Since the McClatchy purchase of the Lexington Herald Leader, the paper's employees have had a real attitude change.
The fact that the reporters are walking a little taller may not be easily visible to the untrained eye, but try talking to them. An infusion of hope does good things to people and new ownership has already instilled a new confidence among the news personnel. A fun example is found on the new political blog the Frankfort bureau publishes. They actually provide links to Louisville Courier Journal stories. That's their competition. What kind of dead tree publication does that?
One that wants to really dominate the marketplace.
The people on the editorial board express the same kind of renewed vigor. So it is all the more disappointing to see the same old nonsense printed on their pages. Today, they pander hard left in endorsing Teresa Isaac's economic development director. (I can hardly even say that term without laughing. Seems like Julian Beard should be called "the condemnation commisar.") But to the editorial board, he is the "stronger candidate."
Piffle. And what's worse, their main complaint against Bill Roberts is that he follows the law and can count to 100.
We can only hope the new energy at the Lexington Herald-Leader might somehow strengthen the arguments of the hardened editorial writers. The paper is hiring; maybe they will add some new blood there. Their columnists have the talent, but there are some major trust issues. A key ingredient to growing their paper will be addressing this shortcoming.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Henry v. Jones: Eating Their Own
Former LG Steve Henry is starting to sound like this year's Bruce Lunsford the way he is going after the Dem front-runner, casino candidate Brereton Jones.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Mad As Hell, Not Going To Take It...
Whatever happens to the Republican party on election day, there can be no argument that some important changes need to occur after election day.
For limited government, pro-growth policy people, a big part of the answer is probably going to come from the Club for Growth of Kentucky. The Club is a group of like-minded individuals who pool their efforts to recruit and support good candidates for public office on the state level.
An unofficial membership drive between now and election day will provide great momentum to the effort to generate real change in our state.
Email me at kyprogress@yahoo.com with your name and contact information and ask your friends to do the same.
For limited government, pro-growth policy people, a big part of the answer is probably going to come from the Club for Growth of Kentucky. The Club is a group of like-minded individuals who pool their efforts to recruit and support good candidates for public office on the state level.
An unofficial membership drive between now and election day will provide great momentum to the effort to generate real change in our state.
Email me at kyprogress@yahoo.com with your name and contact information and ask your friends to do the same.
This Just In: Some Dems For Yarmuth
A breathless report from Louisville has the news that John Yarmuth actually gets to speak to a group of Democrats at a fundraiser in that city this week.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The MSM is now buzzing with the story of Ed Moore, a Republican Boone county clerk candidate who claimed falsely to be a Vietnam veteran.
Moore vigorously denied rumors of his fake credentials and escaped MSM scrutiny until an email report by Jeff Smith of Lexington dated October 17 started making the rounds.
Within three days of the initial report, Moore was coming clean and dropping out of the race.
Can there be any doubt that if Moore were a Democrat this story would have been ignored by the mainstream media for at least another two weeks or so?
Moore vigorously denied rumors of his fake credentials and escaped MSM scrutiny until an email report by Jeff Smith of Lexington dated October 17 started making the rounds.
Within three days of the initial report, Moore was coming clean and dropping out of the race.
Can there be any doubt that if Moore were a Democrat this story would have been ignored by the mainstream media for at least another two weeks or so?
Sick Kid Sunday Update
My six-year-old has a nasal infection and no government-sponsored health plan to tell him to come back in January.
Slightly less irritating is that we are going to have to hear all next week about Barak Obama running for President.
Senator Obama owes his entire political career to the media feeding frenzy over Jack Ryan's divorce that forced him from their 2004 Senate race. No doubt he is really just auditioning to be Hillary Clinton's running mate.
Slightly less irritating is that we are going to have to hear all next week about Barak Obama running for President.
Senator Obama owes his entire political career to the media feeding frenzy over Jack Ryan's divorce that forced him from their 2004 Senate race. No doubt he is really just auditioning to be Hillary Clinton's running mate.
We Don't Have One-Party Control
Senator Joe Biden just said on Fox News Sunday that he has talked to twelve Republicans who want to change parties after the election.
There is no question there are at least of half a dozen Republicans who would be likely suspects for this.
Democrats have had a lot of fun this year blaming one-party control for everything going wrong in Washington, but the Arlen Specter-Lincoln Chafee caucus has ensured repeatedly that conservative, small government initiatives can't get passed into law. And President Bush's problems haven't come as a result of conservative policies.
The Club for Growth tried valiantly to get rid of Arlen Specter and Lincoln Chafee in the last two elections. If only they had succeeded, Republicans would perhaps be facing election day on the strength of conservative policies rather than the hindrance of defending nonexistent one-party control.
