DÉJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN

The most amazing thing about this legislature is its predictability, its determination to legislate with the arrogance of certainty which comes with privilege, entitlement, and ideology. The unexamined life is not worth living Socrates wrote a few years ago. The implied suggestion might make sense for this legislature; examine your ideology and discover that it rests in the dustbin of history.

This legislature insists that it is smarter and more deserving than the United States Congress, and in that argument they may have a point. Nevertheless, much to their disappointment they were elected to the Vermont State Legislature; it might just be about time to remember that.

AREN'T WE IMPORTANT?

It is not just the national resolutions about gas prices, the war in Iraq, thanking Bill Clinton for his public service, opposing unwarranted surveillance, or being against privatizing social security, as if anybody in Washington, Brussels, Moscow or Beijing cares about what the Vermont legislature thinks.

It is the hubris that as Vermont goes, so goes the nation, despite the lack of evidence. It is as if they believed Howard Dean when he said Vermont is what the rest of the nation would like to be. Our readers have often written that they have been to the rest of the United States and they find that many folks have never heard of Vermont. Others are doing just fine thank you and enjoying their lives outside of Vermont.

THERE THEY GO...

They might pay attention to their own children who leave skids marks all over the roads of Vermont as they leave in greater numbers than any other state, sadly perhaps, leaving Vermont as the legislature has not provided an environment which might yield interesting, exciting and profitable opportunities. We must be doing something wrong.

Recall the definition of madness: doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result. The Catamount Plan for health care, spawn of the vetoed Green Mountain Health Care Plan, will be vetoed once again if kept as is.

Green Mountain Health Care is another attempt at creating a national health service. However, Vermont, despite the best efforts of the Second Republic, is not a nation. This plan will not fly, if it was launched it would crash, leaving us all the poorer.

Nevertheless, Madame Speaker says, "We feel the governor will feel compelled to sign it when he sees what it is." There they go again, feelings; it is America's most parodied song for good reason. The voters are not a husband of, child of, parent of, or psychiatrist of Madame Speaker. And as free citizens, we do not care how the Speaker feels, we care what she thinks. She cannot think that the Governor is going to sign her bill.

WE HAVE THE POWER

What else is up their sleeves? Genetically modified seeds. They love the farmers but when the choice is between being a Congressman or a state legislature, Congressman it is. When it is a choice between reality and fantasy, fantasy it is.

Senator Sara Kittell, D-Franklin, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, said that though she supported an even tougher GMO bill last year, she had heard from too many farmers to vote for the GMO bill this year. Ah, a dose of reality.

Vermont's Congress People, a.k.a. the Peoples Republic of La La Land, also are moving an energy-efficiency bill which would require that our home appliances consume less electricity; efficient but expensive. The bill assumes that our free citizens do not know where New Hampshire is, where they can buy an appliance for much less money, and even pay no sales tax.

DEATH AND TAXES

All this nonsense is part of why Vermont is now the highest taxed state in the county, and not just by pennies, but by 3.5 percent over second place Hawaii, and an amazing 133 percent higher than neighboring New Hampshire. These numbers are not fantasy; they do not represent what somebody feels. The numbers were provided the United States Census Bureau, a well known right wing madhouse recently taken over by the Heritage Foundation.  See: http://www.census.gov/govs/statetax/05staxrank.html

Madame Speaker, fantasist and apologist, said in response, the report stating that we are the highest taxed state "is very misleading."

SCHOOL DRIVERS

Speaking of schools, the Speaker recently said, "We need to address the underlying drivers in our school budgets. I hate to be boring but it is healthcare, energy, and special education." Speaking of "lying", the underlying driver in school budgets is decreasing class size. Decreasing class size drives the enlargement of Vermont's teaching staff, and thus their pay and benefits, in a period when the number of students has declined by ten percent.

THEY COULD DO MORE

Beware. There is a growing move afoot for a permanent legislature. Think of everything they could do for us or to us if they only had more time. During the post adjournment period last year, there were dozens of summer study committees generating $213,000 in extra expenses. Members of the Sergeant-at-Arms staff reported that it was as if the legislature never adjourned; the parking lots were full, the committee rooms were full, and the hallways were full. Just like the Congress they think that they are.

Madame Speaker defended this malarkey, "This legislature is deeply committed to solving complex issues." This legislature is deeply committed to making a full time job out of being a legislator, obtaining permanent offices and staff to enhance their self-esteem, and building bigger committee rooms.

