News opinion 2008-08-05 Andanh.com

Lawmakers should take note of ruling Tue, 5 Aug 2008 11:18:27 -0500
Granted, Kentucky has one of the shortest legislative sessions in the country at 60 days, but this should be ample time to get the state’s work accomplished if the desire and focus is there. But as we all know from the last session and others past, it wasn’t. In fact, legislators in both the House and the Senate worked past the April 15 deadline and clocks in both chambers were stopped minutes before midnight on that date. This was a shameful practice that clearly appeared to be a violation of Kentucky’s Constitution. We are glad that Franklin County Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Thursday that the General Assembly doesn’t have the power to stop the clock and work past its constitutional deadline of April 15. Shepherd ruled that legislation that would have authorized billions in Kentucky road projects is invalid because it was not given to Gov. Steve Beshear before midnight on the legislature’s final day. The ruling may invalidate 11 other bills and five resolutions approved by lawmakers that were sent to Beshear after the deadline. Shepherd said he would consider this question if asked to do so. The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, who challenged Beshear’s veto of HB 79 on grounds that it came after the constitutional deadline. This was a sound ruling by Shepherd. Our lawmakers in both the House and Senate blatantly disregarded the Constitution of the commonwealth. Their actions are akin to a high school or college student who doesn’t do their homework during the semester and then pulls an all-nighter the night before final exams. Shepherd also should be commended by putting the General Assembly on notice by saying, “The constitutional language requiring bills to be presented by the April 15 deadline serves as a much-needed constitutional check on the ability of the legislature to extend the time in which it can act.” The legislature should take notice of Shepherd’s ruling. Perhaps if the legislators spent less time squabbling like schoolchildren and playing partisan politics, they wouldn’t have had to stop the clock in the first place. This ruling tells them to effectivley use their limited time in the 60-day session, abide by the Constitution and get the people’s business done.

Politics as usual Tue, 5 Aug 2008 11:18:17 -0500
At the beginning of this long political season - if there ever was a beginning, since campaigns are now nonstop with only the players changing - it appeared this one might, just might, be different. Barack Obama, the biracial candidate would be the transracial healer. He promised to seek common ground with Republicans for the betterment of the country. John McCain, too, was the reach-out candidate with a record of working with “the other side,” to the consternation of many conservatives, but to the delight of independents who, say the experts, are essential to a McCain victory. For the doubtful, which are those of us who have observed politics for a few decades, it all seemed too good to be true. And now politics as usual has proved too true to be good. The pettiness, the tearing down and the irrelevance of the political dialogue resembles so many other distasteful presidential campaigns. Obama was the first to use the “race card,” claims McCain. No, he wasn’t, says Obama. McCain was. One wishes some adult would step in and say, “children, go to your rooms.” This is what passes for modern political discourse. Conservative says to liberal: “You’re ruining America.” Liberal responds, “No, you’re ruining America.” Conservative: “You’re a communist.” Liberal: “You’re a fascist.” Conservative: “You’re a secular humanist.” Liberal: “You’re a Bible-thumping bigot.” Host of cable program: “We’ll be back with more civil discussion after these messages.” Do these guys really believe what they’re saying about each other? If so, perhaps we need two different candidates. When McCain first proposed a series of town hall meetings with no journalists, Obama said it was a good idea. But then Obama, or his handlers, apparently thought better of it. His camp has agreed only to the three scheduled fall debates, presided over by journalists, many of whom see themselves as co-equal with the candidates. Apparently, the Obama camp thinks it can preserve its small lead in most polls by not giving McCain too many platforms. How does this conform to Obama’s image of conciliation and working together? That image is beginning to unravel. The Weekly Standard reports on Obama’s “lost years” as a state legislator, noting he was the antithesis of the cross-aisle conciliator. “Obama is bipartisan so long as that means asking Republicans to take incremental steps toward his own broader goals,” writes Stanley Kurtz. “When it comes to compromising with the other side, however, Obama says “take a hike.” “The real Obama? ... Fundamentally, he is a big-government redistributionist,” says Kurtz, who offers examples of Obama’s partisan Illinois legislative record. Included are his writings for and coverage by two Chicago publications, the Hyde Park Herald, Chicago’s oldest community newspaper, and the Chicago Defender, once the nation’s most influential African-American daily. Combing through the archives of those newspapers, Kurtz concludes, “What they portray is a Barack Obama sharply at variance with the image of the post-racial, post-ideological, bipartisan, culture-war-shunning politician familiar from current media coverage and purveyed by the Obama campaign. As details of Obama’s early political career emerge into the light, his associations with such radical figures as Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Father Michael Pfleger, Reverend James Meeks, Bill Ayers, and Bernardine Dohrn look less like peculiar instances of personal misjudgment and more like intentional political partnerships. At his core, in other words, the politician chronicled here is profoundly race-conscious, exceedingly liberal, free-spending even in the face of looming state budget deficits, and partisan. Elected president, this man would presumably shift the country sharply to the left on all the key issues of the day, culture-war issues included. It’s no wonder Obama has passed over his Springfield years in relative silence.” Now there is substance worthy of debate. How does Obama’s liberalism apply to energy, fighting terrorism, the economy, taxes, spending, health care and the proper role of government? And given Obama’s past history of refusing to compromise on anything important, why should voters accept his “makeover”? As for McCain, who does have a record of compromising, on what issues would he hold fast and never compromise? These are important questions that ought to be at the center of the presidential contest. Unfortunately, they have been replaced with the silly, irrelevant and juvenile. This is not what the public was promised.

