Hamas may not have done the Palestinians any favors, not that they care, but they’ve done a different sort of damage across the Big Water in America. No lives have been lost on US college campuses over it, but the Woke universities and their hate-Israel agenda are costing them a small fortune as longtime donors take a walk.

Wealthy alumni of elite schools continue to say no more. Today’s rendition is Hedge fund billionaire Leon Cooperman, who has donated somewhere around 50 million to Columbia University over the years.

He’s not happy.

 

JUST IN: Hedge fund billionaire Leon Cooperman thinks college students have “s**t for brains” and is done donating to Columbia University after the school failed to fire a professor who called the Hamas attacks “awesome”

Cooperman, who graduated from Columbia, has donated a… pic.twitter.com/GiDf2P3TD9

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 26, 2023

 

The post Billionaire Says Columbia Students have Sh!t for Brains – No More Donations from Him! appeared first on Granite Grok.

The chairman of Toyota Motor Company is having an “I told you so” moment.  Mr. Akio Toyoda was gloating Wednesday, October 25,  in Japan at an automakers conference.  About a year ago, Mr. Toyoda warned the world’s governments and auto companies were rushing into the adoption of Electric Vehicles when doing so just wasn’t smart, and he explained why.

Poor countries around the world don’t have reliable electricity to charge those EVs, nor charging stations to deliver the electricity, even if it existed.  The world does not have enough production capacity for minerals like lithium, cobalt, or nickel to build all the required batteries. EVs were much too expensive for many markets. Poor countries, working-class people, and people in rural areas cannot afford EVs.

He explained that if the world were serious about climate change or reducing car emissions, we’d adopt hybrids instead. Hybrids are cars with both gas and electric engines.  One of the things that he loved to say was that Toyota could make eight hybrids with the minerals required for one Electric Car.

Mr. Toyoda was roundly criticized for saying these things. Media outlets and environmental groups blasted him, saying neither he nor Toyota were sufficiently committed to stopping climate change. The Sierra Club and Greenpeace ranked the Japanese automaker at the bottom of the latter’s decarbonization ranking for years, actually.

But Mr. Toyoda is not wrong in his assessment. Yesterday, he was asked: Why are the car lots of dealerships in the US filling up with EVs?  Car buyers increasingly don’t want them.  Mr. Toyoda said, “People [in the auto industry] are finally seeing reality.”

GM last week said they were canceling plans to launch an EV truck production line.  Ford is considering canceling plans for their F-150 Lightning pickup. Honda is ending its partnership with GM to build EVs.

It’s not that no one is buying EVs; some are. It’s just that demand is slowing. And that’s in no small part because of what Mr. Toyoda outlined. They are very expensive, there are too few charging stations, and buyers have range anxiety.

Something he didn’t mention is that buying an EV in the US has become an expression of politics. Mostly, you’re a Democrat. We know that because of a study out this week from UC Berkeley. Their examination of car registrations nationwide confirms EV ownership is concentrated in cities run by Democrats. More specifically, those districts that are most heavily Democratic.

Or, as Ford’s CEO recently put it, “[Electric Vehicles] have become a political football.”  For what it’s worth, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk attributes part of the flatling in sales to increased interest rates. With new EVs running more than $50K on average, financing becomes more expensive with a $50K car and average rates of about 6.5% for prime borrowers.

Mr. Toyoda said that Americans, like many around the world, are better suited for hybrid cars. Given our wide open spaces and lack of charging stations, hybrids make more sense.  Ford Motor Company reported three weeks ago that sales of hybrids last quarter were up 41%; they’re up 48% industry-wide.

The market is a wonderful thing… when it’s allowed to speak.  Politicians with an agenda are usually dangerous.  You deny what the market tells you at your own risk.

 

The post Mr. Toyoda’s “I Told You So” appeared first on Granite Grok.

Tuesday was declared a National Walk Out Day on behalf of Hamas and against Israel. The list of spontaneous protests on college campuses since the war between Israel and Hamas is long, and the schools are in virtually every state. It is evident by the organization of these marches they have been backed and supported by some heavyweight antisemitic individuals like George Soros.

The number and quality of the signage, along with the logistics involved in bringing students and speakers together, took deep pockets. Soros hates this country enough to have no problem instigating the student base or having his Squad Members of the House rile the nation’s Capital. With polls showing support for Israel at 86%, these protests and ill-conceived comments from the Squad set these people apart from the mainstream thinking of the country.`

I draw a correlation between January 6 and the rhetoric that has dominated the news cycle since the Hamas bomb failed and exploded in a Gaza hospital parking lot. Biden and his Justice Department stomped on the First Amendment. There were attempts to censor Trump and his followers. Social Media highlighted the Left’s stance and stifled any detractors. We are now seeing a similar phenomenon. The pro-Israeli sentiment is shouted down or deleted from feeds. The Squad and UN Secretary-General are very vocal and doubling or tripling down on their Pro-Palestine/Anti-Israel talking points. They know most of the information they are spewing is false, but they are sticking with their misinformation campaign. Their activity fuels these protests and demonstrations that are almost daily events at our more liberal colleges.

Big-money benefactors and companies are taking note of the students and their schools. Job offers to people protesting have been rescinded, and donors tell schools they will not receive future donations. These people and institutions are feeling a pain they never imagined. Liberal hate speech has always been tolerated on campuses and in public, but there is a changing tide. Woke may have run its course, and maturity and responsibility may be on the rise. Many of us welcome this changing tide that is far overdue.

Even with new ramifications, the rhetoric is not slowing. The problem is when confronted, those protesting cannot explain their concerns. They cannot ascertain the severity of the barbaric acts of rape, beheading, and burning alive. They contend that Israel is the provocateur and Hamas was retaliating. What could be the initial act for which these reactions are justified? What could I do to you that a just response would be beheading my children?

Higher education has failed America. They deserve every critique bestowed upon them. They have taken advantage of lax government student loan lending policies by increasing tuition far beyond the inflation rate. Unfortunately, the level of academia they offer has not kept up with their cost to students. They are no longer preparing students to be vital contributors to society or leaders for our country. They must change and be overhauled or pay the price for failing to supply a valuable service. There is plenty of blame to pass around, but I reiterate that it is a small minority of America that has lost its senses. Most of us can recognize wrong, and in this case, evil. Rather than condemn these people who have drifted off track, let’s unite and pull them back. We have much to do to make America great again, and we will need everyone to do their part.

 

The post Indoctrination, Ignorance, or Stupidity appeared first on Granite Grok.

Carbon sequestration is now common climate change parlance for processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it either in organic matter or geological formations. But is it really as good as it sounds? The first method, also called rewilding, involves growing trees. The second, geological sequestration, involves a massive industry, pipelines, and the pumping of millions of tons of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide under the ground for long-term storage. Critics caution that profits are being favored over potential risks to the environment and human health from these technologies.

