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by Robert Fireovid
I’m noticing that a subset of my neighbors with whom I used to be in touch have disappeared from my “community.” They don’t talk with me anymore. At all.
Up until recently, we used to communicate regularly because they would purchase beef we produce. But they don’t order any more. Fortunately, it’s not a business problem for us because we have plenty of other customers outside of our town.
One characteristic that’s common to all these ghosts is that they’re involved with “Indivisible Vermont” – the anti-Trump, and more broadly, the anti-Republican tribe. They know I’m an official in the Grand Isle County Republican Committee, and they know that I have written (in VDC) in opposition to our public schools pushing transgenderism religious beliefs on children (although that was years ago).
None of them have spoken to me about my beliefs, and no one knows how I voted in the last election. But they all treat me as if I’ve recently been infested with cooties and must be avoided. It’s strange behavior for people who claim to want a society that’s “indivisible” and who constantly profess that they’re all for “community.”
My mother was a registered Republican and my father was a registered Democrat, but their political beliefs never got between the awesome love they had for each other. But I digress.
The reason I’m bringing this up is that I wonder if others are seeing similar behavior from the “Indivisibles” in their community. Please let me know in the comments. Thank you!
The author is a South Hero beef farmer.
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Categories: Commentary
It is too bad that politics has become so divisive. Unfortunately the “indivisibles” and those who support the Maga agenda are totally incompatible in politic and opinion.. There is hardly a thing that they agree upon and, inevitably, rarely without strong feelings that frequently lead to nasty clashes. Getting into an argument with your neighbors is never fun. The way to avoid this is just to avoid the significant differences in opinion and feelings and, therefore, avoid each other.
Meaning that moral cowardice and utter hypocracy are acceptable?
Yes absolutely! TDS is real! The people i know/knew like this are emotionally, as opposed to logically, driven. When dialog is shared and when confronted with indisputable facts, i have observed many succumb to a shaking mad state of rage and eventually shutdown or stonewall. Socially this leads to their isolation, limiting their interactions with individuals that exhibit similar or the same symptoms.
I’ve found likewise. On the other hand I was often faced with denial by Trump supporters while I was still radical Left. However, nowhere near the numbers or the rage.
Very much apparent down here in Bennington, you either join them or are invisible, so much for being for Community and Democracy
Talk with anyone that veers off the plantation and you’ll see extreme actions. I know some people who used to be liberal.then changed their views, they lost ALL THEIR FRIENDS.
This is prevalent in the Vermont Democratic Party, ask anyone, they are told how to vote, they can not vote their conscious or how their people want.
Now in the transgender sphere, you can be all sorts of sexuality, you can be fluid, non binary, etc. However, what happens when you become transgender, then go back to heterosexual/ cis gender, for some reason you are worse the a traitor, the anger, the censorship is massive, along with treats and assaults. But wasn’t non binary ok?
You can’t question things in cults, theocracies and leadership when a country is going through a subversion.
Friends don’t let friends be useful idiots.
It didn’t use to be this way in Vermont – there’s plenty of evidence that there was a live and let live mentality as the commune folk moved in with their values. Still, it was harmonious living.
The BLM agenda mixed with CRT moved in and brought equity groups that bonded people together over their racial identities and taught these groups to cling to each other and demand rights. Sad thing is that blacks in Vermont were given freedom in 1777 from slavery. When BLM came and clamored for the rights of the blacks – Vermonters should have stood up. The blacks in Vermont had a higher educational attainment rate than the whites and had the same $50K median income. The poor black mentality that BLM promoted never fit in Vermont. But we caved to the norm and toted the poor black image along with the rest of the nation when we should have stood up as an example of what the rest of the nation should aspire to be.
Now the same CCP wedge that brought us the BLM and CRT agendas has added the LGBTQ and gender divides. We need to protect the children in the schools where the education is falling on innocent ears promoting these wedges. VTHope.net/Parentsrights.html offers an opt out tool for parents to use. There are also links to remove sexually explicit books from the school bookshelves and information on School Choice.
It is a sad day when parents have to stand up to remove pornography from the schools because there is a CCP wedge in the VT School system and the American Library Association wants whatever is in print to be there and recognizes Gender Queer with an Award – a book that would receive an X-rating if it were a movie. These are related to the ones who won’t buy your beef, Bob.
