Saturday, December 16, 2006
Believing Ahmadinejad
The biggest problem Americans have with Iran is some people believe their President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he says he wants to use "peaceful nuclear technology as a clean energy source and as a replacement for oil," while others believe him when he says "we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism."
Blogs No Longer Blocked In State Offices
The prohibition against viewing of political websites by on-the-clock state employees has apparently been quietly dropped. Should be a hot topic of conversation in the MSM to start off a slow news week.
Nothing else big is expected next week except for some kind of announcement by Sen. Dan "Human Error" Mongiardo.
Nothing else big is expected next week except for some kind of announcement by Sen. Dan "Human Error" Mongiardo.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Casino Campaign Of 2007 Off To A Bad Start
Otis Hensley is no longer alone.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller signed up to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor today and then went on the Kruser and Krew program in Lexington to take a few questions.
To the question of his position on casino gambling, Miller vacillated pretty effectively, saying first he was concerned about low-income people who would gamble away more than they could afford, then saying he wasn't sure that he was against it -- and that it had to do with the "framing" of the issue -- before finishing up with the let the people decide mantra of the pro-casino campaign.
Given that Governor Fletcher has essentially the same answer, we are left to wonder where the candidate is who will come forward and talk about the taxpayers bearing the burden of all the public costs associated with state-supported casinos. The Bluegrass Institute had a good point about how, if we are going to do this, we should at least raise the financial barrier to entry into the casino business. We could go one step further and raise the tax on casinos from the proposed 35% to more like 90% like they have in Germany.
Better still, let's quit fooling ourselves and others into believing that casinos will benefit Kentucky as a whole.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller signed up to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor today and then went on the Kruser and Krew program in Lexington to take a few questions.
To the question of his position on casino gambling, Miller vacillated pretty effectively, saying first he was concerned about low-income people who would gamble away more than they could afford, then saying he wasn't sure that he was against it -- and that it had to do with the "framing" of the issue -- before finishing up with the let the people decide mantra of the pro-casino campaign.
Given that Governor Fletcher has essentially the same answer, we are left to wonder where the candidate is who will come forward and talk about the taxpayers bearing the burden of all the public costs associated with state-supported casinos. The Bluegrass Institute had a good point about how, if we are going to do this, we should at least raise the financial barrier to entry into the casino business. We could go one step further and raise the tax on casinos from the proposed 35% to more like 90% like they have in Germany.
Better still, let's quit fooling ourselves and others into believing that casinos will benefit Kentucky as a whole.
The Democrats Are Worse
I've taken a lot of abuse from my libertarian friends for continuing to insist Congressional Democrats will be a certain downgrade from GOP leadership, as flawed as it was.
Well, take a gander at this little shopping list. I don't see anything on here that does anything to improve America, do you?
Making illegal legislative conflicts of interest even more illegal in #1, raising taxes in #3 and #5, and of course forcing Social Security into the tank in #10 are some of the highlights. What are your favorites?
Well, take a gander at this little shopping list. I don't see anything on here that does anything to improve America, do you?
Making illegal legislative conflicts of interest even more illegal in #1, raising taxes in #3 and #5, and of course forcing Social Security into the tank in #10 are some of the highlights. What are your favorites?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
President Kerry Wants To Understand Iran, Syria
In case you needed another reason to be glad John Kerry lost in 2004, there's this:
"It's very important for countries to talk to each other, even when you disagree. We have serious differences with Syria right now, we have serious differencess with Iran, but you can't begin to resolve those differences if you're not willing to try to understand.. I think it's important to begin a discussion," said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.
The rub is our differences revolve around the fact that they aren't happy we are still alive.
Meanwhile, there's this. Not that the Senate Democrats will listen to reason any more than the Syrians and Iranians will.
"It's very important for countries to talk to each other, even when you disagree. We have serious differences with Syria right now, we have serious differencess with Iran, but you can't begin to resolve those differences if you're not willing to try to understand.. I think it's important to begin a discussion," said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.