Geological carbon storage collects industrial carbon dioxide from petroleum, fertilizer, steel, and other industrial facilities and compresses it into a 90% CO2 liquid. Then that’s pumped into subsurface formations including coal seams, porous rock, aquifers, or depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Companies are awarded tax credits for this. Credits are highest for CO2 captured and stored permanently, and a lower credit is available for liquid carbon that is used in enhanced oil recovery, which is when the pressurized carbon is pumped back into oil wells to increase production in reservoirs that are depleted or hard to access.

Critics argue this practice is insufficiently studied and that it may cause earthquakes or other unintended geological events. Other concerns include proper monitoring, non-CO2 contaminants that may taint groundwaters, aquifer pollution, and the potential for escape. Advocates claim the oil and gas industry is well acquainted with the technological challenges and can be trusted to regulate this new process.

Carbon Meets the Tax Code

Examining the US Tax Code offers some above-ground clues about what is going on down below: Tax credits for carbon capture are big business. The existing credit system was substantially expanded by the Biden Administration under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), ensuring this lucrative industry will thrive.

IRS regulations concerning carbon storage (45Q) credits reveal several problems. How can the government ensure that liquified carbon will not seep back into the air? How will it measure that process if it occurs? And what happens to the huge 45Q tax credits paid out in the event a company’s carbon is “un”-captured and released back into the atmosphere?

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The answers to these questions are revealed in the US Tax Code, which requires companies to repay 45Q tax credits if/when “sequestered” carbon un-sequesters itself and escapes. IRS Bulletin 2021-16 §1.45Q-5(a) states “a recapture event occurs when qualified carbon oxide for which a section 45Q credit has been previously claimed ceases to be disposed of in secure geological storage….” That phrase “ceases to be disposed of” translates into “leaked” and is only recognized if the amount leaked exceeds the amount allegedly stored. IRS Bulletin §1.45Q-3(b) defines this:

“Ceases to be disposed of in secure geological storage or used as a tertiary injectant. Qualified carbon oxide for which a section 45Q credit has been previously claimed ceases to be disposed of in secure geological storage (as described in §1.45Q-3(b)), or used as a tertiary injectant, if the leaked amount of qualified carbon oxide in the taxable year exceeds the amount of qualified carbon oxide securely stored in that same taxable year.”

Clearly, the IRS anticipates leakage from sequestration sites. It has a specific recapture provision to claw back tax credits when this happens, but the “lookback” period (§1.45Q-5(f)) is only three years! This means that if companies lose the carbon dioxide they were paid to sequester because it leaks back into the sky, they never have to repay more than the previous three years’ 45Q credits!

Hazardous Scheme

There are numerous moral hazards percolating through this 45Q scheme. Three years after closing a site, what incentive do companies have to keep the carbon sequestered or monitored? What is to prevent companies from discharging toxic waste as effluent?

If carbon dioxide does spill back into the environment, §1.45Q-5 (c) details how the release is to be measured: “…the quantity determined pursuant to CSA/ANSI ISO 27916:2019 must be certified by a qualified independent engineer or geologist” in accordance with “sound engineering principles.” How on Earth can the amount of carbon dioxide seeping up from underground aquifers possibly be accurately measured? And what if leakage impacts vital water supplies, where carbon dioxide can cause the release of toxic minerals?

In the name of saving the planet, many technological ventures are being launched that guarantee massive profits without ensuring results. Underground carbon dioxide sequestration is praised as a necessary cure-all, but it drains the nation’s coffers while potentially contaminating aquifers – and all with no guarantee of effectiveness. This is not good fiscal or environmental stewardship.

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

The post Problems with Underground Carbon Storage – Capturing CO2 or Corporate Profits? appeared first on Granite Grok.

Imagine, if you will, a world where having a conversation in public could get yo arrested becasue someone who overheard it was offended. That day is today, as many of you know, and if you happen to be on a city train in Calgary, getting handcuffed and not being told what it was you said is a reality.

 

The two men were riding the mostly empty train on their way to participate in the September 20 Million Person March to defend children from LGBT propaganda in schools. According to TDF, it seems that another passenger overhead their conversation and reported it.  

The two men were detained by enforcement officers upon exiting the train. Police handcuffed one of the men while they attempted to confirm his identity. Both men were then ticketed and summoned to court in late November 2023 before being released. 

 

I’m not sure what I find more dangerous, that it happens or that a majority of a major political party in America applauds the notion. How blinkered do you have to be to give that sort of subjective authority to anyone, let alone the government?  It will be abused. There will be mission creep. And it will come for you, so make sure someone takes a picture of your surprised face when they do. ANs make certain to say things like, “What are you doing,’ and “Don’t you know who I am.” “I voted for this, you’ll say,” as they press you into a police vehicle and run you off for interrogation.

Ye who thought the federal government should have an office of disinformation. Who opposed bodily autonomy on the matters of mask-wearing and vaccination. Grinning broadly every time someone mentioned how J6 protesters were incarcerated without due process.

Those who assumed that your side would always be wielding the hammer and that they’d never use it against you.

Perhaps you should have spent less time promoting the grooming “literature” an more time on ensuring everyone had a proper grasp of history.

So call us names, but we can at least say we saw it coming.

Ad as of this writing, the two men arrested in Calgary still have no idea what they said.

 

The post Men Arrested for Having A Conversation Someone Else Didn’t Like appeared first on Granite Grok.

Did you know that the Biden-Regime has allowed four times as many ILLEGALS into the United States than the population of New Hampshire? And, needless to say, any or all of them could vote in New Hampshire where all one needs to do to be a “legitimate” voter is fill out an affidavit and then disappear. And the best part for the Democrats is that any children born to these ILLEGALS is automatically an American citizen. So in 20 years, assuming one child per illegal that’s EIGHT MILLION new Democrat votes … which means ONE PARTY RULE. But remember … Putin and Iran are the “real” threats to our “democracy.”

The number of illegal aliens crossing into the United States since Biden took office now tops the individual populations of more than 38 states pic.twitter.com/UnNsFFu0WT

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) October 25, 2023

The post The Biden-Regime Has Negated Your Vote At Least FOUR TIMES Over appeared first on Granite Grok.

Democrats always tell you who they fear. They can’t help it. It is likely why Donald Trump is so damn popular. The American Political left has been on a jihad against him and, much like the Mullahs in Iran, would burn the whole world to save it. So, to hear them talk about Mike Johnson, he’s probably good for America.

Margaret Sullivan, who writes for UK Guardian USA, doesn’t care for him at all, which – as noted above – is a ringing endorsement for better days, or at least not quite as increasingly worse. Johnson has a slim majority, won’t be able to get anything through the Democrat Senate, and may only be in the role becasue the RINOs and Dems plan to use his conservative agenda against Republicans in the 2024 elections.

