FRIDAY'S HUM (02-02-07)

WELCOME TO VERMONT. NOW PAY UP !
Sen. Mark MacDonald, D-Orange points out it's not just property taxes that are strangling Vermonters. It's oil and gas and health care, too. And he's got stats to prove it.
Vermont Buzz has the story, along with tons of interesting and lively comments.


LETTUCE PRAY
What a horrible way to go. The Hum's thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Sheila Ross, who was trapped in the back of a semi at a Dole plant in Arizona while pallets of lettuce moved toward her. There was no way out and she was crushed, death officially notated as compressional asphyxia.
Her body was found yesterday by warehouse workers in Iowa, where the truck was unloaded.
The lettuce was destroyed. Des Moines Register takes it from here.


CALEDONIA-RECORD'S BETTER LETTER
Our letter of the week goes to Robert Skinner writing in St. Johnsbury's Caledonia-Record.
Skinner pens a 100,000 (not really) word treatise on why Hillary Clinton has a right side, so to speak. For example:
Did you know that Hillary was a young Republican at Wellesley ?
Did you know her parents were conservative ?
Did you know that Hillary wants to WIN in Iraq ?

Read more of Skinner's thoughts now.



PSSST. DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR COFFEE AND PIZZA SURVEYS.


WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO DON MCLEAN ?
He's still around, as evidenced by his show in Rutland this Saturday at the Paramount.
HOW OLD IS HE NOW ?
The "American Pie" songster is 61.
WHAT STATE DOES HE LIVE IN ?
You guessed it. Maine.
WHAT'S THE GOING PRICE FOR A DON MCLEAN TICKET THESE DAYS ?
About 25 bucks.

The Rutland Herald has more.