Smith wins 30th District, deals Beshear a setback

Republican Brandon Smith captured the open state Senate seat in Eastern Kentucky in a raucous, politically charged race that commanded the attention of key party leaders and is rife with implications in Frankfort.

Smith, a state representative from Hazard, defeated former Democratic Rep. Scott Alexander of Hazard by 401 votes, according to unofficial results. It was the third time in eight years Smith beat Alexander in elections. 

Smith’s win — a pick-up for Republicans in a district with an overwhelming majority of Democrats — comes as Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear attempts to marshal support for a controversial proposal to allow casino gambling in Kentucky, an issue opposed by most Republicans senators and Smith.

And it puts the chamber further out of reach of Democrats. Republicans will control the Senate 22 to 15, with one independent.

In addition to the political intrigue surrounding the race, the 30th Senate District —  covering Bell, Harlan, Perry and Leslie counties — produced allegations of voter fraud Tuesday. The Kentucky State Police and attorney general’s office both confirmed separate investigations.

“There was an allegation that either someone was buying votes or trading beer for votes in Perry County. We’re looking into that allegation,” said Lt. Phil Crumpton, spokesman for the state police. He said he couldn’t confirm whether arrests were made.

And Becky Blevins, the Bell County clerk, said she had to call police after an unidentified operative entered polling locations posing as a clerk’s office official to review Democratic voter rolls to see who had voted and who hadn’t. 

Smith will replace Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo for the remainder of the term, which ends 2010. The seat was the marquee prize on a special election day that saw two Democrats, including former House Democratic majority leader Greg Stumbo, win open state House seats.

But the Senate seat drew the most attention as Mongiardo feverishly campaigned with Alexander and Beshear made several trips to headline Alexander campaign rallies and raise funds.

Smith said he had no hard feelings toward Beshear and is “glad the governor knows how to get to Hazard.”

“I knew he was going to wade into the battle. I was surprised he waded as deep as he did,” Smith said of Beshear. “I’m OK with that. We survived it.”

Smith, whom Republican leaders will appoint to a coveted seat on the Senate budget committee, complimented Alexander on the race and said he hopes to work with Beshear for the district, adding that he expects he’ll agree with the administration on many issues.

The Democratic Party nomination process also may have been a factor in the race, as former Rep. Roger Noe of Harlan County openly complained that Beshear and Mongiardo “fixed” it for Alexander, an allegation the administration has denied. 

Meanwhile, Republican Senate President David Williams stumped for Smith and helped him raise money in Frankfort for the race. But Smith’s biggest endorsement came from U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset.

Casino gambling emerged as a key issue in the race with Smith saying Alexander would be a ‘Yes’ vote on Beshear’s plan and Alexander responding that he wants to give voters the chance to approve or turn down the proposal on the ballot.

Smith’s opposition to casinos bolsters Williams blockade of Beshear’s constitutional amendment, which needs 23 votes to pass the chamber.

Even before the election, at least one Democrat was wavering on supporting casinos.
State Sen. Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, said he wants to see the details of the bill when Beshear’s administration rolls it out as early as the end of this week. But he said his background as the grandson of a Baptist preacher makes it difficult to back a casino bill.

“The Baptist in me causes me reservations,” Jones said. “It’s hard to overcome.”

- Ryan Alessi

Comments

[John]

Now why did the Dems pick Alexander to run against Smith when he had previously lost twice. That means that Alexander is not and will never be a viable candidate for state office from that district.

Secondly, I love hearing that Ray Jones uses his Bible to make decisions regarding the state's well-being. If that's the case, he won't have a problem with re-instating the estate tax and raising income taxes for rich people, because Jesus consistently sided with the poor and not with the rich throughout the New Testament. Be ready to put your money through your mouth is when you start running to the church for answers to secular problems.

[John]

Now why did the Dems pick Alexander to run against Smith when he had previously lost twice. That means that Alexander is not and will never be a viable candidate for state office from that district.

Secondly, I love hearing that Ray Jones uses his Bible to make decisions regarding the state's well-being. If that's the case, he won't have a problem with re-instating the estate tax and raising income taxes for rich people, because Jesus consistently sided with the poor and not with the rich throughout the New Testament. Be ready to put your money where your mouth is when you start running to the church for answers to secular problems.

