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


7.14.2008

 

The politics of tragedy

Politicians walk on quicksand whenever there is a tragedy. As people charged with public duties by virtue of elected office, they have must respond. But in an election year, how they respond matters to their political future.

Now I'm not saying politics is the motivation for any of the actions I will list below. I'll leave that to all of you. I simply want to point out a lot of political quicksand.

We'll start with Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, Republican, who is running for his fourth term. He held a news conference (Monday) to suggest that Gov. Jim Douglas -- a Republican running for re-election -- should call a special legislative session in 30 days. The focus would be reforms to the state's sex offender laws.

Now Dubie and Douglas agree essentially that some tougher measures should be on the books and they haven't been happy that the Legislature disagreed. Those measures include a Jessica's Law that would put convicted sex offenders behind bars for at least 25 years, and a civil confinement statute that would let the state hang on to people considered threats -- even after they have served their sentences.

Here's the political quicksand. Dubie favors urgent action and has put his political running mate in a bit of an awkward position near some quicksand. Douglas already said he wouldn't call a special session unless Democratic legislative leaders were ready to consider bills such as civil confinement.

By the way, since Douglas was out of state this weekend, Dubie was in charge and could have walked into quicksand by called a special session himself.

Democratic Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin has recognized the quicksand of inaction as a response to the death of Brooke Bennett. He has called news conference for Tuesday so he and Sen. Richard Sears, D-Bennington, can outline a plan of action. They aren't saying a special session is necessary -- yet, but they are promising public hearings and an investigation into how the state could strengthen its laws on sex crimes.

House Speaker Gaye Symington, who would like to unseat Douglas this fall, has argued that it's premature to focus on new laws until it's clear why existing laws failed in the Brooke Bennett case. She has used strong language to suggest the Douglas administration failed here and now is responding with a weak look-back.

Symington said an independent investigation is needed -- but she recognized the political quicksand of having the House Judiciary Committee look into the matter. She said. "I don't want my status as a candidate for governor to be a distraction in this process." She decided she won't convene the House panel, but leave the investigation to the Senate.

The question going forward is whether this tragedy will become a political football or whether the politicians can find the high ground.

-- Nancy Remsen

Comments:
This issue has been addressed previously in the House Judicial Committee and has not made it out of committee. Maybe Symington could get it to the floor this time for a vote. I fail to see the burden on Douglas for previous inaction except he was not forceful enough.
 
Douglas was in office for 4 years when the Cashman decision sent a political charge throughout VT when he blamed the previous administration. Fact was that Jim Douglas 's administration was the big reason why there was a problem.

Flash forward and it now is determined that Jim Douglas' admnistration again is at fault for urging the judge to eliminate state oversight over Jacques.

Jim Douglas in both cases blamed everyone else - but especially the legislature - whenin reality his adminstration is at fault.
 
Brian Dubie on C&E right after Brooke's body was found, said that this should not be a political issue -- he's right!

But now he is making it a political issue.
 
It's a "political" issue because "politicians" are going to have to figure this out and deal with it.
 
The Douglas Administration released Michael Jacques from probation seven years early.

Why?
 
NEK said...

"This issue has been addressed previously in the House Judicial Committee and has not made it out of committee. Maybe Symington could get it to the floor this time for a vote. I fail to see the burden on Douglas for previous inaction except he was not forceful enough."

Ah, the old, "In retrospect, perhaps I could have done more to put out the fire, but I was exhausted after a busy day of cutting ribbon, talking tough and passing the buck, so I hit the snooze button and went back to sleep so it's not doogie's fault." song and dance.

Sure thing, nekkie boy. Sure, and Eichmann was just following orders.

Again, I hate to keep confusin' your ignorant ass with the facts, but to date, the only people arrested in connection with the murder of Brooke Bennett are her uncle and her stepfather in Texas who allegedly obstructed justice by attempting to help the uncle alter or destroy evidence.

The Mother, Father, and Stepfathers knew nothing about Brooke's Uncle's history and record? If none of these people are related to the schmuck, then how was he her uncle and why the fook was it more important for her former stepfather to obstruct justice and cover for the uncle than to look out for the interests of Brooke?

If the Parents can't be bothered to be parents or decide their gonna act like the damned Catholic Church and put their interests ahead of the interests of Brooke the way the church put their interests ahead of the kids in their care by protecting pedophile priests instead of the kids they were abusing, there's not much anybody can do until the horse is outta the corral.

At first, it was reported that the Judge ignored the probation and parole report on the Uncle and chose to release him early over the strenuous objections of the prosecution. Then we come to find out that wasn't the case.

