Minor setback for the Randy Brock campaign: he’s had to cancel a planned fundraising event due to extreme cluelessness.

As reported by the Vermont Press Bureau, Brock was planning to tap into the deep conservative well of the Northeast Kingdom later this month with an event at a lovely little B&B:

A Facebook posting today from Brock’s fund-raising guru, Darcie Johnston, asked prospective voters: “Want to support Randy Brock for governor? Plan on attending this event at the Wildflower Inn.”

Hmm, Wildflower Inn. Ring a bell?

Located in bucolic Lyndonville, the establishment earned some unwanted notoriety last year when the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the owners for refusing to host the wedding of a lesbian couple from New York.

Oh, THAT Wildflower Inn. Apparently someone (probably the Vermont Press Bureau) pointed this out to Randy & Darcie. And the event was quickly canceled.

Brock and Johnston swear they had no idea about the inn’s baggage. Brock says the fund-raiser wasn’t organized by his campaign but by some supporters.

“Now that I’ve been made aware of this pending case, it would be inappropriate to hold an event at a place with a cloud like that hanging over it,” Brock said this afternoon.

Nice move, throwing your “supporters” under the bus. But really, two prominent political Vermonters had no idea about the inn’s baggage? They ought to get out more often, maybe read a paper once in a while.

And on a more serious note: This is why campaigns typically have full-time paid staff. Randy Brock’s campaign is staffed by fee-for-service consultants. Which means nobody’s keeping track of these little details. Y’know, spend five minutes Googling all your candidate’s upcoming appearances, and you won’t be embarrassed like this. By depending on consultants, Brock’s leaving himself vulnerable to these kinds of snafus.  

George W. Bush has surfaced in the news speaking at a forum sponsored by the George W. Bush Institute. Bush got over his reluctance to weigh in on issues since leaving office and spoke in New York City in favor of tax cuts for the rich – or as he now says “the so-called rich.”

“I wish they weren’t called the ‘Bush tax cuts,’ ” he said of the tax rates set to expire at the end of the year. “If they were called some other body's tax cuts, they're probably less likely to be raised.”

Bush, whose time in office among other things included two long deadly wars and the country’s deepest recession, claimed he didn’t miss being President; however:

"I enjoyed it; it was an unbelievably interesting experience," then he added [perhaps after some thoughtful introspection], "It was inconvenient to have to stop at some stop signs – stop lights – coming over here, but I guess I miss that."

It only takes a short speech and a couple of news stories to get a rapid reminder of what an awful jackass he was and still is. The President responsible for starting the war in Iraq guesses he misses being able to drive though stop lights. Well, Cheney got a new heart since leaving office but Bush is obviously still trying to function with the same brain.  

(Bumped. Guest book available on the link to leave your thoughts and remembrances.   – promoted by kestrel9000)

Obituary Julie Waters

(Bumped. Also see Vermonster’s recommended diary. Bulk of content moved below the fold.   – promoted by kestrel9000)

by Dan DeWalt

Its time for Vermonters to draw the wagons into a circle.  Aided and abetted by the NRC, Entergy Nuclear of Louisiana is trying to crush state sovereignty in the federal courts. Salivating in the wings, Monsanto is now threatening to sue the state because House bill H722 calls for honest labeling of genetically modified (mutated) food. The legislative leadership is faltering and Monsanto’s bullying threats may prevent the bill from getting to the governor’s desk.

This Saturday, April 14, from 12-2, Governor Shumlin, Senator Sanders, Attorney General Sorrel, along with other legislators and representatives of citizen groups, will be joining with Vermonters at the Brattleboro Commons to declare our solidarity as a state and to make it clear that we will only increase the pressure on Entergy to shut down VY before an accident shuts it down for us. The people have already shown their support for the state on the first day that Entergy operated VY without its license. Now our government representatives will be joining us to show America that Vermont stands united and will not back down in the face of corporate intimidation. This is not a struggle of activists or malcontents. This is no less than an existential struggle for the right of states to govern themselves.

Corporations are used to throwing their weight around using vehicles like the WTO, GATT or NAFTA, to decimate environmental, labor and health/safety laws in underdeveloped countries. Now they want to do the same to us. Vermont, with its long history of true democracy, clear thinking, pragmatic idealism and community values poses a threat to the juggernaut of profit-making at all costs which has become the norm (along with extreme weather events) marking our brave new world: government of, by and for the corporations. If Vermont successfully saves itself from the hazards of nuclear pollution, if we become the first state in the nation to label GMO foods, we would pose a threat to more than just the profits of particular enterprises. Across the country, from Progressives to Tea Party groups, Americans are sick of the self serving plunder-fest that the 1% try to pawn off as a viable economy. Successful actions in Vermont could trigger something much bigger. The power elites will stop at nothing to crush this resistance to their unbridled power.

