It’s something I never thought I’d be saying, but…

You just gotta love this Pope!

The sudden climate change at the Vatican is tying certain people up in knots, but for most of the civilized world it’s as if someone has finally opened a window to let the sunlight in.

The last time that happened was when I was still a little girl and John XXIII gave conservatives apoplexy by convening Vatican II, returning Mass to the vernacular and saying all good people go to heaven, regardless of whether or not they are baptized Catholic.  His papacy was rather short but impactful, leading some to speculate that there were Machiavellian forces afoot hell-bent on snuffing out further reformation.

What followed were decades of mostly conformist popes who made the occasional pacifist gesture or love-thy-neighbor invocation, but concentrated most of their efforts on promoting a socially conservative agenda that pretty much revolved around sex and seemed especially mean-spirited toward women.  

John Paul II was something of a rock star, in part due to the novelty of NOT being Italian, but largely because his political past in Poland gave him Cold War cachet. He had the luck of an exceedingly long and uneventful reign and should have done a lot to make the church more relevant to a suffering modern world; but he didn’t.

The best thing about Benedict’s 7 year reign, distinguished by red Gucci loafers in the Pope Mobile and a pedophilia parade of shame, was when he unexpectedly threw in the towel.  “Pontif Emeritus,” indeed!

Just when you thought the Roman Catholic Church might have to put all its Leonardos and gold-plated bric-a-brac up on the auction block in a giant going-out-of-business sale, they seem to have pulled off the impossible by finding one decent man and handing him the keys.

Having lapsed so many years ago, and having some serious issues with organized religion in general, I’m not a candidate for reenlistment; however, it does my heart good to see such an influential institution finally taking a turn in the right direction.

They’ve a long way to go, but we must celebrate even small victories of common sense and decency.

I am tired of seeing diaries routinely recommended where the United States is described as “fascist Corporate State” run by a secretive “Corporatist Cabal”.  These are offensive to me as an American and a Democrat. The idea that America is “fascist” must seem outrageous to those who came to our shores to escape tyranny and build new lives for their families.  It is a slap to the men and women who serve in uniform, since it implies they are risking their lives to defend an unjust government.  It is an insult to those of us who work to elect Democrats, since it implies we are dupes of a conspiracy of plutocrats who, like the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, secretly manipulate every facet of society.

I lived in West Germany during the 1980’s and had the opportunity of spending time on the the other side of the Wall – in the Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Staat (Workers and Peasants State) of the “German Democratic Republic.”  The regime of Erich Honecker also called West Germany and the United States “fascist corporate states” to divert attention from its own unjust, totalitarian system. Not many bought into the propaganda, since it was obvious that Western capitalism was superior to the dysfunctional and oppressive state-controlled economy.

Like most Americans, I am thankful that I live in a country where I can start, grow, work for, and invest in a business enterprise – even a “corporation”. Like most Americans, I reject the notion that America is a “fascist corporate state.”

‘Twas the night before Christmas

And through the Senate and House

The money was flowing

To each Wall Street louse

We need compassion, love, and caring

Just a little more kindness and a lot more sharing

A holiday miracle is what we need

If not, we just might have to secede

There is a ‘Black Friday’ action today at 2pm at the Berlin WalMart in solidarity with WalMart workers.

Ah, the Friday newsdump, so beloved of politicians and institutions wanting to bury some bad news. It’s a longstanding tradition. But you don’t usually see it done in reverse: a media outlet releasing a news item that makes itself look bad.

Well, step forward please, Mike Donoghue and the Burlington Free Press. It’s time for your closeup!

The Freeploid chose Thanksgiving Day to publish a follow-up to Donoghue’s nothing-burger of an “expose” on time-sheet fraud by state workers. You remember, the story where he had virtually no details after a two-week investigation, so he filled his column inches with the story of one state worker who might have committed time-sheet fraud but had yet to face criminal charges? The story plastered all over Page One?

The story in which Donoghue named the poor bastard in print, forever linking him with disgraced state trooper Jim Deeghan?

Well, Chittenden County Prosecutor TJ Donovan has decided not to bring charges against the aforementioned poor bastard, due to lack of evidence. And the Freeploid published the story TODAY, on page B-12, in a paper stuffed to the gills with Black Friday advertisements.

And if you look for the story online, it’s nowhere to be found on the Freeploid homepage. You’d practically have to know it’s there in order to find it.

Nice going, Freeploid. Way to serve the public interest.  

