2) I think Xthe17th is seeking to encourage Vermonters, not bash us for lack of numbers or activism.
I have seen a handful of FReepers who post that they are from Vermont but for whatever reason have not put our state's flag on their FR homepages. I thought of keeping a list of their monikers but decided that without their consent to be known and pinged that would go against my personal beliefs. I *choose* to be accountable and active, love to be included in calls to action, and strive to make a difference wherever I can; not every Vermonter of Conservative stripe chooses so. Participation can not be forced, but ought always to be encouraged.
There are, IMHO, too many Vermonters who are concerned about politics in our state but don't seem to want to get involved. I pray earnestly that we can muster our troops as well as the District of Columbia, California, Colorado, and other states have for activism. We could do a great deal more than we are doing now.
PS: my family lived in Stowe back in the 70s. There's a restaurant on Rt. 100 as it turns towards Morristown called, I believe now, "Foxfire"? Well, back in the early 70s it was called "Smugglers Inn" and my family owned it with another family. This was before VT had a summer industry with mountain biking and the like, so we relied on a strong ski season to survive. Well, one season, we didn't so I ended-up in the Blue Ridge instead of the Green mountains. Gotta love that mud season though! 