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Political Blogging

Hey, Harrell, your kettle is black

by Skip

UPDATED AND BUMPED – Upon the news that NH Democrat Party Chairman Ray Buckley is planning to run for Chair of the Democrat National Committee, I thought I’d make it a bit easier for der Google to help them out.  Originally posted on October 29, 2010.

Maybe the NH Dem Party needs to “man up” too – whatsa matter Harrell, don’t have the stones to at least send your silly Presser to us as well?

So, if you want to complain about Steve, are you going to also complain about YOUR Party’s candidate in CA? From ABC News (no friend of conservatives):

California Attorney General Jerry Brown, the state’s Democratic candidate for governor, left a phone message in early September for a union official whose endorsement he was seeking, but apparently forgot to hang up — because a lively discussion between him and some staffers afterward is caught on tape. And either Brown or a staffer — there is some dispute — uses the word “whore” to describe his Republican rival Meg Whitman.

So, you’re calling Steve out for simply following the lead of one of your Party’s biggest and most well known names?  Where was your condemnation then, eh hotshot?  Trust me, we can dig up more on “hate filled” Dems all day long – we have in the past and we can do it again.

You want it to stop?  Then start condemning anyone – and stop being such a flaming hypocrite.

And lest we forget, what was it you said about NH Democrat Chair Ray Buckley when he famously said that Hitler should have bombed The Hague?

Oh yeah – nothing…..

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Granite Grok’s Top Twenty Posts For 2012

by Steve MacDonald

Granite Grok's TopTwenty most commented on posts for 2012Hot Air does this every year, so I figured I’d give it a shot.  It is a compilation of the posts that got the most comments in 2012.  That’s right, this is comment based.

And I can tell you, since I have a few posts on this list, that how well you write, or how clever you are, is not nearly as important as hitting the right note at just the right time.  That or some much more interesting tangents pop up in comments and then take on a life of their own.

However they got there, here are the twenty most commented on Grok posts of 2012 whether the comments are related to the post or not!

20.) So, gay activists, where do you think this will end up? We’ve all asked the question…if two men getting married is a right, why not three?  Skip provides a cartoon and some comments, and attracts all the right kind of attention for his effort.

19.) Oh, so THAT’s what they look like! Susan Olsen shares with us the ‘Journalists Guide to Firearms identification. Proof that a picture is worth a thousand words, or at least a bunch of comments.

18.) Meet Another State Employee Wasting Taxpayer Time Online Dick de Seve wasn’t the only state employee with way too much free time on their hands, and open access to the Internet.  In this post we meet Gaia, who made deSeve look like an armature.

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BE BREITBART: Update 2: Right To Know Request – IT and HR records for NH DES employee, Richard de Seve

by Skip

Mr. Murphy,

As we discussed yesterday, I have mailed the Department of Environmental Services’ initial response to your request for records.  A courtesy copy is attached hereto as a PDF file.  Also attached is a PDF copy of DES’ Electronic Communications Policy.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you

(Emphasis mine, above)  I mentioned in my last post that instead of the IT policy that the Department of Information Technology follows, the Department of Environmental Services has a different one (and that was sent to me by DES’s “RTK dude and Legal Eagle”, after being informed that DES follows a different tune than what the IT folks do):

NH DES IT / ElectronicCommunicationsPolicy - HeaderThe full JPG that I created from the sent PDF is after the jump.  However, if you want to see the PDF, click here.  And of COURSE, I had questions; those are after the jump as well.  I will say that this policy is much weaker (from my techie eyes) than that of the actual IT’s policy.  It would probably be a good thing if each departmental policy (under the “if 1, then many” logic, if DES has one, am betting all of the other departments have their separate (and weaker) policies.  The IT dept certainly will know better the IT technical “problem areas” that span across the entire network far better than most other departments (although there are always “ringers” that do know more than some IT folks – motivation and curiosity can go way far) while being familiar for most of the biz scenarios that should / should not be allowable.

