It appears that the Library Yes! crowd broke a few election laws trying to ram this abhorrent tax down our throats. They handed out literature and yard signs that do not have the proper identification. While I find it amusing that the Library Yes! crowd can't follow the law, I find it appalling that they want to push this tax down our throats. A tax that would TRIPLE the library's budget from here to eternity.

What pisses me off the most is that Greater Louisville Inc and other "business" leaders are pushing this abomination.

Joe Reagan, president of Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce, expressed his agency's support, saying improving the local work force's education is the No. 1 need in attracting new business.

He noted that Louisville, per capita, spends only $24 a year on the library system, compared with $66 in Cincinnati, $46 in Lexington and $42 in both Indianapolis and Nashville.

Cylister Williams, a United Auto Workers retiree, said upgrading libraries is essential to educate our children and grandchildren.

I don't know where to even begin with this nonsense. First libraries are the least important reason I can think of that a business would move to this area. It rarely shows up on business questionnaires to the state and if it does, it is one of the last questions asked. I would love for someone to tell me any company anywhere that chose one location over another because they had a better library system.  This statement strains credulity.

Secondly, this tax will not put us in the same ball park as surrounding counties but push us well beyond. If this tax passes  our spending will be around $72 per person. That is 60 - 70% more than Lexington, Indianapolis, and Nashville spend on their library systems.

All for what? To promote the education of our children? The library is becoming an antiquated resource for learning. With the advent of the Internet the need for libraries has decreased and will continue to decrease as time goes on. Why the hell would we want to pump a bunch of money into a dying educational tool. This is like pumping a bunch of money into horse buggy industry while the automobile is flourishing.

This tax needs to be defeated! Since I don't live inside of Jefferson County, I don't even get to vote on the tax that will come directly from my paycheck.  That brings me to my last point.  Didn't we fight a war of independence with England because of taxation without representation? It appears that the imperialists in Jefferson County want to revive the
principle that our fore father's fought to abolish.

After watching the debate Monday on KET between Beshear and Fletcher 2 things really jumped out at me. First, Beshear is an empty suit. He had one good line in the debate, but he said nothing of any substance. Most of his plans sound like things that Fletcher has already done. The two most glaring were the "efficiency" study that would save millions and the "energy plan" which already passed in the special session. Most of the debate he talked about getting people together to talk about the issues. Really the only thing Beshear brings to the table that is new is a hope to put a casinos on every corner in Kentucky.

Second thing I noticed is that Fletcher not only seemed knowledgeable on the issues but well spoken. When he was talking about his successes over the last four years and what he wants to do in the next four years he gets a glint in his eyes and since of optimism in his voice that was noticeably missing from Beshear. If I was a member of team Fletcher, I would tap into that the last few weeks of the campaign.

The negative attacks on Beshear have worked to some extent. They have brought Beshear's positives down. But a campaign can not be only about the negative. I believe that is what killed Northup when she faced Yarmuth. She was all negative and brought nothing positive to the race. What Fletcher needs to do now is to stop the negative attacks and start talking about the past 4 years and the next 4 years. To tap into Fletcher's natural optimism, and give the voters a reason to vote for him.

It is time for Republicans to return to the Morning in America theme that Reagan championed. I think as negative as politics in Kentucky have been the last couple of years a "Dawn in Kentucky" theme might resonate loudly.

What is Beshear going to do in response? He has had nothing positive to say throughout his campaign. He is running the not Fletcher campaign. His only vision for the future is a land full of casinos. They have no positive ads to run. All they will do is continue to attack Fletcher. I think the stark contrast between optimism and negativism might give Fletcher the bump he needs to tighten this race and fire up his base.

I am glad to see that they are starting down this road with the following ad.

 This is by far and away the best advertisement any candidate has run this election season. I only hope the positive drumbeat will increase over the final weeks leading up to November 6th.

I got my copy of this month's Freedom 1st from the NRA and they have their ratings for the candidates in Kentucky's elections this year. They have given Ernie Fletcher, Trey Greyson, and Stan Lee A+ ratings on second amendment issues. Hopefully they can get elected to continue defending our second amendment rights!

07:57:56 PM Welcome! We will be live blogging the debate between Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher tonight as they face off in the first major televised debate. It will be interesting to see two things in this debate. 1st off, how well the candidates do in this televised head to head contest. Secondly, what type of questions will be asked. The primary questions were really lame. Hopefully these will be better.

