Did you know that Volodymyr George Washington Zelensky has opened Ukraine’s National Guard to Americans?!?! Oh … it’s true. It’s true:

Foreigners and “stateless persons” will be allowed to serve in Ukraine’s National Guard, according to a decree signed Feb. 21 by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

And the timing couldn’t be better for New Hampshire’s mighty Sun-King, Chris Sununu. The Sun-King has had it … HAD IT … with “isolationists” like Tucker Carlson. Ukriane’s fight is our fight! Ukraine’s border is our border! Salva Ukraine! Salva Ukraine! Salva Ukraine:

But I have this funny feeling that the mighty Sun-King won’t be joining Ukraine’s National Guard anytime soon. You see ,when globalist/corporatist/elitists like Chris Sununu talk about strong national defense and projecting American strength, blah, blah, blah … what they really mean is enriching the military-industrial complex and themselves.

But I would love the mighty Sun-King to prove me wrong. Head on over to Ukraine, Chris, and join Ukraine’s National Guard. Walk the walk, big guy.

 

The post Night Cap: Sun-King Chris Sununu To Join Ukraine’s National Guard!?!?!? appeared first on Granite Grok.

In response to Steve’s article this week on Public Schools and Mental Health, “Another Example of Government Trying to Grow to Fix A Problem it Created,” check out Vermont’s data on its public school enrollment.

Grades K thru 12: 72,093
Pre-K: 7843

Keep in mind that Pre-K is for 3, 4, and 5-year-old kids who spend less than 10 hours per week in their respective programs for about half the weeks their K-12 counterparts spend in their respective classes. And Pre-K is most often a ‘tuitioned’ school choice, provided by ‘Private Providers & Contractors’.

My concern rests with the projected total FY25 ‘education system spending of $2.7 Billion’, indicated on pages 2 and 19 of the Agency of Education report cited above. If we take this dollar amount and subtract Pre-K costs, we’re left with $2.666 Billion for K-12 costs. That equals $37,029 per K-12 student spending.

Keep in mind, too, that the VT Agency of Education employs more than 37,000 full-time equivalent staff, from bus drivers to teachers to principals to student interventionists, educating and servicing these students. That’s fewer than two K-12 students per employee, with each employee receiving higher-than-average pay rates and gold-plated benefits. And it makes for a significant voting bloc, too.

My local Vermont school district, one of the more expensive in the State, is spending just north of $28,000 per student, including Special Education, according to our recently published budget to be approved at Town Meeting. But that’s $9,000 per student less than the State per student cost when the 72,093 K-12 students are divided into the ‘projected total education system spending of $2.7 Billion’.

It’s one thing to analyze the financial statements of a school district. My local district financial statement is 22 pages long, with more than 700 spending line items for 193 students. Tough enough. But doable. But it’s another entirely to audit the Vermont Agency of Education budget. Clearly, local control only goes so far. Figuring out that there’s extra fluff of $650 Million in the VT AOE budget is one thing. Determining where it goes is another.

Postscript: As I opined yesterday at VDC, it’s not just Vermont’s out-of-control spending that’s an issue. At last count, more than 50% of Vermont’s high school graduates didn’t meet minimum grade-level standards in reading, writing, math, or science. Not to mention the destruction of the family unit via parental lockout on gender dysphoria and healthcare issues, the quadrupling of drug overdoses over ten years, and the doubling of 15 – 24 year-old suicides last year alone. It’s hard to fathom the extent to which the behavioral breakdown of our societal norms is accelerating. And still, public educators are pointing their fingers at parents, even while they and their legislative enablers do everything they can to prevent those parents from being able to choose the education programs they believe are best for their children.

The post Check Out This Data On Public-School Enrollment. appeared first on Granite Grok.

The last time I checked, the uniparty, led by the political left, wasn’t all that keen on separatists, secessionists, and anarchists, but as the saying goes, never let a “crisis” go to waste.

Aaron Bushnell, an active-duty US air force senior airman from San Antonio, Texas, died in hospital on Sunday several hours after he doused himself in a flammable liquid and set himself alight outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. …

According to the Air Force, Bushnell was a cyber defense operations specialist with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron at the joint base San Antonio. He had been on active duty since May 2020. And he was set for discharge in May after a four-year term of duty.

Had Bushnell lit himself up to end the war in Ukraine, we’d likely not know his name. Were he a martyr for election integrity or women’s sports, the Machine Media and its puppet masters would have framed him as a nutjob crank. He still is, but his cause was theirs, so he is a hero. And yes, confirmation bias works both ways, but that’s not what concerns me.

How does a self-proclaimed anarchist with some screws loose become an Air Force “cyber defense operations specialist with the 531st intelligence support squadron at joint base San Antonio.”

According to reports, Bushnell was raised in something of a religious cult “on a religious compound in Orleans, Massachusetts, run by a Benedictine monastic religious group called the Community of Jesus.” Again, not your typical left-wing hero, but if the talking point fits.

Oh, and according to “Officials at Southern New Hampshire University … Bushnell had enrolled for an online computer science degree course in August 2023 and was registered for a new term beginning next week.”

He had discussed life after the Air Force with friends. He was planning to add to his education. But then he decided to set himself on fire for Palestine, and Democrats have been instructed to elevate him to political sainthood.

Strange.

 

The post Self-Immolated Active Duty Air Force IT Specialist Was a Self-Admitted Anarchist appeared first on Granite Grok.

Live cattle prices are racing for the sky, up nearly 12% in the previous two months. Most forecasts predict increasingly high beef prices in 2024 as ranchers strive to rebuild herds depleted by the double whammy of drought and the pandemic. As farmers rally across Europe and American consumers helplessly watch their grocery tabs soar, food prices are likely to continue their rise.

This is especially true for beef, and here’s why.

An increase of a few pennies per pound for the price of a large animal may seem insignificant, but “live weight” sales of cows compound through processing: Only about a third of the bovine makes it into human larders. Additional impacts on the consumer’s price tag include costs of slaughter, processing, packaging, and distribution. All of these have inflated, but beef prices are poised to bloat further.

Those pennies add up very quickly. Live beef prices were $1.62/pound for cattle on Dec. 7, climbing nearly 5% to $1.70 on Jan. 8, and 11.7% by Feb. 2, when the market closed at $1.81. This is merely six pennies away from last November’s $1.87 per pound, the highest price for beef in US history. Moreover, the latest jump represented four cents (2.47%) in two days: If such beef inflation persisted, the live weight of a cow in a year would approach $9 per pound. That seemingly small increment in live animal prices thus signals a powerful market move.

Where’s the Beef?

Like all commodity markets, beef prices are subject to various factors, and price shocks can occur due to disease, environmental factors, geopolitical turmoil, sharp shifts in consumer demand, or international trade agreements. Underlying these variables in 2024 are somewhat novel industry conditions that relate to herd size, drought, and economics. America is literally short of cows. These agricultural realities promise sustained high beef prices through 2024 and 2025.

During COVID-19, many US beef slaughter and processing facilities shut down, backing up inventories of American beef awaiting slaughter. A crushing drought concurrently drove up feed prices, withered pastures (requiring the purchase of yet more pricey feed), strained animals, and dried-up water supplies. Many farms liquidated cows and other livestock prematurely, even as they plowed wilted feed crops into the ground. Texas farmers sold off an estimated 50% of that state’s cow herds in 2022; New Mexico reportedly reduced herd size by 43% and Oregon by 41%. Many farmers around the nation simply sold up and stopped rearing cows.

USDA reports that America’s beef herd numbers are now lower than they have been in five decades. These modern cows boast improved genetics over the bessies of our forebears due to selective breeding, offering significantly higher slaughter weights. However, the dramatic reduction of US cow numbers will not be rebuilt without a short-term leap in prices.

Meat Alternatives

Chickens for the American dinner table can be raised from chick to plate in a matter of a few months, and hens lay eggs nearly daily. Pigs yield large litters twice annually, and their young are raised for market in four to five months. Sheep generally deliver twins or triplets, ready to eat in four months to a year. Cows are very different animals, and their flesh cannot be accelerated to market like manufactured goods when consumer demand increases.

