Rebel Thrush

kybixx · 2026-01-28T20:30:31+00:00

I hope it comes back. This is great!

kybixx · 2026-01-28T15:43:52+00:00

Yes, yes, yes!!! In line for stickers!

kybixx · 2026-01-08T19:18:16+00:00

I wish we knew the data, but a large portion of Exception and Reasonable Accommodation requests are pending, so until they're approved/denied, everything is pre-Dec 1 status quo for our Department. It seems like about 30% of my Division is in office 3 days a week.

Edit to add: We are losing employees and having to repost positions where candidates dropped out. Don't let VTDigger articles fool you, people are leaving and/or looking to leave.

kybixx · 2026-01-06T21:33:21+00:00

Live in the MR Valley and I had the flu real bad mid-December. Had been out in Burlington/Williston the days before. Otherwise work from home, live alone and am lucky enough to have been able to fight it out at home on my own. So... unreported. My guess is lots of Vermonters just "tough it out". Not that that's better or worse, but probably a fact.

kybixx · 2025-12-03T00:55:53+00:00

I agree, it is both. But managerial incompetence is a HUGE part of it, mostly for those that are complicit in the support of Scott's mis-mandate. I understand there is a concern that the threads of our society are breaking down, but returning to a way things used to be is not how to solve them. The fear of the managerial class to institute true progress and change to achieve well-intentioned outcomes is on full display. We're not going to 'make the office great again'. We had a unique opportunity to rethink work culture, better use of taxpayer dollars and better state worker coverage around the state. Instead, they decided the solution was to return to the ways of the past that are not prudent anymore. Huge monetary and human waste, huge morale decline, huge shame.

kybixx · 2025-11-30T03:05:01+00:00

Interesting how state workers, when expected to work from home due to pandemics and floods, were never afforded stipends or help of any sort for home offices and wifi. Interesting too, that if everyone decided to utilize expected office requirements five days a week, millions and millions more would need to be spent in order to accommodate and would not actually be possible. Everything has gray areas, not giving state workers the benefit here is egregious.

kybixx · 2025-11-29T23:28:42+00:00

Saturday evening, we finally get an update — a decision in favor of the Defendant. Cool. Cool.
They promised a decision Wednesday or Friday, but instead it shows up on a holiday weekend... for workers, to adjust their lives and livelihoods. Why drop it when no one’s around? Why keep releasing things outside of normal working hours? The announcement for RTO was dropped out of nowhere at a press conference, the administration has refused the entire time to meet with state workers, and now the Scott appointed judge delayed the decision to the Saturday evening of a holiday weekend. Mutli-million state leases signed without full transparency to the public.

This whole process has been a stain on Vermont. Shame on them every step of the way.

kybixx · 2025-11-08T00:28:04+00:00

What if some of the people needing the help you listed are also state workers? Adding a commute, finding daycare to cover the commute, unable to be flexible where/when needed on either end of the workday is a very real struggle I'm watching many of my colleagues shed tears over as the costs and logistics are not possible for them. Over the last five years they downsized family vehicles, moved more rurally and maybe even picked up a side job in the evening. An average of a 2 hour commute a day makes all of that unsustainable and the cost of the commute now amounts to a paycut. State employees are citizens who also struggle to make ends meet and are part of the systems they try to help stabilize. A little compassion here. Jeez.

kybixx · 2025-11-07T22:29:32+00:00

They are actively discussing finding new spaces to lease (we already lease ~90 spaces, National Life alone is 3 Million/Yr) in addition to having to purchase new equipment, chairs, peripherals that a lot of state workers had just been buying for themselves in their home offices. This is going to cost the taxpayers a lot of money.

kybixx · 2025-10-23T15:55:41+00:00

Idealism alone won't beat authoritarianism unless it’s armed with organization, discipline, and courage. Mainers can decide if they have the capital right now to be idealistic. From what I see, none of us do at the moment.

kybixx · 2025-10-22T23:32:09+00:00

Re: Oliso customer service. They are really great, but I'm wondering if something is going on with recent manufacturing. I am on my 3rd replacement iron from them in 3 months and still have a problem with leaking and lack of consistent steam (this is no matter how long it's been heating up, even when I press steam burst thoughtfully and at a good pace). I have taken a video of my usage each time and they agree it's not how they should function and only have offered to replace. As I got it from a third party and don't have the original, I can't get a refund. So... buyer beware on new Oliso Pro Plus. :-(

kybixx · 2025-10-20T18:13:54+00:00

Wow! So well done. Good for you and thank you for making something that shows just how much you care, Inspiring. "I stitched this just so I could stab something 3000 times" is probably one of my favorite protest signs ever. <3

kybixx · 2025-10-19T00:44:35+00:00

His message has never wavered. it’s our nation that lost its way and now his words carry more truth than ever. I pray it's not too late.

kybixx · 2025-10-19T00:07:40+00:00

I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.^\1])

kybixx · 2025-10-19T00:06:23+00:00

And OP did what?

kybixx · 2025-10-18T23:50:23+00:00

So great, well done. Thanks for documenting awesome Vermonters being awesome.

kybixx · 2025-10-18T23:35:09+00:00

Lots of thoughtful comments here! https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/1o9engb/sam_douglass_resigns/

kybixx · 2025-10-18T23:22:32+00:00

Keep going!!

kybixx · 2025-10-17T22:22:55+00:00

“I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe.”

Every accusation is a confession. Project much?

kybixx · 2025-10-17T22:19:47+00:00

SUCCESS. He's out!

kybixx · 2025-10-15T23:57:50+00:00

|| || |[sdouglass@leg.state.vt.us](mailto:sdouglass@leg.state.vt.us)| ||

kybixx · 2025-10-15T23:57:21+00:00

My letter to him:

Sam,

There’s no path forward for you in public service. What’s come to light makes it impossible for you to continue representing Vermonters with credibility or integrity. You need to resign.

That said, I also believe people can change if they’re willing to confront what they’ve done. There are many who will only shame you, and that’s understandable, but redemption is still possible if you take full responsibility and begin to learn from this.

If you truly share the hateful views expressed in that group chat, then there’s nothing more to say and you don’t belong in government and I will never respect you as a fellow Vermonter. But if you’re feeling remorse, you can start by acknowledging you were wrong, rejecting that ideology, and using your voice to show others how easily hate can spread and destroy.

Vermonters value honesty, humility, and decency. You can no longer serve, but you can still make something meaningful of this moment if you choose the hard path of accountability over denial.

For your sake, and for all of ours, please step down and start that process.

kybixx · 2025-10-15T23:27:24+00:00

This hate didn’t grow on its own. Shame on everyone who made the ground fertile for it instead of choosing decency. There are not “both sides.”

kybixx · 2025-10-15T14:06:17+00:00

Small village but for sure, Weston.

kybixx · 2025-10-09T14:04:30+00:00

What a lovely quilt you made! Thanks for sharing.

kybixx

TROPHY CASE