GOT MILK? 

Yes, but got any money for it? Nope, not really. Commissioner of Agriculture Leon Graves said at a press conference that Vermont farmers have been shorted approximately $35,000,000 with the demise of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact last September 30th.

You might recall that our junior senator threw the farmers overboard in his race for stardom and the opportunity to wrench the nation from the republicans who did in fact support the dairy compact. Thanks Jim.

It is not just the $35,000,000 not flowing into Vermont because of Jim’s perdition. Do you think that the farmers stuff that money in their mattresses? No, they buy goods and services from their communities. With the multiplier effect, the cost to the Vermont economy is probably over $100,000,000. And what of the new save-the-day pork farm bill so greatly extolled by our congressional delegation? Not one penny of that has reached a family farm in Vermont, or anywhere else for that matter.

Governor Dean announced that he has reactivated the Vermont Milk Commission which has the power to increase dairy prices, but only here in Vermont which consumes only about 5-6% of Vermont’s production. 

IT ONLY TAKES ONE 

The Hinsdale farm proposal to consolidate their smaller farms into one bigger farm has hit a wall. About a month ago they received their permit to build a dam as part of their manure impoundment. Folks had thirty days to appeal, and Wednesday this week, on the last day of appeal, a group in Charlotte took that route. If the appeal process runs its maximum, the delay could be three to five years. Hinsdale II has kept the development rights to his land and may choose to go a development route. That does not mean of course that those plans will not be appealed as well. 

LA LA LAND 

Governor Howard Dean showed a bit of rust at this week’s press conference. Having been away awhile, he rushed four dog and pony shows through, limiting each to fifteen minutes. As it was he was competing with the vice president.

When asked, "Could you comment on Judge Cohen's ruling," he answered, "What ruling?" Upon explanation that it was about Act 60 he said, "We're going to appeal that." Cohen, as you may recall, called the assessment system that is used under Act 60 arbitrary and capricious and said that the system needed to be fair, which it is not. Dean said, "We believe that the method of assessment is fine." Now we go back to the supremes; not the group with Diana Ross but the one with John Dooley who created the need for Act 60. Wonder what they will do? In the meantime, Representative Richard Marron, R-Stowe, says that the legislature will fix the problem next year. 

COMMUNITY BUILDING 

No, we are not talking Island Pond or Springfield. We are talking foreign policy. Dean is clearly most animated and informed now when dealing with presidential issues. He left his heart on the campaign trail. He is still on his nation building kick. He said that when we go into an Iraq or Afghanistan, we need to be prepared to "turn them into middle class democracies where women have equal rights."

It is as if the countries and their citizens have no responsibility. He speaks as the doctor who can fix all our problems as if we have no responsibility for or control over them. He speaks the Democrat language of I am the smarter, I have the solutions, I mean well, just please get out of my way. It is as if he ignores the human values, the human condition and the human struggle. It is as if he believes that the Northern European context is translatable anywhere. This is a prescription for trouble. 

GOING, GOING, GONE 

Just months ago, the Bombardier plant in Barre employed about 1,000 Vermonters at good wages with good benefits. Today, they employ about zero. "Globalization" once again the Democrat leaders would say. Yes maybe, Vermont is such a special world that jobs moving to New York is out there in globalization. Why would anybody chose Plattsburgh over Vermont? 

DREAM WEEK AT UVM 

Imagine. Last year there was no VTGOP. Today VTGOP meets the vice president. The e-mail traffic was fascinating. Within hours, VTGOP had organized itself into squads, some to gather outside, some to hold signs, some to go inside and help, and some just to cheer. Lists were made, car pools put together, and enthusiasm high. Fun, excitement and a chance to met guys. Wow! Last week Adelman, this week Cheney, who is next week? 

IT WAS A HARD DAY'S NIGHT 

It must have been hard on our peace, love and tie-dyed media, three war mongers in less than a week. And they were made to report on them. First came Ken Adelman, a distinguished academic no less, to make the case against Iraq at the Ira Allen Chapel. Then on Tuesday came Tom Friedman, distinguished New York Times reporter and author who has spent years living in the region, making the case against Iraq at Saint Michael's. Then comes the veep telling them all once again about the threat that Saddam poses.

It was too much for the Free Press. According to writers to their letters page, the reporter not only did not listen, but misrepresented the mood as well. Al Besser of Morrisville wrote to complain about the "tepid" reporting which "failed to capture the fervor and passion with which he delivered his remarks." Ms. Ziemer of Colchester wrote to suggest that the reporting of "about 2,500 people shifted in the seats uneasily" about some of Friedman's remarks as a fabrication. She went on to write that the reporter took a quote "completely out of context" to make a point of the reporter, not a point of Friedman. 

