News coming out of the Middle East has reminded me of President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, which critics called “Star Wars” — a missile defense system that would protect the United States from attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles. Reagan thought the existing policy known as “mutually assured destruction” or “MAD” was nothing but a suicide pact, and on March 23, 1983, he called upon scientists and engineers to develop a system that would counter the threat of nuclear weapons by destroying missiles before they could hit. The Department of Defense set up its SDI program in 1984. Reagan was ridiculed for thinking that incoming missiles could be taken out before hitting the country.
T.P. Caldwell
T.P. Caldwell is a writer, editor, photographer, and videographer who began his career as an apprentice printer at a weekly community newspaper. During his career as a journalist, he gained experience in all aspects of newspaper production, including working as a reporter, editor, publisher, and weekly newspaper owner.
Rushing Forward
BRISTOL — The Newfound Area School Board has approved the use of unspent money in its operating budget to install a modular classroom at Danbury Elementary School.
Rearranging The Deck Chairs
As the House Rules Committee takes up the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act this morning, which the hardline conservative wing of Republican House members have rejected up to this point, members will be hearing echoes of Massachusetts Republican Jim McGovern’s stinging rebuke. “This is the most ineffective, incompetent majority, I think, in American history. Full stop. It has been nearly an entire year, an entire year almost, since anything that we have done in the Rules Committee has gone to the president’s desk,” said McGovern, the ranking member of the Rules Committee.
https://tpcaldwell.substack.com/p/rearranging-the-deck-chairs
New Limits On PFAS
A new rule by the US Environmental Protection Agency immediately sets new limits on PFAS chemicals in public water systems, but gives utilities, towns, cities, and states time to prepare for remediation.
More Trouble For Alexander
Anna Sventek, communications director for the Secretary of State’s Office, has confirmed that the Bureau of Securities Regulation is investigating Robynne Alexander, the developer that New Hampshire chose to purchase the former Laconia State School for $21.5 million. Scott Tranchemontagne, speaking for Alexander, would not comment on the investigation, but said, “We are working diligently to secure the necessary funds to close on the Laconia property.”
https://tpcaldwell.substack.com/p/more-trouble-for-alexander
A Brief Darkness
It was a spectacular solar eclipse, which we were fortunate to be able to view from our back deck. Not so for many in the crowd of pilgrims that migrated north for the totality. The parking lot at the adjacent Lake Umbagog Wildlife Center was overflowing with cars whose passengers set up chairs or walked down the road for a better view of a sun being swallowed up by the hungry moon.
Trump Bond Under Scrutiny
New York Attorney-General Letitia James’ office has filed papers giving Donald Trump’s attorneys and bond underwriter Knight Specialty Insurance 10 days to show that the company can cover a default on the $175 million bond it posted to allow Trump to appeal the civil fraud judgment against him.
Tackling The Controversy
BRISTOL — The Newfound Area School Board took up the question of what books are appropriate for the school library after hearing from people on both sides of the question.
Trump Bond Under Scrutiny
New York Attorney-General Letitia James’ office has filed papers giving Donald Trump’s attorneys and bond underwriter Knight Specialty Insurance 10 days to show that the company can cover a default on the $175 million bond it posted to allow Trump to appeal the civil fraud judgment against him.
Threat To Housing
House Bill 1115, which has passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives, 194-180, would allow landlords to evict tenants with a 30-day notice at the end of their lease, without having to cite any specific reason. Currently, New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination statute protects a person from being evicted on the basis of age, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, national origin, or physical or mental disability. Landlords also cannot evict a tenant in retaliation for reporting health and safety violations.