Investment-grade ingredient

Billy Shaheen — the state’s former first hunk, since relegated to merely being the husband of a U.S. senator — isn’t just one of the best-known sought-after attorneys in NH. He’s also an investor. And apparently he’s looking to become something of a ganjapreneur.

BS, it turns out, is an investor in a company called Vera Roasting, which makes and sells “pure coffee for healthy living,” according to its website. How does it do that? All of its coffee blends contain Veri-te Resveratrol, a “super ingredient” produced through an “innovative yeast fermentation process” from grape skins that “contains several benefits,” says Vera, including bone health, cognitive function, cardiovascular health, oral health, skin health, eye health and blood glucose support.

Quite a list, for sure. Its products include a “Cardio Blend,” a medium roast coffee with Resveratrol, “Immunity Blend,” a medium roast coffee with Resveratrol and Vitamin D and, last but not least, a “Calm Blend,” yet another medium roast coffee with Resveratrol and 320mg of CBD, which supports “a sustainable body energy and clear mind.”

Yes, it’s that CBD, and, yes, it sure sounds like the kind of product that would make a perfect gift for the uptight anti-vaxxer in your family.

Who was that maskless man?

Speaking of not exactly getting it when it comes to Covid, does the guv actually understand why people are asked to wear masks to help protect against spread of the disease?

A maskless guv had his photo snapped recently shaking hands with 4th-graders on their visit to the State House. His critics (read Dems) jumped on him for it. But that’s to be expected.

What wasn’t expected (or at least shouldn’t have been) was the guv’s logic in defending his look-ma-no-mask decision.

“I’m fully vaccinated,” the guv crowed. Sure, he is. But were the 4thgraders? Judging by the numbers, there’s a good chance not all of them were and, as we’ve all been told ad infinitum, while they’re less contagious, a fully vaxxed individual can still spread Covid to an unvaxxed individual. Hence the request to wear a mask in such situations.

Dr. Chan, perhaps you can explain that to him next time you see him.

That’s all, folks

Is the State House’s leadership taking Covid seriously, are they just burying their heads in the sand — or do they just not care?

In fact, judging by the inane actions, and inaction, taken by the GOP leaders since the start of the pandemic, it just feels like the message has been: “You’re on your own, pal.”

Actually, it doesn’t just feel like it these days — it IS the message they’ve been sending to members of the public, if not members of the House and Senate itself.

Despite their claims that, “We actively work with those who are known to have tested positive to identify their close contacts” — as House Comms. Dir. Jennifer Tramp told the NH Bulletin — the fact remains that if a member of the public attends a hearing or a meeting in the SH and comes into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid.

This is not a “what if” situation — there have been potential exposures at comm. hearings over the past two months, and lawmakers potentially exposed have been notified. But members of the public in attendance or fellow reps and senators who didn’t have the honor of attending those meetings? Nada.

They’re on their own, pal. No contact tracing system, not even a voluntary contact system, is in place. And it looks like, even with the omicron variant rearing its head, there won’t be in the future. Why?

Because as the aforementioned spokespersonage JT said in her statement: “Current mitigation measures within the SH complex are routinely evaluated as needed and have consistently fallen in line with measures outlined in the Universal Best Practices document. We will follow this protocol and update our measures as needed moving forward.”

To which the members of the public who have been exposed at the State House — and there have been — might reply, “Cut the B.S., pal.”

Chris Cantwell, Keene’s very own “Crying Nazi,” actually has something else to be crying about this time around. He and his fellow white supremacist/neo-Nazi/lunatic-fringe organizers of the deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., were found liable last month for injuries suffered by counter-protestors during the 2017 hatefest — and have to pay them $25m in damages. On the other hand, it gives him something to think about while he’s serving his 41-month sentence in federal prison after a separate conviction for threats and extortion.

MAKING THE ROUNDS

Yes folks, in turning down a chance to run against Sen Maggie Hassan next year, the guv left the door open to running for prez. Hey, you never know how things could work out, but does he really think he could get the RNC nod with the national base looking the way it does right now?

There aren’t many sure things in life, but one thing is pretty much an airtight cinch: Ed Commish Frank Edelblut is running for higher office next year.

Wonder what the turnout will be on 12/10, when the Legis. hosts the state’s mobile vax team for a vax clinic for lawmakers, staff and their families. And don’t get your panties in a twist, anti-vaxxers — it’s voluntary.

When was the last time anyone saw Jeanne Shaheen so fervent? At a presser, the senator said of a potential SCOTUS overturning of abortion rights: “I think if you want to see a revolution, go ahead, outlaw Roe v. Wade and see what the response is.”