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Culture

Crime Control

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Fellow Granite Staters Mark Steyn and Jay Tea have weighed in with some perspective on the murder of Corporal Bruce McKay, to which I can add very little if anything. My only contribution is that events like this one tend to catalyze political debates and I suspect it will not be long before our Democrat-controlled … Read more

EVEN LIBERALS CAN BE RIGHT SOMETIMES

by edmosca

Yesterday Pravda-on-the-Merrimack (Concord Monitor) ran an op-ed by Professor Marcus Hurn of Franklin Pierce on civil unions.  He makes two points.  One is "Civil unions are not like mandatory seatbelts, smoking prohibitions, insurance mandates or the minimum wage. A civil union restrains no one’s liberty. It affects no private contracts."  The other is "Unlike some … Read more

“In Vermont, we put syrup on everything.” Tom Poston R.I.P.

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  . Tom Poston, known best as handyman George Utley on Newhart, died Monday at age 85. We don’t do  a whole lot of pop culture here at the ‘Grok, but always happened to like this particular fellow. He always seemed such a natural in his many roles as a character actor. May he rest in peace. … Read more

Morality, NH style…

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Our friend Judy Paris forwards the following in response to this letter appearing in the April 26th Concord Monitor. Yes, the battle over state sanctioned same-sex "unions" rages on…

In Response to Not a Religious Issue, Monitor, April 26

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I’d also like to add that Ms. Potter’s views are nothing more than her opinion just like my views are my opinion. Let’s face it; most of us would rather be “right” than get along.
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The definition I find of “bullying” in the dictionary differs; i.e., “a person who hurts, frightens, threatens, or tyrannizes over those who are smaller or weaker.” I don’t know how Ms. Potter knows the condition of my heart (nor anyone else’s) as far as my motives, so it could be she’s being a bit presumptuous in her statements that some of us are out to “hurt” homosexuals or that they are smaller or weaker.
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If you look up the word respect it states: “deserve our admiration” and diversity means “difference.” We could argue all day from both points of view as to whether homosexuals (or anybody else for that matter) “deserve” admiration. There would be adamant opinions on both sides.

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Welcome to the NEW New Hampshire. PART ONE

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Below is a news article that appeared in the Laconia Daily Sun (NH) this past Saturday. It’s a heartwarming story of what some students are learning thanks to their taxpayer-funded "education." It is unavailable online, but is reprinted in its entirety with permission from the publisher. Read the story. I will be followup on this in a separate posting. Feel free to leave a comment…
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LHS GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE INSPIRED BY RECEPTION AT STATEHOUSE

by Ron Tunning
The Laconia Daily Sun
Saturday, April 14, 2007
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CONCORD — “It was a blast,” said Jon Arsenault.
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“It was so awesome,” contributed Steven Gonzalez.
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“It was so much more interesting and informative than we’d ever expected,” added Jessie Dawson.
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Those were only some of the remarks overheard from a group of Laconia High School students who spent Tuesday at the N.H. State House as the official guests of Reps. Judie Reever and Beth Arsenault.
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The contingent, which included 18 students and three adults, were greeted upon their arrival by the two Laconia House members in the Capitol’s “Hall of Flags” before being led on a tour of the historic building by Virginia Drew, the Director of the NH General Court Visitors Center while the two representatives hurried off for a Democratic caucus being held prior to the opening of the day’s legislative session.
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Following a visit to the Senate Chamber and a walk along the building’s corridors during which Drew offered a running dialogue on the history of the building and its many historic artifacts, the group was escorted to the gallery overlooking Representative Hall just as the legislative session was set to commence.
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As House protocol demands, the students, members of the LHS Gay/Straight United, were welcomed by House members by a standing round of applause. “We were made to feel so welcome,” said a surprised Dawson, who serves with Gonzalez as co-president of the organization. “We really weren’t certain how we’d be received.”
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Is this what the voters really wanted? Civil unions?

