TBONH

Executive Office of the President USA

2011-05-25T17:34:00.002-04:00

Ummm, did the President of the free world JUST read MY Blog?

YIKES.

Shouldn’t he be out playing golf, or illegally bombing Libya?

Annoying Waffle Governor Lynch

2011-04-04T16:35:00.001-04:00

Snarky, witty, annoying and oddly enough, deliciously good looking. It’s Annoying Waffle Governor Lynch! Just enough irritation to make you want to stop the video yet in some strange way, you want more. He’s loveable, he’s waffle-able!

The Big "D" for LYNCH

2011-03-19T18:16:00.003-04:00

Biggest Disappointment in your 4 terms as Governor.

Thanks for NOTHING.

TOP 10 iPhone Applications (we would like to see) for New Hampshire

2011-03-18T21:01:00.004-04:00

So, I got finally got an iPhone. When your current (1 ½ year old) cell phone dies and you are not within your contract renewal for three months it is inevitable that your husband digs out the old cell phone that pre-dates your son and hands it to you. Mind you THIS is the same cell phone that generates enough battery heat to start a small bonfire. Needless to say, carrying around a fire extinguisher and wearing non-flammable clothing gets a bit old.

Finally, last week was the end of my wait. As I lay in bed suffering from pneumonia, what does my dear loving husband do? Well, he drives off to Lebanon and goes shopping. LL Bean, Home Depot, EMS, Staples, BJ’s, Wal-Mart and of course, the ultimate shopping experience – Best Buy. Ya’ know, I’m thinkin’, if it hadn’t been for the iPhone purchase he would have been less one limb. Now, I have to say that I am addicted to my iPod Touch and this iPhone to me is like Crack to a cocaine addict. I can’t get enough. The operative word is APPLICATIONS. Thousands upon thousands of them! I already have quite a few and just keep downloading more. In fact, I just downloaded Faceover (a blogger’s dream), HohnerMini (no idea how to use this one), Bagpipe (blaw a wee bit an’ tae to play), Steel Guitar (wish I knew how to actually play one of these instruments), Photostudio (a MUST!), Scanner (Price checker), Labelbox (really fun), Nightvision (Mom in stealth mode) and iConfess (something is just not quite right about this one). Listen, there is an Application for EVERYTHING. Well, just about. So with application frenzy on my mind I devised the “Top Ten iPhone Applications (we would like to see) for New Hampshire” list:

1. Angry Townsfolk / Northern Pass Edition (Game):
This GAME application allows the user to actively bring both NH Republicans and Democrats together on ONE issue. There is NO other game application like this! Survival of the North Country is at stake! Finally a game where the NH Townsfolk can dish out revenge on the evil Hydro Quebec board members who plan to steal property from innocent NH North Country Land owners. Use the unique destructive powers of the angry NH Townsfolk to lay waste to the board member’s fortified dam. Angry Townsfolk/Northern Pass features hours of game play. Each of the 240 levels requires logic, skill, and brute force to crush the enemy.

• Earn points to take out board members, transmission lines and become the top scoring winner by taking out the Hydro-Québec Dam.
• Find yourself in Town meetings, wrapped up in government regulations or ditching billion dollar contracts to win the hearts of the folks of the North Country.

*Please note that this game application cannot be used with the application “Uniting NH”. Upgrade available includes: getting Governor John Lynch to finally show up to a Northern Pass Meeting AND the all NEW Angry Townsfolk sensation …. Removal, relocation and reconstruction of transmission towers in front of the homes of every NH State Representative and NH State Senator who supports the Northern Pass. Price: $ FREE

2. Log ‘R Land (Utility):
This app allows the user to scan their property for the available amount of hardwood, provide current market prices and uses cell phone-to-satellite laser technology to cut the timber. A high pierced decibel sound communicates with wildlife to transport the felled timber to logging trucks which have been notified by GPS to specified location for delivery to mill with highest market return. Price: $1.99

3. State ID to VOTE (Social Networking):
This nifty little application allows instant photo ID at your polling precinct when you vote in National, state or local elections. In NH, where it does not require a NH Drivers License, it will print out an address showing an electric bill with YOUR name and an anonymous address. Change your name, change your address, heck, you can even change your birth date OR social security number. There is no way to check on same day registration, so go ahead – BUY this app today! Change THE Nation! (Sponsored by MoveOn.org) Price: FREE

4. 50 VOTES/50 States (Lifestyle) :
“It’s not only about HOW you VOTE but HOW many times you VOTE”. This application allows users “50 votes”, one for each state in the United States (NOT LIMITED TO COLLEGE STUDENTS). Designed by one of our local Plymouth State University Professors, Roddy MacLeft, this app is guaranteed to swing elections in all 50 states. Additionally, this application comes with the “Activist” feature which alerts all college students and/or lifetime “graduate” students to immediately cease their studies and head out to their State Capitol to protest. Buses, Subway sandwiches and munchies provided. *Please note that if you are in Professor MacLeft’s class and sign up for this app you will receive a “PASS” grade. PRICE: $ FREE

5. Join Obama in Rio (Entertainment/Travel):
This app allows the user to follow Obama and his family as they vacation in Rio De Janeiro! Japan is on alert for a Nuclear crisis and faces the worst natural disaster in the last 100 years, Libya may see millions of civilians killed by Gadhafi, the US faces gas prices it hasn’t seen since Hurricane Katrina, fears of radiation fallout from Japanese nuclear plant explosions worry our Pacific coast and without being able to balance our budget - our own US government is facing a shutdown.

Help Obama with his most pressing concerns:
• Obama needs to select a gift from the Whitehouse: Set of Videos from the Whitehouse Giftshop, Photo of himself and a copy of his recent book OR an iPod with all of his current speeches.
• Obama needs to decide whether he should bow, shake hands or give a complimentary “nod” of the head.
• Provide Obama with his much needed cigarettes OR swipe a few cigars to bring home.
• Vote “Yes” for a shirtless photo op, or “No” – I prefer my president with a coat and tie in the oval office doing his job during a crisis.
• Help Michelle select $1000 handbags.
• Guess how many friends and family the Obama’s take to Rio!

This app is reusable over and over. The current Obama travel plans will update daily, including Martha’s Vineyard trips, golf outings, basketball games, date night in New York courtesy of Air Force One and the US taxpayer. Yep, living large has never been this close! Just download today and you too can live like a king! Price: $ *FREE (*Taxpayer Funded)

6. State House Weapon Scanner (Utilities):
This handy app allows you to scan the person standing next to you to see if they are carrying any guns. While many liberals may feel threatened and leave the state house, conservatives actually feel more protected and know who to turn to in case there is an actual threat in the Capitol. Liberals hide under the desk, Conservatives hide behind the person with the gun. Your choice. Price: $1.99

7. Valley News PU (Productivity):
This application is the most downloaded app in the Upper Valley. Aptly named “Valley News Parallel Universe”. Yes, this feature rewrites any Valley News article to give it unbiased and reliable reporting in a newspaper dominated by superficiality and mediocrity. Run this app first thing in the morning and start the day with a smile on your face! No, more liberal bullcr*p reporting. As always, the latest John P. Gregg articles can be changed in an instant from liberal leaning, un-researched, blog dependant op-eds to well written and well informed pieces edited by our live staff writers. This app allows you to send reminders to the Valley News that Jeanie Forrester is our State Senator and NOT Deb Reynolds, that three days in a row with negative reporting on Newt Gingrich is a bit much and the owner of you paper is a diehard REPUBLICAN, so play nice. This app is sure to please! On-line issues featured and fully up to date for the iPhone 4.0. Live streaming! Price $ FREE

8. Going Tom Thomson (Productivity):
This application allows the user to go “Tom Thomson” on an issue when Tom is not available. Pre-recorded speeches, holograms and fill-in-the-blank pre-written letters to the Editor are included. Photos of Tom with his ax, in front of his Tree Farm or holding his Father’s pen are formatted to add and “cut and paste” to personalize your photo. Price: $ 6.99

Please check out our other apps for:
• “Going Ray Burton”, this app provides you with Ray at any function.
• “Going Jeanie Forrester” app provides you with honesty and integrity at any meeting.
• “Going Omer Ahern” app provides a booming voiceover for Teaparty events, or rallies.
• Special edition, “Going Vicki Schwaegler” app provides a blog ready, fill-in-the- blank, witty commentary with photo software to create your own blog entry or Facebook update.

9. NH Land Enforcer (Utilities):
This application allows a NH landowner to actually keep their land and not allow it to be taken by eminent domain. If eminent domain is deemed to be necessary, the properties of those that have been taken by said “for profit” company (IE: PSNH owners, Hydro-Quebec Board, etc…) will be targeted by military weapons that have received GPS coordinates to target THEIR properties. Military weapons will be launched from the closet weapons command unit. Price: $ 2.99

10. Turn off Hydro-Quebec’s Power System (Utilities):
Feeling like you have little or no say in the Northern Pass? This ought to show them! This highly ingenious app downloads on a live basis the codes to shut down the power stream from the main Hydro plant to all of Canada and the future transmission lines thru Northeastern US. This application is recommended to be used with application “My Generator”. Price $ FREE

Mark Steyn. One Man. One Tie.

2011-03-14T13:16:00.003-04:00

Links are everything to a blogger, you know that.

Silent auction fundraiser for the Grafton County Republicans March 28th Lincoln Day Dinner.

Bring your tie.

Plymouth State University’s own: Roddy MacLeft

2011-03-11T23:12:00.002-05:00

PSU Professor Organizes Lefty Protest on College Time

Can you be THIS stupid and still be one of New England's “Top” trial lawyers?

Really? Really??

I. Did. Not. Just. Say. That.

How to Become a Cookie Monster

2011-01-25T16:17:00.006-05:00

Dang it! Someone has managed to write something that has surpassed even my dry wit.

I give this article my all time best rating of 5 stars! Thank you Alex Tokarev!

If you Give a Politician a Cookie by Alex Tokarev

(Inspired by Laura Numeroff’s books, with special thanks to my children Kristin and Noel)

If you give a politician a cookie, he will make a mental note to reprimand you later, on a Sesame Street show, for serving unhealthy foods. While he is chewing on his sixth cookie, he will ask you for a glass of organic milk. If you give him the milk, he will most likely spill some of it on your carpet. When he notices the stain, he will cite you for violating property maintenance codes. As soon as he is done with the paperwork, he will send FDA agents to raid the nearby Amish farm on suspicions that they have sold you unauthorized raw milk.

To prevent further spilling, he is going to ask you for a straw. While he is blowing bubbles in his glass, he may notice that the straw is plastic. This will inspire him to write a bill that requires you to recycle it. When he eats a few more cookies and drinks another quart of milk, he will need to visit your bathroom. There he may notice that your toilet uses more than the federally mandated amount of water to flush. This will remind him to increase your sewage tax. If he notices that you are out of kid’s dental floss, he may file a complaint with Social Services charging you with child endangerment.

When he gets out of the bathroom, he may notice that the place is littered with cookie crumbs. He will ask you to evacuate your home until EPA removes the bio-hazardous material from the floor. (He will solemnly pledge to PETA that the ants and cockroaches attracted by the crumbs will be relocated in the most humane manner and at the expense of the homeowner.) All this talking, thinking, and legislating will make him thirsty. So he will ask for a glass of milk. And chances are, if you get him the milk, he will want a cookie to go with it. . . .

“Squirrel Crasher” finds job with TSA

2010-12-01T00:16:00.006-05:00

I hear that TSA has hired new specialists. The idea is to offer free mammograms before each flight for every woman and a prostate cancer check for every man.

Apparently it’s called ‘Obamacare’.

I LOST. Double Ugh.

2010-11-29T12:01:00.000-05:00

Never EVER say that your vote doesn’t count. Trust me on this.

After the Grafton District 6 recount, I ended up falling behind by two votes. Yes, I won before I lost. There were a few ballots we chose to take to the Ballot Law Commission, but nothing changed.

I would like to thank all of the candidates, both Republicans and Democrats, for a really fun campaign experience. I would also like to congratulate the winners – job well done!

I WON! *

2010-11-09T22:07:00.003-05:00

* at least until the RECOUNT is final. Ugh.

I won the race for New Hampshire State Representative, Grafton, District 6 - but there has been a recount requested. As I am inexperienced with recounts, I am reaching out to my fellow Republicans who are knowledgeable with NH House race recounts. I need a team of three and have only one spot filled. I ask those who volunteer to look out after my votes for me so that I can maintain my position and move forward to Concord. I need YOUR help to bring this baby home!

So, here’s the dealeeoh. My district has 2 State Reps. Out of the four candidates who moved forward to the General Election (two Republicans and two Democrats), only the TWO with the most votes move on to Concord. Here’s the shakedown of the votes:

(D) Jim Aguiar 1287 votes
(R) Vicki Schwaegler (me) 1285 votes
(R) Charlie Brosseau 1283 votes
(D) Carol Friedrich – not enough to count, hah! Just kidding. Although she did lose to Charlie by 167 votes.

Recount is scheduled for Friday, November 12th at 2 PM, Room 303 in the LOB (Legislative Office Building).

My running mate, Charlie Brosseau, has requested the recount. As you can see, the outcome could be really great or it could really bite.

Thank you GROK for lending me a hand and posting on your site!

Two Words: Wildlife Camera.

2010-10-31T22:52:00.003-04:00

For the idiot, or idiots, that cut down a couple of political yardsigns in Orford yesterday and then stole the metal stakes, you may have just been caught. A neighbor with a wildlife camera thinks that he may have caught the culprit/s on his camera. Talk about a meaningless reason to get arrested.