08:00:46 PM Ok, we begin with opening statements

08:02:01 PM Fletcher starts by talking about how far in the dumps KY was under Democrats and he is talking about how he started turning the state around. He says the election is about moving forward or returning back to the days of bottom 10

08:03:18 PM Beshear is playing the the ethics card.. and then talks about paralyzing the state by partisan bickering.. (hmm didn't STumbo start that).. he finishes talking about Democratic or Republican solution doesn't matter.. yea right!

08:03:48 PM 1st question - Is his opponent dishonest, liar, crook

08:05:45 PM Fletcher: We made some mistakes, but nothing illegal. He calls Beshear in Kentucky's Enron. He says it is hypocritcal for Beshear since he had ethics violations and while he was AG, he said that merit violations should be handled by the personell board.

08:07:35 PM Beshear: Fletcher will be turned out because the scandals. He pardons and take's the 5th... then says it is witch hunt. (Beshear just talked in 3rd person - LAME) Special prosecutor cleared him in the enron (Kentucky Centeral) case.

08:08:12 PM Follow Up: Fletcher signed statement saying it was appropriate, but then it is a witch hunt. Is that a conflict?

08:09:46 PM Fletcher: Yes it was inappropriate, but it was not criminal without malice and intent. (Ug he is parsing the document, but is making good points) He is correcting a practice that was started by Beshear... he is rudely interrupted?

08:10:29 PM Folowup: He is asking what Steve Beshear what he would do again

08:11:16 PM Beshear is saying that he did nothing wrong even given the softball question

08:11:40 PM Back the questioner, who rather rudely interrupted Fletcher.. what the hell was that?

08:13:15 PM Fletcher rebuttal: He is laying out what the report and the fact that it was swept under the rug before he ran for US Senate. Fletcher says that his campaign is based on a case that was cleared of any wrong doing

08:13:46 PM Beshear: Fletcher is the only one up here who hired a defense attorney (good line)

08:15:15 PM Beshear is now lying saying he was part of the conspiracy to break the law. That is not the truth. He did take the 5th in front of the grand jury. Now he is saying most Kentuckians have never been indicted and taken the 5th like Ernie has.

08:15:40 PM Next Question: Same sex benefits?

08:16:41 PM Beshear: We have asked the universities to be top universities. They should use any hiring practice they want

08:17:53 PM Fletcher: People across KY who can't afford health insurance, but Beshear wants people to pay for gay couples health insurance

08:20:49 PM Followup: Is this program unconstitutional?

08:22:54 PM Beshear: No it is constitutional. He voted for the constitutional amendment a couple of years ago. (I don't remember which way that was.. I need to look that up)

08:23:24 PM Folloup: Appointed board members.. did you tell the to vote a certain away

08:23:54 PM Fletcher: no I did not, I hadn't appointed a majority at that point

08:25:59 PM (I like Fletcher's answer that he opposes it while Beshear is on the left on this issue.. not really in step with Kentuckians that voted for the sanctity of marriage) Followup: Fletcher you claimed it is unconstitutional for a donation where the spouse had two male signatures. Do you believe that?

08:26:55 PM Fletcher: It is against the Constitution to have same sex marriages

08:28:45 PM Beshear Rebuttal: He is rambling on about Fletcher flip flopping on casinos and partner benefits (this isn't true.. he had no position until it became an issue and then took a side)

08:30:52 PM Fletcher rebuttal: Beshear doesn't represent KY. Pro-Abortion, Anti-Gun (Fletcher is a much better speaker than Beshear) Then he went on to say he wasn't a flip flopper (basically re-iterating what wrote a minute ago)

08:31:25 PM Next Question: Job gains in golden triangle - rest of KY isn't so well off

08:33:06 PM Fletcher: It is going to take awhile to change the direction of the ship. We have increased tourism. We have looked at energy in Eastern and Western KY. Invested money in agriculture. Better infrastructure to support adventure tourism.

08:35:09 PM Beshear: He is going to help the golden triangle. But we got to do more in the west and the east. (sounds like he is going to continue what Fletcher is already doing.. why should we elect him to do what Fletcher is doing.)

08:35:53 PM Followup to Beshear: Will you open records for financial incentives which are now confidential.

