A special Interest story recently reported that a Balloon intentionally released in Michigan had landed in Bedford New Hampshire. If we ignore the warm and fuzzy Bedford Boy Scout Troop members (who found the balloon) meet Michigan Girl Scout Troop (that released it), and jump in our way-back machine to New Hampshire circa 2007/2008, had HB 62 become law, someone in Michigan would owe the State of New Hampshire a $250.00 fine for littering.
Some Super Fac’s About Super PAC’s – Before the Left Rolls out Their Tired Narrative Again
From John Nolte at Breitbart/Big Journalism: A few fac’s about super pac’s 1. Just like a campaign, Super PACs are required to publicly disclose any donor who contributes any amount over $200. 2. You wouldn’t know it from the media coverage, but… Yes, Virginia, there are pro-Obama super PACs currently hitting Romney and they’re … Read more
US Attorney General Eric Holder clears James O’Keefe in Congressional Testimony. What say you, NH AG Dick Head?
We’ve been following James O’Keefe and his Project Veritas since he started exposing a lot of wrong doing with his undercover videos. And certainly, we thought that his video of how easy voter fraud could be here in NH (on the First In The Nation Primary Day, no less, with his explanation here) was perfect … Read more
GrokTV Special Interview: Josh Youssef for NH State Senate. Question 5:If the State is determining Educational curriculum, how is that local control? Or should it be “suggest” vs “determine”?
It’s been a bit since I posted the last interview question I posed to Josh Youseff – but never fear, we have more to put up! Here, Josh talks about the role of the State in eduction here in NH (especially with the failure of CACR 12). The question is, where is the line between … Read more
GrokWatch: Are the Moultonborough Library Trustees shafting the Lakes Region TEA Party?
Incoming and developing: the Moultonboro Library trustees decide they can’t stand the heat – but are throwing out the kitchen instead of themselves? From Moultonboro Speaks: Moultonboro Public Library Trustees to continue ban on political campaigning in library. At today’s Moultonboro Library Board of Trustees meeting, and without a vote or any discussion among the … Read more
GrokTV Event: Is the EPA / DoT / HUD “Sustainable Communities Initiative” a stealth way to Federalize local communities?
After all, that single piece of “non-binding” paper of extremely nice sounding verbiage is that quintessential “something for nothing” from a Government that is “here to help you”.
Problem is, after now being a political blogger and a (former) Budget Committee member, I have a very jaded eye when ANY level of Government says “we can help!” as the unstated words are always “but with strings attached”. Or with this “Sustainable Communities Initiative” that is being pushed onto local NH communities (and nationwide as well), those behind this Progressive Enviro’s wet dream, they are actually denying the depth of the “strings attached” (heh – more like string strung together like a net).
Now, after reading that above paragraph, some of you might be thinking “Yo, Skip, that tinfoil hat is reflecting too much sun into your eyes”. In this case, however, I wish I was going off a bit half-cocked; I’ve heard of Agenda 21 and other similar stuff, but when Ken Eyring and Eileen of the Southern NH 912 Project were done with their presentation at the Rye Republican meeting, visions of snippets of stuff I’ve been reading for years all started to settle into place. No longer random stuff – this is an attempt to start transforming how Americans live and work. We all know the transformations of our energy industry that the EPA is now doing (regulating coal out of existence, demanding more of other sources), Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood has made no secret that his Federal Department programs are meant to decrease our use of mobility and instead, create “walkable” communities. Sounds nice, but make no mistake – this is not to just make nice neighborhoods – it is policy to get us out of and get rid of cars. Remember: while Freedom can be measured by the choices we can make, they are all about the choices they will allow us. And one they wish to deny us is mobility – “walkable” and public transportation will be the choices (I have another post from last weekend’s foray at NetRoots Nation coming soon exactly on this point).
But – I am getting ahead of myself. Here is Ken and his presentation on this initiative known as the Granite State Future Plan – Part 1 of 3:
Google Bombing Brett Kimberlin, aka “Velvet Revolution”
Mike has been doing yeoman’s work on keeping up on the Brett Kimberlin story (the “Speedway Bomber” that has been using his non-profits and Internet henchmen / minions to slag and harrass Conservative bloggers (like ‘Grok friend Stacy McCain and RedState’s Erik Erickson) to the point of driving them out of their houses, causing them … Read more
RightOnline 2012……Loading….
I am sitting in the Manchester Airport waiting to board a plane to RightOnline in Las Vegas. Several other Groksters and NH bloggers are also sitting in airports, or will be, from various places, headed to the same destination. So with any luck, we’ll have plenty of content coming your way throughout the Weekend. I’m … Read more
This is what President Obama believes is “inspiring”?
