[Disclaimer: I have no connection to Vermont CARES, never served on their Board, never worked for them, never used their services, never even volunteered. I’ve made an occasional donation, and I’ve written about the agency before elsewhere (see the link below). I wrote this because even a temporary shutdown due to a major but relatively short-term funding shortfall will leave clients with nowhere to go.]

1986 was a watershed year for the gay and lesbian communities in Vermont. Among other advocacy organizations founded that year was Vermont CARES (Committee on AIDS Resources, Education, and Services) — back when a lot of the stigma attached to AIDS was because of its spread among gay men. Democratic activist Terje Anderson was one of the founders, along with Keith Goslant, among others. They were the first group to offer “safe sex” information and workshops to Vermonters based on current medical fact rather than scare tactics.

Now Vermont CARES is in its 21st year, and has been serving people with HIV/AIDS way beyond the gay community for a long time. A couple of years ago, under then-director Kendall Farrell, the agency opted not to apply for federal funds for prevention because accepting the money meant also accepting intrusive federal regulations on data reporting and requirements for Bush-administration-beloved “abstinence only” education, among other things.

Today, Vermont CARES has scraped a pretty deep hole through and below the bottom of the barrel — to the tune of $100K. It’s not just because of the federal funding they opted to forego. Add to that the shift in funding by a few major foundations away from “service” to “policy,” and the decreasing attention to the domestic disease in public awareness, and you’ve got a “perfect storm” creating a huge hole where a budget used to be.

Three other factors: First, AIDS is no longer a death sentence — it doesn’t carry that tragic “zing” factor of young lives cut short. Now we’re looking at — and Vermont CARES is supporting — the survivors of the early years who are in their fifties and sixties and dealing with both the disease and the decade or more of side effects from anti-retroviral meds, the famous “cocktail.” 

The disease is about as sexy as Alzheimer’s, but mostly without so much dementia. Treatment side effects include lipodystrophy (migration of body fat in ways that might disfigure) and neuropathy (the often painful loss of sensation and sometimes of autonomic responses in the nervous system, typically hands and feet, but not always). Add in potential liver damage, cardiovascular stress, and clinical depression, and that’s a lot of now-chronic health issues to deal with that carry absolutely no zing.

Points two and three below the fold, along with what you can do to help, should you be so moved.

Second, most of the public’s limited attention for AIDS has turned overseas, specifically to Africa, which needs all the first world attention it can get, especially when that attention includes help with expensive medicines. It’s a good thing, and thanks to the William and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, that help is happening. And, unfortunately, people here forget that they can have a positive impact two doors down the street as well as thousands of miles away on another continent.

Third, there are many more places in Vermont now where people at risk for HIV can get tested and treated without running a gauntlet of prejudice and  disapproval, particularly if they have health insurance. That’s another good thing. But what it means is that the insured now go to Fletcher Allen, for example, while the uninsured, disabled, and unemployed go to CARES. Something like 90% of CARES’ clients make less than $12k a year.

CARES runs the only specialized combined AIDS residence in the state — in Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester. It runs another ten scattered residences housing 20-25 people and subsidizes housing for another 30-40 people.

It was the first to offer rapid testing with results in 20 minutes instead of the two weeks it used to take, and that has resulted in many more people getting tested because they don’t have to live in uncertainty for days on end.

CARES fills in the gaps for people whose lives are full of potholes: whose electricity gets turned off because a medicaid payment was late, and the money for the electric bill was used to fill in; or whose choice is between paying for transportation to medical appointments and buying groceries. They subsidize food and actual meals for those who need it, and have partnered with the Intervale Society to provide organic veggies when available.

There’s way more to this story in terms of the services CARES provides, but let me close with one really important one: CARES makes it possible for Vermonters with HIV/AIDS — some of whom live in the back end of beyond, far away from Burlington or Montpelier or Rutland, in places like Highgate, Derby Line, Coventry, Montgomery, Eden, Troy, Middletown Springs, Fayston, Worcester, Corinth — to be able to talk to others in the same boat when they can’t talk to their friends and neighbors about the elephantine impact of this disease in their lives.

The agency has a plan for the future and a funding source that doesn’t kick in until the new fiscal year begins on October 1. In the meantime, I’m writing a check (scroll down for the address of the main office in Burlington) and asking friends and allies to do the same. If enough folks each help out some, the hole below the barrel will get filled in and the barrel bottom patched and waterproofed, with maybe a gallon or two to keep CARES going.

NanuqFC

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. — George Orwell

(Because impeachment really is too important NOT to ignore! – promoted by Brattlerouser)

Patrick Leahy, Vermont’s senior Senator recently replied to a constituent urging him to support impeachment efforts underway in the Congress to impeach Vice President Cheney. Consider these profoundly troubling utterances of Saint Patrick.

