Freyne Land

The rain is perfect for it.

Bills to pay. Grocery shopping. You know the drill.

But I did want to share with you my little visit Saturday to the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial along the interstate in Sharon. I was coming back from the Impeachment Town Meeting Congressman Peter Welch held in the Hartland High School Gym. Driving northbound along Interstate 89, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.

The Sharon Interstate Memorial has been ugraded considerably over theyears and if you haven't stopped by you've been missing something.

That's Arthur M. Hammond Jr. of Bethel, a transportation worker,sweeping up on the right, and some local college students who stopped offon the left. Arthur also served in Vietnam with the Air Force, doingoxygen work on the big jets (1968-72).

I confess. I haven't stopped there in almost 25 years. That's when I covered the memorial's official opening for the late, great Vanguard Press. The Vietnam War is a tender subject. A friend lost, several wounded and a government that lied. Ours.

My last stop was October 30, 1982. No cell phones. No email. No laptops. The White House of that day, having learned nothing from Vietnam, was backing right-wing guerrillas and military juntas in Latin America. And Bernie Sanders was in his first term as mayor of Burlington.

The Vietnam War was my generation's war. I did not fight in it. I fought against it, as did many veterans, too, just like we're seeing today.

On the personal level, there was a draft. I went through the Selective Service System hearing process - summer of '69 - to obtain a "1-0," i.e. conscientious objector status (CO). Got it on a 3-1 vote of my distinguished local draft board. Still see the long Salem filter cigarette dangling out of the red lips of the smirking platinum blond who was the clerk of the board. She looked at me like I was a piece of total ____ and should be taken outside and executed!

A few days later, I was a little surprised to open the mail and see I had been given conscientious objector classification (no Roman Catholic had ever been granted one by my draft board before me). And I was a little disappointed, too, since it 'ended the battle,' so to speak, but my mother was tremendously relieved.

Moms, eh?

Also, there are several really cool buildings at the northbound Sharon Rest Area, an info center and a geothermal planetarium that will fascinate children of all ages. Great bathrooms, too.

According to Roy Black, the friendly "transportation ambassador" inside (pictured at right), the names of 128 Vermonters who were killed in Vietnam are on the granite marker outside.

Also on hand are big journals with the names of the 7230 Vermonters who served in the Vietnam War.

Look, nobody's saying we have to out-do Vietnam in Iraq and Iran, are they?

This Just In from a "reliable source" who got it from the Vermont Guardian's Shay Totten:

"I'm sending this note out to some close friends and associates before I
make it official on the website this afternoon.  I'm enclosing the
press release I will post from the Guardian, and the one that Chelsea
Green is releasing today as well.

"It's been great to work with and collaborate with many of you on this
list, and I'll still be in Vermont working away in indy publishing, so
I won't be far or unreachable by e-mail or cell phone (324-XXXX * see footnote below).

"I want to thank everyone for helping to make the Guardian such a great
asset in the media landscape while it lasted. Perhaps it can be
resurrected by some enterprising young journalists with more energy
than I have to give anymore, but we'll see. As you'll notice, the
website will remain active, though not actively posted to, for an
indefinite amount of time."

Vermont Guardian Editor/Publisher put that out to close friends within the last hour.

The accompanying press release stated:

This week's issue will be the paper's last, and will largely be
comprised of a "best of" retrospective of some of the most important
stories the paper published in its two-and-a-half year run, Totten
said. The Guardian's first weekly print edition hit the streets in
September 2004, and its circulation topped 10,000 readers statewide.

Au revoir, Vt Guardian.

Next?

______________________________________________________

*** Received from Mr. Totten on Wednesday afternoon:

Not a pretty sight.

That's why I never watch Bill O'Reilly's "O'Reilly Factor"  on Fox "News."

I'm embarrassed, frankly.  Like O'Reilly, I'm a grown-up Irish-Catholic kid from the New York of the 1950s-60s.

But you've got to catch the ambush he aired last night of Vermont House Judiciary Chairman Bill Lippert [in shirt & tie] in the Statehouse cafeteria by a Fox crew the other day.

Look for "Talking Points: The Truth About Vermont." 

Outstanding "team defense" by the members of the Vermont House and Senate who were in the Statehouse cafeteria at the time.

