sarahThanks for the Indivisible Article
To the Editor:
As a member of the steering committee of Montpelier Indivisible, I write to offer my thanks to The Bridge for publishing Will Lindner’s excellent and well-thought-out article about Indivisible groups in central Vermont, and John Lazenby’s peerless photographs of the members of these groups in action.
The only thing missing is contact information: Montpelier Indivisible (montpelierindivisible.org); indivisiblecalais.org (Indivisible Calais); and indivisiblemrv.org (Indivisible Mad River Valley).
Heartfelt thanks to our sibling chapters for their strong and welcoming presence. I am hoping that more and more of our friends and neighbors throughout the state will come together for a peaceful, nonviolent defense of our democracy.
Come to No Kings 3 in Montpelier at noon on Saturday, March 28. See you there!
Donna Goodrich, Montpelier
Elders Act Up
To the Editor:
I just finished reading Will Lindner’s excellent article about central Vermont’s Indivisible groups. (“Indivisible: Joyful but Insistent Resistance” March 4–17). I want to thank Will for his in-depth insights into how concerned folks are doing something constructive and positive about the current terrifying state of political and environmental affairs in this country and around the world.
And thanks as well to the author for mentioning other organizations active in Vermont. I want to lift up one in particular, Third Act, an organization focused on harnessing the energy and wisdom of folks 60 and over to tackle the issues of democracy and climate change. Third Act was co-founded in 2021 by Vermont environmentalist and author Bill McKibben and activist Akaya Windwood.
I am a member of the steering committee for Third Act Vermont’s Washington County regional group and invite those of your readers who are looking for a way to make a difference in their “third act” of life to check out our web sites to get more information and sign up to hear from us about Third Act actions and how you can help.
- Third Act Vermont: thirdact.org/vermont
- To sign up for Third Act: thirdact.org/vermont/join
- Third Act Central (National): thirdact.org
Thank you, and see you March 28 at No Kings III.
Geoff Brumbaugh, Montpelier
Fabric, Paint, and an Overpass
To the Editor:
Thanks to Will Lindner and John Lazenby for representing the joyful resistance of our Indivisibles in the March 4–17 issue of The Bridge.
Last spring, my need to do something different was strong. Visibility Brigades were bannering on overpasses across the country including Burlington and southern Vermont. I learned from people who deployed banners things like never go alone and rules about whether the overpass was owned by the state or a town. I painted banners, gathered trusted allies, and launched Drops for Democracy.
Drops is an allegory for crafting delicious jelly out of apple drops, making the most of what you have. We had fabric, paint, and an overpass to craft a movement.
Three people came out after June’s No Kings rally, dropping “No Kings in the USA” and “Resist.” We flew an inverted American flag because our country is in distress. This can be viewed as disrespectful but originates from 17th century maritime ships inverting their national flags to signal distress or immediate danger at sea. People debate how this message is interpreted but agree that democracy is in immediate danger.
Around No Kings 2 in October, we invited Indivisible members to join us, and our numbers have grown. Friends donate fabric, paint, and time. This winter, people arrived with snow shovels. Overall, neighbors are receptive and grateful for what we represent.
We recently logged 409 positive reactions (honk or wave) to 20 negative (a finger or thumbs down) during a drop on I-89 northbound. People say they leave the overpass feeling hopeful.
A third No Kings rally is coming, and the overpass sidewalk is emerging from the melting snow. I don’t foresee the resistance ending soon, so if you pass under our banners while traveling the highway, honk and wave! It could make someone’s day.
Christine Hartman, Berlin
Nuclear: Not Affordable or Clean
To the Editor:
In Vermont, Gov. Scott, Lt. Gov. Rodgers, the Republican legislative leadership, and the commissioner of the Department of Public Service are all on record promoting new nuclear power for Vermont. Phil Scott continues to push for legislation labeling nuclear as clean and seeking to remove the requirement that the General Assembly must approve any new nuclear power plant.
The Trump administration has been surprisingly clear about its energy policy for the nation. “Drill Baby Drill,” regarding fossil fuels. “Beautiful Clean Coal,” signaling a revival for coal burning power plants. As for nuclear, Trump is calling for the reduction of “red tape” like environmental and safety testing for proposed small modular nuclear reactors, all the while attacking renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs. Of course, Trump’s energy policy labels climate change as a hoax.
Recently it was reported that the state of Vermont has spent $530 million ratepayer dollars, including accrued interest, to date, cleaning up the Vermont Yankee nuclear site in Vernon. It has also been reported that, to date, the site has filled 1,462 rail cars with low-level radioactive waste, most of which have been shipped to a dump in Andrews County, Texas. In Andrews many locals are not happy about being dumped on by Vermont. What remains at the site in Vernon are 58 giant casks of high-level radioactive waste sitting on the banks of the Connecticut River with nowhere to go. Nuclear is not affordable or clean.
Going backwards is not a good policy path for Vermont. We must demand better from our leaders.
Chris Williams, Hancock
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
