LTE's from Undergrounders

[Dave Ridley]

sent today

Dear folks at the Union Leader:

Thanks for your article on my run-in with Homeland Security.  As Son Hoang reported, DHS wants to cite me after I petitioned the government for a redress of grievances.  Basically I went into the Nashua IRS office in mid-September, silently handed two complaint leaflets to workers and held a sign reading: "Is it right to work 4 IRS?"  They asked me to leave, which I did (very slowly!) with no plans to re-enter.

The heavy-handed Federal treatment of peaceful N.H. residents like Ed Brown and Russell Kanning inspired this protest.  Normally I only do this stuff at state/local offices; folks there are usually just amused.  Only Feds react with such defensiveness, something that simply generates more news coverage and protest.

If they want to curtail all this Constitutionally-endorsed petitioning and demonstrating around their N.H. offices, they do have the means to make that happen.  Punishment won't work, but if they relax and quit throwing their weight around so much in New Hampshire, that should do the trick.

Dave Ridley
Keene

[Dave Ridley]

Will send this to the union leader in a week or so.  I already sent one this month.

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Dear folks at the Union Leader:

I read with angry interest your article about the N.H. Department of Motor Vehicles virtually forcing RV owners to obtain a static physical residence.   While the DMV bureaucrats wring their hands and continue feeding motor-homers to the furnace, perhaps there is a thing or two us average people should do to help the RV folks.

Here is the small thing I can do:  I can inform your readers that if they want to be able to register RV's in-state, but aren't allowed to for lack of a physical residence...they should visit the web forum at NHfree.com and let folks there know about thier plight.  The place is packed with people who like to help make end runs around the bureaucracy.  Hopefully one or more of us will be in a position to help you if you have the RV registration problem (or any other problem with the State).  The dedicated thread for discussing N.H. RV registration is:

tinyurl.com/rycsr

See you there!

[Rosie the Riveter]

I sent this to the Union Leader just last week. I look forward to writing more....

Dear Editor,

I have heard time and time again that the State must define adequacy in education and provide or guarantee an adequate education, but upon reading the section of the NH State Constitution that applies to education, I find nothing that implies or suggests that the State must do any such thing.

NH State Constitution
Part II  [Art.] 83. [Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.]  Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination.

Our State Constitution says that the State must "cherish" education.  Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines cherish as "1 a : to hold dear : feel or show affection for  b : to keep or cultivate with care and affection". Our State Constitution also says that the State must "encourage private and public institutions". 

To cherish, cultivate and encourage are not a requirement to guarantee "adequate public education". As a matter of fact, the definition of adequacy needs to be determined locally by parents, educators, public and private schools and communities -- not the State.

LFoD

[CNHT]

I sent this to the Union Leader just last week. I look forward to writing more....

Dear Editor,

I have heard time and time again that the State must define adequacy in education and provide or guarantee an adequate education, but upon reading the section of the NH State Constitution that applies to education, I find nothing that implies or suggests that the State must do any such thing.

NH State Constitution
Part II  [Art.] 83. [Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.]  Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination.

Our State Constitution says that the State must "cherish" education.  Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines cherish as "1 a : to hold dear : feel or show affection for  b : to keep or cultivate with care and affection". Our State Constitution also says that the State must "encourage private and public institutions". 

To cherish, cultivate and encourage are not a requirement to guarantee "adequate public education". As a matter of fact, the definition of adequacy needs to be determined locally by parents, educators, public and private schools and communities -- not the State.

LFoD

Superb. Thank you!

[Dreepa]

4 letters were published by Undergrounders in the past 3 days in the Concord Monitor:

http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=OPINION03

Check out Denis' letter.

[Tom Sawyer]

Nice LTE Denis.

Here is one from Ted "My passion is people - not politics..." Gatsas. He asks folks to give him a call...
"If you have any questions or issues you want to discuss, please contact me. I can be reached at 623-0220."
How about Real-ID Ted?

http://tinyurl.com/vjydw

[Quantrill]

I'm not familiar with any NH politician, but I did like this from Mr. Gatsas' letter:

In the next two years there's a lot a stake. Already there is talk about a sales and income tax. This would spell disaster in New Hampshire. We have an economic edge over our neighboring states because of our tax-free status. We need to keep it that way. I have always taken a pledge against a sales and income tax, and that will never change.

Hopefully he actually means this?

