tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56470428093736180622024-03-13T09:14:31.196-07:00Family MattersAddressing political and cultural issues that affect Kentucky familiesMartin Cothranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16452612266051351726noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-19890612550278803452011-02-09T05:32:00.000-08:002011-02-09T05:38:18.874-08:00Ultrasound Bill casts glimpse inside abortion debateIt isn’t often that a piece of legislation comes along and exposes rhetoric so hollow that it results in the systemic collapse of an argument. Such is the case with The Ultrasound Bill recently introduced in the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly. For years, abortion supporters have circled the wagons around the idea of “choice,” aiming to convince the uninitiated that abortion is “a difficult Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-65843234888010505892011-01-11T07:24:00.000-08:002011-01-11T07:34:42.971-08:00“Potential evangelicals” need not apply at UKKentuckians love to cheer on their Big Blue at this time of year so when Federal District Judge Karl Forester recently called foul (not on Coach Cal, thank God) but on the UK astronomy department for religious discrimination it gave spectators a glimpse into the intellectual climate of academia. And it ain’t like being at Rupp.Martin Gaskell, a well-published astronomer with impeccable Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-32605894545087963682010-12-09T20:31:00.000-08:002010-12-09T20:34:05.838-08:00“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Don’t Change ItThe U.S. military has been embroiled in two foreign wars for much of the last decade. Now it faces an internal conflict over whether to allow open homosexuality in the ranks, and it is not a fight many military leaders are looking for. The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee heard testimony last week from U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Marine Commandant General James Amos. Both Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-81154479938739297222010-11-23T15:45:00.000-08:002010-11-23T15:52:13.513-08:00Is marriage’s turkey cooked?A new survey by the Pew Research Center and TIME called The Decline of Marriage And Rise of New Families is certain to ruffle a few feathers—especially as families gather around Thanksgiving Day tables this Thursday. In it, researchers find that 39 percent of Americans believe that marriage is obsolete, but before social engineers declare this turkey cooked, they ought to take a second look. Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-37463233411653200522010-11-04T20:34:00.000-07:002010-11-04T20:37:58.941-07:00Sensitivity police's war on honesty claims another victimIf America’s freedom of speech is the envy of the world, then political correctness must be its bane. Some political candidates and news commentators this election season are finding that out the hard way. Just last week, the monster of political correctness raised its ugly head and resulted in the firing of Juan Williams by National Public Radio.Williams, a long-time civil rights advocate, told Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-78775692544525189252010-10-07T09:54:00.000-07:002010-10-07T09:57:57.414-07:00Casino corruption rocks Alabama LegislatureLast year, the Kentucky House passed a casino expansion bill, but not without lofty promises and heavy political pressure. Many have questioned the tactics of the casino lobby whether they are public pie-in-the-sky promises or private behind the scenes promises that border on bribery. The latest example of the corrupting influence of the casino lobby on the legislative process comes from Alabama Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-77060724485268771072010-09-03T09:58:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:23:47.515-07:00"Show-Me" state puts a wrap on SOB'sJust days ago, a Missouri Circuit judge upheld a state law that places tough restrictions on sexually oriented businesses (SOB's). Attorney's for the SOB's challenging the law said it would provide an economic hardship in times when the economy is already in dire straits. Judge Jon Beetem said “The law will undoubtedly change the business practices of the plaintiffs, and they will likely suffer Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-17003010323863066622010-08-19T19:18:00.000-07:002010-08-19T19:23:58.489-07:00Judge walks over voters, marriageAdvocates of traditional marriage were trampled earlier this month by a San Francisco judge who struck down California’s constitutional amendment which keeps marriage between one man and one woman. Judge Vaughn Walker apparently missed the memo about the seven million voters who support marriage between one man and one woman. Memos about the need for judicial restraint and the necessity for Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-69429337719650542662010-08-13T14:51:00.000-07:002010-08-13T15:05:37.846-07:00Strip club stabbing exposes Lexington's vulnerabilityThe Lexington Herald Leader reported earlier today that two men were hospitalized after being attacked outside a Lexington strip club at 3 AM today. Fayette County is one of only three counties in Kentucky without comprehensive restrictions on sexually oriented businesses which are required by law to close at an earlier time. Besides hours of operation requirements, there are other basic Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-44654357121919817422010-07-29T07:47:00.000-07:002010-07-29T07:58:17.082-07:00Academic intolerance leads to expulsion of Christian counseling studentOn July 27, a federal judge upheld the decision of an Eastern Michigan University (EMU) counseling program to kick out a graduate student who declined to counsel gay clients in an affirming way. Julea Ward, an A student in her studies, was expelled from the program when she asked her superior if another person could counsel a homosexual client. Instead of accommodating Ward, who believed that Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-35137507519691064982010-07-28T05:32:00.000-07:002010-07-28T05:40:05.535-07:00Institutional bigotry just peachy If you are planning to study counseling at Augusta State University in Georgia and also believe that homosexuality is wrong then you will have to make a choice. Either you acquiesce your moral convictions or you find another school that is, shall we say, more tolerant and accepting of diverse viewpoints. Augusta State graduate student Jennifer Keeton is now facing expulsion for daring to Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-57869769069937380162010-07-12T08:47:00.000-07:002010-07-12T08:57:37.157-07:00Pornography finding a new marketThe Washington Times released a story yesterday about the increasing number of women using porn. This may have something to do with increased revenues. The porn industry took in $13 billion in 2006. But what are the effects on the women who are using it? To read more go to:Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-46066932991992946482010-07-08T06:10:00.000-07:002010-07-08T06:57:15.582-07:00Jack Conway's best allySince Jack Conway won the Democratic primary in May, it is becoming clear who is his biggest cheerleader and fan: the Associated