TresSugar

Three Men End NH Planned Parenthood's Ability to Provide Birth Control

Annie Scudder — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:45:12 PDT

Failing to accept that Planned Parenthood provides nontaxpayer-funded abortion, a legal service in America, New Hampshire's all-Republican and all-male Executive Council voted three to two to defund the state's Planned Parenthood a couple of weeks ago, saying that the money should go to organizations that don't provide abortion. Now, Planned Parenthood centers in the state have stopped dispensing free or affordable contraception because its pharmacy license is contingent on having a state contract. So officials who opposed abortion have just made it more difficult for low-income women to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and thus abortion. It's enough to make you crazy.

The $1.8 million Planned Parenthood was set to get from the state before the vote would have been used for sex ed, contraception, and STD testing and treatment. Abortion services are paid for by private donations. Previously, low-income women could purchase birth control for about $5, but now Planned Parenthood can't even offer it, nor antibiotics for urinary tract infections or STDs, because it lost its ability to dispense prescriptions. And while multiple attempts to defund Planned Parenthood in the New Hampshire legislature failed, the Executive Council, a panel of just five elected officials that can veto state contracts, decided by a vote of three to two to end state support of the family planning organization.

Why do these three officials, who happen to all be men, have such a hard time realizing that if you want to reduce the number of abortions, education and affordable contraception are a great way to do it? It seems like at least one person on the council doesn't just hold negative opinions about abortion, but toward sex in general. Councilor Raymond Wieczorek explained why he actually supports totally defunding birth control and condoms, saying, "If they want to have a good time, why not let them pay for it?" I guess, according to Wieczorek, safe sex is a privilege reserved for women who can afford it.

New Hampshire Paper Won't Run Gay Marriage Announcement

Annie Scudder — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:00:56 PDT

Gay marriage is legal in New Hampshire, but that doesn't mean all nuptials are treated equally. The state's largest newspaper, the Union Leader, has refused to print a newlywed couple's announcement simply because they're gay. The decision was not an oversight but a political decision, according to publisher Joseph W. McQuaid, who said:

This newspaper has never published wedding or engagement announcements from homosexual couples. It would be hypocritical of us to do so, given our belief that marriage is and needs to remain a social and civil structure between men and women, and our opposition to the recent state law legalizing gay marriage.

Of course, he went on to say that the paper is not antigay, but simply "for marriage remaining the important man-woman institution it has always been." Seems like the paper shares the opinion of President Obama, who cut an "It Gets Better" ad to speak out against gay bullying, but still opposes gay marriage. Do you think such a position is possible? Can you support gay Americans while opposing gay marriage?

Cool Idea: A Boat Garage

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:00:00 PDT

I spotted this photograph, shot by James R. Salomon, of a home on Squaw Lake, NH, and turned green with envy. Not only do these homeowners have a lake as their backyard, but they have a garage for their boats actually attached to their home. Maybe I'm not familiar enough with waterfront homes, but this seems really extraordinary. And if you hold your hand up to block the water, the house looks any other New England home with a garage you might see on land; it's seamlessly integrated. Better yet, the garage roof offers itself up as an expansive deck extending from the interior where the family can look out at the lake. Remind me why I'm living in a small apartment in the city again?

Nonni's Makes It Rain Meatballs With New World Record

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:05:14 PST

When I saw the trailer for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, I wondered: what could be better than living in an alternate universe where it rains meatballs? Well, I think I've found my answer.

It's a 222.5-pound meatball that emerged over the weekend, blowing all other past meatball records out of the water. The gargantuan ground beef spectacle, which was created by Matthew Mitnitsky of Nonni's Italian Eatery in Concord, NH, was confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the (new) record holder of the world's largest meatball, beating out a recent 198.6-pound feat created on Jimmy Kimmel.

The best part? The now-famous meatball was broken down into manageable portions, then packaged and delivered to local shelters. What do you think? Delicious or disgusting?

