(UPDATE: Okay, so Phish is not defunct, they’ve been touring, so there’s that. Also… I am getting reminded in the comments of how many other kind of awful/mean/what-the-hell things Ober has written in the recent past, so maybe I’m being too gentle…)

So there was this little benefit concert last night. Some defunct band called Phish that reunited to raise money for Vermont Irene victims. You may have heard of them.

7 Days’ Lauren Ober sure has. She heard from angry hordes of Phishdom assembled when she dared to make fun of them. Yeah, it probably wasn’t the best idea (Ober is a good writer, but comedy is as much about the timing and target as the actual wordsmithing… but that’s OK, she’s young, she’ll get it) – but holy freaking crap, do they go after her. Phish? Yeah, like piranha maybe. Ye gods. Well, at least it bumped their website stats. Check it out, but be prepared for your eyes to bleed (here, and here, where 7 Days felt the need to squeeze an apology out of her, which is disappointing).

I tellya, the things people get riled up about. If only that energy could be channeled to something worth getting riled up about, eh?

So anybody attend? Any stories? Me, I’m not so much into the Phish thing. With that in mind, I’ll share this YouTube video, which livemusic.com labeled “What Phish Sounds Like to People That Don’t Like Phish” when they linked to it.

This via Andy Bromage at Blurt:

Earlier today, two undocumented migrant farm workers – one of them an outspoken critic of a controversial immigration enforcement program – were detained by state police following a routine traffic stop on I-89 in Middlesex and handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Brendan O’Neill, an organizer with the VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project, said farm workers Danilo Lopez and Antonio (whose last name is unknown) were racially profiled by state police…

The situation escalated this afternoon, when activists from the Solidarity Project showed up at the Middlesex state police barracks to protest the farm workers’ expected deportation. When the Border Patrol tried to leave with the handcuffed immigrants in SUVs, five of the protesters locked arms and blocked the government vehicle – provoking a standoff that ended with three of them being carted off and arrested.

Bromage indicated that Gov. Shumlin has ordered an investigation.

I have no other info at this time… anyone else?

Ten years later, the scope of the 9/11 tragedy is still mind-boggling. 2977 deaths (plus 19 hijackers). 90+ countries lost citizens. People of all races, religions, genders and sexual orientations were killed.

A recent op-ed reminded me that there are still those who would cravenly retrofit the tragedy to their own myopic worldview – specifically by using the attacks to cast Islam and all Muslims as “the enemy.” Here, then, is a reminder that Muslims also were killed in the tragedy. The following is a list of Muslim casualties from the World Trade Center attacks (via about.com. For a complete list of casualties, click here).

Shabbir Ahmed – 47 years old – Windows on the World Restaurant

Tariq Amanullah – 40 years old – Fiduciary Trust Co.

Michael Baksh – 36 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Touri Hamzavi Bolourchi – 69 years old – retired nurse on United #175

Abul K. Chowdhury – 30 years old – Cantor Fitzgerald

Mohammad Salahuddin Chowdhury – 38 years old – Windows on the World

Jemal Legesse De Santis – 28 years old – World Trade Center

Simon Suleman Ali Kassamali Dhanani – 63 years old – Aon Corp.

Syed Abdul Fatha – 54 years old – Pitney Bowes

Mon Gjonbalaj – 65 years old – Janitor, World Trade Center

Nezam A. Hafiz – 32 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Mohammed Salman Hamdani – 23 years old – NYPD Cadet

Zuhtu Ibis – 25 years old – Cantor Fitzgerald

Muhammadou Jawara – 30 years old – MAS Security

Sarah Khan – 32 years old – Forte Food Service

Taimour Firaz Khan – 29 years old – Carr Futures

Abdoulaye Kone – 37 years old – Windows on the World

Abdu Ali Malahi – 37 years old – WTC Marriott

Nurul Hoque Miah – 35 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Boyie Mohammed – 50 years old – Carr Futures

Ehtesham U. Raja – 28 years old – TCG Software

Ameenia Rasool – 33 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Mohammad Ali Sadeque – 62 years old – newspaper vendor at WTC, reported missing

Rahma Salie & child – 28 years old (7 months pregnant) – American #11

Khalid M. Shahid – 25 years old – Cantor Fitzgerald

Mohammed Shajahan – 41 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Nasima Hameed Simjee – 38 years old – Fiduciary Trust Co.

