One popular claim among right-wing Republicans is that, regardless of what we claim, Democrats are the real racists and it is only the Republicans who are willing to see America's minorities as able, self-sufficient individuals. The line of “reasoning” goes that by supporting antipoverty programs the Democrats are keeping black Americans on the plantation.

This has been so commonplace that the latest darling of the Republican Party, a doctor named Ben Carson, is saying that the Affordable Care Act is the worst thing to happen to the United States since slavery.

 Last week was a particularly great week for the Republicans and their proud history of anti-racism. 

First off, remember Joe the Plumber? You know, the guy whose name wasn't Joe and wasn't a licensed plumber? Last week he published a column, not written by him, about the current political scene. The article, “America Needs a White Republican President,” opines: “Admit it. You want a white Republican president again. Wanting a white Republican president doesn’t make you racist, it just makes you American.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/joe-plumber-publishes-racist-article-blog-article-1.1484131#ixzz2hhIs5QDQ

In case you're wondering, he also refers to people arguing for immigrants' rights as “deranged Mexicans”.

The initial reports on this column suggested that Wurzelbacher had written the column. He didn't, but he has gone wide on Twitter defending everything he published, so I think it's fair to tag him with the opinions he published.

Of course, he's just one guy, right?

Ah, no. Saturday there was an anti-Obama rally at the White House held by the intellectual core of the Republican Party, the Tea Party, and what were they rallying around? The Confederate flag.

Keep it up, guys, really. 

The Bennington Banner reports that at the next Bennington Select Board Meeting, on Monday night, October 14, the board will consider a law prohibiting panhandling.

Violations of the First Amendment are getting to be a habit in Bennington. The public tax supported library bans some political books. Some candidates, depending on Party affiliation, are often not allowed to participate in election forums. And remember what happened at the last select board meeting just 2 weeks ago. The order was given to pull the plug on the TV cameras. Thousands of TV screens went black. The select board did not want the public to see or hear what was happening.  

Now this anti free speech law is on the agenda.  

If it is acceptable for someone to request directions to the Battle Monument, then it follows that a simple request for money must also be permitted.  We either have First Amendment protections, or we don’t. Well, in Vermont we don’t. It is just that simple.  Increasingly, speech is being silenced.

In addition to legal issues, this law that is under consideration, shows a mind-numbing lack of humanity.  It exposes the hidden hatred toward the less fortunate.  Can anyone deny that these are hard times. People are hungry and homeless.    

The reason that this is on the agenda is because, to quote the Better Bennington Corporation: “It puts our worse face forward”.  The official policy is that that the poor should be hidden and invisible.  Where is our compassion?

This erosion of rights will continue as long as we are silent. Is there anyone out there who can be present at the meeting? Citizens better speak up before it is too late…maybe it is already too late.

 

Oh, we’ve got a good one for you tonight. As you may recall, the town of Berlin (strategically tucked between Montpelier and Barre) is home to the aptly-named Berlin Mall, whose anchor tenant is a Walmart store. A modestly-sized outlet by the discounter’s gargantuan standards. Well, it plans to expand the store by roughly 50%, which the owners of the Berlin Mall think is just fine and dandy.

This has been in the works for the past two years. But late last month, the mall applied for a tax break from the town of Berlin.

And Berlin said yes. The Town Select Board approved the deal on a 3-1 vote this week. (Warning: Article safely ensconced behind the Mitchell Family Paywall.)

Specifically, the town has granted Berlin Mall LLC a five-year “tax stabilization” deal. Instead of the tax bill going up by 100% as soon as the addition is completed, the bill will increase stepwise in annual increments of 20% — not reaching the full 100% until five years have passed.

Exsqueeze me, but I always thought the purpose of tax breaks was to attract new development — projects that wouldn’t otherwise happen. Well, we all know that’s usually a load of hooey anyway. But in this case, nobody’s even pretending that the tax break is necessary. It’s just a nice little gift from the taxpayers of Berlin to the owners of the mall.  Town Administrator Jeff Schulz, who supported the tax break, admitted:

“I think these folks clearly would have done this project if the (stabilization) program did not exist,” he said.

To which I can only respond: WTF?????

