Hampton Union; 03-29-08
By Ron Dupuis
We're not unique.
Recently at a breakfast meeting State Rep. Nancy Stiles and I found we were reading the same newspaper article concerning education in rural areas.
"Did you get to the part about transportation" Rep. Stiles asked.
"I sure did. It seems the problem of getting children to school in less affluent regions costs more than in the most urban setting," was my response.
"How about the problem of hiring and retaining good quality dedicated teachers in these districts" was my next question?
Rep. Stiles just shook her head in acknowledgement. "It's the same story. They hire qualified teachers but because of less pay and larger class size, they eventually lose them to higher paying, less stressful positions in urban schools."
"And what about funding" I asked? Why is there less funding for more needy communities?"
Now, for me, comes the fun part. If you were thinking this breakfast meeting was at our own state capital, or perhaps some legislative work session, or even one of the many education funding workshops held through out New Hampshire the last 15 years, you'd be wrong on all counts. In fact, if you thought the newspaper in question was the Hampton Union, Portsmouth Herald, or any other fine publication our state has to offer, again, you'd be wrong.
This particular breakfast meeting was at the Great Wall Sheraton in Beijing, China, and the article under scrutiny was in "China Daily" the country's official, nationally published English language newspaper. Our little meeting became somewhat surreal when the article further revealed that in addition to teachers' salaries, class size, transportation cost, and state testing, the question of funding became paramount. It seems aid from the central government is distributed unevenly, creating donor and receiver districts. Who could have imagined that after traveling half way around the world, we would discover the same education problems there, as we have here in New Hampshire. We're not unique.
There will be more on the China journey in future columns.
Speaking of donor towns: Here we have a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that all our Democratic Senate members who promised to resolve the education funding problem if elected have indeed kept their promise. Something rather unusual in the realm of politics. The bad news is that they did it with one of the worst funding bills ever to come out of Concord. It not only spends $100 million more than the state has, it brings back donor towns in greater numbers than ever before. In a 14-to-10 party line vote, the Senate passed SB539 against the wishes of their own leader, Gov. Lynch.
When several longtime Republican legislators were contacted, the consensus was that passing SB539 was a smoke screen in order to make a broad based income or sales tax more palatable. Since the bill would take effect during the 2009-10 school year which is well into the next biennial budget, the funding would have to be provided by the next elected Legislative House in November. Will anyone be surprised when both a sales tax bill and an income tax bill are among the first to be discussed next January? Stay tuned.
One final note: From time to time this column receives comments and e-mails from around the country. This message is for the people who live in states that have not yet held their Democratic primary. Forget it; don't bother, save your money. Since the '80s the Democrats have devised a scheme that renders your vote useless. It's called the "superdelegates." If in fact the vote in the primaries is too close to call, or if in fact the voters choose a candidate that leadership is not happy with, or if in fact they just feel like it, the superdelegates get together at the convention, nominate the person of their choice, and happily go on to the general election. That's the way it is. Voters be damned.
3.29.2008
Live; From China
Hampton Union, 03-21-08
By Ron Dupuis
Recently, I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist (we all know in this case the word "columnist" simply means an old man with a computer and way too much free time) had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling to Beijing and Shanghai, China, along with about 150 of the area's finest residents.
My primary mission was threefold. First, define something interesting to write about in the allotted space the Hampton Union has so graciously provided. Second was to offer our lovely and somewhat precocious offspring, Miss Casey, a bit of a cultural experience other than going to the mall. Thirdly, I hope to find the descendants of those who built the Great Wall and discuss the possibility of something along the same lines from California to Texas.
It is an old Chinese saying that every long journey begins with one small step. For the Dupuis family, the "one small step" was immediately followed by "I have a stomach ache." Up until that point the lovely Miss Casey had been looking forward with great anticipation to learning everything possible about Chinese culture, traditions and education. Realizing how her negative comments affected me, she immediately whined with a impish smile "are we there yet?" and "I have to go to the bathroom." Her attempt to lighten the moment worked, however my anxiety level was still high. We had a 20-hour travel day ahead and I wasn't sure where I packed my nitro pills.
A five-hour bus ride to JFK is not particularly unusual for us, we do that three or four times a year. A five-hour wait in order to allow Air China to get its act together was a little disconcerting. On this particular day there seemed to be a lot of hassles and searches. Finally, when it was determined that none of the 75-year-old women was concealing any contraband in her corset, we boarded, sat in our assigned seats and took off.
Now the fun part. A 13-hour flight that included a course across the North Pole then down through Siberia, three movies with Chinese subtitles, two full meals, one snack and endless conversations with other passengers took up most of our initial flight time. The rest of the journey was spent in fitful naps and worrisome anticipation. Fortunately for me, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist, State Rep. Nancy Stiles was traveling with us and we took full advantage of our vast political knowledge and resolved all the world's problems just as we landed in Beijing.
Beijing: A city that seems somewhat tense. The people are friendly but not warm. An immaculate city with at least a 2,000-year history yet all the new development in preparation of the summer Olympics seems to be too pre-planned and lacking an urban metropolitan atmosphere. To the lovely Miss Casey it was disappointing that we could only locate one mall and that did not include an Abercrombie and Fitch. After enough temples to shake the faith of the most ardent of Buddhist we came to the Great Wall. Upon realizing how spectacular this Wonder of the World is, we became aware of the true reason of its existence: To prevent the raiding hordes of the north from taking over the country. Just like a replica from California to Texas would prevent the raiding hordes from the south from taking over our country.
Next week: Beijing vs. Shanghai, plus Chinese education.
