John Hennen: Eastern Kentucky union fighters like Sam and Florence Reece, and the radical leftists of the NMU, laid the foundation for the American middle class.
The Tea Party Trickle
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Berry Craig: “I have a message,” Paul also said in his victory speech, “– a message from the people of Kentucky, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words: ‘We’ve come to take our government back!’”
Has Hubris Finally Tripped Up Rep. Ed Whitfield?
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Berry Craig: Jim Pence, who runs the Hillbilly Report blog in Kentucky, says U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., doesn’t really live where he says he does and might be guilty of voter fraud.
Old-Time Kentucky Pols Would Be Proud of Kathy Nickolaus
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Berry Craig: Nickolaus has further fired up the faithful on the other side. You can bet the recall drives against Walker ‘s willing helpers in the state senate will now shift from Mach II into warp speed.
Why We Occupied the Governor’s Office
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John Hennen: Our mission was to put before the governor grievances we have about the obliteration of Eastern Kentucky mountains, ecosystems, and water sources through the practice of Mountaintop Removal Mining.
Kentucky AFL-CIO Head: GOP Out to Destroy “Whole Union Movement”
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Berry Craig: If a tea party Republican wins this November’s election, the Scott Walker agenda will be on Kentuckians with a vengeance. We will be another step closer to right to work for less, repeal of prevailing wage and attacks on public sector workers and their unions.
Arizona Copycat Law Could Cost Kentucky $40 Million
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Andrea Nill: Senate Bill 6 would cost Kentucky a net $40 million a year in court, prison and foster-care costs. Yet, the Kentucky senate voted 24-14 last week to pass the bill without knowing its cost.
Author Spotlight: Berry Craig
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As that rare bird—a union-card-carrying, left-leaning NASCAR fan—Berry Craig brings four strong threads to his writing for the LA Progressive: Years working as a daily newspaper reporter and opinion columnist, a full career as a college history professor, strong attachment to his Kentucky roots, and deep involvement in union organizing.
Kentucky Governor Green Lights Noah’s Ark Park
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Berry Craig: The Creation Museum has been rightly ridiculed by scientists and others – including many Kentucky Christians — who don’t think evolution is “evil-lution.”
Kentucky’s Drive By Candidate
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Berry Craig: So, the stark choice for Kentucky voters is this: a moderate Democrat who understands Kentucky’s problems and needs and has a plan for creating jobs versus an ideologue Republican/Tea Partier with no record, no understanding of the state and a chain saw for a plan
“Run, Rand, Run!”
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Berry Craig: Kentucky’s Tea Party-tilting Republican U.S. Senate candidate recently stopped in Louisville and Pineville for “meet and greet” sessions with voters. In Louisville, he pulled a speak and scram. In Pineville, Paul just skedaddled.
Rand Paul Heads for the Hills
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Berry Craig: Of course, not all Republicans are bigots. But Paul and his pals are more proof — as if proof were needed — that the GOP is mainly what the Southern Democrats were in slavery and Jim Crow days: the white folks’ party.
“It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again” in Mayfield
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Berry Craig: This lifelong Mayfield resident hopes the Somalis submit another petition and get a mosque. There are two shopping centers in town with several empty store buildings.
Poison Populism: Rand Paul’s Tea Party Brew
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Bill Londrigan: While some observers have attempted to portray the Tea Party as a populist uprising against the prevailing powers, traditional populist movements support workers’ right to organize. Questions about where the Tea Party stands on workers’ right to organize and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits have now been put to rest – and they are far from any notion of populism!
Rand Paul’s Retro America
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Tom Degan: Coming out as he did against the one of the main purposes of the Civil Rights Act was not a stupid gaffe on the part of Rand Paul – it was a decided political calculation. He wants and needs the racist vote, and he has every intention of getting it. Are there enough bigots in that state to put him over the top? Being an ancestor of Kentucky, I sure as hell hope not.
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A “Good Sign” For My Old Kentucky Home
Berry Craig: A Somali man’s request for a permit to establish a place of worship in a small town in Kentucky was turned down because the townspeople claim there wouldn’t be enough parking spaces.