Said O'Reilly to the nation:

“Remember, in Vermont, Sen. Bernie Sanders is a socialist. U.S. Sen. Pat Leahy is very liberal and Gov. Jim Douglas, although a Republican, is a very weak leader.”

I'm sure Gov. Douglas and the entire Vermont Republican establishment appreciates your compliment.

Hey, Billy Boy, our Lite-Gov's a Republican, too, and he flies jets. Maybe you could mention him next time?  "Limp-wristed?"

And what about our only congressman?

Peter Welch is likely offended by your gross omission.

Do come back soon!

Makes us all even prouder we live here!

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders serves on the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee, and though not a veteran himself, has been a prominent and steadfast supporter of veterans issues since first elected to the House in 1990. 

The Vermont Independent was joined by representatives of the VFW and the Vermont Disabled American Veterans Monday as he announced he’s introducing The Comprehensive Veterans Benefits Improvements Act of  2007.

The bill would make 25 changes to veterans programs including boosting the auto allowance for disabled veterans and significantly reducing the current backlog of 400,000 veterans claims, especially with soldiers from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan coming home to increase it.

And reporters questions soon turned to that current fighting in Iraq. Sanders was asked why the Democrat-controlled Congress does not simply cut funding for the war in Iraq?

The answer he said, is "the reality" of a presidential veto and "the reality" that Democrats have neither the votes to override that veto (two-thirds), nor the votes (60) to even end floor debate. Democrats only have 51 votes: 49 plus those of Independents Sanders of Vermont and Lieberman of Connecticut.

I can come up with any legislation I want tomorrow, and I am on, if you check the record, working with Russ Feingold and others, I’m on the strongest legislation to end this war through the budget process. We will see how many votes that gets. It will certainly be a fairly small minority," said Ol' Bernardo.

Sanders said our War in Iraq will only end when Republican congressman return to their districts and find constituents there telling them to stop the war.

A week ago, noted Sanders, Eleven Republicans from the House walked into the White House to complain about the Iraq  War policy and then leaked the story. And apparently it was a very contentious debate. Karl Rove," he said, was not happy with that discussion.

The Republicans lost in 2006 and are very, very nervous,"said Sanders. " They are starting to understand that if they continue to support this war they’re going to lose badly in 2008."

Sounds hopeful, eh?

That's Ed Laviletta [right], VFW National Legislative Officer for Vermont.

Just got Gov. Jim Douglas' "Weekly Public Appearance Schedule."

It's blank for Monday and Tuesday. The ribbons of Vermont are safe!

A bill-signing and a little "historic preservation" on Wednesday, And, would you believe, he's doing the St, Michael's College Commencement on Thursday morning, and holding his weekly presser back in the Statehouse Ceremonial Office in the afternoon (after the National Tourism Week Reception in Cedar Creek).

Work, work, work.

Anyway, yesterday, Sunday, I popped into Montpelier for a quick coffee at Capitol Grounds. Instead of legislators, state workers, lawyers and political types filling the sidewalks, it was something completely different: cops and skateboarders.

And what was really strange was the fact that when I went over to get into position to get this shot, the cops skedaddled out of there like they were shoplifters! What's up with that?

Heck, in Burlington, Vermont  the gendarmes automatically pose!

From right-to-left, that's Justin Lahart, 16, his younger brother Loren, 14, from Montpeculiar, and, on the left,  their pal Chico Martinez from East Montpelier. Seemed like bright, decent guys. Everybody grows up somewhere. They told me "the law" in Montpelier, Vermont is "No skateboarding or roller-blading downtown. Anywhere."

Except at some rec field, which they say, is a lousy place to board.

The political columnist in me could not help but ask, "Do you know who your city councilor is?"

"No."

Might be worth finding out?

Of course, I learned about 10 minutes later, that just because there's a law against skateboarding in downtown Montpelier, does not mean skateboarding does not occur.

Let's hope they don't outlaw caffeine, too.

Governor Douglas has announced that Press Secretary Jason Gibbs and wife Amy welcomed Addison Mae into the world two weeks ago this Monday. She is a healthy 6 lbs 2 oz and 18.5 inches long.

