Exposing the Threat; Outlining the Strategy
President Ronald Reagan famously stated his strategy for dealing with the Soviet Union. Simply and forcefully put: ‘We Win, They Lose.’ This week we were honored to host two national security experts who were leaders in the Reagan Administration’s defeat of the Soviet Union. Frank Gaffney and Roger Robinson, pictured above, joined us for a briefing in Manchester, focused on China. They shared stark and compelling details on the magnitude of the threat to our freedoms posed by Communist China – and outlined a highly focused strategy for defeating Chinese aggression and toppling their totalitarian regime.
In the past several weeks, the Coronavirus has brought China to the absolute forefront of our national attention. However, the overall threat – on multiple dimensions – military, economic, supply chain dependencies, espionage, theft of our intellectual property and more – has been building for several decades. Right in front of our eyes. As a result, several months ago, Karen and I became Founding Members of a national organization specifically established to deal with this threat and secure American freedom: The Committee on the Present Danger: China. https://presentdangerchina.org/
We traveled with Frank Gaffney and Roger Robinson, leaders of this Committee, and held briefings throughout the day with New Hampshire state officials, legislators and others – culminating in a great event in Manchester, co-hosted by Kurt and Holly Strandson – where we outlined the specifics of a strategy to defeat China – using economic power. Specifically, choking off their financial resources by preventing Chinese companies from accessing investment from U.S. investors and our stock market – on terms that are artificially and unfairly designed to favor the Chinese companies. For an in-depth explanation of how this strategy is designed – and why it will work, please see the video of the briefing at: https://youtu.be/JNYQOUoxZm8
Springtime Arrives… Optimism Abounds!
Days getting longer. Staying light later. Starting to get warmer. Springtime arriving!
And with this – optimism. The Coronavirus is real – but still – springtime brings a positivity to the spirit. Whether you like to get outdoors and run, like I do, go for a walk in the woods, go hiking, gardening or some other form of active recreation, springtime opens up the possibilities.
So, as we deal with a truly serious national health issue, I urge you to go out – embrace the spirit of spring, get some physical activity and exercise. It will be great for maintaining your health and even give a boost to your immune system. And, probably even more important, it will strengthen your sense of perspective, your positivity. That little break – when you can be alone with your thoughts, be it in nature, in strenuous physical activity – can work wonders even in a very short period of time. So, get out there, get the blood flowing and enjoy the sunshine as springtime arrives!
Positive Politics: Standing Up for Free Speech … on College Campuses!
‘Freedom of Speech on College Campuses.’
Our most precious of freedoms – enshrined in our First Amendment – is our
‘Freedom of Speech.’ It is the essential foundation upon which our other individual freedoms depend. Yet, increasingly we find this fundamental right being restricted, and often fully denied, on the college campus. Political correctness run rampant … and trampling our most sacred of rights.
Against this backdrop, legislation was introduced in our New Hampshire House of Representatives – that would guarantee Freedom of Speech be observed on college campuses in our state. Unfortunately, and for now, it was defeated by the majority in the House.
Nonetheless, it is a fight worth fighting and continuing to fight. Please see below for the speech, delivered on the Floor of the House, by the Bill’s primary sponsor: Rep. Gates Lucas, Sunapee, a recent college graduate and strong supporter of freedom.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker I rise in opposition to the committee’s ITL recommendation for HB 1487. HB 1487 would prohibit public postsecondary institutions from disciplining students for engaging in speech, association, or other forms of expression or communication that would be constitutionally protected outside of college campuses. As a recent college graduate myself, I have seen firsthand how freedom of expression on campus has been silently coming under attack. Students fear that what they say will go against college speech codes – and has created a ‘chilling effect’ where students choose to be silent and not risk getting in trouble, rather than speaking up and expressing themselves. Students should not have to fear speaking up. They should be encouraged to express themselves freely in order to grow and learn – isn’t that what college is for after all? Additionally, I’ve seen people who are invited to speak on campus come under attack through threats of violence and shouting over them so that the speaker cannot be heard. Ben Shapiro, Corky Messner, Dinesh D’Souza – to name a few. While students have a right to protest and speak up if they disagree with a speaker, they do not have a right to threaten violence or drown out someone else’s words because they are “triggered”. For those who say that this would infringe on a college’s ability to govern themselves, I say that it would infringe on student’s ability to express themselves. If colleges already uphold adequate 1st amendment rights for their students, this bill will have no effect. This bill is simply applying the same constitutional rights of every Granite Stater to college campuses. I am here to support diversity. Diversity of thought. We should allow all perspectives to be heard. College campuses should be the epicenter of the free exchange of ideas – without fear of repercussions. This bill would hold our college campuses to the same 1st amendment standard that we have across our ‘Live Free or Die’ state. That is why I urge my fellow colleagues to oppose the committee’s recommendation of ‘Inexpedient To Legislate,’ so that another motion can be made. Thank you.
Positive Profile of the Week: John Mortimer
With spring right around the corner and as a fellow runner, I’m delighted to highlight an individual who took the leap and created a business based on his passions. New Hampshire’s own John Mortimer, founder of Millennium Running.
Millennium Running facilitates signatures races across New Hampshire and beyond. John was inspired to found the company in 2011, following his initial experience organizing a small one mile race in Londonderry, New Hampshire. For those who run t New Year’s Day race in Londonderry year after year, that’s how it all started.
Beyond running a successful business, John is a leader in his support for charitable causes. Leveraging the Millennium platform and capabilities, John generously donates time and resources in support of Easterseals, CHaD, Swim With A Mission, and so much more.
In addition to all this, John and his wife, Jennifer, have a local running store located on Route 101 in Bedford. People, no matter their skill or running experience, can go into the store and be professionally fitted for the pair of running shoes that is ‘just right’ for them. My next swing down 101 will have me stopping in for a new pair for sure.
When someone has an idea. it starts like a seed, it’s the beginning. When you plant that seed, commit to its growth, and do it with passion and the will to be successful, then you’re on your way. John Mortimer has does this with style, with heart, and with a true belief that anything is possible. And he has translated his success into a culture of success, sharing and helping to create opportunity for others.
Quotes of the Week: Total Victory!
". . . You ask, What is our policy? I will say; It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory ? Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival." Winston Churchill
"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." General George S. Patton
"There are important cases in which the difference between half a heart and a whole heart makes just the difference between signal defeat and a splendid victory." A.H.K. Boyd
"It is not enough to fight. It is the spirit which we bring to the fight that decides the issue. It is morale that wins the victory." General George Marshall
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt