American: The only label that counts
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Last week our Editorial Board wrote an excellent editorial about the passing of the Greatest Generation and the efforts of the Honor Flight to transport WWII Vets to Washington DC to visit the memorial erected in their honor.
From the editor: The last milk run
The milkman's on his way at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury
When I was a lad growing up in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania during the early 1960s, I remember the Freeman’s Dairy milkman making his neighborhood rounds driving a nifty, red Divco stepvan with quaint little bifolding side access doors.
Public or private career?
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
In a recent conversation with my predecessor, former Denton Publications’ Publisher Bill Denton, we compared the differences of operating a private sector company in his era (1960 through the late ’80s) compared to today.
Put politics aside and govern
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
One of the great benefits of putting my thoughts in print for more than 100,000 readers each week is the response I get.
From the Editor: Bernie vs. the Gang of Eight
Washington's controversial immigration reform bill
If U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) votes for the Gang of Eight immigration reform bill, S-744—named after the eight powerful senators who crafted the controversial bill—it will be because resistance to special interest forces is often futile. We already assume Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) will support the bill.
‘I am not a crook’
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Perception, intention, power, arrogance, authority and many other character qualities become a part of actions that, to one person, cross the line yet to another do not.
From the Editor: Sophie's Choice in Vermont
"Death with Dignity" law signed by Gov. Shumlin
There’s something unsettling to me about feeling good about living in a state where a law that legalizes assisted suicide—“death with dignity”—is being considered as a social and medical advance by some.
Second terms and three strikes
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Is it just that the lure of a second presidential term is so unlike anything else that administrations will do anything to secure it?
From the Editor: Jim Cleaveland and his merry men
You’re never too old to adopt a superhero as your very own. My guy has always been Zorro, the fictional character of books, movies, and television, created by Johnston McCulley back in 1919.
Truth or consequences
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Back in the 1950s, “Truth or Consequences” was a popular television show where contestants received roughly two seconds to answer a trivia question correctly before “Beulah the Buzzer” sounded.
From the editor: A capital idea
It occurred to me recently that the only way ‘we the people’ might be able to regain a voice in the running of our republic is to move our nation's capital.
The era of rage
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
We see it on the highways. It’s becoming more apparent in politics these days.
More taxes and Montpelier’s budget mess
From the editor
Chalk it up to visionary author Robert A. Heinlein’s 1941 prediction of America’s Crazy Years coming true, or just another one of those upside-down socio-political happenings, but our post-2008 penchant for raising taxes, without either curbing spending or welcoming new business, has infected nearly all legislatures in the New England states. It’s ironic that this is occurring in a place where a tea party and “no taxation without representation” started a revolution.
Common sense, political convenience
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
It almost boggles the mind how quickly our elected officials can move when properly motivated and when, in their collective judgment, know they must act.
EDITORIAL: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of journalism
From the editor
As a community journalist, it’s especially nice to hear from readers who have something nice to say about something I wrote in the newspaper. It’s rare, but when it happens it makes “one of the worst 10 jobs in America” seem worthwhile. (I’ll explain about that shortly.)
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