( – promoted by odum)

Cross-posted from Rational Resistance.

You have to read this article from this week’s New Yorker. It’s more than a profile about Alberto Mora, who just left his job as general counsel for the U.S. Navy. The article is a profile in courage of a man who came to his job as a conservative, a Reagan Republican, yet who instantly had the correct reaction when he learned of torture at Guantanamo. He did everything he could to stop it, challenging his boss and pushing his point so hard that the bosses who run the Defense Department just cut him out, all the while lying to his face.

There are three important things that this article confirms. First, it shows us that it’s possible to find someone with radically different political views who is yet utterly committed to principle and the rule of law. People like that are scarce in the Bush Administration, and they’re clearly trying to squeeze them out, but they’re still there.

Second, as the actual memo makes clear, no matter what the Administration says, and no matter what games they play about adopting policies, or crossing their fingers when they sign legislation, the United States has a legal obligation to follow the provisions of international law that prohibit torture, and that the government actors who are ordering and condoning it are potentially liable criminally.

Third, there is no question about aberrant conduct by rogue elements in the armed forces. Torture is the policy of the United States government, and that policy has been set in the Defense Department and the White House. This is simply intolerable.

The New Yorker, and Jane Mayer, are to be commended for the courage to publis this article.

Wannabe Congressional candidate Mark Shepard is enraged that Vermont Senators think it appropriate to thank Bernie Sanders and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for their efforts to bring 40% discounted fuel oil to Vermonters living in poverty.

It’s a simple ‘thank you’ forgawdssake!  Was Mark in the woodshed when his mother was teaching polite behavior?

Would he rather poor Vermonters freeze to death?

Barbara

The polls are now closed, and the results of our utterly unscientific poll for the Democratic nomiee for President at this, GMD’s 1-week anniversary are as follows:

Click below to continue…

No small coincidence that the last two candidates who visited Vermont are two of the strongest finishers (Feingold and Edwards), but the strength of Feingold’s win (over 50%) sends a strong message. Also finishing well was new national Dem-darling, former Virginia governor Mark Warner. Not doing so well was Senator Clinton, while Senators Biden and Bayh received absolutely no love at all from readers.

Thankd for participating! We’ll wait a little while before doing this again, but by all means discuss your choices and pitch the other readers on your pick…

The Brattleboro Reformer reports today that Maya Costley of Saxtons River was inspired by Newfane’s Town Meeting Impeachment Resolution previously discussed by Ed, and is pushing for a similar measure to be placed on a special election ballot in Rockingham. This is turning into a movement, and there is likely to be more news in coming days. Stay tuned.

The multi-partisan Burlington City Council is expected to unanimously urge a “no” vote for a Town Meeting ballot item urging the council to work to keep the Vermont Air Guard from being deployed overseas from their base at the Burlington Airport.

Looks like Bush’s poll numbers are down to 39% approval in New Hampshire.

Mass Gov Mitt Romney is trying new flashy programs to cover his poor record of job creation in the state and salvage his presidential dreams (chuckle). It seems the only reason the unemployment rate has dropped is that 40,000 people have left.

New York AG and gubernatorial hopeful Eliot Spitzer comes out foursquare behind the “morning after pill.” (This as the new US Supreme Court is set to overturn precedent by taking a case that could limit or outlaw abortions as early as 12 weeks…here they go, folks)

Although I’ve only lived in Vermont a couple of years now, I have observed a few campaigns and I’ve noticed a pattern of what I called “playing the insiders game” instead of making appeals to the general public with an agenda, platform, well thought out message or even ,God forbid, “idears” to use a Howard Dean word. Anyone NEW with new idears, new blood is ostracized.

In that context, I submit the newspaper article below from today’s Bennington Banner newspaper about some of the familial relationships of the insiders who run this county. 

