Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Don't Blow Up My WalMart
The Democratic Party's war on WalMart took an odd turn this morning in Nicholasville when a young man named Kenneth Wesley Brady was arrested for terroristic threatening.
2007: Expanding The Slates?
Gubernatorial hopefuls for 2007 in Kentucky are taking an unusual approach to next year's campaign: putting together de facto teams of candidates for all the constitutional offices to run together as expanded slates in the primaries.
Developing...
Developing...
Money-Motivated Learning In America
Robert Samuelson has an interesting essay about formal education versus lifelong learning in America.
He says Americans' thirst for practical knowledge is an explanation of our high productivity despite our schoolkids' poor standing on international math and science tests. In short, we start learning when it starts mattering to us financially.
The trick is to engage that motivation before middle school.
He says Americans' thirst for practical knowledge is an explanation of our high productivity despite our schoolkids' poor standing on international math and science tests. In short, we start learning when it starts mattering to us financially.
The trick is to engage that motivation before middle school.
Return Of Government Takeover
The Lexington Herald Leader is back on the water takeover bandwagon. The evil perpetuated by RWE now involves the most democratic of business moves: taking their company public.
If all those energetic folks who want the government to condemn the water company really want local ownership, they should put their money -- and not taxpayers' -- where their mouths are. Buy some shares.
Today's editorial adds nothing of value to the debate. Just more whining. More on the way between now and election day.
If all those energetic folks who want the government to condemn the water company really want local ownership, they should put their money -- and not taxpayers' -- where their mouths are. Buy some shares.
Today's editorial adds nothing of value to the debate. Just more whining. More on the way between now and election day.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Merit Hiring Mess Starts Again
With a bipartisan grouping of three nominees for the Personnel Board, AG Greg Stumbo begins anew his death of one thousand cuts for Governor Ernie Fletcher.
The bleeding caused by Republicans was slowed briefly two weeks ago when the criminal case against the Governor was dismissed, but it should begin again soon as Stumbo's Personnel Board coup takes shape.
The bleeding caused by Republicans was slowed briefly two weeks ago when the criminal case against the Governor was dismissed, but it should begin again soon as Stumbo's Personnel Board coup takes shape.
More Chaos In Mexico
Mexico's Al Gore refuses to concede the Presidential election he lost in July. This should be interesting.
KY Senate Dems On Thin Ice Tour
State Senate Democrats depend very heavily this fall on two of their members and one candidate, all with serious legal problems, to prop up their party's agenda next year.
Convicted felon Carroll Hubbard's race is the subject of a column in the Herald-Leader today. Paul Patton restored his rights to run for office.
Sen. Johnny Ray Turner has been indicted in a vote buying scandal.
And Sen. Ed Worley is embroiled in LandScam, a racketeering lawsuit in which he is currently struggling to have tape recorded evidence of himself contradicting his own sworn testimony suppressed from the public.
Nice work guys.
Convicted felon Carroll Hubbard's race is the subject of a column in the Herald-Leader today. Paul Patton restored his rights to run for office.
Sen. Johnny Ray Turner has been indicted in a vote buying scandal.
And Sen. Ed Worley is embroiled in LandScam, a racketeering lawsuit in which he is currently struggling to have tape recorded evidence of himself contradicting his own sworn testimony suppressed from the public.
Nice work guys.
Monday, September 04, 2006
We Need A Boston Tea Party
A year ago, Congressional Democrats were congratulating themselves for stifling Social Security reform. Since then, they have refused to suggest an alternative. Their rigid support of the status quo must not go unanswered.
Click here for a bipartisan suggestion, and here for the Republican bill to make it happen. And yes, I know it is a new bureaucracy. But it is one specifically designed to cut spending and we are having no luck cutting spending through the political process.
Click here for a bipartisan suggestion, and here for the Republican bill to make it happen. And yes, I know it is a new bureaucracy. But it is one specifically designed to cut spending and we are having no luck cutting spending through the political process.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
"Give A Man A Fish" Democrats
Labor Day is a good time to give thanks for the freedoms we Americans enjoy because of the continued growth of our economy for future generations. Recognizing that entrepreneurship brings unparalleled vigor to our way of life, forward-looking American public policy generally encourages individuals to strike out boldly on their own in pursuit of the American Dream.
Sadly, Democrats can only manage to nip at the heels of the great American economic engine with pitiful, counterproductive minimum wage tax increase proposals. On Friday, Senator Ernesto Scorsone (D-Lexington) gave us another one.
Sadly, Democrats can only manage to nip at the heels of the great American economic engine with pitiful, counterproductive minimum wage tax increase proposals. On Friday, Senator Ernesto Scorsone (D-Lexington) gave us another one.
