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by Erynn Hazlett
Every morning, I type into my phone “Vermont News.” Yesterday morning, the first several articles appeared with headlines about Governor Scott calling for Orleans County Senator to resign. Woah, I thought to myself, that guy must have done something terrible. I dug into the articles, and it took quite a bit of digging to get to the Politico article with the screen shots and descriptions of the Telegraph chat.
Boy o boy, am I sure glad Orleans County Senator Douglass is not on the long list of people whose comments were so vile and disgusting and hateful that I stopped reading them to stop giving them life. Instead, Senator Douglass’s comment seems to be more appropriately described in the last three letters of the Senators own last name, followed by a synonym to pit.
What surprised me most, was how quickly the list of Republicans grew calling for this first time senator’s resignation. From top, Governor Scott, to bottom, the GOP Executive Committee – more on them later – everyone has called for this young man to commit political suicide before giving him 48 hours to breathe, consult an attorney, and begin processing the shock of becoming a national headline. Not one person – oh wait, one person did, more on him later – encouraged an investigation to determine how these messages were leaked to a leftist propaganda media machine. And no one waited to hear what Senator Douglass’s response was to his… er… “joke.”
This bothers me, not the, at best to be described as a tasteless joke, but the immediate rally cry against this 27-year-old, first time, senator. I’m a 38-year-old Vermonter, in many professional groups, I’m considered young, though my aching body and grey- silver- hair, seem to remind me otherwise. Often, I’m called out at Rutland County GOP meetings for being the youngest person in the room. I’m often asked when I will run for office, and until I announced my current pregnancy, my age came with an expectation that I know everything about social media, I have endless energy for volunteering, and I know exactly what to say and do to attract young Republicans to volunteer and become civically engaged.
Sure, I’ve been serving the public since my early 20’s, first in the Vermont Army National Guard for a dozen years, and through non-profit and volunteer groups for most of my adult life. Sure, I recruited, possibly, the youngest Republican delegate for my towns GOP Committee. Sure, I ran a gubernatorial campaign in 2020 hoping to bring light to the Vermont National Guards rampant sexual assault and harassment culture, which I lost electorally, but won internally when an entire chain of command within the Vermont Army National Guard was removed after the next deployment because of the massive number of empowered Soldiers who filed SHARP and EO complaints against toxic command leadership.
But, here’s why I won’t run anytime soon for office. Six years ago I was wearing a “Feel the Bern” shirt and spending my lunch hours holding pro-choice signs at major street intersections. Then I bought a home. Then I had a child. Then I was thrust into the Vermont Family Court system. Then I found Jesus. Now, I’m remarried, settling into my small Vermont town, a three-time homeowner, a medically retired Guardswoman, and shelling out thousands of dollars a year in addition to my heavily burdensome property tax obligation, to send my son to an ”independent school” so he is protected from the public indoctrination of the woke agenda.
I chair my town’s GOP committee, a committee I started from grassroots effort and immense support from my County and State leaders. I attend Vermont State University and find myself a minority in the classrooms, voicing my sadness and pain at the assassination of Charlie Kirk, while surrounded by students who show the outcome of Vermont’s public school system when they express their joy and relief that Charlie was murdered. Through all of this change, I have made a ton of mistakes. Some big, and some small, but guaranteed, I’ve made mistakes.
So why won’t I run? I’m truly an incredible candidate. But why would I, when young Vermonters like Senator Douglass aren’t allowed to make a mistake? Why would I run when the only person who advocated for time for this situation to unfold, Vermont GOP Chair, Paul Dame, was backhanded by his Executive Committee? Why would I run, when in the midst of the greatest Republican gain of legislative seats in the Nation, led by Chair Paul Dame, Republicans are attempting a coup, right in the middle of the battle? This backhanded betrayal seems to me like Senator Ingalls is more interested in stealing the glory of Paul Dames efforts than steering the ship to victory.
Because what is Senator Ingalls doing so differently right in this Senator Douglass fiasco? Senator Ingalls is following the crowd- he’s following Governor Scott, he’s following the woke crowd, he’s following the hyped up aggressive liberal media that Vermont Republicans have become so used to cowering down to. Just the other day is oped was that he would lead us differently and to prioritize and focus on the future generation of Republicans. His claim to do things differently for the State, is hypocritical, because in the first opportunity Ingalls had to lead Vermont Republicans, he followed the woke crowd and steered us right back towards the projected shame and guilt Democrats and Progressives have been slamming Republicans with for the last two decades.