Hmm, come to think of it, WE have a couple of wildlife cameras that we could use to protect our signs. Pure Genius! I’m on it!

2010 New Hampshire General Election Sample Ballots: The E-edition

2010-10-24T19:48:00.002-04:00

Here you go folks! Click on your town for your corresponding sample ballot. When you find my name, hold that spot for some of that #2 graphite!

District 6:

Campton
Ellsworth
Orford
Rumney
Wentworth

Other towns click here.

Ready on Day One....Or Not.

2010-10-12T20:40:00.011-04:00

All I can say is that THIS is the most entertainment I have EVAH’ had from the Grafton County Commissioners meeting minutes. You know, sometimes my life is like a multi-colored rainbow sprinkling down happy Skittles everywhere!

This excerpt is from September 28th meeting:

Register of Deeds Bill Sharp along with Deputy Register Beth Wyman entered the meeting.

Candidate for Register of Deeds, Kelley Monahan arrived to discuss an agreement that Register of Deeds Sharp had entered into with UNH for a pilot program in a Geo-graphical Information System. She said that she felt she should be brought up to speed regarding this issue along with the other Deeds candidate as well as the towns involved. She suggested that there was going to be some kind of informational seminar that would take place on the 25th of October and felt that she should attend.

Commissioner Cryans asked RD Sharp if this was something that was taking place at the County Convention and he replied that it was. He said it was something UNH was going to present.

Commissioner Burton said that as a private citizen Ms. Monahan would likely have to pay to go to the Convention and do that through NHACo Executive Director Betsy Miller. Commissioner Cryans said that it would be best if she were to contact Miller as he has never heard of anyone from the private sector attending the meeting unless they were a vendor. He also stated that each elected official holds their office until the 2nd of November when the voting takes place. That person remains until the end of December and the new officer gets sworn in, which is in January. He thought it important to review the procedure with K. Monahan.

Commissioner Burton discussed various times that candidates running for office have done so on County property and have found themselves reprimanded for it.

K. Monahan said she just thought she should know what was going on.

RD Sharp then passed out some paperwork regarding revenue, up to date foreclosure information, the press release information regarding the GIS pilot program and a letter he had written to K. Monahan which asked her to cease and desist her pursuance of information from the Deeds staff.

He discussed the fact that he found it uncomfortable that K. Monahan has come to the Commissioners and has spoken to his staff before ever coming to him and didn’t think that was right to do.

Commissioner Richards asked if the cease and desist from RD Sharp was appropriate. There was a discussion about whether or not it was proper for Ms. Monahan to go into the Deeds office and discuss information with the staff.

Director Clough said that she had spoken to Ms. Monahan the night before and discussed the fact that she did not feel that it was appropriate for her to be speaking with the staff. Director Clough said there are two people running for that office and until that race is decided then the politics should be kept out of there.

And lastly, this little tidbit at the conclusion of the meeting:

J. Chamberlain said that he was planning to get some information about the job of Treasurer and now questions whether or not that is appropriate given the conversation with the Register of Deeds.

...did you really have to think about this one?

Scary Fact #2: Typically Speaking, If Your State Ranks 50th, That's NOT a Good Sign

2010-09-27T01:11:00.005-04:00

As part of my scary fact series, I feel it's time to add another one to our list of wake up calls.

Corporate Tax Index, 2010

New Hampshire has consistently rated, since 2006, as having the WORST State Corporate Tax Climate Index.

So, you ask….WHERE does New Hampshire rank?

50th.

So there is no misunderstanding, 1 = the best and 50th = the worst.

The Sample Ballots are here! The Sample Ballots are here!

2010-09-01T22:22:00.006-04:00

I know, the sample ballots have been online for a while but give me a break....I've been a LITTLE bit busy doing other things.

If you don't know already, my name is VICTORIA SCHWAEGLER and luck of the draw has me listed at the top of the ballot under 'State Representatives'. I would be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL (okay, so I’m not above begging) to have your check mark, dot, X, scribble or the method accepted by your local election standards - next to my name.

Please vote on September 14th. Polling hours and location are listed below for each town in Grafton County, District 6.

If you would like to view the sample ballot, click on your town:

ORFORD Primary Sample Ballot 2010 / Vote at the Orford Town Offices, Niles Room, 2529 Route 25A between the hours of 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

CAMPTON Primary Sample Ballot 2010 / Vote at the Elementary School between the hours of 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

ELLSWORTH Primary Sample Ballot 2010 / Vote at the Town School House, 3 Ellsworth Pond Road between the hours of 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

WENTWORTH Primary Sample Ballot 2010 / Vote at Wentworth School, 1247 Mt. Moosilaukee Hwy between the hours of 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

RUMNEY Primary Sample Ballot 2010 / Vote at Russell Elementary School, 95 School Street between the hours of 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

ALL of the New Hampshire Primary 2010 Sample Ballots are available here: http://www.sos.nh.gov/PrimarySampleBallots.htm

Vote for Pedro.

2010-08-25T20:33:00.007-04:00

Today, the Plymouth Record Enterprise printed an article on the Pemi Baker Valley Republican Committee Candidate Forum, which was held on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center.

The article targeted important issues that I am concerned about, but sadly, incorrectly reported my speech and missed my point. Here is their excerpt:

“……Schwaegler highlighted her 23 years business experience and a career that featured high-level negotiations of large commercial contracts at the Pentagon and the nation's Capitol. She said that her traditional New Hampshire values include lower taxes, less government bureaucracy and local control, especially in education.”

What’s with that last sentence? You know, punctuation means a lot. So, let’s do a little ol’ English 101 correction:

“….She said that her traditional New Hampshire values include lower taxes, less government bureaucracy and, local control - especially in education.”

Now, that’s MUCH better.

Geez, during my speech I already felt like Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite - minus Napoleon. Worse yet, my primary opponents were far too similar to Summer Wheatley, complete with their own cheering section. Ugh. Story of my life.

So, for your entertainment, here is my ACTUAL three minute speech:

Good evening. My name is Vicki Schwaegler and I live in Orford. I am running for the NH House of Representatives, Grafton County, District 6 – Wentworth, Orford, Ellsworth, Rumney and Campton.

Thank you Lud, Omer and the Pemi-Baker Valley Republicans for providing me this opportunity to speak.

New Hampshire is unique. In that, a normal citizen such as myself can be the ‘check and balance’ to government. Such as yesterday, when I joined Dr. Debi Warner, a fellow Grafton County GOP member whom many of you might know, at a hearing of the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.

This committee was considering over 500 new rules that will govern the Board of Mental Health Practice.

Dr. Warner testified against a new rule that would have allowed the seizure of your medical records without your consent - a clear violation of your constitutional “right to privacy”. I saw firsthand how Dr. Warner was able to shine the light of day on this privacy invading rule.

After Dr. Warner stood up to the bureaucrats, who were trying to limit her testimony, even a Democrat State Senator on the JLCAR was able to recognize that the government was going too far. Supporting Dr. Warner and working to uphold our constitution is the reason why I am involved in politics.

I believe in the constitution, personal responsibility, limited government, low taxes and a responsibly balanced budget.

I will work to support pro-business policies which encourage investment and promote job creation.

I am married and have a 3 year old son, Paul. I have gotten to know the young families in our district who are just getting started, trying to get a foot hold in this difficult economy and provide a good education to their children.

I also live down the street from my 70 something in-laws and I am involved in many community groups that bring me into contact with seniors. I am well aware of their struggles to pay taxes.... the property tax, interest and dividends tax, and the potential for new taxes such as a capital gains or estate tax.

Our family runs a small business – an award winning tree farm in Orford. I also work part-time as an estimator, for an LLC that provides commercial painting and drywall.

I have over 23 years of small business experience. I see firsthand the struggles that small businesses face, their concerns about new taxes and increased regulations that are freezing their ability to grow.

I have a track record as a proven negotiator. Before moving to New Hampshire I estimated and negotiated large contracts such as the phased renovation of the Pentagon and the Historical Renovations of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

My experiences negotiating large commercial and government contracts across multiple east coast states and working with both non-union and union shops as well as my experiences working with my community, makes me the best qualified candidate to serve Grafton County, District 6 in Concord.

I look forward to your support and vote on September 14th and then again on November 2nd.

Litter or Lifesaver?

2010-08-25T11:50:00.005-04:00

Law regulating campaign signs can be confusing, is rarely enforced
By DAN TUOHY
New Hampshire Union Leader

Campaign signs are starting to litter the landscape, figuratively if not quite literally, calling attention again to state law on where political advertising is allowed….

You know, purchasing and placing campaign yard signs is a necessary evil to all candidates. One I would rather do without, as my primary opponents have much bigger signs than I do. MUCH BIGGER and more of them.

But, I have a plan. Those pesky campaign signs of mine will be removed quickly after the primary. Then, I plan to purchase new ‘bag’ signs (because they last longer) for the expensive wire frames. These new signs will be printed in bright yellow with “SLOW – CHILDREN AT PLAY” and will be distributed among families with children who live on busy roads to REMIND drivers to slow down.

Not all signs are a nuisance – this one will save lives.

Meet Heave Hodes

2010-08-10T10:53:00.003-04:00

Speaking of Facebook....Here’s a keeper! Let's just say that Heave has my type of humor, dry and witty (if I don't mind myself sayin' so).

One of Heave’s recent Facebook entries:

Heave Hodes ‎#18 is where New Hampshire landed in the 2010 Pig Book pork-per-capita state ranking. Coming off a year's work of binge spending, Paul Hodes swore off pork in January like a drunk that says he no longer needs a drink. Whoops! Then he voted for the pork-laden Obamacare and Financial Implosion bills. Let's all help Paul obtain real sobriety on November 2nd.

Facebook Overload

2010-08-09T11:03:00.003-04:00

and, of course, just to drive you even more nuts, you can find my facebook page at : Vicki Schwaegler for NH State Rep

Self promoting and keeping in touch all at the same time! Oh, and it's FREE.

I, for one, am in a very happy place right now.

Public Service Announcement from the CDC

2010-08-06T09:33:00.004-04:00

Subject: Information about Gonorrhea Lectim

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible obamanation.

The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it in 2008...but now most of the public, after having been infected for the past 1-2 years, are just starting to realize the destructiveness of this sickness.

It's unfortunate because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just now coming on the market called Votemout. You take the first dose in 2010 and the second dose in 2012, then simply don't engage in such behavior again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it.

Several states are already making headway on Gonorrhea Lectim. Included are: Virginia and New Jersey, and now apparently Massachusetts. These states have all taken strong measures, with many more states seeing the writing on the wall.

34th Annual Orford Flea Market, August 7th and 8th, 2010

2010-08-05T10:58:00.012-04:00

NEWSFLASH!!!!

***The 35th Orford Annual Flea Market will be held on August 6th and 7th, 2011. The Orford Republicans will host a booth on Saturday August 6th only. Space #132.

Presidential campaign literature will be available! Please stop by and meet their representatives.***

End.

Orford, NH – Now, in it’s 34th year, the Orford Flea Market is one of the best flea markets to attend in New Hampshire. If you enjoy antiquing, arts and crafts, fresh produce and a variety of wares for sale – this is where to find it! This market brings thousands of people from all over the state and offers almost 200 vendors. Refreshments are available.

Event Information:
Date: Saturday, August 7th and Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Best to come early for the “good stuff”!)
Where: On the Common, Route 10, Orford, NH
Sponsored by: The Orford Volunteer Fire Department (Non-Profit Organization)

Once again, this year on Saturday, August 7th, the Orford Republicans (chaired by none other than me) will be hosting a booth at space #132. We welcome all Republican candidates to join us and invite everyone to stop by and chat. Local candidates will be on hand to speak to you about your concerns. I'll be at the booth all day, so stop by and let me hear what's on your mind....

Job Creation à la Obama...

2010-07-30T23:43:00.007-04:00

(Tonight’s blog entry is for all of the incredible folks I met tonight at the North Haverhill Fair. Thank you for coming by and stopping to visit our booth. We had a great turn out and lot’s of energy!)

Okay, so I thought that there was some similarity in the following story and our majority legislature (that would be Governor Lynch and all of his slap happy friends) who have run New Hampshire into a $295 million dollar budget deficit and expanding our government by 24% over the last four years. See if you agree:

Political Humor and Government Bureaucracy

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night.” So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, “How does the watchman do his job without instruction?”

So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?” So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people, one to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, “How are these people going to get paid?” So, they created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Congress said, “Who will be accountable for all of these people?” So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, “We have had this command in operation for one Year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost.” So they laid off the night watchman.

Doppelganger Alert

2010-07-21T14:28:00.004-04:00

You know, I’ve thought about BlueHampshire and now I figured it out, let’s see if you agree with me. BlueHampshire is a blogspot for the liberal minded, catering to the Democrat wheel of fortune. Anyone who reads BlueHampshire is neveh’ eveh’ gonna vote for a Republican….so who cares, none of their criticism is the least bit constructive anyway.

So, to be helpful to the Liberals, here is my (free and at no charge) critique on BlueHampshire:

1. So been there, done that. BlueHampshire rants are…dare I say…yawn, repetitious. So, 2008. Heck, they still talk about Sarah Palin like it was yesterday. My advice, keep it fresh.

2. If you read only BlueHampshire’s highlighted boxes, you are probably missing the point (Really? Really.) My advice….go to the links or google and make up your own mind. Like-minded people think alike – so, be original and think outside the box.

3. Okay, BlueHampshire is just plain weird. So “hope and changey mixed with I hate anything and everything about Conservatives” that it makes me want to cringe for them. Creepy. I have no advice on that one.

