Byzantine Bureaucracy to Drive One to Drink

So here's how this works. A chamber of the NH General Court (House or Senate) passes a bill. It then proceeds to the other body to consider, where any ultimately approved version may be an amended version. Well, the first body then gets to form its own opinion of that change, so back it goes. That chamber can do one of 3 things: it can concur or it can reject (in either case, we're done), or it can request a "Committee of Conference," where hand-picked representatives of each body attempt to hash out a compromise. If they do, then the House and Senate each separately deliberate on that version. 'Course, the initial "Committee of Conference" request could be rejected, too, in which case, again, we're done.

Anyway, that thus and herewith convened "Committee of Conference," 6/18/2013, is where we now sit with HB253, "relative to limitations on sales by nano breweries for consumption on the premise," which in its original form would have "allowed" nano-brewers (technically tiny breweries, and not necessarily tiny brewers) to sell their product to willing customers with less contractual interference from state nannies. Gosh, you'd think "No State shall ... pass any ... Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts" ought to take care of that, wouldn't ya...?

See, back in May, the Senate, lead by their Commerce Committee, which in turn was lead by restaurateur (and my former, until he moved after redistricting specifically so he had a better chance of continuing to be a) Senator Andy Sanborn, decided all those pesky potential nano-breweries giving beer lovers what they desire and adding to the burgeoning beverage culture of NH could well cramp the profits of the existing-and-connected protectionist big-money special interests -- including the state's own monopoly Liquor Commission. That wouldn't be "fair." Couldn't have that, now could we?

So the Senate decided that those hopeful very-small-businessmen should have to open a restaurant, too. You know how much it costs (including for compliance with even more state regulatory contracts interference) to add a restaurant you didn't want in the first place onto your "following-a-dream-shoestring-in-a-garage" business? State don't care. State's got meddling to do. State's got cronies to protect. Who do ya think runs this place, anyway?

Here's the "fair" solution for ya, Senator Sanborn: Get rid of the onerous state-monopoly 3-tier system! Let a competitive free market decide, rather than the self-interested, unelected, regimented buzz-cut bureaucrats on the Liquor Commission. Stop attempting to micromanage the economy! How 'bout letting their customers decide what they want instead of their government?

All that being said -- and MAJOR props to activist Kevin Bloom --  we appear to be headed for a substantively better "compromise" bill than was anticipated -- unlike for medical marijuana, unfortunately...

This Is What Voluntary Community Looks Like

It's also what personal commitment and responsibility look like. This is what happens when participants and friends of the Free State Project -- affectionately known as "porcupines," collectively -- hear a call for help. Tyler and Katie Crosson, freshly arrived in Manchester, NH, from Connecticut, discover they have a substantial ready-made support network, 6/1/2013. Friends, family and neighbors helping each other. Without government oversight, without threats, without extortion. Simply because it's right.

Has it occurred to you that you probably live much of your daily life that way -- voluntarily, with mutual consent -- already, without really even thinking about it? Wanna do more? You know where to find it...

Music courtesy of Kevin MacLeod.

Zombies...!

These just needed to be collected in one place. Gary Johnson, Hardy Macia (RIP, Hardy) and John Babiarz combat the zombies of 2-party politics leading up to the 2012 elections (hey! I worked on a national campaign video...!)...

The One Where the Senate Serves the Liquor Commission

And the crony mega-brewers, of course, who would obviously be put at a crushing disadvantage if nanobreweries were actually allowed to sell their minuscule product in their facilities to willing customers. But you knew that, right?

Just listen as Sen. Jeb Bradley explains how the primary consideration for his amendment was appeasing the state-monopoly NH Liquor Commission, and thus justifies ignoring the people and entrepreneurs in favor of big business and continued government protectionism and micromanagement, as the NH Senate Commerce Committee deliberates in "Executive Session" its recommendation to the full Senate on HB253, "relative to limitations on sales by nano breweries for consumption on the premises," 5/7/2013. They've now crafted the restrictive bill the Executive Branch wants, and they approve. Crimony. Could they be more blatant?

Hey legislature! You represent the people, not the Executive Branch! Listen to US! Here's a novel concept we've been working on: legalize voluntary, competitive free market commerce!

Overall, a bad day for the good guys at black rock...

Punished For Being A Crime Victim?

The NH Senate Judiciary Committee considers HB388, "relative to the storage of firearms," 4/23/2013, in 2 parts.

Should you be responsible for crimes committed with your property -- and not just firearms, because this principle is entirely transferrable -- after, due to no reasonably construed negligence on your part, it's been stolen from you? Could any security be considered "perfect" enough to reliably insulate you from such liability, short of prohibiting ownership of that object in the first place?

Repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' Moves to NH Senate

HB135, "relative to physical force in defense of a person and relative to the definition of non-deadly force," having squeaked past the NH House, moves on to the NH Senate Judiciary Committee, 4/23/2013.

But first, Jenn Coffey of 'Second Amendment Sisters' and 'Knives, Lipstick and Liberty', the NHLA's Michelle Levell give their take. Then, attorney Penny Dean and Rep. Dan Itse explain the practical realities of Constitutional law and legislation and process.