THE YELLOW ROSE

How do other states do it? Texas has thirty-six times as many citizens as Vermont does. Yet the Texas's legislature meets only in the odd numbered years for a maximum of 140 days. In New Hampshire, its house has 400 members and the senate 24. House members make $100 per year, senate members $120 per year. Vermont members meet forever in odd and even years and are paid $118 per day plus expenses. Vermont is number one in spending, New Hampshire is forty-eighth in spending, Texas is forty-ninth.

Whilst Vermont has the highest tax rate in all of these United States, it does not have enough money to meet its needs according to Appropriations Chair Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille; meanwhile New Hampshire is trying to sort out how to spend their $35,900,000 surplus.

Bartlett says, "This budget is held together with twine, glue, and faith. There isn't any money. We do not have enough money to keep all of the promises we have made."

Yet she knows that your property taxes are going up, twenty percent for her constituents in Stowe, the cigarette tax has gone up, the gas tax may go up, fees are going up, and who knows what else. Yet we have no money.

FOLLOW UP

The legislators felt bad, one hundred and fifty-five jobs were being lost at Capital City Press. Let's give them $10,000 to make them feel better and to look into a buyout. Do they feel better? Doubt it. That money as well as their jobs went down the drain.

Deanna Boucher, whose husband was one of those laid off, wrote in protest: "It is too bad that you cannot print my letter in bold as I am shouting it. When a company like Capital City Press closes, they take their customers with them. They take their equipment. They did not just decide to close the doors and get out of the printing business.

"There is only an empty building left to buy. It sickens me to think that Vermont is going to fund $10,000 to look into a buyout which will never happen. To give the workers who have lost their jobs a false glimmer of hope is just sad. Let's stop dangling carrots, please." And right she was.

WE SELL FOR LESS, ALWAYS

Wal-Mart is always in the news today, the bullies need somebody to pick on. Ambassador Andrew Young recently went to work for Wal-Mart. He was immediately attacked by all the usual suspects. Young in defense repeated the obvious, "Civil rights leaders are involved in helping poor people. That is what I have been doing all my life."

Wal-Mart is also petitioning to go into banking, mostly they say to handle their own credit card transactions in order to save money to continue selling for less. They are opposed in their efforts to help the nation's poor by the same suspects, including former Wal-Mart board member Hillary Clinton. In the immortal words of Jerry Brown, then was then, now is now.

YOU CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE

Senator Ann Cummings, D-Washington, wrote an op-ed in the Montpelier Bridge brazenly entitled, Working Vermonters Do Deserve Lower Taxes. Her conclusion is that throwing out Governor Douglas and replacing him with a Democrat will lower your taxes. Right.

GAS WHACKS POOR

That headline screamed across the page. For most Americans high gas prices are only an annoyance, according to the article. But for the poor they are "consequential." The Vermont House however is holding firm on raising the gas tax to whack the poor twice.

FUN WITH JANE

Bernie Sanders has at long last begun his media campaign. And as during his past campaigns, his wife Jane, a.k.a. President of Burlington College, is his media consultant. She places the ads with the stations and reaps a fifteen percent commission. In that Bernie expects to spend $5,000,000, the Sanders' family may self-deal to the tune of $750,000. Maybe she will give the money to charity; she did not in past years.

BERNIE'S GLORIOUS ADVENTURE

It was a clear cold day this past February in Vergennes. Congressman Bernard Sanders, Socialist-Vermont, accompanied by Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez representing Venezuela's socialist President Hugo Chavez, invited us all to his press conference. Mr. Castro, perhaps having visa problems, was absent. Sanders stepped to the microphone.

"I am delighted to announce that twelve thousand low income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities will be eligible to receive 2.4 million gallons of home heating oil at a forty percent discount. Many homeless shelters will receive over 100,000 gallons of heating oil absolutely free of charge. I want to thank the Venezuelan government."

THE CROOKED PATH, SOCIALISM

Sanders invited Ambassador Alvarez to speak. "We are showing that we need an alternative model of government. Yes, companies should make profits, but there should be a different kind of partnership between government, business and the people, a much more responsible way of doing business."

"We were with President Chavez in Venezuela after Hurricane Katrina and he said, 'We have to find a program for low income people because they will be hit with higher prices this winter." It was a glorious moment, two Bernardos, two socialists, bringing together two peoples.

