No Regard For Truth or Integrity

Last week John McCain ventured into Rochester, N.H. for a Town Hall Meeting and before a crowd estimated at 700 people managed to embarrass himself, his party, and his country by accusing his opponent of being a traitor while pretending that his own unremarkable record qualifies him to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of our military and as the Chief Executive Officer of our government.

Senator McCain has earned the respect of a grateful nation for his having endured 5 ½ years of imprisonment and torture in a Vietnamese prison camp. Aside from that, however, he’s done little to deserve the esteem being heaped upon him by a compliant press, although one cannot fail to appreciate how he’s managed to parlay that life-changing experience into a life-long career on the public payroll.

Not quite as flattering is that his military career included the loss of five naval aircraft – one in combat, three during training exercises, and one in an explosion on the deck of the USS Forrestal; or his having graduated 894th out of 899 mates in his 1958 class at the Naval Academy. Nor especially distinguishable was his retirement at the rank of captain after having served over 25 years in the U.S. Navy, a departure prompted by his dim future prospects for promotion.

Although McCain is among the wealthiest members serving in the U.S. Senate, his accumulation of a vast fortune hasn’t been through the dint of hard work, nor derived from the wise investment of his $58,000+ in annual military disability payments and $161,700 annual salary as a U.S. Senator. Rather, he married a wealthy heiress after dumping his first wife, a one-time beauty queen whose physical allure had waned as a consequence of physical injuries sustained in an automobile crash.

As a U.S. Senator, McCain earned attention early in his tenure as the heir to the Arizona seat long held by Barry Goldwater who retired in 1987. By 1989 McCain was embroiled in the Keating Five corruption controversy and admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for having accepted $112,000 in contributions from Charles Keating, Jr. and his associates. Keating ultimately served five years in prison for his role in the collapse of Lincoln Savings, one of the major institutional failures that led to the $125 billion taxpayer bailout of the Savings and Loan industry, and McCain had twice met with federal regulators to discuss the government’s investigation of Keating and his company.

While McCain today admits an error in judgment in the Keating affair, and earned enmity among fellow Republicans and a reputation as a “maverick” for his support of campaign finance reform, he seems to have learned little from the experience. His presidential campaign is run largely by lobbyists and financed by special interest money. According to the Washington Post, over $1.1 million was contributed to his campaign last month by oil and gas industry executives and employees, a propitious windfall that he claims had nothing to do with his recent high-profile split with environmentalists and reversal of his position on the federal ban on offshore drilling.

In an editorial published on Monday, The Citizen was effusive in its praise for Senator McCain’s leadership and “straight talk”. It lauded the senator for his support for the “surge”, neglecting to mention that the senator supported the blockheaded invasion of Iraq and was unwavering in his endorsement of the Bush administration’s execution of the failed occupation of the country.

The editorial offensively repeated some of McCain’s most insidious remarks, showing neither a regard for truth nor integrity. Its purpose was consistent with that of Sunday’s editorial in Foster’s Daily Democrat which attempted to portray Obama as arrogant and imperial. “Obama's grand tour of Europe and the Middle East was the most presumptuous and pompous act in the modern history of American politics,” it claimed.

What appears to be troubling to The Citizen and its sister publication Foster’s Daily Democrat is that Barack Obama emerged from his week abroad looking presidential, while McCain managed only to look pathetic when left alone on the domestic stage. From cruising around in a golf cart with former President Bush to looking befuddled in a grocery checkout line, McCain’s image was hardly senatorial, much less commanding.

One understands The Citizen’s fear that an Obama administration might actually require an increase in taxes to cover the costs of eight years of Bush’s perfidy. With over a half-trillion dollars added to the nation’s credit card to support the failed Bush war policies, an untoward and unconscionable shift of hundreds of billions of dollars of the nation’s wealth to Middle-Eastern nations who are purveyors of terrorism, a crumbling infrastructure too long neglected, a housing crisis that’s wiped out hundreds of billions of dollars of family wealth, and a financial crisis that may end up costing taxpayers a half-trillion dollars, higher taxes do seem inevitable.

