Constituent Representation in Keene

January 15, 2007 by toby
Filed under: Issues

Earlier today I decided to write my representative, Delmar Burridge, an e-mail to voice my support for HB92, decriminalizing marijuana. Unfortunately I was very disheartened by the response I got to my letter. I expect much more from my representatives. Below is both my original letter and his response:

Dear Representative Delmar Burridge
I hope you are in good health. I understand that you are on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee which is going to hear testimony this Wednesday on HB92, decriminalizing marijuana. I know you are opposed to this bill, but I trust you can understand how important of an issue this is to many people both in Keene and the rest of New Hampshire. I hope you will consider passing it through committee so that all sides will have their chance to speak on it. NH has some of the most draconian legislation on marijuana, and hundreds of our friends and family members are being arrested for choosing to smoke instead of drink. Please think about passing this through committee so everyone can listen to the opposition and have their chance to speak.Thank you very much,

Toby Iselin
Keene NH

And his response:

Dear Toby:

My youngest brother Albert who I was very close to died from head injuries sustained when he wrecked his car in West Virginia. His wife walked away. He was a triple major in college; biology, philosophy, and psychology and was smoking a joint before the crash. It is all very vivid including the anguish my parents went through. This occurred in the 1970s and I still miss him. I began work as a juvenile probation officer in the poorest section in Philadelphia in 1969 and the above described experience pales to my on the job, eyeball to eyeball observation of family devastation I saw daily…..and these males were reefer users just like you….saying the same dumb stuff just like you and they were not smart college smart. I saw lots of blood and death. Trust me, these campers were not soon going to be setting the world on fire. Some did suffer severe burns.

Last night one of your buddies called me twice even asking me to be on his TV show. He was yelling and screaming and I hung up on him. You have to chill this guy out. I will say to you what I said to three different callers; I will vote no on this Bill and have lots of very chilling stories to relate to the other committee members so it goes my way.

Suggest you change all your friends, be the designated driver when you are old enough to drink since you don’t drink. I will sign the Bill that keeps tobacco out of the bars when it come up in the house so you don’t get second hand smoke.

I am copying two members of the Keene Police Department in case you want to change your ways and act legal and save your friends.

You are very passionate in your beliefs and would make a great snitch. It is thrilling to dime on your so called friends.

Be healthy and be well.

Delmar D. Burridge
DBurridge@ne.rr.com

(603) 352-5363 or
(603) 542-7744

I would just like to add that I never said that I don’t drink, and nowhere in the e-mail did I mention that I smoke marijuana. It seems that Representative Delmar Burridge is making assumptions without looking at any of the arguments or evidence.

Comments

16 Comments on Constituent Representation in Keene

jitgos on Tue, 16th Jan 2007 1:42 am

What!?!? That’s close to unbelievable. What does “I am copying two members of the Keene Police Department in case you want to change your ways and act legal and save your friends.” even mean? Copying two members?

Michael Hampton on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 8:06 am

This guy has absolutely no business being a state representative. He’s clearly unable to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

How not to be a state representative - Homeland Stupidity on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 8:54 am

[...] Toby explains: “I would just like to add that I never said that I don’t drink, and nowhere in the e-mail did I mention that I smoke marijuana. It seems that Representative Delmar Burridge is making assumptions without looking at any of the arguments or evidence.” [...]

Vote This Ass-Clown Out! « Last Free Voice on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 4:40 pm

[...] Constituent Representation in Keene by way of Homeland Stupidity [...]

Vote This Ass-Clown Out! « paulie cannoli on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 5:02 pm

[...] Constituent Representation in Keene by way of Homeland Stupidity [...]

slinkyfarm on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 9:36 pm

Ironically, a vote against this proposition is a vote to continue providing great initiative and untaxed profits for people just like the one who sold his brother that joint.

pointsofnote on Thu, 18th Jan 2007 12:41 pm

Unbelievable. If the rep feels strongly and has a personal experience on the issue, he’s free to vote his conscience. But giving the names of constitutents to the police so they can be investigated/become snitches? That’s unbelievable.

