News opinion 2008-07-06 Andanh.com

We’re glad that VFW nightmare is finally over Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:09:10 -0500
The past five years had to be a difficult time for the VFW post on Richardsville Road. First, the famed post was burned down in 2003 by then commander Donald Mudd. Then it was discovered that Mudd was involved in burning the lodge down to destroy records involving an illegal gambling operation. This was the ultimate slap in the face by Mudd to the veterans he associated with on a daily basis. Thanks to the painstaking work over an extended period by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, Mudd and his girlfriend, Martha Towe, were brought to justice, convicted by a jury of their peers and were sentenced Monday to long prison terms. Mudd, 65, will serve 10 years and one month in prison for running the illegal gambling operation, burning down the post, along with two counts of mail fraud, two counts of structuring transactions and one count of conspiracy to impair or impede the IRS. He will also have to pay $531,148 in restitution, with part going to the insurance company and balance going to the VFW post. Towe, 53, was sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison, along with three years of supervised release. She was found guilty of the same charges as Mudd, except arson. Towe is responsible for paying $259,988 in restitution. These sentences certainly seem to fit the crimes. Mudd not only eliminated these veterans’ gathering place, he and Towe also broke their trust. Mike Graf, District 5 VFW commander and previous Bowling Green VFW commander, made a good point when he said the post wasn’t able to donate to worthy causes as usual because of Mudd’s and Towe’s actions. Mudd and Towe will have plenty of time while serving their sentencesto contemplate the harm they caused. Craig W. Roegner, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, summed up Mudd the best. “Mudd certainly lived up to his name,” Roegner said. “It is reprehensible that during a time when America is at war that Mr. Mudd would purposely burn down a VFW post and conspire with his girlfriend, Ms. Towe, to pocket for themselves more than $250,000 of charitable funds that were originally meant to help our veterans and people in need in the Bowling Green area.” We couldn’t have said it any better. Their actions are shameful. People at the post put their trust in their hands and they broke that trust. We hope now that this chapter is behind us, our local VFW post can move on to greater things.

A nation in decline? Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:08:55 -0500
Just in time for Independence Day, the bible of the American left, The New York Times, continues to opine that the United States is a “nation in decline.” Hoping to see a Democrat in the White House, the newspaper has been hammering home that theme on its editorial pages. The Times bases its claims on two primary situations: The negative view of America abroad and income inequality at home. So, let’s take a look at the supposed “decline.” Overseas, the world is largely a mess. Africa remains a chaotic cauldron of corruption, China continues its authoritarian rule, and there’s no letup in the India-Pakistan hatred. Would you like to live in those countries? Russia continues to lead in the league of corruption, Mexico is fighting a brutal war against its own drug traffickers, and South America remains mired in poverty. Call me crazy, but I don’t see many immigrants pounding on those doors. Of course, many liberal Americans blame the USA for the world’s misfortunes and side with those who, for whatever reason, verbally downgrade the United States. However, considering the sad state of a world that will not even unite against a nuclear weapons-seeking Iran, our so-called “decline” is a terrible misreading of the global picture. Against all odds, U.S. forces have almost single-handedly defeated Islamic fascism in Iraq, one of the most complicated battlefields in history. In Afghanistan, U.S. and NATO troops continue to hammer the vicious Taliban on every front. The only reason those fascists are operating is that Pakistan protects them. If the Pakistanis would ally themselves with NATO, the Taliban would be wiped out. Back home, the Bush administration has succeeded in making it ultra-difficult for terrorists to kill us. The FBI and other federal agencies have been effectively reorganized, and the nation is much safer for it. That doesn’t sound like a decline to me. But what really has The New York Times furious is the gap between rich and poor Americans; a gulf that is now being exacerbated by escalating gas prices that rob workers of take-home pay. Never mind that it is largely liberal policies that have shut down much U.S. oil exploration and made America even more dependent on foreign oil; the left believes capitalism must now be “tempered” by the federal government. That means income redistribution through higher taxation on wealthy Americans. In this month’s Harvard Magazine, the liberal position is clearly stated: “Americans, on average, have a higher tolerance for income inequality than their European counterparts. American attitudes focus on equality of opportunity, while Europeans tend to see fairness in equal outcomes.” “Equal outcomes,” of course, means socialistic entitlements, something many European countries have embraced and a philosophy The New York Times deeply endorses. So, it comes down to this: The committed left believes America has been too aggressive in fighting the war on terror and not aggressive enough when it comes to government-mandated economic and social engineering. Thus, in their view, the country is in decline. But that’s opinion, not fact. There’s no doubt that times are tough right now, but from this vantage point, the American people are still as creative and hardworking as they’ve always been. Our pinheaded politicians have mucked it up recently, but we are certainly not a nation in decline. With another Independence Day upon us, we remain strong and the world’s greatest hope.