The rub is our differences revolve around the fact that they aren't happy we are still alive.
Meanwhile, there's this. Not that the Senate Democrats will listen to reason any more than the Syrians and Iranians will.
Miller Running For Governor
Looks like the money-losing KAPT giveaway program is going to be back in the news.
With Character Witnesses Like This...
Sen. Ed Worley is back in the news:
"Johnny Ray Turner is one of the finest members in the Senate," Worley said. "He is an honorable man.
"Johnny Ray Turner is one of the finest members in the Senate," Worley said. "He is an honorable man.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Kentucky's Proud Democrat Leaders
Sen. Johnny Ray Turner(D-Drift) refused to resign from the Senate after pleading guilty to vote-buying charges in U.S. District Court today.
Next up: Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) fraud case in Madison Circuit Court.
Next up: Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) fraud case in Madison Circuit Court.
HillaryCare For The Dogs
Sen. Denise Harper Angel (D-Louisville) has filed a bill that would require veterinarians to treat "assistance dogs" without regard to the ability of the dog's "handler" to pay for the service.
I find it interesting that a state senator who needs a euphemism to describe someone who "owns" a dog isn't too delicate to jail a veterinarian for up to 30 days and fine him up to $1000 for having the audacity to think he owns his professional services and and his time.
I find it interesting that a state senator who needs a euphemism to describe someone who "owns" a dog isn't too delicate to jail a veterinarian for up to 30 days and fine him up to $1000 for having the audacity to think he owns his professional services and and his time.
Disgusting
The Lexington City Council voted quietly last night to pay off the $750,000 loan condemnation supporters guaranteed as a show of "community support" for taking over Kentucky American Water Company.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
DC Democrat: Screw The Uneducated Poor
The public schools in our nation's capital are the very worst in the country, and the District's Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton likes it that way.
When Congress voted to raise the income limits on the District's experimental school voucher program to prevent 300 innocent children from being booted out the program and sent back to failing schools, Norton objected. She said allowing families who are clearly pulling themselves out of their low income difficulty to stay in the program "destroys the low-income rationale for the program."
The District of Columbia already has the highest paid teachers in the nation. The student's paradise they have created is a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, here in Kentucky we have a Republican candidate for governor who keeps taking credit in his ads and press releases for KERA. What's up with that?
When Congress voted to raise the income limits on the District's experimental school voucher program to prevent 300 innocent children from being booted out the program and sent back to failing schools, Norton objected. She said allowing families who are clearly pulling themselves out of their low income difficulty to stay in the program "destroys the low-income rationale for the program."
The District of Columbia already has the highest paid teachers in the nation. The student's paradise they have created is a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, here in Kentucky we have a Republican candidate for governor who keeps taking credit in his ads and press releases for KERA. What's up with that?
Dem Gov 2007: It's Worley?
Kentucky's Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is telling people in his district that he is going to leapfrog over Bruce Lunsford and run for Governor himself as a pro-casino candidate.
State Can't Afford Tax, Borrow, And Spend
The Bluegrass Institute's legislative update pulls no punches.
Pence Ponders Pardon Power
This is a good move.
Now if we could only get LG Steve Pence to rethink his support for casino gambling as revenue enhancement, we would really be getting someplace.
Now if we could only get LG Steve Pence to rethink his support for casino gambling as revenue enhancement, we would really be getting someplace.
Monday, December 11, 2006
A Different Kind of Blue Versus Red
The major figures in next year's GOP primary for Attorney General may wind up being Lexington's Stan Lee and Louisville's Steve Pence.
I Thought Liberals Liked Higher Taxes
Mark Nickolas of Bluegrass Report is pretty upset that GOP Rep. David Floyd has filed a "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" bill to allow people to contribute more in taxes if they really want to.
A Rural Ticket For GOP Governor?
State Rep. Lonnie Napier could be back in the news soon after discussing with Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer the possibility of forming a ticket and making a run in May.
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