I am proud of my fellow New Hampshire citizens.

[Raven]

We know how important the Town Hall forum is to Democracy. We have respect for the opinions of others. We value civil conversation. I think the folks in Portsmouth showed all of that today and hopefully showed the rest of the country how civil discourse is conducted.

PS: Of course, it kinda helps to have a President up on the stage who is not afraid of tough questions, is respectful of everyone and is able to string a sentence together intelligently. :-)

[Raven]

1. Self-serving kick. Come on! Doesn't anybody think we did a pretty

good job in NH today????:-(

[JayMusgrove]

5. NH, Maine, and Mass, people from all 3 states were there

But yes, NH predominated, and set a fine tone and did a terrific job at hosting the President, and visitors to Portsmouth today!

You can be proud of your beautiful state, and my former state of residence.

[AspenRose]

2. I do have a question, Raven

Do you think this incident with the Free Stater carrying the firearm will create any kind of interest in changing the NH gun laws, to discourage Free Staters from moving there?

(And yes, NH did a good job. My DH and in-laws are from there.)

[Raven]

6. Good question. I'm not sure. This is a bit of a first. People don't show up

at public forums with guns around here. He was seeking attention and he got it. This will probably help the Free Staters recruit. People up here are slowly beginning to wake up to these people. They are getting on Town Boards and wrecking town budgets. They simple want to kill government.

[JayMusgrove]

8. Question for you, Raven... which towns are these people getting

elected in?

NH public education funding, (among other public services) is always a difficult sell to some in NH.

You don't need free staters, you need more liberals, and gradually, I thought you were getting there.

[Raven]

9. Definately in the SW part of the state, Keene, Rindge, Jaffrey.

[JayMusgrove]

7. I'm not Raven, but as a former NH resident, that state

will probably NOT do anything..

NH License Plates read "Live Free or Die" remember.

and NH has no state income or sales tax.

Gun owners' rights are up there with the opposition to taxation.

[AspenRose]

11. Oh, I know

My husband's from NH...I hear "Live Free or Die" wayyyy too much :P

But he's also told me that the Town Hall is a cherished tradition, and as Raven said, usually doesn't prompt people to bring guns.

I think there are enough former "Massholes" in the southern part of NH who are liberal, and I wonder if today's events would be enough to spur any debates on gun laws, or make said liberals nervous enough to get politically active and take action.

:shrug: It'll be interesting to watch from a distance.

[TheCoxwain]

3. Keep 'em coming.. KICK

[polichick]

4. The people in the hall did very well - some of those on the street looked like throwbacks...

...especially the guy totin' his gun.

[Raven]

10. I know, but he was a "blow in" or a "flat lander", as we say.

[Cha]

13. "A flatlander"? From

where? And, yes, that Town Hall Meet in Portsmouth, NH with Pres Obama today is the template for all Town Hall Meets.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

16. He was from Arizona.

[Cha]

18. Wow! Thanks. n/t

[lunatica]

12. Congratulations!

Peace is good!

[Wednesdays]

14. K&R

:kick:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

15. Yes, your state did quite well...so well they accused him of having plants!

A pat on the back is deserved.

[Vinca]

17. I don't know about you, Raven, but MSM has really offended me

because they don't believe we're halfway civil up here. Reportedly, even the wingnut protesters outside were calm compared to what was seen in the midwest.