Right in Kentucky

More jobs lost.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:51:00 +0000

From the AP:

GLASGOW, Ky. (AP) -- A gearing production plant will move from southern Kentucky to Mexico and take about 100 jobs with it sometime this year.

Dana Corp., which runs the plant in Glasgow, is making the move aimed at "improving the competitiveness" of Dana's commercial vehicle business, said Chuck Hartlage, a Dana Corp. spokesman.

The move means 100 people employed at the plant will be laid off, Hartlage said.

Dana Corp.'s move is the latest to hit Glasgow and southern Kentucky. Johnson Controls moved its production operations to Mexico in late 2005. It manufactured sun visors for the automotive industry.

SKF USA, Inc. announced plans to phase out operations at its Glasgow plant over an 18-month period and to move a portion of its production to its manufacturing facility in Puebla, Mexico. The Glasgow plant makes a limited assortment of automotive hub units, both for North America-based original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket distribution.

"How can you compete with Mexico?" asked Mayor Darrell Pickett. "There's no competition for Mexico. What do you do?"

Stephen Biggers, executive director of the Glasgow-Barren County Industrial Development Authority, said the economy is pushing Dana and other companies like it south of the border.

"Their reason for it, and they are very straightforward, is they have to be competitive. You are either competitive or you don't survive," Biggers said.

The mayor' right, as is Mr. Biggers. If we can't "compete" with Mexico, and there is nothing else keeping them here, what are we to do?
For one, we could return to a more community-centric society. This is something that I'm quite fond of, and could help a lot of our problems. What we need to do is build more homegrown industrialists and small time entrepreneurs. These people will not likely provide thousands of jobs. They will, however, provide from one to 50 jobs within the community. The real kicker to this is that these jobs are very likely to stay in the community permanently.
I'll have more on this later, as I'm three hours from home and have an early class in the morning.

God Bless,
Micah

Hillary doing shots in IN at a campaign event.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:45:00 +0000

To avoid the criticism of hypocrisy, I have been known to partake in KY's finest on occasion.
However,
1) the Secret Service isn't usually present (apparently trying to talk her out of it). 2) I am not running for the highest office in the land.
3) If I were, I'd be sure that no one was video taping my taking a shot with a beer chaser.

Hillary, you're a wealthy woman. Go for the bottle next time you want to look like one of the 'little people'.

-Micah

In Memoriam

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:48:00 +0000

Forty years ago last night, a prophet stood at the Masons Temple in Memphis, Tennessee:

part 1

part 2

Who's to blame?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:34:00 +0000

As I stated in my previous post (see below), I've been quite introspective of late. I have been intentionally staying away from my usual reading of various philosophers, ignored the pleas for money from the RNC (like I believe that Mrs. Bush is pleading with me to fund the party), and trying to figure out this mess that our country and state are in.
I'm not being pessimistic, just calling things like I see them, which is really hard to do with all of the political double-speak going on from both sides of the aisle.
Whose fault is it that we are now in what could turn out to be the most expensive military engagement of all time? Why do so many people feel so disenfranchised? Why can't a simple budget even get passed in this great Commonwealth?
We can find the blame everywhere we look in the media. Democrats want to ruin our lives by increasing taxes to an unbearable level, Republicans want to squander our nation's wealth by pulling us further into an unnecessary war, Democrats are attempting to socialize everything in America so we closer resemble our "Nanny State" neighbors to the north & across the pond, Republicans want to screw the "working class" making the way for more insanely high "golden parachute" retirements for their friends...the list goes on.
So, who's to blame? After a great deal of soul-searching, I discovered a surprising truth. The answer, dear readers, is Me. I could quite easily pass the blame onto you as well, and I will, as soon as I'm finished confessing my part in the division of the people of this fair land.
I know what many of you are thinking, "How conceited can this young punk be to say he can cause what so many are trying to fix?" It's not conceit. It's reality. You see, those who are most capable of changing things for the better are too consumed with the "next election" to work with what we have. I, for one, was constantly looking forward to the next electoral victory. The day after an "enemy" of the Republican party was elected, I'd start working against him/her so "we" could win the next election. The fact of the matter is, no matter who I voted for, "we" did win. The people of Kentucky or the US voted and won. It is not mine to undermine the will of the people and begin an immediate sabotage campaign against those who I see as standing in "our" way, I should, instead, immediately begin to build bridges so that the best compromises can be made to best provide for the people of this land.
These divisive habits spill out into just about every area of American culture.
Take a look at the "green" movement. Al Gore has presented himself as an enemy to some, and we've accepted his self-appointment. His rhetoric about global warming is so much in line with the old "with us or against us" mentality that it seems that there can be no compromise between "us" and "them". Not to mention, "Al Gore drives a car!" So what if global warming is bunk? Many of the solutions provided for global warming also go a long way towards a more community-centric populace, and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Both of these results are definitely favorable, but in coming out "against" many things that we hold dear, Gore and Co. have left a sour taste in the mouths of some. This sour taste only leads to the plugging of ears anytime someone mentions "sustainability", "conservation", or, God forbid, "preservation".
We have created an environment in which people are afraid to talk about common sense answers to common sense problems. Far too often, I have tried to prove myself "more conservative" than the next guy with my rhetoric, even though "more" isn't always "better."
I go back to the advice that my grandmother gave me as a young(er) man. She said, "Anything to an excess is wrong. It doesn't matter whether it's alcohol, work, or anything else, too much of anything is wrong." At first, I took this to mean that I shouldn't get drunk. While I'm sure that she definitely didn't want me to become the next town drunk, there is much wisdom in applying these words to other aspects of our lives. Some of the most conservative people in history have been ruthless dictators. Consequently, the same goes for some of the most liberal people in history.
Looking around the globe I have found that I really haven't met a true "liberal" in my life. Honestly, if you look at the way R's and D's are currently acting, there isn't a shakes worth of difference between them. As soon as Republicans were elected in '92 to counter the Clinton presidency, they started spending like drunken sailors. So much so that Newt Gingrich, the author of the "Contract with America" quit, saying that he "...knew that we would have to do things to stay in power that I didn't want to do." And so they did.
The only real difference between the two parties is who they are against.
Am I saying that complacency is the answer? Should we just give up on our elected representatives all together and let them do what they will? Never. What I do intend to do use my energy to best serve my community. I want to focus on getting problems solved instead of getting people elected. I know that conventional wisdom states that you have to get a man elected before he can solve a problem, but conventional wisdom is wrong.
I believe it was Helen Keller who said something to the effect of: "I am only one man, and can not do everything. But I am still one man, and nothing shall stop me from doing what I can."
Expect to see me around a lot more. Don't, however, expect me to keep Reagan's 11th commandment.

