2008-09-17

Judge blocks early releases



FRANKFORT A southern Kentucky judge this week blocked the state’s plan to release some inmates and parolees early from being applied in three counties. Pulaski County Circuit Judge David A. Tapp’s temporary injunction applies only to inmates who were convicted in his threecounty jurisdiction of Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. His order remains in effect until a legal challenge to […]

Cartoon



Economy changes stakes of election nearly overnight



WASHINGTON In democracies, all political factions run against an elite. Since the New Deal, Democrats have cast themselves against the financial and business elite. Since the 1960s, Republicans have thrashed the cultural and intellectual elite. Over the weekend, the moneyed class became much more vulnerable. The foolishness of our financial geniuses now threatens to bring economic sorrow to Main Street. […]

The ‘First Dude’



First Dude. That’s what they call him in Alaska. It’s OK. Todd’s Ok. Whatever. He smiles at Greta Van Susteren. Not a touch of noblesse. More like plan old politesse. I always laugh a little when I see people who are very much not ordinary Americans in any respect (pay, fame, education or overall wealth, for starters) try to speak […]

Bad times demand cutbacks



Who wants to talk about the 2008 election? It’s just another example of how successful the Big Lie can be. The intent is obvious: Churn up a cloud of lies and complaints, no matter how false and baseless, hoping that voters will simply yield to disgust or futility and vote for someone who is novel (i.e., Sarah Palin) or familiar […]

Economists take critical view of two health plans



WASHINGTON John McCain’s health plan won’t lower the ranks of the uninsured. Barack Obama’s fails to curb the soaring cost of health care, meaning initial gains in helping more people buy health insurance would eventually be undermined. That’s the assessment of health care economists who critiqued the plans of the two presidential candidates. The critiques, published in the journal Health […]

McCain didn’t put country first



To the Editor: When John McCain made Sarah Palin his choice of vice president, he was not putting “country first”; so, tear down the signs. He was not looking beyond November 4 and he has been joined by an herd of shortsighted supporters and former opponents. He and they had rather jeopardize the nation than lose an election. John McCain […]

Sarah Palin is more of the same



To the Editor: Sarah Palin has sprung on the political scene like a fairy from the enchanted forest. Or has she? She certainly has a beautiful face, the former beauty queen, and a charming family in tow. The problem is when she opens her mouth. What comes out is akin to burning garbage: stinky words, and toxic ashes. It is […]

Cards, letters can make Grandpa’s day



He’s the quiet type. He reads his newspaper each day over his morning bowl of cereal and his one cup of coffee. He takes a walk mid-morning with his pet dog Oliver. He watches ESPN and quietly pulls for the New York Yankees to play up to their payroll. Unless you know him, or catch the sparkle in his eyes […]

Car Talk

Did cable get crossed on jump start?

Dear Tom and Ray: Can you use a hybrid vehicle to jump-start another car? Recently when my girlfriend was visiting me in Cleveland from D.C., her car wouldn’t start. The first thing I tried was jump-starting it from my hybrid. Before I knew it, there was smoke coming out of both cars! Naturally, I panicked and quickly disconnected the cables. […]