Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Environmentalism?

This week on Right Side Up, author and political activist Alison Despathy joins me to discuss issues with green energy and the Shaftsbury Solar Project. Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. … Read more

Gov Phill Scott - Gov Page Screen Grab

MACDONALD: Vermont’s Gov. Has Climate Road to Damascus Moment

Vermont Governor Phil Scott just did something unexpected. Scott has long advocated for and supported efforts to achieve the Paris Climate goals. He has encouraged his state to pursue them even after President Trump withdrew America in 2017 and again in 2025, until he didn’t. Governor Scott dropped two bombshells on Vermont’s climate cult. The … Read more

Javion Kastner (at right) and Seth Fewer

PAGE: Barre Freshmen Organize TPUSA Club

Seth Fewer and Javion Kastner are freshmen at Spaulding High School in Barre. Last night, they attended the Americans for Prosperity legislative forum in Barre, where they told VDC about their plans to start Vermont’s (for now) only high school Turning Point USA club. Since June, Seth – a big Charlie Kirk fan who, like … Read more

cartoon of a crumbling vermont statehouse

ROPER: When “Green” Is Not Sustainable

Seven Days ran an article recently about Vermont’s solar industry and the impact of federal cuts to the subsidies they’ve enjoyed for years. The headline authors called the cuts an “attack.” No, it’s not an attack. No private business is entitled to taxpayer funds to keep it afloat. Be grateful for what you got and … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: More, People Experiencing Progressive Polices

This week on Right Side Up, more examples of “people experiencing progressive polices”, and RIP Charlie Kirk.” Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com Please like, follow, or … Read more

Internet fiber networks connected Photo by Robynne Hu on Unsplash

ROPER: It Must Be Corruption Because Nobody Is Actually This Stupid.

Two and a half years ago, I wrote a piece titled “Auditors Report: Just How Bad Lawmakers Screwed Up the Broadband Buildout.” This followed a post nearly two years before that, when Covid was raging, schools were closed, and kids in rural communities were doing their online homework from their cars in McDonald’s parking lots, … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Teach Kids Civics

This week on Right Side Up, we discuss protecting our kids and getting them involved in civics early, plus the many great County fairs in Vermont.” Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear … Read more

Cash money bills

PAGE: The Vermont Left’s Long History of Making Change with Out-of-State Money

As noted by Behind the Lines columnist Rob Roper (“Roper: More climate propaganda and left-wing bias from VT Digger“) and FYIVT researcher Dave Soulia (“Dark Money in Vermont: It’s Not Coming From AFP“) there has been widespread protest from many politicians and non-profit organizations about the decision by Americans for Prosperity to support efforts to reduce taxation and … Read more

Trump Derangement Syndrome - Stimmlich

ROPER: More Climate Propaganda and Left-Wing Bias

It has often been pointed out that Vermont’s news outlet of record, VT Digger, is really just a bunch of juvenile left-wing activists cosplaying as legit reporters, but this past week they dropped the costumes and makeup. The article “How a Koch-funded campaign is trying to reverse climate action in Vermont” is a 3500-word, all-hands-on-deck … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: “People Experiencing Progressive Policies”

Mike Taglivia is back to talk about, dissect, and elaborate on Rob Roper’s latest piece titled ‘People Experiencing Progressive Policies.’ Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com Click … Read more

PAGE: AG Clark ‘Plays No Role in Immigration Enforcement’ While Issuing Anti-Ice Press Release

Vermont’s Attorney General Charity Clark took pains to say she ‘plays no role in immigration enforcement’ in an August 28 statement that decries the Trump administration’s immigration policies and outlines what she says are constitutional rights ‘regardless of a person’s citizenship or immigration status.’ The State of Vermont was declared a sanctuary state earlier this month by … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Law and Disorder

This week, we discuss the violence and disorder in Burlington, the federalization of law enforcement in D.C., and S.131, the Burlington charter change.” Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit … Read more

Climate superfund cahs down the toilet -AI cartoon

ROPER: More Bad News for “Make Big Oil Pay”

Cue up the sad violins. On August 6, 2025, South Carolina Judge Roger Young dealt the latest blow to the shakedown scheme masquerading as climate justice popularly known as “Make Big Oil Pay” and officially, in Vermont at least, as the Climate Superfund Act. In another example of fraudulent misnaming by lawmakers, it is neither … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

RIGHT SIDE UP: School Choice & Parental Rights

This week, we talk with Marie Tiemann from SPEAKVT.org about school choice & parental rights in education. Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com Please like, follow, or … Read more

The Vermont Podcast

VDCTV: Paul, Do I Have Good “Jeans”?

This week we talk about Sydeby Sweeney and good jeans, Larry Sanders (Bernie’s brother, ICE nabbing a local Alien (known for trafficking guns and drugs), and a lot more. Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers Got Something to Say, We … Read more

Roper: VT Republicans Need a Plan B

The Vermont School District Redistricting Task Force met for the first time on August 1st. I’ve been checking the Agency of Administration’s web page for the group, hoping they’ll post the meeting recording or at least the minutes for review. So far, no good. But they did post the agenda (no actual work involved; just a meet … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Unintended Consequences

This week, we discuss Federal regulatory “common sense”, the unintended consequences of Act 59, and the five political camps in Vermont.” Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Got Something to Say, We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com … Read more

MacDonald: Not Helping ICE is a Slippery Slope

Southern Border states get the bulk of the news stories about illegal entrants, drugs, and human trafficking, but in late 2023 to early 2024, Northern Border states began to steal some of the spotlight. The Biden Cartel and others were using the distractions in the south to take advantage of opportunities in the north. The … Read more

Share to...