Eugene V. Debs – labor leader, socialist, three-time candidate for president, and first president of the American Railway Union — is born. “The Republican and Democratic parties, or to be more exact, the Republican-Democratic party, represent the capitalist class in the class struggle. They are the political wings of the capitalist system and such differences as arise between them relate to spoils and not to principles.”
Progressive Action New Hampshire
To encourage progressive action events and discussion in New Hampshire
So Where is James Pindell?
UPDATE:
James has surfaced and is apparently still able to exercise his right to function as a reporter as he posted something on Seacoast online. Also he’s still calling himself a WMUR reporter so we’ll assume he just needed a minor readjustment break after handing Brown his ticket to nowhere.
The political reporter for WMUR the only major New Hampshire commercial television station beautifully laid the bombshell that showed Scott Brown for the clueless carpet-bagger that he was. See video:
James Pindell asked a very rational and obvious question, one that required some knowledge of simple geography of the state and that opened an opportunity to demonstrate some knowledge of the area. Really a typically banal question a debate panelist will throw at a candidate, especially in a local or statewide election. The question related to asking Brown what he thought about the particular challenges of Sullivan County and what he’d do about them. Again, typically an eye closer save for those who live in Sullivan County or close to it.
But the fact is, Scott Brown doesn’t live in New Hampshire and never did. So even though he’s asking people to put faith in him and have him make crucial decisions about their lives and their state, but he can’t even get the geography right. He wouldn’t be able to drive from here to there because he doesn’t know where there is. So he did what all of us would have done if we hadn’t done our homework; he fudged. He answered with general and obviously coached references to Obamacare, electric rates and the ski industry. To anyone with half a brain his half attempt question resembled the half-attempt to lie to the people of New Hampshire. The first consisted of pandering to the GOP line against any form of national healthcare, electric rates were reference to the efforts to get Northern Pass (a large electrical line to feed southern New England from Quebec) and the ski industry was just feel good reference to local business, strong on winter tourism — all in the north country. Not in Sullivan County, save for one small ski resort.
Brown fumbled. He fumbled hard and rolled like a flat rock. Pindell made the reference that possibly he didn’t understand where Sullivan County was and seemed to be referencing the north country when in fact Sullivan County is west. The debate went on but the curtain had been pulled back. The man that failed a run against Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts because he just couldn’t keep up with her intellectual skill had just screwed his second chance to take the crown; 2 for 0, confirmed loser.
What happens next though is what’s astounding; Pindell takes it all on his shoulders. The fumble was his fault and he took it all by going on Twitter shortly after the debate to say Scott Brown was probably referring to Sunapee, yeah that’s the ticket. But he didn’t do that just once, he did it twice, then he went on the air the next day and took the blame again, deflecting the damage as best he could, attempting to throw water on Brown’s burning derriere . Huffington post has more details with Pindell’s apologetic Twitter posts.
Since that debate it has been noted that Mr. Pindell, the sole political reporter for WMUR has been strangely absent. His last Twitter post is November 3rd, his last Facebook post is November 3rd. Of course most telling and curious was his absence during the election results. Wouldn’t a political reporter be the one giving the tallies and the analysis?
Since WMUR has a strong reputation as a slave to the Republican side we’re hoping that he’s possibly decided to hunt for employment elsewhere, that maybe he’s had it with the pressure to compromise his journalistic integrity. The fact is, for whatever its worth, he has a master’s from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and a good resume of solid experience, you’d think that would empower him with the ability to at least know real news and his obligation to it.
Here’s our message to you Pindell: You did a good job. Some of us up here in New Hampshire have noticed that you slide over to the other side quite a lot and we’ve wondered if you’re just another tool. But we have to hand it to you, you did your job and exposed Brown for the fraud he was and possibly saved New Hampshire from a Koch Brothers take over. Maybe you are in the mountains right now on a vision quest to find truth in yourself and your purpose. Brighter horizons await the truth-tellers. We don’t know where you’ll find that among the big networks, but hey, what’s worth more, truth or lots of money?