This is the first childfor Jason and Amy. They are delighted and relieved that all went well. Gibbs, “spinning”with joy, said “We are so thankful that Governor Douglas’ AffordabilityAgenda has given Amy and me the opportunity to live, work and now raise afamily in the state we love!”

 Governor Douglas congratulatedthe new parents and expressed his encouragement that the new arrival will helpto bend the demographic trend we face.  “Congratulations to Jasonand Amy on the arrival of Addison Mae.  I have made it no secret that I amconcerned about the demographic shift in our state.  I am pleased that Amyand Jason are doing their part to reverse the shift.  I look forward tothe next 13 ending with  Windsor!"

Gibbs will be out onpaternity leave and will return when Amy can no longer stand to have him aroundthe house.  We wish the Gibbs family well!

A little "Welch in the Lions Den" feeling in White River Junction Saturday as 250  Vermonters let Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter Welch know where they stand on the impeachment issue. And where they stand is in a different position than where he stands.

The vast majority were exceptionally polite. And Congressman Welch stuck around until every last one of them who wanted a say, got one.

That meant the "town meeting" that began at 11 a.m. didn't conclude until 1:40 p.m. - an hour and ten minutes longer that its planned 90-minute length.

Of course, the 90-minute length was not the congressman's first choice. Initially, he agreed to a one-hour session, and one that would commence at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. At first, when Impeachment organizers grumbled, they got a take-it-or-leave it response from the Welch camp.

Their response: they'd leave it!

At that point Welchie appears to have seen the light, gotten religion or had a vision. It appeared he'd realized how he would appear to many Vermonters if he gave Vermont's most passionate, persistent and polite anti-Bush grassroots constituency the big brush off.  After all, these are not folks who vote Republican. Why enflame them and get the top spot on their hit list?

Among the Saturday political activists was this gentleman [left] with the "Impeach Bush" sign.

Ernest Wright, 86, of Randolph, is a World War II veteran. He was as a Navy SeaBee in the Pacific. Was at the Hartford High School Gym on Saturday because, he told me, he could "no longer stand a government which is illegal, uses torture and has violated the Constitution."

The government Mr. Wright was referring to is the government that's been operated in the United States of America since January 2001 by Republican President George "WMD" Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Peter Welch gave his standard argument against impeachment: Mr. Bush is the worst president of his life, but starting impeachment proceedings will not speed the end of the illegal and immoral War in Iraq that Dubya and his cohorts started in the name of the United States of America.

Before the town meeting started, organizers held a presser at which they were asked how many people they expected to show up. After all, Welch didn't confirm the time change, moving the start back from 9 to 11, until late on Tuesday.

"If we get 100 people," said Attorney Jim Leas, "we'll be delighted. If we get 500 we'll be thrilled."

Let me tell ya, 250 people turning out on short notice on the first beautiful Saturday morning of May wasn't bad.

Leas also noted Welch had just voted to continue funding the Iraq War on Thursday.

"You cannot end the war by funding the war," said Leas. "By funding the war, you're supporting the war."

What's next?

The legislature will be back in business at 11 a.m. today in hopes of wrapping it all up for 2007.

Maybe. Maybe not. I confess I have one of those "expect the unexpected" feelings.

Here's a shot from yesterday's Point-Counterpoint taping.

Veteran Republican State Sen. Vince Illuzzi [left] and the Senate Democratic boss - Sen. Peter "Global Warming" Shumlin.

That's the crew from CCTV: Jess Wilson and Tuija Lindell.

Shummy and Vince did not hold back.

Heading out for U.S. Rep. Peter Welch's town meeting on Impeachment at Hartford High School. Starts at 11 a.m. and will run for 90 minutes, according to the congressman.

Incidentally, checked Ol' Welchie's official website this morning and when I tried to run tapes of his floor speeched I got REPUBLICAN congressman talking. What's with that?

       H. 520, the big Democratic-backed Global Warming/Climate Change Bill with the $25 million tapping of the Entergy VT Yankee maple, er , nuke, passed the Vermont House this afternoon on an 85-61 vote.

Then why are these people smiling?

That's VT Yankee's top lobbyist Gerry Morris, on the left with the big grin on his gob. The Gerr's a "hired-gun" Montpeculiar business lobbyist of distinction and runs a successful operation with two talented female partners. He's been a daily Statehouse regular for two decades. Knows everybody.

