( – promoted by kestrel9000)
As a past Archaeologist and former officer in the VPAA, I was interested to see the below in my inbox today. This year the archaeologists are backing Shumlin, Illuzzi, and TJ Donovan. But man are they against Sorrell! Seems Sorrell’s past work opposing Abenaki recognition has not been forgotten or forgiven by those who work with Vermont’s (now state recognized) tribes.
more on the jump…
“In brief, it is inconceivable that Mr. Sorrell would fight against Abenaki recognition, yet he did. Given the undisputed fact that Vermont’s Native American community suffered a systematic program of state sponsored forced sterilization during much of the last century, not to mention 400 years of conquest and near genocide, we find in unforgivable for a public official to take a stand against contemporary Abenaki recognition and the basic dignity that such would impart upon a community. Doing so put Sorrell forever on the wrong side of history. Simply put, it is time for change; time to elect an Attorney General who is willing and able to take a moral stand on behalf of justice and liberty; time to elect TJ Donovan as our next Attorney General, ” Said Andrew Beaupre.
(*Below I will post the full VPAA statement.)
So in case you were curious, the VPAA is not exactly up there with the VSEA or NEA as far as a voting block is concerned… In a good field season maybe there are a little over 50 archaeologists working in the state. Even so, if their message hits a cord with the Abenaki community (the four recognized tribes have a citizenship of over 3,500), or with the folks involved with local historical societies and what not, perhaps Sorrell has a new problem to deal with.
For Immediate Release
August 6th, 2012
VPAA Backs Shumlin, Illuzzi, DonovanContact:
Andrew Beupre, VPAA Chairman
Phone: (802)233-3340
Email: Vermonpaa@gmail.comVermont Archaeologists Endorse Shumlin, Illuzzi, and TJ Donovan
Northeast Kingdom, Vermont- The Executive Board of the Vermont Professional Archaeologists’ Association, at their annual July meeting in Barton, unanimously voted to endorse Democrat/Working Families Party candidate Peter Shumlin for Governor, and Republican Vince Illuzzi for Auditor. In the Democratic primary, the organization is endorsing TJ Donovan.
The Vermont Professional Archaeologists’ Association (VPAA) is an organization composed of and representing the majority of rank and file, working, archaeologists in Vermont. In addition to representing the interests of working archaeologists, the VPAA also advocates for historic preservation as part of its primary mission.
“Two years ago, in a very tight election, the VPAA endorsed Peter Shumlin for Governor because of his firm commitment to historic preservation and archeology in Vermont. As Governor he has continued to champion responsible economic development and the related aspects of Act 250 which guarantee that our history is not lost. We are therefore proud to stand next to Mr. Shumlin again today, and offer our firm support in his efforts to seek re-election”, said VPAA Chairman, Andrew Beaupre, a native of Morgan, Vermont.
Contributing to the VPAA’s decision to back Shumlin is his commitment to a public single payer healthcare system whereby all Vermonters will receive quality medical care.
According to VPAA officer and Montpelier resident Xavier Massot, “Many working archaeologists in the Green Mountain State do not have health insurance through their employers and cannot afford to purchase it privately for themselves or their families. Given that field archaeologists are at great risk for Lyme Disease and other ailments often associated with working outdoors, we understand it as essential that we rebuild our healthcare system in such a way that we can all have quality publicly financed care.”
Concerning the race for Auditor, Mr. Beaupre continued, “We are also very excited about electing Senator Illuzzi to the position of State Auditor. Vince has long been a proponent of all that is right in Vermont, and has long fought to make Vermont an even better place to live and raise a family. Senator Illuzzi led the charge in the General Assembly to do right by the Abenaki, and successfully saw through bills recognizing the Missisquoi, Nulhegan, Koasek, and Elnu Tribes. This was a historic achievement that should not be overlooked. Furthermore, we archeologists and those interested in historic preservation are confident that Senator Illuzzi, as Auditor, will continue to fight for the interests of the common man, be they Abenaki, union workers, or tax payers in general. Senator Illuzzi gets it, and he has history on his side.”
