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.)
Life in a dangerous world
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
While the events of last week continue to unfold it reminds us how fragile life is and how quickly our lives can be turned upside down in the mere blink of eye.
Living the lockdown life in America
Guest Viewpoint
While watching coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, I couldn’t help but notice multiple uses and variations of the word “lockdown” (e.g. “Boston is locked down”).
The pettiness of politics
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
United States politics is one of the biggest money businesses in the world.
EDITORIAL: Dignity and the land
From the editor
When hard times arrive, as they have for generations, some Vermonters have turned to the land for help.
Editorial: Saluting Vermont’s Korean War vets
From the editor
It’s both sad and ironic that during this year, the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Korean Armistice Agreement, leaders of the “Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea” have announced that their nation has scrapped its non-aggression pact with South Korea and her allies.
Real life and sports
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Last week the news was a buzz with the now-disgraced basketball coach at Rutgers University, Mike Rice, who was fired for physically assaulting and verbally abusing his players
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