By Ron Dupuis
Recently, I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist (we all know in this case the word "columnist" simply means an old man with a computer and way too much free time) had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling to Beijing and Shanghai, China, along with about 150 of the area's finest residents.
My primary mission was threefold. First, define something interesting to write about in the allotted space the Hampton Union has so graciously provided. Second was to offer our lovely and somewhat precocious offspring, Miss Casey, a bit of a cultural experience other than going to the mall. Thirdly, I hope to find the descendants of those who built the Great Wall and discuss the possibility of something along the same lines from California to Texas.
It is an old Chinese saying that every long journey begins with one small step. For the Dupuis family, the "one small step" was immediately followed by "I have a stomach ache." Up until that point the lovely Miss Casey had been looking forward with great anticipation to learning everything possible about Chinese culture, traditions and education. Realizing how her negative comments affected me, she immediately whined with a impish smile "are we there yet?" and "I have to go to the bathroom." Her attempt to lighten the moment worked, however my anxiety level was still high. We had a 20-hour travel day ahead and I wasn't sure where I packed my nitro pills.
A five-hour bus ride to JFK is not particularly unusual for us, we do that three or four times a year. A five-hour wait in order to allow Air China to get its act together was a little disconcerting. On this particular day there seemed to be a lot of hassles and searches. Finally, when it was determined that none of the 75-year-old women was concealing any contraband in her corset, we boarded, sat in our assigned seats and took off.
Now the fun part. A 13-hour flight that included a course across the North Pole then down through Siberia, three movies with Chinese subtitles, two full meals, one snack and endless conversations with other passengers took up most of our initial flight time. The rest of the journey was spent in fitful naps and worrisome anticipation. Fortunately for me, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist, State Rep. Nancy Stiles was traveling with us and we took full advantage of our vast political knowledge and resolved all the world's problems just as we landed in Beijing.
Beijing: A city that seems somewhat tense. The people are friendly but not warm. An immaculate city with at least a 2,000-year history yet all the new development in preparation of the summer Olympics seems to be too pre-planned and lacking an urban metropolitan atmosphere. To the lovely Miss Casey it was disappointing that we could only locate one mall and that did not include an Abercrombie and Fitch. After enough temples to shake the faith of the most ardent of Buddhist we came to the Great Wall. Upon realizing how spectacular this Wonder of the World is, we became aware of the true reason of its existence: To prevent the raiding hordes of the north from taking over the country. Just like a replica from California to Texas would prevent the raiding hordes from the south from taking over our country.
Next week: Beijing vs. Shanghai, plus Chinese education.
Pride of local voting
Hampton Union,March 14, 2008
By Ron Dupuis
Elections are a way of life here in New Hampshire. Just when one is over, it seems another is about to take place. For some citizens the glad-handing and back-patting can get a little tiresome. For others, it is a tradition to take part in the process of choosing our leaders who will be in charge of spending our hard-earned tax dollars.
I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist made the rounds of several communities last Tuesday and here are a few humble, succinct and I hope mildly humorous observations.
North Hampton — When the polls opened there were only three candidates standing behind the barrier holding signs. The early-morning temperature was about 12 degrees with a slight wind that made it seem even colder. Despite a façade of friendly cheerfulness when voters begin to arrive, even the most casual observers could see what they were thinking. "Why do I do this?"
As the day wore on and the sun began to warm the self-doubting participants, more supporters arrived to ease the burden. Different groups formed and opinions of the many seemingly contentious issues facing North Hampton were aired and dissected. By late afternoon, the campaigning was in full swing and all the candidates were in their glory. North Hampton is a friendly community, and despite opposing issues, every one of the candidates acted in an appropriate manner. Residents here should be proud of the people who put their good names and reputations on the line in order to serve.
Hampton — At mid-day the sun was shining bright and all the participants were out in full force. The traffic was backed up from the school entrance to High Street, a distance of about a hundred yards. There had to be at least 75 to 80 people behind the barrier, holding signs supporting candidates, warrants, and issues. Budgets, fire stations, and municipal contracts were the main concerns of many.
One particular concern that a couple of Hampton business owners expressed was a warrant banning coin-operated arcade games that offer multiple plays for an additional fees. "I'm not sure who introduced this or why, but the fact is that it is ambiguous, and poorly written" was one comment. "If this passes, I might as well close the doors, shut down completely and retire," he continued in a serious tone. After a brief moment of reflection a smile came across his face and he said, "Of course, standing out in this cold today, for me, that might not be such a bad thing."
Seabrook — At first a visit here seemed like it was a little intimidating. When approaching the barrier, or as some call it, "the corral" there was a homemade sign that proclaimed certain factions of the community as "idiots." The issue was development and traffic congestion along Route 1. Ironically, the polling place for Seabrook is the recreation canter on Route 1 and the police officer working furiously in the middle of the road with about a thousand orange cones seemed to lend a little credence to the perceived problem.
On this day four other communities received a visit from yours truly. All candidates, supporters, and voters displayed an attitude of concern for the issues yet an open friendliness for each other. One veteran politician told me that after doing this for 25 years, he is still amazed at how serious the people of New Hampshire take their politics. "Here, and all across the nation, you can introduce policies, choose your leaders, voice your opinion publicly, disagree with your neighbors, and still live in peace and safety. That's why all these dictatorships and totalitarian nations hate us and our way of life. It's our freedom."
I tend to agree.
By Ron Dupuis
Elections are a way of life here in New Hampshire. Just when one is over, it seems another is about to take place. For some citizens the glad-handing and back-patting can get a little tiresome. For others, it is a tradition to take part in the process of choosing our leaders who will be in charge of spending our hard-earned tax dollars.