THANK YOU KIND SIR

Vermont Democrats caught the spirit and introduced a Resolution: "This Senate resolution thanks Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Representative Bernie Sanders for their joint efforts arranging for the shipments of home heating oil to Vermont for discount sale and free distribution to needy Vermonters. Vermonters are most appreciative of President Chávez's and Representative Sanders' diligent work on their behalf...

"The Secretary of State is directed to send two copies of this resolution, one to President Chávez in Caracas, Venezuela another to Representative Sanders."

Resolutions fly through the Senate unless a senator requests floor consideration. One senator did just that, Senator Mark Shepard, R-Bennington, and the resolution was promptly sent to committee for a long nap.

Shepard told DPR, "You have to have your head under a rock not to know that something like this should not just cruise through. When you see criticism of President Chavez from the Catholic Church, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, you might ask yourself, why would you honor somebody who has so many challenges?

"Chavez appears to be using that oil and its wealth for his personal agenda. He must think that it is his oil. Otherwise why would we be thanking him and not the Venezuelan people? Look at it from the viewpoint of the people of Venezuela. They see their wealth going to the wealthiest country in the world. Is this building a better relationship?"

HEY, GET YOUR CHEAP FUEL

So how is the oil flowing? Congressman Sanders told DPR, "Like every other new endeavor, I am sure this program will have kinks that need to be worked out." Governor Douglas remarked, "We have seen more PR stunts by Congressman Sanders and the dictator's government than we have seen oil." Senator Mark Shepard concluded, "We have yet to receive the oil. Perhaps we should wait until our 'gift' is received before we think about giving thanks."

Was the offer from Chavez about oil or humiliation? Is Congressman Sanders a dupe or just doing what he can to help less fortunate Vermonters heat their homes, or both? Or he is an agent for Venezuela?

CHAVEZ GETS AN AGENT

What constitutes an agent? "An agent of a Foreign principal is any individual or organization which acts at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign principal, or whose activities are directed by a foreign principal who: acts in a public relations capacity for a foreign principal, or solicits or dispenses any thing of value within the United States for a foreign principal..."
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fara/

Sanders "acted in a public relations capacity...at the request of a foreign principal...dispensing something of value within the United States for a foreign principal..." If the shoe fits, Sanders might consider registering.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Howard Dean is up to his old tricks, speaking first, learning the facts second. Dean was asked by Walter Shapiro of Salon, "Will New Hampshire have its traditional unmolested Iowa/New Hampshire primary role?"

"We do not molest anybody. We leave that to the deputy press secretary of the Homeland Security Agency!" Cute; Waldo is ever so cute.

Registered Democrat, Brian Doyle, left Time Magazine in 2001 after twenty-six years. He left under a cloud of suspicion for allegedly using company computers for a bit of pornography and allegedly causing pornography to appear on the computer screen of a female colleague. Doyle recently resigned his press secretary position at the Agency of Homeland security after being charged with transmitting pornography to and solicitation of a minor.

LIVE FREE AND DIE

Recall in your youth driving in Quebec where the speed limit was "safe and proper?" Or in Montana where daytime driving at most any speed well in excess of the posted limit was greeted with a $5.00 ticket? Vermont has gone one better.

If you are poor and have no great assets to lose, you may drive any speed you like anywhere you like. You may make all the U-turns, you can follow too closely, weave in and out of traffic, or you may speed by an officer of the law wagging your middle finger.

Of course the long arm of the law may turn on their swirling lights and stop you, and the officer might give you a $300 ticket. But you can rip it up, tack it to your wall, or leave in the outhouse. The police may not arrest you or jail you unless you have been consuming beverages or drugs which impair, regardless of the number or cost of all your traffic tickets.

HOW DID WE GET THIS WAY

We are not exactly sure. But under the Dean administration, DPR had a running argument about compassion. Dean spoke often about how the government had to be compassionate. We wrote about how the government had to be fair.

So perhaps compassion won out. A few years back the legislature removed the right of the police to jail folks for speeding, reckless driving, or a hundred tickets. But was it compassionate for Ashley Taylor, just nineteen, who was a passenger in a car driven by a perpetual scofflaw whose drivers license had been suspended nine times just last year? He ended his days two weeks ago by driving his car in excess of 100 mph into the cliffs between Middlesex and Waterbury? He died, as did she. That's the problem with compassion. Being compassionate to one, is often unfair to another.