Hopefully some of them will recognize that their CCP sources they have followed have gone too far before they remove our Constitutional Rights and we look like China when the Mao Revolution removed their long-standing traditions.
Sun Tzu, The art of war.
Yuri Bezmanov on Subversion, great video
Rules for Radical, Saul Alinsky…..
Animal Farm, George Orwell……really rings home these days…..
But as you say, we are teaching our kids, and families that interfamilial sex is good and hard work is not. Pride is the root of most disagreements and pride is rampant in Vermont, we put it on our license plates…..Vermont Strong!
Sadly, a more accurate license plate broke, corrupt and Godless.
BLM and CRT do need to go. However, there’s nothing worse for a kid than depriving them of education. I think parents who opt out their children are doing a disservice. There is no pornography in school libraries. That’s a ridiculous assertion. Prove me wrong here in Monkton. Which books are in the school library that are pornographic?
Re: “There is no pornography in school libraries. That’s a ridiculous assertion. Prove me wrong here in Monkton. Which books are in the school library that are pornographic?”
Nick, there was a recent controversy in Monkton, VT, regarding library book content for young children. In January 2024, the Addison Central School District, which includes Monkton, held a meeting at Middlebury Union High School to address community concerns about books in school libraries. The discussion focused on books with transgender-related themes, some of which were described as containing political commentary and, in certain cases, graphic content aimed at young audiences. Renne McGuinness of the Vermont Family Alliance in Monkton was among those raising concerns about these materials.
While Vermont has generally resisted widespread book banning trends compared to other states, this specific issue in Monkton reflects ongoing debates about age-appropriate content in school libraries.
Just sayin’.
I’ve been in my town for 72 years and in the same house for 45 years. When I go to the local grocery store/ gas station, people look at me strangely as if I’m invading their precious space. The clerk asks me who I am after knowing her for over forty years. I thought we left these cliques back in high school 55 years ago.
In Vermont it’s hard to say “anti-trump” and “anti-republican” are the same. The voters chose bernie and scott. I don’t support trump, but I voted republican for all state seats. I’m trying to meet more trump supporters and talk to them, but the ones with the flags and bumper stickers are the ones who generally also have a middle finger sticker beside it so I avoid them. I would love to sit at a round table with a handful of his supports and have them explain why they like him. It’s nearly impossible to do on this forum, but it’s where many of you gather. I recognize that an individual can support a candidate without agreeing with everything they do. But trump is leading like a fascist, placing himself in charge of the kennedy center, infusing his agenda in the smithsonian, refusing to give money to universities, putting tariffs on imports at his own whim, deploying national guard on the streets of america, etc. etc. And so when an anti-trump person sees a supporter they can’t help but think the supporter also wants military in the streets, to lock up migrants, etc. There is no separation from his actions and his supporters. Proof is in the pudding: his supporters challenge anything he does. they seem to want trump to be dictator and for him to punish people who disagree with him. Loyalty is what he wants. Loyalty is what his supporters deliver. Have you seen the Trump 2028 hats? You can buy one on his website. Nothing says F the constitution like planning to run a third term. But I’m sure many on this website are more than happy to support the effort.
Well Nick, you started off by making a point than digressed into talking points sounding directly from the now defunct MSNBC. Totally disregarding the willful violation and refusing to uphold Federal Laws on the books for decades, now being followed and enforced, plus by the pervious Administration, while bending laws to go after political opponents and looking the other way when it came to their own party, including over 2500 pardons some questionably preemptive issued by who knows in the White House using an autopen; while installing a candidate for national Presidential election that never received one vote from electorate during a primary while professing to ‘protect democracy’ and not supporting our Republic
Ron, I could follow your logic if you focused on trump instead of talking about what the previous administration and the democrats did. Let me try this question: do you think it is a good thing for trump to unilaterally make decisions the way he is? Are you in favor of a bigger, stronger executive? What do you like / dislike about trump, not previous administrations or MSNBC. How are we supposed to disconnect his supporters to his actions or should we?
I sent you a long email, Nick. I would be happy to have discussions with you on these issues, unless your starting point is that people who support Trump’s policies are stupid.
I approve of the use of withholding federal funds as leverage against universities and public schools that are violating Title IX and civil rights by imposing DEI in their hiring, student admissions, and classrooms.