As for scribe Sullivan,

 

It’s Mike Johnson of Louisiana who, as one example of his profound insuitability, brags that he doesn’t believe that human beings cause climate change, though his home state has been ravaged by it. He is against abortion, voted against aid to Ukraine and stridently opposes LGBTQ+ rights.

 

Translated, he sees climate fraud for what it is, thinks killing babies is murder, doesn’t like laundering money to elites through Ukraine, and won’t support extra-constitutional rights for alleged victim class groups.

Sullivan also spends too much time pandering to the left’s narratives about electing a speaker. She uses words like chaos, arrogance, and appalling. She’s concerned that Johnson will overturn the election results in 2024. It’s like a buffet of leftwing bullish!t and an amusing read if you can stand it. But there are more holes in it than the average leftwing excuse for Biden family corruption.

The current US House is a very progressive institution. There are enough Democrats and RINOs to prevent anything remotely like liberty from happening in America anytime soon. By which, I mean Congress rolling something back or getting out of the way.

Johnson can make a difference. While he can’t get the squishy GOP middle to agree on anything they’d like to make the Senate kill for the optics, he can insist that the budget process be followed properly – something we’ve not seen this century if I recall. And if he does it right, a straight up or down vote on clean appropriations bills by department, it will be difficult for Democrats to do anything but look bad when they piss and moan about them not being pork-filled omnibus beasts.

Any funding locked up by this caterwauling can be laid at the Democrat’s feet and no other. If done correctly.

Johnson could also insist on a little more red meat from the various investigations underway and use the power of Congress and the US House to strongarm Biden’s bureaucrats into following the law or seeing their funding held hostage. If he does it right, the progressives will need to defend things most Americans don’t like or regulations that make their lives more difficult.

I’m not expecting that. I know better. But card-carrying Libs pretending to be journalists are unhappy about Mike Johnson, so he must be better than the others and the best choice we could make.

If you need more evidence, check this out.

 

MSNBC, which spent 3 years denying the 2016 election, is losing their minds that @RepMikeJohnson similarly expressed doubts about the 2020 election pic.twitter.com/bupPsPETeA

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 25, 2023

 

The post A Progressive Stooge Tells You Why Speaker Mike Johnson Might Be the Best Speaker of the House Ever appeared first on Granite Grok.

With the filing of California’s latest lawsuit against American energy producers, the ill-advised and foreign-funded national climate litigation campaign is ramping back up again.

But a curious trend is evident: the “big green” agenda isn’t just spreading its tentacles in coastal, heavily Democratic states like California or New Jersey as we’ve come to expect, but it’s creeping into states more traditionally considered to be oil and gas country.

One such region is the Appalachian Basin, where energy serves as the backbone of its manufacturing economy and labor force, which has deep roots in fossil fuels yet has managed to deliver substantial emissions reductions. But these states do this through innovation and industry cooperation, not through foolish and frivolous litigation. In contrast to this successful approach, the litigation campaign that has waged war on energy producers for over a decade is now coming into oil and gas country to sue this key driver of the regional economy out of business. And with it, the thousands of jobs and billions to state economies that the industry provides.

These moves are especially evident in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The anti-energy activist group the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) recently published “climate costs” reports to fuel what they hope will look like a grassroots movement in support of litigation and are openly courting public officials that may be sympathetic to their cause. But a quick lift of the veil shows it’s not “grassroots” at all. (RELATED: STEPHEN MOORE: If Biden Really Wants To Help Israel, He Must Stop The War On American Energy)

It’s a well-documented pattern that CCI pushes for friendly plaintiffs across the country to sue American energy producers in an attempt to accomplish their ultimate goal of shutting down and eliminating the oil and gas industry.

CCI’s pitch has been rejected in coastal, blue states like Maryland, New Hampshire and Maine, while the campaign’s marquee case in New York was handed an embarrassing defeat. Do we really think this bodes well for Appalachia, where lawsuits from keep-it-in-the-ground activists threaten the very lifeblood of the state and economy? Not likely.

Moreover, the group is funded by billionaires like Leonardo DiCaprio and the Rockefeller family, and even foreign billionaires like British hedge fund executive Chris Hohn.

RealClear Investigations reports that the U.K’s Hohn is propping up the litigious effort by way of his “Children’s Investment Fund Foundation” which directs millions of dollars to CCI, raising serious questions as to how foreign agents are extending their influence and sidestepping U.S. lobbying laws via their fat wallets. It seems likely most in Appalachia would look askance at billionaires that advocate for shutting down a vital industry while they sit comfortably on their ivory perches or private jets (that, needless to say, rely on that very fuel).

The groundwork for future litigation in Pennsylvania and Ohio also comes with an eye toward election season – something that former President Donald Trump has keenly taken notice of. In his recently released energy plan, Trump vowed to take on the “wave of frivolous litigation” from environmental extremists that holds up energy development and raises costs for consumers.

Remember that it was just last summer when gas prices reached record highs across the country. Today, we’re seeing oil prices inch higher and higher again thanks to backwards energy policies from the Biden administration as he follows through on his campaign promise of “no new drilling,” launches a regulatory onslaught against producers, and shows a mind-bending willingness to put Venezuelan oil production over our own. (RELATED: DAVID BLACKMON: No, ExxonMobil’s Deal With Pioneer Is Not A ‘Threat To Democracy’)

Appalachian voters in the crucial electoral states of Pennsylvania and Ohio – where jobs and the economy reign supreme – will not take kindly to higher fuel, utility, and consumer prices as they head into the ballot box, in addition to lawsuits that destroy their livelihood.

Of course, what the litigation-hungry conveniently forgets is what happens next after they follow through with their promise to gut and sue the life out of the energy industry. Our world requires and demands oil and gas. In fact, the global economy used more oil, coal, and natural gas than ever during 2022 and is very likely to exceed those levels in 2023.

It would take decades to build out a new system that is both reliable and sustainable, and, in the meantime, absurd lawsuits against energy companies that produce the resources our entire global system relies on are not only wildly hypocritical, but would raise prices, cut jobs, and dramatically weaken the economy.

Good luck with that message.

 

David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications.

David Blackmon | Daily Caller News Service

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

The post Climate Wokesters Find A New Way To Destroy Middle America appeared first on Granite Grok.

To all those who are sending in memes, thank you!  Keep them coming please, as it helps me gather weaponry to fight the Left.  Please do share this post, and if you share an individual meme, consider mentioning you saw it on the Grok!

Speaking of, from this week, Monday Edition and Wednesday Edition.  Also check out my first Israel-focused meme & commentary post.

 

*** Warning, a few possibly off-color ones, in case tender eyes are about ***

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously I do not condone this.  But absent the details of this particular case, I can still say that I have heard extraordinarily harsh divorce decrees against – especially – men.  Spousal abuse and child abuse charges are often filed as routine elements of a custody battle and it’s very hard to prove a negative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My kids’ pediatrician tried to push this on my daughter perhaps a year ago.  I said no.  It’s ironic.  Five years earlier I’d have had absolute faith in the medical system in general, and vaccines specifically.  Now… I verify and even then I don’t have trust.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone with three brain cells that talk with each other knows how.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Barbarians Who Sacked Rome Came Into the Empire as Refugees | Gates of Vienna

 

 

 

 

So now Bill Gates-of-Hell’s “Apeel” coating has been approved.  And not just approved for regular stuff.  Approved for organic foods.

