WHAT IS VERMONT? 

A writer took offense to our comment last week that we were "moving back" to Vermont, our move from Burlington to Randolph (see letters). The writer is correct that Burlington is Vermont. An example: Labor Day weekend we had our moving sale, lots of stuff put out on our lawn for the sale from 8-noon on Saturday. By noon, much was left. We had plans to go away until Monday, did not want to put everything back, and really wanted to be done with the items. So why not have a "self-serve lawn sale, name your own price." So we did, left a cookie tin on a table with a note in our front lawn and drove off.

Returning Monday afternoon, we were curious. Was it all gone but no money? Did someone take the hint that we were not at home and break in? Or were we rich? None of these actually occurred but most of the stuff was gone and there was more in our cookie tin than we had taken in during the official hours of our lawn sale. Nice. 

THE MONOPOLY SPEAKS 

Three times this week the educational establishment of Vermont spoke. First the no brainer. According to a story in the Stowe Reporter, a student in Stowe dreamt of playing football. The Stowe schools do not offer football. The rules state that in this case, with permission from his school, his school district, the host school, and the host's school district, a student may live his dream. The school, Montpelier High School, was short of players and welcomed the student from Stowe. Cool and logical. And they all lived happily ever after.

Then the monopoly speaks. The School District Superintendent for Montpelier Chaunce Benedict said that we better study the concept. "That was not a matter of no or yes to us, but something we want to take a look at." And the boy ages, moves on, and misses his dreams, and the grownups play the games.

Then the monopoly extolled in lavish terms how well we are doing with our SAT scores, the necessary test to go on to higher education, the dream of all parents. Scores were up, well above the national average. Well yes and no. According to the VBE Report, if you compare the white kids who make up nearly all of Vermont with white kids in the other states, Vermont is at 510 in math compared to 533 nationally, and 512 on the verbal compared with 527 nationally. Proud or what?

And last but not least, Vermont's NEA strongly endorsed Racine and Shumlin for governor and lieutenant governor: "My message to you is simple and direct: Other than your primary responsibilities to your students, to your schools, and to your colleagues, there is only one professional task between now and Tuesday, Nov. 5th of utmost importance. Only one: We must elect Doug Racine and Peter Shumlin to become the next Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, along with the most pro-public education candidates possible who will serve under them in the State Senate and State House of Representatives. after your commitment to those students, schools, and co-workers, nothing is more professionally important than accomplishing that goal." -Angela Dorta, Vermont NEA Today, September 2002

So Dorta is urging, pleading really, for his members to use school computers, phones, mailboxes, and space for the purpose of supporting a particular candidate? Your tax dollars at work? 

FOLLOW-UP 

The secretary of state's office mailed us a recent federal activity report of the Vermont Democrat Party not available when we conducted our research at their Redstone office. Their federal expenditures are 4,500 percent greater than in the report previously filed for their state account.

Image is everything. If a reporter happens to figure it out and mentions it, Doug The Good Racine received $40,044 from our friendly local earth shoed Democrat Party, where all those little old ladies send in their dimes and nickels to help out. On the other hand, they never forget to mention that Jim The Bad Douglas received $50,000 from those greedy, price fixing, criminal corporations, money laundered through the Republican Governor's Association.

It looks like just the opposite is true. Racine's money was laundered through the Vermont Democrat Party: $36,000 from unions, $40,750 from PACs, and $46,730 from the Democrat National Committee. They also received $47,002 in "unitemized receipts" at the same address as the Democrat National Committee. They have little local financial support but the Scheuers of Burlington and the Stetsons of Norwich gave $5,000 each and the Berndts of Sharon chipped in $9,000. Friends from out-of-state, prohibited to give with such grander when the Democrats passed our little local campaign finance law, were slightly more numerous. James Pepper, Simon Yates, and John Rieley of New York City gave $5,000 each, and Leahy friend and Oriole owner Peter Angelos also gave $5,000.

The Democrats expenditures continue to follow their solid and successful campaign strategy. They paid Kiley and Company of Boston $16,000 for polling and research, bought lots of town voter lists to improve their already envious voter file, gave Carolyn Dwyer of Montpelier $8,000 to put together two local fundraising events, and even provided health and dental insurance for their staff.

While in this election Racine acknowledges receiving polling value from the party, in the last election he did not. Dean spent over $60,000 on polling and research and no other Democrat spent a dime. Neither Racine nor Shumlin recognized that they had heard or used any of the data from Governor Dean's research. If that had happened, and it must have, all three would have violated the campaign finance law which limits contributions to $400. 