STICKS AND STONES

Names do hurt, language is important. Auditor of Accounts Randy Brock was asked to audit Windham County Sheriff Shelia Prue's accounts. He found $61,776 in personal or unsupported transactions. In addition, hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal monies were not accounted for.

The sheriff allegedly used her official credit cards for her own gas, air tickets, pet supplies, groceries, clothing, a banjo, and gifts for her and her partner, plus a cell phone for her partner's daughter.

For his effort, Brock was slandered by the sheriff's attorney as a homophobe. WCAX reported that her attorney claimed that this "was a political ploy, gender discrimination, and an attack on Sheriff Prue's sexual orientation."

THE GOLDEN BOY

Chris Graff, the head of Associated Press in Vermont for a generation, has been fired. The days following his dismissal allowed Graff to both attend his wake and live to fight another day. Eulogies poured forth, from friend and foe. Graff was the best, incorruptible, fearless, bold, decent, a writer of clarity and passion, and a friend; in short an institution. The House and Senate passed HRC 294, thanking Graff for his outstanding contribution to journalism in Vermont.

Demands followed. Governor Douglas joined Senator Leahy and Jeffords and Congressman Sanders demanding that Associated Press spill the beans and tell us why Graff was dismissed.

Emerson Lynn, publisher/editor of the Saint Albans Messenger, was willing to forego the daily AP wires from Montpelier, Washington, and the world if no explanation was forthcoming. This is quite the insult to Ross Snyed's comprehensive and accurate daily political reporting and a substantial loss for his readers. If you really want to know what happened, just ask Chris. He could tell you, especially his friends.

WOULD THE REAL CHRIS GRAFF PLEASE STAND UP

There are many who believe that Graff is a devout liberal. Those who met him socially or at a professional gathering clearly recall his stalwart defense of everything liberal.

A lobbyist had a different view. "The problem with Graff is not that he is a liberal. It is that his lips are sweetly, yet firmly, attached to the ass of every powerful figure in Vermont."

ICON CRACKED

So why would the big boys of AP fire Chris? Was he incompetent? No, he was a good writer in a Joe Friday sort of way, just the facts Ma'am. Was he corrupt? Naw, there was really no till to put your fingers in and he was not selling access to the AP wire for big bucks.

ORGANIZATION MAN

He may have been fired because he was no longer an organization man. We were stunned when he, bureau chief, recently dissed AP in public by saying, "You can't spell cheap with AP." This is not the sort of thing a hierarchic organization enjoys hearing.

He had been with AP since the Governor's press secretary Jason Gibbs was in diapers. Shortly after Darren Allen took over at the Vermont Press Bureau, its writing improved and became more prolific. They broke story after story. What story did AP break? Almost none. AP embarrassed itself by going with the Douglas-is-dealing-with-the-corrupt story that the Parker for Governor campaign pushed, only to be forced to pull the story as AP got it wrong.

Yes, Graff had many a Dean for President exclusives, stories which hit the national wire. But those stories were not because of great digging; they were a reward for having his lips "attached to the backside of any powerful Vermont politician."

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY?

Take last year's Vermont Press Association Story of the Year, Jeffords's announcing his departure from politics. DPR broke that story. Graff had the story but did not write it, maybe because of his "attachment." When you are an institution, those responsibilities may get in the way of the story.

Graff got credit using facts to defend Cashman, but he was behind Seven Days and the Mark Johnson Show. DPR broke the story of Vermont's youth disappearing and the Governor's intent to introduce legislation to slow the exodus. If you were AP's New England head, you might wonder if you were getting the most bang for your buck?

It was reported that Graff's used the AP wire to do a favor for Senator Pat Leahy by nationally circulating his opinion piece, clearly not an AP story, not a balanced story. Once again, his "attachment" to those in power got the best of his judgment. Minutes after Graff sent out the Leahy wire, AP pulled it with a note that it was not to be used. A last straw perhaps?

To quote our revered President Calvin Coolidge, the business of America is business. AP does not report to Vermont's hand wringing political sector. AP reports to its hierarchy and shareholders, and for whatever reason, Graff displeased. Take your pick of our offering or conjure up your own.

SEX SHOCKER

Terri Hallenbeck wrote in the Free Press, "In the past five years, the State Education Department has sanctioned at least nine teachers for having sex with students. Such relationships are widely considered inappropriate and might cost employees their jobs..."

A jaw dropper. How many charges were there to lead to nine sanctions? If teachers having sex with students is only widely considered inappropriate, then Ms Hallenbeck must have data that suggests that it is appropriate or she would have used the phrase, "universally inappropriate."