Aid the President Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:40:00 EST
In Lexington last week, Mitch McConnell claimed that, as Senate minority leader, he is "a lot bigger target" in this year's campaign -- a focus of anti-Republican efforts.

Loving kids more Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:41:00 EST
When this picture was taken several years ago, these girls were 15. Nicotine is so addictive that the odds are they're still at it -- and on their way to poor health.

Cool crisis management? It's a myth. Ask JFK Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:45:00 EST
Imagine a President McCain or a President Obama receiving the following top-secret briefing from his national security adviser: "Iran has successfully developed a nuclear warhead and may have already mated it with a medium-range Shahab-3 missile targeted at Israel. A pre-emptive strike could trigger a nuclear exchange. What do we do, Mr. President?"

'Heroes' you don't know but should Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:42:00 EST
A few weeks ago, when I asked you to write about your American heroes for this Fourth of July weekend, I offered a few of my own, to get the discussion started. My list included Amelia Earhart, for being alive in little girls' imaginations; George Washington Carver, for seeing wonder in the world around him; and Ryan White, for the courage and dignity he brought to the early battles with AIDS.

The only answer to the Mugabes? Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:46:00 EST
The government of Zimbabwe recently ordered foreign aid groups to halt their operations within its borders, thereby blocking the food aid that the United Nations funnels through such organizations from getting to the country's starving people. In May, the government of Burma issued a similar ban.

The time to fight oppression is when it first appears Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:42:00 EST
The best thing to do with the Family Foundation of Kentucky is to ignore it. What the group wants, and needs, most is credibility, since it hasn't earned any by developing a significant public following or making some of its conservative advocacy stick.

Real pension reform Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:38:00 EST
After 35 years as a consulting actuary in the private sector, I had the challenging and enlightening experience of working with the legislature and the Governor during the past year on the journey that ultimately led to House Bill 1, the public-employee pension reform bill enacted in the recent special session.

A bungled investigation Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:38:00 EST
In 2002, then-Attorney General John D. Ashcroft labeled Steven J. Hatfill a "person of interest" in the investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people and caused 17 others to fall seriously ill. Those three words transformed Hatfill's life and the fate of that investigation.

Metro Council race revealed problem in system Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:40:00 EST
On June 9, just a mere 20 days after wining the Democratic Party's nominee for Metro Council District 18, Mike Perkins quietly withdrew from the race. The end result: Jon Ackerson wins, and the residents of District 18 lose.

Change to avoid Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:42:00 EST
The mewling and whining are so old concerning George Bush winning in Florida in 2000. The letter "Sham election" on Wednesday made my ears run.

Readers' views Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:28 EDT

Shame on Family Foundation for intimidation tactic

In yet another act of hateful spite, conservative groups are attacking intellectuals interested in topics other than the Bible and oppressing women.

