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This story fills me with despair. From the Portsmouth Herald
PORTSMOUTH - If more people use city woods for recreational purposes, fewer homeless people may use those woods for campsites, said city environmental planner Peter Britz.
Then there was this commentary from Donald Green, UNH Professor Emeritus:
He added that the Cross Roads House homeless shelter "hasn't worked," with proof being that some "people don't want to be there."
That's a curious method for measuring success coming from an educated man. Does this mean that Professor Green's house is a failure - because I don't want to be there?
Waiting nearly a week to formally retract that second statement - in what can only be characterized as an unapologetic apology - did little to mute some of the outrage, especially in Nashua education circles.
...What would compel an elected official to make these kind of irresponsible statements? We're not sure, but it turns out this isn't the first time we've taken Elliott to task over inappropriate remarks.
Last spring, during a debate on a bill that would have granted civil rights protections to the transgender community, Elliott made the following juvenile observation: "I feel really bad for you men when you go to Hooters and get someone other than the little girl with the little shorts."
Now, if this were just a matter of a lawmaker behaving badly, perhaps it could be rationalized as just that. But it's impossible to rationalize her decision to accuse the Nashua School District of condoning the teaching of gay sex in fifth-grade classrooms before making any attempt to verify the information.
And from a Nashuan:
Rep. Nancy Elliott: I am appalled and disgusted that a public official representing the Merrimack constituency would make such horrific claims without spending one moment of her time performing any due diligence before addressing our Legislature.
...You overstepped the bounds of your office with your comments in a public forum and should be sanctioned by your peers.
The comments sections to those pieces are well worth a read. I think whoever decides to run against Elliott in Merrimack ought to seek out support for her run in Nashua, because she'll get it - and then some.
And, to the shame of the state media, The Nashua Telegraph remains the only outlet interested in the fact that a state representative alleged that our fifth grade public school teachers were instructing children in how to have sex:
NASHUA - A city alderman will seek for state Rep. Nancy Elliott to be removed from office unless she recants her claim that Nashua fifth-graders are being taught about gay sex or presents evidence to support it.
"Either turn in the name of the 'mother' whose child was subjected to this alleged display of pornography to the Nashua Police Department, as required by law to protect the children, or recant and apologize publicly," Ward 3 Alderman Diane Sheehan wrote in an e-mail she sent to Elliott on Sunday afternoon.
"If neither of those two actions take place in the next 48 hours, I will begin exploring action to prosecute for false statement, and your removal from office," Sheehan wrote.
Also notable in the piece (read the whole thing) is how the NHGOP has no interest in distancing themselves from "rising Republican star" Nancy Elliot.
And why is Alderman Sheehan moved to this action?
""because nobody else was stepping up,"
It's great to know that in New Hampshire, those in public service can get maligned without evidence by a publicly elected official, and without the news media showing much interest.
UPDATE: Rep. Elliott admitted today that she cannot back up her scurrilous allegations against Nashua public school teachers.
The Telegraph has updated their article on Rep. Nancy Elliott and her inflammatory accusations against the fifth grade teachers of Nashua public schools:
The comments have Nashua school officials at a loss. Nothing resembling what Elliott said is being taught in any of Nashua's schools, officials say.
Superintendent Mark Conrad said school officials have asked all elementary school principals about the claim. Conrad said there is no evidence to substantiate Elliott's comment and no parents have called to complain.
"We don't have any information that this has occurred," Conrad said Friday.
But here's the kicker, imo. If Rep. Elliott, or anyone, had received information that fifth graders in Nashua were being instructed on how to have sex, it should have been incumbent upon her to contact the school immediately, instead of throwing it out in the middle of a hearing on repealing marriage equality. Superintendent Conrad:
"We're not sure how this has come to Representative Elliott's attention," Conrad said. "As a state representative, if she became aware of a concern from a parent about inappropriate subject matter, I would think she would have a responsibility to call us. To my knowledge, she hasn't done that."
In other news, The Vesta Roy Excellence In Public Service Series recently honored Rep. Elliott as a "rising Republican star." I learned about it on the NHGOP website.
It's bad enough some Granite State Republicans, during a severe recession in which legislators ought to be focused on jobs and the economy, are fixated on repealing the rights of others, despite polling of their own party members that shows strong support for marriage equality. But it's even worse when "rising Republican stars" slander public school teachers, apparently without evidence.
Landrigan on President Obama's visit to the southern New Hampshire city (over the border and just north of Scott Brown's voters)::
But Obama's defiant defense of the need to reform health care drew, by far, the biggest response.
