You know the rest, right? Well, phooey on you if you don’t. It’s the maxim coined by my favorite of the 20th Century philosophers: “With great power comes great responsibility.” There are days when I think we should replace the entire Democratic Party platform with that single line.

The disappearance of Brooke Bennett and the public spectacle of the states first “Amber Alert” has sucked all the air out of rooms across the Vermont. The conversations are slowly emerging from the (apparent) misperception of the first 24 hour news cycle – that this was an old fashioned child abduction. As details have quickly emerged, it seems clear that – once again – this is likely a case involving the social networking phenom site, MySpace.com. Some sort of rendezvous between the discontented 12 year old and an unknown, nameless (to us, anyway) “other” on the internet that went from the virtual to the literal.

The water-cooler conversations will now even further bisect along lines of parents versus non-parents, with non-parents blithely glossing over the complexities that leave the parents a bit terrified. Computers are a medium (and a skillset) that are a pillar of modern life, can you really cut off your child from them? How do you restrict social network sites, and do you want to? Kids may lack judgment and experience, but they’re every bit as smart as adults. If you monitor their MySpace page, there’s nothing stopping them from making one, two or a dozen others.

Here’s the reality that precedes the computer era: information and communication have always been the currency of power in human society, every bit as much (if not moreso) as gold. We are in a new communication and information age, communication and information with & about other institutions as well as other individuals. As a result we all have more access to power, and a world more supercharged with potential power, than ever before, and at every level.

And with that power, comes commensurate responsibility. The complex question is; where does that responsibility land, and how should we deal with it?

It’s a continually evolving question set against a continually evolving environment, requiring vigilance and clear-headedness from everybody – especially parents. All I know for sure is that the power to create answers and keep children as safe as they can be kept (without irrational or punitive restrictions that could, themselves, create needless challenges for them as they develop into adults) lies in two things; sharing information and keeping open lines of communication between parents, law enforcement, professionals and institutions.

And in this era, we have the means to facilitate information and communication like never before. Let’s engage with the medium and its potential for good, rather than leave that kind of power entirely to the predators.

Don't mean to dampen the joy after the VDB/GMD summit but this story is serious. Mohammed is a friend a former colleague of mine. – Christian

 

   

GAZA CITY- IPS reports award winning journalist Mohammed Omer, Rafah, was assaulted and abused by Israeli security forces at the Jordan-West Bank checkpoint Thursday. Omer was on his way home from a Netherlands trip sponsored by the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and the Dutch Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.

IPS details the shocking treatment Omer experienced at the hands of Israeli security forces.

More below the fold.

Mohammed Omer is the joint winner of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism and previous recipient of the New America Media’s Best Youth Voice award. Mohammed was a foreign correspondent for The Vermont Guardian and visited Brattleboro on his 2006 American speaking tour. For more on the story click here.

No one is ever going to ask us to publish a “Bloggers of GMD Swimsuit Calendar,” —

However

— for those of you who just CANNOT see enough of other people's wedding albums or the grade school graduation pictures of your co-workers' children —

Well

— do I have a treat for you, below the fold! 

Dateline: NorthBeach, Burlington 28 Hamburger Summit June '08.

Thanks John & Philip.

It was nice to see GMD friends as well as many other “More & Better Democrats” folks (including some M&BD who call themselves Progressives) I've known from weeks to years.

The best part of the day was meeting folks in person and for the first time, including:

Nate Freeman

NanuqFC (the person I definitely want with me if I am ever shipwrecked, lost in the mountains or otherwise far from civilization as nightfall and the elements begin to challenge my survival).

Undamned Yanke,

Christian Avard and

Linda in the Northeast Kingdomdom

There was good food, cold beer, plenty of fun & entertaining discussions including lots of

POINT

and COUNTER-POINT.

It was also nice to see Gaye Symington attending the Hamburger Summit.  Unfortunately, for all the pictures I took, the one I needed to take was the one of our Speaker and Anthony Pollina exchanging salutations. Naturally, I picked the most inopportune moment possible to be collecting my second (more or less) beer; and I therefore do not have today's money shot – guess you kinda' had to have been there.

