Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Obama Goes after Ammo, Gun Owners

From the Shootist at www.theshootist.net

Obama has decided to attack gun owners as expected by limiting ammunition. Now as the article shows, DoD is now going to take away jobs and profit from American Companies so we can sell the brass to China for a lesser amount of money. Gun owners and sportsmen must be sure not only to contact their Congressman and Senators but we at home need to make sure where folks like Jack Conway and Dan Monjairdo stand. And I voted for Obama, God forgive me.



Sunday, March 15, 2009

DOD Ends Sale of Expended Military Brass to Remanufacturers

AND SO IT BEGINS...We all wondered when it was going to start--when the new administration would make their move against us as gun owners. Oh, everyone got upset about HR45--I'll bet I got over 100 e-mails warning me about this draconian gun registration bill that had been introduced in Congress.I was really glad to see Tom Gresham, host of "Gun Talk Radio," an editor, writer, television host on "Self-Defense TV," and one of the foremost gun spokespersons, come out and tell everyone to stop worrying about legislation so absolutely over-the-top--it would never get out of committee.Tom said save your energy for when we really need it--don't expend it trying to warn everyone in your e-mail list about legislation that would go nowhere.Now, Tom just interviewed me, and Larry Haynie, owner of Georgia Arms (http://www.georgia-arms.com/), on Gun Talk (http://www.guntalk.com/)--and Tom agrees, now is the time to "...unleash the hounds..." by which he means start e-mailing and writing your senators and congressmen.Now it has come clear...now we know what they intend to do.It is an end-run around Congress. They don't need to try to ban guns--they don't need to fight a massive battle to attempt gun registration, or limit "assault" weapon sales.Nope. All they have to do is limit the amount of ammunition available to the civilian market, and when bullets dry up, guns will be useless.Think we jest?Here are copies of two letters sent to Georgia Arms just Thursday evening--effectively cancelling a contract he had to purchase 30,000 pounds of expended military brass in .223, 7.62mm, and .50 caliber:

Dear Valued Customer:

Please take a moment to note important changes set forth by the Defense Logistics Agency:Recently it has been determined that fired munitions of all calibers, shapes and sizes have been designated to be Demil code B. As a result and in conjunction with DLA's current Demil code B policy, this notice will serve as official notification which requires Scrap Venture (SV) to implement mutilation as a condition of sale for all sales of fired munitions effective immediately. This notice also requires SV to immediately cease delivery of any fired munitions that have been recently sold or on active term contracts, unless the material has been mutilated prior to sale or SV personnel can attest to the mutilation after delivery. A certificate of destruction is required in either case.
Thank you,DOD Surplus
15051 N Kierland Blvd # 300Scottsdale, AZ 85254March 12, 2009

Larry HaynieGeorgia Arms
PO Box 238Villa Rica, GA 30180Re: Event 7084-6200:

Dear Larry Haynie,

Effective immediately DOD Surplus, LLC, will be implementing new requirements for mutilation of fired shell casings. The new DRMS requirement calls for DOD Surplus personnel to witness the mutilation of the property and sign the Certificate of Destruction. Mutilation of the property can be done at the DRMO, if permitted by the Government, or it may be mutilated at a site chosen by the buyer. Mutilation means that the property will be destroyed to the extent prevents its reuse or reconstruction. DOD Surplus personnel will determine when property has been sufficiently mutilated to meet the requirements of the Government.If you do not agree with the new conditions of your spot sale, please sign the appropriate box provided below stating that you do not agree to the new terms and would like to cancel your purchase effective immediately. If you do agree to the new terms please sign in the appropriate box provided below to acknowledge your understanding and agreement with the new requirements relating to your purchase. Fax the signed document back to (480) 367-1450, emailed responses are not acceptable.Please respond to this request no later than close of business Monday, March 16th, 2009.Sincerely,Government Liquidation.

