Any of you regular readers of the Vermont political blogosphere probably haven’t missed the ubiquitous, mercurial and entertaining Haik Bedrosian’s full-on attack against PoliticsVT, claiming that it’s a tool of the Tarrant Senate campaign.

Now, I’ve long admired Haik since the time he ran for Mayor of Burlington while still in high school. And since Haik’s been wondering why nobody seems to want to pay attention to his campaign, I thought I’d show him some respect by taking the time to offer my views on this. So here they are…

Because of the long ago launch of PoliticsVT in January of 2005, and the overall blandly non-partisan tone of PoliticsVT, I think most people regard Haik’s claim as self-evidently absurd. And knowing Haik’s penchant for Andy Kaufman-like absurdity, it seemed to most - or at least to me - to be an elaborate bit of political theater with the possible intent to coax the Dead Guvz into outing themselves, just on principle.

So, I’ve been waiting for the punchline, though I’m no longer so sure it’s going to come.

And even though I seriously doubt Haik’s claims, who knows, he may be right. Regardless, he should certainly be commended for trying to shine some light on the activities of the Hayes Group.

I also think the timing of this effort has been a bit unfortunate for Haik, too.

See, it comes oddly at a time when a certain self-promoting bottom feeder (no link is deserved and this person will hereby be referred to as "Bottom Feeder"), who’s trying to make a name for himself by aggressively deriding others (and, in the process, walking right up to the edge of Frisching himself) has arrived on the scene. Further, through back channels, I’ve come to find out that both Haik and Bottom Feeder have allegedly used similar threats of "war" in private emails to their targets.

This had led at least one person I know to suggest, half-seriously, that Bottom Feeder might really be Haik’s own version of Andy Kaufman’s, obnoxious alter-ego, Tony Clifton. But, since there’s really nothing very similar in their writing styles, I doubt strongly that this is the case.

But a better question may be this:

Instead of PoliticsVT, is it Haik Bedrosian and Bottom Feeder who are on Rich Tarrant’s pay roll?

Let’s try this thought experiment…

Haik’s correct when he says that the Dean campaign, the recent Mayoral race in Burlington, and the Lamont/Lieberman primary are proof of how "powerful" the blogging community can be. And he’s correct that the Tarrant campaign would be keeping an eye on this power.

But, here’s the thing, blogging seems to largely be a power base on the left…

Instead of putting money into something so non-threatening as PoliticsVT, would it not make more sense to insert a few instigators into Vemont’s blog world, who launch vulgar attacks and make seemingly crazy claims, to try to undercut the legitimacy of the netroots’ efforts and help to negate its influence? A sort of virtual version of the FBI’s infiltration of peace groups in order to stir up trouble?

And how can we square Haik’s staunch support for Bernie with his pro-Douglas inclinations? Suspicious disconnect, eh?

OK, I don’t really think Haik’s a Republican mole (or Bottom Feeder, either, for that matter). But, I think, it makes more sense to me than the PoliticsVT angle.

I do wonder, though, that at a time when we political bloggers have made some headway in being taken seriously - what with the Bloggers BBQ and the online Lt. Governor’s debate drawing coverage in print and on TV and radio - there could likely be some interest in trying to cut our legs out from under us before we have a chance to do something more politically significant.

But, who really knows what’s real and not real in the wild west of the net?

Maybe, just maybe, Haik knows more than us all.

[Crossposted at Green Mountain Daily]

Who knew?

Many thanks to Matt Dunne, John Tracy, VPR, WPTZ, and the Burlington Free Press for giving some attention to this little experiment.

VDP and Matt Dunne’s shared HQ in White River Junction

The important thing to remember here is that this was not really about the technology or the format, but about the fact that a few unwashed peasants were able to get state-wide political candidates to agree to participate in something novel like this.

And we were actually able to get a little bit of press coverage out of it, too, drawing some attention to a down-ticket primary race that most people aren’t even aware of.

This kind of active participation and shaping of the public discourse is at the heart of the netroots movement…

A movement that is increasingly seen as a legitimate political force.

And believe me, it’s obvious that the medium was not ideal. And it may be the only completely chat-based debate I’ll ever be involved with. But, I think this paves the way for completely citizen-organized debates here in Vermont that could be broadcast in video the next time around.

Matt Dunne

[Ghostly images courtesy of the pitiful, yet endearing, Largan Chameleon Mega, the cheapest digital camera ever made]

[h/t to P.B. for the synthetic suggestion]

And don’t forget about the Democratic Lt. Governor Primary Online Debate next Monday, August 28th at noon, sponsored by Green Mountain Daily, where I will be monitoring one of the candidates to keep things on the up and download.

More details here.

There’s a John Updike collection of short stories called Too Far to Go that describes, among other things, the deep sadness of a married couple who are losing or have lost the connection that brought them together.

In the title story (I think - I may have some details wrong, but this is what I remember), there is a deeply melancholic scene that describes the husband lying awake while his wife is sleeping in the same room, but in a separate bed.