God Bless,
Micah

It's Been A While

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:21:00 +0000

I have been extremely busy with life for the past 6 months or so. This time off has been good for me. I've had several major (some life-altering) events take place in these few short months. These events, both negative and positive, have led to a good deal of introspection. Don't worry, fair reader, I'm not contemplating changing political parties, converting to Scientology, or anything of that sort. I've just been looking into the divisive nature of today's American society and trying to piece together my own philosophy on how this all happened, and how we can go about changing it. I'll post on this more a bit later in the day.

Thank all of you for your patience, well-wishes, and so forth. They have been greatly appreciated. I'll try and post at least semi-regularly for a bit and gradually work up to the "full time" blogging again.

God Bless,
Micah

What to do?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:18:00 +0000

A lot of people are asking that question today. It is September 11, after all. I would encourage all who read this little post to remember that today is September 11, 2007, not 2001. Am I asking that you forget the innocents lost, the families destroyed, the heroes whose bright lights were removed (at least from plain sight)?
Absolutely not. I would encourage you, however, to remember them fittingly. Don't forget the acts of superhuman heroism that took place whose anniversaries lie in the days ahead.
I personally intend to throw the football with my son when he gets home from school. I may even throw a shoulder on the bbq with a nice dry rub. I choose to do so because I can. I don't have to worry about some zealot of evil coming into my back yard with a bomb strapped to his waist...likely I never will. I furthermore refuse to allow some old, decrepit sheep herder on dialysis in a cave eating locusts to ruin my day. I am 27 years old. If I live for another fifty years, that will be giving a man more deserving of my pity and scorn than anything else almost two months of my life. Not I. I suggest that you throw that football, fire up that grill. If there's a major (or minor) purchase that you've been putting off, make it. Go see your "mom'n them" for a while. Run down the holler or across the fence to see that neighbor whose friendship you've been neglecting. Above all, don't allow for them to control what you do today. If you do, you've allowed them to accomplish no less than 1/365th of their goal.

God Bless,
Micah

String Bikinis for Toddlers?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:32:00 +0000

From: The Consumerist

The Arizona Republic is reporting that Gap Kids now offers a crochet string bikini for 1 year-olds.

You have got to be kidding me.
More:

GapKids recently featured a white, crocheted string bikini you'd likely see Anna Kournikova wearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The bikini was for a 12-month-old.

Racks at Target held several bathing suits perfect for a Hawaiian Tropic bikini competition. The crocheted and camouflage-designed suits started at Size 4 in the little girls' section.

Inseams on "classic" shorts at stores such as Abercrombie Kids and Hollister Co. are microscopic. And halter tops, shirts often lauded by fashion consultants for their ability to enhance a less-than-voluptuous chest, are everywhere for every age.

Moms hoping to find anything even mildly modest have to be happy Bermuda shorts are trendy again.

