Voices in the Week’s News: November 16, 2007

Print More
MP3

This week activists confronted Congressman Peter Welch about his Iraq war votes. The Progressive Party’s Anthony Pollina said he intends to run for Governor. Vermonters also honored their veterans, Governor Jim Douglas defended his decision to take a drug case out of the hands of the Windsor County state’s attorney – at the same time most of that county’s democratic delegation attacked the move. Finally, there were also concerns about inadequate supplies at the state’s food shelves, and the status of home heating fuel assistance.

Welch challenged on Iraq war

(Congressman Peter Welch) "Why do you want to put the man on the spot? That’s ridiculous, that’s absolutely ridiculous. The man should have an opportunity to speak and then you can ask your questions…Let me be clear. I have no problem being put on the spot."

Pollina intends to run for Governor

(Anthony Pollina) "I certainly do expect to see myself be a candidate, to be the candidate, but I would like to be the candidate that actually can bring together not just progressives and Democrats, but all those other folks, whether they call themselves Republicans, independents or what have you."

Vermont Edition Veteran’s Day program

(Veteran’s day caller) "As a veteran myself, somebody who did two tours in Iraq with the United State Marine Corps, if you do ask somebody to make that sacrifice and but their life on the line, we have a responsibility to society to understand what exactly that is."

Marijuana debate continues

(Governor Jim Douglas) "So was I. And I have a responsibility to speak out where I feel that the law was not applied fairly."

(Windsor State Senator John Campbell)“ It’s very similar to Alberto Gonzales. Obviously he was listening to whatever the administration said. I mean the prosecutor needs to focus on the ends of justice, rather than the demands of a chief executive.”

Shortages at Vermont Food Bank impacts local food shelves

(Doug O’Brien, Executive Director of the Vermont Food Bank) "Even agencies very close to the food bank here in central Vermont have had literally empty shelves and it means that they’re just providing less in the food box or less in the food bag to that family that turns to them for help. And we’re trying to do everything we can at all costs to not have that happen."

Rising heating oil prices creatge crisis for low-income Vermonters

(Tim Searles of Champlain Office of Economic Opportunity) "We’re heading into a situation that we have never faced before. People have never been challenged with such high energy prices for home heating. Unless we commit significantly more resources to this problem, people are going to go cold."

Comments are closed.