I write this post as the news that the New Hampshire State Senate has passed the Bragdon Forrester (HB648) Eminent Domain Bill in Concord. I believe that our own Sen. Gallus was influenced by the fact that several readers and participants on byte&chew wrote letters and sent emails to his office. I come to this conclusion because I saw the interview he gave a day or so before the vote and at that time he certainly was wishy washy about his position and how he was going to vote. I can’t help but believe that if “we the people” would make an effort to become more active in the political process, the complexion of our issues would change and we would see a positive impact in our communities and in our lives. Democracy only works if the citizens are engaged in the process. Without citizen participation “other” forces move in to fill that vacuum and influence decisions in their own self interest. I would hope that we can feel a sense of pride in the fact that we got off our duffs and took the time to let Sen. Gallus know how we felt about the Eminent Domain issue. Just think how different the Mayor and Council would consider issues if they knew that they would be facing their constituents every Monday night! What if their phones would ring off the walls when a critical issue was at hand or they made a wrong decision? I happen to believe that all of us do a better job at work knowing that we will be made accountable by our bosses. Our elected officials are our responsibility and when we fail in our role as their supervisors we create that “vacuum” that gets filled by political ambitions, self interest and special interests. I hope we’ve all learned a valuable lesson on how easy it can be to exercise our duty as citizens of our democracy by just giving a call or sending an email. Thanks to all of you who exercised that obligation.
That's what happens when ya'll play well in the sandbox.
Posted by: toonist | January 27, 2012 at 02:47 PM
Easier said than done. That's because the discussion was issue oriented and not made into a partisan political pissin contest.
Posted by: Rocky | January 27, 2012 at 04:41 PM
There's hope for us yet.
Thanks, Rocky, for prodding folks to participate and for this forum to share news, views and opinions. As long as people continue to care and speak up, we've got a chance.
“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN—at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation.
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 27, 2012 at 06:38 PM
Congratulations on a Job Well Done there Rocky. A Battle was Won in Regard to Eminant Domain. However, the Northern Pass STILL Plans to Ruin 180 Miles of New Hampshire Landscape with those Monstrous Towers. Why can this Not be Burried??? My Humble thought is for it to travel the length of I-93 all the way to the Town of "Frankly I Don't Give a Damn". Now wouldn't THAT be a Lot easier? But I hear the Good Folks at PSNH/HQ are actually afraid of dealing with Vermont! THAT is Why New Hampshire has to be the Good Patsy and Take this Rape of Our Natural Beauty. Let's not Call it a Day until ALL of Northern New Hampshire is Protected from these MORONS at PSNH.
It's a Crying Shame what happened in Quebec to all Their Rivers, but They're another Country. Let's stop PSNH from Sh*!ing on Ours!
Posted by: warren, | January 27, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Buried, you ask? Why that would cost more money. If it goes through Vermont (and that's a big IF), PSNH makes less money? Like Bob Marley say, "Get up, stand up; don't give up the fight."
Of course, what we are up against is an old fact of life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aK-UjR3Oj4&feature=related
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 28, 2012 at 04:26 PM
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404594_370433389648845_108038612554992_1457727_98090169_n.jpg Sorry had to just had to:
Posted by: toonist | January 28, 2012 at 05:56 PM
Tony, I do not think it would cost that much more to Bury the NP along I-93. The route is already there. It must be Possible to run cables through a Pipe at not any great cost, I'm guessing right down the Median. This would actually be Safer for All Concerned, No? ( Except, perhaps State Troopers Laying in wait! ) The Snag I hear is Dealing with Vermont Regulatory Authorities... Again Why is New Hampshire the Patsy?
A bigger Concern emerging is Involvement from the Federal Level. The NP might just become "Necessary" to Energy Policy Requirements. So We Fight On -as the Doctrine of Non Resistance is Absurd and Slavish.
Posted by: warren, | January 28, 2012 at 07:15 PM
I'm Informed that Governor Lynch has appointed Three New Members to the New Hampshire PUC. Including a certain Michael Harrington.
And...
Executive Councilor Ray Burton is holding hearings on these nominations which NP opponents should attend and testify on what we find since Councilor Burton is very busy and would appreciate any information we bring to the hearings. Here’s a schedule of the hearings. SHOW UP!!!! Share rides. Testify. Share.
February 8. 6-7:30 PM Laconia City Library, 495 Main St., Laconia. Executive Council hearing on PUC nominations.
February 9. 6-7:30 PM. Town of Carroll (Twin Mt.) Town Office. Route 302/3. Twin Mountain. Executive Council hearing on PUC nominations.
Sound like a Plan?
Posted by: warren, | January 28, 2012 at 07:34 PM
toonist, you're OUT of the sandbox!
Hahahahaha!!!
(That's actually Rocky's call.)