2014 New Hampshire Free Stater List: Anti-Government Anarchists Soon to Serve in Government
While New Hampshire citizens managed to shoo carpet-bagger Scott Brown out of the state and return Democrat Jeanne Shaheen to the Senate and Annie Kuster back to the House on the national level, Democrats have had some losses, mostly in the state house as extremist libertarians along with some extremist Tea Partiers gained control. Some of the traditionally more reasonable Republicans did ride on the GOP slide such as Gene Chandler who Bill O’Brien replaced as house speaker in the 2010 Tea Party sweep.
But we’re not here to focus on moderates, we’d rather keep you updated on the people to watch closely this upcoming session, in particular those with extremist, anarcho-capitalists views and ambitions. We’re speaking of course of the self described Free Staters (read more indepth about them here) that have professed to come and destroy state government, break New Hampshire from the union and create their own libertarian paradise, whether the rest of the New Hampshire citizens want it or not.
Its important to note that New Hampshire has the largest legislative body in the country with 424 members. State house members, of which there are 400 must fight for their seat every two years, the state senators makeup the remaining 24. The term pay is a total $100 dollars a year, plus transportation expense. As a result the party leadership on either side prefers to spend their time and energy on the more lucrative senate seats leaving most state reps to fend for themselves. This creates a window of opportunity for all kinds of regular folks to run as long as they’ve got the time and money to spend running a campaign and running back and forth to the state house during session time. Those last qualifications tend to weed out the herd so to speak, leaving most often only the self employed, those who have a source of sustenance beyond trading their time and hard labor for cash and the retired. There’s an old saying about who runs in New Hampshire, “The three r’s: the rich, the retired and the —” since the last is not so polite we’ll leave that for you to figure out.
Therefore, it was only a matter of time that the adherents to the mission of “Free Stater” takeover would figure out that possibly dismantling from inside might be pretty easy. At least the first part; getting elected. Traditionally, because the districts which break down into wards in larger areas are so numerous, most regular people just don’t pay a whole lot of attention to who is on the ticket. With two or three or even as many as seven seats available for their region, voters will often vote the party ticket they like and be done with it. This has resulted traditionally in all sorts of odd characters getting elected often to the later humiliation of the party they are supposed to represent.
But in the case of the Free Staters; they aren’t people on a personal political mission or tangent or people running to protect a pet area of government regulation or grind a particular ax; the Free Staters are on a greater mission and are organized and committed. As a result we’ve seen a gradual trickle of Free Stater followers and believers run in campaigns, usually as Republicans. Democratic wards, particularly those in the larger cities such as Manchester and Nashua, tend to have a diverse population of people who traditionally vote Democratic, whether because of old union sympathies or ethnic differences. They will tend to vote the ticket even if they haven’t had the chance to pay attention as much. Why not? Makes sense, if you are pro-labor you know Republicans aren’t. If you want a candidate who will vote for programs that help poor or elderly people, you’d vote Democratic, Republicans don’t profess to care about poor people or the elderly.
So Free Staters have figured out the shotgun approach is best. If all you want to do is get in, no matter how then why not run as a Democrat, especially in wards that typically vote Democratic but may be more socially disenfranchised and may not personally know or even have heard of their house rep or senator. So running as a Democrat has been the Free Stater practice now for at least the last two sessions. As shown here, its a strategy that they refuse to give up on even though this second try shows only one success with that strategy.
So without further ado, here’s the list, with the party they ran under also noted and the history (thanks to Granite State Progress for their work on this) of those who have served in the house before linked to their names. We considered putting pictures to the names, but we’re not here to promote these people or their version of libertarianism.