[Kelsey]

No death blow to gaming, just to eastern Ky who always comes out losers. What a shame they did not see the goodness in Alexander as they did in Dr Dan. When will the people of Eastern Ky wakeup.
Kelsey.

[Edgar]

Congratulations to Brandon Smith on a hard fought victory, from a loyal Kentucky Democrat.

Unfortunately for the Democratic party I'm loyal but not a Lemming. If they want to drive the party off a cliff I will not follow.

[WakeUpDemocrats!]

Alexander is a loser, Beshear is a loser, and casino gambling is a loser. The rest of the Democratic Party needs to distance itself from those three losers, or the whole party will be a loser!

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

The defeat of Alexander is not a surprise for me. Smith had been in the mix of East Kentucky politics a long time, the manner in which the Governor and Lt. Governor handled the situation from the beginning turned people off. There was deep divide the,and it was carried over into the polling.

The Current Administration, must feel like a fool at this point. Beshear and Dr. Dan, flooded the area with pork, in hopes of gaining support for Alexander.

CHECK MATE!

Too bad, Steve Beshear did not learn, from the not exactly stealth performance, of Ernie -in giving away state money as part of GOLD . . . it didn't work for Fletcher and Beshear bought into the OLD SCHOOL MENTALITY

IMO, this will have an impact on the Casino issue, making it to the ballot. But, if it does there appears a very large push back, most of which will come after the Governor submits his bill for the Constitutional Amendment to allow Casino gamings.

Maybe this will also send a message to "OTHER SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES in the region, they can't hide behind "the yes vote" as reason to vote to approve the constitutional amendment. This vote shows the pulse of the region. Better listen!

Looks like a difficult battle for the Current Administration. Maybe now, it is time to sharpen the pencil and scale back the massive amount of projects, this administration hoped to fund, by taking from the middle Class and giving to . . . .

[Kelsey]

Stivers you idot. This election in Hazard means nothing when it come to the casino bill. Steve wont lose any sleep tonight, he has major republicans in the senate committed to the csino bill and any mover or shaker in frankfort knows that. The help was to not make Dr Dan feel bad about losing his seat to a hillbilly. We will overcome.
Kelsey

[Cyberhillbilly]

Nice win for Smith.

BTW, when E. KY has a heated election and there are accusations of passing out beer for votes and drive by shoutings, that's progress. Watch the Big Lever sometime. Back in the good ol' days, we used to fire shots on election day and trade pints of 'shine. Progress... I guess??

Big Lever: http://appalshop.org/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=253

[Williams]

We can thank Beshear, Mongardio and the KDP for this fiasco. Maybe Beshear and the KDP will learn to keep their noses out of campaigns and worry about what we elcted them to do. Govern!
They sure seem lost since they got to Frankfort to me. I am disappointed in this administration.

[kelsey, you ignorant sl#t]

beshear now needs every D vote in the senate (which he won't get) and 8 R votes to a secret amendment that wasn't built on any consensus.

if you think he has a prayer, you live the world of rainbows and unicorns.

now tell your wife to go iron my shirt and make me a sandwich.

do it..don't just sit there breathing out of your mouth

[JW]

Kelsey, what happens when another PAC comes into play against expanded gambling? They will list everyone in the state legislature that is supporting the casino amendment and will work against each of them in their re-election bids. Once again, and I know it is very difficult for your limited mental capacity to understand but a vote against Fletcher was not a support for casino gambling.

[Lyndon Combs]

Kelsey it looks like they didn't send enough moeny to do the job after all. If the Governor, and Lt. Governor had allowed the two other candidates(read my blog on the other candidate besides Noe) a chance at the process, and not pushed only ALexander things could have been a great deal different. Now we have a Lt.Governor who did have a good clean ethical rep. that is now tainted. A Governor who I always knew was a weasel, and another empty seat. A mess.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

FRANKFORT --
Democratic leaders in the House are cobbling together a legislative "package" that would probably add between $300 million and $400 million more to Gov. Steve Beshear's bare-bones budget proposal, according to one key lawmaker.