I've had a problem for years with the "over-sexing" of teenagers, then "tweens". Now we are to the point where some parents are trying to make their toddlers "sexy"? This sickens me.
It's easy enough to blame the fashion plates, after all, it is they who make halter tops and other shirts with "ruching" around the top in increasingly smaller sizes (even to the point where you now see such "enhancing" clothing at stores such as Limited Too-a store which caters to young girls). Both of these design features are designed "enhance" a smaller chest. It isn't all too uncommon anymore to see plunging necklines in the children's department at Wal-Mart.
However, who dresses these kids? It's clear to see that at some point, some manufacturer came up with a "sexy" look for kids, and people started buying these clothes. From there, it was all down hill. Thus, parents must, too, shoulder the blame.
What's to be done? As a Libertarian leaning Republican Conservative, it's ingrained into my psyche that the authoritarian "you can't make these kids look like tramps" answer from the government (which would definitely curb such instances)is a no-go. However, given the lack of common decency and common sense from today's society as a whole, the question begs to be asked: Is the governmental solution to this problem the only one which we can turn to? Perhaps so...perhaps not.
All that I know is that it is instances like this, coupled with many excursions into the malls with my wife, that make me shudder at the prospect of my son being joined by a baby sister any time soon. I can assure you that if Faith and I were to have a daughter, I'd have to give serious thought to the prospect of removing my family from our current locale, and going somewhere very cold (to prevent the "sexy" look) or somewhere quite sparsely populated. Maybe the cloud forests of Mexico.

-Micah

What's wrong with "our" party?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:37:00 +0000

John Hawkins has a proper summation of The Problem With the Republican Party in Less Than 100 words.
To me, he hits the nail right square on the head. What do you think?

McConnell on the importance of Immigration Enforcement

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:12:00 +0000

I hadn't seen it anywhere else in the state, so I'll provide the quote here:

``This is a divisive issue'' for both parties, said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican. But, he said, ``I don't think there's a single member of either party next year who is going to fail to be re-elected over this issue.''

From: Bloomberg

I've got a long, fuming post ahead on this issue.
Till then,
God Bless
--Micah

Shiny New TAXES!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Wed, 30 May 2007 21:08:00 +0000

From MSN

The era of tax-free e-mail, Internet shopping and broadband connections could end this fall, if recent proposals in the U.S. Congress prove successful.

State and local governments resumed a push to lobby Congress for far-reaching changes on two different fronts: gaining the ability to impose sales taxes on Net shopping, and being able to levy new monthly taxes on DSL and other connections. One senator is even predicting taxes on e-mail.

So they're going to try to tax me on the fourteen bazillion spam e-mails that filters don't detect. BRILLIANT!

Further in the article, a Republican Senator is whining that States are losing so much sales tax that they're going to have to raise other taxes to make up for it. Note that brilliant circular logic. States are losing revenue to online purchases. They may raise taxes to compensate. We need to create an entirely new medium to tax to prevent taxes from being raised.

Yes, my head hurts from spinning around so much.

God Bless,
Micah

Cindy Sheehan leaving Democratic Party.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 29 May 2007 04:57:00 +0000

In a move that may make for the rebirth of common sense in American politics, Cindy Sheehan has left the Democratic Party. She is calling for a formation of a new party citing creation of the Republican Party which led to the downfall of the Whig party.

All I can say is...humph.

--Micah

Disrespectful Cowardice.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 29 May 2007 03:22:00 +0000

From WBKO 13 News:

Beth Embry's family visits the Flatwoods Cemetery every Memorial Day.

"Its just a lot of family here. This means a lot to us," Embry said.

But this holiday was nearly ruined, when Beth's family realized someone had stolen decorations from her relatives' gravesites.

This despicable act perpetuated against our deceased veterans and their families is, well, inexcusable. How diluted and self-absorbed does a person have to be to steal a flag off of a Veteran's grave? What kind of immoral, uncaring, self-hating individual does it take to commit such an act? PROBABLY one of your neighborhood "caring, feeling" LIBERALS who have taken one too many hits off of the "blame America first" bong. I'm just glad I didn't see this taking place.

Speaking of disrespect, the wife was watching Miss Universe this evening. Yes, I know, but that's not the particular form of disrespect I'm writing of. It gets down to the interview of the final five, and the representative from the good 'ole USA gets up; you can barely hear the question and her subsequent answer over the BOOING that was going on. It was then I realized that the pageant was being held in Mexico. These Mexican A-holes were booing this poor girl unrelentingly...until she said something like "Muchos Gracias...Via com Dios" or some such...then they started to applaud her a bit.

Frankly, I could care less about how Mexico feels about our immigration policies. For one, said policies are all-to-rarely enforced. For two: They have absolutely no say in the matter. In case these folks didn't know, LEGAL immigrants aren't even allowed to own property or vote in Mexico. Like it or not, America is soon to allow and encourage ILLEGALS to do BOTH.

I guess that you could say that I've been in a pretty bitter mood these past few days, and this just takes the cake for me. I would love the opportunity to meet up with the perpetrators of the crime against Veterans in Butler County, and a few of those moronic folks at the Miss Universe contest.

--Micah

KSP Trooper Of The Year

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:32:00 +0000

(FRANKFORT, Ky.)--- The Kentucky State Police named Hopkinsville, Ky.-resident Steven T. Silfies “2006 Trooper of the Year” at a special ceremony held today at the Holiday Inn Hurstborne Lane in Louisville. Thirty-eight other troopers and eight private citizens were also recognized for acts of meritorious service and achievement, valor, bravery, life-saving acts, professionalism and dedication to duty.

A four-year veteran of the Kentucky State
Police, Detective Silfies is assigned to KSP Post 2 in Madisonville, which covers Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Todd and Webster counties.