(H/T: Hot Air)
EMail Doodlings – “You all owe me”
There are a few people with whom I converse with a lot – some agree with me all of the time, and some agree with me most (but not all) of the time. This is from a gentleman that used to agree with me hardly at all (in the beginning) but now keeps seeing the actions rather than just passively listening to the words. He complains (rightfully!) (emphasis mine):
Skip – twice in the last week I’ve heard comments about Social Security that made me realize how far apart our perceptions are.
The first was from an 82 yr old nurse, who bemoaned the fact she wasn’t part of a union and didn’t have a pension, and she was living off of SS and it just wasn’t enough.
Now I realize nurses aren’t treated the best, but I don’t understand why she feels we owe her a pension. Yeah, she’s a democrat.
The 2nd is from a pastor who wants to convert the amt a congregation pays into his synod mandated pension, into cash so he can pay down his student loans.
Sounds reasonable, except when he was asked about cleaning out his pension and the penalties incurred, he was ambivalent and said not to worry – SS would be there for him. And he didn’t want it counted as income – he just wanted the congregation to pay down his loan directly (tax avoidance). Ambivalent I understand – it wasn’t his money in the pension plan, and he wasn’t going without to plan for his retirement. Typical pastoral attitude – he expects to be taken care of. But just how smart is someone with a master’s degree and over $100K in loans, taking a career that pays $1K/wk? His wife also has a master’s with over $100K in loans, and stays home with a newborn.Yeah, he’s a democrat.
I am under the (misguided?) impression that SS is there to keep old folks out of the food pantry lines, and volunteering at the food pantry instead, for as long as possible.
Never did I suspect it was intended as a retirement or pension plan. My parents had a different take on money – 10% went to the church, 10% went to their parents, 10% went to savings, and the rest is what they lived off of. And my parents weren’t Rockerfellers – my dad never made more than the “average” annual income. And yet my parents sent 4 kids to college. hmmm
thx for letting me vent.
A socialist society is a selfish society – and as Government does more and more (notice that I did not say Society!), people expect and then demand more and more. And in the Pastor example above, the worth of other peoples’ money and contributions become meaningless and of little worth because, well, it is EXPECTED. Think of it this way – which is more appreciated? Something that you know should be part of life, that has become “the norm”? Or something that someone gives you out of the blue for little reason at all (and for the trifecta – something that you have actually had to go out and earn)? My response:
Byzantine
Common sense for the Choir but you should watch it because Democrats will hate it the way Vampires are supposed to hate the sun. (Not like those wussy Twilight, ay walkers who look like bulimic Vanity Fair Cover Models ) Where was I? Oh yeah. America’s Byzantine Tax Code. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=t-bVeLMz5mM
Axelrod – Can’t Fake Economic Optimism
When you cannot speak from a point of principle you will inevitable contradict yourself. Democrats do it often. And here’s David Axelrod (circa 1994) telling us that a sitting President shouldn’t fake economic optimism. And certainly not from the 9th hole. Advice he seems to have forgotten to give to President Obama…and himself (Circa 2012). … Read more
Look For The Union Label (Hint: There’s a Hammer and a Sickle)
Unions being Unions: Angry socialists and communists Union leaders in Wisconsin promise that the fight to destroy capitalism will continue. We knew that, but thanks for sharing. It’s nice to be able to remind the people who may have forgotten or never knew what your real mission was.
Sometimes, a post needs to go up….and up….and up again. And then remind some that we didn’t think that they didn’t need them….at first.
“They wont all need the Repair kit….but a few of them probably do…and we all know who they are.“
His minimalist Republican Repair kit really is all that is needed. Really. Two items. The only thing I would add would be a STRONG Conservative outlook, demeanor, and action. Oh yeah, one more thing that seems to be sorely lacking lately: Courage. People will be willing to go to the mat for that person that embodies all that. But that person, that singular personality, has to stand strong, stand up for the Right Principles, and when it counts, has made the decision to not compromise. The example that lately comes to mind is WI Gov. Scott Walker – standing firm on Conservative principles, not backing down, and fighting the good fight.
