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


3.31.2008

 

Nonpartisan most of the time

Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, says the public mistakenly believes partisan politics rule the day in the Statehouse. "The reality is that people across all parties work constructively."

Now that doesn't mean there aren't partisan votes, Zuckerman said. Those tend to take place when bills come to the floor of either the House or Senate. There could be a few of those kinds of votes this week, in fact, when the health care bill, budget, pay act and transportation bills come up for debate in the House.

To prove his point, however, Zuckerman asked Legislative staff for a tally of the votes on bills coming out of committees -- from January of 2007 through Town Meeting a few weeks ago. In committee, lawmakers often shed their partisan capes because they are working from common sets of information, they are deliberating with people they have gotten to know and respect, and they generally feel like they have opportunities to raise concerns and get them addressed.

Zuckerman passed out the results of the staff's research:

Committees voted on 159 bills between Jan. 1, 2007 and Feb. 29, 2008.
On 132 bills, the votes were unanimous --- that's 83 percent.
On 14 bills, one lawmaker voted 'no' ---- that's 9 percent.
On three, there were two 'no' votes --- that's 2 percent.
On five, there were three 'no' votes --- that's 3 percent.
On four there were four 'no' votes --- that's 3 percent.

"This is how nonpartisan this building really is," Zuckerman said.

--Nancy Remsen

Comments:
Yawn. And guess what else appears to be nonpartisan: Not paying dairy farmers.

Interesting, huh, how Ag Chairman Zuckerman has been silent on Pollina's VT Milk Company's failure to pay its farmers.

Greed -- The Real Nonpartisan Rallying Cry.
 
This reflects positively on the leadership in the House.

This is a good thing that we can all be proud of.
 
The reason for committees is to thrash out differences before the bill gets to the floor. No committee Chair likes to have bills voted out of committee less than unanimous. This is the reason Zuckerman thinks there is no partisan issues- doesn't he participate in committees?
 
^^ dude, make some kind of coherent statement. ok?
 
kind words from Dr. Bupkis himself
 
Golly JW. I thought we were pals.
Many more rants like that and I'll have to take you off my Christmas Card list.
 
Do, deducebagalow.
 
That would be Mr. deducebagalow to you Dr. Bupkis
 
What an amazing accomplishment, non-partisan activity in a one-party state. Way to go, dude... way to go.
 
JW seems to be getting a little case of the ass over Tony P's great milk heist.
JW would like to wave his magic wand (the one that came with his magician outfit his mom bought him for halloween)and make the milk heist go away.

Maybe JW could contribute some of his weekly allowance to pay back the farmers.
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"Anyone who is still reading JW's posts is more foolish than he is."

Sure. That's it, little fella. Can't compete. Don't try.

I've been hearing that nitwit-nonsense from you clueless cretins since I started posting some five months ago.

I'm still here and you're still ignorant anonymous trash with bupkis.

That strategy is really payin' off for you loons.

Dismissed.
 
JW you seem like a bright person who is wasting his talents with this nasty jibberish.

(There, I said it. You seem like a bright person, you don't need to try and prove it anymore.)

If you could just give your opinions rather attacking with your school yard jabbering we might be able to raise the level of conversation here. You spend your valuable time telling us how unhappy you are with this board. Can you help us make this a place for a friendly, thoughtful exchange of ideas?

I doubt you treat people like this when you are face to face. Can you give us the same consideration here?

This board, with Terry's committed work, is a valuable community resource, and we all have some responsibility to improve the experience for everyone.

Show us the kind of world you want to live in.
 
Anonymous said...

"JW you seem like a bright person who is wasting his talents with this nasty jibberish."

Gee, thanks. You're ignorant trash who can't spell gibberish.

Dismissed.
 
More bupkis from Dr. Bupkis.
 
Anonymous said...

"JW you seem like a bright person who is wasting his talents with this nasty jibberish."

Thanks. You're a nameless nitwit who can't spell gibberish.

There's no "seems" about it. There's no need for qualifiers.

"(There, I said it. You seem like a bright person, you don't need to try and prove it anymore.)"

Thanks. You don't, no kiddin' and that's not your call, little fella.

"If you could just give your opinions rather attacking with your school yard jabbering we might be able to raise the level of conversation here."

In other words, you want me to pretend that you're an intelligent advocate for a legitimate point of view worthy of careful consideration and debate when neither of those things are true.

That's just not gonna happen, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest fella.

You clowns have nothin' to say and you've been sayin' it much too loudly for far too long. I'm not gonna pretend you're anything else.

There was no level of conversation around here. There was no conversation around here at all.

It was bubbles and the nameless-nitwit likes of you spewing ignorant slop and trashing anyone who didn't buy into your bigoted trash.

No sale, schmuck. That's not conversation. If you're gonna spew ignorant slop with no basis in fact, you're gonna hear about it.

