“I spoke poorly and I do apologize for that,” he said at a Burlington debate hosted by My NBC5.
Zuckerman was responding to a May 2013 video posted to Facebook on Sunday by Nicole Citro, a Republican activist who has led the public push to base F-35 jets at the Air Guard’s South Burlington headquarters. The video shows Zuckerman speaking out against the basing, which has since been approved, during a protest on the steps of Burlington City Hall.
“Some of the people that support F-35s say, ‘This is about our safety and our freedom. Look at what they did on 9/11,'” Zuckerman says in the 27-second video. “When I look at what our planes did on 9/11 — they flew over a site that was already devastated by a terrorist action. I don’t believe they stopped a single thing from happening. So let’s not equate their existence with freedom when they’re after the fact—”
In a statement issued Sunday, Citro noted that the lieutenant governor could be called upon to command the Air Guard if the governor was not available. She said that Zuckerman’s 2013 remark “shows unequivocally he is not fit for the importance of this role.”
Asked about it at the lieutenant gubernatorial debate Monday evening, Zuckerman made clear he regretted his comments.
“I have tremendous respect for our service personnel and the Guard and national service, as well, for their willingness to put their lives on the line for all of us — whether it be in a terrorist situation, a national tragedy or, as we had in Vermont with Hurricane Irene, a natural disaster,” the senator said. “Our Guard, whether it be the Air or Army, serve us at the drop of a hat, putting their families aside. And I have tremendous respect for all of you. And I want to apologize again for speaking very poorly at that event.”
Zuckerman’s Republican opponent, former state senator and auditor Randy Brock, said he was “very, very concerned” about the remark, calling it “extremely unfortunate.”
“It shows that Sen. Zuckerman, I believe, is far outside of the mainstream thinking on the value of our Guard and the importance that it plays in the defense of our country,” Brock said.
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Zuckerman’s comments at that time showed honesty, and an attempt to speak the truth and echo the sentiments of many of his constituents. This is actually what representative democracy is all about.
The sad fact is that the United States got caught with its pants down that day. A handful of boxcutters were used to kill thousands of innocent Americans, and like it or not, our local Air Guard had no part in it at all till after the fact.
As someone who lost friends in 9/11, I get saddened the event is used repeatedly as simply a rallying cry for blind patriotism, and to support an F-35 program that even many military personnel and defense experts see as largely a failure. Many consider it a program that may actually make us less safe by using up too many defense resources. I actually believe the F-35 program is the worst thing to happen to our Air Guard, as it will be a plane that will have problems for its entire lifespan…which may be very short.
Someone who will speak honestly and broach difficult topics is actually what we need for a Lt. Governor. We sure don’t have it in many of our other elected officials, or even most candidates. It’s called “Leadership”.
Mr. Zuckerman is one of the few who shows integrity, and we know what he stands for. One doesn’t always have to agree with him to appreciate that fact. His stance on marijuana decriminalization/legalization is another prime example of how Mr. Zuckerman is simply listening to his constituents, and following the science, not the rhetoric.
Contrary to the above poster, Mr. Zuckerman’s comments that day and his admission that he took reimbursement for something that he was not owed show a lack of integrity and leadership skills. The fact of the matter is that the Air Guard deserves our respect at all times. Mr. Zuckerman has had multiple opportunities to show good integrity and he failed every time he submitted for monetary reimbursement which he knew was dishonest. Mr. Zuckerman showed his true colors on the steps on Burlington’s City Hall and he has repeatedly shown his lack of integrity.
We need to fumigate Montpelier of these dishonest politicians.
David Zuckerman’s comments in 2013 were absolutely correct.. There is no error in this statement, “When I look at what our planes did on 9/11 they flew over a site that was already devastated by a terrorist action. I don’t believe they stopped a single thing from happening. So let’s not equate their existence with freedom when they’re after the fact” I am sad to learn that Zuckerman feels the need to apologize for his true statemernt.
Zuckerman was right then, and wrong to apologize now. The apology is proof that so-called “liberals” in the Democrat party are just the average moderates, manipulated once again by military contractors, the “defense” lobby, and misguided patriotic jingo.
Zuckerman will win. Brock will lose yet another election.
Just when I was considering Randy Brock, Ms. Citro reminds me to vote for Zuckerman. Don’t conflate support for the Guard with support for the F-35. Two different things. Whoever supports Lockheed’s corporate welfare boondoggle does not deserve Vermont’s support. We’ve got a $600 billion deficit and a huge part of that is bipartisan cowardice in the face of military-industrial lobbyists (not to mention GOP and Hillary Clinton support for the Iraq War).
As far as the governor’s race, since Sue Mintner and the Democrats are just as bad as Phil Scott on this issue, at least Phil Scott offers the chance to slow the tax and spend freight train (at local level). The “rah-rah” F-35 crowd of Shumlin-Mintner, Leahy, Sanders, Weinberger, etc. talk a big game about “affordable housing” and then actively support the destruction of health and home values for over 12,000 people in South Burlington, Winooski, Williston, etc. They are tearing down perfectly good houses and decimating South Burlington property tax base so their campaign contributions keep flowing. They care nothing for the average person in Vermont. Big difference from Zuckerman.
Based upon the polls, it does appear likely that Scott will be become Governor, and Zuckerman will become Lt. Governor.
This should be telling the Democrats something. Such as representing their constituents (not lobbyists), having a backbone, and standing up for Democratic principles. They have done a poor job of this in the opinion of many.
Perhaps Ms. Citro will let us know when it’s okay to question the Guard’s contamination of water supplies with PFOA.
