It’s official, our national leaders obviously don’t care about this country, our state, the American people, or the Constitution they swore an oath to support and defend.

How could they, if they are willing to idly watch our country be invaded by unvetted foreigners?

How could they, if they are content allowing human beings to be illegally trafficked by criminal cartels into our country?

How could they, as they watch fentanyl and other deadly drugs, flow across our border, killing countless innocent Americans?

How could they, as they encourage dishonest judges and district attorneys to unleash violent criminals back into our society, to prey on law-abiding Americans?

How could they, as they condone our rogue justice department, selectively mete out “justice” while blatantly mocking the judicial tenets lady justice is supposed to represent?

How could they, as they mindlessly vote for spending bills that fund foreign wars, waste taxpayer money, and bankrupt our country?

How could they, as they allow big Pharma to test experimental drugs and vaccines on the American people with impunity?

How could they, as they bend a knee to china, allow them to steal our intellectual property while plotting our demise?

How could they, as they compliantly watch corporate media and big tech, silence our freedom of speech and “cancel” those they disagree with?

They are all complicit in allowing these things to happen during their tenure.

They are all accessories who have condoned all of these actions with their silence and inaction.

Their failure to act, coupled with their mindless political obedience, have negatively impacted the safety, security, and quality of life of the American people.

The failure of our representatives to protect the Granite Staters who sent them to Washington will forever be their legacy.

They have failed all of us, and we need to vote them all out.

We need to fill their seats with bold new leaders who are able to act independently.

Leaders who will replace their rhetoric with results, their aloofness with accomplishments, their indifference with industriousness, and their dishonesty with integrity.

I pray that our country still produces such people.

Sincerely,

Michael Petruzziello
Major, USMC (Ret)
Wolfeboro

The post Our Political Leaders, Are Not Leaders, and They Have Failed Us appeared first on Granite Grok.

The World Health Organization (the WHO?) has been warning the planet about the latest emerging plague. Sinister Monkeypox. Only it’s not a plague by a long shot. The disease is rarely fatal, mostly an inconvenience, and this time around, the only intervention needed is this.

The outbreak of the disease appears primarily in gay men and is transmitted through intimate contact. And by primarily, I mean almost exclusively. This monkeypox “epidemic” is so narrow in focus that neither the public health industrial complex nor its PR wing (the corporate media) dares to share the sexual orientation of the patients.

That’s fine. It’s not really anyone’s business what consenting adults do until it is relevant to the spread of the disease or in the context of blanket orders or mandates by the public health officials hiding these details.

A habit (blanketing) they’ve gotten much too comfortable with in recent years.

So, let us be frank about Frank and Frank and patient zero (who may or may not be named Frank or Francis, frankly).

 

Pride parades and events are being flagged (that’s FLAGGED) as Monkey Pox superspreader events. “The Gran Canarian pride festival attended by 80,000 from Britain and across Europe is being investigated after being linked to numerous monkeypox cases in Madrid, Italy and Tenerife.”

 

That was the genesis of this Monkeypox epidemic. With rare exceptions, and there may be none because, as noted, the experts don’t want to release details, patients are not gay men. One example of this is the apparent rise of this disease in children.

That could be a problem. How is an epidemic currently spread almost exclusively by gay men infecting children?

I bet you can work that out for yourselves.

But to get to the point, the “cure” is to isolate those most at risk. The disease is spread by intimate contact, so maybe gay men need to embrace abstinence for a few months. Lock down the libido. Quarantine the [insert word for you know what here]. Maybe until Thanksgiving? At which point you can be thankful you did not get or transmit monkeypox.

In the name of public health and all that.

 

 

The post Monkey Pox “Problem” Solved: Gay Men Just Need to Take The Rest of the Summer “Off” appeared first on Granite Grok.

Mental health challenges among children and teenagers have hit a nationwide crisis. That’s according to a recent declaration of national emergency by the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – three major medical organizations that jointly represent well over 200 children’s hospitals and 77,000 physicians nationwide.

In the declaration, the CHA, AACAP, and AAP collectively called on lawmakers and policymakers at all government levels to join them and promptly tackle the ever-increasing child and teenage mental health crisis in the US.

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the mental health crisis among teenagers

The coronavirus pandemic has hurt mental health across the board. Still, according to the New York Times, children and youth bear the biggest brunt. However, this is particularly true as children and adolescents struggle with ongoing grief, stress, and uncertainty, not to mention the physical isolation during the onset of the pandemic.

The data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the pandemic is quite alarming. It shows that children ages 12 to 17 visiting ER because of mental health emergencies rose by a whopping 31% between the onset of the pandemic and October 2020. The CDC also noted a 24% rise in such visits for kids ages 5 to 11.

Mental health in children in Chicago and across the nation is not only suffering almost out of sight. Teenagers, in particular, faced so much throughout the pandemic. As a result, they endure a lot mentally even though many states have “returned to normalcy.” While most healthcare providers and stakeholders focus much on the pandemic’s physical health effects, we cannot ignore a teenager’s mounting mental health crisis.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, teenage mental health challenges were gaining some attention. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has only pushed these mental health challenges facing teens to a crisis level. So it’s no wonder advocates of young people say swift action is needed now.

