News opinion 2008-05-26 Andanh.com

God bless Ted Kennedy Mon, 26 May 2008 10:04:53 -0500
These days, people on “one side” of the political spectrum are not supposed to cooperate, much less have a personal relationship with anyone on the “other side.” Siding with “the enemy” can get you branded a compromiser, a sellout, or fool. While it is true that on too many occasions, conservatives have had their ideological pockets picked by liberals whose favor they curried, that is no excuse for hating people because of their political beliefs. In the case of my 25-year relationship with Sen. Edward Kennedy, our ideological pockets have remained secure, but our friendship has been something I have treasured. It began in 1983 when I received a call from a Washington Post reporter. I was working for the Moral Majority at the time and a computer had spit out a membership card for Sen. Kennedy and then inadvertently sent it to him. The reporter asked if I wanted the card back. “No,” I said. “We don’t believe anyone is beyond redemption. In fact, I hope Sen. Kennedy comes and speaks at Liberty Baptist College (now Liberty University),” the school founded by the late Jerry Falwell. A few days later, I received a call from Kennedy’s chief of staff. “The senator accepts your invitation.” I was stunned and so was Falwell, but Kennedy came and was well received. He spoke on faith, truth and tolerance and his remarks are as relevant today as they were when he uttered them. While some might disagree on the way he applies such notions to the liberal policies in which he believes; few would contest most of the principles he articulated that night. Kennedy said: “I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy is invariably correct, or that my convictions about religion should command any greater respect than any other faith in this pluralistic society.” What student or advocate of the First Amendment would disagree with that? Is that not what the Founders had in mind when they prohibited a federally established religion while simultaneously guaranteeing its free exercise? Kennedy continued, “When people agree on public policy, they ought to be able to work together, even while they worship in diverse ways. For truly, we are all yoked together as Americans, and the yoke is the happy one of individual freedom and mutual respect.” Again, not bad. He added: “Separation of church and state cannot mean an absolute separation between moral principles and political power. The challenge today is to recall the origin of the principle, to define its purpose, and refine its application to the politics of the present.” The issues outlined in Kennedy’s speech still resonate today, except now it is the Democratic presidential candidates who are talking more about faith and public policy, not the Republican candidate. Getting to know Sen. Kennedy that night and being with him on many subsequent occasions, helped me understand him on a level far different from TV images and direct-mail appeals that ask for $25 dollars to keep him from doing things that will “ruin” America (the Left sent out similar appeals for money to save America from my side). I came to see Sen. Kennedy not as a symbol, but as a fellow human being who does not get up in the morning seeking ways to harm the country. I know of things he has done for the poor and homeless on his own time and in his own way without a press release or a desire for public approval. I know of other hurts and concerns about which I would never speak. In our poisoned political atmosphere, there are few friendships like this, at least few anyone can speak of publicly for fear of political ruin. It ought to be a privilege (it is certainly a command) for my conservative Christian friends to pray for Sen. Kennedy that he might be healed and restored to health. It is certainly mine and I don’t care who on “my side” knows it.

