It was no surprise to see the Lexington Herald Leader editorial page wax poetic about trapping special education children in schools that won't help them.
Here is a different perspective. And you probably didn't see this either.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Chris Frost: Too Little, Too Late
State House candidate Chris Frost, a Democrat running against 88th district Rep. Bill Farmer (R-Lexington) must be ready to start his campaign. He sent a letter to his opponent dated September 14, in which he challenged the incumbent to three debates.
Go fish, Mr. Frost. The time for scheduling debates would have been in May.
Go fish, Mr. Frost. The time for scheduling debates would have been in May.
Another Candidate For Governor?
General John G. Coburn has a website up for Kentucky Governor in 2007. It doesn't mention his party affiliation, but I found this article from 2001 in which then-Congressman Ernie Fletcher called him a good friend and suggested that if he ran in 2003, he would run as a Republican.
Monday, September 18, 2006
More KY Casino Ugliness
If Attorney General Greg Stumbo is Dr. Frankenstein, trying to breathe life into the ugly mishmash of big government charades we call casino gambling, Senate Democrat Leader Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is his Igor.
The worst kept secret in Frankfort is that Worley is carrying the water for casinos whenever he can. "To maintain state government at the level we're spending, the answer is expanded gaming," Worley told Bloodhorse.com in May. He told gambling supporters at the same meeting to "keep spending your money to educate people and this will all work out in time."
What's funny is that people in Worley's Senate district aren't so hot on casino gambling and he knows it. So while he tells The Kentucky Enquirer "Unquestionably there is $450 million lying on the table. This is an option the people of Kentucky ought to have as opposed to having their taxes raised," he tells ministers in his district -- in a letter dated 9/6/06 -- First, before there can be any expanded form of gambling, whether it is casinos, slot machines, poker or any other gambling not currently legal in the Commonwealth, there must be a constitutional vote by the majority of the voters of Kentucky.
The little problem with this is Worley knows what he has said is not true. Senator Ed Worley requested of AG Stumbo the opinion that stated a constitutional amendment is not necessary to expand gambling in Kentucky.
Sloppy, reckless behavior in recent months has caused Senator Worley to get caught lying in federal court to cover up fraud, and now he is lying about a Kentucky law opinion with his own name on it.
Wow.
Casino Gambling In 2007
The Paducah Sun's Bill Bartleman spoke at the KEMPAC meeting last Thursday in Louisville. He said casino gambling would decide the 2007 gubernatorial election.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
More Education Whining Won't Help
The Lexington Herald Leader this morning wastes valuable ink bellyaching about the high cost of higher education for low-income families. This is the kind of politically motivated fantasy that risks accomplishing the opposite of what it says it wants to.
The truth is poor families in America are pretty well-situated to send their children to college. In fact, an alarming number of low-income families aren't even applying for aid they would qualify for. Editorials claiming all hope is lost, rich get richer/poor get poorer, and poor people are dropping dead for lack of legislative concern benefit only professional complainers and not the constituency they purport to support.
There are problems with our public higher education system, but using it as a hitching post for left-wing talking points about how terrible America is for poor people is a shameful waste.
If you are facing higher education costs you really can not afford, take heart. You can get the help you need. Don't pay any attention the sob sisters at the Herald Leader. Start here. And then to search private scholarships go here.
The truth is poor families in America are pretty well-situated to send their children to college. In fact, an alarming number of low-income families aren't even applying for aid they would qualify for. Editorials claiming all hope is lost, rich get richer/poor get poorer, and poor people are dropping dead for lack of legislative concern benefit only professional complainers and not the constituency they purport to support.
There are problems with our public higher education system, but using it as a hitching post for left-wing talking points about how terrible America is for poor people is a shameful waste.
If you are facing higher education costs you really can not afford, take heart. You can get the help you need. Don't pay any attention the sob sisters at the Herald Leader. Start here. And then to search private scholarships go here.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
On Drug Abuse And Children
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Making Do: A Conservative's Perspective
I just read a ridiculous column in The Richmond Register about the horrors of living on minimum wage. You can read it here.
One part that jumps out was this: "It's hard, that's why you get credit cards," said Tiffany Cooper, a junior at EKU.
Hey, that's the mentality that made America great. Here's another: "let’s create a monthly scenario: Your rent is $400, you spend $200 on groceries, car insurance is $120 and your car payment is $100. This amounts to $820, just $4 less than what you’d make a month before taxes!"
While monthly EITC credits, WIC, food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, CHIP, etc. take some of the sting out this example, what jumps out at me as a problem is the car payment. High quality older cars have glutted the market to the point that very functional $500 are readily available. There is no reason for someone struggling to buy food to be carrying a car payment around as well. My wife and I drive two vehicles that are worth less than $3500 combined, despite fitting firmly into the demographic car dealers strive to provide shiny four-wheel self-expression. The point is two-fold: going in to debt to finance a lifestyle beyond your means is foolish and almost always causes misery. Also, living beneath your means can be fun, creates good habits, and is an almost surefire way out of many financial woes.