Glen Aldrich (R) – Belknap District 2
Mike Sylvia (R) – Belknap District 6
Ed Comeau (R) – Carroll District 5
Robert Hull (R) – Grafton District 9
Keith Murphy (R) – Hillsborough District 7
Elizabeth Edwards (D) – Hillsborough District 11
Amanda Boutin (D) – Hillsborough District 11
Keith Ammon (R) – Hillsborough District 40
Brian Seaworth (R) – Merrimack District 20
Dan McGuire (R) – Merrimack District 21
Carol McGuire (R) – Merrimack District 29
Jason Osborne (R) – Rockingham District 4
Shem Kellogg (R) – Rockingham District 14
Adam Schroadter (R) – Rockingham District 17
Max Abramson (R) – Rockingham District 20
Laura Jones (R) – Stafford District 24
Elizabeth Edwards with her wife Caitlin Appell.
Like many young libertarians, Edwards has said to some she found a home within the FSP for her sexual orientation freedom. Really? The Democrats have no history of working for and defending LGBT rights? More than likely its that extremist libertarianism might be more appealing to someone who spent some time as an intern at the Koch Brothers’ founded Cato Institute. A part of the obstructive factor of the efforts at forming an Occupy in New Hampshire, Edwards once seemed near an emotional breakdown during an informational presentation about the Koch Brothers corporate web of power, protesting that it was “one-sided” and unfair. What’s interesting to note, besides the one Free Stater, Elizabeth Edwards, the rest that won ran were Republicans, so hopefully people did actually pay attention to some extent.
We did find Elizabeth Edwards at the polling place doing her obligatory visibility; only trouble was, she was standing with the Republicans rather than with the Democrats. When asked why she hesitated and then replied, “Well we can be everywhere.” which is true, the candidates and their supporters can stand anywhere. But Elizabeth obviously felt more comfortable standing with the Republicans and Tea Party extremists and two of the Free Staters (that lost their bid, Eileen Landies and Tim O’Flaherty). Too bad for Eileen and Tim since they did have a chance to show their colors last session. Guess that was enough for the voters in Manchester.
O’Flaherty immigrated to New Hampshire as a converted Free Stater with the sole intention of running as a Democrat to get into the heart of the political process and begin the mandatory deconstruction. He was quoted during his time in office as saying he “hated serving” because he hated government. He hated it so much he decided to ask for another term. It was also observed that although he ran as a Democrat he regularly caucused with Republicans. For a group of anarchists its really quite something that they consider it worth stretching their anarchist tent enough to allow some establishment Republicans in who seem to have no problem finding ways to increase government. Apparently government isn’t such a problem after all when its used to disenfranchise voters, keep women from exercising their rights to reproductive healthcare and to allow corporations a free ride on the public’s dollar.
Unfortunately the Republicans they caucused with last term didn’t seem to be in on their plan to dismantle government and despite their best efforts, last we knew, its still in place ready for a new term of serious civic government peppered with shenanigans of the likes of these folks. We’ll be watching and reporting. Stay tuned.
Senator Mary Landrieu Reminds Southerners of that Peculiar Institution
Yesterday an NBC reporter asked Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu why Obama’s approval ratings in the south were consistently so low. Without hesitation Senator Landrieu (Democrat) responded after noting that while the south has strong economic ties to the oil and gas industry, there’s something else, “I’ll be very, very honest with you. the South has not always been the friendliest place for African-Americans. It’s been a difficult time for the president to present himself in a very positive light as a leader.”
No kidding. The degree of vitriol, blaming and shaming that has been directed at Obama has surpassed anything in history, besides possibly presidents that deserved such treatment such as Franklin Pierce or Richard Nixon. Couple that with the resurrection of Jim Crow type threats, such as hanging nooses in front yards to using racist stereotypes to demean and degrade the president, one has to wonder sometimes what century people are living in.
No doubt the Republicans don’t like being called ignorant bigots, but look at their policies and the statements of many politicians and especially the expressions that burst on the public scene within Tea Party rallies. Someone called the dog whistles so loud they all came running out of the pen. Now here we are with Obama having served two terms and experiencing obstructionism unlike any other president, save possibly prior to the civil war when the south drew together in opposition to the threat of abolition. But this is 2014 isn’t it? Why do southerners and conservatives draw back and bare their teeth when anyone dare mention the ‘R’ word: Racist! The attacks on Landrieu for her comments contain all the predictable smear.
