Today The Louisville Courier-Journal addressed the heartbreaking issue of the state's role in protecting child welfare in the case of abusive parents.
The problem is predominantly one of drug abusing parents becoming an unacceptable risk to their children. I struggle with competing libertarian laissez faire principles and activist pro-child interventionalist tendencies on this one. But really, I wonder how much good the government actually does intervening in any but the very worst of these cases. Do we really want to encourage the government to to do more judging of child neglect and acting on those judgement calls? My experiences with parents who lost their children to the government for what I believe to be good reason, and those who I know were victims themselves of bureacratic malfeasance lead me to believe we should be much slower to remove children from their parents' custody. However, once removed from the home, I would be much more likely to make those worst cases permanent and to prosecute the parents vigorously.
Too often, I think, we open a file on a situation that involves less than ideal financial circumstances but no real abuse and make bad situations worse while spreading social service resources too thin to really help the desperate cases. This gives us a government crisis that risks lives needlessly.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Faith Of Evolutionists
Having put four children in the public school system in Kentucky -- including two who are soon to graduate -- I have found several ways to deal with extreme political correctness in the classroom. It hasn't been hard.
So I have paid little attention to the "debate" over teaching evolution in science class. As a grand theory, there is some real value. The science of genetics emerged from this primordial slime, and we have yet to scratch the surface of the many uses of genetic engineering.
But the People For the American Way have been paying close attention. They are quite secure in their doctrine: Every living species—palm trees, eagles, and even humans—has evolved over billions of years, from single-celled organisms.
If that is what they are so hot on teaching our kids, I am no longer worried about it. Our children aren't so gullible as to believe that. I understand the problems with allowing liberal groups to get too far into their sermons with our kids, but this is ridiculous. It takes much less blind faith to believe in a God as Creator than it does to believe there is no "legitimate scientific evidence" refuting the doctrine of evolution.
Have a nice Saturday my fellow humans -- and palm trees!
So I have paid little attention to the "debate" over teaching evolution in science class. As a grand theory, there is some real value. The science of genetics emerged from this primordial slime, and we have yet to scratch the surface of the many uses of genetic engineering.
But the People For the American Way have been paying close attention. They are quite secure in their doctrine: Every living species—palm trees, eagles, and even humans—has evolved over billions of years, from single-celled organisms.
If that is what they are so hot on teaching our kids, I am no longer worried about it. Our children aren't so gullible as to believe that. I understand the problems with allowing liberal groups to get too far into their sermons with our kids, but this is ridiculous. It takes much less blind faith to believe in a God as Creator than it does to believe there is no "legitimate scientific evidence" refuting the doctrine of evolution.
Have a nice Saturday my fellow humans -- and palm trees!
Spicoli Update
Here's a hint: if you find your world-view matching very closely with actor Sean Penn, you might need a little help.
There are a few gems in his interview with Larry King, such as when he says no Democrat who doesn't promote surrender in Iraq should get any votes, but really the only thing funnier than the White Flag Democrats are those who blamed President Bush for gas prices going up and are now twice as mad when they are going down.
Amazing that such a bumbling President can wield precise control over world commodity markets and get the entire world to move on his electoral strategy.
There are a few gems in his interview with Larry King, such as when he says no Democrat who doesn't promote surrender in Iraq should get any votes, but really the only thing funnier than the White Flag Democrats are those who blamed President Bush for gas prices going up and are now twice as mad when they are going down.
Amazing that such a bumbling President can wield precise control over world commodity markets and get the entire world to move on his electoral strategy.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Worley Fraud Case Changes Courts
U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood says jurisdiction of the Ed Worley fraud case belongs to state courts. The mainstream media finally mentions Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) perjury caught on tape.
The really funny part is when Worley blames his political opponent, Barry Metcalf (R) who appreciates the free mention in the Herald Leader story:
"My opponent wants to make this a political argument when it's a legal argument," Worley said, referring to Barry Metcalf, a Republican who is running for Worley's seat in November.
Senator Worley has to admit that getting caught in perjury on tape has a bit of a Monica Lewinsky ring to it, though.
The really funny part is when Worley blames his political opponent, Barry Metcalf (R) who appreciates the free mention in the Herald Leader story:
"My opponent wants to make this a political argument when it's a legal argument," Worley said, referring to Barry Metcalf, a Republican who is running for Worley's seat in November.
Senator Worley has to admit that getting caught in perjury on tape has a bit of a Monica Lewinsky ring to it, though.
Rise Of Fiscal Conservatives In KY
Finally, some help is coming for those who have grown tired of government overspending.
As the Republican party has gained prominence in Kentucky, little has frustrated conservatives more than the missed opportunities to exercise fiscal restraint.
Help is on the way as the Club for Growth of Kentucky establishes itself on the political landscape. Interesting that Sen. Jim Bunning would refer to the Kentucky Club as a "very fringe group."