We all talk about Mexicans sneaking into this country to get on welfare, but not so much about the Vietnamese, Koreans, and Russians who struggle to get here to start a business and pursue the American Dream. Many of them succeed though they start with little or no ability to even speak the language. And we want an act of Congress to subsidize further the lifestyles of native-born Americans who refuse to break their habits of cable television, fast food meals, credit cards, and new cars?
Saving money and making do are two things people do when they are determined to succeed, often against greater odds than you or I have ever faced.
The best time to buy a car is Sunday night or Monday morning, when the car dealers are wrapping up the weekend with an inventory of low priced trade-ins that will be sold off to wholesalers by Tuesday. Low offers for those vehicles are often gratefully accepted. That's one big money-saving idea. Got any you would like to share?
One part that jumps out was this: "It's hard, that's why you get credit cards," said Tiffany Cooper, a junior at EKU.
Hey, that's the mentality that made America great. Here's another: "let’s create a monthly scenario: Your rent is $400, you spend $200 on groceries, car insurance is $120 and your car payment is $100. This amounts to $820, just $4 less than what you’d make a month before taxes!"
While monthly EITC credits, WIC, food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, CHIP, etc. take some of the sting out this example, what jumps out at me as a problem is the car payment. High quality older cars have glutted the market to the point that very functional $500 are readily available. There is no reason for someone struggling to buy food to be carrying a car payment around as well. My wife and I drive two vehicles that are worth less than $3500 combined, despite fitting firmly into the demographic car dealers strive to provide shiny four-wheel self-expression. The point is two-fold: going in to debt to finance a lifestyle beyond your means is foolish and almost always causes misery. Also, living beneath your means can be fun, creates good habits, and is an almost surefire way out of many financial woes.
We all talk about Mexicans sneaking into this country to get on welfare, but not so much about the Vietnamese, Koreans, and Russians who struggle to get here to start a business and pursue the American Dream. Many of them succeed though they start with little or no ability to even speak the language. And we want an act of Congress to subsidize further the lifestyles of native-born Americans who refuse to break their habits of cable television, fast food meals, credit cards, and new cars?
Saving money and making do are two things people do when they are determined to succeed, often against greater odds than you or I have ever faced.
The best time to buy a car is Sunday night or Monday morning, when the car dealers are wrapping up the weekend with an inventory of low priced trade-ins that will be sold off to wholesalers by Tuesday. Low offers for those vehicles are often gratefully accepted. That's one big money-saving idea. Got any you would like to share?
Senator Daily Kos Speaks
Lack of credibility on national defense has dogged permissive Democrats and the sense that their candidates would "cut and run" if elevated to Congressional majorities has buoyed Republican chances in a difficult year.
Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), also known as Senator Daily Kos, has said what Americans have only feared until now: Democrats want to step up the appeasement in the war on terror.
WCBS-TV in New York reports: "Does Rockefeller stand by his view, even if it means that Saddam Hussein could still be in power if the United States didn't invade? 'Yes. [Saddam] wasn't going to attack us. He would've been isolated there,' Rockefeller said."
And these people want us to trust them with Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, and Syria, not to mention critical domestic issues like entitlement reform, education reform, and government spending where they also fail to see any problems caused by liberal policies.
Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), also known as Senator Daily Kos, has said what Americans have only feared until now: Democrats want to step up the appeasement in the war on terror.
WCBS-TV in New York reports: "Does Rockefeller stand by his view, even if it means that Saddam Hussein could still be in power if the United States didn't invade? 'Yes. [Saddam] wasn't going to attack us. He would've been isolated there,' Rockefeller said."
And these people want us to trust them with Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, and Syria, not to mention critical domestic issues like entitlement reform, education reform, and government spending where they also fail to see any problems caused by liberal policies.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Racino Bill Pre-Filed For 2007
Gambling interests are making another move on Kentucky.
The problem with pinning the hopes of the state on gambling is simple. The real dollar costs associated with setting up casinos are significantly higher than promised tax revenue from the gambling. Frankly, it is a bargain to let those who want to drive to Indiana go there.
This racino business is just a back door method for increasing the size of government and raising taxes.
The problem with pinning the hopes of the state on gambling is simple. The real dollar costs associated with setting up casinos are significantly higher than promised tax revenue from the gambling. Frankly, it is a bargain to let those who want to drive to Indiana go there.
This racino business is just a back door method for increasing the size of government and raising taxes.
Billy Harper Running For Governor
The AP is reporting Billy Harper is ready to announce he is on board to run for the GOP nomination for Governor. The real question is, who is his running mate going to be?
Cold Kentucky Cash
Disgraced -- but still in office -- Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) saw his eventual prosecution take one big Kentucky step closer when Louisville "businessman" Vernon Jackson was sentenced to federal prison for bribing Jefferson. Rep. Jefferson made international news this summer when $90,000 in bribe money was found in his freezer.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Standing For Nothing
Congressional Democrats have succeeded in stopping much of Republicans' progress on important issues. As we enter our last decade of any measure of solvency in Social Security, Nancy Pelosi issued a press release with no new ideas on the subject.