"You spend your valuable time telling us how unhappy you are with this board."

No, I spend my valuable time nailing ignorant trash with bupkis on their ignorant trash with bupkis.

Big difference, little fella.

"Can you help us make this a place for a friendly, thoughtful exchange of ideas?"

I can if you come up with some thoughtful ideas to exchange in a friendly manner, little factually-challenged fella.

Unless and until you demonstrate the capacity and the willingness to do that, your question is merely hypothetical horsebrit hume.

I've been here goin' on for better than five months now and I've yet to see one from you nameless nitwits and the archives clearly demonstrate you clowns had bupkis long before I got here, little fella.

"I doubt you treat people like this when you are face to face. Can you give us the same consideration here?"

Cut the crap, schmuck. The archives clearly demonstrate that Hoffer showed you cretins a measure of respect you don't deserve and don't merit and you swine pissed all over him.

I don't brake for bigoted-trash with bupkis.

Again, unless and until you demonstrate the capacity and willingness to come up with legitimate arguments rooted in reality, I'll be the pisser and you'll be the pissee.

Are we clear? Am I goin' too fast for ya, little fella?

"This board, with Terry's committed work, is a valuable community resource, and we all have some responsibility to improve the experience for everyone."

In other words, you want to return to the thrilling days of yesteryear when you clowns had the run of the place to run roughshod over Hoffer and anyone else who disagreed with you and nobody called your on your ignorant slop.

That's just not gonna happen, little fella.

As for Terry's work and this board, it is a valuable resource and as long as she and the powers that be call it both ways, I've got no beef.
 
Don't feed the troll.
 
JW,

My post of 9:36am was the first in several months. I am a friend and advocate of Hoffer and most of the views you express here. You are pushing away the people who agree with your positions.

There are no powers that be in a conversation, including you. A conversation is an expression of views that requires some civil behavior. I doubt you'd treat people like this in a coffee shop, why do you insist on doing it here?

You hurt your causes. IMHO, I doubt you convince enough people to be worth your while.

Anyone with access to a computer can clutter this board and waste the resource. I think you can do better and I trust your brilliant mind is getting tired of this repetition.
 
REally, don't feed the troll.
 
Stupid is a party and everyone in the state house seems to be voting right along party lines there...
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"Stupid is a party and everyone in the state house seems to be voting right along party lines there..."

Fortunately, the voters of Vermont have have seen fit to put the gops solidly in the minority.

Now it's just a matter of increasing the Dem Legislative Majority, electing a competent, capable Governor who gives a damn about the State of Vermont and putting an end to the jimi douglas experience once and for all.
 
The secret to enjoying this blog is to read only the original posts by the Freeps reporters, but not the comments. I've been doing that for five months now, and I am a happier person as a result.
 
Anonymous said...


"JW, My post of 9:36am was the first in several months. I am a friend and advocate of Hoffer and most of the views you express here. You are pushing away the people who agree with your positions."

Well, little fella, for the sake of argument, let's say you're who and what you say you are.

If this is your first post here in several months as you claim and you're posting as anonymous as you are, why the Hell should I believe you or give a damn what you think?

That's what I thought.

Secondly, if you're more concerned with how I say what I say to the scum I'm saying it to, we don't agree on anything at all.

"There are no powers that be in a conversation, including you."

Really? Is it your contention that the BFP folks play no role in this process? Given the fact that this is their board, I've got a hunch that they just might beg to differ with ya on that score, sport.

You've misread my post, pal. Give it another spin and get back to me.

"A conversation is an expression of views that requires some civil behavior. I doubt you'd treat people like this in a coffee shop, why do you insist on doing it here?"

Gee, thanks for clearin' that up.

It also requires a minimum of two parties capable with legitimate points of view capable of holding up their end of the bargain. Given the fact that those conditions don't exist, it's really not relevant to the matter before us, but thanks for the hallmark horsebrit all the same.

Besides, I tend not to dine or drink coffee with nameless nitwits, little fella.

To paraphrase noted philosopher and bluesman, George Thorogood, I drink alone.

"You hurt your causes. IMHO, I doubt you convince enough people to be worth your while."

Well, sport, given the fact that my one and only cause is to take nameless nitwits with bupkis to task when they spew their ignorant, ill-informed, factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest slop, if folks are more troubled by how I say what I say to the scum I'm saying it to and why, then how I say what I say to the scum I'm sayin' it to is the least of their worries as well as mine.

"Anyone with access to a computer can clutter this board and waste the resource."

Yeah, I've noticed that they tend to do it "anonymously" too.

Why do you think that is?

"I think you can do better and I trust your brilliant mind is getting tired of this repetition."

Gee, thanks, but I'm not the one I'm worried about here, sport. I know I can hold up my end.