THE REST OF THE STORY 

Vice President Cheney comes to town to raise big bucks for the big bad greedy capitalist boys. Well, yes and girls too. But first Cheney stopped by the Air National Guard to thank them for flying cover for months on end, at risk, away from their families, protecting us all. Thank you said the vice president. Makes you proud to be an American. 

HAVE THEY THROWN IN THE TOWEL? 

Hard to believe, but it sounds like the media has thrown in the towel. The beat now is, "Won't you guys vote for the one with the most votes? Won't you do the right thing? Won't you change the rules just this once?" They seem to have already conceded that no one in the governor's or lieutenant governor's race is going to reach 50.1 percent.

The pressure will be on. But wait, we have a constitution, some 225 years old. We have precedent, some hundreds of years. We have usual and customary procedures for all those years. But let's throw that out to help our boys Doug and Peter. Even Senator Pat Leahy has joined the braying causing Speaker Walt Freed to remind him of those little things like the constitution and precedent, which being an attorney, we thought Patrick might have already known.

As one member of the legislature told DPR, "For years, we have taken it in the shorts by the Democrats. They have bent the rules to advance their agenda. Howard Dean has appointed Democrats to replace Republicans, saying "I picked the best available candidate." And so will we. It will not even be close." 

MESSAGE TO HOWARD DEAN 

A new poll from VPR today shows if the election were held today and George Bush was running against Howard Dean, Bush would receive 44% of the Vermont vote and Dean would receive 36%.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/news/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=396252

I'VE BEEN FIRED 

Tim McQuiston, Editor of Vermont Business Magazine, has fired your editor. Dwinell's columns have been appearing for over a year in Vermont Business Magazine. McQuiston informed Dwinell via an e-mail Wednesday, writing, "your on-line political report, in my opinion, has become too partisan..."

Tim McQuiston's full e-mail message is below: 
 

THE HOSTILITY IS ANOTHER FORM OF FLATTERY 

»» Bill Adamson, Charlotte: You did a great job of pointing out the potential adverse consequences of Shumlin's sexual encounter with a subordinate while at an out-of-state event. I don't have the stomach to read the BFP every day but I do try to keep up with the news. Why is it that only the DPR gets this news about Shumlin's dalliance. Did any other outlet cover the story?

I know that Peter Freyne has tried to bully his print colleagues into burying this story by attacking you, James. Imagine your audacity. You gave us the news. The reason we get so little coverage for thirty or more years, has been that we are the destination location for legions of left wing journalists spinning out of megalopolis. The lack of social and cultural diversity among this profession is appalling! They instinctively know that it is not just the conservative catholics and evangelicals who will be offended by the powerful having sex with a subordinate. Some plain folks might just decide to vote for someone besides Shumlin. We can't have that!

There seem to be only two real sins. The first is to believe that sex has a moral as well as a legal dimension. After all, Bill and Monica were merely consenting adults. The second is to hold beliefs different from the leftist intelligentsia. Exceptions are acceptable only if you fit into one of their beloved victim categories. 

»» Laura Brueckner, Waterbury Center: Why indeed should Peter Freyne care one nanosecond about your report? Perhaps because you actually give us the news we can't find anywhere else? Love your candidate's money reports. Seems strange you are the only folks that can look at campaign reports and add two and two. Guess you missed the creative math classes the other reporters took. 

»» Bryan Cass, Charlotte: I had to laugh out loud about your "Thank You Peter" article, since you had just printed two weeks ago my suggestion that your report needs to reach more liberals. Looks like we got our wish! Did Peter-rooter secretly read your last DPR and take our hint? It's nice when the liberal left advances the conservative cause, huh? 

»» Judy Sargent, Chittenden: When you do not have anything to say or have any ideas to pass on, you are left with the necessity of either keeping your mouth shut or lashing out at people who do have ideas. Mr. Freyne takes the second course.

Keep up the good work. Attacks show that you are doing something right! 

GANG CHEAP SHOT 

»» Rep. Stephanie Bourdeau, Hyde Park: Under the "cheap shot of the week" in your last issue, you talked about Ann Seibert and her attempt to discredit Jim Douglas because she had found a minuscule tie to tobacco with a minuscule amount of invested state money.

I watched a clip of her so-called press conference on the subject on WCAX, besides it not being a very newsworthy event, I found it very deceiving to the viewing public to not identify those shown complaining about Jim Douglas as none other than Rep. Ann Seibert (D), Rep. Warren Kitzmiller (D), and Rep. Cheryl Hooker (D). This info never showed up on the screen. Instead they were portrayed only as anti-tobacco people and their legislative status and party affiliation were never mentioned. To me, that was a cheap shot!!! 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? 