I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist made the rounds of several communities last Tuesday and here are a few humble, succinct and I hope mildly humorous observations.
North Hampton — When the polls opened there were only three candidates standing behind the barrier holding signs. The early-morning temperature was about 12 degrees with a slight wind that made it seem even colder. Despite a façade of friendly cheerfulness when voters begin to arrive, even the most casual observers could see what they were thinking. "Why do I do this?"
As the day wore on and the sun began to warm the self-doubting participants, more supporters arrived to ease the burden. Different groups formed and opinions of the many seemingly contentious issues facing North Hampton were aired and dissected. By late afternoon, the campaigning was in full swing and all the candidates were in their glory. North Hampton is a friendly community, and despite opposing issues, every one of the candidates acted in an appropriate manner. Residents here should be proud of the people who put their good names and reputations on the line in order to serve.
Hampton — At mid-day the sun was shining bright and all the participants were out in full force. The traffic was backed up from the school entrance to High Street, a distance of about a hundred yards. There had to be at least 75 to 80 people behind the barrier, holding signs supporting candidates, warrants, and issues. Budgets, fire stations, and municipal contracts were the main concerns of many.
One particular concern that a couple of Hampton business owners expressed was a warrant banning coin-operated arcade games that offer multiple plays for an additional fees. "I'm not sure who introduced this or why, but the fact is that it is ambiguous, and poorly written" was one comment. "If this passes, I might as well close the doors, shut down completely and retire," he continued in a serious tone. After a brief moment of reflection a smile came across his face and he said, "Of course, standing out in this cold today, for me, that might not be such a bad thing."
Seabrook — At first a visit here seemed like it was a little intimidating. When approaching the barrier, or as some call it, "the corral" there was a homemade sign that proclaimed certain factions of the community as "idiots." The issue was development and traffic congestion along Route 1. Ironically, the polling place for Seabrook is the recreation canter on Route 1 and the police officer working furiously in the middle of the road with about a thousand orange cones seemed to lend a little credence to the perceived problem.
On this day four other communities received a visit from yours truly. All candidates, supporters, and voters displayed an attitude of concern for the issues yet an open friendliness for each other. One veteran politician told me that after doing this for 25 years, he is still amazed at how serious the people of New Hampshire take their politics. "Here, and all across the nation, you can introduce policies, choose your leaders, voice your opinion publicly, disagree with your neighbors, and still live in peace and safety. That's why all these dictatorships and totalitarian nations hate us and our way of life. It's our freedom."
I tend to agree.
Obama will be Dems choice
Hampton Union; March 7, 2008
By Ron Dupuis
Democratic primary: The fact Sen. Hillary Clinton did so well in the recent primaries gives pause to all the pundits who have spent the last few weeks declaring her run for the White House over. That is, "all the pundits" except yours truly.
You read in this column a few weeks ago that Sen. Clinton's 11 losses in a row should make her realize the campaign is over and the prize is lost. I stand by those remarks. Do the math. If Hillary wins all the primaries from this day until the convention by expected margins, as a second place candidate Obama's delegate count would outmatch his opponent. The only dynamic that would change an Obama victory is a brokered convention. The Clinton machine may be somewhat better at coercing the Democrats' "super delegates' scheme" thereby overriding the will of the voters. A possible scenario, however, highly unlikely. Barack Obama will be the Democratic candidate for the office of president of the United States.
Republican primary: As a right-wing, radical, gun totin', conservative Republican, I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist will without question vote for Sen. John McCain for president in the fall. I have observed the senator since his 2000 campaign. I've spoken to him on numerous occasions, both publicly and in private; I have even confronted him on important issues that I feel he is opposed to. No matter. In this coming election for president "In My Humble Opinion," a left-leaning Republican who is strong on national defense would be better than a left-leaning Democrat who promises to raise our taxes.
On other primary notes, my congratulation go out to Gov. Mike Huckabee and all the members of campaign staff. Huckabee ran a campaign on nothing but positive messages and never once bashed the opposition. In addition to that, he did it on a limited budget.
Congratulations governor! You, and your staff, made those of us who supported you proud. Hopefully you will be offered, and will consider, a position in any future administration, whether Republican or Democratic. The country needs people like you.
China: As many friends and readers of this column are aware, the Dupuis family will be leaving for Beijing, China, in the very near future. The tour will include visits to the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven built in 1420 A.D., and the Ming Tombs. There are two side trips scheduled. One is a flight to Shanghai and the other is to the Hangzhou Economic Development Zone where I, your humble yet capitalistic correspondent, will be seeking economic opportunities that would mutually benefit some New Hampshire businesses and trading partners in that area.
My lovely and understanding wife, or as I prefer to call her in this case, Mrs. "In My Humble Opinion," has several credit cards stashed for easy access for when she visits a Chinese jade factory, the National Embroidery Institute, and many other commercial enterprises that will allow her to spend my hard-earned dollars. Our offspring, the beautiful and somewhat precocious Miss Casey, informs me a stroll on the Great Wall and a planned visit to a Chinese school is piquing her anticipation.
"I also look forward to setting down at an authentic Chinese restaurant and eating off plates instead of out of boxes like we do here at home" was her latest comment. The entire trip, nine days, was co-sponsored by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and a company in California called Citslinc International, Inc.
Stay tuned.
By Ron Dupuis
Democratic primary: The fact Sen. Hillary Clinton did so well in the recent primaries gives pause to all the pundits who have spent the last few weeks declaring her run for the White House over. That is, "all the pundits" except yours truly.