Alas, I see no evidence of that trait with respect to the nameless-nitwit community.

As for your offer, if you're offering a board devoid of brain-dead, bigoted-trash postings from nameless nitwits with bupkis and can make good on your offer, we have the makings of a deal and the possibility of an agreement.

If you can't, we don't.

I look forward to your response.
 
Don't feed the troll.
 
Back to the original thread...I suppose Jim Maslands "My Turn" in today's Freeps is non-partisan?
 
Is it appropriate in this day and age to challenge someone to a duel?
 
Anonymous said...

"Is it appropriate in this day and age to challenge someone to a duel?"

Ya lookin' for new arenas to get your ignorant ass thumped in, schmuck.
 
more bupkis from the Doctor....
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"more bupkis from the Doctor...."

It's not like you're capable of anything else, boy blunder.

Disappear.
 
WCoop10 said...
Anonymous said...

"Back to the original thread...I suppose Jim Maslands "My Turn" in today's Freeps is non-partisan?"

In other words, now that you've had handed to your ignorant ass yet again, ya wanna change the subject in the hopes no one will notice.

Not a chance, chump. You're ignorant trash with bupkis. I can see your sorry butt coming a mile away in the worst of weather.

First of all, Masland is a Democratic Legislator and identifies himself as such. By definition, that makes him partisan.

Secondly, he's writing an opinion piece under the "MY Turn" banner on the BFP Op-Ed Page. He's not pretending to cover a story as an objective reporter, shmendrik.

Unlike you, he's not pretending to be anything but what he is - a member of the Democratic Majority in the Vermont House of Representatives.

These are what we in the real world refer to as facts, schmuck. Once again, they're not doin' you and favors, little factually-challenged fella.

All of which leaves you ignorant trash with bupkis desperately tossing slop at the wall in the flickering hopes that something, somewhere will stick.

It hasn't. It didn't. It won't.

You're ignorant trash with bupkis, punk. Like an SS Tattoo under your armpit, that slop ain't gonna wash off.

Disappear.
 
The votes of various committees on various pieces of legislation passing through them is interesting, but I don't believe it constitutes proof of "non-partisanship" at the State House.

Let's get real: The Democrats have overwhelming control of both houses and all committees. I had to laugh when I heard the Speaker on some radio show the other day talking about how a solution represented a "balanced" compromise because it had been through the committee process and all sides had their input, as if committee rooms were some kind of magical places where even minority interests matter.

Anybody who's spent any time in committee rooms or in the halls watching the leadership twist arms or make sure the chairs do their bidding knows that's simply not reality.

Minority members on committees (read: Republicans) may end up voting for bills that pass out of committee even though they disagree with them because, well, who wants to be a pariah in a group of people you're stuck in a room with for hours on end for the foreseeable future? Besides, the only way you may get heard on a more important bill in the future -- even a little -- is by voting for a some real stinkers, knowing:

A) It won't matter anyway since the Dems and Progs have the votes or;

B) It's such a dog that it's doomed to die in another committee anyway or;

C) It will never pass the full House/Senate and the governor will veto it if it does.

There are plenty of reasons why committee members vote for provisions or bills; because they agree is only one of them. Because the other side (especially the majority) has compromised with you in a spirit of "bi-partisanship" is probably one of the more rare occurances, in my opinion.
 
IndependentVter has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"The votes of various committees on various pieces of legislation passing through them is interesting, but I don't believe it constitutes proof of "non-partisanship" at the State House."

Gee, that's swell, little fella.

"Let's get real: The Democrats have overwhelming control of both houses and all committees."

Gee, thanks for clearin' that up, Captain Obvious.

Let me explain something to ya, little fella. Ya see, like the TM results, that's because the Voters of Vermont want it that way.

Even if they opt for another encore from the jimi douglas experience, we clearly want a Dem Legislature to keep him in line.

"I had to laugh when I heard the Speaker on some radio show the other day talking about how a solution represented a "balanced" compromise because it had been through the committee process and all sides had their input, as if committee rooms were some kind of magical places where even minority interests matter."

I have to laugh when I read any of your pretentious rubbish, little fella, but magical or not, that's how they make the sausage, little factually-challenged fella.

Freed wasn't adverse to twisting arms during his tenure as Speaker.

Cut the crap. You've got bupkis.

As always, if you have evidence to the contrary, feel free to cough it up.

"Anybody who's spent any time in committee rooms or in the halls watching the leadership twist arms or make sure the chairs do their bidding knows that's simply not reality."

Actually, anyone who's spent time in the State House knows you don't know your sorry butt from your elbow, little fella.

They know how to count votes. You don't have them. End of frickin' story.

"Minority members on committees (read: Republicans) may end up voting for bills that pass out of committee even though they disagree with them because, well, who wants to be a pariah in a group of people you're stuck in a room with for hours on end for the foreseeable future?"

