Bennington Banner: Opinion

Make it a complete auto overhaulWednesday, November 19 We have to say that the Republicans are absolutely right in opposing a bailout of the bloated, Jurassic-era American auto industry. Then again, the Democrats are right to demand a bailout attempt to rescue some 3 million jobs nationwide and make certain the U.S. maintains a foothold in one of the world's leading industries.Editorial,Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:06:24 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020583?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020583?source=rss

LettersWednesday, November 19 Commending Coach Dunham It is with regret that we learned of Coach Kevin Dunham's resignation from the Mount Anthony varsity soccer program. We have had numerous soccer coaches over our years of playing the sport and few were able to match the dedication to and passion for their teams that Coach Dunham brought to every season.LettersWed, 19 Nov 2008 03:06:13 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020565?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020565?source=rss

An economy-wrecking madnessWednesday, November 19 John McClaughry To the relief of a majority of Americans  and a very large majority of Vermonters  the presidency of George W. Bush will terminate on Jan. 20. But President Bush will likely leave America with one final gift, one that if carried through by the Obama administration will wreck what's left of our productive economy.Columnists,Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:06:09 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020559?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020559?source=rss

This is our planWednesday, November 19 Bob Young With the election season now past, the Legislature preparing to reconvene in Montpelier and a growing interest in energy issues, I'd like to address fears that many Vermonters appear to have about the state's electricity supply. As I've crisscrossed the state in recent months, Vermonters have repeatedly asked two questions about Vermont's energy future:Columnists,Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:06:08 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020558?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11020558?source=rss

All for one, one for allTuesday, November 18 Something that seemed all but impossible just a few months ago is now at least in the talking stage  the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union is expected to discuss ways of cooperation across school districts and the topic of consolidation. School and town officials in Shaftsbury and North Bennington deserve credit for calling a timely joint meeting earlier thisEditorial,Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:30 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011756?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011756?source=rss

LettersTuesday, November 18 Moving slowly, but ever forward An acclaimed made-for television movie of 1974, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," based upon the 1971 novel of the same name by Earnest J. Gaines, seems to me to hold much significance considering the results of our recent presidential election.LettersTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:17 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011734?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011734?source=rss

Letters2Tuesday, November 18 Votes appreciated I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Bennington and North Bennington in District 2-1 for their support given to me at the polls on Nov. 4. If any residents have concerns or questions about the upcoming legislative session, please feel free to contact me.LettersTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:17 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011733?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011733?source=rss

Just don't call them seagullsTuesday, November 18 Bryan Pfeifer They soar and glide with the grace of our most elegant birds. They are content exploring the high seas for fish or picking through dumpsters for fast-food leftovers. They are approachable and audacious. Now that we have put men on the moon, ended the Cold War and elected an African American man president, surely we have advanced enough as a people toColumnists,Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:16 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011731?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011731?source=rss

The last rightTuesday, November 18 Monica Knorr On Nov. 4, while most of us were paying close attention to the Presidential and Vermont elections, the people of Washington State took a huge step forward. By a wide margin in a popular vote, they enacted the Washington Death with Dignity Act, the second patient-directed dying law in the United States.Columnists,Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:15 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011730?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011730?source=rss

Election reflectionsTuesday, November 18 Harriette Leidich It is "Day One" after the election of the first African American president of our United States. Needless to say, I have spent a great deal of time in front of the TV listening to speeches and pitches the past two years, but I wanted to see this brilliant, humble Barack Obama win the right to lead our country out of a disastrous eight years.Columnists,Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:04:15 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011729?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11011729?source=rss

Generational spiritsWith a new movie attempting to recreate Woodstock on the way from Ang Lee - mostly filmed in nearby New York - it might be a good time to assess that youth scene of 1969 and compare it to what is happening today. Teens and young adults are always somewhat the same, of course, but the particular events and circumstances they are exposed to make them unique.Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:07:02 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11005389?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11005389?source=rss

Some help throughMonday, November 17 the Medicare maze In 2009, patients in some of the most popular Medicare drug plans will be seeing a large increase in their premiums, some as high as 60 per cent. Information on premiums and coverage options for 2009 has been available since Oct. 1. Even patients who can afford the higher premiums need to check to see if their drugs will still be covered next year.LettersMon, 17 Nov 2008 03:03:44 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003633?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003633?source=rss

The world in black and whiteMonday, November 17 In 1946, I was 18 years old and a private in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Lee, Va., near Petersburg. It was there that I was introduced to a world that until then I didn't even know existed. Being from the north, and from the state of Vermont, I had never had very much to do with racial issues.Columnists,Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:03:43 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003632?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003632?source=rss

Regrouping in the tropicsMonday, November 17 In a sort of tanning after the tanning, some of the more hopeful members of the Republican Party's elite recently scrambled aboarda Caribbean cruise ship to map out strategies to bring back these great times after the Obama administration is over. Right now, Guantanamo is still open for business, Medicare benefits for poor kids have been whittled down once again, CEOsColumnists,Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:03:42 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003631?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_11003631?source=rss

What we can do, nowSaturday, November 15 As illustrated by the stock markets, Americans are swinging wildly between despair and panic and surging hope and inspiration as they await the launch of the Obama administration in January. Problems seem to be closing in on us  economic, militarial, social  and miracles cannot be counted upon.Editorial,Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:05:31 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_10991949?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_10991949?source=rss