You read in this column a few weeks ago that Sen. Clinton's 11 losses in a row should make her realize the campaign is over and the prize is lost. I stand by those remarks. Do the math. If Hillary wins all the primaries from this day until the convention by expected margins, as a second place candidate Obama's delegate count would outmatch his opponent. The only dynamic that would change an Obama victory is a brokered convention. The Clinton machine may be somewhat better at coercing the Democrats' "super delegates' scheme" thereby overriding the will of the voters. A possible scenario, however, highly unlikely. Barack Obama will be the Democratic candidate for the office of president of the United States.
Republican primary: As a right-wing, radical, gun totin', conservative Republican, I, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist will without question vote for Sen. John McCain for president in the fall. I have observed the senator since his 2000 campaign. I've spoken to him on numerous occasions, both publicly and in private; I have even confronted him on important issues that I feel he is opposed to. No matter. In this coming election for president "In My Humble Opinion," a left-leaning Republican who is strong on national defense would be better than a left-leaning Democrat who promises to raise our taxes.
On other primary notes, my congratulation go out to Gov. Mike Huckabee and all the members of campaign staff. Huckabee ran a campaign on nothing but positive messages and never once bashed the opposition. In addition to that, he did it on a limited budget.
Congratulations governor! You, and your staff, made those of us who supported you proud. Hopefully you will be offered, and will consider, a position in any future administration, whether Republican or Democratic. The country needs people like you.
China: As many friends and readers of this column are aware, the Dupuis family will be leaving for Beijing, China, in the very near future. The tour will include visits to the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven built in 1420 A.D., and the Ming Tombs. There are two side trips scheduled. One is a flight to Shanghai and the other is to the Hangzhou Economic Development Zone where I, your humble yet capitalistic correspondent, will be seeking economic opportunities that would mutually benefit some New Hampshire businesses and trading partners in that area.
My lovely and understanding wife, or as I prefer to call her in this case, Mrs. "In My Humble Opinion," has several credit cards stashed for easy access for when she visits a Chinese jade factory, the National Embroidery Institute, and many other commercial enterprises that will allow her to spend my hard-earned dollars. Our offspring, the beautiful and somewhat precocious Miss Casey, informs me a stroll on the Great Wall and a planned visit to a Chinese school is piquing her anticipation.
"I also look forward to setting down at an authentic Chinese restaurant and eating off plates instead of out of boxes like we do here at home" was her latest comment. The entire trip, nine days, was co-sponsored by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and a company in California called Citslinc International, Inc.
Stay tuned.
3.22.2008
The view from above
--- by Dave Buhlman
Last week I saw President Bush give a speech, and then answer questions, at an economic forum. He was asked about something forgettable, but in his response went off on a tangent to describe what he considered to be a great success a few years ago in North Carolina.
He acknowledged that treaties and agreements, such as NAFTA, had caused jobs to leave the country. To counter this dislocation in the garment industry in North Carolina, the President described how the government retrained these garment workers to do something else. For the President, this was a success story.
What he appears unable to imagine is that these garment workers, and many other innocent Americans who have lost their jobs in other industries since NAFTA was passed in 1993, may have actually liked their jobs. Maybe they were the third or fourth generations in their families to spend their lives working at certain jobs. And these were jobs to these people, not careers. And maybe they felt pride in what they did.
But for the President and other members of the elite, one mind-numbingly boring job is as good as any other mind-numbingly boring job for members of the unwashed masses. They may believe that, like monkeys, people can be retrained to perform other tasks to continue to have a role in the economy, to continue to barely survive financially on the margin. Better still, they might be forced to join the military to fill up the ranks for the next undeclared war.
I don’t think the President was being mean or facetious; I believe that, from his perch on high, it’s impossible for him to imagine what life is like for ordinary Americans. So if it suits the men in suits to pass treaties that increase the profits of the men in suits, then the government does that. Ordinary Americans, playing a form of Russian Roulette with their piles of bills, are not a part of the equation. In addition to the treaties with countries who have little to no labor or environmental rules, Congress is trying to increase the number of foreigners who come to America to take our jobs through the H-B visa programs. The fact that we’re in a recession, that there are numerous foreclosures on houses, and people are losing their jobs, cars and their way of life, doesn’t amount to a hill of beans among the decision makers and their controllers. They believe that, as Orwell said, some animals are more equal than others.
We all understand that some people have more money and things than the rest of us, due to a timely birth, special talents, or especially hard work that paid off big, and no one begrudges them their success. We only ask that they stop hamstringing the rest of us with Washington, DC activity that benefits only the relatively few.
Much more important, however, is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has risen and, really, that fact is most important. Happy Easter! Take joy in His Resurrection.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative, published author, and a supporter of the return to a Constitutional Republic.
Last week I saw President Bush give a speech, and then answer questions, at an economic forum. He was asked about something forgettable, but in his response went off on a tangent to describe what he considered to be a great success a few years ago in North Carolina.
He acknowledged that treaties and agreements, such as NAFTA, had caused jobs to leave the country. To counter this dislocation in the garment industry in North Carolina, the President described how the government retrained these garment workers to do something else. For the President, this was a success story.
What he appears unable to imagine is that these garment workers, and many other innocent Americans who have lost their jobs in other industries since NAFTA was passed in 1993, may have actually liked their jobs. Maybe they were the third or fourth generations in their families to spend their lives working at certain jobs. And these were jobs to these people, not careers. And maybe they felt pride in what they did.
But for the President and other members of the elite, one mind-numbingly boring job is as good as any other mind-numbingly boring job for members of the unwashed masses. They may believe that, like monkeys, people can be retrained to perform other tasks to continue to have a role in the economy, to continue to barely survive financially on the margin. Better still, they might be forced to join the military to fill up the ranks for the next undeclared war.