4. Does anyone really want an endorsement from BlueHampshire? Nope. How about Paul Hodes? Oh, and like I soooo want Obama to endorse me – NOT. How about Biden? Heck, are you freakin’ kidding me? That’s would ring a quick and certain death knell to one’s campaign. Yeah, you Dem’s go out there and see just what type of endorsements will help ya’ll and let me know how THAT turns out. My advice: at midterm election time, steer clear of a Democrat endorsement.

5. Lastly, and only because I’ve wasted too much blogspace on this already, Dean, you too have a doppelganger and his name is “Harry Potter”. My advice: grab a striped scarf and a magical wand – because the liberals are gonna need it.

Yardsales, Beer, Tattoos, Prostitutes and Baseball…..

2010-07-12T14:22:00.002-04:00

Floating around the web is this little gem....

Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive another Economic Stimulus payment.

This is indeed a very exciting program, and I’ll explain it by using a Q & A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen of it.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China or Sri Lanka.

If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs.

If you purchase a computer, it will go to India, Taiwan or China.

If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras or Guatemala.

If you buy an efficient car, it will go to Japan or Korea.

If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.

If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.

Instead, keep the money in America by:

1) Spending it at yard sales, or

2) Going to ball games, or

3) Spending it on prostitutes, or

4) Beer or

5) Tattoos.

(These are the only American businesses still operating in the U.S.)

Conclusion:
Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day!

Grafton County Republicans To Host July Meeting At Pondside Lodge, Indian Pond

2010-07-12T14:08:00.004-04:00

The beloved Boy Scout Camp / Children’s camp located at Indian Pond in Orford closed its doors in the 1970’s. Many of the locals have fond memories of it and seldom have the occasion to visit the old lodge that has been lovingly restored and now owned by a private family. This wonderful location is pleased to be hosting the Grafton County Republicans on Wednesday, July 21st at 6:30 PM.

If you would like to become active with the Grafton County Republicans or have fallen off the bandwagon, please feel free to join us. If you have any questions, you can e-mail or call me, Vicki@vickischwaegler.com or 272-9202.

Directions can be found at: http://www.indianpondnh.com/

After your initial shock of viewing me in my lovely wedding attire (the website, as you can see, has not been updated since 2005) go to the Directions/Maps and you will find directions from various routes. Hope to see you there!

This Explains It – Obama Never Left The 80’s!

2010-07-08T11:37:00.003-04:00

Okay, I admit it. I too, am a PRODUCT OF THE 80’s. Hence, my total and utter fascination for this video. I had to watch it five times right off the bat.

To see the FULL 3:23 Minute version, go to PJTV.

Max: Send Moolah, Preferably In Small Untraceable Bills….

2010-07-07T15:33:00.004-04:00

Chief: Now listen carefully:

The PLAN: Get control and lower state spending.

ACTION to take: Get Vicki Schwaegler elected.

Implementation: DONATE now to her campaign.

RESULT: Lower taxes.

Chief: Did you get that?
Max: Not all of it.
Chief: Which part didn't you get?
Max: The part after 'Now listen carefully'.

New Hampshire Makes The Top 10

2010-07-06T10:57:00.003-04:00

....and NOT in a good way.

New Hampshire ranks 10th in States with the highest rise in taxes….and you ask me WHY I am running for State Representative. Hmpf.

From YAHOO NEWS:

10 States Where Taxes Are Rising the Most

New Hampshire. Total: $161 million; $121 per person.
Enacted: Higher taxes on tobacco, some motor vehicle records, hotel rooms, gambling winnings; higher fees on boat and motor vehicle registrations and some government activities.

Apparently, To Play, You Must Drink The Kool-Aid

2010-07-05T14:45:00.007-04:00

Click on America is an Obamanation for full sized version!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-04T17:06:00.002-04:00

Remember - keep it safe!

The “Ideal” Political Candidate And His Ad…

2010-06-25T09:52:00.009-04:00

From the highest rated comment for this YouTube video:

"Fantastic satire and dead-on accurate. Characterizes the entire political scene in this nation, from the White House down, with withering accuracy."

Ya' think?

Going Viral

2010-06-23T23:51:00.003-04:00

Oh, to be me.

Oh, wait a minute; I AM me and I’ve been IN THE NEWS…Wow.

The Valley News reported last Thursday:

Take It Back?
Live by the Internet, die by the Internet. That could be the motto for an edgy Orford Republican whose blog has ripped into Democrats since the 2008 elections.

I’d say that this article is just darn good reporting, it is interesting to hear how others view me and my blog.

I have used my blog to vent my angst about the direction of county, state and national affairs as well as pass along humorous little tidbits that I pick up from other parts of the blogosphere. I tried to shine the light on county issues which I felt the main stream media was not reporting on. I have certainly hoped that the meat of my criticism would be taken constructively while adding satirical humor to make it interesting. There are always two sides to every story and if it’s out there, you can bet that I am not the only one talking about it (I just happen to do it on the internet). Facts do not lie and I always provide links to the sources of my blog entries so that you can form your own judgment.

Alas, my satirical blog will be toning it down a bit to run for public office. I know, I know, my head may explode, but in the meanwhile, I need to redirect my energies into my political campaign. It is my goal to protect and encourage small business growth, limit government spending, provide for choice in education, be more responsive to the people’s needs and, now that school is out for the summer, provide more wine to my mommies groups. Girls, I am on it. Really.

Do You Bump?

2010-06-20T23:10:00.005-04:00

And I’m not talking about a dance move from the 70’s or 80’s.

Last Wednesday, I drove down to Concord to sign the American’s For Prosperity Tax Pledge. After the press conference, I mingled with other candidates and traded information. You know, at one of these things, there’s always lots of paper action going on. To consolidate and save time and money, I asked if they ‘bumped’. No one knew what I was talking about except a twenty-something year old.

So, in a nutshell:
“To Bump” is to use an application available on your iPhone or iPod Touch (by Apple) which makes swapping contact information as simple as bumping two phones together. No typing, no searching a list for the right person, no shaking your phone, no modem noises, no mistakes. Contact information is then saved directly into your address book.

This app (application) is also being used by PayPal to send money. Like, say, to my campaign…Hint, hint.

Talkin’ about my type of app, here’s one that allows me to pay for an overpriced cup of coffee with just a “bump”. This app is called “Starbucks Card Mobile” which allows you to leave your wallet at home and just “bump” to pay. Plastic Credit cards, which are so not eco-friendly, will soon be a thing of the past. For those who refuse to spend money on an Apple product (Mac being the Liberals product of choice) you can now spend your money on an “Android” phone system by Google, which is serviced by Verizon. Most apps will work on either product. Of course, there is a downside; you DO need an internet connection to actually use any of these applications.

Oil Spill Breaking News!

2010-06-18T18:33:00.003-04:00

BP announced that this morning they installed a wedding ring around the leaking pipe & it quit putting out.

(Via "The Coalition of the Swilling" blog)

Now, THAT is just too funny not to post!

Victoria’s Secret

2010-06-12T12:59:00.005-04:00

Yep, I’m coming out of the closet. After almost two years of posts discussing issues affecting our local, state and federal government, I have made the decision to DO MORE. I want to see a better New Hampshire. I want to see responsible spending. I want to see people in our State House who pay attention to the pressing issues that confront us and not runaway with the “politically correct” issues of the day.

You know, I like to keep my sense of humor about things, but enough is enough. There is no humor in finding our state budget with record deficits while legislation about gambling, social agendas and new ways to tax us are finding their way onto the floor of our State House. Has common sense all but flown out the door? Hey, I have a novel idea, how about focusing on the spending and NOT new ways to create revenue and increase the size of government.

As the owner and author of this blog, I can and will DO MORE. My name is Victoria Schwaegler and I am running for New Hampshire State Representative for the towns of Orford, Wentworth, Rumney, Ellsworth and Campton. Folks, I am YOUR watchdog in Concord and at our Haverhill County offices. I will make sure that you are well and truly represented. My voice will be heard and trust me, I will make myself LOUD and CLEAR. New Hampshire is my home, so don’t go messin’ with what makes our state great. We are NOT Maine, we are NOT Massachusetts and we most certainly are NOT Vermont, so don’t go changing us. I have always spoken what others are thinkin’ and I have only just begun…

My official website, http://www.vickischwaegler.com/ will be up and running sometime this weekend. Come over for a visit and check me out.

US Senate Candidate Dennis “Cal Ripken, Jr.” Lamare

2010-06-08T00:47:00.002-04:00

Doppelganger Central here bringing you the next segment of “Oh my gosh, do you know who you remind me of….?” spotlighting US Senate Candidate Dennis Lamare (R). If you meet the guy, you know instantly that he can’t be a bad guy, considering he looks the spittin’ image of American icon, Cal Ripken, Jr. Then, upon closer inspection, you get a vague sense of familiarity that, yep, it’s on the tip of your tongue, yep, what’s his name, the actor guy, you know the one with the salad dressing? Ummmmmm….starts with a P, Paul…Paul…Paul….NEWMAN! That’s it, PAUL NEWMAN. Whew. Brainkill overload.

I wish I had a better photo of Mr. Lamare, taking into consideration that there was only one decent photo of him available, maybe you’ll get my point anyway.

TBONH’s Commentary on Register of Deeds Bill Sharp

2010-06-02T14:12:00.003-04:00

From the public hearing meeting on the Grafton County 2011 Budget:

Register of Deeds Bill Sharp was recognized and spoke publicly about how he felt
about the decision the Delegation made regarding his salary. He suggested that he was
worth more than what they had voted on, he had saved the County a lot of money and he
should have been awarded a larger salary than the additional $800+ dollars that was voted
on. He said he was going to add to that salary to bring it to an even amount and then give
money to a kitchen to buy a new stove. He indicated that there was a difference between
a nerd and a schnook and that he was being treated like a schnook and he was not one.

Gosh, Bill, THANKS! YOU handed that one to me on a silver platter with a full course meal!

Where Oh Have My State Reps Gone…

2010-06-02T13:41:00.002-04:00

Oh where, oh where can they be?
With the economy down and my taxation up,
Oh where, oh where can they be?

Why is it that all the other State Representatives and members of the Executive Committee show up to the public hearing on the proposed 2011 budget but our Representatives, Jim Aguiar (D) and Carol Friedrich (D), are a no show? Our County Treasurer was a ‘no show’ as well….go figure. Listen folks, we have TWO reps, couldn’t ONE of them at least attend? What is happening to our State and County representation? I say, if you don’t care enough about our county budget then get the heck out of politics.

From the public hearing minutes on the 2011 budget:

A gentleman from the public stated that he was astonished at the lack of residents who attended this budget hearing and said the room consisted mostly of County employees. There was a discussion about holding the meeting elsewhere to possible draw more people in. Commissioner Cryans said that he was happy to entertain any suggestions as to other ways to get people to come but in all the years that he’s been Commissioner, there hasn’t seemed to be a real draw to County government.

Well, my good man, if you can’t even get your State Representatives to attend, than you, me and every man, woman and child in our District lack representation. Now THAT pisses me off.

“If you build it, They will come.” The Enfield Tea Party 5.29.2010

2010-06-01T13:34:00.004-04:00

No cucumber sandwiches and mint juleps at this event! It was full of local folks and candidates concerned about their country, the future of their children and constitutional freedoms.

If you haven’t been to a Tea Party event, then I highly suggest you attend one. These events are hodgepodge in nature and spring up at a moment’s notice. You will not find pre-printed SEIU signs or ‘for-profit’ organizers. This is all volunteer stuff, the stuff that made our country what it is today. A ball field, a flat bed truck (or a milk crate), an American Flag, a microphone and a few concerned citizens are all you need. Welcome to the USA!

The photos to the left are candidates: Bob Guida, Kelly Ayotte, Jennifer Horn and son of Governor Meldrim Thomson, Tom Thomson.

Please note that Ms. Ayotte is standing on a milk crate and Ms. Horn had to jump up on a flat bed truck wearing heels!

Michelle Obama, Salsa and Table Arrangement

2010-06-01T13:13:00.001-04:00

Who is worse, Commissioner Mike Cryans or Treasurer Vanessa Sievers? It’s a ‘Coin Toss’ heh, heh….

2010-05-31T22:53:00.003-04:00

Last weeks County Commissioners meeting, County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers e-mailed the board and asked to appoint George Sykes as her Deputy Treasurer. The Commissioners, having questions about Mr. Sykes, tried to reach Ms. Vanessa. (Why one would not attend this meeting for the appointment is beyond me.) After calling every single phone number Ms. Sievers supplied (even Montana….) with no response, Sievers eventually returned the call. When asked if she had spoken to George Sykes (D), she responded “No”. She said that Karen Liot Hill (D) had told her to appoint Mr. Sykes. Now, with no one knowing if Mr. Sykes actually KNEW about this appointment, the board then requested a written acceptance from Mr. Sykes for the position of Deputy Treasurer.

Meanwhile, eyebrows were raised about this sudden appointment. Was Mr. Sykes being appointed to get a foot up in this year’s elections? County Commissioner Mike Cryans claims “No”. So, is Mike Cryans lying? We’ll know later this week, as those who are interested in running for elected office, tip their names into the proverbial ‘hat’.

Karen Liot Hill: FAIL…and in a BIG way...her breathalyzer test.

2010-05-31T22:16:00.004-04:00

Sometimes, Lady Luck must look down on me with just a big ol’ grin on her face. I know this may be old news to some of you, but I just discovered this little morsel and had to give it some more “Press” time.