Jeff Ersonian, you continue to call it reimbursement when that was not what it was. It was a per diem, and an entitlement. No one ever had to say “I actually drove here today.” They were advised not to accept it only when they were living or staying in Montpelier, or not coming into Montpelier on a specific day. If they give you $5 for lunch, and you spend $4, you get to keep the extra dollar. Get it? So stop conflating it with dishonesty, when he was using the program the way it was designed to be used.
Zuckerman should at least apologize for this year’s farm share. I got like 2 cucumbers the entire summer and I don’t remember getting any peas. Too busy campaigning I guess.
I can guarantee not one person in the Vermont National Guard has ever or will ever do anything to protect me or millions of other Americans. Nor the Delaware National Guard or Iowa National Guard. It’s an appalling waste of money at the state level, the people employed enjoy the fun they have getting to drive and fly expensive toys for free while we pay them. I’m sorry Mr. Zuckerman felt the need to apologize, I don’t think his remarks were nearly harsh enough.
No state guard did anything to protect anyone when this nation was attacked, yet everyone is supposed to remain silent and complacent while billions of dollars are spent on National Guards who spend money on fancy ads announcing how lucky we are to have them to protect us from the bogey men. A colossal waste of money and resources while our children are drowning in student loans, our bridges, roads and sidewalks crumble, and our health care system is a worldwide joke. But sure, keep believing Vermont’s National Guard will save us in the event aliens attack.
Barbara Alslop; from Seven Days Feb 3, 2010:
‘Every day I claim the mileage, and I probably shouldnt, says Zuckerman, a ponytailed Progressive who runs an organic vegetable farm in Hinesburg. Beyond that, though, Zuckerman isnt apologizing for his behavior.
How does he get away with what could be described as fraud?
Legislators arent required to submit receipts for their mileage, meals or lodging expenses during the regular legislative session. In January, they simply fill out a form indicating what they expect to spend and then collect biweekly per diem checks based on their claims. Its an honor system. If their circumstances change, legislators are supposed to file a change form adjusting their costs up or down.’
So it’s not fraud if Zuckerman lied? He knew his expected expenses were not what he claimed. He lied. He lied. That’s fraud. That’s embezzlement. Do you understand the meaning of ‘an honor system?
Mr. Zuckerman explained the issues and faults with the mileage and hotel reimbursement system in exquisite detail just last week on VPR. Folks would be wise to listen to it, before making totally erroneous and ridiculous accusations:
http://digital.vpr.net/post/interview-davi…
The fact that Mr. Zuckerman even offers to engage folks on this old issue shows his integrity. The reimbursement system simply doesn’t address many situations, and the funds one is talking about is so relatively minor that the State doesn’t even want to bother correcting the system.
Give him a break, man.
Zuckerman likes to pay by the rules when the rules favor him; otherwise, not so much. Kinda like the campaign financing law.
After the lies, fabrications and deceptions that the VTANG leadership spread regarding the F35 basing in Burlington were revealed in the recent federal court case, the time is long past when we should blithely accept the Guard’s version of the truth. (The most egregious was that the Air Guard would lose its mission if the F35s were not based here, which was totally refuted by the USAF.)
Yet that is just what Paul Heinz did in this story. ALL of the sources he used to say that the Guard were the first responders on 9-11 were provided by the Guard themselves.
Here’s the truth, according to the Office of Air Force Historical Studies, in an article that described the military response to 9-11 on a minute by minute basis. The VTANG is not even mentioned as a first responder that morning. Multiple other Guard units responded long before VTANG did. Massachusetts ANG 102d Fighter Wing, North Dakota 119th Fighter Wing and DC ANG 113th Wing were there first, NOT VTANG, and it’s insulting and a dishonor to those units that VTANG tries to make this false claim!
http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/docum…
Zuckerman is fundamentally devious. Taking per diems he wasn’t supposed to. Openly hating on Dems for his entire career but now running as one of them. Bashing the VTANG but now running away from what he said. Trying to have it both ways on public financing of his campaign. Trying to run for Lt. Gov. not as David Zuckerman but as Bernie Sanders.
Contrary to what the below poster says, he is addressing his per diem theft from the taxpayers only because it keeps coming up. He was certainly hoping it wouldn’t come up. Just as he was hoping his stupid comments about VTANG wouldn’t come up.
Massachusetts Trustfunder Playfarmer Dave will do or say anything to advance the political career of Massachusetts Trustfunder Playfarmer Dave.
Dave Zuckerman had nothing to apologize for. His only mistake was to apologize.
Zuckerman’s speech was absolutely right. Not just the fact that the F-16 fighters did nothing to stop the 911 attack but also that such fighter/bombers are useless for stopping terrorist attacks generally.
Zuckerman was also right about the points he made in the rest of his remarks to hundreds of Vermonters about the F-35 that were omitted from Nicole Citro’s out-of-context clip. You can watch his full remarks starting at 6:33 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2A36x8lf… which has been posted and available since 2013.
Zuckerman also correctly spoke about the effect of F-35 basing on jobs, noise, health, safety, and freedom, and he concluded that F-35 basing is “just plain wrong.”
Basing F-35 jets at the airport in South Burlington surrounded by 124,000 people in 7 towns within 5 miles of the runway, was wrong in July 2013. It is still wrong now.
The Vermont Air National Guard has a duty to defend Vermont citizens. The Air Guard should not be permitted to take action that puts the health and safety of our Vermont citizens at peril. As Dave Zuckerman correctly pointed out, in its Environmental Impact Statement, the Air Force detailed tremendous negative effects on health and safety for thousands of Vermont families. The Air Force says the F-35 is more than 4 times louder than the F-16, and this noise causes serious health effects. Those negative effects include cognitive impairment of children.
Citizens are right to call on the Air Guard to meet its responsibility to protect Vermonters and not put our families and our children at risk. We want to elect political leaders who will require the Guard to meet that responsibility.