Finally there is some reasonable suggestion as to how to raise money for our Treasury that makes sense. Kudos to Moberly.

It appears, supposition only, that Moberly now sees the Casino Issue may not make it to the ballot, so . . . now the House is working on ways to secure more money without Casinos.

The KENTUCKY “SHOCK AND AWL” DID NOT WORK, THIS TIME.

[DBoone]

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN. So let's see now, the light governor says he won't be in frankfort and he'll be staying at the hospital to "work". We'll that's fine with me, cause he has no sway, no power, no vote, and his handpicked crony didn't win. What a great day for this commonwealth. Thank you Sen Williams and Sen Smith. PS, and we sent a message to Moore and her gang of boobs. This win was sweeeeet!

[William Shackleford LOSES big time too]

Losers from Dist. 30
Governor Beshear, Lt. Gov. Mongiardo, Jennifer Moore, Jeremy Horton, Scott Alexander ... no mistake in putting Alexander last.

HOWEVER, one more HUGE loser in the Dist. 30 race is none other than our beloved propaganda blog host, William Hayes Shackelford.

Shackleford aka Shack, has earned the title as one of the biggest liars, unsubstantiated rumor mongers, say ANYTHING - including lies - to get votes & money for candidates he supports that has hit Kentucky since Mark Nickolas .... and that aint no compliment to Shack.

I don't know who spreads more unsubstantiated rumors aka lies, Shack or Nickolas?

Shack has been lying on his blog since inception of the blog. Shack's most recent lie was a post he had yesterday saying Roger Noe was breaking election laws with absolutely no facts to back up his nasty dirty lie. Shack also lied about Nancy Brock's husband. In that same post he blasted Keeling for the facts Keeling wrote about Beshear's administration rigging Dist 30 election and giving Haggerty a $50,000.00 a year job in exchange, for what appeared to be, a vote. Shack even went on to say Keeling would have to offer up an "embarrassing" apology.

Shack's lies were only a means to an end. Shack wanted Scott Alexander to win and would spread any lie, slander anyone, to reach that end ..... Shack was forced to delete that post but has refused to issue his OWN "embarrassing" apology to Roger Noe, to Nancy Brock's husband and refuses to retract that lie for his readers to see.

That isn't Shack's first lie. Shack started lying the minute he started blogging. He started his blog with the moto "Common Everyday Persons' Point of View of Politics In Kentucky" - that was a LIE. Fact is, Shack started that blog because he was Bruce Hendrickson's campaign manager. He didn't want anyone to know he was the campaign manager and wanted readers to think he was just another voter ... that was a LIE. The reason he did that was he thought he could get more support for Hendrickson if readers thought Shack was just like them ... a common everyday voter. Shack was then able to post propaganda for Hendrickson.

Shack filled out paper work to get the Frank Simon's Freedom Heritage Forum PAC endorsement for Hendrickson, but read on, it looks like Shack lied on the paper work as a means to get the endorsement and the PAC money. Shack was so proud of that endorsement he touted how that endorsement position Hendrickson to win the Primary. Shack wrote on his blog in May, "3 organizations have endorsed Bruce Hendrickson for Secretary of State. One in particular is the Freedom Heritage Forum PAC, they are in the process of mailing out 100,000 voter guides to various religious institutions across the state. With the threat of a miserably low turnout for this primary, the Church vote may be the most coveted vote in the Commonwealth."

Here's where the lies come in, according to Freedom Heritage Forum PAC survey’s and questionnaires filled out by Shack in the Primary, Shack wrote that he’s against expanding legalized gaming, is against extending benefits to same sex couples, and IS ProLife. These are perfectly defendable positions, but they put him in direct opposition to the Beshear-Mongiardo campaign on two of its signature issues and whoda thunk the ProLife angle?

Months later when people started condemning Hendrickson because Simon is a hatemonger Shack changed his tune and said he didn't know who Simon was and didn't know the Freedom Heritage Forum was a bunch of hatemongering kooks. Shack said, "Take it for what it is worth but I am to blame for the Simon endorsement and after I realized who Simon was it was too late. We filled out every questionnaire we could get. That's what you do when there is no money."