If you do manage to track it down, you’ll discover that Donoghue again has little to report on actual time-sheet fraud, so he regurgitates every single detail of the poor bastard’s case – even though there is clearly no news value, and no public interest to be served whatsoever.

The entire case revolves around one single shift, during which the poor bastard was supposed to be working a second-shift liquor-control  detail.  He allegedly failed to do any work, and may have actually been at home for a substantial part of the shift.

Which means that, even if you assume the worst, the guy padded one day’s time sheet to the tune of a couple hundred bucks. But you can’t assume the worst, because Donovan determined there was insufficient evidence.

I should also mention that the poor bastard claims to be a whistleblower who has made allegations against his superiors, and says the time-sheet investigation was an attempt to discredit him. (And I’ve heard from one person in a position to know, that the state’s Human Resources Department isn’t above these kinds of anti-whistleblower tactics.)  

Which, if true, would mean that not only did the Freeploid disgrace a state employee who will never be charged with a crime, let alone convicted – but it provided aid and comfort to an official effort to force whistleblowers to shut up. Which would be the exact opposite of the ‘Loid’s supposed devotion to public transparency.

Congratulations, Freeploid. No wonder you buried the story on B-12. It’s frickin’ embarrassing.

Earlier this month, I wrote about the flawed DRB process in St. Albans which threatens both the integrity of our claim to an historic downtown and the character of my very own neighborhood.

Last week there was a preliminary decision in the appeal process, that only addressed our request for a stay of demolition.  Reporting on the decision solely from Sandy Fead’s (the developer’s attorney) perspective, the Messenger  led with the headline, “Judge O.K.’s Demolition of Owl Club,” which significantly mischaracterizes the Judge’s ruling.  In order to correct that misunderstanding, I have replied with the following:

I have to correct a mis-framing of the Judge’s decision with regard to our

request for a Stay of Demolition on the Smith House (Owl Club).

Contrary to the headline, the Judge has not “okayed” demolition.  In fact,

he cautioned Connor Construction more than once about the risk to which they

would be exposed, should they decide to go ahead with demolition and new

construction before the case is actually heard in its entirety next summer.

This was by no means a final decision on any of the issues in the appeal.

It simply denied our request for a Stay based on the evidence we were able

to provide, so far, with regard to the economic feasibility of rehabilitation.

We have the opportunity still to present new evidence to counter what we

believe is the highly exaggerated cost quoted by the Connor’s witnesses.

We understand why the Connors’ attorney, Sandy Fead, was eager to shape the

decision in the public imagination as he has; but we remain unconvinced that

the building should not be restored; and, judging by the strength of a local

petition drive, which asks the City to intervene on behalf of the house, I

believe that a growing number of Franklin County residents agree that the

building should be saved.  

At no time did the Connors’ experts disagree with us that restoration is

possible.  The only question is the cost; and the merits of saving the

building, whatever the cost, have not been discussed.

It is our belief that the intangible values the City has recognized in

historic properties, which prompted the adoption of special rules governing

the redevelopment of those properties, demand that more than a simple

economic metric be applied to the question of rehabilitation.  Next summer,

we intend to make that case to the Environmental Court.

In his courtroom remarks, Judge Durkin has already clearly indicated that he

understands that the DRB failed to enforce its own rules.  His decision with

regard to the stay requires that Connor Construction satisfy the

documentation requirements under the law, so we are confident that he will

give equal deference to the rules governing redevelopment of the property.

We would have liked to see the Judge remand the entire decision to the DRB

in order to allow them the opportunity to prove that, if given a second

chance, they could do the job properly; but it is not surprising that he

might lack confidence in their ability to do so.  He has therefore indicated

that he will himself act in the capacity of the DRB, going forward.

We have every confidence that Connor Construction will respect the Judge’s

admonishments against premature demolition.

In the interim between now and the trial, we urge that every effort be made

by the City, the Museum  (as guardian of local history), and perhaps the

library, BFA or other public actors, to arrive at an alternative that will

at once respect the building’s significance to local history and the

downtown viewshed; and will rededicate the site to a public purpose

befitting its heritage.

( – promoted by Sue Prent)

As a Progressive, I was somewhat shocked by Franklin County Republican chair Steve Trahan’s recent discussion with a group of Republican college students , ( St.Albans Messenger, 11/19/13 ). He noted that when they were asked what changes were needed for our country, they replied first and foremost with the need to disconnect government from corporations, get money out of politics and to curb the military industrial complex as it is taking authority away from the American people. These are the same things that U.S. Congressman Bernie Sanders and the Vermont Progressive Party have been saying for the last 25 years, in contrast to the Republican Party in Washington, who have been fighting tooth and nail to do just the opposite.

