Louisville Courier Journal's Forum flashes: Good Moves, Bad Moves.
Forum flashes: Good moves, bad moves
Michael Steele is no comedian
Republican National Chairman Michael Steele is deserving of his new nickname, "Gaff-o-matic." Mr. Steele, an African American, was asked at a recent Young Republicans convention about his plans for increasing diversity within the GOP. The former Maryland lieutenant governor told his young questioner, "Y'all come. I've got the chicken and the potato salad." Yuk. Yuk. Yuk. At least he didn't promise watermelon. He did review the party's legacy of advocacy and inclusiveness, citing, among others, Ronald Reagan. Perhaps he didn't know that the Gipper's first stop after nailing down the GOP presidential nomination in 1980 was Philadelphia, Miss., in Neshoba County, a place notorious for its mistreatment of black citizens and the place where three civil rights workers were murdered in 1964. Mr. Steele is no newcomer to politics. Somebody should remind him of the old adage "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Bordering on the hilarious
This may be the only up-arrow that Sen. Charlie Borders ever gets here. He has been one of Senate President David Williams' key partners. As Appropriations and Revenue chairman since 2005, he has been in position to help thwart progress, by enforcing Mr. Williams' priorities and resisting Mr. Williams' enemies — also, specifically, by blocking consideration of electronic slot machines and denying Kentucky's horse industry the help it needs. But that may be changing. Mr. Borders is leaving the Senate for a $117,000-per-year gubernatorial appointment to the Public Service Commission.
Mr. Williams snaps that Gov. Steve Beshear is "using hiring practices to advance his political purposes, so he can advance gambling." Mr. Borders says that's "unfair to Gov. Beshear and it's unfair to me," because the Governor is just "interested in getting someone good for the (PSC)."
When the sharks bite each other, does that mean there's blood in the water?
Potholes on road to justice
In Kentucky, it's tough to find a judge who doesn't have some kind of relationship with road-builders. This has become apparent in the case involving mega-contractor Leonard Lawson — aka Prince of Paving, Baron of Bitumen, Aga of Asphalt — and former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert. So far, three judges have sworn themselves off the bench in this matter, and a fourth, U.S. District Judge Karl Forester, probably should have. Mr. Forester's son-in-law is Frankfort lobbyist Sean Cutter, whose clients include the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors.
On the other hand, neither side in this high-profile, high-stakes legal battle has asked Judge Forester to step down. And he enjoys a good reputation, based on a long judicial career. So there won't be much public quibbling over his decision to keep the assignment. Somebody had to.
Given Frankfort's history of highway-related corruption, the only alternative might be a change of venue. Maybe to Nome?
Michael Steele is no comedian
Republican National Chairman Michael Steele is deserving of his new nickname, "Gaff-o-matic." Mr. Steele, an African American, was asked at a recent Young Republicans convention about his plans for increasing diversity within the GOP. The former Maryland lieutenant governor told his young questioner, "Y'all come. I've got the chicken and the potato salad." Yuk. Yuk. Yuk. At least he didn't promise watermelon. He did review the party's legacy of advocacy and inclusiveness, citing, among others, Ronald Reagan. Perhaps he didn't know that the Gipper's first stop after nailing down the GOP presidential nomination in 1980 was Philadelphia, Miss., in Neshoba County, a place notorious for its mistreatment of black citizens and the place where three civil rights workers were murdered in 1964. Mr. Steele is no newcomer to politics. Somebody should remind him of the old adage "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Bordering on the hilarious
This may be the only up-arrow that Sen. Charlie Borders ever gets here. He has been one of Senate President David Williams' key partners. As Appropriations and Revenue chairman since 2005, he has been in position to help thwart progress, by enforcing Mr. Williams' priorities and resisting Mr. Williams' enemies — also, specifically, by blocking consideration of electronic slot machines and denying Kentucky's horse industry the help it needs. But that may be changing. Mr. Borders is leaving the Senate for a $117,000-per-year gubernatorial appointment to the Public Service Commission.
Mr. Williams snaps that Gov. Steve Beshear is "using hiring practices to advance his political purposes, so he can advance gambling." Mr. Borders says that's "unfair to Gov. Beshear and it's unfair to me," because the Governor is just "interested in getting someone good for the (PSC)."
When the sharks bite each other, does that mean there's blood in the water?
Potholes on road to justice
In Kentucky, it's tough to find a judge who doesn't have some kind of relationship with road-builders. This has become apparent in the case involving mega-contractor Leonard Lawson — aka Prince of Paving, Baron of Bitumen, Aga of Asphalt — and former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert. So far, three judges have sworn themselves off the bench in this matter, and a fourth, U.S. District Judge Karl Forester, probably should have. Mr. Forester's son-in-law is Frankfort lobbyist Sean Cutter, whose clients include the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors.
On the other hand, neither side in this high-profile, high-stakes legal battle has asked Judge Forester to step down. And he enjoys a good reputation, based on a long judicial career. So there won't be much public quibbling over his decision to keep the assignment. Somebody had to.
Given Frankfort's history of highway-related corruption, the only alternative might be a change of venue. Maybe to Nome?
Labels: General information
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 12:12 PM
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