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Opinion

  • McConnell: Serving in Senate '...

    The following is adapted from a speech Senator McConnell gave on the Senate floor on Jan. 12, 2009.   Thanks to the trust of the people of Kentucky, I've received the privilege of another term in the U.S. Senate. That's an extraordinary gift from the voters, and I'm grateful to have the next six years to serve our Commonwealth and our country.

    As a new Congress and a new presidential administration begin, I look for lessons from great Kentuckians who have served our state in public office in the past. One who stands out is Wendell Ford.

  • Letters to the Editor, Jan. 14

    January is School Board Member Recognition Month

    In difficult economic times like these, a community's elected officials face incredible challenges. Often, they are required to make difficult choices and decisions - It's called leadership, and our community is fortunate to have five such individuals on the Marion County Board of Education.

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    Bluegrass Saturday Night

    Like the last strum of a banjo, the sounds of the 2009 Kentucky Bluegrass Music Kickoff linger in the minds of those who attended this year's festival.

    Those sounds include a return performance by the Hager's Mountain Boys, a North Carolina band that is quickly picking up fans in the heart of the Bluegrass State.

    Those sounds include Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, one of the best touring acts in bluegrass music today.

    And those sounds include hundreds of people from near and far cheering and applauding the performances they were treated to over the weekend.

  • You go girls

    Jan.

  • Letter: Resolve to reform taxes

    I've got a great idea for a New Year's Resolution: Get healthy and increase household income by eliminating state taxes on "necessities" and taxing "non-necessities" instead.

    In 2007, my husband and I moved from Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minn., a to the Lebanon-area of Marion County. I love it here. But I think I know why Kentucky is so poor and so unhealthy: "regressive" and excessive tax policies on the necessities of life, and little to none on the "non-necessities".

  • 'Tis the season for mindless...

    Warning: Ladies, if you haven't watched the two-hour special of The Bachelor on ABC, which aired Monday night, stop reading now! I would hate to ruin your DVR (commercial-free) experience. 

  • Beware the Jabberwock and the...

    Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. - "Jabberwocky" By Lewis Carroll   In general, I respect the History Channel. Its series like "The Universe" provide a greater understanding of the world around us as well as everything around the world.   At the same time, other programming, e.g.

  •
    News we'd like to report in...

    On the front page of today's paper and on page A14, we take a look back at the year that was. It's impossible to know what will happen in 2009, so we're throwing away our crystal ball. Instead, we've decided to share some of the headlines we'd love to print in 2009.   Rancho Poultry, Fuel Total Systems ahead of schedule

    Since these two businesses should create hundreds of new jobs in the county, we look forward to the day when they put out the "now hiring" signs. The sooner this gets here, the better. 

  • How to have Christmas every day of...

    This New Year I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! I have this strange belief that Christmas can be celebrated every day of the year. I realize Christmas 2008 is a fading memory, but before you place it in your scrapbook of holidays, take a moment to reflect on how you can enjoy the best of Christmas every day of the year. When Christmas is in your heart, you can pull it up and savor the finest aspects of Christmas anytime. But we have to get beyond the nastiness of Christmas memories to the true meaning of the event.

  • A funeral that shouldn't have...

    The Marion County Honor Guard participated in its 95th funeral of 2008 Monday afternoon.

    It was also the 77th burial at the Lebanon National Cemetery this year.

    It's a funeral that shouldn't have happened, at least, not this soon. It's a funeral that was the direct result of a random act of senseless violence.

    William Scott Miller, 42, of Frankfort was buried Monday afternoon. He died after he was shot while driving on Interstate 635 in Dallas.

  • Letters to the editor, Dec. 31

    Profiteering and gouging should not be allowed

    Since the manipulated oil prices are down, it seems that overcharging for food and electrical energy should not be allowed.

    I'm speaking of the increases by the TVA and RECC. Both have no reason to gouge the public like they are.

    If government entities have overspent their budgets, that is not a reason to try and balance the books on the backs of the people.

  • State Rep. Higdon prepares for 2009...

    On Jan. 6, the 2009 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly will convene and we are slated to consider many important issues this year.  As your elected representative, I want to know your opinions and thoughts.  Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire included this column and return it to me.

    Once completed, you may return it by mail to Room 451D, Capitol Annex, Frankfort, KY 40601. You may also fax your response to (502) 564-7690.  I thank you in advance for completing this questionnaire.

  • Kids say the darnedest things

    As I was watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer the other night with my 2-year-old, I was reminded of the fact that everything I say (or do) is being closely listened to and, very often, repeated. We were at the point in the program where the abominable snow monster is trying to attack Herbie, Rudolph and Yukon Cornelius. Thankfully, Yukon Cornelius and his ice pick save the day and the trio manage to escape on a glacier into the ocean, putting them out of the snow monster's reach.

  • Just in time - your last minute...

    Here you are, a week before Christmas and you still haven't figured out how you'll be filling all the stockings on your list.

    If your list is longer than mine (and it probably is since I'm pretty stingy), you may be wondering what you can get for that co-worker, in-law, parent, or romantic interest. For better or worse, here are a few holiday suggestions.

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    Wreaths Across America

    Editor's note: The following is a speech that was given by Hayden Johnson at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Lebanon National Cemetery Saturday.

    We are gathered here today at this memorial site and memorial sites all across America to remember that we are one nation with one flag. We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people, many races, from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price.

  • Letters to the editor, Dec. 17

    Band makes Bradfordsville parade very special

    We from the Bradfordsville community received a wonderful blessing during our Christmas in the Country parade when the award-winning Marion County High School band graced our Christmas festival with their talents. So often the small communities feel left out, but the band and those in charge felt that being a part of the festival was significant enough under near freezing weather conditions to march and perform in the annual parade.

  • Looking to fill three big stockings

    The possible bailout of the Big Three American automakers has been prominent in the news for weeks.

    Many people have serious questions about giving money to companies that have a poor record of business management of late. The concerns are all the more understandable since the same people who have put the Big Three in their respective holes are the ones who intend to remain in charge.

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    Campaigns are over; working across...

    To many people, it must have been a remarkable picture.

    After months of bitter campaigning, President-elect Barack Obama sat next to Sen. John McCain for a meeting a few days ago. They talked at length about how they could reach across party lines to discuss - and move forward on - some of the nation's most challenging issues.

    If they can do this on a national level, why can't we do it in Kentucky?

  • Letters to the editor, Dec. 10

    On behalf of the MCHS girls volleyball team, I would like to express our appreciation to Glen Richardson for his tireless efforts as athletic trainer at the high school. He spends an amazing number of hours advising and treating all the athletes at the school. To have this professional attention so available has made us the envy of most visiting teams who often make comments about Glen's contributions to the health and safety of our students.

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    To the victors

    It's been a while since someone was able to beat the Lebanon Middle School girls basketball team.

    No team has done it either of the last two seasons. To put it another way, the Lady Patriots have won 70 games in a row.

    The LMS girls most recent victory occurred Friday at Rupp Arena in an overtime thriller. With their 40-33 win over Crosby Middle School, the Lady Patriots became back-to-back state champions.