“Thank you for contacting me about Vice President Cheney From the time President Bush and Vice President Cheney first took office in 2001, many Vermonters have shared with me their concerns about the actions and policy priorities of this Administration. Along with Senator Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch, I share the frustration and anger of the Vermont Senate and many Vermonters. I have strongly objected to a number of the Administration’s policy objectives and am ready to restore checks and balances and close oversight of the Administration.”

What does it mean to “be ready” to restore checks and balances? As evidenced by Leahy’s inactions, it does not mean any investigation into unconstitutional actions taken by the President or Vice President. While the Senator is wasting weeks and months looking into the political firings of prosecutors by the Attorney General, Bush and company are unabashedly escalating troop levels in support of their occupation of Iraq, as well as issuing executive directives declaring that Bush will have control of the entire federal government if he deems it necessary.

We don’t need the Senator to share our frustrations and anger, we’ve got that pretty well covered as citizens. What we expect is remedial action by the Senators whose very job description is to provide checks and balances to executive power. “Strong objections” expressed in a photo-op does not cut it. If he’s ready to restore Constitutional balance, what is he waiting for, the President’s permission?

” I have been opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning and I am committed to pressing for an end to the war & to bring our troops home. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will continue to push for aggressive oversight into many of these issues, including the mass firings of U.S. Attorneys.”

What does your commitment entail Mr. Leahy? Commitment usually implies that actions will follow. Once again, your constituents are doing a fine job of voicing opprobrium; we look to you for action. Why are you not investigating that lies that were told by the President and Vice President in order to get us into this war? Why are you not investigating the roles of Bush and Cheney in making torture part and parcel of America’s intelligence gathering efforts? The firing of US attorneys is the only investigation that the Senator has thus far been willing to conduct. Mr. Bush must be quaking in his boots.

Read more below the fold.

” On April 24, Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio introduced H. R. 333, legislation calling for the impeachment of Vice President Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors. This bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. As the Administration and Congress remain divided on many issues, I will look for ways to bring people together to make progress on issues facing the nation.”

You need look no further than to hold this administration accountable for its actions. An overwhelming majority of Americans are in agreement that this administration is taking us in the wrong direction. Bringing the truth out into the open is a way to unite, not divide politicians. As long as you are unwilling to let the debate proceed beyond opinion and conjecture, you will continue to have a partisan divide.

“An impeachment inquiry would be a highly divisive ordeal that would dominate Congress’ time and attention.”

While impeachment may start to crack the monolith that is the Democrat/Republican power structure that supports American hegemony over the world’s oil and over the Middle East, and which is willing to use military occupation as a means to realize this hegemony, the American public will support any inquiry that actually gets at the truth that has led us into our current untenable state. As the truth about Alberto Gonzales has emerged in your recent hearings, we have seen support for him lessen among Republicans, rather than see them circle the wagons in his defense. we would see no less as a result of investigations of the President and Vice President.

“Impeachment proceedings would likely compromise the ability of Congress to address the many issues that face our nation during the remainder of this Administration. With a closely divided Congress, the outcome of an impeachment proceeding is uncertain and the problems facing our country are numerous, Congress must set priorities to accomplish the most important tasks that the American people agree need to be accomplished.”

While the House Judiciary Committee was investigating and voting articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon, they also managed to raise the minimum wage, pass the Endangered Species act, initiate several new environmental programs and raise the minimum wage. the current Congress has not managed to do as much even without the “distraction” of impeachment.

Your assertion that we must set priorities implies that defending the Constitution as your oath of office requires not be one of them. The defense of our Constitution, and by extension the validity of the governance of the Republic is our first priority. Without Constitutional rule of law, we are a sham democracy and your participation in it nothing more than play acting.

Outrage plays well in the movies. Your job however, is to deal with real life and real issues. Histrionics and rhetoric do a disservice to your job and to the nation. We know that you can do better and we expect you to do so without further delay.

The Democratic Party is proving itself to be one of Bush/Cheney enablers. It is becoming depressingly clear that the continued occupation of Iraq is a Democratic policy as much as a Republican one. We gave you a mandate is November 2006. Do not continue to squander it.

“Thank you again for contacting me.”

No problem. You’re welcome.

Welch’s office issued this statement:

“I am deeply disappointed that there is no deadline for troop withdrawal in this bill and will therefore vote against it. Regrettably, the President continues to stubbornly dig in his heels and cling to a failed policy. He has led this country into a catastrophic foreign policy failure and he continues to thumb his nose at retired generals, the will of the majority of Congress, and the majority of the American people.

