Freyne Land

I realize just about everyone is focusing on the New Hampshire Primary. Even Mark Johnson's taken his WDEV morning radio talk-show to Manchester, New Hampshire for Monday & Tuesday!

However,  for mental health reasons, yours truly has tuned it all out. Life's too short. Had more than enough of the presidential pack, though I could not avoid Sam Hemingway's piece in the Freeps about our ol' pal, Mad Dog Jim Barnett of Barre. Mad Dog's about to do for John McCain in New Hampshire what he and The Boy Wonder Neale Lunderville did for Jim Douglas in Vermont back in 2002.

Gov. Douglas was the guest-of-honor at Monday morning's Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Good turnout - 300-plus. Maybe I'm just getting old, but it sure sounded like all previous the gubernatorial legislative kick-off Chamber Breakfasts I've had the pleasure of covering since the early 1980s.

Filed a story for WDEV News off this one, as well, BECAUSE, Gov. Scissorhands made no bones about it - he will be proposing that the Democratic Legislature lease/sell the Vermont Lottery to Wall Street for $50 million.

"I think it’s a good idea," said Gov. Douglas. "I think it makes a lot of sense."

AND one of the attendees in the packed audience listening was none other than Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina.

Said Pollina to Freyne Land afterward:

The only idea that I heard was to sell the lottery to a hedge fund, someone who would give us a one-time payment in exchange for taking away an asset the state of Vermont has.  In a couple months maybe we’ll hear about selling the local fire departments or the state police?

It’s an idea that makes you think the governor is grasping at straws. It’s an idea that Vermonters I talk to think is just off the wall and inappropriate and not good policy.

That's Democratic State Sen. Hinda Miller over Tony the Prog's shoulder. Did not get the name of the gent he's talking to. Sorry. Nice tie on Tony, eh? 

He'll be wearing more of them in the months [and years?] ahead.

Sen. Bernie Sanders isn’t the only member of the Vermont troika doing some official traveling during the current congressional recess.

With the intense US media saturation-coverage of the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary, our war in Iraq may have slipped some people's minds.

Word from Capitol Hill just now that Democratic Congressman Peter Welch is heading for Iraq today. Ol’ Welchie, according to the e-mail release from his Press Secretary Andrew Savage:

“will also travel to Jordan and Lebanon as part of the trip organized by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on which he serves.

“The delegation will examine the political and military situation in Iraq, investigate the status and quality of U.S. taxpayer-funded reconstruction projects (a topic of recent Oversight and Government Reform investigations), visit U.S. troops currently serving our country in Iraq, and seek to further understand the Iraqi refugee crisis in the region.

"Welch traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan last March.”

The Democrats have been unable to come up with a candidate to challenge GOP Gov. Jim Douglas.

But the Republicans have been equally impotent in coming up with a legitimate challenger for Rep. Welch.

Interesting, eh?

When yours truly made it to the Church Street Marketplace in Burlap this afternoon, Anne O'Brien of Richmond had already been on the street more than three hours. The Democratic "activist"  from the Burlington 'burbs showed no sign of being down after her candidate, Hillary Clinton's third-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses behind Sens. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards.

"I think it was great," O'Brien told yours truly. "I think Obama's great. John Edwards is a good guy. And Hillary will be the nominee," she added. "I'm just sure of it."

[Wonder if a person so gifted with certainty goes to Saratoga in August?]

Why is she behind Hillary Clinton?

"She’s smarter," said O'Brien. "She has the resume, aside from everything else. Take away race, gender  Put up the resumes for who you want to be the CEO of the country - she’s it!"

Think we can handle a woman president?

"Absolutely. We need one."

Anne then asked a passing mother and daughter if they'd sign the petition to get Hillary on the Vermont Primary ballot.

Jane Helmstetter, 55, of South Burlington was happy to sign [right]. What was her reaction to Hillary's surprisingly poor Iowa finish?