08:37:55 PM Beshear: yes, it is time to open up the records. We need to open the deals. We can't measure if the company is living up to their responsibilities. If they don't we need to get stuff back from them. (Ok, this is the most destructive answer I have heard Beshear say. Why the hell would companies come here if their internal workings are opened to the public. If they don't meet the goals then we want to get money back? That is insane. No company will ever come here under those pretenses. )

08:38:40 PM Fletcher: I don't know where Beshear has been, but we already passed an energy bill (good line.. and an excellent point)

08:39:59 PM Fletcher: We do release incentive packages, but we don't release propietary information. That would drive off business faster than anything else. (exactly what I wrote)

08:40:32 PM Good answer by Fletcher.. and true

08:41:48 PM Fletcher: We had 3 types of companies - basic agriculture, basic mining, and basic manufacturing- We have diversified

08:43:22 PM We have moved to advanced manufacturing. We have more community colleges than ever, increased funding to universities 20%, lower education 25%. We are helping to move Kentucky cities forward. Biodiesel and coal gains.

08:46:50 PM Beshear: We need to refocus our efforts. All that Ky does is go outside the state and bring in companies that leave 5 years later because labor is cheaper (like toyota.. dumb ass) We need to create incentives for Ky businesses -um, why don't you pledge to lower taxes instead of picking and choosing which business get the money. Talking about setting another good ole boy patronage system. That is another horrible idea! If you want to create more jobs, lower taxes damnit)

08:47:31 PM Next Question: Bridge Projects - How to pay

08:48:45 PM Beshear: We have 3 mega projects (Henderson, Louisville, N KY) - We can't do it out of the road fund. We need innovative thinking. We are going to do things other than tolls.. (He is going to roll up his sleves, but no specifics)

08:50:11 PM Fletcher: We are 7th in efficiency in DOT. We have to work with the federal government. We need to work with local communities, and committing to get them done. We need to evaluate local tax authority (that is scary, but it is different)

08:50:22 PM Folloup: What are you talking about Beshear?

08:50:41 PM He has talked to investment bankers and they have come up with a bunch of ideas.

08:50:52 PM Follow: how would an investment banker make money on it?

08:52:32 PM Beshear: They wouldn't do it if they couldn't make money. He is going to talk about it and come up with a solution. I am going to roll up my sleeves and get it done. (but didn't you just say that you are going to talk about it... I am confused. He is giving one of the best non-answers of the night)

08:53:49 PM Beshear rebuttal: You have heard Fletcher talk about KY's growth. But nationally we are rated to suck. This ship is sinking. We need to bail it out. We need to redirect it.

08:55:48 PM Fletcher: We were bankrupt 4 years ago. We now have a surplus. We have a long way to go. Our GDP growth is higher than most states around us. The statistics he talks about aren't taking into account the jobs that were created this year. Building strong communities and diversifying our economy.

08:56:52 PM Next Question: The budget is structurally imbalanced. How would you balance it?

08:58:46 PM Fletcher: We have used dollars wisely.. we have shrunk the size of government. Beshear wants to do it 2%. We did more than than it 3 weeks. We want to continue to do that through attrition. We want to continue to provide the services that are needed. We have begun to recapture it as the economy continues to grow.

09:02:26 PM Beshear: We are not going to borrow our way to prosperity. Fletcher has issued 17% more debt that Patton in 8 years. Our jobs plan is going to create more jobs and revenue (Man I guess we are going to need lots of casinos to make that happen - for that is the only jobs plan he has been specific about to date) 2nd thing - conduct an efficiency study to see what type of light bulbs we are buying (he is now sounding like Jimmy Carter - That has already been done)

09:03:11 PM Followup Beshear: You have said casinos would generate the revenue to pay for all of your projects. What are you going to do if casinos are not approved?

09:07:22 PM Beshear: He wants to put it on the ballot, and if the people pass it we will handle the money appropriately if not then we are still going to move forward because we are going to save hundreds of millions on efficiency study (yeah right) and increasing the tax base. (Ok, I have to stop and say bull shit right here and now. I sat here and listened to the Democratic debates and he didn't say whether or not it passed. He said if he was elected it would pass. He would force it through. The stupid questioner's are not going to call him on this)

09:08:04 PM Fletcher Follow up: Looming problem with pension funds for local governments

09:09:12 PM Fletcher: Fletcher is calling him Beshear on the efficiency crap, and he rightly point out that the only way Beshear can do what he wants is if Casino gambling passes.

