We Deserve A George W. Bush Holiday

By Steven Borne

I propose creating a George W. Bush Day — a national holiday, the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend to be the new national election day, instead of the first Tuesday in November.

This day will become a day of remembrance — a chance to avoid repeating the historic national mistakes of the past eight years. Our past generations have enabled our great nation to be divided, the balance of governmental power distorted, our national identity betrayed and our economy crushed by debt and irrational economic policies. We are now obligated to right our nation and help make America, America again.

The economy can certainly absorb the influx of holiday shopping and more people will be home to vote or know sufficiently in advance to request absentee ballots. Holiday-focused shows, events, classroom content, sales promotions, etc., can all help drive educated participation and motivate the population to be more informed of the candidates and positions. We can build a national message that leverages our past mistakes (from both parties) to enforce the importance of education, participation and the role of the populace to mandate responsible, effective government.

This new holiday will encourage our schools and media to educate and emphasize the responsibilities of the electorate to maintain the health of our democracy. With all due respect to exceptional educators, the national evidence of the past eight years proves that our educational and media system has failed our democracy. There is no better learning example of what can go wrong than the George W. Bush administration and how we failed to prevent its actions. As we re-educate our nation, imagine the potential quiz questions.

n Of these six acts by the Bush administration, which one is actually permissible under the Constitution?

n True or false, Vice President Dick Cheney controlled and determined more executive and policy decisions than President Bush?

n What is the estimated level of global competitiveness America forfeited that is directly attributed to the No Child Left Behind program?

n Extra credit essay: Defend either statement using at least five reference points — "In presenting the justification for invading Iraq, the Bush administration was a) incompetent or b) intentionally lied to the nation?

We face a long, hard uphill climb. Only by acknowledging our collective failure and recognizing how national apathy enables single-minded individuals to manipulate a nation, can we begin to heal our nation and to rebuild our economic and national strength. George W. Bush Day, will stress the patriotic duty of every American to fight through the propaganda, misinformation, irrational logic, bias news sources and then to question everything by participating in the debate and discussion required for a healthy and evolving democracy.

Communism taught in school shows how intelligent and educated people accepted the misguided logic and rational of a communist government and how most chose to follow, rather than question or fight back. We learned how the mass majority in these countries were driven into a rut by the ruling powers and were incapable of climbing out. We had always assumed that America was immune to this type of behavior. Well, America has proven that we too, can be led into a national rut. America needs to acknowledge and constantly remind ourselves what happened during the George W. Bush administration. The many manipulative acts of this administration must never be forgotten. We can never ignore how the conservative faction took a large lever labeled "faith" and drove it deep into the nation where it touched enough of the populace so too many of us aligned behind the calculated power grab. Then the national outrage from the 9/11 attacks was leveraged to accelerate our democratic demise as more citizens were driven into a deeper national rut, executive power expanded, and the conservative agenda enacted.

Sarah Palin's Leadership Promise

Not enough attention has been paid to John McCain's rationale behind the choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate. Clearly he envisions an important leadership role for the athletic young frontierswoman whose vivacious energy adds spark and vigor to his lethargic leadership.

American Democracy Is In Danger

To the Editor:

This is a response to a letter written by Mr. Jack Stephenson of Gilford on 8/18/08.

Mr. Stephenson, your use of the word "negro" denotes that you still see color when you look into the heart of a man. We differ. In Barack Obama, I see light, hope, and inspiration. I see a man who has devoted his life to working for the middle class, a bright Constitutional attorney, a fellow American determined to remedy the sorry condition of our country. I admire him. The future of our country as a peaceful, respected, and prosperous nation rests with him, as does the job, health, financial and old-age security of the vast majority of Americans.

You make reference to a desire for a fair election. I welcome fair elections. I suspect all Americans demand fair elections, because, as we all know, legitimate, open, honest elections go to the heart of democracy, and democracy is the gateway to everything else.

But America has a disgusting history of unfair elections ... rigged elections in 2000 and 2004, which changed the course of world history. Election fraud '08 is already in progress. Yes, the shameful scheming used in Florida in 2000 to purge legitimate voters, mostly blacks, and mostly Democrats, has now spread to the swing states: Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and, once again ... Florida. 19.4 percent of Colorado voters have been purged; 600,000 voters in Ohio purged.