Lets play that high school game of “who knows who”……..INBREEDING at its BEST…….( “Deliverance” music playing in the background)  …. i know, i know, this is “just how it works” (or doesnt) around here. . . . .;-)~
Bennington Banner newspaper article here [http://www.benningtonbanner.com/headlines/ci_3530806]

Local relationships

Bennington

Tuesday, February 21
  More than 50 people in municipal government in Bennington County have some relation to another person in elected or appointed office, according to an analysis by the Banner. Sometimes, these connections are through a person’s immediate family; the links may also cross municipal borders. In rare cases, two people from the same family sit on the same board or commission.

  a.. Select Board member Lodie Colvin’s husband, James, is town moderator.

  a.. Town Clerk and Mount Anthony Union School District Clerk Timothy R. Corcoran’s wife, Linda, is a justice of the peace. Their son, Timothy R. Corcoran II, is a state representative.

  a.. Select Board member James A. Gulley Sr.’s nephew, Robert Sherman, is a Mount Anthony Union School Board member.

  a.. State Rep. and Select Board member Joseph L. Krawczyk Jr.’s cousin, Albert, is a justice of the peace.

  a.. Retiring Select Board member and School Board member Michael L. Lochner’s wife, Peg, is chairwoman of the School Board.

  a.. Town Manager Stuart A. Hurd’s wife, Justine, is a justice of the peace.

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  Dorset

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  a.. Justice of the Peace Margery Freed’s husband, Walter, is a member of the Vermont Liquor Board.

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  Landgrove

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  a.. Cemetery Commissioner James Ameden’s wife, Josephine, is the civil defense officer.

  a.. Cemetery Commissioner John E. English’s wife, Mary, is a Planning Commission member, Zoning Board of Adjustment chairwoman and a School Board member.

  a.. Planning Commission member and Zoning Administrator Steven Hall’s wife, Greta, is a School Board member.

  a.. Town Clerk Casey Henson’s husband, Craig, is a Select Board member and assistant forest fire warden.

  a.. Select Board member Sarah Ishu’s husband, Albert, is a Board of Library Trustees member.

  a.. Town Agent W. Byrd LaPrade’s wife, Fay, is a justice of the peace.

  a.. Auditor Anne McClaran’s husband, Tim, is a Planning Commission and ZBA member.

  a.. Retiring Lister Michael Mole’s wife, Margaret, is an auditor, and Planning Commission and ZBA member.

  a.. Justice of the Peace Sheila Ogden’s son, John, is Planning Commission chairman and a ZBA member.

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  Manchester

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  a.. Assistant Town Clerk Jeanne Clark’s husband, John, is a Planning Commission member.

  a.. Justice of the Peace Cynthia Kilburn’s husband, Douglas, is Cemetery Commission chairman and a water commissioner.

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  North Bennington

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  a.. Development Review Board member Jonah Thiem’s wife, Julianne, is a retiring Prudential Committee member.

  a.. North Bennington Auditor Katherine “Kiki” Traver’s husband, Jon, is a Tree Committee member.

  a.. David Monks is a member of the North Bennington Board of Trustees. David’s wife, Rachel, is chairwoman of the North Bennington Planning Commission.

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  Peru

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  a.. Town Clerk and Town Service Officer Tracy Black’s husband, Charles, is a retiring Select Board chairman and Fire Department chief.

  a.. Townscape Preservation Board member Susan Bradford’s husband, Peter, is a ZBA member.

  a.. Planning Commission Chairman and Auditor Paul Martin’s wife, Adele, is a Townscape Preservation Board member.

  a.. Treasurer Karen Utiger’s husband, David, is a ZBA member.

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  Pownal

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  a.. Select Board Chairman and Zoning Administrator Nelson Brownell’s wife, Cynthia, is School Board chairwoman, E911 coordinator, a grand juror and a trustee of public monies.

  a.. Auditor Clinton Hutchins’ wife, Gudrun, is a School Board member.

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  Readsboro

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  a.. Select Board Chairman Teddy Hopkins’s brother, Larry, is a School Board member.

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  Rupert

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  a.. Select Board member, a weigher of coal and fence viewer Edward Lewis’ daughter-in-law, Kelly, is an auditor.

  a.. Select Board Chairman, Fire Warden and Tree Warden Mark D. Lourie’s brothers are Jeff, a second constable, and Michael, a Volunteer Fire Company treasurer. Mark’s sister-in-law is Jane Lourie, a School Board member and library trustee.

  a.. Select Board member Thomas Wilson’s brother, Jay, is road commissioner.