Uproar Over ‘Apeel’ Food Coating Sheds Light on Big Ag’s Capture of Organic Food Agencies • Children’s Health Defense (childrenshealthdefense.org)

Organipeel’s ingredient list is 99.34% “other ingredients,” which are not made public.

So, if the peel is the place with most nutrition, and people take the peels off to avoid “Apeel”, what’s that do to an apple’s nutrition?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember the BBC program – seen on youtube (been pulled) – where these graphs were shown.  That whole program was utterly damning for the Warmist cult.  Which, doubtless, is why it got pulled.  There was another chart that – somehow – looked at temperature vs. cosmic ray impacts over a really long period of time.  Also incredibly revealing and damning for the Warmists.

 

 

 

 

 

Ruled a suicide no doubt.

 

 

 

 

As far as I am aware, state counting is supposed to be independent; it’s at the state control level.  For multiple states to stop at almost exactly the same time reveals outside control.

 

 

 

 

 

Buy my mug!

 

 

Help Global Greening – More CO2 Please Coffee Mug | Zazzle

 

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

 

Pick of the Post:

 

 

Laugh, yes.  Now, look at the date on this renewed call for gun control.

 

 

Convenient and coincidental timing, no?

I’ve often laughed at the idea of mass shootings being “preprogrammed people”… but how many times now have big mass shootings preceded big gun control pushes?  Once is incidence, twice is coincidence, three times is an enemy action.  So how many are we up to now?

Though ONE source on Telegram says that it was actually two olive-skinned men and that Card is the fall guy.  For now, taking it with a grain of salt.  In general, though… better than even odds they don’t take him alive.  Dead men spill no secrets.

 

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

 

Palate Cleansers:

 

—

 

Double plus unkosher… but damn that looks good.

—

 

Took me a moment.

 

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

 

And don’t forget… come back Monday for another edition.  Same Meme Time.  Same Meme channel.

 

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

 

The post Friday Meme Overflow-Overflow appeared first on Granite Grok.

Back in August, we published our first report on the Saunders Institute for Money Laundering. The so-called non-profit had been the beneficiary of campaign cash leftovers from the Sanders for Public Office slush fund. At the time, he’d transferred 200,000.00 dollars, but according to the FEC, he wasn’t done.

 

Fox News Digital reported that the outlet found that the twice-failed Democratic Party presidential candidate transferred $75,000 from his campaign’s coffers to the Sanders Institute, a left-wing think tank that was founded by spouse Jane O’Meara Sanders and David Driscoll, the senator’s stepson, after his failed 2016 campaign.

The money went to the group on August 8, according to its recently released FEC filings. The cash infusion follows $200,000 that Comrade Bernie’s committee sent to the Sanders Institute earlier this year, the outlet reported, adding that “the group has appeared to perform very little work while paying Driscoll six figures worth of compensation.”

 

That’s 275,000 Bernie Bucks, and for what? As we noted in August, nothing.

 

Stepson David Driscoll runs the organization, which paid him $152,653 in salary and other compensation in 2021. To do what? Fox News could not find anything remotely linked to the organization’s purpose. They report a website with lots of words and promises but not much else.

 

It pretends to be a news portal, and the web design wasn’t cheap, but the primary purpose appears to be to give the stepson a title, and he and Bernie’s wife make work jobs paid for by his campaign donors. And perhaps they don’t mind. Everything about the Democrat party is a redistribution of wealth from people who earned it to those who do nothing. And you never know. Maybe one day, the aging Vermonter will be president, and he can use the foundation to launder foreign influence peddling like the Clintons and Bidens.

They got filthy rich selling access, so why not the Sanders clan?

Until then,

 

According to the Sanders Institute’s website: “A vital democracy requires an informed electorate, civil discourse and bold ideas. The mission of The Sanders Institute is to revitalize democracy by actively engaging individuals, organizations and the media in the pursuit of progressive solutions …”

 

Like letting criminals roam free, open borders, bad energy policies, grooming children, killing babies, uncontrollable spending, rising crime and chaos, funding our enemies, and lifestyle-crushing inflation.

 

The post Bernie Sanders is Still Laundering Campaign Cash to Family Members appeared first on Granite Grok.

Is there no limit to the STUPIDITY of the Establishment GOP? Ronna ROMNEY McDaniel’s RNC’s choice to moderate the next GOP Presidential debate — NBC! Why? WHY subject the candidates and the voters to questions that GOP voters DO NOT CARE ABOUT and, worse, are just designed to help Joe Biden:

Governor DeSantis, what do you say to the climate-deniers in your own Party?

Ambassador Haley, do you regret not speaking out more forcefully against the extremists in your own Party?

Governor Christie, how concerned are you that members of your own Party still believe, without any evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen?

Etc., etc. etc.. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.

The post STUPID, STUPID, STUPID … “Moderators” For Next GOP Presidential Debate — NBC appeared first on Granite Grok.

So, there’s this thing called Texas Muslim Capitol Day. I’d never heard of it, but the 2023 celebration was its 20th anniversary. According to those upstanding pro-American, Constitution Defending citizens at the Center for American Islamic Relations (CAIR), it is a day for Muslim voices to be heard.

Heard by who? I don’t recall any shortage of Muslim voices. You know what I don’t hear? Moderate Muslims letting the more “activist” variety know they’d like to just live in peace? We could use more of that.

 

Texas Muslim Capitol Day is an opportunity for Texas Muslims from across the state to visit the Capitol to have their voices heard, meet elected officials, and make positive changes. This one-day event will feature a rally outside of the Capitol, meetings with elected officials, a prayer, training, and lunch. TMCD brings hundreds of diverse Muslims from across the state to participate in this program.

Diverse Muslims? Okay. Anyway, I’m not sure what year this came from, but you have to hand it to this woman. She grabs the microphone and proceeds to let everyone know what she thinks about all of this. Total mic drop moment.

And ballsy is an understatement.

 

This Texas woman has more balls than the entire democrat electorate. pic.twitter.com/Gfwd1G06IN

— Dane (@UltraDane) October 24, 2023

 

The post Christian Woman Takes the Microphone and BAM! appeared first on Granite Grok.

We learned that today was Veto Day! The House had on its docket 4 House bills that were vetoed by Governor Sununu. A vetoed bill needed 2/3 of those voting to override the veto. Otherwise, the veto was sustained. Because of the way the question to the House is worded, a “Yes” vote was to override the veto – a “No” vote was to sustain the veto.

All votes were required to be roll-called.