I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I can read English. And here's the inconvenient truth, IMHO, about this nevertheless anti-liberty bill: not only can't you ever know with certainty that you can retreat in complete safety, even less can you be certain that a third person can. And this bill justifies your not running away if they can't do so, too. Let's take a look at the relevant portion.

III. A person is not justified in using deadly force on another to defend himself or herself or a third person from deadly force by the other if he or she knows that he or she and the third person can, with complete safety:
(a) Retreat from the encounter, except that he or she is not required to retreat if he or she is within his or her dwelling[,] or its curtilage, [or anywhere he or she has a right to be,] and was not the initial aggressor;...

Too many double negatives, but here goes. So you are justified if you don't know (but again, how can you ever, anyway) that both you and (not or) a third (or fourth or tenth) person can retreat in complete safety, regardless of location. We haven't gotten to the 'location' condition yet, which is an override to the "if you somehow know you can retreat safely" bit (i.e., you're still not obligated to if you're home). But here, we're talking about if you can't be sure. So where you are is utterly irrelevant as soon as your or that third person's (complete) safety is in question. Go save those innocents, citizen, whether this passes or not...

So I ask again: other than rendering the legal situation (umm, clearly) cloudier, what is this bill supposed to accomplish, exactly? What is the intended purpose in advocating its passage?

But this is why it still matters:

• Attorney Nappen Wins Self Defense Jury Trial -- Felony Criminal Threatening with a Handgun
• Jury finds man not guilty using stand your ground law | New Hampshire NEWS07

(While we're about it, though, that cop in the Bearcat aiming his AR15 at the photographer in the 2nd-story window in Watertown, MA during the bomber manhunt will be charged with felony criminal threatening, too, right...?)

Hemp For Victory!

Hemp For Energy! Hemp For Health! The NH Senate Judiciary Committee hears testimony on HB153, "prohibiting the designation of industrial hemp as a controlled substance," 4/11/2013. But we'll start with hopeful farmers Glen Dickey and Bill McGonigle and the prospect of rational analysis. The NH House hearing, too, is around here someplace...

NH MMJ Prohibitionism Jumps the Shark

Sure does feel like it, doesn't it? Belligerent servants in unrelenting irrational opposition to any relaxation of medical medicinal -- sorry, therapeutic marijuana prohibitionism appear finally to have accepted the prescription-writing on the wall. Now mere delay is their strident meddlesome battle cry -- most notably, perhaps, from the throat of a "usual-suspect" bureaucratic-fetishist authoritarian physician (who even got a certain reporter from a certain public radio station rolling his eyes and exchanging smirking glances), whom I really have to question whether sees actual patients, or merely gleefully pushes papers -- although that's clearly her passion (and who am I to deny to her her passion as long as she isn't harming anyone, say, by doing something barbaric like denying them entirely peaceful pain relief, amIright?).

Herewith, having already cleared the House, the NH Senate Health, Education & Human Services Committee hears testimony on HB573, "relative to the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes," 4/11/2013 (watch it quick, cuz Blip.tv has apparently decided I'm not commercial enough for them and will be summarily deleting all my content entrusted to them soon, and I haven't figured out where else to republish it all yet -- suggestions appreciated), preceded by select testimony from NHCompassion.org Executive Director Kirk McNeil, taxpayer Rich Paul, and Ian Freeman from FreeTalkLive.com and FreeKeene.com.

 Press

• Key Law Enforcement Critics Don't Ask Senate to Kill House-Backed Medical Marijuana Bill | New Hampshire Public Radio
• NH medical marijuana bill gets Senate hearing - News - Boston.com
• At hearing, supporters press case for medical marijuana | New Hampshire NEWS06

NH Senate Considers Being a Little Less Draconian

Again. HB621, "decriminalizing possession of one quarter of an ounce or less of marijuana," having survived the NH House, confronts the Senate Judiciary Committee, 4/11/2013.

But first, Rep. Mark Warden, and Ian Freeman of FreeTalkLive.com and FreeKeene.com offer distinct perspectives on the de-escalation of the the "War on People Who Use (Some) Drugs"™.

(Btw, Blip.tv -- absolutely not recommended anymore, in case that's not clear, unless you're into 'fly-by-night' -- today announced [not so much "announced," though, since I had to accidentally stumble on it, and there's still no indication from them that they had any intention of actually informing me in advance had I not come inquiring] that they will be closing my account and deleting my content within a month, for vague and capricious reasons. Essentially, "new business model: nothing personal, sorry, bye..." All ~70 videos there will therefore soon become unavailable, and will eventually have to be re-uploaded to another provider and re-embedded throughout this blog. I may or may not be able to again post long videos on YouTube come July; we're kinda fuzzy on that one, too. In the mean time, if anyone can suggest A RELIABLE alternative long-video hosting provider, I'd be deeply appreciative...)

NH House Committee Considers Considerably Higher Gas Taxes

Testimony before the NH House Ways and Means Committee against HB617, "increasing the rate of the road toll and establishing the New Hampshire state and municipal road and bridge account," 3/14/2013.

Highlight reels include Rep. Bill O'Brien, and then Rep. Steve Vaillancourt and taxpayers Ian Freeman and Pam Ean.