These young Republican college students have grown up with the realities of Republican policies. They have seen for themselves that tax breaks for the rich, corporate welfare and allowing money to rule politics has only made the rich become obscenely rich, while the middle class has struggled with flattening wages over the last 30 years. These policies have brought constant war, and dimmed their own hopes for the future, as the income gap between the extremely rich ( with all their money and influence ) and the rest of the American people has become greater than anywhere else in the world. The youth of this country can no longer believe they have the same chance at ” the American dream ” as preceding generations have had.

The Democrats also go along with these policies while paying lip service to the middle class and poor, but in the end, they take the same corporate and special interest money and nothing changes. We need a new party in this country, one that does not embrace corporate lobbyists or accept their money and who will fight for the 99% of us who struggle and work hard for our families and for a just society. Vermont is the only state in the union with such an established third party. It is called the Vermont Progressive Party (www.vtprogressiveparty.org) and has been thriving for decades with elected representatives in Montpelier. The time is right for this party to grow in America.

It is remarkable that these young Republicans are not just quoting the same old tired Republican talking points. They see that corporate dominance of the government needs to end, they see that money needs to be removed from politics and that the military industrial complex that is bleeding the country dry in terms of blood and treasure needs to be sharply curtailed. Mr. Trahan, you say that you are “awestruck, impressed and filled with hope and a great deal of pride” for these young Republicans, as well you should be. My question is, “Do you agree with them on these three points?” Your party bosses in Washington certainly do not. Please reply.

“Where am I?”

“In The Village.”

“What do you want?”

“Information.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“That would be telling.  We want information…  Information…IN-FOR-MA-TION.”

“You won’t get any.”

“By hook or by crook, we will.”

“Who are you?”

“The new Number 2.”

“Who is Number 1?”

“You are Number 6.”

“I am not a number!  I am a free man!”

“Hah-hah-hah-hah-hah...hah-hah.  You voted for me in November.  Remember, Number 6?”

“I didn’t vote for all this.”

“So…I lied a little.  Like all the Number 2s before me.  Like the last Number 2.”

“I will not be pushed, stamped, filed, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered.  I am a free man!  My life is my own.”

Oh, how Sixties of you, Number 6.  You know, NUM-BER 6, you’re being UNMUTUAL.  Like Number 5, that awful Michael Colby PER-SON.”

“Colby?!  Where is he?”

“He’s in a very safe and restful Special Place.  He seems to like us a bit more now, unless he’s pretending.  We had to put him through DEGREE ABSOLUTE.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll find out, Number 6.”

“I am not a num!…”

“Yes, yes.  There, there, Number 6.  No need to be so UNMUTUAL.  It’s so…shall we say…INCORRECT?  Bad for one’s heart.  Not to mention just getting along.”

“This is insane.”

“It is not for you to judge, Number 6.  We want INFORMATION.  Why did you resign?”

“From what?”

“From all that The Village stands for.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“There is sense here, Number 6.  You’re just not getting it.  But you will.”

“I want to see Number 1.”

“None of you gets to meet Number 1, Number 6.  He…She…is a very busy PER-SON.”

Doing what?”

“Why, everything you see here.  And so much more.”

“I won’t stay here.  I’ll escape.”

“Good luck on that.  And where would you escape to, Number 6?”

“To where people are still free.  To Vermont, perhaps.”

“VER-MONT?  A-hah-hah-hah-hah!  Look around you, Number 6.  You’re in The Village.  THE VILLAGE.”

“Then I’ll get people here to fight you.”

“Hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!  Oh, Number 6, you are a Hoot.  Go ahead.  You’re free to walk about and talk to these people.  They all have numbers, like you.  Some of them just don’t know it yet.  My predecessor was very thorough about that. The NSA stuff, you know.  Security.  IN-FOR-MA-TION.”

“I’ll find Michael Colby.  And a twenty-something Young Man.  And we’ll defeat you.”



“A-hah-hah-hah-hah!  Like ‘Them bones, them bones, them dry bones‘ eh?  Try it, Number 6.  You’ll find it is futile to fight us.”

“I’m going out now.”

“By all means.  Feel free, as you put it.  My little friend here will just follow you along.  In case you get lost, or inadvertently stray.”

“What the Hell is that?”

“We like to call him ROVER.  Consider him your own personal drone friend.”

“Outrageous!”

“Oh...hah-hah-hah-hah!…Lordy, Number 6, I do believe you’ve given me the munchies from all this laughing.  I should go bake some cookies now.”