Being called out can get pretty uncomfortable, especially when its true and you’ve got no possible way to evade the obvious. Hence the “conservative” who supports policies that deny the existence of racism in this country, that want everyone who suffers from racism or inequality to just “get over it”. Sure, but why can’t conservatives just “get over it” with being called out for denying history? (Oh wait, there’s more recent evidence of Republicans not being racists! Check out this from Alternet!) Possibly because getting over it would mean then addressing issues that persist that relate directly to the construct of division of people and communities by skin color in order to keep bondage and general oppression in place.
America will be forever chained to its past until it deals with it and heals the wounds.
Considering that Africans, although kidnapped and held against their will, managed to build the south and provide much of the profit for the northern merchant class as well for at least a good 200 years, you’d think the south might have a wee bit of gratitude. If one adds to that the period after emancipation when black folks still experienced a system that locked them into a state of servitude by skin color separation and social ghettos one would wonder why anyone would even dare to deny that a system of race based oppression grew in this country. The mansions and plantation houses from Virginia to Mississippi visited by people all over the country are usually fawned upon for their splendor and architectural beauty. Does anyone recognize or attempt to understand the pain and suffering that went on at those places? The unpaid hands who built them?
There are so many questions that must be asked if justice will ever be reached on the damage caused by slavery and the social system derived specifically to keep it in place and everyone in their place; including poor white folks. Instead, when any mention of the former “Peculiar Institution” and its relationship to the south occurs, an unprecedented howl of righteous fervor rises from below.
Unlike most other accusations of racism directed at the south or conservatives in general, Landrieu’s cannot be shunned as mere criticism from uppity northerners or carpet-baggers, because she is actually one of their own. Landrieu has had the audacity to break the unwritten code of the south wherein public figures shy away from public discussion relating to that Peculiar Institution and Reconstruction. You can talk all day and the rest of your life about the “The War of Northern Aggression” and how President Andrew Johnson’s quick work turned Reconstruction into Deconstruction and put former rebel officers (treasoners) back into political positions and returned a defacto culture of slavery to the south. But never ever mention that the south had anything to do with forcing an entire mass of people into bondage and hard labor to build the original American aristocracy, both north and south.
There’s too much at stake as everyone knows, as every white southerner has always known. As every white southerner who ever inherited any wealth derived from the antebellum period knows, admission of guilt is only the beginning to opening the floodgates of justice. As always, those who beat their chests the loudest about something usually have the most to hide. In this instance, the so-called “pro-liberty” and “pro freedom” party would rather keep the rate at which liberty and freedom are meted out, under their sole control.
Domestic Violence Top Killer in New Hampshire
October has passed and along with it the recognized month to remember domestic violence. Many communities throughout the country had candle-light vigils to remember victims of domestic violence or walks at night to highlight the need for a safe community at any time of the day or night.
This is a sensitive topic and for those in domestic violence situations, such information could be threatening to an abuser.
IF YOU BELIEVE SOMEONE MONITORS THE COMPUTER YOU ARE PRESENTLY USING, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT SAFE INTERNET USE. IF YOU THINK LINKING TO THIS ISSUE ON YOUR COMPUTER MAY COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY PLEASE SHUT THIS PAGE DOWN AND GO TO A LIBRARY OR OTHER SAFE PLACE TO ACCESS LINKS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.
The need to recognize the signs of domestic violence in one’s life or someone else’s never ends and the importance of discussing the issue within the community never ends either.
In an effort to help people hold in their minds the importance of awareness of domestic violence we’ve compiled a list of statistics on domestic violence in New Hampshire and some links for further information. If you are or know someone who may be in a relationship or living in a family or cohabiting with an abusive person, please read the information below so that you can be a positive catalyst for change in someone’s life or find help for yourself.
