Conservative Musings

Republican Party Picnic

Last night's Jefferson County GOP picnic resembled a sort of minature Fancy Farm picnic.  Food, speeches, and campaign stickers galore.

Two of my favorites:

There were the standard representatives there for Mitch McConnell and Anne Northup.  Anne herself was one of the speakers, giving us all an insight into the directions she is wanting to head.  The second sticker above covers that topic real well.  She reminded us all of the oil-blocking representative we currently have representing us in John Yarmuth.

This picnic was a good move on the part of the local GOP.  Setting up local grassroots activists is always a good idea.  Sure, the $1,000-plus campaign fundraisers like McCain's recent visit are also good moves.  But getting the "common folk" involved may not gain the same dollars.  Just more important stuff.....votes.  A good way to shop for votes in a local setting.  Not where people can't vote for you, like say, oh, Berlin?

-Colonel Steve

Republican Party Picnic

Tomorrow night (Friday, July 25th), the Jefferson County Republican Party will be holding a picnic at Charlie Vettiner Park off of Billtown Road.  A perfect opportunity to rub elbows with those seeking your vote.

-Colonel Steve

Gas Price Memories

Anyone remember this story from July 3rd?  How the state is going to investigate the Louisville gas price differences?

When I read the story, I had a "fat chance" thought run thru my mind.  We're still awaiting answers.

Luckily for us, gas prices in the Louisville area have "miraculously" sunk to levels more like the national average, according to gasbuddy.com.

Somehow, I don't think it's this investigation that caused it.  I agree with Bill Brundridge at Elephants in the Bluegrass, who says it's President George Bush's rescinding the Executive Order banning offshore drilling that has lowered gas prices.  More news like this could see that line drop even further.

-Colonel Steve 

Safe and Clean Abortions?

I was always told that making abortion legal would move us away from unsanitary and unsafe back alley abortions.  Then why this?

In an emergency order, the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure has suspended the license of Lexington gynecologist Hamid Sheikh to practice medicine.

An investigator for the Attorney General's office reported that she found expired medications, unsanitary conditions, and missing or inoperable equipment in the office of Sheikh, who has performed abortions at his Lexington office since 1975.

One Medicaid investigator, a nurse, found ”medical care standards dramatically out of compliance“ in Sheikh's office, according to documents that accompanied the medical board's June 5 order.

And a Medicaid fraud agent told the board that seven patients reported ”highly negative experiences, commonly involving a lack of medication and being told by the licensee not to scream during the procedure.“

One patient told investigators that Sheikh ”took no history, vitals, nor did he verify her pregnancy,“ according to board documents.

”She was given a Valium for the pain ... . During the procedure the pain was unbearable and she fought them and kicked over a tray. After the procedure she was given a stained sheet to cover herself with.“

-Colonel Steve

Senate May Be Three Way Race

The Mitch McConnell - Bruce Lunsford race may get a new addition before the election.  Former actor Sonny Landham has started the process to be added to the ballot.

His acting in "Predator" or "48 Hours" isn't the issue that will haunt his election.  It's his early acting in porn that's going to contribute to his loss.  That coupled with being a political unknown up against the likes of Mitch McConnell.

My guess, with his resume, he'll steal votes from Bruce Lunsford.

Others commenting: Elephants in the Blue Grass and Blue Grass, Red State.

-Colonel Steve

Bruce Lunsford's Photo Op

Granted, a lot of the photo ops that politicians do are sometimes things they are not comfortable with or are things that they don't do every day.  One of Bruce Lunsford's stops in Richmond, Kentucky shows us something he doesn't do very often.

I respect the fact that Bruce is a self-made millionaire.  Kudos for being successful, as many should aspire to.  Sadly, tho, this stop shows he should've done a little research.  Maybe talk to his chauffeur before doing his photo op.

(HT: Chris Adkins)

-Colonel Steve

McConnell Attacked by Lunsford on Gas Prices

This past Friday, Bruce Lunsford attacked Senator Mitch McConnell on the current price of gasoline.  He basically is placing the whole problem at Mitch's feet.

Maybe Bruce needs to consider some facts:

1) Around the November general election time in 2006, regular gas in Louisville was less than $2.37 a gallon (see chart below).

2) Nancy Pelosi ran some promises in the run up to the 2006 general election that she would work towards lower gas prices, particularly if the democrats would be elected to the majority in November 2006.

3) Today, gasoline in the Louisville area is averaging ABOVE $4.00 a gallon (see chart below).

So, Bruce, who should really be challenged on fuel prices?  Someone in the minority?  Or someone who's leading the majority in power AND made promises, like Nancy Pelosi? 

-Colonel Steve

Louisville's Economic Success Stories

I always love to see stories like this one about Louisville Stoneware.  It's neat to see how entrepreneurs can work magic with one of Louisville's old and great companies that many folks would have given up for lost.

Another Louisville success story is Papa Johns.  In their international expansion, they've shown their ability to adapt and fit themselves into many different cultures around the world.  Good for them.  And their stockholders.

-Colonel Steve

Mitch McConnell's Interviews on Climate Bill

Mitch McConnell made the rounds last week on voicing his thoughts on the Climate Bill that was before the Senate.

Interview with Leland Conway, Friday June 6th.

CNBC's Kudlow and Company, Wednesday June 4th.

Interview with Hugh Hewitt, Wednesday June 4th.

Interview with Rush Limbaugh, Wednesday June 4th.

I really appreciate his thoughts on the bill.  His move to have it read aloud in the Senate was a great procedural move.  Definitely one of the key moves in sending it out of the Senate.

-Colonel Steve

Where Gas Prices Really Do Hurt

With all the talk of high gas prices in places like California, one would think that these would be the places hardest hit by the run up in fuel costs.  However, it's the rural areas that are being hit the worst.  That for several reasons:

• Little to no public transit.
• Distances to get to work are further.
• More use of trucks and bigger vehicles, with worse gas mileage.

Typically, Americans as a whole are spending 4 percent of their incomes on fuel (up from 1998 at 1.9 percent).  Compare that to some rural areas.

The survey showed that of the 13 counties where people spent 13 percent or more of their family income on gasoline, 5 were located in Mississippi, 4 were in Alabama, 3 were in Kentucky and 1 was in West Virginia. While people here in Holmes County (Mississippi) spent an average of 15.6 percent of their income on gasoline, people in Nassau County, N.Y., spent barely more than 2 percent, according to the survey.

Compare that also to the high cost Northeast, where most areas show being the least affected by the oil prices due to shorter distances to work.

I consider myself lucky, only having to travel 25 miles round trip to work.  That travel is in a vehicle that gets 25+ miles to the gallon.  This will be something to watch, since some of the areas affected the most are right here in Kentucky.

-Colonel Steve