09:12:07 PM Blue Ribbon task force to come up with a solution to the problems, and we are going to change how future benefits are paid. - Retirement bonds is part of it. Dems didn't pass it. Wait for blue ribbon task force to come up with recomendations and sit down and pick out the ones that are right for Kentucky. (He has a good jab at Beshear when he quotes Beshear from a previous debate where Beshear said he didn't have a clue how to fix the problem)

09:14:47 PM Beshear Rebuttal: Retirement funds are in trouble. It is a complex problem. We need to bring everyone to the table (isn't that what Fletcher just said - no you are not. The only people you are going to talk to is your good ole boy network in Frankfort. I am going to bet right now that if elected you don't sit down and talk to David Williams about anything during your entire term)

09:15:36 PM Next Question: Would you support new changes to retirement for new employees?

09:18:11 PM Beshear: I am going to keep faith with people already in the system. Everything else is on the table. If we change the benefit to new hires then it needs to make a difference. It has to be a long term solution. We are going to have to look at everything. I am not going to make a decision on it until we talk about it. (He is the king of saying nothing. What an empty suit! Beshear is going to be tired of talking if he is elected since he is going to sit down and talk about everything)

09:22:27 PM Rebuttal Mr Fletcher (What is up with calling him Mr Fletcher? He should be addressed as Gov Fletcher or at the least Dr. Fletcher. As my wife just pointed out that is completely disrespectful): We can't talk about this unless we solved the budget crisis and the medicate crisis which we did. We have increased money for it. We are going to have to try new things. We need to attract good employees and make sure benefits are appropriate for such hires.

09:22:58 PM Question: Why not talk about your accomplishments? Why is your campaign negative?

09:23:51 PM Fletcher: Beshear said casinos are an important part of Kentucky. I am opposing it. We educated people on casinos.

09:24:02 PM Follow up: Will you oppose it if elected?

09:24:26 PM Fletcher; yes I will - If you want gambling vote Beshear, if not then vote Fletcher

09:25:59 PM (Note: I think this is a good idea. I think Fletcher should stop the attacks and go positive the rest of the way. He has brought Beshear's number down, but they haven't help bring his numbers up. This is why Northup lost to Yarmuth. To much negative not enough positive. Besides if Fletcher goes positive, Beshear will be the only one going negative.. and that might change the dynamics of the race)

09:27:39 PM Beshear: How Fletcher helped: 1st they came up with a hit list and lowered benefits. We need to value our teachers and state workers. We want them to be protected. Get pay raises they deserve. (How about a merit based pay raises for teachers.. but wait you are held by the teachers union so that isn't a possibility)

09:30:01 PM Fletcher: We have given 10% raise to teachers, lead nation in health care. reduced the cost and focus on preventive care. While you criticize the employees, they are doing an excellent job. And we have hired the best 61% of which are Democrat - (Good answer way to stick up for your employees)

09:31:00 PM Question: (Ok, we get the stupid question of the night) What experience do you have with the plight of the poor?

09:32:46 PM Fletcher: We were raised in a family with limited means and taught the value of hard work. I worked full time while going to school. I served in the military. We have taken people off the tax roles and helped the mental handicapped.

09:33:38 PM Beshear: I grew up in W Ky. We were poor. We were taught a belief in God and to work hard (he sounds like a Fletcher parrot)

09:34:08 PM His experience puts him in a unique position to help the poor

09:36:02 PM Follow Up: Those experiences were 40-50 years ago. What about the plight now. Fletcher do you know what a gallon of milk costs, gallon of gas, loaf of bread? (Wtf is that question. Nice gotcha question)

09:37:32 PM Fletcher: Answers the questions straight up! Gave the right prices. (Way to stick it back in his face. That was the best answer of the night! He got the George Bush question about not being in touch and he stuck it right back in his face and answered it accurately! Way to go!!!!!!)

09:39:32 PM He has spent a lot of time out and tries to understand them. I have fixed the tax code that Democrats left. Think it is important to realize the plight. I have never taken a lot of money who lost their live savings and walked away with millions. (what a great answer)

09:40:08 PM To Beshear: how much is a dozen eggs?