Even if you know no one who is suffering from violence or abuse or aren’t suffering from domestic violence yourself, arming yourself with the facts below and going further into the links to learn more will open your eyes to the real terrorism against women: violence at home. Armed with the proper information you can be a fighter for change!
Please read on:
First some statistics on domestic violence incidents nationally and in New Hampshire:
– According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 3 women die everyday due to domestic violence
– According to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program a woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the US
– From the same site, “An AMA report shows that every five years as many women are killed by their intimate partners as men, and women killed in the Viet Nam War … 54,000.”
– Cases of domestic violence cross race and class lines leading to the well known conclusion that people of all races and classes throughout America are potential victims of domestic violence.
– In 85% of domestic violence cases women are the victims – National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
– According to the 9th NH Domestic Violence Fatality Review of 2012, while New Hampshire has a low homicide rate “domestic violence is a causal factor in 92% of the state’s homicides and suicides.”
– Women were victims in 67% percent of domestic violence fatalities in New Hampshire with 56% being by a partner and 31% by a family member.
– Out of the 53% of cases in which the perpetrator had a known history of domestic violence, only 6% of their victims had sought crisis center services prior to their death with only 4% having any protective order in place,
– Over half of the perpetrators of a domestic violence fatality had no known history of any substance abuse.
– In all cases nationally, the presence of a firearm in the home exponentially increases the incidence of serious injury or death of the victim.
What can I do?
If you suspect you or a close friend or relative are a victim of domestic violence or see it creeping up in a relationship, please seek help or assistance in getting help for someone. Resources exist in New Hampshire and below are some links to assist in your search.
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic Violence
How do you know if you are in an abusive relationship?
Click here for a quiz to take on your relationship profile and an interesting graphic; the Power and Control Wheel helps in visualizing the development of violence in a relationship.
If you know someone at your workplace possibly suffering from abuse, what should you do?
This informational pamphlet has tips on how to help someone you work with who might be experiencing violence at home. Domestic Violence: A Guide for Employees
If you live outside of New Hampshire, below are national resources as well that can guide you to help locations and contacts within your state:
National Network to End Domestic Violence
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Its All Over
Protesters from Occupy in New York City forcibly removed from a bridge sit-in.
Vote.
Its the easiest muscle in your democratic body to exercise. It takes the least work, its required only once every few years and most of the time you have to intentionally not listen to not know the issues at stake.
The above picture shows people engaged in the brief, short lived Occupy movement across the country. One person once corrected me saying, “It was never a movement!” I disagree, it was. But it was short for multiple reasons but the action of democracy flows under the shiny trappings of capitalist consumption and greed. It flows under the frozen crust of alienation and dissatisfaction. It flows because the water of justice cannot be stopped, it flows because the movement of a people yearning for decency in their lives, security, safety and peace will not stop. Going to the polling place is the easiest. Exercise that muscle, because sooner or later we’ll all be called on to either run or fight. Better be fit and ready now.
Now, onto Susan Bruce’s excellent analysis of what’s at stake in New Hampshire:
It’s Almost Over
It’s almost over. A few more political ads ought to help us choose what candidates to vote for. Is there really anyone left who is undecided? Nationwide, over $4 billion is being spent on the midterm elections. Good thing we don’t have anything important we could be spending $4 billion on. The corporate taps are open wide and the dark money is flowing.
Thanks to all that money, we know that Scott Brown knows only one number. 99. We know that he’s attempting to whip white NH into a frenzy about immigration and Ebola. The fear is supposed to divert you from paying attention to why he’s here. He’s here because he lost his Senate seat in Massachusetts, and he’d like to use NH as a springboard to higher office. I’ve been to debates and forums where Brown spoke, and his ground support is thin. What can anyone say about him? He’s never done anything in NH except vacation and run for office. Brown grew up in Massachusetts, went to school there, was married and had a family there, had a career there, got into politics there. If Elizabeth Warren hadn’t beaten him, he’d still be there. The first time Scott Brown casts a vote here it will be for himself.
