Quid Pro Quo:So Much For Vermont Tourism

Rosemarie Jackowski protested the Iraq war on March 20, 2003, in Bennington, Vermont.

Rosemary Jackowski carried a sign depicting a dying Iraqi child on a gurney.

According to the Bennington Banner, Rosemary Jackowski was arrested and later found guilty of "intending to block traffic and annoy drivers when she stood in Bennington County's busiest intersection."

Rosemary's case made it all the way to the Vermont State Supreme Court.

Deputy State's Attorney Daniel McManus said that "when Jackowski refused to move from the intersection, she showed that she intended to block traffic and knowingly annoy drivers."

The maximum penalty for disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, is two months in jail and a $500 fine.

Rosemarie Jackowski is 68 years old.

Rosemarie Jackowski is 4' 10" tall.

Rosemarie Jackowski is a US Air Force veteran.

Rosemarie Jackowski is prepared to go to jail if her appeal fails.

As for Bennington, Vermont...

Population (year 2000): 15,737
Males: 7,323 (46.5%), Females: 8,414 (53.5%)

Elevation: 681 feet

County: Bennington

Median resident age: 37.9 years
Median household income: $33,706 (year 2000)
Median house value: $98,400 (year 2000)

Races in Bennington:

* White Non-Hispanic (96.3%)
* Hispanic (1.0%)
* Two or more races (1.0%)
* American Indian (0.7%)
* Black (0.6%)

15,737 people.

How much damned traffic could one 68 year-old grandmother block?

How many damned drivers could she possibly annoy?

How bored are Vermont's prosecutors?


I just crossed Vermont off my Fall vacation list.

Heavy sigh.


PBU37
File this under: Your mother or grandmother could be next.