I also don’t think I owe anyone a college education paid for with my tax dollars.
Nick, you can, according to federal law, ask for and receive access to classroom curriculum such as books made available and read aloud in class, and books available in the MCS library. I highly recommend that you do this. It’s not just in libraries. Check the classrooms. Gender ideology is incorporated into mandatory language arts, thus disallowing parents to opt out their children from materials promoting gender ideology.
VT Agency of Ed has a policy that allows schools to keep social gender transitioning confidential: two separate files so parents won’t know your child is socially transitioning at school. Ten legislators introduced a bill to allow minors (no minimum age) to consent to hormone blockers without parental consent in 2021 or 2022, not sure if the year is correct but don’t feel like looking it up right now. Anyway, it was not taken up, but will likely be reintroduced without a change in the makeup of the Vermont legislature, and without intervention from the Federal Administration.
I 100% support Trump’s policies and EO’s that remove DEI, gender mutiliation, compel compliance to Title IX, defend parents’ rights, religious rights, reducing the federal government, and cutting waste, fraud, abuse.
Small correction for H. Jay Eshelman: Monkton is part of Mount Abraham Unified School District, not Addison Central. Regardless we can assume the gender ideology curriculum is being introduced in the majority of Vermont schools.
Thank you for the correction Renee. Indeed, on further inspection, I want to clarify that there is no specific, well-documented controversy in the Mount Abraham Unified School District (including Monkton) related to library books for young children based on the available information.
The Addison Central School District (ACSD) controversy in late 2023 and early 2024 centered on a challenge by two parents to remove seven books from the kindergarten curriculum at Mary Hogan Elementary School in Middlebury, Vermont.
Monkton and Nick are in the clear in this regard…
Nick! Please announce a time and place for Republicans to meet and discuss the national leader of our party. I will try to join and hopefully add light to the discussion.
Those who oppose what this administration is doing are throwing the “fascist” label on Trump, and with some stretching you can put that label on practically anyone: it’s just name calling. What those who do this to Trump mean to imply is that he wishes for a totalitarian government akin to Hitler’s regime.
The essence of a totalitarian regime is censorship and propaganda– controlling the thinking of the people to such a degree that they know that to step out of line is to incur not only the wrath of the government, but also that of one’s neighbors who’ve been seduced by the censorship and propaganda. Thus do fear and obedience reign.
Censorship and propaganda are coming from the left, not the right, as evidenced by the court decision in the Biden v Missouri decision. We’re all still allowed to criticize the current government and this criticism is rampant in the media. No one gets an FBI visit for doing so. The previous regime, however, actively worked to silence critics on social media, and to thus control and mold the thinking of the population, in violation of the Constitution and in accordance with truly totalitarian governments. We also know that medical information that contradicts the established order is heavily censored, and doctors pay the price for stepping out of line, a price that includes losing jobs and even licenses. Trump is not doing this, and was himself censored and ridiculed when he dared to mention hydroxychloroquine.
Trump and RFK Jr are fighting what Dr. Kheriaty called the “biomedical security state,” and if anything is very like fascism, it’s this attempt to install a biosecurity police state akin to what we had under Covid. This tactic of installing a police state through the guise of “stay safe” should be our real concern, yet how rabid some on the left are if we dare to suggest that individuals should be free to make their own medical decisions (with the glaring exception of “my body my choice”)! Censorship and propaganda have already taken hold.
Nick, Unilateral decisions? Must compare to previous Administration that you are trying to hide from with a record number of EO’s that may not have been actually made and signed by the POTUS. Executive using what powers delineated by Article II of the Constitution, remember Louisiana Purchase without which we would not have the State of California, which may not have been a bad thing, tariffs have funded our nation for the first century and a half while strengthening US Status across the world. Why does there need to be a definite disconnect from all of Tump supporters and his actions? Actions like securing borders which is a positive and follows US Law that has been in place for decades, restoring military strength and respect, providing for protection of all citizens from law breakers using powers of law to establish law and order while being obstructed constantly by political courts that violate their Article III powers most of the Democrat Judge injunctions have been overturned by higher courts. So looks like you wish to have an argument in a vacuum without context to what condition we are really in thanks to disregard to the laws of our REPUBLIC while purporting to support ‘Democracy’ and blaming the executive for actions of the Article I Legislative actions.
