Dear Vermont Commons,

I live in Georgia right now, but I'm not really from anywhere, and I
have family living in Vermont. I've been there once or twice, and it
left a strong impression on me. I was too young to understand why, but
it just seemed very different, and I never even realized that there
were no billboards (for instance).

Editor, Vermont Commons:

Editor, Vermont Commons:

Vermont law enforcement officials would have us believe that there is no significant cost or burden of marijuana interdiction and prosecution. According to the Vermont Crime Information Center, in 2007 there were nearly 3000 marijuana-related crimes reported by Vermont police, including over 500 arrests for marijuana and 1000 misdemeanor charges filed. Can anyone credibly say that there is no appreciable cost to this?

Dear Vermont Commons,

It was with great disappointment I read that "climate change" remains at the top of goals for the legislative session of 2008. At first glance this may seem a very odd statement from an outspoken advocate of renewable energy but please hear me out.

Over recent years “climate change” has emerged as one of the most instantly divisive terms in modern Vermont vernacular. When this term is used, timely and necessary discussions regarding energy immediately become politically charged and much less productive. Precious time is thus wasted. If perhaps we chose to describe the exact same initiatives as “Protecting Vermont's economy through efficiency and endogenous energy production” the same goals, carbon reduction and otherwise, would be met without wasteful debate regarding a vast global issue. When phrased this way the concept makes too much sense to politicize and we could actually get some results this year. One must wonder why such incitant language continues to be used at a time when Vermont needs to pull together, not apart.

Dear VC editor,

With the disparity between future energy supply and demand in this nation, nuclear power represents a vital segue to a long-term energy solution. Uranium supplies are finite and will become increasingly expensive and contested as they dwindle, but for now our other options are not sufficient to remove nuclear power from the energy equation. Recent developments at Vermont Yankee and other aging reactors around the nation may force us to prematurely shut down existing reactors and will likely, in a fashion similar to Three Mile Island, effectively halt the research and development of new, modern facilities.

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Rob's note: From the e-letter mailbox. Happy Labor Day.

Editor, Vermont Commons:

I am a former resident of Maine (or, as I prefer, a Mainer in exile) who is very supportive of the noble independence campaign to liberate Vermont from the soulless corporate wasteland that has conquered America. I hope that such a movement will take hold in my beloved home state.

It is also pleasing to hear that a varying double-digit percent of Vermonters now favor reclaiming the original intent of the founding constitutional patriots of Vermont – a Republic that has more control over its own destiny than a faceless federal bureaucracy. I believe it is important to approach all members of society on your venerable proposal, religious and secular. In general, both sides tend to agree on one neutral philosophy: ethics.

Letters to the Editor

An ethical cause

Editor, Vermont Commons:

I am a former resident of Maine (or, as I prefer, a Mainer in exile) who is very supportive of the noble independence campaign to liberate Vermont from the soulless corporate wasteland that has conquered America. I hope that such a movement will take hold in my beloved home state.
It is also pleasing to hear that a varying double-digit percent of Vermonters now favor reclaiming the original intent of the founding constitutional patriots of Vermont – a Republic that has more control over its own destiny than a faceless federal bureaucracy. I believe it is important to approach all members of society on your venerable proposal, religious and secular. In general, both sides tend to agree on one neutral philosophy: ethics.