Tuesday, May 07, 2013

The Incurious NH Media Strikes Again

This is a screenshot from NH State Rep. Stella Tremblay's Facebook page:


This is the oath that NH legislators take:

Established October 31, 1783 Effective June 2, 1784 As Subsequently Amended and in Force January 2007
 
[Art.] 84. [Oath of Civil Officers.] Any person chosen governor, councilor, senator, or representative, military or civil officer, (town officers excepted) accepting the trust, shall, before he proceeds to execute the duties of his office, make and subscribe the following declaration, viz. -
I, A.B. do solemnly swear, that I will bear faith and true allegiance to the United States of America and the state of New Hampshire, and will support the constitution thereof. So help me God.
I, A.B. do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all duties incumbent on me as ................................................., according to the best of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations of this constitution and laws of the state of New Hampshire. So help me God.


http://www.nh.gov/constitution/oaths.html

I can't help but notice Rep. Tremblay's use of quotes. Her first set of quotes is around the word "oath." The second set is around the words "innocent victims." Given that Tremblay doesn't believe that there were real victims, that they were some sort of amputee actors, what does that tell us about the regard for which she holds her "oath?"

As a big supporter and practitioner of the First Amendment, I certainly am in favor of Rep. Tremblay saying whatever she wants to. The thing about that freedom to speak though, is that there may be consequences. One should be prepared to take responsibility for what one says.

Did Stella violate her oath by making rather treasonous comments that blame the US government for a "black ops" terrorist plot - based on no evidence whatsoever?

That's not up to me to decide.

I do know this much: Representative Stella Tremblay brought shame upon the state of NH. Serious shame. That kind of a public accusation - based on the ravings of the tinfoil tricorne hat brigade and nothing else - are truly shameful. A great many people were injured that day. My relatives who work in the hospitals of Boston could give Rep. Tremblay an earful about what happened that day, night, and over the following days. What she said is truly reprehensible.

That's why Stella Tremblay should resign. She's made NH not only a joke - but an evil joke, wrapped in the worst sort of conspiracy theories.

Every piece of legislation she was the lead sponsor on this year failed. Tremblay's role is to be a supporting actor in the Teabagger/Bircher/FreeState pageant. It's certainly worth noting that GOP Chair Jennifer Horn has been quite public in denouncing Tremblay's comments. So has House Minority Leader Gene Chandler. What about former Speaker Bill O'Brien? He refused a committee assignment in the House, so he certainly has time to comment. Has anyone in the NH media (who LOVE to give him airtime for any trumped up reason they can find)  bothered to ask him for his opinion about Rep. Tremblay? Does he agree with her? Does he denounce her ugly accusations? Stella Tremblay is in the background at every one of his press conferences. She's one of his supporters. You'd think the NH media would be curious.

It's a shame they so seldom are.





5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Innocent victims should never appear in quotes. That is NOT a "loaded term." Why can't we recall mentally deranged representatives? Do we need new legislation? Does anyone remember that guy from Nashua who wanted to "kill cops"? Seems we got rid of him mighty fast. What's the hold-up here??

susanthe said...

There isn't a process for removing a representative (or any elected NH official) from office.

As for the hold up - no matter what kind of nuttery Stella speaks - she's a Republican. She will vote the way she's told. The last thing the Republicans want is a special election that they might very well lose.

Bob Olcott said...

New Hampshire provides both civil and criminal penalties when an official arbitrarily and/or capriciously abuses their administrative authority, in the statute entitled: "Official Oppression". Also, The NH House Ethics committee has been known to "inspire" a Rep. to "resign", as the former Rep from Barrington who suggested sending some folks to Siberia, or Euthanizing them.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be interesting to see brain scans of this (these) individuals? The actions and words of the Teabagbirchpublicans are vile and perplexing is Tremblay's apparent servitude to her party. I can only think this poor woman has no self esteem, that she lack's a mind of own, has been indoctrinated her entire life and lacks the mental clarity and ability to bypass on her own the nonsense her party consistently throws out. The terrible trio that makeup Chandler, O'Brien and Tremblay will lead to the decomposition of NH, a once proud state.

Anonymous said...

It is truly sad that New Hampshire is now duly noted with Stella the perceived New Hampshire Nutcase.If she has any remorse for the victims she would voluntarily resign. There is always a process to remove someone from office. If there isn't an official process for removing a representative or any elected official from office NH Rep Stella Tremblay has shown there is such a need.