protectedion.

We believe that our founding fathers placed the 2nd Amendment is in a position of prominence with the intent that law-abiding citizens of the United States of America have a right to protect and defend their lives, their families and their property without government infringement.

Why did somebody think that removing mentions of “our Founding Fathers” is such a hot idea? 

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“As Chairman of the NHGOP I will enforce all applicable bylaws…” Jennifer Horn, September 16, 2014

So how does “at least 10 days before the meeting [September 20]” equal a September 12 postmark?

“3. Meetings: Meetings of the State Committee may be called on the initiative of the State Chairman or shall be called by the Chairman upon the written request of fifty members of the State Committee, or at least one-third of the members of the Executive Committee. Notice of any such meetings shall be mailed to each member at their last known address, at least ten days before the day of the meeting, provided, that when in the opinion of the State Chairman and one-third of the Executive Committee, an extraordinary or emergency situation exists requiring lesser notice,

“…Notice of any such meetings shall be mailed to each member at their last known address, at least ten days before the day of the meeting“

Susan’s post pointing out that the NH GOP has royally screwed up by not adhering to its own rules is appropriate.  I have had a number of folks call me and complaining that they did not receive their proper notification in time, especially those that had to wait for their delegate races to become official.  After all, we all know that just because Election Day is over, races are not over (sorta like when Obama declares a war to be over – and it isn’t).

No Susan, the math isn’t hard – it IS easy but only if one pays attention while counting on your fingers (and sometimes, toes).  Obviously, we are seeing the results of New Math in politics (I can’t WAIT to see how Common Core math is going to play out in this arena!).  However, here is the MOST important part: will the NH GOP:

• Own up to its own mistake
• Adhere to its own stated rules and reschedule
• Or try a cover up and CYA it over with this from the same  Rule that Susan quotes:

 “…that when in the opinion of the State Chairman and one-third of the Executive Committee an extraordinary or emergency situation exists requiring lesser notice, a meeting may be called by the Chairman provided, each member is notified by mail at least five days before the day of the meeting.”

Let’s be real here….there has been NO indication that the Chair and 1/3 of the E-Board have voted to declared such an emergency,

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I will not bore the reader with the details of parliamentary procedure as it pertains to conventions; but Robert’s Rules of Order has a great section on conventions and bylaws. As it is, The New Hampshire Republican Convention is called at the will of the New Hampshire Republican State committee; and is subject to the rules adopted; and the Corporation’s bylaws which govern the “Committee, Boards, and Other Groups…”

“ARTICLE VII: Procedures Generally Applicable to Committees, Boards, and Other Groups Hereunder”

“…The following provisions shall govern the conduct of operations of all bodies governed by these bylaws…”

“Unless otherwise specifically provided, notice of any meeting shall be given by mailing a notice thereof to each member at their last known address at least ten days before the day of such a meeting…” Robert’s Rules; specify that the notice shall include the hour, date, and location of the meeting.

What should be concerning to all delegates to the Convention is that

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