News opinion 2008-06-30 Andanh.com

Let's get active to combat obesity Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:36:00 EST
Lack of exercise, poor diet, overeating, little or no preventive healthcare such as annual screenings and lack of basic health information all have contributed -- over the past decades -- to what's now a major health problem in adults as well as children across our nation.

Unneeded at any speed Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:35:00 EST
If you didn't know Ralph Nader was running for president, you do now. The man who built a rock-solid reputation agitating for consumer rights and watched his standing diminish after he injected himself into the 2000 presidential contest as an independent candidate reemerged Wednesday with a off-key critique of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Response to JCTA contract non-renewal battle Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:36:00 EST
Thank you, Dr. Berman, for showing leadership by the non-renewal of contracts to teachers who have performed poorly in the classroom. No other businesses would keep employees who cannot do their jobs. I cannot understand JCTA's attempt to bring racism into this issue and mislead the public.

Lack of funding threatens playgrounds Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:37:00 EST
As a parent and Byck Elementary's Parent-Teacher Association president, I am equally as concerned about the lack of recess at our schools. As you may know, Byck Elementary was the pilot program for the "TAP into Fitness" created by the Heuser Clinic.

Cartoon 'error' Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:37:00 EST
I'd like to bring your attention to an error in Friday's editorial cartoon by Pat Oliphant of Universal Press Syndicate. In the cartoon, he shows Dr. Dobson as being on Senator McCain's back, only Dr. Dobson is listed as "Rev. Dobson."

What election? Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:39:00 EST

Time to reform Ky.'s juvenile justice system Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:29 EDT

Every day in Kentucky juvenile courts, young people are placed in custody for disobeying their parents, cutting school or even bringing home bad grades.

Youths of color are routinely incarcerated at far higher rates for committing the same offenses as white children.

And each day, children who were previously taken into custody for minor infractions return after committing far more serious crimes.

This is the reality of the juvenile justice system in Kentucky today . a system in dire need of reform for young people of color and minor offenders.

Tethering dogs a bad idea Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:29 EDT

Jim Jordan's June 9 .Buzz. column praised a product called Sure Stay, which allows dogs to be tethered or chained to a stake in the ground. He wrote that .to those of us who cut grass, Sure Stay sure is nice..

But for those of us who cut grass and care about our dogs and neighbors, this product should not be on our wish list.

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises, .Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior..

Tethering or chaining for very short, supervised periods may be acceptable. For instance, we tether our dogs when we are camping and all sitting at the campsite together. It would probably be acceptable for short periods while you are in the yard with your dog, say, while you are gardening. However, dogs should never be left unsupervised on a chain or tether.

First bite out of pension problems Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:21 EDT

FRANKFORT . They came. They passed a pension bill in the minimum number of days. They left.

But not without a couple of sideshows.

First, Senate President David Williams used a Transportation Committee meeting to cross-examine administration officials about the road plan they implemented after Gov. Steve Beshear vetoed a highway projects bill passed by the General Assembly.

At times, it seemed as if he were conducting a deposition for the suit he filed challenging Beshear's veto.

School equity Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:26 EDT

Chinese Dir