Let me be clear. We do not live in a State where extreme right Republicans and Christians get to call the shots. The Pro-Life community, in which I now identify with, has to place our efforts in non-profit and religious committees, praying that the Lord will grace more Vermonters with a change of their hearts and minds away from murdering babies, towards saving our children. We know there’s no life politically in the Pro-Life agenda in Vermont- 70% of Vermonters voted for Prop 5, now Article 22. Someday, but not today.
Certainly, there’s no way the people in that Telegram chat who laughs at gas chamber executions would ever be elected in Vermont. It’s not possible. And it’s doesn’t appear this is who Senator Douglass is. Vermonters are hearty, we have compassion and empathy because life here is hard enough. We welcome many. Diversity is plastered all over every State, business, and non-profit mission from the largest to the smallest. There are so many protected classes of citizen in Vermont, when reading the protected classes in the signature line of Vermont State University employee e-mails, you must take two breaths.
Maybe because I served in the military for 12 years, my skin is tougher than most, or I’ve become desensitized to rude jokes because, well, in war, I’ve heard- and said- far too many to remember or count. To me, not knowing Senator Douglass in anyway, I’ve never met him in person or via e-mail, he has terrible taste in jokes. As have I in my younger days. But that aside, he’s brave for serving his community as a State Senator and he’s successful in it- he won at 27 years old! And he’s not just a public servant who serves as an elected official, his career is in one of the most in demand and under supported populations in Vermont- the mental health community. Oh, and he’s an environmental steward- operating a farm… and he serves Meals on Wheels!
Come on people, if there’s a guy who is allowed to make a mistake- it’s this guy! He might be allowed to make a few mistakes along the way, not another tasteless bad joke, but I have room in my head and heart to allow Senator Douglass the chance to let Essex County voters decide if he’s worthy of another term in 2026. As a Republican I, and I imagine he, expect the Vermont GOP to afford Senator Douglass some level of patience and support as he navigates this upsetting event. Afterall, he’s gone up to bat for the Republicans in a State where we are constantly beat down.
And if you want to have an opinion on his wife’s comment, I think we all remember what Senator Bernie Sanders’ wife did to Burlington College. Yet, people still wear their “Feel the Bern” shirts, along with shirts calling for the murder of our President. What happened to my Bernie shirt? Well, with the rising cost of heat in Vermont, I tossed mine into the wood stove several years ago.
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Categories: Opinion
I hope the VTGOP reads this and changes their direction, then we may have some hope. Sadly they were all told what to do and did it, without thinking. They are so used to cancel culture and are so, afraid of being called racist, or some other word they do anything the dems want the, too. We are being played by the uniparty at every corner. Great, fantastic article. Thanks for all your service.
Look at the article about this on Not The Bee about group chars.
The Vermont “leadership’s” reaction to the Douglass kerfuffle was instantaneous, gutless, and foolish. Without any conscious deliberation. they jumped on a new Republican Senator. In doing so they may have fractured the party over a peccadillo that does not rise to the level of routine vilification received from the other political parties. If Douglass stands his ground and learns from his mistake, he will prevail.
They probably found out he voted for Trump, that gets you immediate ejection from all things VTGOP, if you watch the debate of Lt governors, that was the litmus test given to John Rodger’s, he passed the test by not supporting Trump!
We are truly our own worst enemy. The dems don’t have to do anything, we’ll do it for them!
It’s, it’s it’s almost like we are on the same team? Huh…can you say uniparty?
I’ve seen them in person sabatoge their own, multiple times, don’t be fooled, this is normal within the VTGOP
schoolyard argument: “Not Fair! He hit me first!” . . . “No! She threw her gum at me!” Everyone gets a timeout (even the teacher’s favorites) when they’re caught doing wrong.
Another thing that comes to mind is the proverbial Road to Damascus statement: “I found Jesus.” Oh yeah? What did he look like? So many are guilty of this nonsensical religious virtue signaling, and it’s another meaningless flag on the lapel to indicate one’s patriotism.
Douglass (and his wife) were caught associating with racists and making racist comments. We have to hold our elected officials (on both sides) to a higher standard.
What does Jesus look like? Who is he? those are great questions, those who follow Jesus know they have no virtue…they know there is but one perfect person that walked this earth, and it’s not anybody in this chat room.