Dude, you didn’t get two sentences in before avoiding discussing Trump’s decisions. I understand you have a good grasp of history. But you still have not addressed Trump’s use of executive orders. And yes they are unilateral. I’m not contesting their legality. I’m constesting if they are being used wisely, which I think they are not.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary: fascism: a populist philosophy, movemement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation, militarism, and by forcible suppression of opposition.
And to go back to the original question of this article about why neighbors are shunning trump supporters… Trump is a populist, he wants a centralized autocratic government that he runs through executive order where he dictates rather than seeking approval from congress. His economic regimentation is on full display with his decisions about tariffs. He is militarizing the streets of washington DC and Los Angeles. He is withholding funds from colleges and universities unless they do what he wants. He is trying to influence the smithsonian institute to rewrite history as he wants it to be written. And the list goes on. So, in a nutshell, that is why anti-trump people have a hard time being friendly with trump supporters. Anti-trump people think trump supporters want him to do these things, which, as outlined above, are fascist. If trump sought approval from congress on any of these matters he would not be seen as a fascist. I’m not saying he legally has to seek approval. But he could.
HAHAHAA!!!! And for good measure… I just read that trump is trying to end mail in ballots and to change the way elections are conducted…. with a executive order. Nothing fascist here. Nope. It’s not like states have the right to set their own agenda for voting. And if states did have the right to setup elections as they see fit, they should relinquish their rights and let trump’s agenda be the law of the land. Nothing fascist here. hahahahahha!!!!! Come on gang! Defend this one! Why should the executive be allowed to tell states how to run their elections? Any takers? Should we get rid of the US Constitution’s election clause? Nothing fascist to see here.
Nick; I’m calling a gender foul. As you should know by now, “Ron” might not be a “Dude”.
Witness the Ronettes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPpbOGnFgk&list=RDjSPpbOGnFgk&start_radio=1&pp=ygUUZW5nbGlzaCBiZWF0IHJvbmV0dGWgBwE%3D
Please exhibit more gender sensitivity when posting comments.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Re: ‘Any takers?
Not to disappoint, Nick. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, that you quoted, provides for Federal Oversight of elections. In it, while State legislators can regulate the “times, places, and manner” of congressional elections, the U.S. Congress has the power to override or modify state regulations by passing federal laws. This allows Congress to set uniform standards for federal elections, such as voting procedures or election dates.
And, of course, none of these constitutional election controls have anything to do with the common rhetorical hyperbole put forth by lazy political opponents of all stripes, who characterize any policy with which they take issue as fascism.
Well said, Jay. However, it says nothing about the executive branch being allowed to have oversight. But I suppose it’s just another opportunity for the judicial branch to exercise its bias against trump and his attack on voting (which is fascist in nature). Remember what happened in March? I’m sure you can break down how the bias court system struck down his previous executive order targeting voting, if you care to.
Re: “However, it says nothing about the executive branch being allowed to have oversight.”
Wrong again, Nick. It, (Article I, Section 4, Clause 1) says that the Congress has the power to override or modify state regulations by passing federal laws. Congress, therefore, has the authority to pass a law that empowers the POTUS to determine voting procedures for federal elections?
While progressives in Brattleboro, for example, can vote to allow 16-year-old kids to vote local offices with Ouija boards, the POTUS can prevent that process for federal election voting in Brattleboro.
And while Trump’s March 25, 2025, executive order limiting mail-in-ballots is being challenged, the courts have yet to rule on the issue.
After all, it’s curious, Nick, that you and progressive courts get worked up about Trump’s executive order, yet not a word about President Biden’s March 7, 2021, executive order requiring agencies to facilitate vote-by-mail processes, the very same vote-by-mail processes the Trump executive order is rescinding.
Hey, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander – right?
Sorry, Jay. You proved yourself wrong in this on. re: “Wrong again, Nick. It, (Article I, Section 4, Clause 1) says that the Congress has the power to override or modify state regulations by passing federal laws. Congress, therefore, has the authority to pass a law that empowers the POTUS to determine voting procedures for federal elections?” Congress can pass laws to empower the potus, fine. That sounds like democracy. Can you pinpoint the current law on that empowers the POTUS to determine voting procedures? Unless, of course, there isn’t one.