We learned that both the House and the Senate passed a resolution in support of the State of Israel and condemning HAMAS and terrorism.

We learned that a bill requiring grades 6-12 student ID cards to have the phone number of the National Eating Disorders hotline added to the cards (HB35) was vetoed by the Governor. Apparently, that organization is/was having major difficulties and doesn’t have a staffed call line anymore, so the bill did not make any sense to implement. The Governor was asked by many organizations to veto the bill. The House wholeheartedly agreed and sustained his veto with a hearty helping of votes on this plate, voting 350-0 to sustain.

We learned that the most troubling bill for some legislators was the veto of HB142- Relative to the operation of the Burgess Biomass Plant up in Berlin, in the North country. The Governor vetoed it because with regard to ratepayer subsidies for their energy ($200 million since 2014) – and the amount of debt they are asking to have forgiven ($70 million to ratepayers) – the Governor said, “Enough is Enough” in his veto message. He didn’t believe that after five years of waiting for Burgess to get their financial act together that the state should have to bail them out once more, and possibly again next year and the year after that. The problem people saw in the veto of this bill is that it places Burgess in the position of closing down (affecting at least 40 employees). This may greatly affect the economy in that area of the state, including ancillary services that loggers use in the Berlin area when delivering wood to the biomass plant. It also will hurt the timber industry that brings its low-grade wood there to be burned to make electricity. The plant also provides ash to the farming community that uses their ash for fertilizer. That being said, many folks were against this bill simply because they didn’t like the idea of corporate bailouts or subsidies. Heck, even the greenies of the Sierra Club wanted to see this bill vetoed (they hate biomass plants)! One hundred ninety-four voted Yes (to override), and 159 voted No (to Sustain). There were not enough votes to override the veto. Somehow, though, I think the legislature is not done with the Burgess Biomass issue…maybe it will rise like a phoenix from the ashes in 2024.

We learned that the only bill of the day that had the veto overridden was HB 337. This was a bill that would have changed the noticing requirements for the Office of Professional Licensing and Certification (OPLC) and added an attorney position. The Governor vetoed it because the bill created different noticing standards for OPLC from other public bodies with regard to RSA 91-A. The Governor found this to be unreasonable and burdensome for OPLC as well, and that they shouldn’t be held to a different standard than every other public entity. The House did not agree and overrode the Governor’s veto with 251 voting Yes and 104 voting No. The bill had enough votes to override the veto. That being said, when the bill got to the Senate, they sustained the Governor’s veto without much notice.

We learned that HB342 – relative to lead testing in children, was vetoed by the Governor because he considered the bill redundant. He said that lead in blood levels is already tested in kids aged 1 and 2, and the bill created an unnecessary barrier to entry into public school. The Governor doesn’t believe that lead blood level testing has any place in entry forms for schools and daycares. The House agreed with him and sustained the veto 184 (YES) to 171 (No). The bill did not have enough Yes votes for an override.

We learned that two other items passed with House voice votes. Those items had to do with an update to the House rules to change session deadline dates and Legislative Service Request (LSR) deadline dates. With over 1000 bills coming at us next year in the legislature, these accommodations had to be made.

Finally, we learned that the next time the House will convene will be in January, where the House will be cleaning out the leftovers from 2023 as we vote on retained bills that are now being finished up in committees. So until then, have a happy and safe holidays!

 

The post So Kids, What Did We Learn From This Week’s House Session (10/26/23)? appeared first on Granite Grok.

Did someone recently flip a switch? It seems as though Wokeism, the Great Reset, ESG, DEI, and an assortment of other radical left-wing positions have just taken over. It is in the movies, media, sports, finance, retail businesses, and even in the beer industry.

Yet, it is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Wokeism is a part of the international Zeitgeist. For example, this past June, I inadvertently experienced a huge “Pride” parade (reported as having tens of thousands of participants) in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photos not included.) Yet, although the Woke agenda seems to be dominating everything, the mask is slowly being peeled away, and some are starting to recognize the truly authoritarian agenda that had been so carefully hidden.

Wokeism exploded into our lives because it took advantage of two traits of human nature that readily manifest in capitalism. These flaws are our tendency to avoid work and our basic inclination to trust and rely on others. If a person can avoid work, he will. People are not necessarily lazy, but when costs can be avoided, they are. People act on these cost-benefit calculations. Additionally, people are generally trusting. We tend to trust the label of what we are buying. When one goes to the gas station, how do we know that the machine dispensed ten gallons into our car? When we buy a bottle of 500 caplets, do we immediately count them, or do we trust them? Capitalism depends upon a tremendous amount of trust. Each transaction has a certain level of trust built into it.

Wokeism exploits these two traits to our detriment. For example, Wokeism takes advantage of human nature when it comes to deciding who should sit on the board of directors of a large, for-profit company. Suppose that for this company, the board of directors is determined by a simple majority vote of the shareholders. For each share that I own, I get one vote. The likelihood that my couple of votes are going to tip the scales one way or another is remote, and so I have a strong disincentive to actively participate in this election.

In economic terms, the cost of the work of researching the candidates and making myself fully informed tends to outweigh the benefit of voting. Instead, I simply trust that the people running the company want to maximize the company’s profits. In other words, I believe that there are bigger investors and fund managers who want to make as much of a return from their investment as I do. Thus, I trust that these bigger investors’ “greed” aligns with my interests. The result is that I am not fully informed about who the candidates are, and I do not vote my relatively few shares. When I do not vote, I open the door for Woke fund managers to put people on the board of directors who are focused on social agendas—environmental sustainability or social justice goals—and are not focused on maximizing profits.

Today, Wokeism has intimidated and cowed the profit-focused businessman. Through their portrayal in movies, news media, social media, and basically all other fronts, the businessman is castigated as cruel, self-centered, and just plain “greedy.” In contrast, it is the “more enlightened” decision-maker who is lauded and celebrated as the hero. The motivation of the new Woke CEOs (whether they are true believers or simply avoiding a hassle) is not really the point. What matters is that they promote the worldview that a close cooperation between public institutions (government) and private companies is best.

Government employees, C-Suite executives, activists, and sports and media celebrities all encourage and reinforce the push to integrate and cement public/private partnerships. The integration of corporations and the state goes by many names. Some call it State Socialism or Progressivism. Others call it National Socialism or “Socialism with a Human Face.” Once upon a time, it was called Fascism. Regardless of the name, it is a top-down, authoritarian approach to “managing the economy.” It allows the elite to manipulate the market away from the choices made by consumers and in the direction that they want (by picking winners and losers), all the while doing so in the name of social justice, equity, or saving the planet. The fact that Telsa, Inc. (the electric car company) has a lower “Environmental, Social, and Governmental” (ESG) score than tobacco and oil companies shows what a scam Woke investing really is.

When businesses seek profits, they are following the subjective valuations of consumers and society. Creating “non-woke alternative” businesses replicates the problem of not following profits, albeit in the opposite direction. It is simply not a solution. However, in my 2022 Rothbard Memorial Lecture, I presented several suggestions about how to fight back.

