November 17, 2011: Rotary Log (Professor Lessig)

President Tony began the meeting with announcements.  Please remember that there is no meeting this week (Thanksgiving week).  The next meeting is on December 1, 2011.   Following that meeting will be the Holiday Luncheon on December 8, 2011, which requires an RSVP.

President Tony next announced that Ryan Bishop is selling raffle tickets for 4 Green Monster seats at an upcoming Red Sox game.  See Ryan for details.

An auction by Walter followed in which he displayed an outstanding effort to bring a reluctant crowd to bid on UNH hockey tickets generously donated by Stella Scamman.  The tickets came with the added benefit of a Family Pass to the Strawberry Banke Candlelight Tour.  Walter worked several bidders until he reached a $70.00 winning bid.  The winning bid was submitted by a joyous Russ Grazier Sr., whose joy may have been deflated moments later when, during the next announcement, his son Russ reminded him that on game night Russ Sr. would be busy attending the PMAC Concert for Thanksgiving.   Russ also reminded the crowd that PMAC’s Concert for Thanksgiving is a great event featuring six of PMAC’s adult groups, and which also supports Rotary’s Harvest for Hunger.

The 40^th annual Rotary Thanksgiving was the topic of Frank’s announcement.  This year the Thanksgiving dinner will be at the Greek Church, which he thanked for their generosity along with Portsmouth Hospital.  Volunteers for cooking turkeys and pies, set-up, and other important tasks are still needed and welcomed.  Please contact Frank if you can lend a hand.

Keeping with the holiday theme, Charlie next announced the Christmas Tree sale’s first unload on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Again pitch in if you can, it’s at 3pm at the Fresh Market parking lot on Lafayette Road.

Concluding the holiday announcements was Basil, reminding all of the sign up forms for Poinsettias were on each table and, in a borderline threatening tone, stating that if folks did not either place an order or a zero next to their names, they’d get a call from him – and would potentially end up with a “a big nuthin.”  Buy now, at $25 they are a deal.

On a more serious note, Chief Ferland made a public announcement that Ace the Moose was still missing, that a police report had been filed and the investigation was ongoing.  Careful not to reveal too many details, the Chief noted a reward for the return of Ace.   Upon learning of a reward, Leonard (not admitting to any guilt) indicated that he had information that would lead to the (safe) return of Ace.  Leonard also generously agreed to donate any finder’s fee he was entitled to receive for his part.  Details of the return are expected to be worked out later, but it seems as though Ace may attend the next meeting.  Another case resolved based on good old fashioned police work.

The following guests were recognized:  Maria Sallari (Russ Grazier), Chris Mulligan (Lynn McLaren), Officer Andre Wassout (Chief Ferland), Shaun O’Rorke (David McArdle) and Jeff McLean (President Tony).

The guest speaker, Lawrence Lessig, was then announced.   Professor Lessig’s credentials include: author, professor with the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. Prior to rejoining the Harvard faculty, Lessig was a professor at Stanford Law School, where he founded the school’s Center for Internet and Society, and at the University of Chicago. He also clerked for Judge Richard Posner on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice Antonin Scalia on the United States Supreme Court. Today, Professor Lessig was presenting on his most recent book “Republic Lost:  How Money Corrupts Congress-and a Plan to Stop It.”

The Professor started with a quote from Henry David Thoreau, “There are 1000 hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.”   From that quote he then outlined how he believed the country had lost its way relative to such things as its governance, economics – and its self perception of greatness.   He noted how a common perception of government is one of frustration, and even embarrassment; and then highlighted by example how faulty regulation, lack of transparency in the financial sector, and the current system of campaign contributions have left many disenfranchised.   Alarmingly the Professor cited a fact that 75% of Americans believe that “money buys results in Congress.”  This belief, he noted, eroded trust in Congress, and with such erosion comes an adverse affect on participation in the political process.

From there the Professor noted that the model by the nation’s founders was that People would control Congress, but that the present day model may be more aligned with the “Funders” controlling Congress – i.e. those financing the campaigns.   He referenced the recent Occupy movement which is focused on the other 99% (vs. the 1%) of the population; and noted that his data reflected that only 0.05% contributed a maximum contribution in a recent congressional election. 

Part of the solution discussed by the Professor, and detailed in his book, is to publicly fund the elections – in other words, make the “funders” the People, not a smaller, elite group of wealthy individuals.   If such a system of funding were in place, the Professor noted that Congress would not be seen as a “Farm League” for K Street in Washington, the home to many lobbyists in Washington DC.

The Professor concluded that with “Clarity,” striking at the root of the problem and seeking common ground; and “Courage,” taking individual action rather than allowing only the elite funders access; individuals who recognize the problem can start down the path toward resolution and regaining control.   He reminded the group of Ben Franklin’s famous line in response to a question about what the founders had wrought, his response – “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

The Professor received a standing ovation for his very informative, engaging, humorous (in delivery only) and entertaining presentation.  He ended by noting that this presentation received a far different response then his first presentation before his Dad’s Rotary club 35 years earlier. 

There was time for a couple of questions – which were focused on corporate contributions, term limits and other topics which evoked a response based on the Professor’s experience and opinions.   However, there was one question on what can NH voters do?   The Professor responded that in the unique political environment voters are in a position to call attention to these issues, and make them national issues in elections.   He further reminded the audience of his book, from which they can learn more, as well as by visiting www.rootstrikers.org.

Closing things out, Marie would the $69.00, with no match meaning a $500 bonus is possible at the next meeting. 

After a freak late October Nor’easter, Rotarians left the Portsmouth Country Club on this day to another overcast, unusually warm, November day.