With this column I am concluding my biweekly commentaries for the Ethan Allen Institute, that stretch back to 1993.  

As 2023 staggered its end, most of us were probably struck with the procession of media news stories reporting criminal actions, fire disasters, car wrecks, retail thefts, and other ugly stories. We should remember that those kinds of stories do make news, involving police, fire departments, and other reporting authorities. What is less likely to make news are act of kindness, generosity, good Samaritans, people stepping in to help those who have suffered misfortunes.

Earlier this month I offered my five favorite organizations for Christmas giving and this year I added one and subtracted one. Then a couple of days later I got the 159 page 2023 annual report from Ashoka, the one I had subtracted. It’s so terrific that I ‘m going to make it a prime choice.

Campaign for Vermont finally asked Vermonters directly the question our elected representatives have been avoiding for years in regard to their Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) fantasies: How much are you willing to pay to support the law’s greenhouse gas reduction mandates? Vermonters’ overwhelming answer: not a #*&% thing!

The 2024 Vermont legislature will convene a month from now and its members will have to laser focus on the shocking increase projected for education spending.

As the 2024 legislative session approaches, it’s a good time to comprehend the breadth, depth, and likely costs of the multiyear campaign to make Vermont the world’s splendid example of bold action to defeat the menace of climate change.

Last Tuesday the Wall Street Journal reported that China “has just become the first in the world to put the latest generation of nuclear power technology into use,  as a power plant with two new reactors started commercial operations in the eastern province of Shandong.”

Last week I watched a documentary on the StoryTV channel about the days in 1941 where the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and America was thrust into a world war.   I happened to pull out a column by Don Feder in the Washington Times last May, on what he called the character crisis, which he said was long in the making.

Last week a study group of housing developers, attorneys and environment groups created by the Natural Resources Board unveiled an Act 250 reform proposal that they say promises to encourage more badly needed housing. It’s being promoted as “modernizing Act 250”.

Last week state Auditor Doug Hoffer outlined a strategy that he says could save as much as $16.3 million each year just for the state employee health plan. And even more savings would be possible in teacher health care.