Massachusetts Train Wreck 7/1/07
The Boston Globe reports on progress for socialized medicine in Massachusetts. It will be in place by July 1 of next year. The best part will be all the people appealing their premiums on an individual basis, sitting in hearings explaining why $18 a month is too much to pay for health insurance with necessities like cable tv, cell phones, junk food, booze, tattoos, tricked out cars, bling, etc. Should be a hoot seeing all the whining this one is going to cause.
I can't imagine Governor Mitt Romney's bid for the GOP Presidential nomination surviving this mess.
I can't imagine Governor Mitt Romney's bid for the GOP Presidential nomination surviving this mess.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
"Invincible" Americans
My wife and I went to see the Disney movie "Invincible" last night.
Don't go see it unless you actually like inspiring, moving experiences that make you laugh, think, cry -- I got some popcorn in my eye, but you might be moved to tears -- and that leave you wondering how you would stand up under truly difficult economic challenges.
The true story is based on the life of Vince Papale, a 30 year-old Philadelphian struggling to make ends meet in 1976. He lost his job, his wife, and his sense of hope in rapid fire succession before an open tryout with the NFL's Eagles led to a three year pro football career. Part of the story was the pervasive hopelessness spawned by limited economic opportunities for Vince and his friends in their south Philadelphia neighborhood.
That subtext of the movie had me wondering how we would survive under truly difficult circumstances in this country. Some would have us believe we are now about to slip into a Depression to make the 1930's look good, but the truth is we are so wealthy in America that a real downturn would be a horrific shock to most of us.
How would we survive it? I can't help wondering how long we would bicker, fight, and blame before we pulled together and made do to the best of our abilities.
As the fifth anniversary of 9/11 draws near, it is hard to not feel a little nostalgia for the brief time when Americans were on the same page, as well as what it would take to get us back there.
Go see the movie. I think anyone would enjoy it, but it just might leave you pondering the invincibility of Americans.
Don't go see it unless you actually like inspiring, moving experiences that make you laugh, think, cry -- I got some popcorn in my eye, but you might be moved to tears -- and that leave you wondering how you would stand up under truly difficult economic challenges.
The true story is based on the life of Vince Papale, a 30 year-old Philadelphian struggling to make ends meet in 1976. He lost his job, his wife, and his sense of hope in rapid fire succession before an open tryout with the NFL's Eagles led to a three year pro football career. Part of the story was the pervasive hopelessness spawned by limited economic opportunities for Vince and his friends in their south Philadelphia neighborhood.
That subtext of the movie had me wondering how we would survive under truly difficult circumstances in this country. Some would have us believe we are now about to slip into a Depression to make the 1930's look good, but the truth is we are so wealthy in America that a real downturn would be a horrific shock to most of us.
How would we survive it? I can't help wondering how long we would bicker, fight, and blame before we pulled together and made do to the best of our abilities.
As the fifth anniversary of 9/11 draws near, it is hard to not feel a little nostalgia for the brief time when Americans were on the same page, as well as what it would take to get us back there.
Go see the movie. I think anyone would enjoy it, but it just might leave you pondering the invincibility of Americans.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Northern KY Scandal Brewing
Sources in Frankfort report a juicy lawsuit is about to explode all over Democrat House candidate Randy Blankenship.
Apparently he has a little problem with other people's right to privacy. This one will be fun to watch.
Apparently he has a little problem with other people's right to privacy. This one will be fun to watch.
Liberals Attack Suburbanites Again
I couldn't resist commenting on Mark Nickolas' blog after he congratulated Lexington for being named the 9th smartest city in America. Stunningly, the man who tried to run Ben Chandler into the Governor's Mansion suggested that Louisville got dumber when the city merged with the county.
Somehow, it is fitting that he posted it to his "Education" label since liberals in Kentucky seem to think the best way to boost education testing statistics is to cut out the special education kids and to include private school students when it is convenient to do so.
Somehow, it is fitting that he posted it to his "Education" label since liberals in Kentucky seem to think the best way to boost education testing statistics is to cut out the special education kids and to include private school students when it is convenient to do so.
Sammy Brown Tracks Down Suspect
Nicholasville murder suspect Melissa Helton would have been arrested in Kentucky yesterday, but instead had to be located in South Carolina where she was apprehended by local authorities.
Jessamine County Sheriff Captain Kevin Corman, who is the Democrat candidate for Sheriff this year, told the Lexington Herald-Leader he did not know how she came to be located there.
That's funny, because if he had only thought to ask Deputy Sheriff Sammy Brown, his Republican opponent, he would know.
Brown is the one who spent the day Thursday tracking Helton and arranging for her to be apprehended.
Jessamine County Sheriff Captain Kevin Corman, who is the Democrat candidate for Sheriff this year, told the Lexington Herald-Leader he did not know how she came to be located there.
That's funny, because if he had only thought to ask Deputy Sheriff Sammy Brown, his Republican opponent, he would know.
Brown is the one who spent the day Thursday tracking Helton and arranging for her to be apprehended.