09:40:40 PM My wife buys them and I don't know... (ooops. way to stay in touch)

09:43:50 PM (This completely back fired on the press guy. He tries to correct governor about price of milk and the governor comes back and tells him he just checked and that is what it cost, he then told him the price of eggs... total victory for Fletcher on this one. He was well prepared for this while Beshear has deer in headlights look)

09:44:23 PM Next Question: What will you do to help with increase in tuition?

09:46:08 PM Fletcher: Increase funding by 20%. Moratorium on tuition increases. If you can work hard and make the grades we will make sure you get an education. Fletcher wants to give education money to adults as well as teen agers.

09:47:09 PM Beshear: 84% increase in tuition. he is going to pay for education as long as they work in kentucky for 4 years after wards.

09:47:35 PM Next Question: Raising sales tax on cigarettes?

09:48:19 PM Beshear: he is against it. He wants to teach wellness instead. (Isn't that what Fletcher has already started doing with the wellness stuff)

09:51:04 PM Fletcher: We are only state to get an A on childhood nutrition. Get healthy Kentucky is trying to help people quit smoking. In NKY, Behsear was for SCHIPS expansion in congress that would raise taxes on cigarettes 1 dollar, and now he is singing a different tune. Wellness tax credits will help us to get there. Financial incentives.

09:53:01 PM Beshear: 81,000 children uncovered. It is unconscionable. Seniors have to decide on spending money on health care or eating (nice demagoguery). No senior should have to make that decision. I am going to spend money to do it

09:54:25 PM Fletcher: We are moving forward on health care. We still have a long way to go. Who solved the Medicaid crisis. (We did) We want to help people get private insurance and not another government expansion like Beshear wants.

09:55:13 PM Beshear closing: This election is about leadership. The core of leadership is values (He is talking in third person again.. how arrogant)

09:56:09 PM Now we get his biography (blah blah blah repeat repeat repeat)

09:58:35 PM (wow, he is lame and an empty suit... now he is talking about putting partisanship aside. Give me a break. The Dems are a hell of a lot more partisan than the Republicans in this state. This is utter bull sh*t) - He is going to surround himself with the best people (as long as they are Democrats) and help Kentucky be a better place.

09:58:48 PM (More Mr Fletcher crap)

10:00:46 PM Fletcher: He has made millions while Kentuckian's lost their life savings. I have made mistakes, but I we have done good things. He has diversified Kentucky's business. Billy Tacket story. We are changing lives and moving Kentucky forward. Are we going to build our future on gambling or on real growth.

10:02:54 PM Fletcher completely outclassed Beshear in this debate. It is ashame that most Kentuckians didn't get to see this debate. Beshear is a tool, while Fletcher is doing real work to help Kentucky. It would be ashame if Kentucky would lose Fletcher as governor.

10:03:11 PM Well, I am done here! Have a great night!

This is the another entry in a lengthy series entitled Stumbo goes to court. This time, instead of phantom law suits, he is asking a judge to block an ethics panel investigation into his handling of the hiring scandal.

Attorney General Greg Stumbo's office has asked a judge to block an ethics panel from investigating how Stumbo's office handled a lengthy investigation of hiring practices in Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration.

Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the attorney general's motion for a temporary injunction against the Executive Branch Ethics Commission at 11 a.m. Monday.

The dispute revolves around an anonymous "informal" complaint sent to the ethics commission and multiple news reporters in late September that alleged Stumbo and his aides mounted the hiring investigation to advance Stumbo's political career.

What is this? I thought everything was above board in the investigation. What harm could their possibly be from a simple ethics investigation? Especially now that Stumbo has run for Lt Gov and is looking to run for the U.S. Senate. Personally, I think this investigation into the AG offices practices is long overdue. Unfortunately since the complaint was made anonymously, I doubt Judge Wingate will let this case move forward. Tis a shame.

Today is Blog Action Day! The topic for this year's action day is "the environment". What better way to celebrate than have a quick question and answer session.

Do you like the environment? I like nature. I enjoy being outside, playing golf, hiking, camping, and any other activity that gets me outside. What I don't like is the environmental movement. The movement has nothing to do with nature and conservation and everything to do with socialism and the end of capitalism. 

Don't you believe in global warming? I believe that the earth is currently going through a warming trend. I don't believe that the warming trend is man made. I have trouble believing the chicken little people who 30 years ago were trying to sell us that man's pollution was leading to the next ice age.