And of course trump had this to say” “States are merely an agent for for the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the federal government, as represented by the president of the united states, tells them, for the good of our country, to do.” Nothing fascist here. Totally in line with the constitution, wouldn’t ya say Jay? How about it? Are you ready for a big beautiful fascist president? To heck with states rights?
John Kelley said trump fits the definition of a fascist. But what would he know as his former chief of staff and military guy. But I’m sure trump supporters don’t like Kelley, well, because trump said so.
And courts did rule on the the March EO… as “Federal judges subsequently blocked several key parts of the executive order, emphasizing that the power to regulate elections resides with the states and Congress, not the President. Notably, a federal judge paused the requirement for documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote via the federal form. Another ruling also blocked provisions that aimed to punish states for accepting mailed ballots after Election Day if postmarked by that date” You can thank your favorite lawyer, Mark Elias, for helping keep fascism at bay.
I didn’t know about Biden’s EO about elections. Thanks for pointing it out. How many republicans and judges said it was unconstitutional? Care to elaborate how it went against the constitution? Or did it just tell agencies to find ways to expand voting right? Nothing fascist there. Sorry.
re: ” Can you pinpoint the current law on that empowers the POTUS to determine voting procedures? ”
Wouldn’t it be the same legislation that enabled President Biden’s March 7, 2021, executive order requiring agencies to facilitate vote-by-mail processes?
_____________
The authority for the President of the United States (POTUS) to issue executive orders stems primarily from Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the powers and duties of the executive branch. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention “executive orders,” it grants the President broad executive authority to manage the operations of the federal government. Key constitutional provisions include:
Article II, Section 1: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” This vesting clause implies the authority to issue directives to carry out executive functions.
Article II, Section 3: The President “shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” This “Take Care Clause” authorizes the President to issue executive orders to implement and enforce laws passed by Congress.
In addition to constitutional authority, statutory authority from Congress can also underpin executive orders. Congress may pass laws that delegate specific powers to the President, allowing them to issue executive orders to carry out those laws. For example, statutes like the National Emergencies Act (1976) or the Administrative Procedure Act (1946) provide frameworks where the President can exercise delegated authority.
Executive orders are also subject to limitations:
They must operate within the bounds of the Constitution and existing federal law.
They can be challenged in court if they exceed the President’s authority or violate statutory or constitutional provisions (e.g., Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952)).
Congress can pass legislation to override an executive order, or the courts can strike them down if deemed unconstitutional.
In summary, the President’s ability to issue executive orders derives from the Constitution’s Article II and delegated powers from Congress, but no single piece of legislation universally “allows” executive orders; rather, they are an inherent part of executive authority, subject to checks and balances.
Jay, you could have simplified it by saying “the president doesn’t currently have the power to tell states how they run elections.” The difference between Biden’s and Trump’s EO’s about elections is that Biden’s was legal. Trump’s was not. You can still fight for a fascist takeover of America. Hopefully the US constitution will win.
Nick, what, pray tell, made Biden’s 2021 EO creating mail-in-ballots any more legal than Trump’s 2025 EO rescinding the mail-in-ballot directive?
What about all the Zuckerbucks? Seriously how was that legal?
How about machines that “weight” votes, like .70 how can that be legal?
How about “suddenly” all the winning states need extra days to count votes?
How about the easily hacked voting machines, proven on every news network for 20 years prior to the most secure election in history using the same machines?
There is a reason nobody wants it investigated; it’s been used by corrupt politicians on both sides.
Just like Vermont ethics commission, smallest budget, smallest room, smallest power to do anything in the entire state offices.
But of course, there is nothing to see here either.
Jay, Biden did not establish mail in ballots as you are claiming. Each state voted on it and established it in their state. Trump is trying to use his EO to get rid of those states laws. That’s illegal.
And Biden’s 2021 order was revoked by Trump’s order 14148 on January 20, 2025. Why is that illegal? The courts haven’t deemed Trump’s EO as illegal. Is it illegal just because you say it is?
Jay, biden’s EO didn’t establish mail in voting.
Re: “Jay, biden’s EO didn’t establish mail in voting.”
Again, Nick, my point, that you continue to ignore, is that, as of August 19, 2025, Executive Order 14148, signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, titled “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions,” has not been definitively found to be illegal by any federal court with a final ruling.
Unless and until Trump’s EO is found to be illegal your opinion is just that – your opinion. And you’re welcome to it. But it’s wrong.