In 2011, the town’s voters gave the Select Board the power to grant tax breaks “in hopes of encouraging investment and luring jobs,” according to the Times Argus. The tax stabilization, in Schulz’ own words, “could provide incentive to get someone to do a project where they might not have.”

But but but… you said yourself that the Mall “clearly would have done this project” without the tax break.

And another town rolls over on its belly, giving a free gift to a developer who doesn’t need it.

My congratulations to Jeremy Hansen, the only Select Board member who voted “no” to this senseless giveaway.  

A piece of very good news for Vermont’s environmental community was announced earlier today.

Two organizations that are particularly near and dear to me, the Vermont Natural Resource Council  and Vermont Conservation Voters (formerly the League of Conservation Voters) have joined in a strategic partnership in order to more effectively pursue their shared mission to protect and preserve Vermont’s most valuable resources, its natural environment and sustainable communities.

VNRC, the state’s oldest Vermont-based statewide environmental group is known for its well-researched advocacy and focus on public education and citizen involvement. VCV has a legal structure that allows it to donate money to legislative candidates, lobby full time at the State House, and hold elected and administrative officials accountable for their votes.

I take particular pleasure in this announcement,  as I have the honor of serving on the board of the LCV.

The structure of the new union maintains each body as a separate entity with overlapping boards and a single Executive Director, Brian Shupe.  

Shupe is already well-respected for his leadership role at the VNRC, and is a perfect fit for the culture of both organizational bodies.

Why, after decades of independence, have these two notable non-profits chosen to make this move?

Beth Humstone, Chair of the VNRC’s Board of Directors explains it this way:

“We need to develop new strategies to meet new challenges and we think partnerships that can expand our impact are key,”

She joins VCV Chair Stark Biddle in emphasizing that the new relationship should bring greater power to the messaging of all Vermont’s many valuable individuals and organizational entities that labor to see Vermont accept a  leadership role in proactive efforts to meet our challenging resource future.

“We have big energy and conservation challenges – perhaps bigger and more complex than ever, and a closer alliance between these two groups, with their complementary missions, will be critical for the coming decades,” Biddle said.

As we embark on a new legislative session, let’s hope that this strategic alliance will bring new energy to the agenda for a sustainable future.

“So, what do the people in this shithole ville do for a fun night out, raghead?” the thin one demands.

The raghead doesn’t answer.

“The special,” says the fat one. “They all come out at night for a big pot of that goddamn eggplant special.  Right, raghead?”

The raghead can’t answer.

“How ’bout this shit?” the fat one says. “Raghead here thinks he’s a smartass.  Is that what you think, raghead?  That you’re a bright boy?”

The raghead looks down and then at the other villagers gathered near him.

“Know what I think, raghead?”  the thin one says.  “I think you know where this Fahran is.  I think he’s not going to show with the heroin.  Is that right?  Bright boy?”

The raghead still doesn’t understand.

“Maybe this Fahran is a bright boy too.  Maybe he went to Sweden with the heroin.  Became a Swede.” The fat one spits.  The fat one is getting mean.  He wants to kill.  Someone, anyone.  All of them.

“Well, bright boy, raghead, whatever your name is,” goes the thin one, “guess this is your lucky day.  You and your whole raghead burg.  Come on, let’s go,” he says to the fat one.

“What?” says the fat one.  “We’re just gonna leave this shit?  That H is big money.  I’m pissed.  We need to finish up here.  I’ll bet the bright boy is a talker.  Knows why we want Fahran.  What’s the matter with you?”

“I’m just sick of killing ragheads, that’s all,” says the thin one.  “It isn’t fun anymore.  I’m all emptied out inside from it.”

“Well, hell” says the fat one, and turns his weapon on the group of villagers and empties his clip.  Four dead, including the bright boy raghead, and three wounded.  The rest run off.

“You just had to do that, didn’t you?” says the thin one.  “Couldn’t leave it alone.”

“That’s me all right,” answers the fat one.  “I leave things alone, some bright boy raghead will think he’s got the cojones to do me.  I ain’t getting paid enough for that.”

“Shit.  Let’s just go,” says the thin one.  And they do.

“You know,” the fat one says to the thin one as they head back to base camp, “I think you’re becoming a pussy.  I think you want to get a pussy medal.”

“You think too much.  You talk too much too,” says the thin one.

