News opinion 2008-07-11 Andanh.com

Adult fight at ballgame sets a bad example Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:58:39 -0500
When it comes to our youth, adults and parents should lead by example - but unfortunately, some of them didn’t consider that during a fight Monday night at a youth baseball game in Bowling Green. The incident occurred at Ephram White Park at around 6:30 p.m., and it’s still unclear what exactly happened - and it is still under investigation. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department says it received a call first described as a fight in progress, then as a potential riot. By the time deputies got there, there was no fight and most of those involved had left the scene. Thankfully, no one was seriously harmed in the incident. But this type of irresponsible behavior by adults in our community is inexcusable and detrimental to our youth. These 8-year-old kids were participating in a tournament game. They were proud to be playing, and to have it disrupted over something that was probably petty is really sad. Also sad is that this was the second such incident at this park in a month. Adults should be there to enjoy watching their kids play a game, and they should let the umpires referee the game and make the tough decisions. They should be above this type of immature behavior and should realize that children learn the wrong lessons when adults behave badly. As 8-year-olds, it is more important for kids to have fun while learning the basics of the game and respect for their opponents than it is to win. We hope in the future that those involved will realize that baseball games are about the kids, not the parents.

Iraq troop withdrawal merits a serious hearing Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:58:45 -0500
U.S. troops should stay no longer than necessary in Iraq, and the Bush administration should show a healthy respect for concerns there about a long-term American “occupation.” Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called this week for some sort of timetable for the withdrawal of American troops, echoing widespread public sentiment both in his country and in the United States. President Bush continues to resist the idea, and a U.S. State Department spokesman sounded an unfortunate note of arrogance this week in responding - or not responding, really - to al-Maliki’s statement. The spokesman declared that he did not want to publicly respond to “every single development” in the negotiations between Iraq and the United States. There are certainly hazards to strict timetables for hasty military withdrawals. For example, an adversary may simply decide to lay low for a while. But the proposed Iraqi timeline that was made public Tuesday appears to provide for an ample transition period before the last U.S. forces, perhaps well into the next decade, would leave the Arab country. If the Bush administration pushes hard for more than that, it will not come off looking very good to the international community. A lot of Americans will object as well, and with good reason. The United States has many other priorities beside Iraq - a simple fact that Bush should keep in mind as the talks continue.

Conventional wisdom Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:58:10 -0500
It is understandable that those who think President Bush has done a poor job want to replace him with a Democrat they think might do a better one. What is not understandable is why voters, who think Congress has performed poorly, would vote to keep the Democratic majority in place and, according to many polls, expand it. The latest Rasmussen tracking poll finds that a pathetic 9 percent of the public think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, a record. A majority of voters - 52 percent - think Congress is doing a poor job, which ties a record. Even Democrats disapprove of the performance of the Congress led by their party. Among Democratic voters, approval of Congress fell from 17 percent to 13 percent in the poll. Unaffiliated voters are the most critical of Congress with just 3 percent giving it a positive rating and 63 percent of these independents saying Congress is performing poorly. Given these astounding figures, why do polls show that as of now a majority of voters intend to vote for the Democratic candidate in House and Senate races? In a recent McLaughlin and Associates poll, 43 percent said they would vote for the Democrat and just 34 percent would vote for the Republican. Twenty-three percent were unsure. A USA Today/Gallup Poll taken in mid-June found that 52 percent favored Democratic candidates and 42 percent favored Republicans. That’s down from 55 percent for Democrats and slightly up from 41 percent for Republicans in a February poll. Polls taken by ABC News/Washington Post and NBC News/Wall Street Journal reflect similar numbers. How can this be? If a contractor working on your house fails to do the job and overcharges you in the process, does it make sense to keep paying the same company while it adds additional incompetents and crooks to cause further damage? The reason Republicans don’t benefit from voter disaffection with Congress is that Republican incompetence - ranging from sexual indiscretions to illegal activities - remains fresh in their minds. Republicans promised they would do things differently. They’d bring “change” to Washington (always be careful when you hear politicians talking like that). Instead, Republicans caught the same Potomac fever that infected the Democrats who ran the House for 40 years prior to 1994 and the Senate, off and on, for much of that period. If Republicans are going to take advantage of voter disgust with the Democratic Congress they are going to have to take the equivalent of a blood oath. A new “Contract with America” won’t suffice. Neither will a “we’ve learned our lesson” from the current Republican “leadership” who are part of the problem that brought on the Democratic resurgence. For a GOP comeback to have a chance, several things must happen. First, John McCain must take a page from Harry Truman’s 1948 campaign in which he lambasted the Republican “do-nothing Congress.” McCain should say what a do-SOMETHING Democratic Congress would do if it retains its current majority and gains a Democratic president: raise taxes, boost regulations, further limit our liberties, haggle with terrorists and advance a social agenda (including unrestricted abortion and same-sex marriage) that is anathema to most Americans. Second, Republican delegates to the St. Paul convention in September should demand their party’s congressional leadership be replaced by Republicans who would renew core party principles: low taxes, smaller, less expensive and more effective government, personal responsibility and accountability, encouragement of individual initiative and programs that help people out of poverty rather than sustaining them in poverty. Third, Republicans must pledge to limit themselves in office as the Founders intended. If they won’t approve term limits, GOP members should pledge to get themselves out of Congress after no more than four terms in the House and two in the Senate, less time in any place where an infectious disease rages diminishes chances of exposure and illness. They also should begin a discussion and debate about the proper role of the federal government. The Founders had that debate. It needs to be renewed in our time. Government is out of control. Only dramatic and believable actions like these will restore public confidence in Congress and possibly restore Republicans to a majority they will only then deserve.

Iraq and Afghanistan... Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:42:00 EST

Readers' views Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:47 EDT

School officialsresponsiblefor KHSAA

Retired Somerset school superintendent Wilson Sears' June 30 commentary inadvertently gave up his former colleagues in his attempt to counter Valarie Honeycutt Spears' June 15 expose on the Kentucky High School Athletics Association. He also unintentionally shows us that those too close to the problem can't see at all.

The former educator claims that no one understands the complexity of the issues faced by the KHSAA and that it is compelled to enforce idiotic bylaws that hurt children. Because the bylaws were adopted by member schools, endorsed by a board of control and blessed by a legislative review committee, the bylaws must be OK.

He further states that such abuse of adult athletes happens all the time in the NFL, NBA and the NCAA, so we should be comfortable with treating our children the same way.

Mining turns our streams into trickles of water Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:47 EDT

When I visit relatives in Big Stone Gap, Va., I love to stop at Roaring Branch. There are steps that lead up to a wonderful spot overlooking the highway.

If it's 95 degrees and 95 percent humidity on the road, it is always 20 to 25 degrees cooler up there, just like walking into air conditioning. There is always a very good flow of water, even in times of drought; it is clean, clear and unpolluted. I would say it is even safe to drink . at least it was.

I was shocked and completely dismayed by what I found on a recent trip: Roaring Branch no longer roars.

It doesn't growl or even bark; it barely whimpers. There is only a trickle of water down the hollow now.

Good start; more surgery needed Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:47 EDT

Medicare dollars should go to:

A. Physicians who provide health care to the elderly.

B. Insurance companies that provide profits to their stockholders.

Predictably, both Kentuckians in the Senate, Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, picked B when the choice came to the Senate floor Wednesday.

Chinese Dir