Jay, i was ignoring it because it has nothing to do with what we were discussing. And, fine if it hasn’t been found to be illegal. Biden’s EO didn’t establish mail in voting. Therefore, if Trump rescinds Biden’s EO there will still be mail in voting. Moving forward from today, Trump has threatened to establish another EO to rescind mail in voting. That will certainly be struck down in the courts, thank you Marc Elias.
Nick, on August 19, 2025 at 9:20 am , you said: “The difference between Biden’s and Trump’s EO’s about elections is that Biden’s was legal. Trump’s was not.”
I then asked you: “what, pray tell, made Biden’s 2021 EO creating mail-in-ballots any more legal than Trump’s 2025 EO…”… whether or not Biden ‘created’ mail-in-ballots or simply facilitated the mail-in-ballot process… which is what he did.
The point is, Nick, that is what we were discussing. And you still haven’t answered my question…. because you can’t.
Again, as of 8-19-25 (today) Trump’s EO isn’t illegal, despite your opinion on the matter. And unless and until you can accept these facts, the only reason to continue to address your comments is to be sure that anyone new to this forum, who may be reading your logical projection for the first time, understands your asymmetric tolerance.
Jay, thank goodness for not deleting posts! You’re so sharp to recall what was written. You originally brought up Trumps EO from March 25 regarding mail in voting (Aug 18, 2025: 10:18pm). Then shifted your argument to EO from Jan 20. (Aug 19, 2025 3:05pm). In the case of EO from March 25, it has been found to be illegal by Judge Denise Casper. And while an appeal is pending, chances are in favor of states rights, thank you Article 1 Section 4 of the constitution. Trump’s EO from March 25 attempted limit the “manner” in which elections are conducted by limiting mail in voting. Mail in voting was implemented, at least in Vermont, by Vermonters voting, not Joe Biden writing an executive order. So I will grant you that EO from Jan 20 is legal. Trump EO from March 25 about limiting voting is not legal. Biden’s EO from 2021 was legal. If it wasn’t republicans would have had a field day. None of these EO’s have any legal merit on mail in voting. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
…into the weeds we go:
A federal court temporarily blocked the enforcement of President Trump’s January 20, 2025 executive orders aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, ruling that they violated constitutional rights. The court found that the orders were unconstitutional due to their vagueness and potential to infringe on free speech rights.
The provisions not blocked include:
– Documentary Proof of Citizenship: The order mandates that mail voter registration forms require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This includes specific types of identification, such as a U.S. passport or a government-issued photo ID that indicates citizenship.
– Verification Access: It allows state and local officials to access systems for verifying the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote, aiming to identify unqualified voters.
– Federal Oversight: The order emphasizes federal oversight in the voter registration process, which has raised concerns about the balance of power between state and federal authorities in managing elections.
Now the issue is one of ‘severability’. If the DEI provisions are disallowed because they are ‘vague’, are the provisions listed above also disallowed? This is the constitutional process. And the same considerations occurred with Biden’s executive orders. One of the reasons the Biden litigation ended was because Trump’s executive order rescinding Biden’s EO made any legal stay a moot point.
Given the ongoing legal challenges to the executive order, courts will likely evaluate the severability of its provisions as part of the litigation process. If certain provisions are deemed unconstitutional, the courts will determine whether the remaining provisions can stand alone or if the entire order must be invalidated.
But again, to date, Trump’s executive order on the above listed points (which include mail-in-ballots) remains intact. That’s not my opinion. It’s the opinion of the courts.
Will they be challenged further?
Of course. That’s what lawfare is all about.
Hey VDC readers: An aside…. but still relevant to my ongoing debate with Nick.
This is what VDC University is all about. And AI platforms like ChatGPT and Grok are an important part of the mix. We have no excuses, as voting citizens, to be oblivious to the issues our various legislatures (Federal or State) are throwing at us. You have the world, literally, at your fingertips. Do your homework.
A last hoorah, Nick …. for the time being. The flaw in your argument begins with the assumption that Trump’s Jan. 2025 executive order rescinded mail-in-ballot provisions, thereby infringing on ‘state’s rights’.
