Four Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted with the Democratic majority to condemn Trump's most recent demagogic, xenophobic and racist paroxysm, this time directed to members of the House.

I would like to comment on the current coyote controversy.

In support of Paul Clifford, I have to say I’m confused by the way his public post is such a problem. I’m equally confused how his post became such a target for being perceived as racist.

Never mind Paul Clifford’s complete misunderstanding and ignorance of what white privilege is. I find it laughable that he thinks poor and working-class white people haven’t been blaming blacks and immigrants for hundreds of years. Just what does he think got Donald Trump elected president?

Many of you have seen the controversial meme that I posted on Facebook or have seen the news article regarding the post. I am writing to apologize to anyone I may have offended, to explain my thoughts on the post and to disclose what I have learned from this event.

Our very own Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is trying to portray a "civic-minded" governor. But, he is really a right wing Republican, into cutting and gutting programs for the most vulnerable people here in Vermont while trying to get his bills passed into law. He is really attempting t…

The 40th RAVE Car Show was one of the best ever! In addition to providing the area with an outstanding car show each year, the RAVE Car Club gives back the proceeds from each show to numerous nonprofit and charitable organizations.

I recently became aware of a petition by Vermont Law School students to enact a regulated coyote hunting season, versus the current open season that leaves coyote puppies orphaned when their parents are killed during the summer months. A closed season is a good compromise for coyote hunters,…

Ignorance, racism and poverty are perpetuated by education that avoids such delicate subjects to please our politicians. A majority of white women voted for Trump in 2016. Fascists were elected in other major countries.

I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make Castleton’s first Fourth of July Post Parade Party a success! This event was co-sponsored by the Town of Castleton and the Bridge Initiative. The family-oriented Post Parade Party was celebrated on the town’s Village Green o…

The 2019 Red Sox have the worst case of World Series hangover in history. In spite of the fact that one of the only missing players from last year is Kimbrel the closer, they stink. The lack of hustle and fire is evident. These guys have no fight left in them and are letting the Evil Empire …

Here’s an explanation of the president’s Fourth of July speech that makes at least as much sense as his claim that a wet teleprompter caused him to say "Our Army manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports” during the Revolutionary War, which began in 1775:

The King of Siam used to give white elephants as gifts to his couriers he had a grudge with. A white elephant had to be fed and cared for but could not be used for any type of work. This was a tactic to destroy their wealth.

The Castleton Community Center held its 15th annual Golf Outing in support of its Elderly and Disabled Transportation Program on June 28 at Lake St. Catherine Country Club. The Community Center is grateful to the many individuals and businesses that helped make this year’s Golf Outing a succ…

"A Teardrop

The media airwaves have filled my conscious receptors with disturbing news from our southern border with Mexico. The multiplicity of newsworthy items regarding that situation, and the complexity of untangling such an entangling web, has lead me to one piece of the thread that hits home to me…

Flag waving on the Fourth is OK, but try not to be too gaudy about it. Shine on, as they say, but keep it non-political. President Trump blew his trumpet and made a gaudy, but historical, I guess, political speech. Trump's trumpet was out of tune and long-winded and, well, flashy.

What freedom means to me.

Thank you to the Rutland Herald and reporter Kate Barcellos for your excellent coverage of the arrival of 10 Fresh Air children to families in our area of Vermont. Watching the campers, all residents of the New York City area, step off the bus and unite, or reunite, with their host families …

Poultney will vote July 9 on rezoning our village industrial zone to accommodate Dollar General, per Article 2 on the ballot. Advanced by developer Leonard Knappmiller, the article would remove all zoning review for his DG.

Regarding the July 9 election in Poultney, Rutland County, Vermont — Question #2:

I want to thank the Rutland community for all of the inquiries that we have already received about the Alhallaks' Habitat for Humanity home. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the article in the Herald on June 28.

I would like to thank the Rutland Herald for printing the commentary (June 25) by Rob Roper, president of the Ethan Allen Institute, titled “Plastic bag ban an overstep.”

One function of art is to reflect societal conditions of past and present, inviting the viewer to draw connections, and triggering dialogue. My understanding of the function of schools is to cultivate critical thinkers and global citizens, students who question, engage in dialogue and learn …

Plastic bags are anti-environmental to create and to discard. They can easily be replaced with reusable bags by us, the consumers. Vermont passing a law that deals with these facts is exactly the correct way to protect our people and the environment.