During the past year, Silfies has played a leading role in the investigation of six murder cases, which resulted in two arrests. He has also been active in resolving several cold cases that have went unsolved for years. His work led to the arrest of an out-of-state resident in a 27-year-old case. His hard work and perseverance also led to the arrest of another out-of-state resident in a 16 year-old case and enabled him to uncover crucial, overlooked evidence in a 13-year-old case that is now awaiting new DNA testing.

Utilizing an extensive military background of more than two decades of Army service, which includes campaigns in both Afghanistan and Iraq, he also serves as a de-facto liaison officer with personnel at Fort Campbell. This connection has repeatedly proven a valuable asset to post investigators.

Eight troopers received the KSP Citation for Bravery, an honor bestowed on officers of the agency who perform acts of bravery, without regard for personal risk, of clear and obvious peril and clearly above and beyond the call or risk of ordinary duty:

Tpr. First Class Jonathan Holbrook, Post 3-Bowling Green
Trooper Sonny Dunaway, Post 7-Richmond
Trooper Starlin Hacker, Post 7-Richmond
Trooper Joseph Lucas , Post 7-Richmond
Trooper Adam Hall, Post 13-Hazard
Trooper Everett Earl Whitaker, Post 13-Hazard
Trooper James Goble, Post 14-Ashland
Trooper James Ryland, Post 14-Ashland

Trooper’s Medals, awarded to officers who perform life-saving acts under extraordinary
circumstances, were presented to:

Trooper Jason Newby , Post 2-Madisonville
Trooper William Braden, II, Post 2-Madisonville
Sgt. Bobby Murray, Post 2-Madisonville
Trooper Peter Binkley , Post 4-Elizabethtown
Trooper Michael Cook, Post 4-Elizabethtown
Detective Anthony Janutolo, East Drug Enforcement

The Guthrie Crowe Award, named after the first commissioner of the Kentucky State Police and bestowed on officers who sustain a severe wound or injury in the performance of duty, was presented to:

Sgt. Howard Rice, Post 5-Campbellsburg
Trooper Christopher Arnett, Post 6-Dry Ridge

Two troopers received the Citation for Meritorious Service with “V” Device for Valor for distinguishing themselves by an act of courage performed under more than ordinary circumstances:

Sgt. Jack Riley, Post 11-London
Trooper Tommy Cromer, Post 11-London

The KSP Citation for Meritorious Service was presented to the following officers who distinguished themselves by an act of meritorious service of such exceptional character that it contributed to the success of a major KSP command or endeavor:

Sgt. Jeremy Thompson, Post 4-Elizabethtown
Trooper Brian Mouser , Post 4-Elizabethtown

Twenty troopers were named Trooper of the Year at the post or branch level. They include:

Trooper Dean Patterson, Post 1-Mayfield
Detective Steven Silfies, Post 2-Madisonville
Detective Forrest Winchester, Jr., Post 3-Bowling Green
Trooper Peter Binkley , Post 4-Elizabethtown
Trooper Dave Roberts , Post 5-Campbellsburg
Detective Carey Kitts, Jr., Post 6-Dry Ridge
Trooper First Class Christopher Crockett, Post 7-Richmond
Trooper First Class Ralph Lockard, Jr., Post 8-Morehead
Detective Joey Howard*, Post 9-Pikeville
Detective Michael Cornett, Post 10-Harlan
Detective Douglas Boyd, Post 11-London
Trooper Hunter Martin, Post 12-Frankfort
Trooper Jacqueline Pickrell, Post 13-Hazard
Trooper Shane Goodall, Post 14-Ashland
Trooper Michael Dubree, Post 15-Columbia
Trooper Thomas Hampton, Jr., Post 16-Henderson
Trooper Jason McCowan, Special Operations
Detective Bret Kirkland, East Drug Enforcement
Detective Vincent Schmitt, West Drug Enforcement
Trooper Ryan Loudermilk, Administrative Division

*Posthumous

The 2006 KSP Post Safe Driving Award, which recognizes the post with the highest average number of safe driving miles between assessable accidents, was presented to Post 4 in Elizabethtown.

The Commissioner’s Award, presented to civilians who perform a life-saving act or a meritorious achievement that contributes to the success of a major KSP endeavor, was presented to:

Police Telecommunications Supervisor Marty Robinson, Post 11-London
Police Telecommunicator II Doug Jones, Post 11-London
Police Telecommunicator II Les Leatherman , Post 11-London
Police Telecommunications Shift Supervisor Chris Freeman, Post 7-Richmond
Police Telecommunicator I Darrell Melton, Post 7-Richmond
Mr. Bradley Allen, LaGrange, Ky.

The agency’s highest civilian award, the KSP Citation for Meritorious Achievement, which is bestowed on individuals who perform an extraordinary act of service or heroism in direct support of an officer engaged in the official performance of duty, was presented to:

Mr. Seth Hooks, Cadiz, Ky.
Mr. James Miracle, Pineville, Ky.

KSP Commissioner Jack Adams described all of the honorees as “great Kentuckians” whose actions often made a life-saving difference to others. “It was not glory or fame or recognition that motivated them,” he said. “It was more a matter of duty to the oath they swore to protect and serve, a dedication to duty that goes beyond themselves. In an instant, they were called on to put their own lives in peril to save the lives of others and they did so without hesitation.”