The fact is, Trump’s EO does not explicitly stop mail-in balloting in federal elections but imposes restrictions that could significantly limit its use. Specifically, the order includes a provision that prohibits states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, even if postmarked by Election Day, which challenges existing practices in at least 17 states that allow such ballots to be counted if they arrive shortly after Election Day (e.g., within a few days). Non-compliant states risk losing federal election funding, which could pressure them to alter their mail-in voting procedures.
Furthermore, the fact that some of us push back on your assertions is simply an example of our due process. It doesn’t make any of us ‘fascists’.
Well said, Jay. How about that March 25 executive order? Care to comment?
Re: Trump’s March 25, 2025 executive order aimed to enhance the integrity of American elections.
I have no problem with the executive order’s stated goals.
Are there going to be some unintended consequences in its implementation? There always are… with any directive. When they occur, we fix them. Call it due process and due diligence.
But as Michael J. Fox points out: I’m careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can pursue. Perfection is God’s work.
None the less, the March 25, 2025 executive order appears to me to be reasonable.
You’re hilarious, Jay. Just because you think it is reasonable, doesn’t make it law. You should warn the VDC readers that you changed the goal posts during our exchange. First bringing up the March 25 EO, which I identified as being struck down in the courts. Then you shifted to the Jan EO and ignored the March 25. Why are you so ‘adam shifty’?
Nick, you asked me to comment on a specific EO. So, I did.
I’ve never said or implied that my ‘opinion’ is more legally valid or binding than yours. I may be more accurate and concise in how I describe my findings and opinions on them than you are. After all, Trump has signed nearly 200 EOs this year and I suspect you disagree with most of them. That’s okay too.
But hey, it’s possible you may learn to better articulate the facts and your point of view one day – and learn from others in the process.
Possible, I suspect. But not likely. My guess is that it will take some work for you to detox from your addiction to ad hominem appeals.
So… until I feel compelled to address your next outburst… have a nice day.
Absolutely!! I have been experiencing similar situations in my Town, all of which I won’t discuss here. My Town is SO overcome with them that they totally manage our Town Government. I do not feel comfortable warning any Republican event, so I keep them private.
This goes out to both parties, right or wrong.
POLITICS
The statesman throws his shoulders back and straightens out his tie
and says,”My friends, unless it rains, the weather will be dry.”
And then he clears his august throat, his drone becomes a roar,
He says,”I sat to you, my friends, that two and two are four.”
Just then the paid supporters, who were waiting for the cue,
Must all put on a toothy smile, and start to chant, “How true.”
Then he yells, “I make this statement, that I feel will meet the test,
The sun that rises in the East, will set, when in the West.”
Then he adds, “I make this statement, on which I’m standing pat
and challenge my opponents to debate me on that.”
Now he’s really heating up, his message loud and clear.
He will not be saying anything that the folks don’t want to hear.
“My past is like an open book, since when my life began,
my mother was a woman and my father was a man.
I started as a barefoot boy, but while at my mothers knee
I decided it would be my lot, to be making history.”
“After much consideration, I have but this to say,
The folks that we meet, face to face, are all going the other way.
And this brings forth another fact, on which I stand my ground,
We’d both face the same direction, if only that would turn around.”
By now we’re feeling brilliant, life takes on a pleasant hue,
We smile and say, “Of course he’s right, I really like his view.
This man must really have his ducks all in a row,
because he mentioned many things, that I knew long ago.”
Why do we go on supposing, when it’s the truth that really rings,
While we spend both time and money complicating simple things.
Perhaps there is a lesson, in this politicians act
Maybe life could be much better, if we only dealt with facts.
Reg Smith
This was found in a Danville town report.
Yes — this them/us split with the overlay of avoid-the-others is pervasive. I see Facebook groups evidencing this also.
I had a productive conversation with two volunteers at an Indivisible table at a County fair. I hope to connect with one of them to continue the conversation. I took copies of their resources and will be researching them. Most important is to turn their attention to what our state legislature is and is not doing. Trump hate and fear mongering is a distraction from the lack of meaningful work our state legislators are doing.
Re: “Trump hate and fear mongering is a distraction from the lack of meaningful work our state legislators are doing.”
Which is why we are seeing so much fearmongering (e.g., intolerance vs. tolerance, projection, and blame shifting). It’s not that there is a lack of meaningful work to be done, just that the fearmongers, as the record shows, have no idea how to do that work more successfully.