The governor’s participation is a strong sign of his continued leadership in this struggle. It is also an acknowledgment of the hard work that citizens have done independently of state actions. He and the other elected officials know that only by a highly visible unified effort, combining the legal system, legislative action and citizen actions, can we hope to prevail against the threat we now face.

Under the Statehouse dome last Monday morning,  the governor addressed a conference of high school students who want to make a difference in the world. He frankly laid out the failures of our current generation of leaders (himself included) to realistically assess and address the threat of climate change. He outlined the new thinking that will be necessary for us to develop a strong local economy that promotes local foods, local businesses and a green energy future.  He challenged them to join him in taking the initiative and welcomed the leadership role that their generation will have to play.

In the meantime, our work must continue. Saturday’s rally is an embodiment of the efforts of citizens to create a vision of a Vermont that no longer allows corporate America to dictate the terms of our lives, safety and future. We have to create a new paradigm that controls how we are governed. We have to craft a way that our government, backed by the indomitable will and muscle of the masses, can exercise its sovereignty in spite of federal meddling on behalf of the corporate and financial sectors. We have to let abominations like Monsanto and Entergy understand that no amount of bullying or intimidation will stop us from passing laws that act in the interest of Vermonters. And if the legal system undermines our rights, we the people will follow the example of Ethan Allen (as engraved in marble in the halls of the Statehouse) and resist by all means necessary until the Constitutional powers of the state have been restored.

Bernie’s voice will also be welcomed at the rally. But as well as appreciating his words of support, why not press him to use congressional power to help the cause? Congress gave the NRC its mandate. Over time, the NRC has shown itself to be a cheerleader, not a regulator. Why not demand that Congress revisit the NRC mandate? Why not demand that safety be acknowledged as a legitimate concern of states and citizens? Why not hold hearings forcing the NRC to justify some of its most astounding rulings that have benefitted the nuclear industry to the detriment of citizens? Our state legislature may be momentarily stymied by the power of Entergy, Monsanto and others, but there is no excuse for Bernie, Peter Welch or Patrick Leahy not to be acting on Vermont’s behalf in Washington D.C. right now.  President Obama’s nuclear policies have been influenced by the political contributions of the nuclear industry. That doesn’t mean that Welch and Leahy need to remain silent team players while their state is twisting in the wind.

Although we have done great work in the last few years to support the state of Vermont, this is no time to rest on any laurels. It is time to increase the pressure on all fronts. On Saturday you can show your appreciation of our representatives while making it clear to them that their (and our) work has only begun.

 

Here comes Vermont’s Most Media-Friendly Economist*, Art Woolf, trumpeting another study of our state’s economic health. This time, it’s his annual study of housing affordability in Vermont. And he comes bearing good news:

*i.e. attention whore.

The share of median family income needed to make the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in the state fell to 13.1 percent in 2011, Westford economist Arthur Woolf said Monday. 

That’s the lowest percentage in the 25 years Woolf has tracked housing affordability.

Only six years ago, at the height of the real estate boom, that figure was 19 percent. Since then, housing has become ever more affordable. Great, yes? Well, yes and no. I see a couple of significant issues.

First, every housing transaction has two sides. Cheap home prices are good news for buyers but bad news for sellers, who were hoping for a better return on what is (for many) their primary long-term investment. (To be fair, other factors are at work: low mortgage interest rates play a big part, as does median household income.)

Second, and to my thinking much more serious, is buried in the ninth paragraph of the Rutland Herald’s story:

Woolf’s analysis only looks at median income of married couples.

Oh, so this is a study of the Leave it to Beaver segment of the housing market, as pictured nearby. No single-parent households, no consideration of the rental market — which, taken together, account for a substantial majority of all housing transactions.

Even if you want to exclude rentals from consideration, the omission of single-parent families is a serious one, says Sarah Carpenter of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency:

She said based on Woolf’s analysis home buying may be “mathematically cheaper,” but VHFA sees “continued barriers …for those who need to qualify for mortgage insurance and are being asked to come to the closing table with higher down payment and may have lower median incomes because they’re single heads of households.”

Mr. Woolf’s study may have some usefulness despite its shortcomings, but it really cannot be called a study of housing affordability in Vermont. Its focus is far too narrow for that grand appellation.

Even so the top line was sufficient grounds for Vermont Tiger’s Geoffrey Norman to seize upon the study and jump to a politically expedient conclusion:

Good news.  But one strenuously doubts that it will quiet the pleas of the affordable housing lobby for more funding … and ever more funding. 

Er, sorry, but no, Geoffrey. The fact that purchase prices are low for two-parent families has no bearing whatsoever on the need for affordable housing. There remains, in many parts of Vermont, a significant shortage of low-priced homes and rental housing. Art Woolf conveniently excludes all of that from his consideration.  

