Saturday • May 9 • 2026
Vol.XVIII • No.XIX
Manchester, N.H.
Let me first thank Spike for mentioning my recent article in his article, which he finishes with noting that it’s “planting a small seed.” It inspired me to review one of my earliest articles, perhaps my 3rd, to also plant a small seed, and it received some comments that I either overlooked or were posted after I stopped looking.
One of those comments mentions Nebraska, whose state house Karen Thoman and her husband visited during a summer road trip last year. When they returned to NH and she was telling me all about their vacation, it was then that I learned about their legislature being the first and only unicameral one since the 1930s.
I was unfamiliar with the Reynolds vs. Sims case at the time, but remember that Nebraska is a red state, and the change was made during the Great Depression, possibly as an act of thrift. Also, keep in mind that they have a paid legislature, and it’s a big state, which can make us private citizens take for granted the ability to be in Concord, for whatever reason, in a matter of minutes up to a maximum of about 2 hours without bad weather.
Senatorial duties call for roughly three trips to Concord per week during peak season, and let’s pick on Carrie Gendreau for a moment as she votes first and lives the furthest from Concord. That’s 500 plus miles on the odometer for her, which has to be more hours at the wheel than in committee or in the senate chamber. I won’t get into the weeds and split hairs, but you get the picture.
While I find a lot of procedural and structural things, for lack of better words, more pleasant in watching the live streams of the Senate than the House, I despise the “steamrolling” that occurs, which was noted in the comments. And then there’s the burying of bad bills in a bundle called “consent.” I certainly do NOT “consent” to an RTK Tax!
And just to cite another example to keep my complaint from being exclusively HB 1002-related, the Brookline GOP secretary called attention to SB 538,
an unhinged pure Dem bill (relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing) that he dubbed an “ill-advised HOMEnibus bill,” that died in the House last Thursday. It should have never even made it out of Senator Gray’s committee. What in the name of all that’s holy is wrong with them? They’re as bad as Judiciary!
At least one chamber did something last Thursday that actually serves Granite Staters, even though I have no representation in that body. I would also add that the death of SB 538 should be as ceremonious as Gregory Peck stepping out of the courtroom to go shoot a neighborhood rabid dog rather than the unpleasant fallout from Kristi Noem having to shoot a dog in her new book.
One must ask, “How many other bad senate bills are UNANIMOUSLY passed in this subversive manner?”
And even if it wasn’t so subversive, what about the hive mind or Uniparty peer pressure? Suppose for a moment that there’s a popular feel-good bill that you and/or your Senator do not support. S/he gets “chilled” of free speech and has to suck it up in a roll call to avoid being labeled the cold-hearted snake. It’s not a hill to commit political suicide on, but it’s not worth risking losing the next election by being the only one to vote NO on (insert bill here). It can be anything from something that’s as non-lawmaking as accepting a picture or Rogers Johnson to Massing up NH, like enshrining MassHealth. In the House, a dissenter is often not alone and can blend in like a Camry in heavy traffic, but NOT in a body of 24 whose names are individually roll called by the clerk.
In addition to all the benefits noted in my earlier case for not having a senate, we can delve deeper into reviewing additional benefits. Mull it over yourself, but I’ll first direct you to the famous Henry Kissinger comment about whoever that controls(this commodity) controls(those people or populations, etc.).
https://www.azquotes.com/author/8103-Henry_A_Kissinger
If we abolish the Senate, we will solve the problem of the donors owning Sharon Carson controlling which bills make it to the Corner Office.
The post Hey NH, Let’s Go UNICAMERAL appeared first on Granite Grok.
American colleges, known for fostering social movements, have witnessed a curious alliance in recent decades—the Leftist-Islamist coalition, an uneasy and yet significant force. This essay delves into this collaboration, raising questions about its ideological compatibility and financial transparency.
The political leanings of American faculty have been a topic of discussion since the 1930s. Studies like those by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education and the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) consistently show a higher concentration of liberals, particularly in humanities and social sciences. The McCarthy era of the 1950s further intensified scrutiny of political views in academia, sparking debates about academic freedom and potential bias.