The passage of H. 520 came as no big surprise to the Yankee lobbyist and the Republicans. That's Vermont Rep. Pat O'Donnell with the shoulder bag conversing with Burlington's only Republican Rep. Kurt Wright and other Rs in the huddle outside the chamber immediately after the roll was called.

Maybe the reason "Morris the Cat" and the Republican House movers and shakers are in such good humor after losing the H. 520 vote is the fact they have more than enough votes to uphold a veto by Entergy's best spokesman in the Green Mountain State: Republican Gov. Jim Douglas!!!

Bumped into Gov. Douglas [left, avec security] as he headed for lunch at the Capitol Plaza Hotel today just before noon.

"Just act like yourself," said I

"I always do," said he.

It sure works for him, eh?

Heading down to Montpeculiar in a few minutes. The Vermont Legislature’s finale, eh?

Today or tomorrow....or next week? Planning to tape another edition of my Point-Counterpoint cable show with the distinguished crew from CCTV. In fact, Entergy VT Yankee is one of the program's underwriters!

Let me tell you, things are definitely on a collision, i.e. “veto” course, regarding the Democrats #1 agenda item for the 2007 session: GLOBAL WARMING.

But the debate under Vermont’s golden dome actually isn’t about Mother Earth, or greenhouse gases or melting ice packs and rising sea levels. It isn’t about changing weather patterns, droughts, or hurricanes and tornadoes like we’ve never seen them.

The talk is about one thing, and one thing only - money. "Money," as in, whose money?

Whose money will be tapped to pay for the new energy efficieny state utility that, no one argues, will reduce Vermont’s use of oil to heat our homes. The Democrats have a bill that will tap wind power generators and Entergy Vermont Yankee at the same rate, one that’ll take about $25 million off the top of VT Yankee’s unanticipated spurt in revenues.

Speaker Gaye Symington [right] made it perfectly clear at her sit down-talkie with the press Thursday that, in her view, the principal opponents of H. 520 are either those who still do not believe global warming is for real or those who put the interests of Entergy stockholders first.

Hmmm. Wonder which category the Douglas administration is in?

Lady Gaye said the legislature exists to represent the interests of ordinary Vermonters and Vermonters of the generations to come. Global warming and the dangerous climate change resulting from increased greenhouse gases are for real. There is, indeed, an urgency to act.

There’s also been quite the sense of urgency in the Statehouse as Entergy Inc. lobbyists [the best and the brightest], Republican Gov. Jim Douglas [Entergy’s # 1, loudest and most effective voice before the news microphones, as he demonstrated again yesterday] and Douglas administration officials [sometimes indistinguishable from Entergy lobbyists] press their case against the Democrat Global Warming Legislation, H. 520, that will cost Louisiana-based Entergy $25 million by 2012.

But it will also take bold steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

Gov. Douglas says again and again and again H. 520 sends the wrong message and will be bad for business.

But the message of H. 520 actually is we're all in this together so let's get real. Time, mes amis, is a factor of consequence.

One indication of the tension is an item in Vermont Press Bureau Chief Louis Porter’s article in today’s Rutland Herald/Times Argus:

The energy bill also caused one of the more tense moments in the Statehouse recently.

State Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor,  [at right, in a shot I snapped Wednesday of the senator with beverage cup, having a serious chat in the Statehouse lobby with Douglas' Chief of Staff Tim Hayward] said he felt threatened by the head of the state's Department of Public Service David O'Brien Wednesday evening, when O'Brien was trying to convince the Senate majority leader to vote against the energy bill.

O'Brien told him a prominent member of the state's business community and a major force in state politics, whom Campbell declined to name, would be disappointed if Campbell supported the bill.

Campbell said he found O'Brien's comments "extremely disturbing" and took them as a "direct threat" to his political future. The lobbying "jeopardized the integrity of the legislative process," Campbell said.

O'Brien did not dispute that the exchange took place. But he said he never intended Campbell to feel threatened.

"I was at a high level of frustration," O'Brien said. "I did not mean to threaten the senator." Part of his job is to "be as persuasive as possible" about legislation the administration supports or opposes, he added.

A spokeswoman for Douglas said O'Brien did nothing inappropriate and members of his administration would continue talking to lawmakers to convey the governor's point of view.