One possibility that had not occurred to me at that time is the Mises Meetup Groups, which have been showing success. In Spring 2022, our loose association called the Carolina Mises Meetup, was formed. The organizers felt cut off, isolated, and alone and noted a strong need to connect with others who can give support and encouragement. We were hoping to connect with about 25 like-minded people. We were wrong—very wrong—as the results far exceeded our expectations! As we approach our 6th meeting, we have had an average attendance of 70-80 people and a members list that exceeds 240.

These Meetup Groups are informal gatherings of like-minded people. They are entrepreneurs who are interested in Austrian Economics and in helping other entrepreneurs. Perhaps the most important function of these groups is to demonstrate that we are not alone and that there are other people who are willing to help. Groups allow us to utilize the division of labor and get more accomplished. Communities can accomplish many things when individuals use their talents and energies toward a common goal.

One recommendation that I think has a strong potential is to create certificates, contests, and awards. I have sat through many town council and other local meetings. I have observed that every local municipality is hungry for recognition. I think that there is an opportunity here. Why not set up an award and apply the goals that we would like to see, such as opening markets, reducing bureaucracy, and so forth? The Mises Meetup Group might be the perfect network to find people who are skilled in creating contest rules and connecting with others who could sit on a panel of judges.

The awards and certificates do not have to be elaborate; they are fancy pieces of paper in nice frames. However, municipalities covet the attention awards bring. Imagine the influence that such awards and recognitions could achieve. Additionally, these activities allow us to reach outside of our own ecosystem. We can bring in other groups and business owners that may share many of our same values but are unaware that we exist. The economist in me thinks that these awards are relatively low cost and can pay large dividends. The benefits outweigh the costs.

Another potential solution begins with the recognition that, too often, we doubt ourselves. I have heard, “What Can I do? I am too small to make a difference.” Platitudes like “Even the longest journey begins with a single step” seem cliché, but there is a kernel of truth to them. If we want a free and prosperous society, we need to act. We need to start now. There is no central plan for liberty. However, if we share a common goal, we can pull together in the same direction.

Each person is unique, having his own distinct set of talents and abilities. I would like to see each person become a Light of Liberty. A Light of Liberty is someone who can competently discuss the questions of liberty, which means that each of us needs to read, study, and learn. The more we learn, the brighter our light becomes. Over time, people tend to recognize and seek out people with wisdom and knowledge. As we become more knowledgeable in Austrian Economics, we cannot keep this knowledge to ourselves. We need to discuss these ideas with others. There is no best way to present the ideas of freedom. When I present these ideas, I only connect with a fraction of the audience. Then if my wife, a colleague, or a student talks to the same group, then these ideas are presented differently, which reaches those I could not.

Perhaps the most important facet of fighting against Wokeness is having courage. Each person needs to muster the courage to stand firm and resist the intrusion of Wokeness into our lives and our places of business. It is one thing to not buy a product because it backs Woke causes, but without informing the seller why you are not buying from them, nothing will change. We need to have the courage to tell the seller why we made our choice. Knowing that Woke policies are wrong, having the wisdom to pick one’s battles, and having a strong support base of like-minded people helps us to find the courage to resist “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) and ESG policies.

Shortly after escaping from the Nazis, Ludwig von Mises wrote, “Occasionally I entertained the hope that my writings would bear practical fruit and show the way for policy. Constantly, I have been looking for evidence of a change in ideology. But…I have come to realize that my theories explain the degeneration of a great civilization; they do not prevent it. I set out to be a reformer but only became the historian of decline.” If Mises gave up after writing his memoir in 1940, we would never have seen Human Action, Bureaucracy, Planning for Freedom, or many other of his important writings. He would not have been there to tutor Murray Rothbard, Israel Kirzner, and many others to keep Austrian Economics alive through the Keynesian ’60s. We simply cannot know the long-run impact that our actions today will have on people decades from now.

However, if we do nothing, then it is certain that there will be nothing to show for it. The popularity of Wokeness, DEI, and ESG policies will wane, and we need to fill the Zeitgeist with the vision of how a free and prosperous society can truly work. With more people becoming Lights of Liberty, we can influence the direction of society for the better. Recently, I was accused of being an optimist. I am. I think that there is time to change the direction of society towards free markets. I plan on brightening my light and the Lights of Liberty within my students and those around me. Will you join me?

 

Paul Cwik is Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Mount Olive and Teaching Professor of the BB&T courses in Free Market Economics at North Carolina State University.

Paul F. Cwik | Mises Wire

Mises Wire We heartily encourage reprints and shares of Mises Wire articles. If you wish to reproduce an article in your blog, magazine, radio show, newspaper column, classroom material, textbook, discussion group, website, or any other venue, please do so. The original publication source must be included in an appropriate place.

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I can’t say whether anyone from states like Florida, Wyoming, Tennessee, the Carolinas or Dakotas, or any other appealing redder states uprooted to move to New Hampshire, but it seems unlikely. Californians, however – we got a bunch of those.

An estimated 1,877 refugees migrated to the Granite State from the Left Coast’s largest progressive enclave.

 

 

 

According to USA Facts.org, 725,000 people fled California since 2020—more than anywhere else in the country.

 

More than 100,000 Californians moved to Texas between 2020–21, well ahead of second place Arizona (63,000 Californians) and third ranked Nevada (55,000).

Texas has recently emerged as a popular destination, not just for Californians, but Americans from all regions. No state income tax and lower cost of living, along with a growing tech hub is pulling in Americans from all income brackets. Meanwhile, Arizona and Nevada offer similar tax and affordability benefits as well.

 

I’m sure it was for work. Right?

 

A key driver of migration is the state’s continuing affordability challenges where housing costs have pushed home ownership out of many Californians’ reach. It is also one of the most difficult states to retire in, where $1 million can last as little as eight years.

Separately, the rise of remote work in 2020 allowed many Californians to move out of their more expensive state to cross into regions with a lower cost of living while maintaining their economic opportunities.

 

COVID restrictions, high taxes, excessive regulations, green energy mandates (those meddling bureaucrats and their stupid governor).

The shift is causing housing crunches in other states and, more than likely (at least by a majority of transplants), voting for the solutions that led to them leaving. I’m sure they’ll do that here, though we have California refugees who are small government types like our readers. They aren’t all cursed to repeat the same mistakes, but what to do? Mandatory liberty training sounds sensible. A series of short classes on why New Hampshire is better than California and how “you can do your part” to keep it that way. It’s not complicated.

Vote, but don’t vote Democrat. Keep New Hampshire from turning into Vermont, which has already started to turn into California.

Please.

 

The post No One From Tennessee, Wyoming, or Oklahoma Seem To Want To Move to New Hampshire appeared first on Granite Grok.

