Pedalling Backwards, Part 2

We can excuse the Speaker (4.00 / 1)

He's been too busy playing up to the POTUS wnnabes in DC to sweat the small stuff.

There are so many stories coming out of the statehouse - but one flying under the radar is just how rookie this leaderhsip team is.

It's been one major embarrassment after the next, and it's taking up all the media attention.  There's enough material for the whole next election cycle already.

What state senate?  What governor?

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 08:32:59 AM CST

Bettencourt vs. O'Brien (0.00 / 0)

I think it is very interesting that Bettencourt (reportedly) overruled O'Brien. Well "overruled" may be too strong a verb.  But, Bettencourt evidently convinced O'Brien to overturn an administrative decision on political grounds.

This is pure speculation on my part, although I do know all three players in this story: Christiansen probably had all his paperwork in good order even though his basic idea seemed eccentric; O'Brien decided to routinely approve the paperwork and send the petition to the committee; but Bettencourt convinced O'Brien that this was politically unwise.  It would have been hard to hear the petition anyway: for starters, the petitioner is in prison, presumably under super-maximum security, and he can't come to the State House to appear before the committee.

This bodes well for the "social" issues, although my optimism is still extremely cautious. DJ may be just as conservative as O'Brien, but he is more pragmatic.  DJ is also very much a man of his time and his place--- and he grew up in a world where gay people have rights and homophobia is frowned upon.  (He was born in 1984 and has spent his whole life in southern NH.)  

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 09:47:17 AM CST

"Seemed eccentric"? (4.00 / 4)

He filed a petition on behalf of a guy who admitted having sexual relations with a girl under the age of 13. That does not seem eccentric, it seems like an incredibly irresponsible action by someone who geta elected simply becuase he has an R after his name.

And O'Brien routinely approved the paperwork?! There is no routine, this committee did not exist until this session and this is the first petition that was submitted.

I should be thankful - at least you did not say, "I know Lars Christiansen, Lars Christiansen is a friend of mine, he is well meaning and thoughtful, he loves kittens and puppies."  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 14:56:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Bingo! (4.00 / 3)

And O'Brien routinely approved the paperwork?! There is no routine, this committee did not exist until this session and this is the first petition that was submitted.

Exactly right. The fringers made a big deal about respecting the Constitution and created this committee specifically for the purpose of solving the supposedly enormous problem of responding to citizen grievances. Fifteen state reps serve on the committee instead of lending their talents and experiences to other committees. The least the Speaker can do, after creating this bit of nonsense, is spend a minute pretending he really cares by seeing what the very first grievance is before he approves it.

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by: Mike Emm @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 16:45:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

with all due respect... (4.00 / 1)

With all due respect, Kathy, you are not a member of the House Petitions & Redress Committee.  I am.  I didn't necessarily want to be on that committee, but that is where Rep. Norelli & Rep. O'Brien agreed to send me.  I need to be fair towards those who come before my committee--- even Rep. Christiansen & Mr. Dupont.  

I do not really know what was on that infamous petition.  Dupont did confess to horrendous crimes, and if guilty he richly deserves to be in prison for the rest of his miserable life--- but it is still theoretically possible that he was wronged.  I can assure you that I am much more worried about the pedophiles "on the street" who should be where Dupont is.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 15:40:19 PM CST

Oh, I think that is a committee.... (0.00 / 0)

that is very well suited for you.  I am sure that you will be fair to the best of your abilities. The judges whom O'Brien wants to pillory using that committee are going to need fairness.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 16:38:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

last sesssion... (0.00 / 0)

By the way, last session I found myself in the odd position of presenting one of Lars's bills to the Senate Election Law Committee.  He sponsored a anti-Obama "birther" bill which was totally ridiculous as introduced, and it was going to be killed--- but then we found out that there was an actual problem with ineligible candidates running for President. (A citizen of Egypt filed in the 2008 primary, although he did withdraw his filing in time to get off the ballot.) So, the House Election Law Committee amended it, and the full House passed it as amended, and I happened to be the rep who presented it in Lars's absence to our Senate colleagues.  

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 15:40:46 PM CST

Repeal of same-sex marriage. (0.00 / 0)

Is it possible that the Republicans don't have to votes to repeal the law that created marriage equality in NH, and thus have put it on the back burner?  They'll keep the threat alive, but if they don't have the votes, they can't undo it?

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by: mevansnh @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 15:53:46 PM CST

It's possible that they don't have the votes (4.00 / 7)

to override the promised veto.

It's also possible that they think they can collect more out-of-state campaign money by scheduling the vote for the 2012 election.

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by: elwood @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 15:56:50 PM CST

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Extortion has many variations. n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: hannah @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 16:30:00 PM CST

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I am shocked, shocked, shocked! (4.00 / 1)

How could you imagine that a politician would ever scheme to delay a vote on a bill until  an election year simply to gin up more campaign money? These are servants of the people, after all.  

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by: Mike Emm @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 at 16:50:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]