The Rural Democrat

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Beshear Supports the Acknowledgment of GOD in KOHS Law

I believe in the verse "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" and I also believe in the separation of Church and State, it is too dangerous for the state to get involved in religion. But this time I think we should stand up for GOD and the Beshear administration is supporting the language in the KOHS law that acknowledges GOD. Now let the Sonka's and the Bluegrassroots agnostics go crazy.

I still think it is a bit dangerous, but our Kentucky Constitution acknowledges GOD and while our forefathers created the separation of Church and state they still saw fit to acknowledge GOD. The law doesn't say to acknowledge the Catholic Church or the Baptist Church, it acknowledges GOD.

UPDATED: Could Senate District 30 Say NO to Roger Noe?

UPDATE 12:10pm Nov 30: I have been burning up the phones and it seems the opinion is split if this will damage Noe's chances. We clearly have two camps and the pit is full at the moment. I will have a very important update tonight. And it appears Rep. Tim Couch (R) is likely to withdraw his name from the list. So it appears Rep.Brandon Smith (R) will be the likely GOP candidate.

Some factors to consider

• Predicted <10% voter turnout, more like 5%, about 3,500 voters. (+Noe)
• Voter hauling will be HUGE! (+Smith, money advantage)
• Likely 5 week election period (+Noe)
• Church controlled vote likely (Likely a Draw)
• Money advantage to the Republican as always (+Smith)
• Heavy Democratic regional registration (+Noe)
• Democratic Candidate will likely gain the support of Lieutenant Governor Elect Daniel Mongiardo (D) (+Noe)

So by virtue of unscientific reasoning, Noe has the overall advantage on the surface, BUT this information could very well hurt his chances. I will conduct an unscientific poll next week and will formulate a +/- opinion then. Cyberhillbilly points out a very important point in a comment made in this post. If Noe is perceived to be anti-coal, the coal interests in this region will pour the cash into the GOP candidate's pocket. But the coal interests do not have the political power they once had. Now have I changed my tune? No I have not but I will pledge my support to the Democratic candidate no matter who that candidate may be and as of today I still believe former state Rep. Roger Noe to be the most qualified for the job. I will take an active part in this election. Tune in tonight and hopefully I will have the final word if Noe's blog entries damage his chances of getting the nod to run.

New information is always bad news for potential political candidates because no one wants to hear about new GOOD information. There is no way to put a positive spin on this update about the possibility of former state Rep. Roger Noe (D) being tapped to represent the very conservative Senate District 30 as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming special election. Notice the key term "very conservative" because it is an ultra conservative senate district.

Jonathan Gay A.K.A Cyberhillbilly posted the new information about comments made by the potential Democratic candidate in regards to Governor Elect Steve Beshear (D)'s views on mountaintop removal.  Noe doesn't only seem to have a problem with MTR, he seems to have a problem with coal industry in general.

As a general disclaimer; I am here to provide political analysis, the following is not a rebuke or an endorsement of Noe's views.

His views on MTR is not the show stopper,the following are excerpts from his, not very well known, column on the blog called East Kentucky Freedom Press. Search "Noe"

The articles linked (here),(here) and (here) could very well kill his chances of receiving the consensus nod to represent the Democratic party in this special election. Like I stated above, it does not matter if I agree or disagree with Roger Noe, the fact that he will likely be crushed if and when this information hits the barbershop and early morning Hardees crowd is the real issue here. Harlan, Perry, Bell and Leslie that makes up Senate District 30 could likely be the most conservative Democratic Senate District in the Commonwealth and his views on issues like gay marriage, coal mining, flag burning, the Ten Commandments and religion is, in my political opinion, a certain death nail for him in this election.

To back up my last comment; I always depend on the opinions of a short list of mostly non-political friends and family in regards to the overall opinion of Harlan and Bell counties. Before this information came to light Noe garnered roughly 90% of their support. Once I read a couple of tidbits from the linked article 0% said they will support him. If anyone is dumb enough to think a Rep. Brandon Smith (R), if he is the GOP candidate, would ignore and not use this information is a jackass.

I think we MAY (did not mean to leave that out) need to go back to the drawing board and choose a different person to represent the blue party in this special election. Not because former state Rep. Roger Noe is a bad candidate, he is certainly qualified for the job. I have absolutely no faith that he COULD win, if the GOP candidate exposes this information, Noe could be done.