This past Friday nite at the Future of Journalism weekend event was the first annual Brietbart Awards in honor of Andrew Breitbart who changed the outlook of the Right Blogosphere and was one of the most influential folks that helped to upset the balance between the MSM and the New Media. He showed that simply showing up, and standing up, can change the direction of the political battles in which we find ourselves. The first annual Award winners were:
- Citizen Activist: Andrew Marcus (citizen film director, Hating Breitbart)
- Blogger: Duane Lester (AllAmericanBlogger.com, LibertyNews.com)
- Full Time Reporter: Philip Klein (Washington Examiner)
Of course at such an awards night, there are others that are doing the introducing of the winners and such. In each case, those that did were those that knew Andrew well or had touched their lives in a given way. Dana Loesch, reporter for Breitbart and conservative radio talk host was one of the speakers and made an impassioned, emotional speech (and yes, I have asked Erik Telford, VP at Franklin Center (along with the Heritage Foundaton, the hosts for the event) to see if there is video of it). In it, she had two lines that meshed with the overall theme of the night, in which was that we are not just in a war of ideas, but in a Cold Civil War for the future of America just as real, just as deadly, and will have as much impact on our future that the actual Civil War had going forward.
- You cannot win by running away
- We cannot leave any warriors on the battlefield
Practical reasoning – practical advice. The following is not what Dana said, but what struck home as she uttered these principles.
Blogosphere Line of The Day – Diversity on the Left isn’t that diverse
From the end of a post at The Corner: I hate to bring up other “mid-century notions” but intellectual diversity on the left is increasingly indistinguishable from Tupperware night with the Stepford Wives. I love a good turn of phrase! All those same plastic dishes, in such pretty colors – but just the same thing … Read more
“Carefully considered and narrowly tailored…?”
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch Vetoed SB175 this week, a bill that would allow heirs to control the commercial use of a celebrities identity. But I’m not all that interested in the Veto or the bill, I am more…amused…by the hypocrisy in his explanation for it.
The Union Leader reports Governor Lynch as suggesting that this particular bill could have “a chilling effect on legitimate journalistic and expressive works.” That “legislation that could have the impact of restricting free speech must be carefully considered and narrowly tailored?”
Had I been drinking coffee when I read this I would have spit it all over my laptop because this is the same man who two years ago said he was willing to sign HB1459 which would have bureaucratized paid political speech by any business out of existence for fear of failing to properly meet all the requirements before “speaking.”
L.A. Plastic Bag Ban – By The Way…Reusable Bags Might Be Worse For The Environment
This is almost a palate cleanser, but then it is not. Apparently, the LA plastic bag ban was motivated by celebrity goobers with green thumbs.
The View From Underwater…or…About Those Obama Job Creation Numbers…
The economy needs to create at least 150,000 new jobs every month just to keep the ship from sinking any further (and the ship is already in pretty deep). That 150,000 keeps us where we are, wherever that may be. With the lowest labor participation rate in decades here is not so great.
But Democrats would rather talk about the 27 month scenario in which Mr. Obama’s economy (that is not his economy) has created private sector jobs for 27 consecutive months. Under the best of circumstances his tenure has seen the creation of maybe 158,000 jobs every month–in 27 months. But he’s been President a lot longer than that.
If we start with the salvation-stimulus and its promises–like we’ll never see 8% unemployment which is true if by that you mean we haven’t been able to get down to 8% since the stimulus–and include all the months in the Obama Presidency he has only created 87,000 jobs per month. After stimulus, jobs bills, mortgage bills, car loan bills, TARP 2.359, Bride of stimulus, and every bill was a jobs bill bill, we added five trillion to the deficit, grew every department there was by 30-50%, and still can’t come up with an economy that doesn’t’ run 100,000 jobs short every month Obama is in office just to tread water. And maybe water will give you a better perspective of how bad this really is…
JohnnyBBad for Commerce Secretary
One of the smartest things Senator Judd Gregg probably ever did was to not take the job as Obama’s Commerce secretary. But the seat warmer who succeeded the original seat warmer Obama settled on for Commerce is having some issues. The Joe Biden’s driver variety of problem; he was just arrested for Felony hit and run.
(Honestly, who in the Obama Administration couldn’t be arrested for multiple hit and runs on the US economy? Seriously.)
John Bryson has found himself on the wrong end of three hit and runs in the same day. There is speculation of health issues, and if true we hope the Secretary finds himself well, but drugs or alcohol have not been ruled out. But whether for health or optics, Bryson may need to step aside, meaning Obama would need to suggest a replacement. And I have a suggestion.
Data Point – 400 vs the bottom 50%
Interesting – in 2009: So, the bottom 50% earn over a Trillion, pays $19.5 Billion in income tax The top 400 earners (just 400), earn $81 Billion, pays $16.1 Billion in income tax. Effective rate for 400: 19.8% Effective rate for bottom 50%: 2% So, who is paying their Fair Share? ****** Interesting – from … Read more