BluegrassBulletin.com

Demoralized

My experience with Kentucky politics covers over 40 years. At first our goal was simply to create a two party system, through which all voters would be given a voice. In time we saw room for improvement and offered a fresh alternative to the political machine that functioned like a treadmill, a lot of energy spent going nowhere.

In many ways the old school politics of Kentucky is a throw back, much like the world view of the Islamists. Real progress, real engagement in the world of a bright future is smothered by devotion to an antiquated system which denies tolerance, condemns progress and preys upon ill gained loyalties for its survival.

Republicans and democrats alike have played this system, exploited this ignorance and perpetuated the charm of "Kentucky Politics" by making the process more about entertainment, more about "gotcha" moments and more about team loyalty than about the things that have moved other surrounding states well ahead of us in the competitive world of the here and now.

Clearly those who design democrat strategy in Kentucky are masters at this kind of exploitation. Clearly they have learned, over decades, to play the "game" with incredible skill.

But the sad thing is that those who see the "game" of Kentucky Politics as an anchor which holds us back from the true potential that our beautiful natural resources, our incredibly bright populace and our enviable geographic location would otherwise offer to our children and grandchildren find themselves demoralized.

While liberals around the country are trying to rename themselves as "progressives", here in Kentucky the most progressive administration in the history of the Commonwealth is reported to be down substantially in the polls.

In a very few days the people will have a chance to voice their true feelings about the future of Kentucky.

Few will see the struggle that gave every voter a choice in November. Few will remember the "corrupt backwoods" hillbilly image our prior political machine imposed upon all of us for decades. In fact, in light of the real progress in education, medicare reform, budget responsibility, drug eradication, improved teacher pay, improved roads and equality in hiring that has taken place in the short span of four years, few will remember the doom and gloom of the past thirty years.

How will the voters react? Which way will the winds blow on Tuesday?

Who will stay home, who will go to vote?

Which group will be the most demoralized? Those who have cried as they watched progress suffer a brutal assault, or those who are ashamed that real Kentucky progress has been the victim of a brutal assault?

One group will vote out of hope, the other will protest by staying home.

Only time will tell.

Rats trying to get into the Governor's mansion

For anybody who lives in the country you know that the onset of cold weather brings rodents nearer your home looking to get in.

With the cold snap this weekend it looks like the same is true for the Governor's mansion.

READ STORY

Let me tell you a story of sacrifice for a cause.

It was July 2nd, 1863. In less than a week there would be nearly as many American casualties as deaths in the entire VietNam war. A battle raged just outside of the quiet town of Gettysburg Pennslyvania.

The stakes were high. The United States of America was under armed attack by those who wanted to destroy the union of states created by our Constitution.

The result of this battle would determine whether America would survive to become the greatest nation in history, saving the world from Hitler's flame, or go down as a failed experiment as the earth's first example of God given liberty. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain knew what was at stake, and so did his men.

They found themselves on a little knob, now known as "Little Round Top". The Confederate troops were advancing. The Union Army had, so far, protected its flanks in order not to become surrounded. But the assault on Little Round Top could change that.

If the Confederate Army defeated Col. Chamberlains men, they would pour in through that hole in the flank and surround the Union Army.

What was at stake was not just the battle, not just the war, but the security of America and Col. Chamberlain's men understood this.

Fighting was limited to daylight hours. After dark the opposing troops retired to camp. But Col. Chamberlain's men could not rest. They were running out of ammunition. At night they combed the battlefield taking bullets, powder and weapons off of the dead.

Before long during the last day of fighting, word came to Col. Chamberlain that his men were completely out of ammunition and seemingly unable to continue the fight. With well armed Confederate troops advancing Col. Chamberlain was forced to face a critical decision. He knew the Union was at stake. His decision, reflected in his order, is the heroes cry.

Without bullets, or powder, facing an advancing army determined to breach this flank and defeat the Union Army, his order was followed with only the slightest hesitation: "Fix Bayonets!"

The charge down that hill which ensued carried young men from Maine into what they anticipated was certain death, and yet charge they did.

The result is legendary, but true. The Confederate troops were put into full retreat against this small band of screaming patriots armed with nothing more than empty guns fitted with knives.

In the end the battle, the war and the Union were all won. And for his heroics Col. Chamberlain, later Brigadier General Chamberlain, was honored to receive Lee's surrender at Appomatox, become Governor of Maine and revered for his character.