Did Shack lie on that questionnaire to get the endorsement and money of Frank Simons Freedoms Heritage Forum PAC? He either lied or he's against gaming, gay rights and pro-choice.

Clearly, Shackleford and Hendrickson had time between filing the papers and touting the endorsement to do their research and are even quoted as understanding it's origin in the church.

I wonder if Shack cares to admit to ALL his lies, not that it matters anymore. After all, seeing, especially in this case, is believing. This also should call into question anything ever posted on The Rural Democrat.

The lies Shack's been posting this past week didn't pay off for him.

If he lies to "get" what he wants then his word is meaningless and he has shown he has no morals and no virtues.

[Shack's ProLife, Anti-gaming, Anti-gay right's questionnaire]

Link to the questionnaire showing Shack filled out that he was supporting ProLife, anti-gaming, anti-gay rights.

http://www.wilderness-cry.net/pdf/07-may-voter-guide.pdf

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Posted by: Shack's ProLife, Anti-gaming, Anti-gay right's questionnaire | February 06, 2008 at 01:55 PM

I could not agree with you more 1:55.

Since the inception of the Rural Democrat, it has been a source for Shack to post and make it appear he is not involved in the actual election of anyone, except those that are picked and supported by the current administration. Even then he tried to make it STEALTH.

Well, STEALTH DIDN'T WORK DID IT?

To me as a source of information as to what is going on with the EVERYDAY MAN AND WOMAN IS A MARKETING TOOL.

Rural Democrat, for the exception of a few, does not contain much substantive reports about what is really going on in THE EVERYDAY MAN AND WOMAN'S POLITICS.

Shack IS NOT a source for impartial and careful thinkers, rather it is the same old same old that spouts the disadvantage of the Eastern Kentucky Region.

Perhaps,when Shack is able to think independently, rather than be a mouthpiece for the current administration, then maybe we can begin to believe something of what was reported on THE RURAL DEMOCRAT.

"I just wanna say!"

Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.

[Elizabeth]

You are good, JAS!

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Kelsey, here is another group that feels the same way as most people that CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR NEIGHBOR.

From the Herald Leader . . .

Black ministers denounce casinos at Capitol rally
By Janet Patton
JPATTON1@HERALD-LEADER.COM

FRANKFORT --
Calling slot machines a potential plague upon Kentuckians, a group of black ministers gathered Wednesday at the Capitol to express opposition to Gov. Steve Beshear's plan to allow casino gambling.

The Rev. Willis Polk, pastor of Imani Baptist Church in Lexington, said that the community sympathizes with Beshear's budget dilemma, but that expanded gambling is not the answer.

"If you want a more stable source of income, grow the economy," Polk said. "But don't pimp the people."

Polk led a group of about 40 from the African-American Fellowship Against Expanded Gambling, which he said includes more than 70 congregations and is affiliated with the larger Kentucky Baptist community. He said they have written nearly 3,000 letters to legislators but have gotten only a handful of responses. (end a partial lift) jas

THERE WILL BE NOT RESPONSE FROM many of the Legislators . . . That was before, this is now.

Members that are running for re election, if you want to draw your full retirement then perhaps you should read the message of the polling in the 30th District.

The CASINO ISSUE is in DEEP TROUBLE. I hope you can finally see, just what was said in the above news report. . . . STEVE BESHEAR'S ELECTION WAS NOT ABOUT APPROVING CASINOS.

And the election in the 30th, speaks loud and clear about a Governor meddling with their politics, just to get another Senator that supports his AGENDA.

Don't stop bloggers, let your member of the General Assembly know, you can run from this issue, but now . . . with the results in the 30th district, YOU CAN'T HIDE.

Viva Le BLOGS

"I just wanna say!!"

Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.

CONTACTS FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

This is a lift written by John Mack Hack, of SAY NO TO CASINOS.

I am glad to see Mr. Hack make this statement and history will prove this statements to be true.

MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY . . . Even if the Current Administration waits until the last minute to bring their bill forward, it likely will not make any difference. Voters and right minded Kentucky Citizens see thru this issue, like clear pane.

FROM SAY NO TO CASINOS. A lift.

