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Category: Commentary
Commentary policy
Commentary policy:
In 400 to 850 words, we invite you to share your view on a current issue you feel is important. Have something shorter to share? Submit a letter to the editor. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermont voices. We encourage contributors to engage in a civil discourse based in reason and fact — and devoid of ad hominem attacks. While we do not have the resources to fact-check every assertion, we reserve the right to reject commentaries we believe to include falsehoods, distortions, inaccuracies or unverifiable information. We are particularly disinclined to publish commentaries related to public health and medicine that run counter to the scientific consensus and could cause harm. We will not tolerate discrimination, prejudice or abuse. We do not publish commentaries that endorse political candidates or parties.
Commentary guidelines:
Commentaries must include the author’s first and last name, their town of residence and a brief biography, including affiliations with political parties, lobbying entities or special interest groups. Authors are limited to one commentary published per month from February through May; the rest of the year they are limited to two per month, space permitting. Commentaries should be submitted to senior editor Tom Kearney at commentary@vtdigger.org.
Brian Shupe: Why is Vermont’s administration backpedaling on the climate crisis?
Each of the past efforts to put a plan in place to tackle the climate crisis provided concrete strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the state’s now-mandatory reduction goals by 2030. This requires urgent action, not a fourth plan.
Myers Mermel: The Clean Heat Standard is an immoral policy
The policy shifts the full cost of the entire state’s climate compliance onto the less fortunate. It is classist. It creates further income inequality through a regressive surcharge and will cause human needs to go unmet.
Ann Darling: Nuclear power is no answer to anything our ailing planet needs
Every dollar that goes into perpetuating nuclear power in any form is in essence being stolen from bringing less expensive, safer, less carbon-intensive, and more quickly built energy sources
Sascha Mayer: Paid family and medical leave is more essential now than ever
Let’s level the economic playing field, keep more Vermonters in-state, attract more families to move here, and ensure that all workers and all businesses have the financial resiliency to put health, safety and family first.
Norma Twombley: Wrong branch of government targeted in recent commentary
I contend the judicial branch is the federal branch of government in need of term limits. At least senators face their constituents every six years for reelection.
John McClaughry: Seven of the top legislative issues of 2023
Democrats’ flood tide includes proposals on clean heat, child care, paid family and medical leave, universal primary care, religious schools, guns and union elections.
Don Keelan: Now the climate police are in my kitchen
My wife and I are in our early 80s and often wonder: Can we keep what we have in our kitchen, garage, basement and shed for our few remaining years?
Julie Moore: There is a line between brave and imprudent on climate action
There are real uncertainties about how we should make the transition from today, where more than 70% of Vermonters rely on fossil fuels to heat their homes.
Nina Prater: The life, death and lessons of Lucy the sow
Lucy was our first sow and gave us countless litters of piglets that we raised, processed, and sold at the farmers’ market. She loved scratches on her back and came running out of the woods when we called her for her meals, grunting her greeting.
