What is the World Coming To ...?

... this is just so sad - WLEX TV18:

A Kentucky infant is dead and police have charged the baby's 14-year-old mother and 19-year-old father with murder.

Kentucky State Police said the 20-month-old boy was brought to the Wayne County Emergency Room just after 11 p.m. Saturday. Autopsy results showed the baby swallowed a chemical liquid used to make meth.

The child's mother, who is not being named and 19-year-old father, Bryan Daniels are charged with murder and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Police also charged 26-year-old Danny Anderson, 24-year-old James Hunt, 21-year-old Alisha Dicken and 24-year-old Wesley Bell with making the drug.

There is a special place in HELL for these types of people. Putting your own whacked-out needs before a defenseless baby - this is true sickness...

Why Kentucky Really Isn't True Blue

(top - Lunsford; bottom - McConnell)

I may raise a lot of flack over the title of this post, but my home state of Kentucky is always bragging about the fact it bleeds True Blue because of the UK Wildcats. I have never been a sports fan, but even I enjoy knowing that the Wildcats have dominated basketball for most of my adult life.

However, with the upcoming Presidential election, it is very disappointing to see that Kentucky will probably stay firmly in the Red category. There has been much speculation that Kentucky is a racist state, but it breaks my heart to hear people say this.

There has been lots of information presented as to why some Kentuckians are racists - I've seen editoral cartoons, opinion editorals and too many interviews to count. That being said, I would like to present another piece of evidence.

In an election year where the Republicians are down in almost every major poll, it is not surprising that our candidates for the Senate - Mitch McConnell (R) and Bruce Lundsford (D) have been fighting tooth and nail for every vote. At the beginning of the year, it seemed impossible to think that after 24 years in the Senate, McConnell might lose his bid for reelection.

But then a funny thing happened ... Lunsford started gaining on McConnell in the polls, and now, 8 days before the election, the KY Senate race is too close to call.

So, if the Senate race is neck and neck - as it is in most states - then why is McCain so far ahead of Obama in Kentucky? If Democrates and Republicians are running neck and neck in almost every race in Kentucky, why isn't the Presidential race much closer? If it possible that the difference between the Senate race and the Presidential race if the addition of a black candidate? I surely hope not, but the evidence is overwhelming.

Just for the record, I am a Barack Obama/Joe Biden and Bruce Lunsford supporter.

Manic Monday

For this Manic Monday, I'm going to complain about government bureaucracy. My granny always told me, if you don't like how something is done then, write a letter, make a phone call - only people who do have a right to complain.

Wow, what a way to look at life! I have always been a "letter to the editor" kinda gal! Have a complaint? Well, if you do, you need to do something about it before you start complaining. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I don't want to hear you complaining unless you've taken the first step in doing something about the complaint. Don't leave it up to the other guy.

Case in point, the recent scandal at a McDonalds in Berea, Kentucky. A young, nursing mother was kicked out of a Berea McDonalds for trying to breastfeed her 4-month-old son. Other customers and employees of the fast food restaurant, hassled and discriminated against this young family.

According to Kentucky State Law, a mother has the right to breastfeed a child in any private or public place. Yet, this young mother was made to feel inferior and criminal because she was trying to feed her child.

Once in the parking lot, the mother called local police, who sent a car to investigate - at least I guess it was the car because, surely a REAL police officer would have defended the young mother from the law breaking restaurant? Wouldn't they?

Well the answer is, HELL NO! The police threatened to have this young mother arrested for trespassing. Trespassing for trying to feed a baby! Now I ask you, how stupid does Kentucky have to look to the rest of the nation before we wake up and smell the coffee - or to'bacca, since were the number one "smoking" state.

When I first heard about this incident - I took my complaints to the local and corporate McDonalds, Berea Police and city government, the governor of Kentucky, both our US and KY Senators and all the Representatives.

What have I received back so far?

1.) A Letter from Governor Beshear - stating he has to remain neutral and is not responsible for law enforcement or local government - please send a letter to your congressmen or representatives (see #2,3, and 4).

2.) A Letter from Rep. Ben Chandler - stating he is not responsible for private citizens complaints and I should report this to my local representative, Milwood Dedman (see #1).

