Local Madness

Criminal(’s) Justice in Vermont
A federal magistrate ordered the release Tuesday of David M. Dean, one of 20 people indicted as members of a crack-cocaine ring and regarded by government informants as “the muscle” who enforced the directives of the operation’s alleged leader.

Magistrate John Conroy ruled prosecutors had not proven Dean represented enough of a danger to the community or a risk to flee to justify keeping him in federal custody while he awaits a trial. “The government has put on no witnesses,” Conroy said. “The court is unable to weigh the strength of the evidence” that Dean’s release would be ill-advised. Conroy acknowledged his decision to allow Dean’s release was “an exceedingly close case.” (our emphasis) (Burlington Free Press, 2/24/2010)

So in a close call, Magistrate John Conroy takes the side of the criminal over that of the welfare of the public. This is what passes for justice in Vermont.

Vermont Senate to 650 Jobs: Drop Dead
In an unusual state foray into nuclear regulation, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 Wednesday to block a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, citing radioactive leaks, misstatements in testimony by plant officials and other problems. Unless the chamber reverses itself, it would be the first time in more than 20 years that the public or its representatives decided to close a reactor.

The vote came barely over a week after President Obama declared a new era of rebirth for the nation’s nuclear industry, announcing federal loan guarantees of $8.3 billion to assure the construction of a twin-reactor plant near Augusta, Ga. (NYT, 2/24/2010)

So the Vermont Senate gets their trophy vote, all the while sticking it to the people: those who will lose their jobs and everyone who will pay more for energy. Time to vote ‘em out!

Climate Nazis
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is comparing climate change skeptics to those who disregarded the Nazi threat to America in the 1930s, adding a strident rhetorical shot to the already volatile debate over climate change.

"It reminds me in some ways of the debate taking place in this country and around the world in the late 1930s," said Sanders, perhaps the most liberal member of the Senate, during a Senate hearing Tuesday. "During that period of Nazism and fascism's growth — a real danger to the United States and democratic countries around the world — there were people in this country and in the British parliament who said 'don't worry! Hitler's not real! It'll disappear!" (Politico.com, 2/24/2010)

Senator Moonbat is off his leash again!