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  Sandgate

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  a.. Retiring Treasurer Valerie dePeyster’s sister, Suzanne, is chairwoman of both the Planning Commission and ZBA, pound keeper, BCRC representative, Green Up Day coordinator and a fence viewer.

  a.. Select Board member, Cemetery Commission member, and Inspector of Wood and Lumber Al Roy “Leroy” Gattlin’s wife, Jane, is a lister.

  a.. Auditor, Conservation Commission member, and Justice of the Peace Phoebe Sheres’ husband, Julian, is a lister, E911 Coordinator, and BCRC representative.

  a.. Select Board member Richard Zoppel’s wife, Jeanne, is a School Board member, lister and Lothar Wuerslin Scholarship Committee member.

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  Searsburg

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  a.. Town Agent Stanley Florence’s wife, Marjorie, is a justice of the peace. Their son, Andy, is also a justice of the peace.

  a.. Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Lister Josephine Kilbride’s husband, John, is a constable and tax collector.

  a.. Select Board member Gerald Lind’s wife, Sherrie, is a lister.

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  Shaftsbury

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  a.. ZBA Chairman and Justice of the Peace Gary A. Burgess’ wife, Cathy, is also a justice of the peace.

  a.. Justice of Peace Joseph Coonradt’s wife, Elaine, is a lister. Their son, Jay, is first assistant chief of the Fire Department.

  a.. Planning Commission member and Cemetery Commission member David Mance’s son, Trevor, is a Solid Waste Task Force Committee member.

  a.. Town Moderator Thomas J. Dailey’s wife, Marna, is a justice of the peace. Marna’s brother, Arthur, is chairman of the Economic Development Committee.

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  Stamford

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  a.. Conservation Commission member Robert Barlow’s wife, Barbara, is a library trustee.

  a.. Select Board member, Assistant Civil Defense member and Town Service Officer Sheila G. Lawrence’s father-in-law, Stanley, is a Conservation Commission member.

  a.. Administrative Officer, Planning Commission member and BCRC representative Ronald W. Plock’s wife, Paula, is a library trustee.

  a.. Select Board member Bruce C. Robare’s father, Edward, is a Cemetery Commissioner and Board of Adjustment member.

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  Sunderland

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  a.. First Constable Jesse Stone’s sister, Sally, is a justice of the peace. Their mother, Rose, is also a justice of the peace.

  a.. Planning Commission member Bruce Whitaker’s wife, Fran, is also a Planning Commission member.

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  Winhall

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  a.. Moderator Paul Carroccio’s wife, Carol, is a justice of the peace.

  a.. Tree Warden and Second Assistant Fire Chief Stuart Coleman’s wife, Barbara, is a Recreation Committee member.

  a.. Planning Commission member Patricia Glabach’s husband, David, is a ZBA member and acting health officer.

  a.. Town Clerk, Assistant Town Treasurer and Town Report Committee member Elizabeth Jenks’s father, Lawrence, is forest fire warden and town service officer.

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  Woodford

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  a.. Treasurer, Assistant Town Clerk, Trustee of Public Funds, Lister and Justice of the Peace Ron Higgins’ wife, Maureen, is the delinquent tax collector.

  a.. Woodford Select Board member and Trustee of Public Funds Neil M. Hoag’s brother, Gary, is a forest fire warden. Neil’s sister-in-law, Susan, is a cemetery commissioner.

  a.. Constable Richard “Rick” Jones’s wife, Lori, is an auditor.

  a.. Town Clerk and Lister Aileen O’Neil’s daughter, Maureen, is a School Board member and justice of the peace.

  a.. Select Board member and Trustee of Public Funds Stephen J. Wright’s mother, Erma, is a member of both the ZBA and Planning Commission and a justice of the peace. Stephen’s sister-in-law, Lauri Wright, is a ZBA and Planning Commission member.