Say No to Casinos believes that Kentucky should close the door on its history of back-room deals between politicians and executives from industries that aim to extract the wealth from our Commonwealth. A government by, for and of the people can be and should be conducted in a way that’s open to the people.

“Reviving the era of smoke-filled rooms, closed door meetings and political corruption won’t do anything to increase citizens’ confidence in government,” Hack said. “If the Governor believes that slot machines are a sound public policy, then he should be completely transparent with the people of our state on this issue.”

Hack said that he believes the Governor is waiting until after the January 29 filing deadline for state legislative seats to unveil his slot machine proposal so that his supporters in the legislature would not have to face the political accountability of a campaign opponent. If legislators are not required to take a position on controversial issues before the filing deadline, then they reduce the likelihood of gaining election opponents.

WEll said and true. jas

[Jokes on KDP]

JAS et al.,

Hey I remember that post yesterday where Shack said Keeling will have to deliver an embarrassing apology. I also remember somebody asked Shack if he was up for delivering an 'embarrassing' apology of his own if the alleged accusations about Noe and Brock proved false.

Not only were his accusations about Noe & Danny Brock false, they were outright lies. As a matter of fact, that post of Shack's was filled with so many slanderous lies that Shack was forced by Noe's attorney and Brock's attorney to take the whole post down.

I'll say this, it isn't any secret that the KDP is playing Shack like a drum. They feed him their propaganda and he prints it and when somebody challenges him he just deletes their post and gets all hot & bothered and say things like 'kiss my a**' -- such a classy blow hard.

Shack's blog is just propaganda that Jennifer Moore and Jeremy Horton pump him full of. Main stream media won't print their propaganda so they use Shack's blog to spread their BS. They wanted Scott Alexander to win the race so Shack wrote BS about anyone who the KDP thought might hurt his chances.

The only blog printing propaganda about Noe & Brock was Shack's blog. All those lies he told and now Shack, Jennifer Moore & Horton are crying because their blog-scam backfired.

Will Shack release an 'embarrassing' apology? He$$ NO. He isn't a man of integrity so there will be no retraction and no apology. He'll keep up his KDP scam throughout the casino debates. Only Shack won't debate he'll print what he is told to print & he'll delete anyone who can prove he is lying.

Shack needs to remember the more he pops off with unsubstantiated rumors that are clearly untrue the more he sounds like a propaganda tool for the KDP lacking complete credibility and becoming a laughing stock in his own home town.

His name could be Chief Laughing-Stock

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Jokes on KDP.

Say what?

There is no way, anyone that has an opposing view, on anything this administration wants to pander can get a seat at the KDP table. I thought things were bad before, when Lundergan was chair.

But, this bunch of young and good old boys are somewhat more stealth in their moves.
Well not exactly, now that we have blogs in Kentucky.

Nothing has changed. And, our Governor and his "advisor's" are playing 1980's politics.

Prior to the administration change, one could get a tid bit, every now and then, but when Beshear was elected, the open door to the KDP, was closed. Who did that one?

I would hate to think we are about to see an even worse scenario under this administration.

One thing for sure. Kentucky needs some new blood as candidates.

Since the Casino Issue is so prevalent,
I bet cha!

There will be not public disclosures, of the Governors Bill for Casinos, until after January 29th.

What is significant about that date, bloggers?

[Kelsey]

YOu people have nothing to crow about. Sure this is a mark on Dr Dan if he runs for higher office, but no mark on Steve Beshear. When Hal Rogers came out that sealed the deal for Smith. Make no mistake if Rogers had stayed out of the race, Alexander would have won. As I said last night, my close personal friend B Jones says he is ready to go in the Senate and for the Governor not to worry, its a done deal. Now if Mr Stivers thinks a bus load of snake handlers can come to the state capitol and put there two cents in against the bill, that is just a big laugh. If the truth be know they jumped into that bus, got them a keg of Bud lite and drove to Ceasers over in Indiana to play the slots.
Kelsey.

[WakeUpKY]

Kelsey, I mostly just ignore your ignorant-as-to-be-humorous posts. But your comment about some very bright, dedicated, capable, and respected black brothers in the clergy offends me! These fine leaders are trying to improve the lives of their congregations and communities. They shouldn't have to fight their governor who is being paid off to allow corporate thieves owning casinos to come in here, and as Rev. Polk said, "pimp" us!