PHOTO: General Norman Arflack, secretary of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (right) and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Jack Adams (left) presented KSP Detective Steven T. Silfies with the 2006 Trooper of the Year Award on May 23 at the Holiday Inn Hurstborne Lane in Louisville. Silfies is a Hopkinsville resident assigned to KSP Post 2 in Madisonville.

Congratulations to Detective Silfies, and a big thank you to all of our uniformed officers across the state.

Congratulations are in order.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:02:00 +0000

First off, I would like to formally congratulate Governor Fletcher for a hard earned victory. We will carry this momentum through and see 4 more years of the Fletcher administration.
Secondly, congratulations to Rep. Stan Lee. The promise I made Mr. Lee at the Grayson Co. Lincoln Day Dinner is one that I'll honor with every fiber of my being. I promised Mr. Lee that I'd do everything in my power to see a Republican in the AG's office come Nov. and I meant it.
It's time to pull off the gloves for a few days. I hope that we can come together and rally for Conservatism/against Liberalism just as hard if not harder than we have in the past few months.
All Republicans won tonight. I believe that we have a slate of candidates before us that we can be excited about. Let's get 'em all in come November.
The Democrats think that we are a party weakened. A party divided. A party that is barely worth consideration as a viable opponent. I encourage you all to prove them wrong. Let us show the Dems who are running against OUR candidates that we are not to be taken lightly, we are a force to be reckoned with, we WILL prevail. Sure, it hurts when your candidate whom you have a vested interest in loses. Liberals have shown us just how far one can allow this hurt to drive them. In '04 we had leftists across this great nation crying and moaning like little girlie men. They even had their own "disorder" named. It's time for us to pull ourselves up by our collective boot-straps and follow the lead of our candidates. UNIFY to defeat a common "enemy". Do we "gamble" with Kentucky's future? Do we sit back and invite another four years of seeing our brethren prosecuted for "Driving While Republican"? I offer a resounding NO!
We hold on to the successes of the past four years, we look at the opportunities that we have presented before us, we FIGHT.
JOIN ME my call for a stronger, tougher, more influential Republican party.
These past few months have shown us the strength we have in today's Kentucky Conservative New Media. For the next 5.25 months, we MUST form a broad, vocal coalition to defeat what it is that we all see as a threat which must be avoided at all costs.
Kentucky's Conservative New Media is growing by leaps and bounds. I have no doubt that if we harness the same energy which drove small wedges between us to bind us together, there will be no limit to the influence that we could have. The future lies with us. Not only the Bloggers and Online Media personnel; but you, our readers, friends, and compatriots. Help us spread the "good word" throughout the Commonwealth. Help us reign in liberalism in this state.
We will envision, we will build, we will fight, and we will prevail for our party.

God Bless,
Micah Sheldon Terry

P.S. Congrats to me...post 100 since starting this blog.

Extremely localized projections:

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:46:00 +0000

According to the poll workers in the BOOMING metropolis of Cub Run, KY as of 1:30 central time, they had already breached 10%.
That's all for now.

*hope the sarcasm is not lost*

Kudos to Bunning

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 22 May 2007 03:00:00 +0000

From Jim Bunning's website, as prepared for delivery:

May 21st, 2007

BUNNING IMMIGRATION SENATE FLOOR SPEECH

U.S. Senate Floor - As prepared for delivery:

Mr. President, I rise today to address some of the concerns I have about last week’s so-called immigration compromise and the way it is being shoved through the Senate.

Last week’s so-called immigration agreement is not a compromise in the traditional sense of the word. The proposal was written in secret by a small group of Senators and the Administration. This bill may not be a compromise, but it is compromising to this country’s economy, national security, and very foundation as a democracy rooted in the rule of law.

America is a democracy operating under the rule of law. Since the very beginning of the American experiment, people came from countries with corrupt governments-- where the law only applies to some and can be bought by the highest bidder. They came to live where the government respects the individual and where the individual respects the law.

In our recent history, we have seen an alarming increase in immigration from people who don’t think they have to wait in line or play by our rules. Instead of punishing these people, a few Senators and the Administration have crafted a large-scale get out of jail free pass. No matter what you call it—X,Y, or Z visa—this bill will grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.

Me, my wife, our nine kids, and 35 grandkids are all descendants of immigrants. Mary and I have taught our family to be grateful for our nation’s rich tradition of immigration, but more importantly we have tried to instill in our family a deep respect for the rule of law. Appreciating the contributions that the immigrant brings to our nation does not mean we surrender the right of our nation and its citizens to decide who comes here.

Like many people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and all over this nation, I have serious concerns about an immigration policy that rewards lawbreakers. Is granting amnesty to those who were lucky enough to be born or get to one of our border countries, and enter our country illegally, fair to those potential immigrants who have been waiting in other parts of the world? What message does rewarding those who willfully break the law send to our nation’s young people? What message does it send to the rest of the world? Doesn’t it make everyone who is trying to play by the rules feel foolish? More practically, how many people do you think are going to come over? Are you going to reward 5 million people for breaking the law, or will it be 10, or 20 million? Isn’t it a distinct possibility that this bill will grant amnesty to those who came here only to do our nation harm? These are questions that I am willing to get serious about for the American people, but is anyone else?

