Climate Gate insider Phil Jones became famous—not for being a clever scientist working on a complex problem—not exactly. The problem was complex but not scientific. The globe wasn’t warming as they’d said, and he worked behind the scenes to hide the evidence—to hide the decline.

“I’ve just completed Mike’s [Mann] Nature trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (i.e. from 1981 onwards) and from 1961 for Keith’s [Briffa] to hide the decline.”

—Dr. Phil Jones, Director of the Climatic Research Unit, disclosed Climategate e-mail, Nov. 16, 1999.

Nancy Pelosi has been a fixture in Washington, DC, for so long that if it weren’t for her moving around, she’d be green and covered in pigeon shit. She’s got more advice for her party members and colleagues, which includes the press. Channel Phil Jones.

Pelosi argued during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe that Democrats should pause the public conversation around Biden’s mental acuity until after the NATO summit taking place in Washington in the coming days.

“I’ve said to everyone, ‘Let’s just hold off,’” Pelosi said. “Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week.”

I’m unsure if she’s woken up with a new attitude today, but NATO didn’t go well. Biden’s performance makes Mark Zuckerberg look like an animated human being. He was stiff and read someone else’s words without much enthusiasm (except when yelling PUTIN). It wasn’t inspiring, nor will it lift the pall of concern or shift the conversation back to Trump. And I can hardly think NATO is ready to start a real war with Russia with Biden still in the White House. They aren’t interested in hiding his decline.

I’d expect NATO to take Nancy’s advice and hold off on aggravating Russia further until sometime in 2025.

 

The post Pelosi Channels Phil Jones on Biden: Hide the Decline appeared first on Granite Grok.

There once lived a ruler of a far-off land. The people there called him their president, but he was old and addled and had come to believe that he was really their king. He was also corrupt, greedy, and selfish, caring very little about the people he ruled over. His decrees were becoming progressively bizarre and were driving his country into rack and ruin.

You might wonder how such a man came to power.

Though he really didn’t know much, he knew all about things like scratching backs and peddling influence. Twice before he’d scratched and peddled his way to the brink of success. But on the third try, he had help from an ensemble of devoted prevaricators. They came from all walks of life. There were politicians, newsies, and entertainers. Unlike his run-of-the mill supporters, their loyalty was fanatical, and their knack for deception was unmatched; it seemed to come to them naturally. They had no qualms about lying audaciously, convincingly, and continuously in order to enable and protect the old man – even if meant the ruination of their country.

To that end, it was necessary for them to surrender both their common sense and their self-respect. They considered it a small price to pay. They called themselves the Lickspittles, and their motto was Fides Ante Honoris, (Loyalty Before Integrity.)

Without them, the addled old man could never have become president. It was late in his campaign that a special team of 51 Lickspittles gave him the boost he needed to overcome a major crisis. With their help, his back-scratching skills, a dash of trickery, and a heap of deceit, he was able to fool enough people to win the presidency.

Unfortunately for the people, he ruled in exactly the same way he came to power – with trickery and deceit. He told them they were rich, while many struggled to make ends meet. He told them they were safe and secure, while they were being attacked in the streets. And while the people suffered, he was enriching himself. Soon, their disappointment grew into unhappiness, which then grew into anger. They began to deride the old man, mocking him wherever he went.

Now despite all his power and wealth, he, too grew miserable. “Why can’t I be respected, even admired like the last guy,” he thought. “And why can’t I be smarter, or at least remember where I am?”

Then he heard someone say that clothes make the man. He said to himself, “Maybe a new set of clothes is what I need.” So he set out to find the best clothes his money could buy.

His journey brought him to a shop operated by two unscrupulous tailors. They were even more unscrupulous than their new customer. After listening to his plight, they saw an opportunity. They told him that a new suit of clothes was exactly what he needed.

They told him that they would make him a very special suit, sewn from a very special cloth, woven from very special thread. This suit would have unique qualities. Yes, it would make him popular with the people, but more than that, it would make him appear smart as a whip.

They added one small caveat. Only the most intelligent and perceptive people would see the improvement. Fools and dolts would still see a confused, greedy, and selfish old man.

Incredibly enough, he fell for it. Yes, it sounds crazy, but remember; he was rather addled, and besides, this is just a fable.

So, he watched as the two swindlers pretended to weave invisible thread and sew non-existent cloth into an invisible new suit.

When they were finished, the two con men could barely contain their mirth as their customer disrobed and modeled his new “suit.” He couldn’t wait to get back home and impress the people.

