Online Chat
Stowe Elementary School
February 4, 2004
Monothom:
looks good!
Sen Leahy:
Hi, this is Pat Leahy and I'm glad to be with you. Please excuse my
typing as I do think I do a better job as Senator than as a typist!
Monothom:
Good Afternoon Senator. You are
speaking to the Stowe Elementary Student Council. We were elected to our
position just like you. Karla would like to know what is the most
important issue besides the upcoming election?
Sen Leahy:
The security of our country and getting our economy back so everyone can
have a job are among the most important items. Of course much of this
debate will come in second to the Presidential elections
Monothom:
Tarik would like to know what is the
purpose of Act 68?
Sen Leahy:
Act 68 was enacted by the Vermont legislature to change the funding
mechanism for our education funding. Many felt it was necessary to bring
Vermont up to the standards of No Child Left Behind and to give property
tax relief. It co
Monothom:
Sarah would like to know what you
think of the new ECHO CENTER in Burlington? She thinks it's a fun place
to go.
Sen Leahy:
I love the Echo at the Leahy Center which probably doesn't surprise you.
I visit it all the time Sarah and really enjoy seeing people your age
there who are learning more about our state and our environment. Glad
you enjoy it
Monothom:
Bryan would like to know where you
were born.
Sen Leahy:
Tarik i should add that the Legislature is constantly trying to make
education better for Vermonters. Bryan I was born in Montpelier [the
only U.S. Senator to be born there] and my wife was born in Newport
Vermont
Monothom:
Kim would like to know if you like
President Bush.
Sen Leahy:
Kim I have know President Bush and his father for a long time. He is a
pleasant person to be with but I found that his father and I agreed a
lot more!
Monothom:
Nick would like to know what college
you went to.
Sen Leahy:
Nick I went to St. Michael's College in Vermont and than got my law
degree at Georgetown in Washington, DC
Monothom:
Eden would like to know what do you
think about the "Dean Scream?"
Sen Leahy:
Eden i talked with several people who were in the room and thought
Governor Dean was giving a pep talk and was trying to be heard over all
the noise. Most people in the media now admit they overplayed it. I have
known the Governor
Monothom:
Dante would like to know who do you
support for the next president?
Sen Leahy:
for a long time and this was not like him
Sen Leahy:
Dante i have supported Governor Dean. If he drops out I assume the
nominee will be Senator Kerry and I would support him
Monothom:
Rose would like to know if you have
ever considered running for president?
Sen Leahy:
Rose my wife Marcelle and I have been married for over 40 years - if I
considered that she'd bring me to my senses! I feel very fortunate to
represent Vermont
Monothom:
Julian would like to know if you agree
with the war in Iraq.
Sen Leahy:
Julian i opposed the war in Iraq and the hundreds of billions it cost
and the lives it lost. I am glad to see Saddam out of power but i think
we hurt ourselves by unilaterally going to war when we were not
threatened
Monothom:
Julie would like to know what do you
think about the "under God" part of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sen Leahy:
Julie that was in the Pledge when I was a student in Vermont and is in
the Pledge we say each day in the Senate. It is fine with me
Monothom:
Cory would like to know why you wanted
to become a Senator.
Sen Leahy:
Cory as a life long Vermonter I can't think of a greater honor than to
be trusted to help Vermont. It also allows me to have an international
voice e.g. when i led a fight to ban anti-personnel landmines
Monothom:
Cara would like to know what do future
projects do you have in store for the United States?
Sen Leahy:
Cara we all have to join together to constantly improve our educational
system [a lot of students in the U.S don't have the excellent teachers
you do] and to protect our environment for the next generation. of
course there are many
Monothom:
Karla would like to know who you
routed for in the Super Bowl.
Sen Leahy:
more projects
Sen Leahy:
Karla I was with the Patriots all the way! what an exciting end to the
game. So very proud of them
Monothom:
Dante would like to know how much
money is spent on the war every day.
Sen Leahy:
Dante it is way over $100 million dollars EVERY day. I have to think of
all the things we could do to improve America if we were spending that
at home. When our security is threatened we will spend whatever it takes
but Iraq did not
Monothom:
Eden would like to know if any of your
family members are in the war in Iraq.
Sen Leahy:
So am I. My son was a Marine in the first Gulf war but the war ended
before he was in harms way Eden. I have a lot of Vermont friends in Iraq
now
Monothom:
Tarik and Julian would like to know
what you thought of the Super Bowl half time show, and if you thought it
was appropriate.
Sen Leahy:
Tarik and Julian the Janet Jackson part was not appropriate but I was
also very offended by Kid Rock making a poncho out of the American flag.
That was totally wrong
Monothom:
Cara and Rose would like to know if
you check with the President before taking any action on your ideas?
Sen Leahy:
Cara and Rose I have to make up my mind as a Vermonter using my best
judgement and being true to my oath of office. Just as the President is
totally independent from the Senate each Senator is independent from him
Monothom:
Nick would like to know what would you
do to make Vermont a better place?
Sen Leahy:
Nick if we all protect Vermont's environment, constantly improve our
schools and make sure we have jobs for those Vermonters who want them it
makes our state better. To this day it is the place I want to be in the
most
Monothom:
Karla would like to know do you think
the immigration laws should be as President Bush proposed.
Sen Leahy:
Karla there will be great debate about the President's proposal. He has
not discussed the fine points and I assume there will be significant
changes. My maternal grandparents were immigrants to Vermont and i am
always interested in
Sen Leahy:
changes to our immigration laws
Monothom:
We would like to thank you Senator
Leahy for taking time out of your busy schedule and chatting on line. we
really appreciate it and enjoyed exchanging ideas with you.
Sen Leahy:
I thought your questions were great - shows you are very good students
with very good teachers!
Monothom:
Thank you. Have a great afternoon!
Hope to see you soon again in Vermont!
Sen Leahy has
left the room.
Monothom has left the room.
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