Americans may be more alike than we realize Mon, 26 May 2008 10:04:54 -0500
America, long bifurcated into the red and the blue, is increasingly variegated. We have Oregon greenies and Kentucky coal miners, white-collar Obama elites and Clinton’s blue-collar, hard-working Americans. At the multiplex, we’ll soon split between pink “Sex and the City” cosmopolitans and dusty khaki “Indiana Jones” adventurers. We’re perceived as a dysfunctional color wheel, a rainbow of disharmony. But perhaps we have more in common than not. Perhaps we’re more alike than we know, judging from how Americans can come together to aid in a disaster, share the same indignities in air travel, and wonder how it is that Paris Hilton is famous. For instance, no matter what Hillary Clinton says, most of us are hard-working Americans. Even those voters who don’t support her. We know that we drive too much. Most of the time, it’s not even fun. We know that because we drive too much, oil costs more, the Saudi royal family has too much money and power, the world is less clean, and we’re not in as good shape as we should be. We all believe our health-care system is broken. Our medical professionals, hospitals and research are the envy of the world, and the way we take care of our people, or don’t, is an abomination. We agree that the war in Iraq isn’t working, costs too much and is diverting our tax dollars from more important issues. We all want our children to be the best-educated in the world. Most of us disapprove of how George Bush is doing his job. We view Jan. 20, 2009, no matter what the election’s outcome, as a cause for celebration. We think that commercial flying has become an utterly horrendous experience and that, by comparison, riding on an old bus with worn shocks and packed with farm animals might be preferable, while guaranteeing a better on-time arrival. We believe - well, those of us not from New England - that there is some justice in the Patriots’ being deprived of a perfect season, even if the New York Giants had to do it, and that the New York Yankees have won altogether too many World Series rings. We agree that, after a century, it would be nice if the Chicago Cubs finally did and if, following three decades without one, Big Brown claimed the Triple Crown, even if the thoroughbred is named for a delivery company. We know cable costs too much. We realize we’re dumb for subscribing and, because we do, we’re not in as good shape as we should be. We understand that years from now, we’ll look back at the artistic wasteland that is reality television and wonder why we ever endured such rubbish. Despite this, we know that Ryan Seacrest will still be on television. We will share in our slack-jawed bewilderment. We appreciate that America has never had better food, yet we’ve never been in worse shape or consumed more sodium-laden or corn-syrup-drenched processed food, despite a universal desire to live longer and better. We want to be happy. We want to live longer and better. We want a better government and great leaders. We know that, while this primary season has been interminable, the process has allowed candidates to meet more voters. It’s made more voters matter, different issues be clarified and, all in all, has been good for democracy. We understand that we live in a rich country that has far too many people in poverty. Despite our differences, most Americans want the same thing: to live in a safe, healthy and thriving country with terrific opportunities, and leave this a better place for the generations to come.

Make city a leader in sustainability Sun, 25 May 2008 21:40:00 EST
We were disappointed to read that our Metro Council voted against prohibiting plastic bags to collect yard waste. This was an amazing opportunity to move Louisville forward as a national leader in sustainable planning and living. Is there any good reason why we shouldn't be?

Old titans all collapsed Is the U.S. next to go? Sun, 25 May 2008 21:35:00 EST
Back in August, during the panic over mortgages, Alan Greenspan offered reassurance to an anxious public. The current turmoil, the former Federal Reserve Board chairman said, strongly resembled brief financial scares such as the Russian debt crisis of 1998 or the U.S. stock market crash of 1987. Not to worry.

FEC needs to work Sun, 25 May 2008 21:34:00 EST
In the midst of a presidential election, the country does not have a functioning body to oversee federal election laws. We don't mean well-functioning -- we mean functioning at all.

Become a Hot Spot blogger Sun, 25 May 2008 21:36:00 EST
The Courier-Journal seeks young writers for the third cycle of its Hot Spot blog. Fifteen to 20 high school seniors and college sophmores and juniors from throughout The C-J's circulation area (Kentucky and Indiana) will be chosen to blog about subjects mostly of their own choosing.

JCTA chief responds to editorial criticism Sun, 25 May 2008 21:37:00 EST
I am writing in response to your recent editorial, "It's about the kids," dealing with the arbitrary termination of many beginning teachers in JCPS. I agree with the title of the editorial, but strongly disagree with its content.

All patriots should attend services Sun, 25 May 2008 21:39:00 EST
I write today to encourage all Louisvillians, particularly those opposed to the war but who claim to nevertheless support our troops, to show that support by attending one of the Memorial Day services around Louisville.

Voter concerns Sun, 25 May 2008 21:37:00 EST
Regarding the letter of May 22, "Problem with race," I appreciate the writer simplifying things for us; Democrat good, Republican bad.

Readers' views Sun, 25 May 2008 10:43 EDT
Obama shrigged off Ky.

Sen. Barack Obama spent more time in Iowa than Kentucky in the week leading up to our May 20 primary. This would be understandable if the Iowa caucus had been on the same day as Kentucky's primary instead of Jan. 3.

Yet Obama would rather campaign in Iowa than come to Kentucky and talk to Kentuckians about the issues that affect us. He doesn't seem to be interested in our opinions about the war, gas prices or the economy.

