Soul of Council
Abraham Heschel said, “Wherever you are, be the soul of that place.” Attica Scott has consistently been the soul of the Metro Council and of the 1st District she has served. Her work on so many important issues will be valued and her witness heard clearly long after she steps away from her duties on the Metro Council. Her soul will shine strong wherever she engages, she will continue to inspire, and Louisville and the Metro Council have much to be grateful for.
David Horvath, Highlands
Not Shutting Up
Regarding Paul L. Whiteley’s Inbox letter in the May 14 LEO:
I get it. We’re supposed to shut up.
The problem isn’t that Charles Koch and David Koch are rich, or that they support causes they believe in, because George Soros and Tom Steyer are rich and do the same thing, and you don’t say a word against them. The problem is that Charles and David Koch disagree with progressives. And for that reason, they, and all of us who disagree with progressivism, should just shut up.
When people like Charles and David Koch buy advertising to oppose progressive policies, or give money to think tanks that oppose progressive policies, it is evidence of the corrupting influence of money. Because the only non-corrupt political philosophy, the only political philosophy that is good for regular folks, is progressivism, and supporting any other ideas is therefore corrupt and evil.
How easily progressives attribute the basest motives to those who oppose them. How easily progressives call the Kochs and Republicans wicked and self-serving. How easily progressives have convinced themselves that they have a right to muzzle their opposition and tell them to shut up.
Is not plurality of viewpoints essential to democracy?
The difference between you and I, Mr. Whitely, is this: While I believe progressivism is an evil philosophy and often self-serving, I will never tell progressives to shut up. I will always support their right to buy ads, show movies, publish books and do all forms of speaking, even those that cost money.
Rich Mills, Shawnee
Police Nab Napper
Last weekend, I was in Anchorage dropping my 13-year-old daughter off at her friend’s house. I had just taken some allergy medicine and became really sleepy. So I pulled over in Anchorage in a quiet parking lot and took a little nap at about 6:30 p.m.
Next thing I knew, it was 7 p.m. and an Anchorage police officer was knocking on my car window. Then I saw a portly man wearing a Papa John’s shirt behind him. They had blocked my car with their cars. It looked like they had caught America’s most wanted. I knew I was busted, but wait — what did I do? I was just waking up.
He asked what I was doing. I said I dropped by daughter off at her friend’s house, took an allergy pill and needed a short nap. He said, “Uhhhh huh, and your license plate says California.” I told him it was a rental from Hertz. We are in town visiting friends. Meanwhile, the tall portly fellow wearing the Papa John shirt is standing behind the car with his hand behind his back in a macho pose. I don’t know if he is sporting a weapon or a bread stick.
I offer up my driver’s license. He called dispatch and finally said I am free to go, that my story checked out. Whew, that was a close call! He called dispatch, and dispatch must have said something like: “Oh yes, he is a known public napper. He has allergies and his daughter is visiting a friend.” Really? My story checked out? Great!
This event has my head spinning with questions. Is it illegal for suspected Californians to take naps in Anchorage? Is the Papa John private security force teaming up with Anchorage police to protect the community from nappers? Are pizza boys growing up to be undercover police and running amuck in Anchorage?
Brian Coker, former Anchorage resident, now living in Chicago