Elevating Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid is one way to refocus the conservative movement, but that is becoming less and less likely to occur. Fear of Democrats is a real hindrance to tearing down the Republican house and starting all over.
Party reorganization conventions take place in 2008, but real change can and must start right after this election. The party belongs to the people and the fiscal policies politicians of both parties are giving lip service to have broad support. Restoring credibility to the Republican party remains a far shorter trek than one which might introduce it to the Democratic party or breathe viability into a Third Party.
There is no question there are at least of half a dozen Republicans who would be likely suspects for this.
Democrats have had a lot of fun this year blaming one-party control for everything going wrong in Washington, but the Arlen Specter-Lincoln Chafee caucus has ensured repeatedly that conservative, small government initiatives can't get passed into law. And President Bush's problems haven't come as a result of conservative policies.
The Club for Growth tried valiantly to get rid of Arlen Specter and Lincoln Chafee in the last two elections. If only they had succeeded, Republicans would perhaps be facing election day on the strength of conservative policies rather than the hindrance of defending nonexistent one-party control.
Elevating Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid is one way to refocus the conservative movement, but that is becoming less and less likely to occur. Fear of Democrats is a real hindrance to tearing down the Republican house and starting all over.
Party reorganization conventions take place in 2008, but real change can and must start right after this election. The party belongs to the people and the fiscal policies politicians of both parties are giving lip service to have broad support. Restoring credibility to the Republican party remains a far shorter trek than one which might introduce it to the Democratic party or breathe viability into a Third Party.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Tennessee Democrat Screws Up Big
Harold Ford wiped out his entire U.S. Senate campaign with one silly stunt.
Here is video of the stunt.
Here is video of the stunt.
FLOP: For Local Ownership of Pasta
News that Lexington-based Fazoli's Restaurants sold out to a Florida company yesterday requires immediate action! Some government agency needs to begin condemnation action right now.
What do those Floridians know about fast food anyway? Can we trust them with part of the industry that provides half of our meals?
What do those Floridians know about fast food anyway? Can we trust them with part of the industry that provides half of our meals?
HD 73: Another Isolated Incident
In Winchester, we have another strong Republican candidate and another lackluster Democrat vying for the 73rd district House seat.
And the Lexington Herald Leader editorial board wants to stick with the lackluster Democrat.
And the Lexington Herald Leader editorial board wants to stick with the lackluster Democrat.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Where's Chetan Talwalker? We Need Him!
Remember Chetan Talwalker? He is the guy who got caught removing a Lexington city council candidate's yard signs and putting them in his truck. He said they were placed illegally and he was just helping a candidate who he was working against.
What a nice guy. Anyway, we need him to get out again and "help." The only problem is the offending candidate this time is in favor of eminent domain abuse, so he is probably not going to be quite so conscientious.
There are limits to the number of political yard signs a candidate can have on one property. I would complain to the city of Lexington about all the illegally placed signs on Harrodsburg Road, but they are Teresa Isaac for Mayor signs. I won't waste my time calling.
What a nice guy. Anyway, we need him to get out again and "help." The only problem is the offending candidate this time is in favor of eminent domain abuse, so he is probably not going to be quite so conscientious.
There are limits to the number of political yard signs a candidate can have on one property. I would complain to the city of Lexington about all the illegally placed signs on Harrodsburg Road, but they are Teresa Isaac for Mayor signs. I won't waste my time calling.
Fayette Jail Scandal
Rumors are circulating in downtown Lexington that FCDC director Ronald Bishop is going to get canned very soon for his role in the prisoner abuse cover-up in the Fayette county jail.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Julian Beard Quits Race For Council?
Teresa Isaac's economic development director Julian Beard has effectively abandoned his campaign for Lexington's 4th district council seat. Rumor has it his campaign officially died someplace between the mayor's short-lived effort to turn Lexington Mall into a softball field and the killer September flooding in downtown Lexington.
When last seen, Beard was still carping about the questionable judge's ruling that put him on the ballot even though he failed to get the necessary 100 petition signatures to qualify. His empty campaign never really got over that first hurdle.
On top of all that, his support for eminent domain abuse was enough to doom his campaign.
In other news, 7th district council candidate Justin Dobbs is still sorry for making up stuff about his opponent and putting it on the internet.
When last seen, Beard was still carping about the questionable judge's ruling that put him on the ballot even though he failed to get the necessary 100 petition signatures to qualify. His empty campaign never really got over that first hurdle.
On top of all that, his support for eminent domain abuse was enough to doom his campaign.
In other news, 7th district council candidate Justin Dobbs is still sorry for making up stuff about his opponent and putting it on the internet.
Kentucky Cameras For Bubba?