Hacker Denies Helping Worley
Mark Hebert of Channel 11 News in Louisville reports on his website that Ralph Hacker, a member of the Kentucky GOP Executive Committee, hosted a fundraiser for scandal-tarred Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond).
Hacker denies helping Worley raise money. He said he agreed to write a check when asked, but did not do so.
Hacker denies helping Worley raise money. He said he agreed to write a check when asked, but did not do so.
President Photoshop?
Hillary Clinton is moving closer to announcing her bid for President of the United States.
We know Photoshop can clean up Katie Couric and even Rosie O'Donnell, but can it do anything about Hillary's extreme views on healthcare, social issues, government spending and her flabby national defense flip-floppery?
We know Photoshop can clean up Katie Couric and even Rosie O'Donnell, but can it do anything about Hillary's extreme views on healthcare, social issues, government spending and her flabby national defense flip-floppery?
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Name That Fraud Contest
We have just about reached the point where Ed Worley's fraud-for-land scandal deserves a name.
Any ideas?
Since Sen. Worley was caught on tape trying to wiggle out of a world of woe in the multi-million dollar racketeering lawsuit he faces, I thought some kind of alliteration would be catchy, but I am struggling to come up with a good one.
A special prize to the reader who comes up with the best name.
Any ideas?
Since Sen. Worley was caught on tape trying to wiggle out of a world of woe in the multi-million dollar racketeering lawsuit he faces, I thought some kind of alliteration would be catchy, but I am struggling to come up with a good one.
A special prize to the reader who comes up with the best name.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Worley Scandal Makes Front Page
The Richmond Register picked up on Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) fraud trial today with a front page story.
Unfortunately, the Register story swings a wide berth around the most interesting facts made public so far about the case.
For example, we know Ed isn't happy part of his scheme got caught on audio tape. Sen. Worley's effort to get the tape thrown out of court is humorous as he seems not to know that telephone calls in Kentucky can be recorded by one party to the call without the knowledge of the other.
A closer look at his complaint shows even more. Worley says in an August 23 court motion that the tape of his conversation was "improperly concealed" and should have been presented as part of the discovery process. The victim in the case, Earl Estes, responded in an electronic filing today as follows:
"The defendents (Worley and partner A.D. Grant), having
defrauded the Plaintiff, having been caught in the fraud on
tape, and then having testified falsely under oath about the whole
thing, now cry foul and claim that Plaintiff's failure to turn over the
tapes or the transcripts before they perjured themselves in their
depositions isn't fair."
The taped conversations with Worley and Grant are pretty funny, knowing what we know now, but prior to the depositions in which they both contradicted their taped statements, the victim could not have known the tapes represented valuable evidence to confirm what he previously only suspected.
Again, from today's filing by the attorney for the victim:
"Up until Worley and Grant gave their depositions it was not at all clear that the statements would become impeachable evidence, since until then there was no way of knowing what their story would be."
Unfortunately, the Register story swings a wide berth around the most interesting facts made public so far about the case.
For example, we know Ed isn't happy part of his scheme got caught on audio tape. Sen. Worley's effort to get the tape thrown out of court is humorous as he seems not to know that telephone calls in Kentucky can be recorded by one party to the call without the knowledge of the other.
A closer look at his complaint shows even more. Worley says in an August 23 court motion that the tape of his conversation was "improperly concealed" and should have been presented as part of the discovery process. The victim in the case, Earl Estes, responded in an electronic filing today as follows:
"The defendents (Worley and partner A.D. Grant), having
defrauded the Plaintiff, having been caught in the fraud on
tape, and then having testified falsely under oath about the whole
thing, now cry foul and claim that Plaintiff's failure to turn over the
tapes or the transcripts before they perjured themselves in their
depositions isn't fair."
The taped conversations with Worley and Grant are pretty funny, knowing what we know now, but prior to the depositions in which they both contradicted their taped statements, the victim could not have known the tapes represented valuable evidence to confirm what he previously only suspected.
Again, from today's filing by the attorney for the victim:
"Up until Worley and Grant gave their depositions it was not at all clear that the statements would become impeachable evidence, since until then there was no way of knowing what their story would be."
More 2007 Buzz
Linda Greenwell got 49% of the vote for Auditor of Public Accounts in 2003, narrowly losing to Paul Patton's cabinet secretary Crit Luallen.
She is running again.
"I'm definitely running," Greenwell said. "I plan to file the day after the election in November."
Other speculation has Richie Farmer weighing a run for Governor.
She is running again.
"I'm definitely running," Greenwell said. "I plan to file the day after the election in November."
Other speculation has Richie Farmer weighing a run for Governor.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Free Speech and Fair Tax
The Johnson amendment allows the federal government to use the U.S. Tax Code to abuse the free speech rights of non-profit organizations.
The Fair Tax would help. Here is how.
The Fair Tax would help. Here is how.
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