We still need action on immigration, extending tax cuts, entitlement reform, and energy independence, but the problem is the Republican majority is too small.
At least we criminalized Horse Burgers!
We still need action on immigration, extending tax cuts, entitlement reform, and energy independence, but the problem is the Republican majority is too small.
At least we criminalized Horse Burgers!
School Choice Friday
Rep. Stan Lee will hold a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda next Thursday to announce a school choice bill.
The KEA won't let the Democrats discuss this critical issue intelligently, but it will be very interesting to watch the interested parties come together to promote real improvement in public education in this state.
The starting point is the abuse of special education students by pubic school systems.
The KEA won't let the Democrats discuss this critical issue intelligently, but it will be very interesting to watch the interested parties come together to promote real improvement in public education in this state.
The starting point is the abuse of special education students by pubic school systems.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Grayson In The Spotlight Again
Impeccable timing is becoming a Trey Grayson hallmark. Looks like everyone is talking about him and spelling his name correctly today -- even the liberal bloggers.
Breaking The Logjam
Nancy Pelosi isn't going to like this.
Democrat Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma has broken through his party's restriction against supporting HR 25, The Fair Tax. Closer to home, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) also signed on as a cosponsor yesterday.
Democrat Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma has broken through his party's restriction against supporting HR 25, The Fair Tax. Closer to home, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) also signed on as a cosponsor yesterday.
Playing To The Peanut Gallery
"There was a complete systemwide effort to purge the merit system of anyone but Republicans," Attorney General Greg Stumbo told Sue Wylie on her Lexington radio show this morning.
Nothing Going On: How About A Headline?
This should be a good indication of what the next fourteen months will look like. Wall-to-wall merit hiring scandal. Hey, I thought that was over!
What is over is any chance of an effective defense.
What is over is any chance of an effective defense.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Slick Willie Coming To Lexington?
A good source reports perjurer-in-chief Bill Clinton is coming to Louisville in October to help raise money for Kentucky Democrats.
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.
GOP Losing On Gas Prices?
How can the Republicans possibly be losing support because of gas prices when the closest the Democrats have gotten to an actual idea on the subject has been to raise gas taxes by fifty cents a gallon?
And that was four years ago.
And that was four years ago.
Monday, August 28, 2006
The Dropout Problem In Kentucky
The best problems for big government to have are those that have no solution but do possess a very active constituency. So much the better if that active constituency persistently campaigns for increasing sums of money to "solve" the problem.
The high school dropout rate is a great problem for big government fans in Kentucky. Any education bureaucrat worth his salt can preach convincingly on the need to reduce the dropout rate. The income statistics and crime statistics tied to education attainment -- or lack of it -- really are compelling.
A former effort to reduce the dropout rate had us forcing kids to stay in school or lose their drivers licenses. This law served an educational function as hundreds of affected teenagers learned how to exploit the hardship loophole when caught driving on a license suspended due to dropping out of school. (Hey, it was more fun than civics class!)
We keep trying program after program to reduce the dropout rate, all to no avail. Yet the next program is just a brainstorm away. Open your checkbooks. Here it comes!
I have an alternative approach. Let's see how high we can push the drop-out rate. Class sizes are always a problem so let's see how we can encourage those who don't want to be in school to clear out so willing students can get what they need.
If the state offered to pay sixteen year old public school students $500 to drop out of school, we would see those who valued education that little head for the exits.
Good riddance, good luck with the job search, and -- most important -- good for the willing students who remain in school. And good for the state as well. Five hundred dollars and a pat on the back is much less money than it would cost to house an uninterested student for another couple of years and no real public benefit.
Okay, the diploma counts for something. So let's give $1000 to the same would-be dropout if he can pass the GED exams. A little incentive is a good thing.
This would be a positive for everyone involved. Kids who don't value education will get more than they eat up otherwise to hit the street. Some of those same low achievers will decide to hit the books before hitting the door in order to get the extra GED money. In the process, they will pick up a diploma. The most important lesson will be for those who stay in school, seeking higher education rather than going for the quick -- and small -- bucks.
The high school dropout rate is a great problem for big government fans in Kentucky. Any education bureaucrat worth his salt can preach convincingly on the need to reduce the dropout rate. The income statistics and crime statistics tied to education attainment -- or lack of it -- really are compelling.
A former effort to reduce the dropout rate had us forcing kids to stay in school or lose their drivers licenses. This law served an educational function as hundreds of affected teenagers learned how to exploit the hardship loophole when caught driving on a license suspended due to dropping out of school. (Hey, it was more fun than civics class!)
We keep trying program after program to reduce the dropout rate, all to no avail. Yet the next program is just a brainstorm away. Open your checkbooks. Here it comes!
I have an alternative approach. Let's see how high we can push the drop-out rate. Class sizes are always a problem so let's see how we can encourage those who don't want to be in school to clear out so willing students can get what they need.
If the state offered to pay sixteen year old public school students $500 to drop out of school, we would see those who valued education that little head for the exits.