And I wonder how many of the departments don’t define their terms sufficiently well so that there is a lot of “grey area” in between the letters of the law (while ignoring the Spirit of the policy – and that of just doing a good honest day’s work for a honest day’s pay).  Maybe another ‘Grok project – or maybe the IT Dept should be doing that all on their own…

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BE BREITBART: Update 1: Right To Know Request – IT and HR records for NH DES employee, Richard de Seve

by Skip

To recap, we caught wind that a NH Dept. Of Environmental Services employee, Richard de Seve (former lawyer, chapter VP in the NH SEIU), was politically blogging on the taxpayer dime and time.  So, we decided to find out what the State had to say about it and found this IT policy concerning the use of State paid computer / network resources.  Once that was posted, Mr. de Seve decided to write an email to Steve (posted here) in which he said he “sorry, won’t do it again) but also demanded that Steve apologize to his SEIU “brothers & sisters” (which Steve did in his usual great “Steve” fashion).

Well, that led to our next post in which we launched a Right To Know request (details here).  And we did get a response (after the jump).

RTK DES Receipt Of Request-Header

Along with it we received a different IT policy that is specific to the Departmental of Environmental Services – Apparently (as NH Rep. Seth Cohn informed me a while ago), when it comes to IT policies, there is a Balkanization that has happened: every man for himself!  Who knows, maybe this will lead to some other actions that were unintended from our original thoughts.

The problem, though, is that IT policy is the ONLY thing we have received at this point – not what we expected.  Well, we did copy some Legislators on our original request – and we heard back from several of them.  While I have had some pleasant conversations with the DES “RTK dude” Pete Demas concerning the request, we’ve not received ANY of the requested data as of yet.

We can be a patient lot here at GraniteGrok – but I’m figuring that perhaps it is time to talk to some of those Legislators again.

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Nullify Now! – protester wishes that the Koch brothers would die – forcefully! (Redux)

by Skip

Well, a number of folks said that this video was rather amusing, but wanted a shorter version of it – one that got right to the point.  I asked Ed at GovernmentOversite.com if he would be willing to pull out the trimmers – and he obliged! Hope you enjoy – I do, every time  I … Read more

Live Blogging – Conservative Principles Conference: some more pics

by Skip

YouTube isn’t playing to nice in this overloaded WiFi atmosphere here at the conference (too many people on, insufficient overall bandwith for us) – micro interviews are, umm, having "issues".  Will hopefully resolve them a bit later on tonite. 

In the mean time, here is Lt Gov Kim Reynolds who got a great reception telling the local crowd how she and Gov Branstad had actually governed conservatively, after running on that platform – what a concept!

After the jump a few crowd pics:

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Live Blogging – Pemi-Baker Valley Republican Committee – Herman Cain speaking!

by Skip

We are at the Plymouth Senior Center in Plymouth, NH for their Lincoln Day Dinner.  Certainly, the crowd that is already here is upbeat and smiles all around (hey, given Nov 2, most Conservatives are!). Special Speaker: Herman Cain! He has announced his intention to form his Presidential Exploratory committee and has now been to … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Obama’s citizenship

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Your campaign finances status?

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall: Intro remarks

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week.  I had the opportunity to meet Laconia Mayor Mike Seymour, who did the intro for Frank,  for the first time. And in a "hand across the aisle" moment, chatted politely … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Debt ceiling?

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Commentary on spending

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Spending vs Foreign Aid?

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

US Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH01) Laconia Townhall Q&A: Congressional healthcare costs

by Skip

This past Thursday, Frank Guinta, freshman GOP Representative from NH, had his first town hall meeting in Laconia, NH during his first "district work" week. After his introductory remarks, he opened the session up for questions from the crowd.  Certainly, it was a far cry from the Laconia townhall that Carol Shea-Porter (who Guinta beat … Read more

Zandra Rice-Hawkins rushes Congressman Frank Guinta at his Town Hall event.

by Skip

Just returning from Congressman Frank Guinta’s Laconia Town Hall event – Zandra Rice-Hawkins of Granite State Progress, rushes the podium before Frank finished his event. Fortunately, all she did was interrupt him (instead of something else) and then has the audacity to start babbling that his answers were incorrect in tone and content, given what … Read more

Yeah, Buckles should be talking about “offensive remarks”

by Skip

Oh, Harrell, we feel SO left out – how come you won’t send us your Pressers!  Well, if you are that discriminatory, we’ll rely on our friends over at NH Insider to help us out!  Remember, we just PINE for New Hampshire Democrat Chair (and Political-Correctness-in-Chief) Ray "Hitler should have bombed it / The Gold Star Mom is lying" Buckley’s pronouncement on Jack Kimball being elected as his equivalent on the GOP side:

Concord – New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley issued the following statement on Jack Kimball’s election as the New Hampshire Republican Party Chair.