The 1990s saw the emergence of Islamist activism on U.S. campuses, with the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the forefront. Founded in 1992 by Hatem Bazian, SJP actively advocates for Palestinian rights and criticizes Israeli policies. The group aligns itself with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and promotes an “anti-normalization” stance towards Zionist and most Jewish organizations. SJP’s activities and pronouncements have been met with controversy, including accusations of anti-Semitism and support for extremism.
Despite their apparent ideological differences, Leftists (Marxists) and Islamists find common ground in shared perspectives that fuel collaboration on various issues, particularly those related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Student organizations like SJP often partner with leftist groups to organize protests, campaigns, and initiatives. Collaboration extends to academics from both backgrounds, too, who engage in joint research projects, conferences, and publications that critically examine power structures, global politics, and their impact on marginalized communities.
The main problem here is that the role of academia (particularly leftist professors) in promoting a benign image of Islam while downplaying or ignoring its political aspects is that it portrays Islam as compatible with democratic societies—this is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public about the nature of Islam.
The financial resources that sustain coalitions between the Left and Islamists on U.S. college campuses come from various sources with varying degrees of transparency. Understanding these funding streams is crucial for a comprehensive picture of this phenomenon. Islamists leverage democratic processes to gain influence and potentially undermine democratic institutions from within. There is a warning here of the potential for Islamists to establish shadow governments within democratic societies, using Sharia law as a tool for control and intimidation.
Overt funding sources are publicly known and disclosed. They include:
University Grants and Allocations: Universities often allocate funds to student organizations and initiatives aligned with diversity, inclusion, and social justice values. These allocations are typically made through student activity fees or departmental budgets.
Foundation Grants: Foundations supporting social justice, human rights, and academic research may provide grants to student organizations and initiatives. These grants are awarded based on the alignment of the organization’s mission with the foundation’s objectives.
Crowdfunding and Donations: Public fundraising campaigns are another source of overt funding. These campaigns are often initiated by the organizations themselves or their supporters.
Covert funding sources are less transparent and may not be publicly disclosed, and they include:
Foreign Government Funding: Reports suggest that foreign governments, particularly in the Middle East, provide funding to American organizations and initiatives aligned with the former’s political interests. This funding can be channeled through intermediaries or directly to the organizations.
Private Donations from Individuals and Entities: Private donations from individuals and entities with specific political or ideological interests can also serve as covert funding sources.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs operating internationally provide funding to U.S. organizations and initiatives, especially those that align with their mission of promoting human rights, social justice, or other causes. Think, George Soros.
The distinction between overt and covert funding sources is important for understanding the financial dynamics of coalitions between the Left and Islamists on U.S. college campuses. The lack of transparency in some funding sources raises concerns about accountability, the potential for misuse of funds, and the influence of external actors on domestic politics and campus life.
Universities, student organizations, and the public must maintain high standards of transparency and accountability in handling funds. This includes clear disclosure of funding sources, the purposes for which funds are used, and the outcomes achieved through these investments.
This perspective underscores a broader debate about Islam’s nature, the role of left-leaning academia and the media in shaping public perception, and the challenges it poses to democratic societies. There is an urgent need to reflect deeply on naive or misguided attempts to reconcile Islamism with democratic values and practices.
Finally, we need to understand that the current state of America is at a critical juncture, with various challenges facing the nation. The threat of advancing Islamist jihadists and retreating democracy is cause for alarm. Additionally, the Islamic Republic’s rapid progress towards acquiring nuclear weapons capability adds to the overall unease.
The future of America hangs in the balance, and the choices made in the upcoming elections will shape the nation’s trajectory. Citizens must be informed and engaged, working towards America’s prosperous and secure future.
The post An unholy alliance: Leftism and Islamism appeared first on Granite Grok.
Norah O’Donnell challenged Hakeem Jeffries, saying that 2/3 of America believed the economy was better under Donald Trump. “Well, that’s just not the case,” says Hakeem Jeffries. We (the Democrats) have to do a better job of educating the American people. They are wrong, and the economy is much more robust than four years ago.