You gop-swine jumped on the billo bandwagon and pulled this same shoot first and ask questions later number with Judge Cashman by trying to pass him off as some rogue liberal Kunin Appointee when he was a Gop Judge appointed by a Gop Governor named Snelling with a 25 year-record of being a Law and Order Judge, but we all now how you cretins feel about letting the facts get in the way of a good gop-scum fantasy.

Ya didn't know what the fook your ignorant, ill-informed ass was talkin' about then, nekkie boy, and ya don't know what the fook you're talkin' about now.

Of course, that's a safe bet with any post that's got your name on it.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Disgusting that the Politicians are stooping really low and using this tragedy as a political game. No matter how harsh the laws of Vermont become it will not bring her back. The problems are much deeper than what these superficial band-aids the politicos are offering. They should stop playing games with our lives...
 
It's unfortunate, but here in Vermont a high-profile tragedy during a political campaign is going to become an issue. This is Vermont and that's the reality of our politicized atmosphere.

All three sides are going to do their best to use this to their advantage, or at a minimum protect themselves from the attacks from the others.

To wit: Anonymous said: "Flash forward and it now is determined that Jim Douglas' admnistration again is at fault for urging the judge to eliminate state oversight over Jacques."

Or: "The Douglas Administration released Michael Jacques from probation seven years early.

Why?"

I'm reasonably sure that the parole officer in this case who recommended Jacques' release is a career civil servant, not a political appointee. And so are most of his immediate supervisors probably. I'm guessing you'll have to go pretty far up the chain to get to an appointed position.

Symington and Shumlin should think a bit before they hold public hearings to try to crucify someone. A bunch of VSEA members would likely be among those getting grilled.
 
Nancy, have you forgotten that Nathan Freeman is a Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor? In the interest of fairness and a 'free press' should you have not asked him what his thoughts are?

We need to back away from electing the same people all the time who are not good watchdogs of how government operates, and even shift responsibility for their actions/inactions to someone else to cover up their inadequacies.

Douglas and Dubie have had their chances; it's time for a clean sweep to bring responsible conduct to the two highest offices in Vermont.
 
Can you say "opportunist?" Dubie sure can. What a sham he and his demand are. Shut up and go back to do nothing Dubie. You were more effective.
 
The legislature writes the laws, NOT the Governor or the LT Governor. This issue has been buried in the House Judiciary committee since Jessica's law initiated 2-3 years ago.
It may be disgusting that politicians are using this for political opportunity but must we wait for the next rapist to kill a child? What is disgusting is that it is ALWAYS someone else's fault.
It is easier to blame someone than to do something to correct the situation.
 
Current law could have kept this pervert in prison for decades.

The Douglas Administration let him out.

This never had to happen.
 
Dubie could have called for the session himself because our governor was MIA (probably sipping wine on the Vineyard) but Dubie knew that Vermont's true governor(Mike Smith) would have taken him to the shed for upstaging figurehead Doesless.

Maybe Doesless could send a strong message by firing money wonk Rob Hofmann, our current DOC commissioner who brought no relevant corrections experience to the table when he was hired, and put somebody in that position who understands offender behavoir and incarceration practices. This Hofmann guy is a poseur and just another Doesless lapdog.

Funny how, just a few months after complaining about skyrocketing DOC costs, Dubie and the Republicans are now calling for a law that would keep offenders in prison even longer and cost taxpayers even more money. Can't have it both ways boys and girls.
 
Douglas always blames other people.

This time it's on his head.

His people released this pervert from prison early.

All of the laws in the world won't do a lick of good until the Douglas administration starts enforcing them.
 
Now I understand- The fault lies entirely with Douglas and Dubie.
The Legislature has absolutely no responsibility.
I no hear, I no see, I know nothing!
Is this our Legislature?
 
Wait, let me get this straight. The Governor left VT during the tax holiday. I guess he didn't see any value in his own program.

I hope everyone is paying attention to how the right-wingers are now saying the Governor doesn't write the laws so he doesn't deserve any blame for this. Ok, fine, then tell him to stop taking credit for every bill that passes.
 
NEK said...

"The legislature writes the laws, NOT the Governor or the LT Governor...."

No, as the executive branch, they're just responsible for implementing and enforcing them. Or, in this case, not implementing and enforcing them, nekkie boy.

"What is disgusting is that it is ALWAYS someone else's fault.
It is easier to blame someone than to do something to correct the situation."

Yeah, the doogie/dubie debacle is nothing if not disgustingly inept and incompetent.

Still, like the brain-dead bush-leaguers in DC that doogie so supports and admires, that's how the jimi douglas experience and their gop-scum apologists have been playin' it for the better part of six years.