Karen Liot Hill (D), the Former Lebanon Mayor was recently caught driving DRUNK, the DUI type of Drunk. Did I say DRUNK? Yep, that’s what I said, DRUNK. Karen Liot Hill was driving DRUNK. Sloshed. Inebriated. Pickled. Smashed. Wasted. Blasted. Snookered. Sh*tfaced. Hey, it’s bad enough to be caught drunk, but driving DRUNK, now that’s an accident waiting to happen. So, in light of this information, I have taken the liberty to notify MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), BADD (Bars Against Drunk Driving), SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and finally, DADD (Drunks Against Drunk Driving). Ahhh, it feels so right to finally help my community in some small way and keep our families safe against the likes of Karen Liot Hill.

The Truth HURTS.

2010-05-25T23:25:00.006-04:00

Thank you Dean for the crossposting! You ROCK!

“My late mother, New Hampshire Senator Susan McLane, a pioneer for women in politics and a founder of the WCF, inspired and encouraged a generation of women to run for elective office. Only 17% of the U.S. Senate and House are women, and I am proud to be part of a new generation of candidates who aim to change those odds and bring full representation to the U.S. Congress, for our daughters and granddaughters to come. - Ann McLane Kuster (D), candidate for U.S. House from New Hampshire

Hey Ann! Your MOTHER was a life-long REPUBLICAN!

It is not fair to claim status quo with her when you can’t even respect the political party she belonged to and NEVER, EVER mention that she was a Republican in your BIOS, your QUOTES or your WIKI page. She worked HARD as a REPUBLICAN! And you know what else Ann? You need to OWN up girlfriend.

I Gotta’ Flip For You and It Ain’t A Coin….

2010-05-24T23:54:00.003-04:00

Hmmm, Coin Flip. WTF?

You know, at this point, the NH House and Senate Democrat incumbents might as well save what little self respect they have and quit now. Better yet, all of THEIR campaign and PAC money can go to the State coffers and whittle down our $300 Million dollar deficit that THEY created. Hey, know what? I LIKE my idea!

DUMP THE DEM.

2010-05-20T22:35:00.007-04:00

Now wait a minute, are you telling me that Rep. Carol Friedrich(D) is running (by petition) for an open seat on the board of the NH Electric Co-Op and she can’t even balance a budget as a State Representative? Are you NUTS?

From what I’ve been reading in the newspapers, our state is running a RECORD deficit because of representatives like her.

From the Union Leader:

Budget deficit just got bigger
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief, Wednesday, May, 12, 2010
CONCORD – The state's projected budget deficit has worsened to $290 million, a 32 percent surge in red ink over the course of a single month.
By June 2011, budget officials expect the state's revenues to be $200 million below projections. Last month, the estimate was they'd be off by $130 million.
Combined with other budget disappointments and rising welfare caseloads, the total budget hole is edging close to the $300 million mark.

What really burns my britches is our state’s use of our Rainy Day Fund over the past few years when the economy was in an upswing. What the heck is with THAT? Now we have nothing left to fall back on in the lean times.

From the Concord Monitor:

Rainy day fund drained for budget
Committee closes books on 2008-'09
By Shira Schoenberg / Monitor Staff
January 23, 2010
The state's rainy day fund will be left with less money than any other time in recent memory, after the state Fiscal Committee voted to take money from the fund to balance the 2008-2009 budget.
The committee voted unanimously to take $79.7 million from the state's revenue stabilization account, also known as the rainy day fund, to close the books on 2009. That leaves the fund with less than $10 million on hand.

If you really want a reality check, go to: http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=66553

Fool for Thought: The Sievers Saga

2010-05-18T18:16:00.004-04:00

"Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me.” - Old English Proverb

"Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me. Fool Me Thrice, forget all of this fooling stuff, I have had enough! I’m shaming you AND your sorry lot out of office” – TBONH

Fool Me Once, Shame on You.....
From The Valley News, Published 2/26/2009
Treasurer shows up, makes amends
Delegation accepts her investment plan
By John P. Gregg
“In a presentation to Grafton County commissioners, Sievers also pledged to be more diligent about attending meetings during which county officials might have questions about her plans, addressing a key complaint that she had been overly reliant on e-mail in the part-time, $6,480-a-year job.”

Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me.....
From The Valley News, Published 5/18/2010
Grafton Treasurer Apologizes, Student Promises Attendance
By John P. Gregg
“Grafton County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers yesterday apologized to lawmakers who had called for her resignation, saying she is taking steps to match her schedule as a Dartmouth College student with her duties as a part-time elected official.”

Now tell me….what’s the difference in these two excerpts other than the date?

Jack squat, that’s the difference.

Why Republican Men are Happier

2010-05-16T00:21:00.005-04:00

Any questions? Nope? Thought not.

Me Likey Annoying Orange….

2010-05-15T20:43:00.001-04:00

Quick wit, not afraid to speak his mind, multitasks and has fresh breath, what more can you ask for in the perfect strangely odd talking orange?

New “Three Wolves T-Shirt” Adds “Dollar Bill Binnie”

2010-05-15T17:30:00.003-04:00

I couldn’t help myself. The “Dollar Bill Binnie” Facebook phenomenon has even hit TBONH.
Here’s my creative self taking the meme the next step!

From Amazon:
It’s unbelievable, but the number of fans for Dollar Bill Binnie have grown to such proportions that it has been added to New Hampshire’s treasured “Three Wolves Tee Shirt”. With such popularity, the demand was high to create a tee shirt which could properly represent our next U.S. Senator. At the affordable price of $9.89, everyone will be wearing it! Folks are calling it “magical”, just read the recent review below:

19,420 of 19,597 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dual Function Design, May 14, 2010

This review is from: The Mountain Three Wolf-Dollar Bill Binnie Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel)

This t-shirt has three wolves on it and features my favorite race car driver, Dollar Bill Binnie, which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth 5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic happened. After checking to ensure that the Dollar Bill Binnie/wolves t-shirt would properly cover my girth, I walked from my trailer to Wal-mart wearing my new shirt and immediately was approached by women along the way! Oh, yes - the women knew instantly, from the wolves and Dollar Bill Binnie on my shirt that I, like a wolf, am a mysterious loner who knows of the allure of “Dollar Bill Binnie”. The types of women that approached me wanted to know if they could have my child and/or give them money for something called “meth”. I told them no, because they didn't have enough teeth, and frankly, a man wearing a Dollar Bill Binnie/wolf t-shirt shouldn't settle for the first thing that comes on to him.

So, finally, I arrive at the Wal-mart and then mount my courtesy-scooter. I decided to sit side saddle so that my wolves and Dollar Bill Binnie would show as I slowly browsed the tube socks aisle. Right behind me I could hear aroused asthmatic breathing. At that point, I whirled my scooter around and looked up quickly only to gaze upon a slightly sweaty dream in XXX-L purple skin tight sweatpants and bright pink bedazzled flip-flops. With one of the worst bucktoothed smiles I had ever seen, she told me that she liked the wolves and most especially the “Dollar Bill Binnie” on my shirt. I knew immediately that she was the one! I told her that I needed to get married to get more foodstamps. She offered me a swig from her warm mountain dew and then I reversed my scooter around so she could waddle along side me and then out the door into the rest of our lives. Thank you Dollar Bill Binnie/wolf shirt.

Pros: Fits my girthy frame, covers my many tattoos, has Dollar Bill Binnie on it with three sah-weet lookin’ wolves on it, attracts women.

Cons: Only 3 wolves (could probably use a few more on the 'guns'), cannot see Dollar Bill Binnie when sitting with arms crossed, Dollar Bill Binnie would have been better if he glowed in the dark.

Scary Fact #1: Government Ants

2010-05-14T00:16:00.005-04:00

One thing DC has a lot of is government workers. I mean A LOT. Think of it like an ant farm with ants going every which way with one specific purpose. Unfortunately for us, these ants don’t work for crumbs.

Thus begins the first in my series of “Scary Facts” blog entries:

In 2008 Average Federal Worker’s Total Compensation $160,767 & Average Private Sector Worker’s Comp $69,790
By On the Net, on April 29th, 2010
Washington Examiner: “As of 2008, the average federal salary was $119,982, compared with $59,909 for the average private sector employee. In other words, the average federal bureaucrat makes twice as much as the average working taxpayer. Add the value of benefits like health care and pensions, and the gap grows even bigger. The average federal employee’s benefits add $40,785 to his annual total compensation, whereas the average working taxpayer’s benefits increase his total compensation by only $9,881.”
When you combine salary and benefits, the average federal employee (one of the ruling class) got $160,767 in 2008 while the average private sector employee (peasant class) got $69,790. The people work and pay taxes to pay the salary and benefits of the ruling class consisting of federal, state and local government workers.

Dollar Bill Binnie

2010-05-12T17:38:00.003-04:00

Okay. I know you have been missing me. But….I am in DC this week and am busy as a bee. As usual I will not leave you without a fun tidbit.
If you are on Facebook, do a search on: Dollar Bill Binnie
If you are not on Facebook, it’s worth it to sign up just for the satire.

The ORIGINAL New Hampshire Liberal Bullsh*t Ear Protectors

2010-05-08T22:16:00.004-04:00

A Real Treat For A Rainy Day and it’s FREE!

Click on it, save it and print it.

Wear it to any Liberal event when you know that bullsh*t is going to be flying or hitting the fan!

A couple of hints:

- Use Cardstock or heavy weight paper (holds up better)
- Laminate if you plan to use a lot (which in this administration is a given)

I also have “Limited Editions” commemorating:

- Congressman Paul “No Show” Hodes

- New Hampshire State Senator Deb “When’s the next Inaugural Ball so that I can attend at my PAC’s expense” Reynolds

- Grafton County’s Commissioner Mike “I had NOTHING to do with Vanessa Sievers” Cryans

- Grafton County Register of Deeds Bill “ ZZZzzzzzzzzz” Sharp

- New Hampshire State Representative Carol “I don’t have a problem deleting Executive Committee meeting minutes that will eventually turn around and bite me in the butt” Friedrich

and BRAND new this month:

- New Hampshire State Representative Jim “Please note that I’m an Idiot” Aguiar

- Grafton County Treasurer Vanessa “I did not know there was a meeting and need to be informed the day and the time that I need to be there” Sievers

VPR and John Gregg, Tomorrow at Noon and 7 PM

2010-05-05T19:44:00.007-04:00

UPDATE: Click here to listen

The Valley News Political Editor, John Gregg, will be interviewed tomorrow by VPR’s Jane Lindholm about Grafton County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers. Listen in on Thursday (May 6th) at Noon and 7 PM.

Umm, if anyone knows Mr. Gregg, could you please ask him to credit my blog (for once)...it would be nice since I have been on the story since day one.

From VPR:
In 2008 When Dartmouth College senior Vanessa Sievers ran as a Democrat for New Hampshire's Grafton County Treasurer's seat and beat the incumbent Republican, her victory attracted national attention. Now a number of critics have emerged - and there are calls for the 21-year-old Sievers to resign. We learn more from Valley News Political Editor John Gregg.

There are many ways to access this show, please go to http://www.vpr.net/listen/ to determine your means of listening. Podcasts are ALSO available if you miss the show.

If you have an analog (not satellite) radio, tune into one of the stations listed below or go to: http://www.vpr.net/listen/radio/
106.9 Manchester, NH and most other areas
89.5 (HD2) Lebanon, NH
88.1 Norwich, VT
103.9 Kendall at Hanover, NH

You may listen live (streaming) from the internet: http://www.vpr.net/episode/48532/

Editorial from The Valley News:

Time to Step Down
For the Grafton County Treasurer
The Valley News, Published 4/28/2010

We were for Grafton County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers before we were against her. But when the facts flip, we flop. It's now apparent that the Dartmouth College senior, who rode a Democratic wave to victory in the 2008, isn't doing the job she was elected to do.

We arrive at this revised opinion not because the county's Executive Committee voted 6-1 last week to call for Sievers' resignation, but because Sievers herself continues to offer implausible excuses for her repeated failure to attend county meetings, which are regularly scheduled, warned and posted on the county's Web site. “I did not know there was a meeting and need to be informed the day and the time that I need to be there,” she wrote last week in an e-mail to Valley News political editor John P. Gregg, referring to her most recent absence from Haverhill, the county seat. A young woman who knows how to harness the power of social media to wage a political campaign also must know how to access a Web site to obtain scheduling information.

Sievers garnered national media attention in 2008 when she was dismissed by her defeated Republican rival, former county treasurer Carol Elliott, as a “teenybopper” swept into office by “brainwashed” college students. The remarks were so demeaning that we jumped to Sievers' defense and predicted that the technologically savvy young Democrat would do just fine as county treasurer, a part-time post for which she appeared to have the requisite credentials, despite her 20 years.

Our prediction was wrong. A few months after the election, Sievers failed to invest county funds in a timely manner, a delay that cost the county thousands of dollars. She also failed to show up for meetings, apparently preferring to convey her investment strategies by e-mail. But after a rough start, she vowed to be a better communicator and allowed that face-to-face communication seemed to work pretty well. Maybe that was a revelation to someone who grew up in the digital age.

Fast forward to this year. Sievers again delayed before investing tax receipts in an account yielding higher interest payments. She has appeared in Haverhill infrequently to perform her duties, often forcing other officials to sign paychecks or accounts payable, according to County Executive Director Julie Clough. And despite plans to the contrary, she has missed the last three Executive Committee meetings.

