Andy Barr’s ads are ‘poisonous fodder’ and other thoughts on the election
Andy’s ads
Our incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s campaign ads started out innocently enough.
Beautiful horse country, whiskey, and family first of all with the dimpled Congressman smiling at the end.
Next, hardworking “small businesswoman” talking about his help to her enterprise with the dimpled Congressman smiling at the end.
There were even country musicians added for effect.
What next? There must be a more viral Andy, talking about how the devilish Democrats are out to ruin the Union. How about a high gas prices, inflation, and abortion? There will be American flags unfurling with patriotic music and the dimpled Congressman smiling at the end.
My question is: When is the Congressman going to speak about Jan. 6, 2021? Did he run for his life like all the other Republicans?
William E. Ellis, Lexington
Andy’s ads post-Paul Pelosi
Two days after Nancy’s Pelosi’s husband was brutally attacked by a deranged politically motivated assailant, our 6th District Republican Congressman, Andy Barr, continued to run an attack ad on television vilifying Congressman Pelosi as the evil force to be defeated on expanded election days. These sanctioned ads are the poisonous fodder that feeds the passionate appetite of political anger and gives the fringe a distorted sense of entitlement to act out.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Congressman Barr has failed to heed the conscience of moral, political indignation. My fellow Kentuckians need to recognize behind all the glitz and sanctimonious statements made in the media, lies a political puppet whose strings are being pulled by a Party whose polarized opposition has altered the spirit of the preamble of the Constitution from “We the people” to “They against us”.
When will passionate political rhetorical assassination be transitioned back to civil discourse? When will this escalating snowball of anger and distortion sublimate to where we see each other with legitimate opposing political positions and not as enemies to be eradicated? When will our political representatives develop the courage to speak from a deeper held morality than tow the political line? When?
Stuart Tobin, Richmond
Randy Cravens
The Nov. 8 election choices for Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District look bleak. Incumbent Andy Barr’s abysmal voting record virtually mirrors that of Republican minority leader, U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Cal.). As he voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was Andy Barr thinking about party discipline or Kentucky’s acute needs for better bridges, roads, and flood control? As he voted against legislation addressing climate change, was he a McCarthy copy-cat or just oblivious to the devastation in Kentucky from last year’s tornadoes and floods? How can he continue to pretend he represents us in Washington?
Sadly, the Democratic establishment failed to challenge Barr. Geoff Young emerged from the weak primary field proposing the impeachment of six Supreme Court justices and the president of own party. He is hardly a viable voice for the Sixth District.
The Kentucky ballot provides for write-in candidates and Randy Cravens, a small businessman in Richmond, has courageously provided us with an alternative. Randy is passionate about the futures of his three children and fed-up with politics as usual. I’ve spoken with Mr. Cravens and read through his website. I invite others to visit ‘Cravens for Kentucky’ online and to consider writing ‘Randy Cravens’ enthusiastically on their November ballot.
T. Kerby Neill, Lexington
Vote for Farmer
Voters of Fayette County, please send a business man to the council. The most qualified person in the race for Council-at-Large, Bill Farmer, is a business man with government experience.
Vote for Bill Farmer for Council-at-large.
Shirley McVay Wiseman, Lexington
Blevins does a good job
I would like to commend all persons working at our County Clerk’s Office. Everyone from car registration, information, and the elections office have been nothing but pleasant and helpful with any issue put before them, in my experience. The elections office is doing a fantastic job training poll workers for the upcoming election and making sure voting in Lexington is fair and legal.
Don Blevins and his team should be commended.
Thank you for doing such a great job for the Lexington community.
Cynthia Allen, Lexington
Kwin will work for you
The “Blevins’” father-son County Clerks have been Fayette County Clerks for 41 years. It is time for a change.
Brystin Dengussi Kwin is a newcomer on the political scene, but she is a very STRONG newcomer! Brystin holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky, is a practicing attorney, and has chosen to run for County Clerk after she had to stand in a two-hour line to vote at Kroger Field in 2020. She was determined at that time to run and make changes to the way our County Clerk operates.
