vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

7.03.2008

Parades=politicians

Where there are flags and crowds this weekend, you will find candidates and political surrogates.

The Jim Douglas campaign boasts that no other campaign will work harder over the Independence Day weekend to be seen.

"Throughout his career in public service, Governor Douglas has worked tirelessly for the people of Vermont and Vermonters appreciate his hands-on style of leadership in their communities. This campaign will be no different," states a news release about this weekend's activities.

Democrats promise to be highly visible too. In addition to the parade scene, party members plan more then 30 voter registration drives across the state.

Liz Saxe, the party's communications director, "We're going to actually do something productive and encourage people to vote. There is nothing more patriotic than voting."

Happy Independence Day to all you in blogger land. Seems like a good opportunity to celebrate all the grand documents that paved the way for this very discourse.

-- Nancy Remsen

posted by vt.Buzz | 6:25 PM |

Comments:

And the Symington campaign stoops to a new level of immaturity by allowing a campaign volunteer to pie the Governor and First Lady at the Montpelier parade.

Go Gaye Go! Leadership at its best!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:33 PM, July 03, 2008

Yummy! I hope it was coconut cream, because I would love to lick that off Jim's face. Maybe I'll get another bonus for doing that for my master.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:19 PM, July 03, 2008

** SAM HEMINGWAY **

When will we see the retraction for your post "Anthony's Ag-ony"

NOFA Director Enid Wonnacott said, "For Sam to say that we’re attacking Anthony is simply wrong. I don’t have a beef with Anthony,”

Sam was WRONG.

Where is the retraction?

Man up Sam. Print the retraction.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:03 PM, July 03, 2008

Bear with him, he's looking up what "retraction" means.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:26 PM, July 03, 2008

I heard the pie was thrown by Santa Claus. maybe it was thrown by laid off state worker who was mad because of the bonuses the guv gave to his assistants.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:38 PM, July 03, 2008

you mean the invisible worker in a position that was not filled? get real

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:33 AM, July 04, 2008

My dreams are shattered. I don't think I can believe in Santa Claus anymore. Santa embarrassed my one true love. What's happening with the world? Poor, poor Jimmy.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:18 AM, July 04, 2008

Blech. How about the Barre mayor bellowing about how he took down the perp. No one cares you buffoon!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:20 AM, July 04, 2008

If you think that only vacant positions are being cut between Jan 2008 and next year - dream on!

JIM DOUGLAS hates state workers because he does not not support fairness to workers.

Just look at Douglas' record, he is always trying to limit their increases to much less than inflation--- while at the same time increasing his political cronies by more through the use of bonuses.

JIM DOUGLAS is a hypocrite!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:35 AM, July 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

"JIM DOUGLAS is a hypocrite!"

Well, at least he's good at something.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 1:00 PM, July 04, 2008

There are so many state workers that are just dead weight. I am a Democrat but cutting these positions is just smart.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:29 PM, July 04, 2008

Jim has long suffered from a fear of pies, so this was one of the worst ways he could have been assaulted. He particularly fears rhubarb and pumpkin pies, but the dreaded cream pie is by far his worst phobia. This pie incident will probably set back his therapy by two years. He was just at the place where we could sit him down with a slice of pie on a plate in front of him, without Jim sweating and shaking. Looks like we're back to placing a piece of pie a few yards away and having him creep up to it and dare to poke it with his finger.

The fear of pie is a scary phobia. Baby, don't fear the pie (we need more cowbell).

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:51 AM, July 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

"There are so many state workers that are just dead weight. I am a Democrat but cutting these positions is just smart."

Ah, auntie amerika's back on her "I'm a Democrat, I just vote gop" shtick.

Try not to confuse election years and candidates this time, crazy lady.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:31 AM, July 05, 2008

Considering who is running for Governor of Vermont it is really easy to tell them apart!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:04 PM, July 05, 2008

You are right - and the clear choice is Gaye Symington.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:06 AM, July 06, 2008

Gaye = Gridlock

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:35 AM, July 07, 2008

That's ridiculous - clearly you have no idea what happens in the statehouse - you must be reading the Governor's press releases or listening to his press conferences.