*    *    *

This is what I did see. Now … look closely at this next photograph.

You will likely marvel at the expert craftsmanship displayed in the manner I seamlessly photo-shopped Kaiser Sose out of this picture (and right before JD gave him the goose too).

*    *    * 

Really good host, but will someone please teach Philip how to cook, the guests are coming in any minute. 

We all know the drill, each year it's hairier and scarier!

*    *     *

The bottom line? Between bouts of imperfect weather, the kids enjoyed swimming, the beach and lake surrounds. It was a fun crowd and a good day to be liberal and outdoors.

— Lastly (how can I forget!) the elusive Madame Heutefeu, who has not posted anything at GMD for months  managed a quick appearance. She did not stay long, but it is always nice to see her when she drops in to say hi. Maybe we can convince her to post her to post more often?

One more time, thanks to Philip, John, & to everyone who was responsible for the food. J.D., don't forget about the oak tree, I'm expecting you.

Let's do a bonfire next time.

(I edited the body into “extended entry” for easier front-page promotion… – promoted by odum)

From:  Nate Freeman

To:  Hard Working Vermonters

As you are aware, the 2007-2008 electoral cycle has been both interesting and frustrating nationally and even more so here in Vermont.  With roughly 20 days to the petition deadline, the Lieutenant Governor's office remains unchallenged.  This is about to change.

On June 28th, I began to gather signatures in a bold challenge against Brian Dubie.   I am sharing this news with you today so that you will know in advance my intent and so that I can offer you an opportunity to call or email me with any questions you may have.  And of course, I am asking for your support.

Four years ago, when I sealed my commitment to become a member of the Democratic Party, I set a goal  to one day become the Governor of Vermont.  At that time, I assumed the traditional approach of rising through the ranks from the very bottom, climbing the appropriate rungs along the way.  In fact, I began my effort as a volunteer in Project Bluegrass under Jon Copans, helping with the tedious work of data entry in the Voter Checklist.  I began networking with nearby county parties and volunteered for the Scudder Parker campaign.  I ran against Anne Donahue in 2006, earning a respectable margin against her.  Months later, I was elected by a wide margin as a member of the district school board.  I now serve in two appointed positions, including a seat on the Transportation Advisory Committee for the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission.  Most recently, I have produced a short video on the Taylor Street Bridge in Montpelier.  This effort was my first shot across the bow, catching the Douglas administration off guard and instilling the fear of vulnerability from an unanticipated attack.  With your help, and the help of the Vermont grassroots movement, this campaign can launch a series of similar attacks from a wide variety of angles. 

The decision to run for Lieutenant Governor came after several months of consideration and an assessment of the current election dynamic.  Finally, on June 11th, prior to the rumor about Harry Chen, I shared my intent in confidence with two colleagues from GreenMountainDaily.com.  Four years ago, I would have never considered such a bold political leap to the second highest position in Vermont.  But circumstances have changed and it's time for bold leadership, iron will and the mettle to withstand the most brutal campaign.  

I have made a decision to run for Lieutenant Governor because we cannot afford another two years without leadership in the executive branch.  While I am confident that Gaye Symington will be our next governor, Vermont cannot afford to maintain the office of Lieutenant Governor as an empty, ceremonial position such as we've seen for the last six years. 

Last September, Jane Lindholm interviewed Madeleine May Kunin about her experience as Lieutenant Governor under Dick Snelling.  The occasion for this interview followed on the news that Brian Dubie, for the second time, was applying for a position in the Bush administration.  As we all know, over the course of six years, fighter pilot Brian Dubie has accomplished nothing more than a one-time visit to Cuba; a Tour of Glory to Baghdad on the eve of the Democratic Primary; and his recent, johnny-come-lately scramble to emergency on the issue of home-heating fuel.  From the precedence of Lieutenant Governors Madeleine May Kunin and Howard Dean, Brian Dubie has diminished the role of second-in-command to symbolic gestures devoid of concrete results.

