Gals Gain

I very much enjoyed “Womanning Up” [October 29] by Hannah Bassett. I am proud that Vermont has had a woman governor and happy that women in our state government were major drivers in passing a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights and legislation supporting childcare. It has always been my thought that only women should be voting on policies that deal with women’s issues such as reproductive rights.

The Emerge Vermont group should make Keb’ Mo’s “Put a Woman in Charge” their theme song.

‘Relevant Humor’

It was nice to see Mr. [Robert Waldo] Brunelle back in your comics section [October 22]. Looking forward to seeing more of his relevant humor.

Fear of Deportation Is Real

[Re Feedback: “You Forgot the Word ‘Illegal,’” October 29]: David Stewart writes that he is “sure” that the Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “have no interest … in deporting immigrants who have green cards or have been granted asylum.” 

Unfortunately, that is not true. 

Rümeysa Öztürk was illegally detained and had her student visa revoked at the discretion of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident and green card holder, was illegally detained by ICE in Colchester, and the U.S. State Department began deportation proceedings.

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and green card holder, was illegally detained by ICE and the State Department began deportation proceedings.

Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers have publicly stated that they are looking at revoking New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s citizenship. Heck, they’ve said they want to revoke the citizenship of Long Island native Rosie O’Donnell.

The current administration is duplicitously weaponizing free speech to amplify supporters and criminalize critics, including those who are in this country legally.

Many, including Mr. Stewart, seem very focused on punishing illegal actions; perhaps they should consider the numerous illegal arrests, detentions and deportations committed by the Trump administration.

Ethics Violation?

[Re “Québec Abenaki Say Research Proves Vermont Tribal Members Lack Native Heritage,” October 17, online]: Though I am not a professional genealogist, I do subscribe to the code of ethics for the Association of Professional Genealogists. That this work was done on living people without their consent is at least cringeworthy, if not unethical. I wonder whether it might also be a violation of informed consent laws. 

Check Your Facts

I’ve read a number of letters to the editor about [“Tent City,” August 13] that have concerned me. There can be a narrow line between expressing an opinion and sharing disinformation. Before submitting feedback or passing on information that might be considered factual, I would encourage us all to check facts. There are some excellent fact-checking websites that are independent and committed to the truth. There are also very good websites on how to protect yourself from being fooled by mis- or disinformation.

An example: I read “Burlington Is a Cesspool” [Feedback, October 29] with skepticism when I saw it was being compared to Newark, Del. Then I read the “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets” order mentioned by the author. It does not advocate arresting and imprisoning people, as he suggested. It does claim that our governments “have spent tens of billions of dollars on failed programs that address homelessness but not its root causes.” Then it goes on to order more unproven programs that also don’t address root causes — and it opposes “housing first.” Why? Evidence-based Housing First is the most successful approach globally. Look it up.

That’s the key. Do your own research. Think critically. Verify sources. Consider the tone. Look for reliable evidence. We are all in this together. 

‘Both Sides-ism’ Is a Trap

As a longtime reader and monthly supporter, I love Seven Days, but I was deeply disappointed that you too had fallen into the “both sides-ism” trap when reporting on the government shutdown [“Prognosis: Fiscal Pain: Many Vermonters Are Facing Sharply Higher Health Care Plan Costs, Fewer Options and Less Coverage,” October 29].

The offending paragraph leads off with: “Democrats in Congress say these exorbitant costs are why the federal government must remain shut down until a deal is reached on health care. But Republicans say they aren’t willing to negotiate while the shutdown persists.”

Damn, if that doesn’t say the Dems are equally the problem. How about starting with the reality that Trump demanded huge cuts to all social programs in order to fund his tax cuts for the very rich and targeted blue states like Vermont to feel the greatest pain, and the Republican-led Congress did his bidding. The Dems, in a minority position, have tried everything they can to mitigate the impact and are fighting every day to restore benefits, while the Republican House members are on vacation for six weeks and receiving full pay. 

That’s the story. From the New York Times to Seven Days, the press is blindly helping Trump every step of the way. Please stop. Our lives and the future of our very country depend on the press getting the story right. 

On the Other Hand…

To suggest that Gov. Phil Scott needs to pick a side [Sunday Best newsletter: “Just Like a Grape,” November 2] underscores why Washington gets deadlocked on important legislation. Like many aphorisms, Mr. Miyagi’s in The Karate Kid is not applicable universally.

We talk about wanting our leaders in D.C. to work across the aisle, hoping they strike a balance. Yet when Scott governs with that balance, your editorial implies that he makes both sides unhappy, and it may cost him the next election. Do we expect governance with balance in D.C. — especially when the other side holds all the cards — but with total partisanship in Vermont?

I’m a Democrat who will continue to vote for Scott because he has the courage to step back from partisan zeal and make tough commonsense decisions to benefit all Vermonters. Perhaps his common sense says that thumbing his nose at Trump may have risks right now. In any case, it will not change Trump’s behavior. Face it. Only voters can, by ousting Trump and his sycophants in D.C. in 2026 and 2028 and electing commonsense politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Meantime, I’ll respect someone who’s the most popular governor in the U.S. because he governs sensibly regardless of party noise. Yes, he’s walking down the middle of the road. It’s I-89, and in that calm, grassy space surrounded by the din of traffic on both sides, he’s making decisions to benefit all Vermonters.

This article appears in Nov 19-25 2025.

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