Today we are going to have a vote to move the process forward. Some things are clear: This bill will grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. It also creates a massive new guest worker program for low skilled workers that does not truly limit costs to the system.

What remains unclear is how much this great compromise will cost. The numbers are staggering.

In 2004, there were about 4.5 million low skill immigrant households in the U.S., about 5% of our population. And, that number has only gone up.

Each of these households pays about $10,000 annually in taxes. That is less than almost every other American household. What is more alarming is how much they are receiving. Each of these households receives an average of $30,000 a year in immediate benefits. That means each low-skilled amnesty household costs the American taxpayer nearly $20,000 each year—twice what they are paying in.

If we look at a break down in what they are receiving, that’s $30,000 a year in Social Security, Medicare, transfer programs, cash, food, housing, social services, medical care, public education, and population-based services like police and fire protection. $30,000 seems like a pretty hefty welcome basket just for crossing our border.

Most American families are tax payers during their working years and tax takers during retirement. Not the low skill amnesty family. The low skill amnesty household takes more from the government than it pays in at every level. Therefore, claims that we can save Social Security and other programs by importing young immigrant workers are simply myths.

The most expensive group, of course, is the 65 and older crowd. They cost the American taxpayer, on average almost, $32,000 per year, every year. If we consider only the illegals given amnesty, those costs will add up to over two trillion dollars – that’s trillion with a “T” – over their lifetime. There are currently eight million non-elderly adult immigrants in low skill households. Can you imagine the strain on Social Security when these people reach retirement age right at the moment that the program will be going into crisis? Add that on to a wildly expanding entitlement spending tab and an upcoming budget that stifles the economy by levying the largest tax increase ever on American businesses and taxpayers, and we've left our kids and grandkids with quite a bill.

These may be hard numbers for people to understand, but I would like to talk for a moment about who will be paying these bills. Look no further than your neighbor. Families that have two mid-wage earners now fall into the top 40 percent of our nation’s “wealthy” according to the Internal Revenue Code. A recent study by the Tax Foundation found that these working families, the middle class, are carrying the weight of the nation’s tax burden on their backs. And, let’s not forget about our small business owners. 43 percent of people in the top 20 percent of the tax bracket have business income, meaning they are creating jobs and wealth in our economy. Can you imagine the effects that continued tax increases, which will be inevitable to fund this kind of amnesty program, will have on our middle class families and our economy? Is anyone willing to get serious about this for the American people?

I don’t know about my colleagues, but these numbers, over two trillion dollars, are pretty hard for me to comprehend. What is even more unbelievable is that no one is talking about them. In fact, the Senate is being asked to pass this incredibly expensive bill in just one week.

How our nation chooses to deal with immigration is one of the most serious questions Congress must address. Our immigration policy directly affects our economy, communities, and the rule of law. It requires a thoughtful, thorough, and serious debate.

But here we are, about to vote to proceed to the bill, and we have still not seen the new substitute amendment.

Thank you, Sen. Bunning for going at least this far. I would add to your statement that anything less than deportation through attrition is unacceptable.

-Micah

VOTE

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 21 May 2007 22:41:00 +0000

Let me first say thank you for the lively debate on behalf of advancing conservative ideals. We may not all agree on which candidate to support in the primary, but I commend each of you for supporting your candidates with all of your abilities.
Now, I want to encourage the rest of you who maybe don't comment on these sites to get out and vote tomorrow. Nothing is more important tomorrow than exercising your rights and responsibility to your state in the selection of our future leadership.
All political spinning aside, go vote.

click HERE to find out where to go to make your voice heard.

God Bless You All,
Micah

A Letter From Tim Coleman:

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:45:00 +0000

This will likely be my final primary campaign post, so I ask you to read and consider the following with an open mind.

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow, when you go into the voting booth, ask yourself a question. Do you want four more years of a Republican governor being investigated by a politically motivated DEMOCRAT Attorney General?

As Republicans, none of us want this. This is why I ask for your vote in tomorrow's Attorney General race.

As the only prosecutor in the race, I'm the one candidate who has conservative values and prosecutorial experience; both of which are desperately needed in the state's top law enforcement position. My three opponents, while all good Republicans, have never worked with law enforcement to remove felons from our streets, fought for justice on behalf of victims of heinous crimes, or represented the voice of every Kentuckian in a courtroom.

I have spent the last eight years as a prosecutor, serving as the County Attorney in Butler County, and currently in my second term as the Commonwealth's Attorney in Butler, Ohio, Hancock & Edmonson Counties. I have prosecuted more than 4,000 felony cases and have consistently put sexual predators, drug dealers and violent criminals behind bars. No other candidate, Republican or Democrat, can make this claim!

When the Wildcats were looking for a new basketball coach, they would not have hired someone who has never coached a game. Why would you elect an Attorney General who has never prosecuted a case?

I humbly ask for your support tomorrow.