I don’t think the President was being mean or facetious; I believe that, from his perch on high, it’s impossible for him to imagine what life is like for ordinary Americans. So if it suits the men in suits to pass treaties that increase the profits of the men in suits, then the government does that. Ordinary Americans, playing a form of Russian Roulette with their piles of bills, are not a part of the equation. In addition to the treaties with countries who have little to no labor or environmental rules, Congress is trying to increase the number of foreigners who come to America to take our jobs through the H-B visa programs. The fact that we’re in a recession, that there are numerous foreclosures on houses, and people are losing their jobs, cars and their way of life, doesn’t amount to a hill of beans among the decision makers and their controllers. They believe that, as Orwell said, some animals are more equal than others.
We all understand that some people have more money and things than the rest of us, due to a timely birth, special talents, or especially hard work that paid off big, and no one begrudges them their success. We only ask that they stop hamstringing the rest of us with Washington, DC activity that benefits only the relatively few.
Much more important, however, is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has risen and, really, that fact is most important. Happy Easter! Take joy in His Resurrection.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative, published author, and a supporter of the return to a Constitutional Republic.
3.18.2008
Leftist Moron Witch-hunt Logic
---by Micheal
The image at left is one of a series of "public service" ads sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. The ostensible goal was to encourage more planting of trees. A few were cute, such as the one on a fig tree seedling saying "Preventing nudity since Adam and Eve." Most, however, were blatant leftist politics only scantily clad as environmentalism. The one shown at left was the most absurd, though revealing of an unfortunate left-wing mind set which is all too prevalent these days.
Don't get me wrong. I like trees. I plant trees. What I find moronic beyond comprehension is the political message.
The message? George W. Bush, the man, is the embodiment of all that is wrong with the world -- or ever HAS been wrong with the world. If we can just get rid of HIM, everything on earth will become nirvana, or heaven or whatever happy-place is in vogue for New Agers nowadays.
If they weren't serious, I could laugh at the absurdity. Trouble is, they are serious. They truly believe that all our world's ills are the direct fault of, and maintained by George W. Bush. That's just moron logic. Back to the little tree bag in the photo. If we didn't have George Bush we would not have wars? They should be kidding, but they're not. They really think this way. Were they all born just last year? Is Iraq the only war they know of? Are they unable to read history books?
Wars have been around long before there was even a name "George." For the history-deprived, I point to President Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) who ran on a No-War platform in 1916 and won. Only a few months later, he brought America into World War One. Perhaps I need to point out to the recently-born leftists that World War One was started before George Bush was alive. Heck, WWI started before even his father George H.W. was born. In WWI, the popular cry was "Down with the Kaiser!" Get rid of HIM and war will be over. And don't forget the Wilson administration's mantra for going to war in Europe: it was The War to End All War.
Right. That worked out pretty well, didn't it? Never mind those messy details like WWII or Korea or Vietnam and all those subsequent wars (American and otherwise) which happened anyway -- even though we won and the Kaiser was deposed.
Getting rid of Bush will not end wars any more than deposing the Kaiser did. It will not end violence in the mideast. It will not make the Arabs suddenly like the Jews. It will not make the combatants in Darfur suddenly tranquil. Bush is not the source of war -- mankind is -- and will remain so long after Bush is gone. It is patently moronic to actually think that removing Bush from office will stop war -- any war.
The perverse reasoning underlying the WWF ad copy reminds me of an historical event (which young liberals don't read, apparently.) It's the 1870s. American explorer Paul DuChaillu is in a remote central African village. A local man died of some sickness. The witch doctor declares that it was not "natural" for a young man to die, so it must have been witchcraft. Someone in the village must be a witch. He goes into a drug-enhanced trance and reveals that a young village woman is the witch. Who knew? She was such a nice girl. She denies emphatically being a witch, but the crowd, desperate to be rid of the source of evil among them, chants for her death. DuChaillu was helpless to stop the mob. They kill her and disperse back to their huts, feeling they've rid their village of the witch. That is, until the next person gets sick.
It's become popular, if not expected, for trendy liberals to adopt this exact same tribal mob mentality. Such leftist logic as the WWF is sponsoring can only disappoint everyone who buys into it. It's total foolishness to let ourselves get whipped up by a witch doctor into thinking that if we can just get rid of Bush that the black clouds will part and a golden new Jerusalem will descend from heaven -- the lion lie down with the lamb, etc. etc.
George Santayana said: "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Wake up and smell the history books, people. Do you REALLY want to keep going through this?
The image at left is one of a series of "public service" ads sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. The ostensible goal was to encourage more planting of trees. A few were cute, such as the one on a fig tree seedling saying "Preventing nudity since Adam and Eve." Most, however, were blatant leftist politics only scantily clad as environmentalism. The one shown at left was the most absurd, though revealing of an unfortunate left-wing mind set which is all too prevalent these days.Don't get me wrong. I like trees. I plant trees. What I find moronic beyond comprehension is the political message.
The message? George W. Bush, the man, is the embodiment of all that is wrong with the world -- or ever HAS been wrong with the world. If we can just get rid of HIM, everything on earth will become nirvana, or heaven or whatever happy-place is in vogue for New Agers nowadays.
If they weren't serious, I could laugh at the absurdity. Trouble is, they are serious. They truly believe that all our world's ills are the direct fault of, and maintained by George W. Bush. That's just moron logic. Back to the little tree bag in the photo. If we didn't have George Bush we would not have wars? They should be kidding, but they're not. They really think this way. Were they all born just last year? Is Iraq the only war they know of? Are they unable to read history books?
