Big Bird Lives
It turns out the president “did build that.” He was able to build a consensus that saved Big Bird. He built the firewall that held back the money-burning, fossil fuel super-PACs. The Koch brothers, the Karl Roves and the Dick Armeys were reminded that the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision does not necessarily dictate who wins. They spent millions trying to convince the American people that President Obama was an anti-American, job-killing Muslim who would take their guns, Bibles and gas-guzzling
NASCARs and let Sharia law sort it out. The president also built and maintained a civil dialogue that muted the loud, bombastic right-wing talking heads whose facts were always suspect and usually made up. Wash away the mud and the truth shines through, unless you live in Kentucky.
Our congressional delegation led by Mitch “Coalman” McConnell has sold their souls to coal, an industry that cares nothing for our health, environment or our response to changes in this planet’s future sustainability. We really do deserve better, but it is hard to focus on real issues when we have to vote on state constitutional amendments to protect hunting and fishing rights. We’re No. 1!
If only Big Bird played basketball. The coal barons might build him a lodge and elect him for agriculture commissioner. But alas, our yellow-feathered friend plays no ball. Run, Big Bird, run! It’s almost Thanksgiving, and we have our constitutional amendment.
Joseph Wohlleb, Highlands
Mitch’s Terms
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his congressional Republican comrades did everything in their power to make Obama a one-term president. It is good for America they failed. It is also good McConnell failed to become Senate majority leader.
Obstructionist McConnell devotes little effort and time to working for the common good. He has to be one of the Senate’s all-time most partisan politicians. Plutocrat McConnell represents rich special interests and shows little, if any, compassion for the middle class and poor.
At a time when money in politics is a serious problem, McConnell makes the problem worse by supporting the Supreme Court’s “money is speech” and “corporations are people” rulings. Throughout the next two years, it will be interesting to see how he responds to an Obama second term. Will he lead or continue to obstruct?
I attended the Fancy Farm picnic this August and was impressed by the brief speech delivered by Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. I like her energy and youthful enthusiasm. By 2014, it will be time to replace our tired, worn-out, out-of-ideas five-term senator with someone who has the progressive ideas to move Kentucky and America forward. Grimes might be the one to give McConnell a run for his money.
Paul L. Whiteley Sr., St. Matthews
To the Moon
(In response to Mark D. Milby’s Oct. 3 Inbox letter): Dear Mr. Milby,
You wish to believe that the Bible is always correct and no amount of evidence to the contrary will dissuade you. You are entitled to this privilege. To your credit, you don’t even try to explain how Jesus was born during the reign of an already dead king, as mentioned by another writer. I guess the ways of the Almighty really are mysterious.
Yet it is disingenuous to try to redefine the scientific meaning of the word “theory” so that it has no real meaning at all. And it is also wrong to say that scientific methods and religious methods don’t differ and that science and religion are just among some of the “infinite ways” to truth. Science sets a standard as to what can be considered valid. It has specific ways for determining and checking on the truth that are different from anything in religion. Indeed, religious “truth” is not valid scientific truth because it is not provable. That needn’t prevent scientists from being religious.
Evolution has happened in our lifetimes. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Cockroaches have become impervious to some poisons. The Bible has no explanation for the fact that life has changed over time. The Bible also has no rational explanation for why we can’t jump to the moon, though presumably, Mr. Milby, you do not deny the theory of gravity.
Rich Mills, Shawnee