Voters in thirty (30) states this November will vote on electronic voting machines bearing no paper receipt or ballot; thus, no recount is possible. Including New Hampshire's optical-scan machines, more than 85 percent of the total votes cast in November will be cast on electronic voting machines, all of which are programmed in complete secret by corporate vendors. No one is allowed to know how these machines are programmed - not you, not me, not the Secretary of State, and this secrecy is protected by state and federal law. Would it alarm you to know that our privatized elections system could soon be controlled by Allied Technologies, the 7th largest military defense contractor? If you share my concerns for fair elections, here's where you need to start: www.gregpalast.com

It's never been more important for all Americans to unite, to think independently of 30-second attack ads, to reject the hate and fear mongering which has so divided our nation, and to demand from our elected officials meaningful election reform. The great experiment in representative democracy is squarely in harm's way.

Bob Perry, State Representative, Dist. 3
Committee of Election Law
Vice-Chair, Electronic Voting Machine Subcommittee

Don't Know Much

This is another great ad from the Obama campaign set to the music of the legendary Sam Cooke. What I find especially powerful is the use for a full five seconds of the photo of McCain hugging Bush. It's awesome!

Watch, Digg it, make it viral!

For A Vet, McCain's Record Sorely Lacking

By Seth Lovell

On July 7, at a town hall meeting in Denver, a Vietnam veteran confronted John McCain about his support of veterans' issues.

"I have a perfect voting record from organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and all the other veterans service organizations," responded McCain.

Although this sounds good, it is inaccurate and misleading. The VFW and American Legion do not compile congressional voting records, and other veterans' organizations that do compile records aren't favorable.

Disabled American Veterans is an organization that was founded following World War I, and today has 1.4 million members.

It not only tracks this legislation, but tracks how politicians vote. John McCain is documented as having voted with DAV-supported legislation 34 percent of the time. Barack Obama has voted with the DAV 89 percent of the time.

Another organization that tracks legislation important to veterans is Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the first and largest organization dedicated to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

IAVA is only concerned with bettering the lives of returning veterans, and advocating for their rights. Its records show McCain voting with IAVA 58 percent of the time, and receiving a "D" rating. Obama voted with IAVA 89 percent of the time, receiving a "B-plus" rating.

If the overall records do not speak for themselves the specific examples will. In April 2003 McCain urged Senate members to table a vote that would appropriate more than $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve Equipment in Iraq. In October of 2003 once again McCain voted to table a bill that called for an additional $322 million for safety equipment for United States forces in Iraq.

On issues relating to veterans' health care McCain's record is even worse. Since 2004 McCain has voted twice against closing corporate tax loopholes to help fund healthcare for veterans. In March 2004 Senator McCain voted against an amendment that would have created a $1.8 billion reserve fund to increase Veteran's medical care.

Again in March 2006 McCain voted against an amendment to close corporate tax loopholes in order to increase veterans' medical services funding by $1.5 billion. In April 2006 McCain joined only 13 other senators in voting against an amendment to increase funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment of veterans. This amendment provided a paltry $430 million compared to the billions of dollars being spent each week in Iraq, yet McCain opted to vote against it.

His neglect of veterans goes on and on. Most recently in May of 2008 McCain spoke out against the updated GI Bill being sponsored by Virginia Sen. Jim Webb.

On the day of the vote McCain was not present, a convenient way to avoid criticism over his promised oppositional vote. The biggest injustice to those who worked so hard to make this bill a reality came when President Bush praised McCain for his work on this legislation.

Every American should appreciate and honor the service that Sen. McCain gave to our country during Vietnam. There is no doubt John McCain supports the war in Iraq.

It doesn't mean he supports the veterans who served.

Seth Lovell is a veteran of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is pursuing his master at James Madison University. E-mail him at stlovell@comcast.net.

(Note: This column was first published on August 24, 2008 by The News Leader of Staunton, Virginia)

He May Be Skinny, But He's Tough!

For weeks many Democrats have been lamenting the fact that Obama has not been forceful enough in attacking McCain - that his commitment to running on issues rather than stooping to personal attacks was going to cost him the election.

Those critics might want to rethink their position.

Today he launched a new ad that goes to the heart of why McCain is out of touch with the needs and desires of average Americans. View it below:



Throughout the campaign I've heard Barack say "I might be skinny, but I'm tough." Anyone who doubts it is in for a shock. This latest ad is but one of many produced by the campaign over the past week that slam McCain for his positions on issues.

Another of my favorites points to McCain's history of being associated with some of the most corrupt political operatives in Washington.