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While covering the Joe Biden prez bid visit to the Lakes Region here in central NH, I had the opportunity to rub elbows with the local Democrats of Belknap County, who were very gracious, knowing that a conservaative Republican was in their midst. While there, I ran into my state senator, Democrat Kathleen Sgambati, who … Read more

Action Alert! NH’s way of life is under attack (again).

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First it was the repeal of parental notification prior to a minor getting an abortion. Then mandatory seat belts. Lake speed limits (a "test trial"). Fee hikes. And a denouncement of the war (a non-binding, meaningless gesture). Oh, and a fine for "polluting" if you allow a balloon to float away from your or your child’s hand. (I guess I know what we WON’T be seeing at the Nascar races in NH this yaer) Yesiree, when you look at what’s been happening to our beloved Granite State (motto: "Live Free or Die") since the Dems were swept into power in the last election, it’s enough to make you want to cry.
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The above list of NH House-passed items is bad enough. But the latest move by our elected "leaders" is the hardest one of them all to swallow– the passage of a bill allowing same-sex civil unions. To watch as my adopted state has joined a handful of other states including New Jersey and Vermont in sanctioning such relationships has been maddening indeed. Did the voters know what they bargained for when we threw out one set of bums and exchanged them for a new set of bums? Was this a burning issue during the campaign season? I don’t happen to recall any such talk. Yet, here we are. It goes to show that party labels still DO mean something.
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The most amazing thing about this latest attack on NH’s traditional way of life is the speed at which it’s been fast tracked through the legislative process, which according to one wag who knows of such things, is the quickest he’s ever seen. The thing sailed through the House and is already scheduled to come to the Senate within the next few weeks, and a Senate committee hearing, with almost no notice, has been scheduled for tomorrow. Hmmm- I wonder why this was done over the Easter holiday weekend? With all the festivities, people might not pay much attention and miss what’s happening. You don’t think this was done on purpose, do you?
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I received the following in an email. It details what those who wish to preserve NH as we know it can do…
The liberal Republicans, Democrats and homosexuals are pushing through same sex civil unions which, once the N.H. Supreme Court gets a hold of it, will turn into same sex marriage because this is exactly what it is anyway. The liberal Republicans have decided to fast track this legislation by bringing it before the Senate Judiciary Committee at

1:15 PM on Tuesday, 10 April 2007.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will be held inside Representative Hall in the Capital building. It is quite evident that the Liberal Republicans, Democrats and the homosexuals are fast tracking this piece of ungodly legislation during the most important holiday weekend to Christians there is, Easter Sunday for two reasons:

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The wholesale dismemberment of the Granite State continues apace…

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House  Republican Office Press Release  April 3, 2007  Democrats Pass Discriminatory Civil Union Legislation Amendment to Include all Combinations of Family Relationships Rejected Concord —Negative fallout from the November ’06 elections continues to be felt at the State House in Concord .  During a session that has already witnessed innumerable tax and fee increases passed … Read more

Easter Bunnies need not apply…

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Every so often, a story comes along that really makes you wonder if it can possibly be true at all. You know, a tidbit so deliciously obvious in proving some point that it must be made up. Most of these stories tend to be related to either political correctness or culture. So it is with … Read more

HERE IS THE RAY BUCKLEY YOUTUBE VIDEO

by edmosca

that caused Paul Hodes to drop his support for Buckley’s bid to become Chairman of the New Hampshire Democrat Party. WARNING: THE VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT. [update] ***COMMENT BY DOUG: I don’t see what all the fuss is about. After watching the video and considering the Democrat agenda, I think Buckley’s the PERFECT guy to … Read more

It’s about parental rights, not abortion.

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In the Sunday Union Leader, Tom Fahey, writing in the "Under the Dome" column reports that the bill to repeal NH’s parental notification law will come up for reconsideration.

The parental notification issue isn’t going away soon. Just one day after the House passed a repeal of the law requiring a parent to be notified before a child has an abortion, Rep. Edmond Gionet asked for the bill to be reconsidered. That means more debate in the House, more roll call votes and more spotlight on everyone.

"They’re gonna feel the heat," said Rep. Fran Wendelboe.