“Yeah,” says the fat one.  “I’m gonna write a book when I get back home.  Call it Afghanistan Ain’t For Pussies.  Make a million bucks.  What do ya think?”

“You do that,” the thin one replies.  And just then, the thin one steps on a small anti-personel mine.  He’s blown back on his back, stone dead.

“Sonofa!…” the fat one swears from a crouch.  “Fuckin’ ragheads!”  He does a three-sixty with his weapon.  “Nuthin’,” he spits.  He looks at the thin one’s body.  “And if you weren’t such a pussy there’d be none of them left to pull this shit.  Bastards!  Well, I’ll be back tomorrow, and I won’t bring any pussies with me.  Get all the bright boys.  And the bright bitches.  And that fuckin’ Swede, Fahran.”

The fat one roots through the thin one’s fatigues.  He takes the thin one’s cigarettes and watch and money and papers.  In the papers there is a photo of a beautiful young blonde woman.  He turns the photo over and reads: “Montpelier, Vermont.  Hmmm…Well, maybe you weren’t such a puss after all,” he says to the thin one’s body.  “Maybe I’ll look this little number up for you when I get home.  Vermont?  Hope she don’t turn dyke before I get there.  Well, there’s ways of fixin’ that.  Hope she likes war stories.  I’ve got plenty.”

And the fat one walks away toward the base camp, leaving the thin one’s body for the med team.  He’ll get the LT to send the Blackhawks to that village and go back the next day along with a full platoon to finish it up.  Make sure.

In Vermont, right this moment, the beautiful young blonde is finishing a letter to the thin one.  All about love and the fall colors and the plans she’s made for them.  She’ll mail it today.  And in a week or so, maybe less, the fat one will have it in his hands.

A couple of months from now, the fat one will get off a plane at the airport in Burlington, Vermont.  After that, it will just be another war story.  Hardly anyone will notice a thing.  What do ya think?

Peter Buknatski

Montpelier, Vt.

“

I have to add this embed of  the entire forum, as carried on the Fairewinds.org website.  It was a very compelling event that should not be missed.

Lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident: A Panel Discussion from Fairewinds Energy Education on Vimeo.

And, from the Department of Duh! this updated update:  

After all that has transpired in the unfolding disaster, you well might ask what finally mobilized this belated appeal?

Over the weekend, human error caused another halt of cooling water injected into the destroyed Unit 1 reactor and knocked out systems designed to decontaminate radioactive gases in Unit 1 and Unit 2… Officials have acknowledged that the ground water has been contaminated with radioactive leaks which been leaking into the Pacific since soon after meltdowns following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

For the benefit of those of us who can’t make it to Wednesday morning’s four hour (9:45 AM – 1:30 PM) forum at the Gardner Auditorium (Massachusetts State House) in Boston on the future of nuclear energy,  I am posting the link that has been provided for a live web cast of the event.

This will be a unique opportunity for the public to hear from and engage directly with some key figures of the post-Fukushima nuclear world.  On the program are former NRC Chair Gregory Jackzo, former NRC Commissioner Peter Bradford, former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, and Arne Gundersen of Vermont’s own Fairewinds Associates.

As devastation from Fukushima continues to unfold in slow-motion, new perspectives on the impacts of radiation, inadequate engineering, failed containment and waste storage are coming at us every day, in anything but slow motion.

Failure to apprehend the message could cost us our planet.

It’s too much information without a guide; and it has everything to do with making our future both safe and energy secure.

You won’t want to miss this web cast and may find yourself referring to it frequently in the future.

News comes that General Vo Nguyen Giap, one of the founders of Vietnam and one of the greatest military heroes of the twentieth century, has died at the age of 102.

As reported in the Washington Post, Giap started his guerrilla army in 1944 with thirty-four men and a handful of weapons. It took him ten years to drive the French colonialists out of Vietnam, then another twenty-one to defeat the American imperialists.

He said: “The United States imperialists want to fight quickly. To fight a protracted war is a big defeat for them. Their morale is lower than grass. . . . National liberation wars must allow some time — a long time. . . . The Americans didn’t understand that we had soldiers everywhere and that it was very hard to surprise us.”
To at least one U.S. military commander, this strategy was apparent even in the early years of American involvement in the hostilities. Marine Corps Gen. Victor Krulak, in a 1966 memorandum to President Lyndon B. Johnson and Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara, wrote that Gen. Giap “was sure that if the cost in casualties and francs was high enough, the French would defeat themselves in Paris. He was right. It is likely that he feels the same about the USA.”

