Mollie Burke doesn’t believe in restricting people’s right to drive wherever they please, she says
by Pam Baker
The Brattleboro Reformer printed an opinion letter by Joshua Nelson on Oct 5 stating that “I find the argument that conservatives can not (sic) speak freely on college campuses bogus. Conservatives can speak as freely as they want, but they self-censor and then blame Liberals as an excuse.”
Well, I would like to address that opinion by reminding readers of the VDC, to this article, “Key House lawmaker would penalize gas-guzzlers” on October 5th, referring to Mollie Burke D-Brattleboro.
That article garnered 60 comments. Many people offered a way to contact this politician as well as encouraged people to apply for information on her, via FOIA. Ms. Burke did finally respond after a second email from myself and she replies that the sentence was taken out of context.
She writes: “Unfortunately, yes, my statement was taken out of context. I believe I was referring in part to the need to find a better way to pay for our roads and bridges.” She also writes this: “I do not believe in restricting people’s right to drive wherever, whenever, or however they please.”
However, that doesn’t make sense when taken in at the same time as the original quote, see below. It doesn’t equate nor make any sense. I replied with that observation. She replied: “Nothing much more to add”. And reiterated the second sentence.
Not surprising that there is a disconnect between the two statements. What I understand about folks who consider themselves left/progressive/liberal (and I’m not saying everyone….) is that logic is not in their wheelhouse. They run on feelings.
But most importantly, and to the point mentioned at the start of this letter, no publication in Southern Vermont has published my “letter to the editor”. Here it is for your edification:
Readers of the Reformer may not be aware but their State Representative, Mollie Burke, D-Brattleboro was recently quoted thusly in the Vermont Daily Chronicle: “The priorities have been so skewed,” “People think they have the God-given right to go whenever they want to go.” She stated this in reference to her declared priority of reducing personal use of gasoline powered vehicles. Implying that she thinks we should NOT be allowed to travel freely. This statement is an absolute astonishing abomination and violates so many centuries held laws/ beliefs of this country. In doing so she is making an outright tyrannical statement. I will not take up space discussing the absolute absurdity of this electric vehicle endeavor. I will, however, take her to task for her totalitarian mindset. Ms. Burke has no legal, moral or ethical authority to take away my right to travel in this country. Personal property rights notwithstanding. Unless you have me arrested and restrict my travel that way. I wouldn’t put it past you.
I contacted you through your publicly posted email address requesting clarification and allowing that this statement may have been made out of context. You have not replied.
The citizens of Brattleboro may tolerate you as you seem to run unopposed, but that doesn’t mean the rest of Windham County residents want you touting this hogwash. You have completely lost your mind and probably your soul. You are unfit to serve the oath and office of State Representative.
So we conservative type individuals may “self censor” as Joshua Nelson stated above, but for sure we are censored by the media. VDC is literally the only conservative news source in this state. I guess I should be (and I am) grateful we have this outlet and source.
And also for your perusal, no one from the House Ethics Panel responded to my email, requesting an investigation into Ms. Burkes comments. And the staff person who answered the phone at the states Ethics committee scoffed at my request. This staff person implied that I was ridiculous for requesting that someone in authority look into this. Ah, the hubris of youth and ignorance. Well, I may only have 20 years left living in the world that this staffer is allowing to exist without examination, but she has her entire life to live in tyranny. Good luck to her.
I entreat all readers of VDC to reach out to Mollie Burke D-Brattleboro to clarify the statement. She certainly hasn’t done so to my satisfaction. We must keep the pressure on. mburke@leg.state.vt.us
Editor’s note: the article in which Rep. Burke was quoted was authored by a reporter from the Community News Service, a UVM-based news service, and republished by VDC.