Power Reactor Status Report for April 10, 2012

Vermont Yankee 32

April 9, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 8, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 7, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 6, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 5, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 4, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 3, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 2, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 1, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

March 31, 2012

Vermont Yankee 99

March 30, 2012

Vermont Yankee 67

March 29, 2012

Vermont Yankee 33

March 28, 2012

Vermont Yankee 31

March 27, 2012

Vermont Yankee 31

March 26, 2012

Vermont Yankee 94

March 25, 2012

Vermont Yankee 94

March 24, 2012

Vermont Yankee 93

March 23, 2012

Vermont Yankee 96

March 22, 2012

Vermont Yankee 98

March 21, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/…

More:

My my. Appears that shortly prior to the scheduled closing date & VY’s big 40, going forward VT’s lone reactor has been on a seemingly wild rollercoaster ride as power has been up & down, but no news updates such as the progress of the laborious process of scraping the glue off of the thinning condenser tubes which were bubblegummed with glue, er, ‘epoxy’ to prevent leakage, or whatever the trained professionals are doing, that I have seen since the initial problem was reported:

Problems With Yankee’s Condenser Resurface

Thursday, 03/15/12

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail…

The latest trouble at the troubled plant (that we know of), the condenser, a main component the size of a three-story sized house filled with pipes has been behaving poorly, much like its owner Entergy Louisiana. After pipes were coated with the epoxy, some diffuculties with the condenser resurfaced & power was reduced [emphasis added]:

(Smith) We’re seeing a loss of efficiency in our condenser. It’s due to what’s called air in leakage. It’s air that’s getting into the whole condenser system which shouldn’t be there[..]Meanwhile, Yankee is still trying to figure out what’s wrong with the condenser. The NRC says a leading theory is that epoxy coating used to control leaks may be reducing the ability of condenser tubes to convert steam back to water.”

From 100% to 31%, back to full power, now down to 32%. What a present. Happy 40th VY.

*partial crosspost

Today we have a chance to expand our forest conservation efforts while also helping preserve the culture of the Abenaki in Vermont.

The Abenaki people are the original Vermonters, and they are facing a tough situation. While two tribal groups are recognized by the state (and two more are seeking recognition in the General Assembly this year), they have no land and no source of revenue. As a result, these tribes face high rates of poverty. Tribal forests can help change that and protect our state’s natural and cultural treasures.

Sign the Vermont Sierra Club’s petition today supporting the new and innovative concept of tribal forests in Vermont by going to the below link:

http://action.sierraclub.org/s…

Over the past year, we, the Vermont Sierra Club, have been working hard to establish town forests as part of the Our Forests, Our Future campaign.

Our campaign has formed a partnership with the native Nulhegan and Elnu Abenaki tribes of Vermont to not only to help preserve their forests, but also their culture.

These tribal forests will conserve wildlife habitat and build and protect paths for animal migration. Most importantly, tribal forests will allow the Abenaki to provide firewood for their elders, food for their families through hunting and fishing, and give tribes sources of revenue through sustainable forestry and maple sugaring.

Tribal forests, like town forests, will advance our conservation goals and support the social and economic progress of the tribal community. To secure support for these forests, we need your help. Sign our petition today by going to the below link:

http://action.sierraclub.org/s…

By signing this petition, you will be adding your name to those in Vermont, who like yourself, value our environment and believe we should allow the Abenaki the means to take care of their people.

Sign the petition and let Governor Shumlin know that we support tribal forests!

Solidarity,

David Van Deusen

Conservation Organizer

Vermont Sierra Club

GOVERNOR PETER SHUMLIN, U.S. SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS

(I-VT) AND

ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM SORRELL TO SPEAK AT

RALLY TO SUPPORT VERMONT AND DEFEND DEMOCRACY

An unprecedented number of groups and citizens from Vermont and surrounding states will gather on Saturday, April 14, from noon to 2:00 pm on the Brattleboro Vermont Town Common to show support for the democratic will of the people and elected officials of Vermont to retire and decommission the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor as planned rather than extend its original 40-year license.  Organizers say the fight to hold a rogue corporation accountable and support the will of the people is an important exercise in democracy.

 

Vermont has asserted its authority to close the aging, problematic reactor, owned and operated by the Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), on the basis of economic and environmental considerations. Other states are following suit.

“If Vermont wants to move to energy efficiency and sustainable energy,” Senator Sanders has stated, “no corporation should have the right to force our state to stay tethered to an aging, problem-ridden nuclear plant.”  

Statements by former Vermont Governor Madeline Kunin, Ralph Nader, and elected officials from around the region will also be issued and available on the website.