We are fighting to become some sort of actor Tue, 5 Aug 2008 11:18:18 -0500
I’m a very serious actor. And I’m wearing a cape. I’ve done Shakespeare in the Park. I’ve done experimental performance art workshops in which I played a half-eaten apple. I’m a very serious actor. And I’m wearing tights. I have stage cred like you wouldn’t believe. Worked in London’s West End and New York’s off-Broadway. Been to Russia to do Chekhov, to Germany to do Brecht. Been to Ireland to do Beckett at the Abbey Theatre. They loved me. Brought the house down. I’m a very serious actor. I’m wearing a utility belt. I am playing Aquaman. Or maybe it’s Superman. It could be the Flash - he’s the one who runs, isn’t he? It’s so hard to keep straight. Most of the time, I am hanging by wires in front of a giant green screen. I could be anybody. Well, anybody who flies through the air. I hang while they get the lights and the wind and the computers just right. Then all I do is look straight ahead. I’m a very serious actor. Under my mask. What else can I do? What is everyone else doing? Playing a superhero, that’s what they’re doing. Take Robert Downey Jr. An actor’s actor. We all love him. He did one small art film after another. Played drug addicts and psychotics. Played Charlie Chaplin, for pete’s sake. Got nominated for an Oscar. But once he put on the Iron Man suit, everything changed. That movie has made, like, a half a billion dollars . And now Downey rules the world. What about Edward Norton? His chops are immense. Did you see him in “The Painted Veil” or “The Illusionist” or “Primal Fear”? No? I bet you saw him in “The Incredible Hulk.” Once you go green, you never go back. What about Heath Ledger? Poor guy. Played Casanova. Brilliant. Played Ned Kelly. Brilliant. Does “Brokeback Mountain” so well it makes you cry. But only when he paints his face white and his lips red in “The Dark Knight” is he immortalized. OK. Also because he died. But I’m not going that far for my art. These rubber gloves are tough enough. Playing superheroes used to be beneath serious actors like me. You wanted the Hulk, you got Lou Ferrigno. You wanted Batman, you got Adam West. Superheroes were for bodybuilders or ex-athletes. Why do you think they got Schwarzenegger for “Conan the Barbarian”? It wasn’t because Olivier was busy. But now Arnold is governor, and Tobey McGuire is Spider-Man, and Will Smith is Hancock and Christian Bale is Batman and, well, the bloom is off and the battle is on. We are all scrambling for capes and rubber suits. We are all grabbing at power boots and night vision. We are all ready to wear our underwear on the outside. We are fighting to be Captain America, Nick Fury, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, the Avengers, the Justice League, Wonder Woman, or the Sub-Mariner. Whatever’s left. Any character, anywhere. Above ground. Under water. You name it. There are just two words that matter in Hollywood now. Comic. Book. So I’m a very serious actor. And today I punch a dragon. Or maybe it’s an eel. It might be a sorcerer, or it might come from another planet. Hey, I might come from another planet. Or I’m the tragic victim of an experiment gone wrong. Bugs. There could be bugs involved. Or green skin. Or a midnight transformation. All I know is Godot will have to wait. No Salesman will be dying. “The Importance of Being Earnest” is less important than the Importance of Being an Earner. I’m a very serious actor. Excuse me. Gotta fly. No, seriously. I gotta fly.

Mixed AIDS news Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:04:00 EST
As another international AIDS conference opens in Mexico City, news about the U.S. epidemic is a mixed bag. The good word is about a new blood test, which, for the first time since AIDS was first identified, allows doctors to determine when an HIV infection occurred.