THE MAGIC TRICK 

Last week we wrote about how our former auditor Flanagan had slipped in a cool one-hundred g's without including the revenue or expense on his campaign finance report. Now comes Doug Racine with a similar omission: he accounts for a donation of $40,044 from the Democrat Party for polling, rent and phones but does not include those expenses in the expense category giving the impression that he has been widely outspent by the Republican candidate and that he has oodles of cash on hand.

This gives him the right to say I've "been outspent by my opponent three to one." Not true. Seems that we may have to offer Campaign Finance Reports 101 as a required course for our trusty scribes. Neither the Vermont Press Bureau nor the Burlington Free Press picked up on this omission, thereby misinforming their readers about how much Racine had spent.

From the Douglas report we learn that former GOP Chair Pat Garahan has finally been heard from, giving Jim $400 from his hacienda along Cabrillo Avenue in Coronado California. Jim also found another Vallee pocket to pick. His largest expense was to the advertising firm Sullivan, Brownell and Davies for collateral production, maybe those bumper stickers and lawn signs folks have been requesting.

Racine is off and spending with Bridge Communications, the usual mailhouse for the party favorites. There was also an reimbursement to Kimball, Sherman and Ellis for conference calls. Seems like Doug has another group of consultants. 

THE END IS NEAR 

We can only hope. Ed Flanagan further distinguished himself this week as a liar. When is a push poll not a push poll? When Ed says so. When is a lie not a lie? When Ed says so, it is just "spin." Who would spend over $120,000 in a desperate attempt to buy a little power? Some desperate soul named Ed. Amazing.

It was not a good week for Ed. The Burlington Free Press followed the Saint Albans Messenger in endorsing Ed's opponent in the Democrat Party, former Washington county Senator Jeb Spaulding. More are sure to follow.

In response to the press's request for proof of his "voucher supporter" charge, an Associated Press report said that he produced a document which did not include vouchers. A second request brought forth something that had voucher superimposed but was not part of the original document. Ironically, he keeps running pace ads which extol his "integrity." Hey, it's a free country. In a Stowe Reporter story about his debate at Johnson College with Spaulding, student Jessica Prince summed up Ed's appearance by saying, "Ed Flanagan did not answer our questions directly. Plus he was a half hour late. We had to be here on time. He should have been too." Happy trails. 

NEW YORK TIMES V. SULLIVAN 

A court suit some thirty-five years ago established that newspapers could only be found liable for libel if the charge was known to be untrue and printed with a malicious intent. Our friendly writers come ever so close to meeting that definition but nobody seems to have the deep pockets or the sense of offense to sue.

The latest example was in a Vermont Press Bureau story that became an Associated Press story, which included these words: "serious questions have been raised about (Douglas's) management of the state's pension funds." Most every informed person, including the reporter, knows that Douglas does not choose stocks, does not select fund mangers and therefore there can be no questions raised about his management. Most reporters in Vermont have shown much greater sympathy for Democrats than Republicans, meaning that they probably would greatly prefer Racine to Douglas.

Therefore, they appear to have repeated what they know to be a lie and may have done so with malice. So who wants to come to the aid of their party? 

READ MY LIPS 

Governor Dean continues hot on the campaign trail becoming the buzz on the talk show circuit. He touts his record, including creating "more than 41,000 new jobs." Check out his website, http://www.fundforahealthyamerica.com Though acknowledging that there has been some slippage, "over 7,500 jobs lost" he says, the website has yet to be updated by those lost jobs. Maybe that's because more jobs are lost every day. 

PROMOTE YOUR CANDIDATE, FREE 

If the Democrats maintain their majority in the senate, Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille, will probably become the next senate pro tem. Recently she was on the committee charged with cutting the budget. She favored shutting the rest areas. Senators and representatives whose constituents were affected by the closure lobbied hard for that not to happen. So now Susan sends a letter to the editor of the Times Argus, thanking only non-senator Mark MacDonald and Senator Ann Cummings for their help in this effort.

We followed this debate quite closely. It was the Republicans on the committee and those not on the committee who really carried the day. Yet the Times Argus gave Susan free advertising to help herself become senate pro tem. 