Got that? From now on, remanufacturers of military brass will not be able to buy surplus brass from DOD--actually from Government Liquidators, llc.--the corporation that sells surplus materials for the U.S. government. At least, not in any form recognizable as once-fired brass ammunition.Now all brass ammunition will have to be shredded, and sold as scrap.Georgia Arms, who brought this to our attention, is the 5th largest ammunition manufacturer of centerfire pistol and rifle ammunition in the U.S."We're right up there behind Hornady," Larry Haynie told me.He also told me with the cancellation of his contract to purchase this brass, and the ending of his ability to purchase any more expended military ammunition, he will have to severely curtail his operation--laying off approximately half his 60-person work force.Haynie further pointed out this move is a stupendous waste of taxpayer money--reducing the worth of the brass some 80%--from casings, to shredded bulk brass.He stated most of this will now go to foundries where it will be melted down, cast in shippable forms, and likely be sold to China, one of the largest purchasers of U.S. metals on the open market.Haynie was manufacturing over 1 million rounds of .223 ammunition every month, which he sold on the civilian market to resellers, and to law enforcement agencies across the country.He will start tomorrow sending cancellations of orders for .223 to law enforcement agencies all over the country.You can expect this to affect every bullet you purchase in the future--with no reloaded ammunition available, the already strained new manufacturers will be unable to meet demand. They are already turning out everything they can build for the military market. The civilian market is stressed to the point even reloading components have become hard to find.Now, with this hit, ammunition prices will go through the roof in the next year.Your quality piece, sitting in your gun rack, will become a very expensive wood and steel, or plastic and steel club.

What can you do?Google "contact members of Congress" or simply type in http://www.congress.org/.When you reach that site, type in your zip code--it will give you all your representatives, senators, and their web pages.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Former U.K. Quarterback Indicted

Friday a Christian County Grand Jury indicted former U of K Quarterback Curits Pulley for Flagrant Non Support( Child Support). Pulley who is now considered a fugitive from justice faces arrest on this felony count.

As a Senior Quarterback at Hopkinsville High School, Pulley was named 2004 Kentucky Mr. Football. Pulley has shown great promise but has been dogged by his off the field problems. Pulley was forced to leave Kentucky and transfer to Florida A & M. This past season proved to be a banner year for Pulley who racked up record numbers for the Florida Rattlers.

Having served as one of Curtis Pulley's high school coaches I can say that Curtis has proven time and again do be a personal disappointment. Coaches don't believe kids are bad but sometimes do bad things. Curtis has failed to live up to any commitments he has made to the court system regarding this issue.

The court system has time and again taken into consideration Pulley's situation: A young man with serious talent who is also trying to get a college degree. The court system has tried for the last couple years to allow Pulley to live up to his responsibility as a father, pursue his education and sports. My sources tell me that Pulley failed at every level to show up to court, communicate with his attorney and or the Judge.

Some think that I have been too hard on Curtis since "Day One". I have always liked Curtis and been amazed by his talent and his stupidity. I received a great deal of criticism last year from fans, alumni and fellow coaches when I took it upon myself to rip down his "Mr. Football" banner/sign in the Hopkinsville High Athletic Facility or as we call it the "Block House".

Since Pulley left for Florida he has apparently just ignored his parental obligations totally. Curtis Pulley is somebody who can play on Sunday but he is like a cat with nine lives-I'm just not sure how many more lives he has?

(Response to Comment)

I don't usually respond to comments but I think I need to here. First of all the facts surrounding Curtis Pulley speak for them self. As far as being a horrible coach, well it was this horrible coach who acted on Curtis' behalf as an intermediary to help him. Don't recall any of his so called family offering to step up to the plate and help. Actually it's the friends and family that have been Curtis' problems.-his gangster friends and the ghetto mentality that he has always surrounded himself with.