Well, nobody ever said gops were a principled lot, little fella.

Again, the composition of the Vermont Legislature is a reflection of the voters of Vermont.

Those of us who give a damn about the State of Vermont, know what day it and can distinguish our butts from our elbows have to accept the fact that until and unless somebody knocks them off, the douglas/dubie disaster continues.

I remind you, look at Vermont's Congressional Delegation and the composition of the State Legislature. This is a Blue State, little fella. The Douglas/Dubie Debacle is an aberration. Don't press your luck, schmuck.

As for vetoes, Like you, Doogie's got bupkis if the votes are there to override him, little fella.

This is an election year. Gop-slop stock is droppin' like an acme anvil on your head, Wile E, and rightfully so. The jimi douglas experience has been neither pleasurable or productive.

As gops go, he's hardly the worst. Still, that don't make him a keeper.

If the Legislature has to come back to keep Douglas from cheneying things up and thwarting the will of the People of Vermont again, they know to clear their calendars for late June and when and where to be. There will be no more one-vote losses and Douglas will get blamed for forcing them to come back and keep him from getting in touch with his inner shrub.

Ya know, little factually-challenged fella, the interesting thing about your opinion is how few Vermont Voters share it.

Why do you think that is?
 
Bupkis
 
Don't feed the troll.
 
JW you need to get in touch with yourself.........but don't do it too much or you will go blind

Maybe you could just do it until you need glasses
 
Don't feed the troll.
 
Go cheney yourself, chump.
 
Anonymous said...

"JW you need to get in touch with yourself.........but don't do it too much or you will go blind

Maybe you could just do it until you need glasses"

Unlike most topics, you speak with a great deal of authority on the subject, little fella.

Clearly, you've found your calling along with yet another dimwitted, delusional domain you can not master.

Dismissed.
 
yawn
 
"B. Hussein Obama/ Gaye Simpleton/ Brooklyn Bernie"

"What a cast of idiots"

Thoughtful as ever, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest/nameless-nitwit fella. Thoughtful as ever.

I hate to confuse ya with the facts, little factually-challenged fella, but they're elective office holders. Two of them, like Douglas and Dubie, were elected by the Voters of Vermont.

In fact, Bernie got a larger percentage of the vote than Doogie ever has in his runs for Governor.

Clearly, you don't exactly have your finger on the Vermont pulse, putz.

Still tryin' to link me to Pollina, eh?

As always, feel free to produce all my pro-Pollina comments along with the rest of the invisible non-existent evidence your ignorant-trash belief system is based on, little factually-challenged fella.

No doubt you'll find them next to Saddam's WMD and Bubble Boy's evidence that FDR tricked Japan into attacking Pearl Harbor just to get us out of the Depression he had us mired in along with the rest of your delusional dreck.

Take your ignorant trash where the climate suits your sheet, schmuck.

It don't play in Vermont.

Dismissed.
 
JWCoop10 said...
"B. Hussein Obama/ Gaye Simpleton/ Brooklyn Bernie"

"What a cast of idiots"

Thoughtful as ever, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest/nameless-nitwit fella. Thoughtful as ever."


The pot calling the kettle black... JW taking someone to task for name calling.
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

JWCoop10 said...
"B. Hussein Obama/ Gaye Simpleton/ Brooklyn Bernie"

"What a cast of idiots"

Thoughtful as ever, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest/nameless-nitwit fella. Thoughtful as ever."

"The pot calling the kettle black... JW taking someone to task for name calling."

Clueless as ever, little factually-challenged fella.

Ya gots no case and ya gots no clue.

Them's the facts, schmuck.

Ya made another charge ya can't substantiate. Ya always do. Ya never can and as the archives clearly show, ya never could.

You loons get called ignorant trash with bupkis because ya keep provin' you're ignorant trash with bupkis.

Ya dug your own grave. Ya always do. I just give ya a wee tap from time to time.

Go fall in it.

Dismissed.
 
yawn.

You have been pretty busy posting today little Jeffy. Is the job hunt going a little slow? Perhaps you can take your entertainment schtick on the road. Bill Maher called and said he misses you.
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"You have been pretty busy posting today little Jeffy. Is the job hunt going a little slow? Perhaps you can take your entertainment schtick on the road. Bill Maher called and said he misses you."

In other words ya got bupkis.

Gee, ya gonna call me a girl now, little factually-challenged fella?

Dismissed.
 
Zuckerman needs to put down the pipe.
 
JW asks: "Gee, ya gonna call me a girl now, little factually-challenged fella?"

Girl. Does that excite you?
 
WOW, how articulate....

Girl.
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Nonpartisan most of the time":

"WOW, how articulate....

Girl."


How thoughtful, schmuck.

You're ignorant trash with bupkis.

Disappear.

Post a comment.
 
Girl
 
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