Seriously, what planet do these Democrats live or how stupid do they think we are? There is not enough Blue Kool-aid to get us to defy the facts and toast marshmallows with the gaslights these political hacks are using on us. No single component of the Biden economy makes it more robust than it was under Donald Trump.
We know politicians lie or stretch the truth, but there is no way that Jeffries can back his statement. Let’s look at some of the facts:
** Pre-COVID
The number that Biden always goes to is Jobs. He claims that no other president has lost as many jobs as Trump. Trump had a higher job growth until 2019 when the Pandemic hit. Conversely, Biden wants to claim all of the COVID replacement jobs. You cannot have both sides.
Other elements to consider are credit card balances, which have exceeded $1 trillion, and the fact that the American family has to spend nearly $1,200 a month more to maintain their 2020 lifestyle. How can Jeffries argue any of those numbers?
This is why Bidenomics is no longer a term Biden used on the campaign trail.
The mainstream media is complicit with what Jeffries did. He made an obviously incorrect statement, yet the reporter did not challenge Jeffries. Yes, she said that 2/3 of Americans disagreed, but she let the claim stay without correction with facts. Norah O’Donnell is a veteran and should have been prepared with the same data I supplied here. Rachel Maddox of MSNBC will not air any live public statements by Donald Trump because she has determined he is not credible. This act of censorship is from a “journalist” who made her career on the Russian Dosier and disputing the existence of the Hunter Laptop.
Politics and government in America have drifted so far from the truth and reality that you need a 24/7 fact checker to ascertain the clarity within the smoke. This deviance from the truth fueled the civil unrest on our campuses. Because these students were deprived of the true history of World War II, Hitler, the Holocaust, or the creation of Israel, it is easy for them to be fed a narrative by political activists to destroy anyone or anything that stands in the way of their toppling of America. People like Jeffries are as guilty as these activists and must be stopped and called out. Giving them a microphone and allowing them to speak their version of reality is a disservice and an affront to the American people.
The post “Well, That’s Just Not The Case”, Says Hakeem Jeffries appeared first on Granite Grok.
Denver, Colorado, is 1,782 miles from where I sit, so why would I care what they do? That’s a fair question, so here’s my answer. It is the same explanation for most of the out-of-state content. What Democrats are doing there is what Democrats here will do or want. There’s no diversity of thought or deed.
California is an example of the fresh hell we’ll be frog-marched into if we let down our guard for even a moment. Vermont is the nearest fresh hell (to me), having let its guard down.
Unlike Libertarians and most Republicans (many of whom are more inclined to leave you alone), Democrats have a template. You fit in it, or you don’t, and there are consequences for the latter. If Colorado Democrats are onto something, it is here already or near to “here,” percolating in what passes for their narrow little minds of far-left zombies in elected office.
Massachusetts, for example, across my State’s southern border, has already sent a shot across its residents’ bow by asking citizens if they have room to take in some border-jumping illegal non-citizen entrants.
[Gov. Healey] says Massachusetts has been spending around $45 million a month to help assist these families. The situation is so bad, the Healey administration is now asking people to open their homes and businesses to help people in need.
“Most importantly, if you have an extra room or suite in your home, please consider hosting a family. Housing and shelter is our most pressing need and become a sponsor family,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
The problem is a declared state of emergency, which hints at the likelihood of COVID-esque demands, and now Denver is asking its citizens to open their doors (the way Dems opened our borders).
We’re now at the stage where people with extra room are being asked to host illegal migrants in their homes.
How long until this becomes mandatory? pic.twitter.com/6hmOXcwCEY
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 6, 2024
A new push is encouraging people with “extra room” to host illegals in their homes. They even set up a helpful hotline to expedite the process.
‘Hope Has No Borders’ is working to pair illegals with host families across Colorado, and this can now be expedited via a new hotline.
I found a Facebook Page and Website for Hope Has No Borders, but there is no record of any 990s yet—they may be too new for that. In other words, I could not trace their funding. This group is allegedly providing money for food and basics to Denver families who dial 211 and adopt illegal aliens.