Eloquent, Reverend! Eloquent.

JAS is right! Keep bloggin' bloggers! As for you Kelsey, you remind us of the worst in all of us, and for that, in a perverse sort of way, I thank you!

[Gadfly]

Kelsey, you are a sick and twisted individual. Your rants surpass the boundaries of any sane person.

[Beshear/KDP owned by casino/horse money]

Kelsey is one of William Hayes Shackleford's friends; good friends I might add. Is it any wonder that Shack's friend, Kelsey muses about with such drivel on blogs?

JAS is right. Entering the KDP is like entering into Nazi controlled Germany. They don't want to open the doors for demcrats. JAS asked a good question, whose fault is it that the KDP has gone so secretive? Can anyone say, casino/horse people's money has given rise to the closed doors on the KDP and their books?

It's simple, the casino/horse folks bought Beshear and the KDP too. They now own blogs, like Shack's blog, to toss their propaganda around on and they don't need us democrats any more cuz we don't have millions to toss at them.

These legislators up for re-election, they better watch out cuz a lot of us REAL democrats that work hard to pay taxes, we aren't going to re-elect those pieces of waste.

[Shack wouldn't pay taxes if he owned a casino]

Interesting fact on why Shack is such a sucker-toady for the KDP.

Shack is part Native American Indian. Native Americans don't have to pay taxes on the casinos they own.

DUH!! No wonder Shack is willing to lie and say whatever it takes for Beshear/Mongiardo. If Beshear's casinos pass then Shack could open up a casino and not have to pay any taxes.

Gig is up Shack-daddy.

[don't worry about shack]

Man, nobody needs to get all uptight over Shack. I've lived here in Harlan for years, the dude is one of the biggest jokes in town. He walks down the street and we all just laugh our a&&es off when he goes past. We was laughin real hard today. The dumba$$ kept sayin how Alexander would have a landslide over Smith. HA HA HA well jokes on the old redman. He aint nothin, he aint never been nothin and if he gets a casino he'll just be a taxfree nothin. Nothin but a joke anyways.

[I am an Indian Too]

I wish it were that easy! I love white people, they think they know everything.

[Indians don't pay taxes on casinos]

hey Indian too, who you trying to con? It's a known fact that an important Supreme Court ruling in 1987 established the principle that states could not regulate or tax gaming on Native American tribes.

Ole Shack is planning on opening up a casino for his Piqua Shawnee Tribe.

He's been working as a Native American activist in Kentucky with Dan Mongiardo for a long time. The plan is, Shack will get the casino for his tribe and then, because it's for the tribe, not have to pay taxes on the casino as per the Supreme Court ruling.

Dude, moral to the story, don't believe the propaganda you read on Shack's blog. It's just BS from Beshear, Moore, Horton & Mongiardo, in that order.

[JW]

Why is anyone suprised by Kelsey's comments? It's typical Democratic remarks-you only use the minorities when it gains you votes. Once they get the votes, they are tossed aside.

[Kelsey]

I was reading a story in todays C-J about a misinter who spoke at the state capitol yesterday. His name was Rev Bruce Williams from Smoketown. Then I put 2+2 together. He is Senator David Williams cousin. I knew there was some connection on that bus load of losers yesterday and the bus loan of losers in the Senate.
Kelsey.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Many of us welcomed the energy and TV ads produced by the Bluegrass Freedom Fund during the election. Who, in heavens name, would be opposed to ETHICS REFORM?
A lift from a Herald Leader story;
The Bluegrass Freedom Fund's news release called on lawmakers to take six actions:
• "end pardon abuse"
• "protect whistleblowers"
• "reduce delays in releasing government records"
• "increase penalties for elected officials, staff and appointees who abuse the merit system"
• "increase penalties for violating the code of ethics"
• "make the Executive Branch Ethics Commission independent and non-partisan"

The Bluegrass Freedom Fund ran at least $3 million worth of television ads last fall pounding former Gov. Ernie Fletcher for pardoning members of his administration and invoking his constitutional protection against self-incrimination during an investigation of state hiring practices.

