https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com2026-01-21 09:25:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/forgotten-faces-forgotten-voters-wake-up-kentucky2025-11-08 12:15:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/forgotten-faces-forgotten-places-and-the-federal-courthouseForgotten faces, forgotten places and the people and communities of the mountains. In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, "Nobody is forgotten, when it convenient to remember him."2025-08-17 15:24:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/jenny-wiley-marina-time-to-end-the-threats-from-frankfort-time-to-repair-upgrade-the-marinaIt is time for the Kentucky Department of Parks Commissioner to take the time to listen to the concerns of those who dock their boats at the Jenny Wiley Marina in order to reach a solution as to where the boats will be stored during the upgrades to the marina.2025-02-05 09:09:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/public-corruption-a-cancer-on-our-communityPublic corruption is a cancer on our communities. Corruption "eats away at a citizen's faith in democracy." The only way to end corruption is for everyone to report every act of corruption to federal and state law enforcement in order to topple those corrupt officials willing to line their pockets with taxpayer money.2024-10-21 11:10:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/vote-like-your-future-depends-on-it-it-doesAs the election draws near, it is time for all of us to go to the polls and cast our votes. Regardless of party affiliation, without citizen participation in the election, Americans are left without a voice for the future of America, our state, our counties, and our local communities.2024-09-05 15:17:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-election-the-forgotten-and-those-left-behindAs with most recent elections, many politicians have resorted to name-calling which does nothing to contribute to what these politicians are doing for the next generation!2024-07-15 09:11:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/lack-of-civility-or-mob-rule-time-to-end-the-political-dissentIt is time to end the lack of civility or mob rule, it is time to chart a new course, a course which will return the angry bull to the barn, and end the destruction which looms on the horizon.2024-06-19 09:01:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/forensic-science-the-kentucky-state-police-crime-lab-crime-victims-and-families-of-crime-victimsThere is an outcry from the public demanding that the prosecution of Amber Spradlin's murderer move forward. Unfortunately, as a result of the underfunding and understaffing of the Kentucky State Police crime lab, the family and public still do not have answers.2024-02-21 06:51:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/public-corruption-attorney-general-coleman-investigative-prioritiesThe investigation and prosecution of corrupt public officials should be the highest priority for Attorney General Russell Coleman. When corruption is allowed to exist, honest government rots from the inside out and Kentuckians lose the faith they once had that public officials had their best interests at heart.2023-07-05 06:45:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/people-of-faith-must-guard-free-speech-rightsAfter more than 230 years, the Supreme Court issued one of the most important First Amendment speech cases in its history. Yet, even before the ink was dry, lawmakers in Michigan passed legislation to make some forms of speech punishable as crimes.2023-05-30 07:47:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/clarence-thomas-the-people-s-justiceClarence Thomas, The People's Justice, written by Judge Amul Thapar, pulls back the curtain and allows the reader to see Supreme Court cases through the eyes of Justice Thomas. Regardless of your opinion of Justice Thomas, this book will allow you to understand Justice Thomas's legal philosophy and the reasons for his opinions. Since 1991, Justice Thomas has written over 700 opinions, opinions which reflect his judicial philosophy. This book is not only a true page turner, it is one of those books which is a must read for anyone concerned about the country’s future.2023-03-18 12:01:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/justice-delayed-is-justice-deniedJustice delayed and justice denied best describes the decade long journey from investigation, to indictment, to final vindication for Dr. James "Dusty" Chaney. Dusty's story evidences what happens when the government releases a runaway train and an investigation against an ordinary citizen.2022-08-29 10:59:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-flood-and-failure-of-leadership2022-08-02 16:54:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-appalachian-tradition-neighbors-helping-neighborsThe Appalachian tradition of neighbors helping neighbors especially in times of needs...2022-02-20 06:08:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/let-them-eat-cake-but-don-t-let-them-have-a-glass-of-clean-drinking-waterAfter 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.2021-05-22 09:19:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/broadband-education-economic-development-and-water-linesIt is time to set aside politics and pass the legislation necessary to provide high-speed internet to all Americans, especially to rural America.2021-05-08 07:12:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/child-abuse-sunrise-children-s-services-and-political-correctnessFor 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.2021-04-24 13:29:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-future-of-appalachian-coal-and-rare-earth-elementsWhen 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.2021-04-12 09:27:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/civics-the-rights-duties-and-obligations-of-citizenship-in-americaIf we are going to survive as a nation, all Americans need to understand the fundamental beliefs that caused the formation of this country.2021-03-16 09:53:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/censorship-and-the-government-s-war-on-wordsSadly, 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.2020-12-11 09:57:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-takings-clause-executive-orders-and-just-compensationOnce 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.2020-09-24 11:56:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/end-the-rhetoric-and-support-real-police-reformsIt is time to end the