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“[State controlled] education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” – Joseph Stalin

"[I]f you serve a child a rotten hamburger in America, federal, state, and local agencies will investigate you, summon you, close you down, whatever.  But if you provide a child with a rotten education, nothing happens, except that you're liable to be given more money to do it with."

--Ronald Reagan

“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924)

 

"It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution."

--Thomas Jefferson

Give choice a chance       By Jim Waters

The Bluegrass Institute is very concerned that Kentuckians do not have a complete and accurate picture of our state’s public education system.

This was apparent in a letter the institute received recently from Cindy Heine, associate executive director of the Prichard Committee. In her letter, Heine questions the validity and information contained in “Ten great reasons why Kentucky children deserve school choice,” recently published by the Bluegrass Institute.

An old college professor ~     (from a readere)

An old college professor was teaching Philosophy in a modern college and posed the following question to his class.  "Is it right for the Government to take from 'those who have', and give to 'those who have not'?" 

“I just want the money…”        By D. Eric Schansberg

It is easy to see why taxes on gambling are so attractive to politicians. First, they are a relatively subtle form of raising revenue. The state sells exclusive regional rights to casinos who are interested in purchasing monopoly power in exchange for an extra tax burden. Then, to some extent, casinos pass the burden to their customers through lower payoffs. Second, gambling taxes please those in interest groups who would like to impose "sin taxes" on certain activities. Third, it's a relatively voluntary way to raise revenues—in comparison to most other taxes. The primary danger is long-term. State and local government officials are prone to grow dependent on this revenue source. And they are unlikely to account for increasing competition cutting into their future revenues as more and more gambling outlets become available.

Celebration or consternation?  The Kentucky Budget       By: Jim Waters

Kentucky’s political leaders are close to throwing their shoulders out of joint while vigorously patting themselves on the back … for passing a budget.

Yet this remains the primary task required of legislators by the Kentucky Constitution. After more than a year of political wrangling combined with abandoning sound fiscal principles, should passing a budget be cause for celebration? Hardly.

Privatize new state park        By Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

(Bowling Green, Kentucky) – Kentucky’s parks department has announced plans to consider opening a new state park at Herrington Lake. 

An economic analysis by the University of Kentucky estimates that the park will generate an annual operating deficit of $300,000. The purchase of land and construction of a lodge and campsites would cost an additional $15.2 million.

You Have To Know Which Team To Root For       by Mike Kole 

The beauty of being a sports fan is that it is always easy to root for your team. Whether you pull for Purdue, IU or Notre Dame, for the Pacers, the Colts or the Komets, you'll root for the team wearing the right colors, no matter what players are wearing them.

Are we up to 200 Yet?            By Jeff “Mario” Smith, Guerilla Reporter    

It is April Fools Day, and the Heraldo-Liberal has, expectedly, once again printed an editorial that is just plain militant against the Kentucky American Water Company. The ranting from the leftists in charge at Main and Midland Avenues never ceases; nor does it make much sense. However, what a perfect day for the H-L to print yet another article designed to misinform the general public, or “fool” people.

Bernie Kunkel's notes from the 9th Annual Grant County Kentucky Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner on April 2, 2005

Adam Howard from Senator Mitch McConnell's office reads McConnell's letter.  55 Republicans in US Senate - "Fighting War on Terror is at top of agenda" - "We have much to be happy about" per McConnell's letter.

Pam Mann  speaks: "studied history & political science in college" she says. Brags on Budget and Tax Reform from this Session in Frankfort. Says Northern Kentucky fares well with Republican Leadership in Frankfort - Big money for NKU, Gateway, etc. 

MEXICO:  RIDING ROUGHSHOD OVER 

AMERICA'S COURTS

Mountain States Legal Foundation

On March 28, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Medellin v. 

Dretke, where the "questions presented" boil down to whether 

international law provides foreign citizens greater access 

to U.S. courts than that granted U.S. citizens under the 

Constitution.  New York City lawyer Donald Francis Donovan 

argued for Jose Ernesto Medellin, a Mexican citizen; Texas' 

Solicitor General, R. Ted Cruz, appeared for Doug Dretke of 

Texas' Department of Criminal Justice; and U.S. Solicitor 

General, Paul D. Clement, represented his client.  Amidst 

the Court Chamber's marble columns, the argument proceeded 

in gracious and genteel tones.  It was a far cry from what 

brought these nattily attired lawyers before the nation's 

nine robed Justices.  

