Published: August 15, 2008 01:40 pm            

In Your View — 08/17/08

Audacity of group hard to fathom

Your Aug. 15 editorial headlined “Let people vote” was “spot on,” as my English friends would say.

For the life of me, I cannot fathom the audacity of a group of people, unelected, who in essence are saying, “We know what is best for you, and you will live like we say you will live. The law says you can drink beer at the Sandy Creek Golf Course, but you cannot buy it there, as that would be too much of a convenience.”

I am surprised that the Greenup Association Baptist Foundation has not interfered with and tried to stop the vote in Carter County to prohibit a winery being opened as an outlet for the grapes produced in the grape harbor there. Maybe it is because October is still a long way off and once again, they are waiting until the last moment to file against John and Sue Bonds’ proposed winery, hoping to find a sympathetic judge.

What is it with Baptists and alcohol anyway? They can find warnings about it in the Bible, but they cannot find any place that prohibits drinking it in moderation. Actually, quite the contrary. The Bible gives us guidance on when and what to drink in Proverbs and, of course, Jesus’ request to drink wine as his blood in the New Testament.

I have been to 10 Islam countries and only two of those prohibit alcohol – Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. I bet these Baptists would feel right at home there.

William B. Secrest, South Shore



Hillary Clinton should be nominee

Do Hillary and Obama have the same policies? Get serious. Obama doesn’t know a policy from a popsicle.

Hillary voted against the Cheney energy bill; Obama voted for it but gave a speech saying he hated giving billions to big oil. Hillary voted against the FISA bill that gave immunity to Bush and the telecoms; Obama voted for it, but gave a speech against it. Hillary has a superior universal health care plan; Obama’s voluntary plan favors insurance companies but he gave a speech supporting UHC.

Hillary has plans to shore up Social Security and opposes privatization; Obama refuses to commit, but likes Bush’s plan. He ridiculed Hillary’s plans for gas tax holiday and easing strategic oil reserves, but now espouses them as his own. The Russia/Georgia conflict highlights his national security weakness, but 34 flag officers and two former Joint Chiefs-of-Staff endorsed Hillary, the only person in history to garner that many.

This begs the question: Why isn’t Hillary the presumptive nominee? She’s a two-term senator, has great experience on the Armed Forces Committee and is thoroughly vetted. Why choose an unknown man of inexperience and questionable past?

Ben Chandler made the incredibly dumb statement before the primary that Kentuckians know and love the Clintons, and want to vote for Hillary, but we should overcome biases and vote for Obama. What politician says, “Here’s a great candidate we know and love, go vote somewhere else”?

Obama hasn’t won anything; neither he nor Hillary won enough pledged delegates. The nomination will be won by super delegates, who can change their minds anytime and don’t vote until the convention. Is that why Obama is too afraid to have the customary vote at the convention and allow Hillary to be nominated? She might just win.

Lois Jackson, Ashland



‘Tropic Thunder’ ridicules disability

Paramount Pictures’ new comedy “Tropic Thunder” includes a character called Simple Jack, played by Ben Stiller. Simple Jack has an intellectual disability (formerly commonly referred to as “mental retardation”) and is an object of derision in the film. The movie contains frequent use of the word “retard” and other insulting terms used to describe this character.

As organizations that work with and support people with intellectual disabilities, we take the degrading depiction of people with intellectual disabilities to heart. Our groups have each helped lead the charge for equality for and understanding of people with intellectual disabilities. And tremendous progress has been made in the last several decades.

That’s why a movie like “Tropic Thunder” is so disappointing. It represents a real setback in the way people with intellectual disabilities are perceived and treated.

Mocking people who we know have historically been oppressed or have some type of physical disability is generally not considered funny these days. But that same general enlightenment has not been attained regarding people with intellectual disabilities.

Why is that? Could it be that people are simply unaware of the fundamental disregard for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities in most parts of the world? That intellectual disability is a condition usually developed in utero and not one for which people volunteer?

Perhaps they have not read about children with Down syndrome in underdeveloped countries tied to their beds for years on end in filthy institutions. Or about the thousands who are victims of hate crimes whose testimony is dismissed because of their disability.

“Tropic Thunder” is a cheap thrill at the expense of human beings who are the most isolated, victimized, and least able to defend themselves. Maybe if only more people knew, they would not find it funny.

Patty Dempsey, Executive director, ARC of Kentucky, and two others



Holy Family run will be Sept. 6

The Holy Family All-American Festival will have its fourth annual 5K run on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The registration fee is $15 before Aug. 31 and $20 after Sept. 1. The top three overall male and female in each age group category will be awarded prizes. There will be no duplication of prizes. Door prizes will be given. The course is mostly flat and includes residential streets as well as commercial areas.

Please contact Kathy Leadingham at (606) 571-0382 or by e-mail at AKLeadingham@hotmail.com to register or for more information. Registration forms can also be picked up at Holy Family Church office at 900 Winchester Ave., the Ashland YMCA, Starbucks Coffee, the Ashland Town Center information desk, and the Huntington YMCA.

Everyone is welcome!

Kathy Leadingham, Holy Family 5K Race Coordinator

        

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