A cow’s gestation period is 285 days (nine and a half months) compared to a pig’s 114 days and a sheep’s 147 days. Cows rarely have twins, and that single calf for meat will take two years on grain to raise to slaughter weight, adding another six months for grass-fed. Drastic shocks to beef ranching thus require a longer time for a rebound than other livestock farming, and this shock has been drastic. As prices rise, farmers will hold back cows and heifers (young female calves) for future breeding programs as they have already lost breeding stock. New market entrants will seek breeder cows, while many consumers eyeing nosebleed steak prices will seek an animal to fence into a few acres for their own use if they have the space. Meanwhile, strong milk prices mean fewer dairy farm culls for the meat-packer.

Demands for replacement breeding stock will thus compound beef price increases, creating a vicious market cycle as animal scarcity for both grocery stores and farmyards fuels a buying frenzy usually reserved for real estate bubbles and Beanie Babies. But cows are food, and Americans have a thing for their burgers and fries. They will keep paying the higher prices.

Food Inflation Widespread

Although beef prices have rocketed 30% higher since February 2020, pork is up 27% and chicken 45% (and eggs 50%). Relative to other meats, beef remains competitive. As beef prices climb moonward in 2024 and beyond, Americans will still want their barbecued favorites. Studies show consumers desire quality beef cuts to replicate restaurant dining at home. They seek “value,” and they value beef every bit as much as the developing populations that consistently increase their beef consumption as soon as it becomes economically affordable. (That growing demand, too, continues to boost prices.)

Fake meats will not assuage meat-eating tailgaters at NASCAR races and football stadiums: Even vegans are becoming disenchanted with the stuff. Highly processed meat alternatives are not competitive on taste, even if they do manage to compete on cost. People are becoming aware of the health benefits of red meats (especially grass-fed) as opposed to high-carb diets, and it is unlikely they will ever prefer a cricket burger with fake beet juice masquerading as blood over a quarter-pounder with cheese. Synthetic meats might offer an alternative, except the industry has been hopelessly stalled by problems delivering edible products at cost or scale. It is light-years away from meeting the growing meat demand.

European farmers have vocally risen up against ill-conceived agendas by governments to reduce cow numbers and shutter farms. American consumers largely insulated from the travails of their native food growers will doubtless be gaining a crash course in the life cycle of cows in 2024, as the reality that one cannot quickly rebuild devastated herds impact supermarket checkout counters. So, too, will the calls to eliminate gentle cows be brought into greater political relief as tension rises between the human palate and technocratic climate cult fantasies.

Outlook 2024

Many variables still bear on the future of beef prices. The USDA intends to open US beef markets to Paraguayan cows, which could serve either as a pressure valve against price shocks by procuring additional ready-for-table inventory or a complete tire-popper if dreaded hoof-and-mouth disease infects US herds via the Paraguayan vector. Mild winter weather would help fatten cows and reduce feed costs. Conversely, brutal cold snaps deter weight gain and increase input costs. The colder it gets, the more cows eat and the harder it is for them to maintain their condition.

Amid these unforeseeable variables remains a predictable shortage of animals that will persist as ranchers scramble to meet consumer demands for quality beef products. Imported animals and drought-cushioned prices for two years while quietly seeding the current shortfall. Consumers will not be over the moon at the news, but hamburger is likely to remain pricey until the cows come home.

The post Beef Prices Just Jumped Over the Moon: Here’s Why appeared first on Granite Grok.

I’ve been writing about the government-assisted suicide slippery slope for a while, so seeing this particular aspect of my predictions for the practice is not surprising. It is, however, still alarming, or it should be.

In 2021, [Kayla] Pollock, being immunocompromised and a type one diabetic, received two doses of the Pfizer jab after hearing mainstream media, politicians, and public health officials urge everyone to take the experimental shots.

Another reason that Pollock took the injection was to visit her father in a long-term care facility. Pollock said she did not feel any adverse effects after her first two shots.

Just four days after receiving a Moderna Booster (her third COVID shot), “she collapsed after her legs “gave out.” She was able to get up a short time after but experienced the same thing nine days later. Pollock then called her doctor, looking to see a neurologist.”

Within a few weeks, she was paralyzed from the neck down.

Pollock was given an MRI, which revealed that she had a very large lesion on her spinal cord. According to an audio recording taken by Pollock’s boyfriend, the neurologist said that his “gut impression” was that “it was caused by the vaccine,” adding that many people have had similar conditions.

Safe AND Effective.

Pollock, a mom in Ontario, is not just a victim of the government-run healthcare system; she’s trapped in it, which makes her a burden on the system and the taxpayers who support it. The Health Care Industrial Complex lied to her and put her in an untenable situation, leading to her infirmity. That same system thinks it would be a great idea if they could convince her to let them end her life.

Pollock was later diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a condition that interrupts the transmission of messages along the spinal cord nerves throughout the body. During her several-month stay at the hospital, Pollock revealed that doctors offered her so-called “Medical Assistance in Dying” (MAID), or euthanasia, twice, but she refused both times.

Good for her for refusing, but the system that put her here must now care for her, and she doesn’t have a lot of options. The other important point is that, as the doctor noted, “many people have had similar conditions.” That there are millions of others with other conditions, including mental health issues resulting from non-pharmacological interventions. Loss of jobs, income, homelessness, loneliness, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse are all extensions of the government’s desire to scratch its totalitarian itch.

Many of those individuals will be counseled by government “health care professionals” to embrace death as a result of something the government did to them. They might not be in as dire a circumstance as Kayla, but this is true for all of them. They will keep asking.

And, if the Government gets powerful enough, a time might come when you don’t get a say and they don’t need to ask.

 

The post Slippery Meet Slope – Doctors Recommend Assisted Suicide to Woman Paralyzed by COVID Jab appeared first on Granite Grok.

As promised in Monday Memes, I have an overflow. My meme cup runneth over.  And yes there will be a Friday edition too.

Let the mayhem, mockery, and ridicule resume:

 

*** Warning, a few possibly off-color ones, in case tender eyes are about.  Definitely some rather “colorful language”! ***

 

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

 

They can scour posts for every keyword and so on related to Covid & The Jab or J6 or 2020, but can’t stop this?  Something doesn’t add up to me.

 

 

 

 

Honestly, if there’s anyone who thinks they WON’T try to steal it, they’re a lost cause at this point.

 

 

Understand – I don’t want to be doubting things.  I don’t want to be looking at things wondering “What’s the motive”?  I don’t want to believe that there are incredibly powerful groups of people wanting me dead.  I just want to live my life.  Being paranoid and not trusting was forced on me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Room and board, right?

 

 

 

Every time I go vote I wonder if I’ll get there and be told I already voted… and WTF do I do then?

 

 

No, no, no – that’s just not possible here.  Said the people with stability privilege.

 

 

 

Between this and “carbon capture” they risk killing all life on earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MHO, you want access to women’s spaces?  You gotta be committed and lose the junk first.  Then we’ll talk.

 

 

 

 

Like comedian Jimmy Dore said, research used to be called READING.

 

 

 

 

Odd that they’re updating this now, isn’t it.

 

 

 

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

PSA – PSA – PSA – PSA – PSA

 

 

If this goes through, then YOU WILL OWN NOTHING is coming soon after.  All they need to do is track house appreciation and, when your house goes up by – say – 50%, demand part of that.  And hit you with this every couple of years as they run the presses and drive prices ever-higher.  And if you own any jewelry, will that be counted as gold and silver prices skyrocket?  Don’t bet against it.  Art?  Doubtless.

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Links (some from me, some from my Jarhead friend):

 

Caught Red Handed: Fauci, Gates & Moderna are responsible for the COVID Pandemic – U.S. D.O.D issued a ‘COVID-19 Research’ contract 3 Months before COVID was known to exist – & Fauci & Moderna had a Vaccine ready in Dec. 2019 – The Expose (expose-news.com)

How did they have “Covid 19” already named before the first documented case?  (I know, rhetorical question.)

RFK, Jr.: The Secret at Simpsonwood, Mercury & the ‘A’ Word (deeprootsathome.com)

More and more I am 100% convinced that pharma is an industry that, while it might occasionally benefit, the goal is profit no matter how many are injured, maimed, or killed.

Report 94: Pfizer Secretly Studied a Heart Damage Marker, Troponin I, in Five- to 15-Year-Olds, Following mRNA COVID Vaccination in 2021. (substack.com)

While the CDC was urging parents to vaccinate their kids, Pfizer was studying how badly its mRNA COVID vaccine damaged children’s hearts.

