On November 1, 2005, First District NH Congressman Jeb Bradley joined Against The Grain to discuss his recent trip to the ravaged Gulf Coast area, to see the devastation of Hurricane Wilma. Listen to hear the Congressman try to justify his trip and the federal expenditure of tax money for disaster aid.

Gardner talks with someone at the Jet Propulsion Labs about Titan, moon of mystery...

John Kerry calls in to welcome Gardner back on the air...

On Wednesday, November 2, senior members of the NH House and Senate announced plans to meet on November 16 in order to pass a special resolution that would funnel $17 million in "emergency assistance" to families having trouble paying their heating bills.

Both House Speaker Doug Scammon, and Senate President Ted Gatsas are in favor of moving state "surplus" funds (recently discovered, after the Lynch adminstration accused former Governor Benson of creating a funding deficit -- Surprise, Surprise!) into these "charitable" uses.

There is nothing "charitable" about theft, no matter how it is portrayed, excused, or rationalized by politicians, the very politicians who were given seats of power in order to protect our individual lives, livelihoods, and property from threats by others.

ISSUES TO WATCH:

- George Bush has announced a sweeping plan to "protect America" against the possibility that avian flu could become a pandemic. On Tuesday, November 1, President Bush called for 7.1 billion Dollars to be spent on pandemic prevention, including 1.2 billion tax Dollars used to have upwards of 20 million vaccinations on hand for the federal government to dole out to the citizens of the US. Since Mr. Bush swore an oath to uphold the US Constitution, it would be an interesting exercise for him to, sometime, cite that article of the document that gives him, or Congress, the power to seize tax money and spend it in this way.

Editor's Note: This piece was written in response to an Op-ed by PGG, published in the Nashua Telegraph, Nashua, NH.

“Trainspotting”
February 11, 2002

The discussion continues regarding a tax-payer funded train system from Lowell to Nashua. On February 2, Mr. Charlie Matthews responded to my criticism of Rep. Charlie Bass’ proposal to channel $66 million to such a project. His response is an educational example of how imprecise editing can shade the meaning of a piece, and how people can overlook the larger economic picture when considering subsidies for projects at home.

“Train Wreck”
January 15, 2002
(Op-Ed: Nashua Telegraph, Subject: Bass proposal for Nashua-Lowell Train)

On December 22, 2001, Representative Charlie Bass assured voters in New Hampshire that he will continue to do all he can to promote and secure funding for a proposed commuter rail extension from Lowell, MA, to Nashua (“Rail Service Project Makes Sense”, Nashua Telegraph, p. 12).
    
According to Mr. Bass, the rail proposal is “a worthwhile project”. It would result in 1000 fewer cars on the highways each day. It would help alleviate congestion, and help ensure the growth and success of southern New Hampshire.  Unfortunately, Mr. Bass has confused many things, including what is practical, what is community oriented, and what is sanctioned by the document he swore to uphold when he took office.

Originally written in Sept. 2000 - now with an update at the end...

A great deal of political hay is being made by the Shaheen campaign over her supposed fight to make health insurance affordable in New Hampshire. In her first campaign for Governor in 1995, we heard the ringside announcement that “she fought the big insurance companies and won.” Now, we are being told that she fought the “big HMO's” and is providing affordable health insurance to poor New Hampshire children.

This is far from the truth.

The educational system is the most powerful determinant of who controls whom.

George Orwell put it well: 

“The Party is not interested in the overt act: the thought is all we care about. We do not merely destroy our enemies; we change them.”

This may be the best explanation for the Progressives' centralization of educational authority in pursuit of its goal to Socialize America.