A nice friendly feminine voice in a taped message just asked me if I am voting in the upcoming November election.  I pressed 1 for yes.

The nice recorded lady then asked me if I was voting for 1. Jim Douglas, 2-Gaye Symington, 3-Anthony Pollina — I pushed 2 and was immediately transferred to a new question.  

The new question asked by the friendly recorded feminine voice was who would I vote for for representative.  She did not say state rep or congressional rep, just representative.  I listened and heard two names I did not know.  I waited.  I asked the recorded woman a question.  No response, so I voted for the Democrat, once again #2.

Finally the recorded woman’s voice asked me if I would support a tax on gas to improve Vermont’s roads and bridges vote 1 or against it vote 2.  

That’s a no-brainer for me.  I lived in Connecticut when the Mianus Bridge collapsed and people died.  Luckily it was at 1:30 a.m., so only a few people died rather than the hundreds that would have died during rush-hour.  All because of inadequate maintenance and lack of inspection.  Yeah, I’ll pay a little more in gas money any time to make our bridges safe for everyone.

I pushed 1, and the nice lady on electronic push poll hung up on me without even saying goodbye and thank you.

I first met Tim Palmer about four years ago through the typical round of Democratic Party campaign events.  I found his positive energy and enthusiasm contagious.  When Palmer first ran for State Senate two years ago, I enthusiastically supported his candidacy because I had discovered that he supported the same type of progressive democratic issues that are important to me.

Palmer cares deeply about Vermont, its people, and its future, and for that reason I will vote for Tim Palmer.  For the past 13 years, Palmer has worked with Democrats, Progressives, Republicans, and Independents inside the Statehouse and throughout the state on numerous projects dealing with issues ranging from energy planning to health care reform, from smart growth to employee compensation and rights, from universal broadband access to civil unions, and from reinvestment in our rail infrastructure to medical marijuana.  

When we spoke earlier in his campaign, Palmer said, “I have had a very full life.  I think that I can make a big difference in the Senate not only on the big issues facing Vermont like energy, economic development, health care, education, infrastructure, etc., but also on big issues facing individual Vermonters like death with dignity, marriage equality, home based alternatives to nursing homes, etc.  

I asked him, “Why are you running for Vermont State Senate?”

Tim Palmer (TP)  “I’m running because I have important real world experience that can be applied to issues facing the Senate.  We need common sense approaches of what works in the real world.  I’ve worked in a range of fields including economic development, housing, communications sustainability, health, aging, climate change, and food systems.  I want to apply my background to create jobs with a sustainable income that make a difference to all Vermonters…  I want to see us move forward as a state by developing good solid jobs and working for children and families.  I have plenty of experience in both these areas.”

“I believe that my ability to create jobs and maintain them over time is important to have in the mix of world-views in the legislature.  My background was further expanded this year in my lobbying work for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.  Our focus was on energy issues, workers comp, telecommunications, taxes, and transportation.”

Tim, you lost the Democratic Primary in 2006 by 29 votes.  Why did you lose, and why run again now?

TP “I lost because I didn’t really think through the dynamics of campaigns.  I campaigned in areas where people already knew me and did not reach out far enough into new areas.  Now, I am working to meet a cross-section of true Vermonters and Chittenden County representatives, and have focused on raising my name recognition throughout the county.”

“Most of all I was motivated to run by the Obama campaign.  I did a lot of campaigning for Senator Obama in New Hampshire and in other states.  I believe that government must be seen as a partner in solving problems, not as an enemy.  Vermonters must see government working hand in hand with them rather than fighting them

A prime example of that dynamic is how the Douglas administration is dealing with the Intervale.

As a Chittenden County Senator, I would be actively involved in finding workable solutions rather than accept the Douglas administration’s heavy handed approach which does not reflect the reality of the city and the county.”

Check out Tim Palmer’s website for details regarding his background and extensive experience (http://timpalmervt.com/)

Over 35 years experience in health, housing, aging, economic and community development, sustainability, and human rights work.

Served as Executive Director of Vermont CARES, the state’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS services organization based in Burlington.

Advocated on behalf of low income seniors, senior centers and services, and area agencies on aging as Executive Director of the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE).

Represented over 600 employers as lobbyist for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) on issues such as energy, transportation, health care, environmental protection, workforce development, and telecommunications access.

Currently serves as Interim Executive Director of the Sustainability Institute, a Vermont-based nonprofit that works locally and globally on climate change, food and poverty.

Led the effort to create the Vermont Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (VANPO) and provided technical assistance to dozens of community based nonprofit agencies

Living and working in Burlington, I’ve gotten to know Tim Ashe and appreciate both his work ethic and community spirit.