 

 

Do not forget this video:

 

https://granitegrok.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/naomi-wolf-they-knew.mp4

 

Also:

Pfizer, FDA, CDC Hid Proven Harms to Male Sperm Quality, Testes Function, from mRNA Vaccine Ingredients (substack.com)

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the Registrational Trials and Global Vaccination Campaign – PMC (nih.gov)

A paper with notable authors!  On the Jab:

Arguments for Halting Covid-19 Vaccines (substack.com)

In general about medicine:

Why the public continues to lose faith with the medical community – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman

—

It Would Be a Shame if Anything Happened to Your Kid… | Gates of Vienna

Remember, these people are missionaries.  They’re creating a “better world” and you, your kids, your country, don’t matter to them.

 

 

—

France says Western troops in Ukraine possible without breaching ‘belligerence threshold’ – Insider Paper

And yet:

‘No plans for NATO combat troops’ in Ukraine: official – Insider Paper

US ‘will not send troops to fight in Ukraine:’ White House – Insider Paper

Which brings to mind this:

 

 

Official: Johnson Forced Kyiv To Refuse Russian Peace Deal ━ The European Conservative

—

NY & The End Of The American Way Of Life | Armstrong Economics

Doug Ross @ Journal: VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: The Left’s 20 New Rules (directorblue.blogspot.com)

I am, again, reminded of this movie scene:

A Man for All Seasons – The Devil Speech (youtube.com)

Along with the truckers boycott of NYC, capital investment firms are openly saying “don’t do business in New York any more”:

https://gellerreport.com/2024/02/ceo-of-cardone-capitol-declares-immediately-discontinue-all-underwriting-on-new-york-city-real-estate-in-wake-of-insane-ruling-in-trump-case.html/

Related:

https://gellerreport.com/2024/02/big-money-flees-ny.html/

—

Canada Set to Criminalise Christianity · Caldron Pool

The Lord their Marx is a jealous deity.  And it won’t just be Christians.  Anyone with any faith in a being higher than man.  Related:

 

 

 

—

Biden Unveils LGBT Rules to Force Males into Girls’ Restrooms at School (substack.com)

Utter degeneracy.

—

Bill Gates Says India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory in America – The People’s Voice (thepeoplesvoice.tv)

Bill Gates of Hell should go there.  The sooner the better.  Related in my mind:

Our Sneaky Phones (townhall.com)

—

Home Insurance Costs Rapidly Surging — Could Force American Families Out of These 10 States (resistthemainstream.com)

Another way for them to force you to get out of your house.

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was on a business trip to China several years ago.  Oddly, nobody stopped by my room to offer me diamonds.

 

 

 

Willful blindness + stupidity = bad consequences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Pick of the Post:

 

Not specifically a meme (picture), but… Trump should post this, and others like Barackus, Chuck E Cheese Schumer, Pelosi, and more, and simply say “I’m Donald Trump, and I approve the Democrats’ message”:

 

https://granitegrok.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/clinton-on-illegals.mp4

 

This one’s a good start!

NEW – Trump’s new ad: “You’re not safe in Joe Biden’s America.”

 

https://granitegrok.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gaslighting-on-border.mp4

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Palate cleansers:

 

—

—

 

Throw in some broccoli sautéed with a lot of garlic!

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Come back on Friday for more memes.  Same meme time.  Same meme channel.

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

The post Meme Overflow appeared first on Granite Grok.

Laken Hope Riley was a 22-year-old attending the University of Georgia. She was well respected and loved on campus, and people who knew Laken were impressed with her energy and willingness to help anyone in need. People admired Laken’s love of life. Laken went for a run last week on a popular running trail that has been trusted and used by students and staff for years.

It was on this trail that Laken met Jose Antonio Ibarra. It was on this trail that Ilbarra supposedly killed Leken, ending her life before it really started. This senseless end of Laken Riley’s life did not have to happen but did because of the reckless decisions of Joe Biden and Alvin Bragg. Laken’s death will be forever on the conscience of Joe Biden and Alvin Bragg.

Ibarra is an illegal migrant from Venezuela who has been in this country for two years. He was arrested in New York City in 2023, less than one week after he entered illegally, for assault on a minor but was released before ICE could take him into custody. Now, he may have elevated his terror on our country by killing an innocent co-ed, changing a family forever. We had him, let him go free, and now a beautiful young woman with her life and dreams before her will be laid to rest.

The White House finally made a statement today, giving their condolences to the family. When George Floyd died in Minneapolis, the Biden White House posted over 25 text messages in the first 24 hours. When this poor excuse for a human was wading across the Rio Grande, everyone from Biden to Harris to Mayorkas down to the incompetent Karine Jeanne-Pierre was gaslighting America that the border was closed and secure. They lied because they never had any intention to close this border and defend the sovereignty of America. These globalists, who put globalism over Nationalism, can now go to the Hallmark Shop, buy a sympathy card, sign it, and send it off to the family of Laken Hope Riley.

Biden has announced he will visit the border when the AAA Triptik arrives. He has announced he will not initiate any actions on that trip. He will hold off until the State of the Union before he does anything to secure the border with an Executive Order. He has been blaming the Republicans for months for not giving him the funds to secure the border, and he could do nothing without the backing of Congress. He Lies. He opened the border on day one by Executive Order and knows precisely what must be done to close the border today. Holding off until the State of the Union will give him the biggest bang for the buck.

Joe and his border czar, Kamala Harris, have avoided the border for three years. He delayed his visit to East Palestine, Ohio, for a year before his visit last week. He was met with such a cry of negativity that mainstream media could not cover the event. What is he going to do to take responsibility for the premature death of Laken Hope Riley? Whatever he does, it will be inadequate but will beckon the spirit of Beau.

The post Say Her Name, Joe. Her Death Is On You appeared first on Granite Grok.

For each individual case of shooting a portrait, depending on the peculiarities of the appearance, as well as the emotion conveyed, a special lighting mode is required. Every portraitist should be familiar with these basics, so that then be able to vary them at a professional level, competently breaking the rules when necessary. And the Retouchme Pro service, available at https://retouchme.com/pro/packages/portrait-retouching will help to make the shot perfect.

Basic lighting schemes

Below are the most popular and effective lighting options for portrait photography:

• Split light. The peculiarity of the reception is to divide the face into two contrasting parts: one is in the shade, the second is brightly lit. It is enough to set the lighting device at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the camera, on either side of the model – left or right. The light should fall on one side of the face, and on the shadow part from it remains only a glare in the pupil.

•  “Loop”. The peculiarity of the scheme is a small shadow on the cheek, falling from the nose of the model. To achieve this result, it is necessary to place the illuminator not at the level of the eyes of a person, but a little higher, while turning at 30-40 ° from the camera. The type of face also matters, so the angle of installation should be corrected.

• Rembrandt’s scheme. Shadows from the cheek and nose merge, forming an illuminated figure resembling a triangle. In this case, the glare of light should be present in both pupils. To get the desired effect, ask the person to turn slightly away from the window. It should be above the head of the model.

If we talk about professional shooting, then it is best to use a mirror technique that has a lens with a good focal length. For the studio, it should be within 55-135 mm, which will help to create high-quality photos with a beautiful background, without distorting the face.

Light retouching tasks in portrait photography

Even when using high-quality equipment, sometimes it is not possible to avoid some nuances that can affect the quality of the portrait. Light retouching is an essential part of the process to emphasize natural beauty, correct shadows and highlight details. Retouching light with Retouchme Pro will be a good choice for a number of reasons:

• Ease of use. The platform is available around the clock, you just need to upload your photos to the site and specify your wishes, which can cover not only light correction, but also: skin retouching, face reshaping, teeth whitening and more. The platform offers customized processing, which is performed by the service team, not artificial intelligence.

• Broad capabilities. Shadow correction, deep texture work, softening and removing imperfections – this is a short list of services. Light retouching allows you to highlight key elements of a portrait.

• Quality level. Retouchers carefully select filters and presets for each of your photos. Processing is done manually, so the result is significantly different from many mediocre applications.

The waiting period after uploading a photo is no more than a day, and the price of processing one photo starts from 50 cents and will depend on the amount of work and your requirements. Thus, Retouchme Pro will not only give portraits perfect lighting, but also create the right atmosphere, emphasizing the expressiveness of faces and adding additional accents.

The post The Role of Light in Creating Spectacular Portraits appeared first on Granite Grok.

Michigan has a caucus and a primary on different days, and they both assign delegates. Yesterday, the Wolverine State held its primary, and like it or not, Trump pulled almost 70% of the vote.

While 16 Michigan delegates to the Republican National Convention were allocated based on the primary results, the majority—39—of the state’s 55 delegates will be awarded as a result of caucusing on March 2.