Brystin will actually serve the people; keep the office open and available to the community; add an office for better accessibility; run safe, secure elections; and be transparent with the budget. Brystin will serve the people, not herself. She will connect the Clerk’s office with other County Clerk’s offices across the state, work with the Secretary of State’s office, as well as city council, and of course, be open and willing to work with people in the community to do for them what the clerk’s office should have been doing for the last 41-years.
Reach out to Brystin, hear her, and speak with her. She will listen. Brystin will work with you.
Barbara A. Ellerbrook, Lexington
More mansplaining
As I watch another David Kloiber ad, all I can think is, “Thank God we have a white guy to mansplain the city’s problems to us.”
Do we really need a rich white guy whose only qualification appears to be inherited wealth to run the city? We tried that in the country with former President Donald Trump, and in Kentucky with Matt Bevin, and neither turned out particularly well. Why would we try it locally?
Michael Coblenz, Lexington
Support Gorton
Mayoral candidate David Kloiber‘s TV ads are exposing his shallow qualifications for the incredibly important task of leading our city. His message is “I can do it better.” Well, I’ve been telling Coach Stoops that I can do his job better. How can you doubt that? All I need to do is say it. I wonder why Coach is not listening. Maybe it is because I’m full of it… just like candidate Kloiber.
I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Mayor Linda Gorton.
Harry Clarke, Lexington
Good attorney, better judge
I have had the pleasure of knowing Judge Carl Devine for several years. I have worked with and against him. He has always been courteous, thoughtful, and professional. He was always willing to help whenever necessary and, upon my request, helped me with one of my challenging cases and he was able to resolve the matter quickly. He was an outstanding attorney and has proven to be an outstanding judge.
Judge Devine has continued to be compassionate, patient, and understanding while on the bench. He is impartial, fair, and thorough in his rulings. Given Judge Devine’s extensive experience, he has a keen understanding of the law, which is a top quality needed as a family court judge.
Without hesitation, I fully support Judge Carl Devine and want him to continue in his position as Family Court Judge.
Jill M. Briscoe, Lexington
Jon Larson
As a lifelong Democrat, I have voted for few Republican candidates in partisan races. This year, though, I will vote for Jon Larson, a Republican, for Fayette County Judge Executive. I have known Jon for almost forty years, and have found him to be a true public servant. Jon is a far different kind of Republican from the MAGA Trump-supporting variety.He is a longtime advocate for civil rights, and served as chair of the Fayette Human Rights Commission when the Fairness Ordinance was passed. His candidacy has been endorsed by the C-FAIR, the leading advocacy group for the LGBTQ community. He is, to my knowledge, and his, the only Republican candidate in a partisan race to receive an endorsement from such a group.While the functions of a County Judge Executive are limited in a merged city-county government, we need a person in that office who will be a public servant first and foremost, and perform those duties with competence and integrity. Jon Larson is the best choice for the job.
Robert L. Treadway, Lexington
Mary Diane McCord-Hanna
I’m a subscriber, mom-of-3 and I’m frustrated. I’ve watched taxes increase while our police lack funding and support. I’ve seen bike lanes installed while youth crime rages. I see our school board raise taxes while our children’s test scores drop. I applaud people willing to serve in office but I need qualified candidates.
After watching the League of Women Voters’ Candidate Forum for Fayette County Judge Executive I was shocked. Fayette County’s Judge Executive facilitates a small percentage of Fayette County’s budget for roads. City engineers and council own that work. Judge Executives serve as the process agent on lawsuits against Fayette County. They sign extradition orders. These require swift response.
With Mary Diane McCord-Hanna, we get a wealthy farm owner who lacks legal education and lacks a working knowledge of Fayette County. Instead of a qualified public servant, we will get legal bills from outside law referrals because the Judge Executive can’t do the job. We get a wealthy farm owner that wants her roads fixed and is running because the Home Owners Association asked her to. When asked about what her favorite part of the job is she replied, “marrying people.”
Self-service is the problem in politics, and Mary Diane McCord-Hanna is the poster child for that problem.
Karie Lester, Lexington