At first, the Lickspittles were aghast! But they were, after all, committed to making him look good. And besides, after hearing the tailors’ caveat, they didn’t want to appear foolish or doltish.

So they showered him with praise, telling him how smart he looked.

All this seemed to fill the man with a renewed sense of pride, prompting him to travel the countryside in his invisible suit, boasting about his imaginary accomplishments. The Lickspittles were right behind him, parroting his words while praising his leadership, his stamina, and yes, his brilliance.

They told the people, “The man is a dynamo! We can’t keep up with him!” “He does more in five minutes than most people do in a day. And smart? Why, he’s smart as a whip!”

But despite their most sincere, convincing lies, the people saw only a naked, pathetic old man.

The Lickspittles were beside themselves. They were becoming laughing stocks! What more could they do to convince the people? One beady-eyed, bespeckled Lickspittle was absolutely livid. He said as sternly as he could, “That man is one smart cookie!” And if you’d rather believe your own two eyes …well then screw you.”

Then on one summer night during his reelection campaign, something inexplicable happened. It was almost magical. The charade began to crumble. A few of the Lickspittles suddenly seemed to develop a modicum of integrity. Or maybe they came to realize that the people no longer believed them. Perhaps they just ran out of audacious lies.

The details of what happened next are unimportant, but as quick as a wink, the old man found himself far away from the president’s mansion and on the beach, where he spent his remaining years frolicking with his six or seven grandchildren.

And the people were happy again.

The post The President’s New Clothes (With Apologies to Hans Christian Andersen) appeared first on Granite Grok.

We journey once more into the midweek breach to embrace the meme and nothing but the meme! A hump-day tradition whose burden I assumed but not (perhaps) for very much longer).

Nitazakhon might be back to this one soon. We shall see.

But enough of this pithy banter.

Memes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Midweek Memes – The Future Belongs to Those Who Believe In the Beauty of Their … Memes appeared first on Granite Grok.

Politics in NH are interesting, as I’m sure anyone who is paying attention would agree. Hot topics, promises, and clever lies abound.

I’d be seriously slacking in my role as a Homeschool Advocate if I didn’t take the time to touch on the hot topic that has plagued our community for a number of years and become a front-and-center key platform push for politicians in our state.

Let me preface my statements here by sharing that these are my own thoughts and opinions, based on years and years of experience, advocacy and work as a freedom-minded home educator in NH and Southern Maine. If you want a list of “who I think I am” you could easily find it outside of this blog post, but since people have asked I’ll touch on that, too.

What it comes down to is that I am a mouthpiece for the home education community and have been for some time. I feel comfortable making the blanket statement that the politicians, families and organizations I’m addressing here are made up of some good, well-intentioned folks, but also hope to convey that the elephant in the room is quite huge. There are politicians, families and organizations who are *not* and are benefiting financially and/or politically off of our misplaced trust and misinformation.

That last bit hurts some feelings, but I’ve never been one to mince words when it comes to the topic of home education freedom.

The EFA program is bad for NH home education.

There it is, friends! I’ve been everywhere from gracious, slow to speak, heavy on nuance to blunt and some have said downright aggressive on this topic, and it’s time to cut the coddling and tell you what I know.

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

Myth #1: The EFA program is good for NH.

Truth: The EFA bill was rammed through our legislature because it couldn’t (rightly so) pass a straight vote. It was pitched as a way for less than one dozen, *low-income, urban* students to escape public school. The bill was sloppy, with no accountability for taxpayers, families, or the government. Those of us who follow the legislature have seen firsthand the hyper-partisan climate and the resulting onslaught of bills attempting to kill it from within. Families have been marketed and lied to regarding the implications of the program, and I have consistently, transparently shared the short and long-term devastation this program causes for home education in NH. None of this is good for our community.

Myth #2: It’s Your Tax Money Anyway, It’s “The Money Follows the Child.”

Truth: Anyone can easily and effectively debunk this often-repeated marketing tagline by simply looking at their tax bill. It’s not your tax money; it’s everyone’s tax money. The small fraction of money that one pays that actually ends up funding this program is minuscule in comparison to the award amounts and managing organization’s outrageous fees.

Those folks who believe that “taxation is theft” have been the most surprising in their enthusiastic support of this program, so much so that “school choice” has become part of the Free State Project platform. If taxation is theft, why are you just fine with everyone else paying for your kid’s pottery wheel and Jiu-Jitsu lessons? I surely don’t know. It’s not your money.

