Joe Manchin, not McConnell or Rogers, worked to preserve miners’ black lung benefits

Black Lung Fund

Last month, while Southeast Kentucky responded to devastating floods on an uncertain road to recovery, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) worked to ensure that there was one thing that we could count on: a permanent revenue source for our black lung benefits.

I lost my husband to black lung, so I thank Manchin for keeping his promise to coal miners throughout the country.

I have traveled often to Washington to fight for improved and secured black lung benefits. In the Inflation Reduction Act, we finally won a permanent extension of funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Now, we don’t have to fear cuts ever again.

Though I’m full of gratitude for those who fought for us, I am also disappointed that we had to rely on another Appalachian Congressmember to step up instead of our own elected officials in Kentucky. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (both Republicans) refused to be champions on this issue which affects so many in Eastern Kentucky.

There are still improvements that need to occur to improve the black lung benefits system. I am hopeful that our elected officials will step up in the future to address the needs of their constituents.

Patty Amburgey, Jeremiah

Firearms Protections

The Democratic Party continually attacks the Protection of Legal Commerce Arms Act (PLCCA) which only protects firearm manufacturers from being sued for the illegal use of a lawfully produced product. The manufacturers can still be held responsible for products that are defective and cause injury or death.

The attempt to hold them responsible for illegal acts would be the equivalent of suing auto manufacturers for injuries and death caused by drunk drivers! The left merely wants to put firearm manufacturers out of business with baseless lawsuits and legal actions.

Just another attack on our basic constitutional rights!

William Riffe, Lancaster

Black voices

Less than a week after the floods ravaged Eastern Kentucky last month, Linda Blackford informed us of the flood’s impact on one family, on one business, on one community: the IGA grocery in Isom, Kentucky, owned by Gwen and Arthur Christon.

Without the photos, not many would have known that the Christons were Black. On August 15, Steve Crump - a Louisville native and EKU graduate - did a story titled, “African American voices from the floods of Eastern Kentucky,” which was carried by television stations throughout Central Appalachia.

Blackford followed up with a story about Father Jim Sichko of Lexington’s Papal Missionary of Mercy who collected $20,000 to help the Christons recover; and, later, about Father Jim’s second donation of $75,000 to the Christons, after Gwen sent $2,000 back to his church as a tithe “to help others.”

Born in The Hospital of Notre Dame in 1946 in Lynch, Harlan County, Kentucky, I have given a good portion of my life to knowing and sharing the stories of Blacks in Appalachia.

I find there’s something very spiritual about the work of Linda Blackford and Steve Crum to bring attention to Black flood victims in Eastern Kentucky. Thanks, y’all. We Shall Overcome.

Bill Turner, Lexington

Giving thanks

It is always encouraging to read of something good coming out of a tragedy like the recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Father Jim Sichko’s commitment and generosity are well documented, but the real gift may have been the response from the store owner.

Inside the story of Gwen Christon was exposure to those who take the time and effort to offer thanks. I found it sad Father Jim said this was the first thank you note he had gotten. I remember early in my career I sent a brief note of thanks to someone who had assisted me in a project. They tracked me down and said it was the first time they had ever received a note of thanks. Apparently, small things have a large impact - a lesson we all need to be more aware of.

I suspect most people are appreciative of assistance regardless of whether or not it is acknowledged. There are times when it is as appropriate to give perfunctory thanks as it is to go the extra mile. Hopefully there will be many who take advantage of the gifts both Father Jim and Gwen Christon have that will last far beyond the actual event.

Charles Myers, Lexington

Jobs legislation

Low wage standards and poor worker protections have hurt Kentucky workers. Kentucky consistently ranks in the bottom 10 states for quality of life due to its reliance on low wage jobs, a poorly educated workforce and poor healthcare quality.

What’s U.S. Rep. Andy Barr done to fix it? He voted against raising the minimum wage of workers to a livable wage (HR 582); equal pay for equal work (HR 7); protecting the right to organize (HR 1552); affordable insulin (HR 6833); the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR 3684); and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2022 (HR 1319).

Instead, he co-sponsored and supported anti-employee legislation, such as the Employee Rights Act (HR 4327; HR 3222; HR 3485) weakening union membership; the Fair and Open Competition Act (HR 1552) eliminating labor collective bargaining; bills HR 2723, HR 4327, HR 3222, and HR 3485 which weaken unions; the Working Families Flexibility Act (HR 1980; HR 1180; HR 465 and HR 1460) which substitutes 1.5 hours off for each hour an employee works more than 40 hours week in place of overtime pay; and the RAISE Act (HR 987; HR 1003; HR 3154; HR 3148) which allows employers to ignore labor collective bargaining agreements.

Remember this November.

Peter Wedlund, Lexington

Florida elections

I was amused recently to hear that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state had found 20 or so illegal votes cast in Florida in the 2020 presidential election. He neglected to mention all the “hanging chads” found on the ballots in Florida during the 2000 presidential election that cost Al Gore his presidency. I guess your election outrage depends on whose ox is getting “Gore-ed”

Ralph Derickson, Lexington, Kentucky

Call him Al

Here he is, the former president of the United States, once again vilifying another government agency. This time, it’s the F.B.I.

I’ll be the first to admit the F.B.I. is far from perfect (just name me one federal agency that is.) But, keep in mind, as you listen to the ravings of a man under numerous state and federal investigations, that this is the agency charged with investigating and solving, murders, rapes, kidnappings, serial killings, hate crimes, white collar, and sundry other federal crimes.

If you listen to former President Donald Trump though, this same agency shouldn’t be tasked with investigating a shoplifting case. Why? Because they are investigating him, that’s why. The F.B.I. committing atrocities and a threat to Democracy? Please. If Trump’s accusations directed at the F.B.I. seem right, honest and fair to you, then America, we have a problem. Because when I hear talk like that, I don’t think of a former president; I think of Al Capone.

Ross DeAeth, Lexington

Upholding Law

Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has stated former President Donald Trump should not have had classified documents in Mar-a-Lago and having them there was unprecedented! Karl Rove also tore into Trump for taking sensitive White House documents to Mar-a-Lago, saying the former president had “no right to do so” under the law, as the documents belonged to the National Archives.

Trump repeatedly called for lengthy jail sentences for those he claimed mishandled classified information. Fulfilling a 2016 election pledge, in 2018 he signed into law a bill making mishandling of classified documents a felony.

Now, more than 320 classified documents have now been recovered from Mar-a-Lago, along with 48 empty folders labeled “Confidential” or “Classified.” Where are the documents from those empty folders - Trump Tower, Bedminster, some other Trump property, or in the hands of foreign agents?

Trump pledged, “On political corruption, we are going to restore honor to our government” and “In my administration, I’m going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law.”

The U.S. Department of Justice needs to enforce the law Trump signed! No one - not even Trump - is above the law!

Joe Crouch, Lexington

Voting privilege

I love Kentucky. I was born and raised my three children here. I want a healthy and safe environment for my grandchildren and future generations. The tornadoes that destroyed parts of Western Ky., and the flooding that destroyed parts of Eastern Ky., both of which took precious lives, were connected to the climate crisis. For our own good and for the good of future generations, we must vote for candidates who will work for climate solutions. This election season is critical.

Three quarters of Americans now say they personally are concerned about climate change. Eighty-five percent of us agree we have a moral responsibility to create a safe and healthy environment for ourselves and our children.

Voting is a privilege and a responsibility. Vote and help others as well. Register to vote by October 11th and cast your ballot at the polls on November 8th. Request an absentee ballot or find your polling location here: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky.

Carol Devine, Lexington