So it's no wonder that many members of the county delegation appeared frustrated and, in bipartisan fashion, sent her a message by calling for her to step down. Nevertheless, the vote last week was nonbinding. The Executive Committee, a subcommittee of the county delegation that helps to oversee the budget, has no authority under state law to remove another elected official, according to New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan, though it could take its complaint to court or to the Legislature.

That shouldn't be necessary. Sievers should read the writing on the wall -- perhaps county delegates should post their concerns about her performance on her Facebook wall, in fact -- and resign. The graduating senior, who has no plans to run for re-election, should do so for her own sake and for the sake of the county, which may soon have to invest the proceeds of a $17.5 million bond for construction of a new jail. That task will demand an attentive treasurer, one who isn't prone to distraction or delay.

So, Humor Me.

2010-05-04T22:10:00.003-04:00

This seemed interesting so I thought that I would pass it along.

There is no “written” documentation that can be found in the speeches or writings of Norman Mattoon Thomas to attribute this comment, although there is documentation that Reagan did use it during his 1960′s-era speech “A Time for Choosing” and attribute it to Thomas. Another source credits it from an interview with Thomas during the 1948 presidential race.

I Dream of Jeanie

2010-05-04T12:00:00.008-04:00

Last week I joined about 50 other folks from the Haverhill area for a FREE spaghetti dinner hosted by District 2 NH State Senate candidate Jeanie Forrester. She was on hand to meet, greet and answer any questions from her future constituents.

You know, all too often, our neck of the woods is overlooked for better pickin’s in larger, more populated areas. I can really appreciate that my vote means something when folks from down in Manchester drive up here for an evening event to serve me spaghetti. I often receive invites to something down near the coast or just across the state line from Massachusetts. Now, really folks, do you think that I am going to drive down to Nashua or UNH for an event that not only did I have to pay 50 plus bucks to attend, but now I have to spend even more money in gas, time and evening childcare? You ask A LOT of me.

So today, my blog entry features Jeanie Forrester, a NH state senate candidate not afraid to put in the time, effort and genuine concern to meet with her constituents even though she may not get the biggest bang for her buck. Jeanie, thank you!

Idiot Representative Aguiar Gives New Meaning to the Acronym IRA

2010-05-03T23:43:00.005-04:00

Now let me tell you folks somethin’.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO DOWN IN MY BLOG AS AN IDIOT.

In the recent Executive Committee meeting, of which I received the ‘draft copy’, Rep. Aguiar(D) wanted it noted that the previous treasurer had missed some meetings.

From the draft minutes of the Executive Committee, dated 4-19-2010:
“Rep. Aguiar wanted it noted that the previous Treasurer had missed a good many meetings.”

This seemed a bit mean-spirited, so I did some homework. First, I checked with some very reliable sources at the county to see if our former treasurer missed many Executive Committee meetings. The response to my question was met with an affirmative “No”. Meetings were only missed when she was on vacation. Checks were signed weekly by HAND. The seldom used 'signature stamp' gathered dust as our previous treasurer took PRIDE in her job. She signed over 400 checks each week. Elliott checked weekly balance reports and made sure that additional money was available if needed. Treasurer reports were made for the Executive Committee meeting each month. When Ms. Elliott was not available to give a report in person, she would hand deliver it to Director Clough who would then report it in her stead. There were NEVER any concerns by the Executive Committee whether or not Ms. Elliott was doing her job.

Next in my fact checking quest, I then decided to go back and review old Executive Committee meeting minutes available online. They only go back to mid-2008, but it shows an obvious trend, that Ms. Elliott was either present or had a report in hand for Director Clough to deliver.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 Executive Committee meeting minutes
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Elliot said that she had cashed in a CD after its nine month maturity and made a bond payment. This left a balance in the Citizen’s Bank cash account at approximately $185,000, which was not reflected on the August cash management report as this occurred in September.
In August a Tax Anticipation Note was taken out in the amount of an $8M line of credit, at Northway Bank at a 2.11% interest rate. The note will mature at the beginning of the year. Taxes are due December 17th and a portion will be used to repay the TAN’s. So far $1.9M from that line of credit has been used.
Rep. Williams moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, which was seconded by Rep. Almy. All were in favor.

OCTOBER 20, 2008 Executive Committee meeting minutes
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Elliott said that tax bills will be going out soon and that $3.5M of the TAN’S has been used to pay bills so far. There will be some Medicaid money coming in but that there is also a state bill that needs to be paid.
Rep. Dingman moved to accept the Treasurer’s report which was seconded by Rep. Aguiar. All were in favor.

NOVEMBER 2008 Executive Committee meeting minutes

TREASURER’S REPORT
Director Clough gave the report in Treasurer Elliot’s stead saying that at present the County has borrowed $5M, which still leaves $3M available. Director Clough said they expected to need $1M to $1.5M until the tax money is received. Three towns have already sent their checks in.
The County will be obtaining a bond of $1M for the water tank and that the bonds will be sold in mid December.
Rep. Williams moved to accept the Treasurer’s report which was seconded by Rep. Dingman. All were in favor.

No report was given in December as the final treasurer’s report was then delivered to Director Clough before the January 9th meeting. Ms. Elliott had the foresight to prepare the accounts to be taken over by the new treasurer for her to diversify as she saw fit. Hmmm, I wonder if Rep. Aguiar REMEMBERS any of this. It seems to me that Aguair has a selective memory when he feels like it.

JANUARY 2009 Executive Committee meeting minutes

TREASURER’S REPORT
Director Clough gave the report in Treasurer Sievers stead saying that the new Treasurer was sworn in on Wednesday and could not be at the meeting today, however, she is expected to be in attendance at future meetings.
Director Clough informed the Committee that the outgoing Treasurer closed many of the money market accounts and placed the $11M left over from tax money in a CDARS account at Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank earning 1% interest until January 22nd so that the incoming Treasurer can invest the money. Treasurer Sievers has been signed on as signatory and F. Steigler is still the Deputy Treasurer until June 1, 2009. Director Clough said that they do not expect to make their interest budget as that $11M was only drawing 1% interest.
Rep. Ward asked if that money was collateralized and Director Clough responded affirmatively adding that the money is distributed out to other banks in amounts under the $250,000 FDIC insurance level.
All town taxes have been received with the exception of Ellsworth. Grafton County Executive Committee Meeting Friday January 9, 2009 Page 2 of 7
$6.4M TANs money was borrowed and was paid back as of December 17th. $23,423 of interest was paid on the loan.
Rep. Williams moved to accept the Treasurers Report which was seconded by Rep. Ward. All were in favor.

To wrap this rant up, I would like to say, "Rep. Aguiar, your remark was SNIDE and I have taken NOTE of it. "

DIY Grafton County Treasurer Cut-Out

2010-04-28T13:21:00.006-04:00

The Update: A temporary reprieve for County Treasurer Sievers came this past Tuesday at the Commissioners meeting. The scheduled meeting this week with the County Attorney has been delayed until next week.

Word on the street has it that our treasurer is finally going to make an appearance this Thursday to sign checks. Hmmm, I guess a letter requesting a RESIGNATION can be a bit motivating.

But, just in case she doesn’t show again, I have come up with a solution: Your very own DIY County Treasurer cut-out!

Just blow up to lifesize and then tape to door, chair, or back it with cardboard and carry it to meetings. Sure to make an instant impression! Oh, did I tell you the best part? It’s only $6,400.00 per year to maintain. It doesn’t require training or reminder e-mails! If you act now, you will receive a FREE Grafton County Treasurer’s stamp to use on all county checks or treasurer’s business documents!

No more waiting around for the treasurer to show up. No more waiting for e-mails, reports or check signatures. No more messy and uncomfortable “requests for resignation” letters to send out. Just think….No more embarrassing moments for the county!
Bi-weekly payments of $200.00 a week. Mastercard, VISA and Paypal accepted.
Register of Deeds model available too!

Grafton County, NH v. Vanessa Victoria Sievers

2010-04-25T23:06:00.004-04:00

Well, well, well. The saga continues.

Today, I was informed that County Treasurer Sievers (who has missed eight Executive Committee meetings) hasn’t set foot in the county offices to sign weekly checks since January. Not once. Not even to check or report on account balances. Yet, our treasurer continues to draw a paycheck every two weeks for doing….well, how do I put this delicately…… JACK SH*T.

So, guess what’s happening THIS Tuesday? (This is the part where you, Ms. Sievers, need to listen up)

This Tuesday, the County Commissioners are meeting with the County Attorney at 11:00 AM. They plan to address the pressing issues of an absent treasurer (unrepentant and refusing to resign) and get their options laid out on the table. You folks out there need to understand that Sievers has been receiving a paycheck, without fail, every two weeks. Yep, for doing what….? JACK SH*T.

Being a concerned citizen, I have decided to create a shortlist of ideas to get our County Treasurer to show up again before her term ends.

1. Petition the courts to have a county sheriff pick up Ms. Sievers once a week, drive her to the county offices, sign checks, give her one phone call, set bail and find her own way home.

2. Make her show up for her paycheck.

Lastly, a word to the wise. When elected to a political office representing the county, NEVER show up 45 minutes late for your swearing in ceremony, giggle and then seem unconcerned. They still talk about it. For Vanessa, it’s been downhill from “Hello”.

Sievers Missed SEVEN Executive Committee Meetings

2010-04-23T15:24:00.011-04:00

Correction: Make that 8 out of 15 meetings. Sievers also missed this past Monday's meeting (April 19th, 2010).

Thursday, the AP reported NH County wants Student Treasurer to Resign, Associated Press - April 22, 2010 8:55 AM ET from the Calendonia Record “Sievers, who's graduating this year, tells The Caledonian-Record she's only missed one meeting that she was informed of, and that was during midterms last week.”

Um, hmmm, my calculations are a bit different. Out of FOURTEEN Executive Committee meetings, Sievers only attended half. THAT would be SEVEN. Oh, and one emergency meeting had to be called because Sievers missed one of the seven below. So, that meeting doesn’t count.

Proof is in the puddin’, baby!

From the Grafton County website, the following are Executive Committee meeting minutes spanning Sievers term:

#7
Monday March 15, 2010
Executive Director Clough informed the committee that there was no Treasurer for the meeting. When asked why that was, Director Clough said that she was informed by the Treasurer that she had exams through the 16th. Director Clough said that there is still money in all three accounts and that money would need to be drawn down soon.

#6
Monday March 1, 2010
Treasurer Sievers emailed the Executive Director that she did not have anything to report to the committee and that she had a mid-term final exam so she opted not to attend. Director Clough updated the committee by saying that regarding investments, $1M was invested in Community Guaranty Savings Bank. $2M was invested in Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank and $5M was invested in Mascoma Savings Bank. Everything else remained status quo.
Rep. Mulholland asked if it were true that a week had gone by from the time the Executive Committee voted on the investments until they were actually invested and Director Clough said that was true. The committee did not consider this a Treasurer’s report and therefore did not vote to approve it.

#5
Monday December 21 2009
Treasurer Sievers was not available for the meeting so Director Clough informed the committee that all of the taxes from the towns had been collected as of the 17th of December in the amount of $17,555,749. $3,650,000 in TANs had been borrowed with an interest amount of $10,737, which has all been repaid as of December 16th. As of last Friday there was $12,750,000 in the general account.
Treasurer Sievers had emailed her proposed investment plan for tax monies to Director Clough, who passed out the information. The committee took a moment to read the information. Director Clough said she really couldn’t answer any questions regarding the information as she just received it this morning upon her arrival.

#4
Monday October 19, 2009
Treasurer Sievers was not available for the meeting and Director Clough gave the report. $2.1M has been drawn down from the Tax Anticipation Notes at Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank and there will be more money needed by the end of the month. Director Clough said that the County may also need to draw down money in mid Nov/Dec from the Mascoma account.

#3
Monday July 29, 2009
PRESENT: Representatives Mulholland, Williams, Aguiar, Ford, Ward, Friedrich and Laliberte, Commissioners Cryans and Richards, Executive Director Clough and Secretary Jeri Martino.
EXCUSED: Representatives Preston and Gionet.
OTHERS PRESENT: Representative Rick Ladd and Register of Deeds Bill Sharp
Director Clough informed the committee that the request for bids for the TAN’s went out last week and are due in today. She said that the Treasurer will be making recommendations to the Commissioners next week and that the County is still in good shape moneywise. The plan is to ask for a $9M line of credit. (Treasurer is absent from this meeting)

#2
Monday April 20, 2009
Director Clough said that Treasurer Sievers could not be in attendance because she had a class this morning as well as mid-term and a paper due this week.

#1
Friday January 9, 2009
Director Clough gave the report in Treasurer Sievers stead saying that the new Treasurer was sworn in on Wednesday and could not be at the meeting today, however, she is expected to be in attendance at future meetings.

Resignation Requested of Teeny-Bopper Grafton County Treasurer

2010-04-22T10:16:00.017-04:00

Teeny Bopper Treasurer for Grafton County, Vanessa Sievers, asked to resign by vote of the Executive Committee meeting on Monday, April 19th, 2010 (of which Sievers missed). Hmmm, sour grapes never tasted so sweet….

Thanks goes out to VERMONT newspaper The Caledonian-Record for reporting this first!