A number of Democrats I know well have called Tim an interloper, because he was elected to city council as a Progressive, and now is running for State Senate as a Democrat.

I disagree with them, and tomorrow I will vote for Tim Ashe.  When I was nominated for Public Works Commission by Democratic City Councilor Russ Ellis, Tim Ashe also stepped forth and supported my candidacy.  I have worked with Ashe over and over at city meetings and events, and no matter how challenging the issue or question, he exhibits patience and a willingness to uncover the truth and work for creative solutions.  And, Tim Ashe, Russ Ellis, Kurt Wright, and I have all worked together on several zoning issues of critical concern to residents of the New North End.

That does not mean that Ashe and I agree on everything.  We don’t, for example agree about on the record review and several other land-use issues unique to Burlington, but Ashe and I do agree on open government, educational issues, protecting the Intervale, energy issues, and the environment.  

With a Bachelors Degree from UVM and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard, Ashe is clearly prepared to work on issues in Montpelier.  Moreover, after serving for four-years on Burlington’s volatile city council, I believe that Ashe has proven he is able to hold his own, will work hard on constituent issues, and has the fiscal acumen to face Vermont’s financial problems head on.

This summer, I asked Ashe:

Why should people vote for you?  In other words, what special talents and credentials would you bring to a Senate seat?  

Tim Ashe (TA) “For starters, a vote for me is a vote for cooperation between Democrats and Progressives.  I will be an independent voice on issues of energy, working conditions, and health care in a way that people bound by party leadership sometimes can’t be  I also believe that we need balance and youthful energy in the senate, and other than Matt Dunne, I’m not sure that has ever happened before.”

Why have you have chosen to run in the Democratic Primary?

TA “I am running in the Democratic primary and that is a distinction, and I am seeking voter support by both parties as an option that the leadership in Montpelier should work together to unelect people like Jim Douglas.”

What if you don’t win a slot via the democratic primary, will you still be a candidate on the Progressive ticket?  

TA “No.”

With whom will you caucus?  

“My hope is to be elected with both Democratic and Progressive nominations and appear with both party affiliations next to my name which would signify as well as possible what this campaign is all about.”

If you run as a Democrat, how will you work with the other Democrats on the ticket?

TA “I have enthusiastically supported Ed Adrian, Doug Racine, Ginny Lyons, Mark Larson, Scudder Parker, and many others, and such that anyone cares I would continue to be vocally positive for people who’s beliefs come close to my own”

When people work on specific bills, parties caucus at the State House to work to achieve legislation, with whom will you caucus?  

TA “I assume I would caucus with both parties depending on the issues.  And, I certainly see issues where Senators like Vince Illuzzi would be allies.  The Connecticut Dam issue is a prime example where party lines and issues didn’t separate clearly.

As a Burlington Progressive, how will your role as Progressive fit in with your campaigning and work as a Democrat in light of the fact that two of the city’s progressive candidates for the House are being challenged by Democratic candidates?  

TA “In Burlington, I worked well with many Democrats and would carry that effort with me into Montpelier.  Just as I have tremendous respect for Mark Larson in my district and Dave Zuckerman and Chris Pearson are wonderful and respected legislators, no one can get anything done without working together.  In Burlington, we can’t get anything done without alliances, and I have worked in Burlington to build alliances across three-party lines.  I look forward to doing the same bridge building in Montpelier.”

Your key issues?

TA “Delivering health care to every single person in the State of Vermont.  Making a serious investment in wind and solar — alternate energies.  Fighting w/ everything I’ve got to save the Intevale, and protecting Efficiency Vermont. …Finally speaking from experience, what will it take to keep young workers in the State of Vermont?  In addition, I will continue to support affordable housing, increasing wages, equal rights of gay and lesbians, and protecting our civil liberties.”

According to his website (http://timashe.com/)

Since the Fall of 2006, Tim has been a Project Manager at Cathedral Square, a nationally recognized non-profit developer of high quality affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities. In his role at CSC, he’s managed projects totaling 155 units of housing and $17 million.

Tim also served on the Board of Spectrum Youth and Family Services, a vital community organization serving at-risk youth.  He also coached in the Old North End little league for two years, and has volunteered in the Barnes Elementary School.

I began yesterday morning with a Democratic Brunch at the Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington’s New North End with Democratic Candidate for Governor Gaye Symington and ended it listening to Senator Bernie Sanders speak to constituents on a boat-ride on Lake Champlain.

Senator Sanders, always concerned with Veterans affairs, shared news of the new GI Bill  (http://sanders.senate.gov/) while pointing out new key issues facing his Vermont constituents.

