Westford School Online Chat
April 8, 2008
Sen Leahy:
It has been a crazy day here but i have been looking forward to
being with you - how's Vermont today?
Westford School:
Sunny and a little warmer
Sen Leahy:
I wish i was home!
Westford School:
May we send our first question?
Sen Leahy:
please do
Westford School:
Jeff- What are your views on the rights to own a gun?
Sen Leahy:
Jeff i own many guns at my home in Vermont - i even have a
makeshift pistol range in back of my house. I do not believe felons
should own them
Westford School:
Kristen- Do you believe in Global Warming?
Sen Leahy:
Kristen i think the evidence is overwhelming on global warming. I
have visited Antartica and the South Pole and seen the amazing changes
in the past couple decades. We all have a stake in doing something about
this
Westford School:
Kristen- What do you think about the poor homeless people in Africa?
Sen Leahy:
Kristen I think how fortunate all of us are who have homes. I
worry about the homelss people in Vermont and the rest of our country as
well as around the world. It is a matter of morality when we are so
blessed that we try to help others. My wife and i do this with a lot of
our charitable giving
Westford School:
Karsen- What was the most exciting thing that happened to you in
your childhood?
Sen Leahy:
Karsen so much was wonderful growing up in Montpelier where i was
born. I think all the times my family and I joined with other families
to travel together, play ball together and just enjoy Vermont. I also
remember the circus coming to town when i was 6 - that was a lot of fun!
Westford School:
Karsen- When did you decide to get into politics?
Sen Leahy:
Karsen growing up in Montpelier i always was interested in
politics. When i was in law school at Georgetown i used to spend a lot
of time watching the U.S. Senate and realizing how much good could be
done there for your state and country and I wanted to be there too to
represent Vermont
Westford School:
Selden- Have you ever been to Westford Vermont?
Sen Leahy:
It is interesting being able to see you [on a webcam] - i hope it
is coming thru on your end
Sen Leahy:
Selden I have been there often both when i was State's Attorney
of Chittenden County and since I have been in the Senate. Westford is a
beautiful place and I look forward to being there again
Westford School:
What was your first thought when Bush was elected for the second
time?
Sen Leahy:
I had hoped that we would change Administration because I hoped
that we could change the course of the war in Iraq. That didn’t happen
and we have now been in Iraq longer than our own Civil War - whoever the
next President is, the main effort will be to get out of Iraq and
reverse the trends of our own economy
Westford School:
Gabe- Have you ever thought of running for president?
Sen Leahy:
We send hundreds of billions of dollars to Iraq - I wish we could
use that money to put people to work in America and fix some of our own
problems
Sen Leahy:
Gabe I enjoy being able to represent Vermont in the Senate and
consider it a great privilege. I have no urge to run for President but i
am proud of those who do
Westford School:
Kayla- What do you think about NCLB?
Sen Leahy:
You have been asking some very good questions and this shows what
great teachers you have and what good students you are. I voted against
NCLB Kayla because I thought it was too inflexible for a small rural
state like ours.
Westford School:
Eric- What is the most serious Issue in the US right now?
Sen Leahy:
Eric our country is heading into recession and I worry that not
enough is being done with the housing crisis and with the jobs being
shipped overseas. When you add the high cost of energy and medical care
I believe it shows that much has been neglected while we pay for the war
in Iraq. Our domestic priority should be to fix the economy.
Westford School:
Kayla- The government does so much about war, but what about
bullying and harassment?
Sen Leahy:
I am going to have to go back to the Senate floor but I have
enjoyed this chat - you have seen a small part of my office and you are
welcome to visit anytime. I hope i can visit there.
Westford School:
Thank you Senator!
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