Opinion

For opinion pieces on any topic.

An American Team Won a World Series Another American Team Helps Saudis Slay Yemeni Children for $

by jay janson | Op/Ed

For three and half years, the Saudi’s have waged a horrendous war on Yemen. They have slaughtered tens of thousands of Yemenis – according to the UN Human Rights Commission more than 50,000 children died by Saudi air raids with UK supplied bombs, and US supplied war planes – through lack of sanitation and drinking water induced diseases, like cholera – and an even worse crime, through extreme famine, the worst famine in recent history – as per UNICEF / WHO – imposed by force, as the Saudi’s with the consent of the European allies closed down all ports of entry, including the moist important Red Sea Port of Hodeida. Khashoggi versus 50,000 Slaughtered Yemeni Children

No To Out-Of-State Political Donations

by Lise | Politics

This week, I got an email from David Zuckerman complaining that an out-of-state organization is supporting his opponent in the Lt. Governor’s race here in Vermont.  The organization is the National Association of Realtors and they are supporting his opponent because he is in favor of Act 250 which regulates development.  Now, I don’t blame Zuckerman for being annoyed by out-of-state people trying to influence our elections.  It never seems fair when people with no direct interest in our politics try to use their money to affect the people we elect and the issues we support.  But it’s also disappointing to see people on the left doing exactly the same thing. 

GOP Has No Plans for Elderly Americans

by tomaidh | Economics

Republicans have never liked Social Security, going all the way back to August 14, 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. For decades, congressional Republicans, rigorously supported by Republican presidents, have been attempting to steal the trillions from the “lock-box” of the self-sustaining Social Security Trust Fund.

The principle message of Social Security’s opponents, perpetrated since Roosevelt’s signature was dry, is the blatant lie that the checks are handouts forced from unwilling taxpayers. In reality, these payments come from the workers’ own earnings with 6.2% of gross withheld and deposited in special mandated savings accounts authorized by the “Federal Insurance Contributions Act” (FICA).

Early/Absentee Ballots in Brattleboro, Voter Registration and Town Clerk Hours

by Not Signed In | Politics

Early/absentee ballots for the General Election to be held on November 6, are now available in all Vermont town clerk’s offices. Anyone wishing to vote prior to November 6, may apply for an early/absentee ballot until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5.

Early/absentee ballots may be voted in person in the clerk’s office, mailed to the voter by the clerk’s office, picked up by the voter or if a voter is in need can be delivered to the voter’s residence by two justices of the peace. All voted ballots must be received by the clerk before the polls close on election day in order to be counted. For more information or to request an early/absentee ballot in Brattleboro call 251-8157.

9/11

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

Today is the anniversary of  9/11

“we are far from understanding all that happened on that fateful day”

Here’s what they say happened:

Why Not Deny A Quorum?

by cgrotke | Politics

I’m curious. If the Democrats are against the the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, why didn’t they just walk out of the hearing and deny the Republicans a quorum? Sticking around enables the proceedings to continue.

Seems like they shouted for a few moments at the start, then fell right into line, leaving all disruption to regular folks getting arrested every hour.

Poor John McCain Bombed Women and Children and “I Was Following Orders” Is Not a Legal Defense

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Majority Humanity, especially people whose 3rd World countries have suffered bombing by Americans, as did Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Syria, Guatemala, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Panama, Grenada should take carful note of the adulation awarded a pilot, like McCain, who dutifully bombed cities with women and children in a non-Caucasian nation, for some time soon there will be a reckoning.

Nostalgia

by tomaidh | Politics

Remember “W”? Ten years ago he was the worst president we’ve ever had.
He started two wars he couldn’t win in Iraq and Afghanistan which destabilized the Middle East and left it in a state of civil wars. While he was doing that, he pursued economic policies that led to a worldwide financial implosion. He lied about “weapons of mass destruction” and the connections between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, etc., etc.

Motion of No Confidence

by tomaidh | Politics

A motion of no-confidence, alternatively vote of no confidence is a statement or vote which states that a person(s) in a position of responsibility (government, managerial, etc.) is no longer deemed fit to hold that position, perhaps because they are inadequate in some respect, are failing to carry out obligations, or are making decisions that are otherwise detrimental.

As a parliamentary motion, it demonstrates to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in (one or more members of) the appointed government.

Unofficial Brattleboro Primary Results

by Not Signed In | Politics

Good evening,

Please see the attached for the “unofficial results” for Brattleboro Primary Elections. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, and not including other towns’ results for the State races.

Arguments For Free Parking In Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

I’m going to argue for free parking in Brattleboro.

The main reason we have to pay for parking here and not in most other towns in Vermont is to pay for our parking meters, parking enforcement, and parking infrastructure. Other than helping to pay for parking lot paving and snow removal, this is a silly, unnecessary burden for locals and visitors, and could instead be money spent in downtown stores.

Public Notice, Progressive Party

by spoon | Politics

The Brattleboro Town Committee of the Progressive Party will meet on Monday, August 13, 2018 at 145 Green St, 4:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting are nominations for District 1 (Windham 2-1) House Representative. The public is welcome.

Brattleboro August 14 Primary Election Information

by Not Signed In | Politics

Below is information that might be helpful to know for August 14thPrimary elections.

Polling place for all three districts in Brattleboro is the Selectboard Meeting Room, second floor of the Municipal Center, 230 Main Street, Room 212, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.

The center rows of the parking lot at the Municipal Center will be reserved for voters on election day.  There are handicapped parking spaces close to the back entrance.

Corporate Deregulation

by tomaidh | Politics

Trump is heading full steam toward neoliberal corporate deregulation. This leads to a breakdown of democracy, to increasing fundamentalism and violence, and to the rise of far-right political leaders, worldwide.

It is important that we see the broader connections that mainstream analyses generally ignore.

Armageddon

by tomaidh | Rumors

From the intro to “Armageddon”, a 1998 science fiction disaster film:

“At a time when the dinosaurs roamed a lush and fertile planet, a piece of rock just six miles wide changed all that.

It hit with the force of 10.000 nuclear weapons.

Windham 2-1 Forum on August 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Hooker Dunham Lobby

by Not Signed In | Politics

The Brattleboro Town Democratic Committee will be holding a forum for candidates seeking nomination by the Democratic party to run for the Windham District 2-1 seat in the Vermont House of Representatives on Friday, August 3 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hooker-Dunham lobby.  There is no charge to attend.

At the event, citizens can bring questions about any matter which will be offered for time-limited responses.  The event is expected to last one hour, so attendees can step outside and enjoy Gallery Walk at 5:30 p.m.

Candidates Night: Library Edition – Live Stream

by Brooks Memorial Library | Politics

Dear Brattleboro Community,

We are pleased to share this live stream of our program tonight, for any of you who could not make it here in person! BCTV could not make it tonight, so this is all we will have. After it is over, it will stay on our Facebook page, where you will be able to find it under “videos.” Enjoy!

Predict Wayne Estey Will Win Also

by DonInGuilford | Op/Ed

Not based on numerology, but based on the new science of nomenology, which I just invented for this posting. And well, maybe he’ll just make a more-than-could-have-been-expected good showing, but let’s think outside the envelope or whatever and give things a shake-up.

OK, so I noticed that this candidate, who is challenging incumbent Windham County Senators in the August 14 Democratic Primary, is named Wayne Vernon Estey. Lot of Waynes out there, but I figure with his middle name being that of one of the towns in the district, that gives him an edge in Vernon.