..."I do not quit; we are going to get that done," said Obama, claiming comprehensive health care reform is near the finish line rather than out of the running.
A standing ovation from this crowd of more than 1,000 at Nashua North High School began slowly but steadily grew, prompting Obama to nod and twice repeat, "We have to get it done."
And for the Claire McCaskills of the senate who are wondering whether they should emulate Evan Bayh's reelection strategy rather than practice public service: are you anxious about using reconciliation to fix the worst parts of the bill?
Well, then, Judd Gregg's got your bipartisanship right here:
"The point, of course, is this: If you have 51 votes for your position, you win," Gregg told his Senate colleagues on the floor.
He added, "Reconciliation is a rule of the Senate (that) has been used before for purposes exactly like this on numerous occasions... Is there something wrong with majority rules? I don't think so."
But even if his newly combative approach notches the president some rhetorical wins, he risks alienating people at the same time.
Earth to AP: the President already has alienated people throughout 2009, the year of Lucy and the Football. Scott Brown kept all the McCain voters; Not so much for Coakley and the Obama voters. In that margin was the GOPer victory, and not all of it can be blamed on Coakley's astoundingly poor campaign.
This first remark from an audience member must be part of the Grand Tea People Plot to crash the event:
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you. Hello, Nashua! Thank you very much. Thank you, guys. Thank you so much. Everybody, please have a seat. Thank you. Well, it is --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!
THE PRESIDENT: I love you back! (Applause.) It's great to be here. Great to be back in New Hampshire.
(Half of text below the fold; the second half can be found here)
Also, raw video of the event (in two parts) can be found from WHDH here and here.
Aides to President Barack Obama are busy planning a presidential trip to Nashua next Tuesday, two sources with knowledge of the trip tell NHPoliticalReport.com.
Details aren't known at this point. Pindell says Obama will be stumping to promote the policy initiatives he'll outline in his State of the Union Address tomorrow.
They'll both be in Jennifer Horn's backyard raising Benjamins for the Nashua GOP.
FAUX host Hill is most (in)famous for her incredibly classy "terrorist fist-jab" comment about Barack and Michelle Obama:
FAUX News cancelled her show the following week.
You know, Hill was rightly ridiculed for that comment. But there's a larger issue that's not funny at all. That kind of constant drumbeat of sick innuendo that Hill and others peddle on FAUX has paved the way for the truly frightening spectacle we've seen unfold this summer. Hill can schmooze with Kelly Ayotte and Jennifer Horn all she wants, but she bears responsibility in part for the currently fact-free, unhinged nature of the GOP base.
Here's some Media Matters documentation about Hill beyond the aforementioned slime:
Fox's E.D. Hill falsely claimed that "U.N. meteorologists" say "the planet may actually cool off for the 10th year in a row"
Fox News' Hill: Are Latinos "going to vote for the person who basically is going to give them the most for ... the least?"
Fox's Hill on Clinton's "Southern drawl": "[I]f she was attending, say, a GLAAD convention, would she speak with a lisp?"
Hi. I'm Brian, a staffer from the Obama/Biden campaign. Wanted to share this delightful day with everyone...
Senator Joe Biden was in Nashua, New Hampshire today and motivated the crowd at the Nashua Community College.
The crowd of over 500 felt the urgency as the days tick away toward November 4th. This election is different. We can no longer sit back and wait for others to make it better. This election is about us; each one of us; you, me, and our neighbors coming out and talking to each other about how we can change the world ourselves. This is new.
Senator Biden knows the change we need. You know the change we need. It's clear and it includes addressing the healthcare crisis, the energy crisis, the housing crisis, the education crisis... how many crises can we take all at once? We need solutions that make sense for all hard working Americans, like those below, who came to hear about this change.
We need you to motivate. We need you to get involved. We need you to talk to your neighbors in New Hampshire and spread the word. Without you, we cannot reach out to everyone it will take to win this crucial state. It's going to be close here in New Hampshire, real close. There are so many Independents, Republicans, and Democrats that want the change Barack Obama and Joe Biden will bring. You can bring that change too! Come to your nearest Field Office. Undecided voters are waiting. They need to hear from you. Our problems won't get solved without you!
Change We Need Town Hall with Senator Joe Biden
The Wellness Center
Nashua Community College
505 Amherst Street
Nashua, NH
Wednesday, September 10
Doors Open at 1:30 PM
Ticketing: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis at the ticket distribution location listed below.