"I was shocked a little bit," she answered frankly. "Surprised, certainly,  that she didn’t come in ahead of Edwards."  But she noted that, "Iowa doesn’t always signify what’s going to happen later on."

Her daughter Maria Diferdinando, 22,  [behind her] also signed on.

"I think people find it easier to slander Hillary," said Maria. "That’s why she’s having a harder time. It's easier to say bad things about her because she’s been in the spotlight. There’s been more stuff about her out there and decisions that she’s made."

And what If Barack were the nominee?

"I’d be fine with that," replied O'Brien the Clinton for President volunteer. "I will vote for the Democratic nominee."

He's been a Montpeculiar fixture since the early 1970s, but we bet most of you don't recognize him, eh?

In Vermont's political world, he's a veteran insider, a powerful player and he keeps a very low profile.

Smart.

His past includes Middlebury College, the U.S. Marines (captain), getting Jim Jeffords elected to the U.S. House in 1974, a brief stint in the Legislature, followed by seven years on Gov. Richard Snelling's staff followed by many years as the Statehouse lobbyist for the Vermont Bankers Association.

The election of Jim Douglas in 2002 has been the icing on the cake for this Fifth Floor maestro - the one and only Tim Hayward!

Here's GOP Gov. Scissorhands' chief-of-staff as we caught him outside the palace yesterday in the state capital.

Tim was so kind, he even took off his sunglasses for Freyne Land!

Tough guy, Ol' Tim.

No hat.

Here's himself, King James of Vermont, happily striding into his 11 AM presser this morning on the Fifth Floor in Montpeculiar. One could sense his excitement, looking ahead to the legislative kick-off next week. You can tell he loves what he does for "work."

Reporters, lobbyists, staffers - both his and those of the Democratic Legislative Leadership [the two in the back behind the TV camera] - packed the room. Both the state Democratic Party and the Republican Party had someone there videotaping the show. That's Chuck Storrow, veteran lobbyist with the white hair, a managing partner at Kimbell Sherman Ellis, seated at the press table behind Gov. Scissorhands' elbow.

A first! Next they'll be asking questions, too.

Jim Douglas has been getting elected since 1972 (to a House seat). He served as secretary of state and state treasurer, too. Currently, he has no Democratic opponent in this year's governor's race - it'll be his fourth. Declined to say how much money his campaign has raised thus far, but did acknowledge, with a wide smile, that he's doing pretty good.

Yep.

It had been billed by Democratic State Sen. Peter Shumlin, the president pro tem, as an "informal" sort of  "conversation" with the press, but the crowd of attentive onlookers in the formal Cedar Creek Room at the Statehouse included hired-gun business lobbyists and organization reps, as well as the chairman of the Vermont Republican Party who had a young fella with him making a digital video of the event!

 Shummy said Vermonters are "frustrated with government" and want to see the legislature get results. How original, eh?

”So we’re gonna pass two energy bills, the first that creates an all-fuels, energy-efficiency utility and saves Vermonters money by reducing our dependence on oil, that implements many of the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change’s recommendations which really are extraordinary.
   
"The second piece is we want to pass a health care bill that expands Catamount so that any Vermonter can buy into it, have affordable insurance at an affordable rate."

Shumlin did not have an answer, however, when asked by reporters how Democrats would pay for it all and that omission drew the attention of Vermont GOP Chairman Rob Roper:

“He said that a year ago and the economy’s only slowed since then. Any new program has either got to come out of something that doesn’t exist or existing programs.

"I think right now Vermonters are worried about, you know, staying in their homes, heating their houses, keeping their health insurance on money that they have or can they expect a huge tax increase?"

Sen. Shumlin also said there will be action in the session ahead on decriminalizing possession of 1/2 ounce of marijuana while increasing penalties for possession and sale of harder drugs like cocaine and oxycontin.

Actually, Shummy of Putney played down hopes for any significant health care reform progress, even though he said he personally supports moving toward a single-payer system like the rest of the modern civilized world where folks get better results for half the cost!