Michael Theodoridis – 32 years old – American #11

Abdoul Karim Traore – 41 years old – Windows on the World

Karamo Trerra – 40 years old – ASAP NetSource

Shakila Yasmin – 26 years old – Marsh & McLennan

Much, much more on this Lunderville appointment coming. I’m hearing from all kinds of people who are somewhere between disgusted and crestfallen at the news. All see it as a cynical, too-clever-by-half move by Shumlin to score political points with GOP insiders and (again) with the Harlan Sylvester crowd – all at the worst possible time for Vermont, as we’re facing the biggest natural catastrophe in our history.

No doubt, though, that’s not the feeling in the Pavilion. They were probably tuned into Common Sense (formerly True North) Radio on WDEV this morning, and were greeted to the accolades not only from host Rob Roper himself, but virtually all the callers to this hard-right, Ethan Allen Institute sponsored talk show. Mission accomplished, eh? Go team.

In the meantime, Shumlin helps out his fellow Democrats even more by recording Lunderville’s first campaign ad. Here’s what Shumlin said at his press conference (cue music and scenes of Vermont):

(Shumlin) “I don’t that think we could find a Vermonter who cares more about Vermont, who has more administrative ability to get tough things done, whose heart and soul is committed to this great state than Neal.”

All it needs is the disclaimer: Paid for by Lunderville for Secretary of State (and Green Mountain Power, of course. Who run Bartertown?)

Hang on, folks. The fallout from this is far from over.

Shumlin:

“Neale has experience with every office of state government, including as Secretary of Transportation, as well as in the private sector,” said Gov. Shumlin, who made the announcement today at a news conference. Lunderville also served as Douglas’ administration secretary. “He’s a proven problem solver, and gets things done. Neale can focus those skills on getting Vermont communities back on their feet, while we also continue to ensure that  every Vermonter has affordable health care, broadband access and a quality education.”

While competent, there are obviously less political people (on either side of the partisan divide) who would have been just as competent – and probably some who have experience with disaster relief. Rather than being a bold, apolitical stroke, this feels more like another attempt at the patented Shumlin political calculus – to put the GOP Wonderboy in charge and insulate himself from cleanup and recovery criticism from his next Republican opponent (whoever it may be) and undermine their support by building more inroads among the GOP big dogs.

If that sounds cynical, so be it. This appointment disappoints me, because it feels cynical.

And if I’m right, it’s another sign that Shumlin’s political meter is always running and isn’t focused on the bigger picture. Rather than drift into obscurity, this position will put Lunderville front and center, giving him a great launching pad to run for statewide office.

Hopefully I’m wrong, and it’s just about the best person for the job. Lord knows we need him or her.

(Quick PS… someone just pointed out to me – knowing me – that if this is a clever political move, shouldn’t I of all people be for it? My big political concern with this administration is that they don’t do to the Democratic Party what Jim Douglas did to the VT GOP… Douglas tasked the party and his own strategery so myopically to his own benefit, that the greater Vermont Republican Party atrophied, leading to their small minority. I don’t want a mirror version of history to repeat itself.)

Peter Welch has succeeded in proactively assembling a bipartisan caucus of Representatives from states affected by Tropical Storm Irene. The caucus has moved (with blinding speed) to position itself in opposition to Eric Cantor’s position that all disaster relief must be offset with yet more cuts to social programs.

Republican New Jersey Governor Christie last week came out in opposition to using much-needed federal help to devastated areas for political advantage by holding them hostage to the tea party agenda. That was enough to opem fissures within the GOP on Cantor’s unprecedented proposal. Welch wisely and deftly used the opportunity to take the initiative within the House, hopefully creating an infrastructure to scuttle any attempt by Cantor to follow through on his threats. The coalition is mostly Dems, but includes 9 Rs (Note that Sen. Brown of Mass. is labeled a Dem… whoops…. h/t farjas) – not enough to make a “clean” vote on aid a slamdunk by any means, but enough to start taking a meaningful stand in the crazy current House. This is from the press release:

“Hurricane Irene was an act of God. It will take an act of Congress to ensure that families and businesses slammed by this powerful storm get back on their feet,” Welch said. “Natural disasters know no political boundaries; they are indiscriminate in where they strike. America has a long and proud tradition of coming to the aid of fellow Americans who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in harm’s way. This bipartisan Coalition will hit the ground running to ensure that our constituents and districts recover from this catastrophe.”