Before delving into the dangers of eliminating cash and mandating that all transactions be conducted by digital means, let us briefly discuss the legal aspects of money. In the United States, as in all economies that have legal tender laws, only cash is recognized as money. Some may think that the balance of their bank accounts is money too, but that is not quite the case. Your bank balance is one step removed from legal money.

All banks must maintain minimum balances of reserves, in cash held either in their vaults—a very small amount—or in their “reserve accounts” with their local Federal Reserve Bank branch (there are twelve of them). These reserve account balances may be converted to real money, or cash, at your bank’s discretion. However, the total cash in our economy also includes cash held outside the banking system, such as the money in your wallet, cookie jar, or personal safe deposit vault.

The total of bank reserves plus cash held outside the banking system is known as the monetary base. The monetary base is not the same as the money supply. Most of the money supply is composed of bank credit not backed by reserves. When banks make loans, they credit your account, which becomes bank credit money. Yes, this money was created by the bank out of thin air. Notice that the banks did not create reserves, only credit money, which is not the same thing.

As of July 2023, the monetary base in the United States was $5.5 trillion, whereas M3—the total bank credit money—was $20.9 trillion! So, if everyone demanded real money (cash), the banks would be able to honor only about one-fourth of the requests. The possibility of your bank failing is real. Over nine thousand US banks failed during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Risks of Electronic Payments

Your ability to hold real cash, not just bank balances accessible by check or electronic means, protects you from the inevitable infrastructure problems associated with any electronic system but also from the instantaneous seizure of at least some of your money. Cash is anonymous whereas a bank account is not. If something happens, you will still be able to function to the limit of the cash you happen to have on hand.

Now, let’s say that cash has been eliminated by some legal means and that you have angered the powers that be for some reason—probably for opposing them and asking others to oppose them too. All the banks must do is to freeze your bank account or eliminate it entirely. There are two examples of this very thing happening in the recent past.

First, the government of Canada froze the bank accounts of all those participating in the Canadian truckers’ general strike plus those who helped them. Second, British politician Nigel Farage had his accounts closed for political reasons and found that no other British bank would serve him. Without the means to use money, Farage came very close to emigrating. Just think about that for a moment. You could not fuel your car, buy groceries, pay your rent, or do a hundred other things without access to a bank account.

Risks of Central Bank Digital Currency

All of the world’s major central banks are drawing up plans to institute digital currencies that they themselves control. This is very dangerous for our civil liberties. Now the government would not have to seek the cooperation of the banks to freeze your accounts or “debank” you entirely, as the British banking system did to Nigel Farage. At the stroke of a keypad, you would not have access to your financial accounts—no fuel for your car, food for your family, or heat for your home.

No one should be allowed to hold such enormous power, which really is a life-and-death issue. Naturally, digital currencies are being promoted as efficient and modern. They are no such thing. This is a civil liberties issue and needs to be stopped.

Patrick Barron is a private consultant to the banking industry. He has taught an introductory course in Austrian economics for several years at the University of Iowa. He has also taught at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin for over twenty-five years, and has delivered many presentations at the European Parliament.

 

Patrick Barron | Mises Wire

Mises Wire We heartily encourage reprints and shares of Mises Wire articles. If you wish to reproduce an article in your blog, magazine, radio show, newspaper column, classroom material, textbook, discussion group, website, or any other venue, please do so. The original publication source must be included in an appropriate place.

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Califronia legalied prostitition. What could go wrong? Well, whatever one might expect. Increased visibility, more human trafficking, and wait for it. The cops can’t talk to the girls (unless they look underage), but they are all about ending the trafficking.

Who doesn’t oppose human trafficking (aside from the open-borders crowd, sex-work advocates, mostly Democrats)? California.

 

“Police can’t literally go and talk to them because they don’t have a right to talk to them because they are not doing anything wrong…Even if they are going out talking to someone in their car and sitting there when all they are wearing is less than a G-string,” National City Mayor Ron Morrison told CBS 8 news.

So they can’t stop solicitation, and it seems like there is limited ability to prevent indecent behavior (or sex in a nearby ally, for example) – don’t look kids! but the police say they are focused on the human trafficking that fuels sex work.

 

 

“Where we work in South Los Angeles, we’re not addressing sex workers where there is a voluntary exchange between two people,” Pinto said.

“What we are doing is addressing the human trafficking at the Figueroa corridor. There is a fear factor or coercion, and in the end, that pimp takes all of the money and she doesn’t get any money back. It’s been an ongoing problem for years, but the corridor has become an area where there’s been an uptick in trafficking victims.” ..

The problem has become so bad that the city, the LAPD, the LA City Attorney’s Office, local nonprofits, the Department of Children and Family Services and the US Attorney’s Office have banded together and started a new program in September called the “Figueroa Initiative” to help victims of human trafficking.

 

Prostitution is legal statewide, so it isn’t a problem limited to Los Angeles. But it is a problem. In August, we reported on the not-so-well-enough-known fact that sex work was legal in Rhode Island for nearly 30 years.

 

People who profit from prostitution are typically its boosters. They call it sex work, describe it as a right, and dress it up as a noble calling. That sounds great, but what legalized sex work actually looks like is slavery, trafficking, and sexual assault.

 

Democrats in California sell it as some empowering right. If a woman wants to sell her body, that’s her business. But it is always someone else’s business; the girls are just sex slaves to that revenue stream. Many end up addicted, mistreated, and, when used up, tossed in the trash. So, while it is noble to focus on human trafficking, legal sex work enables it and makes it harder on law enforcement and easier for traffickers.

Many of whom, by the way, move women and children across the porous southern border over which Democrats appear to care very little. Another policy that enables human trafficking. It makes you wonder who in Sacramento represents organized crime, cartels, MS13, and other street gangs who run the girls. Women aren’t making money or feeling empowered. They are victims, and the State of California made treating them that way legal.

 

HT | NewsWars

The post LA Is Full of Whores – Is Anyone Surprised by That? appeared first on Granite Grok.

Construction is a complex and demanding industry that requires a wide array of tools, equipment, and safety measures to ensure projects are completed efficiently and without compromise. From the heavy machinery that moves the earth to the handheld devices that add the finishing touches, there are numerous must-haves in the construction world. This article will explore some key essentials construction professionals need in their arsenal.

Protective Gear

Safety should be the top priority in construction work. Hard hats, steel-toed boots, reflective vests, safety glasses, and ear protection are some of the essential personal protective equipment (PPE) that every construction worker should wear. These items protect individuals from falling objects, hazardous materials, loud noises, and other workplace dangers.

Construction Vehicles

Construction sites require various vehicles, from bulldozers and excavators to dump trucks and concrete mixers. These heavy-duty machines are indispensable for tasks like excavation, transportation of materials, and concrete pouring. Forklifts, a critical subset of construction vehicles, are invaluable for handling heavy loads and moving them efficiently within the construction site.