Sorry, Pedro, a lot of folks ain't buying it. We've had good intentions on health care for the last couple decades and our system is drowning in bureaucracy, deteriorating in quality and costing a bloody fortune.   
"Take Back Vermont Health Care," says Dr. Deb Richter, "is a network not an organization."

This is the sign that went up yesterday in front of her Montpeculiar home. Their website, she tells us, links hundreds of Vermonters including health care professionals, doctors and nurses who actually are determined to see real health care reform actually happen. They've had it with all the talk!

Despite the current lack of support from either the Republican Fifth Floor or the Democratic Statehouse leadership of House and Senate, Doctor Richter tells Freyne Land the inescapable reality is, "Our health care system needs major surgery."

"This movement is a work in progress and it's not going away," says Richter in a phone interview late Wednesday afternoon. "We’llmultiply in February, and just wait 'till March. We’re just gonna keep ongrowing."

The missing ingredients?

"Courage and leadership," says Dr. Richter.

H. 304, the bill sponsored by GOP Rep. Topper McFaun of Barre Town, the bill the GOP Guv and the Democrat Legislative Leadership both brush aside, would reduce premiums by 40 percent and guarantee that everyone - repeat: EVERYONE is covered for hospitalization. It would cut Vermonters annual hospitalization bill by $56 million, according to Dr. Richter. "A dedicated tax would pick up the tab."

"That's why it requires courage and leadership," says Richter, who emphasizes, "It is money we're already paying, but we'd be paying less!"

Shocking, indeed, eh?

A treat to see the smiling face of Bridget Burns yesterday on the Church Street Marketplace in Big, Bad Burlap.

Usually the only place we catch Bridget is behind the front desk at a certain successful local Vermont weekly where she's the office manager. But Seven Days has a week off!

In her free time, Bridget's been busy in the fight against the truly anti-American Bush-Cheney Iraq War. She's a reminder to this gracefully-aging Vietnam War protester that the "younger generation" of today is not silent.  If anything, they're ignored by the "mainstream media."

Take a look at how 18 different panelists on Vermont Pubic Television's "Vermont This Week"  rated the year's "top" stories as compared to 39 "viewers."

To the press, the action by almost 40 Vermont towns to back resolutions calling for the impeachment of the current president of the United States was no big deal. Here we are, once again, leading the nation at the grassroots level and the story just barely squeaked onto the press' list in 10th position.

To the VTW viewers, however, it came in 4th.

Hmm.....

Compare for yourself:

As selected by "Vermont This Week" panel members (18 votes)

1.    Vermont Yankee cooling tower collapse causes alarm         
2.    Federal Court upholds Vermont’s emissions law            
3.    Climate change dominates much of legislative session            
4.    Democrats fail to override Governor’s vetoes          
5.    Leahy assumes leading role in battle with White House    
6.    Catamount Health begins                      
7.    PSB OK’s industrial wind project for Sheffield            
8.    Verizon seeks to sell landlines to FairPoint               
9.    Valentine’s Day blizzard sees up to 30” fall          
10.  Communities back impeachment resolution               

As selected by "Vermont This Week" viewers (39 votes)

1.    Democrats fail to override Governor's vetoes            
2.    Leahy assumes leading role in battle with White House
3.    Vermont Yankee cooling tower collapse causes alarm
4.    Communities back impeachment resolution   
5.    Rep. Welch targeted by anti-war activists
6.    Federal court upholds Vermont's emissions law
7.    School spending caps increases
8.    Climate change dominates much of legislative session
9.    Valentine's Day blizzard sees up to 30" fall      
10.  Catamount Health begins

And is anyone out there surprised by the news?

Was it not inevitable?

I heard it when I tuned in Peter Mallary filling in for Mark Johnson on WDEV.

My first gut reaction was: Amazing that Benazir had survived this long since returning in October to her native Pakistan where her family had been a political dynasty and her father hanged. She was the first woman to lead an Islamic state. There the Harvard grad also served five years in prison - mostly solitary confinement.

Such a courageous woman.