As we head toward the Convention and beyond, I feel confident that Barack Obama will successfully control the message and turn attention to the real needs of America's workers and families.

Try Harder Next Time Jack, You Don't Write Like A Democrat

To the Editor,

I read Jack Stephenson's recent letter with great interest, but I confess, I'm having a hard time understanding why he's pretending to be a Democrat.

If he really were a supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton, he'd be supporting Senator Obama, since that's what she asked her supporters to do.

It seems far more likely that Mr. Stephenson is trying, not too cleverly, to create division and dissent within the ranks of Democrats.

Mr. Stephenson, I think you're confused about some of the issues you mentioned. I've seen Senator Obama speak in public, with nary a "cue card" in sight. He wasn't using the 21st century version of the cue card, the Teleprompter, either. It's actually Senator McCain who relies on notes and Teleprompters.

When McCain spoke in front of the great wall of cheese last month, he needed to look at his notes in order to find out the price of a gallon of milk! I guess we can't expect a guy who has a private jet, 8 homes, $100 million, and wears $500 loafers to remember silly things like the cost of milk. After all, it's not as if he ever has to shop, like the rest of us do.

As for energy, Senator Obama is, regrettably, in favor of nuclear power. Fox News keeps saying he is anti-nuke, which is probably why you're so woefully uninformed. Nuclear power is NOT a cheap, or a clean energy source, which explains why no nuclear plants are being built. Uranium (a finite resource) mining requires huge outputs of energy and water. The radioactive tailings left behind are quite dangerous, and seldom cleaned up. Most uranium mining in the US takes place on Indian reservations, where mining companies destroy the land and water, and leave the mess behind.

Given your rather racist commentary about "negros", I'm suspecting you don't care too much about the polluting of Indian lands. I'm not sure who the "successful USA negros" you mention are, but one thing is certain, I bet they'd appreciate it if you at least spelled the plural term for negro correctly. It's Negroes, Mr. Stephenson, a term that hasn't seen popular usage since 1962. You need to update your vocabulary.

I am shocked to hear that you're concerned about having a "Hollywood style" president, since I'd bet my life's savings that you voted for Ronald Reagan.

Try harder next time, Jack. You don't write like a Democrat.

Susan Bruce
Jackson

People With Common Sense Will See Stephenson's Letter For What It Is

To the editor,

This is in response to a recent letter concerning Barack Obama, that states "some of us thought that he was the same as most USA negros,"

1. Do you realize computers have spell check and the word "negros" is misspelled. The proper spelling is Negroes. This is a term long in disuse, by the way, and that statement also shows how bigoted you are. To state that "anyone" is the same as "all" black people, white people, Asian people, is denying that anyone can be an individual or different than all in their ethnic group. You cannot clump everyone into one group.

2. You also misrepresent his position on the issues we are all concerned with. Do you believe all the ads you see on TV against him?

3. You insinuate that Obama has stolen the title of "world's best liar" from Clinton. I assume you mean Bill Clinton for you go on to say everyone should try to elect Hillary Clinton in order to have a fair election.

I firmly believe that people who read the letters to the editor and read the newspapers have enough knowledge and common sense to see that letter for what it was/is.

Elaine Seibel
Hill

Living Under A Rock

To the editor,

Clearly, Mr Stephenson has been living under a rock for years. I suggest he crawl back under it and keep his racist, small minded, uninformed views to himself. He is spreading hate and he is spreading lies.

Betsey Phillips
Franconia

Stop Playing at Being Outraged

To the editor,

I am responding to a letter-to-the-editor by Mr. Jack Stephenson (below).I am not sure where Mr. Stephenson is getting his information about Barack Obama and his position on various issues. The Obama Energy plan, for example, includes:

1. more renewable (solar, wind, and geothermal) research and use
2. crackdown on oil speculation
3. energy rebate to American families
4. increase automobile fuel economy standards
5. use-or-loose it for existing oil & gas exploration leases
6. develop & deploy clean coal technology
7. create millions of clean & green jobs
8. reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an industry-wide cap-and-trade program

A full summary of the Obama plan can be found at Barack Obama.com.

Senator Obama has been consistently against the illegal, immoral, and unnecessary war in Iraq throughout his public career. He has not vacillated on this issue. He, as well as, Mr. McCain have adjusted their stance on many issues, as facts change. After all, it was not long ago that McCain was categorically against off-shore oil drilling. I could go on refuting each of Mr. Stepehnson's fallacious assertions about Barack Obama, but we there would not be enough room to print them.