"Jack Kimball’s election as Chair completes the radical right wing take over of the Republican Party in the Granite State.  Never before has the chair of either the Republican or Democratic Party in the Granite State proposed a litmus test for candidates.  We Granite Staters are by nature fiercely independent people. Either political party forcing everyone of their candidates to have the exact same set of beliefs is directly at odds with that independence.

"In addition, Jack Kimball has a history of making offensive statements. Less than a year ago, as a candidate for Governor, he compared paying taxes to violent sexual assault.  That kind of rhetoric has no place in New Hampshire or in civil political discourse anywhere.

"Be it the election of Jack Kimball, or the reckless and out of touch behavior of Republican legislators thus far, it is clear that the New Hampshire GOP is embracing the fringe of their party."?

So nice of you to be so welcoming, Ray!  Inclusive to boot – trying the snark right from the get go.  Boy, I CANNOT wait to see you go head to head – POPCORN time!  

BTW, Ray?  Nothing says "fringe" any better than when the voters take your Party from being the majority, sitting at the levers of power, to that of being in the position of having to plead "Please sir, may I have some more?".  If the Democrats had been in the mainstream of what the voters wanted, more of their seats would still be in those seats, eh Ray?

And Ray, that wimpy attempt of playing the Political Correctness card ain’t cutting it any more – we have promised that we will make you the hypocrite each and every time you clowns try that stunt.  Only when we see a Presser scattered loud and proud in the press and on your web site abjectly stating your sorrow in calling for the deaths of the people of the Hague back in WW II, then perhaps we’ll start believing your contriteness.  Until then, your words are nothing more than mere political wailing in a canyon so you can hear your own echo.

Litmus test, Ray?  Are you REALLY sure you wanna go there?  Your whole Party seems to be a litmus test of political correctness behavior and stances.  After all, aren’t we here at the ‘Grok simply "Haters" because we differ from you ideologically and have the temerity to disagree with you?  Especially on the gay agenda?  

Ponder this:

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Live Blogging: Merrimack County Republican Committee

by Skip

Am at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH where Tim Pawlenty will be speaking.   Hopefully, will also get a chance to talk with him afterward.  As always, follow us on Facebook (LIKE us, please!) or Twitter.

“Bad form, Facebook”

by Skip

Well, an update to the Facebook ad caper that I blogged about here and that John Distaso picked up.  I have received but a small amount of satisfaction: Hi Skip, The ads in question that were using your photo and name without permission have been removed from our system. Political calculus – one day before … Read more

Comments on DJ Bettencourt’s Op-Ed in the UL

by Skip

which laid out the Republican agenda in the NH House of Representatives.  I just read it quickly and didn’t see much of it that I could agree against.  Frankly, my issues were this:

  • Reduce the spending as we have a $600-$800 million deficit (this week, up to a Billion).
  • Reduce the amount and intrusiveness of Govt in the business community to make this State a mecca for business
  • Reverse the ramming through of the Liberal / Progressive social agenda.  After all, they took advantage of their majorities, why shouldn’t Conservatives?

A couple of points / lines that caught my eye:

We are committed to this comprehensive conservative agenda, and we will deliver on our promise to protect the New Hampshire Advantage of low taxes and limited government.

You say it – we hold you accountable for it!  I do hope that the committment holds even under the withering fire of the Progressives, Suckley (yeah, I know, the same thing) and the Press.

Our agenda seeks reform in five major policy areas: government spending and regulations, business and enterprise, retirement reform, education excellence, and personal rights and responsibility. These are not just the priorities of House Republicans, but are the priorities of Granite Staters who sent a clear message in November: transform and rehabilitate our economy without new taxes.

If it was a simple majority, I would have said no.  A large majority, still…

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Facebook Doodlings – an example of the “tyranny of the minority?

by Skip

I had put this out on Facebook a bit ago: Anyone else notice that the Letters to the Editor in your local papers are from Libs saying "NH Republican Legislators should not touch <name an issue the Dems passed latelly> because THAT has already been settled. Parental Notification, Gay Marriage – why was it fine … Read more

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