Jeez, that position is as AMERICAN AS---- APPLIE PIE! It appeared to be a fine group of intelligent people, coming to the assistance of the electorate, to help restore integrity and honor to Commonwealth politics. (I don’t know if one group, one time, can accomplish that but it played well to keep the heat on Ernie and for justifiable reasons.)

The message of Bluegrass Freedom was well received. Why would it not be? It was the very thing the voters were hoping for . . . a 527, to swift boat Fletcher, which he deserved. What a breath of fresh air for a group to support higher ethics.

There was a blog post not too long ago that listed the donors to Bluegrass Freedom Fund, among them was Mr. Tracy Farmer, successful business man and Thoroughbred owner. And a large list of HORSE PEOPLE both in state and out of state.

That made this blogger suspicious, so I did a little more checking. Here is what I found:

Bluegrass Freedom Fund got 1/3 of its money from Bill Yung, Columbia Sussex CEO. Mr. Yung lost his license in Atlantic City for firing employees responsible for sanitation and safe operation of his casino (Tropicana). He’s being sued by his bank for $900 million for “reckless” management leading to loss of license.

Is that blood money or blood diamonds; either way . . . it is troubling action.

SAY WHAT BLUEGRASS? (Ethics?)

It seems to me Bluegrass Freedom has misrepresented the issue. How can a group, be for Ethics Reform and take money, (not a little money either) from a business man that has so many complaints against him for the manner in which he operates a business? And has a pending lawsuit from one of the banks for $900,000.

This concerned me so; I sent an email to Bluegrass Freedom fund using the INFO AT BLUEGRASS EMAIL ADRS. I asked them straight out if Bluegrass Freedom was an advance job to be able to support the CASINO AMENDMENT?

That was several days ago, I guess no-one is in the office right now. Or, it is a question Bluegrass Freedom Fund would rather not deal with at this time. Don’t know. But it is troubling.

So if we see those good looking TV ads this next time . . . what will they be for ETHICS again, or SUPPORT FOR THE CASINO AMENDMENT?

You bloggers connect the dots and see what you think!

“I just wanna say!”
Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.

[JW]

Kelsey, only a moron like you could put two and two together and come up with nine. Visit the website http://www.batesmemorial.com/default.aspx

I doubt that David Williams and Bruce Williams are cousins, but if you can, prove me wrong.

[anon]

Kelsey, dude man I love ya, you know that. But dude when your old lady was over here rubbing my toes with that soothing oil she uses she told me that Rev Bruce Williams from Smoketown is your daddy.

I guess that makes you 2nd cousins to David Williams. Sheeeiit .... I would chat more on this here topic but your old lady is serving me my vittles right now.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

The more you reply to Kelsey the more audience he has.

I G N O R E

HIM.

You won't miss anything.

Signed: Jim Anderson Stivers (Kelsey's IDIOT!)

[Cry For The Indians (an old Anthrax song)]

Those casinos have to be on a reservation. Last time I checked, there are no Indian reservations in KY. So ol' Shack is out of luck.

He started his blog to be the anti-Nickolas and has turned into a clone of Mark Nickolas.

And on another note -- could Kelsey be any dumber? If he really is close personal friends with every Democrat big-wig in Frankfort, they're probably calling him and telling him not to tell the world that they are acquainted. If I was Brer Jones, Steve Beshear or any of them, I'd be embarassed that a buffoon like Kelsey is bragging about being a friend of mine.

Of course I doubt seriously that Kelsey knows them in any significant way other than possibly shaking their hands at a rally.

[Casinos owned by TRIBES don't pay taxes]

Well, you're wrong. The only requirement for the Native American tax-exemption is the casino has to be owned by a tribe.

Shack wants his tribe to own the casino.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allows for tax exempt casinos OFF of reservations as well as on reservations.

To date, only three such "off-reservation" casinos have been built tax free.

Often small groups of people with dubious Native American heritage who have been able to gain federal recognition for the sole purpose of establishing a tax-exempt casino.

Businessmen have frequently established joint ventures with tribes on terms that de facto amount to just buying a tribe's name for their own business.