With best wishes,

Tim Coleman
Republican Candidate for Attorney General

I look forward to working with you all to insure OUR victory in the fall.
God Bless you all,
Micah S. Terry

Harriet Miers, Scorched Earth, and Amnesty.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:37:00 +0000

John Hawkins at Right Wing News has the right idea. I'm here to support this idea whole-heartedly. Remember the Miers nomination fiasco? That was the most effective grass-roots conservative campaigns to influence their representation that I have seen. Fast-forward to today.
I vow that, along with Mr. Hawkins, I will go "Scorched Earth" on any Senator with an "R" next to their name who show themselves pro-amnesty in their vote on this horrid immigration bill. I'll dig up as much dirt on them as possible if they have a viable contender in the primary elections. I will join Hawkins in offering pro-bono internet consulting services to any viable contender for a pro-amnesty Republican's seat. I'll do everything in my power to see to it that they have no power ever again. You'll be hearing from me more on this this week. For now, I ask you to join me in contacting our Senators to be sure that they understand just how much we despise the closeted graduated amnesty program that is the "Z-Visa" portion of this bill.

God Bless,
Micah

Why is everyone agreeing with Tim Coleman?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:28:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 17, 2007

CONTACT: Scott Broschart
270-843-9160
732-895-2076

WHY IS EVERYONE AGREEING WITH TIM COLEMAN?

LEXINGTON – In a rare occurrence on a live debate, the Republicans running for Attorney General found themselves agreeing with one candidate throughout the night, Tim Coleman.

“Tonight you saw the real difference between Tim Coleman and his three opponents who felt more inclined to agree with him, then debate him,” Coleman’s campaign manager Scott Broschart stated.

“To see the other candidates agreeing with him only exemplifies the fact that Tim Coleman is the only candidate with the experience needed for the position of Attorney General. While other candidates simply spewed rhetoric, Tim Coleman showed us how he would lead the office of Attorney General, and not be just another politician with a law degree,” Broschart stated.

Tim Coleman is the only candidate running who has experience as a prosecutor, having served as a County Attorney, and is currently serving as a Commonwealth’s Attorney in Butler, Edmonson, Hancock and Ohio Counties and on the Governor’s Prosecutors Advisory Council.

It's obvious that Tim is the most qualified candidate. Even his opponents follow his lead.

From Team Coleman

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:04:00 +0000

Coleman prepared
Prosecutor heads-above in GOP field

Tim Coleman deserves to be the Republican candidate for attorney general.

Coleman, serving his seventh year as Commonwealth's Attorney in Butler, Edmonson, Hancock and Ohio Counties, stands out among the Republican contenders in experience, temperament and the respect of prosecutors, several of whom have endorsed him.

The attorney general plays a critical role as the state's top lawyer.

The office has the power to argue for citizens as consumers of goods and services, including utilities. It plays a critical role in advocating for prosecutors statewide, both for their budgets and other needs, such as training.

Coleman's experience has given him insight into ways to attack Kentucky's drug curse with technology and cooperation among law enforcement and treatment professionals.

He worked to set up the first drug court in his circuit to direct non-violent drug offenders to rehabilitation rather than jail.

He understands that new crimes like identify theft or illegal Internet drug sales demand new approaches from law enforcement.

The attorney general must also investigate political shenanigans at the highest levels of state government, an all-too-frequent job duty in Kentucky.

Coleman has shown he's not afraid to prosecute corrupt local officials, despite the obvious downsides to going after your fellow officeholders in a small city or county.

Coleman's opponents include Louisville attorney Philip Kimball and Jon Larson, a Lexington defense attorney. Both are intelligent men with years of courtroom practice.

But both lack public service experience and campaign funds. Neither would realistically offer Republicans much hope of claiming the office in the fall.

Larson has worked hard to bring attention to the costs and other consequences of overcrowded and underfunded jails throughout Kentucky. Coleman and other candidates would do well to heed his concerns in that area.

State Rep. Stan Lee of Lexington is also running in the Republican primary. Lee, who did not meet with the Herald-Leader editorial board, has practiced law for 20 years and served in the House since 2000.

Lee is fundamentally an ideologue committed to pushing a social agenda. Although this paper often disagrees with him, that's an acceptable role for a representative.

An attorney general, however, is obligated to uphold, interpret and enforce the law, whether he agrees with it or not, something we're not convinced Lee could or would do.

Publisher comments on Coleman's latest endorsement.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:14:00 +0000

From the 'ol g-mailbox

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that Tim has been endorsed by the Lexington
Herald Leader for Attorney General. To read the endorsement in today's
paper just click on the following link.

http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/70796.html

This is an honor since two of Tim's opponents are practicing attorneys
in Lexington - for 20 or more years. Also, Stan Lee, is a state
representative for that area.

Mr. Lee has worked against the industry of hometown news for more than 5
years. As board member for the Kentucky Press Association I have been
required to take time away from my family and my business to fight
legislation Mr. Lee has proposed to remove (LOCAL LEGAL NOTICES) from
newspapers and permit them to be posted on Government Agency's own
websites.

NOTICE: Friends in TV and Radio.... He says the internet.

