Five Smooth Stones Kentucky

CIVICS, THE RIGHTS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP IN AMERICA

If we are going to survive as a nation, all Americans need to understand the fundamental beliefs that caused the formation of this country.

CENSORSHIP AND THE GOVERNMENT'S WAR ON WORDS

Sadly, as a result of the events of the past years, lawmakers across America have introduced legislation intended to erode our First Amendment rights of speech and assembly. Recently the Kentucky Senate introduced legislation which makes it a crime to verbally bully a law enforcement officer.

THE TAKINGS CLAUSE, EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND JUST COMPENSATION

Once the dust has settled, and we return to a post Covid-19 world, it will be time to pay the piper for the arbitrary and harsh orders which have destroyed thousands of businesses in Kentucky and across America.

END THE RHETORIC AND SUPPORT REAL POLICE REFORMS

It is time to end the rhetoric intended to inflame the passions to defund the police, it is time to support real police reforms.

END THE WAR ON AMERICA'S POLICE OFFICERS

It is time to end the war on America's police officers and time to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of them.

LACK OF CIVILITY, POLITICAL DISSENT AND ANARCHY

A lack of civility has boiled over and political dissent has now reached a point where anachy controls the streets of our once peaceful cities.

COMING TOGETHER THROUGH VICTORY GARDENS

Coming together through Victory Gardens as a way to know that we are all in the fight together.

LOST INNOCENCE

Matt Bevin's decision to pardon several child molesters as he turned out the lights on his administration will be remembered as an unforgivable act which will silence hundreds of child victims.

LET THE HEALING BEGIN

After years of dissension in Frankfort, it is time to begin a new era of civility which will benefit all Kentuckians, not simply a handful of political insiders. Let the healing begin.

DESTINATION RED RIVER GORGE & THEY PAVED PARADISE

The recently announced Red River Gorge destination resort should remind all of us of those words for Joni Mitchell's song, Big Yellow Taxi when she wrote, "They paved paradise, And put up a parking lot..."

PRO-LIFE, ANTI-HEALTHCARE CARPETBAGGER

One is left to wonder how someone can proclaim to be pro-life and at the same time be anti-healthcare. The answer might just be in the motives of the carpetbaggers that are funding the Medicaid work requirements, carpetbaggers who have never been to Kentucky, let alone understand what it is like to be poor, unemployed and in need of basic healthcare.

LACK OF CIVILITY, MOB RULE

Over the past years, months, weeks, and even days, the political discourse has charted a course which will eventually result in the destruction of our great nation.

Like many of you, I have spent most of my life viewing America from the sidelines. Time and time again, I found myself wanting to jump onto the field as a player, instead of merely cheering loudly for those willing to take the field, those willing to be bruised and battered fighting for the values which mean so much to me. Every time I thought about raising my voice in opposition to those things which I strongly believed were tearing apart the very fabric of the freedoms which our founding fathers had woven into the Constitution, I decided that my small voice would never be heard, or I did not have the skills or strength to be a player on the field. Yet, as I stood on the sidelines, I finally decided that enough was enough and unless I was willing to enter the fray, I had no right to complain about the direction America was heading.

So, after a lifetime of watching the best and worst of Americans, it was time to put into words all that life has taught me about the greatness of America, a nation which is the home of the free because of the brave, and especially because of the blessings of an awesome God.

Mark Wohlander – March of 2019

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

fivesmoothstonesky@gmail.com

Available to share random thoughts from the heartland

Beginning in late July, Mark will be traveling around rural Kentucky to share other Random Thoughts from the Heartland, thoughts which will address topics as diverse as public v. charter schools, socialism v. capitalism, rural health care, taxpayer funded businesses, attacks on religion, patriotism, and finally, Mark will be share some old fashioned, common sense solutions to these and many other topics of concern for all of us.

Mark is available to speak to community groups and church groups across Kentucky. Other than a minimal charge for travel and accommodations, Mark's presentations are free to any interested group.