Try again, maybe a bit more informed on your next attempt. Cancelling someone for doing something wrong is the easiest thing in planet earth. There were two types of people, sinners and Pharisees, who did Jesus hang out with and why? What group are you in?
People who know they are sinners and people who think their sh#* don’t stink, in common speak.
Bob, apart from anything Senator Douglass did or didn’t do, why malign Ms. Hazlett for her boldness and courage to confess Jesus? Call that virtue-signaling if you like; I call it honesty and humility, and a life in the process of being transformed by the One who did not come into the world to condemn us, but to save us and heal us.
What does Jesus look like?
Love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, truth, beauty, compassion, liberty.
For me and you and all who receive Him.
“Associating with racists.”? So what? This is like the Woke tactic of condemning people such that no one should have any contact with such individuals. I saw toy talking to so-and-so. So-and-so is racist. Therefore, you are racist. Absurd.
Bravo!
Was that a picture of Sam Douglass with former Governor of Vermont Jim Douglass and is this guilt by association????? Comment from Richard Day.
Thank you for your article Erynn. This is exactly what I how I see it and probably many Vermonters also that are not represented by the people they voted in .
Excellent commentary!
“Pavlovian response, also known as classical conditioning, is a learned behavior where an individual [or group] develops an involuntary reaction to a stimulus…”
The Left has so conditioned the Right.
Vermont GOP, PLEASE, wake up!
What this article exposes, is why we don’t get good people, but the path people in office, people on the spectrum, of narcissism, sociopath, and psychopath, because they could care less. These people are overrepresented in law, politics, c-suite and sales. Most of the excellent leaders are not in this category, it’s roughly the paredo principle, once again, 20% to 80%…….
80% of the good leaders kept down by 20% of the most manipulative……most people can’t, fathom why anyone would be like this, how could somebody, for example, knowingly lie to the entire planet about covid, enter Bill Gates. enter Anthony Fauci. It is such an outlandish proposal most people can’t grasp the idea, clearly everybody can’t be wrong, but here we are. And he gets on tv and says wear two masks……
Most people cannot grasp this concept for many good reasons. None the less, the facts and the true science prove it was and is the biggest scam in human history.
Meanwhile the Amish, have no covid, no sudden infant death syndrome and not autism……..go figure.
It’s interesting where you end up, searching for the truth, I will say it surprised me.
Re: “But why would I, when young Vermonters like Senator Douglass aren’t allowed to make a mistake?”
If Vermont Republicans want to make inroads into the Vermont legislature, their candidates must be better than Progressive and Democrat candidates. Much better.
Perhaps this issue explains the dichotomy between the increase in Republican representation in the legislature and the continuing Republican impotence. Yes – there are more Republicans in the Vermont legislature. Still – nothing has improved. Taxes continue to rise. Education outcomes continue to decline. Healthcare availability continues to be in a shambles. Special interest groups continue to rule the roost.
It’s not that Mr. Douglas and his wife inadvertently ventured on to a platform riddled with racial and ethnic humor, whether or not the remarks are gently poking fun at cultural or ethnic differences in a friendly, non-malicious way, aiming to amuse rather than offend. The fact is that much of the humor on that platform was seriously racist and has now gleaned national attention.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas not only should have known better – that they didn’t exercise due diligence at the outset leads me to consider that they aren’t ready for prime time.
Is anyone ready for prime time? Yes. Finding out who they are is the key. But when the VTGOP establishment spends more time making excuses for questionable behavior than it does searching for, cultivating, and supporting better talent, the longer the VTGOP will be precious little better than the Progressives, Democrats, and RINOs who have turned our dysfunctional political class into an art form.
Let’s see what Mr. Douglas does next. He’s only 27 years old. He’s just learned an invaluable lesson. And he has the attention of everyone at this moment in time. ‘Come on’, indeed. Step up to the plate and show us what you’ve got… because the political arena is an ugly, dirty sandbox in which to play… and it’s not going to get any easier.
You are probably the only person here that has recognized that when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas and that’s what the issue is. If there was one, “that’s not cool, guys” I would defend him to the end. He had a chance to lead and chose to follow.
Mr. Douglas apologized, what more do you want from him? Even Jesus didn’t come to this earth to judge, thankfully that. So why are we so judgmental?