It was this horrible coach that helped find him an attorney. It was this horrible coach that went pleading to the prosecutors to ask the Judge to withdraw bench warrants when Curtis failed every single time to show up for court. It was this horrible coach that Joke Phillips called to find out what was going on with his situation and probably not you. It was this horrible coach that worked with his attorney and the prosecutors to help secure a bare minimum Child Support allocation of a $100 a month so Curtis could continue his education, football and lived up to some parental responsibility.

I think that is great that Curtis visits his son. What he should have done was visit his attorney and the Judge which he failed to do in every single instance. In fact, his attorney had to show up in court and withdraw his representation as Curtis' attorney because Curtis would not even bother to return his phone calls or letters. In fact, Curtis would not bother to return phone calls of this horrible coach or other coaches who were trying to help him through his mess.

Other than one of his former coaches Steve Lovelace, Joker Phillips, the prosecutor, and Curtis' former attorney there is no one out there besides us that know all the facts. I assure you it ain't Curtis' family or so called friends. You may also want to check the court records to brush up on the facts.

In conclusion people who comment and don't leave their name have no credibility anyway. I have been more than fair regarding Curtis' situation note that I have not listed in detail his transgressions at the University of Kentucky or his other legal woes he encountered. Yes, I do believe I know all the circumstances regarding Curtis Pulley. Curtis would be the starting Quarterback at UK if he would have listened and taken the advice of horrible coaches like me instead of his friends. No, I am not God but I will go visit Curtis in the Christian County Jail and bring him a Bible because I think he should be ready for a "come to Jesus" talk.

Rep. Tilley: Murray State Breathitt Lab

I have included a partial press release by State Representative John Tilley. I have made a couple edits because I can.
For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2009

Rep. Tilley praises ag policy board for supporting veterinary center study

Frankfort – The vote today by the Office of Agricultural Policy to fund a Murray State University study that will decide whether the Breathitt Veterinary Center should be renovated or replaced could not come at a better time, state Rep. John Tilley said this afternoon.

“The Breathitt Veterinary Center has long been a great asset for farmers in our region, so I am really pleased to see the Office of Ag Policy approve money for this study,” said Rep. Tilley, D-Hopkinsville. “My hope is that we can soon find ways to update the facility to handle our farming and homeland security needs for years to come.”

The $300,000 feasibility study, which will be paid with tobacco settlement dollars that the Ag Policy Board oversees, will chart the best course for the center’s future. According to center’s website, it “no longer meets the stringent requirements for laboratory safety and security when working with bioterrorism agents and foreign animal diseases.” Center officials have proposed a $25 million facility with 50,000 sq. ft. of space.

“There clearly is a need to get this project moving forward, and I’m hopeful that we can take a step in that direction when the legislature begins writing the next budget in January,” Rep. Tilley said. “This project’s importance extends far beyond Christian County, and should have a lot of support from my colleagues in the House and Senate.”

-30-

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

From The Rural Democrat

Thanks to our friends at The Rural Democrat for granting permission to post their comments on the Kentucky Senate Race.

