FIVE SMOOTH STONES

It is time to set aside politics and pass the legislation necessary to provide high-speed internet to all Americans, especially to rural America.

For the third straight year, Kentucky has once again led the nation with the highest child abuse rate. Yet, behind the scenes Governor Beshear's Administration is quietly threatening to cut-off funding for Sunrise Children's Services for its refusal to bow at the altar of political correctness.

When it comes to Appalachian coal, it might be appropriate to borrow from that often-misquoted phrase from Mark Twain, 'the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." This is also true when one considers that the richest deposits of rare earth elements in the United States can be found in the fire clay coal seam of Eastern Kentucky.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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 as a way to know that we are all in the fight together.

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.

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.