Doing right ain't easy

I’ve been reading the latest news concerning Berlin’s federal prison and the funding for its operation. What’s most interesting is the personal outrage by some local politicians who are upset at Senator Kelly Ayotte for voting against the appropriations bill that will fund the operations of the Berlin facility. I believe the negative comments by people such as our mayor says more about them than about Senator Ayotte. If I’m not mistaken Kelly Ayotte ran as a supporter of the Tea Bagger’s position on spending. Now why would anybody be upset that she voted consistent with the position she ran on? In her words, the appropriations bill is loaded with wasteful spending,  the very kind of stuff that the Tea Bagger’s rant and rave against. I applaud Senator Ayotte for being honest with her vote. I believe that there are a couple of lessons to be learned here. First, the simplistic answers proposed by Tea Baggers (for the sake of this post I’ll call Ayotte a Tea Bagger) have serious consequences. The Tea Party rhetoric that we need to cut all spending, cut government etc. sounds great until a real life issue comes up, as it does with “our” prison funding. All of a sudden the simplistic rhetoric isn’t so appropriate anymore. (Just think of the consequences if those dimwits would have allowed the government to go into default!) What people like Kelly Ayotte and other Tea Baggers are running into are the realities of every day life in politics.  Simple solutions to complex issues are just that, “simple”. People such as our mayor and his economic development pawn Max don’t seem to understand that Kelly Ayotte is trying to be honest with herself and with the people who voted for her. No mayor Grenier, it’s not ok to speak from both sides of your face, some people don’t have flexible morals! It would have been much easier for her to just go along with what she knew would be popular in Berlin. (Something I’m sure Mr. Grenier would have done just for political mileage). I call such people, political whores, which most of them are. They prostitute themselves either to be popular/feed their egos, or to please some special interest who may be contributing financially to their personal or political careers. I did not support and I did not vote for Kelly Ayotte, because in part I don’t buy into the simplistic solutions Tea Baggers stand for. I do however applaud her for doing what was right in light of her stated position during her campaign and for being honest with the voters. This is going to come back and haunt her, people like mayor Grenier are not about to let her forget this vote, no matter if it showed character and was an act of courage and was the right thing to do. If you voted for her you need to let her know that you appreciate her honesty.

Comments

[warren]

I Do. An Honest Politician ( like Ron Paul ), is to be Re-Elected. Medicine, like Discipline is often Painful. But it yields Good Results in the long run, and is to be preferred over "Giving the Drunk another Drink". Not a very popular message to a Tax & Spend Socialist, eh? Is Charlie Bass the Politician you like now?

[warren]

.....Great Letter by Mayor Grenier. Well Said!

[toonist]

And people call me a half-ass liberal! C'mon Rockey WTF praising the enemy? Next thing you know you'll be applauding the right for the cutting of teachers and policemen and firemen and welfare and social security and medicare because they said they would! Have you become a "They win, I give up!" kinda person?

[John Lambert]

For those of us not actually in Berlin, and who came to this blog because of interest (or in some cases active dis-interest) in the then-Laidlaw biomass project, can someone update us on status of the project from an on-the-ground perspective.

I know what the press releases say, etc... but is there actual construction ocurring?

[Rocky]

John, I don't think I'm the best guy to give you an update, but here's what I know. Laidlaw is gone, Michael Bartoszek and friends were sort of bought out. State Street Capital is now the principle owner and Clean Power/Gestamp I understand owns about 1/3 of the project. There's been demolition work going on most of the summer and Babcox and Wilcox is gearing up to convert the boiler they built around 12 years ago from a liquid fired boiler to a fluidized bed boiler, this is a major conversion. In case you don't know, this is a very large boiler, roughly 100 feet tall. There's a job fair being planned in Berlin I believe next week to identify construction workers that will be needed next spring. Let's see who else has information that might help explain what's up with the project.

[Antonio Andolini]

Cate Street Capital
http://www.catecapital.com/

[Rocky]

Antonio is right, it's Cate Street Capital not State Street Capital.

[wood burner]

Babcock & Wilcox

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=236851&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1606218&highlight=

[jon]

...and took up a new niche with all their winnings? ;)

https://plus.google.com/116056005512452276199#116056005512452276199/posts

[wood burner]

Jon BOY!!!! Get over it he is gone, has nothing to do with the plant!!!! What is your problem??? How is the housing market doing Jon Boy?? I mean since you NO longer are affiliated with your former employer? Oh And you should do some DD about your 1/3 who actually that is.1/3 is not a big deal Jon BOY!!!! You and Rocky should set up tents downtown. NO never mind I am seeing that in my mind DAMN what a site!! LMAO!!!