What might the real reason be for Mr. Stephenson's tirade against Senator Obama? I believe Mr. Stephenson is really a conservative McCain supporter playing at being an outraged Hillary fan. We all see through your shannigans, Mr. Stephenson. We know Barack Obama is an educated 'African-American' and the best candidate running. He will be our next President.

Ray Iannuzzelli
Amherst

Mr. Stephenson Hasn't Been Listening

To the editors,

I really must respond to Jack Stephenson's letter of August 19th. First, Obama has proved, by standing tow-to-tow with Hillary through 20 some debates how well he thinks on his feet. She was great - a good person, a good policy wonk and a good candidate - but the "new kid" stayed with the experienced pro in every way.

Second, readers should get their information on Obama's policy positions from Obama, not Mr. Stephenson or the McCain talking points. Obama does not oppose nuclear, but is cautious, and is out front in his support for wind and solar. And forget that tired tax increase rhetoric unless you're talking about the top 1% who got all the benefit from the Bush tax cuts.

But when Mr. Stephenson goes on about "USA negros" and "WAR" his letter just gets too mixed up and flailing to even try to follow. If Mr. Stephenson thinks Barack Obama lacks substance and his positions lack logic, he just hasn't been listening. Go to his website and catch up.

Anyone still talking about nominating Hillary is actually working for John McCain, the only guy reading from note cards.

Bill Duncan

New Castle

Thank You Mr. Stephenson For Reminding Me of How Lucky I Am To Be An American

To the editors,

I know that most read Mr. Stephenson's letter of the other day and dismissed him as an oddball or was offended by his inappropriate language.

For me, I want to thank him for it. It gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on why I chose to be in public life. There is nothing about my life story that is special but it does remind me how alive the American Dream is today.

When I was three, because my Dad was looking for work, my young parents and I packed up and left New Hampshire for Detroit, Michigan We happened to find an apartment in an area where my school, my church and my neighborhood were all integrated. Skin color meant nothing to me in nursery school, kindegarten, first grade, the playground or in Sunday school.

We returned the summer of 1966 and in second grade I learned of Abe Lincoln, slavery and the Civil War. I was stunned and horrified to learn that my former friends' great grandparents were slaves. Lincoln's childhood of poverty, commitment to justice and willingness to put his values into action inspired me to find a way to make a difference too. In the next election, just months after the assassination of Dr. King and Sen. Kennedy, I organized my friends to help with Democratic candidates and I haven't stopped since.

This week I, just a kid from a poor family without any ties to power or wealth, will travel to Denver, Colorado to lead New Hampshire's delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention where, forty five years to the exact date of Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech, Senator Barack Obama will be nominated to be the next president of the United States.

Forty five years ago when Dr. King said "let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire" little did he know that a little boy of a Kansan mother and Kenyan dad would grow up and mark his historic anniversary with such a significant history making occurrence. Nor did he know of the young poor kid from NH who would grow up to join 80,000 other proud Americans to witness the event or the estimated billion across the planet witness his dream come true.

When Dr. King dreamed of a day where people were judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin. He was dreaming of 2008 America. Dr. King's Dream is truly the American Dream. A dream for all Americans and for all members of the human race.

I am sure Mr. Stephenson wanted to inspire animosity and divide but for me, he reminded me of how lucky, and how proud I am to be an American. Let freedom ring indeed.

Sincerely,
Raymond Buckley, State Chair
NH Democratic Party

Beyond Hope, Deserving Pity

To the Editor,

Jack Stephenson of Gilford has tragically revealed himself to be beyond hope. One would have thought that his 75 years of living would have taught him something about decency and civility. Clearly it has not.

Stephenson wrote a letter to the editor that was published Monday in both the Laconia Citizen and the Laconia Daily Sun that was offensive and provokes pity. In it he said, referring to Barack Obama, “Back then some of us thought that he was the same as most USA negroes, but he is not, and he has become a total insult to our great successful negroes in the USA.”

Left to the reader’s imagination is how Stephenson defines most “USA negroes“, or “great successful negroes in the USA”. One can only assume that the aging curmudgeon believes such a definition would be superfluous given that clearly his views must be conventional. Perhaps they were five or six decades ago, but the world has moved beyond such uncomfortable and unsavory stereotypes.