Source

One Big, Happy Family! Hillary and Obama Begin Unity Tour

CitizenSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:00:55 PDT

Together again, campaigning on stage - only this time not as rivals. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton make their much touted joint appearance in Unity, NH this morning, eager to give a kick in the pants to the grand healing of the Democratic Party. Almost too cute for words, Unity, NH, was chosen as the spot not just for its name, but because voters there awarded exactly 107 votes to each candidate at the primary contest in January.

It's a back-scratching come-together (as in, "I'll scratch yours if. . .") Obama needs Clinton to give her voters and donors the thumbs up to shift their loyalties, and Clinton needs the guarantee she'll be treated as a respected surrogate and important part of the campaign - as well as a "hey, Obama. Can I borrow a few million?" campaign debt-clearing effort. To see how Obama kicked that off,

The debt-clearing effort began last night when Clinton introduced Obama to 300 of her best (at least $100,000-best) fundraisers at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. At the event, Obama confessed to his own entry in the fundrace, his and Michelle's maximum donations to Clinton. He said:

I wrote my check to the Hillary for President Committee. I recognize that this room shares the same passion that a roomful of my supporters would show. I do not expect that passion to be transferred. Senator Clinton is unique, and your relationships with her are unique. Senator Clinton and I at our core agree deeply that this country needs to change.

Exciting though the symbolism of uniting might be, the actual event was apparently deathly dull. One attendee said, "it was like a dentist's appointment." Ouch. Are voters ready to accept a united Democratic party? Are Hillary supporters ready to make the switch? Is the meeting in New Hampshire today the real deal, or just a "show" of unity?

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Not Even a "Present" Vote? For 16 Months?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:29:00 PDT

Imagine you get an awesome new job. Now imagine right after you accept, you're plagued by a bad knee, a break up, a little depression. . . you might take a sick day or two, right? How about 16 months worth of sick days? Only if that awesome new job is as an elected state representative and your name is Michael R. DesRoches.

This New Hampshire Democrat was elected to office in 2006. Since then, according to colleagues he hasn't shown up to a single session in Concord, or cast a single vote. Why? What could possibly have detained him from serving his duty? Well, he explains it best (?) "I was concentrating on myself. Because if I didn't have a clear mind, with everything going on with my depression, how (would) I be able to actually vote correctly?" Perhaps this isn't entirely necessary to state, but DesRoches has resigned.

I'd like to say only in America, but. . .

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Headline: McCain and Clinton Snap Back

CitizenSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:07:06 PST

What a difference five days makes! With her campaign on a respirator after a third-place blow in Iowa, Hillary Clinton managed to pull of a crucial comeback win in New Hampshire tonight, edging out Barack Obama by two points-but close means nothing in horseshoes and New Hampshire. Clinton's win tonight ensures the race is still up for grabs.

Hillary's emotions dominated the news in the lead up to the polls opening-which may have helped her secure more of the women vote at 47 percent, up from 30 percent in Iowa.

Scant six months ago, John McCain's campaign was similarly presumed DOA-and after a disappointing fourth place finish in Iowa, he needed a win in New Hampshire just as desperately as Clinton. Securing 37 percent, he walked away with a comfortable six point lead and what will surely be considered his own "New Hampshire Bounce," which he'll need to boost his empty coffers. Jubilant, McCain said,

“I’m past the age when I can claim the noun ‘kid’ no matter what adjective precedes it. Tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like.”

To find out how the other candidates fared,

John Edwards accepted third place in the showdown Democratic race with the sage words,

"Up until now, about half of one percent of Americans have voted. Ninety-nine percent plus have not voted. And those 99 percent deserve to have their voices heard because we have had too much in America of people's voices not being heard,"

Edwards vowed to continue on.

After his surprising third place showing in Iowa (upsetting everyone's predictions, TK link bye bye freddie) Fred Thompson's numbers bottomed out at 1 percent of the vote.

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney both accepted second place finishes for their respective parties.

