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John Walters

@thevpo.bsky.social

700 followers 370 following 560 posts

Blogger about Vermont politics, keeper of house rabbits, Detroit sports and #ncfc fan

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John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 15h

Come for the fascism, stay for the deep dish pizza

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 22h

Greg Abbott sends the elite Meal Team 6 from the Texas National Guard into Illinois.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 15h

He could play a medley of his one hit.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 21h

Oh hey, it's my latest roundup of quality work (and one not so much) by Vermont media outlets!

thevpo.org/2025/10/07/n...

News You Should View, That’s What College Papers Are For Edition

Over the summer, I kinda got out of the habit of checking in with the three campus newspapers in our catchment because they don’t regularly publish anything when the students are away. But he…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 1d

She should maybe have a little chat with state Senate leadership

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 1d

The formerly great Burlington Free Press has pubished a story based entirely on a press release, rewritten by an "Assisted by AI" reporter, and they put a goddamn paywall in front of it. Like they think this slop is worth paying for.

www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/l...

Windsor museum receives $1 million gift from Gene Haas Foundation

The American Precision Museum has received a $1 million donation from the Gene Haas Foundation to support its Floor 2 the Future fundraising campaign.

www.burlingtonfreepress.com

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 1d

Agreed, but we’ve known this since at least “Obey Giant.” It ain’t news.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 1d

I hope they get tactical vests that say “Fascist Nerdboy” across the front.

Workin’ for the clampdown…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 1d

Oh boy, VTDigger brings news of job openings for those willing (or happy) to, well, join the dark side.

thevpo.org/2025/10/06/a...

Are You Unfulfilled Because Your Career Isn’t Evil Enough?

Don’t you know the devil wears a suit and tie I saw him driving down the 61 in early July White as a cotton field and sharp as a knife I heard him howling as he passed me by Rarely do I begin…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 2d

Here's a scoop: Didja know that some graffiti is considered art???????

Your Digger dollars at work.

vtdigger.org/2025/10/06/m...

Most municipalities try to curb graffiti. So why is Brattleboro commissioning it? - VTDigger

“It started off with vandalistic origins, but over the last half century it has grown into one of the most legitimized and profitable art forms,” said an organizer of a $12,000 weekend spray-painting ...

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 4d

The Fine Art of Mime

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 4d

To protect their players from injury, NFL coaches almost never allow full-blown tackling in practice during the season.

And therein lies a familiar football paradox: How can a team improve tackling without, you know, actually tackling?

How can you get better at tackling if you don’t practice tackling?

After “too many” missed tackles in deflating loss to Atlanta, Washington’s defense faces a common football paradox.

www.washingtonpost.com

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 4d

My latest roundup of worthwhile Vermont news stories includes a big award for a small paper, the continuing adventures of Mike Donoghue, a pair of Super Sidebars, and an unforgettable piece about a man celebrating the 40th anniversary of his heart transplant.

thevpo.org/2025/10/03/n...

News You Should View, Belated Edition

This edition of NYSV features content posted last week by Vermont media outlets. I did most of the groundwork last weekend, and then other stuff intervened — a pair of more timely items and a bit o…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 6d

The crypto billionaire who launched one of the goofiest campaigns in Vermont history has re-emerged on the political scene — advocating for the re-election of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, of all people.

thevpo.org/2025/10/02/r...

Richie Rich Returns, With a Delightful New Bestie

Hey, remember this guy? Brock Pierce, former child actor (career highlight: he’s the 27th listed actor in the credits for The Mighty Ducks) turned failed tech entrepreneur turned crypto billi…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 7d

If you’d like to spill the tea on thus, you know how to reach me.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 7d

The Hardwick Gazette scooped much larger news operations (all of them) with the story of an ICE enforcement action targeting construction workers. In the process, it illustrated the crucial role of local news outlets in our media ecosystem.

thevpo.org/2025/10/01/n...

News You Should View, Emergency Dispatch

Hats off to The Hardwick Gazette, not because of my association with it, but because they pulled off the scoop of the goddamn week. In the process, the doughty weekly showcased the importance of st…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 7d

Remember when this goombah tried to run for U.S. Senate in Vermont?

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 7d

Remember when I asked if anyone knew anything about an ICE action in Hardwick a few days ago? Well, the Hardwick Gazette has the story:

hardwickgazette.org/2025/09/30/u...

U.S. Border Patrol, ICE detain 9 individuals Friday - The Hardwick Gazette

HARDWICK – A dark vehicle heading west on Wolcott Street a little after 7 a.m., Friday, had its drive interrupted when a white vehicle behind it turned on its siren and lights, pulled around it and br...

hardwickgazette.org

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 8d

The kind of problems that good franchises have.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 8d

What's this in my inbox?... Of course, the long-awaited LL Bean/Noah Kahan collab.

www.llbean.com/llb/shop/100...

Noah Kahan Collection

The Northern Attitude Collection is here! Shop the limited-edition versions of singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s favorite L.L.Bean products, inspired by the outdoors and ready for everywhere and everythi...

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 12d

Apparently there was an ICE action in downtown Hardwick today. Anyone hear anything? (Not for attribution)

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 13d

Is there a way out of our housing crisis? Recent reports suggest no.

thevpo.org/2025/09/25/o...

Our Housing Crisis May Be Unsolvable

I’ve been thinking about the need for a plausible, recognizable Democrat to step forward as a candidate for governor with a campaign focused on a big policy idea. This is because so many Dems…

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 13d

Having a "your call is very important to us" kind of morning.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 14d

Now we know what Fascist pillow talk is like. Romantic.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 14d

Not for nothing, AccuWeeather’s CEO is trying to privatize the National Weather Service.

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 14d

At the dealership getting an oil change. The TV in the waiting area is showing the seldom-watched AccuWeather channel. Right now, they’re doing an interview about “summer travel tips.” In late September?

John Walters @thevpo.bsky.social · 14d

It’s good to have options. I just think the station should get some blowback for complicity with corporate censorship,