Commentary Series

Coffin: Last Full Measure

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Memorial Day is dedicated to all of those who - as Lincoln said - gave their last full measure of devotion. But given that we're observing the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Howard Coffin can't help but think of those who lost their lives in that conflict - and the Vermont family that suffered the greatest losses - north or south.

Bittinger: Native American Military Service

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Cyndy Bittinger has been researching Native American history in Vermont. She says that for Native Americans who know their history - especially concerning events that followed early contact with European settlers - Memorial Day has complex meaning.

Wren: In Praise Of Sergeants

Thu, 24 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

This Memorial Day, Chris Wren will be thinking about military service and unsung heroes.

Kunin: Infinite Shades Of Green

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

As spring turns our world green again, Madeleine Kunin reflects on the color, the season and our reaction to it.

Gilbert: Precision Manufacturing

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

This Saturday, two new exhibits will open at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, both related to the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Civil War. According to Peter Gilbert, together they tell important stories - of individuals and the nation.

McCallum: Cyber Libraries

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Commentator Mary McCallum recently ran across a news item about the renovation of a Vermont high school library that left her with very mixed emotions.

Luskin: Old Cemeteries

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Deborah Luskin likes visiting old cemeteries, despite once being cursed for doing so.

Lange: Campaign Rhetoric

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Commentator Willem Lange maintains that the political mud-slinging of campaigns today is a direct descendent of the campaign rhetoric of yesterday.

Nadworny: Checkbox Syndrome

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

There are lots of things in life that we want, only some of which we actually need. Rich Nadworny thinks that the more we know about what's influencing our desires and decisions, the better off we'll all be.

Mudgett: Bear Stories

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

First it was the story of the Governor and the four bears - followed by endless puns in the media about bears and bareness. Now, it's bear art in Burlington. But Jill Mudgett notes that Vermont has a long history of bear stories guaranteed to please a crowd.

Averyt: Goodnight Vermont

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Though she may travel far away, Anne Averyt has discovered that Vermont remains close. For her it's a place of the heart, a place she will always call home.

Labun Jordan: Limits of Imagination

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

It's an old saying that we're limited only by our imaginations... and maybe it isn't exactly accurate. But Helen Labun Jordan has started to look at that possibility from a new perspective.

Ali: Cuba Policies

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Saleem Ali recently returned to the U.S. from a trip to Cuba and he says there's a need for better relations between the two countries.

Smith: Technology In Education

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Lately, a debate in Washington has erupted over whether the interest rate on government student loans should jump from 3.4% to 6.8%, but Mike Smith thinks this debate misses the point.

Kittredge: Mother's Day Thoughts

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Sunday is Mother's Day. And this year, Susan Cooke Kittredge is approaching it with mixed emotions.

Mares: The Intervention Debate

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Pressure is mounting for collective military intervention in Syria and Iran. But Bill Mares thinks that Americans must first determine whether or not this kind of action would be truly in our national interest.

Lange: The Black Fly Cometh

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

We always look forward to spring and its rebirth, but Willem Lange reminds us that one of nature's most irritating and pestilential creatures is also reborn each May. 'Tis the season... of the black fly!

Parini: Marriage Rights

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

President Obama endorsed gay marriage on Wednesday. But what got Jay Parini thinking about the topic was how North Carolina voters dealt with what he considers a civil rights issue.

Schubart: Mission To Rome

Wed, 09 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

The Catholic Church has been looking into the activities of certain American nuns who devote their service to the alleviation of poverty and the promotion of social justice. Bill Schubart was raised Catholic so he's been imagining what it might be like if the nuns began an initiative of their own.

Molnar: A Tick Lament

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

We can avoid Lyme disease, we're told. But Martha Molnar wonders if we really can.

Kunin: Computer Games

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

As the graduates of 2012 join the rest of the working world, Madeleine Kunin wishes that more women were attracted to careers in computer science.

Douglas: Rising Cost Of College

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

As the academic year comes to a close, many graduates will be heading for an uncertain future. One thing that's all too certain, though, is the debt that many will be presented along with their diplomas. Jim Douglas has some thoughts on the cost of a college degree.

McCallum: Feline Facts Of Life

Mon, 07 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

At the end of April, just before the build-up to Mothers Day, Mary McCallum gave the gift of non-motherhood to her community by volunteering at a low-cost spay and neuter clinic hosted by the Springfield Humane Society.

Dunsmore: Israel Debates Iran

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

The possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear program weighs heavily on the price of gasoline, the world economic recovery and the outcome of the 2012 American presidential election. Barrie Dunsmore examines the growing opposition to an attack on Iran - in Israel.

Slayton: From Luminous Shade

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Tom Slayton recently attended a gallery exhibit featuring the work of two Vermont artists who collaborated on a project reflecting their personal journeys from loss to acceptance - from darkness to light.