…Over thirty offices were represented at today’s meeting, including Reps. Welch (D-Vt.), Pelosi (D-Calif.), Hoyer (D-Md.), Larson (D-Conn.), Cantor (R-Va.), Tonko (D-N.Y.), Butterfield (D-N.C.), Pascrell (D-N.J.) Lance (R-N.J.), LoBiando (R-N.J.), McCarthy (D-N.Y.), Runyan (R-N.J.), Jones (R-N.C.), Ackerman (D-N.Y.), DeLauro (D-Conn.), McIntyre (D-N.C.), Olver (D-Mass.), Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Smith (R-N.J.), Ruppersberger (D-Md.), Scott (D-Va.), Hayworth (R-N.Y.), Sarbanes (D-Md.), Nadler (D-N.Y.), Langevin (D-R.I.), Marino (R-Penn.), Hanna (R-N.Y.), Grimm (R-N.Y.), Holt (D-N.J.), Meeks (D-N.Y.), Fattah (D-Penn.) and Sens. Brown (D-Mass.) and Warner (D-Va.).

Not unexpectedly, there are voices among the Legislature calling for a special session this Fall to address the many challenges faced by the state in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. By way of Peter Hirschfeld’s report (paywalled), the legislators making the call range from ideological opposites Senator Anthony Pollina (D-Washington) to Representative Oliver Olsen (R-Jamaica).

It’s easy to understand why the calls are coming. No doubt every Senator and Representative in Vermont is inundated with desperate constituents wanting to know what the state is doing to help them. It’s natural, then, to want to convene in Montpelier ASAP and do something. But it’s an impulse that shouldn’t be given in to.

Dealing with disaster is one of the primary responsibilities of the Executive Branch – even Republicans won’t argue with that (well, except for the most pathological Ron Paul groupies). Given the scale of the damage and the clock ticking rapidly towards winter, it’s critical that the Executive branch move as quickly and deftly as possible. The Legislature deals in lawmaking. The Executive deals in implementing – in doing. Now is the time to do, rather than deliberate.

A shoehorned-in special Legislative session would become a fact-finding exercise with an open-ended date, and no clear goal. Such an exercise would inevitably demand information, testimony and counsel from the doers in the Executive branch, in the process pulling them from their doing during these crucial pre-winter weeks.

In addition, the Legislature would feel obliged to justify the expense of its unplanned-for intervention. To pass something. At this point, it’s unclear what, and without more time to focus, that dynamic could just as easily create as many problems as might get solved. Shumlin reportedly has the budgetary flexibility to access the funds he needs. Also, the administration has made no obvious goof (other than the Governor coming off a bit too defensive on Mark Johnson’s program a week or so back… but you can’t legislate against that). From all accounts, they seem to be handling things as well as can be expected.

If Shumlin were to do something draconian – say, use the crisis as an opportunity to advance an extreme policy agenda, such as unilaterally announcing the end of all environmental permitting (which is what you might have to watch for if Douglas were still in charge), it would become the Legislature’s responsibility to step in immediately and engage with that policy. Short of something like that, though, lawmakers should allow the Governor’s team to continue to focus like a laser beam on doing its job as efficiently as possible.

Over the coming weeks, and into winter, a clearer picture of what – if anything – needs to change in the statutory arena will emerge. Long term budgetary matters will also come into focus. What is a blur of uncertainties will coalesce into clearer view in the next couple months. Rather than call an extra session, legislative leaders can coordinate within their committees informally as we learn more, and be prepared to hit the ground running when the regular January session begins. The timing should be just about right.

In the meantime, let’s let the Governor’s people do what we pay them to do.

(UPDATE: Looks like the Times Argus did do a piece on this Wednesday that I missed, so somebody actually did notice. That’s good.)

(UPDATE 2: As per the comments, this picture is apparently Johnson Swift Water Rescue in action, rather than Norwich cadets – but students did participate in water evacuations.)