The Citizen has no one to blame but itself for having relentlessly supported the Bush administration and the Republican controlled Congress which conspired to create this mess. Now it whines because the Democrats, in their less than two years of having a majority in Congress constrained by the President’s veto pen and Republicans in the U.S. Senate, have not been able to repair the damage.

Contrary to The Citizen’s conclusion, John McCain is not “the kind of leader who can restore the trust and confidence of the American people.” Quite frankly, he’s been a major part of destroying that trust.

Update:

Contrary to what the anonymous commenter asserts, I greatly respect John McCain's service to his country. However, he was not a stellar leader, he did not exhibit even an average intellect, his record suggests that he was reckless with aircraft - each of which cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and nothing in his military record recommends him for promotion to commander-in-chief.

Anonymous is entitled to his opinion regarding Senator McCain. However, he is outside his realm when he attempts to impugn the character or integrity of people about whom he knows nothing.

I've never been one to tout my military experience. Indeed, I was quite happy when it was comfortably behind me. As were my two brothers who served along with me, both of whom suffered serious injuries in Vietnam, and one of whom in spite of being severely wounded twice on the battlefield in Vietnam, returned to the country for two additional tours.

My father and grandfather, along with numerous uncles and cousins were/are veterans, so believe me, I have tremendous regard for those who don the uniform of their country. I don't, however, have much respect for those who attempt to parlay a marginal military record along with sympathy for wounds and indignities suffered into an entitlement for promotion to the highest office in the land.

Most veterans I know, and I know many, served their country proudly and humbly, quite aware of their sacrifice, yet also cognizant of the millions of others who've shared their burden. They really don't talk much about their combat experiences, realizing that their stories are not all that unique. Okay, I admit that I love regaling people with the tale of the woeful indignity I suffered being treated for a piece of shrapnel lodged in my ass. But that only occurs on the rare occasion when someone presses me on my military experience.

Anonymous, for you I'm posting a couple of photos. One is of quite good quality because it's scanned from one of those portrait photos taken during basic training. The other is of poor quality because it's scanned from a well-worn, not well-preserved snapshot.

You may not share my views. But you certainly cannot tell me that I know nothing about serving my country.

Gunstock is the Pride of Belknap County

I fully understand the reason folks want to look closely at the bonding issue Gunstock is requesting and it should be closely examined to protect the county taxpayers. I urge all who are able to attend the hearing this Thursday 7/24/08 at Gunstock Main Lodge at 7 PM to do so. If I can change my work schedule, I'll be there as well.

I'll want to point out that Gunstock in recent years has, to my understanding, been self sustaining. Most recently, they have achieved parity between ski season and off season revenues. The current management has done a wonderful job. If my facts are not correct, correct me please. I've never looked over the books & my knowledge is from conversations with the folks in the office so I welcome any corrections.

In years past (15-20??) Gunstock was a drag on County finances falling short regularly on bond payments that had to be paid by the county taxpayers. Aggressive management added night skiing, a high speed lift, and greatly improved snow making. Gunstock is now a competitive player in the NH ski industry. Gunstock is not just a ski area. If you have never seen the beautiful campground or gone horseback riding on their trails, you are missing out.

Many families rely on the part time and full time jobs there. The facility is also an attraction that benefits local motels, restaurants etc. Major events are held there almost every summer weekend and last year they wrestled the lucrative Soul Fest away from Loon mountain. I recently booked my daughter's wedding there and finding an open date was a challenge a full 18 months ahead.

The Gunstock facility is what I consider to be the pride of the Belknap County. It was for this reason I pushed so heavily for our Democratic Party fund raiser to be held there last year. It was a huge success partially due to the excellent services provided by the competent Gunstock staff.

Improvements are always necessary in the competitive ski industry. In these days when the skiing is often secondary to real estate development, Gunstock is like a breath of fresh air with its emphasis on family skiing instead of shopping etc. If necessary improvements are not made to stay competitive we probably run a bigger risk of the facility falling short and looking to the county to cover the shortfall. This is what happened for many years under short sighted policies and poor management.

Having sung the praises let me say it still requires a good look at their plan. I would never support a return to the days of red ink at Gunstock, but we need to be sure that they have the financial resources to continue the successes. Arbitrarily denying the bonding could result in just the shortfalls and higher taxes we would be seeking to avoid. I never want to see Gunstock return to the days when it was a second rate ski hill everybody laughed at & tax payers paid for.