This is a man who has repeatedly refused to speak with members of the press, going so far as to hide in a bathroom to avoid a reporter. As you ponder his name on your ballot ask yourself this: Should New Hampshire’s US Senate seat be a consolation prize for a guy whose ambition is the only reason he’s here?
Please continue reading here: Its Almost Over, by Susan Bruce
Give Scott Brown A Map and Send Him Home!
In tonight’s last debate with Jeanne Shaheen, hopeful carpetbagger and perpetual hope of the plutocrats, Scott Brown demonstrated how it takes at least a modicum of brains to be a pretender. As seen in the video below that is flying everywhere right now, Scott Brown mistook Sullivan County for the North Country and proceeded to use his trained seal talking points to not answer the question but instead provide the listener with a lot of irrelevant campaign trail jibberish.
Like a robot that jumped a gear or two Brown also made a strange gesture with his right hand while attempting to talk himself out of the corner he put himself in. As he tries to clarify that he meant ‘north of concord’ he puts his hand up to his head with his pinkie out and his thumb up. What’s he doing, gesturing that he needs to call a friend? Is he signaling that his secret in-ear wireless isn’t working? Either way, the man had no idea where Sullivan County was much less any unique issues or problems about Sullivan county. It was a great question and exposed him as the hired plant that he is.
It became very clear, even with the moderator’s pathetic effort to help pull him out of the swamp he fell into, that Brown knows absolutely nothing about New Hampshire and is, as he was when he attempted to challenge Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, nothing but a tool and really not very bright.
You’d think with all the money they have to spend that the plutocrats could find better servants to carry on their mission of destroying democracy, locally and nationally. But then again, possibly that’s just the Gordian knot they are stuck in, because if you have contempt for the people you aren’t going to be able to understand them enough to find a suitable foil for them. Most importantly as well, if you have contempt for democracy and see the people and their fickle ways as just an encumbrance to your efforts at making the world your personal playground, then possibly you just might not really take the electoral process very seriously anyway.
But see for yourself, the video is viral on facebook, click on the link provided below:
UPDATE:
Apparently WMUR’s Pindell has been getting weary of the claims from the Brown camp that when Brown said “ski areas” in his scripted reply about Sullivan County he really meant Sunappee, even though he never mentioned any particular ski resort by name. Good save Brown and Co. and good to at least train your seal to never be too specific as that might just paint him in a corner.
Actions Around NH
Last week during the Shaheen-Brown debate in North Conway, the environmental group NextGen Climate set up a display to draw attention to Brown’s ties to big oil. Politifact NH has looked into the claims made by the democratic supporting PACS, in particular Senate Majority and finds the claims true in that Brown does in fact receive a large portion of his funding from big oil and gas.
Of course to most people who pay attention this isn’t really big news since big oil and gas have always supported GOP candidates and races far more than Democrats. Mostly due to the Democrats long standing tradition of standing up for and funding regulation for healthy people and communities. While big oil fights government support for renewable energy development, the gas industry has been working double time to ensure continued support for fracking.
The degree to which the oil industry has chips to cash in with New Hampshire politicians should be of concern to residents as the north-east’s dependency on oil is greater than any other part of the United States. Residents want other energy alternatives but without prioritizing government funds for subsidies or credits for such development, the dream of energy independence cannot be realized. Geo-thermal and solar, two of the most important renewable energy opportunities still remain far out of reach of most residents and businesses.
Next Gen Climate will be holding actions all over the state during the election season, those interested in participating can contact them through their website at Next Gen Climate.org
Carpenters Get Hot on Cheating Contractors
On Thursday in Seabrook, NH, the carpenter’s local 118 got busy drawing attention to large contractors cheating labor out of pay and benefits and the state out of revenue. Focusing on a drywall company known as Metro-Walls, the carpenters held what they call a “banner line” to inform passersby of this issue.
The carpenters made their intent clear to remain in front of the construction site as long as Metro-Walls continued operating in violation of the law.