I think he will be surprised.
As the Republican party has gained prominence in Kentucky, little has frustrated conservatives more than the missed opportunities to exercise fiscal restraint.
Help is on the way as the Club for Growth of Kentucky establishes itself on the political landscape. Interesting that Sen. Jim Bunning would refer to the Kentucky Club as a "very fringe group."
I think he will be surprised.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
How Not To Do A Candidate Blog
Lexington City Council candidate Justin Dobbs is promoting his candidacy on infamous child-predator website hangout myspace.com.
I won't let my kids on this site and, from the looks of things, Justin's mom probably shouldn't have either. Just a few tidbits from the site: Justin lies about his fundraising, polling, his opponent's fundraising goal, his opponent's husband's sex life, and lists his occupation as "city council candidate" and has a special message from the college kid who got caught trying to infiltrate Rep. Anne Northup's campaign for her opponent John Yarmuth.
I won't let my kids on this site and, from the looks of things, Justin's mom probably shouldn't have either. Just a few tidbits from the site: Justin lies about his fundraising, polling, his opponent's fundraising goal, his opponent's husband's sex life, and lists his occupation as "city council candidate" and has a special message from the college kid who got caught trying to infiltrate Rep. Anne Northup's campaign for her opponent John Yarmuth.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Pence On Gambling
I'll leave it to others to criticize John David Dyche's evisceration of Governor Ernie Fletcher in today's Courier-Journal. His point that Steve Pence supports casino gambling "for the sake of the horse industry and state coffers" got my attention.
After falling for the lottery sales pitch in Kentucky, are we really going to tie our hopes to casinos? Dyche's suggestion that "social conservatives" are Pence's only stumbling block to making gambling his cause celebre ignores the facts. Casinos cause drastically higher government spending to attempt repair of the social damages caused by those same casinos. There are lots of ways to go to hell in Kentucky already, so social conservatives have their hands full; the real resistance to casinos should come from fiscal conservatives who aren't interested in inviting even greater need for entitlement spending into the state.
After falling for the lottery sales pitch in Kentucky, are we really going to tie our hopes to casinos? Dyche's suggestion that "social conservatives" are Pence's only stumbling block to making gambling his cause celebre ignores the facts. Casinos cause drastically higher government spending to attempt repair of the social damages caused by those same casinos. There are lots of ways to go to hell in Kentucky already, so social conservatives have their hands full; the real resistance to casinos should come from fiscal conservatives who aren't interested in inviting even greater need for entitlement spending into the state.
Herald Leader Screws Up Water Story, Again
This morning's story starts out like this:
About 200 people gathered at Oleika Shrine Temple last night to kick off a campaign they hope will lead to the city owning the local water utility.
Only when you get to the last paragraph do you get this:
If the referendum passes, it doesn't mean the city would immediately take control of the water company -- it means the case would start again. It could be years before a jury sets a price on the company that the city can either accept or reject as too high.
Trying to bury the main issue doesn't benefit the people of central Kentucky. The most important thing to know about this November's referendum is it just prolongs the madness of an ill-fated and expensive campaign whose only winners will be the lawyers. If you want to own the water company, get your friends to buy up shares. If you live in Fayette county, vote no to more wasted effort and resources. Vote no to extending the miserable water takeover fight.
About 200 people gathered at Oleika Shrine Temple last night to kick off a campaign they hope will lead to the city owning the local water utility.
Only when you get to the last paragraph do you get this:
If the referendum passes, it doesn't mean the city would immediately take control of the water company -- it means the case would start again. It could be years before a jury sets a price on the company that the city can either accept or reject as too high.
Trying to bury the main issue doesn't benefit the people of central Kentucky. The most important thing to know about this November's referendum is it just prolongs the madness of an ill-fated and expensive campaign whose only winners will be the lawyers. If you want to own the water company, get your friends to buy up shares. If you live in Fayette county, vote no to more wasted effort and resources. Vote no to extending the miserable water takeover fight.
Democrats For Fletcher, Take Two?
Governor Fletcher went to Lincoln county Monday to dedicate a bridge and drop off $2 million more. Response from elected Democrats was more than a little suspicious:
"This is very familiar territory for the governor, as he represented us so well for many years in Washington, D.C.," said Sen. Ed Worley, D-Richmond.
"We are deeply grateful for Gov. Fletcher's consistent commitment over the years to the quality of life and economic well-being of everyone in Lincoln County."
"We are extremely appreciative of everything that Gov. Fletcher did for Lincoln County while he was in Congress, including his work to make this bridge a reality," said Lincoln County Judge-Executive Buckwheat Gilbert.
"Gov. Fletcher has always been very good to Lincoln County, and we are delighted to have him here today."
