NowHampshire.com is reporting that not everybody is happy about this week’s death penalty verdict for cop-killer Michael "Stix" Addison. Briggs family members and law enforcement officials cheered when Michael Addison was sentenced to death on Thursday. But many in New Hampshire’s Roman Catholic community see things differently. Catholics at all levels are chiming in on the … Read more
An interesting debate about the "presumptive" Democratic nominee taking place here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire in our local papers and in cyberspace has escalated into a full blown debate over race, language, and political correctness. It all started when one of the local wags– a Democrat "seasoned citizen"– submitted a letter to … Read more
. New Hampshire– The key to the White House in November? . John Fund had an interesting op-ed in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal putting forth the notion that perhaps Republicans, led by nominee John McCain, might have a pretty good chance at winning the presidency after all. Picking up on a theme that I have … Read more
The new New Hampshire… . This letter appeared in Saturday’s Citizen newspaper (Laconia, NH). It needs litttle comment: Editor, The Citizen: . I am writing to congratulate all the people who worked so hard to pass the Civil Union legislation in New Hampshire. I especially want to thank our Sanbornton Representative, Gail Morrison. I cannot … Read more
Sen Barack Obama in Laconia recently (GG file photo) . Here at the ‘Grok, we make no bones about the fact that we are conservative Republicans and will almost without question be voting that way barring some unforseen and monumental circumstance. That being said, we are observing, studying, and chronicling what the Democrats are doing because … Read more
. . Several weeks back on our radio program, "Meet the New Press", we interviewed a recent grad from Laconia High School (NH) involved in a mini-flap over a speech given at her graduation ceremony. (click here to listen to the podcast— approx 11mins. long) Brittney Hamilton, a self-admitted conservative (which, at 18 years old is … Read more
. As a New Hampshire resident and an active citizen journalist sharing my observations and opinions here on the ‘Grok, on the radio program "Meet the New Press", and in a weekly newspaper column in the Laconia Daily Sun, media pass in-hand, I have had the opportunity to see a fair number of presidential wannabees live … Read more
. A conference call hosted by the Obama campaign has just concluded. It featured the announcement that well-known NH Democrats Gary and Meg Hirshberg have officially thrown their support to Barack Obama. This comes over their second choice of John Edwards in the current field- originally being with Tom Vilsack, who dropped out early on … Read more
. Former NH state Senator Rob Boyce has sent this letter to President Bush. Put my signature on it too.. President George W. BushThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Washington, DC 20500 .Dear President Bush, . I hate to disagree with the President but in this instance I must. . In 2000 and again n 2004 … Read more
In a recent post, I argued that New Hampshire has forfeited its claim on the first in the nation primary because its leftward lurchings have placed it outside the political mainstream. A piece today in RealClearPolitics also observes that New Hampshire has turned into a latte-sipping, Lexus-driving, what-can-government-do-for-me bastion of BLUE political thought. It argues that the New … Read more
A week after the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of New Hampshire gathered in Concord to rally in support of our troops and the Gathering of Eagles in D.C., our state capitol was the scene of another group and another cause. While last week’s group sought to support our troops and Nation all the way … Read more
My friend former Laconia Mayor Tom Tardif has long been concerned about the treatment of so-called "detail work" here in NH. You know- you see it all the time at construction sites, church parking lots, and concert events. While in any other circumstance, such work arrangements would be properly considered "subcontracted" labor, it’s not so … Read more
I recently read Jan Crawford Greenburg’s Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Control of the United States Supreme Court. Greenburg, who is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s law school and a correspondent for ABC News’ Washington D.C. bureau, based the book on interviews with current and former Supreme Court justices … Read more
Living in the heart of central NH, home of the "almost first in the nation" presidential nominating vote, we always get a front-row seat view of the early political "ground game" as the race to the White House gets cranked up. With a month left until the mid-term elections, the various Republican hopefuls have been … Read more
I have no idea who authored this, but it sure made me laugh. If you find it offensive, too bad. Lighten up. Laugh a little. Life’s too short… (hat tip Bob J.- former NH resident) Mattel recently announced the release of Limited Edition Barbie Dolls for the New Hampshire Market: . Bedford Barbie This princess Barbie … Read more
Last week, I wondered who exactly MY U.S. Senator John E. Sununu actually represents in Washington, DC. because of what he said in a September 12th speech given at a luncheon hosted by the American Arab Institute. In that speech, he discussed how his Lebanese ancestry allowed him to bring a "personal perspective" to debates involving Arab-related issues in … Read more