Press. It has churned out stories about Paul's income, his medical certification and affiliation, and recent attendance at a D.C. fundraiser. The latest story focused on his new position in support of a border fence to control illegal immigration. He was previously Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-57651895379597127722010-06-21T12:24:00.000-07:002010-06-21T12:30:32.309-07:006th Circuit: Thou shall not post<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-32606830477734149792010-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:002010-04-27T07:00:03.657-07:00The problem with out-of-wedlock pregnancy is a lack of marriage, not a lack of contraceptivesThe inimitable Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation argues that the focus on teen pregnancy by liberals is a smokescreen hiding the fact that most out of wedlock pregnancies are among young adult women. It is a result, he says, of the breakdown of marriage and is the driving force behind the welfare state:The steady growth of childbearing by single women and the general collapse of marriage,Martin Cothranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16452612266051351726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-6934319919739421692010-04-23T20:31:00.000-07:002010-04-23T20:36:28.192-07:00Murray State University should stick to education, not social engineeringWhen the Murray State University Board of Regents adopted a sexual orientation, non-discrimination statement in 2008, I testified against the idea, noting that it would be a stepping stone to domestic partnerships. Now, two years later, Professor Kevin Binfield cited that statement as impetus for change, and on April 6, MSU’s Faculty Senate took the first step by voting to extend health Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-9708579699995496572010-04-23T18:29:00.000-07:002010-04-26T09:11:20.357-07:00Family group assails college tuition increases, calls on lawmakers to take actionLEXINGTON, KY--A state family advocacy group called the decision by the Council for Postsecondary Education to allow state universities to raise tuition by as much as 6 percent a slap in the face to Kentucky families struggling to afford to send their children to college.The group is requesting that Gov. Steve Beshear place the issue on his call for a special legislative session and asking state Martin Cothranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16452612266051351726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-64665520405464776302010-04-16T09:37:00.000-07:002010-04-16T09:46:23.783-07:00Hopkinsville Tea Party speech <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> Thank you all for coming out today. What a great turnout. You know, the big three TV networks have disparaged and maligned this movement as fringe and disruptive, but I say that there is nothing more American than to assemble and protest government abuse and fiscal irresponsibility. And that is what the teaRichard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-87431327716276824922010-04-03T08:26:00.000-07:002010-04-03T08:30:40.271-07:00Western Kentucky University funds domestic partners Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, Western Kentucky University will become the fourth Kentucky public university to extend domestic partner benefits to its employees. Ironically, while the commonwealth's current budget proposal cuts post-secondary education spending, WKU will increase its financial obligations by increasing its insurance pool to unrelated people who live together. Can anyone guess Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-54699271070034803932010-03-17T06:16:00.000-07:002010-03-17T06:49:40.544-07:00All inclusive child welfareWhen Tim Moore (R-Elizabethtown) recently attached the ultrasound bill as an amendment to child welfare legislation, a cry went up in Frankfort from legislators who say they couldn't believe Moore would do something like that. Tom Burch (D-Louisville) and David Watkins (D-Henderson) garnered the most attention in last week's Louisville Courier-Journal.“'These are two elected officials that are Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-21174325703687589932010-03-10T12:31:00.000-08:002010-03-10T13:07:03.734-08:00Political Extortion Round IIJust when you think state politics couldn't sink to s lower level another episode of political extortion raises its ugly head. Such was the case yesterday when the Paducah Sun reported that Paducah will not be considered for a much needed new middle school because State Rep. Brent Housman voted against the budget bill. It was mostly a party line vote but Greg Stumbo has singled out opponents onceRichard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-14517129098973786732010-03-09T12:47:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:51:34.625-08:00Pulling the curtain on public indecencyTraveling has a way of opening one's horizon to happenings in other parts of the country, but when the entire family sallies forth on adventure, unsuspecting exposure sometimes make for a teachable, if not uncomfortable, moment. Such was the case recently for me and my family while traveling through Georgia and Florida where imposing billboards advertising strippers lined several of the major Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-89567663439147826892010-03-04T13:29:00.000-08:002010-03-05T06:18:53.966-08:00Kentucky bill featured in The New York TimesLEXINGTON, KY-A Kentucky bill that calls for critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and open and objective discussion concerning the advantages and disadvantages of scientific theories was featured yesterday in The New York Times. The bill, House Bill 397, was introduced by State Rep. Tim Moore (R-Elizabethtown)."The Family Foundation is in full support of an open-minded approach to issues TFFKYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10249017649846148927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-79608000929156352192010-02-24T11:53:00.000-08:002010-02-24T12:19:00.014-08:00A Snapshot of Kentucky Education Part IILast week I shared some statistics on this blog provided by the Bluegrass Institute that gave us a snapshot of Kentucky k-12 education. It was less than stellar. Now this week we learn that the University of Louisville is providing us another snapshot, this time of Kentucky higher education and folks it ain't pretty. As most of you already know, U of L is featuring naked girls in an art exhibit Richard Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240713176038495408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647042809373618062.post-79369189117383394352010-02-22T12:49:00.001-08:002010-02-22T12:49:55.750-08:00James Ramsey's U of L refuses to budge on explicit photos of young girlsUniversity of Louisville president James Ramsey's chief lieutenant, Provost Shirley Willinganz, tells the Chronicle of Higher Education that U of L refuses to take down an exhibit that includes explicit photographs of young girls because the First Amendment protects their right, you know, to exploit children and all:Today at the University of Louisville, an unusual art exhibit called The Century Martin Cothranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16452612266051351726noreply@blogger.com0