In these two very different events, both Sanders and Symington urged voters to create change with Obama.  Sanders spoke about serving on several committees with Obama, and his belief that Obama is the instrument of change we are seeking.  He stressed the fact that Obama would need to hear from Voters immediately following the election and continuously after his inauguration in order to fight the entrenched wealthy special interest groups that will be vying for a voice in Obama’s administration.

Symington urged Vermont voters to give “President” Obama the support to institute change by voting for candidates that will work with Obama here in Vermont to create change.  Her speech was fresh, energized, right on point, and not the worn-out stump speech candidates often fall back on at summer’s end.  No softballs were thrown here, and as, one observer said, “Gaye has finally found her song”.

Symington also spent time sitting down with prospective voters to answer questions and listen to concerns.  I sat with Greg Jenkins who drives one of those new mini all-electric cars.  Greg’s car costs a penny a mile in electricity to run and of course releases no pollutants to foul our air.  At our table, Symington began with a conversation about Greg’s car, moved on to energy planning issues and also spoke us about the challenges faced by friends, neighbors, and/or clients during these terribly trying economic times.  

Symington listened, and unlike many politicians, understood the questions.  Most importantly, after reviewing her record in the legislature, it is clear to me that Symington is capable of doing the hard work and planning necessary to rebuild Vermont’s economy and create a secure energy future.  

I believe I am doing my part to respond to Senator Sanders and Speaker Symington’s messages.  I support Gaye Symington as Vermont’s next Governor, and tomorrow in order to send committed, energetic, and solution-driven candidates to the Vermont Statehouse, I will also vote for Chittenden County Senate candidates Tim Palmer and Tim Ashe . You may read my posts on Palmer and Ashe later today.  And, please vote in tomorrow’s primary.

According to Washington Post Blogger Chris Cillizza (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/bristol_palin_is_pregnant.html) Palin said,

“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us,” said Sarah and Todd Palin in a statement. “Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.”

The news comes just 72 hours after Palin was introduced by John McCain as his vice presidential nominee. In the time between the pick and Palin’s statement today, rumors had grown louder and louder that Palin’s youngest son, Trig, was actually her grandson and that it was Bristol who had given birth to the young boy.

According to Reuters, McCain campaign officials knew about Bristol’s pregnancy during the vetting process and that the rumors surrounding baby Trig’s birth made an announcement necessary.

Reuters’ Steve Holland writes: “McCain officials said the news of the daughter’s pregnancy was being released to rebut what one aide called ‘mud-slinging and lies’ circulating on liberal blog sites.”

In the speech introducing Palin as his VP, we saw McCain look down and to his left (our right).  According to Canadian blogger Toni (http://www.blifaloo.com/info/lies_eyes.php), Visual Accessing Cues come from how the “normally organized” right-handed person looks (from your viewpoint, looking at them).

Assuming that McCain is “normally organized” and right handed then to us he would be looking down and to his left thus to our right.  However McCain is left handed, so according to Toni, a typical left-handed person would have the opposite meanings for their eye-directions.

Thus McCain as a lefty would be considered to be looking in the opposite direction thus down and to our left. Ironic isn’t it?

“Visual Accessing Cues” are discussed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in their book “Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), go below the fold for more… by Toni regarding how eye direction can indicate the presence of a lie.

I keep wondering what kinesthetic response McCain is remembering if he is looking down and to our left, or if down and to our right, what is he saying to himself?

Eye Movement and Direction and How it Can Reveal the Truth or a Lie

This is a continuation of our previous article ” Detecting Lies”. Many comments by our visitors have asked about how eye direction can indicate the presence of a lie.

So can the direction a person’s eyes reveal whether or not they are making a truthful statement? Short answer: sort of. But, it isn’t as simple as some recent television shows or movies make it seem. In these shows a detective will deduce a person is being untruthful simply because they looked to the left or right while making a statement.

Read more by Toni @ Blifaloo:  http://www.blifaloo.com/info/l…

Meetup?  It’s Adam Quinn’s fault.  He sent me a postcard inviting me to my first DFA meetup.  

Was I the only one who didn’t comprehend meetup?  

My son and his wife go to Washington DC meetups all the time.  

I thought it was slang for hanging out, drinking beer and shooting pool or playing a little darts after a tough day of living and working in DC in the midst of the Rove inspired Bush/Cheney cadre.

My first meetup was in Burlington in July on the “new” outside deck at Burlington Bay with an absolutely gorgeous view of Lake Champlain.  I figured that if I didn’t like the company and couldn’t handle the political talk, then I would just kick back, tune out, enjoy the view, the sunset, and great beer.