NH County wants Student Treasurer to Resign

Associated Press - April 22, 2010 8:55 AM ET
HAVERHILL, N.H. (AP) - Officials in New Hampshire's Grafton County want their treasurer - a Dartmouth College student - to resign, citing a lack of communication and chronic absences at meetings.
The vote Monday by the Grafton County Executive Committee is nonbinding, and 22-year-old Vanessa Sievers can't be forced to resign. But a letter will be sent to her asking for her resignation. According to county records, the last meeting Sievers attended was in January.
Sievers, who's graduating this year, tells The Caledonian-Record she's only missed one meeting that she was informed of, and that was during midterms last week. She says she's not informed when there are meetings and isn't told when anyone has concerns. She says she's done her job.

and from the Union Leader : MIA Treasurer is asked to Resign, Grafton County: Commissioners are frustrated, written by LORNA COLQUHOUN Union Leader Correspondent. According to the UL’s report, the Executive committee is upset with Sievers for missing Executive Committee meetings, County Commissioner’s meetings, check signings and delays in investing collected county taxes. Furthermore, with Sievers upcoming graduation this May, this concern has elevated to Code “RED” as many of the State Reps re-election campaigns are gearing up.

“Frustrated over her absences from monthly meetings and concerned over her pending graduation from Dartmouth College, the Grafton County executive committee this week voted to ask the county treasurer to resign. The executive committee, made up of Grafton County state representatives, voted 6-1 to ask Vanessa Sievers to resign from the position.”- Union Leader

At the Executive Committee meeting on March 1st, 2010 the Executive Committee decided to, once again, not approve Sievers Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Sievers emailed the Executive Director that she did not have anything to report to the committee and that she had a mid-term final exam so she opted not to attend. Director Clough updated the committee by saying that regarding investments, $1M was invested in Community Guaranty Savings Bank. $2M was invested in Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank and $5M was invested in Mascoma Savings Bank. Everything else remained status quo.
Rep. Mulholland asked if it were true that a week had gone by from the time the Executive Committee voted on the investments until they were actually invested and Director Clough said that was true.
The committee did not consider this a Treasurer’s report and therefore did not vote to approve it.

More from today’s Union Leader article with TBONH's musings interspersed along the way:

“The county’s executive director, Julie Clough, said that Sievers has not attended the monthly meeting of the executive committee since February and rarely makes an appearance in her office. Often, the deputy treasurer takes on some of the office’s responsibilities. Mulholland said there is added concern that Sievers, a senior geography major at Dartmouth, is graduating soon; no one knows what her plans are after that. “She comes from Montana and we don’t know whether she is going to commit” to remaining in Grafton County for the remainder of her term, which expires in January. Sievers is paid about $6,400 a year.” - Union Leader

Recently, even I was approached by a County Commissioner. They spoke to me on their concerns over Sievers absences as well as her upcoming graduation. Really, it’s not like Sievers has been pro-active in her career in her first term elected position. Really? Really. (Heh, heh, a little SNL News humor there!).

“According to a draft copy of the minutes, upon seeing that Sievers was not at the monthly meeting — her third consecutive absence — state Rep. Burton Williams, R-Bristol, asked about the situation. Clough responded that Sievers “doesn’t call or e-mail” to notify anyone that she will not be coming to the office, which leaves little time for the deputy treasurer to step in and that payroll checks are “usually done by stamping at the last minute,” according to the meeting minutes.”- Union Leader

Might I add, MANY meeting minutes, both Commissioners and Executive Committee minutes, as reported in TBONH. The UL moves on to write about the recent decision that was handed down by the NH Supreme Court in regard to the new county jail. The issue of bonding this project is now a deep concern with an absent Treasurer.

“There are pressing financial issues for the county. A recent state Supreme Court decision put the $38 million county jail construction back on track, after it had been delayed while a right to know lawsuit was settled. An appeal has been filed over the high court’s decision. Mulholland said yesterday that the county needs to be able to move forward with the project if the appeal is denied. “We will have a bond issue to prepare for,” Mulholland said. “We need to be ready for that.” According to the minutes, there was further discussion about whether Seivers “has been asked what’s going on.” State Rep. Philip Preston, D-Ashland, questioned the validity of her word.” - Union Leader

Please note that Vanessa’s favorite state rep was not in attendance, Carol Friedrich, doing her best Senator Obama impersonation and not availing herself to vote.

“Preston made the motion to seek Sievers’ resignation. State Rep. Jim Aguiar, D-Campton, said, according to the minutes, that the committee “needs to be careful about setting precedence in seeking the resignation of an elected official. Aguiar voted against the motion. Voting in favor were Democrats Mullholland, Preston, Suzanne Laliberte and Susan Ford and Republicans Williams and Brien Ward.”- Union Leader

Being elected on the coattails of President Barak Obama did not do the country, oops, I mean county, any favors. Sievers was off to a rough start in the beginning and it has been downhill ever since. Hmmm, just how MUCH has the county lost in revenue from “taxes not being deposited in a timely manner” over the last two years?

“Sievers unseated veteran county treasurer Carol Elliot two years ago, conducting a campaign that included social networking Web sites. She was helped by a strong turnout of college-age voters. Less than a month into her term, county commissioners Ray Burton, Michael Cryans and Martha Richards sought assurances from Sievers about her ability to do the job. They had difficulty trying to reach her and she was unavailable to sign payroll checks because of a conflict with classes. At a meeting with the commissioners, Sievers told them that she uses e-mail more than the telephone. Sievers quickly established a Web site when she assumed the office, www.graftontreasurer. us, where she planned to update all the submitted budgets, where money is invested, and post a weekly blog.

The last blog entry is dated Aug. 7, 2009." - Union Leader

TBONH’s comment: “Go figure”.

Thank you Lorna! Excellent job and very well written!

Concord, The “Tea Party Express” Experience

2010-04-13T23:09:00.004-04:00

I have three comments about today’s event.

One: If the usual mucks of the MSM are reporting on this event, they will probably say that several dozen people attended. Whereas, from my video below, you could put it around 400. (Hey, I’m just keeping it honest folks.)

Two: I was hoping to run into what the liberals call “angry old white men”. Sadly, there were none. I did run into a "banana", though (at the 20 second mark). So much for the Liberal rant of what they believe makes up a typical “Tea Party” attendee.

Three: Disappointingly, there was no egg throwing. I specifically brought eggs just in case an egg fight ensued. Much to my dismay, my eggs eventually ended up squashed in my backpack. Luckily, I now have breakfast ready for tomorrow morning.

Paul Hodes or Kelly Ayotte

2010-04-07T15:22:00.003-04:00

When it comes down to it, the difference is clear.

Why settle for a boat when you can get Ayotte?

Arrr, arrr, arrr!

Why I Drive an American SUV

2010-03-15T13:59:00.003-04:00

SNL and the "Weekend Getaway (Prius Commercial)"

An Era has Passed.

2010-03-10T00:18:00.003-05:00

First Lady Gale Thomson, matriarch of the Thomson family passed away peacefully last night. She joins her husband, Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr. on what would have been his 98th birthday. Rest in peace sweet Gale.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2010-03-02T15:40:00.007-05:00

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday today (and my lack of posting lately), we revisit one of my favorite creations: Obama in Dr. Seuss Prose

Obamaseuss
by TakeBackOrfordNH

I am the President,
Yes I am!
I am the President,
Yes I can!
I am, I am, I can-can-can!

I’ll spend, I’ll spend
There will be no end
No end, no end, I’ll spend, spend, spend.

Do you like your health care plan?

Why not a plan
paid by “the man”?
If so, I’ll tax you, yes I can
I can, I can, I will, I can!

I said “no taxes” for the middle class
No tax, tax, tax
No tickety TAX!

Would you, could you
Tax a class?
I would, I could, I’ll tax that class!

Would you, Could you
tax a gas?
I’ll tax and tax that greenhouse gas!
I’ll tax and tax that middle class!
Tax, tax, tax, triple tickety tax!

I will not, cannot stop my tax!
Not for a class!
Not for a gas!
I love my tax for class and gas!

You all like me
this I see,
You all like me
Me-me-me!
I’ll never, ever leave you be!

Never, ever leave me be?
No, never, ever leave you be!
And tax you , tax you
Endlessly!

You’ll see, you’ll see
most certainly

My TAXING
will make history!

County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers Flunks 'Treasurer's Report'

2010-01-28T15:25:00.007-05:00

What more can I say. The following minutes from the December Executive Committee meeting says it all.....

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Administration Building
3855 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH
Monday December 21 2009

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Sievers was not available for the meeting so Director Clough informed the committee that all of the taxes from the towns had been collected as of the 17th of December in the amount of $17,555,749. $3,650,000 in TANs had been borrowed with an interest amount of $10,737, which has all been repaid as of December 16th. As of last Friday there was $12,750,000 in the general account.

Treasurer Sievers had emailed her proposed investment plan for tax monies to Director Clough, who passed out the information. The committee took a moment to read the information. Director Clough said she really couldn’t answer any questions regarding the information as she just received it this morning upon her arrival.

Director Clough said that she did have some concerns about a couple of items in the proposal. The proposal suggested putting money in liquid account and then switching between banks weekly as the rates change. Director Clough said that given Treasurer Sievers history of not availing herself to the County she would probably not be able to follow through on that suggestion because she is just not reliable in that way.

The letter also proposed borrowing money in the middle of the year and the fact is, you can not borrow money if you actually have money in the bank.

At present the money is in Woodsville bank accruing 1% interest which is fairly comparable to what other banks are offering according to the bid proposals.

Rep. Gionet asked Director Clough if she had any recommendations or if she should assume the responsibility of the Treasurer. Director Clough said that being Treasurer is not her responsibility. She said she didn’t think that banks that did not bid (there were many) should be re-asked if the County could invest money with them, and the money should only be invested in a bank or banks that have prepared bids.

10:15 AM Rep. Friedrich arrived. Grafton County Executive Committee Meeting Monday December Rep. Preston asked if money could be bounced around without having the Treasurer present and Director Clough said that she didn’t know if that were possible and at the very least the banks would have to have her signature on file.

Rep. Williams said that he is not pleased with the information that he has just heard about the Treasurer and asked the Commissioners for their thoughts. Commissioner Cryans said that she is an elected official and the Commissioners have no control over her. He said that after looking at the interest rates he didn’t think that the situation would be any different even if she were here. He also noted that switching around money didn’t seem to be a healthy solution for anyone involved, including the banks. He said that it doesn’t appear that moving money out of Woodsville right now would make a big difference.

Rep. Ward suggested keeping the funds where they are for one month and then for the Commissioners and Director Clough to come back at that time with another recommendation. Rep. Mulholland said that sounded like a good suggestion.

Rep. Williams moved to keep the funds at Woodsville bank for one month and that the Committee should be updated with another recommendation at the next meeting which was seconded by Rep. Ford. All were in favor.

Rep. Gionet had a question regarding a $1600 fee on the cash management report and Director Clough said that she would have to pull the report to find out.

Rep. Ladd wanted it noted that he sees a lack of professionalism in the Treasurers Report that was presented and could not understand why she was not present at this meeting to go over it. Rep. Mulholland said it was duly noted.

Rep. Laliberte moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report which was seconded by Rep. Aguiar. Reps. Mulholland, Ford, Aguiar, Ward, Friedrich, Laliberte, Gionet, and Preston were in favor. Rep. Williams was opposed.

Hey guys, I have a suggestion! Here are the duties and responsibilities of a County Treasurer...if our County Treasurer can't perform her duties, you ask her to RESIGN. End of Headache.

TITLE II COUNTIES
CHAPTER 29

COUNTY TREASURERS AND COUNTY TAXES
Section 29:1

29:1 Duties. –
I. The county treasurer shall have custody of all moneys belonging to the county, and shall pay out the same only upon orders of the commissioners. The county treasurer shall deposit the same in participation units in the public deposit investment pool established pursuant to RSA 383:22, or in federally insured banks chartered under the laws of New Hampshire or the federal government with a branch within the state, except that funds may be deposited in federally insured banks outside the state if such banks pledge and deliver to a third party custodial bank or the regional federal reserve bank collateral security for such deposits of the following types:

(a) United States government obligations,
(b) United States government agency obligations; or
(c) Obligations of the state of New Hampshire in value at least equal to the amount of the deposit in each case.

II. The amount of collected funds on deposit in any one bank shall not at any time exceed the sum of its paid-up capital and surplus.
III. The county treasurer shall keep in suitable books provided for the purpose a fair and correct account of all sums received into and paid from the county treasury, and of all notes given by the county, with the particulars thereof. At the close of each fiscal year, the county treasurer shall make a report to the county, giving a particular account of all the treasurer's financial transactions during the year. The treasurer shall furnish to the commissioners statements from the books, and submit the books and vouchers to them and to the county auditors for examination, whenever so requested.
IV. Whenever the county treasurer has in custody an excess of funds which are not immediately needed for the purpose of expenditure, the treasurer shall, with the approval of the commissioners, invest the same in obligations of the United States government, in participation units in the public deposit investment pool established pursuant to RSA 383:22, or in deposits, including money market accounts, or certificates of deposit, or repurchase agreements, and all other types of interest bearing accounts, of federally insured banks chartered under the laws of the state of New Hampshire or the federal government with a branch within the state. Any person who directly or indirectly receives any such funds or moneys for deposit or for investment in securities of any kind shall, prior to acceptance of such funds, make available at the time of such deposit or investment, an option to have such funds secured by collateral having a value at least equal to the amount of such funds. Such collateral shall be segregated for the exclusive benefit of the county. Only securities defined by the bank commissioner in rules adopted pursuant to RSA 386:57 shall be eligible to be pledged as collateral. At least yearly, the county treasurer, with the approval of the county commissioners, shall review and adopt an investment policy for the investment of public funds in conformance with the provisions of applicable statutes.
Source. RS 21:3. CS 22:3. GS 25:2. GL 26:2. PS 28:1. PL 39:1. RL 48:1. RSA 29:1. 1973, 490:3. 1991, 268:4, eff. Aug. 9, 1991; 383:1, eff. Aug. 31, 1991. 1996, 209:2, eff. Aug. 9, 1996. 1997, 208:7, eff. Aug. 17, 1997. 1998, 40:1, eff. July 4, 1998. 2

The 2nd American Revolution

2010-01-19T11:56:00.002-05:00

Do you HEAR me now?

