Every year, voters elect one or more school directors to serve as trustees on their behalf. It is a great responsibility to serve. Boards ensure achievement for all students in their district, while assuring voters they receive an excellent return on their investment. What we don't hear enou…
Elayne Clift's commentary extolling "necessary acts of rebellion" brings to my mind the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, which was such an act of rebellion. And it was privately supported by millions of Americans, probably a majority, if we are to believe the polls showing former President Donald…
Over the past several years, the hoarding and neglect of dogs, horses and goats has repeatedly come to the attention of Vermonters through word of mouth and media coverage.
Legislators representing central Vermont unveiled a comprehensive flood relief bill today, aiming to bolster support for communities ravaged by the 2023 flooding and landslides. This omnibus legislation, tentatively titled the Flood Recovery Act, signifies a proactive Legislature seeking to …
As one who has enjoyed folk music for many decades, I want to take the time to thank and appreciate Art Edelstein for his great service to the community. As one who has enjoyed listening to the likes of Tom Rush and Joni Mitchell at the folk clubs in Cambridge, to having the pleasure of hear…
Nikki Haley’s fumbling of the slavery question reminds me of an incident I experienced while conducting a tour of the State House. I talk about abolition and Vermont’s role in the Civil War while giving these tours. One day, a gentleman from Alabama interrupted me. “Why do you Northerners al…
The Republican debate yesterday between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis demonstrated typical party avoidance of the gun-violence issue in America, despite the proximity of yet another school shooting in Perry, Iowa, on the day prior to the debate.
Jeb Wallace-Brodeur's photo of ice crystals in Wednesday's edition was so stunning and riveting, I just had to write once again to acknowledge his artistry. What a gift we have every day he appears on these pages capturing the treasures of our local world.
On Nov. 28, Sen. Peter Welch released a statement calling for the then-temporary Israel/Hamas ceasefire to be extended. Thanks to Sen. Welch for his action.
Many of us place candles in our windows for Christmas as part of our holiday decorations. They add a warm glow and feeling to the season and make the houses look cheerful and inviting. Soon after New Year’s, most people take them down, along with the other decorations, returning the windows …
Thank you, John Nassivera, for an erudite and useful illumination of the close relationships between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs — genetically, linguistically and biblically.
U.S. complicit
I just finished reading the Dec. 29 edition and was more disturbed than usual by Danziger’s “cartoon.” In the guise of a cartoon, he spreads his antisemitism with a sharp knife.
The calls for a unilateral Israeli ceasefire in Gaza not only fail to see the cause of this conflict, but they also fail to recognize the agency of the people of Gaza.
For the benefit of the former governor of South Carolina:
Democrat Shenna Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state, recently decided to remove Donald Trump’s name from the ballot. I find this highly ironic. In 2020, when Ms. Bellows announced on Twitter that she had voted for Joe Biden, she included the hashtag #LetThePeopleDecide. So the people should …
Most of us believe that businesses have the right to make a fair profit on whatever it sells, but not to price gouge just because they can.
Sen. Sanders’ initiative helps move us away from participation in the seemingly intractable Hamas-Israel war. He introduced a Senate resolution that promises some help in what appears an unsolvable issue.
In light of the recent L.A. Times piece asking 'Why does Israel have so many Palestinians in detention and available to swap?' We as Vermonters must understand the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Despite historical ties between the U.S. and Israel, we must not ignore the curre…
Twinkling lights, decorated trees, creches are familiar sights in Vermont villages and cities during the winter holiday season. Many religions and cultures celebrate during this time: Tibetan Buddhists, 21 Tara; Celtic and other nature religions, winter solstice; Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, Diw…
I very much agree with Josh Howard's letter to the editor of Dec. 19 in regard to the school and city taxes.
Bolstering family physician workforce should be a primary focus in 2024.
The war between Israel and Hamas has been deeply devastating. The lines have been drawn. The attacks from both sides have destroyed thousands and many more lives suffer each day.