[wood burner]

Rocky are you a resident of Berlin?? I know you pay taxs here but that don't make you a resident,even if you were years ago.YOU ARE NOT NOW, CORRECT??? No problem if I'm wrong just want to set things straight!!!!!!

[Antonio Andolini]

babble...babble...babble

[warren]

...Fettidcini's Impersonation of "Lather" ( by Jefferson Airplane ) no doubt....

Hey WB, Jon has a New Niche, now. His "Pick a Rent" Rental Ad has run Second Fiddle in the BDS to the Guy on Hillsboro St. who offers "Free Groceries" ( Food Pantry Handouts )to Prospective Tennants! ... Jon offers HIS prospective Tennants the awesome opportunity to help Fix Up their future "Digs"...So I guess They're both in the same Nietzsche???

[wood burner]

Good come back Antonio!!!!

[jon]

woody and warren,sometimes I need to remind myself of the "minds" we face. This goes against my schooling and against my grain. I can't utilize my schooling in Dale Carnegie and be nice to you while knowing you're an idiot; in other words, woody and warren, you become the exception, the ones who truly need to hear a response without the bull$hit as IDIOTS would say; so just for you my two dear Berlinite here it goes: surely you understand that isn't Your Mike, right? AND for the record, woody, let's get something straight; I have never had an employer, ever. I've worked my way up without having to "count" on a pay check from anyone. I suspect neither of you would ever know what that is like and how exciting it is to make your own way in the world.But that's ok because woody went from a union job to what...a government check? Good for you. I guess?? Am I paying for YOU????? So woody counted on the union that seemed to have screwed up things so much deunionization has lead to what? and now the government gives you a check that I pay for?? Maybe I'm wrong and, if so, please explain. And, Warren, where would you be without Walmart cutting your check?

Thankfully I am retired from real estate sales and largely involved in a superb rental business and so excited with life in Berlin. I will also be one of many watchdogs for this biomass plant despite what you and others would go far to ignore, and you will see me often if/when things move forward. I know ALL the contingencies and will forcefully uphold them despite the popular ignorance of idiots like Grenier who parade behind easy politics.

warren...glad to see your freezing your a$$ off and still saving money riding your motorcycle to work when its 25 degrees out. Better invest in some solar hand warmers and some spikes for the snow. you both truly add to the humor of this blog. you and ms. grenier are of the same mold; you're absolute idiots but idols in your own mind. have another drink woodburner, warren get yourself a good woman, and Paulette-look at yourself in the mirror buddy- you're cutting down quite a few self made business people out there under the guise that a used car sales idiot had much to do with anything more than political strings. Conclusion- moe, larry, and curly

[warren]

There are "Educated Idiots" a plenty, jon as you have just proven for Byte & Chew with that Hilarious Rant. Just take Berlin's last Mayor as an example. The finest thing He did was blend in with the Wall Coloring in the Council Chamber. You forgot to tell us how, exactly it feels to be on the wrong side of History and Events here in Berlin.

Oh, and wasn't that "FIRED!!!" , not Retired... eh?

Come on jon, Put your foot in deeper for ALL the Folks here in Berlin to see!

[Rocky]

The personal attacks on private citizens need to stop or I'll be forced to block those engaged in those types of conversations. Rocky

[wood burner]

Thanks Rocky as my last post was not excepted!!

[wood burner]

But I see Jon Boys was left on so no one can counter!!! His personal attack. Humm a dark alley comes to mind.

[toonist]

Why can't we all get along? Oh I see...it's because we're discussing politics.

[warren]

Some are one way streets with a Dead End. Be very thankful for Representative Govt., wood burner. The People of Berlin have Good Friends in "Team Berlin", who have Our Best Interest's at Heart. Again, be Thankful Others are not in charge at City Hall.

[wood burner]

I can see letting Jon Boy vent his anger.And NOT let the people he vented on respond,in the same manner.( but be a little more classy) That tells you were this blog is at. Well guess If I was almost arrested at a council meeting(if he did not leave would have been)) I would be allowed to respond here in the tone he used. But thats just me.Oh well. Dont forget to vote !! Ward two vote Denise and Dori!! I Will!!!!!

[warren]

Our Mayor said it well in His Letter, WB. Now Vote.

Anyone who has declared someone else to be an idiot, a bad apple, is annoyed when it turns out in the end that he isn't.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

........ and how!

[Rocky]

wood burner you're either inventing a story or there was a malfunction since I did not block any conversations for several days. If representative government equals Paul Grenier then we've had a bigger brain drain than I thought. I don't believe the false and malicious political tactics of Mr. Grenier is representative of the majority of Berlin citizens.

[wood burner]

Well I appaloigize then Rocky. A box came up saying not excepted.Don't know what happened but have enough class not to repeat it to such low standards as Jon Boy.