As I’ve said before, this is not about abortion– it’s about a medical surgical procedure on a minor child. Several months back, I dropped my son at the dentist to get a cavity filled without going in. As he is only 15, when I got back to my nearby office, I got a call indicating I needed to go back in to the dentist’s or fax a note giving them permission to fill a cavity. If it were my daughter murdering my unborn grandchild… no problem. No permission needed.

Oh, and in case you’re inclined, as I first was, to blame this on the new Democratic rule, think again. Consider the record of the votes right here in Belknap County, where I live. Here’s the roll call:

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Children of the state.

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I started this post with the assumption, based on the absence of any news articles, that the NH Catholic Diocese, of which I am a member, had given up on any attempts at stopping the repeal of NH’s parental notification law. Further investigation revealed I was wrong, the Diocese has, in fact taken a stand and issued a letter stating its position. Good for them. A letter from the Bishop in this past Sunday’s bulletin might have been helpful, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
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As a believer in parental rights when it comes to children, the passage of NH HB 184, the repeal of the right of parental notification prior to a minor girl receiving an abortion, is something that must not happen. Call or email your state senators and representatives today. The clock is ticking.
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This is the letter from the Diocese:
Hon. David E. Cote, Chairman
Judiciary Committee
New Hampshire House of Representatives
Room 208—Legislative Office Building
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
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Dear Representative Cote and Members of the Committee:
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As Chancellor of the Diocese of Manchester and on behalf of Bishop John B. McCormack, I am writing to express our opposition to HB 184.  The Parental Notification Prior to Abortion Act recognizes the fundamental and constitutionally-protected role of parents in caring for their children and should not be repealed.
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The Catholic Church vigorously promotes the dignity and sanctity of both human life and the family as essential elements of human society.  The Diocese of Manchester strongly supported enactment of the Parental Notification Prior to Abortion Act.  Indeed, when its constitutionality was questioned before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States Supreme Court, the Diocese of Manchester, along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged the Courts to uphold the law.
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Diocesan support is rooted firmly in the natural law that when any significant issue confronts a family member, the family should come together to resolve it.  A pregnant minor will benefit from parental involvement as she faces a life-altering decision that involves not only her unborn child, but also her own physical health and emotional well-being.  Parents have an equally fundamental interest in the welfare of their children as well as a right and a responsibility to care for them.

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Parental notification. Legs versus babies.

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The following was written by Jenny Watson of Laconia, NH, who has graciously allowed me to post it here for GraniteGrok readers:
What if you read the following in your local paper?

Fifteen year old skier’s leg amputated without parents’ knowledge or consent

Skier Jason Borden’s left leg was amputated Saturday after he shattered it in a skiing accident. The surgery, which was not considered an emergency, was performed at Thomson’s General Hospital without his parents’ knowledge or consent. Physicians are currently debating whether such surgery was even necessary, citing experts who believe the boy’s leg could have been saved. Jason’s parents, Phil and Cindy Borden are outraged and are currently filing papers to sue Thomson’s.
After reading such an account, wouldn’t you be outraged? Wouldn’t you hope the Bordens would succeed in suing Thomson’s General Hospital out of existence? What if you also heard that the state legislature was considering a measure to allow all such operations to be conducted on minors without even the knowledge of their parents? Wouldn’t you be angry that the rights of parents who love their children and who will be the ones picking up the pieces after the surgery had been so cavalierly tossed aside? Wouldn’t you believe that the same state which requires permission from a parent before a child is allowed to take ibuprofen at school had gone insane?
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Fortunately, the above story is fictitious. Yet something analogous is happening in New Hampshire with regard to the surgical procedure of abortion, and our lack of outrage only shows that we can come to accept shocking events merely because they are commonplace.
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“Murder Inc. dba Planned Parenthood”

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Friend Bill Asbell of Dover forwarded the following note to me, reacting off the story getting widespread attention throughout the New Media this week: the premature baby born 21 weeks and 6 days after conception. He has agreed to share it with GraniteGrok readers. Science is making abortion "rights" or as some would euphemistically call … Read more