I send this email to ask for your help in uniting against a man who is
working against hometown media coverage. Is this the man we want
approving OPEN RECORD requests.....

The above all candidate is Tim Coleman

Coleman is the ONLY prosecutor running for office... all others are
politicians with law degrees who will do, as most others, and sit quietly
and wait for their chance to run for Governor. COLEMAN is about
prosecuting criminals and protecting those in need.

He puts child molesters away for hundreds of years. He puts drug
dealers in jail...including those we all know about but have local
officials too afraid to go after.

He has shown the courage to prosecute political types- IN Hart Co. he
is the special prosecutor taking on a veteran (D) sheriff. In Butler
County he has prosecuted the local Sheriff's (R) best friend and
business partner for receiving stolen vehicle parts and because of this
VETERAN power house 26 year Sheriff has been beaten badly for a run
as Judge Executive.

Coleman has given a new burst of respect for our local KSP office
because he supports them yet uses his office to direct to them real
criminals. He has actually shown up at crime scenes when he asks the
KSP to raid the home of a drug dealer or child molester.

Coleman is not about (D) or (R) he is about PUTTING CRIMINALS IN JAIL
and making sure those who are supposed to do this (DO IT).....

Lets join as the media professionals of the past would have done and
stop STAN LEE from hurting our industry and HELP elect the right man
for the job.......

I am so proud that The Lexington Herald Leader and the Painstville
Herald and joined me and my 9 weekly newspapers in standing for the
CLEAR choice. Now is not a time to be timid, WE NEED EACH OTHER.....

TIM COLEMAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL....

I am available for any assistance I can give anyone on this issue. It
is So important to us all. Thanks for reading....
Jeff Jobe
Jobe Publishing, Inc.

Herald Leader endorses Coleman for AG.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:18:00 +0000

The Herald Leader have proven what I have been saying all along. That is that Tim Coleman is not only the best man for the job of Attorney General, but is very electable in the fall. Congratulations on this endorsement, Tim.
Read the endorsement here

More on this after work.

God Bless,
Micah

Feelin' a little leftish? Get Your Conservative Credits!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 08 May 2007 01:25:00 +0000

RightPundits have gotten the "Right" idea. I'll be applying for mine shortly as I do work for a "conservation" organization...and a newspaper. Forgive me.

Coleman '07

noreply@blogger.com (M. Sheldon) — Tue, 01 May 2007 16:17:00 +0000

I have now seen firsthand all Republican candidates for Attorney General, and can still say that my endorsement of Tim Coleman has never wavered.
Tim is the only candidate that I have seen who speaks of anything other than politics, for the most part. Tim speaks of putting criminals behind bars, and keeping them there. He speaks of his PROSECUTORIAL experience.
Tim has prosecuted thousands of cases. He's put child predators, murderers, drug dealers, and all sorts of other parasites of a productive society away. That's where they belong, and Kentucky deserves an Attorney General who knows how to do this.
I can't be any stronger, folks. It couldn't be any more simple.
Tim Coleman started with a degree in business management in 1981. No experience (aside from an MBA, perhaps) would help him more in running the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation, as well as the multitude of employees within the AG's office.
In 1990, Tim graduated from The University of Kentucky College of Law in 1990 near the top of his class. After practicing at the Jackson and Kelly law firm in Lexington, even making partner, he returned home to Butler County and was elected as the Butler Co. Attorney General. After two years, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney. He remains in that position to this day. As a Commonwealth's atty, he's received specialized training to run a PROSECUTOR'S office, as well as training to interrogate sexual predators, assisting victims of sexual crimes, handling appeals, and investigating criminal cases.
NO OTHER CANDIDATE OFFERS THIS EXPERIENCE.
Let's learn from our mistakes, Kentuckians. In the past, our AG's have came from political backgrounds with political aspirations. There's nothing wrong with having political aspirations, as I have them myself. I would not, however, use the Attorney General's office as a stepping stone for political gain. Tim Coleman has proven himself as a strong, conservative prosecutor. His aspirations are to be in the top of this field, not to soon "grow beyond" this office.
Let's put this into a real-life scenario. You are now the proud owner of WMST radio in Cub Run, KY. Only problem is, if you don't pick the right employees to run it, I'll take it away from you. That's just my way. Two people have interviewed for your morning D.J. The first is dying to be a motivational speaker. He feels that the radio would be a good stepping stone for this job. He's already won accolades for his speaking ability, and is on his way to the top.
Your next "candidate" for the job is thrilled with the prospect of being your D.J. He's done podcasts, a little commercial voice work and fill-in work at another local radio station, and has dreamed since childhood of being "on the air".
Here's the caveat...you can't hire another D.J. for four years. Who to choose?
Of course you would choose the guy who wanted the job YOU were offering. You'd obviously never hire an employee who saw, or had the appearance of seeing you as just another step to reach loftier goals which didn't include your company. You, my faithful reader, are far too intelligent for that.
So, on May 22 HIRE the man who wants THIS job. Who has the EXPERIENCE to help them in THIS job.
Elect Tim Coleman for YOUR Republican Attorney General Candidate.

God Bless,
Micah S. Terry