vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

6.21.2007

Off the bench

With Gov. Jim Douglas off in China this week, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie is acting governor. He took a public action today, but not without consulting the governor.

Dubie ordered flags flying over state buildings to be lowered to half staff Friday in honor of the nine South Carolina firefighters who died with a roof caved in while they were fighting a fire. Dubie also sent the state's official condolences to the South Carolina governor.

"We reach out with our prayers to their grieving families, their friends and fellow firefighters, knowing that the loss they suffer is both profound, and beyond our imagination," Dubie said in his letter.

"As acting governor in Governor Jim Douglas' absence, I am asking today that State of Vermont flags on all buildings be lowered to half-staff on Friday, June 22, 2007, the day that Mayor Riley has declared as the City of Charleston’s day of mourning. In addition, Governor Douglas has ordered that the flag of South Carolina fly over our State House that same day. "

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 11:59 AM |

Comments:

How many days has the flag been lowered for Vermonters killed in Iraq/Afghanistan?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:14 PM, June 21, 2007

Excellent point!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:17 PM, June 21, 2007

The current state flag of South Carolina (the crescent and palmetto flag) has its origins in a flag that South Carolina developed in January 1861, soon after that state seceded from the Union.

How ironic that a flag with its origins in secession will fly over the Vermont State House, where the largest ceremonial space is the Cedar Creek Room, commemorating the service of Vermont troops in the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:07 PM, June 21, 2007

"He took a public action today, but not without consulting the governor."

Does that mean Mike Smith approved this action?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:15 PM, June 21, 2007

Does it go all the way down if a firefighter is killed in Iraq?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:30 PM, June 21, 2007

Dube?????????

cripes, I completely forgot we had a Lt. Gov.

..maybe we don't need one

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:17 PM, June 22, 2007

You better not forget him - he will be the Governor after Douglas.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:34 PM, June 22, 2007

Sadly, that could be the case - the way things are going.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:34 AM, June 23, 2007

I would be sad to see Brian Dopey as Governor. But I have to say, I think the Democrats' overly-aggressive socialist agenda in the Legislature is one of the reasons why voters return the moderate Douglas to the Governor's office. If the Democrats keep it up next session with alienating the middle-class in Vermont, they may very well turn to Dopey when Douglas departs.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:08 AM, June 23, 2007

Administration Secretary Mike Smith makes all the decisions in this administration - Douglas isn't really capable.

Heck, Smith makes all the decisions for ALL Agency Secretaries and Commissioners - they aren't allowed to.

Gov Douglas and his administration have centralized state government and frankly it is a train wreck waiting to happen.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:22 PM, June 24, 2007

So are you saying Dubie Do is an improvement?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:03 PM, June 24, 2007

Mike Smith reminds me of the character who played Mayor Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz. Or maybe it was an Oompa Loompa from Willie Wonka. Irregardless, he must use his Dick Cheney-like power to compensate for being short and chubby.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:10 AM, June 25, 2007

Dubie is part of the administration.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:10 AM, June 25, 2007

Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. In any event, we get the idear.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:40 PM, June 25, 2007

Is this Mr. Stunk or Mr. White weighing in here?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:07 PM, June 25, 2007

Anyone who uses the term "irregardless" needs to go back to school.

And it's "Strunk" not "Stunk."

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:14 PM, June 25, 2007

I would but Douglas capped my local school budget, so it isn't offering adult continuing ed anymore.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:01 AM, June 26, 2007

Wrong. It was Symington and Shumlin who capped your budget.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:21 PM, June 26, 2007

Thank the progressive/liberal gods for Symington and Shumlin!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:34 PM, June 26, 2007

And actually, no one "capped" your budget. There's no cap. The new law says that if a town school board wants to exceed the previous year's budget by more than the rate of inflation plus 1%, there just needs to be a second vote to approve the higher amount. Feel free in your town to advocate and vote for the higher amount.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:39 AM, June 27, 2007

Is Symington stepping down?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:25 PM, July 01, 2007