Some Think the 2010 US Senate Race is a Fight for Kentucky's Values

Daniel Mongiardo's message is simple to understand. His message reminds Kentuckians that we have a fight on our hands in this Democratic primary. A fight for values. For the first time in a long time Kentucky Democrats will be faced with a tough choice; not the tough choice of picking a candidate, a choice between urban and rural values.....
Mongiardo has a history of not following the crowd, he stood beside Obama when he knew damn well he would be burned for it in rural Kentucky. Another case in point; he supported a ban on gay marriage and he knew damn well the Liberal faction of the Democratic party would hate him for it. He followed his beliefs and stood firm. Also, he refused to sign the now infamous EPA letter while Attorney General Jack Conway signed it. That one act guarantees Conway will receive little to no support in the coal fields. Kentuckians overwhelmingly voted to ban gay marriage. Conway on the other hand said that SB245 was discriminatory. So that tells me he would have voted against it, even though 75% of voting Kentuckians voted for it. Some might say that is a sign of integrity and yet others might say he is pandering to the Liberal/Urban faction of the Democratic party.
I am not saying folks from the city have no values, I am saying that we (rural Democrats) have a different idea of what values are. We are Moderate to Conservative Democrats. Folks might say that a Conservative Democrat is oxymoron. Those same folks probably never met a rural Kentucky Democrat. As this primary progresses the values debate will heat up.
Everyone knows by now that Conway went to Duke and it appeared he was a little upset that some are talking about it. Most Kentuckians will probably ask themselves "why did he go to Duke, wasn't UK good enough for him?!?". And they have the right to ask that question. In the coal fields DUKE is a very dirty word, hence the song "which side are you on". Conway may not like it but it is a big issue.
This will be a race of Louisville versus the rest of Kentucky and some might say that is not fair. In my opinion Yarmuth could not win a race for dog catcher outside of Louisville. Chandler on the other hand has a very conservative voting record but parades as a super Liberal. Yarmuth is NOT a friend of coal and in fact he is coal's biggest enemy. Conway's family has contributed $69,000 to Yarmuths campaigns over the years so by default Conway can be considered an enemy to coal.

I am speaking as a coal miners son, a rural Democrat and I think I can speak for the majority of Kentucky's rural Democrats. It will be a very interesting race. Will Kentucky's values shift more toward the left? Or will this race galvanize Moderate and Conservative Democrats in support of Mongiardo? Only time will tell.

Cross-posted on Hillbilly Report.org

Great Awakening or The Purge

In the wake of my recent comments I have received many emails and phone calls. Most agreeing with me, some disappointed and well some just trying to appease me or humor me.

I have Liberrrrrrral friends who I love and admire but we just differ on many issues and government's role in society. I have Conservative friends who I feel the same way about. As I'm fond of saying the left wing has ruined the Democrat Party and the Right wing has ruined the Republican Party.

The Democrat Primary for U.S. Senate at present does represent a huge divide in Kentucky. Rural Kentucky versus the Golden Triangle. I have always been pragmatic about politics and campaigns. I usually say what others won't. As I tell my friends who participate in the process- politics is about politicians. I've never believed politics or government to be a noble cause to make Kentucky, the Nation or the World a better place. You want to make the world a better place then go to church or join your favorite civic group.

Politics runs the engine of government. For those who are practitioners of the art of politics then their goal is to represent the beliefs and values of their constituency. Being successful and staying elected means getting your folks the pork and projects. Again if you seek truth and justice then go to church.

The Liberals entertain and deceive themselves by operating under the mask of honesty and social justice while at the same time vying for the same results as any politician-Projects, Pork and Patronage. They call it good government, I call it hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy-it abounds at every level and no politician or faction is immune to it. I just think West and Rural Kentucky is a little bit less hypocritical when it comes to our expectations.

Expectations-Well what are they? Our expectations for Liberal candidates is simply this- If we bother to help you get elected its not because you earned it, deserved it or are entitled to it. No, it comes with a price. We only meet you half way because we expect lots in return-Pork, Patronage and Projects. The price is far too high for us to openly support you very often and if there is nothing to gain by doing so then we are better off following our constituencies as opposed to pushing them in directions they don't care to go.

I know that I hurt the feelings of some of my Liberal friends who truly believe that we (Rural Kentucky) are on the verge of a "Great Awakening", shedding all our religious beliefs, values and prejudices in the name of a greater calling in politics and government. Ok, I can live with that but I ain't seeing it or feeling it. In fact just the opposite.

Gov. Beshear made it to the winner's circle because his opposition broke both his legs in the back stretch. (It's Derby time. I said people down here don't care, I did not say that I didn't like the Derby). You can hear the displeasure from the coffee shops to the Pulpits. They don't need Karl Rove or Rush to get stirred up. Believe it or not people down here occasionally read, listen and think for themselves.