Words. How they are twisted often results in how they are understood.
Andy Robinson's column on distinguishing Zionism from Judaism and therefore, anti-Zionism from antisemitism, says it all.
As a resident of Graniteville, I have lost power six times during the past three weeks, whether it's heavy snow, a typical snowfall or rain and wind such as today, Dec. 18. Today, it was out for 90 minutes, back on for an hour, and even with sunshine and receding winds, a loud pop would sugg…
Netanyahu and other right-wing Israeli politicians saw a short-term benefit to allowing outside money to flow to Hamas in Gaza. The benefit was buying peace.
Alas, and unfortunately predictably, the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu has stooped to the level of Hamas.
In the Dec. 13 issue of the Rutland Herald, the editorial was quoted from the Bangor Daily News in Maine. It discussed the frustration of Mainers, after the recent horrific mass shooting in Lewiston, that the Republicans continue to resist any bills that regulate the ownership of assault weapons.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is playing chicken with Ukraine aid. While many of us constituents may agree with his caution against aid to Israel, the true losers are our allies in the European Union. Bernie's address is 1 Church St., Burlington, VT 05401 or visit his website. Please let him know it i…
Better candidate
Recent concern over the education tax as expressed by Gov. Scott makes it imperative that local school districts take a hard look at their expenses before coming to the taxpayers for a vote on the budget.
Fiscal restraint
It's high time for a major change in our country's foreign policy with regard to budgeting money and weapons to other countries.
Guess what happens every year? This may come as a shock to those of you who are just now coming out for the first time: Winter. It’s the horrifying fact of life, unless you live in Florida, in which case, my sympathies to the rest of the country, for their blatant ignorance. When a municipal…
As global leaders meet, people are dying.
The hate crime committed on the street in Burlington leaves us feeling our home state has been intolerably soiled and violated. Vermonters are gathering to reassure and reaffirm our communities’ commitment to decent civil discourse and behavior, as gather we must — in our public places or in…
Emulate Cheney
De-icing
We all have choice.
So, the House of Representatives is finally going to eject George Santos. He is described as being unfit to serve and using his position for nothing else but his own interests. It appears that Republicans are good with that. Fine. Kick him out.
Joe Biden made an ill-judged boast last week: “I cannot prove what I’m about to say,” he said, “but I believe one of the reasons why Hamas struck when they did was they knew that I was working very closely with the Saudis and others … to bring peace to the region.”
Three young scholars are shot in Burlington. We will call it a hate crime and either dismiss it or rise up in anger. Neither action excuses the horrific act or explains it.
Mr. Spaulding’s Nov. 24 commentary ("Socialism comes to Montpelier") warns his readers of the baleful influence of Lenin and Marx, albeit disguised as mere socialism. His plutocratic agenda is in danger.
Over 35 years ago, my colleague, Nancy Mercer, and I introduced the curriculum "Facing History and Ourselves, the Holocaust and Human Behavior" to U32 middle and high school students. Developed by educator Margot Strom in 1976, Facing History’s mission is “to use the lessons of history to ch…
People of a certain ideological ilk seem to overuse the term “socialism” for anything economic or political they don’t like, i.e., Dave Spaulding’s “Socialism comes to Montpelier” in a recent Times Argus commentary. This particular article is about short-term rentals, etc.
I believe there are more good people than people who wish to do harm to others. I also believe there is a large number of people who will stand by and be silent when harm is done to their brothers and sisters. Some say that, to stay silent when witnessing an injustice to another is being com…
Hamas gets its way
After reading Andy Leader's outrageous letter in Wednesday's Times Argus, I would recommend that he henceforth put aside his letters for a day or so and let them cool off. And then, and only then, after some sober reflection, hit the Send button or forgo hitting it.
"During a press conference at the police station Monday afternoon (Nov. 13), Police Chief Jon Murad said evidence suggested that, based on proximity and timing, the fatal shootings at Decatur Street might be connected to the Main Street incident (another shooting incident), but that neither …
