Because of timing and logistics, we weren’t able to have an online debate between the candidates for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor (as we did with candidates Dunne and Tracy two years ago). I have, however, sent a ten question email to candidates Tom Costello and Nate Freeman, and will post their responses Sunday morning. If both candidates do not return the questionnaire, we will post the response of the one that does. There hasn’t been much (any?) opportunity to compare and contrast the two candidates side-by-side in the press, so this should be a good opportunity for Democratic primary voters to see how these two pretenders to the Dubie throne stack up. (Just heard over the radio that VPR will be talking about these candidates on VT Edition today. Here’s a link.)

Between now and primary eve, we will run a Lite Gov preference poll on the top right.

Iraq War veteran and Bellows Falls native Liam Madden is in this morning’s Brattleboro Reformer. Madden travelled to both party’s conventions with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) to demand a full and immediate withdrawal of American troops in Iraq.

In the Twin Cities, Madden said the GOP was not receptive (surprise, surprise). In Denver, it was a different story. Robert Plain writes the following.

“We marched right through the front gates of the Democratic National Convention,” he said proudly.

They told the guards they had a letter they wanted to deliver to Sen. Obama … the Obama campaign agreed to meet with leaders of IVAW behind the police line.

“It was the first victory of the anti-war movement in seven years,” Madden said. “They didn’t just send some Secret Service officer, they sent a senior official. it was the first time a protest ended in something other than everyone just going home.”

Madden and a group of veterans delivered the letter to Phil Carter, Obama’s senior veteran’s affairs liaison. During the meeting, Carter agreed to meet with IVAW at a later date. Madden is hoping he may get some face time with the nominee himself, as well.

Despite the good news, that still didn’t stop Madden from criticizing both parties.

On Barack Obama.

“Obama has presented himself as the anti-war candidate and he is not,” Madden said. “He said he wants to remove all the combat troops, but there are tens of thousands of non-combat troops in Iraq, too. He hasn’t committed to removing them. He’s just repackaged the war and re-selling it to the American people. It’s still the same war based on the same lies. It’s still the same violation of the Constitution.”

John McCain.

“McCain is obviously not supporting the troops,” he said. “As far as their voting record on veteran issues goes, Obama is clearly doing a better job.”

To read the full article click here.

Amidst all the hoopla surrounding the conventions, I think it’s imporant that we give Madden, IVAW, and other anti-war groups appropriate face time. They are too often ignored for all the great work they do and it’s important we support their efforts. Especially Madden, a Bellows Falls native.  

Per today’s Rutland Herald:

Neglected maintenance on the brakes on a Vermont Yankee refueling floor crane failed in May as it was holding a cask full of spent nuclear fuel because Entergy Nuclear failed to correct ongoing problems with the crane, a recently released inspection report from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stated.

The crane has accumulated seven problems in more than three years, a result of “Entergy’s failure to take timely and appropriate corrective action,” the special inspection report stated.

But not to worry.  I’m sure they’re doing everything else just perfect.