“People coming to the rally will learn how important it is to support the right of Vermont — and of all states — to uphold existing laws and the democratic will of their people against “big nuclear’s” abuse of corporate power,” event cosponsor Ned Childs, President of the New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution (NEC), based in Brattleboro but representing several states, said.

“The Sierra Club supports Vermont’s efforts and its citizens’ desire to protect our precious natural resources, specifically preventing further radioactive contamination of the soil, air, and water surrounding the Vermont Yankee reactor,” event cosponsor Denis Rydjeski, local Sierra Club leader, said.

“It is in Vermont’s best interest to hold Entergy accountable to begin decommissioning the reactor immediately since so many jobs will be retained in the process and plans for productive reuse of the site can move ahead,” cosponsor Daniel Barlow, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), representing 1180 Vermont companies, said.

“The fight to retire Vermont Yankee is a symbol of the growing national momentum to close all 23 antiquated and faulty Fukushima-type reactors like Vermont Yankee that are still operating in the U.S. today,” cosponsor Jim Riccio, Greenpeace, said.

The rousing, twelve-piece, afro-beat orchestra Fenibo will provide music at the rally, which will also include other family-friendly entertainment.  Co-sponsoring organizations will have information tables with representatives available to answer questions. Plenty of ice cream will be on hand for all to enjoy.

The Saturday, April 14 rally follows a successful March 22 midweek march of over 1,200 people from the Brattleboro Common to local Entergy offices, with related actions that same day at Entergy offices in White Plains, New York (near Indian Point reactors) and Entergy corporate headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The rain location for the rally will be Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd, Brattleboro, Vermont.

April 14 rally sponsors include: Citizens Awareness Network (CAN), Safe & Green Campaign, Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), Nuclear Free Vermont, Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance (VYDA), New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution (NEC), Beyond Nuclear, Greenpeace, SAGE Alliance, Vermont Citizen Action Network, Vermont Toxics Action Center, The Enviro Show, Clamshell Alliance, Sierra Club, Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), Connecticut River Watershed Council, and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR).

See updates at:

www.safeandgreencampaign.org and www.Facebook.com/shutdownVermontYankee

# # #

( – promoted by kestrel9000)

all the ghosts

of all the good people

we never got to know

meet with all the sunsets

we never got to watch

where they dance and sing

beyond time and dreams

if we stop and listen

we can hear them

even in everyday forgetfulness

they whisper a remembrance

of all that was good in them

and all that is good in us

through all that is bad

they are with us still

to be haunted by them

is life’s embrace

all its love and hope

thoughts and sunsets

we must return this embrace

and never let go

Peter Buknatski

Montpelier, Vt.

Now you see it, now you don’t. Here’s your $6 million; I’ll put it under one of these three cups. Now I shuffle them around. Okay, where’s the money? If you can guess, it’s yours.  

Last week, Entergy filed a statement with the Vermont Public Service Board agreeing to comply with the requirements for its recently-expired license while the board considers whether to okay continued operation of Vermont Yankee. VTDigger, April 3:

The filing states: “Entergy VY agrees with the Department that 3 V.S.A. § 814(b) applies and that, pursuant to that provision-which keeps intact Entergy’s existing certificates of public good pending the Board’s determination of Entergy VY’s petition for a certificate of public good authorizing post-March 21, 2012 operations-Entergy VY must comply with the conditions in the existing certificates of public good that the Department lists at pages 7-9 of its cross-motion.”

Those conditions include paying into the [Clean Energy Development] Fund, which has received around $6 million each year from Entergy through a generating tax.

Seems simple, no? Entergy agrees to meet the terms of its license, including the $6 million annual payment.

Oops, sorry! That cup is empty! VT Digger, April 9:

Last week, a spokesman for Entergy told VTDigger.org that a story stating the company’s filing meant Entergy would continue to make payments to the fund “got it wrong.”

And Entergy has failed to make a scheduled April 1 payment of $625, 000, thus winning the prize for Worst April Fools’ Joke, 2012. The Vermont Department of Public Service is not amused; it made a filing on Monday stating that “it is clear that Entergy is attempting to limit the concessions it made in its April 3 response.”

A polite way of saying, “Well, apparently Entergy was lying.” Especially since it had already failed to make its scheduled payment when it issued that smiley-faced April 3 filing. DPS now expects Entergy to argue that it does not need to fulfill its $6 million obligation because its memorandum of understanding — like its license — expired on March 21. And DPS cries foul:

That argument, the department claims, doesn’t fly. In essence, if the plant is operating on an expired license, the expiration dates on the obligations in the license don’t expire either.

“Entergy cannot have it both ways,” its filing states.

In a response to the DPS filing, Entergy says it will post its payments into an escrow fund, and won’t turn the money over to the state until the Public Service Board rules that VY can continue to operate.

The shell game starts to smell like blackmail.