What do you think are the most important things Americans can do to help the environment?

1. Stop throwing trash out of our cars. Actually stop throwing trash anywhere but a trash can.
   
2. Build more nuclear reactors. They generate clean power and are completely safe.
3. Drill for oil in Alaska and the Gulf Coast. We need to become energy independent. And to do that we need to consume our own resources in the short term until the free market can find alternative sources of energy.

There I have done my part for Blog Action Day!

A number of Beshear's commercials have talked about honesty in leadership. But every couple of days Beshear is caught in another meaningless lie. Let's just look at the last couple of weeks. First Beshear claimed that he was never taken off the Kentucky Central case. Then it turns out he was. Beshear claimed he never saw the ethics report. It turns out he was one of the five recipients of the report. Now he tells us that he has raised 5.3 million dollars, but in reality it turns out he has raised only 4.9 million dollars.

 Is this what he means by honest leadership? What disturbs me the most about these little lies are that they are completely unnecessary and easy to prove wrong. This is the same thing Bill Clinton would always do. He would constantly lie or make stuff just to sound good. Beshear is starting to dangerously tread in the same waters.  What Kentucky doesn't need is a Bill Clinton clone in Frankfort. If Beshear can't tell us the truth on the small stuff, what do you think he is going to do on real issues of the day?

The Kentucky Central Ethics report was released on Saturday. On Sunday the truth came out in the Lexington Herald and the Courier Journal. But it is interesting to take a look at the headlines for the story. The Lexington Herald got it right with the headline "Report reveals conflict of interest - Beshear failed to disclose key facts to state official". The Courier Journal on the other hand was not so forthright with their headline entitled "Report critical of Beshear's old firm - But he says it vindicates him".

Leave it to the Courier to lead the charge in downplaying Beshear's ethical problems with Kentucky Central. Unfortunately for the media, this story had some legs. Especially with Beshear trying to parse a footnote in the report. The MSM can't have that. It was time for damage control. So they beat the bushes until they found the Republican judge who assisted Judge Graham in the case and got him to defend Beshear by stating that Beshear acted "ethically". What do you think a judge involved in that case is going to say? Well we thought it was unethical, but we didn't want to bring about any charges? No he has no choice but to defend his previous "findings". If he doesn't then it could potentially taint all of his work as a judge.

Sadly this story does an excellent job of providing cover for Beshear to let the issue slip off the radar. Inexplicably Beshear is running an ad defending his work on Kentucky Central. I have no idea why he is continuing to give legs to a story that the media is trying to kill off. By fighting back he is drawing even more attention to the actual report. The more people learn about it the worse it is going to be for him.

At the end of the day, the report was written and the report's findings were taken as fact and a number of the remedies were agreed to. Stites and Harbison was involved in at best unethical behavior and Beshear had knowledge of it. Yet he did nothing to protect his client. Instead the whole issue just got swept under the rug.

If you live in Tennessee, don't bother to come to Kentucky and buy smokes and beer. You will be targeted on the way home and your purchases confiscated.

State revenue agents are watching out not only for cigarettes being brought into Tennessee from neighboring states with lower taxes, but also beer.

For now, Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr said the only beer being confiscated is that found when agents stop cars for bringing in more than two cartons of cigarettes bought out of state.

Tennessee recently tripled its cigarette tax to 62 cents, making it higher than those in all eight neighboring states. The tax prompted state revenue officials to conduct surveillance of tobacco retailers just over state lines, suspecting Tennesseans were buying smokes in bulk in neighboring states with cheaper taxes.

Beer may be the next target.

"If, as part of our cigarette tax enforcement, we continue to see alcohol is also a major problem, we'll talk about addressing that," Farr said.

Tennessee has one of the highest malt beverage taxes in the nation.

In Tennessee, there are two major taxes collected at the wholesale level. The state Department of Revenue gets $4.29 per barrel; then a tax of 17 percent of value is applied, with revenue earmarked for local governments where beer is sold at retail.

This story is amazing on several levels. The disturbing aspect of this story is the KGB like tactics being employed by the authorities in Tennessee. They are spying on their own citizens as they cross the border into Kentucky to watch out for them buying beer or cigarettes and then stopping them as they cross back into Tennessee. I would have to think that Kentucky has a legitimate beef with Tennessee on this issue. This seems to me to be a violation of the Constitutional rights of interstate trade. It's not like the people are buying anything illegal. Last time I checked beer and cigarettes were still legal products (even if smoking cigarettes may not be legal).

