Thanks to Tom’s Astronomy Blog for the pointer:

About a month ago, in the midst of a frustrated picque, I launched the Facebook group 1000 Vermonters for change. Y’all remember that, right?

The big dynamic that works against us in trying to take the Governorship is, as often mentioned, the primary election, coming so close as it does to the general – especially if you feel, as many of us on the left and engaged with the netroots do – that a primary contest is an absolute necessity to put together the voter interest and media attention necessary to win in November, as well as to have an opportunity to choose the best candidate, rather than have one chosen for us by the political illuminati (such as they are) or simply by default. And one way that it hurts us is by leaving little time for raising competitive funding after spending on a primary battle.

So, here’s my solution. I’ve created a Facebook group: 1000 Vermonters for Change. My goal is to get 1000 people to join over the next year – 1000 people who commit to sending a $100 contribution to whoever wins the Democratic primary, the day after the primary election. That’s $100,000 and its a pretty big boost.

Well, I’m thrilled to report that we’re already over 20% of the way to our goal, with well over a year to go. The group’s membership continues to tick upward steadily, and currently stands at 210 members. Add in the 4 who indicated they were signing up but don’t have Facebook user accounts, and its at 214. That’s already $21,400 pledged to the winner of the Democratic primary the day after that winner is chosen, all to help do what we can to mitigate the drawbacks of a primary, leaving us to benefit from the necessary advantages that such a contest provides.

Good stuff. And thanks to everyone who has stepped up to the plate thusfar. Hopefully we’ll see some of you at the big Hamburger Summit next weekend in Montpelier (aka the “Bloggers Barbeque,” which isn’t just for bloggers, y’know.)

(thanks for the update BP!)

Quick Diary ACTION ITEM: GMD has been a great place to follow the proposed expansion of ATVs onto public lands. Check out

BP’s

ATVs on state land and a Free Press puzzle

and Left Field’s

Wild Matters: Ban ATVs on State Land

and

Activist Malpractice: VNRC

Though I read these thoughtful pieces, I did not register that the public comment period remains open only til today June 22. So if you haven’t yet, please weigh in at

ATVRULE@state.vt.us

thanks and enjoy a peaceful summer

What if you knew her/ And found her dead on the ground / How can you run when you know? — Neil Young, “Ohio.”

In 1970, American folk/rock singer, Neil Young, sang his timeless tribute to the four students who were killed while protesting the American invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Neil Young's song, “Ohio,” reminds us of the Kent State Massacre on May 4, 1970, a terrible event that sparked a national uprising against the United States government and the Nixon Administration.

I thought of Neil Young's song yesterday, June 20th, when I first saw the video of Neda Soltani's tragic death. The uncensored video is something most Americans, safe in their homes, do not want to see because it is considered “too graphic.” Yet I watched the video of her death over and over again, knowing that, as upsetting as it is to watch a young woman die so suddenly, it is a responsibility to do so in order to see the face that shows us the real cost of freedom. Neda, whose name was still unknown to the world on the day she died, shows us the unrelenting truth of the sacrifice of Iranians during this hopeful, courageous and inspiring struggle against their government for a freedom they deserve.

From Drop Box

On May 4, l970 members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine Kent State students. The impact of the shootings was dramatic. The event triggered a nationwide student strike that forced hundreds of colleges and universities to close.  

When I searched for a video of Neil Young singing, “Ohio,” I was fortunate to find a live taping from 1989, shortly after the Tiananmen Square protests. Young introduces the song, saying, “This is a song for the students killed in China this summer.” These were the students who sat in peaceful protest against their government until they were shot or run over by tanks. They, too, will always be remembered.

Today, one day after Neda's sacrifice, I extend this tribute to all people who have dared to stand up in protest in their struggle against oppression. I humbly hope that the people of the world will see the true sacrifice for freedom in Neda's face, and in the struggle of Iranians today.

The image of Neda will forever join the image of a fearless Chinese student standing down four army tanks in 1989, and of a 14 year-old girl kneeling over the body of a slain student at Kent State University.

*

…and the latest buzz to reach my ears is that former executive director of Vermont CARES Tim Palmer is also talking to folks about jumping into the Lieutenant Governor pool. Is this becoming a free for all? Palmer, who has run unsuccessfully for State Senate at least three times since 1998, would have an awfully rough time establishing statewide name recognition with the heavy hitters he’d likely be facing, but could conceivably compete for Chittenden primary voters against Flanagan (if he also gets in), which would be good news for Floyd Nease (who is definitely in).

He’s gonna have to get “timpalmervt.com” unhacked, though (probably shouldn’t check it out to see what I mean…there might be something malicious… currently, it bears the message “Team Users : CIGLIK – Real_Karizma – GiX – NiqhT – inSuLiN_20mg – XJaDeX – BY K@RT@L – REDWHiTE- Zombie – G@MMBeT”).

You want real medical care reform? You can’t HANDLE real medical care reform, and just to save you from yourself the politicians will side with big corporate insurance!

But the Times/CBS poll found 85 percent of respondents wanted major healthcare reforms and most would be willing to pay higher taxes to ensure everyone had health insurance.

(Wide support for government health plan: poll, LA Times, 06/21/09)

REMEMBER: This is not somebody else’s job! It is up to those of us who provide male role modeling to show non-violence is desirable, practical and efficacious. Step up dad … and do your part today.