Ever since the war reactionary elements in the United States have argued that just a greater commitment to victory, or a more ruthless approach to the enemy, could have assured us of victory. General Giap's determined history, starting with thirty-four men and growing to command millions, shows that that was far from the truth.

You should read the rest of the story in the Post, or any of the other stories about his death. One thing is clear, though: Americans value liberty, freedom from oppression, and resistance to conquest. Therefore, he should be recognized as a hero here as he is in Vietnam.

The Lady and the Police Chase

It was a very hot summer afternoon in 1972. I was heading for home on a quiet country road in south Jersey. I was tired and hungry after working all day. My 4 year old daughter was sitting in the back seat quietly reading a book. When I saw that there was a police road block ahead, I pulled into a driveway and turned around, intending to take an alternate way home. I did not want to be delayed. Suddenly my rear view mirror was filled with a rainbow of red and blue flashing lights. Sirens blared.  I pulled over and was immediately surrounded by police.  They wanted to know why I was trying to avoid the road block.  I pointed to a small brown paper bag on the passenger seat.  The officers’ eyes grew wide.  I showed them the contents of the bag.  It was a container of cole slaw from the Cape May Deli.  I did not want it to spoil in the heat.  The officers seemed confused, but allowed me to go on my way.  That was many decades ago, and in family history the Cole Slaw Caper was all but forgotten… just another fun day at the Jersey Shore.

The events in Washington brought back memories of that day.  I could not help but recognize similarities… a mother with a daughter in the back seat…similar ages… a police chase.  The Washington events though were very different. Imagine a mother in a car that is under attack by a large group of armed men in high tech military gear.  Fight or flight syndrome would certainly influence the response of any mother with a child in the car.  

Many questions remain.  It appears that Miriam Carey was driving in unfamiliar territory. She was possibly lost. Maybe confused. Maybe distracted… any mother who has ever driven with a child in the back seat will understand that.  Why was it necessary to shoot and kill her?   Why was the car not stopped in a less deadly manner?   Will the Press ever ask those questions?

Why are police departments all over the country being militarized?  Is this a ploy to ‘use up’ military equipment, further enriching the MIC? Is it really necessary to send in a swat team to arrest a kid with pot?

Small town and rural police departments are being militarized all across the country.  At the same time, many citizens have increasing concerns about rumors that FEMA camps are being set up to imprison all of us. Remember the lyrics: “…Paranoia strikes deep…”.  Conspiracy theories abound.  High levels of stress and challenges to mental health are a part of every day life.  This is a perfect storm.  Citizens are buying up guns and weapons.  We now have a domestic arms race –  an arms race in our neighborhoods.  We are all less safe.  

Most police officers are honorable and professional. Some are not. Some, a few, become police officers because they are trigger-happy. The police should never shoot to kill an unarmed person. It is happening with increasing regularity.  And almost always, it is excused. No one is held responsible.  

There is now an 18 month old girl who will grow up without her mother.  Who will be prosecuted? Anyone?  In a way, we all have some responsibility here for the culture we have allowed to go on unchallenged.  

Police departments should not be military organizations.   They should be ‘safety officers’ – keepers of the peace.  Right now the United States is on a death spiral.  Do we have the political will to turn things around?  Probably not.

Rosemarie Jackowski is an advocacy journalist and peace activist. She is author of Banned in Vermont.



   

My small business was hired to record a hearing next week held by one of the federal government agencies.  But, thanks to the anti-American radical extremists of the GOP, I am out $650. That was half of my rent for November.  Now I am screwed and I have no idea how I am going to make it up.

Republican politicians are terrorists, they will stop at nothing to damage America. That has been their top priority since 1980.

Obama, Leahy, Sanders, Welch! Don’t negotiate with terrorists!

Talking Points Memo and other sources are reporting that a Ku Klux Klan rally scheduled for Saturday at the Gettysburg National Park has been cancelled because of the government shutdown.

In related news, the Republicans in the House of Representatives have passed a piecemeal bill that would restore funding to the national parks, including Gettysburg.

Any chance they can still salvage that Klan rally, you think?