3.) A Letter from Rep. Geoff Davis - stating he was not MY representative, but he would pass my letter on to Rep. Ben Chandler (see #1, 2 and 4).

4.) A Letter from Sen. Mitchell McConnell (asshole) - stating he was not responsible for local or state issues, only national issues, but he would pass my letter on to Rep. Ben Chandler and Governor Beshear; also that the victim had a right to bring forth a lawsuit (see #1, 2 and 3).

Do we see a pattern forming here? Apparently no one representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky wants to take responsibility for our stupidity as a state. Local government blames the state government who, in turn, blames the national government; the national government then blames the local government who blames the state government - and the vicious circle continues and the entire state comes off looking like a bunch of red-neck hicks.

School Days, School Days

School days, school days - dear old golden rules day. Readin' and ritin' and 'rithmatic, taught to the tune of a hicr'y stix!



Today is the first day of school for Mercer County. Even with all the hubbub about her schedule, my youngest daughter was anxious to get back classes. Of my three daughters, she is the one who loves school.

Of course, the resumption of school is always the time when we start getting our life back on schedule. After two months of yard work and gardening until dark, reading to escape the heat, and sometimes suppers of just ice cream, it's time for a little more organization.

I don't know about you, but my life just seems to run more smoothly when our family is on a schedule. It is easier for me to schedule time to write than it is to try and fit it in haphazardly. Like many of you, I'm a list maker - but making lists doesn't always guarantee I'll get everything done!

So, what does my list look like for this week? Since I started August by joining the Discretionary Eating Challenge, the first thing I plan to do is cook supper at least 5 nights a week - no more eating out! The second thing I plan to do is give myself at least 2 hours a day for writing; I've been a little lax this summer, so that's all going to change. And the third thing I plan to do is get more exercise; I plan to walk every morning before work and again in the evening. These are the 3 things I plan to change in my life for August.

What about you? Are your children ready for the return to school? Does your family work smoother on a schedule?

Fun Friday Facts

Today I'm giving you some fun facts about Kentucky. If people enjoy these fun facts, I may start doing them each Friday. So if you like them, let me know!

--Kentucky comes from a Cherokee word meaning Land of Tomorrow or Meadowland.

--Can't function without your Post-it® notes (and I for one am lost without them)? You can thank the workers at the 3M plant in Cynthiana, Kentucky, where the handy notes are produced.

--In 1998, the town of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, elected a dog named Goofy as their mayor. The tiny town charged $1 per vote and proceeds went to restore a local church.

--Thomas Edison chose Louisville's 1883 Southern Exposition to demonstrate his incandescent light bulb for the first time.

--The largest amount of gold stored anywhere in the U.S. (approximately $6 billion worth) is held in the underground vaults of the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. (Wish I was a member of the Ocean's 11 gang!)

--Louisville has more restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city.

--Lexington's Jif Peanut Butter factory produces more of this sticky, buttery, pea-nutty confection than any other place in the world.

--Middlesboro, Kentucky is the only U.S. city built inside a meteor crater.

--The Kentucky Derby trophy is made of 56 ounces of 14 and 18 carat gold, and is two feet tall.

--Cheeseburgers (my favorite food) were first served in 1934 at Kaelin's in Louisville.

--The only monument south of the Ohio River dedicated to Union Soldiers who died in the Civil War is located in Vanceburg, KY.

--During the Civil War, Frankfort was the only Union capital occupied by Confederate troops.

--Cumberland Falls is the only waterfall in the world to regularly display a Moonbow. It is located just southwest of Corbin.

--In the War of 1812 more than half of all Americans killed in action were Kentuckians.

--More than 100 native Kentuckians have been elected governors of other states.

--In Kentucky, spitting tobacco juice on someone is considered a friendly greeting, much like the "up yours!" of a New York cabbie. (Joke people, only a joke)! :)

And there you have it, fun facts everyone should know about our great Commonwealth - and remember, Kentucky is a Commonwealth, not a State!

Also, check out my other blogs at:
Bobbi's Book Nook
Mrs. Greenhands