“I will fight you.  I’ll never stop.”

“I…I!…I!!…I!!!  Yes.  Hah-hah-hah!  BE SEEING YOU, Number 6.  Hah-hah……”

(So, what do you think?  Who will get elected the new Number 2 in 2016?)

Peter Buknatski

Montpelier, Vt.  

Last night’s vote………..

They won.  We lost. The vote was 5 to 1. One board member was absent.

The new anti-panhandler law is a confusing hodgepodge of rules and regulations that will make any one cringe – no matter which side you are on. Those who support the First Amendment will find this law very troubling – especially in a town where the First Amendment has been under attack for a long time.

Taxpayers better hold on to their wallets. If this law is challenged on Constitutional grounds, it could result in a legal bill of historic proportions.  Though, chances are not too great that that will happen. In Bennington the Constitution has been disrespected for a long time.  Most citizens don’t seem to care.

One board member offered a motion which limited the new law to town owned property. Well, that is encouraging. That means that the police cannot break down doors and go into privately owned homes and businesses for enforcement purposes.

The law now specifies a new 10 foot rule.  Panhandlers must maintain a distance of 10 feet from any business entrance.  The 10 foot rule will set up a zone where free speech is denied.

The law also will prohibit sleeping in a vehicle.  When questioned about this, the town officer said that people would be told to go to Albany, NY or Brattleboro, VT for help.  Both are approximately 40 miles distant, a difficult drive for anyone under stress in an old vehicle, especially during the winter.  Getting to Brattleboro means driving over a narrow, winding mountain road. Getting to Albany is not much easier.

So, pass the word. There is no room in the inn for you in Bennington if you are poor and homeless.  Merry Christmas to all.

Recent days have brought the unedifying spectacle of Vermont’s top Democrats fleeing pell-mell away from one of their own. Yes, I’m talking about Mark Larson, commissioner of the Department of Health Access, currently being raked over the political coals for the capital offense of giving an incorrect answer to a Republican lawmaker:

At a House Health Care Committee meeting Nov. 5, Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington, directly asked Larson who is commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access, if there had been any security breaches with Vermont Health Connect.

Larson told her there hadn’t, failing to disclose an incident on Oct. 17 in which one user was able to access another user’s Social Security information.

The blowback? Larson’s boss, Gov. Shumlin, called the incident “unacceptable” and said he was “tremendously disappointed” in Larson’s “lapse of judgment.” House Speaker Shap Smith, a former House colleague of Larson’s and a self-described “friend”, said the lapse “will undermine” Larson’s effectiveness.

Will undermine. Not “could” undermine, but “will” underrmine.

Dead man walking!

This is all of a piece with Democrats’ rank cowardice on health care reform, nationally and in Vermont. Rather than defending the signature legislative accomplishment of Obama and Shumlin, Democratic officeholders are fully engaged in a truly epic campaign of ass-covering: if anything goes wrong with health care reform, they want to be positioned as Guardians of the Public Trust.

Even if it means throwing a good man, a formerly valued colleague doing a really difficult job, under the nearest bus.

Understand, misleading a legislative committee is a serious matter. But the “security breach” was a one-time event involving two consumers who somehow were given the same Vermont Health Connect password. It wasn’t the usual kind of security breach, where hackers can or do gain access to reams of supposedly secure information. And when Larson answered Morissey’s question, that’s the kind of breach he had in mind.

Why would he think that? Well, perhaps because the isolated breach was well-known in Administration circles. Shumlin himself learned about it shortly after it happened, didn’t think it was a big deal, and didn’t try to inform the Legislature or the public. A fix was quickly put in place, and the incident was almost three weeks in the rear-view mirror when Larson gave his testimony.

You think maybe Shumlin’s own handling of the situation played a part in Larson’s non-answer to Morrissey?

The question of Larson having to resign was broached, and was promptly squelched by Shumlin. But the public rebuke, which ace reporter Peter Hirschfeld called “an unprecedented public dressing-down,” looks to me like a management tactic known as “creating a paper trail.” If you have doubts about an underling’s performance (or if you need someone to take the blame), you don’t immediately take action —  but you do put your doubts on the record. Then, if more problems appear, you’ve got a solid pretext for dismissal.

The real meaning of this little foofaraw? The Democrats, who are in the most secure electoral position you could possibly imagine, scatter like cockroaches at the first sign of trouble. And if there are more problems with Vermont Health Connect, they’ve chosen their designated scapegoat.