John Klar, Author at Granite Grok

The Extinction of Mid-Size American Farms Hurts You

September 13, 2023 John Klar

The consolidation of smaller farms into sprawling industrial food-rearing facilities has been witnessed by a largely unaware or uncaring society. Americans rallied to save the bald eagle and the spotted owl but have mustered little more than a platitudinal Farm Aid concert to reverse the decimation of the nation’s food-producing backbone. However, failing to save … Read more

The Histrionic Follies of Volcano Deniers

September 10, 2023 John Klar

Many Americans who are receptive to the possibility that human activities are warming the globe may invoke the motto of the Show Me State when asking alarmists to share what is never shown – evidence.

Envy Social Justice Thomas Sowell FreedomWorks Powerline

Social Justice Policing Replaces Law Enforcement

September 9, 2023 John Klar

Many Americans are shocked by proposals to reduce police protection while opioid deaths skyrocket, borders are flung wide, and urban businesses are trashed and ransacked on national TV as political protests.

A Populist Slogan Obscures Bad Policy

September 5, 2023 John Klar

In the aftermath of recent record flooding in Vermont, Republican Governor Phil Scott announced a state program to sell uplifting license plates, bearing the simple message “Vermont Strong” to affix to the front of vehicles. Vermonters soon will be able to purchase these plates to express solidarity and a rebuilding spirit. But does the messaging mask awful policy?

America’s Farmerless Farming Future?

September 2, 2023 John Klar

Farmers have steadily declined as a share of the American workforce since the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, undermined by technological advances, regulatory strictures, and industry consolidation in farming.

Is NASA Just Another Biden/Harris Social Justice Agency?

August 30, 2023 John Klar

At an Aug. 14 news conference, NASA and other experts proclaimed that, according to “clear science,” current record-high temperatures are attributable to human activity. Yet NASA did not present any scientific evidence to demonstrate a connection between current warm temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions and ignored the massive non-anthropomorphic impact of last year’s record-breaking under-ocean volcano.

Does California’s Proposition 12 Threaten States’ Rights?

August 26, 2023 John Klar

The constitutional and economic ramifications of California’s Proposition 12, which banned the sale in California of pork from pigs held in tight confinement, are profound for the American swine industry.

Cow original Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

Cow and Horse Flatulence: A Farmer’s Comparative Environmental Assessment

August 24, 2023 John Klar

The problem of horse flatulence is not often discussed, yet there are important lessons to be learned from equine methane gas (via flatulence or burp), particularly to demonstrate the fraudulent claims leveled against cows as major polluters.

Net Metering with Solar Panels: a Closer Look

August 23, 2023August 4, 2023 John Klar

For years, the state of Vermont has subsidized solar panels, especially through its vaunted net metering program, in which electricity customers pay increased electricity rates to support the installation of rooftop solar panel arrays. The panels collect energy from the sun to serve residences.