»» Dan Foty, Fletcher: I'm in Dubrovnik right now (on business - really), looking out over the Adriatic. Here we go again. Cell phones work everywhere here in Croatia. I have great broadband access here at the hotel. It's embarrassing to be more easily handle my e-mail here than at "home" in Fletcher. These people were bombing the h*ll out of each other less than ten years ago. Seems like the modern world now. 

IRACKY MOSQUITOES? 

»» Walter Brown, Marshfield: Re: Senator Leahy's remarks published in the Times Argus on 9/13/02: Iracky mosquitoes - You can tell them by their mustaches. Is it time for the Senator to return to the Intelligence Committee? http://timesargus.nybor.com/Regional_News/Story/52992.html 

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A DAME... OR AN UNAPOLOGETIC MEDIA 

»» Karen Kerin, South Royalton: Surely this purposeful accident is no surprise to anyone, but I am skeptical it was the work of Ms. Page as her editors are the more likely suspects. It saddens me that some of my fellow Republicans have bought into the liberal media's outrage that I am a conservative. I never cease to be amazed that the liberals can do character assassination as they did two years ago, and some Republicans view that as cause for suspicion concerning who I am. The biggest kick in the teeth for the liberals would be for me to succeed and have to learn to live with fairness and balance. They would likely be shocked to find me working for the elimination of protected classes, the single biggest slap in the face to the American ideals in all our history. 

RIGHT ON THE MONEY 

»» Paul Chandler, Newport: When Skip Vallee focused on Doug Racine's financial picture not being accurate, he hit a nerve. If Racine were applying for a bank loan, you can bet your last dollar that the financial statement he would present to the loan officer would be MUCH different than the "tax basis" statement he provided. Of course, he really isn't a pillar of truth now, is he? 

EQUAL TIME 

»» Debbie Ricker, Montpelier: I was on my way to work the other morning and in traffic in front of me was a CV Wheels Transportation shuttle with a big red poster on the back of their van promoting Bernie Sanders. Upon arriving at my office I called CV Wheels and spoke to Ron Wild the marketing manager. I asked him if they were publicly funded, his reply was that yes they were funding by both state and federal dollars. I than asked him how they justified promoting a candidate on a van that our tax dollars paid for and he said they have the right to rent space to any political candidate they please. I than said, "So you are telling me Mr. Sanders is paying rent?" Yes, he replied. I have a real problem with this one. Maybe Mr. Meub should get equal time? What are your thoughts on this one? 

AN OFFER 

»» Chris Desroches, Rutland: I read the story in last week's publication about the UVM Republican Club with great interest. I don't have anything to do with UVM, nor would I normally care to. This story however may be a reason to change my view. One can only imagine how difficult it must be these days to be a Republican on virtually any campus in the country, but especially on those known for their radical leanings. An acquaintance of ours has a daughter at Smith college where she is one of 5 people in a similar club.

My question for you is this - what kind of help do these kids need? I would be interested to know how I might be able to help - whether through some financial support, or even some mentoring of their leaders.

Editor's note: UVM Republicans can reach Chris at enforce441@hotmail.com 

THE PEOPLE SHAPERS 

»» Dave Garrecht, Guilford: I understand David R. Moats of the Rutland Herald has been engaged to speak at the Vermont NEA convention October 24. This is obviously a good match of ideologies.

I was surprised and dumbfounded last year when the publisher of the Rutland Herald (VT) was given a Pulitzer for his support of the Civil Union law. The Rutland Herald claimed "even-handed" dealing with the issue, but in fact it was apparently all carefully orchestrated to put Civil Unions in a good light, and the opposition caricatured in a bad light. For instance, intelligently articulated pro-Civil Union articles and letters to the editor were readily published; but practically the only material pertaining to the opposition that saw publication were the fanatical babblings and ill-reasoned arguments of those opponents who shot from the lip, and exhibited a measure of antagonism. I know this to be true because some letters which were NOT published, which gave documented factual testimony, were submitted but never published. Several of these letters have been posted on an amateur website "Straight Talk in Vermont" at http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/STIV3162 They give ample testimony that opposition to Civil Unions is not all hateful. 