Gilbert: Forever Young

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Peter Gilbert has been thinking about two things that all people have in common - aging and mortality. They've been on his mind since Dick Clark died recently at the age of 82. But then writing about Dick Clark never seems to get old.

Luskin: Newfane Church

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Deborah Luskin has recently resolved a conflict between her mistrust of organized religion and her appreciation for the landmark church that anchors her village green.

Hunter Encore: Use Of Canes

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Thinking back over the late Edith Hunter's many commentaries, we're reminded of the time a few years ago, when she talked about her new-found appreciation of the cane, and managed to reflect at the same time, on longevity, stability and utility - in roughly that order.

Lange: May Day

Tue, 01 May 2012 07:55:00 -0400

It’s the first day of May, a date that Willem Lange notes has taken on many meanings over the past 2000 years.

Schubart: College Systems

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Bill Schubart observes that it's easy to talk about how things should be - especially since it's not within his ability or authority to make them so.

Weis: Arbor Day

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Friday is Arbor Day in Vermont, and while thinking about this upcoming day devoted to the planting of trees, Russ Weis branches out to consider the impact two intrepid female environmentalists have had on our world.

Spencer Rendahl: Reproductive Rights

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Suzanne Spencer Rendahl is following the national debate about abortion and contraception, and it reminds her not only of her own family's difficult odds with pregnancy, but the struggles of other families as well.

Luskin: April Showers

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Deborah Lee Luskin has lived in Vermont half her life and is still surprised and charmed by the unexpected kindness of small town life.

Krupp: Retro Food

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

For the past ten years, there's been a renewed interest in the growing, preparing and preserving of local food. Ron Krupp tells us more about this Retro Food movement and where it's heading.

Gilbert: Remembering Guernica

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Scenes of Syrian civilians being bombed by their own government have reminded Peter Gilbert of similar events that took place 75 years ago tomorrow – with far-reaching consequences for both civil society and the arts.

Moats: The Old Barn

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

David Moats recently had to take down an old barn. And that got him thinking about the passage of time, and why we save the things we do.

Henningsen: Sound Bite Learning

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Vic Henningsen recently came across some research that kind of put him in historical perspective.

Coffey: Shooting Anniversaries

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

This month, we mark the fifth anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre. Next month it will be 85 years since America's first school massacre. Rebecca Coffey has been considering what these and similar events suggest about gun control and community responsibility.

Hunter: One Of Life's Mysteries

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Spring is a time for celebrating all things green and growing. And for Edith Hunter, it's also a time for remembering.

Mares: Recycled Water

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

For much of our history Americans have treated water as an almost unlimited commodity, equally suitable for washing, watering the garden and drinking. But Bill Mares thinks that attitude is changing.

Dunsmore: Battle Fatigue

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

The war news from Afghanistan was not good this past week - although diplomatic talks with Iran over its nuclear program after a long hiatus show some promise. Barrie Dunsmore brings us up to date.

Coffin: Cowslips in April

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Howard Coffin is an author and historian whose specialty is the Civil War. Apparently, he's also fond of some of the first greens of the season.

Woolf: Housing in Vermont

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Six years ago, the U.S. housing market collapsed. Today, Art Woolf sees signs of improvement but worries about the tension between affordability for buyers and sellers who want to protect the value of their homes.

McCallum: Written By Hand

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

April is a busy month, from observing Earth Day to promoting the preservation of hand-written cards and letters. And a recent re-discovery of a long correspondence from the past has renewed Mary McCallum's appreciation of this fading practice.

Merton: Earth Day Homage

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

As the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day approaches this coming Sunday, Lisa Merton is remembering the woman who, until her death last year, reminded the world that there's transformative power in planting a tree.

Jackson: Thinking About Trayvon

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Like countless other Americans of all races, Reuben Jackson has been watching the nationwide protests that have followed the shooting of Trayvon Martin. What he didn't anticipate was a searing reintroduction to his own racial pain and anger.

Nadworny: Going Visual

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

Rich Nadworny is an expert in new media and digital marketing, who says that if a picture is a poem without words, then the Internet is becoming very poetic.

Greene: Esther's Impact

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

Last month, Vermont historian Esther Munroe Swift died peacefully in her sleep. Stephanie Greene considers her personal - as well as public - impact.

Gilbert: William and Julian Scott

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0400

We’re in the midst of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War, which raged for four years, from April 1861 to April 1865. Peter Gilbert has the dramatic stories of two Vermont soldiers who were not related, but who shared the same last name.

Kunin: Golf In A Burka

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:55:00 -0400

The August national golf club's decision to continue to deny membership to women has prompted a response from Madeleine Kunin.