The national emergency declaration by the CHA, AACAP, and AAP marks the first discussion of children’s mental health crises on a nationwide platform. It’s an urgent call to all stakeholders, particularly policymakers at every level of government, to see the situation through an emergency lens.

The unequal impact of the teenage mental health crisis on Latinos and people of color

Clinical psychologists at the Center for Childhood Resilience at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago have noted that the facility has experienced a dramatic jump in the number of parents coming to seek mental health treatments for their kids.

The demand for children’s mental health services at the hospital has become so high that the waiting list has ballooned to the point of concern.” For teens looking to get care in person, they visit mental health franchises like Geode Health, which provide services around the country.

The specialists acknowledged the pandemic’s role in fueling the youth’s mental health challenges. They noted that most children seeking treatment were missing friends, experiencing grief, or facing isolation.

Even so, the pandemic-induced mental health challenges have disproportionately affected children and adolescents from minority communities. After all, data from the Chicago Department of Public Health indicates that Latinos and African Americans in Chicago accounted for 29.7% and 42.1% of coronavirus-related deaths. Meanwhile, only 23% of Covid-19 reported deaths were Caucasians.

Off this background, it’s evident that grief significantly contributes to the mental health challenges faced by Latino and black teenagers. After all, losing a loved one can be traumatic and affect a child’s mental health.

Policymakers and other stakeholders must discuss the teenage mental health crisis and ways of helping them cope with the impact of racial injustice and community violence among minority groups.

Moving up a gear is the way to go.

According to experts, access to youth mental health isn’t up to par, especially in minority-heavy, big cities and metropolises like Chicago, New York, and Detroit. They recommend making high-quality mental health services available within places of worship, community centers, and school buildings.

For instance, schools can set up trauma-driven strategies that should focus on teaching teens how to express their emotions responsibly. These programs should also focus on students’ emotional safety and robust relationships with their peers and teachers.

Conclusion

Medical organizations and children’s hospitals have made one step forward by declaring teenage and children’s mental health crises a national emergency. In the declaration, the AAP, AACAP, and CHA emphasized the unequal toll the situation has had on youth from minority groups. They also note the inextricable link between current racial injustices and the escalating youth mental health crisis.

 

 

The post Physicians Declare Teenage Mental Health Crisis Across the United States appeared first on Granite Grok.

With this check to the Sununu campaign, were you hoping that no one was going to remember that up until Jan 20, 2020, you were Chris Sununu’s Waterville Valley General Manager? Quid pro quo?  Cui bono, Mr. Day? 

And yes, I have saved that Gunstock website page. And interestingly enough, given the exchange where you were incensed over who was in charge of Gunstock, there was this little tidbit as well:

Gunstock is owned by Belknap County, and the GAC is a five-member board appointed by the Belknap County Delegation to oversee the resort. The Gunstock general manager reports directly to the GAC.

And you got mad when you were reminded that Dr. David Strang was, indeed, your boss???

The amount of twisting and cavorting his mind (or those of his minders) had to go through to come up with this deflection over you sending this political donation to your former boss – and they/you are calling your bosses, the Gunstock Area Commissioners, Extremists?  Tom Day told WMUR this as a way of explanation about the check (emphasis mine):

“We are a for-profit entity that has a donation line item in our budget and we donate to different things to promote Gunstock and promote the area and promote skiing in general,” he said. “We generate our own revenue and this donation does not affect Belknap County residents because we don’t take Belknap County money.”

This is wrong at so many different levels that it’s not clear where I should start first.  But here’s a try – Summary: No, you were buying political influence, it’s not your money, and yes you did.

To break that down:

1. No, you are NOT a “for-profit entity.”  Gunstock is owned by Belknap County. The County is a mere political subdivision of the State which means Gunstock is as well. There is a State Statute, RSA 399, that governs the entire operation of Gunstock, which means it is entirely a Government entity. As far as the “for-profit” is concerned, Government departments, bureaus, and agencies don’t “have profit” because they are not a commercial (think PRIVATE sector) companies.  They don’t have “profit,” but they CAN have a surplus.
2. If you were REALLY a for-profit entity, you’d be paying REALLY BIG bucks in taxes to the Town of Gilford – and you’re not.  You BARELY return much at all to the County.
3. Yes, they can donate to charities and other non-profits (like the Tourism board or a a group that helps kids, and things like that).  No one would have a problem with that.
4. However, sending a check “to promote Gunstock” to a political candidate that is also your boss (Governor Sununu) is not “promoting Gunstock,” that is seeking and paying for influence to a politician. Tom Day can’t even be honest with himself or us. He knows he got caught and is trying to wiggle out of it.
5. Sure, you have a revenue stream. So does the NH Dept of Motor Vehicles, right? You have to go there to pay for your license, pay for your vehicle plates, and pay for any testing; thus, they have revenue. Unlike YOU, Tom Day, as well as disgraced Commissioners Gary Kiedaisch, Rusty McLear, Brian Gallagher, and Russ Dumais, they have never said: “this isn’t public money” because they tell the truth. Ask them – they will not lie, like you, and say they are a “for-profit” entity and that the money they collect is theirs. They will readily tell anyone that it is ALL PUBLIC MONEY.
6. This leads me to my last point: it is ALL PUBLIC MONEY.
7. Contrary to what Day wants you to believe, they DO take Belknap County money – when they squander their revenues. Why else have they run to the Belknap County Commissioners for a handout like when they did back in 2016?  Remember, I had to fight them, even with a valid RSA 91-A demand, to get their budget numbers. “THAT’S PROPRIETARY,” they said, until I pointed out that when they came, financial hat in hand and gave the Commissioners their budget, they were plenty relieved to have gotten Belknap County taxpayer money

Isn’t that right, Tom Day?  Or are you merely trying to rewrite history to support “The Narrative”? Or thinking you can bamboozle everyone into believing a lie?