Clearly, that cancer's not gonna cut itself out. Vermont's gonna have to do it for them.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Anonymous said...

"Can you say "opportunist?" Dubie sure can...."

Just don't press your luck and ask him to spell it.
 
"Now I understand- The fault lies entirely with Douglas and Dubie.
The Legislature has absolutely no responsibility.
I no hear, I no see, I know nothing!
Is this our Legislature?"

Why did the Douglas Administration let this pervert out of prison early?
 
You agree with me- the legislature does nothing - Douglas has complete control so when we re-elect Douglas we should vote out the Dems. They aren't responsible for anything so why vote them in!
 
"Why did the Douglas Administration let this pervert out of prison early?"

It sounds like you support Jessica's law,

There is an easy way to solve this problem in the future. Raise the minimum sentences. Don't give anyone discretion to release early. Don't listen to the bleeding hearts that want to rehabilitate them.

Go Bill O'Reilly.
 
It was the Governor's Administration who let this pervert out of prison early.

The Legislature isn't charged with enforcing laws. That's the governor's responsibility.

Until the Governor starts enforcing the law and until he stops releasing perverts on the street, nothing will change.
 
"listen to the bleeding hearts"

It was a Republican Administration who let this guy out of prison early.
 
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "The politics of tragedy":

""Why did the Douglas Administration let this pervert out of prison early?""

"It sounds like you support Jessica's law,"

Really? So, it's your ignorant anonymous ass's clueless-cretin contention that the doogie/dubie debacle is what's standing in the way of Vermont adopting and implementing Jessica's Law, eh?

Then you'd really have to be pro-child molester, pro-pedophile priest protecting Catholic Church cover-up, anti-child safety, ignorant, anonymous trash with bupkis to reelect those slimeballs.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Anonymous said...

"It was a Republican Administration who let this guy out of prison early."

Don't confuse the whacks with the facts.
 
Good point Coop. Where were Doulgas and Dubie when Vermont Catholic priests were before a judge in Burlington because they sexually assaulted young boys? Not a peep.
 
You have to be on the Governor's payroll to not realize that the Administration screwed up when it let Michael Jacques out of prison 7 years early.
 
That little Smith guy must be awfully happy he chose to abandon the sinking Douglas ship when he did. Just a few more weeks Mikey, then you can sit back with the rest of Vermont and watch your handpicked children F everything up even worse. Ever get the feeling that soon no one will be driving the train?
 
You mean someone is driving it now?
 
Anonymous ....

"You have to be on the Governor's payroll to not realize that the Administration screwed up when it let Michael Jacques out of prison 7years early."

Nah, clearly, nekkie boy and his clueless-cretin comrades will do that job for nothing.

What's more, I'd wager that they'd pay doogie for the privilege of serving as his chief apologist. A fact which only serves to further illustrate the gross incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility of the doogie/dubie debacle when he's not only lavishing large sums of Vermont Tax Revenue on the likes of Jason Gibbs when nekkie boy and the coalition of the clueless have made it abundantly clear that they'd serve as doogie's apologists for nothing, he's giving them bonuses.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Anonymous said...

"You mean someone is driving it now?"

Well, you've got to hand it to Mike Smith. Unlike Captain Edward J Smith of the Titanic, at least he knew when to abandon ship.
 
Duoglas's guy Hayward could drive the train. After the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, Hayward drove one of those trains.
 
The Douglas Administration released Michael Jacques from prison 7 years early.

There needs to be a full investigation into why he was released early and why he was released without supervision.

If Douglas isn't going to enforce the laws that are on the books, all of the new laws in the world won't do a bit of good.
 
Blame Rob Hofmann. He's clueless.
 
Who apointed Hofmann as the Corrections Commissioner?

What's his background?

Does he have any control over the agency that he's paid to lead?

This happened on his watch.

Jacques was let out of prison 7 years early after kidnaping and raping a young woman.

Who else has the Douglas Administration let out of prison?

Vermonters deserve answers.
 
Anonymous said...

"Blame Rob Hofmann. He's clueless."

Not as clueless as the incompetent schmuck who appointed him.
 
Hofmann was a money guy with no corrections background. He was a money raiser for Douglas. He has never fit in with the corretions employees or even the middle managers. I have some friends who work at Chittenden and St. Albans and they told me the guards laugh at Hofmann behind his back and dislike him because he looks down at them and doesn't listen to them.
This latest screw up is more proof that he's not the right guy for the job.
 
Hofmann is Douglas's own Michael "Brownie" Brown.

