Peter "No Parking" Schmidt

After a mis-cue yesterday on the identity, we now know that Rep Peter Schmidt (Strafford-4) is the serial parking violator in the picture.  And no, the availability of spaces does not seem top be a factor. 

Mr. Schmidt is a good liberal sticking to the anti-liberty line who clearly finds his need to be somewhere more important than something as trivial as No Parking zones.  In Mr. Schmidt's defense, he appears to be handicapped---he's listed as a university professor.  If that is true that makes him special.  Isn't he special?  If he does have any physical handicaps, which I doubt given that he is parking in the no parking zone by the stairs, he might demonstrate some of that superior intellect and years of leadership as an elected representative, and make other arrangements.

Who am I kidding.  A NH liberal planning for a future other than the one they have imagined for you--like the series of fictions known as "revenue estimates" to justify lavish spending--is almost unheard of.  And Mr. Schmidt is a good liberal. (He is supposed to be a professor right?)

His liberty rating is a D-, though it will be of interest to conservatives that between 2009 and 2010 he took a hard right turn.  His NH House Republican Rating went from 9% to 17%.  But he can still get it back in line, and I'm sure he's already had a good talking to.

Seriously, despite the lousy parking situation in Concord, Peter Schmidt needs to get out of his white tower a bit earlier and park like all the other voices of the people, in a parking space.

Comments

[Jim Splaine]

Peter is an amazing man, with a past military service and an integrity that is without question. Just because a group hands out a "liberty rating" doesn't make it gospel -- those ratings are the opinion of a small group, and pieces of legislation on which we all vote can be interpreted a number of ways. I think Peter looks at each issue as a good American and representative of the people would, and he puts people above politics, or a group's "ratings."

Just a few months ago, Peter underwent a very serious heart operation. He was back on the floor of the House just nine days after the procedure, walking very slowly and still obviously on the mend, which is continuing -- but he wanted to be there to support what we knew would be a very close vote, which happened to be on House Bill 436 -- marriage equality. We needed his vote that day, and on that and so many other matters he's a hero of mine. He put the people, and the liberty of the people of New Hampshire, ahead of his own cares about his health. His attendance still is excellent, much better than some others half his age.

As another representative recently stated, when the House Legislative Parking facility is full or nearly so, or when a House member has a serious medical condition, there are spaces where security allows parking that does not interfer with the safety or convenience of others. We should all be thanking Peter for his life of service.

[Steve Mac Donald]

It's a great story Jim. Thanks for making time to share it. And tell Peter I really do appreciate his military service. And I respect his commitment to attendance--even in the face of adverse circumstances—despite my objection to how he votes.

But if he's such a great guy why don't you give him your space? How about Poznanski or Hodges? Why can’t any of your young upstanding progressive legislators give this guy gets a space? Why not just name a space after him, and ask everyone to leave it open for him. Maybe name him employee of the month every month so he can park legally near the stairs. Or how about you make a leadership decision, get the city of Concord on board, and figure out why you have "no parking" designations where access is good and safety is not in fact an issue?

And why am I told that there are plenty of empty spaces yet he still parks here? If he has a condition or a need can we get Peter a handicapped plate--if he really needs it--and secure him a space closer to the State House? If this is a genuine problem why has it gone so long unattended? And I’m not trying to be a jerk, I am very open to extenuating circumstances, as long as they apply equally to everyone.

You see the problem here Jim? I don't think they apply to everyone equally. You can make any number of excuses for exceptions you like, as long as there is a happy little story to go along with it. But then you set yourself up for a problem later when the same rules no longer need apply to someone you don't think as highly of in similar circumstances. Or as they apply to someone who is not a legislator, or not a vet, or who had knee surgery and not a heart attack, or who is late for a very important meeting that is not as important as someone elses, or who is a political opponent in a close race…. That's why we have rule of law in a constitutional republic and not rule of--"this is how I feel about it today."

For someone who claims to be possesed with a knowledge of equality and rights, your grasp of the benign properties that secure them presents a curious conundrum.

[Jim Splaine]

The only problem I see is that you're trying to make a political issue out of a non-issue. You're trying, unsuccessfully so, to embarrass a good person by using your blogging abilities, and then you try, again unsuccessfully, to infer "liberal" criticism at him, and someone who comes to his defense -- but I can take it, so your aim is misdirected again. Kind of shameful, really. What has politics become?

Keep putting your spin on this issue, and keep attacking other Democrats as you wish. You can't fool all of the people all of the time. A great Republican said that once, and he told the truth.

[Timothy Horrigan]

The "college professor" you are sneering at so relentlessly, Steve, might actually be David Waters, who is a history professor at UNH. I understand the confusion, we liberals are hard to tell apart.

I find it a little creepy that people are going around photographing cars at a private parking garage-- or even a public one.

[Steve Mac Donald]

It wouldn't be creepy if it were a Republican would it. I'd be sifting through press releases from Buckley and UL articles by Sullivan every other day. Of course if it was a republican, I'd have run the story anyway and they'd be quoting me. Chew on that for a few minutes.

As to his character, it hasn't come up. I'm sure he's a great guy. Wait--I'll quote myself...

[quote] It's a great story Jim. Thanks for making time to share it. And tell Peter I really do appreciate his military service. And I respect his commitment to attendance--even in the face of adverse circumstances—despite my objection to how he votes.[end quote].

Yup. That's one hell of a character attack isn't it.

And there's no spin Jim. Sign says No Parking. He's parked there. I'm just tryig to make it worth reading by pointing out some of the finser points of the liberal universe.

And Hey!--Any progress on my suggested solutions to help him park closer to the building. (found in my comments above). As of 5/5 he is still parking illegally. Seems to me two caring House reps like yourselves would have rushed right out and fixed this for him so he wouldn't have to live with the knowledge that he felt compelled to park illegally every day--whatever the reason. No?

Maybe you can get back top me on that.

And Mr. Schmidt is #2054. It's not Waters unless they are either swapping plates or the roster is wrong. Maybe you can confirm that too. It would change the dynamic of the debate a bit though don't you think?