Good riddance, good luck with the job search, and -- most important -- good for the willing students who remain in school. And good for the state as well. Five hundred dollars and a pat on the back is much less money than it would cost to house an uninterested student for another couple of years and no real public benefit.
Okay, the diploma counts for something. So let's give $1000 to the same would-be dropout if he can pass the GED exams. A little incentive is a good thing.
This would be a positive for everyone involved. Kids who don't value education will get more than they eat up otherwise to hit the street. Some of those same low achievers will decide to hit the books before hitting the door in order to get the extra GED money. In the process, they will pick up a diploma. The most important lesson will be for those who stay in school, seeking higher education rather than going for the quick -- and small -- bucks.
Why Liberals Hate WalMart
A Washington Post (!) essay comes to a devastating conclusion that Democrats have turned on WalMart because the company does more to help low-income people in its normal business practices than government entitlement programs could ever pretend to.
Now is a great time to point out pandering to anti-business interests is good for Democrat pot-stirrers but bad for the nation.
Also would be nice to see more analysis about the demonization of oil companies. That is another one out of their playbook that doesn't hold water.
Now is a great time to point out pandering to anti-business interests is good for Democrat pot-stirrers but bad for the nation.
Also would be nice to see more analysis about the demonization of oil companies. That is another one out of their playbook that doesn't hold water.
Not Big Steve Henry Fans
Wow. The Louisville Courier-Journal has a happy re-cap of Dem Gov. wannabe Steve Henry's habit of blaming his misdeeds on others for the last decade.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Lie Into The Microphone, Ed Worley
The federal racketeering lawsuit against KY Democrat Senate leader Ed Worley is getting interesting.
Apparently, Worley got caught saying something on tape that he wishes he hadn't said.
In a motion Worley filed Wednesday is U.S. District Court, he said "At no time did Earl Estes disclose to me that any conversation I ever had with him, including any conversation I had with him in November of 2005, was being recorded and I did not know the conversation was being recorded. I did not and do not consent to being secretly recorded and would not have talked to Mr. Estes if I knew that I was being recorded."
Kentucky law does not require a crime victim to notify a perpetrator he is recording a telephone call to collect incriminating evidence.
Apparently, Worley got caught saying something on tape that he wishes he hadn't said.
In a motion Worley filed Wednesday is U.S. District Court, he said "At no time did Earl Estes disclose to me that any conversation I ever had with him, including any conversation I had with him in November of 2005, was being recorded and I did not know the conversation was being recorded. I did not and do not consent to being secretly recorded and would not have talked to Mr. Estes if I knew that I was being recorded."
Kentucky law does not require a crime victim to notify a perpetrator he is recording a telephone call to collect incriminating evidence.
KY Republican Revolution 2006
I'm hearing reports all over the state of Republican candidates for local office who are winning wide support despite Ernie Fletcher's woes.
In the last few hours I have heard very encouraging central Kentucky news from County Judge candidates John Wilson in Garrard county, Danny Godbey in Lincoln county, and Randy Bowen in Powell county. All three seek to succeed Democrat incumbents. Lincoln and Powell counties are both historically Democrat counties.
I hesitate to wonder out loud how things might be turning out with a Republican governor engaged in the local races all this year.
In the last few hours I have heard very encouraging central Kentucky news from County Judge candidates John Wilson in Garrard county, Danny Godbey in Lincoln county, and Randy Bowen in Powell county. All three seek to succeed Democrat incumbents. Lincoln and Powell counties are both historically Democrat counties.
I hesitate to wonder out loud how things might be turning out with a Republican governor engaged in the local races all this year.
Friday, August 25, 2006
GOP "Insurgency" Not Dead Yet
Larry Forgy said of the Fletcher Deal: "I feel the Republican insurgency is killed by this."
I'm not sure which side is actually leading the "insurgency," but the Fletcher administration can't depend on yesterday's end of the merit hiring court case to heal what ails his bid for re-election.
It is going to take one heck of a 2007 General Assembly session to do that.
I'm not sure which side is actually leading the "insurgency," but the Fletcher administration can't depend on yesterday's end of the merit hiring court case to heal what ails his bid for re-election.
It is going to take one heck of a 2007 General Assembly session to do that.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Warning To State Employees
E-mail scammers have apparently sent a phony message to Kentucky state employees and their families who have accounts at Commonwealth Credit Union. The subject line on the e-mail is "Urgent Notice: Five question survey" and promises to insert $100 into the accounts of people who respond.
The Commonwealth Credit Union did not send this message. Spread the word.
The Commonwealth Credit Union did not send this message. Spread the word.
All Allegations?
Governor Fletcher issued a statement this afternoon that read "I have been cleared of all charges against me and exonerated of all allegations."
I wish he had stuck to "moving Kentucky forward."
The Republican primary for Governor will be moving forward very soon. Billy Harper is polling right now.
I wish he had stuck to "moving Kentucky forward."
The Republican primary for Governor will be moving forward very soon. Billy Harper is polling right now.