The VPAA assert that the endorsement of TJ Donovan is a reflection of the good work Mr. Donovan has done as Chittenden County State’s Attorney, his moral character, and his clear commitment to the social well being of Vermont. In addition, his opponent, Bill Sorrell, fought hard against federal recognition of Vermont’s Abenaki people. The VPAA works closely with Vermont’s Abenaki Tribes, and rejects reactionary policies that seek to continue to suppress the rights and culture of the original Vermonters.
“In brief, it is inconceivable that Mr. Sorrell would fight against Abenaki recognition, yet he did. Given the undisputed fact that Vermont’s Native American community suffered a systematic program of state sponsored forced sterilization during much of the last century, not to mention 400 years of conquest and near genocide, we find in unforgivable for a public official to take a stand against contemporary Abenaki recognition and the basic dignity that such would impart upon a community. Doing so put Sorrell forever on the wrong side of history. Simply put, it is time for change; time to elect an Attorney General who is willing and able to take a moral stand on behalf of justice and liberty; time to elect TJ Donovan as our next Attorney General, ” Said Andrew Beaupre.
The VPAA will be encouraging fellow working archaeologists to vote for Shumlin, Illuzzi, and Donovan and they will also be doing outreach to the many thousands of members of local historical societies throughout the State of Vermont.
###
Neither Mr. Van Deusen or any other member of the VPAA contacted me to ask about my views on subjects of interest to the members or my skills and experience. How can an organization decide which candidate to endorse without such information?
As the archeologists go, so goes the election….
Frankly, this is getting a little too ‘Establishment Dem’ here. I’m ready to Gag. The damning evidence against Sorrell continues to pile up, yet I see here only some Doug Hoffer cheerleading. Illuzzi has a record of supporting the Abenakis. How do YOU stand on the Abenaki issues, Doug?
It’s about goddamn Sorrell! He is an evil Dem Party HACK. He is a piece of scum. He has not only shit on the Abenakis, but also shit on the abused elderly and disabled, the migrant & immigrant farm and restaurant workers, and brushes aside police use of unnecessary force (Hey, Wes, how do you think Sorrell stands on what the BPF did July 29?), blocks public disclosure on police records, and probably has the WORST RECORD of any Vermont AG on SERIOUS CRIMES against the citizens of this State (murders, missing women and others, drug gangs, meth labs).
He is himself, through his negligence, incompetence, and MALFEASANCE a CRIMINAL! He should be INVESTIGATED, not re-elected! (Because, I swear to Christ, there’s another shoe there that has yet to drop. I’d bet money.) And yet you little Dems get all wigged out because Doug Hoffer’s feelings are hurt? Well, I guess I know now that TJ Donovan, in spite of all his endorsements, and in spite of his record and qualifications (yes, and youth and fresh approach), is not going to get the OVERWHELMING SUPPORT he should get from you folks this month. You’d rather have a BUM as AG because he’s ‘electable’ in November? He’s always been electable. That’s what the problem is; he hasn’t been challenged by a ‘serious’ candidate. But now there’s an alternative, and you’re going to what?–twiddle around about the Auditor’s race? BAD FUCKING NEWS! And this is how we fight the Bad Guys? By saying: “Well, Peter, he’s OUR Bad Guy.” I want to see you get on this bastard–HARD! Two more, or, worse, four more years of Sorrell will diminish not only the quality of Vermonters’ lives and civil rights, but our woman and children will be a whole lot more endangered! Get With It! IT’S ABOUT CRIME! IT’S ABOUT DRUGS! IT’S ABOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF WORKERS, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED! IT’S ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE ENTIRE GODDAMN STATE!
And, when you get elected, Doug, and Sorrell gets re-elected, I would DEMAND that you AUDIT HIS ASS!
From VPAA Chair Andrew Beupre:
Bill Sorrell’s Response: