A Pedophile in Congress ...

... is really like a wolf in sheep's clothing, and in this particular case, with EASY access to prey. I am, of course, speaking of U. S. Rep., Mark Foley, who has been accused of sending sexually explicit material over the internet to underage Capitol Page boys. Read it here. Makes one wonder how prevalent this problem is and whether others are also involved. Mind you, Mark Foley, the wolf in this case, was, until his resignation from Congress, the chairman of - get this - the House caucus on missing and exploited children, and the author of the key sexual predator provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, which President George W. Bush signed in July. One would have thought he would have known the key predator provisions of his own law that prohibit sexual exploitation of children! But that is NOT the only shocking thing about this sorry episode. There is evidence to suggest that Congressional leadership covered up for years what may be a federal crime, suggesting that those who may have participated in this possible crime and its cover-up need to be brought to justice. Our children deserve better from those entrusted with their care and welfare, including probable predator Mark Foley.

Voter IDs: Restoring voter confidence or a phony excuse?

Controversy surrounds the requirement that voters show IDs before voting. One valid argument suggests that voter identification cards help restore voter confidence in the elections. The thought is that voter fraud will be prevented as only qualified voters, and not illegal aliens for instance, will be permitted to vote. Another equally valid argument suggests that there is a phony urgency on voter fraud, that may be a ruse to impose an additional burden, like the poll tax, in order to surpress minority vote. While the requirement for a picture ID voter card could burden some financially, particularly the poor of ALL races, it is not quite a pernicious poll tax. However, the government should possibly find the funding to issue FREE voter ID cards to those so burdened. This way we can all applaud steps taken to prevent voter fraud, without having references made to Jim Crow's poll taxes.

Marriage gap and U. S. House elections.

The author of this interesting article suggests the marriage gap could sway U. S. House races. Turns out, according to the author, that the more married people reside in an area, the more the area leans GOP. The reverse appears to be the case for the Democratic party.

Is Bush's terror war a double standard?

Is this a double standard on the war on terror, and if so, how pervasive is it? Nothing will jeopardize our war efforts more than a perception among foreign nations that we subscribe to the Mafia code of "the enemy of our enemy is our friend" deserving of special favors.

Congressional race draws national spotlight.

The 4th District U. S. Congressional race between U. S. Rep. Geoff Davis, the incumbent, and former U. S. Rep. and challenger Ken Lucas, is drawing a lot of national spotlight. Read the story here. No other Kentucky race appears to draw national interest. This must mean that both parties view the heavily funded House seat as being both very important and winable. Expect fireworks before it's all over.

Where is Kentucky?

Many states are taking POSITIVE steps to rein in Kelo by ballot initiatives this election. Read about it here. Where is Kentucky on this issue? Do we NOT care enough about our God given right to own our property FREE of government usurpations to EFFECTIVELY protect those property rights?

Coincidence?

Ever since Stumbo starting his investigations of gas stations for price gouging, Kentucky's gas prices have steadily and remarkably fallen fast and drastically. Mere coincidence?

Bush belates on Dafur.

Bush is set to name special envoy to Dafur ... after the slaughter! You go figure.

Two race to represent my House district.

Ryan Alessi does another great job profiling State Rep., Jim Decesare's, and his opponent, Malcolm Cherry's race to represent my 21st House district. Read it here.

Sheryl Snyder "harpoon(s) the lampooners".

Sheryl Snyder's op-ed piece reaches the right conclusion regarding the Gov.'s Murray State University Regent appointment flap.

"Survivor" segregation.

The "survivor" t. v. show is causing desired stir for it's announced segregated show. Read one commentor's view and share your thoughts with us. As for me, I think the show is treading on dangerous ground, considering the sordid and horific history of race relations in our beloved country.

Hollywood continues to make a mockery of marriage.

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, the essentric mismatched duo whose marriage first shocked the world and then turned into a freak show, appear to be headed to another pitiful example of hollywood making a mockery of the sacred institution of marriage. I guess Whitney can ask Bobby: "Didn't we almost have it all?", the world can ask Whitney "if she really loved [him] " while she "saves her loving for [well, someone else]".

Bid to oust Fletcher critic fails.

A bid to oust Jack Richardson IV, the Jefferson County GOP chair and outspoken Fletcher critic, who called the Gov. "politically inept" and asked for him to abandon his re-election efforts, failed yesterday. Instead two of the members who wanted to vote to oust Richardson were themselves ousted. Read it here and here. This follows, in recent memory, the failed Darrell Brock ouster and the failed bid to place Larry Forgy on the state GOP governing board. Ruth Ann Cox, Steve Pence's wife and an EXCELLENT KY second lady, was also elected to the executive committee.

John David Dyche suggests KY GOP is in a Pence-ive mood.

I have always liked John David Dyche and I always read his near masterful musings on Kentucky politics. His recent one suggests, by way of the asking of a rhetorical question, that Kentucky GOP is ready for Steve Pence -- as a gubernatorial candidate alternative to the Gov. . Read it here and judge for yourself.

9/11: We must NEVER forget.

The nation must NEVER forget the events of 9/11 and those lives that were extinguished on that fateful day. More importantly, we must NEVER let it happen again.

Grayson opts to swim in safer waters.

My friend, Trey Grayson, today sent me this email announcing his candidacy for his current office, and abandoning efforts to test the gubernatorial waters:
Dear Friend: You are among the first to know that today I announced I am seeking re-election for the office of Secretary of State. I am looking forward to completing the programs and initiatives that I started three years ago. Increasing the civic literacy and engagement of Kentucky's citizens has been an important goal of my office. That's why I will continue to work to restore the civic mission of our schools. Also, we have enhanced Kentucky's business environment by offering new services on our award-winning website and by advocating the modernization of Kentucky business laws. But more remains to be done. Finally, and most importantly, we must continue to prepare Kentucky for 21st century elections. Reforming the elections process ensures that we maintain the most secure environment for our most basic civic right - voting. While I am proud to be a Republican, I recognize that each day I work for all Kentuckians in an office that plays no favorites. You have entrusted that responsibility to me, and I have taken it very seriously. There are many tasks that lie ahead, and I want and need your support to serve another term as your Secretary of State. Thank you for your kind words and support these last few weeks. I have heard from many of you, and I can assure you that I remain focused on a commitment to principles over politics.
Sincerely, Trey Grayson, Secretary of State Commonwealth of Kentucky

*** Another prediction comes through as Wilcher resigns! ***

Just last month, I made a prediction that another Cabinet Secretary will resign sooner rather than later, but before the end of the year. Well, I am proven right AGAIN as Wilcher resigns!(Check out my previous post here). With this latest announcement, Robbie Rudolph (who has switched cabinets) remains the only member of the original nine Cabinet Secretaries, and only one of three original top staff members (Gene Strong, a Patton holdover, and Brad Cowgill are the others). Here is the official announcment from the Gov.'s office:
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET SECRETARY LAJUANA S. WILCHER RESIGNS, Teresa Hill named EPPC Secretary
FRANKFORT, Ky. – LaJuana S. Wilcher, secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC), announced her resignation today. The resignation is effective Sept. 30, 2006.
“It has been an honor to serve as the first secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet and an honor to serve in your administration,” Wilcher wrote to Governor Ernie Fletcher. “As you know, I have served the citizens of the Commonwealth longer than either of us anticipated, but the times and circumstances seemed to dictate that was the better course to follow at the time.” “LaJuana has been unfailing in her efforts to protect Kentucky’s workers and the environment while growing our economy,” said Governor Fletcher. “She brought together diverse programs and people, worked tirelessly to help strengthen communities across the state through rational regulation and unbiased enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth.” Governor Fletcher announced that Teresa J. Hill, vice chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), has been selected to become the new secretary of EPPC. “Teresa has served the citizens of the Commonwealth at the Public Service Commission, in my office and in the Commerce Cabinet,” said Governor Fletcher. “Her experience in public service and in private practice as an attorney will serve her well in this new position.” After taking office in 2003, Governor Fletcher combined the former Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Labor, and Public Protection cabinets to form EPPC. The new cabinet encompassed many of Kentucky’s regulatory agencies, including those regulating the environment, coal mining, horse racing, banking, insurance, occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation, housing, alcoholic beverage control, charitable gaming and professional boxing and wrestling.

Rumsfeld vote is a failed political stunt.

Though I am one of those who has been calling for Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's ouster for over a year, the scheduled no-confidence vote on him is a political ploy and it's failure is deserved. Since President Bush appointed him, it is Bush ALONE who deserves to give him a confidence or no-confidence vote.