First, can we talk about “standing ovation inflation”?
Giving every person on stage a standing ovation is the adult version of everyone getting a participation trophy. Just stop.
Which explains why I was, literally, one of two people not giving the speakers standing ovations. And, tbh, the other guy was infirm. I was simply standing my ground by not standing.
Not everyone is a fucking A+, m’kay?
The occasion: the Nackey S. Loeb First Amendment Awards at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on September 21, 2026. The annual award recognizes New Hampshire individuals or groups defending, protecting, or exercising First Amendment freedoms.
This year’s First Amendment Award went to Manchester’s Eva Castillo, founder of the New Hampshire Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees, for her immigrant advocacy, voter education, and civic engagement. Howard Brodsky, chair and co-founder of CCA Global Partners, received the Quill & Ink Award for advancing First Amendment education. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivered the keynote.
I spent some time chatting with Manchester Mayor Ruais and saw Devon Chaffee from the ACLU-NH, who could not get away from me fast enough. Rude! (Also, hurtful.)
For the most part, though, I hardly knew anyone. Many familiar New Hampshire activists had been crowded out by out-of-state attendees. The two dudes next to me had driven THREE HOURS from Vermont to see Buttigieg.
The lineup hasn’t felt particularly “nonpartisan” for the past few years, and when past winners can’t even get seats? No bueno.
But Buttigieg’s message was solid. He’s a magnificent orator. Successful politicians tend to be. They have to be: they’re selling you bullshit, and when they do it right, you KNOW it’s bullshit and still want to buy some.
His big pitch: we need BIG REFORMS in DC, and people will need to support constitutional amendments to “improve our democracy.” He talked about gerrymandering and the size of Congress and the Supreme Court. He also unabashedly supports VOLUNTARY national service. Emphasis on the voluntary.
A few things caught my ear. He used my current favorite word, “lament.” He talked about abundance and having an APPETITE FOR BIG SWINGS. About the need to ADAPT. About fragmentation, outrage algos, and the importance of IRL community.
At some point, I started wondering whether he’s reading my blog. Or getting a lift from AI. LOL.
I mean, maybe he IS reading my blog?!? 😛
JK. These ideas are in the zeitgeist. And hearing them turn up in a room where I knew hardly anyone gives me hope.
Still doesn’t mean I’m standing up.
BONUS: Remember when I nominated LPNH for the award last year? Yeah, I know. I’m awesome.