Debate Rebate: Repubs Rock 'Em Sock 'Em

CitizenSugar — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:04:34 PST

In the Granite State. It's New Hampshire, baby! Double the debates! Two, two, two parties on one night!!! The Republicans were up first, and it was a sit-down affair, (apparently I should have dressed up!) Six candidates: McCain, Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, Paul, and Huckabee, sat down with moderator (more or less) Charlie Gibson to dish the dirt. Here are the highlights:

Well, if they agree on nothing else, everyone hates Mitt Romney. Or at least that's how it seemed as the candidates grabbed chance after chance to slam Romney with doozies like:
"Governor, don't try to characterize my postion." said Romney.
"Which one?" Snapped back Huckabee. Oh yeah. It's on.
Then this from John McCain:
"We disagree on a lot of issues, but I agree, you are the candidate of change."
The barbs could mean that the candidates perceive Romney as the frontrunner-or they could just be trying to point out the inconsistent snake-oil that Romney's been dealing lately. Your choice.
Foreign policy, specifically Huckabee's comment on the Bush doctrine being an example of "arrogant, bunker-mentality," dominated the first part of the discussion. Huckabee clarified (or back-pedaled) on his statement, while McCain and Giuliani both expressed their intentions to strengthen military independence and strength. Thompson came back with a surprisingly cogent description of his experience in foreign policy. Okay, I might get why he slid in third in Iowa.
Border-security received the most nuanced policy debate, with McCain essentially saying, 'Lock down the borders, kick out the criminal illegals, and offer a temporary worker solution. God's children, but we have to be safe. So bothsies.' and Giuliani advocated for technology and fences of all descriptions.

Where were the Democrats? Please

The most telling part of the evening was in between debates when all of the candidates from both parties were on the stage, shaking hands. It reminded you that for all of their disagreements, we've got 10-12 really good Americans running for this job.

The Democrats' debate was pretty different and I wish, wish, that since they went to the trouble of putting both debates on the same night, they would have had the same questions. Apples to apples and all. It did seem like specific policy did weigh heavier in the Democratic debate with a simultaneously more congenial and contentious relationship. Of course, the exchange of the night:

To Hillary: "Why do people think you're not likable?"
"Well that hurts my feelings I'm sorry but I'll try to go on. ..." laughed Hillary.
Obama interrupted: "You're likable enough."

A full, full Saturday night for one and all.
Source

Debate Rebate: Change Overload

LibertySugar — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:41:11 PST

And then there were four. This weekend's New Hampshire debate did a so-so job revealing nuanced differences between the leading Dems. Looks like "change" is the buzz word of the campaign. Whatever happened to experience? By the time I turned off the TV, I thought I was going to scream if I heard someone say change one more time.

Other than the obsession with cornering the change market, here are some things I noticed:

Hillary keenly pointed to examples of how she has already made change. She seemed passionate, but also a little cranky.
Obama came off as sober, calm and confident. He didn't make any major mistakes, which will help him keep the momentum.
Edwards clearly identified Hillary as enemy number one, including her as part of the "forces of status quo." Will there be an Obama/Edwards 2008 ticket?
Richardson's comment that he had been in "hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this" highlighted his good natured personality and his foreign policy experience.

As for the Republicans, they pretty much kept to their vague talking points/criticism of Mitt Romney. Ron Paul seemed to have wandered into the wrong party, but I did find his defiance refreshing.

The clip above shows Edwards and Clinton going at it about change. Enjoy.

Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PST

Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs are organically produced in the fresh air of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. So what makes them organic?

Their hens eat organic grain beginning on their second day of life. They don't give their hens antibiotics or medications. And no pesticides or herbicides are used in the production of the grain that they eat.

What else makes these eggs great? The grain their hens eat is made of certified organic flaxseed, which contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. The Omega-3 in the hen's diet is passed on to their eggs - each egg contains about 200mg of Omega-3. Two of their eggs contain as much Omega-3 as you'll get in 1.5 ounces of fish.

Their hens are raised in cage-free barns, where they can choose where they will lay their eggs and where they want to be. Their hens are also given access to the outdoors.

Their motto? "Happy chickens lay better eggs." I believe it. These are delicious, and I feel good buying them, knowing their hens are treated with kindness and respect.

Looking for a new way to eat your eggs? Check out these Square Eggs.