Greg "Cut And Run" Stumbo Gives Up
Saying the Governor was likely to pardon himself anyway, AG Greg Stumbo today gave up the merit hiring investigation that he hoped would cause Kentucky voters to forget his own sordid past.
What a coward.
The big question now is will Governor Fletcher make the most of this mulligan and engage significant policy initiatives for the next session of the General Assembly?
There are no white hats in this affair and this event serves only to pour gasoline on the already-raging political fire in Frankfort. In giving Stumbo a pass today on his "political witch hunt," Governor Fletcher doesn't look so hot either.
This issue now just settles in as a nebulous public sense of the same old cronyism in Frankfort that we were already sick of.
What a coward.
The big question now is will Governor Fletcher make the most of this mulligan and engage significant policy initiatives for the next session of the General Assembly?
There are no white hats in this affair and this event serves only to pour gasoline on the already-raging political fire in Frankfort. In giving Stumbo a pass today on his "political witch hunt," Governor Fletcher doesn't look so hot either.
This issue now just settles in as a nebulous public sense of the same old cronyism in Frankfort that we were already sick of.
Stumbo Press Conference Set
Today at 12:30.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The charges against Governor Fletcher have been dropped by Judge Melcher and can't be brought again. Apparently, Governor Fletcher admitted some wrongdoing by his administration.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The charges against Governor Fletcher have been dropped by Judge Melcher and can't be brought again. Apparently, Governor Fletcher admitted some wrongdoing by his administration.
The Next Misleading Liberal Rant
Daily Kos is a leftist website with a lot of readers. Because of its many readers, Daily Kos is very likely to cause big problems for Governor Ernie Fletcher next year in his run for re-election.
Yesterday, the site put up a small notice with very large implications:
Mark Nickolas over at Bluegrass Report updates us on his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky. As you might recall, the Republican governor ordered all state agencies to block liberal blogs like his, while leaving conservative ones alone.
They know this isn't true. Kentucky Progress remains one of several conservative sites blocked. But the truth hardly matters here. There will be only three gubernatorial races nationwide next year. When Daily Kos calls on its liberal readers from sea to shining sea to send money to Kentucky to defeat the Governor who blocked liberals, literally millions of dollars will flow in to the campaign of the Democrat nominee.
Yesterday, the site put up a small notice with very large implications:
Mark Nickolas over at Bluegrass Report updates us on his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky. As you might recall, the Republican governor ordered all state agencies to block liberal blogs like his, while leaving conservative ones alone.
They know this isn't true. Kentucky Progress remains one of several conservative sites blocked. But the truth hardly matters here. There will be only three gubernatorial races nationwide next year. When Daily Kos calls on its liberal readers from sea to shining sea to send money to Kentucky to defeat the Governor who blocked liberals, literally millions of dollars will flow in to the campaign of the Democrat nominee.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Merit Hiring Settlement Rumor
All is quiet on the merit hiring case, but rumors are swirling that a settlement is in the works.
Official Frankfort has been buzzing all day with speculation and denials.
Who cares? I don't know. And this late in the day, nothing seems likely to come out before tomorrow anyway.
Just the latest scuttlebutt.
10:53 P.M--- Apparently the Lexington Herald Leader has the whole story and they are holding it for the morning paper. Perhaps a noon press conference.
Official Frankfort has been buzzing all day with speculation and denials.
Who cares? I don't know. And this late in the day, nothing seems likely to come out before tomorrow anyway.
Just the latest scuttlebutt.
10:53 P.M--- Apparently the Lexington Herald Leader has the whole story and they are holding it for the morning paper. Perhaps a noon press conference.
An Issue We Can Agree On?
I'm still waiting for my liberal friends to convince me Kentucky's Certificate of Need (CON) program does anything to lower healthcare costs. Interestingly, I'm still waiting for the same thing from my conservative friends as well.
Could it be the only people who support limiting competition in healthcare benefit financially from the lack of competition?
An example might be illuminating. Do you need a heart catheterization in Kentucky? That will be $10,000, thank you very much.
But in Ohio, $900 will get 'er done.
The only difference is Kentucky has CON and Ohio doesn't.
Why isn't everyone talking about this when we have a doctor for a Governor?
Could it be the only people who support limiting competition in healthcare benefit financially from the lack of competition?
An example might be illuminating. Do you need a heart catheterization in Kentucky? That will be $10,000, thank you very much.
But in Ohio, $900 will get 'er done.
The only difference is Kentucky has CON and Ohio doesn't.
Why isn't everyone talking about this when we have a doctor for a Governor?
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Do Crystal Methamphetamine
A U.S. Senate candidate to our west in Missouri is getting some unwanted attention because of her alleged fondness for crystal methamphetamine.
Even better, Claire McCaskill is having stoner Willie Nelson in for a fundraiser tonight. Should be a wild time.
Even better, Claire McCaskill is having stoner Willie Nelson in for a fundraiser tonight. Should be a wild time.
Sex Offenders, The New Pioneers?
Defending sex predators has to be a thankless job. Not that I am about to thank Marlene Gordon of The Coalition For The Homeless for trying, but it is easy to see how hard she is working to drum up sympathy.