The main event will be in Grand Rapids, where former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) will oversee a convention at which party insiders will vote on how to divvy up the remaining delegates.

When Darling Nikki lost her state, she proudly announced that the number of voters she got wanted to change. The primary issue was that in South Carolina, she was only popular in heavily Democrat counties ). But we already knew Democrats didn’t want Trump. We also know that Haley is far too entangled with the uniparty to represent anything but a fresh face on an old problem.

The Donald, on the other hand, is far from perfect, but he has a record of doing things that put America and Americans first, and that had resonated in seven straight primary victories with 50% or more of the vote.

Given that this is a Republican Party primary, it might not be in the best interest of Americans or America to accept Haley’s claim that the Democrats voting for her want something different from what we’ve experienced in the past several years. After all, Joe Biden got 81% of the Democrat vote in his Michigan Primary.

 

The post Trump Crushes Haley in Michigan With Nearly 70% of the Vote appeared first on Granite Grok.

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, we must think and act anew.” ~Abraham Lincoln

America, the land of liberty, has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity for people worldwide. Its founding principles – liberty, freedom, and justice – have shaped its identity. This foundation, laid by the framers, has come to be known as American Exceptionalism.

However, in the face of evolving challenges, it is imperative that we not only understand the concept but actively work to preserve and strengthen it for future generations.

When asked what kind of government the delegates had created, Benjamin Franklin famously replied, “A republic if you can keep it.” These words hold even greater significance as we confront a crucial juncture in our country’s history.

The slogan “Make America Great Again” is not merely a catchphrase; it embodies a call to action, a commitment to uphold the values that have made America exceptional. In recent years, however, these values have come under attack. The Obama/Biden administration failed to deliver its promises, leaving many Americans disillusioned and disheartened. To the leftists, failure is not only acceptable but expected.

Since Donald Trump announced his candidacy, the Democrats have launched one failed hoax after another in an attempt to derail his presidency. Their efforts, driven by fraudulent claims and partisan agendas, have only sought to erode the genuine efforts of a president with good intentions.

But now is not the time for despair. Our highest priority must be the preservation of our nation’s freedom. We have faced challenges before and emerged more robust, and we must do so again.

The threats we face today are manifold: encroaching Islamism, socialism, Marxism. These ideologies seek to undermine the very foundations of our society, threatening our individual liberty and prosperity. But we cannot afford to succumb to fear or complacency.

To combat these threats, it is crucial to articulate clear policy proposals that uphold American values. This includes: 

• It is strengthening educational programs that promote an understanding of American history, values, and the principles of democracy.
• We are advocating for policies that support the free market and individual freedoms, thereby countering the collectivist ideologies that seek to undermine these principles.
• Promoting international cooperation and alliances that support the spread of democracy and the rule of law, thereby countering the global reach of authoritarian ideologies.

Freedom, in all its forms, is our greatest legacy. Throughout history, brave men and women have fought and died to protect it. From the battlefields of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, Americans have made countless sacrifices to safeguard our way of life.

In the not-too-distant past, we confronted and defeated the forces of Nazism, Fascism, and Communism. We stood firm against tyranny and oppression, refusing to waver in adversity. And now, we must once again rise to meet the challenges of our time.

The insidious threat of leftism, socialism, Islamism, and Marxism looms large, but we cannot afford to shrink from the fight. We must meet these challenges head-on, with courage and determination.

Now is the time to stand up and be counted. We cannot give up or give in. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to preserve our nation’s freedom and ensure a bright future for generations to come.

This will require unity, resolve, and a steadfast commitment to our core principles. We must be willing to defend our freedoms against all who seek to undermine them, whether foreign or domestic.

But we cannot do it alone. We need the support of every patriotic American who believes in the principles that make this country great. Together, we can overcome any challenge and emerge stronger than ever before.

For those who are concerned about the direction of the country, there are practical actions that can be taken to support the preservation of American values:

• Vote in elections, and this is a must.
• Participate in local community activities and public discourse to influence policy and public opinion.
• Educate yourself and others about the principles of American exceptionalism and the importance of defending these values.

Defending America against all enemies is not just a slogan but a solemn duty that falls on everyone. We must be willing to stand up for what is right, defend our freedoms, and ensure that America remains a shining beacon of liberty for the world to see.

Now is the time to rise to the occasion, embrace the challenges before us, and reaffirm our commitment to the principles that have made America the greatest nation on earth. United, we will prevail.

These profound words from John F. Kennedy still resonate deeply: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

The post Preserving Freedom in the Face of Challenges appeared first on Granite Grok.

This week, my committee continued with public hearings. HB 1188, qualifications of licensed nursing assistants, was an attempt to ease the requirement for fluency in English for this lowest level of nursing licensees. The bill separated the requirements for LNAs from those for other nurses, who still need to show their proficiency. (Interestingly, no other medical profession needs to demonstrate their language skills to the state.) This seemed a reasonable request to the committee, but the bill went to subcommittee to ensure some issues that came up in another bill are covered.

HB 1190, adopting the interstate compact for social workers, had lengthy testimony about how useful this would be for the social workers. Any discipline would need to be in the state where the misbehavior occurred – but that would only affect that one state – or in the home state, which could affect every compact state. No subcommittee is needed on this one – we can’t change the wording and have dealt with other compacts.

My subcommittee met on the two building code bills. HB 1387, procedural changes, was recommended with only a minor change – allowing review of a code that had been published a year before rather than two. The legislative cycle is stately enough that it adds a year to the approval cycle, and sometimes, the code update requires more time. On HB 1059, the actual building code update, we discussed the energy code and, after some discussion, concluded that we didn’t want to go to the updated energy code for “residences,” which, in New Hampshire, includes pretty much all buildings up to three stories and under 4000 square feet. So apartment houses are commercial, and a small office building is “residential.” We weren’t too opposed to updating the commercial code, but hadn’t discussed the fine points of separating the two codes.

HB 1328 simply defined first responders as essential services. The sponsor didn’t show up to explain the point of the bill; we agreed that it was harmless, even if not obviously necessary. So we voted to pass it.

We want to thank Rep. Carol McGuire for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
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I presented my HB 1622, a series of updates on administrative rulemaking procedures, with an addition from the staff adding a few more points… I pointed out the stricter enforcement of the ban on expired rules, including a requirement that fees or fines be refunded. The bill went to subcommittee, with the amendment but no actual opposition.

HB 1174 would require that the rules on plumbing apprentices not limit any licensee to fewer than three apprentices. The sponsors had found out that the rule existed, and they hoped to increase the supply of plumbers by changing the rule. They hadn’t got together with the OPLC or the board to request the rule be changed, though. We had a couple of plumbers talk about this; some wanted more than one, and some were concerned that not enough apprentices were entering the field – but they agreed that any apprentice that wanted a job could get one, and probably at $20/hr and up! Finally, the head of the apprenticeship council decided to talk with us and pointed out that the limit on apprentices per licensee is included in the training agreement each person signs with the federal apprenticeship council. New Hampshire doesn’t have its own but uses the federal one for multiple apprenticeships: plumbers, electricians, and gas fitters. Any plumber looking to add multiple apprentices can ask for a waiver of their one-on-one rule, but no one has in his memory. So,

the rule is not the obstacle, but we should probably fix it anyway. We voted to kill the bill, at least partly because a similar bill (for two apprentices) is in the Senate, and it has been amended to make the registration with the federal office optional rather than mandatory, which addresses many other concerns.

HB 1252 establishes a study committee for Native Americans, with two main duties: looking into state recognition of some of the local tribes and studying the structure and function of the Commission on Native Affairs. We discussed this at some length and finally voted 14-2 to recommend it to pass. The two were myself, since I don’t want to serve on such a committee, and the sponsor of HB 1474, updating the structure of the commission on Native Americans. He thought we should see what happens from HB 1474 before studying the commission. HB 1474 was also heard without opposition and is likely to pass, but the sponsor wants to fix some wording before it leaves the committee.

Finally, we heard HB 1335, once again trying to remove Columbus Day as a holiday. The sponsor spoke about her opposition to the “fake history” and myths that, in her opinion, created Columbus’ heroic legend. Then a dozen people with Italian names spoke in opposition, pointing out how Columbus Day is a day to celebrate our immigrant heritage, and was created in an attempt to appease Italians over the prejudice and discrimination suffered by Italian Americans. We voted 14-1 to recommend to kill the bill.