How did he and his troops do it? He would be asked that question repeatedly for the rest of his life. His reply: "In the privations and sufferings endured... in battle, some of the highest qualities of manhood are called forth - courage self-command, and sacrifice of self for the sake of something held higher...." To generations of Americans - Southerners as well as Northerners - Joshua Chamberlain would hold an enduring position as the "Hero of Little Round Top."

For those of us who have watched the events in Kentucky unfold over the last four years, we know the stakes are high. Decades of self dealing within a political machine have held our Commonwealth back. New ideas and bold initiatives are under attack.

For those who wish to see Kentucky move forward, out of the hole we have lived in for over 30 years, you know what is at stake.

To others the battle may appear to be lost. You may find yourself low or out of ammunition. The advancing charge may seem irrepressible.

The time has come. You can say you are too busy to volunteer for the 72 hour program, to make phone calls, to lend a hand to those who have not given up the fight, or you can retreat.

Reminded of the great heroes of our American experiment, in particular Col. Chamberlain and the "Battle of Little Round Top" I ask you to look at yourself carefully and remember "in battle, some of the highest qualities of manhood are called forth - courage self-command, and sacrifice of self for the sake of something held higher"

The choice is clear. We can either return to the failed policies of the past, or continue with the successes advanced over the last four years to move Kentucky forward.

There are many reasons to think the battle over. But remembering history, I think another call is in order.

Ladies and gentlemen, democrats, republicans, independents alike, all who passionately want a better tomorrow for the Commonwealth of Kentucky,

"FIX BAYONETS!"

MUST SEE VIDEO: The "TRUTH" about the "WITCH HUNT"

One week from today Kentuckians will go to the polls with their heads filled with impressions of the candidates. For over two years the impression of Governor Fletcher's administration has been shaped by relentless allegations of impropriety in hiring state employees.

Many have called the entire mess a "witch hunt". To those with only a cursory glimpse of American History the meaning of "witch hunt" is totally lost.

In reality it has a meaning based upon a horrific time in our culture when wild allegations of witchcraft were enough to invoke panic in the minds of the public calling for either a confession and the resultant "merciful" execution, or denial and its resultant tortured execution.

In some instances the accused witch was required to undergo incredible tests to determine her true nature. Women were tortured under the theory that if they were a witch they would survive, if not they were innocent.

With so many Kentucky voters incited by the cry of "witch" and whipped into a frenzied lynch mob by the relentless accusations, it may be too late for the truth to cleanse their minds.

But for those of us of faith, it is never too late to hear the truth. It is never too late to SHARE the truth. Please do so by emailing everyone you know to watch this video.

Here it is:

Brian Crall, Secretary Kentucky Personnel Cabinet testifying before the Personnel Board

Morning Funnies

Final KET Governor's Debate Report

Here is a summary of the KET debate.

Steve BS is part of the political machine which has held Kentucky back for decades. He is full of promises, all resting squarely on increasing the size of government with money taken out of the pockets of Kentuckians by casino operators.

Governor Fletcher has a record of accomplishment worthy of praise, and worthy of another four years. He is the impetus to the kind of change in Kentucky which has finally moved us forward.

The choice was clear: we can go backward, or move forward.

From RPK

For Immediate Release

October 29, 2007
Contact:
Andi Johnson
502-875-5130

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY SETS UP ELECTION HOTLINE

TollFree: 1-888-635-5195

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) today announced that it is offering a hotline for voters who encounter problems on Election Day. The hotline will be operational beginning Monday, November 5 through Tuesday, November 6. The number is 1-888-635-5195.

This announcement comes after the Democrat Party appointed 120 challengers to be stationed at polling places across the Commonwealth and falsely claimed that provisional balloting was removed from this year’s election.

“Voters need to be assured that challengers cannot harass, intimidate or engage voters in any way,” stated RPK Chairman Steve Robertson. “Despite the false rantings of the Democrat Party, we have faith in the precinct officers and election judges that this election will be administered fairly and we offer this hotline as another way that voters can register their concerns.”

Robertson also expressed disappointment that Steve Beshear’s campaign transferred an additional $110,000 to Urban Projects, Inc., the Philadelphia-based group tied to widespread voter fraud. To date, the Beshear campaign has paid Urban Projects, Inc. $205,000 for “consulting” or “field consulting.”

“We now know that Urban Projects, Inc., ACORN, Moveon.org and other out-of-state groups are hard at work here in Kentucky. These groups have a long and storied history of registration fraud and voter intimidation,” stated Robertson.

