Dear Editor, This week, President Trump will take a break from brooding over his election loss to pardon two turkeys. Every one of us has that same awesome power to pardon an innocent, sentient bird by choosing a plant-based roast for our Thanksgiving dinner. The 222 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year are…

By Bill Bender What, isn’t Vermont “green?” Of course it is, right? Wrong. Green Mountain Power, which is owned by a Canadian natural gas distributor and supplies 70% of Vermont with electricity, claims that its energy supply is 94% carbon free and more than 63% renewable. This sounds great, except that 95% of this electricity…

By Angelo Lynn Gov. Phil Scott’s decision to ban inter-household gatherings, while allowing schools to remain open and limited access to restaurants and bars, prompted rare public pushback among Vermonters who have been model citizens in obeying the dictates Vermont has successfully imposed since the pandemic’s outbreak in March. Numerous letters across the state’s media outlets attest…

Dear Editor, The year 2020. What a year. The pandemic has forced all of us to look closely at our place in the world. Last year at this time, we only saw masks at the dentist or in the operating room. Today, a mask is part of our wardrobe. A year ago, we were shaking…

Dear Editor, A C-Span caller voiced her fear that Democrats would get rid of Medicare and Social Security.  An article about Black men who support Trump mentioned concerns that Biden would cut Medicare and Social Security.  I’ve heard the same in everyday conversations. That level of ignorance by people who care about these programs is…

By Angelo Lynn “The war for truth is now the war to preserve our democracy,” is how New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman summed up the state of the union in the wake of Trump’s defeat and his willingness to fabricate falsehoods about fraudulent votes and rigged elections. Friedman’s fraught warning has been five years in the…

By Dr. Joshua White “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds,” Theodore Roosevelt said. And so, the second wave of Covid is upon us. As I write…

By Marguerite Jill Dye, Killington I never knew I craved normalcy To such an extent, to such a degree. But suddenly, I’m finding myself Heaving sigh after sigh of needed relief. Your calm, steady voice and healing words, Spoken directly from your heart, Soothe my soul, calm my nerves, Alleviate headaches, lower blood pressure. I…

Dear Editor, Thank you, people of the Windsor County Senate District, for re-electing us as your State Senators. Your trust is an honor, and a challenge to be worthy. We’re grateful to the many people who’ve worked to re-elect us, and we thank our various opponents for a civil contest in these uncivil times. We…

Dear Editor, I’m writing in awe of the incredible response to the GMP Food Challenge recently held on behalf of the Vermonters who rely on the Rutland Community Cupboard. With Covid-19 forcing this wonderful annual community event into a virtual one this year, we had no way to know how this might go — but…

Dear Editor, Thank you to all who took the time to vote in this year’s general election. As you know, it was a record turnout for Vermont with approximately 80% of registered voters participating. Hats off to our town clerks and their election teams for the job they did preparing for this year’s election with…

Dear Editor, From the bottom of my heart, I say thank the residents of Rutland County for electing me to be one of your next senators. I am beyond grateful for your trust in me. I am overwhelmed by the support of thousands, and I promise not to let you down. This campaign, and victory,…

By Rep. Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney) On Nov. 3, Vermonters spoke loud and clear. In a stunning rebuke of the status quo, the Vermont Legislature will have new leadership when it convenes in January due to the current Lieutenant Governor, President Pro Temp, Speaker of the House, and Progressive House Caucus Leader not returning to Montpelier.…

By Lynn McNamara Several years ago I made a decision that came as a surprise to many of my friends and family. I was going to start hunting deer here in Vermont. As a lifelong animal lover and considered the family “tree hugger,” this desire to hunt seemed to some to be at odds with my…

By Leo Pond The Supreme Court case titled Roe v. Wade was decided on Jan. 22, 1973, the primary holding in summary was that a person may choose to have an abortion until a fetus becomes viable, based on the right to privacy contained in the “due process” clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Viability means…