Thursday, we were in session for a planned full day since it was the deadline for bills going to a second committee – usually Finance (for significant spending,) Ways & Means (for taxes or fees,) Criminal Justice (criminal penalties,) or ED&A.

(for licensing and/or rulemaking.) As it happened, ED&A didn’t get any more bills from other committees this year!

First, we reconsidered HB 154, where we had last week concurred with a Senate amendment that completely rewrote the bill into technical details about the use of vote-counting machines. The opponents of vote counting machines – and the supporters of the original bill, which had been completely erased – urged us to reconsider so that a committee of conference could be formed to debate these issues. I had supported the original bill but was inclined to vote against reconsideration because I appreciated the new language and didn’t think the Senate was interested in a conference on this bill. However, the Democrats were urging their partisans to vote against reconsideration, so I went for it: no difference, the vote was 162-201, and reconsideration failed.

HB 1111, creating a penalty for false reports of abuse or neglect of children, adopted the committee amendment without comment, and then we debated a floor amendment which also penalized a failure to report by mandated professionals. This passed 190-183, then the bill passed 199-179. A motion to reconsider failed, 174-207.

HB 1282, adjusting the duration of child support to agree with other laws, passed without comment. HB 1425, prohibiting suspension of drivers’ licenses in child support enforcement, was killed on a voice vote. I had supported the bill, but the fact that it was prohibited by federal rules swayed the committee, and the House.

HB 1564, updating child support guidelines, and HB 1573, setting criteria for residential placement of children, both passed without debate. HB 1595,

another bill adjusting child support guidelines from differing ratios of parenting time, had a fairly long debate that seemed to be between representatives, both in favor of the bill! It passed 219-162.

HB 1633, legalizing and regulating the sale of cannabis, was, as expected, debated at length. Oddly, the debate on the committee amendment was not between supporters and opponents of legalization (that happened on the motion of ought to pass as amended) but between the purists and the compromisers. The purists wanted home grow and unlimited sales locations; the compromisers offered an “agency store” position limited to 15 stores initially. Not my favorite model, but it might be considered favorably by the Senate and the Governor, who have always been the stumbling blocks for legalization. The amendment passed 263-116, and the bill passed 239-141.

HB 1649, prohibiting certain products containing PFAS, on the other hand, was amended and passed without debate. HB 1674, allowing the legal use of gold and silver as currency, quietly and quickly
went to interim study.

HB 1050, creating a voluntary waiver of the right to purchase a firearm, was debated on the need for this measure and any unintended consequences – such as creating a list of people who owned guns or those who thought themselves too unstable to possess deadly weapons. The ought to pass motion failed 179-200, and the bill was killed 205-175. Indefinite postponement passed 204-177.

Indefinite postponement is death with prejudice; it prevents any bill on the same topic from being introduced or considered. At this point in the session, the main result is not to prevent new bills but to block any similar – or amended – ones coming from the Senate.

HB 1186 prohibits the use of a credit card merchant code that identifies a firearm purchase (sorry if you earn extra miles this month by purchasing a gun!) It was debated and passed, 203-174. The opposition claimed to be concerned about federal law enforcement investigating terrorists…

HB 1330, establishing a disciplinary review panel for emergency medical services, was not killed, 54-320. A floor amendment to make this panel similar to the advisory boards used in some professions passed on a voice vote, as did the bill. Similarly, HB 1339, establishing procedures and time frames for court hearings to return firearms to their rightful owners, passed without debate.

HB 1128, intending to insist that the education freedom account administrator be a not-for-profit organization incorporated in New Hampshire, was debated, not passed, 185-188, not tabled, 189-189, then indefinitely postponed, 191-187. Being the New Hampshire affiliate or subsidiary is good enough for many charities (Cancer Society, Red Cross, Planned Parenthood…)

HB 1288, establishing due process rights at state colleges and universities, passed 192-185 after a short debate. HB 1517 would cut the state-wide education property tax (SWEPT) by any increase in gambling revenues over the 2023 level. It was debated, with the opposition insisting that it wouldn’t cut property taxes enough to notice; proponents would take what we can get. The bill passed 196-184.

HB 1583, updating the cost of an “adequate” education, was explained at excruciating length by the Education committee and briefly debated on the wisdom of increasing funding when the academic results are so mediocre. It passed 228-150 and went to Finance for more work. HB 1656,

which separated the special education students into three groups, based on the amount of extra services they receive, passed without comment – and also went to Finance.

HB 1675, reducing the state adequacy grant to schools that did not get all of their students (less special education and English learners) to the “proficient” level, was debated intensely and killed on a voice vote.

HB 1686, requiring excess SWEPT funds – those more than enough to cover the state education funding – be returned to the education trust fund, was setting up for a lively debate when it was tabled, 193-181. I was opposed because the current implementation of the SWEPT unconstitutionally allows towns with excess SWEPT (due to high property values or minimal numbers of students) to keep the surplus and set other tax rates negative!

HB 1426, creating an “independent” redistricting commission, was indefinitely postponed, 192-186. None of the “ independent” redistricting advisors or consultants I met as part of the redistricting committee last session seemed to be without bias, and I’m not sure it’s possible.

HB 1577, allowing access to digital images of ballots (after the count, and any recounts) would let any voter verify how his ballot was counted, or the correlation between races, or any number of interesting analyses of the data. It was debated on privacy issues about revealing the handwriting on ballots with write-in votes – rather a stretch. The bill passed 193-182.

HB 1184, funding the state organic certification program, was debated as being unnecessary and unsustainable. The program supports 66 (of 132) organic farms (of over 4000 total farms in the state), and the current fees cover about a tenth of the cost of running the program. There are planned fee hikes if the program continues, but it could never be sustainable. Several other organizations offer organic certification, so ending the program should not harm our farmers. The bill was not passed, 185-187, killed on a voice vote, and not reconsidered, 182-193.

HB 1630 would establish an extended producer program in the state. This is an attempt to reduce solid waste by targeting the producers of packaging and other trash; it’s a complex program and hard to implement, as Maine is finding out. After some debate, the bill was killed, 199-179.

HB 1680, prohibiting the sale of cats and dogs by pet shops, was killed, 260-117, after minimal debate. Since the bill grandfathered the five pet stores in the state, it’s not clear much of a message would be sent to the out-of-state “puppy mills” targeted by the supporters.

From my committee, HB 1307, a pension supplement for disability retirees, passed without comment. HB 1394, music therapists, had a short debate where I pointed out that the usual basis for licensure (public safety from unqualified practitioners) was not the reason this bill keeps coming up: no, it’s so music therapists can bill Medicaid, the Veterans’ Administration, and most insurance companies that insist on a license. I lost 194-186. As expected – some Republicans who might otherwise have voted with me had testified that they wanted to make music therapy available at the Veterans’ Administration.

HB 1466, disaster relief for municipalities, and HB 1647 revising the GII pension calculation, both passed, with the committee amendments, without discussion and went, with the other two, to

Finance. HB 1689, restricting the use of personal information from Vital Records by state agencies, went to interim study on a voice vote.

HB 1303 distributed the estate of Tekeste Berhanu – an immigrant who came to New Hampshire as a child, did well, and left a substantial estate that went to the state when he had only a handwritten will – to three organizations supporting immigrant and refugee children, as he had wished. This passed without comment, as did HB 1593, some minor additional funding for developmental services, and HB 1669, protecting the privacy of individuals in the state immunization registry from access by other states.

HB 1178, requiring employers to pay off unused earned time (sick or vacation) when laying off the employees or a change of ownership, was debated at some length on a floor amendment that clarified the language. It passed 199-179, as twelve Republicans joined all the Democrats in favor. The bill passed 198-180.

HB 1322, increasing the state minimum wage, was also debated longer than I thought really necessary – this is a perennial bill, and we’ve all heard the arguments multiple times. It was not passed, 187-192, not tabled, 189-191, and indefinitely postponed, 193-187.

HB 1377, right to work, also had the expected long, heated debate before being indefinitely postponed, 212-168, with 23 Republicans joining all the Democrats.

HB 1522, increasing the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit, was tabled on a voice vote before any debate.

Flushed with victory, the ranking Democrat on the

Labor Committee moved to take HB 232 off the table. This bill imposed federal OSHA regulations on public employers rather than the more localized safety requirements from the NH Department of Labor. This motion failed 182-186, and HB 232 stayed on the table.

