<p>I write a column for your local paper. I’m sort of the left-winger counterpart to a right-winger who also writes for the same paper. Sometimes I’m given a topic but usually I pick my own. I’ve wrutten about the Iraq war escalation already and I have written one about college admissions fairly recently. I’ve also done global warming and universal health care. Any suggestions? I really should get it done today.</p>
<p>I meant “our” local paper ha,ha.</p>
<p>I’ve actually just started writing one on No Child Left Behind. Any input on this topic? Thanks!</p>
<p>How about protecting our borders? Or energy policy?</p>
<p>If you stick to a VT topic…there are articles in the papers about the proposal to consolidate school systems in the state. This might be a hot topic with issues on both sides. </p>
<p>Also, with Town Meeting Day coming up in about ten days, you could examine either a local issue up for a vote in your community, or else about Town Meeting Day itself and what it achieves, etc.</p>
<p>I have done one on immigration, but energy policy is one I haven’t tackled. Certainly relates to global warming (and maybe to Iraq war?). I’m glad I came up with NCLB for this month because I could do it with minimal research.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for really good reading on energy policy? Actually, I’m going to be meeting with people from the Rocky Mountain Institute in the next few weeks. I’ll bet they’ll be a treasure trove of information. Thanks for the idea!</p>
<p>A local columnist once quoted a nationally syndicated one who said something like, “Having a column is like being married to a nymphomaniac–it’s great for the first two weeks.” One does tend to run out of steam.</p>
<p>Thanks soozie–we cross-posted. Our town meeting is tomorrow actually, but the school consolidation is interesting.</p>
<p>didn’t the NY Times just run an article on warm winter upsetting the rhythm of maple sugar? I recall the article mentioning a shift in maple syrup production from the US to Canada due to government subsidy, better technology and weather change. Seriously, I was at a scientific meeting recently where I bemoan the fact that all the big and daring sciences are being done in Europe. there is no way that we can match them in terms of funding and manpower. Even my colleagues at Harvard conceded to advantages across the Atlantic.</p>
<p>Oops, Bethie, of course Town Meeting is this week, not in ten days…where does the time go? It is Tuesday here but is Monday in some towns, I realize. Duh…</p>
<p>Yes, I just read an article online this week about the warm winters affecting sugaring season here in VT.</p>
<p>Beth,
Do you want a serious topic? There is a former Caltech student in jail for desecrating SUVs. He has Aspergers, but judge would not consider that as extenuating circumstance. He is considered a terroist and give WORST prison jobs, plus the judge gave him an extended sentence. It abslutely breaks my heart.</p>
<p><a href=“Ex-L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar Sentenced 13 Years In Federal Prison - LA Weekly”>Ex-L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar Sentenced 13 Years In Federal Prison - LA Weekly;
<p>There’s an article on CNN.com about VT winters not being like they used to be.</p>
<p>Bookworm:</p>
<p>It is truly a heartbreaking story. Just at lunch, we and friends were discussing Aspergers, and I mentioned the Englishman who can recited 22k+ digits of pi and taught himself Icelandic in one week. And now, to read this…</p>
<p>Truly sad. I’d like to get as much publicity as possible from people who may be in a position to help. I am glad you read that article.</p>
<p>I’ll look into this.</p>
<p>blood diamonds
college financing
forclosures</p>
<p>Vermont is just like New Hampshire, but upside-down. Discuss.</p>
<p>The gov’t has picked up on corn/ethanol and seems to be going in this direction. So many problems with this type of energy but they continue to ignore them. It will be a poor path for US to pour their $$ and more research into.</p>
<p>I think you should write about how it’s Monday in some Vermont towns and Tuesday in others (soozie’s post). THat’s fascinating, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t happen anywhere else. At first I thought the international dateline must pass through the state. </p>
<p>This is a weak, early morning attempt at humor.</p>
<p>Actually it’s NH that’s upside down. Vermonters could probably decide at town meeting to change the day of the week!</p>