Forklifts

Forklifts, often called lift trucks, are vital tools in construction work. They are used for lifting and transporting heavy materials, equipment, and palletized goods. Forklifts come in various sizes and configurations, including counterbalance, rough terrain, and telehandlers, each suited for specific tasks.

One of the primary advantages of forklifts is their ability to improve productivity by streamlining material handling processes. They are particularly crucial in moving heavy loads to elevated positions, such as during the construction of multi-story buildings. Moreover, forklifts are versatile machines with different attachments, like buckets, clamps, and forks, to adapt to various construction needs. Finding a reputable Komatsu forklift dealer can ensure the smooth operation of your material handling needs on the construction site.

Hand Tools

A wide range of hand tools is essential for construction work. These include hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, saws, tape measures, and levels. They are used for various tasks, such as framing, fastening, and precise measurement. Electric power tools like drills, saws, and grinders are also used in construction for added efficiency.

Materials

Construction requires many materials, including cement, steel, lumber, bricks, insulation, etc. The quality and availability of these materials are crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of the final product. Efficient storage and management of these materials are essential to prevent delays and costly errors.

Safety Barriers and Signage

Construction sites must be well-marked and secured to protect workers and the public. This includes barriers, cones, signs, and caution tape to prevent accidents and ensure unauthorized individuals stay out of potentially dangerous areas.

Power Sources

Construction sites often require power sources for tools and equipment. This may involve generators, extension cords, and electrical panels to provide the necessary electricity for various tasks. Power sources should be managed carefully to avoid accidents and disruptions.

Communication Tools

Effective communication is essential on construction sites to coordinate tasks and ensure safety. Walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and two-way radios are commonly used to facilitate communication between workers, supervisors, and other team members.

Safety Plans and First Aid

Every construction site should have a comprehensive safety plan. This includes emergency procedures, evacuation plans, and easy access to first-aid kits. First-aid supplies are essential for addressing minor injuries and preventing them from becoming more severe.

In conclusion, construction is a multifaceted industry that relies on many tools, equipment, and safety measures to function effectively and safely. Each item plays a critical role in the construction process, from the heavy machinery that reshapes the landscape to the small handheld tools that add the finishing touches. Among these, forklifts stand out as indispensable machines for the efficient movement of heavy materials, and their safe operation is paramount to ensure the success of any construction project.

The post Must-Haves When It Comes to Construction Work appeared first on Granite Grok.

It’s not like we needed another reason NOT to vote for Nikki Haley. Shrieking “finish them” (who knew Miss Nikki was into Mortal Kombat) as advice to Israel and announcing that she is going to turn the Department of Defense into the Department of Offense were sufficient to conclude that she is a lightweight who needs to be kept as far from power as possible. But there is more.

Judd let-them-eat-cake Gregg … globalist, corporatist, warmonger and a RINO’s RINO … has endorsed little Miss Nikki:

 

ENDORSEMENT: Judd Gregg: “The nation needs @NikkiHaley: A strong leader who can win” #FITN #Haley2024 #NHforNH https://t.co/PHNNpzyYzM

— Mak Kehoe (@MakKehoe) October 25, 2023

The post And Yet Another Reason NOT To Vote For Nikki Haley appeared first on Granite Grok.

Two days ago, my lovely bride and I took a short drive to hang out with a packed backroom at Murphy’s in Manchester. Americans for Prosperity NH was hosting a Pints and Policy event, and the subject was housing and New Hampshire’s “Housing Crisis.”

It was good to see Victoria Sullivan, Len Turcotte, Jon DiPietro, Chris Maidment, Dan McGuire, and a slew of other folks. The please was packed. And it wasn’t just the free food, drink ticket, and APF swag. As we were reminded, housing is a priority concern for New Hampshire residents. That’s what all the polling says. Everyone is concerned about housing.

More demand than supply. Prices are too high. Young people can’t afford to move out or move here. The solution is simple. We need more housing. But how do you do that?

The Panel included Greg Moore and Drew Cline, and my apologies for forgetting the names of the other two guys (one not local), the other part of a special standing committee in the NH House on housing. I was eating and not taking notes. They each spoke for a bit, and the consensus was this. We need more housing. Local government is the most significant barrier. If you don’t want the state to command and control the Zoning and other issues from Concord, you must find ways to make changes in your town.

 

The Panel

The response to this and the general conversation about addressing the issue was predictable, and it is likely what drew the crowd. Getting elected to a zoning or planning board won’t make a damn bit of difference, say people who’ve done that. The citizens vote on the master plan, and while housing may concern them, they don’t want it, whatever it is, in their backyard.

 

Concerned about city apartment complexes with no green space for kids

The “it” could be apartment complexes, duplexes, smaller lot sizes, workforce housing, or mixed Zoning to allow any of the above.

The Panel brought up great ideas and explained the issue, and there are solutions somewhere in there, but I don’t see that happening if the goal is to avoid a top-down statewide solution. People don’t want closer neighbors or increased traffic or – as I like to joke in my town – thousands of new families using up the water we haven’t had enough of (odd/even watering bans) for what seemed like decades.

 

Rep. Walsh waiting to have a say.

One thing that came up that made sense was to address barriers to construction in general. There are always excessive regulations, not just from the Department of Environmental Services. Most towns have plenty of buildable residential land to suit one-acre lots and more affordable housing if permitted. There are Mixed-use industrial areas where apartments would make sense.

 

Jack talks about Zoning…

Merrimack has been adding apartment buildings like mad, almost exclusively in industrial/mixed-use areas, and at least one near Route Three with easy access to the highway. I’m still miffed about the alleged water-use problem being ignored while we add thousands more water users, and I don’t think we were short on water, but now? Thanks, planning Department. Maybe we will.

Another issue not broached, and one I have discussed with landlords is that while developers want to build apartment buildings, they are never affordable. Rents are high. Apartments are in demand. You build to take advantage of that. No one is going to develop themselves into lower rents. So? None of these new buildings will be” affordable” unless it’s government subsidized – and do we want to go there? I don’t think we do, at least not in any local master plan. This brings us back to what the Panel agreed we didn’t want—top-down state mandates. But I doubt there is another way.

And guess whose fault that will be?

The Republicans, some of them, will argue for less government interference, but you’ll have to stomp on local control to get them out of the way, which will piss off their base. Democrats love top-down interference and would gladly stomp on local control (as long as they leave gentrification loopholes for places like Hanover, Portsmouth, Durham, Keene, and Plymouth). Still, those kooks will vote Democrat anyway for the grooming and abortion, so that’s not a risk for the Left.

If Republicans protect local control, the Dems will crush them as uncaring bastards unwill to address the housing crisis, but if they do, their voters might revolt – party divisions, civil war.

We never said Liberty wasn’t messy.

In other words, everyone thinks this is a problem, but the problem has problems.

It was a good idea for AFP to get it out there. But in the end (IMO), Republicans could end up paying for it.

 

 

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