HB 1468 directs the Department of Transportation to work with the Division of Trails and other stakeholders to determine the best use for the unused Conway branch rail bed. It passed without comment.

HB 1423, requiring the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to identify all old-growth forests in the state, was indefinitely postponed, 228-141, before the debate. The committee had rejected the bill because there is a state forest action plan developed in 2020 that addresses the concerns but doesn’t require spending the time and effort to inventory these forests immediately.

HB 1709 establishes a commission to study the effects of using forests as carbon credits. It passed without discussion.

HB 1465 consolidates nuclear, hydrogen, and other innovative energy technologies into the Office of Offshore Wind and renames it the Office of Energy Innovation. After some debate – mostly opposed to nuclear energy – the bill passed on a voice vote.

HB 1472 would rebate $1000 or $2000 to New Hampshire buyers of electric vehicles, taken from the Renewable Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) fund. These funds come from all power producers in New England and, eventually, from the ratepayers; in New Hampshire, they are then rebated to the power users, although it doesn’t amount to much per household. The bill was debated, with supporters wanting to encourage EV use, and opponents claiming it required the average person to subsidize the (usually wealthy) EV buyers. The bill was not amended, 187-191, not indefinitely postponed, 188-189; debated some more then not passed, 187-192, not tabled, 189-191, and killed on a voice vote! Mercifully, reconsideration failed, 187-192, or we could go through it all over again.

HB 1697 was amended on a voice vote to require the department of revenue and division of forests to maintain public records on forest lands enrolled in carbon credit offset programs, The amended bill then passed, 356-10.

HB 1611, creating a child care workforce fund, plans to use this fund to help recruitment and retention of childcare workers by providing grants that would reimburse employers for various employee benefits. It passed 195-169, with no debate, despite having no source of funds…

The post Night Cap: Your State House – A Comprehensive Round Up of Last Week’s Legislative Activity appeared first on Granite Grok.

It is a well-known legislative strategy in the NH House to protect a “win” against later efforts of your opponents to convert it into a loss. This is especially important when the numbers of Reps on each side of the aisle are fairly close together, as we find ourselves now.

Thus, when the majority has won a vote on a bill, no matter whether it was determined to pass or fail, the win can be protected by the simple process of having a Rep who voted in the majority move for reconsideration (yes, only a single Rep is required to make such a motion) and urge voting AGAINST the reconsideration motion. If the reconsideration motion is defeated (assuming that those who voted on the winning side will also vote against reconsideration), the bill cannot be brought up before the House again until the next legislative session quite a way down the road.

So, last Thursday, the morning votes went fairly well for the Republican majority, even though by very small margins. But it has been reported that some Dem operatives were standing by the chamber doors to record who was leaving for the day and who was staying, so they could adjust their own strategy. And in the afternoon, after several Republican Reps had left early for the day, shifting the majority of those present to the Dems, the Dems brought virtually all of the morning bills that had been handled successfully by the Republicans back for reconsideration, at which point, since the Dems now had a small majority, the prior actions on those bills were reversed, handing the Republicans a series of defeats- unforced errors.

One might ask how this could happen. One might ask why no Republican Reps attempted to lock in their morning victories by seeking reconsideration and having reconsideration defeated when the Republicans still held a majority in attendance. The simple answer is that no Republican Reps sought such reconsideration or were asked or encouraged to do so through what appears to be an abject failure of the so-called “leadership” in the House. Some might even call it political malpractice.

If that so-called “leadership” cannot implement even the simplest legislative strategy, one might wonder why they are still in “leadership.”

And it is very well known that the Republican majority in the House is now very thin, making attendance and voting by Republican Reps absolutely essential. There have been numerous statements by very smart people about the benefits and necessity of simply showing up (at the General Court as in everything in life):
“Showing up is half the battle in life. The ones who have the life they want showed up every single day and did the work. It’s not about doing intense work or doing smart, complicated work. It’s about just showing up to work and seeing the day through to the end by giving it effort.”

Yet we seem to have some Reps claiming to be Republicans whose attendance at House voting sessions is abysmal. If they do not care enough to show up and vote, they should not be in the House.

The post How Republicans Are Turning Wins Into Losses appeared first on Granite Grok.

Democrats famously walked out of a session of the NH House when a Republican began reading smut from a book they want to be left in public schools. Books that include drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, and adult-child sex. If they aren’t groomers or abetting the practice, what then is this?

This is truly a battle between good and evil!@COHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/8myMM38pOc

— Representative Scott Bottoms (@repscottbottoms) February 17, 2024

All day in committee we discussed whether or not to require jail time for somebody that buys little children — 2, 3, 4, 5 year old kids — for sex. Right now, most of the time they get off on probation after buying and raping a little child. We tried to get a bill through, (representative Bradley’s) to ensure these buyers do time, a minimum of 4 years.

But democrats voted a 100% against putting these pedophiles in jail. They defended the pedophiles! They came up with all kinds of reasons, including that these buyers are victims themselves.

It doesn’t help that the same Democrats (not all, but most) are all-in for open borders, which has abetted child and human sex trafficking. If pressed in “safe spaces” with the right company, they will easily admit that adult-child sex is a lifestyle choice that should be defended. States with majorities of Democrats and no one to stop them will purposefully favor the pro-pedophilia culture.

It’s who they are, and we see that when they walk out of Session or vote 100% against punishing adults caught having sex with or trafficking children. When challenged (as with the argument that limiting access to age-appropriate material is banning or censorship), the perps are the victims.

Where does this leave the children? They are physically and mentally abused – which is what Democrats are also defending, and they need to be called out on it.

 

 

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Last Week, Wolf PAC’s Cenk Uygur and his “Conservative” allies were handed a defeat in New Hampshire, and this week they were handed a defeat in Maine.

The odious Cenk Uygur, founder of Wolf  PAC, and his “conservative” allies at Convention of States and Term Limits USA were handed a defeat last week in New Hampshire when the New Hampshire House tabled HCR 8-an application for an Article V Convention by a 247-99 vote, and this week February 20,  Maine’s State Senate voted 12-18 against the Motion to Accept Majority Ought to pass report on SP 705 which was a joint collaboration between Wolf PAC and Term Limits USA, and its lobbyist Ken Quinn.

We want to thank Hal Shurtleff for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
You can review our ‘Op-Ed Guidelines‘ on the FAQ Page.

The well-funded pro-Article V Convention lobbyists have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in both states over the past ten years to no avail.  It appears that the more money they spend, the fewer votes they get.  This is due to the hard work of local activists who take the time to educate their elected officials on this issue.  However, we cannot rest on our laurels.  We need to rescind all extant applications in both states.  Thanks to all of those who helped make these victories for the U.S. Constitution possible.

Last night, a friend in Maine informed me that Ken Quinn, a lobbyist for Wolf PAC, was on a popular Maine radio show promoting an Article Convention.  I immediately E-mailed the station and asked for some equal time. Within a few minutes, Mr. Ric Tyler, co-host of the George Hale-Ric Tyler Show on WVOM FM, invited me to call in at 6:06 AM.  Here is the interview.

The post Convention of States and Term Limits USA Lose in Maine and New Hampshire appeared first on Granite Grok.

There are still a lot of towns in New Hampshire that gather every year for Town Meeting. In a crowded room, all your neighbors raise their hands and say yeah and nay in front of everyone else. It could always get contentious, but in today’s political climate, you could get branded or targeted. There’s a cure for that.

SB2 was the Senate Bill that allowed towns to switch to a secret ballot for casting votes on town business, budgets, warrant articles, and so on. You got the chance to have your say and keep your anonymity. It’s not mandatory, but a town can vote for it using a ballot, just not in the traditional sense. If someone wants to switch to server balloting for future “elections” and town business – at present – you have to do that during town meeting, by submitting your ballot to the moderator.

It’s still sort of secret, but you walk up and hand in your ballot. There is legislation to change that to make it a truly secret ballot vote.

To quote a reader, HB1175 “If enacted, would restore the original (pre-2019) language by providing for an all-day vote by secret ballot at the polls to decide whether or not to adopt SB2 voting.”

The new (old) verbiage looks like this.

III. The local political subdivision shall place the question on the warrant of the annual meeting under the procedures set out in RSA 39:3 or RSA 197:6, and the question shall be voted on by official ballot in accordance with the procedures established in RSA 669:19-29, RSA 670:5-7, and RSA 671:20-30, including all requirements pertaining to absentee voting, polling places, and polling hours.