Tardy truth Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:04:00 EST
It's been months since a Bullitt County judge dismissed child sex abuse charges against Clayton Pruett, who is a church youth pastor, substitute teacher and wrestling coach. But only recently has the public learned that Debra Kay Perez Johnson, mother of Mr. Pruett's alleged victim, confessed in a settlement that she lied.

A space in which to look up, look down, look all around Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:58:00 EST
I have found a great plot of earth in Louisville that has become a special place for some of my routines. It is Tom Sawyer State Park, and I visit it all the time.

Beshear's course improving Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:59:00 EST
Fancy Farm's follies are mercifully over. Stump speaking and heckling are fun, but in these parlous times they seem almost recklessly inappropriate. Economically and existentially, Americans are understandably insecure, even afraid.

Preparing for 2010 Census Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:01:00 EST
A road-paving project makes me see red. Sure, I want new highways without potholes, but the heavy-equipment process of stripping vegetation, laying gravel and spreading asphalt seems a steep price. Still, it's necessary to get what we need. So it is with the census.

Felons' voting rights Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST
Well, our wonderful Gov. Beshear has now made it possible for 790 convicted felons to be able to vote, and run for office. He just won't let them own weapons. Because of our Governor, we have at the very least eight murderers and 14 rapists who will regain their voting rights.

Sizzle. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:54:00 EST

Readers sound off on universal health care Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:02:00 EST
What a surprise, Cal Thomas is serving as the voice of moral authority when it comes to evils of universal health care. As a purveyor of fear, Thomas is attempting to sell us on the idea that if the government controls health care coverage, the politburo in Washington (i.e., the Congress) will be making decisions on who lives and dies rather than doctors.

Hot air Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:48:00 EST

Getting perspective on Ledger Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:02:00 EST
It's time to stop the canonization of Heath Ledger. He's not a tragic hero. He's not a beautiful martyr. He's just a pretty good actor who did away with himself and broke the hearts of his family and friends, and he shouldn't get an Academy Award to memorialize his death.

Readers' views Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT

.None' would be best ballot option for many voters

While Sen. John McCain missed more days and votes than Sen. Barack Obama, both were disengaged from their day jobs. Their focus was not on the problems of this country but on getting a better job for themselves.

In the beginning, Obama was more interesting. His .change. signs can now be weather vanes as he has voted for all the things he promised us in the beginning he was against. Some overseas workers wondered why Obama was there, charming them, while U.S. workers are suffering. Great question.

Obama is circling until he lands in Denver for his coronation. His words will flow like honey, the air thick with audacity and charisma, but nothing the voter can take to the bank.

Flock of lame ducks fouling Washington Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT

This editorial appeared in the Miami Herald.

Put together a lame-duck president, a lame-duck Congress, an election year, two wars and an incipient recession and what you get is the current mess in Washington. And what a mess it is.

While more Americans lose their jobs and the economy stalls, Democrats and Republicans . and the president, too . join hands in an apparent effort to see who can pull off the silliest political antics.

Protect students from credit-card lures Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT

This editorial appeared in the Kansas City Star.

Oh, the solicitations sound so good: easy money, free T-shirts, free meals. Apply Instantly!

But when it comes to credit cards and college students, Congress is right to focus some of its industry reform efforts on questionable tactics used to lure new card-holders. Bills pending in both the House and the Senate are attempting to better regulate firms soliciting students.

Give credit for Reynolds plan Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT

The University of Kentucky deserves some extra credit at least for its innovative proposal to partner with a private developer to get work done that the school can't afford in these economic hard times.

UK announced last week that it's asking for proposals to renovate the Reynolds Building that houses the art department and to develop three other buildings and up to 6 acres along South Broadway between Scott and Bolivar streets. The successful bidder will purchase the properties and lease the renewed Reynolds building back to UK.

The project has the potential to reshape what will become one of the primary entries to UK and Lexington when the Newtown Pike extension is complete.

The 1917 Reynolds Building is long beloved by the artists who work there for its large, open spaces and abundant natural light, but is sorely hampered by inadequate heating, air, restrooms and accessibility. A UK study found it would be more cost-effective to rehab the building than replace it, but the school has lacked the money to do either.

Heat on at Fancy Farm Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:45 EDT

Considering the heat during Saturday's Fancy Farm Picnic, it was good that a variety of groups were handing out statement-making fans. The most creative came from the Democrats and offered the following Top 10 Reasons to Re-elect Mitch McConnell:

10. $4 per gallon gas is too cheap.

9. Chinese jobs are more important than ours.

8. Health insurance is overrated.

Profilin' Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:19 EDT

Musings: You're a Daisy if you do

A Canuck in Kantuck: Her ears are ringing

Chinese Dir