"Inappropriate for Someone of her Stature"

Oh, that's probably just a euphemism for "chesty." (0.00 / 0)

Keep in mind that personal gossip is a sign of interest and social awareness to the base, as well as an opportunity to tempt the target to go "negative" in the sense of denying the report and giving it a little more play.

What is Pan Am Services?  I thought they'd gone bankrupt, again?  Are they looking for free publicity?  

http://www.panamone.com/cart.p...

LOL

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by: hannah @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 05:21:15 AM CDT

Ah. This would be the David Fink (4.00 / 2)

who is blocking the state from a $300 million rail transit grant, because he won't permit use of his hobby railroad lines.

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by: elwood @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 05:23:08 AM CDT

Yet another example (0.00 / 0)

of why certain things should never be privatized. This thing with Fink is clearly political, and the state should look into taking the tracks by eminent domain if they'll benefit the state's transportation needs. I know they won't meet the detail, but this guy is ridiculous.

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by: FrankLloydMike @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 08:56:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

federal law... (0.00 / 0)

The state can't seize the railroad from Pan Am because of (quite possibly unconstitutional) federal law which prohibits states from taking land by eminent domain for utilities or railroads.

Amtrak COULD seize the "Capital Corridor" railroad.  However, Amtrak has a fairly good working relationship with Pan Am; Amtrak leases the track the Downweaster runs on from Pan Am.  

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 13:01:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think the federal law is probably constitutional under th Commerce Clause (4.00 / 1)

While I dont know the history, I suspect it arose out of the days when legislatures, including that of NH, were wholly owned subsidiaries of the railroads, and not averse to using eminent domain for private gain.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 13:20:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Can either of you point me (0.00 / 0)

to the federal law in question? (I'm not skeptical, I'm curious.)

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by: elwood @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 18:28:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sorry (0.00 / 0)

Slip of the mouse.  Since fixed.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 20:23:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think it is contained in the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (4.00 / 1)

(b) The jurisdiction of the Board over - (1) transportation by rail carriers, and the remedies provided in this part with respect to rates, classifications, rules (including car service, interchange, and other operating rules), practices, routes, services, and facilities of such carriers; and (2) the construction, acquisition, operation, abandonment, or discontinuance of spur, industrial, team, switching, or side tracks, or facilities, even if the tracks are located, or intended to be located, entirely in one State, is exclusive.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, the remedies provided under this part with respect to regulation of rail transportation are exclusive and preempt the remedies provided under Federal or State law.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Sat Oct 03, 2009 at 10:51:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

BTW that is found at 49 USC 10501 (4.00 / 1)

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Sat Oct 03, 2009 at 10:52:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why yes it would be (0.00 / 0)

And isn't he the same guy that fought high-speed rail service to Portland?

And the same guy who made a big stink about the state contract with Rep DeJoy's railroad?

For a railroad guy he doesn't seem to like trains very much.

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by: Michael Marsh @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 09:05:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The railroad in question (4.00 / 1)

belongs to Rep. Peter Leishman.

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by: Jennifer Daler @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 10:23:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

it's not DeJoy: (4.00 / 2)

It's Rep. DeJoie, not DeJoy, and you mixed up John DeJoie with Peter Leishmann. I do that myself.  They do look alike and they do have similar personalities.  DeJoie is nowhere near rich enough to run his own railroad, however: he is a humble firefighter.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 13:04:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Pal of yours, DD? n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: elwood @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 18:50:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sorry (4.00 / 1)

Slip of the mouse.  Since fixed.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 20:24:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

For what it's worth (4.00 / 2)

When these guys bought the rights to the Pan Am name, they revived the old airline's tradition of naming aircraft. Instead of names like "Clipper America", they came up with nonsense like "Clipper Ronald Reagan" and (and I am not making this up) "Clipper Ayn Rand".

If these guys are willing to name a battered old 727 after the likes of a chucklehead like Rand, then we can see where they are coming from.

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. -Harry Truman

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by: Peter Sullivan @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 10:54:19 AM CDT

Cite, since Dean's a stickler about these things (4.00 / 1)

http://www.guilfordrail.com/xp...

It's on page 8.

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. -Harry Truman

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by: Peter Sullivan @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 11:00:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

In Fink's back pocket (0.00 / 0)

Just so you know, when the state starts to grind the "iminent domain" organ, Fink is gonna scream RETRIBUTION!