There are no vote-by-mail ballots for town meetings; you have to show up, but again, that tends to lower participation in what are often (even in SB2 towns) underperforming events. Local elections attract a fraction of registered voters, yet these are what – at least around here – determine the majority of the taxes you will pay in a year. That disinterest baffles me, but I can see why you might be reluctant to sit in a room all day and raise your hand or yell yay or nay. SB2 creates the opportunity to enhance local participation.

Secret ballots allow for informed no voters to intercede in the wreckless spending antics of (primarily) the public school system, which sucks up about 70% of the average local budget.

SB2 won’t fix that, and HB1175 doesn’t make every Town SB2; you still get to decide that locally, but if it passes, it might encourage a few towns to consider a move that is a step in that “right” direction, and that was the original intent of the law.

 

 

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As the cradle of American Liberty (Massachusetts) prepares to force its citizens to house illegals (you should start that in Lexington and Concord and see if they remember their history), New Scientist Magazine is floating a trial balloon that might solve two problems simultaneously.

Despite the lab-leaked COVID and its alleged leaky-lab preventative, too many people are still walking around on Planet Earth. The depopulation cult has deployed decades of killing pre-borns, allowing easy access to drug overdoses, and defunding police while funding criminals, and there are still too many people. Assisted suicide is catching on, but it’s early days, so what else might get the job done? Cannibalism! If you can’t beat them, eat them!

Is it time for a more subtle view on the ultimate taboo: cannibalism? https://t.co/wRmiU8ZSrZ

— New Scientist (@newscientist) February 19, 2024

Sure, we’ll open our home to a friendly migrant family if you send some seasonings and a case or two of Red River barbeque Sauce. We’ll save the planet and “relocate” some illegals at the same time. Can you imagine a marketing campaign that went something like this? US Open Borders is a cannibalism cattle call as entire families go missing, never to be seen again. It might actually flatten the curve if you take my meaning. This is, of course, the point of the eating people trial balloon. What do you say we write something about how eating people used to be normal (the way slavery?) and see who ‘bites’?

To add a catalyst, the authors even managed to claim that our disgust at the prospect of killing and eating a neighbor was racist and colonialism. And so are math and reading because illiterate zombies are easier to catch and eat, I suspect.

Cannibalism isn’t ethically too bad, and the reason that we’re against it is because… racism. pic.twitter.com/UEy0K3LWEv

— Leftism (@LeftismForU) February 20, 2024

New Scientist was not, of course, thinking we’d suggest that their idea could solve the overcrowding of America by invaders moved into the nation by the UN and the American left. They were likely thinking the opposite (they could eat us); after all, we’re the electorate that needs replacing. And Americans continue to become victims of the open border invasion by gangs, cartels, pedophiles, traffickers, terrorists, and the like.

What’s really happened is the elites are feeding us to them.

 

The post Has New Scientist Magazine Discovered a Solution to the Border/Migrant ‘Crisis’ – Cannibalism! appeared first on Granite Grok.

In a little-noticed presentation on Dec. 9, 2023, at COP28 in Dubai, a panel of soil experts presented the case for cows as climate allies, not gas-spewing destroyers. The event, titled “Conscious Livestock Rearing and Soil Health,” discussed “animal rearing’s impact on soil health and its place as a part of the climate solution.” Contrary to the anti-cow cacophony of the climate crisis crowd, these experts explained the vital role ruminants like cows play in nourishing and rebuilding precious soils. It turns out grazing cows sequester massive amounts of carbon.

On the panel of experts was Seth J. Itzkan, co-founder of SOIL4Climate, Inc., a nonprofit that “promotes soil restoration as a climate solution,” and a man akin to a Lorax for the cows.

“I would respectfully push back against the less animals narrative,” Itzkan said, referring to calls to reduce the number of cows on the planet. “I actually don’t think there’s nearly enough,” he continued. “I think we’re going to need way more ruminants on the Earth, maybe twice as many as there are now, and they will need to be managed in this way that is beneficial.”

The Case for More Cows Bill Gates, Klaus Schwab, and globalists of their ilk claim humans must cut back on meat to save the planet from doom. The entire argument is premised on claims of enteric methane emissions from cattle confined in unnatural factory operations: Rotationally grazed cows sequester more carbon dioxide in the soil with their manure than they emit when they burp. Cow manure rebuilds soils destroyed by synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals, nurturing microbial life that feeds on methane. Robust natural soils sequester more carbon dioxide than forests, yet bovines are denied any carbon credit.

Itzkan was one of many soil and agriculture experts on hidden display at the global climate summit who explained that soil health is a key element of effective environmental stewardship and that ruminants are integral to that ancient cycle. Itzkan argued that:

[G]rasslands, the second largest ecosystem on the planet after the oceans, coevolved with extensive herds of grazing ruminants. These migratory mammals were essential to giving grasslands their fertile soils which store an enormous amount of carbon. A great deal of this carbon has been lost because of poorly managed cropping and grazing. However, ecologically beneficial cropping techniques, and grazing in a way that replicates the behavior of wild herds, can replenish much of this essential element.

Where the Buffalo Roam North America’s legendary bison herds once thundered across the Great Plains, nurturing soils and the entire ecosystem. Efforts to eradicate the buffalo to undermine Native Americans starved the precious soil microbiome; subsequent compaction and tilling by tractors and equipment gradually weakened and eroded topsoils. Synthetic fertilizers (manufactured from natural gas, aka methane) replaced bison manure, while various chemical concoctions began killing off soil microbes, poisoning wells, and wiping out colonies of vital honeybees.

The push to eliminate cows has been crafted by the same industrial forces that imprisoned them in Confined Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs). Synthetic and fake meats grown from soy or corn harvested with tractors and chemicals do not rebuild soils, instead accelerating erosion and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Cows returned to roam the fields and hillsides, converting grass to meat and milk while replenishing soil health naturally.

Cows are not the cause, but the solution, of climate change. Humanity needs more cows, not fewer! Those who say otherwise are simply manure deniers.

John Klar is an Attorney, farmer, and author. Mostly farmer… And Regular Contributor to GraniteGrok and VermontGrok.

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I’m confident that people who show up drunk for work are more likely to get injured or injure someone else, but this study on weed and workplace injury suggests something less immediate and more lasting. The potential for a decline in cognitive agility with long-term use of marijuana might result in more work-related injuries.

Drunks, or those in training to be one, have well-understood immediate handicaps that fade without persistent use, joined later by chronic or terminal conditions resulting from long-term excessive use or abuse. The corpus on legalized or decriminalized marijuana, in contrast, continues to grow. Still, there are well-documented inferences to mental health issues as marijuana is a popular hobby among mental patients. Feel free to engage in “which came first debates,” as I’m sure there is evidence on both sides, but the US Department of Labor Statistics is reporting something we could add to the conversation.

U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics for 2006 through 2020 show that legal “recreational marijuana sales were associated with a 10% increase in workplace injuries among individuals aged 20 to 34 years,” the study authors concluded. … The study was published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum and co-led by Dr. Joseph Sabia, chair of the economics department at San Diego State University. ..

“Two and 3 years post-adoption, injuries were significantly higher,” the research team concluded.

Among 20-to-34-year-olds generally, on-the-job injuries rose by 10% on average, and when the data focused on folks solely engaged in full-time work, the researchers observed an 11.9% rise.

Correlation does not mean causation, but seeing as we’re in the early stages of this particular human experiment, and the legal weed train (and all the lovely taxes that will spring from it) appears unstoppable, what is society to do about this?

The idea that freedom is merely the ability to act upon one’s whims is surely very thin and hardly begins to capture the complexities of human existence; a man whose appetite is his law strikes us not as liberated but enslaved. And when such a narrowly conceived freedom is made the touchstone of public policy, a dissolution of society is bound to follow. No culture that makes publicly sanctioned self-indulgence its highest good can long survive: a radical egotism is bound to ensue, in which any limitations upon personal behavior are experienced as infringements of basic rights.

For my part, the government need not be much involved until there is a threat to the rights of others, and that threat does not include other states collecting revenues from Granite Staters that we could be collecting here. My primary objection to state involvement has long been their using appetites (liquor and tobacco taxes have long rankled my sensibilities) to accumulate revenue, with which they might then do more serious harm—the same with gambling. I’ve opposed them all on the basis of enriching legislators and regulators inspired to grow government—a far more significant threat to human liberty than any other.