RESULTS OF THE DPR ONLINE POLL 

A few months ago on our website we posed the question: "What do you think Dean's chances are of being elected president of the USA?" A total of 602 people responded. Most had a strong opinion. Here's what they said:

He has a good chance of winning: 247
It would be difficult, but it certainly could happen: 38
The proverbial snowball in Hades comes to mind: 325

WHO IS EDITING OUR NEWS? 

Last Friday's Burlington Free Press carried an Associated Press story essentially identical to a Vermont Press Bureau report by Tracy Schmaler that appeared in the Times Argus, but missing a few key paragraphs. The story described how "Republicans" (only one is identified) questioned Doug Racine's statement of net worth. Included was the response, "Racine and other Democrats dismissed the charges as another in a string of negative attacks by Republicans worried about the lagging campaign of their candidate, state Treasurer James Douglas."

Comparison with the version in the Times Argus is telling. Removed were the paragraphs indicating that Douglas actually had no involvement in the accusations against Racine: "He's not speaking for me... I just listen with interest,' Douglas said. 'I certainly hear a lot of scuttlebutt about whether it's accurate... I haven't pursued it. I hoped and assumed the media would do their job and look into it.'"

Also edited out was Douglas's response to the charge of leveling a "string of negative attacks": "Douglas said his campaign faxes are fair game, reminders of what he claimed were Racine's position changes." 

DON'T PARTICIPATE 

In a strange editorial, the Times Argus told former Governor Tom Salmon not to participate in democracy by running for office. Usually, editorials write about the plight of not enough candidates, not enough turnout, not enough democracy.

Then they topped that with a massive editorial about Secretary of State Colin Powell's future, that he might leave his office in twenty-eight months. Who knows where we will be, where he will be, what will be going on. Was it just a slow news day? Why not pick some candidates of your choice in the upcoming primary?  

RACINE CUSTOMER ISN'T BUYING IT 

»» Granger Thurstone, Waltham: I enjoy your reports [reprinted]in the Eagle. This last one is so good and so true it should be given a full page in everything printed in the state. I know Jim [Douglas] personally, have for years, and there is no finer, more honest, and astute gentleman in the world, and I just hope he's not going to be eaten up by media nurtured vultures, pit bulls, and lampreys of the opposing party.

Politics is a lousy game for an honest individual - particularly in this dinky rural state that doesn't have incumbent brains to grow an entrepreneur, understand a business P and L mind, address the private sector, or any other philosophy opposing the free lunch. I have to laugh when I hear Racine expounding on his business acumen derived from a family auto dealership. His Dad founded it, his brother runs it, I bought 5 cars from it over 14 years, and I never saw Doug any where near the place. I've never considered an auto business to be ground zero for business ethics anyway!

There has to be a way we clean up the statehouse - maybe only a room at a time. At 79, I'm not going to see the day when the state swings back all the way, but I sure hope it starts with this election. Too, the audacity of this guy Dean thinking the country is waiting for him. And the sad part of it is, the media is more interested in the story of his attempt, than the truth about the record he leaves behind, - and the obvious desire to have it continue by buckling Racine into the seat.

Let's hear more from you, sir! 

DPR NEEDS LIBERAL EYES 

»» Bryan Cass: I have the feeling that you're preaching to the choir with your email Dwinell report. Isn't there some way you can get this information out to the moderates and liberals of Vermont -- like in newspaper Op Eds, or in their own periodicals and such? It seems like they're the ones that need to hear what you have to say. I doubt that many of them subscribe to your newsletter. 

SHUMLIN 

»» Laura Brueckner, Waterbury Center: Peter Shumlin the anointed - neither truth nor lie shall stop his election.

»» Ralph F Colin, Jr., Dorset: Well done, my friend. At least the Shumlin matter is now out in the open. The Russian Herald and BFP can no longer deny having the story even though we know that they've been sitting on it for a while. You really knocked the media for a loop this week. Keep after them.

»» Scott McCarty, Brattleboro: I am very upset with the article in which your Conservative newsletter published about Peter Shumlin. How can you say that he has had a relationship outside his marriage without significant proof? I am very disturbed by this reading and I see it as yet another attack from the Right-Wing Conservatives of the Republican Party and Vermont. I suggest you get your facts straight and sight your sources next time you write something like this. My family is very close with the Shumlins and we support his candidacy 100%. But this type of attack is both personal and yet very petty. Where did you get your information? If it is from the Vermont GOP or some other Right Wing organization, then I suggest you think again. I am sorry to say it but after this infraction and several others, I will no longer read the Report because I can no longer trust how truthful it may be. I thank you for your attention and please stay away from the petty attacks that have really scared the political landscape as of late. 