Folks are not against progress. They are just not interested in paying for it. Folks are not against clean coal or being more environmentally friendly. They are not interested in paying for it. The economy is bad and people are interested in hearing about how politicians are going to lower the cost of utilities not mandating regulations for which the cost will be passed along to the consumer. Urban and Rural Kentucky share many of the same concerns but the difference is we are not for government leading the way or having our taxes or cost of living raised.

Regarding our little Senate Race that is heating up: I like Jack Conway personally. My State Representative John Tilley made me help him some in the General Election. I met him a couple of times, liked him and was impressed with him. He did not seem offended by me when he shook my hand and accepted my checks. I don't agree with many of his positions but I do wish we could have more candidates like Jack in Rural Kentucky who are intelligent, good looking and communicate well. Jack has all the tools but lacks any serious connection to Rural Kentucky. The Conway campaign has created some big problems for themselves in Rural Kentucky with most of his early endorsements coming from folks that don't play well down here. Right or wrong Jack will have to answer to a number of positions he has taken and having kin folk in Union County won't help him much in this race.

Dr. Dan lines up much better on the issues with Rural Kentucky. Abortion, Coal and Gay Marriage will always be issues in Rural Kentucky regardless of what I may think. People down here did not support Obama and they are not going to provide a vote to help sustain a Liberal Democrat Senate. As many have said and I agree, this race will come down to who can cut into the other's base more. Rumors are all over the place regarding this race. Kentucky Democrats are going to be bitterly divided either way after it is finished.

The KDP and this Administration I've been told in the last few days does get it.(Sorry I was wrong). There is no plan or willingness to empower Conservative Democrats or Rural Kentucky. We are to join the Liberals or become Republicans. No one is interested in dealing with us anymore. It's the DNC's way or the highway. I was surprised by this since we packed the Democrats in 2007 and all we heard was "what can we do for you?" and up to this point that's equalled nothing. I guess the line has been drawn in the sand. Hey, we are the ones that usually do that. Oh well, it is- what it is but just remember the difference is Urban Kentucky is more apt to support any Democrat nominee over the Republican whereas Rural Kentucky is more than willing to vote for a Republican as history has shown. Whether it's Conway or Dr. Dan, the Democrats better pray that Bunning stays in the race.

Both candidates have their work cut out for them. The candidate who can appeal to the middle will win this Primary but if anyone thinks they can hold hands with Washington, Obama and the DNC and get elected in November. Well, let's just put it this way. Don't come crying to us for help like in 2007, because we will be too busy sitting in the pews singing "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound."

The Rural Democrat Speaks

The Rural Democrat has a good article on the Senate race in Kentucky. I will try to direct you to their blog. I would ask for permission to run it on the Underground Rooster but I lost their email when my computer crashed a few months ago.

Rural Democrat: Some think the 2010 U.S. Senate Race is a fight for Kentucky values.

http://www.theruraldemocrat.typepad.com/

Friday, April 10, 2009

Dan Miller: Growing up with our Friend

It would have to be considered a feeble attempt to sum up a man's life in a few lines. Dan Miller anchored the news at WSMV-TV in Nashville during the majority of my life. For those of you not from around these parts we in a good part of Western and South Central Kentucky have been privy to and influenced by Nashville media since television news began. Before cable that's what you got and frankly people like Dan Miller did a great job of reporting the news. Our families sat down every night to supper with the icons of Nashville media. Dan Miller and Chris Clark at NEWS Channel 5 spent a lifetime of bringing home the news to us.



WSMV-TV, WSM-Radio and the Grand Ole Opry, that's what I grew up with. My family had a certain loyalty to WSM. My great uncle had worked in management for National Life Insurance which at one time owned WSM. I believe WSM stood for their motto of "We Shield Millions". My father who was a photographer worked occasionally for WSM as a "runner". When big news hit the local area, then they would call for my father and another runner who would be the voice. They would go out to the scene of a bad accident or bank robbery and cover the story. The footage would be put on the Greyhound bus and within an hour or so it would be in Nashville. Some times my father would have to go out alone to shoot the footage and they would call the house to record the voice part. That was pretty exciting stuff to hear your father on the news.