I consider myself somewhat of a conceptual artist, which is great, because I don't really have to do anything. I just have to think about it. But what good is that if no one gets to see it?

Here are the ten best reasons for barbecuing veggie burgers and hot dogs this Independence Day, rather than ground-up animal body parts:

To add my 2 cents to the discussion of the censorship of Ms. Zarfati-Eirmann's art, first Thomas Jefferson asked, "Whose foot is to be the guide by which all others are to be stretched or cut?" And Bertolt Brecht observed that "art is not a mirror of reality but a hammer with which to shape it."

Poor Elijah is out of touch with the purpose of public education.

Art, at its best, causes us to see the world differently. It wakes us up to new perspectives or perceptions. It is not about making the observer comfortable. It is to arouse — a sensation, an emotion, an idea.

No longer use plastic or paper bags at the grocers. Bring reusable bags from home. Use these bags over and over and over again.

Recently, an art student’s work was censored at Mill River Union High School because the content of the art project made some people “uncomfortable.” The student, Ms. Zarfati-Eirmann, had designed her advanced-placement senior art project for months, reportedly seeking approval at every step.

On Saturday, June 15, the 30th Relay For Life of Rutland County took place. For 19 hours, a total of 95 teams walked in the spirit of the American Cancer Society’s mission toward a world without cancer. By the closing ceremony, over $211,000 had been raised, and fundraising will continue thr…

U.S. politics and elections just keep getting dumber and dumber.

So what is medical monitoring and why did Vermont's Republican Gov. "Veto" Scott just veto it? Medical monitoring is a way for employees to be tested for poisons and other harmful substances while at work. In the bill rejected by Scott, employers would have to pay for treatment for illnesses…

It was a case of Bernie just being Bernie.

Windsor District Sen. Alison Clarkson recently put forth her “legislative update,” in which she attempted to paint a picture of a successful session of the Vermont Legislature, dedicated to “improving the lives of Vermonters.” If you swallowed that, and buy her position that this is the fift…

The Mueller report thoroughly documents Russian interference in the 2016 election in order to help elect Trump and weaken Americans’ confidence in the integrity of our electoral process. The Russians planted false stories, created fictitious political entities and hacked into Democratic part…

Vermont Republican Gov. "Veto" Scott did it again. This time he killed the hand gun waiting period for the purchase of this deadly weapon.

The disconnect of this White House with the duties to protect and defend the Constitution is acutely apparent. The lack of legislation to ensure protection from further foreign government interference in our democracy is appalling. The rule of law has been challenged by this White House in w…

Democracy is to blame for the recent failure to pass paid family medical leave and a minimum wage increase. I support both pieces of legislation, but I also support democracy. So I understand why some Democrats in office didn’t vote for these bills. They’re listening to their constituents.

I'll think about Mich Braves today. He deserved a "t" on the end of his surname, as he was one of the Allied troops who landed at Normandy 75 years ago. And I'll quietly thank him and his "brothers" who changed the world in June of 1944.

To impeach or not to impeach? That is the question.

Every 28 seconds, someone makes a suicide attempt.

“The F-35 is both a scandal and a tragedy … (it) is the worst example of the military-industrial-congressional complex.” - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

For nearly two years, the mantra of the cautious Democrats has been, “We are waiting for the Mueller report.” Then, after not being allowed to actually read the Mueller report, those same timid Democrats said, “Let’s wait to hear from Mueller.” Now we have, and he has clearly said that as an…

Many thanks to the Parade Committee of the 55th Loyalty Day Parade — Sam Gorruso, Gerry Garrow, Dick Blongy, Jim Mills, Shella Mills, Tony and Donna Manfredi, Teresa Pitts, Micky Young, Bill Gillam — for all the hours they put in since February; without these volunteers, the parade would not…

The old saying "If it feels good, don't do it" should ring true as impeachment is considered. Every logical argument suggests that this is the correct path forward; however, there is nothing logical about Washington. Trump was elected by mob mentality, not merit. Impeachment, successful or n…

Talking heads spewing forth suppositions on the latest sound bite: “Mueller comments on why he didn’t indict …”

The average person gets into a habit of being concerned over what their fellow humans think of them. Sometimes, that's me, too. Although, here are some reminders: "Keeping up with the Joneses" is fake and wasteful. Live your own life. It's okay to make mistakes, but learn from them. People a…