The problem is that they have either adopted the idea, or had it beat into them, that they aren’t part of Government. That’s been clear since I started to “watch” Gunstock very early this year.

They believe that they are something they aren’t. They believe that they aren’t constrained by any Law or regulations that apply to other Government agencies.  Kiedaisch believes, and now had the Sr. Gunstock Mgt believing that the Gunstock Area Commission was to act like a corporate Board of Directors – it’s not.

And when the replacement Commissioners started to be appointed to the GAC with Jade Wood replacing Russ Dumais, the “old boy network” started the rebellion against those new Commissioners AND the Belknap County Delegation that was appointed them.

So Tom Day is the perfect illustration of what has been wrong with Gunstock Mountain Resort, not in its operation, but in its perception of itself and its outlook vis-a-vis its status within Government.

Which is to say, they reject that they are simply a Government agency. And THAT is the root of all of the problems as they are trying to be something that they are not…

…and not being completely honest about it. Or in this explanation of why a political donation was given, by a government agency, to a candidate.

Hubris

The post Extremist? Tom Day Demonstrates the Problem with Gunstock and His Political Donation to Sununu with Gov’t Money appeared first on Granite Grok.

I made myself read the international bestseller Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, a memoir by Jung Chang (Touchstone edition; Simon and Schuster, 2003.) Why? So– I might know real historic details of life under a totalitarian regime such as Mao’s “Cultural Revolution.”

The daughter of a high Communist official, Jung tells her personal family story of the excruciatingly painful suffering of the Chinese people and her family, whose Father even had this VIP government role.

Growing up as a young girl until her early twenties, Jung endured oppressive physical and psychological conditions: forced communal living and separated marriages (even high Communist officials could not live together with their spouses).

Forced concubines for many. Ruthless, harassing local and national leaders, food rationing, and starvation. And arduous journeys by foot for registration papers to government offices and required relocations to new compounds.

We want to thank Claire Voie for this Op-Ed. Please direct yours to Editor@GraniteGrok.com.

She experienced the suicides of family and friends, incarceration, and the mental breakdown of her Father when betrayed by Communist officials. The abject cruelty of public shaming rituals staged in a public square for critics of the government or those suspected of disloyalty.

The constant surveillance of every day activities by officials and even neighbors. Mindless broadcasts of intercom propaganda blasting on town loudspeakers. Massive corruption in all levels of government.

The government manipulated conflicts/tensions between people and groups (communists vs. “rightists,” peasants vs. highbrow, neighbor vs. neighbor, ethnic group vs. other ethnic groups, etc.–sound familiar?)

Young Jung finally leaves China in 1978 with a prestigious scholarship award to Britain, where she meets her future husband, London’s Jon Halliday.

It seems incredulous that she survived and excelled amid such misery. She was gifted with extraordinary fortitude and inner intelligence.

With a maturing conscience, she learns from her experiences and discerns the evil manipulation of Dictator Mao, who continually propagandized as a “God” in her early school days.

She writes how nature consoled her—the natural beauty and life-giving landscape of flora and fauna among the plains and mountainous Chinese landscape. Recording her mystical and meditative times of solitude in nature, she often preferred being away from people, where she could think and rely on her own instincts.

Like Jung Chang, New Hampshire’s Lily Tang Williams is a Chinese-born survivor of the same totalitarian regime known as the “CCP.” With extraordinary fortitude and intelligence, Lily Tang escaped to FREEDOM in 1988 when she came to study in America.

She later met her future husband, John Williams, and her family now lives in Weare, New Hampshire. She travels throughout America with her passionate message for “Victims of Communism.” Running for U.S. Congress in NH District 2, Lily has a great purpose: to save America from an emerging tyrannical government acquiescence to Congressional and corporate elites colluding with the CCP and Communist practices.

Lily Tang Williams will not cave in as many do (even Republicans.) She knows better.

I trust Lily more than the other District 2 Congressional candidates. Only she can shock Congress out of collusion with a cultural revolution in America.

 

 

Reminder: Content about candidates or by candidates is not an endorsement by GraniteGrok.com or its authors.

The post Wild Swans: A Precursor to Lily Tang Williams for Congress appeared first on Granite Grok.

Margot Cleveland, The Federalist: DOJ May Have Obstructed Important Biden Corruption Investigations Out Of Pittsburgh And Delaware On Monday, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that “multiple FBI whistleblowers, including those in senior positions” had accused Washington Field Office assistant special... Tom Bowler

The exponential increase in computing capacity, often referred to by technologists as Moore’s Law, has had a disruptive and transformative effect on virtually every major industry. The pharmaceutical industry is no exception.