She wants us to believe Kentucky's new law to ban sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of certain places where children congregate is a bad thing. Gordon says the law is causing predators to conceal their whereabouts, driving them underground, and making them more likely to strike again.
Nonsense.
The whole idea behind making life uncomfortable for sex offenders is to make them think twice before committing their crimes. Failing that, they deserve whatever they get. In fact, they deserve worse than our society will inflict upon them.
Even if your bleeding heart won't let you see that tougher laws against sex offenders protect society by giving us more weapons to prosecute them with, you can't really believe, as Gordon states, that therapy and a desire to "safely re-integrate these folks" does anything but keep our most vulnerable citizens at a strategic disadvantage to perverts.
Despite the hopes and dreams of the ACLU-types, we should support this good law and seek more of the same.
She wants us to believe Kentucky's new law to ban sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of certain places where children congregate is a bad thing. Gordon says the law is causing predators to conceal their whereabouts, driving them underground, and making them more likely to strike again.
Nonsense.
The whole idea behind making life uncomfortable for sex offenders is to make them think twice before committing their crimes. Failing that, they deserve whatever they get. In fact, they deserve worse than our society will inflict upon them.
Even if your bleeding heart won't let you see that tougher laws against sex offenders protect society by giving us more weapons to prosecute them with, you can't really believe, as Gordon states, that therapy and a desire to "safely re-integrate these folks" does anything but keep our most vulnerable citizens at a strategic disadvantage to perverts.
Despite the hopes and dreams of the ACLU-types, we should support this good law and seek more of the same.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Real Referendum On Gambling
Greg Stumbo is as much a legitimate candidate for Governor as the Easter Bunny is ready to start making little rabbits with Jennifer Aniston. His position on gambling is interesting, but in no way does it erase concerns about his past.
There is a referendum on gambling this year and it will take place in the 34th Senate district of Madison, Lincoln, and Rockcastle counties. Senator Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is an outspoken supporter of casinos and racinos. Senator Worley's opponent, Barry Metcalf, is against expanded gambling.
If you want to know which way casino gambling is going in Kentucky, this is the race to watch.
There is a referendum on gambling this year and it will take place in the 34th Senate district of Madison, Lincoln, and Rockcastle counties. Senator Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is an outspoken supporter of casinos and racinos. Senator Worley's opponent, Barry Metcalf, is against expanded gambling.
If you want to know which way casino gambling is going in Kentucky, this is the race to watch.
Concentrating On 2006
First-term legislator Jim DeCesare (R-Bowling Green) is the kind of leader Kentucky needs. His was one of only two votes against the state budget earlier this year.
For conservative people, that was a very good thing.
Lots of people give lip service to smaller government and conservative principles. Jim is the real deal.
For conservative people, that was a very good thing.
Lots of people give lip service to smaller government and conservative principles. Jim is the real deal.
Democrat Math Stays In Vegas
Greg Stumbo wants to spend education dollars without teaching basic math, fight crime while establishing "criminal enterprise zones," and cut property taxes while blowing the lid off the state social service liability.
That's right, Stumbo wants casinos in Kentucky. And he wants them now.
We will need several extra layers of education bureaucracy to avoid actually using the revenue casinos bring in on teaching kids the reasoning skills that might otherwise keep them out of casinos. Should we go ahead and start condom programs and free needle exchanges for the extra hookers and junkies who will be drawn to the neighborhoods near our casinos? And the three dollars in social services damage for every one dollar in casino tax revenue will only satisfy those same kids who aren't learning any math.
All this from the same people who don't want you earning any more on your savings than Social Security wants you to have.
That's right, Stumbo wants casinos in Kentucky. And he wants them now.
We will need several extra layers of education bureaucracy to avoid actually using the revenue casinos bring in on teaching kids the reasoning skills that might otherwise keep them out of casinos. Should we go ahead and start condom programs and free needle exchanges for the extra hookers and junkies who will be drawn to the neighborhoods near our casinos? And the three dollars in social services damage for every one dollar in casino tax revenue will only satisfy those same kids who aren't learning any math.
All this from the same people who don't want you earning any more on your savings than Social Security wants you to have.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Bubba And Hillary Parse The War
The most dangerous political hacks in America try to spin "cut and run."
KAPT Goal: Fleece Taxpayers?
Kentucky's Affordable Pre-paid Tuition program (KAPT) keeps losing money.
The taxpayer-backed program is due to release its actuarial analysis any day now. Expect to see the program's deficit to have gotten several million dollars larger.
Investment performance continues to lag tuition inflation and so its stated investment policy goal needs to be adjusted. Currently, the program seeks to "meet or exceed tuition inflation."
The programs ROI since its inception is 6.12%. That means investments are picking up a little more than half of the program's liabilities. You get to pay the other half.
The taxpayer-backed program is due to release its actuarial analysis any day now. Expect to see the program's deficit to have gotten several million dollars larger.
Investment performance continues to lag tuition inflation and so its stated investment policy goal needs to be adjusted. Currently, the program seeks to "meet or exceed tuition inflation."
