I met Jim Douglas when he was a recent graduate from Middlebury College. He came to our house for a meal more than once. That was around 1969 to 1974. He also came to the office where my dad worked, and where my mom worked.

I remember two things about him. He was the only person I knew under the age of 60 who wore his pants above his belly button. This was in the time of bell bottoms and hip hugger jeans. So, it was really awkward.

And I remember he was a member of the Young Republicans, or college republicans. It was a time when I was figuring out the difference between democrat and republican. Through the types of jobs my parents had, I had the opportunity to meet political leaders in both parties. Jim Douglas was one of the few republicans that treated me as a real person at the age of 7 when I first met him. He was polite, asked my opinions and listened to the answers.

Douglas is one of the few republicans I have ever voted for.

I read the article. I was at first surprised, then pissed. Then I read deep into the details and came to my original opinion of Jim Douglas. He is an honorable person and his lawsuit has merit, based on what is included in the article.

Mead made comments about the vasectomy, and said it was worth looking into for more study. 30 years later a different group of people sterilized people with a vasectomy. And to connect those two in a way to imply that Mead supported eugenics is not fair. And, the name Mead was for the Mead family, and not just one person. Furthermore, the contract to build Mead Chapel included money from the Mead family for the construction. Part of the deal was that the chapel would carry the Mead Family name.

I generally don't like republicans. It is rare that I would defend one. Jim Douglas is one of the exceptions. I have not seen him act in bad faith at any time.