Vermont in the crosshairs

Vermont is under attack, but not by vacationing Bostonians or Canada. Vermont's real threat: Wal-Mart. After hearing word the big-box chain planned to open a couple really big boxes across Vermont, the National Trust for Historic Preservation put the entire state of Vermont on its list of endangered sites. According to a New York Times article:

"They tend to suck the economic and social life out of these downtowns, many of which wither and die as a result," said Richard Moe, president of the trust. "I think it will drastically affect the character of Vermont, which I think is unique."

So worried about a Wal-Mart invasion, they've put the entire state on the endangered species list. Talk about paranoid. Don't they know Vermont already has a Wal-Mart, two K-Marts, some Chilis', Starbucks, Best Buys, Olive Gardens… Maybe the fine people of Vermont would boycott Wal-Mart and chase 'em back to Arkansas. But maybe Vermonters are just like all other Americans, including the fine patriots of Ft. Payne, Ala., who like their cars big, their water bottled and their one-stop shopping in one huge box (with a McDonald's inside).