“While I am profoundly disappointed, I remain determined to end this war. This vote will not be the final say. Regrettably, the President continues to isolate himself on this war. The day of reckoning for this President is coming as more and more members of his own party find their voices and demand a change in course. I have great hope that in the coming months a veto-proof majority emerges in Congress that can stand up to the President to end this terrible war.”

( – promoted by odum)

Columnist David Broder says: “… the extremist elements in American society — the vituperative, foul-mouthed bloggers”

Time’s Joe Klein says: “[bloggers’] vitriol just seems uninformed, malicious and disproportionate”

and Dennis Miller says: “”And one thing I’ve noticed about these blogs is they’ve turned into the ideological equivalent of “Girls Gone Wild””

Hey, these bloggers must be a pretty great crowd to hang with, eh?

Well, here comes yer chance:

It’s the second annual Vermont Daily Briefing/Green Mountain Daily Hamburger Summit, open to bloggers, political types, and terrified (or mystified) observers alike. Everybody and anybody is welcome/encouraged/invited. Come on out, have burger and watch how the “regular” bloggers interact with their vituperative, malicious and foul-mouthed political counterparts. See and be seen, or just eat and run. Show up and we can all make fun of (presumable) no-shows such as kestrel and Kagro without them overhearing. Who knows, if we have enough beer, maybe we’ll impeach somebody!

It’s Sunday, July 15th
Burlington’s North Beach
1PM-5PM

We’ll have some drinks and grillables, but not a bad idea to bring something. Watch this space or Philip’s for details.

For as long as I can remember, Democratic Leaders in Washington – and to a large extent in the state legislatures that I’ve worked near – have been first and foremost motivated by a single emotion; fear. Fear of losing the next election. Fear of not coming through for their caucus. Fear of being painted as soft or weak in the media. Fear, fear, fear.

Fear has a couple important qualities. First, it’s viral. It doesn’t remain static – it grows and spreads. Within a lawmaker it spreads from fear of losing or looking weak. It becomes a deeper fear – that maybe, just maybe, all those nasty things Republicans say about progressive policies are true. Maybe these ideas are stupid, impractical, impossible. And when several people – especially leaders – share that fear, it becomes a culture of fear. Idealistic newbies stepping into the caucus for the first time become awash in it. And like any weakness or failing, we try to dress it up as a virtue. As realism. And sometimes we compensate in other ways. Fear creates weakness, but nobody likes to look weak. Thus do you get the Rahm Emanuels – all tough guy and blustery, but living in mortal fear that he’s gonna blow it (and ready to angrily blame everyone around him if he does – even pre-emptively).

The other thing about fear is that it’s reactive. If fear is your motivator, everything you do is in response to the thing(s) you’re afraid of. Pro-activity is just too scary. Fear keeps you in the safest possible corner, so as better to defend yourself.

This is not to say that all Democratic leaders live in fear, but the ones who don’t are often the most dangerous in the long term. The notoriously corrupt ones, such as John Murtha (who continues to work against ethics reform and support the croneyism culture in the US House) have stepped back from the policy game and have entered the self-enrichment game. Much less scary, and the lines aren’t so clearly drawn. That’s not to say such people aren’t incapable of taking a principled stand (such as his Iraq position), but when all is said and done, they are a deeper problem than the culture of fear.

And that’s because the culture of fear can be overcome, not just collectively through the democratic process, but individually. Case in point, John Kerry. He blew it big time running for the top job. He was actively working toward a second run, when he grudgingly read the tea leaves and realized he had no chance in hell. He wisely gave up.

But then a funny thing happened – he came to life like never before. No longer afraid of losing, disgusted by much of what he saw, John Kerry (of all people) has become one of the most consistently assertive and progressive of voices in the Senate. Why? Because there’s nothing left for him to fear – and as such, fear has become rather pointless for him. Again, that’s not to say he isn’t going to do things that will piss us off, but its clear we’re dealing these days with Kerry 2.0 – and it’s a big improvement.

What the recent negotiations over the war tell us is that the welcome pattern of engagement with the netroots by the Democratic leadership has not come about because they’re suddenly more with us than ever before. Sure, some of the rank and file caucus members are because of how we helped put them there – but that’s not the case from the leadership’s engagement with our community. The fact is, we’ve become something else they fear. And because of that, we’re now at the table. But whereas fear may get us to the table, at the end of the day we’re still not the ones they fear the most, so if we can’t win our battles quickly, this leadership will revert to form and go hide in the corner in terror.

Still, we are at the table and we are having an effect. Making the Dem leadership afraid of us may get us taken seriously, but it doesn’t get us off the hook on the long, slogging battle to  truly change the culture in Washington and in our state capitols.

But it’s a start.