About
Learn More about our progressive online community for the Granite State.

Create an account today (it's free and easy) and get started!
Menu

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?


Search




Advanced Search


The Masthead
Managing Editor
Mike Hoefer

Editors
elwood
susanthe
 William Tucker
The Roll, Etc.
Prog Blogs, Orgs & Alumni
Bank Slate
Betsy Devine
birch paper
Democracy for NH
Granite State Progress
Mike Caulfield
Miscellany Blue
Pickup Patriots
Re-BlueNH
Still No Going Back
Susan the Bruce

Politicos & Punditry
The Burt Cohen Show
John Gregg
Landrigan
Pindell
Primary Monitor
Scala
Schoenberg
Spiliotes

Campaigns, Et Alia.
Jennifer Daler

ActBlue Hampshire
NHDP
DCCC
DSCC
DNC

National
Balloon Juice
billmon
Congress Matters
DailyKos
Digby
Hold Fast
Eschaton
FiveThirtyEight
MyDD
Open Left
Senate Guru
Swing State Project
Talking Points Memo

50 State Blog Network
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

The Stealth Social Agenda Speaker of the House

by: Dean Barker

Wed Dec 01, 2010 at 06:02:03 AM EST
Post-election Bill O'Brien:
In his campaign for speaker, O'Brien said he will focus on fiscal issues.

...O'Brien declined to be interviewed for this article, saying through a spokesman that he did not plan to give interviews before today's vote.

Pre-election Bill O'Brien:
He co-sponsored a bill opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants and sponsored a bill expanding the death penalty to cover murders during home invasions. He voted for a states' rights bill that attempted to nullify the U.S. Constitution if the federal government exceeded its constitutional authority by actions such as limiting the right to bear arms or limiting the right to free speech. He supported a parental rights bill, which said that the state "shall not abridge the responsibility of parents for the health, education, and welfare of their children." Opponents said the bill would not allow the state to intercede in cases of parental abuse.

...When Thompson testified in favor of same-sex marriage, he said O'Brien and another legislator quizzed him repeatedly about whether it is okay for sisters to marry or for people to marry animals.

Some public servants tend to think if they keep quiet about stuff at key times, that somehow that's being honest. Reminds me of the UL's non-endorsement of Guinta.
Dean Barker :: The Stealth Social Agenda Speaker of the House
Tags: , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
The Stealth Social Agenda Speaker of the House | 4 comments
about Thompson.... (0.00 / 0)
Just to put the second quote in context, "Thompson" was one of O'Brien's committee-mates, Bob Thompson (who until today was a rep from Manchester.)  Bob is also an openly gay man who married his partner this January.  And he is one of the kindest and gentlest people in New Hampshire--- in the whole world, actually.

I think O'Brien is sincere when he says he wants to focus on fiscal issues.  And I also think that he will have a hard time keeping his fellow social conservatives in line.  Herding Republicans is not that different from herding Democrats... it  is like herding cats.  The opponents of marriage equality worked hard to get O'Brien elected, and I don't know if he can stop them from pushing their agenda forward in 2011 rather than 2012 (or never, which would be my preference.)

We're In For A Ride... (0.00 / 0)
...and from this now-former New Hampshire State Representative, Tim -- I'm glad you're there!  Thanks for hanging in there and running for reelection and not being pushed into retirement.  You're going to be one of the stars.  Do good things!
[ Parent ]
This is not a focus on fiscal issues (4.00 / 1)
O'Brien may say he is prioritizing fiscal issues, but let's not kid ourselves - one of the main sections of the House Republican Alliance legislative agenda:
PERSONAL LIBERTY
1.   Provide for parental notification for abortions.
2.   Establish a bill of parental rights.
3.   Repeal same sex marriage.
4.   Provide the right of "Constitutional Carry".
5.   Allow the recording of public officials in exercise of their duties.
6.   Establish individual freedom in personal Healthcare.
7.   Join the states' lawsuit on Obamacare.
8.   Repeal state acquiescence to Obamacare.
9.   Reassert State's Rights.
10.   Provide for informing juries of right of nullification.
11.   Allow court appeal of human rights commission rulings.

Ironically titled "personal liberty" when the intent is the exact opposite. His past statements and voting record tell us exactly where he stands, and what we can expect under his leadership.

Zandra Rice Hawkins (Granite State Progress)

[ Parent ]
It's going to be interesting (0.00 / 0)
to see how long people follow these wing-nuts before they say ENOUGH.
The Stealth Social Agenda Speaker of the House | 4 comments

Connect with BH
     
Blue Hampshire Blog on Facebook
Powered by: SoapBlox