COMMIT A CRIME, GET A PULIZTER

A CIA officer, former Clinton staffer, is fired for breaking the law by divulging secrets to the media imperiling a program deemed necessary for America's war on terror. Reporter Dana Priest, the fence in this sordid affair, the one who participated in and encouraged the commission of an alleged crime, wins a Pulitzer Prize for her work. Priest, not to be confused with the honor bound priest in the confessional, also won the George Polk Award and an Overseas Press Award.

TWO TAKES ON WAL*MART

»» Steve Allen, South Ryegate: Regarding your latest Wal-Mart comments: When a hearing was held in Derby for a new 150,000 square foot Wal-Mart, Mary Lillian of that town said, "I am opposed to the size of it. I think that it is too small." Many residents work at the Littleton NH Wal-Mart, driving well over an hour to work. According to the Free Press, they "praised their working conditions and said that they make better money there then they could at home. Derby resident Greg Fleming said, 'The best place to see your neighbors is Littleton, NH.'"

Work has begun clearing 34 acres (an old lumber mill) in Woodsville NH for a new Wal-Mart 230,000 foot Superstore in Woodsville, NH -- a mere 20 miles south of Littleton and 45 miles north of Plymouth, NH, where there is already a Superstore. Woodsville is just over the bridge from Wells River, VT and has absolutely no zoning. The mind boggles over the 10 year outlook for "poor" little Woodsville (pop. about 1100).

»» Carl Edwards, Lyndonville: It is not that Wal-Mart is the great Satan of retail. It is here to stay. But it can be a more responsible company. Most of its employees qualify for public assistance while the company racks up billions of dollars of profit. This just ensures our race to the bottom. The only store that tried to unionize was closed down. Employees in the U.S. don't stay long enough for the unions to organize workers. We Americans have been all to willing to swap high paying jobs for cheaper goods and Wal-Mart illustrates this.

*** THE GOP CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY ***

»» Heather Sheppard, Cambridge: (no relationship to Senator Shepard). I was at that very same meeting [as Rand Larson, DPR, 3/19/06], two seats behind Senator Shepard and Lt. Governor Dubie, three seats behind Rand (when he wasn't talking). Were we at the same meeting? Perhaps Rand Larson was having visions of sugar plums dance through his head? Because I saw Senator Shepard meeting people, listening intently to what they had to say to him. I actually had to wait to talk to him myself as he was relating with the folks. He was one of the last people to leave the meeting house! My family and I are thoroughly impressed with Mark Shepard and will be supporting him in this race for United States Congress in any way We can. Mark Shepard Is a man from Vermont, working hard to serve Vermonters!

»» Bruce Shields, Eden: Martha's supporters are walking a dangerous line. My first election in Vermont was 1974. Jeffords & Hackett slammed each other so thoroughly in the Republican primary that my wife & I in total disgust voted for Salmon in the election (and came to regret it). Now Martha's supporters have chosen to proceed by dissing Mark at every turn. They need to pay respectful attention to the issues Mark has been working on, rather than to mock, despise, and forsake us. If not, Martha can win in September and lose in November, like 1974 all over again.

»» Kevin Blier, Rutland: Interesting analysis on the GOP Congressional Primary. I was struck by Rand Larson’s comments about Mark Shepard and his appearance at an event that Mr. Larson sponsored. I was at that event and I got the impression Mark was there because he cared about the issue of child sexual abuse as it pertained to the Mark Hulett case. I don't think he was there to campaign because it wasn't a political event. And knowing Mark to be the classy guy he is, he wouldn't have wanted to "step on toes" and make the awful Cashman/Hulett tragedy an opportunity for political exploitation. The Lieutenant Governor was there, and he didn't campaign either. If Mr. Larson had intended on his gathering being a political event, I’m sure Mark would have approached the situation differently.

Mark's skills as it pertains to how he relates to people, especially one-on-one, is actually quite stunning. He has an unpretentious manner and is quite adept at pulling people towards him, even if they start out disagreeing. That is a rare trait that is a gift that cannot be taught.

To suggest that Mark is an embarrassment to the GOP only reinforces how quick some seem to sell out their principles for the sake of "winning", when in actuality, voters are not fooled into voting for the "just like" Peter Welch when they will have the real thing to pick in November. Mark's record of accomplishment in Bennington, as well as a key Republican vote in the Senate for the Governor and a wonderful family man, Mark is far from an "embarrassment" to the GOP. The GOP would do well to have more Mark Shepards. I can think of a few people in the Vermont Senate that have an "R" after their name that have been far more embarrassing, and some of them are of GOP Royalty!