The programs ROI since its inception is 6.12%. That means investments are picking up a little more than half of the program's liabilities. You get to pay the other half.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Left Meets Right In Lexington
A very interesting political event takes place September 7, at a fundraiser for Lexington city council candidate KC Crosbie.
The guest speakers for the event will be former Republican party chair Ellen Williams and former Democratic party chair Terry McBrayer.
The guest speakers for the event will be former Republican party chair Ellen Williams and former Democratic party chair Terry McBrayer.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Reckless Disregard For Truth
Newspaper editorialists are quite fond of looking down their noses at those who play fast and loose with the truth. They like to depict those who spin or lie as beneath contempt, slimy, dirty, despicable, and evil.
Given that, how can they possibly rationalize today's drive-by smearing of Supreme Court Justice John Roach?
You might not like John Roach. You might hate him and want him to lose this November and go away. Even so, you can't justify the treatment he got on the editorial page in today's CJ.
They define a campaign poll by Justice Roach they haven't seen as a "low down, dirty poll." They turn a "no comment" answer to another paper into "his handlers at first wouldn't even admit ... they had conducted the survey." That would be the low-down, dirty survey they have never seen, but feel compelled to comment on nonetheless. The paper states without attribution to any source (the source happens to be the campaign of Roach's November opponent): "A number of angry voters say they were asked in the phone survey such slimy questions as whether it matters that Mr. Roach's opponent is "married with no children," is "soft on crime" and "feels that judges can create laws if the legislature has failed to act."
This isn't true.
What is important is The Courier Journal might know that it isn't true. What is critical is they should show some kind of discretion when they aren't sure what the truth is.
That is what libel laws are for.
It is tempting -- and perhaps prudent -- to ignore the wild spinning from Judge Mary Noble's campaign. Having the state's most venerable newspaper vilify him may be a net-positive for Justice Roach.
But today's editorial provides an open-and-shut case of libel and it would be fun to watch the pointy-heads at the CJ have to defend the indefensible when it counts.
Given that, how can they possibly rationalize today's drive-by smearing of Supreme Court Justice John Roach?
You might not like John Roach. You might hate him and want him to lose this November and go away. Even so, you can't justify the treatment he got on the editorial page in today's CJ.
They define a campaign poll by Justice Roach they haven't seen as a "low down, dirty poll." They turn a "no comment" answer to another paper into "his handlers at first wouldn't even admit ... they had conducted the survey." That would be the low-down, dirty survey they have never seen, but feel compelled to comment on nonetheless. The paper states without attribution to any source (the source happens to be the campaign of Roach's November opponent): "A number of angry voters say they were asked in the phone survey such slimy questions as whether it matters that Mr. Roach's opponent is "married with no children," is "soft on crime" and "feels that judges can create laws if the legislature has failed to act."
This isn't true.
What is important is The Courier Journal might know that it isn't true. What is critical is they should show some kind of discretion when they aren't sure what the truth is.
That is what libel laws are for.
It is tempting -- and perhaps prudent -- to ignore the wild spinning from Judge Mary Noble's campaign. Having the state's most venerable newspaper vilify him may be a net-positive for Justice Roach.
But today's editorial provides an open-and-shut case of libel and it would be fun to watch the pointy-heads at the CJ have to defend the indefensible when it counts.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Fletcher, Worley, Moberly
Hard to miss a strange sign on Main Street in Richmond at the Chamber of Commerce. It says "Ernie Fletcher, Ed Worley, Harry Moberly, August 25."
I've gotten several calls from people wondering why Governor Fletcher is campaigning with Democrats this close to an election.
Well, he isn't.
Governor Fletcher is coming to Richmond to announce a Recovery Kentucky Center.
The General Assembly has nothing to do with this, so Worley and Moberly will just be getting in the way trying to pick up a little free publicity.
I've gotten several calls from people wondering why Governor Fletcher is campaigning with Democrats this close to an election.
Well, he isn't.
Governor Fletcher is coming to Richmond to announce a Recovery Kentucky Center.
The General Assembly has nothing to do with this, so Worley and Moberly will just be getting in the way trying to pick up a little free publicity.
Some D's We Actually Need
Two Kentucky schools have institutionalized grade inflation in order to fake better results. They have eliminated D's from their grading system.
I did something similar with my kids when they started school. I told them D stood for "dead" and that they didn't want to know what F stood for.
But being non-violent types, administrators at no-D schools are telling teachers they get D students back for a repeat unless they bump them up to a C.
There are, of course, no indications this policy does anything good for anyone.
Putting students with a D in in-school suspension would be far more effective at incentivizing achievement.
I did something similar with my kids when they started school. I told them D stood for "dead" and that they didn't want to know what F stood for.
But being non-violent types, administrators at no-D schools are telling teachers they get D students back for a repeat unless they bump them up to a C.
There are, of course, no indications this policy does anything good for anyone.
Putting students with a D in in-school suspension would be far more effective at incentivizing achievement.
Old Messes
Steve Henry still says he didn't take the $162,000 he paid back to the government to settle his Medicare/Medicaid fraud case.