It captures the helplessness and vulnerability that can set in during the quiet, lonely half-asleep hours of the night, when it can seem impossible to find the strength within oneself to rise and deal with the things that need to be dealt with.

The hours when one’s bed becomes like a womb, and even the most confident and capable of adults are left to feel like weak and dependent infants, incapable of leaving the warmth and security beneath the covers.

The husband tries to find the energy and strength within himself to simply get up and join his wife, who is only just a few feet away, and begin to rebuild the trust and affection in their marriage.

But, he can’t. It is just too far to go.

I’m very happily married, but for some reason that brief scene and the phrase “too far to go” have always stayed with me. Not in relation to a lack of marital bliss, but to all the other things in my life that can feel occasionally insurmountable.

So, today, while reading the Carpetbagger’s reporting that Dean Webmaster Nicco Mele was signing on to McCain’s probable run for President, it was the first thing I thought of.

I had the pleasure of working with Nicco on-site at Dean HQ during the primary campaign.

And though I didn’t spend too much time with him, he struck me as a very decent, thoughtful, intelligent human being. His work with EchoDitto and his interest in and support of citizen journalism have been very laudable.

One of the things that most people wouldn’t know is that quite a few of the main Dean web people were not at all sharply partisan about Dean and would often say favorable things about his opponents. And had very nuanced opinions about a number of topics. Meaning, well, they were very reasonable, non-dogmatic people.

But, McCain, Nicco? Really?

Sure, he’s not pure evil, but he could have done so much more in the last five and a half years to help blunt the disaster of the Bush administration.

And given the current condition of America and our place in the world, to me that is entirely unforgivable.

Supporting McCain?

It’s just too far to go, Nicco.

[Crossposted at Green Mountain Daily]

I keep forgetting about this pretty amazing event that will be happening October 6-8th at both the Wyndham Hotel and Champlain College in Burlington.

Luckily a friend just sent me this reminder…

Those activists from Vermont and nearby locales worried about the corruption of democracy by the mass media should attend the “Facing The Media Crisis” Summit happening in Burlington, Vermont from October 6-8, 2006, sponsored by ACMEvt (Action Coalition for Media Education). More here - http://www.acmecoalition.org

The conference features keynotes and workshops featuring Pacifica Radio’s Democracy Now host Amy Goodman, author/speaker Bill McKibben, author/citizen activist Diane Wilson, U.S. Representative and Senate Candidate Bernie Sanders, and actor/activist David Strathairn.

Representatives from local alternative and public access media outlets as well as national figures in the media reform movement will all be present to discuss ways for media makers, educators, and students to claim their independence from corporate media.

It promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for Vermonters interested in media and social change.

We look forward to seeing you in Burlington in October. Please share this introduction with your friends and colleagues who might be interested in this great opportunity to focus on the impact of mass media in our society.

Jerome Armstrong will also be on hand to discuss Crashing the Gate. No word if he’ll read your palms for $20, too (sorry, couldn’t help it).

And many, many others, including Middlebury author Vermont film director, Jay Craven. [Sorry, synapse error. I read it as Jay Parini, which is weird cuz I’ve seen Craven’s films, but have never read any of Parini’s books]

Here’s the full schedule (annoying PDF link).

But, warning… It’s not free and is pretty pricey. Full registration is $295.00.

Unfortunately, the ACME website is pretty awful, so save yourself some trouble and just go here to register online if you’re interested and can afford it.

And here’s the far less horrible Vermont chapter site.

So, can anyone out there get me in for free? Anyone?

I’ll buy lunch… Really…

UPDATE: Oh, I just noticed that it’s just $25 to go to either the Friday or Sunday headline events.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Oh yeah, and don’t forget about Bill McKibben’s Labor Day Walk for Action on Global Warming.

At least it can be in the blogosphere.

Lamont/Lieberman are neck and neck with Lamont trending upward.

Some statistical noise in Bush/Republican polling, showing a possible (not likely) uptick in approval following the alleged London airline bombing plot arrests.

Peter Freyne says the Vermont Republicans are starting to get a wee bit nervous about a possible Vermont Democratic landslide.

The local Air America affiliate has moved once again, swapping with the obviously more popular ESPN programming back to its original lower power AM 1070 WTWK location.

And this following the somewhat embarrassing “pledge drive” they were doing earlier in the year.

They’re also dumping Thom Hartmann and bringing back Al Franken to the noon to 3 slot.

C’mon on guys, I’m sure there’s an audience for Air America in these here parts. You’d really bum me out if you can’t make it work.

The Thunderbirds filled people with awe for about 5 minutes before people started to resent the noise and imagining what it would be like to live in a place where this kind of thing actually meant death and destruction. Freyne and Simmon and JayV and Krishna and Floegel, etc.

