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October 18, 2009 at 17:38:04

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Promoted to Headline (H3) on 10/18/09:

The Gasser

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By Nancy Tobi (about the author)     Page 1 of 3 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

For OpEdNews: Nancy Tobi - Writer

(A personal story)

When I first entered the democracy wars, I didn't know a lot about American history outside of what most American citizens know. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Inalienable rights. Consent of the governed. If they mean to have a war, let it begin here.

Random catch phrases out of history that were embedded in my being as much as the desert democracy that I carry within my tribal DNA as a descendant of Aaron, brother of Moses our Teacher, giver of Holy Law.


I am an American girl, born and raised in the little town of Lexington, where the Revolutionary Battles were fought. The Birthplace, as they say, of American Liberty.

It was with these nominal credentials that I walked into the Halls of Power, the New Hampshire State House, the Governor's office, and the Congressional Office Buildings.

At the Office of the New Hampshire Secretary of State, I met old Yankee blue bloods; pedigreed politicos whose genealogies extended back into New England history, whose flat “a's” and cool demeanor marked them as much Yankees as my olive skin and brash discourse marked me the child of first generation American Jews.

I began to understand that my Jewish blood was as steeped in the battles for freedom as any Yankee's. Mine ran red, theirs ran blue, but I staked my claim on freedom and liberty with as much merit as they may have staked theirs.

I got to know the inner workings of state government from those who, at its highest levels, cranked its gears, oiled its wheels, and kept its machinery running. I was tutored in Yankee history, tradition, and law. I studied and became indoctrinated in the founding laws and principles of our nation, which had been planted and nourished and which blossomed here in the New England soil as they had not in any other place in this nation of ours.

I soaked up all of this Yankee fare like a thirsty sponge. Freedom at all costs. Live free or die.

And then I met the Insider. The Insider was an odd but intriguing politician who skittered around the edges of my inquiries like someone accomplished in the act of invisibility. The Insider remained quietly off to the side, hiding behind round owlish glasses and a humble voice, rarely speaking unless spoken to, and never publicly offering a personal opinion that might differ from the party line of the Insider's political station.

The Insider was the perfect Political Operative.

All I wanted to do was to take back our elections from the corporate interests and their computerized voting systems, from their concealed vote counts that they alone programmed, serviced, and controlled.

I had gone to the State Capital first to make inquiries, and then to make demands. But the powers that be kept directed me to The Insider. I was the outside agitator, the citizen watchdog, the Activist. And it seemed as though The Insider had been given the job of “handling” me.

That was okay with me; I wanted information and the Insider had it. I had information and the Insider wanted it. The flow of information on both sides was intentional and controlled.

But over time, The Insider began to reveal very specific information to me. Not so much about the politics of my own state, which information was carefully tucked away from view.

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www.democracyfornewhampshire.com

Nancy Tobi is co-founder, former Chair, and website editor for Democracy for New Hampshire (DFNH). She is also a founder and Chair of the NH Fair Elections Committee. Nancy is the author of numerous articles on election integrity, including "The (more...)
 

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Oh, well, deadly metaphors once again by Mark Sashine on Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 6:59:25 PM
Thirty GOP Senators Voted in Favor of Gang Rape by Jason Paz on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 1:13:05 AM
Nancy is one of the few who have taken notice and taken by Mark Adams on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 11:28:34 AM
Reply Jane to Mark "The Gasser" by Jane Schiff on Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 8:58:44 PM
Old Codger to Jane: by The Old Codger on Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 9:25:33 PM
The Entertainer as Witness by Jason Paz on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 12:47:47 AM
The article by Nancy Tobi on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 7:05:10 AM
I only objected to the usage of a metaphor by Mark Sashine on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 8:37:11 AM
However, it is not a metaphor by Nancy Tobi on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 8:58:24 AM
In that sense, of course, I agree by Mark Sashine on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 9:12:21 AM
It's hard to be a Gentile in discussing Jews by Margaret Bassett on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 9:35:05 AM
On the Eve of Destruction Life Becomes More Rewarding by Jason Paz on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 2:57:39 AM
The Gasser by Scott Griffith on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 1:46:06 PM
Yikes by Nancy Tobi on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 2:05:34 PM
About your friend's hoping to choose the right thing - Jews by Jane Schiff on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 5:13:55 PM
I will answer it by Mark Sashine on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 6:21:06 PM
There's more than enough room by Jane Schiff on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 7:01:12 PM
Mark,, can I ask you something? by Jane Schiff on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 9:21:02 AM
Jane by Mark Sashine on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 11:49:27 AM
Thank you, Mark. And Everyone. by Jane Schiff on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 2:29:44 PM
Nancy - Would appreciate your take on what I paraphrased by Jane Schiff on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 6:44:26 PM
Socialism and Fascism by Nancy Tobi on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 7:45:41 PM
Thank you. by Jane Schiff on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 9:52:20 PM
Do you have an opinion ? by Jane Schiff on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 10:11:51 PM
Representational governance by Nancy Tobi on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 7:01:20 AM
Nancy - Represenational governance by Jane Schiff on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 9:05:44 AM
This is finally ON topic by Nancy Tobi on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 9:09:50 AM
Thanks by Jane Schiff on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 9:25:29 AM
The Gasser Inside Me and All of Us by Sheila Parks on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 10:18:52 PM
Bishop Helder Camara, of Brazil by Sheila Parks on Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 10:30:12 PM
well sheesh Nancy, when do we get the details? by MJ Creech on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 12:21:44 AM
The EAC, Rush Holt, etc. by Nancy Tobi on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 at 6:54:53 AM
Be flattered that you had a handler by Michael Collins on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2009 at 2:10:32 AM

 
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