The Beshear campaign has admitted that Urban Projects, Inc. is focusing its efforts in Louisville. A preliminary review of state records revealed some suspicious voter registrations in Jefferson County over the last few months, including:

29 cases of possible duplicate registrations
8 registrations listing non-existent addresses
15 individuals registered out of City Hall
An individual registered out of an abandoned doughnut shop
An individual listing a home phone number which traces back to a liquor store in Jeffersonville, Indiana

“Steve Beshear’s payments to groups with proven track records of voter fraud and voter intimidation are of grave concern because these groups take advantage of anomalies in the system,” added Robertson. “It appears that Steve Beshear’s campaign is looking for any mechanism through which it can manufacture illegal votes.”

Ironically, a good example of a questionable registration is that of Dan Mongiardo, Democrat candidate for Lt. Governor, who claims three different residences on official government documents.

The State Board of Elections Voter Registration Database lists Mongiardo’s address at 200 Medical Center Dr. Ste 2N Hazard, Kentucky 41701-9422.
Mongiardo’s voter registration card, on file with the Perry County Clerk’s Office, lists his home address at 220 Rock Ridge Road Hazard, Kentucky 41701.
Mongiardo’s candidacy papers list his address as 120 Rock Ridge Road Hazard, Kentucky, 41701. The only known registrant at that address is a 45 year-old man by another name.

“Our sincere hope is that election officials will closely monitor this election to ensure its outcome rests only with the legally eligible voters of Kentucky,” concluded Robertson. “We encourage all voters who witness any suspicious activity to contact our hotline at 1-888-635-5195 or the State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100.”

Imagine That! YouTube Ad critical of Steve BS is pulled from the 'net.

A YouTube ad which included recorded criticisms of Steve BS from sometime in the 90's was posted on The Conservative Edge blog last night. Today it was pulled from YouTube.

Imagine that! Proof that concerns about Steve BS's ethics are not recently fabricated for political reasons is pulled from the Internet.

Imagine That! New Jobs For Kentucky!

Peabody Energy Corp.has announced that it has narrowed the site choices for locating its new coal-to-natural gas plant to five Kentucky Counties.

The $3 billion project will ultimately bring approximately 550 permanent jobs with another potential of 375 coal-mining related jobs to the Commonwealth (not to mention incredible recognition for this cutting edge technology).

Imagine that! One candidate for Governor talks the talk, Governor Fletcher walks the walk.

Debate Recap from Fletcher/Rudolph

Debate Recap: Steve Beshear Misleads Kentuckians on Values Stance
Beshear Attempts to Reinvent His Beliefs at Debate

FRANKFORT, Ky. – During a debate last night at Centre College in Danville, Steve Beshear misled Kentuckians on his positions regarding traditional family values as he continues to reinvent his beliefs on these important issues. In response to a question regarding his views on topics such as the place of God in the public arena, abortion, gun control, and special benefits for domestic partners, Beshear’s statements this evening were in direct contradiction to his real views on these issues.

Beshear’s attempts to reinvent himself include:

Beshear stated tonight that he believes God has a place in the public arena, but as Attorney General, Beshear issued a sweeping opinion stating that the federal Constitution prohibits the public display of religious symbols, including the Ten Commandments. (Ky. OAG 82-97) Additionally, in 1996, Beshear told a nonpartisan group that he opposed a constitutional amendment that would allow public school students to pray voluntarily. (Congressional Election 1996 National Political Awareness Test)

Beshear stated tonight that he was opposed to partial-birth abortion, but in a 1996 Courier-Journal article, Beshear said that he opposed a ban on partial-birth abortion unless it included the “Clinton” loophole, Beshear was referring to a ban passed by the U.S. Congress and later vetoed by President Bill Clinton because it did not include broad exceptions that would render the ban meaningless. (“Beshear Attacks McConnell, Campaign-finance system” Louisville Courier-Journal, May 9, 1996)

Beshear stated tonight that he would protect gun owner’s rights, but as Attorney General, Steve Beshear issued an opinion that allowed for local governments in Kentucky to have the authority to enact waiting periods for firearm purchases, gave them the power to create registries of firearm sales and to require firearms dealers to report sales to the police. (Ky. OAG 82-237)

Beshear stated tonight that he believed in traditional marriage, but earlier this year, Beshear promised to veto any attempt by the General Assembly to ban taxpayer-funded benefits for unmarried domestic partners working at state universities. (ditchmitchky.com, July 6, 2007)

“Steve Beshear is running from his liberal positions because he knows that his values don’t match up with the majority of Kentuckians,” said Jason Keller, Communications Director for Governor Fletcher’s campaign. “Beshear’s attempts to reinvent himself mislead the voters of Kentucky, but it is becoming increasingly clear to folks throughout the state that they simply cannot trust Steve Beshear.”