I can remember sitting around waiting for that call, hoping it would be the famous Dan Miller on the other end. We would always gesture to my Father and quietly yell, is it Dan? is it Dan?



I believe it was the early to mid 70's when a bank in Todd County was robbed and we got to go. After returning home and going through our routine of waiting for the call it finally happened. Dan Miller had made the call himself. I don't recall the finer points but I do remember us bugging the hell out of my Dad while he spoke. We wanted to say hello to Dan Miller. Finally at the end of the interview our father succumbed to our pestering and asked Dan if it would be ok for us to say hello to him.



We got say hello that day to Dan Miller and for us kids he was now even bigger than he was before. Now he was our buddy, our friend. We could say we knew Dan Miller. We could tell our friends that we had spoken to Dan Miller.



Dan Miller took the time to make some kids really happy all those many years ago and that's what I'll remember.



Dan Miller (1941-2009)

Tornado Hits Christian County

Politics aside for a few minutes. A tornado is reported to have touch down in North Christian County in the Mannington Community which is on Hwy 41 near the Hopkins County-Christian County line. The Kentucky New Era reported that hail the size of a baseball had been experienced by some. We city folks managed to miss most of it in Hopkinsville.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Jack Conway Entering Race for Senate

It appears there will be a Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate Seat now being held by Jim Bunning. A couple polls have been released in the past few days to indicate Bunning is very weak.

Dr. Dan has raised a record amount of money through the first quarter and has been running hard in Western Kentucky. I will bring some thoughts later today after I have gone through the cross tabs but at first glance there is a lot of undecided and who knows how polarized things will be by August.

A Primary means lots of ammunition for the Republicans in the Fall especially if Trey Grayson ends up the Republican nominee.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Gov. Ned Breathitt Day Banquet

The Eighteenth Annual Ned Breathitt Dinner has been slated for May 8th. The Annual Dinner sponsored by the Christian County Democratic Executive Committee will be held this year at the Watts Senior Citizens Center on West 7th Street (old US 68W). Imformati0n provided below:

Ned Breathitt Dinner
Friday May 8th, 6pm
Watts Senior Citizen Center
1402 West 7th Street
Hopkinsville, KY
$20.00 per person

For more information contact:

Lindsey Adams- Party Chair
jlalaw@usit.net

Friday, April 3, 2009

Chandler & Yarmuth Betray Kentucky Farmers

This is almost a repeat of the nightmare scenario Rural Kentucky faced during Clinton's first term as President. Congressman Henry Waxman who represents Beverly Hills, Malibu and Hollywood in California's 30th district has finally gotten his way.

Waxman who failed in the early 90's in his bid to allow the FDA to regulate the tobacco industry has finally succeeded with the help of two Kentucky Congressman.

It was an "end move" then and now to regulate the tobacco industry and the tobacco farmers out of business. The FDA which has done more harm than good to American families will now have a green light to destroy the tobacco industry if passed by the Senate.

I have to say that I'm surprised by Ben Chandler's vote because he has now lost any opportunity to ever run successfully for Governor. I'm trying to think of the name of a certain book. I believe it was called Uncle Ben's Cabin. Yarmuth on the other hand is Liberal Louisville Congressman who will never be anything but a Liberal Louisville Congressman. He is smart enough to never give us the opportunity to vote against him.

It was actions like these that led to 108 Congressman losing their job in 1994. 108 congressional districts went to the polls and said no to people like Henry Waxman and the Clinton Agenda. Obama received no mandate and no vote from Rural Kentucky or America. Obama carried maybe 8 counties out of 120 in Kentucky.