Ticket Distribution Location: Obama Campaign for Change - Nashua Office
306 Amherst St., Nashua, NH
Tickets will be available Tuesday, September 9th, from 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
How great would it be if Biden tore into Palin's parade of lies about the Bridge to Nowhere? Of course, he's got plenty of other material, too, like from when McCain himself was in Nashua a little while ago:
Even Obama's saying it now - the McCain campaign thinks you're stoopid.
Update: Looks like Biden won't need to be the first messenger about Palin's lies. I prefer active to reactive, but this is just about the best comeback to the new McCain ad I could hope for:
Just heard from Roberto Fuentes, the leader of the Young Democrats in Nashua, that $400 was raised for Young Democratic candidates at the BBQ last week.
Thanks to Roberto as well as the Mangipudis for all their hard work.
Interesting McCan't would distance himself from SS privatization in New Hampshire, given that our junior senator John E. Sununu is a champion of dismantling FDR's legacy.
p.s. Looks like between 200 and 300 people showed up for a guy our state supposedly has a huge affection for. I'm guessing Obama could pull in ten times that amount (and likely, more) at a moment's notice in Nashua.
Sen. McCain is in our state today to speak at a voter's forum this afternoon. Here's the info:
Town Hall Meeting with John McCain
Thursday, June 12
12:30 p.m. doors open, 1:30 p.m. event starts
Daniel Webster College's gym in Nashua
Without question, he will be showcasing his juggling act - doing his best to appeal to our state's moderate, independent-leaning citizens, without angering his party's far-right base. It's the kind of political-game playing that isn't appreciated in the "Live Free or Die" state.
So I say it's time to shatter that "moderate maverick" image, and there's no reason why New Hampshire citizens shouldn't be the ones to do it. After all, McCain has enjoyed a prolonged love affair with New Hampshire, so he owes us some "straight talk," don't you think?
The American public needs to know that John McCain is not only against abortion; he is against birth control and other prevention policies that would actually reduce the need for abortion.
So if you're attending the town meeting in Nashua today, be sure to ask Sen. McCain one of these questions:
1. You have said that you think Roe v. Wade should be overturned and you've voted for abortion bans with no exceptions for rape, incest or a woman's life or health. Why should women support you when you don't support their ability to make private medical decisions without interference from politicians like you?
2. You voted to end a program that provides millions of women with health care services ranging from birth control to breast cancer screenings. Why, if you're opposed to abortion, do you vote against birth control and other programs that would actually reduce the need for abortion?
3. You have refused to support legislation to require pharmacists to fill women's birth control prescriptions without harassment or delay. Do you think it's okay for a pharmacy to refuse to fill a woman's prescription for birth control based on an employee's personal views?
4. Would you continue President Bush's "abstinence-only" programs that censor information about birth control and condoms, and put our teens at risk for STDs and unintended pregnancy?
5. You voted to prevent doctors from giving their patients information about all their options for treatment, including abortion. Do you really want politicians in Washington interfering in the private conversations doctors have with their patients?
The truth is that during his twenty-five years in office, Sen. McCain has consistently voted to block low-income women's access to birth control, to deny teens accurate information about birth control and condoms, to stop measures that would require insurance companies to cover birth control, and to block funds to an organization that provides family-planning services - not abortion - for the world's poorest women.
With all the recent chatter about competing for women's support, we can't let McCain keep up the myth of this moderate maverick when it comes to choice.
Four years ago, I signed up to volunteer for Dean on primary day; by nature not an extrovert, it was a huge step for me, and a testament to how the Vermont Gov could inspire folks to go beyond their comfort zone for the greater good. Being completely new to political activism, I was both nervous and excited to be standing outside a polling station in the limb-numbing cold weather, checking off names of Dean voters who had just come out so that the campaign could target their GOTV operation. Sometime early that morning, I was harrassed by a Kerry supporter who told me that what I was doing was illegal, and he took a picture of me and stormed off, vowing to "report me." It was pretty unnerving for me, since I knew next to nothing about the rules other than what I was asked to do, and it wasn't until someone local from the Dean campaign contacted their counsel and told me I had done nothing wrong that I was able to breathe easy again.
Which is a long way of saying that I got depressed reading this:
But the Clinton intervention at Ward 9 in Nashua nonetheless persuaded the moderator to ban the Obama observers. And the disputes, which dragged on for hours and grew quite heated, generally scrambled the Obama efforts to keep track of who was and wasn't voting, said Obama supporter Andrew Edwards, a rookie state representative assigned to observe the polls in Nashua, where Clinton ran up a big margin in her favor. Edwards was confronted by Lasky and by another veteran Democrat, state representative and Nashua Democratic chairwoman Jane Clemons, who he said issued a veiled threat during the dispute that he would face a stiff primary challenge in Nashua if he ran for reelection.