Sincerely
Kenny Bourbeau
Avid skiier and county resident.

Arrogance will cost the GOP in November

It isn’t often that I find myself in agreement with Doug Lambert. Generally his political commentary reflects an adherence to the kind of right-wing demagoguery that I find so damaging to thoughtful political discourse.

Yet his tenacious battle with the Belknap County Convention over the appointment of Craig Wiggin as County Sheriff highlights a serious flaw in the Republican leadership that has guided our county for decades. Indeed, I can think of no clearer illustration of Lord Acton’s maxim that “power tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

First, I want to state unequivocally that I have no beef with Craig Wiggin. From everyone I’ve spoken to I’ve heard nothing but positive comments regarding his resume of experience and his qualifications for the position of Sheriff. My impression is that he is, and has been a competent and forceful leader who has earned the respect of the men and women he commands.

A further compliment might be drawn from the fact that he’s currently running unopposed in both September’s primary and November’s general election. None of the initial candidates who contested him for appointment to the position has filed to challenge him in the primary – either as a Republican or as a Democratic candidate. In fact, no one except Craig Wiggin has filed for the office.

The point that seems to be lost by some in the debate over Mr. Wiggin’s appointment is the flawed process followed by the Belknap County Convention in selecting him as the replacement for retiring Sheriff Dan Collis. I suspect that many of Mr. Wiggin’s supporters have leapt to the defense of the Convention more out of a shared distaste for Mr. Lambert than for any real consideration of the issue.

The facts are fairly straight-forward. The Belknap County Convention chose to vet the candidates vying to replace Sheriff Collis behind closed doors, citing concern for the privacy interests of the candidates. Had this been a normal hiring of a county employee, that process would have been appropriate.

However, the position of Sheriff is an elected one, meaning that the public has the right to examine the resumes of the individuals seeking to hold the office. It really is no different than the normal election process which requires that candidates provide information to the public that will enable voters to make a responsible decision.

Mr. Lambert, and his ally former Laconia Mayor Tom Tardif, strong advocates of open government, challenged the Convention in Belknap County Superior Court, claiming that it had violated the public right-to-know by conducting interviews and discussing the appointment behind closed doors. Although they lost initially in Superior Court, on appeal the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court’s decision, siding with Lambert and Tardif and declaring the appointment of Craig Wiggin invalid.

Rep. Beth Arsenault (D-Laconia) opposed the initial process followed by the Republican majority, arguing that it should be conducted in public session. Her objections were ignored by the majority.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision the minority Democrats sought to rectify the error when the Convention met again to reconsider the appointment. They argued collectively that the process should begin anew in accordance with the right-to-know statutes – not out of any desire to alter the outcome of Wiggin’s selection, but because of their shared commitment to upholding the law and respecting the public right-to-know.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, their efforts were met with the same disdain and contempt that has come to characterize the Republican majority grown arrogant by its years of unchallenged rule. The Convention followed a similar process in filling a vacancy on the county commission arising from the death of Gordon Bartlett in 2006. Republican Richard Long was selected by the Convention behind closed doors to fill the remainder of Bartlett’s term, provoking harsh public criticism of the secret process.

And we’ve still not heard from the County Convention the reasons for the forced resignation of County Administrator Nancy Cook, nor have the Democratic members of the Convention been apprised of the details that led to the firing.

It’s unfortunate that Craig Wiggin has found himself caught in the vortex of a controversy caused by his party’s refusal to abide by the law. But as uncomfortable as that must be for Mr. Wiggin, even more troublesome is the unbridled arrogance exhibited by a Republican Party too long unchallenged.

That judicial relief has been sought by loyal Republican dissidents says reams about the GOP and its future prospects. Until Republican elected officials learn that they are the servants of the people they serve and behave accordingly, voters are unlikely to reward them at the ballot box.

Those Republicans furious that the controversy has further dimmed their party’s chances this November should be careful to direct their anger not at Lambert and Tardif. Although “shooting the messenger” does seem to be a common enough reaction, they should instead be insisting that their leaders cease behaving disgracefully. That’s the most effective way to silence the critics.