Wars have been around long before there was even a name "George." For the history-deprived, I point to President Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) who ran on a No-War platform in 1916 and won. Only a few months later, he brought America into World War One. Perhaps I need to point out to the recently-born leftists that World War One was started before George Bush was alive. Heck, WWI started before even his father George H.W. was born. In WWI, the popular cry was "Down with the Kaiser!" Get rid of HIM and war will be over. And don't forget the Wilson administration's mantra for going to war in Europe: it was The War to End All War.
Right. That worked out pretty well, didn't it? Never mind those messy details like WWII or Korea or Vietnam and all those subsequent wars (American and otherwise) which happened anyway -- even though we won and the Kaiser was deposed.
Getting rid of Bush will not end wars any more than deposing the Kaiser did. It will not end violence in the mideast. It will not make the Arabs suddenly like the Jews. It will not make the combatants in Darfur suddenly tranquil. Bush is not the source of war -- mankind is -- and will remain so long after Bush is gone. It is patently moronic to actually think that removing Bush from office will stop war -- any war.
The perverse reasoning underlying the WWF ad copy reminds me of an historical event (which young liberals don't read, apparently.) It's the 1870s. American explorer Paul DuChaillu is in a remote central African village. A local man died of some sickness. The witch doctor declares that it was not "natural" for a young man to die, so it must have been witchcraft. Someone in the village must be a witch. He goes into a drug-enhanced trance and reveals that a young village woman is the witch. Who knew? She was such a nice girl. She denies emphatically being a witch, but the crowd, desperate to be rid of the source of evil among them, chants for her death. DuChaillu was helpless to stop the mob. They kill her and disperse back to their huts, feeling they've rid their village of the witch. That is, until the next person gets sick.
It's become popular, if not expected, for trendy liberals to adopt this exact same tribal mob mentality. Such leftist logic as the WWF is sponsoring can only disappoint everyone who buys into it. It's total foolishness to let ourselves get whipped up by a witch doctor into thinking that if we can just get rid of Bush that the black clouds will part and a golden new Jerusalem will descend from heaven -- the lion lie down with the lamb, etc. etc.
George Santayana said: "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Wake up and smell the history books, people. Do you REALLY want to keep going through this?
3.15.2008
Hummingbird
-- by Dave Buhlman
It was reported this week that one in four teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and that this results in about three million infected teenage girls.
How did this happen?
When we older ones were growing up as teenagers in the sixties, sex was a big deal. Outside of Woodstock and the hippie culture, getting any sexual activity for a guy was difficult. Girls were quite careful about giving in, in part due to a concern of earning a reputation as a loose or easy girl. Of course, another aspect was fear of pregnancy. This was before abortion on demand and birth control became the norm. It was also before the government school system started immersing school kids in all sorts of sexual indoctrination. This latter scheme was a permission slip to go out and do whatever it pleased you to do in the sexual realm.
There are a number of expensive medicines that have been produced to counter the ill effects of this raging promiscuity to treat or prevent some forms of STD. Abstinence would work better, but that is scoffed at by those who control the government school system. On another front, to purportedly prevent cervical cancer, drug behemoth Merck is trying to mandate through state governments that its product - Gardasil - be introduced into the young bodies of female children as young as nine years old. Nine years old! The fact that a number of deaths have been attributed to Gardasil does not slow this greed-fueled freight train one bit.
So I guess too many people, except the parents and grandparents of these kids, is happy with sexual activity being so prevalent. But there has been a reaction, as indicated by some kids who have tried the free sex (though, of course, protected, protected, protected sex) encouraged by the government school system and many advertisers, and found it wanting. This group of girls and boys has pledged to hold off on sex until marriage. If this group grows too large, drug company’s sales and profits will suffer, which would be a shame. And shame is an uncommon emotion these days. Ask Elliot Spitzer and others.
So the whole circus of encouraging sexual activity and then pushing drugs to solve the inevitable problems, along with yet more sexual “education”, is akin to a circular firing squad. Of course, in politics, as we should know by now, nothing happens by accident and, as one wag stated, problems and solutions are oftentimes cooked up in the same government laboratory.
Or, it’s like the hummingbird who flies around in ever-decreasing concentric circles, until it flies up its own a..
This hummingbird is also flying around gas stations in America in echoes of past calamities. In post-WW I Germany (pre-Nazi, around 1923), Germans would try to buy bread early in the morning because the hyperinflation caused by the bad treaty that ended WW I (and assured there would be a WW II) resulted in the price of bread increasing dramatically during even one day. Some Americans are proceeding similarly with buying gas. Get it in the morning, for it will likely be at least a couple of cents higher per gallon by nightfall. See you at the pumps.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative and published author who favors returning our government to the Constitutional Republic created by the Framers.
It was reported this week that one in four teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and that this results in about three million infected teenage girls.
How did this happen?
When we older ones were growing up as teenagers in the sixties, sex was a big deal. Outside of Woodstock and the hippie culture, getting any sexual activity for a guy was difficult. Girls were quite careful about giving in, in part due to a concern of earning a reputation as a loose or easy girl. Of course, another aspect was fear of pregnancy. This was before abortion on demand and birth control became the norm. It was also before the government school system started immersing school kids in all sorts of sexual indoctrination. This latter scheme was a permission slip to go out and do whatever it pleased you to do in the sexual realm.
There are a number of expensive medicines that have been produced to counter the ill effects of this raging promiscuity to treat or prevent some forms of STD. Abstinence would work better, but that is scoffed at by those who control the government school system. On another front, to purportedly prevent cervical cancer, drug behemoth Merck is trying to mandate through state governments that its product - Gardasil - be introduced into the young bodies of female children as young as nine years old. Nine years old! The fact that a number of deaths have been attributed to Gardasil does not slow this greed-fueled freight train one bit.