At this rate, I may still vote for crazy old uncle. We shall see.
2016 is coming.
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 28, 2012 at 08:19 PM
Thanks for word of those hearings, Warren.
Actually it's two new members to replace Clifton Below, who declined a second six-year term, and Chair Thomas Getz, who is leaving his term eighteen months early. He was appointed in 2001. Commissioner Amy Ignatius stays on and is nominated to become Chair.
According to Governor Lynch's press release:
"Governor John Lynch today announced that he will nominate Robert Scott of Bow and Michael Harrington of Strafford to the Public Utilities Commission at tomorrow's Governor and Council meeting.
The Governor also announced he will nominate current PUC Commissioner Amy Ignatius to serve as the commission's chairperson. The council must confirm these nominations.
Since 2003, Bob Scott has served as the director of the Air Resources Division at the state Department of Environmental Services, which is responsible for the managing the state's programs related to the protection of New Hampshire's air quality. Scott joined the department in 1995 as deputy director of the division. Prior to joining the state, Scott worked as an applications engineer and production supervisor at Austin-Gordon Design in Nashua, a manufacturer of automated packaging machinery.
Scott also served in the U.S. Air Force, and is a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. He is a graduate of Lehigh University, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering and also completed coursework in the in engineering management master's program at Western New England College.
Mike Harrington has been a senior regulatory advisor to the PUC since 2007. Prior to that, he filled an unexpired term as a PUC commissioner for one year. Harrington worked at the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant from 1983 until his appointment to the PUC in 2004. He also served as a state representative from 2000 to 2004.
Harrington received his bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Lowell."
http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2012/011012-puc.htm
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 28, 2012 at 09:57 PM
Poor toony can't imagine. He supports and loves Big Government because of all the free things he can get by supporting those who steal from the less fortunate. And he loves occupying other peoples land and killing them. And spreading lies, especially with his cartoons. Toony IS a liar. You just can't trust him. I should know I am his brother. We will rule the world with our cartoons. Until we run out of crayons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8D1pkYkRo4
Posted by: Fellow Commy | January 29, 2012 at 08:06 AM
The real Ron Paul
http://video.pbs.org/video/1415187976/
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 09:06 AM
Ron Paul on crayons:
http://video.pbs.org/video/1415190951/
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 09:38 AM
This week's Songs for Sunday Morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iKuMVqht4U
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Surely not this, we must invade, occupy and kill anyone who disagrees with us! -Toonist
Posted by: Fellow Commy | January 29, 2012 at 10:30 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwNg4lHFj7I
Posted by: Fellow Commy | January 29, 2012 at 10:31 AM
"Let's do lunch."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBSF2Snj5uM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hLDjGdJC0Q&feature=related
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 10:45 AM
“Si vis pacem, para bellum.”
Flavius Vegetius Renatus circa 375 AD:
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Right on AA. Is this prepared enough for you?
http://www.rickety.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Defense_Spending_by_Country_2010.png
Posted by: Shoot first. | January 29, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Sorry toonist, no pictures for you to look at and color in this one. The comprehension and acceptance of individual liberty is beyond simple minds who believe it is proper to steal from one to give to another.
http://eyler.freeservers.com/JeffPers/jefpco50.htm
Posted by: Take His Rights! I Own them - Toonist | January 29, 2012 at 11:49 AM
That's an obscene chart "Shoot first", what a sorry way for a country to spend its resources and we wonder why so many hate us and why we're broke. Oh yeah, I forgot that it's also our sacred cow!
Posted by: Rocky | January 29, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Well, Shoot first, hang around here long enough and you will learn that I consider who said, published, posted something, or where it was said, published, posted, to be as important as what. "Consider the source." Just because some Mormon posts a chart on his web site does not make it reliable.
However, at least Rickety bothered to also post a chart showing what percentage of the nation's economy is spent on defense (for 2009.) That is more useful. The chart that Rocky finds obscene basically just tells us that our great nation, with an economy smaller only than the EU, spends more on defense spending than other nations with (much) smaller economies.
http://www.rickety.us/2011/01/2009-defense-spending-by-country/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html
In a government run amuck with spending and growing, it's not hard to grossly inflate defense spending. Join those of us who struggle for limited government and curtail unnecessary spending or support big government and watch your money get p!##ed away.
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Oops, meant to say, "and watch your money get p!$$ed away."
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 01:53 PM
"Spending on national defense, a core constitutional function of government, has declined significantly over time, despite wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Spending on the three major entitlements—Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—has more than tripled."
Source: White House Office of Management and Budget.
http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/defense-entitlement-spending
Not that that's a bad thing, as Jerry Seinfeld would say.
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 02:22 PM
"The Republicans keep the rich rich and call it freedom. The Democrats keep the poor poor and call it compassion."
Krista Persechini
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 29, 2012 at 03:47 PM