These ultra-conservative, close-minded groups and individuals are certainly entitled to their own opinions . but they are not entitled to a witch hunt each time they feel uncomfortable.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals at the University of Kentucky and in the community who support the progressive people who are doing research that benefits our greater society, and yet you don't see us compiling posters of those whose backward views we find appalling.

Mountain folks familiar with making biofuel Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:28 EDT

Every time Tie Rod hears the words .clean coal,. he thinks of Mrs. Oaks in the coal camp.

When she was about to have company, she washed her chickens, holding them by the head to do so. When she got the coal dust off of them and let them go, each relieved not to be going to the dumpling pot just then, they had little black areas on the tops of their heads which looked like a buzz cut or a mohawk.

The tale is that when Mr. Oaks had brain surgery years later and came to, they were trying to test his brain function and asked him his name, which he told them. Then they asked him who the president was, and he said that he didn't know who it was then but that it used to be John L. Lewis and Roosevelt. They knew he was OK.

Tie Rod doesn't mind hearing the words .clean coal. for a few weeks every four years but thinks that you would have to wash coal with a rag like the Oaks' leghorns. And besides, Tie Rod kind of likes the look of a little coal dust, as it reminds him of the good old days of Joy Loaders and Tony Boyle, back when a good union leader would put out a hit on any dissidents and the coal was high enough that at least a few minutes a day you could stand up in the mines. He thinks Barack Obama's complexion looks more like that of a superintendent than a union man riding a lizard.

Kentucky festivals offer array of wonders Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:28 EDT

Kentucky is a place of hidden gems. A few weeks ago, I was returning to my car after listening to men in ties and cowboy hats playing bluegrass on the Moonlight Stage in downtown Morehead.

The moon wasn't out that night, but I knew by the distinctive clippity-clop of horseshoes on blacktop what was coming up the street before I saw it.

There, in the center of town, two horses were trotting down Main Street as if there were a hitching post and water trough just down the road a couple of blocks. However, unlike in a Clint Eastwood movie, these horses stopped and waited for the traffic light to turn green before disappearing into the evening.

Two saddled horses strolling down Main Street at 10 p.m. wasn't nearly the strangest thing I'd seen that day at the Clack Mountain Festival in Morehead.

Oakwood just part of nightmare Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:28 EDT

Some have long said that Oakwood is an unjustified drain on public resources. The money could be better spent, they argue, serving greater numbers of Kentuckians who have mental retardation in smaller, less costly settings closer to their families.

There's no disputing that Oakwood has become a financial drain on the state now that the federal government has ended funding of the Somerset institution because of a record of brutality and neglect.

At a time of financial struggle, the state must come up with an additional $3.5 million a month to replace the lost federal share.

Legislators recently expressed frustration that officials are not moving faster to seek Oakwood's recertification, which would restart the flow of federal dollars.

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:23 EDT

Retirement speculation Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:28 EDT

When lawmakers adopted the two-year budget that went into effect July 1, they made certain assumptions about proposed savings to make the spending plan balance.

One of the big assumptions involved the 5,463 state workers who would be eligible for a .27 and out. retirement this calendar year.

Since the .high-three window. that has enhanced pension benefits for several years will close Jan. 1, lawmakers assumed that most, if not all, of those 5,463 workers would walk into their bosses' offices at some point this year and burst into a chorus of Take This Job and Shove It.

The basis for this assumption was the belief that these workers wouldn't miss the opportunity to have their benefits figured on the average of their high three salary years (rather than the normal high five) and have their years of service multiplied by 2.2 (rather than the normal factor of slightly less than 2) to determine the percentage of that average salary they would receive as a pension.

On this site Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:15 EDT

Magic cat makes return
This column first appeared in the Jan. 18, 2007, Glasgow Daily Times. It is back by, ahem, popular demand. Many people still ask how the “Magic Cat” is and I reply, “Still escaping.”

The wheels keep turning
Things have been pretty calm in Frankfort after last week’s special session. But that doesn’t mean wheels aren’t turning.

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