[Dave Ridley]

still need to send this one

Dear folks at the Monitor:

Your readers are invited to a demonstration at the Federal building on 55 Pleasant St. in Concord:  It will be a demonstration against torture and waste, the two things our Federal government is best known for.   Bring a rattlesnake flag if you like, but mostly just bring *you!*

It will start at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13.   An hour and a half later I will enter the building to appear in court.   I stand accused of petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.  Specifically, Federal agents have cited me because I entered the Nashua IRS office last month and handed flyers to employees.

The leaflets reminded them that the money they seize from taxpayers funds waste and torture.  They question the morality of working for the "Internal Robbery Squadron." 

I've done maybe 20 silent demonstrations like this at various state and local bureaucracies; the folks there are usually just amused and shoo me off.  Only the most powerful institution on earth reacts with such fear to these peaceful visits from its conscience.

If you'd like to know more about this situation, give me a shout at 721-1490 or drop by the NHfree.com forums, where this issue is under discussion.  I hope to see you on the thirteenth!

Dave Ridley
Keene

[FrankChodorov]

are you actually going to argue a first amendment defense - the individual right held in common to the redress of greivances which are only allowed within right of ways owned in common (with other first amendment rights) and only within collectively owned buildings with the explicit purpose of receiving redress of greivance petitions?

for instance Charlie Bass, Jeb Bradley, John Sununu or Judd Gregg's offices here in NH as the war protestors did and then got arrested for remaining after hours in the office.

[Dreepa]

for instance Charlie Bass, Jeb Bradley, John Sununu or Judd Gregg's offices here in NH as the war protestors did and then got arrested for remaining after hours in the office.

Except Dada left when asked.

[FrankChodorov]

for instance Charlie Bass, Jeb Bradley, John Sununu or Judd Gregg's offices here in NH as the war protestors did and then got arrested for remaining after hours in the office.

Except Dada left when asked.

the point is that his redress of greivances would have been received in those offices during business hours because it is the explicit purpose of those collectively owned buildings.

the protestors read outloud (excercising their individual common right to free speech) everyone of the dead soldiers names in Iraq while IN the office of Bradley in Dover.

[Dave Ridley]

altered the LTE somewhat and sent the version below today.

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Dear folks at the Monitor:

Your readers are invited to a demonstration at the Federal building on 55 Pleasant St. in Concord:  It will be a protest against pretty much all things Federal, especially the torture and waste our rulers in Washington force you to underwrite.  Bring a rattlesnake flag if you like, but mostly just bring *you!*

It will start at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13.   An hour and a half later I will enter the building to appear in their district court.   I stand accused of petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.  Specifically, Federal agents have cited me because I entered the Nashua IRS office last month and handed flyers to employees.

The leaflets reminded them that the money they seize from taxpayers funds waste and torture.  They question the morality of working for the "Internal Robbery Squadron."

I've done maybe 20 silent demonstrations like this at various state and local bureaucracies; folks there are usually just amused and shoo me off.  Only the most powerful institution on earth reacts with such fear to peaceful visits from its conscience.

If you'd like to know more about these events, give me a shout at 721-1490 or drop by the NHfree.com forums, where this issue is under discussion.  I hope to see you on the thirteenth!

[Dave Ridley]

sent.

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Dear folks at the Union Leader:

As the Union Leader's Son Huong reported in September, I've had some interesting interactions with the Department of Homeland Security lately. Their officers are attempting to fine me $125 because I peaceably petitioned the government for a redress of grievances.   Specifically the charge is "distribution of handbills," after I entered the Nashua IRS office and handed flyers to employees.  These flyers question the morality of serving an institution which funds torture and waste.

Since I haven't yet paid the fine, DHS has "invited" me to appear in Federal district court November 13.  I will do so, after leading a demonstration outside the building.  This will be a protest against the waste and torture Washington forces you and your loved ones to underwrite.

Readers are invited to attend the protest:  It's at  9:00 a.m.,  55 Pleasant St. in Concord:  Bring a rattlesnake flag if you like, but mostly just bring *you!*  You're also welcome to attend the courtroom proceedings 90 minutes later.  Then maybe we'll go out for lunch.  Or maybe *you* will go out for lunch without me while they will strap me to an ICBM! 

If you'd like to know more, give me a shout at 721-1490 or drop by the NHfree.com forums. Hope to see you on the thirteenth!

[error]

Or maybe *you* will go out for lunch without me while they will strap me to an ICBM!

I wouldn't miss this for the world. Karma to you!

[Dreepa]

altered the LTE somewhat and sent the version below today.

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Dear folks at the Monitor:

Was printed in the monitor today:
http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061105/REPOSITORY/611050377/1029/OPINION03