He is already laying the track.

www.KusterforCongress.com  

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 12:19:06 PM CDT

See a pattern here? (4.00 / 2)

I made the same observation Dean did when I saw that quote. Why would Mr. Fink confuse Carol's current status with her status at the time of the event, that of an unknown audience member with a message t-shirt?

And also: Why ask for Carol and Sue to be removed when the meeting was over anyway?  And why was the "building owner" involved is such meeting details?  Was Bush here in Deep Blue Portsmouth, playing to a half empty airplane hanger, on tax-funded government business, because Mr. Fink was a Solid Red contributor?  Was Mr. Fink making this gratuitous gesture to be a good host to his friend W?

And, finally, what was it about two women leaving a meeting that made this police business anyway?

FINK, DAVID 5/29/2008 $500 Michaud, Mike (D)
FINK, DAVID 5/2/2009 $500 New Hampshire Republican State Cmte (R)
FINK, DAVID 10/25/2007 $250 New Hampshire Republican State Cmte (R)
FINK, DAVID 10/23/2008 $500 Horn, Jennifer M (R)
FINK, DAVID 5/22/2008 $250 Horn, Jennifer M (R)
FINK, DAVID 8/10/2008 $200 Horn, Jennifer M (R)
FINK, DAVID A 5/9/2006 $1,000 Bradley, Jeb (R)
FINK, DAVID A 5/18/2009 $250 Guinta, Frank (R)
FINK, DAVID 12/27/2005 $500 Bass, Charles (R)
FINK, DAVID 6/29/2006 $500 Bass, Charles (R)
FINK, DAVID 9/14/2006 $500 Bass, Charles (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR 2/23/2009 $1,000 Republican National Cmte (R)
Fink, David A Mr 9/29/2008 $1,000 Republican National Cmte (R)
Fink, David A Mr 10/23/2008 $1,000 Republican National Cmte (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR 7/30/2009 $750 Republican National Cmte (R)
FINK, DAVID MR 8/4/2008 $1,000 McCain, John (R)
FINK, DAVID A 4/12/2005 $500 Sununu, John E (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR 7/11/2006 $500 Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR 6/29/2008 $500 Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A 7/19/2007 $1,700 Sununu, John E (R)
FINK, DAVID A 12/9/2005 $500 Bradley, Jeb (R)
FINK, DAVID A 11/27/2007 $500 Bradley, Jeb (R)
FINK, DAVID A 3/19/2007 $500 Sununu, John E (R)
FINK, DAVID A 11/24/2007 $500 Sununu, John E (R)
FINK, DAVID A 7/19/2007 $300 Sununu, John E (R)
FINK, DAVID A 8/28/2007 $250 Bradley, Jeb (R)
FINK, DAVID A 3/6/2008 $250 Bradley, Jeb (R)
FINK, DAVID A 12/18/2007 $1,000 Huckabee, Mike (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR 11/21/2005 $1,000 Majority In Congress PAC (R)
FINK, DAVID 2/26/2007 $500 Gregg, Judd (R)

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by: Bill Duncan @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 15:34:54 PM CDT

that poor Fink (4.00 / 3)

made some bad investments.  

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by: susanthe @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 17:19:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Cancer on our Democracy: a case study (4.00 / 2)

Mr. Fink was an early supporter of Jennifer Horn and George W. Bush.

He made one hundred and twelve contributions, totaling $72,300.

Ninety-nine, totaling $64,050, went to NH Republican candidates (mostly Bass, Sununu and Bradley), Bush, Huckabee, McCain and various NH and national Republican committees.

Six, totaling $4250, went to Democratic Congressmen (from MA, ME & IL) sitting on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and, very curiously, the Maine Democratic State Committee.

FINK, DAVID  5/29/08 $500 Michaud, Mike (D)
FINK, DAVID A  11/3/05 $1,000 Maine Democratic State Cmte (D)
FINK, DAVID A  2/14/04 $250 Capuano, Michael E (D)
FINK, DAVID A  2/14/04 $500 Capuano, Michael E (D)
FINK, DAVID  5/5/01 $1,000 Costello, Jerry F (D)
FINK, DAVID A  6/19/00 $1,000 Baldacci, John (D)

And seven, totaling $4000, went to Florida dimwit head-butting toupee monster GOP Congressman (and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) John Mica.