Heck of a job, Hofmann. Heck of a job.
 
On second thought, maybe I have been wrong. Maybe Douglas has been a decent governor in difficult times.

I think I will dismiss myself now!
 
"jwcoop10 said...
On second thought, maybe I have been wrong. Maybe Douglas has been a decent governor in difficult times."

Nah, like the sorry schmuck in DC he supports, even on his best day, he's a horrendously-hopeless hack.


"I think I will dismiss myself now!"

Well, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest/nameless-nitwit/failed-facsimile fella, given the severity of your psychosis and seein' how you're ignorant, anonymous, nekwit-nonsense spewin' ass has got bupkis as you've, once again, made abundantly clear, in posting the lunatic-fringe likes of the previous passage, that's probably your wisest course of action and in the best interests of all parties concerned.

Hopefully, your ignorant anonymous ass will find that elusive case and clue as, clearly, you still haven't found what you're looking for.

God speed, herr hate-speech
Dismissed
 
Why did the Douglas administration let the pervert out of jail? Simple answer: Because the pervert was not serving a 25-year minimum sentence.
 
If Ms. Symington really believes the fact that she is running for Govdernot would be a distraction during a special session of the legislature, she could easily recuse herself and let the legislature get on sith its work. In her present position, she is simply blocking the work that needs to be done on the child-molester issue.
 
The corrections commissioner should be dismissed at once. The harm was done on his watch.

His dismissal will serve as good warning to his successor(s) that a good governor will not tolerate laxity in a life-and-death situation.

Anyhow, Governor Douglas needs to appoint someone who will crusade for reform both outside and inside the Department of Corrections.
 
Yea well, the Governor is too busy covering his own a$$ to fire anyone under him.

The Governor must be held accountable.
 
You guys are nut cases. None of you had an issue with the Chittenden county judge last year that sentenced a sex offender to 3 months so he could get out quickly and in the rehab program.

Where were you then when this guy got off with a slap on the wrist.
 
To Anonymous:

Frankly, I was too passive last Fall when the goofy judge goofed up. I thought maybe somebody might do something about the mess. But I was wrong. Nobody did nothing never!!!

This time I'm going to have my opinions heard. And I hope there will not be a next time
 
wwgrant1 said...

"Why did the Douglas administration let the pervert out of jail? Simple answer: Because the pervert was not serving a 25-year minimum sentence."

Nice try, nitwit. The incompetent Douglas Administration released Jacques from probation early because they're the incompetent Douglas Administration.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Douglas is to blame - he appointed nice guy Rob Hofman, who is nothing more than a bean counter - with out any experience in Corrections.

It's just like with the Commissioner of the Dept of Health... The statutes said it had to be someone who is a medical doctor - so he has Interim Commissh Sharon Moffat - not a doc - and her dept along with Buidings and General Services botch teh whole Bennington State Office Building health issues.

Douglas should resign!!!!!

He is incompetent and does not know how to hire good people to do their jobs right.
 
I am not a Democrat or a Republican but i can only imagine what Symington would do with Corrections!
 
I fail to understand how a prisoner can legally be released early when he is serving a mandatory 25-year sentence without parole. That is why we need such a law for the incarceration of child sex offenders.
 
Anonymous said...

"I am not a Democrat or a Republican but i can only imagine what Symington would do with Corrections!"

Aye, and that's the rub, little factually-challenged/nameless-nitwit fella.

As with Bush, we know how the doogie/dubie debacle handles the staffing of key positions like Corrections, Health and AOT. He fills them with incompetent cronies and partisan hacks like Hofmann, Moffatt and boy blunderville - just like shrub gave Justice and FEMA to Gonzo and Brownie with predictably disastrous results, and when they screw up, he tells 'em what a great job they're doing despite all evidence to the contrary.

You, on the other hand and by your own admission, "can only imagine what Symington would do with Corrections!".

The product of your ignorant anonymous ass's imagination ain't evidence, little fella. It's merely the product of your ignorant anonymous ass's imagination.

Big difference.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
wwgrant1 said...

"I fail to understand how a prisoner can legally be released early when he is serving a mandatory 25-year sentence without parole. That is why we need such a law for the incarceration of child sex offenders."

Ah, so we need a law to protect us from the incompetence of the jimi douglas experience, eh?

While I'm sure there's no end to the list of things you fail to understand, little factually-challenged fella, fortunately, that need no longer be the case in a few months.

Come January, both our state and our long national nightmares will be over.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Pollina for Governor!
 
Come on Anthony you can get us out of this mess.
 
We can do better...
Than Pollina!!!
 
Go Douglas!
 
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