In the weeks following the election, Republicans in across the country and Vermont have been publicly “debating” their future path to relevancy.  I say “debating” because I’m not really sure that the passing of gas between two old white men (per nation), or in the case of Vermont, between Lenore Broughton and Darcie Johnson, counts as debate.  Much is said about appealing to women and minorities, but little is said about changing the actual message.  Cynical person that I am, I truly expect nothing to change.  And news comes today that further validates the cluster* of thinking that epitomizes the Republican party of Vermont.

Updated: I didn’t see jvwalt’s diary from earlier today when I wrote this.  I don’t see a delete button here, so my post will have to stand on its ignorance.

Original Post Continued

The Ethan Allen Institute just named Rob Roper as its President.

Yes, Rob Roper, host of Common Sense Radio, which is sponsored by The Ethan Allen Institute.

You know Common Sense Radio as the reincarnation of True North Radio, which failed as a for-profit enterprise using the commercial advertising business model.

So here we have The Ethan Allen Institute, who lists “competitive free market” as one of the “fundamentals of a free society” it works to enact, paying a failed radio show and its host to air failed political ideas, and now being led by the same host.

It’s kind of like being in bed with your sibling, while smoking cigarettes and fondling loaded handguns.  And then wondering why the house burned down while you climb into bed the next night with the same people, a new pack of cigarettes, and another loaded gun.