FLANAGAN'S A LITTER BUG 

»» Robert deMange, Worcester: I get off I-89 at Exit 12 and there are Ed Flanagan posters spread all over the right-of-way in violation of State regulations -- no other political posters in sight. I get off at Exit 14 to go to Burlington and see the same posters. I get off at Exit 10 to go to Waterbury and again see the same story. Although this can be considered a minor infraction of the law by many, it seems to set the tone for what type of Treasurer he would be for the Great State of Vermont. Also, I wonder why the State Agency of Transportation doesn't simply remove them and send him a warning.

EDITOR'S NOTE: They removed Dwyer's signs as being in the right of way.

ON MOVING TO THE COUNTRY 

»» Pete Chagnon, Burlington: It's too bad Burlington bashing has come to the fore. As a native of Burlington, I resent the connotation that Burlington is not part of Vermont. We are for better or worse as much Vermont as the rest of the state. The problems in this state are not so much the cause of natives, but liberal preppies who for the most part are from out of state (and who live in other parts of Vermont). Attack the problem, not the citizens. In other issues in your report, James Douglas is a career politician. He is as slick in that respect as any snake oil salesman. Vermont used to pride itself on a citizen government. In the past, our governors were private businessmen, farmers, or professionals who returned to their occupations after their service to the state. The current race for governor offers us no choice whatsoever. All we have is a group of "public servants" who offer no real solution to any of the problems because the problem is one of the soul, not the pocketbook. 

RUTLAND'S DOUGLAS-RACINE DEBATE 

»» Betty M. Ferraro, Rutland: What a terrific morning of exchanging political views! Of course the Rutland Herald/Times Argus did not move any ink to cover this well-attended debate... Too bad, because they would have had to defend many of Racine's "flip-flops" - the "me too" guy! He is echoing Jim Douglas' comments on issues which Jim espoused ages ago. However, Racine stated he had the support of the local police (which I truly doubted) - so I checked with our Chief to find out that "the questionnaires for candidates have not even been mailed out - no support or endorsements will be made until early October." It looks like Dougie is grasping at straws. He knows he cannot match the honesty, integrity, brain power and experience of our next governor - Jim Douglas. 

THE CONSTITUTION 

»» Bill Brueckner Sr., Waterbury Ctr: Your Rush Limbaugh quote is interesting in view of the fact that dems, progs and reps continually violate our rights regarding everything from governance of this republic to property rights, taxes and due process (to name a few). We need to dump them all and keep replacing them until we have people arguing for the rights of the people rather than the economy, environment, trains, child care, health care etc., etc. Government has no right to provide services or command, control or regulate Vermonters who have the rights to be born free and independent. Rush's statement tailored for Vermont would need to start, "To politicians the constitution is not an obstacle, they disavow any knowledge of its existence!  

THEY LIKE US 

»» Joe Acinapura, Brandon: Thanks for "digging" --doing the hard legwork/reading the basic documents --as a reporter should do. Thanks for reporting the facts with a little humor interspersed.

»» Howard Dachs, Westford: Thank you for the job you are doing.

»» Chris Robbins, Saint Johnsbury: Your weekly newsletter is the only sane state-wide commentary on the political scene. Keep up the good work.

»» Phyllis Burroughs, Derby: I look forward to your most interesting commentary every Friday. Sometimes I disagree with your views, but usually you are right on the mark. 

SANDERS TAKE NOTE 

"This week's United Nations confab in Johannesburg is in danger of being hijacked by Third World leaders, and thank heavens for that. Some of them are giving all of those First World sandalista visitors a lesson in economic growth and free trade.

The UN calls its $51 million get-together for more than 10,000 delegates the Conference on Sustainable Development. But some of the early speakers have ignored this high-flown talk and turned it into a forum to express genuine Third World grievances about the rich world's failure to live up to its own rhetoric. ... The system of subsidies, tariffs and quotas the U.S. and Europe have erected is pernicious in every way imaginable. The poor in the Third World get poorer and working-class taxpayers in the West get the bills for the subsidies, along with the privilege of paying higher prices for cotton, beans, bananas or whatever else is 'protected.'" --Wall Street Journal, quoted in the email newsletter The Federalist Chronicle 9/4/02 

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