The explosion of computational power has had unexpected implications for productivity, had profound consequences for the pharmaceutical industry, and led to the development of the exciting field known today as biotechnology. 

Moore’s law refers to doubling the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit roughly every two years. While some claim that Moore’s Law is no longer applicable, the exponential growth in available computing power for virtually every industry is undeniable. 

To many technologists, cloud computing solutions represent the next huge step forward in biotechnology and many other fields. It allows pharmaceutical companies to leverage increased computing power for safer data housing, more efficient scale-up or IT infrastructure, and more accessible data sharing. However, cloud computing isn’t without its drawbacks; it often requires the use of vast amounts of power. 

To understand why cloud computing for the pharmaceutical industry uses so much power, let’s explore the growth of the field of biotechnology and how cloud computing will become the next big step forward for the industry. 

Understanding the Power of Biotechnology 

Dramatic increases in computing power have led to a cascade of advancements and discoveries in biology. Most notably, computational systems have allowed biologists to sequence the human genome. The Human Genome Project (HGP) took nearly 13 years and $3 billion to complete and represented one of the most dramatic steps forward in the field. 

The mapping of the entire human genome has given researchers the tools to uncover the genetic influences and origins of various ailments, leading to the possibility of new treatments and preventative measures. The genomics revolution, and the related field of proteomics, the study of proteins, have produced a colossal amount of data that must be stored, organized, and analyzed. 

Our information systems in 2003 were not as connected as they are today. Ironically, the level of technology that enabled the completion of the HGP represents a challenge for analyzing and applying those findings today. According to Dickson, technologists must update much of the IT infrastructure that houses this data, so pharma cloud computing systems are vital. 

Pharma cloud computing systems provide biotech firms the firepower needed to complete complex computations, analyze genomic data and find genetic causes of some diseases. They provide various benefits when working with big data. 

The Law of Accelerating Returns 

Developed by futurist Ray Kurzweil, the law of accelerating returns refers to “the tendency for advances to feed on themselves, increasing the rate of further advance, and pushing well past what one might sensibly project by linear extrapolation of current progress.” In simpler terms, discovery A leads to discovery AB and AC, and each of those spurs at least two different discoveries. 

Scientific discoveries don’t move in a straight line but fan out in multiple and sometimes unexpected directions. The biotechnology field is one example of the law of accelerating returns. It has impacted everything from the development of vaccines and antibiotics to advancements in the food manufacturing process to the gene sequencing revolution. 

The Benefits of Cloud Computing Systems 

First and foremost, cloud computing systems are higher performing than other IT systems. They can examine, organize, and analyze large datasets quicker and more efficiently than other systems, allowing researchers to sort the signal from the noise in massive amounts of data and develop scientific hypotheses that they can test. 

Another benefit of cloud computing systems is offering enhanced data security, a priority for biologists. Security is essential for data in biotechnology because data can accumulate quickly and must be secured efficiently. Sensitive data about expensive, lucrative medical products such as COVID-19 vaccines can represent intellectual property worth millions or even billions of dollars. 

Pharma cloud computing systems and web-based databases allow IT managers, to implement multi-factor authentication for all workers who access the data, limiting possible vulnerabilities and security concerns. They also enable the deployment of robust firewalls that limit data breaches and access by malicious actors such as hackers. IT managers must protect data through enterprise-level encryption and cross-referenced through regular data snapshots when using cloud computing systems. 

Finally, cloud computing systems are compatible with sophisticated Intrusion Protection Systems (IPSs) that can detect anomalous log-ins or other suspicious user actions that conflict with expected behaviors stored in a dedicated SIEM platform. Some institutions have even halted cloud computing initiatives and subcontracted them out to other companies to ensure data security. 

Scalability is another significant benefit of cloud computing systems. It refers to the capacity of these systems to quickly and dramatically expand; to store and analyze rapidly growing quantities of data. 

Cloud computing systems allow this to be accomplished cost-effectively through strategic resource clustering strategies such as Hadoop clusters. Data is written into an external cloud storage system and accessed by adding or removing nodes. 

The Power Requirements for Cloud Computing Systems 

Much of the power requirements for cloud computing systems come from the need to cool large clusters of IT hardware systems. Technologists utilize various techniques, including the strategic spacing of different hardware pieces that allow for enhanced air circulation, liquid cooling systems, and powerful fan and ventilation systems to keep the systems from overheating. 

Ventilation systems often require a vast amount of power to function correctly, and failures in cooling systems are an existential threat to cloud storage infrastructure. That is why redundancy is essential and represents an additional demand for power in cloud computing. 

Backup systems are necessary, as is a comprehensive policy of checks and balances. IT managers must institute plans that prevent the failure of part or all of a cloud computing system. 

Different types of redundancies include dual power feeds, a backup network stack, high-efficiency computer nodes, and a failsafe storage cluster that can accommodate disk failures or hardware malfunctions. Despite these challenges, the advantages of cloud computing are so significant that many different industries are taking advantage of these systems.  

To Sum Up 

It’s clear that cloud computing systems are dependent on high amounts of energy.  The use of such power levels by these systems requires extensive planning to ensure proper cooling, ventilation, and maintenance of cloud computing infrastructure. 

The power of the cloud is setting the stage for some of the most important breakthroughs in biotechnology, which have the potential to save millions of lives in the future.

