Five Smooth Stones Kentucky

PAINTSVILLE MARINA, AND DEBRA V. GOLIATH

It is time for the Frankfort bureaucrats to end the politics and start making decisions that embrace the contributions of the people of the mountains.

LET THEM EAT CAKE, BUT DON'T LET THEM HAVE A GLASS OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER

After more than 20 years after the massive slurry spill in Martin County, Kentucky, the people are still waiting for a glass of clean drinking water.

BROADBAND, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WATER LINES

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

CHILD ABUSE, SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

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.

THE FUTURE OF APPALACHIAN COAL AND RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

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.

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.

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.