If anyone created gridlock over the last 6 years, its Governor Douglas!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:31 AM, July 07, 2008

Douglas/Dubie have been the only consistent source of fiscal responsibility. It is a full time job just blocking the boutique legislation proposed by the D's and P's with no means of financing them.

Go Douglas/Dubie...2 more years!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:43 AM, July 07, 2008

Overwhelming support for the "Pieman" in today's Argus letters to the editor section. Looks like people think Jim deserved to be pied.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:51 AM, July 07, 2008

Jim is making slow progress with his pie re-introduction. I thought it would be easier for him, but he is severely shaken by the July 4 pie in the face incident. I tried having him hold a cupcake for five minutes, but, alas, even this simple exercise produced profuse sweating, panting, even beadier eyes and a even greater shrinkage of his pant hem line. When shown a picture of a cream pie, he became violent, screaming for Barre Mayor Lauzon to help him. He even cursed Santa Claus, not realizing that the pie guy was, in fact, a man in a costume (Jim still believes).

At this point, I am open to any and all pie phobia remedies and am actively enlisting the ideas of all people who have watched pie phobia eat (excuse the pun) away at a person.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:17 AM, July 07, 2008

I read the T.A. online and didn't see the overwhelming support. Instead it looked like people were turned off by the childish and disrespectful behavior.

Like him or not, no one deserves that type of treatment. Do you support those who disagree with Symington or Shulman or Welch or Sanders from attacking them with a pie?

This type of behavior unfortunately is beginning to typify the emerging politics of the state.

It is a shame that we need to do these things to embarrass our state in front of the rest of the country.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:24 AM, July 07, 2008

Jeepers! My dad...I mean, my boss, is a quivering mass since that pie was pushed into his beautiful, pasty mug. I found it to be delicious though when I licked it from his face and I really enjoyed toweling his face off afterwards. Made me swoon. They don't even have to give me more money or perks. I'd do this for free.

A poem I wrote

A bonus for me
but I'd do it for free
Working for Jim is pure bliss

A pie in the face
I'll lick it off with grace
And seal it with a big fat kiss

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:37 AM, July 07, 2008

Thanks for making my point so well

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:41 AM, July 07, 2008

As a resident of Montpelier, I can tell you that the people on the street are NOT in agreement with the TA letter writers that think the pie incident was appropriate. The people I have spoken with - from all walks of life, young and old, R's/D's/P's/I's - feel that it put Montpelier in a very bad light.

I may not agree with Bernie, Leahy, Gaye, or Pollina on some issues . . . but I respect them as human beings enough not to pull a Marx Brothers gag on them.

This backfired on Santa, in a big way. He did his cause no favors in this town.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:53 AM, July 07, 2008

That's because Montpelier's "street people" consider it a waste of perfectly good food. They would rather that pie be given to them then wasted on a rich politician.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:17 PM, July 07, 2008

Anonymous said...
"Douglas/Dubie have been the only consistent source of fiscal responsibility. It is a full time job just blocking the boutique legislation proposed by the D's and P's with no means of financing them."

Wow, the Douglas team really has you fooled! First off, Dubie has absolutely no say in fiscal matters - and frankly, has had no say!

Second, if it wasn't for the legislature reviewing and adjusting the Governor's smoke and mirrors budget, the people of the state of Vermont would have seen an increase of almost $100 million in property taxes due to the Governor's pass the buck to local government attitude.

Jim Douglas has been anything but fiscally responsible!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:20 PM, July 07, 2008

It is tragic how some have approached politics. Rather than a debate among gentlemen it has boiled down to partisan politics where winning at any cost is the name of the game. Differences are personalized. Disgracing/embarrassing the opponent is better than a win-win solution. Issues are minimalized and replaced with hate-speak and charges of racism, nazisim, et. al. as the first line of debate. You see it here on this blog.

It is hard to understand why anyone of professional substance would be attracted to this as a career.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:37 PM, July 07, 2008

Anonymous said...
"Gaye = Gridlock"

Gee, I hate to keep confusin' your ignorant anonymous ass with the facts, little fella, but gridlock results when one party controls the executive branch and another party controls the legislative branch as is currently the case.

Given the fact that Symington is a Dem and the Dems control the legislature and there's no evidence that that's gonna change, just how would Symington equal Gridlock, little factually-challenged fella?