The fact that the majority of EFA families pay for private school tuition with the funds should alarm those of us who understand that the government runs what the government funds, but I guess that’s outside the scope of this article.

Myth #3: I’m still a homeschooler if I sign up for the EFA program.

Truth: Legally, the EFA pathway is a fourth, completely separate educational status according to the state. It is governed by a different and distinct set of laws than home education. EFA (government) funds can be used for a number of (government) approved vendors.

Although the EFA legislation was modeled after home education law, it is not the same. The long-fought, ongoing battle for parental rights, minimal requirements and freedom of choice in enrichment programs, curriculum, and other educational services is the result of persistent advocacy over decades.

Functionally, EFA families might choose to homeschool their children. EFA families might look similar in many ways to home educators, but they are not the same. There are yearly deadlines, databases and approvals needed in the EFA program. EFA families do not have graduation requirements Equal Access, or *the right to utilize whatever/whoever/whenever* they want to educate their children without purchase approval from outside agencies. This is not the same as RSA193:a home education. Can you call yourself a homeschooler? Sure, we can call ourselves whatever we choose, I’m convinced of that. But the fact remains that I have personally spent countless hours supporting freedom from these differences. I will not get caught up in semantics.

Myth #4: “It’s no big deal to take the money/Amanda, you’re just a rich, entitled person who doesn’t understand how this has changed My life!”

Truth: It is actually a big deal to take government money. Listen, I’ve been doing this a long time and have seen the culture shift in the home education community after COVID from that of home-grown, grassroots, connections-driven to “provide “x” for me, and if it gets hard, I’ll just send them to school mentality.

Parents are leaving public school in droves and expecting the same government-implemented supports, programs, freebies and resources. The “lifers” are fewer and those of us on the front lines to advocate are but a handful.

I’m old, I get it, but I have four children, one income, and a special needs child, and I have sacrificed untold hours and resources to home-educate my children over 17 years, and I have a lifetime left. I create, innovate, show up, support, and rally for our community. I, too, have exclusively shopped in the free section. I have had to say, “I’m sorry, but we can’t afford that price,” more often than not, so I figure out alternatives. The alternatives take a lot of sacrifices of time and energy- yet I’m beholden to only my family. I have spent hours driving all over the state, online consulting and volunteering in order to encourage the free market education community.

I have bartered, sat in countless meetings and legislative sessions, served on HEAC, and showed up at my local school board to fight for the home education community. I did it, and you can, too, *without working against the freedom to home-educate in NH.* I still do it, and I’m doing it right now. My youngest child cannot take the martial arts class that he desperately desires, yet the very first thing the Sensei said to me as I tried to barter my services for a discount was, “Just sign up for that Class Wallet; it would be free!” It wouldn’t be free, Sensei.

Your short-term ability to do extras or buy a brand new curriculum does not outweigh our freedom.

The long-term implications are clear, as in other states with similar programs: more government oversight, more laws passed, more narrow definitions and allowances, and more regulation. Accepting government money might change your life in seemingly positive ways right now, but it is devastating to our collective lives for these reasons now and in the not-so-distant future. This is a big deal, and I guess I do know precisely “who I think I am.” (my snark here is directed at the hate mail I receive from people who do not know me in real life at all)

Myth #5: A (any) managing organization’s administrator/vendor/politician is trustworthy.

Truth: There is an extreme conflict of interest happening with the EFA managing organization/vendors/politicians, the taxpayers, and the families involved. The managing organization makes a *whopping* 10% of all of the money that goes out the door. Look up how much similar program administrators get in other states for yourself – max 3 to 4 percent. The organization also manages the education tax credit, which is a true scholarship that needs to be fundraised from local businesses. The managing organization marketed directly to the ETC recipients to sign up for the EFA program, insisting that “there’s no difference” between the two programs. Both are income-based, but the similarities end there. The Administrator of the EFA program helped craft the legislation, markets the program at political events all across our state, and lies by omission during presentations by repeatedly focusing on emotional pitches instead of the facts.

I know families who feel “swindled” and “lied to” because the implications were never shared – “I was never told it was a different pathway/I had to turn things in/I’d be in a database/ I had to terminate my home education program.”