I doubt they’ve raised a sum from donors to address any increased need, so who is paying for it?
Denver recently cut 8 million from their police and fire department budgets to address ‘migrant’ issues. Someone should take a look at where that went.
And while we wait, here is some additional advice that makes too much sense to be taken seriously: Stop bringing them in and start flying them out. Problem solved.
Or we keep doing this until the “government” tries to force us to take them in. They are
t technically soldiers, so the Bill of Rights prohibition won’t apply.
Any such demand will be contentious and likely result in ‘mostly peaceful protests’ that, combined with the self-imposed attrition among the FD and PD (at least in Denver), could produce some exciting results.
I wonder if Antifa – none of whom will voluntarily take in illegals, they are mostly 20 and thirtysomething taking up the extra space in their parent’s basement – will engage in violence against people who don’t step up? They, along with BLM, are the Left’s modern red shirts—Maoist Red Guard in black. And that’s the point. They don’t care about you or the illegals. The goal is civil unrest, even if they have to start it (again and again) themselves.
So volunteer … to drive them to the airport.
The post Now It’s Denver Asking Citizens to Volunteer to House Illegal Immigrants appeared first on Granite Grok.
Just imagine where we’d be if Superintendents in New Hampshire were this focused on academic excellence in their public schools!!
Dear Superintendent Costa,
I was made aware of an incident that took place recently in the school district where one of the teachers sent a letter home to parents apologizing for what is now being described as a mistake. This mistake involved a spring concert where someone approved the theme “From the River to the Sea.” You were quoted in the Seacoast Online article saying it “was mistakenly chosen as the theme for Hampton Academy’s upcoming spring concert.”
Related: School District Has to ‘Retire’ Their DEIJ Director
Given the current events happening in the U.S. on college campuses, it’s shocking that the staff was not aware of this phrase, and no one else in the school caught it. You also mentioned that you took responsibility.
Maybe this was a mistake, but it does remind me of the time when you facilitated Hampton students meeting with BLM. You were gleeful on that first Zoom call when you helped BLM access Hampton students.
BLM has not hidden their vile statements, which also include the statement “From the River to the Sea.”
ScreenshotAccording to the American Jewish Committee:
This is a rallying cry for terrorist groups and their sympathizers, from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to Hamas, which called for Israel’s destruction in its original governing charter in 1988 and was responsible for the October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israeli civilians, murdering over 1,200 people in the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. It is also a common call-to-arms for pro-Palestinian activists, especially student activists on college campuses. It calls for the establishment of a State of Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, erasing the State of Israel and its people. Another phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” which uses the Arabic word for “uprising” or “shaking off,” also calls for widespread violence against both Israelis and Jews across the globe (see “Globalize the Intifada”).
The position from BLM is very clear and is not one of neutrality where lives on both sides of this conflict are valued.
At Brooklyn pro-Palestine rally, calls to eliminate both Israel and US
At a pro-Palestinian, pro-Black Lives Matters demonstration in Brooklyn this week, participants called to eliminate the Jewish state as well as the United States, amid chants of “Death to Israel,” “Death to America” and “From Gaza to Minnesota, globalize the Intifada!”
Given your role in helping BLM access students in the Hampton district, I have to question what is going on under your leadership.
I have not seen any condemnation of this kind of hatred by anyone representing BLM. Why haven’t you addressed any of this with the community? By connecting students with BLM, you appear to be helping Hampton students learn this message of hate directed at Jews. I think it’s time to address what you have also done in this district.
Pursuant to the Right to Know Law (RSA, 91-1), I am requesting public access, within five business days, to the governmental records:
1) COPIES of ALL communication (emails, text messages, etc.) between SAU90 and Black Lives Matter representatives.
Per RSA 91-A:4IV(C) If you deny any portion of this request, please cite the specific exemption used to justify the denial to make each record, or part thereof, available for inspection along with a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the information withheld.
—
Ann Marie Banfield
TRUST REQUIRES TRANSPARENCY
Editors Note: For the record, this is the actual SAU90 district logo.
The post Another Local School District Asked to Explain Its Anti-Semitism appeared first on Granite Grok.
