Category: American Affairs

MOSES CARTLAND

~ Jnana Hodson ~ 2 Comments
The Quaker meetinghouse doubled as a school
The Quaker meetinghouse doubled as a school

A pioneering educator, Moses Cartland taught in this combination school and Quaker meetinghouse at his family’s farm in Lee, New Hampshire, after previously establishing the Clinton Grove Friends school in Weare. A staunch abolitionist, he was also a founder of the Republican Party in New Hampshire and a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Moses and his cousin John Greenleaf Whittier were closest friends and lifelong bachelors, at least until Moses married one of his students – who was also a cousin. Although considerably younger than Moses, she predeceased him.

The family burial ground.
The family burial ground.
The resting spot is in the right side of the view.
The resting spot is in the right side of the view.

WALNUT GROVE

~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment
Still imposing.
Still imposing.

The Quaker Cartland family built a prosperous farm in Lee, New Hampshire. Their house was a stop on the Underground Railroad, carting escaped slaves to freedom.

All in good order.
All in good order.
We approve of red barns.
We approve of red barns.
A country road runs through the property.
A country road runs through the property.

 

 

STILL SMELLS FISHY

~ Jnana Hodson ~ 2 Comments

I’m still wondering why my little city’s police department needs a $240,000 armored truck.

Is it to defend the gundalow that will be docked along the river?

Protect the historic boat from pirates?

And then, what about a getaway on the water – with a heavy truck in hot pursuit? Stuck in the mud or sinking.

IT AIN’T HAY

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

I’m still trying to figure out why my little city’s police department needs a $240,000 armored truck, courtesy of Homeland Security.

A better use? Sell it to buy hay for the mounted patrol’s horses.

I can personally attest the horses blocked a speeding car that was about to hit me as I stepped out in a crosswalk. Let’s see that armored truck do that!

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Why does Dover need a BearCat when the Seacoast Emergency Response Team already has one parked just down the road?

And when was the last time it was really needed?

I’m beginning to think the vote was a result of this long, weird winter we’ve had. Not that the truck would do any good with a plow attachment.

BETTER OPTIONS

~ Jnana Hodson ~ 1 Comment

Homeland Security’s grant of $240,000 to my placid city of 30,000 to purchase an armored truck for the police department illustrates one thing:

Those folks in Congress who keep harping on government spending aren’t reticent when it comes for doling out the big bucks for items that do little or nothing for the common American.

Since Dover is an unlikely spot for terrorists to attack, could we use some of that money to pay off student loans? For starters?

A LITTLE LESSON IN MARGINAL UTILITY

~ Jnana Hodson ~ 3 Comments

You know, the $240,000 grant to buy our police department an armored truck would go much further in local classrooms.

I know of a local public charter high school that could really use it, with plenty to spare, just to approach the per-student spending of the neighboring high schools. Not that they don’t need that kind of infusion, either.