The time has come for Rural Democrats to hold all candidates to a strict litmus test before voting for them. Rural Kentucky has done a good job with Federal elections but the time has come to start holding Democrat legislators and local officials accountable for the actions of the National Democrat Party. A free pass has been granted for too long. If local officials support legislation like this then they need to come out and say so instead of talking out both sides of their mouth.

Once again the opportunity for farmers and an industry important to us is diminished by the Liberal Democrats. Be sure to remember the likes of Chandler and Yarmuth and while your at it be sure to thank Congressman Ed Whitfield. You might even want to send him a contribution because the Democrats are not looking out for our interest in Washington.

Also the next time your picking up a few items at Southern States, Tractor Supply or the Rural King in Beverly Hills, California be sure to stop by Congressman Waxman's office and let him know you appreciate his interest in supporting the family farms of America.

NASCAR: Kentucky Money-Kentucky Workers


Stumbo Defends House Action In Defense of Kentucky Workers :




Press release issued Wednesday by the House Speaker Greg Stumbo




For those who think of fast cars instead of the beach when they hear the word “Daytona,” one item in particular stood out during the recent legislative session: A tax incentive package to help Kentucky Speedway at Sparta land a NASCAR race.



Given our deep fan base, Kentucky should have Sparta the way Tennessee has Bristol, Alabama has Talladega, and North Carolina has Charlotte. No other state has a deeper appreciation of horsepower than ours!



To make this dream possible, Governor Beshear and key members of the General Assembly put their support behind legislation that promised tax incentives to help pay for needed expansion at the track – but only if the track landed a prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Since the track’s new owner already oversees 11 of these races, one of which could easily be shifted here, that hurdle was expected to be as easy as a victory lap.



The proposal quickly drew unanimous support in the Kentucky House of Representatives. With every incentive dollar flowing from the race’s economic impact, which studies have shown can reach hundreds of millions of dollars annually, we had nothing to lose and everything to gain.



As fans of racing know, however, a yellow flag can come up without warning.



It happened this legislative session when the House and Senate found themselves on opposite sides of what should be a minor issue. The problem: Should Kentucky workers be hired to work on the track?



We in the House believe they should. Your tax dollars should only be used to help workers and families, not out-of-state corporations. The House proposal rewards Kentucky Speedway for every Kentuckian hired. If half of the jobs go to Kentucky workers, half of the tax incentive money goes to Kentucky Speedway. Simple, right?



Unfortunately, the House’s protection of Kentucky jobs was eliminated from the bill sent to us on the very last day for action. We decided to hold out for Kentucky workers, rather than cave in to last-minute pressure.



At the end of the day, I believe the legislature will agree that we need to put Kentucky workers first, and I want you to know the House is committed to nothing less. Despite these speed bumps, Kentucky is still on track to be home to a NASCAR Sprint Cup race. We will all cheer together when that checkered flag flies.

– 30 –

Stumbo and Leadership Got It Right

In the aftermath of the "Short Session" of the Kentucky General Assembly much criticism came from the Liberal sector admonishing the House for not changing the rules to consider some last minute legislation. Talk about hypocrisy-where do I begin.

If you recall it was only a few months ago that Rep. Jody Richards was voted out of the Speakers Chair because some did not like the old House Rules and the old ways of conducting business. Younger Legislators felt they were not involved and were not kept informed by the Speaker's Office. Everyone had an opinion and wanted the opportunity to express it. Remember that.

Well, Rep. Stumbo was smart enough to read the tea leaves and propelled himself into the Speakers Chair. Speaker Stumbo lived up to his commitments and along with House Leadership gave the Members what they wanted. Now the reality is to be careful what you ask for. When everyone has a chance to offer up their opinions and as they say "be part of the process", then not too much is going to be accomplished. There is a reason why the old rules were in place-they worked and it allowed loop holes for the House to push through legislation at the last minute.