Although I’m not a NH resident, I called Delmar, unfortunately he wasn’t there. I may try again later.

All Clear » Veiled Threats on Thu, 18th Jan 2007 1:17 pm

[...] Toby Iselin emailed his representative, Delmar Burridge, knowing full well that they disagreed on the issue. What Toby didn’t expect was a veiled threat that the police would be keeping an eye on him from then on. [...]

arjuna on Thu, 18th Jan 2007 8:48 pm

I have a bit of a hard time believing this letter. Could you post a copy? If it is legit, the content should not be too surprising; fear-mongering and veiled threats.

Btw, what were you doing encouraging these people in their pursuit of controlling people’s lives? Addressing these people as if they truly had authority keeps them believing that they do. The only thing I can think to say to them is “Who are you to make such decisions for others?”

deadseatroll on Fri, 19th Jan 2007 11:44 am

Dear Rep. Burridge. Your younger brother removed himself from the gene pool. I hope the voters in NH remove you from office.

nicrivera on Fri, 19th Jan 2007 5:58 pm

Thank you all at Free Keene for your support of House Bill 92.

As a resident of New Hampshire, I find Representative Burridgeâ€™s response to Mr. Iselinâ€™s letter extremely insulting. Itâ€™s bad enough the Mr. Burridge supports our nationâ€™s failed, draconian, unconstitutional War on (some) Drugs, but to address one of his constituents as he did is beyond the pale.

I thank Pauly at Last Free Voice and the bloggers at Free Keene for bringing this to my attention. I just got finished writing a letter to four of the stateâ€™s newspapers (2 of the bigger papers and 2 local Keene papers). I considered writing to Mr. Burridge myself, but right now, Iâ€™m probably too angry to write a calm and collected letter.

I also considered writing to the three New Hampshire state representatives who sponsored House Bill 92, making them aware of the conduct of their colleague, but I decided against it, thinking that it might be a little underhanded to go behind Represenative Burridgeâ€™s back and tattle on him to his colleagues. However, should any of you wish to contact the sponsors of House Bill 92, here they are:

Charles Weed: cweed@keene.edu
Paul Ingbretson: paul.ingbretson@leg.state.nh.us
Steve Vaillancourt: steve.vaillancourt@leg.state.nh.us

A Stitch in Haste on Sun, 21st Jan 2007 11:15 am

Linkfest: Activist Legislators…

To review: One of my core political-jurisprudential premises is that there is no such thing as “activist” judges, but there are activist politicians (and bureaucrats and prosecutors), and that it is patently absurd to fear the former more……

Drug WarRant on Sun, 21st Jan 2007 10:40 pm

Open Thread and Odds and Ends…

…

patty d on Mon, 14th Apr 2008 9:36 pm

Dear Toby

I can not even believe you would suggest legalizing marijuana. I taught my kids against drugs, and here you are trying to promote it.. shame on you! “hundreds of friends and family members” smoke an illegal substance? This is just totally insane to me! But you are right, people are drinking and driving and I wish there were stricker laws but we sure dont need to legalize marijuana and make the situation twice as bad!

elkheart on Mon, 20th Oct 2008 9:01 pm

BOY! This post sure brought back memories! Make sure to read Delmar’s responses to the Sentinels’ questionaire for candidates in the Keene Sentinel(online!)! This guy is a *DANGEROUS* wack-job! He *PLANS TO* introduce an income tax bill to the NH Legislature! Read about it! (When does self-defense justify homicide???……)OK, that may have been an “inappropriate” comment…but he makes John McCain sound like John Lennon, or something! …whatever…actually, I really *DON’T BELIEVE* that “youngerbrother” story, Delmar! Can you verify it??? Hmmm???….GEE, I didn’t think so, asshole….