“Missclassification is the biggest problem in the industry right now, its destroying the industry slow but sure. We definitely intend to fight this to the bitter end, we’re not going anywhere, as long as misclassification continues, we’ll be on the front lines.”
“The real victims here are the guys being misclassified and they don’t even know it.” said Johnnie Berry, organizer for Carpenter’s Local 118.
Missclassification of workers involves the practice of cheating works out of workman’s compensation, unemployment eligibility and any future social security benefits. Since the employer pays either all or a portion of the costs for these programs through payroll deductions, the incentive is high for unscrupulous employers to skirt payment of any of these, keep the employee entirely “off the books” and pay the employee cash instead, or “under the table” as commonly referred to.
We contacted Jim Craig, the Commissioner of Labor whose department handles the enforcement of labor law in New Hampshire. We asked to what extent its a problem in New Hampshire, “It hasn’t been qualified yet in New Hampshire, but I think there’s an enormous underground economy, I think its a national problem.”
We asked about why enforcement seems too slow for many, “You know the trouble with this is these guys move fast, ” explaining that in the construction business in particular a contractor may be on a project for a limited time and also the department handles many investigations that complicate their ability to allocate manpower on just this issue, “We also have to investigate many other labor issues.” he said adding, “We’ve come a long way — we have better enforcement, we have a couple inspectors working just on this issue now.”
We also asked Mr. Craig about the process wherein those found in violation often receive reduced fines and as such operate with labor fines as a cost of doing business, “We’re trying to change that and one way is with attorneys representing the department and we’re working on trying to change the definition of employee, making it more clear.”
As a result misclassification, employers unfairly compete for large contracts due to their reduced labor cost and also avoid responsibility for accidents or injuries on the job. These costs then fall to the public in lost work time, unpaid medical care and strains on local assistance programs to deal with basic unmet needs to workers and families.
Metro-Walls is one of many companies working on two shopping center expansion projects on Lafayette Road in Seabrook, NH and has a substantial history of labor law violations according to reports made by Local 118 of the New England Regional Carpenters, Manchester New Hampshire.
One of many projects occurring on Lafayette Road, Seabrook, NH. Metro-Walls holds the contract to hang sheetrock.
The Department of Professional Employees provides a detailed explanation of the most common types of misclassification on their website here.
More information can be found at the IRS website Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Contractor?
Undressing the N-Word
Moving In, by Norman Rockwell, inspired by integration efforts in Park Forest, Illinois. How would the utterance of that word effect the potential relationship illustrated?
Ran across a well written commentary by writer H. Lewis Smith on why no one should use the N-word in any context in the English language. While this commentary is addressed to African-American folks most specifically, its range should not be restricted to just that audience.
People of European heritage, that is who have light-colored skin and identify as ‘white’ (a racist construct itself), often express confusion about the use of the N-word. For some reason they seem to feel that if they hear someone of color use this term to refer to themselves or their peers, then they have a free license to use the word. Why of course, anyone would want to use such a disgusting word in any context is perplexing, but for want of understanding, many do.
Firstly, as Mr. Smith so eloquently lays out and anyone with any understanding of history should know, the N-word embodied the rationalization that allowed the mass brutalization of an entire people by another.
Those of European ancestry who live in America have reaped the fruits of the hard work of those who once were enslaved and often reap the fruits of systemic racism that still exists today. Statistics and even basic observation shows quite plainly that inequality exists today nearly as grossly as fifty or more years ago. Those statistics also show that such inequality, while most often economic also derives from social inequality put in place and held in place by old, yet firmly held beliefs, traditions and behaviors of those who have the power to make change where they can.
Recently a poll of ‘white’ folks showed that many have little empathy for or desire to understand the struggle of African-Americans for justice. Racist language and attitudes don’t touch people of non-African heritage yet surprisingly, many of these same people feel they have a right to pass judgment on when, how and to what degree African-American people should express outrage at their own oppression. The attitude of prejudice comes from ignorance, the ignorance remains in place due to a social construct that legitimizes one group’s experience while dismissing another’s, called privilege. In the context of the American social frame, it is known as “white privilege”.