Did anybody do search or contrast his works to these statements?
Being a republic, a nation ruled by law, what law did he break?
Did he have a fair trial?
The political arena is so ugly, dirty, because we are led by the wrong spirit. Which is completely evident in the VTGOP reaction of resign immediately.
Glad to see you’ve never strayed or done anything wrong, for me, not so good.
IF the VTGOP can’t get through this “massive scandal”, there is no hope of them getting anything done this term, that is for sure, and by design.
Uniparty 1 Vermont Republic 0
Neil, I’ve had about enough of your sermons all over the comments. I want Representatives that don’t cavort with people that say they love Hitler and want to gas their citizens. You do nothing but make excuses for him just like you do Trump.
Jesus hung out with the Pharisees. Sam hung out with Nazi sympathizers. Are those the same to you?
When the Epstein list comes out, and Trump is inevitably on it, you’ll just quote Pharisees or something and move on. That doesn’t sound like faith to me, it sounds like a cult. Any religion that allows you to be a horrible person your entire life and then repent, I want no part of.
“Being a republic, a nation ruled by law, what law did he break?”
“Did he have a fair trial?” I’m educated, I don’t do false equivalence. I don’t need laws to tell me not to hang with racists, just like I don’t need a book of stories to tell me how to live. (unlike what you claim about yourself)
Your “everyone is a sinner” spiel does nothing but create excuses for abhorrent behavior. By your logic, when someone steals on Friday but gives on Sunday, that’s okay as long as they repent. You wrote yesterday in one of your many, many defenses that you break all the Commandments every day! I know that’s hyperbole, but that doesn’t make you a sinner, that makes you a bad person.
You’re “you’ve never made a mistake” spiel doesn’t work on me because I don’t pal around with Nazi sympathizers. If you want to judge me in the future, come down off your cross. Oh and check the paper, one of us was right.
Re: “Glad to see you’ve never strayed or done anything wrong….”.
Tell me, Neil, when is the last time you mistook a woman who was obese and didn’t bathe often as being of Indian descent? When did you last expect a Jew of being anything less than honest? And since when does confessing one’s sins before God absolve us from being personally responsible to those we’ve harmed in the process?
Re: “Even Jesus didn’t come to this earth to judge, thankfully that. So why are we so judgmental?
Genuine repentance, when harm to others is involved, often encompasses more than both private confession (to God) and public confession (acknowledging the sin to others, whether to the harmed party or a broader community). True repentance is marked by a change of heart and behavior, producing tangible “fruit” (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20). When harm has been done to others, we seek reconciliation, making restitution where possible, and demonstrating a transformed life—beyond just confessing publicly or privately.
It takes time to make good pudding. And therein will be the proof.
So it goes, SSDD. The Republicans gained seats in the statehouse last term and are celebrating and proud as peacocks. Predicting they’ll sorely lose in 2026 as it’s the same old circus as run by the left, just a different tag. Better toe that party line, and don’t step out of line. That along with minimal grassroots will leave them with nothing but broken promises to run on in 2026.
Criminals with rap sheets as long as your arm, roam free to do more dirty deeds while a young man tells an off color joke when 99% of the men, and probably most women have done many times and far worse, and it’s off with his head. Pathetic.
I like this lady who wrote this Article, listened to her speak her story up at the Killington Grande in 2024 .
God bless her .
Context is missing as to exactly why the Leaders did what they did , nobody would say Why , just they did it .
One thing is clear , in Washington DC they knew 3 weeks ahead of Gov Scott getting blindsided by reporters .
With no elected allies in DC , Vermont is in Trouble.
No facts or evidence presented . Likely to keep the dirty laundry in the Basket.
Non transparency is always a bad look .
It leaves everyone guessing and people assume the worst .
Yet it’s possible the silence is warranted .
Done is done and forward life goes on .
I don’t know what you found, but it ain’t Jesus.
Hey Sam – (hope you read this) let me know if you need donations for your next run.
You’ve expressed many of my own thoughts, Erynn. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Nobody could be so stupid as to throw one of their own, elected, legislators under the bus for something so minor unless they _intend_ to cause damage to the Republican position. Why are so few people contributing (financially or otherwise) to the Vermont GOP? Maybe it’s this. Maybe the “GOP” isn’t really the Republican party.
Good luck Sam! Take care of your family, that time is very precious. Hope we see you back in a few years.