Instead, I tuned in to listen to Sarah Puls and Michael Langenmayr, the event hosts, who are fun enthusiastic and committed to the type of political future for which I have worked  my entire life.

My point?  Tonight they are hosting again, – at Main Street Landing – and this time it is a well-orchestrated meet the candidates night.  See info below:

Burlington DFA’s Meet the Candidates

Social Event

Event Date: Aug 21, 2008

Event Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Venue Name: MAIN STREET LANDING PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – ATRIUM, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: http://www.democracyforamerica…

Agenda:

As a new DFA group, we’d like to take a moment to get to meet and talk to local candidates before we make any endorsements. And we’d like all Burlingtonites to have that same opportunity.

That said, you’re invited to join us August 21st at our “Meet the Candidates” community forum. The event is free (suggested donation $5 to cover the cost of the venue) and open to the public. We are inviting local candidates to attend, to meet and mingle with people and to also speak briefly. We hope to see you there, and we encourage your friends and neighbors to to join you.

Confirmed Candidates Attending:

House Speaker Gaye Symington, gubernatorial candidate

Tom Costello, lieutenant gubernatorial candidate

Nate Freeman, lieutenant gubernatorial candidate

Sen. Hinda Miller, Chittenden County

Sen. Ginny Lyons, Chittenden County

Rep. Rachel Weston, Chittenden 3-3

Rep. Christopher Pearson, Chittenden 3-4

Rep. David Zuckerman

Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan, Chittenden 3-5

Rep. Bill Keogh, Chittenden 3-5

Burlington City Councilor Tim Ashe, state senate candidate

Joanna Cole, candidate for Chittenden 3-1

Kesha Ram, candidate for Chittenden 3-4

Suzi Wizowaty, candidate for Chittenden 3-5

For more info email: spuls@democracyforamerica.com

Come join us, and, if it turns out that you are not a meetup type person, you may still meander outside, have a beer or wine at several nearby cafes, and see a spectacular Lake Champlain sunset!

As a word junky, and most writers are, every day I receive the Dictionary.com word of the day via email.  Occasionally the words pile up and sit waiting for review, or like yesterday, they strike a chord in me worthy of shared reflection.

Sempiternal (sem-pih-TUR-nuhl), yesterday’s word of the day, is an adjective meaning “of never ending duration; having beginning but no end; everlasting; endless.”

For example:  The continual attack by Bush and his cronies upon our civil liberties is sempiternal, in other words, a never-ending nightmare.

Case in Point:  “Photo ID Hassle Puts One Mom’s Vote on Ice” also caught my eye yesterday.  Published in Monday’s Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), it is an expose of how the new Georgia voter ID laws disenfranchise voters using the author’s mother as an example.

To quote author Ed Newbaum, from Marietta, GA:

Until I read her opinion column, I didn’t know Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel was looking for a voter harmed by the photo ID requirement (” ‘Partisan bullying’ unfounded in state photo ID requirement).

   My 73-year-old mother is one.

   After moving to Georgia from Florida, we attempted to obtain a Georgia ID. Based on the then-published requirements on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) web site, we gathered proof of her new address (bank statement), birth certificate and valid Florida driver’s license.

At the DMV, we where told that as of May, the secretary of state required her marriage certificate because the name on her birth certificate did not match her driver’s license. They would accept a passport with her married name, something she has never applied for.

   The harm:

   Tracking down and paying $40 for a copy of her marriage certificate.

   Two trips to the DMV, time and gas.

   Missing the July 15 primary.

   Fortunately, Mom was savvy enough to track down the marriage certificate and had an extra $40. It is interesting to consider that the requirements for obtaining a U.S. passport are not as stringent for married women as the Georgia requirements for a photo ID.

   So, based on Handel’s column in the AJC, I know she will want to mitigate the harm done to my mother and me. Why doesn’t she drop a check in the mail for the cost of the marriage certificate (the process really does seem to discriminate against married women) and the time and gas I spent for the extra trip to the DMV.

   I think $75 should cover everything.

   Thanks so much. Apologies accepted.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/con…

In the original AJC commentary to which Newbaum was responding, Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel said,

The tirade cannot obscure one undeniable fact: Opponents of photo ID have failed to produce even one voter who has been harmed by the requirement, despite nearly three years of scouring the state in search of such an individual. Further, our state’s photo ID law allows voters who arrive at the polls without ID an extra 48 hours to obtain a free photo ID card, and return to their county registrar’s office to have their vote counted. Voters can also choose to cast an absentee ballot by mail without a photo ID.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2008/07/18/handeled.html

Handel went on to note that…

Even U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who dissented in the recent decision upholding Indiana’s photo ID law, hailed these positive differences in the Georgia law.