FINK, DAVID A MR  6/29/08 $500  Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR  7/11/06 $500  Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR  3/31/04 $1,000 Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR  9/17/02 $500  Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR  8/12/02 $500  Mica, John L (R)
FINK, DAVID A MR  8/12/02 $500  Mica, John L (R) [separate entry]
FINK, DAVID A MR  11/2/01 $500  Mica, John L (R)

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by: Tim C. @ Sat Oct 03, 2009 at 03:11:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

David Fink wants his own business to fail, to spite New Hampshire. (4.00 / 2)

From yesterday's Foster's:

State's high-speed rail plan from Nashua to Concord derailed; DOT blames Pan Am Railways

CONCORD - Plans to create a high-speed rail corridor from Nashua to Concord were derailed Wednesday after state Department of Transportation officials said they would not apply for $300 million in federal economic stimulus funds.

DOT Commissioner George Campbell laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of Pam Am Railways for refusing to participate in talks with the state to create the 39-mile "Capital Corridor" project.

"By walking away from this unique and exiting initiative, Pan Am has effectively closed the window on strengthening New Hampshire's economy. Our citizens and businesses along this corridor deserve better transportation choices than they have today," said Campbell in a prepared statement.

Pam Am Railways was an important player in the process because it is the host railroad along the corridor, Campbell explained. The deadline for "Track 2 corridor service development and improvements" program applications is Friday.

...

If the state can reach an agreement with Amtrak, Clement said they can then apply for the federal funds next year. Given the needs of the state and the fact that it will continue to have an aging population, Clement, who lives in Durham, believes it is still a good idea to pursue the Capital Corridor project.

David Fink, president of Pam Am Railways in North Billerica, Mass., said he would be willing to negotiate with Amtrak if Amtrak approached him about using the rail line between Concord and Nashua for passenger rail.

"I do business with Amtrak every day," Fink said. "They run the Downeaster for me every day. They're business partners."

But Fink said during such difficult economic times the state should not be wasting its time on high-speed rail.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Fink said. "Let's straighten our house out and then look at what we have."

David Fink owns rail lines, but he thinks it's a waste of the state's time to pursue federal stimulus money to establish rail service on those lines so he walks away from negotiations to do so, because he's a concern troll who hates money.  And, apparently, Carol Shea-Porter.  And puppies.

Eminent domain, anyone?

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 17:37:17 PM CDT

NH GOP demands that CSP apologize to the cops (0.00 / 0)

There is a little bit of concern-trollery going on the NH GOP.  They are demanding that carol Shea-Porter apologize to the Portsmouth Police Department.  This is because of the 2005 event at the Pease Tradeport--- not the recent town hall meeting at the McIntyte Federal Building.  (The Portsmouth PD was one of several law enforcement agencies who did security for the August town hall, and she did thank them.)

The Republicans have NOT asked Frank Guinta to apologize to his own city's police force, by the way, even though he owes them one or two apologies.  #1: he has consistently refused to acknowledge his the Manchester's work in Manchester during Shea-Porter's August town hall in that city  and #2: he witnessed a serious crime at a bar and didn't report until after the issue came up on a local cable TV show.

 

 SHEA-PORTER REFUSES
   TO APOLOGIZE TO
   PORTSMOUTH P.D.

   Embattled Congresswoman Won't Apologize For Calling A Portsmouth Police Officer A "Thug"

   CONCORD - Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter is refusing to publicly apologize to the Portsmouth Police after she defamed one of department's officers in a recent interview with the Portsmouth Herald (9/26/09). In a story that appeared in Saturday's Herald, Ms. Shea-Porter called the officer who removed her from a 2005 town hall event a "thug."

   "It's disappointing that Congresswoman Shea-Porter will not simply admit that she made a mistake and apologize for her disgraceful behavior," said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. "Her comments insult the hard-working men and women of the Portsmouth Police Department and embarrass the residents of the First District. She needs to apologize immediately."

   Foster's Daily Democrat (9/2/09) today, confirmed that the "thug" Ms. Shea-Porter claimed to have removed her from a town hall event hosted by President George Bush in 2005 was a Portsmouth police officer. When asked if she regretted her shameful and derogatory comment, Ms. Shea-Porter's spokeswoman declined to respond or offer an apology.

   "When asked about any possible apology from Shea-Porter for calling the person who removed her a 'thug,' [Shea-Porter spokeswoman Jamie] Radice declined to comment," reports Fosters.

   Ms. Shea-Porter has also rejected calls for her to apologize for using vulgar and offensive epithets to refer to First District residents who disagree with her support for a government takeover of health care.

   "Congresswoman Shea-Porter continually fails to live up to the high standards that voters expect from their elected officials. New Hampshire deserves better," said Williams.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Sun Oct 04, 2009 at 09:49:13 AM CDT