But the most interesting aspect of this story is how exorbitant taxes lead to a modification of peoples behavior. Tennessee has decided to leverage a steep tax on cigarettes and alcohol. What do the residents of the state do? They cross over into Kentucky where taxes are lower to purchase the goods. This is human nature. People naturally want to avoid paying higher taxes because it eats into their personal wealth.

This lesson can be expanded to corporations. Higher corporate taxes provide a disincentive for companies to do businesses in a state. If the taxes get to high they will move somewhere less oppressive. Same thing with companies looking to expand. Where would you move your company to? Someplace with high taxes or someplace with lower taxes? This is what makes so little since about taxing companies. Companies provide jobs and services for the people. Why would any state or country want to create disencentives for the formation or expansion of any company?

I spent the weekend camping and hiking in Eastern Kentucky, so I haven't had a chance to read the ethics report since it was released. I am going to keep my initial comments on how the main stream media reports the issue. First up, Pol Watchers initial report.

The investigation report — released at noon today after being locked away for 12 years — says Beshear, the Democratic candidate for governor, didn’t participate directly in providing advice to the Bank of Louisville that resulted in Kentucky Central Life Insurance Co. losing $15.6 million in securities.

But the report states that Beshear, one of Stites & Harbison’s primary attorneys assisting in the liquidation of Kentucky Central, “had sufficient information” that his colleagues in the firm’s Louisville office were giving advice that would result in the selling off of Kentucky Central’s assets.

The report appears to be damning evidence of major ethical lapses on the part of Beshear. While he was not directly involved in the fraudulent parts of the case, he did have sufficient knowledge and failed to inform his client about it. State ethic rules prohibit such a conflict of interest without full disclosure. As such Beshear's failure to inform his client is a breach of Kentucky's ethics ruling.

What is amusing is watching both Beshear and Stites spin this report. Let's start with Beshear.

On a conference call, Beshear claimed that the report cleared him because a footnote stated that Beshear didn't have "actual knowledge" of what his colleagues in Louisville specifically were doing to help the Bank of Louisville.

The footnote states: “It does not appear from the records currently analyzed that either Beshear ... or any other Stites & Harbison attorney directly involved in the legal work for the Rehabilitator, had actual knowledge, as of May 10, 1993, that” attorneys in the firm’s Louisville office were taking specific steps to try to sell the securities.

However, the report says later that even though Beshear may not have known exactly what those other attorneys were doing, he did have "general knowledge that work was being done on behalf of Bank of Louisville" by June 14, 1993.

This is unbelievable. Beshear is using the Bill Clinton defense. Remember when Bill Clinton gave us that rambling definition about what "is" means. Beshear is clinging to the word "actual knowledge" for his defense. This is completely ridiculous! He may not have known exactly how they planned to sell of the assets, but he did know that the assets were planning to be sold.

The Stites and Harbison defense is even more laughable if possible.

Stites & Harbison, in a 14-page response to the report which attorneys from that firm read for the first time on Thursday, noted that no ethics complaints or lawsuits were ever brought as a result of the situation.

They are innocent because no ethics complaint was filed. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound? Give me a break, just because a flag isn't thrown on a play in a football game doesn't mean that someone didn't commit a penalty. If they are so innocent and this report is full of baloney why did they implement any of the reports recommendations.

At least three of the recommendations were adopted, including:

• Require Stites & Harbison to pay the fees and expenses for conducting the investigation and report.
• Hire another firm to serve as co-counsel for the liquidator. Frost & Jacobs took an additional workload.
• Engage in an agreement with Stites & Harbison in which the firm waives a statute of limitations in case the Kentucky Central estate opts to seek “compensation for damages.”

And if they are so innocent why were attorney's taken off the case? Why was Beshear removed from the case if nothing happened? Because something did happen. Stites & Harbison and Beshear were caught in ethics violations as they took millions away from Kentucky Central during a crucial stage of their rehabilitation. On top of that, they had the connections to sweep the whole messy affair under a rug. Is this the brand of ethics that Beshear is promising to bring to Frankfort?