Passing legislation is a hard enough process to begin with. Newer members of the House were allowed much more involvement by the Leadership in this Session and while some lauded this change there is another side to this coin. There is only a certain amount of time to vote out good legislation. Adhering to a process that allows for extended debate outside the Committee system and Leadership will only continue to slow the pace of legislation making its way to the House floor.

If you factor in a Republican controlled Senate then this again reduces the time frame for passing legislation. Regardless of what the House or the Governor would like to pass out, it is an act of futility to bother moving legislation to the House floor unless there is an iron clad agreement from the Senate to pass it or vice versa.

The old way of doing business was established over time through trial and error to best serve the process not to deal with the egos and naivete of younger members. They used to say that for a new member they did not even turn on their microphone during the first term. Why, because it was important to listen, watch and learn. Regardless of rules, people and politics does not change. Trying to convince a majority of a 100 members to pass something is complicated.

Greg Stumbo and House Leadership has given a majority of members what they wanted. But again be careful what you ask for because you can't have it both ways. I find that this is the norm with Liberrrrals. When somebody else does it then it's called "Good ole boy politics" and "business as usual". When they do it then it's called "ethics", "process", and "good government".

In future sessions the "Do-Gooders" might consider why they elect House Leadership and that is to sift and stream line legislation so more bills can make it to the floor for a vote. Reaching their goal will mean not having a say or their finger print on every piece of legislation that lands in the Hopper.

I have no problem with supporting the pleasure of the majority of House Members but you can't have it both ways. Speaker Stumbo and Leadership are to be commended for standing their ground. It's the Speaker's job to adhere to the majority of his caucus and protect his members from bad votes and legislation.

It's not the Speaker's responsibility to carry the Governor's or the KDP's water. The General Assembly is an independent branch of Government for which it's leadership is answerable to it's members and the members to their constituency.

Anyway, I have always thought that the great successes of the Kentucky General Assembly came from the legislation they chose not to consider not the legislation they passed. Consider - K.E.R.A, the worst piece of legislation in modern history. As Jim Bruce once replied as to why he voted against it, Bruce said "because I'm the only son of bitch that bothered to read the bill."

If we are to continue with this new theme of "process" and "transparency" then the folks of Kentucky need to be prepared for endless Special Sessions or consider paying Legislators to work full time.

For all the newer legislators who demand process then I have one suggestion for Speaker Stumbo. Take a page out of Bear Bryant's book and and host a legislative training session in Juction, Texas. It's not Boston or New Orleans but it should provide an opportunity to see who can really cut it Frankfort.

Harold Knight to Co-Chair Mongiardo Campaign

I received a number of responses from my post on the Senate race which vented and reemphasized the nature of Western Kentucky. First let me say I appreciated my old buddy Jeff Noble who posted my thoughts on his Louisville Website. As Jeff mentioned we don't agree on a number of issues but we always seem to find common ground and move forward on what we do agree on.

I spoke with a number of key Mongiardo supporters who agreed with a number of my comments but also wanted to set me straight regarding Mongiardo's commitment to Western Kentucky. One source shared with me for which I was glad to hear, that Harold Knight, one half of the legendary Knight & Hale Duck and Game Calls, will be serving as State Co-Chair of the Monjiardo Campaign. Harold is known to sportsmen around the Nation. A native of Trigg County, Harold Knight was key to organizing hunters and Sportspeople(let's be politically correct here) around Kentucky for the Beshear/Mongiardo Ticket in 2007.

This is a pretty good lick for the Mongiardo Team in Rural Kentucky. I was also told that while many questioned the manner of Governor Beshears support they were glad to have it regardless of what it might provide or not provide. It would probably mean more in the Urban areas then the Rural areas anyway. The 2007 General Election showed that Governor Beshear was packed by the rest of the ticket in Western Kentucky. It sounded to me like the Mongiardo folks never expected much from Beshear and did not plan on much help from him anyway. I've yet to hear from any Conway folks so I can't add anything here on a possibly run by them.