JOHN LYNCH DOES NOT SUPPORT PARENTAL NOTIFICATION (BUT APPARENTLY NEITHER DOES THE NH GOP)

by edmosca

It was recently reported that Governor Lynch would sign a bill repealing the State’s parental notification law because "The current law fails to protect the health and safety of all women." Lynch claims he supports parental notification, just not the current parental notification law.  But Lynch has never offered an alternative law to the current law.  Given the issue has been around since before Lynch became Governor, it is fair to say that Lynch is not really interested in parental notification; he merely is interested in appearing to support parental notification.  Not surprisingly, the New Hampshire Republican Party has not been saying that the Governor is being disingenuous.

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AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!

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I am declaring GraniteGrok an Anna Nichole Smith- free zone! No Fox News for me for a while…

I just didn’t know

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Can somebody please help me with this one? The following from the Telegraph (UK), discussues a "diagnosis" of a 12 year old: Tim was diagnosed as a transsexual two years ago, when doctors and psychiatrists concluded that his claims to be "in the wrong body" were so deeply felt that he required treatment. "Diagnosis"? I … Read more

The things people care about. And things they don’t.

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Am I the only person totally tired of hearing about the "Barbaro is euthanized" story? Not that I wish to see any animal in pain, but, it’s a horse, for crying out loud! How many "fetuses" are "euthanized" in the womb each and every day here in America? Why is that not on the front page? Are … Read more

Where have all the Boy Scouts gone?

by Doug

People that know me know that I have a wide variety of books, both new and old. I am one of those odd people that feel I must personally own and possess any book I have read. In addition, from time to time, I pick up some old book that strikes my fancy. Friends and … Read more

Oh Tree of Love! Oh tree of Love! Of all the Trees so Lovely!

by Doug
Well, that time of year is once again upon us. You know- the time of year when one can still find a few people around that are brazen and uncouth enough to use the “C” word. That’s right- there is a small minority of people who still dare to refer to the “Holiday Season” as (gasp!) Christmas! Can you imagine? Don’t “those” kinds of people understand that they might offend somebody with such blatant attempts at forcing their “belief system” on others?
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The good news is that with each passing year, the list of entities that can be counted on to respect the Constitution’s recently discovered ban on all things Christian continues to grow. We all know that the public school system has been systematically erasing our Nation’s Christian religious heritage for what is now going on an entire generation. Indian “spiritual” rituals? No problem. Japanese paper origami cranes for “the gods”? No problem. Singing “Silent Night” at a “seasonal concert”? BIG PROBLEM!
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We are now at a point where it has become a societal taboo to even utter the word “Christmas”.  Consider the local hospital’s annual decorative tribute/ fundraiser, which occurs each year around this time: The “Holiday Tree of Love”. How nice. How non-sectarian. How “non-offensive”. How very “sixties”. Can you imagine the uproar if the hospital referred to its tree by the term Americans used to call this ubiquitous December decoration- a CHRISTMAS tree? Heaven forbid they do so because that would be “imposing” a religion on people!
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It’s really not all bad, however. Perhaps we can, through the simple replacement of certain words, re-introduce some traditional Christmas (oops) songs back into the various “holiday concerts” and other “winter celebrations”. How great it would be to once again hear the children singing Bing as he croons, “I’m dreamin’ of a rainbow solstice…Just like the ones we used to know.”
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Or better yet, they can sing a seasonal song AND celebrate alternative lifestyles at the same time with this beloved little ditty: “Have yourself a merry little winter, Let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight; Have yourself a merry little winter, Make the Yule-tide GAY…” How perfectly politically correct! In the same vein, how about this updated classic:  “I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus underneath the tree of love last night. He didn’t see me creep down the stairs to have a peep; He thought that I was zoned in front of the TV. Then, I saw Daddy tickle Santa Claus underneath his beard so snowy white; Oh, what a laugh it would have been If Mommy had only seen Daddy kissing Santa Claus last night.”
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Such wonderfully updated songs could demonstrate once and for all that no religious intent is connected with this time of year while simultaneously celebrating tolerance and diversity!
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