Grafton County Taxpayers See RED as History Repeats Itself

2010-01-17T18:19:00.013-05:00

How many Grafton County taxpayers rushed to get all of their year's taxes in on a timely basis?
Answer: 12 Million Dollars worth.

How much interest do we lose when 12 Million Dollars is NOT invested for one month?
Answer: $20,000 Dollars @ 2%.

How much of that 12 Million is NOT insured by the FDIC if it is NOT collateralized in more than one bank?
Answer: $11.75 Million uninsured.

Who was on vacation from mid December through mid January (one month)?
Answer: Montana bound County Treasurer, Vanessa Sievers(D).

Are you beginning to understand where I am going with this?
Answer: 12 Million dollars of taxes collected on December 17th has NOT been invested and has NOT been insured for ONE month by a “vacationing” Treasurer Sievers(D).

Is it invested and insured now?
Answer: Go ask Vanessa Sievers greatest enabler, State Representative Carol Friedrich(D).

What is the solution to this mess?
Answer: In November of this year, elect someone that has a proven record investing the county taxes AND is a taxpaying resident of Grafton County.

May Freedom Prevail

2010-01-16T17:25:00.002-05:00

History may be renewed to those who have lost their way.

On January 19th Massachusetts has the opportunity to reinvent their State as one that stands for freedom, again.

Terrorist level: Fruit Salad

2010-01-12T21:30:00.005-05:00

After hearing about the recent terrorist attack on Christmas day, President Obama and Janet Napolitano have been getting down to business renaming our "Homeland Security Advisory System". The levels have been aptly renamed: Apple, Orange, Lemon, Blueberry and Kiwi. This recent photo shows Osama Bin Laden demonstrating Obama’s new level of “Orange”.

Also, getting into the spirit are the British. They seem to be feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats in Islamabad and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved."

Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Brits have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out.

Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender."

The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

It's not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout loudly and excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose".

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

“Town Halls” Moved to Front Lawns of Shea-Porter, Hodes and Sheheen

2010-01-06T00:13:00.007-05:00

From Foster's: N.H. Tea Party Coalition plans protests at N.H. homes of U.S. legislators

Editor's Note: The above link is no longer available, please go to: http://www.nhteapartycoalition.org/tea/nh-events/

Hmmm, do you think three New Hampshire politicians will be eating their cornflakes in front of their bay windows on Sunday morning quaking in their jammies? Awwwwww.

New Hampshire on Gay Marriage vs. First Cousin Marriage

2010-01-05T21:22:00.010-05:00

Look at all the states surrounding New Hampshire on the New York Times maps that allow first cousin marriage AND gay marriage.

Note from the blogger:

My material for blog posts has always derived from issues hitting the public eye. This particular post started from a link on FaceBook. It was an interesting way to view a hot topic and I decided to look outside the box with a sense of humor. Some people understood the intent of the original post and then some people did not, thus, the edit. For those who criticize me, I thank you. I like to think that I can learn from criticisms and become a better person because of it.

Enough said.

I Feel Better Already.

2010-01-02T21:30:00.005-05:00

OFA (Organizing for America), clueless. It makes my year just to mess with them.

Click on link to watch video:
http://holiday.barackobama.com/Holiday-2009.aspx?uid=cf033286-5b69-4872-a7f6-711132abe672&s=SUCKERS!&g=3

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-28T22:47:00.001-05:00

“Obama Baby”, new words to an old tune. Fun!

Less Than Worthless

2009-12-20T16:38:00.004-05:00

This is my "snapshot" response to the editor of the Valley News that chooses to print an editorial kissing Obama’s rear-end.

Valley News Editorial December 20, 2009: The Obama Doctrine Not Like His Predecessor's

If seems to us that the main difference between the two men is that Bush saw the world in terms of a simple struggle between good and evil, while Obama embraces the rich complexity and possibility of human motive and action. More blah, blah, blah here…..

Oh, and I just wanted to point out the “If” that begins the above excerpt.

Amateurs.

Humor for the Holiday Party

2009-12-19T15:55:00.004-05:00

A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture in California when suddenly a brand-new black BMW advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust.

The driver, a man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leaned out the window and asked the cowboy, “If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?”

Bud looks at the man, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, “Sure, Why not?”

The man parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. The man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility.

Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses an MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer, turns to the cowboy and says, “You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.”

“That’s right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves,” says Bud.

He watches the man select one of the animals and looks on with amusement as the man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then, Bud says to the man, “Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?”

The man thinks about it for a second and then says, “Okay, why not?”

“You’re a Congressman for the U.S. Government”, says Bud.

“Wow! That’s correct,” says the yuppie, “but how did you guess that?”

“No guessing required” answered the cowboy. “You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don’t know a thing about how working people make a living – or about cows, for that matter. This is a herd of sheep.…

Now give me back my dog.

The Nordstrom’s Package

2009-12-13T22:33:00.006-05:00

I recently took the time out to do some Christmas shopping at the Pentagon City Mall (in Arlington, VA). This is what met me at one of the outside display windows at Nordstrom’s. Heck, all I did was stop to adjust my child’s coat and there it was….staring me straight in the face.

Has Nordstrom’s lost their mind? The size of the mannequin’s male “package” had me shocked at hello, and then I get slammed with a Caucasian-alized African American mannequin. Yikes.

FAIL: Representative Carol Friedrich and County Treasurer Vanessa Sievers

2009-12-06T22:06:00.011-05:00

As the self appointed Grafton County watchdog (that would be me), it has come to my attention that our County Treasurer, Vanessa Sievers, couldn't even make it up to the county offices last month to sign the Tax Anticipation Notes(TANs). Our County Director, Julie Clough, had to trek into Hanover in order to track down our co-ed treasurer for her signature before the county ran out of money. From the Commissioners Meeting minutes dated November 24, 2009:

Director Clough said the TAN’s from Mascoma Bank are all set and said that she met with the Treasurer in Hanover to get the paperwork signed because the Treasurer could not come to the County.

ONE of the most important responsibilities of the county treasurer is to attend the Executive Committee Meetings necessary to receive approval for and then, when needed, SIGN the necessary documents for the TANS. Yet, a few of our esteemed members of the Executive Committee feel that this is a “non-issue”. Any normal person would wonder why are we paying our no-show treasurer $6,000.00 a year not to do her job. Oh, that’s right…Director Clough and the Deputy Treasurer are there to do our Treasurer’s job for her. This is becoming too painful and embarrassing for the county taxpayers to endure. Minutes from the special Executive Committee meeting on August 14, 2009 for the approval of the TANS:

Rep. Mulholland called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM

Director Clough began by stating that statutorily the Treasurer has to be present when the Executive Committee votes on the Tax Anticipation Notes and that is the reason for this special meeting. She said that in the past, the Treasurer has always been present at the June Delegation meeting and so this issue has not come up before.

Rep. Ward asked exactly what they were voting on and Director Clough said it was to authorize the tax anticipation notes in the presence of the Treasurer. She said that this will not happen again in the future now that the information has been made clear.

Rep. Williams said that in his opinion, either the Treasurer or the Deputy Treasurer should be at all their meetings, which Rep. Gionet agreed with.

Rep. Ward moved that either the Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer be present at every Executive Committee meeting, which was seconded by Rep. Gionet.

DISCUSSION:
Rep. Mulholland said that she feels that there always has been a Treasurer present in the past and that if for some reason the Treasurer could not be present, then Director Clough has given the report. She said that she didn’t think there was a need to be so hard nosed about it.

Rep. Friedrich questioned whether the committee even had the authority to demand that of an elected official.

Treasurer Sievers said that for her it was a non-issue and said that it is her intention to be at the meetings and if she can not make it, then she will contact the Deputy Treasurer. Rep. Gionet moved to call the question which was seconded by Rep. Ward. All were in favor.

In the vote to request that the Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer be present at every Executive Committee meeting, Reps. Gionet, Ward and Williams were in favor. Reps. Laliberte, Mulholland, Preston, Ford, Friedrich and Aguiar were opposed. Motion failed.

At the next monthly Executive Committee meeting on October 19, 2009 our County Treasurer was once again a "no show".

Treasurer Sievers was not available for the meeting and Director Clough gave the report. $2.1M has been drawn down from the Tax Anticipation Notes at Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank and there will be more money needed by the end of the month. Director Clough said that the County may also need to draw down money in mid Nov/Dec from the Mascoma account.

In light of ALL of the above information, we should hold not only Treasurer Sievers(D) responsible but also the State Representatives Laliberte(D), Mulholland(D), Preston(D), Ford(D), Friedrich(D) and Aguiar(D) for enabling her. One of these Representatives, Carol Friedrich stands out as the least competent Executive Committee member. Let's go back six months to May 2009. Remember this little tidbit (brought to you by Carol Friedrich herself) from the Grafton County Executive Committee meeting minutes for May 18, 2009?

Rep. Friedrich stated that there was information in the draft of the minutes that she felt should be removed saying that although it was an accurate account of what was said, she felt it presented the Treasurer in a negative light and didn’t think it needed to be included.Rep. Ward disagreed saying that accurate accounts should not be taken out. A discussion ensued as to what everyone thought.

A motion was made by Rep. Preston who suggested that everything in the paragraph after “investment account” in the draft minutes should be removed, which was seconded by Rep. Friedrich.

Reps. Preston, Friedrich, Aguiar, Mulholland and Ford approved the removal of the wording, Reps. Laliberte, Ward and Williams opposed. The motion passed.

The Representatives then voted on approval of the minutes. Reps. Preston, Aguiar, Mulholland, Ford and Laliberte approved, Reps. Williams and Ward did not approve. Rep. Ward then asked how the minutes from today would reflect this vote without the wording that was removed and it was decided that it would be presented as it is written above.

Are you detecting a pattern here? Remember folks, this meeting is where Representative Carol Friedrich(D) had accurate information removed from the draft minutes because it “presented the Treasurer in a negative light”. So the end result is that by not holding Treasurer Sievers(D) accountable and removing key information from the meeting's minutes, Representative Friedrich did not allow the public to be fully aware of the poor job our County Treasurer was doing. Now, almost one year later nothing has changed.

If it wasn’t for the lack of transparency AND honesty, pandering to her party and being obstructive to good government practices I could say that, by gosh, Representative Friedrich is a “really nice” person.

If You Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine.....

2009-12-04T21:26:00.003-05:00

I can’t argue with this logic!

Is "Unconcede" a Word?

2009-11-16T22:58:00.004-05:00

From The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room on Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman “unconceding” New York's special House election after learning that the official vote margin between him and Rep. Bill Owens (D) narrowed.

If Hoffman can "unconcede," does that mean we can "unelect" Obama?
by Mitch Rapp on 11/16/2009 at 19:03

Hmm, maybe if we click our heels three times, live in Kansas, wear magical ruby slippers, own a dog named Toto and our name is Dorothy....

Paul Hodes, A Back Door Type of Guy

2009-10-23T10:15:00.012-04:00

Two Democrats Join GOP Call for Countrywide Probe

Guess which Democrats....???? Yep, Mr. I'm-running-for-Senate-first-out-the-back-door-Paul Hodes.

Something about this just seems a bit disingenuous.

Captured photo from YouTube of Paul Hodes leading the Countrywide democrat pack out the back door. Proof is in the Pudding.

BARACK OBAMA DOLL Will Help Pay My Medical Bills

2009-10-21T11:10:00.006-04:00

I just found this item for sell on E-Bay. At the current $3.95, it’s a bargain. The kicker about this item is the description:

This is a brand new doll by Sugarloaf made for the historical presidential election of 2008.
It is approximately 13" long and is all fabric. The tag is still on the ear and is made by Sugarloaf. This would make a great collection for anyone that is interested in collecting presidential items or specifically President Barack Obama items.
I am selling this to help pay for my medical bills since President Obama or Congress has not done anything to help me. I have medical insurance but I can not afford the 30% that it did not pay! If I could purchase health insurance from over state lines and Obama would force the insurance company and hospitals to keep their fees to a normal price, I could afford to pay my bills. Otherwise, I am just going to have to sell this doll and join the Tea Party Movement.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BARACK-OBAMA-DOLL-Will-Help-Pay-My-Medical-Bills_W0QQitemZ220497068517QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3356a641e5

Dick Cheney’s Doppelganger

2009-10-16T21:53:00.007-04:00

He is a world renowned economist recruited by a president to serve in the U.S. Department of the Treasury to manage a $20 billion foreign currency reserve. He has been in International Banking and Corporate Finance working at a variety of Fortune 100 companies covering the High Tech, Petroleum/Oil & Gas and Power Industries. He is also an author, a scholar and an internationally featured speaker.

Pretty impressive, eh?

Well, he’s also running for U.S. Congress in New Hampshire’s District 1.

So, when you are walking down the street in Concord and think you are walking by Vice President Dick Cheney, chances are it’s Bob Bestani.

Congressman Paul Hodes….BUSTED!

2009-10-16T15:16:00.005-04:00

Yep, this is our Congressman at work (or not) doing his job (or not), protecting the interests of his (Democrat cronies) constituents. Geez, what a wonderful guy (crook).

You be the judge.