And Rob Roper's analysis is right on…where will Martha be on the war? Seems that little problem could become a catch 484. It seems awful strange so many Republicans are falling on their swords so early when we know so little about General Rainville’s positions. What does Rand know that others do not?

If Republicans think they need to run as "Republican-lite" in order to win elections, they shouldn't bother running candidates at all! The lingering question remains, is General Rainville a "Reagan" Republican or is she a "Jeffords" Republican? Only time will tell.

THEY DEFEND US

»» Robert Maynard, Williston: I would like to start by commending you for your analysis in the 03-19-06 Report of the many ways that Vermont's obsession with modern liberalism actually hurts the poor. The "Law of Unintended Consequences" has time and again demonstrated that a command and control, top down, social engineering approach to addressing social issues simply does not work.

Another issue brought up in that same Report caught my attention, which was the accusation of bias by Rand Larsen. I would have liked to see some specifics accompanying that accusation. In addition to the accusation he states that: "As a conservative who has actually done something for the party I am fed up with people like you who are great at pontificating but fail to do anything else." Does this mean that he considers your bias to be an anti GOP one? I for one feel, that if anything, you lean "slightly" toward a pro-party bias. (Relax; I said "slightly", for the most part you do a good job). This is not the official Vermont GOP web site and I do not see it as you job to carry water for the GOP.

A bias in favor of small "r" republican principles of limited government and individual liberty is a good thing. A bias in favor of ANY political party, regardless of whether they uphold those principles, is not. I hope that Mr. Larsen is still tuning in, as I would be interested in some clarification.

THEY LIKE US

»» Stephen Smith, Colchester: Keep up the good writing.

»» Clark Dwinell, El Toro, CA: A Hello from a fellow Dwinell-family man living in El Toro, California. Just thought I'd write and tell you how much I enjoy reading the DPR. Good solid work, by honest folk. It's the Vermont way, right? Keep up the good work.

THE CO-ED

"In the university applicant pools that are decidedly female, the acceptance envelope is more elusive for today's accomplished young women. Because young men are rarer, they are more valued applicants. Today, two-thirds of colleges and universities report that they receive more female than male applicants, and more than 56 percent of undergraduates are women.

"Demographers predict that by 2009, only 42 percent of all baccalaureate degrees awarded in the United States will be awarded to men. Standards for admission today are stiffer for women than men. How is that for an unintended consequence of the women's liberation movement?" --Jennifer Delahunty Britz, New York Times, 3/23/06

THE FUTURE IS HERE

"Fifty years ago the Sanskrit scholar was respected in India, Mr. Rao noted, but today it is all about becoming an engineer, a programmer, an M.B.A. or a doctor. 'More people will get Ph.D.'s [in the study of] Sanskrit in America this year than in India,' Mr. Rao asserted, 'and Sanskrit is the root of our culture!'" Tom Friedman, New York Times, 3/24/06

THE FUTURE IS NOW, PART #2

Joe Trippi, who was an architect of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, paints a sort of developing nightmare for his party. He said, "The Republicans are like the Chinese, they think in terms of a 50-year plan. Their goal is permanent realignment. They have a national strategy against a party that is not strategizing at all."

YOU DON'T SAY

"'Iraqi insurgents are most active in four of the country's 18 provinces. Much of the violence is centered in and around Baghdad. The insurgents are pretty smart ...they know where the media are,' Douglas said." --Addison Independent, 3/23/06

WE ARE THE LEMMINGS

"There is the myth that the EU's corporatism and welfare model is more humane than America's system of cowboy capitalism. As for the euro-nomics (that we in Vermont so aspire to), it has delivered fifteen consecutive years of laggard performance, culminating in some of the highest unemployment rates since the 1930s." --The Daily Telegraph, April 6, 2006

WE ARE THE LEMMINGS, PART TWO

"Europe is a continent hurtling toward the abyss." --Mark Steyn, Jerusalem Post, April 8, 2006

GALLOWS HUMOR

"[O]ur new national debt is $9 trillion, not million, not billion. To put $9 trillion in perspective, that is more than Oprah makes in a week." ---Jimmy Kimmel http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldailyfeed3.htm

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