This primary was a rare opportunity for Kentucky to get into the national political dialogue. Other states have had their turn, and finally, it was ours. Yet only one candidate showed up.

Despite the love Kentuckians have for our state, we are not a big fish in the pond when it comes to national politics. Obama's absence emphasized that point. Maybe having U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler's endorsement was enough for him.

Remember Mon, 26 May 2008 09:23 EDT
On this sixth Memorial Day since the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003, let us honor the U.S. troops who have died in the war. The Associated Press put the number at 4,080 as of Thursday.

Parents, kids need break from activities Sun, 25 May 2008 02:03 EDT
I pray for rain this time of year, searching for any hint of gray in the afternoon sky.

My yearning is not agricultural, but selfish, since a downpour means a canceled practice for one or more of my ball-playing children.

Bah, humbug, right?

Before judging me, keep in mind that I have three daughters in softball and two sons in T-ball. During the pre-season, at least one child practices every day of the week, with each field several miles from our home in various directions.

Furthermore, on two of those days, I'm coaching, desperately browsing online before practice to find drills for a dozen easily distracted girls.

Put spurs to improving horse safety Sun, 25 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Three weeks and thousands of anguished words after the horrific death of Eight Belles in the dirt at Churchill Downs, two questions remain unanswered.

What will it take to make Thoroughbred racing safer?

Who can make it happen?

Contradictory and fiercely held theories abound around the first question.

As for the second, as Bob Costas noted three times in a segment on racing safety that NBC broadcast before the Preakness, no one's really in charge.

Regional planning hopes drying up Sat, 24 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Winchester's decision to withdraw from a cooperative venture and build its own water-treatment plant is another blow to regional planning.

We hope that Winchester isn't saddling itself with needlessly expensive water just to avoid being captive to Kentucky American Water.

Mayor Ed Burtner and the city commission recently decided to build a new treatment plant rather than buy treated water from Kentucky American or the Bluegrass Water Supply Commission.

The cost estimates per thousand gallons of water were about the same for all three proposals. But the $42.7 million to build the plant is four times the cost of the other two options.

That's a lot of debt for Winchester's water customers to have to pay off.

Battle for the Bluegrass Sun, 25 May 2008 02:04 EDT
A few days after the 2007 primary election, Democratic leaders staged a unity rally at the party's state headquarters.

All the losing gubernatorial candidates showed up in a demonstration of support for the nominee, everyone made nice to each other, and Steve Beshear went on to an easy win over Republican incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the fall.

On Friday, Kentucky Democrats staged another post-primary unity rally. Once again, it was a verbal hug fest.

"Today, there are no differences," said Greg Fischer, who ran second to Bruce Lunsford in a U.S. Senate primary that got a tad nasty at times. "Today, we're all Democrats unified in one common purpose: to put a Democrat in the White House and to put a Democrat in the United States Senate."

Lunsford responded in kind, saying Fischer "has a great future if he decides to stay in the game."

Dancing with Hillary Sun, 25 May 2008 09:27 EDT

Musings: Are you talking to me?
I mean, call me stupid (oops, you already did), but I wouldn’t have voted for Barack Obama upon threat of painful death after the public thrashing my two very favorite states received.

A Canuck in Kantuck: Lessons from the sidewalk
When I heard about Mac Kern’s plan to organize a 5K race for charity, I decided it was my kind of event.

Look alike cars return
My faithful readers, all seven of you, will recall the column about the mistaken car drive off. Where someone’s key works the doors, or even ignition switch, of a car that does not belong to them.

Kentuckians must face shortcomings
During lunch this week, a fellow reporter posed this question: “Was the primary and the national media coverage good for Kentucky?” Every one answered no. All but one of the six is native to Kentucky.

OUR VIEW
A bill languishes in a U.S. House committed. It’s intent is to return the observance of Memorial Day to its traditional date of May 30.

Honor veterans Memorial Day
The annual Memorial Day service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery.

Indiana Jones brings mom, son together
My son relies on his dad, grandpa, Uncle Nick and Mr. Scott to share with him lots of “boy” things.

YOUR VIEW: Global warming must be slowed soon
Being warm is good, right?

Chinese Dir