The EFA program has become a self-contained market where educational providers are racing to grab the cash. Scandals and closures are ramping up in NH and other states due to mismanagement. The “educational innovation” that is touted as the future is all based on families signing up for the EFA. Providers can (and do) charge exorbitant fees for their services *because they can* and freely market the EFA as the way to enroll. This is currently happening with Kaipod and Prenda. Can’t afford the thousands of dollars after the federal grant ends in September? Just sign up for the EFA! This is literally what I was told in person. These vendors are at the same info sessions and political events. At least one high-ranking politician, who is front and center of the EFA push in NH, benefits financially (personally) from the EFA-driven “learning co-op” that his wife directs. Let this sink in, folks. ***A leader in the legislature benefits financially from the expansion of the program.*** I’m not sure how this giant red flag has gotten a pass, but these obvious conflicts of interest have not gone unnoticed by the other side of the aisle or any of us who are paying attention.

Is it any wonder why the legislature has been absolutely swamped with targeted bills looking to control the program? To control everything from what is purchased, who purchases it, assessments, data, you name it. And as the title of this post states, it’s election season. I don’t care what side of the aisle one lands on; this is all incredibly murky at best, and if the (very partisan/close split) legislature, Governor, or Commissioner of Education changes, EFA families are all at risk. In mid-June, the vote to expand the program failed. If the Republicans lose any of these branches of government, “mean” blog posts are going to be the least of EFA families’ worries.

The managing organization and the Commissioner are both on record refusing the required audits of the EFA program, and a local State Rep said to me, “Kate Baker would rather close the program than share that information.” I hear, “Kate won’t let that happen,” when anyone questions anything that is troublesome on the horizon. It’s been happening for a number of years now. Is it a red flag that they refuse to share the required information for the required audits by the Committee tasked with overseeing the program? I’d say it is.

Myth #6: You need the EFA program to provide an excellent, tailored, engaging home education program for your children.

Truth: You don’t need government money, the strings attached, or the implications involved in signing up for the EFA program. There are countless ways to frugally curate your home education program. Coordinate, lead, barter, connect, pay it forward, sacrifice. Pioneers who came before us did it and we can, too. *Get involved and educate others on the value of the true freedom of home education!*

All this to say, don’t take their word for it. Heck, don’t take *my* word for it! Everything I have said here is publicly available information for those willing to uncover it. As with any election season, please consider your votes wisely. The Republican party is fully immersed in using the EFA program to help them get elected. The Democrats are fully immersed in using (killing) the EFA program to help get elected. Since none of them will actually admit any of this, all the more reason to get involved.

The post ‘Tis the (Election) Season appeared first on Granite Grok.

So-called independent web portals keep popping up in New Hampshire. They are well funded with professional staff, but try not to look it because they are actually partisan political fronts pretending to be unbiased, disinterested observers. They want you to trust them.

You can’t.

They may even say they care about New Hampshire, Live Free or Die! Granite Post News is one of the more recent inventions. Within seconds of clicking the link that hit my inbox, I could tell what this was. But before we get to that, here’s who they claim to be.

No one cares more about our state than the people who live here. And that’s us. Our experienced team of journalists all call New Hampshire home. We know you because we are you. We’re here to cut through the fog of disinformation and half-truths meant to confuse and distract from what we cherish most about our state and our country. That’s why we’re committed to reporting based on facts, science, and what matters most to Granite Staters.

They admit to believing in a living wage, centered reporting, quality education, and strong democracy. That sounds a lot like a Liberal-funded front group pretending to be something it is not. A band of locals who care about New Hampshire.

Related: Liberal Foundations Offer 500 Million In Grants to “Revitalize Local News” (You Mean Progressive Echo Chambers, Yes?)

Sorry. Not even close. But not everyone will notice or realize, so we are here to help.

Granite Post News is owned and run by Courier Newsroom. Courier is a creature of ACRONYM.

One newer group heralding the new era of pseudo-news outlets is ACRONYM, a liberal dark money group with an affiliated super PAC called PACRONYM. The nonprofit also is an investor in a for-profit digital consulting firm that gained notoriety for its role in launching Shadow Inc., the secretive vendor behind a vote tabulation app at the center of the pandemonium at the Iowa Democratic caucuses. ACRONYM announced it was divesting in Shadow Inc. shortly thereafter.

ACRONYM is behind Courier Newsroom, a network of websites emulating progressive local news outlets. Courier has faced scrutiny for exploiting the collapse of local journalism to spread “hyperlocal partisan propaganda.” It claims to operate “independent from” ACRONYM and says ownership is shared with “other investors.” But a new tax return obtained by OpenSecrets lists ACRONYM as the full owner of Courier as of April. 30, 2019, the most recent date on record. An ACRONYM spokesperson told OpenSecrets that Courier has attracted multiple private investors since that time.