So I guess too many people, except the parents and grandparents of these kids, is happy with sexual activity being so prevalent. But there has been a reaction, as indicated by some kids who have tried the free sex (though, of course, protected, protected, protected sex) encouraged by the government school system and many advertisers, and found it wanting. This group of girls and boys has pledged to hold off on sex until marriage. If this group grows too large, drug company’s sales and profits will suffer, which would be a shame. And shame is an uncommon emotion these days. Ask Elliot Spitzer and others.
So the whole circus of encouraging sexual activity and then pushing drugs to solve the inevitable problems, along with yet more sexual “education”, is akin to a circular firing squad. Of course, in politics, as we should know by now, nothing happens by accident and, as one wag stated, problems and solutions are oftentimes cooked up in the same government laboratory.
Or, it’s like the hummingbird who flies around in ever-decreasing concentric circles, until it flies up its own a..
This hummingbird is also flying around gas stations in America in echoes of past calamities. In post-WW I Germany (pre-Nazi, around 1923), Germans would try to buy bread early in the morning because the hyperinflation caused by the bad treaty that ended WW I (and assured there would be a WW II) resulted in the price of bread increasing dramatically during even one day. Some Americans are proceeding similarly with buying gas. Get it in the morning, for it will likely be at least a couple of cents higher per gallon by nightfall. See you at the pumps.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative and published author who favors returning our government to the Constitutional Republic created by the Framers.
3.04.2008
Hampton Union 02-29-08
By Ron Dupuis
Last Tuesday was quite a busy day for me, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist. The evening before had been spent reviewing all the latest "global warming," or in this case, global "cooling" data available. It seems that all four major global temperature tracking outlets in the world are reporting that the earth is naturally cooling and the polar ice caps that Al Gore predicted will melt and "change life as we know it" are in essence going through a normal cycle. Well-credentialed scientists without political agendas are telling us that the factor not considered by the Gore ilk is the impact the activity of the sun has on climate cycles for the past 10,000 years renders man's contribution over the past hundred years as minuscule. I can't wait to confront my metaphoric friend and favorite conservationist "Peter Borough" with this news.
When dawn broke it became clear that it was time for breakfast with the Hampton Rotarians at the Ashworth.
If you are unfamiliar with the Rotary, it is an organization of business and professional people dedicated to improving the quality of life in its own community and worldwide. The meetings are fun and up-lifting and members define what charity is all about. Without endorsement, Rotarians often give candidates seeking office an opportunity to present positions on issues affecting all of us. Congressional candidate John Stephen had his turn.
Stephen spoke about sending New Hampshire values to Washington instead of bringing Washington values and mandates to New Hampshire. He spoke of back-breaking budget deficits laced with earmarks for fruit fly research in France, bridges to nowhere, and air-conditioned trash trucks. His take on health care was particularly poignant. He related a story of being told by a woman who, given the chance, could purchase critically needed Pedialyte for her special needs child at $2 a bottle at Wal-Mart, instead of the government paying triple that for her. Stephen stated that instead of a national health care system, "we need a system that brings the consumer into the game and empowers them to make decisions."
This column is not quite ready to endorse John Stephen right now, however, In My Humble Opinion, John Stephen displayed a fire in the belly for conservative values and principles not yet seen in the competition.
The rest of the day was spent in meetings with numerous current and former politicians wishing to relate their feelings on everything from both the Democratic and Republican primaries, to the perceived best pitching rotation of the Sox. All very nondescript and mind numbing.
Finally, a laid-back and informal meeting with North Hampton Police Chief Brian Page. Page asked me to inform North Hampton residents about a survey that will be posted online at www.northhampton-nh.gov . He told me that the Board of Selectmen hired an outside company that specializes in helping municipalities achieve efficiency in providing services to the community. He further stated that he wholeheartedly supports this move and hopes that the North Hampton citizens will take a few minutes to goon line and complete the questionnaire.
"We want to know how the citizens feel about our department, both good and bad" he said with a smile. When he was informed that there may be a few convicted felons who may not say good things, he responded with a smile "Even convicted felons have an opinion. We have a good department, we can take it."
"In My Humble Opinion" endorses this survey, endorses North Hampton Police Department, and endorses Chief Page. He can take it.
Ron Dupuis is a longtime New Hampshire resident, a former state representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net.
Last Tuesday was quite a busy day for me, your humble, succinct, yet mildly humorous columnist. The evening before had been spent reviewing all the latest "global warming," or in this case, global "cooling" data available. It seems that all four major global temperature tracking outlets in the world are reporting that the earth is naturally cooling and the polar ice caps that Al Gore predicted will melt and "change life as we know it" are in essence going through a normal cycle. Well-credentialed scientists without political agendas are telling us that the factor not considered by the Gore ilk is the impact the activity of the sun has on climate cycles for the past 10,000 years renders man's contribution over the past hundred years as minuscule. I can't wait to confront my metaphoric friend and favorite conservationist "Peter Borough" with this news.
When dawn broke it became clear that it was time for breakfast with the Hampton Rotarians at the Ashworth.
If you are unfamiliar with the Rotary, it is an organization of business and professional people dedicated to improving the quality of life in its own community and worldwide. The meetings are fun and up-lifting and members define what charity is all about. Without endorsement, Rotarians often give candidates seeking office an opportunity to present positions on issues affecting all of us. Congressional candidate John Stephen had his turn.
