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Grow a Spine

Two recent items in the news have caught my attention. They both point to how hard it is currently to be a Democrat. Carol Shea-Porter’s commentary in the Herald (March 22) was ostensibly about de-funding the war and getting the troops home. But there were so many qualifiers with goals and timetables that any mealy mouthed Washington politician could have written it. Perhaps one of her aids wrote it to try to lighten her load.

The other item was the filing by State Reps Jim Splaine and Paul McEachern of HR10. It was a resolution condemning the President’s war policy and recent troop surge. These Democrats were trying so desperately to not been seen as hating the troops that they added enough qualifiers as to render the House Resolution meaningless. The only items left out were Mom and apple pie. If I, as a card carrying conservative, could read it and scratch my head saying this ain’t so bad, then something tells me they are not hitting the notes that they should be. I admire these three politicians but didn’t vote for them. So if what they are saying is placating me then there must be a lot of Democrats steaming mad. I’m getting saddle sores watching them straddle the fence.

If these politicians actually believe that the war is an abomination then they should say so. People may be getting sore watching the President put his policy into action, but it isn’t saddle sore. He’s not riding the fence. That troop surge is taking place come hell or high water.

Democrats need to find a spine. Shea-Porter needs to flat out de-fund the war, no half measures. Splaine and McEachern need to put forth a resolution that is equally definitive. Get off the fence. It’s killing me watching you.

Posted by Mark Brighton at 10:42 PM | Comments (22)

Kittery Massages

What is it about Kittery and massages?

The entire Seacoast and beyond knows about Kittery's infamous massage parlor. It was an open secret for nearly two decades. As the details came out it only got more sordid. But the past is the past - right.

It was with great interest that I read an article in March 13th's Herald.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/03132007/mainenews-ph-k-council3-12.html

It seems that the Kittery Town Council commanded the presence of the School Committee to explain various line item expenses in the school budget.

One of these was "massages for Shapleigh Middle School teachers". My immediate reaction to this was, is this Déjà vu all over again? The School Committee chair, Jeff Pelletier, explained "the massages were paid for by a York Hospital grant, not taxpayer money, and were a reward for the teachers." Whether grant money or not, somehow it seemed the citizens of Kittery were getting screwed – again.

But then I started to give it more thought. Would I want to teach Middle School age kids - no! Middle School teachers should actually be getting combat pay for dealing with our delightful cherubs. Twenty odd years ago my wife was acting as a substitute teacher at what was then Portsmouth Junior High aka, “The Tank”. She claims to be 5' 1", but I believe 5' is more likely. She had to back one these oversized cherubs down who was trying to physically intimidate her. He called her a …. Well, I can’t say what he called her. It hasn't gotten any better. If a few massages could invigorate these teachers, then maybe they are a good idea.

Maybe the City of Portsmouth could take a lesson here. The local fire department has the most overtime of any municipal department. Instead of OT pay, perhaps we could give each firefighter a massage. Instead of letting the police add detail pay to the pension totals, maybe we could give them massages. And let’s not forget the Middle School teachers in our fair city.

Some good may come from Kittery’s history of solving life's problems with a massage. Perhaps they have turned a sow’s ear into a silk purse by exercising a little common sense and common decency.

I say we give it a try.

Posted by Mark Brighton at 12:09 AM | Comments (3)

Death of a Liberal

With apologies to Willie Loman

One of my earliest memories is being at my grandmother's house cheering and dancing around as John Kennedy defeated Richard Milhous Nixon. I was about eight years old. My grandmother hated Nixon. She was a good Irish Democrat. My parents were Roosevelt Democrats brought up during the trying times of the depression. Democrats were different then.

As a teenager I remember my father, who was editor of this august paper at the time, changing is opinion of the Vietnam War. He was a WWII vet. The thought that his country could be involved in something so heinous ripped him apart. Democrats were different then.

As a young man of 20 I voted for George McGovern. I was a product of the sixties. We were going to change the world. We were wrong on several counts. The first time around I voted for Jimmy Carter. He lusted in his heart in an age when the definition of "is" wasn't up for debate. Democrats were different then

Carter was the last national Democrat I voted for, but my journey was far from over. Much to my regret I never voted for Ronald Reagan. Bush the elder was my first. It was a gentle experience, for Democrats were no longer different.

It is said that a conservative is a liberal who has just been mugged. My mugging took place long before my Bush vote. My wife and I were newly married and we out and bought a house. Call me naïve, but I was only vaguely aware of property taxes. The vagueness quickly left. We got our first tax bill. It was for the princely sum of about $1,000.

I recently asked my wife if she remembered when got our first tax bill. She said only one word, "Clearly!" We were both on the front steps when I opened the envelope. I think apoplectic is the best description. "How dare they?!" "What are we getting for this?" I'm sure my tirade lasted much longer. My wife's jaw was on the steps. I think she was concerned as to what kind of lunatic she had married. Her journey has been much longer then mine and is still on going.

Nowadays Democrats are what they are. I'm still asking the same question since that day. "How dare they?!" "What are we getting for this?" Since that time we have put a son through the public schools. The same questions popped up.

Today I find myself waving the bloody shirt. Even my dogs know I'm right.

Doggone Right

Posted by Mark Brighton at 11:31 PM | Comments (4)

About this Blog

My Pair of canines have given me more insight into life and politics than any Full House of liberals. This Anglo-Irish curmudgeon, to steal a line from the movie Network, is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Aided by my trusted companions, I’ll be poking holes in the accepted shibboleths of the day and poking a little fun at myself as well.

Join us as we look at every issue from the state education crisis to global warming to the war on terror. From the ridiculous to the tragic to the downright hysterical, no cow is too sacred for this trio of observers on the human condition.

Posted by Mark Brighton at 11:30 PM | Comments (2)