By the way certain Republicans in Harlan had this info and tried to tip me off a couple of weeks ago but I failed to recognize the significance of the intel.

Sunday Opinion: Mountain Democrats and Republicans

I have been waiting for the opportunity to push my views on the differences or similarities of altitude Democrats and Republicans. Mountain Republicans and Democrats are not Venus and Mars in regards to their political views. The similarities between the two political parties are centered socially but those who engage in National political discussions are usually cursing each-other within 2 to 3 minutes. The 5th for example has respect for veteran Congressman Hal Rogers but I seriously doubt they hold US Senator Mitch McConnell up to the same light. President Bush and Senator McConnell seem to be one and the same and many mountain folk see that similarity. 

I am confident that the majority of mountain Republicans stand on the side of right, they stand on the side of ending this war much like their Democratic counterparts. I believe Senator McConnell is definitely vulnerable in 08 in regards to the mountain vote.

I was asked a couple of questions from my Republican counterpart Johnathan Gay AKA Cyberhillbilly. The questions are a legitimate analysis into the heart of social Southeastern Kentucky and their perceived views going into the November 07 and 08 elections.

From the Cyberhillbilly

RuralDem:

I think folks in rural areas are getting turned off with the war. As much as I hate to see it, they've become convinced that this is just wasted bloodshed and that "those people have been fighting for thousands of years... we can't stop them."

As for whether Senator McConnell will pay a price for that, I doubt it. Someone who's a veteran might be able to speak w/ some legitimacy on this issue (like Horn), but I think in the end as long as Senator McConnell is known as supporting the generals and preventing the lib dems in DC from defunding the troops, he'll be OK. It's not as if he's the principle advocate for the war itself and I think people understand that.

As for coal, I've heard big coal is hedging in this gubernatorial election. Any sense on whether that's so? Will your buddy Miller take over the Environmental Cabinet and try to shut down all these dastardly strip mines? ;)

I agree with Cyberhillbilly, rural folks in Kentucky are turned off by the Iraq War. As for the religious and cultural reasons being the deciding factor behind our resentment? Maybe pockets of that sort of a belief, but mostly they are turned off because our young Sisters and Brothers coming home in body-bags or in wheelchairs. That is the reason I stand against this war. It is evil from start to finish and that is fact. We must stand behind our Troops and never waiver that support but I believe the war should end.

McConnell has painted himself into a corner on the Iraq War issue(s). He is perceived as "attached at the hip" to President Bush and the people in the mountains are certainly anticipating the end to Bush's reign in America. So I believe "if a competent opponent rises from the political ashes" McConnell will pay the price in November 08 and Col. Horn could be that competent opponent.

As for the coal questions; I have faith in Treasurer Jonathan Miller and I believe him to be a part of our overall political future in the Commonwealth. I get tense just like everyone else when language is used suggesting coal is being targeted for a political butt whipping. It is our ONLY life line in Southeastern Kentucky . I remember Miller's issue with coal to be a legitimate issue BUT are we talking about mountain top removal or strip mining?

I agree with Chairman Miller and stand behind any legislation that would curtail the future practice of mountain top removal in Kentucky. I for one will not stand behind the elimination of strip mining. Strip mining, while certainly not environmentally friendly, certainly has made the industry safer. If the current laws were enforced, we would not have half of the environmental problems in regards to strip mining OR contour mining. We need to enforce the current laws.

I think Kentucky needs a dose of coal education.

www.coaleducation.org

I think the technical details are necessary in this type of discussion. There is a BIG difference between MTR and strip/contour mining. For example West Virginia's geology is far more MTR friendly than Kentucky's geology. While the practice is ongoing, Kentucky has far less available seams for MTR coal extraction. I do not like MTR techniques, in-fact I can say with confidence that I hate the practice. I will not damn the benefits of creating new flat land for other industry but it should be heavily moderated.

   

   

Reverend Fletcher is a pick and choose preacher

Columnist David Hawpe drafted a wonder column on the blatant hypocrisy of the good reverend Governor Ernie Fletcher. The title does the story a great justice as the man who claims to be a ordained minister and also occasionally serves as Governor, Ernie Fletcher, displays a hypocritical style.