This seems shocking, but its a symptom of the culture; a culture where the dominance of one group over another runs deep. It runs so deep that non-African people feel they have the right to arbitrate on and decide on the degree to which another group is oppressed. Privilege is exactly that — having the power to decide right and wrong and where responsibility lies and most importantly, who is allowed to suffer. What is the difference between this hypocrisy and that of the slave holder of old, who tightly holds the key to the shackles while laughing that his property enjoys their enslavement?
Like Mr. Smith, people take a minute to think agree that use of the N-word trivializes the suffering of those who came before us and built this country with no pay, no credit, not even a thanks. Use of the N-word excuses injustice and the dehumanization of racism, the N-word grants the lynch mob tacit approval, gives a nod to those who say that racism doesn’t exist and allows it to perpetuate. Use of the N-word by people of non-African descent, most importantly, practices the same oppression, the same brutalization by repeating and aping the very practice of those who held the slave system in place by their participation in it or obedience to it.
Mr. Smith says that all people of colored skin came from the same place. Let’s correct that: all humans came from the same place. Africa is in fact the genetic motherland of all of us. Science has shown that homo sapiens began in the rich lands of Africa and migrated over thousands of years to different locations as continental plates moved and shifted. Also, science has now shown that light colored hair shafts (blonde, red) and light colored skin, the hallmarks of people from regions with less sunlit days, were no doubt an evolutionary adaptation to survive. Light skin and light hair allowed the essential vitamin D to be absorbed into the body, the sun being the only source (until modern chemistry has made it possible as an additive) for this vitamin. While the development of other features such as nose shape in some folks seems still a debated topic, we should be long beyond any idea that human difference is more than skin deep.
Kwanzaa, the celebration of African unity and pride ended yesterday and in that evening Nelson Mandela passed away. This seems a fitting time for everyone to consider how their actions, even what seems the smallest, such as word choice can move us forward as a people or keep us all enslaved in ignorance and hate.
Column: “Undressing The N-Word”
By H. Lewis Smith
Nationwide (December 3, 2013) — Over the past year or so, many events have been occurring in the Black Community at the hand of the Black Community that continues to bring continual shame and degradation to the honorable memories, sacred struggle and sacrifice of African-American ascendants. Some may argue against it, but these acts continue to adversely affect the growth, development, and progression of the Black community, on a whole, to this very day. For instance, in November 2013, former NBA greats Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and ESPN commentator Michael Wilborn bowed down to and pledged their allegiance to a word that dehumanized, stigmatized and objectified their ancestors on national TV. That word is the n-word (n**ga).
It is this sort of pervasive 18th century slave mentality, blindness to such behaviors, and misuse of influential power – much-made possible by the blood and sacrifices of their own ancestors, that prompted writing the book Undressing of the N-word: Revealing the Naked Truth About Lies, Deceit and Mind Games. It is high time that Black America stop the antics, halt the selfish mentality of “I got mines”, and really use all resources they have to demand respect for the entire race within and without the community. Ignorance is no longer acceptable or the calling card to bring attention to Black America; rather, Black America must take the time to educate themselves, and in so doing, reality will be made clear.
The following are excerpts from one of the chapters in my soon-to-be released book entitled, Undressing The N-word: Revealing the Naked Truth About Lies, Deceit and Mind Games.
Forbiddingly, you learn today that your mother was brutally and unmercifully bludgeoned to death with a hammer. Now close your eyes and think about this for a moment: think about the heinousness in the act; see your mother screaming for her life and doing everything in her power to defend against and fight off her unrelenting attackers; think about all of the pain and anguish she endured as blow upon blow of the hammer welled down on her, before the final bit of life was unrightfully snatched with that last thud. Can you see it? Can you see the multiple plugs imprinted into whatever part of her body the hammer unforgivingly fell upon? Can you empathize with that dreadful moment in time?
Progressive Action New Hampshire 