Websites affiliated with Courier Newsroom that appear to be free-standing local news outlets are actually part of a coordinated effort with deep ties to Democractic political operatives. OpenSecrets first revealed the network’s digital ad spending at the Investigative Reporters and Editors NICAR conference in March.

ACRONYM has millions to spend on its networks and mission, and this isn’t our first dip of the toe into Couriers waters. In the run-up to the midterms, the same dark money was doing the same fake media song and dance. We uncovered four outlets in the Granite State of the original 51.

Granite Post News looks to be a bit less cut and paste, but the underlying partisan mission is the same.

Consider yourself informed.

And one more point, since this always comes up if an “outlet” or an advocate decides to play denier or engage in pushback. We have no issue with you being who you are. Just admit it. Let the people know, and they can decide how to value the opinion and reporting you have to offer.

 

The ‘Grok and Grok Media are reader-supported. No deep pockets. Just shoestrings and a strong desire to protect New Hampshire. You can begin or continue to support us and our mission here.  Thank You!

The post Granite Post News is “Part of a Coordinated Effort With Deep Ties to Democratic Political Operatives” appeared first on Granite Grok.

Suppose for a moment that you, the reader, live in the most corrupt and bluest city, and there are a handful of tireless truth seekers who keep getting knocked down by city hall, its agencies, activists, and even the courts.  How fortunate you are if you have such people willing to use their time, money, skills, and peace of mind to keep on trying!

This song is for them.

Also, suppose that you have zero representation in city hall or the NH legislature.  Let’s say for the moment that there is a member of the legislature (yours or someone else’s) who lives in your zip code and ought to be sympathetic to the local issues. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that such a person would go to bat for you and your local truth seekers, even if it’s someone not on YOUR ballot?

Now, recall Mr. Sylvia’s comment that the Senate is a place where good House bills go to die. It is also a place where bad House bills get rubber-stamped.

What about It?

Remember summer reading lists?  If you’ve been spared from them, I’ll say that you’re expected to read the book(s) and be prepared for a discussion in class that fall.  Another comparison is the book club, which is voluntary and, therefore, perhaps more accurate.  Anyway, you will get more out of reading the rest of this article if you first watch Melissa’s podcast called “How To Break Through Establishment-Controlled Legislatures.” Don’t be turned off by the 52-minute length; you can skip the unwanted content (ads, messages from the sponsor, etc.).

“How To Break Through Establishment-Controlled Legislatures”

 

Before she brings Emily and former Rep. Tim Baxter into the discussion, she focuses on a bad senate bill involving custody disputes, DSS, and placement of kids from broken homes.  I have no skin in that game, but the theme Melissa was illustrating resonated with me because of the similar Senate playing field forces involved with a bad House bill that the Damn Emperor signed on June 14.

Melissa mentions gatekeepers in her podcast and how the purse strings are controlled, but she’s classy enough to not name names.  Let’s just say that the lobbyist she is referring to has an unusual and frequently mispronounced name.  He is usually addressed by his initials and he’s been running the lobbying firm solo since the untimely death of his business partner, who also happens to be Queen Sharon’s predecessor.

You Can Help

Donating directly to the candidate, such as Emily Phillips, is a good start. I know broken records are commonly heard and read at campaign time, but I’ll share what I’ve heard from various Bible Bangers here and there over the years. “Faith without works is dead.” One of them, Nurse Terese, often makes comments like, “If you pray to God for a hole in the ground, don’t be surprised if you come into possession of a shovel.”

Terese also regularly says that courage breeds courage.  Melissa and Emily discussed the dynamics of the roll call.  I want to add to that the act of removing bad bills from consent.  Perhaps abolishing the institution of consent is worth discussing.  I have a Senator who regularly says, “Sometimes bills take multiple seasons to get things done, and the first one is to ‘just have a conversation.'”  I’m guessing the alteration of the consent calendar falls under the auspices of the Rules Committee, of which he is the chair.  Consider the seed planted and talk to Emily about consent because I predict a warm reception to the idea.

If we want different (meaning better) results in how the Senate behaves as a body, it’s time to get off the couch, open the wallet, and swap some keystroke time for in-person activism.  Please click here to offer Emily ways in which you are willing to help and remember that you don’t have to live in District 23 to help clean up the senate.

The post Fixing What’s Wrong With the New Hampshire Senate appeared first on Granite Grok.