Positive Differences?

I don’t think so!  Instead, we are confronted with the sempiternal truth that there is a concerted effort across the country to systematically and endlessly demolish voting rights, and this effort is being aided and abetted by the Republican appointed and controlled US Supreme Court.  The same court that erroneously installed GW Bush as president in 2000.

Be on guard.  We in turn must be sempiternally vigilant in our protection of the Bill of Rights and US Constitution.

Finally, as I mull over these challenges to our very freedoms, I remain thankful for Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz’s continual efforts to protect and expand the voting rights of all Vermonters.  

According to the dictionary, voting and the right to vote represent the true meaning of democracy:

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives

.

The words in our constitution and the words in law are not static, and as such require action.  

Get out and vote, or you may no longer have the right to do so.

Mission not accomplished:

According to Washington Post Staff Writer Michael D. Shear, McCain Still Waiting for His Turn at Good Luck. [Thursday, July 24, 2008; Page A06 Washington Post] http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

It seemed like a great way to counter Obamamania. Sen. John McCain would board a helicopter in New Orleans today, skim quickly over the Gulf of Mexico and land on an oil rig — a made-for-TV moment to highlight his call for offshore drilling, an issue that Republicans believe will be a big winner in November.

Then came Hurricane Dolly, a Category 2 storm that made a helicopter ride impossible. And then, improbably, a 600-foot oil tanker collided with a barge on the Mississippi River, creating a 12-mile oil slick and causing diesel fumes to waft over the city’s French Quarter. The trip was off.

Shear concluded with

In this campaign, it seems, McCain just can’t catch a break.

Unless one counts CBS News….

UPDATED:

Senator Condos is publicly announcing today that he will not seek another term in the Vermont Senate due to work commitments.  Tim Palmer, Dennis McMahon, and Richmond Rep Denise Barnard have all announced that they will be running for one of the six Chittenden County State Senate seats. Condos, who served in the senate for eight years is endorsing Richmond Representative Denise Barnard.

Condos, was first elected to the Vermont senate in 2000, and has been a leader on such issues as storm water regulations, education and economic development.  Condos, who earned his BS in Resource Economics from UVM in 1974, credits his education from UVM’s then fledgling environmental program with helping him develop a clear understanding of the impact of development on the environment.  As a South Burlington City Councilor from 1987 to 2007 and its chair from 1999 to 2007, Condos was instrumental in developing South Burlington’s landmark storm water program in its effort to protect effluent from running into Lake Champlain, and also brought those skill to bear on statewide storm water environmental legislation.

Condos says he is stepping down do to increased work responsibilities at his job as public affairs manager for Vermont Gas Systems.  

“Obviously there is more to do and as a state we need to try to increase economic development and take care of Vermonters while watching budget increases, protecting the environment, jobs, and education,” Condos said Sunday.

Condos also noted that he is most proud of passing and codifying early education laws because of its lasting impact on society and our communities.  

“Studies show”, he continued “that investing in early education yields big payoffs”.  

The program Condos helped to develop funds approximately $2500 per year per pupil in early childhood education for those children who may need that extra boost in order to assure that they will be educationally on par with their peers when they begin elementary school.  Condos said he was quite disturbed by the Republican mounted opposition to the early education plan based upon costs.  Condos elaborated saying that when incarcerating a criminal costs $45,000 for each male and $75,000 for each female, it makes better financial sense for a small state like Vermont to invest in early childhood education to help build a competent educated workforce.

Denise Begins Barnard, a resident of Richmond, who was elected to the House in 2004 and serves as the clerk of the House Education Committee is planning to run for Condos’ seat and has received his endorsement.  Condos and Barnard are holding a press conference at 3pm in Burlington today.

To date, it is believed that Chittenden County’s other current state senators Democrats Ed Flanagan, Ginny Lyons, Hinda Miller, Doug Racine, and Republican Diane Snelling are all running for re-election.  Candidate’s petitions are due to be filed with the state by 5 pm today.

Chittenden County’s Democrat primary saw a vote recount between Burlington’s Dennis McMahon and Williston’s Tim Palmer during the 2006 primary when the initial count was only 25 votes apart.

Palmer and McMahon have also declared.  Palmer, who has been actively campaigning for a senate seat since late June believes he is well-positioned to be a key candidate in the 2008 election.

UPDATE: The original version of this diary gave the incorrect impression that the three new candidates mentioned are running for the seat being vacated by Senator Condos. In actuality, all candidates are running to be one of the top six vote getters, but not for specific seats.