And Rob Backus, candidate for Chittenden County State’s Attorney, was seen unloading his Adirondack Guide Boat during the Thunderbirds show and placing his gear in the middle of a poison ivy patch. Ouch…

It was announced a few weeks ago that the Freedom Fries in the Capital Hill cafeterias were quietly changed back to French Fries.

I knew this, but couldn’t resist continuing the lame cross-out joke…

But, being a self-professed member of the reality-based community, I can’t continue this charade any longer.

Going on a short vacation…

View from Centre Pompidou - Paris, France - March, 2006

Oh yeah, and breaking news…

DETROIT - A federal judge ruled Thursday that the government’s warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered an immediate halt to it.

U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency’s program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy.

“Plaintiffs have prevailed, and the public interest is clear, in this matter. It is the upholding of our Constitution,” Taylor wrote in her 43-page opinion.

UPDATE: Baruth’s reporting that the Dead Guvz are back up in a slightly new location.

Don’t forget to update your bookmarks and blogrolls (and to check the date on your dinner rolls, too, while you’re at it.)

The often silly, but sometimes reasonable, Andrew Sullivan (via Escahton), is pointing to the increased possibility that, yes, this recent airline terror plot is, once again, simply a political plot.

He writes…

I wonder if Lieberman’s defeat, the resilience of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the emergence of a Hezbollah-style government in Iraq had any bearing on the decision by Bush and Blair to pre-empt the British police and order this alleged plot disabled. I wish I didn’t find these questions popping into my head. But the alternative is to trust the Bush administration.

Been there. Done that. Learned my lesson.

This, from Tony Blair’s former ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, was what set him off…

None of the alleged terrorists had made a bomb. None had bought a plane ticket. Many did not even have passports, which given the efficiency of the UK Passport Agency would mean they couldn’t be a plane bomber for quite some time.

In the absence of bombs and airline tickets, and in many cases passports, it could be pretty difficult to convince a jury beyond reasonable doubt that individuals intended to go through with suicide bombings, whatever rash stuff they may have bragged in internet chat rooms.

What is more, many of those arrested had been under surveillance for over a year - like thousands of other British Muslims. And not just Muslims. Like me. Nothing from that surveillance had indicated the need for early arrests.

Then an interrogation in Pakistan revealed the details of this amazing plot to blow up multiple planes - which, rather extraordinarily, had not turned up in a year of surveillance. Of course, the interrogators of the Pakistani dictator have their ways of making people sing like canaries. As I witnessed in Uzbekistan, you can get the most extraordinary information this way. Trouble is it always tends to give the interrogators all they might want, and more, in a desperate effort to stop or avert torture. What it doesn’t give is the truth …

We then have the extraordinary question of Bush and Blair discussing the possible arrests over the weekend. Why?

Funny, I was thinking that I might be a bit paranoid for thinking the same thing (not really).

Philip Baruth provides some explanation (along with his usual nod to mysterious dark forces at play) for the odd disappearance of PoliticsVT from the Vermont blogosphere today…

He quotes an email he received from one of the Dead Governors…

We have a very, very serious problem right now here at the Capitol Bureau. While Isaac was on vacation yesterday in Michigan, his laptop computer was stolen. The problem is very very serious because not only does the computer have all his banking, real estate and computer information but it is also where all (or most) of the information regarding our blog was stored.

Man, that hurts. And it hurts us all.

Please don’t stay dead for long, ye Governors.

A while back I linked to a post on Edge.org by Jaron Lanier that attempted to bring a little caution to all the excitement about the Web 2.0 user-driven world that is all the rage of late. A rage that I, myself, am very intrigued by.

In the upcoming Newsweek, Steven Levy addresses this critique and the backlash that ensued.

He writes…

But the output of such efforts, says Lanier, is often a mundane reflection of the lowest common denominator, an inevitable consequence, he writes, of the “stupid and boring” hive mind. Not surprisingly, the targets of his criticism are crying foul.

“Lanier is objecting to the writing style of the Wikipedia being neutral rather than biased,” says Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia’s cofounder. Wales admits that sometimes the lack of an all-controlling editor leads Wikipedia to sometimes indefensible imbalances (for instance, the entry on “Star Trek”’s Mr. Spock is more than twice as long as the item about Flaubert). But he contends that’s just a temporary effect of the geeky flavor of the burgeoning Wikipedia community in this early stage. Author Kevin Kelly also thinks that Lanier’s criticism is off base. “The hive mind can’t do everything, but it’s not stupid and boring,” he says. “There’s no evidence that it subsumes individual expression.”

Kelly’s point is well taken—the same powerful Internet technology that aggregates our behavior also empowers us to assert ourselves individually. There has never been an easier way for people to distribute creative content. Lanier has done us a service by warning that the pedestrian preferences of the hive mind all too often overwhelm the truly essential. But let’s face it—Chairman Mao would have hated the Internet.

So, yes, don’t be blind to the drawbacks of the user-driven world. But don’t deny that we just might be living in a truly revolutionary time of human history.

A perspective with which, I think, Lanier would agree.