I won't pretend to know anything about "Pakistan" beyond how to spell it.

It's 10:20 a.m. - no statements from Vermont's congressional trio... yet.

Any thoughts?

**********

From U.S. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [12:38 PM):

"This is a sorrowful day for Pakistan and for people of goodwill across the globe.

"This election is important in what it will show about the vigor of democratic institutions in Pakistan.  The lack of real democracy and the crippling of Pakistan’s judiciary have been grave setbacks.  The earlier protests by Pakistan’s lawyers in defense of the rule of law helped show the world what is at stake, and now, with this tragedy, the whole world again is watching Pakistan.

"The people of Pakistan deserve to know that the people of the United States stand with them as they struggle to restore constitutional government and to prevail over thuggery.  They will want to know that our military aid is no longer blind to their aspirations.  And they need to know that we share their profound sense of loss."

From U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders [1:11 PM]:

“Despite the grave dangers she faced, Benazir Bhutto showed enormous courage by continuing to participate in Pakistan’s democratic process.  I am saddened and outraged by this cowardly assassination and I urge the Pakistani government to undertake a vigorous investigation to apprehend those responsible for this terrible deed.  Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons, is now in the midst of dangerous political crisis.  The United States must increase its diplomatic efforts in working with the democratic forces in Pakistan to promote stability, democracy and peace.”

Or St. Stephen's Day as it was known in the Old Country of dear Ol' Papa Freyne. The day after Christmas.

Took this shot at Borders Books on Church Street in downtown Burlap this afternoon. Had a nice chat with Charlotte who was in town from Boston visiting her son who has been working at UVM for a year. Loves it, said she. 

Should have taken a picture of her, but I was feeling shy - Charlotte traveled with the aid of her walker. Has a hip-replacement operation scheduled for March, she told me. Spent most of her life in San Diego.

Then veteran Burlington jazz musician/playwright  Steve Goldberg appeared. Always remember the image of Steve playing his trumpet on the balcony outside Mayor Bernie Sanders' office to kick off the first Burlington Discover Jazz Festival...in 1984. Perfect timing - Steverino had both of his hips replaced.

I called out to him and he swung over our way. Steve's 68, about her age. He told her how he rides a bike and plays tennis. Boosted Charlotte's spirits.

Took this shot of Snake Mountain yesterday from across Dead Creek. Coming home from the Empire State was I, the official land of my birth.

Hadn't been there - over the Crown Point Bridge - in more than a decade.

They've spruced things up a little.

Yours truly's survived the holiday. In fine health. No big rigamarole. But I could not help but notice the layer of stress many others appeared to be bearing. The annual ritual of family obligations. Stirred the memory of those Irish-Catholic Christmases of my childhood - the early 1950s and 60s in Westchester County. Christmases that usually tore this baby in the family's innards apart in a rather Long Days Journey into Night way, if you know what I mean.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

A wee bit damp here at the flat in Burlap, but it's the unexpected that makes life interesting, eh?

Also "Recycle Day" in Ward 5 on the South Side of the People's Republic of Burlington, Vermont.

And I was up early this morning - had some "extra stuff" for the Recycle Man.

Rick was a new face. He also looked my age - 58. Turned out I had a good eye. He's 57. Here come the Baby-Boomers!

Hey, we'll work 'till we drop, right?

Told me he'd worked at E.B. and A.C. Whiting on Pine Street, a stone's throw away, for 32 years [they made plastic brush bristles]. Whiting closed about two years ago, moved out of state. Dealer.com is in there now.

"Got to do something," he said.

My "extra stuff" was wet newspapers. Good thing I had a pile because Freyne Land's downstairs, "mother-in-law" apartment got a wee bath last night.

Looks like a little rodent hole from last summer is behind it. And, yes, I caught the little critter - a mouse - but he obviously left his mark.

Called the landlord at 7 a.m. and he had this fine crew over by 8.

Everything under control.

Great vacuum.

Nothing like good suction, eh?

Merry Christmas, folks!