REAL NEWS NOW AVAILABLE IN EASTERN VERMONT 

»» Barbara Richardson, Amsden: I want to second Mike Empey's (of Bellows Falls) support for the Claremont, NH based Eagle Times. We subscribe to all three local daily papers...the Eagle Times, the Rutland Herald and the Valley News and the Eagle Times is by far the most fair and unbiased, as well as complete in their coverage of Vermont politics and news. In addition, The Eagle Times will print letters to the editor and submissions that are ignored by the other two. They are working hard to increase their circulation on this side of the river and their paper boxes are popping up all over the area. I urge your readers in this part of the Vermont to check them out, and state-wide as well as local candidates for office in Vermont to consider advertising with them as well. Although I assure you I have no connection with the newspaper, it's the first thing I read every morning (except on Fridays when I start my day with the Dwinell Report). 

UP, UP AND AWAY 

»» Lew Burridge, Ripton: Seems to me that the top concern of Seniors and all those on modest fixed income is the actual and trend in property taxes. Who will be first to address this? 

WE'RE NUMBER ONE! 

»» Walter Allen: [Walter sent us links and a spreadsheet containing data from the 2000 Census. It seems Vermonters have the highest state tax burden in the nation. You can see a data table inspired by Walter's observations here: http://www.vermontGOP.org/tax_burden.shtml ] 

SCHOOL CHOICE ACID TEST 

»» Bob Hardy, Vergennes: There is only one way in which to achieve fair and equal access to education and that is to allow students and parents to have access to any school of their choice. The Northeast Kingdom has lived by this precedent for decades. Why should there be discrimination against the rest of the state?

Probably the most important question one can ask of one's prospective legislators and senators is this: Will you support school choice during the next legislative session - not "public" school choice, but school choice. If this answer is hedged or ambiguous try elsewhere.

The next most important question one can ask of prospective candidates would be: In the case that there is a run-off for Governor as no single candidate for that position has a majority, whom will you vote for? The answer to that question will tell you whether that candidate backs a Gubernatorial aspirant who favors true school choice.

Fair and equal access for all to education is dependent upon the opportunity for every student in Vermont to attend any school of his or her choosing. Give your candidates the "acid test" to determine if they really believe in "fair and equal access" to education, school choice. 

TEACHERS NOT SKIPPING SCHOOL 

»» Tom Elliott, high school teacher, Post Mills: [Re. the NEA convention on October 24-25] Hey no fair. That's a scheduled day for teachers to do professional development, of which there is a great deal offered at the NEA conference. There is more to the NEA than just its politics. What you wrote suggests that teachers who attend the conference are skipping school, which is not true at all. 

PRIMARY LESSON 

»» Libby Sternberg, executive director, Vermonters for Better Education: Flanagan's defeat to Spaulding in the Treasurer's primary holds many lessons for political strategists, but surely this is one of them: campaigning vigorously and vocally against vouchers is a LOSING STRATEGY, even in a Democratic primary in Vermont.

Editor's note: Read Libby Sternberg's commentary on this topic here: http://www.SchoolReport.com/vbe/nlet/09_16_02.htm 

THEY LIKE US 

»» George Chappell, Windsor: Thank you for continuing to do a fine job with your political reporting. I especially liked the reference to Judge William Cohen's decision about Act 60, and I looked it up on the suggested web site [http://www.act60.org]. I found many other useful references about Act 60, particularly Jeff Pascoe's comprehensive piece on the background of the bill. Keep up the good work. 

»» Chris Desroches, Rutland: I've read your report for some time, but today I'm going to send you a check for your newsletter - your efforts are much appreciated. 

»» Stewart Ledbetter, Vero Beach, FL: Thanks for your good Vermont reports. 

WHAT DO THEY KNOW??? 

You can look at it one of two ways - either the good people of Vermont just don't want their governor to leave the state, or they really don't think he'd make much of a president. Back in March, 59 percent of those polled in Vermont said they would not vote for Howard Dean, the outgoing governor, for president. Dean, a Democrat, has made it clear he's thinking of running and has sparked a good deal of national interest for his straight-talking independence. But a follow-up poll conducted a few weeks ago shows that Vermonters really meant what they said in March. Now 63 percent say they won't vote for him. You gotta wonder. What DO they know?"

-- from politics section of The Hartford Courant, 8/27/02. Thanks to the Dean Satire web site http://www.sover.net/~auc/gov.htm for digging this up. 

CERTAINTY 

The Dwinell Political Report is published weekly by JDLS Publishing, LLC.
Portions of the Dwinell Political Report may be reprinted with attribution.

Contact the Editor with news & comments at: Dwinell@adelphia.net or 802.728.4793

The mission of the Dwinell Political Report is to give readers another view of the news that is refreshing, provocative and sometimes irreverent. 

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