Does anyone seriously doubt these two will be singing a much different tune after this November's elections?
"This is very familiar territory for the governor, as he represented us so well for many years in Washington, D.C.," said Sen. Ed Worley, D-Richmond.
"We are deeply grateful for Gov. Fletcher's consistent commitment over the years to the quality of life and economic well-being of everyone in Lincoln County."
"We are extremely appreciative of everything that Gov. Fletcher did for Lincoln County while he was in Congress, including his work to make this bridge a reality," said Lincoln County Judge-Executive Buckwheat Gilbert.
"Gov. Fletcher has always been very good to Lincoln County, and we are delighted to have him here today."
Does anyone seriously doubt these two will be singing a much different tune after this November's elections?
Dem Landslide 2006 Takes A Hit
Lincoln Chafee (RINO) won his primary in Rhode Island and so the GOP is more likely to hold its majority in the Senate. Conservatives are also more likely to suffer heartburn as Chafee is one of the majority of liberals in the upper chamber.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Another Good Day For Reform
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 101 points today and is now up 7.25% for the year. How is your Social Security doing?
Hillary Enjoys Product Placement
One very effective form of movie and television advertising is called product placement. Almost a quarter of a century ago E.T.'s favorite snack was -- you guessed it -- Reese's Pieces. That's product placement.
Courtesy of ABC News, we have a political type of product placement in a story today about Princess Diana. It seems like every week someone else is writing another book about something she said or did right before she died. And lots of people read anything about Princess Diana and probably will for years. Well, ABC News got worked up when they found out she had said she might want to be first lady of America.
Burrell said that in the mid-1990s Diana had dreamed of following in the footsteps of stylish first ladies. "She's been a huge fan of Jackie Onassis for years, and a huge admirer, too, of Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton."
Of the above former first ladies, which one doesn't fit your idea of a "stylish first lady?" Hillary "Pantsuit" Clinton, of course. She wasn't part of any list here, she was a recipient of product placement in the news.
Next week we will read about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie threatening to move to Africa permanently unless Hillary Clinton is elected President in 2008.
Courtesy of ABC News, we have a political type of product placement in a story today about Princess Diana. It seems like every week someone else is writing another book about something she said or did right before she died. And lots of people read anything about Princess Diana and probably will for years. Well, ABC News got worked up when they found out she had said she might want to be first lady of America.
Burrell said that in the mid-1990s Diana had dreamed of following in the footsteps of stylish first ladies. "She's been a huge fan of Jackie Onassis for years, and a huge admirer, too, of Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton."
Of the above former first ladies, which one doesn't fit your idea of a "stylish first lady?" Hillary "Pantsuit" Clinton, of course. She wasn't part of any list here, she was a recipient of product placement in the news.
Next week we will read about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie threatening to move to Africa permanently unless Hillary Clinton is elected President in 2008.
UK: Domestic Partners To The Rescue!
The University of Kentucky's quest to become a Top 20 research institution is surely in the bag now. The state's flagship institute of higher learning is making plans to introduce same-sex partner health benefits to their employees and everyone knows this will make all the difference.
Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) is so excited she wants the state to jump on the bandwagon. Won't that make the merit system fantastic?
Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) is so excited she wants the state to jump on the bandwagon. Won't that make the merit system fantastic?
Monday, September 11, 2006
KY Liberals, Get Ready To Seethe
Lynne Cheney will visit the University of Louisville on Monday September 18 for a Constitution Day program.
Liberal Bloggers Cracking Up On Schedule
Liberal blogger Josh Marshall is letting the stress of the election season get to him. His latest theory is that President Bush "secretly" wants to dismantle Social Security next year. Marshall is convinced Bush intends to keep his plans quiet by telling them to the Wall Street Journal:
It's also no accident he raises the issue in an interview with conservative columnist Gigot. The White House doesn't want to broadcast his interest in phasing out Social Security.
Keep talking Josh!
It's also no accident he raises the issue in an interview with conservative columnist Gigot. The White House doesn't want to broadcast his interest in phasing out Social Security.
Keep talking Josh!
Herald Leader Hires Michael Moore
That is the best explanation I can come up with for the horrible timing of today's Hate-America-First unsigned editorial in that paper.
Steve Pence Back In The News
Ryan Alessi picks back up on the political fortunes of LG Steve Pence this morning. The Anyone But Ernie club seems to have lost momentum (in central KY anyway) and it may just be that the real action starts after this November's elections.
Nevertheless, now might be a good time for Pence to step in and start laying out an alternative agenda. If nothing else, a Republican versus Republican debate this fall could engage GOP voters in a variety of issues for the General Assembly session.
Nevertheless, now might be a good time for Pence to step in and start laying out an alternative agenda. If nothing else, a Republican versus Republican debate this fall could engage GOP voters in a variety of issues for the General Assembly session.
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