Last September, Madeleine May Kunin reminded us that the role of Lieutenant Governor is as expansive as the imagination of the person who holds that office.  As Lt. Governor, I will work hard to build a coalition among the three major parties so that Vermont can once again move forward productively and efficiently.  As Lieutenant Governor, I will seek to convene multiple task forces challenged to deliver the most creative, state-of-the-art solutions on the most pressing of issues.  I will ask private, public and non-profit leaders to bring their minds together to determine how Vermont will generate more energy while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels; how Vermont will create new jobs and higher wages; and how Vermont can prepare, in concert with the National Intelligence Council, on the impact of climate change as a national security issue.

Vermont needs a Lieutenant Governor who can bring courage, creativity, and commitment to Montpelier.  Vermont needs a Lieutenant Governor inspired by the early work, achievement and leadership of that office under Howard Dean and Madeleiene Kay Kunin.  Vermont needs a Lieutenant Governor who will build a coalition of forces together on his way to the Governor's office so that we can at last address three converging storms on the horizon:  the end of oil, climate change and the decline of economic strength.

I ask you for your support and your confidence in the classic American story of a common individual inspiring and accomplishing extraodinary change.  I ask for your support and confidence that together we can take back the executive branch of government and return Vermont to its leading role in the nation.  I ask for your support and confidence in the belief that the most credible candidate is one who has the will to succeed.

By trade I am an upholsterer; in character I am a fighter and a leader; and in my soul I am a poet who understands the ongoing plight of humanity and how we must work to succeed. 

One day, long ago, I called a leading poet, now deceased, to ask if I could use his words.  I offer his words as a testament that hard work and long term commitment will prevail over the hardships and distress of today.  These are words I have emblazoned in my heart, and this is the message I will bring to the office of Lieutenant Governor.

I look forward to meeting you, listening to your ideas and concerns.  I look forward to working with you so that the orchard of good living we enjoy here in Vermont will blossom and bear fruit once again.

—
Nate Freeman
Freeman's Upholstery Shop, Inc
109 VT RTE 12A
Northfield, VT 05663
(802) 485-4428

Well here’s more!

Lee Sanderson (the guy in the pink shirt), Steve West, and Gaye Symington chat it up.

Sir Philip Baruth with A-list blogger, Steve Benen

Yeay! I FINALLY meet Linda in the Northeast Kingdom.

More below the fold.

Jack McCullough and Philip Baruth swap words of wisdom.

Gorty Baldwin hams it up with some DFA activists.

Nate Freeman gets wdh3 and JD Ryan to sign his petition… for Lt. Governor!

Don’t friggin’ mess with the Brattleboro Posse! (L to R, Steve West, Lee Sanderson, Frederic “Floyd” Noyes, Gorty “G-Love” Baldwin

(L to R) NanuqFC, wdh3, JD Ryan, Julie Waters, Haik Bedrosian, Steve Benen

NanuqFC, Kevin, wdh3, and Linda in the Northeast Kingdom

Rep. Mark Larson (D-Burlington)

House Majority Whip Floyd Nease (D-Johnson) makes his appearance

Haik Bedrosian and family (very beautiful!)

I had some screwy setting – or something – on my borrowed camera. Everything's blurry and the lighting is a disaster. You'll have to wait for better pictures from smarter people, but in the meantime, here's a few for the curious…

JDRyan teaches Anthony Pollina to play “Rock Scissors Paper.”

“Where's that fifty bucks you owe me?!?”

House Majority Whip Floyd Nease agrees to cede Plainfield to wdh3's Anarchist Collective.

Philip made the five loaves, two fishes and three Bud Lights go a long way.

Kevin Leahy was feeling a little blurry.

In light of the Obama event on the beach – and after announcing publicly that Obama is talking too “white” – the Nader campaign dispatches one of its ethnicity experts to help set him on the right track.