Stephen spoke about sending New Hampshire values to Washington instead of bringing Washington values and mandates to New Hampshire. He spoke of back-breaking budget deficits laced with earmarks for fruit fly research in France, bridges to nowhere, and air-conditioned trash trucks. His take on health care was particularly poignant. He related a story of being told by a woman who, given the chance, could purchase critically needed Pedialyte for her special needs child at $2 a bottle at Wal-Mart, instead of the government paying triple that for her. Stephen stated that instead of a national health care system, "we need a system that brings the consumer into the game and empowers them to make decisions."
This column is not quite ready to endorse John Stephen right now, however, In My Humble Opinion, John Stephen displayed a fire in the belly for conservative values and principles not yet seen in the competition.
The rest of the day was spent in meetings with numerous current and former politicians wishing to relate their feelings on everything from both the Democratic and Republican primaries, to the perceived best pitching rotation of the Sox. All very nondescript and mind numbing.
Finally, a laid-back and informal meeting with North Hampton Police Chief Brian Page. Page asked me to inform North Hampton residents about a survey that will be posted online at www.northhampton-nh.gov . He told me that the Board of Selectmen hired an outside company that specializes in helping municipalities achieve efficiency in providing services to the community. He further stated that he wholeheartedly supports this move and hopes that the North Hampton citizens will take a few minutes to goon line and complete the questionnaire.
"We want to know how the citizens feel about our department, both good and bad" he said with a smile. When he was informed that there may be a few convicted felons who may not say good things, he responded with a smile "Even convicted felons have an opinion. We have a good department, we can take it."
"In My Humble Opinion" endorses this survey, endorses North Hampton Police Department, and endorses Chief Page. He can take it.
Ron Dupuis is a longtime New Hampshire resident, a former state representative, and a freelance writer. His e-mail is drcdupuis@comcast.net.
3.01.2008
NEGATIVITY
By Dave Buhlman
In the 1972 presidential campaign, Democratic nominee, Senator George McGovern, presented the idea of a negative income tax, an idea so left wing it was not even listed in Karl Marx's Ten Planks in his Communist Manifesto. McGovern was scoffed at and went on to lose 49 states to Richard Nixon. McGovern, not surprisingly, took Massachusetts. I remember the headline in the San Francisco Examiner soon after the election in November 1972, "The Bay City Salutes the Bay State." Today, after many years pushing hard and Massachusetts approving same-sex "marriage," that headline could read, "The Gay City Salutes the Gay State." Nice sentiment.
But McGovern's crazy idea was soon thereafter enshrined in federal law as the Earned Income Credit, whereby the federal government sends money to people who paid no federal taxes. Of course the federal government had been doing that for years with corporations, so maybe it wasn't that big a leap.
To continue on that theme of giving, and given the devaluation of the dollar, the federal government might decide to give negative interest to borrowers with bad credit histories. That is, a shaky borrower would be paid a certain percentage by the government to borrow money instead of having to pay it back in full. So, under this scheme, if you borrow $10,000 at minus five percent interest, the federal government sends you a one-time payment of $500. You still need to make some payments to the lender, but that will pass quickly as the negative interest erodes the amount of the principle you owe. This plan has a few bugs, and was also not included in the Communist Manifesto, but the wacky Earned Income Credit became part of America, so maybe this can too.
On another front, it is a joy to see Senator Barack Obama beating Senator Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton in the Democrat primaries. All three are, at a minimum, socialists, but this show is still interesting to follow. And presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, will pretty match both of them stride for stride in the march for socialism in America, so there's not a lot of difference between the two major parties. One thing disturbing about Senator Obama is that, so far as I know, he and those close to him, only emphasize that he is Black. But his mother was White, so why isn't that emphasized at all? Of course, it can't be racism because all involved are liberals. Of course.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative, published author, and supporter of our return to the Constitutional Republic.
In the 1972 presidential campaign, Democratic nominee, Senator George McGovern, presented the idea of a negative income tax, an idea so left wing it was not even listed in Karl Marx's Ten Planks in his Communist Manifesto. McGovern was scoffed at and went on to lose 49 states to Richard Nixon. McGovern, not surprisingly, took Massachusetts. I remember the headline in the San Francisco Examiner soon after the election in November 1972, "The Bay City Salutes the Bay State." Today, after many years pushing hard and Massachusetts approving same-sex "marriage," that headline could read, "The Gay City Salutes the Gay State." Nice sentiment.
But McGovern's crazy idea was soon thereafter enshrined in federal law as the Earned Income Credit, whereby the federal government sends money to people who paid no federal taxes. Of course the federal government had been doing that for years with corporations, so maybe it wasn't that big a leap.
To continue on that theme of giving, and given the devaluation of the dollar, the federal government might decide to give negative interest to borrowers with bad credit histories. That is, a shaky borrower would be paid a certain percentage by the government to borrow money instead of having to pay it back in full. So, under this scheme, if you borrow $10,000 at minus five percent interest, the federal government sends you a one-time payment of $500. You still need to make some payments to the lender, but that will pass quickly as the negative interest erodes the amount of the principle you owe. This plan has a few bugs, and was also not included in the Communist Manifesto, but the wacky Earned Income Credit became part of America, so maybe this can too.
On another front, it is a joy to see Senator Barack Obama beating Senator Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton in the Democrat primaries. All three are, at a minimum, socialists, but this show is still interesting to follow. And presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, will pretty match both of them stride for stride in the march for socialism in America, so there's not a lot of difference between the two major parties. One thing disturbing about Senator Obama is that, so far as I know, he and those close to him, only emphasize that he is Black. But his mother was White, so why isn't that emphasized at all? Of course, it can't be racism because all involved are liberals. Of course.
Dave Buhlman is a former New Hampshire State Representative, published author, and supporter of our return to the Constitutional Republic.
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