 

 

The post Why Does Cloud Computing for the Pharma Industry Require So Much Power? appeared first on Granite Grok.

We’ve been charting the Democrat decline of Burlington, Vermont, for a few years, and it is swirling the bowl as predicted. Property crime has been rising, and now gun crime is becoming a problem, but the local PD lacks resources. Can you guess why?

The Dems running the city into the ground tripped over themselves during the summer of love, rape, looting, and riots to show BLM they were made of the right stuff by backing the latest thing. They cut police funding by 30%.

Burlington is also a sanctuary city that gave illegals the vote (local elections only) and continues to display the hallmarks of long-term decline under Democrat rule. As I said, swirling the bowl.

And, to be fair, it is what the people want: they just legalized prostitution and sex trafficking so it is illegal for the city to regulate sex work. This will result in more human trafficking, drug abuse, sexual assault, and maybe even more sexually transmitted diseases and crime.

Related: Keep a Close Eye on the (National) Socialists Running Burlington Vermont…

A Baltimore or Chicago they may never be, but they’ll get as close as they can with the population and progressive antics at hand. And without the resources to investigate rising crime, what’s to stop criminals from committing more of them?

 

Police say [22-year-old Kayla] Noonan was shot and killed and that her friend, who lived in the apartment, was critically injured before 27-year-old Mikal Dixon shot and killed himself. …

[Acting Police Chief Jon]  “Murad said detectives are over-extended investigating other cases and that they have reached out to the Vermont State Police for assistance.”

 

Murad’s department is famously lacking resources, another side-effect of knee-jerk leftist policy. And sure, you pull State police off their regular work to lend a hand in Burlington, but is Burlington paying for that or every other taxpayer in Vermont? And where will the State Police find the resources?

 

Vermont State Police, with an authorized strength of 333 troopers, recently reported that it has over 50 vacant positions. Add to these numbers the wholesale dissolution of the Burlington and Rutland police forces and what the respective municipalities are attempting to do in re-staffing. It is unprecedented.

 

All of Vermont is already paying.

And it won’t stay in Burlington or Rutland, which also defunded its local PD and has ten times more crime per square mile than the state average.

Brattleboro is another Vermont town the progressive policy-liquored left is driving into a ditch. And not long from now, the rising crime they created will require that they deprive you of other rights until your state looks less like the quaint New England for which it was once known and more like every other city Dems have ruined.

Related: 2021: New Hampshire Ranked Safest State in America Again, While Vermont Begins Liberal Slide…

It might still be pretty from a distance, don’t get me wrong, but up close? Democrats destroy everything they touch, and Vermont is not immune.

Burlington is just the first to fall, and while it’s not yet buried, only the residents can change course. But to do that, they have to stop voting for Democrats (or Phil Scott-republicans) for the next few decades, and I’m not convinced they are able.

Sure, voters in San Francisco recalled their City DA because the crime exceeded their tolerance for it, but no Republican mayors or city councils are in their future because real change is not something in which they truly believe.

So, is Kayla Noonan the victim of a murder-suicide or her city’s ideological blind spots? Not to worry, since they can’t blame themselves, the Dems will blame white people, guns, homeschooling, wages, inequity, and anything but Democrat policy mistakes. Maybe they’ll even blame whoever threw ammunition on a hot grill in a South Burlington McDonald’s yesterday.

They had to evacuate the building.

Responding officers negotiated with the employee, who still possessed the handgun and additional ammunition, the report said. The employee agreed to leave the gun inside and surrender to police.

No name was given, but don’t be surprised if that person ends up being a school shooter someday. And everyone will act surprised.

 

 

The post Burlington Police Chief Lacks Manpower to Investigate Murder Suicide Because BLM-Appeasing City Council Defunded Them appeared first on Granite Grok.

Paul Sperry, RealClearInvestigations: Meet the Russiagate Prober Who Couldn't Verify Anything in the Steele Dossier Yet Said Nothing for Years The top analyst assigned to the FBI’s Russia “collusion” case, codenamed Crossfire Hurricane, admitted under oath that neither he nor... Tom Bowler

Whether you’re planning to spend your summertime in the city partying with your girls, heading for the beach, or anything in between, there’s definitely a summer clothing trend for every occasion you might have.

Summer styling is arguably all about comfort, versatility, and ease. What fashion items will make you feel the most carefree, comfy, and confident while staying true to your style? Preparing your warm-weather wardrobe—from shoes to shorts to accessories—is only half the battle. The other half of the fun is styling your outfits, and summer is all about effortless fashion.

Fun, happy-go-lucky colors, subtle skin flashes, and light fabrics are a few fashion trends we’re gunning for in 2022. Ahead, check out our top picks for 2022 fashion trends that’ll be all the rage this summer season. These summer styles are approved by leading fashion experts, trendsetters, and stylists.

Cute Women’s Shorts

Bold and cute shorts are back in style, baby, and we love them. If you ask us, shorts are the comfiest and most reliable bottoms women can rock in warm weather. So although micro minis and 1990s retro trends have recently had their moment in the limelight, the power of a cute pair of summer women’s shorts remains unbeatable.