I’ve been thinking about this since I heard last week, and I want to write some more on the topic of the Progs and the Dems, but I do have some initial thoughts.

First, like many people in the state, I got an e-mail from David a couple of months ago asking for my views on whether he should run, and I spent a month starting to write, letting it sit for awhile, going back to it, and I finally finished it and sent it off a couple of days before his announcement. I don’t flatter myself that I had anything to do with his decision, but he did what I was hoping he would do.

With regard to this particular choice, my concerns were both that we would lose David as a progressive voice in the State House, which would be a great loss, and that a three-party race would make it more likely that the Republican candidate would win. In a two-way race I think Peter Welch is hard for any of the declared Republican candidates to beat. Not impossible–Peter has to run a great campaign to win it–but he’s got the inside track.

When I’ve talked to Progressives about their role, and it happens a lot, it seems to me that they have one point exactly wrong. What I’ve heard from Progressives is that by staking out a position to the left of the Democratic Party they are creating pressure for the D’s to move to the left so as not to lose the Progressive voters. I don’t see why this should be so. It has seemed to me that the D’s will never get to the left of the P’s, so that giving left voters a non-Democratic Party alternative to the Republican candidate pushes the D’s to the right (or “toward the center” as some might say) because that’s the only place we’ll find the voters that won’t go to the Progressive. As I say, this seems to be the opposite of what they want to do, but the logic of winning elections seems to force that result.

I’ve started spending some time reading the platforms of the Democratic and Progressive Parties, and I want to think some more about where they are compatible and incompatible, but I do think that it is incumbent on all progressive people in Vermont to address our shared goal of a more progressive future.

Oh, yes, and there’s one other thing. Having made this pragmatic decision, I think David Zuckerman and his supporters are well within their rights to  expect a more progressive impetus from the statewide Democratic Party in this year’s campaigns.

I saw Russ Feingold in Brattleboro with Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch a few weeks ago.  This was a great event and Senator Feingold was impressive.  Although the attendance in Brattleboro was good for this event, it isnt often that Democrats and Progressives in Vermont get an opportunity in VERMONT to see a Democrat of national stature like Senator Feingold.  When national figures like Feingold visit Vermont, we need to do everything we can to come out, show up, engage, and participate including car pooling, phoning others to turn out, etc.  Lets let the rest of the nation know that Vermont is a hot bed for democracy and we wont allow the country to go down the sewer without a fight!

FINALY FINALLY FINALLY – The Dems are starting to unite around Howard Dean on IRAQ!  Its about time!  Here’s a link to an article in today’s Boston Globe Newspaper:

The following appeared on Boston.com:
Headline: Democrats may unite on plan to pull troops
Date:  February 20, 2006

“WASHINGTON — After months of trying unsuccessfully to develop a
common message on the war in Iraq, Democratic Party leaders are
beginning to coalesce around a broad plan to begin a quick withdrawal
of US troops and install them elsewhere in the region, where they could
respond to emergencies in Iraq and help fight terrorism in other
countries.”
____________________________________________________________

To see this recommendation, click on the link below or cut and paste it
into a Web browser:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/20/democrats_may_unite_on_plan_to_pull_troops?p1=email_to_a_friend

I consider myself a Progressive Democrat and worked on the Howard Dean Presidential Campaign in New Hampshire.  I also worked for Bill Clinton’s Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, as a personal aide.  I helped found the Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts and I am finding many Dems in Vermont to be DINOs  – Democrats in Name Only…..they are Republican lite.  This is disconcerting to me, given this is that state that hatched Howard Dean.

This is a companion diary to the Presidential Primary straw poll at the left hand of the front column. The list is only of candidates who are actively “exploring” the race and doesn’t include any “dream” candidates. There is no “other” option, cuz I ran out of slots for poll answers…

Please use the diary to discuss your choice (or the lack of choices, depending on how you may feel about these folks).

Here are exploratory committee links (so far…I’ll keep updating):

Evan Bayh
Joseph Biden
Wesley Clark
Hillary Rodham Clinton
John Edwards
Russ Feingold
John Kerry
Bill Richardson
Tom Vilsack
Mark Warner