Sadly, Jack hasn’t. Somehow he’s avoided any evolutionary thought.

That doesn’t come as a surprise. Having read his letters over the years, a number of which I refused to publish when I was an editor at the Daily Sun, I’ve always been struck by how miserable Mr. Stephenson is. Seventy-five years of life and all he does is complain.

That’s tragic, and deserves pity. If after 75 years one hasn’t found at least a modicum of happiness and good cheer one’s life must seem a complete waste.

Ron Tunning
Laconia

'Negro' History 101

To The Editor,

Jack Stephenson's letter of 8/18 ("For it and against it") about Obama smacks of antiquated and current racism as well as ignorance of ethnic history. He claims that Obama needs "cue cards" to speak, cue cards being a semi-antiquated term (the other being Negro — fully antiquated) he uses in his letter.

On the contrary Obama has proven to be the most extemporaneous (and exceptional on his feet) candidate speaker in 2008, unwavering and beyond eloquent without a teleprompter most of the time. I have yet to see him use "cue cards" on any political issue, important to Americans. (When thanking local advocates he uses cards to remember hundreds of names in hundreds of towns). But that's about it!

Beyond belief, however, is Stephenson's use of the term "Negro" twice in his letter, in the year 2008 as a term for an African-American, (albeit he's one-half by DNA). One would think Stephenson's last book he read was "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee in 1960 instead of "The Name Negro — Its Origin and Evil Use" by Richard B. Moore of the same year (1960). Since Senator Obama's mother was white (S. Ann Durham) and from the flatlands of Kansas, Stephenson might be expected to have used the outdated term "mulatto" since Mr. Obama's father was Kenyan making Obama biracial. He is only half-black (or half-white) so why would Stephenson call him a "Negro."

The term "Negro" in 2008 is generally used today for black Spanish olives, not African Blacks, and the oppression of black slaves and their culture has resulted in an evolution of more modern terms of respect for a substantial portion of our nation's citizenry and voting public. The root of the word, Negro, means "black" in all European and African cultures. Admittedly in previous letters to the editor, Stephenson has acknowledged his age as in the mid-70s. He must surely realize by now that the term, Negro is obsolete.

Disparaging terms had their evolution from the 1830s to the mid-1890s when Blacks were called "colored" or even "Colored-American." At the beginning of the 20th century and by 1920, the term Negro was born. From the 1930s on, to the 1960s with the Black Power movement, there was dissatisfaction in general with the Negro term. There was a cultural movement of more respect for Blacks and their heritage/ culture, which was designed to remove "a host of other slurs" that will not be mentioned here. During this cultural nationalism, terms evolved; with "Black" or "African-American" the latter moniker predominating since the 1980s until now. The term, African-American highlights both "historical lineage and ethnogeographic origins" and not skin color, as in the older terms.

Stephenson shows his implied bigotry and ignorance when he says (in referencing Cbama), "Back then some of us thought that he was the same as most USA Negros, but he is NOT and he has become an insult to our great successful Negros in the USA." Is Stephenson thinking MLK, Jr here? Might Stephenson be thinking MLK was the "Numero Uno Negro?" Mea culpa, mea culpa!

Obama is no "insult" to intelligent life on this earth, Mr. Stevenson, and he does speak "for all people" and is far from "Hollywood" in style. One last point. The New York Times began capitalizing the word, Negro (as in African-American history) in 1930, should you wish to use the quasi-racist term again for relevant historical purposes. You didn't capitalize it as a former ethnicity in your last letter and yet "spell check," alerts you. Typewriters don't however.

Jack Polidoro

Laconia

For Some People There Is No Hope

This letter to the editor was published in both the Laconia Citizen and the Laconia Daily Sun on Monday, August 18. It was submitted by Jack Stephenson of Gilford and has prompted outrage throughout the community.

Many have vowed to write letters in response for publication in the two newspapers. As I receive them, I'll be posting them on the blog.

Meanwhile, feel free to leave your comments. I realize that it requires a good deal of restraint to remain civil in light of these kinds of attacks, and I'm hardly one to lecture people about responding with anger. As many of you remember, I was quite forceful in my rebuke of local talk show host Niel Young a couple of years ago while I was still an editor at the Daily Sun.

Nevertheless, I ask that you avoid profanity and consider the source. His message sucks, but not nearly so much as he does.

