Online Chat
Williamstown School
May 24, 2001

Sen Leahy: Any questions while we are online?

Williamstown School :we are interested in what’s happening in DC

Sen Leahy: Because of Sen Jefford,s announcement today their is a seismic change in Washington with the control of the Senate changing hands for the first time in a mid-term. It has enormous implications [excuse the typos]

Williamstown School :How will Vermont be affected

Williamstown School :??

Sen Leahy: I understand Anne Marie Cobb the daughter of a friend of mine is a teacher at your school

Williamstown School :yes she is right here and the teacher of this class

Williamstown School :who is your friend

Sen Leahy: Vermont will have two significant Chairmen in the Senate for the first time in history

Williamstown School :good, cool

Sen Leahy: My friend is Peter Cob b

Williamstown School :that is her brother

Sen Leahy: sorry - that's what I meant -I'm a lousy typist

Williamstown School :Do you think the Leahy law would be as successful as it was when you thought of it

Sen Leahy: Do you mean the landmine law?

Williamstown School :yes

Sen Leahy: I hoped the landmine law would be successful but never realized how well it would do. We had a lot of people worldwide who helped from the late Princess Diana to Jody Williams of Vermont to the Foreign Minister of Canada and Bobby Muller of the Vietnam Vets

Williamstown School :Have you ever met Princess Diana?

Sen Leahy: Meant the late Princess Diana

Williamstown School :yeah

Sen Leahy: I met with Diana several times and we corresponded right up to the time of her death

Williamstown School :what is the biggest decision you have ever had to made being a democrat

Williamstown School :that is cool

Williamstown School :so to speak

Sen Leahy: I have always felt comfortable in the Democratic Party because of its emphasis on education, the environment and international relations

Williamstown School :I see

Williamstown School :why are you a pro choice activist?

Sen Leahy: I am very proud of Senator Jeffords decision he made today because he put Vermont's interest ahead of any political interests.

Williamstown School :that’s good

Sen Leahy: I would not consider myself a pro choice "activist" although I am pro choice. If I am an activist on something it would be on trying to eliminate landmines worldwide.

Williamstown School : what do you think about the civil union?

Sen Leahy: Civil union law was enacted by the Vermont legislature because

the Vermont Supreme Court said that constitutionally they had to enact such

a law. They upheld the constitution and, in so doing, did the right thing.

Williamstown School : cool, we do to...most of us

Williamstown School : even though we are in the heart of "take back Vermont" country

Sen Leahy: As Senator Stafford said we Vermonters respect each other’s

privacy. My wife and I have been married almost 39 years and we feel that way.

Williamstown School :wow that good

Sen Leahy: Thanks - time for one more.

Williamstown School :Do you get flustered with people who don't agree with you?

Sen Leahy: No. I believe in democracy and having it possible to disagree. I also find that the person who disagrees on an issue today will agree on a different issue later on.

Williamstown School :thank you senator the students really enjoyed talking to you. I know they could last all afternoon!!!! Anne Marie Cobb, teacher

Sen Leahy: I am very impressed with your questions - shows you are good students and have great teachers. Thanks for getting together today and hope to see you in Vermont. If any of you see me on the street this weekend in Vermont please say hi. Thanks Anne Marie.