Here’s the Washington Examiner article:

Democrats skip out on Countrywide vote
By: David Freddoso, Washington ExaminerCommentary Staff Writer10/15/09 4:43 PM EDT

Faced with a promised vote to subpoena documents on Countrywide Financial's "Friends of Angelo" program, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee fled a scheduled 2 p.m. markup today.

Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the Ranking Republican on the Oversight Committee, had promised to call for a vote at today's markup on whether to subpoena documents involved in the program that gave sweetheart mortgages to at least four Democratic government officials, including two senators. According to the Wall Street Journal, the program might have also benefitted the chairman of House Oversight, Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y.

Even if it had been ruled out of Order, Issa's motion would have received a vote.
The committee's Democrats simply failed to appear. Republican staffers say they caught them on tape leaving by a back door at 2:35.

Here's the proof....oh wait a minute.....isn't that the Congressman from New Hampshire, Paul Hodes leading the Democrat pack out the door. Yep, it most certainly is Chicken Hodes. Would you say that exit constitutes a fast walk or a run?

Thanks go out to NH.Steve at RedHampshire.

Explaining the Stimulus Package

2009-10-08T22:25:00.009-04:00

I'm on a roll today, what can I say?

Swiped from the "Briefly Noted" section of the Valley News today.

CSP: Her Integrity for $14,000

2009-10-08T17:37:00.004-04:00

“Do as I say NOT as I Do”. Carol Shea-Porter is stepping in her own doo-doo again, and that’s makes for a lot of do-do! Will CSP engage the media to defend her actions or inactions? This is a meltdown I can’t wait to miss.

The Day Obamacare Died

2009-10-07T15:39:00.001-04:00

Boo-Hoo.

Michael Jackson’s Ghost – the FaceBook Edition

2009-10-07T14:09:00.004-04:00

Once again, I humor myself and steer off course from my political banter.

Not that I care, but some of my readers may be interested in what appears to be MJ’s ghost. Apparently, his funeral was not the last time we were going see him. Seems like this viral video is all over FaceBook.

Make sure that your volume is turned up as it is difficult to hear the audio.

“Scene Stealing Squirrel” Crashes ObamaCare Photo-op

2009-10-06T22:58:00.007-04:00

Latest image from Obama’s “Public Option” Whitehouse photo-op on October 5, 2009. Apparently, the Whitehouse staff had to scurry around to rustle up this miniature lab coat for the Rose Garden event. Later, it was discovered that the squirrel was wearing a red t-shirt under the borrowed lab coat in opposition to Obama’s Healthcare plan. The squirrel was then escorted out of the 10 minute speech by two ‘thugs’. We now hear that she plans to run for US Congress.

This Kodak moment is brought to you by Nice Deb.

A Biden "Moment"

2009-10-05T14:45:00.006-04:00

That was THEN:
Union Leader, Oct. 17, 2006- [Senator Joe Biden urged for voters to elect Paul Hodes by arguing that] "It's time for Congress to reassert the idea that there should be a balance of power."

This is NOW:
Union Leader, Sept. 30, 2009 - A Biden spokesman told the Granite Status this afternoon that the vice president is scheduled to attend the event [fundraiser] for Hodes at a private residence in New York City on Oct. 5.

Biden Moment Summary:
Hmmmm...did I forget something? Last I checked, the Democrats ALREADY have control of both houses. What happened to the "balance part" Joe?

Small New Hampshire Town Dance, Autumn of 1964

2009-10-05T11:35:00.006-04:00

You know, I here SO many stories of how Orford ‘was’, like the barn dance held on Friday nights, the ladies of the Grange preparing meals before town meetings, the old General Stores in Orfordville humming with life…

The following clip is of an unknown town in New Hampshire, circa 1964. I post it for those that are the backbone of our community, the ones who keep the memories alive and those who still practice the beautiful and time honored traditions of New Hampshire.

From the filmmaker, David Hoffman:
I made this little movie many years ago when I was first starting as a filmmaker. It was filmed in a New Hampshire town one cold fall evening. My goal was to make a short without any narration track. To see my other work, or visit www.theHoffmancollection.com.

Miss Me Yet?

2009-10-01T23:22:00.005-04:00

Anyone read this editorial by Kathleen Parker in the Union Leader? Here’s the lead-in:

In a world of Dobermans, Obama is a cat

In keeping with his campaign promise to talk to America's enemies without precondition, Barack Obama plans to turn his charms on Burma's military junta.
Slowly, we're beginning to understand what hope and change were all about. Translation: Sure hope this change works.
It may be too soon to pass judgment on Obama's new foreign policy strategy, but early returns on his gamble that talking is the best cure are less than reassuring. Each time Obama extends a hand to one of the world's anti-American despots, he is rewarded with an insult (Venezuela's Hugo Chavez) or, perhaps, a missile display (North Korea and Iran).
One may view these episodes as diminishing America's status or as a tolerable annoyance -- sort of the way Dobermans view toy poodles. At some point, the big dog reminds the little yapper of his place. Unfortunately, the American commander in chief is a cat in a dog-eat-dog world.
More here.

My follow-up response:

ARG Poll: Kelly Ayotte Trumps Representative Hodes by SEVEN Points!

2009-10-01T21:39:00.008-04:00

A new poll issued by the American Research Group, Inc. show former NH State Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R) ahead of NH Representative Paul Hodes (D) in a match-up for the US Senate race. This is GREAT news for Team Ayotte as they were shot down recently by the media, right-wing AND left-wing bloggers for not answering a question about whom she voted for in the last election. As a fan of privacy, I am glad that she stood her ground.

We have a full year ahead of us and a long way to go before election time. Representative Hodes can step in a lot of do-do before anyone casts the first ballot. The kiss of defeat for Hodes' Senate run may be the Healthcare Reform bill. Worse yet, Hodes has VP Joe Biden holding a NY fundraiser for him…now seriously, who REALLY wants to see all of those ugly hair plugs, a fake tan and the unattractive results of botox?

American Research Group, Inc.
The New Hampshire Poll

September 30, 2009
Ayotte/Hodes 2010 US Senate Ballot
The following results are based on 572 completed telephone interviews among a statewide random sample of registered voters in New Hampshire. Of the 572 interviews, 166 were among Republicans, 171 among Democrats, and 235 among undeclared voters. The interviews were conducted September 25 through 29, 2009.
The theoretical margin of error for the sample of 572 registered voters is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points, 95% of the time, on questions where opinion is evenly split.
Question wording and response:
If the 2010 election for US Senate were being held today between Kelly Ayotte, the Republican, and Paul Hodes, the Democrat, for whom would you vote - Ayotte or Hodes? (names were rotated)

ARG Poll for 2010 US Senate Race:
All Voters: Ayotte – 41% Hodes – 34% Undecided – 25%

In summary, Kelly Ayotte was a favorite among women (+8%) and men (+5%). Among the “Undeclared” voters, Ayotte also came out ahead by +17%. Even 9% of the registered Democrats were willing to jump ship and join Ayotte.

Heh, heh, Paul Hodes must be choking on his morning cornflakes!

Is 72 Hours TOO Much to ASK?

2009-10-01T00:33:00.013-04:00

Our NH Representatives, Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes are NOT on board yet. Let's make them HEAR US!

(Edited and swiped from my friend, via e-mail...)

Take action now and speak to our Congress members to pass a very important resolution to require that all non-emergency bills be posted on-line for at least 72 hours before final vote.

This is NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK - for the people who represent us to allow us to read about legislation that will affect our daily lives.

The newest healthcare bill is over 1,000 pages
The cap & trade bill is 1,400 pages

It is unconscionable for the people who work for us to make these serious decisions without properly informing themselves or us. It is time for us to keep a closer watch on the scoundrels in Washington who only care about their own agendas and their next re-election campaign when they SHOULD be thinking about what WE want.

If you care about this issue just use the link below, enter your state and see if your congress members have signed the resolution. If they have not signed the resolution, CALL THEM, write to them, make your opinion known. The website offers suggested “talking points” so you don’t even have to think of what you might want to say.

http://www.letfreedomringusa.com/we_the_people_can_read

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Because my Neighbor’s Kid Should Pay for My Kid’s [Healthcare] with his OWN Money, from his OWN Piggybank!

2009-10-01T00:14:00.005-04:00

Not to be missed from HotAir, posted by Allahpundit.

ACORN vs. ACoRN, Don’t diss' my name bro’

2009-09-28T16:02:00.003-04:00

I recently wrote a blog entry where misinformation goes both ways.

Who would have thunk? Yep, there are TWO nonprofits called ACORN. The difference is that THIS particular ACORN is spelled “ACoRN” and NOT affiliated with “THE” ACORN. Did you get all of that?

They are located in Lebanon, NH and “is a comprehensive and professional AIDS service organization that has supported hundreds of HIV positive people and their affected family members.”

Here’s the website if you have any doubts. While you are there take a moment to donate or volunteer.

ACoRN

Sorry folks.

Hodes and Shea-Porter Claim Constituent Lack of Communication

2009-09-22T22:22:00.007-04:00

The month of August found the local and national media reporting on LOUD and ANGRY New Hampshire voters waiting in lines to get heard at two town halls, yet Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes seem to have missed it all.

Hampton Falls - Our missing U.S. Representatives Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter both miraculously appeared at a picnic this past Sunday afternoon, sponsored by the Hampton Town Democratic Committee. Now normally I wouldn’t take the time to comment on this affair but my eyeballs almost fell out when I read a Seacoastonline.com [Portsmouth Herald] article titled "Local Democrats tout health care change at annual picnic" describing the event.

The first paragraph left me a bit puzzled:

“…the point each [Hodes and Shea-Porter] stressed most was the need for more involvement and communication from citizens to their representation in Washington."

Whaaaaaaaaaaat? Are they a missing a few screws or are they walking around with huge lobotomy scars on their foreheads? I seem to remember folks SCREAMING to be heard with NO attempt from Hodes to hold a townhall . Shea-Porter is not much better, turning her back on anyone asking her a question that she didn’t want to answer, not withstanding, throwing a constituent OUT of her two (2) weasely SEIU town halls.

Read through the article further (while sitting down or else you will pass out from your blood pressure hitting a new high) as to Carol Shea-Porters defense on “citizen lack of participation”.

“She urged residents to make their feelings known on issues and to refute statements that she characterized as attacks or completely false.

and:

"(Republicans) are entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts," Shea-Porter said to applause.”

Is this not disingenuous? From their own mouths they reiterate that the ONLY citizens THEY want to hear from are those who AGREE with them. Hiding in the “Washington bubble” they have created for themselves is neither reaching out to the public OR going to get them future VOTES.

Photo swiped from NH Tea Party Coalition, their blogpost is a great read!

ACORN, prostituion, child abuse and Grafton County

2009-09-18T09:58:00.009-04:00

This post has been updated. Please link to: ACORN vs. ACoRN, Don't diss' my name bro'.

So, you think things can’t get any worse? With the exposure of ACORN’s voter fraud practices it amazed many county residents that the County Commissioners would approve COUNTY taxpayer funding for this unstable organization. Now, it has been brought to light ACORN’s support of child abuse and prostitution.

From the Grafton County Commissioners meeting minutes dated April 2, 2009:
Commissioner Cryans asked Ms. Brooks if she had anything she would like to say and she said that she took over ACORN last June, hearing that it might have to close. She came here from Ohio to try to grow the program. She said that she also wanted to see how the funding process went and decided to come in. She discussed some of the new ideas that she is proposing for ACORN.

From the Grafton County Commissioners meeting minutes dated July 14, 2009:
Director Clough said that a thank you letter was received from ACORN for funding.

Doesn't look so good anymore now, does it? The commissioners knew it was a risk but they did it anyway. Hey, they can ADD it to their resumes, the county taxpayers would love to hear about it.

Paul Hodes Votes to Increase TAXES on every Grafton County Household Totaling over 55 Million Dollars

2009-09-17T21:42:00.008-04:00

I would like to personally thank my congressman for the $1,761.00 he has taken away from my yearly household income by voting for the Cap and Trade.

Let me do a little math for you.

If you use the 2000 Census figure of 31,598 households for Grafton County alone that equates to 55 Million dollars.

According to a recent article in the Union Leader on the Cap and Trade Bill “Those figures came to light Tuesday only after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free-market think tank in Washington. CBS News reported the memo's conclusions yesterday and calculated that the $200 billion figure would be "the equivalent of a 15 percent increase a year" in personal income taxes. The costs break down to $1,761 a year for each American household.”

Who is protecting our county, our district? Not Paul Hodes. He’s wiping us out. This is 55 Million Dollars THIS county will never see. IT’S GONE.

Someone needs to get on a press release and make the news outlets aware of the additional stress and burden Paul Hodes has brought to our struggling families in a downturn economy.

Kelly Ayotte Holds Substantial Lead Over Senate Candidate Paul Hodes

2009-09-16T17:41:00.007-04:00

Surprisingly, with knowing only very little on where Ayotte stands on the issues AND without having announced her candidacy, Ayotte is already off to a running start.

According to an article today published in The Hill's Blog Briefing Room, the most recent Rasmussen poll has Ayotte running 8 points in front of Paul “Chicken” Hodes and a 14 point lead with voters of NO party affiliation.

Why…you may ask? Well, it’s simple. Kelly Ayotte is ‘likable’, Paul Hodes is not. Kelly can play well with both parties and still stand her ground, and…well, Paul Hodes has a party voting record of 96%. With the healthcare issue such a hot topic will Chicken Hodes be given a “PASS” by his fellow Dems while he attempts to make a run for the Senate? My "Magic 8 Ball" tells me "Yes – Definitely" even as Hodes is still out there touting the virtues of Obamacare.