Pretending to set up a slush fund to address addiction to the thing you’re peddling is deceptive misdirection; after all, where’s the slush fund to address addiction to the uncontrolled taxation, meddling, and growth of government?

So, is there some middle ground between the right to put things into your body and the effect it inevitably has on society? We’ve come to terms with alcohol, so many will say yes. And who is to complain if an employee who has harmed their cognitive agility hurts themself unless that results in the harm of others for which there are already laws to punish offenders after the fact?

It may or may not be a thorny question, but if long-term use of modern-day marijuana is proven dangerously debilitating and irreversible, what then? Are we just sacrificing future generations to death by misadventure or, worse, creating a caste of eaters? Our new morals allow us to plumb this state of decline but do not permit us just to erase the results, although there is a movement among assisted suicide advocates to convince them to do just that.

Assuming they survived their workplace injury.

The post Correlation Is Not Causation but This Is Suspicious: Workplace Injuries Rise After States Legalize Recreational Marijuana appeared first on Granite Grok.

I won’t say this is the best or worst of times, but I think it is a time of change in America. Change may be the most overused and meaningless word in politics. It is a sign of pure laziness when a candidate claims it is time for a change and thinks that says it all. It says nothing. It is tantamount to someone responding with the word interesting in a conversation.

It means and contributes nothing to the dialog. The change that is happening in America is palpable. It is a slow but growing movement rejecting the radical socialist views of the Progressive Left that were initially embraced but have proven to be failures. It is a movement that indicates a possible trend back toward more traditional values, dare I say, more conservative values.

The 2024 Presidential race is the redo that many of us have longed for and that the Democrats had hoped would never happen. The brash and maligned Trump is seeking to regain his place in history, taken by the lifelong politician, Joe Biden. In a time of change, two octogenarians will compete to be the leader of the free world, our President.

Both have been down this road, and both have won and lost. The battle in 2024 will be a contrast between a man who gets his energy from being with and in front of the people and one who has used up his energy and will run for office from his Delaware basement once again. Biden will do his best to avoid people and exposure to minimize his blunders, while Trump will balance his time between the campaign trail and various courtrooms. The 2024 Race will be our history’s most unique and confusing election.

The Democrat Party is caught in the conundrum of admitting Biden is unfit for the office and exposing the lie they have been telling for four years or sticking by their man and risking losing the Presidency. The Dems have done their best to weaponize the DOJ against Trump and force him to split his focus between the campaign and the preservation of the Trump business empire. The 91 indictments would seem insurmountable for most people, but Trump is rising above the most. Trump has the resources and the will to go toe-to-toe with those who would take him down. Leticia James and Fani Willis have exposed themselves politically, not legally, focused on taking Trump down. Each daily legal report shows a corresponding increase in Trump support. As Trump said a few weeks ago, he is one indictment away from winning the Presidency.

On the flip side, Biden will rely on his immediate surrogates and the Party to speak for him. Biden will not debate, hold a legitimate press conference, or public rally. Biden will try to win a second term by being the least transparent candidate ever. Show them nothing, say nothing, and hope the Democrat machine can produce enough votes in the crucial states to bring home the win.

Trump has to avoid a guilty verdict by a high court that will stall his campaign. New York will not survive the appeal, and Georgia is falling apart before it starts, but there are many more legal land mines between Trump and victory.

This election is unfortunate and embarrassing on the global stage, but the blame for that falls solely on the Democrats. They have a flawed incumbent candidate and an unpopular record, which forced them to get creative. Let’s hope the awakened American voters see through this and take the first step to reviving a great America, by putting Trump back in the White House for four more years.

A note from the author. This is my 1,200 article and consecutive days publishing on Conservative View From New Hampshire. I thank you for your support and look forward to keeping the streak alive. We have so much work to do but together, we can get the job done. Ray

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From a front-row seat on January 31, I observed two well-known lawyers sparring in the executive council chamber.  It was Warmington and Formella, and the heated dialogue begins at 1h21 min in this video.

Most people paying attention to the Corner Office race know that reproductive issues primarily fuel Warmington’s campaign, and she lashed out at Formella because he declined to join an amicus brief with his out-of-state counterparts.  He took it like a gentleman at the mic for about 10 minutes, claiming that it didn’t pass legal muster while she was gaslighting him.

That was not the first time Warmington became unhinged in the chamber.  A previous time, a date unknown to me at the moment, she spent about 30 minutes lashing out at Wheeler for recording his vote. As the “leader of the pack,” so to speak, one of Wheeler’s responsibilities is to deliver the meeting minutes to Scanlan’s office to be archived. Warmington took objection to Wheeler recording his vote on voice votes.  It was a “wah wah wah, transparency” cry to no avail while Wheeler defended himself, claiming that he always does that.  She claimed that he was taking advantage of the benefits of being the messenger.

There’s other fodder to make criticism of Warmington, but instead, let’s discuss the kinds of votes there are and their applications.  While I’m most certainly a Wheeler critic, I commend him for recording his vote in a VOICE VOTE, which is resoundingly transparent. A future researcher who pays little or no attention to what’s happening today has a shovel to start digging if desired.

The VOICE VOTE is used in lots of government bodies, including the executive council and both chambers of the legislature, usually to move things along and/or when the item being voted on is of little interest or consequence.  In addition to saving time, there are a few other advantages.  One of them is the subjectivity of the person running the show.  Look at the Senate, for example.  No matter how loud you hear the enemy camp shout “no” with D’Allesandro playing lead vocals, Jeb can still say, “The ayes have it, and the item is adopted.”  So it’s a great “power tool” in the toolbox, but it also cloaks cowardice, and the cowards have an easier time dodging accountability in a larger body, particularly the House.

All kinds of shenanigans can and do happen when an item of specific interest, like brass knuckles, falls victim to the establishment’s hive mind. I mention brass knuckles because that bill was in the Senate last year. Twitley moved the item right after the clerk called on her to introduce the committee recommendation just to usurp any opportunity for discussion, and a VOICE VOTE was involved.  Remember that this is a body of 24; one could ask each one how they voted, but there’s no individual recording and archiving of said votes.

Let’s revisit the executive council, which only has five members.  What I just said about the Senate applies here also, hence Wheeler’s desire to record his vote.  Then there’s the roll call.  Roll calls are time-consuming, especially when there are a lot of them.  In the House, all 400, or as Senator Gray would say, “members with butts in seats,” which is often much less than 400, will press their buttons during that window of time to vote.  It goes ON RECORD, both how they voted or if they voted at all.  Accountability.

Before leaving Twitter, I used to follow Eric Brakey, the good senator from Maine who was blocked by Buckley.

One of his videos showed the Maine Senate voting just like the NH House. They have 35 members.

We have 24, and the clerk calls the roll, one at a time. Pay attention to the dynamics here. Carrie Gendreau will always vote first and Altschiller will always vote last.  This is the same for the executive council. Kenney will always vote first, and Wheeler will always vote last. In a body of 5, Wheeler has the opportunity to be a tiebreaker if one of his peers has already gone rogue with a vote.  The flip side is that Wheeler’s vote is rendered irrelevant if Kenney, Stevens, and Gatsas vote the same way.

Why am I boring you with all this civics?  It’s because the executive council has to vote on the judge nomination of the Gunstock accomplice, aka Belknap County Attorney Andrew Livernois.  Remember that this is a political favor from His Excellency for Livernois’s contribution to torpedoing NH’s reddest county. If you’re not up to speed on Gunstock, which the Damn Emperor prefers you not be, you can find intel here.

I emailed Wheeler shortly after Livernois’s January 31 nomination, which was at the same meeting as  Warmington’s most recent public meltdown.

At the end of the email, I said, “Please vote NO and encourage your peers to do the same.”  I published the open letter as a model for those with writer’s block, but personalizing an email to one’s elected is known to have a better chance of being read than copied and pasted activist group emails.  As voter number five in a ROLL CALL VOTE, Wheeler’s vote can potentially become irrelevant as I already noted.  He can’t block Livernois all by himself; therefore, it is important to get at least 2 of his peers on board. Kenney, who always votes first and was the lone dissenter against the approval of Anne Edwards’s judge appointment, would be a good person to target.  Kenney also recently made some public comments about wanting more “big government” in the form of snowmobile regulation on the heels of recent accidents involving rentals.

Politely point out that he is on notice.

Have you told YOUR executive councilor to vote NO yet?  If not, please do it now.  I suggest pointing out that it’s an election year.  Now it’s time to go follow up on Wheeler, who has a habit of ignoring my emails.

 

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