Let’s give shorts their due respect and attention, shall we? After all, these bottoms can be so much more reliable and practical than dresses and skirts, particularly during those windy summer days. Better yet, Sanctuary clothing says that shorts for women can be incredibly versatile—you can wear your favorite pair out on a date, to brunch, or even to work.

According to a recent piece by The Wall Street Journal, some office employees and their organizations are starting to embrace shorts, paying homage to the trendy work-from-home fashion. Of course, shorts began their fashionable return in spring, but this summer, they are back with more bang and even cuter.

This year’s summer shorts come in all shapes, sizes, and price tags, which means there’s a style for every woman looking to try the trend. Of course, you must find a shape or style that works for you, from baggy to slim-fit, mini, midi, or Capri lengths.

For instance, if you want to create a work-friendly outfit with a serious dose of glamor, you won’t go wrong with a pair of paper-bag or high-waist shorts. Pair your paper-bag shorts with a tucked-in, tailored button-down top. Layer an open blazer or cardigan over the top and finish off the outfit with a pair of low heels or espadrilles.

On the other hand, if utility is your thing, look no further than khaki shorts. They’re cute yet versatile and super-practical for just about any plans you might have for summer. A pairing of khaki shorts and a white silk long sleeve blouse is a safe bet for a variety of relaxed occasions. Complete the look with a pair of chunky high heels or something cute like suede ballerinas.

Denim shorts are another must-have in your summer wardrobe. Cute options in style this season don’t feature cliché distresses or rips, which makes them an all-summer staple. Try teaming your blue jeans shorts with a simple white sleeveless top for a more laid-back approach to summer styling.

Micro Mini Skirts

Micro mini-skirts are one of the most rave-worthy fashion trends for summer 2022, partly thanks to Miu Miu and Miaou. These itty-bitty bottoms are already reigning supreme, sending longer dresses and pants to the back of the wardrobe until the colder months come knocking. They’re great for showing off your beautiful tan skin and staying nice & cool all summer long.

Ever since the micro mini brought back the Y2K trend, the big question has always been: how do you wear such a short skirt off the runway? Even though they can be risqué, micro-minis can make perfect outfits if styled correctly. And the answer is right there: wear these micros with equally itty-bitty tops.

Of course, you should ditch skin-hiding pieces like turtlenecks and chunky knits for crop tops and cute bralettes. For instance, you can marry your favorite micro mini-skirt with a small blouse for a skin-showing summer outfit.

Alternatively, you can wear your micro mini with a structured blazer to add a strong power punch to your summer ensemble. The pair might not be appropriate for the office, but it’s undeniably sexy. A fashionable corset top can also do the trick.

Bold, Bright Colors

The events of the past two or so years have made us feel bogged down and stagnant in various ways—and fashion is no exception. This year, fashion experts and stylists are banking on the return of dopamine-dressing-friendly styles like neon brights and fringes to lift our spirits and moods.

Bold and bright hues attracted a fair share of attention on last year’s runways and will undoubtedly stay trendy well into fall. We expect to see these bold colors in just about any piece of clothing on red carpets, street style, and beyond.

So, for the summer, say adieu to your neutral pieces in favor of the hottest pinks and brightest blues (and every bright hue in between). While the warm weather will birth numerous bold color styles (read: purple, neon green, and orange), pink will rule the roost. For inspiration, look at the Grammys 2022 red carpet, where celebs like Billy Porter and Saweetie rocked many shades of the hot hue.

These bold colors work in matching sets, as well as with neutrals. Don’t forget about exotic bright colors like sorbet, mustard, and lilac, amongst many others.

Platform Shoes

After many years of naked straps and minimalist soles, platform shoes are making a comeback. “The higher the heels, the better,” is the slogan for footwear designers this season. And if what we saw in various runways is anything to believe, this shoe trend will stick around for a while. From Versace to Nodaleto, platform shoes are the most prominent summer trend.

The trick is to go strappier, chunkier, and higher with your platform heels. However, if you’re not ready to go all-in with platform shoes after wearing super-comfortable slides and trainers for months, look for casual and smart-casual style inspiration from celebs. Hailey Bieber pairs her platforms with a tailored blazer dress, while Dua Lipa sticks with an open cardigan and a mini skirt. It’s all up to you.

Wrapping up…

Styling outfits this summer is about pieces that provide a nice balance between casual, comfort, and chic factors. With bold colors, cute women’s shorts, and mini micro skirts, there’s a style for all your summer plans, from rooftop parties to vacations to weddings.

 

The post 2022 Fashion Trends for Summer and What to Buy appeared first on Granite Grok.

Citizen participation in their local government depends on the goodwill of those serving. Laws exist that permit citizens access to meetings and records, but without the goodwill of those serving to provide access and records, it all falls apart.

Nashua’s officials lack the goodwill expected of public servants. The City is undergoing a major expansion and redevelopment effort of our Downtown. Many of these high-cost projects are not open to public participation. Public records of meetings and minutes are not maintained and provided to the public per the law. Tracking what is really going on is nearly impossible and extraordinarily frustrating. One such project is the Nashua Performing Arts Center (NPAC).

The secrecy surrounding this project is so high that the Corporate Attorneys Bolton and Leonard and Economic Development Director Tim Cummings are not willing to state whether the NPAC joint committee or the three corporations that comprise the joint committee are public entities. More to come on this.

