“Declaring Independence in Bernie’s Vermont” is a short biopic created by journalist and documentarian J.D. Thomason for Northview Magazine.

Before Bernie Sanders’ bid for the White House put Vermont back in the national spotlight, Thomason and his small crew made contact with the 2VR group after incidentally picking up a copy of Most Likely to Secede at Phoenix Books in Burlington. “I’ve of course been aware of some of the great things Vermont has pioneered over the last two decades, but the book [Most Likely to Secede] showed me that Vermont’s political potential and spirit of independence has only begun to assert itself” Thomason says. “In the context of the shallow political conversations taking place at the national level, the book’s contributors seemed way ahead of their time dealing with complex macro and micro issues in penetrating and practical ways. I had to find out what gives Vermont’s Davids the courage to speak out against the imperialist Goliath. So I reached out and now we’re making a full-length feature documentary that is currently in production.”

According to mainstream media outlets, many Americans are thinking about “Plan B” googling “move to Canada” or “immigrating abroad.” The “Plan B” panic is what prompted journalist J.D. Thomason to prepare his short film for Northview. Thomason says, “I figured, in Vermont people had the idea that you can leave the country from the comfort of your own home, so forget ‘Plan ‘B’ (moving abroad); let’s talk about Plan V.”

March 13, 2016

PLAN V: Declaring Independence in Bernie’s Vermont

According to mainstream media outlets, many Americans are thinking about "Plan B" googling "move to Canada" or "immigrating abroad." The "Plan B" panic is what prompted journalist J.D. Thomason to prepare his short film for Northview. Thomason says, "I figured, in Vermont people had the idea that you can leave the country from the comfort of your own home, so forget 'Plan 'B' (moving abroad); let's talk about Plan V."
March 4, 2016

#FeelTheBern: Bernie Sanders and the Politics of the (Im)Possible

Ten years ago, Bernie Sanders convinced all eagle-eyed Vermonters watching events within the U.S. imperial Beltway in Washington, D.C. that Vermont independence was an inevitability. The […]
February 16, 2016

Bernie Sanders’ Phantom Movement

Bernie Sanders, who has attracted numerous young, white, college-educated supporters in his bid for the presidency, says he is creating a movement and promises a political revolution. This rhetoric is an updated version of the “change” promised by the 2008 campaign of Barack Obama and by Jesse Jackson’s earlier National Rainbow Coalition.
January 30, 2016

The Revenant: Frontier America’s (Furry) Heart of Darkness

In 2002, novelist and historian Michael Punke quietly published a novel called “The Revenant,” based on the historical record surrounding the life and adventures of 19th century […]
January 17, 2016

MLK In Memoriam – January 2016 (PROPHETS UBER PROFITS)

MLK’s intertwined trio – racism, materialism, and militarism – are alive and well in the 21st century U.S. of Empire. During the mid-20th century, the civil rights movement relied on […]
January 13, 2016

Celebrating MLK: MOUNTAINTOP FILM FESTIVAL 2016 from January 15-2

Once again, the Big Picture Theater and Cafe in Vermont’s Mad River Valley is hosting the annual MOUNTAINTOP FILM FESTIVAL. Here’s the lineup – not to […]
January 2, 2016

The Big Short: Poetic Justice On The Silver Screen

“The truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry.” – Overheard in a Washington, D.C. bar by Michael Lewis; Author of The Big Short Take […]
December 22, 2015

Vermont, Cannabis, and “Exceptionalism,” by Eli Harrington (OP/ED)

  Publisher’s note: Read the Vermont Cannabis Collaborative (VTCC)’s entire “What Cannabis Can Do For Vermont” report – legalize, regulate, tax, derive benefits – online at their web […]
December 21, 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – The Magic Is Back

  A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away – the pre-imperial United States in 1977, to be precise – director George Lucas unleashed […]
December 14, 2015

Inter States: Emerging Disorder, by Ralph Meima

This week, we feature Vermont novelist Ralph Meima’s provocative look at one possible future for the 21st century United States. His sprawling new novel INTER STATES, […]
December 12, 2015

Open Letter to Vermont Governor Shumlin: Halt The Gas Pipeline (ACTIVISM)

Dear Governor Shumlin, We are leaders in Vermont—business owners, nonprofit executives, faith leaders, agriculture stewards, academics, and community representatives—who have followed the saga of the Addison Natural Gas […]
December 11, 2015

It’s Official – Donald Trump BANNED from Visiting the 2VR (PASSPORT DENIED)

The 2VR leadership team has huddled and made an executive decision. Donald Trump is now BANNED from entering the 2nd Vermont Republic. Of course, we’ll have […]