There are plenty of stories of devastation in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene in the media. Entire towns that found themselves cut off from the outside world also make for compelling coverage. What has been missing from the unprecedented amount of Vermont media focus have been the tales of heroism, which surprises me. People have a need to see the best of themselves in times like this, and the media usually fall over themselves in efforts to serve those stories up in often the most syrupy ways.

But not this week, even though there is a refreshing one right down the road from Montpelier. Northfield businesses were hit hard in the flooding, as Bob Kinzel reported on VPR two days back, but nobody’s noticed how Northfield’s Norwich University – the nation’s oldest private military college – mobilized to help the community (and used Facebook to make it happen). Here’s from a bigger piece I did for The Bridge, my new legacy media gig (I don’t think the latest issue is online yet):

At about 3 p.m. on Sunday, members of Norwich University’s Mountain Cold Weather Rescue Company received a call for help from the Northfield Police for assistance in the town. 37 cadets worked through the night evacuating 25 Northfield residents threatened by the rising waters, remaining on call until 6 a.m. Monday morning.

… After the Mountain Cold Weather Rescue Company assistance, Norwich University’s Center for Civic Engagement began coordinating efforts directly with town officials. Blankets were provided, and evacuees were transported to shelters at the Northfield High School and the Barre Auditorium, and returned to their homes the next day.

All told, 150 students will have participated in relief efforts by the time operations wind down.

Campus support has been coordinated largely over Facebook, and has been an indispensable element of a Town-University partnership characterized as “a community-wide effort with a strong base of university support from students, staff and alums,” according to Center for Civic Engagement Director Nicole DiDomenico. It’s an experience that is having no small impact on students.

“The students could tell that many of the families were emotionally overwhelmed, many of them breaking down in tears,” DiDomenico said of students working in water-damaged residences on Tuesday after the storm. Although shaken, student volunteers were recruiting their friends and “coming back even more determined to help throughout the week.”

The Norwich volunteers plan to provide assistance to impacted neighboring towns as well, such as Waterbury and Roxbury.

As per the Freeps, CNN apparently reported that Obama was planning to visit Irene-stricken areas in North Carolina, Virginia, and Vermont, but Senator Leahy’s office indicated than there were – as yet – no such plans for a Vermont visit.

For those who don’t get the math, it goes like this:

Virginia = Swing State

North Carolina = Lean R State

Vermont = Solid D State

In terms of Presidential photo opportunities, it goes:

Swing State > Solid D State

Lean R State > Solid D State

Solid D State < 0

Maybe we get the President to stop by and say a few words at the Burlington airport on his way somewhere else, if Senator Leahy calls in a favor. Alternatively, we could pull a Biden stop, or maybe another FLOTUS appearance. Don’t hold your breath for anything more Presidential.

(UPDATE: Had to make some changes up there, as I typed in the wrong math before. oops.)

Grim news from the Governor’s office:

Vermont State Police now say three people have been killed and one is missing as a result of the storm.  A female was killed in the Deerfield River in Wilmington; a male was killed in Mendon after being swept away by floodwaters and his companion at the time is still missing and feared dead.  A male in his 40s was found dead in Lake Rescue in Ludlow earlier today.

Floodwaters have receded, but most rivers and streams remain above normal levels, and some are still dangerous in many areas.  Vermont officials recommend staying away from rivers that are still high and flowing rapidly.  You should stay out of all floodwaters because of pollutants or debris.

Motorists are still encouraged to stay off roadways as many are unsafe and what roads are open are needed by emergency responders, road crews, and utility crews.

Road closures are still too numerous to list.  Please call 511 or visit www.511vt.com for updated road closures.  The public is asked to NOT call 211 for road closures – those calls are hampering 211’s ability to help those who need shelter or other resources.

Additionally, 35,000 Vermonters are still without power. The press release from Shumlin’s office also advises people to be aware of electrocution danger in returning to flooded homes, and advises people doing so that they “must” have their wiring inspected by a licensed electrician. While sounding absolute, Vermont Emergency Management advises me that that “must” is really just a very, very strong advisory, rather than something truly mandated. If wires are wet, even if you don’t somehow zap yourself, you could seriously goof up your electrical system and create more problems.