That's what I thought. Try to keep up.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:42 PM, July 07, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Parades=politicians":

"Thanks for making my point so well"

Well, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest, nameless-nitwit fella,
given the fact that the only point your ignorant anonymous ass has managed to make since ya got here is that ya don't know your ass from your elbow, don't have a point and can never substantiate a damned thing you say, clearly, you don't need any assistance in making your point.

You're welcome.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:57 PM, July 07, 2008

Anonymous said...
"It is tragic how some have approached politics. Rather than a debate among gentlemen it has boiled down to partisan politics where winning at any cost is the name of the game. Differences are personalized.

Disgracing/embarrassing the opponent is better than a win-win solution. Issues are minimalized and replaced with hate-speak and charges of racism, nazisim, et. al. as the first line of debate. You see it here on this blog.

It is hard to understand why anyone of professional substance would be attracted to this as a career.

12:37 PM, July 07, 2008
================================

You are absolutely right - and most of this style began after the GOP took control of Congress in 1994.

And now, here in VT, it began in 2003 when Douglas and his Rove team were elected to Governor. Think about it, Jim Douglas never stooped this low while running for Secretary of State, or State Treasurer. It was only after he ran for Governor with his team of Barnett, Lunderville, Gibbs, SMith, and now Casey continues it.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:15 PM, July 07, 2008

Like I said, thanks for making my point so eloquently; not once but three times.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:16 PM, July 07, 2008

Tarrant played a huge role in elevating the politics of ugly in Vermont too. Didn't hear Douglas saying anything about that, or about Bush's smear masters making Kerry out to be some kind of traitor.

Douglas likes to pretend he takes the high ground, but he's right down there in the swamp mud with the rest of the GOP attack dogs.

And you're right about Smith, Gibbs, Lunderville, Casey and all the rest of his inner circle. Although they are grade school compared to other GOP state party hacks.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:29 PM, July 07, 2008

If they put Douglas in a dunking booth, I'd buy $1,000 worth of chances and just stand there all day throwing balls at the target.

One thing though, the water in the booth would have to be straight out of Lake Champlain, so he can continue to fall into the water he supposedly has "cleaned up."

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:41 PM, July 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

"And the Symington campaign stoops to a new level of immaturity by allowing a campaign volunteer to pie the Governor and First Lady at the Montpelier parade.

Go Gaye Go! Leadership at its best!"

And just where and when did your ignorant anonymous ass prove that the "Symington Campaign allowed this campaign volunteer to pie the Governor and First Lady and/or do anything else, little lyin'-slime fella?

That's what I thought.

I've seen no confirmation that Santa Pie was acting on behalf of the Symington Campaign.

As always, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest fella, if you've got evidence that Santa Pie was acting at the direction of Symington or the Symington Campaign, feel free to caught it up. You've had the better part of four days to substantiate your latest load of delusional dreck. Can ya do that?

That's what I thought.

Let's review, little fella. So far, your ignorant anonymous ass has managed to prove that you don't know what the word gridlock means or what causes it and you've had the better part of four days to substantiate your claim that Symington or the Symington Campaign was responsible for the actions of Santa Pie. To date, your ignorant anonymous ass is 0-2.

I'm real clear on what ya don't know, can't do and can't prove, little factually-challenged lyin'-slime fella. Those facts were never at issue.

Again, apart from lying your ignorant anonymous ass off and making asinine allegations you can't substantiate, is there anything that you can do?

That's what I thought.

Always a pleasure.

Take it where the climate suits your sheet, schmuck.
Disappear.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 2:12 PM, July 07, 2008

you still teaching that civics class JW? Was Santa one of your pupils?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:52 PM, July 07, 2008

There's no evidence this Michael Manning guy was connected to any political party.

That said, are we all in agreement that it was a poorly-conceived stunt that does little in the way of making a "political statement?" It's hard to understand what message you're sending by doing it, other than to note that Vermont's politicians are unusually accessible to the public and therefore vulnerable to this kind of stunt, and more serious threats?

This Manning character's contribution to political and social discourse is to help Vermont move towards a day when our Governor will be separated from the people by a phalanx of security people.

Very unfortunate, and highly worthy of condemnation from all parts of the political spectrum. Regardless of what you think of the current officeholder, the position of Governor deserves a little more respect.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:27 PM, July 07, 2008

IndependentVter said...