The Non-Moralizing Jerk Section.           By Justin Darr

After years of constant personal attacks, being unceremoniously herded out into the hostile elements, and sneered and glared upon on an almost constant basis, I have quit smoking.  Yes, stand up and applaud all you non-smokers out there!  You have finally nagged, annoyed, and taxed me out of one of the few small pleasures life has to offer.

H.R. 235 vs. Tax Reform          By Richard Lewis

On Sunday April 3, 2005 the nationwide Coral Ridge Hour devoted half of its broadcast airtime to "Free Speech For Pastors".

The broadcast  explained the political impact American ministers have had on our nation, promoted a book titled "Gag Order" and encouraged viewers to ask congress to pass  H.R. 235 "The Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act of 2005". 

LEFTington’s Heraldo-Misleader Lives up to its Name Again        by Mario, Guerilla Reporter

The editors of the Heraldo-Liberal, a group that has printed over 100 pro-condemnation editorials in support of misusing eminent domain proceedings to condemn a well-run and privately-owned company, are at it again. This time they are attacking Councilman Bill Farmer, Jr. for doing his job, that’s right, doing his job.

TERRY’S TIDBITS       By Terry Gray

A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money.   ............G. Gordon Liddy

 GAS BITE

          Most of our gas tax money is earmarked for road construction and repairs.  Do we need road construction and repairs when it is becoming too expensive to drive?  I say we need to leave the roads alone and make sure people can get to work and goods can get to stores.  Our service people are burning more money with service runs and will eventually have to charge more.

An Epitaph For Terri          By  Thomas J. Crane 

Dear Terri,

I want you to know that as I write this epitaph to you, I do so with sadness of thought and sorrow in my heart.  Rather than face any congregation, I hope that some small part of the world will have the opportunity to read my thoughts as well as my words.  If I did not write these words, I would feel that there is a vacancy in my heart as well as my soul. 

I'm a Heartless Bastard       By Jonathan David Morris

Steven M. Warshawsky says I’m young, ignorant, immature, and breezy. This, in an essay called “On Terri Schiavo: A Response to Jonathan David Morris," published in response to my own “On Terri Schiavo," at intellectualconservative.com.

The problem with this response to my article is that it isn’t really a response to my article. True, I am young, ignorant, immature, and breezy. But Mr. Warshawsky basically says I would’ve removed Ms. Schiavo’s feeding tube as a matter of mere convenience. I never took this position. In fact, the only position I took was that I took no position—period. Somehow, he sees this lack of moral clarity as a kind of moral clarity all its own. “I fear [the column] reflects the real views of those who believe, as Mr. Morris apparently does, that ‘the only humane thing to do is to let her pass on,’” he says. Um, no. I meant what I said when I said I wouldn’t pick sides. What do you think that was—a confidence trick?

Terri Schiavo & Death Penalty        By Norm Davis

Now that Terri has been given the death penalty by the Florida courts as well as the court of the federalies supporting the state courts decision, I have a few questions for anyone that can answer them.

Since the courts and the medical testimony in them have decided that deprivation of food and water is humane and painless, then it seems to me that this lady has given us the answer to the long time problem of "cruel and unusual punishment."

Terri Schiavo - A Perspective       By Thomas Crane

I have come to the conclusion that Terri Schiavo's plight has come about due to the fact that America has become overly obsessed with litigation.  That, in addition to the fact that her case has developed into something of a "turf" war.  In other words, certain "Powers That Be" become very offended when someone else attempts to encroach upon their territory.  I am referring to the ruling powers or authorities in our Nation.

The Devil's Disciple

How proud I am this very day.

You stood your ground and did not sway.

Stories will be told how brave you were.

For shouts nor curses, you did not deter.

Why are so many people anxious to kill Terri Schiavo?       By Tom Crane

Why are so many people anxious to kill Terri Schiavo?  Her parents are willing to take over her care, but her husband is exercising his "property" rights while he is living with another woman and has two children by her.  Of course it has been reported that Michael Schiavo has said that, "Terri would not want a divorce." 

Terri was not on any other type of life support other than being fed through a tube.  Every one of her organs was functional.  Hunger and thirst were the two weapons that were used to bring her down.  Starvation and cremation were the weapons that were used by the Nazis against 6 million Jews.

"If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every State, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision of the poor; they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post-roads; in short, every thing, from the highest object of state legislation down to the most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of Congress. ... Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited Government established by the people of America."

--James Madison

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