"The effect of it was that it basically disrupted our get out the vote operation," said Edwards. "My effectiveness that day [in checking off names] was less than 50 percent as a result of the people who kept coming in" to protest the observers.
Clemons, whose son Nick Clemons managed Clinton's campaign in the state, said she objected to the Obama observers because she said she had been told by the Nashua City Clerk the day before that such observers would not be allowed and that letting the Obama use them conferred an "unfair advantage." In an interview Friday, the city clerk, Paul Bergeron, said this was not the case, that the discussion before the election had regarded volunteers challenging voters, not those checking names off lists.
This is my personal perspective on a breaking story about Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly manhandling a campaign worker at a rally for Senator Barack Obama in Nashua, New Hampshire today. (Hat tip to icebergslim.)
Over 200 individuals applied for media passes to cover the rally for Senator Obama today. Among them were Bill O'Reilly and me, a photo blogger covering the event in my personal diaries on Daily Kos and BlueHampshire. (Hat tip to the Obama campaign for graciously offering access to bloggers as well as blowhards.)
The press pass came with a few reasonable conditions. Media presets were to be from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. This means that camera equipment had to be set up before 9:00 a.m. in order to allow the Secret Service to sweep for bombs. All media representatives were required to vacate the gymnasium until the doors opened at 10:00 a.m. I showed up at 8:15 a.m., set up my tripod, and enjoyed a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee provided by the campaign. O'Reilly blew off the preset, then marched into the rally midway, after other broadcast crews and still photographers had already established their camera positions.
Yesterday, after honoring the sacrifice of our veterans by meeting with residents at Buckingham Place, a transitional living facility for homeless veterans in Nashua, Sen. Barack Obama outlined his Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act. The Act would launch a $26 million pilot program providing housing for at-risk veterans, along with mental health counseling, job training and financial planning.
On Monday, Barack Obama returned to the Granite State. With roundtable discussions at Jesse's Restaurant in Hanover in the morning, and Lindy's Diner in Keene in the afternoon, Barack Obama sat down with small groups to talk about the way that broken culture in Washington affects the lives of everyday Americans. In addition to the Hanover and Keene roundtables, Barack held a rally in Keene and a town hall in the late afternoon in Nashua.
You can read the full recap of Monday's events on the New Hampshire campaign blog.
Other highlights from the campaign this week:
On Friday, volunteers from Keene, Lebanon, Nashua and Portsmouth participated in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and community organizing activity called Hoops.Action.Change. In order to qualify, the teams had to perform some volunteer community service activity with their local campaign office, including phone-banking and canvassing. Craig Robinson, Barack's brother-in-law and head coach of the Brown University men's basketball team, dropped by for the regional tournament play. On Saturday, the championship round was held in Manchester, with the winning team, Keene's "Railroad Team", meeting with Barack and receiving signed basketballs.
On Thursday, the NH Obama campaign blog profiled former State Representative Peter Sullivan.
On Tuesday, the NH Obama campaign blog profiled Jeff, a teacher from Wolfboro.
On Tuesday night, Barack participated in the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum in Chicago. In this, one of the signature moments of the debate, it became abundantly clear that Barack Obama is the candidate with the intelligence to challenge the conventional ways of thinking that have led to the present administration's foreign policy catastrophes, and the toughness and integrity to stand up for what he believes in.
For the latest in the campaign's efforts across the country and right here in New Hampshire, check out the NH Obama campaign blog at nh.barackobama.com
Coming on the heels of a new Iowa poll released Thursday night showing John Edwards increasing his lead over Sen. Clinton to 5 points, he generated large crowds in New Hampshire over the last three days.
My favorite moment at yesterday's event in Canterbury, which drew over 325 supporters and interested voters, was when a self identified Obama tracker Josh(?)Hyman said he was 'depressed' by the size of the crowd.I asked who he was when he entered wearing a huge backpack, and he pleasantly identified himself. A very nice young man. This trip, starting with over 400 folks showing up at a house party in Nashua Saturday, and big crowds for Elizabeth Friday and Saturday morning, showed a renewed interest in the populist message of John Edwards.
Amazingly there was no coverage from the Monitor's Chelsea Conaboy, no pictures. There was coverage from Holly Ramer of the AP, and a bit in today's UL.
The common theme for the campaign workers was that more people were showing up to hear Sen. Edwards at every stop, more than were expected.
At the Anderson's in Canterbury 200 seat were set up on the lawn, in the quintessential
New England setting, in the center of Canterbury acroos from the Church. The seats were filled long before the event started and folks were standing under tress, looking for shade.