The secrecy surrounding this project is so high that the Board of Aldermen did not identify this committee on the city website. The Board approved 2 of the Corporate entities that make up this joint committee through Omnibus Resolution O-20-094. They appear to be public entities, but the City will not confirm this.

The secrecy surrounding this project is so high that minutes and agendas have not been posted on the City website. Citizens had no way of knowing that this joint entity even existed.

The secrecy surrounding this project is so high that the project costs are being withheld from the public. There is no publicly available history of the change orders approved for the construction of this downtown facility. This $25 million dollar project is heading for cost increases. But that too, is shrouded in secrecy.

The secrecy surrounding this project is so high that the meeting minutes recorded by the Board do not meet the requirements of the law. These legal requirements are minimal. It is inexcusable to not record the motions of the Board and provide a brief explanation of the items discussed. A review of the May 9, 2022 meeting minutes shows that the Board provided no update on the financial and construction project. How could the board skip these major agenda items? The meeting has no motion to adjourn. Did the meeting last 5 minutes or 2 hours?

I don’t want to pay any more of my money for secret projects that are supposed to be public. How much more do you want to pay?

 

 

The post How Much Are Nashuans Willing to Pay For Secrecy? appeared first on Granite Grok.

Tom Klingenstein is the chairman of the Claremont Institute, he is also a public speaker, a writer, and a playwright. He believes that we are in a cold civil war. The enemy—what he calls the “Woke Comms”—are winning, in large... Tom Bowler

AND then Gov. Sununu’s campaign Manager Paul Collins for accepting it?

The news broke last night Statewide – but I actually “nuanced” the story yesterday morning on Life with Liz radio show. Here is the check that I spoke about:

 

(click to enlarge)

 

Interview is from 7 min 30 sec to 21:40

 

There are multiple election laws that have been broken here. I’m no lawyer but there is one that is looking into them all for me. When I get them, I will update this post.  In the meantime, here’s a bunch of things wrong:

• This was signed by Tom Day, now former President and General Manager of Gunstock Mountain Resort (GMR). He is NOT part of the Gunstock Area Commission –why did HE sign this check?
• GMR is a Government department of the Belknap County just like the Nursing Home, the County Jail, and the Sheriff’s department. THIS IS NOT PERMISSIBLE!!
• WHO GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO SEND GOVT MONEY TO A POLITICAL CANDIDATE?  I can find no GAC minutes that contain a vote to send such a donation by the Commissioners.
• The GAC itself is a Commission within Belknap County – a political subdivision. It is ILLEGAL for them (as well as GMR) to donate to a political candidate – much less their “highest” Boss, the Governor.
• Is this more of Kiedaisch’s “Rules are for little people” attitude – and sending Government money to a close friend (re: his boasting about his “in” with the Sununu family)
• Or, was this an “advance payment” for this part of Sununu’s missive about Gunstock?

 

And that’s not the worst of it.  Paul Collins is a long time political operative here in NH and has worked for the Sununu family for a long time. He is also the one that notified me that Sununu was not going to participate in a GrokGauntlet (in an e.e. cummings style):

—– Original Message ——
From: “Paul Collins” <paulcollinsnh@gmail.com>
To: “Skip” <Skip@granitegrok.com>
Sent: 6/30/2022 8:59:37 AM
Subject: Re: An invitation for Gov. Sununu to be interviewed by the GraniteGrok.com authors

good morning mr. murphy,

thank you for reaching out, but we will pass.

pjc

He signed the Nov 3, 2020 Friends of Sununu campaign financial report.

 

 

Here is the complete manifest (image only). The Gunstock Area Commission is on page 5, line 9. How could Collins NOT know that Gunstock, given the ties to the ski area that Sununu has, is a government agency?

Friends of Sununu Nov 3 2020 Campaign fund manifest

I looked for any names that looked familiar, and I did spot a donation for $1,500 from John M Formella of Portsmouth – is this the same person as our now-current Attorney General?  I also saw Ken Merrifield for $300 listed as “agency head” (NH Commissioner of Labor).

So the Gunstock Area Commission wasn’t the only government agency giving agency money to their boss.

So there are a few questions to be asked about this!

 

 

The post How Many Election Laws Were Broken by Gunstock Mountain’s Tom Day for Sending $500 of Gunstock Funds to Sununu’s Campaign? appeared first on Granite Grok.

When it comes to choosing a PPC agency, there are many things you need to take into account. Not all agencies are created equal, and finding the right one for your business can make a world of difference in your advertising results.

If you end up choosing an inadequate PPC agency, you run the risk of messing up your initial PPC campaigns. That can be costly in terms of time and money. This article will help you avoid those mistakes and provide information on what PPC agencies do, the benefits of hiring one, and the best practices for vetting them.

What does a PPC agency do?

A PPC agency is responsible for managing your pay-per-click campaigns. That includes developing strategies, conducting keyword research, setting up ad groups and targeting, writing ad copy, managing bids, and budgets, tracking results, and performing optimizations.

PPC agencies generally specialize in one or more areas of paid search marketing. For example, some focus exclusively on Google Ads, while others may have expertise in Amazon Advertising or Facebook Ads. Therefore, it’s essential to choose an agency with experience with the platform you want to advertise on.