"There's no evidence this Michael Manning guy was connected to any political party."

Well, it's refreshing to hear ya say that, indy.

That said, tell it to your nameless-nitwit, coalition of the clueless comrades. They're the ones claiming that Symington was behind it. At least the one immediately to your left leading off this thread.

Vermont's not the only place they do this nonsense. I didn't do it, wouldn't do it, don't support it and hate to see it happen, but let's not get carried away here, indy. Doogie wasn't standing on the balcony of a Memphis Motel when he got pied. It wasn't an assassination attempt. Nobody took a shot at the guy.

The important thing is that you're on record saying that there's no evidence that Symington or Pollina or anyone from their campaigns was responsible or involved in this like your nameless-nitwit comrade.

Secondly, let's have the punishment be proportional to the offense. It wasn't aggravated assault with cop-killer creme filling, little fella. Santa's a 22 year-old kid for Christ sake. He pied the schmuck. That's a far cry from the alleged fraternity pranks they were pulling in Abu Ghraib and Gitmo.

He shouldn't forfeit his Constitutional Right to purchase cream pie or it's ingredients for the rest of his life.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:21 PM, July 07, 2008

JWCOOP10 said: "I didn't do it, wouldn't do it, don't support it and hate to see it happen, but let's not get carried away here, indy."

Hey, I'm not getting carried away. I'm not saying this guy deserves anything more than anybody participating in civil disobedience deserves. He'll get Diversion or get his charge pleaded down, probation or a fine, and get on with his life with, at worst, only a disorderly conduct conviction on his record. Something he can brag about at protests for the rest of his life.

But the important thing is to condemn the act for the gutless, inane, and meaningless stunt it is, and not ascribe any sort of statement to it other than as a comment on the perpetrator.

Unlike some of the ninnies over on GMD who are whooping it up like this guy did something of significance, or calling for the state's attorney to charge Tom Lauzon for assault because his takedown of Manning wasn't gentle enough for their liking. Hey, if he was a true political protestor making a statement he wouldn't have run away but would have stood peacefully still while being arrested.

I'm not "comrades" with those claiming Symington or Pollina was behind the incident. I'll extend the same courtesy to you and not presume you to be a "comrade" of those on GMD who are talking about "high-fives" celebrating something this idiotic.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:05 PM, July 07, 2008

IndependentVter said...

"JWCOOP10 said: "I didn't do it, wouldn't do it, don't support it and hate to see it happen, but let's not get carried away here, indy.""

"Hey, I'm not getting carried away. I'm not saying this guy deserves anything more than anybody participating in civil disobedience deserves. He'll get Diversion or get his charge pleaded down, probation or a fine, and get on with his life with, at worst, only a disorderly conduct conviction on his record. Something he can brag about at protests for the rest of his life."

Assuming, of course, he spends the rest of his life going to protests where he can brag about it, indy. If you've provided anything more in the way of evidence other than self-serving speculation you're gonna have to point it out to me 'cause I ain't seein' it.

"But the important thing is to condemn the act for the gutless, inane, and meaningless stunt it is, and not ascribe any sort of statement to it other than as a comment on the perpetrator."

I didn't, your coalition of the clueless comrade did.

The guy's gonna be dealt with by the Legal System. You're probably in the ball park about the probable end result of that process.

As for condemning the act, just what part of I didn't do it, wouldn't do it, don't support it and hate to see it happen do you find unclear?

Again, I commended you on your honesty about the fact that the anonymous clueless cretin in question provided no evidence to support his clueless-cretin claim that the Symington Campaign was behind it and that situation remains unchanged. What more do you think you're entitled to from me?

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:45 AM, July 08, 2008

JW:

Sorry, I wasn't looking to find disagreement where there was none. You did condemn the act. 'Nuff said.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:28 PM, July 08, 2008

Well, it happened again today ... at a ribbon cutting today, Douglas just got a hair pie in the face.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:15 PM, July 08, 2008

More parades and flags this weekend - except these people are successful at getting what they want for themselves. Maybe we can learn something from them: http://www.pridevt.com/about/

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:01 PM, July 10, 2008

Im gonna stay home this weekend with the one I luv and lgiht a candle for a child who wont ever to be old enuf to have a sexual prefrence

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:28 PM, July 10, 2008