The inspiriation for A Fathers’ Day for Peace comes from the Million Man March and Mothers’ Day (which originated as a Mothers Peace Day Observance).

“We will break up any protest that comes, because no protests have been allowed,” said the national police spokesman. (Boston Globe, 06/21/09)

No, we’re not talking about Iran at the moment (although the current protests in Iran do warrant a great amount of illumination, discussion and support). Look much closer to home, in the Caribbean, Haiti specifically.

Shortly after the British colonies became the United States, a second nation clawed and fought its’ way into independence from a European overlord. In 1803 Haiti dragged itself out from under the thumb of a then crumbling Napolean inspired French empire.

Unfortunately for Haiti, its’ revolution was one of slaves against slave master, and that was directly counter to the prevailing national mood in The United States. As a result the French, with backing from Thomas Jefferson that was designed to facilitate the Louisiana Purchase that same 1803, were able to force a huge financial reparation from the newly freed slaves.

Since those days, we have been feeding Haiti a steady diet of dominance enforced by periodic invasion. Even the 2004 coup against Aritide was fueled by US supplied weapons and training provided to corporate backed thugs and murderous faux revolutionaries headquartered in neighboring Dominican Republic. And it provided a perfect excuse for another invasion of Haiti.

Some other examples: U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Haiti, 1915-34 as presented by the US State Department. CIA collusion with outside invaders as presented by the CIA.

We’re not even touching on the multiple pro-corporate, anti-people economic acts that have been perpetrated in our names against the good folk of Haiti.

And the Haitians are still there, still being violated by the United States … we who were the first nation in the western hemisphere to throw off European dominance in pursuit of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” standing on the necks of the second nation to do so.

Sunday June 21 is the longest day of the year, the Solstice.

And it looks like it’s going to be a really long day for politicians and activists who like to keep up.

You could start the day at 1 pm at state Senator Ed Flanagan‘s brunch at the seventh-floor townhouse he shares with his spouse Eric Lustgarten in  the big, newish lake-view building at Main and Battery St. in Burlington. There’s no fundraising or political pitch in the invitation, but it is likely that Ed (the former bulldog Auditor) will announce that he is at least “exploring” a run for Lt. Governor.

Former Governor Phil Hoff and his wife Joan are hosting a fundraising do for Doug Racine at $250 and $500 per, though it’s actually at the home of Rep. Joan Lenes on Governor’s Lane in Shelburne.

Deb Markowitz has sent out invitations to her fundraiser happening the same day, reportedly featuring former Governor Madeleine Kunin and a bevy of other high-powered and well-heeled women, including foundation-connected Crea Lintilhac, who donated over $25k to various campaigns last year, and Billie Gosh, Vermont’s genetically double-X DNC delegate, and Burlington developer Melinda Moulton. [Update: Invitations are out, but the event, I’m now told, is WEDNESDAY the 24th from 5:30-7 pm]

A little lower down the political ticket is the annual Solstice gathering at Franklin County Senator Sara Kittell‘s home on the Chester Arthur Road in Fairfield. She and lawyer-husband Bill have hosted the potluck get-together for years. Kids, dogs, food, beer, wine, neighbors, friends, family, politicians and all start gathering around 5 pm and party into the dark, at the first sign of which, fireworks (of the backyard variety) appear. A fun time is had by all.

Green Mountain Boys’ and Girls’ States begin sessions this year on the Solstice and run through Friday. It’s a nonpartisan practice run for a select group of high school kids on civic involvement, including running for office (sponsored by the American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary). The boys are conferencing at Lyndon State College (Northeast Kingdom) and the girls are caucusing at Castleton State College. (In the far distant past in another state, I went to such a session, where I was the speechwriter and campaign manager for the successful Girls’ State gubernatorial candidate).

I’m sure there are more political events out there for the Longest Day. Please feel free to add the ones you know about.

Oh, yeah, can’t forget: It’s also Father’s Day. It may not be political for most of you, but don’t forget to thank him for being a mensch.

Word is that former State Auditor and current Chittenden Senator Ed Flanagan will announce at a brunch tomorrow that he will be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.

Flanagan would enter a Democratic field that has already begun to fill, with House Majority Leader Floyd Nease reportedly already fundraising and putting together the fundamentals of a statewide campaign.

In addition, there continues to be speculation about current State Auditor Tom Salmon‘s ambitions. Junior Salmon has been keeping a high political profile of late, going as far as to attempt to insert himself into the recent budget battle between the Governor and the Legislature. Salmon has contracted with the nascent consulting firm of Theseus Advisors, which is the collective shingle of Burlington-area political usual suspects Selene Hofer-Shall and Jake Perkinson. That strikes many as a lot of firepower early in the election cycle for an Auditor re-election campaign.

So it seems likely that there will be a primary for Lieutenant Governor as well. The question remains as to whether the winner would face incumbent Republican Brian Dubie, or whether the rumors are true and Dubie will opt not to run again, passing the Republican institutional blessing to Barre Mayor Thomas Lauzon as his heir apparent.

Flanagan was, of course, the subject of an unflattering piece in Seven Days which lead with an extensive, generally anonymously-sourced indictment of his competence in office since his brain injury years back. While the latter part of the piece presented much on-the-record defense of Flanagan’s performance, it was clearly the intention of the article to raise the very doubts and concerns it could not meaningfully corroborate. It was not the usually dependable Ken Picard’s finest reporting hour.