The Letter

To The Editor,

It is clear that IF we all had the knowledge about Obama which we have heard since he got the "nomination" (not confirmed until their convention), Hillary would be the Democrat candidate. But back then we didn't know that brilliant Obama could not speak intelligently without his staff prepared cue cards. Back then we didn't know that he opposed any increase in safe, clean, cheap energy sources (long proven nuclear, wind, solar and clean coal). Back then we didn't know that he would propose the biggest tax increase ever in the US! Back then some of us thought that he was the same as most USA negros, but he is NOT, and he has become a total insult to our great successful negros in the USA. Back then we didn't know that he was both against the Iraq war and for it, both against battles in Afganistan and for it, and wants to greatly increase number of our troops in Afganistan (the most dangerous place on earth). He is totally for WAR and totally against war, totally for outrageous taxes and totally against taxes, totally for 100% control of all medical care, and totally oppossed to government control of health care.

It is absolutely clear that Obama is totally for and totally against every issue which Americans are concerned with. IE, he is the ultimate politician, as his Church Pastor long ago told us!

Honesty, practicallity, need, usefulness, has nothing to do with Obama. Clearly, Obama is trying to steal from Clinton the title of the world's best LIAR! Hillary tried that, but Obama beat her out for that title.

We must encourage Hillary to take the nomination away from misleading Obama, and give the nation a chance for a fair election. It can happen, and if it doesn't, we are in for a "Hollywood style" president!

Jack Stephenson

Gilford

Food, Heat or Medicine?

By Senator Kathy Sgambati

Food, heat or medicine? By all indications, we have a growing number of families and elderly people who will be asking themselves this question as winter approaches.

Several of us in the state Senate have held meetings with our local welfare officers and social service agencies to get a sense of the scope of the crisis we face this winter. As state leaders, we are doing everything we can to prepare and to find ways for aid to be efficiently and effectively delivered to those in need.

But no one expects the energy crisis to evaporate or for oil costs to fall back to the levels of prior years -- which makes energy efficiency and alternative energy that much more critical to our future.

Two major pieces of legislation passed in the last two years have the potential to provide homeowners with some relief over the long term when it comes to energy costs. We are seeking to stimulate the development of alternative energy and to provide much-needed funds to reduce our overall energy use. These initiatives are now more important than ever.

New England has an older housing stock, and drafty old houses waste energy. Improving insulation and other weatherization efforts become essential to make our heating dollars go farther. Few low income people have the resources to invest in making their homes more energy efficient but we waste both charitable contributions and our tax dollars when we fail to address those needs.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, passed this year, limits the emissions that contribute to global warming. But the program also will raise millions of dollars for conservation and energy efficiency in New Hampshire. Homeowners and businesses will be able to tap into this fund for projects that reduce their costs for heat and electricity by improving efficiency or drawing on cheaper renewable sources.

The Renewable Energy Act, passed last year, requires utilities to seek out renewable energy to provide a growing portion of New Hampshire’s electricity. If utilities fail to hit the mark, they pay into a fund that also will be available to certain residential customers who find ways to generate their own energy, for example by installing solar panels. The goal is to provide for a $3 per watt payment reduction for customers under certain circumstances.

Neither of these programs is fully in place as of today. The state Public Utilities Commission must establish rules and application procedures so we know the money is going to appropriate and worthwhile projects. It will likely be well into 2009 before these programs are ready to launch and can begin to show results.

So state leaders and our congressional delegation are right to fight for additional federal heating aid for this winter. We’re right to fight for more federal weatherization money so we can reduce home heating costs. But we’ve taken some smart steps to prepare for the future as well.

Not only did this Legislature make funds available in the near future for more homeowners and businesses to reduce their energy use, we’re stimulating New Hampshire’s economy by creating incentives for developing renewable energy. We’re encouraging new jobs in energy conservation and alternative fuels. These jobs will make it possible for more New Hampshire citizens to afford to heat their homes, feed their families and pay for their medical needs.

This winter, however, many people face troubled times. The number of eligible families receiving food stamps has swelled even as food stamp allotments fail to keep pace with rising prices. Food banks around the state are struggling to stay stocked.

So while I’m optimistic about New Hampshire’s future when it comes to energy, I’ll add my voice to those of others. Many people need help right now and many more will need help this winter. You can help by setting up neighborhood watches to check on your neighbors this winter, especially the elderly. And if you can, please donate to your local food bank

Unfit To Lead

This video echoes my column "No Regard For Truth Or Integrity".

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.