What are the benefits of hiring a PPC agency?

First, they can save you a lot of time. Developing and managing a successful PPC campaign while working a full-time job is challenging. You’ve got to be on top of the copy, analyze the data, and manage the campaigns. When you outsource or partner with a PPC agency, they save you the time and headache of managing that campaign. In addition, the experts get to focus on what they do best while you focus on running your business. 

Second, they have the tools and resources to do the job right. There are a lot of paid search platforms and a variety of tools to manage them. Unless you’re working in the marketing industry, it’s unlikely that you have access to all of the paid search tools out there. A good PPC agency will have licenses to the best ones and know how to use them to get you results.

Third, they keep up with the latest trends and changes. The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, and it can be hard to keep up with all the changes. So when you partner with an agency, they make it their business to stay on top of the latest trends, so you don’t have to. That way, you can be confident that your PPC campaign is getting done correctly.

How do I vet and choose a PPC agency? Look at past clients, testimonials, and case studies

The first step in your vetting process is determining which agencies to book a consultation call with. That means you must use the information available to you on their site. According to Digital Authority Partners, the three most important pieces of information you’re looking for are past clients, testimonials, and case studies.

A good PPC agency will be proud to showcase its work and will have no problem sharing references with you. However, if they don’t have any past clients listed on their site, that’s a huge red flag. Similarly, if they don’t have any testimonials or case studies, that also causes concern.

When looking at an agency’s past clients, make sure they’re in a similar industry as you. For example, if you’re a B2B company, you want to ensure the agency has experience working with other B2B companies. The same goes for B2C companies. You also want to make sure they have experience working with companies of a similar size as yours.

As you look at testimonials, pay attention to the language used. Are they generic statements like “They’re great to work with” or “They get results?” Those are fine, but they don’t tell you much. Instead, you want to see specific examples of how the agency helped their clients succeed.

When reading case studies, pay attention to the results achieved. For example, did the client see an increase in conversions? A decrease in cost per conversion? Please note those numbers so you can ask about them later.

Ask the right questions.

The next step is booking a call or beginning an email thread to ask questions. The goal here is twofold: first, you want to see how they communicate, and second, you want to get a feel for their process.

To start, ask about their experience with your industry and the type of business. As we mentioned before, it’s important to choose an agency with experience working with companies like yours. If they don’t have any experience in your industry, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. But it is something you should take into consideration.

Next, inquire about their team. Who will be working on your account? Make sure to get the names and titles of each team member. Then, you can check their LinkedIn profiles if you’d like. That will give you a sense of their experience and what they offer.

It would help if you also asked about the tools they use. As we mentioned, there are many paid search tools out there. A good agency will have licenses to the best ones and know how to use them to get results.

Finally, inquire about their process. How do they approach paid search? What kind of deliverables can you expect? When will you receive reports? The more transparency they can provide, the better.

Understand how much you’ll be spending.

Lastly, it’s vital to understand how much you’ll spend with the agency and the PPC ads themselves. There’s no magic number here – it all depends on your budget and goals. But you should have a good understanding of what you’ll be spending before signing a contract.

To get an idea of ad spending, ask the agency for a few examples of past clients who had similar budgets to yours. Then, you can look at those clients’ accounts to see how much they’re spending. That will give you a baseline to work from since managing PPC campaigns is difficult. 

Takeaways.

When choosing a PPC agency, it’s essential to do your research. Look at their website, read their case studies and testimonials, and book a consultation call. During the call, inquire about their experience, team, process, and tools. And finally, understand how much you’ll be spending on ads before signing a contract. By following these steps, you can be confident you’re choosing the right PPC agency for your business.

 

 

The post Key Tips for Choosing a PPC Agency appeared first on Granite Grok.

In response to The Groomers Running Our Public Schools — How they Groom the Girls (GraniteGrok, July 23, 2022), Ann Marie Banfield’s brilliant expose of Montgomery County, MD school policy regarding  ‘Gender Separated Areas,’ first and foremost, I think everyone agrees that parents (or guardians) are 100% responsible for children’s health, safety, and well-being, and must make it their business to be aware of any school policies that possibly pose a threat to their children and act accordingly.

Further, parents must educate themselves to honestly determine if their children are vulnerable to solicitation by sexual predators no matter where they might appear, including in familial situations. Children must be educated to recognize and report warning signs directly to their parents (NOT to school counselors or administrative staff) and, unfortunately, about how to escape from difficult situations.

Parents must not allow adult persons whose backgrounds are unknown (especially any criminal history) to be alone with their kids under any circumstances. The same rings true for shared facilities in schools. Parents should heed school policy to request that their child be provided with an alternative arrangement.

As a former private investigator, I served as a child advocate and investigated suspicious persons attempting to groom parents to get close to their children. My “bibles” were materials published by the National Center for Missing Children written in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (Behavioral Science Unit), including Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis; For Law Enforcement Officers Investigating Cases of Sexual Exploitation:

Even just a quick read will scare responsible and possibly naive parents straight. Please pass this valuable information on for children’s safety.

 

 

Deborah Aylward is a native of Washington, D.C. who settled in Danbury, NH in 2006. She is running for State Representative as a Proud Republican in Merrimack County, District 5 (Andover, Danbury, Hill, Salisbury, and Webster).

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