I will be blunt, all of this socially conservative propaganda that says domestic benefits is a detour around the Gay marriage amendment banning Gay marriage, is both ridiculous and could be interpreted as hate speech. I was unfortunate to encounter a copy of the 2007 General Assembly edition of the Kentucky Citizen a few months back. The headline says it all, "UK & U of L defy Marriage Amendment". The publication is filled with hate speech and homophobic fantasy. Have we advanced at all over the past 30 years? How can any community especially a community calling themselves Christian tolerate the outright hate and intolerance against the Gay community? Gay marriage aside, I can guarantee Jesus would not stop ANYONE from going to the doctor. The shit these wing-nuts are selling is poison and for one I will NOT allow my children to be exposed to this disease. The disease is HATE. How can anyone call themselves a person of GOD and hate so deeply? I have the answer, THEY CAN'T!

The fight against Domestic Partner Benefits will set U of L and UK back 20 years on the social scale. If this is such a wedge issue or a tax issue, why can't WE vote on it. I would guarantee the People would pass this in a heart beat IF the language was clear and not tainted with hate speech.

From the Louisville Courier Journal

Remember this about Gov. Ernie Fletcher's costly, nonessential special legislative session: He called it for one overarching reason: to put the issue of partner benefits for gay members of public university households on the political agenda.

He wants voters -- particularly rural, fundamentalist voters -- to be thinking about that, and not about his criminal conspiracy to politicize the state merit system.

He wants voters focused on his effort to punish homosexuality, by denying such benefits -- not on his failure to come up with ideas for higher education funding and reorganization, early childhood education and care, control of mountaintop removal and deep mine dust levels, or removal of the financial straitjacket that's strangling Kentucky's cities.

He wants voters to forget his broken promises and calculated deceit, and just remember that he stuck it to the gays and the lesbians. He hopes those voters will ignore the fact that, in the process, he hurt the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

Meanwhile, most American communities and most religious traditions have begun to come to terms with the diversity of human sexual orientation. While many do not approve of "the gay lifestyle," most thoughtful people and groups opt for inclusion, not ostracism.

Fletcher flip-flopped on the partner benefit issue. Before he got into so much political trouble, he said that members of university boards should make decisions about such things. He appointed them to do just that, then subverted their decisions to suit his political purpose.

Governor Fletcher; This could be the big one.

After speaking with a couple of elected officials today I am surprised to find a buzz floating around about the possibility of Governor Ernie Fletcher being handed his own ass. It is certainly a possibility.

Today Governor Ernie Fletcher officially made the call to convene a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly 4 p.m. Thursday. It could also be an opportunity for interested parties to dive head first into the new information provided by former Transportation Department official Sam Beverage. If the Judiciary Committee chooses to, they could hold hearings and ask some scared people some tough questions. It is all up to the leadership and the leadership "House Speaker Jody Richards" is toying with the idea. This could be lights out for Governor Fletcher!

The big one would be an indictment and or an impeachment. The result of either scenario would be devastating to all Republican candidates in the general election.

With Governor Ernie Fletcher and the State GOP opening the door to social criticism being the norm in this general election, he may have to answer "or dodge some" tough questions. All I have to say is Governor Ernie Fletcher may not want to throw stones.

The socialization of the general election is an attempt from the State GOP to control the Christian vote. If they continue down this path they will ultimately destroy one of their own. Again Murphy and politics require it.

The array of university projects line item could be a wolf in sheep's clothing. This could the State GOP's attempt to criminalize domestic partner benefits at our states universities. Hate will always find a crack to slip into.

From Pol Watchers

Ryan Alessi, Jack Brammer and Megan Boehnke

Gov. Ernie Fletcher is bringing lawmakers back to Frankfort on 4 p.m. Thursday to consider special incentives for alternative fuel plants as well as a proposal to ban state agencies and universities from offering domestic partnership benefits.

Fletcher issued an executive order at 5:45 p.m. today with 67 items for lawmakers to consider.

....

Other highlights of the five-page order issued include:

• funding for an array of university projects
• construction of an outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park
• relocation of the short runway at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington
• a new warehouse at Bluegrass Station in Lexington
• exempting active duty soldiers from paying Kentucky income tax
• various other funding projects

....

Pol Watchers

Ryan Alessi

The House could convene hearings during the special session and compel administration officials to testify about allegations that the transportation cabinet politically rigged its bidding process, Speaker Jody Richards said today.

"I think that's an option, frankly," Richards said. "Since the governor has been talking about the special session, that option has become more viable because of Sam Beverage's allegations."