When Bill Clinton comes to Louisville next Tuesday, you can bet the television stations will all be there to record the fabulous non-event. So it was noteworthy today that not one single Lexington television station showed up when the next U.S. Senate Majority Leader spoke at a downtown event.
Clinton is bringing his irrelevent show to town to raise money for Democrats without ideas or money. Sen. Mitch McConnell came to a rally -- not a fundraiser -- for a dynamic House candidate. He spoke about Republican ideas.
Mike Farmer, the candidate, gratefully accepted the offer from McConnell to join him in Lexington and it was a good event. Rep. Susan Westrom (D-lightweight) says the event "shows how desperate they are to win."
Someone should ask the former state Democratic Party chair what it shows that her party is bringing in the impeached former President.
Clinton is bringing his irrelevent show to town to raise money for Democrats without ideas or money. Sen. Mitch McConnell came to a rally -- not a fundraiser -- for a dynamic House candidate. He spoke about Republican ideas.
Mike Farmer, the candidate, gratefully accepted the offer from McConnell to join him in Lexington and it was a good event. Rep. Susan Westrom (D-lightweight) says the event "shows how desperate they are to win."
Someone should ask the former state Democratic Party chair what it shows that her party is bringing in the impeached former President.
Elect Our Guy But Don't Ask Why!
The Lexington Herald Leader usually doesn't mince words on their editorial page when it comes to endorsing one particular party's candidates. Seems this year they aren't saying anything at all. It sounds a lot like when an outflanked, exasperated parent screams "Because I said so!"
Their ringing endorsement today for Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D-Georgetown) climaxes with the claim "Hoffman has developed into an effective lawmaker, albeit one who gets things done so quietly you hardly notice it."
Like when we hardly noticed him sneaking out of the debate about homosexual marriage two years ago to hide in the Capitol Annex until it was safe for him to come out?
Something like that, perhaps.
His one legislative accomplishment the Editorial Board could point to in eight years was last year's seat belt law.
Their ringing endorsement today for Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D-Georgetown) climaxes with the claim "Hoffman has developed into an effective lawmaker, albeit one who gets things done so quietly you hardly notice it."
Like when we hardly noticed him sneaking out of the debate about homosexual marriage two years ago to hide in the Capitol Annex until it was safe for him to come out?
Something like that, perhaps.
His one legislative accomplishment the Editorial Board could point to in eight years was last year's seat belt law.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Not MLK's Dream: Obama Says "I Had A Sense"
Sen. Barak Obama (D-IL) was on Oprah's coach yesterday auditioning for Vice President. He has a ton of charisma and will be a player in 2008 in some form.
The interview was actually going very well until he started talking about his perception of the war about to begin in Iraq, in the days before he started his run for the Senate.
"I said this is wrong," Obama said. "I had a sense that we would not find evidence of weapons of mass destruction."
For someone who liberally quotes Martin Luther King Jr., he sure does a fine Howard Dean impression now.
The interview was actually going very well until he started talking about his perception of the war about to begin in Iraq, in the days before he started his run for the Senate.
"I said this is wrong," Obama said. "I had a sense that we would not find evidence of weapons of mass destruction."
For someone who liberally quotes Martin Luther King Jr., he sure does a fine Howard Dean impression now.
When Can We Schedule Miami U. in Football?
University of Miami President Donna Shalala has issued a no-tolerance policy for fighting on the football field.
UK needs opponents like this.
UK needs opponents like this.
All Other Things Being Equal
A study of cocaine addicts tries to explain what motivates them. What a complete waste of time it is to worry about whether someone who has fried his brain is money-motivated or not.
Seems like they might start by asking themselves what kind of moron shows up for a "scientific" study and self-identifies as a criminal rather than simply ignoring the variable as they do here.
Kentucky's public school drug education program, DARE, seems to be effective. This is actually one program I would like to see expanded. Probably wouldn't hurt to start kids into the program earlier.
Seems like they might start by asking themselves what kind of moron shows up for a "scientific" study and self-identifies as a criminal rather than simply ignoring the variable as they do here.
Kentucky's public school drug education program, DARE, seems to be effective. This is actually one program I would like to see expanded. Probably wouldn't hurt to start kids into the program earlier.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
It's Raining Doctors!
Even some good conservative folks are starting to talk about the inevitability of single-payer healthcare.
The problem is that it is too easy to say "healthcare is a right" unless you stop and think about what a heartless slogan this is. If healthcare is a right for you, whose responsibility is it to provide you with your right? Seriously, point him out.
Don Boudreaux wrote a good column that compares healthcare rights to food rights.
The problem is that it is too easy to say "healthcare is a right" unless you stop and think about what a heartless slogan this is. If healthcare is a right for you, whose responsibility is it to provide you with your right? Seriously, point him out.
Don Boudreaux wrote a good column that compares healthcare rights to food rights.
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