Yearly Archives: 2012

The Most Typical Political Event

9/20/2012 – 2:06 pm

If you follow the presidential election and have a pulse, you know Vermont is one of the least battleground states in the country.  Mitt Romney was here recently, not to campaign, but to prep, at the home of former Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, for his debates vs. President Barack Obama.  His motorcade got stuck […]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Electoral Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Grandkids

9/13/2012 – 2:01 pm

It’s mid-September and scientists are floating around the Arctic, something far easier to do this year than ever before.  Other scientists are far away, peering at satellite photos and maps.  They’re all doing the same thing: trying to gauge the minimum extent of the north polar icecap. This is the week every year when the […]

By floegel | Posted in Commentary, Global Warming | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

The Second Spring

9/6/2012 – 3:05 pm

Some gardeners refer to September as “the second spring.”  The heat and dry dust of summer has passed, rain returns and fast-growing plants like lettuce can be sown and brought to table before the first frost does them in.  Or so we’re led to believe.  A phrase from Grace Paley, “green as green September” returns […]

By floegel | Posted in Commentary, Global Warming | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Shakespearean Outlines

8/30/2012 – 2:45 pm

First, let me admit I was wrong.  Last week I predicted that incumbent Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell would defeat challenger TJ Donovan by five percentage points in the Democratic primary.  Actually, Mr. Sorrell won by fewer than two points.  I was right about Mr. Donovan winning the city of Burlington (home to both men) […]

By floegel | Posted in Commentary, Electoral Politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Undignified, Discourteous

8/23/2012 – 7:58 pm

Two months ago I wrote about the only political race of interest in Vermont – the Democratic primary for attorney general.  Primary day is Tuesday and a race I described as “dignified and courteous” eight weeks ago is now anything but. Fifteen-year incumbent Attorney General Bill Sorrell, 65 and Chittenden County State’s Attorney TJ Donovan, […]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Electoral Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Keep Language Meaningful

8/16/2012 – 9:31 pm

Car owners in Vermont are required to have license plates on the front of their car(s).  There are exceptions.  In 2009, drivers could display a Lake Champlain 400th anniversary plate.  (The lake is actually much older, but it’s been 403 years since the white folks showed up and we tend only to celebrate ourselves.) Now […]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Global Warming | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Cops Gone Wild

8/9/2012 – 1:04 pm

There are police departments, I’m sad to say, that you just don’t want to associate with.  I travel around a good bit and I really want nothing to do with the NYPD, Metro DC, LAPD, San Francisco PD (don’t be gulled by the city’s peace and love reputation) and NOPD (which officially stands for New […]

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