Below is a draft of something that, if passed by the town, could keep town services from supporting murderers of children, i.e., those who have fought in the Israeli I.D.F. It's unclear whether I will introduce this at the Hartford Selectboard. But judging by the neoliberal makeup of the board, I suspect it will not … Continue reading “No Tolerance for War Crimes” Attestation
Author: paladin1787
The first White River abductee
Hi! If you’re opposed to a genocide but also opposed, on a technicality, to your representatives speaking out against that genocide… then I hate to break it to you, but you may not be opposed to that genocide. To be clear: this somewhat crude statement is not for those who hold this belief, because, after … Continue reading The first White River abductee
Gaza Ceasefire resolution 2025
I am here to answer some frequently asked questions about the special meeting, currently scheduled for 4-22, on the topic of a new draft of a Gaza Ceasefire resolution. As always, I'm speaking for myself and not the board or town government. If after reading, you think passing a ceasefire resolution would be more valuable … Continue reading Gaza Ceasefire resolution 2025
Due Process
“If you accept that non-citizens have no right to due process, you are accepting that citizens have no right to due process. All the government has to do is claim that you are not a citizen; without due process you have no chance to prove the contrary.” This from Timothy Snyder, author of “On Tyranny.” … Continue reading Due Process
Erik Krauss’ responses to candidate questionnaire
The town’s housing and homelessness committee will soon present the board with a potential survey for Hartford property owners to describe rental housing they may manage. This survey could be voluntary or mandatory. Would you vote to make this survey mandatory for property owners? Do note that, unless it’s mandatory, it’s unlikely that Hartford could … Continue reading Erik Krauss’ responses to candidate questionnaire
My questions for board candidates
As usual, writing for myself and not the board or town. Budget and Candidates Night is the night of Monday Feb 24th, 7-10pm, at the high school auditorium. I hope to see you there! Below are the questions for board candidates that I would be keen to hear their answers on. Perhaps they could answer … Continue reading My questions for board candidates
Town policy re: immigration
Hi all, ~representing my own views here and not those of the full Selectboard or town~ Wanted to let you know that at Tuesday’s board meeting, 6pm at Town Hall, we will hear remarks from the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council. This is the organization that drafted the state boilerplate policy our … Continue reading Town policy re: immigration
Hartford and our local anti-ICE ordinance
The situation I learned about today (Monday) appears, at best, an egregious violation of voter sovereignty. At worst, we in Hartford government are not following rule #1 of the advice in the pamphlet "On Tyranny": 1. Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals … Continue reading Hartford and our local anti-ICE ordinance
What town depts will cut back (and by how much)?
It’s budget-creating season at Hartford town hall! Budgets that department heads submitted to the town manager, who altered slightly and submitted to us on the selectboard, were ideal budgets that would have resulted in an 11% overall budget increase. We couldn’t have that, so we asked the department heads to make cuts. The cuts that … Continue reading What town depts will cut back (and by how much)?
Voting Amid Fascism
By Brandon Smith (and many others) “Nice people made the best Nazis. My mom grew up next to them. They got along, refused to make waves, looked the other way when things got ugly and focused on happier things than ‘politics.’ They were lovely people who turned their heads as their neighbors were dragged away. … Continue reading Voting Amid Fascism
Ranked Choice Voting
[The following was written for the town listserv and is reposted here.] I’m a member of the local selectboard but I don’t speak here for town government, nor could I. This is my opinion and I’m happy to discuss it with any of you. (Though I believe listserv rules prohibit personal heckling, so you might … Continue reading Ranked Choice Voting
Inflation and town taxes
I've been seeing some healthy discussion about town taxes on the listserv. So I'm sharing a few thoughts of my own. This is the whole post, without the daily-repeated disclaimers: "I’m a town board member, but cannot (& don’t here) claim to speak for Town Hall." I very much appreciate hearing your perspectives on it, … Continue reading Inflation and town taxes
Remarks about the upcoming Gaza ceasefire resolution vote
“The most revolutionary act is a clear view of the world as it really is.” - Rosa Luxemburg According to a UN report, half the people of Gaza are expected to face death and starvation by July, via the collapse of local agricultural systems and “extreme access constraints” on humanitarian aid. (FYI, while I’m a … Continue reading Remarks about the upcoming Gaza ceasefire resolution vote
How we know what we know: Gaza edition
Marcy Bartlett and I share a love of humanity. That much is clear. I spoke with her at length in the early spring, and I believe her to be a reasonable person. So I feel compelled to bring up that which I’ve been made aware about the topics she addressed to the listserv and the … Continue reading How we know what we know: Gaza edition
Protest arrest & answers to common town questions
This is the third in a series of four posts on related subjects. Yes I’m a selectboard member; no I’m not speaking for the board or the town. (As if I could!) This will be the first time I have publicly discussed this, because I prefer focus not be on myself when hundreds of children … Continue reading Protest arrest & answers to common town questions
Divesting our livelihoods from mass suffering
This is the second in a series of four posts on related subjects. Yes I’m a selectboard member; no I’m not speaking for the board or the town. (As if I could!) Did you know that almost four months ago, the death toll in Gaza largely stopped being counted because most of the people who … Continue reading Divesting our livelihoods from mass suffering
What’s a local politician for?
This is the first in a series of four posts on related subjects. Yes I’m a selectboard member; no I’m not speaking for the board or the town. (As if I could!) “Divide and conquer” is the greatest tool that history’s oppressors, and indeed today’s oppressors, have ever known. If they can convince you to … Continue reading What’s a local politician for?
Dartmouth & Palestine
I do understand that my posts are outside the norm on the Hartford Listserv. I recently read a week’s worth of posts; the vast majority are announcements for events, or general classifieds. So to the extent readers want that and just that, I get it. I don’t want to be the troll, and I'm not … Continue reading Dartmouth & Palestine
What about Gaza is germane to Hartford?
I love the Hartford listserv. The town I grew up in didn't have anything like this, and I wished it did. We had the internet; we just didn't use it like this, like a real community. In 1997, in the fourth grade, I started a chat room on the early chat protocol, "mIRC." My room … Continue reading What about Gaza is germane to Hartford?
On “decorum” and things like it
Hi, all. I’m writing for the folks who appreciate my writing. And the folks who are willing to think “What if he’s onto something? What would that mean?” rather than simply “He’s wrong,” at the outset. Most of you, neighbors, have been the former, and for that I am so grateful. Since I last posted, … Continue reading On “decorum” and things like it
Brandon Smith 