Ergo, those of us who criticize them and try to hold them accountable for their lack of specificity and their increasing institutional failures, are, without fail, characterized as fascists… or worse… because they will blame us for their increasing failures… even when we demonstrate that they are in charge, and we aren’t. It will still be our fault.
At some point, I suspect, the fearmongering, intolerant, moral outrage will transform into a fight-or-flight impulse…. as will our sentiments if/when their fearmongering intolerance of us … becomes intolerable to us.
For our state legislature, meaningful work consists of a constitutional amendment to end all privledge in the state. This applies to financial, social and political. The change states that Vermont defines equality broadly. The United Nations in the Declaration of Human Rights defines equality broadly aligned to the socialist/socialist-democratic conversation as a means to correct the “unnatural inequities” that exist amoung various democratics. The Constitutional Amendment doesn’t define”privilege”. Although, state employee DEI and DEI-Racial training courses include the Wheel of Privilege. The privledge to be eradicated/ended includes white privilege or whiteness as a form of power; privledge associated with being a citizen of the country versus being a migrant (And we aren’t a sanctuary state, really?), privledge associated with being skinny; speaking English; and owning a home. This is even privilege associated with being a member of the middle class. This is full blown rebranded socialism aka Equity.
Mr. Fireovid don’t worry It works both ways. Where I live there is a small grocery/deli store in the center of town right on Rt. 30. The owners put up the gay and trans flags and the Black Lives Matter flag prominently over their door along with the American Flag just ever so slightly above them. I would not spend a cent of my money there. A friend of mine who knows the owner asked him if he thought that the flags would keep some people from frequenting his store and he gave some off the cuff answer about being inclusive. Well now I have noticed that those flags are gone. I really don’t know the reason. That being said I always remember listing to Glenn Beck saying, “we out number them”. And it’s true they are in the minority they are just louder with the media on their side to push their message. Now it seems the squeaky wheel isn’t getting the grease anymore and going woke is just going broke.
“Republicans buy sneakers, too” – Michael Jordan
I know your neighborhood. I’ve noticed a change and pride flags are disappearing. I have also noticed an increase in American flags like a nearby inn that has been displaying a large American flag.
Old timey native Vermonters notice more than what they care to admit. Stoically peaceful, outwardly guarded, smarter than the average bear. Particularly those who smelled the sulfur during Convid-19. Those who are shunned, smeared, shut out and shut off simply go about their business and pray for their family, friends, and associates first, and themselves second. A shift in conscienceness occured by design – it can’t be denied. What the dark powers do and did is a disgrace and an abomination – those who go along with it to get along are given over to reprobate minds.
One thing is for sure, those stoved up in a ditch with a “co-exist” rainbow bumpersticker may find themselves stoved up there for a long time or a good-hearted, kind soul may help them out regardless – that is what real solid Vermonters do – but some are so fatigued and jaded by all the lies, liars and criminals – they now tend to their own business and to Hell with everything and everyone else. Sad, but true.
As the saying goes, “the foot that is stomped on the way up, is the same foot that will kick the keister on the way down.” The choice is to be decent, fair and honest or get the Hell out of the way or be put away. I miss those days!
TDS is sad, and extremely intolerant. Those on the neighbor-hating Left don’t want a two-party government — they want the ONE PARTY TO RULE THEM ALL. Growing up, I had family members of both red and blue, and we still ate dinner together in love and respect. Not the “tolerant tribe” — they shriek in blue-haired hate based on falsehoods they cannot dispel because discussion and factual analysis (Russia Gate, Hunter’s laptop, vaccines, Jan 6, 2020 voting fraud, etc) are verboten. It is a cult.
But it goes both ways — I won’t shop or eat at an establishment that displays the Satanic rainbow trans flag. If they want to elevate their politics in their business model, I go elsewhere. Vermont is being destroyed by their failed policies and hateful ideological Borg, which they push in our faces like Stalinist thugs. They have already lost. People should buy their grass-fed beef from conservatives like Bob F!!
This reminds me of my children saying ‘na na na na na’ to one another as they tease each other about stealing toys. I’m not shopping at your stores if you don’t shop at mine. My flag is better than yours.
In regard to Stalinist thugs, they really impressed with the way they handled army veteran George Retes, wouldn’t ya say?
I’m lucky to be surrounded by 99% Conservative neighbors. I love living in Essex County!