I don't know. Maybe he didn't.
The former Paul Patton lieutenant governor should definitely run for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.
I don't know. Maybe he didn't.
The former Paul Patton lieutenant governor should definitely run for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Grayson, Napier Campaigns Roll On
The Danville Advocate Messenger caught up with two gubernatorial candidates in Lancaster yesterday.
Good News For Gov. Fletcher?
Brian Goettl at Conservative Edge reports the Kentucky Supreme Court may pick up the merit hiring case.
An opportunity to get out of indictment limbo should be very good news to Ernie Fletcher.
An opportunity to get out of indictment limbo should be very good news to Ernie Fletcher.
Barack Obama, Gas Hog
Beautiful.
Actually, this foolishness about fossil fuel usage hastening the end of the world is no more true coming from these folks now than it has been for the last half century. It is pathetic that the industry that keeps the free world moving faces such brainless attacks today.
Nonetheless, it is fun to see one of the chief purveyors of hot air get caught like this.
Actually, this foolishness about fossil fuel usage hastening the end of the world is no more true coming from these folks now than it has been for the last half century. It is pathetic that the industry that keeps the free world moving faces such brainless attacks today.
Nonetheless, it is fun to see one of the chief purveyors of hot air get caught like this.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Mary Lou Marzian To Chair KDP?
Some Dems are ready to make Chairman Jerry Lundergan walk the plank. It will be fun to see what they might do next.
Thanks For Saving Us Democrats!
On a day like today when the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 132 points, I'm sure glad Democrats saved us from bankrupting ourselves by allowing some people to opt for private investment accounts for their Social Security dollars.
Whither Ernie?
There can be disagreement about how the Fletcher Administration reached its current doldrums, but few would argue anymore that no real problems exist.
If you were advising the Governor, what would you suggest he do?
Two things don't count: suggesting either that he resign or that everything is fine are both out of bounds.
I think pushing for repeal of Certificate of Need laws and giving parents some form of school choice would help generate some much-needed support.
If you were advising the Governor, what would you suggest he do?
Two things don't count: suggesting either that he resign or that everything is fine are both out of bounds.
I think pushing for repeal of Certificate of Need laws and giving parents some form of school choice would help generate some much-needed support.
Good: Republicans For Lieberman
When an opponent is hurting himself, the shrewd action is to let him do it.
Watching Republicans save the once-proud Democratic Party from its own Ned Lamontiacs runs counter to that old dictum, but it is the right thing to do.
If Ned Lamont runs Joe Lieberman out of the U.S. Senate, he benefits Republicans by pulling Democrats to the left on the War on Terror. It won't happen. Fortunately, Republicans are playing a role for the good of the nation. There aren't enough conservative voters in Connecticut to elect a Republican, but independents, Republicans, and Democrats will come together in Connecticut to preserve common sense on the issue that matters most to America.
While we are all watching Connecticut, it is time to get Alan Schlesinger to drop his embarrassing run for the Senate. America needs his votes (about 8%) to re-elect Lieberman.
Watching Republicans save the once-proud Democratic Party from its own Ned Lamontiacs runs counter to that old dictum, but it is the right thing to do.
If Ned Lamont runs Joe Lieberman out of the U.S. Senate, he benefits Republicans by pulling Democrats to the left on the War on Terror. It won't happen. Fortunately, Republicans are playing a role for the good of the nation. There aren't enough conservative voters in Connecticut to elect a Republican, but independents, Republicans, and Democrats will come together in Connecticut to preserve common sense on the issue that matters most to America.
While we are all watching Connecticut, it is time to get Alan Schlesinger to drop his embarrassing run for the Senate. America needs his votes (about 8%) to re-elect Lieberman.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Divided Loyalties
No, I'm not talking here about Republicans. The party of fighting cats will have kittens at election time. It's Democrats in a quandry.
Sometime between now and November it will occur to Kentucky Democrats who want Ben Chandler to run for Governor that they have to hope their party doesn't take over the U.S. House of Representatives this year.
If they do win, he stays put and the Dems are left flat-footed for 2007.
Actually, I think Democrats will wish after the November elections they had been able to find some candidates named "Generic Democrat." And Rep. Chandler still won't run for Governor.
Sometime between now and November it will occur to Kentucky Democrats who want Ben Chandler to run for Governor that they have to hope their party doesn't take over the U.S. House of Representatives this year.
If they do win, he stays put and the Dems are left flat-footed for 2007.
Actually, I think Democrats will wish after the November elections they had been able to find some candidates named "Generic Democrat." And Rep. Chandler still won't run for Governor.
Later Filing Date, Less Corruption
Rep. William "Cash in My Freezer" Jefferson (D-LA) faces 12 opponents in his bid for re-election. Last Friday was the filing deadline, so there won't be any more. If his state's filing deadline were in January like it is in Kentucky, he would likely have no opponent.
To clean up the mess in Kentucky, we need to move the filing deadline for elections in the state.
To clean up the mess in Kentucky, we need to move the filing deadline for elections in the state.
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