Stumbo is at it again. First he sued "big oil" for price gouging. Then he sued the governor over his appointments to the state board of educations. Not done yet, he sued Republican Secretary of State, Trey Greyson, over voting machines. I guess it has been a couple of weeks since Stumbo has been in the spot light. He was overdue in opening up another meaningless lawsuit. This week the target is Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of Oxycontin.

Kentucky officials on Thursday sued the manufacturer of Oxycontin, the prescription painkiller dubbed "hillbilly heroin," because of widespread abuse in Appalachia.

A lawsuit filed by Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Pike County officials demands millions in compensation from drug maker Purdue Pharma.

"Make no mistake about it - this is war," said Gary C. Johnson, the county's outside counsel who is handling the case.

The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for costs incurred in drug abuse programs, law enforcement and prescription payments through Medicaid and the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Assistance program.

In continuing his string of asinine lawsuits, this one might be the worst. He is suing the manufacturer of the drug because people have been abusing the drug and it costs the state a lot of money. What ever happend to personal responsibility? Why is the company responsible for other people's stupid decisions? We have already had the court system strike down lawsuits against gun manufactures for the damage they have caused society. This lawsuit is no different. Fire arms and drugs are tools. Guns are a tool used to provide self defense while Oxycontin is a pain killer used by doctors to help people alleviate pain. But rather than go after the people who are abusing the tool, it takes less effort to just sue the manufacturer and try to put them out of business.

What next, suing McDonalds or Krispy Kreme for selling food that if abused will make you fat? Oh wait, that is being done in other states. Hopefully Stumbo hasn't read about those cases or he might try them here. He still has a couple more months to open another lawsuit. Meanwhile, I hope the judge throws this case out before any taxpayer money is wasted on it.

Judge Wingate ruled today that the confidential report that holds details on the Kentucky Central case will be released to the public.

Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ruled today that a confidential report containing findings from an ethics investigation into Steve Beshear's former law firm can be released by the liquidator of Kentucky Central, if she so chooses.

Attorneys for the liquidator, Julie McPeak, have previously said the document should be released.

The report contains details of an investigation into the Kentucky Central / Bank of Louisville scandal. A sordid affair where Stites and Harbison helped their client, Bank of Louisville, funnel millions from Kentucky Central during their rehabilitation. A Rehabilitation that Stites represented as Kentucky Central's law firm. After reading through the motion filed by Rehabilitator Stephens, it is apparent that Stites and Harbison committed at a minimum a number of ethic violations and could even be complicit in the commission of a crime. At the time Steve Beshear represented Kentucky Central and was in on a couple of meetings with Bank of Louisville. The question remains what role did Beshear play in this case? Unfortunately, the only investigation into the events was sealed by Beshear's friend, Judge Graham, 12 years ago. Fortunately, the report will be made public this Saturday at noon. Then we will find out if Beshear whose campaign has centered on ethics has anything to worry about or not.

Their is very little doubt in my mind that the "merit scandal" was nothing less than a witch hunt against Fletcher to damage him for the election in November. It was nothing less than a crude attempt to reform the good ole boy network in Frankfort all with the blessing of the main stream media. The evidence continues to mount to support this conclusion.

• Attorney General Stumbo has endorsed the Beshear Campaign
• Stumbo's spokeswoman is working as a staffer for the Beshear campaign
• Judge Graham, the judge who presided over the Fletcher grand jury, is working for Beshear
• Now we learn that Doug Doerting, the whistle blower that started the "investigation", is working for Beshear.

What's next? We will learn that members of the grand jury are working for Beshear. It wouldn't surprise me. With all of of these people working for the Democratic machine, we are still supposed to believe that the whole "merit investigation" was above board. Only those on the editorial board at the Courier and Herald are naive / partisan enough to buy that load of bull hockey.

Beshear's whole campaign has been conceived and propped up by the Democratic good ole boy network. And to think that Beshear will clean up corruption in Frankfort is laughable at best. Heck while he was Attorney General he never saw a political hiring or firing that he didn't like. He even had ethical problems serving as a lawyer at Stites and Harbison. Now all of a sudden he is as clean as the wind driven snow? I don't think so.

I have seen a number of Beshear yard signs across the state that have read "taking care of our own". By own I assume he means the Democratic good ole boy network. He should just be honest and change his campaign slogan to "Putting Democratic Cronies First".