rhetoric intended to inflame the passions to defund the police, it is time to support real police reforms.2020-09-19 07:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/end-the-war-on-america-s-police-officersIt is time to end the war on America's police officers and time to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of them.2020-09-14 12:39:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/lack-of-civility-political-dissent-and-anarchyA lack of civility has boiled over and political dissent has now reached a point where anachy controls the streets of our once peaceful cities.2020-03-28 12:09:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/coming-together-through-victory-gardensComing together through Victory Gardens as a way to know that we are all in the fight together.2019-12-20 17:51:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/lost-innocenceMatt 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.2019-12-10 10:50:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/let-the-healing-beginAfter 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.2019-11-09 09:41:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/destination-red-river-gorge-they-paved-paradiseThe 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..."2019-10-23 07:17:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/pro-life-anti-healthcare-carpetbaggerOne 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.2019-10-05 09:02:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/lack-of-civility-mob-ruleOver 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.2019-09-22 10:04:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/racing-toward-the-future-one-dream-at-a-timeThe time has come to stop wringing our hands, roll up our sleeves and look to jobs of the future which will transition a coal economy to an economy fueled by small businesses created by the skilled men and women of the mountains.2019-09-14 10:55:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/there-is-life-after-coalTheir is life after coal and the future prosperity of the mountains will be fueled by the thousand of hard working, talented and skilled coal miners who will fill the thousand of new jobs in aerospace, automotive and other industries....2019-09-08 12:49:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/tribute-to-a-man-of-visionAll Kentuckians owe a debt of gratitude to a man of vision, a man who has spent more than four decades caring for the people of Kentucky and the people of the mountains....2019-08-24 16:05:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/our-children-our-teachers-our-futureThe future of Kentucky depends on the public school education which our children receive today, tomorrow and in the future. It is time for an administration which supports public schools, not leadership intent on destroying Kentucky public schools....2019-08-13 11:12:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/neighbors-helping-neighborsIt is time to return to the days when neighbors helped neighbors with a hand up, not a handout. It is the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors which has made this country great...2019-08-02 11:48:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/blackjewel-excuses-will-not-put-food-on-the-tableBlackjewel's excuses for bankruptcy is nothing more than a smoke screen to literally steal the wages of 1,800 hard working miners. It is time for Kentuckians to join hands and support our friends and neighbors...2019-07-27 06:55:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/time-to-end-the-public-sector-pension-crisisThe time has come to find solutions to the public sector pension crisis, not a time to simply eliminate public pensions by creating another crisis....2019-06-29 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/smoke-filled-rooms-kentucky-styleIt is time to end the practice of deciding the future of Kentucky behind closed doors in smoke-filled rooms by unelected, anonymous men. It is time to bring an end to the corruption...2019-06-22 12:01:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/drug-epidemic-rural-healthcare-new-ideasKentucky has received an $87 million grant to conduct a four-year study to reduce opioid overdose deaths in the next thee years by 40-percent. Maybe, we should start spending money on treatment instead of studies and reduce overdose deaths by 50, 60, 70 percent of more...2019-06-17 08:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/tiny-houses-big-ideas-restoring-hopeTiny house, big ideas, and restoring hope and homeless, a problem with a solution from Eastern Kentucky's high school students, one tiny house at at time...2019-06-10 12:29:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/russian-collusion-kentucky-styleThe recently announced partnership between Braidy Atlas and Rusal, a Russian company, should give everyone a cause for concern. It is difficult to comprehend why the United States government would approve this partnership.2019-06-02 13:42:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/d-day-a-day-to-rememberD-Day, a day to remember those of the greatest generation who sacrificed to preserve America's freedom, and freedom around the globe in World War II...2019-05-27 06:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/remembering-one-soldier-one-hero-one-flagIn honor of all American heroes who have been lost on the battlefields protecting our freedom...2019-05-19 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/a-time-to-remember-our-true-american-heroesOur true American Heroes served and died on the fields of battle, let's remember all of them on Memorial Day...2019-05-11 10:25:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/backward-kentuckiansIn the words of Governor Bevin, Kentuckians are backward and their future hangs in the balance unless he is reelected...2019-05-04 08:15:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/tyranny-teachers-and-the-governorThe quest to replace public education with charter schools in Kentucky has reached an unprecedented level of tyranny by our governor...2019-04-27 09:37:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/restoring-the-diamond-region-one-dream-at-a-timeRestoring the diamond region of Eastern Kentucky will be accomplished through the friendly, hard working people of the region, not through the nasty one-liners of a governor who cares more about his ego than the people of Kentucky...2019-04-20 09:01:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-public-roundtable-discussion-that-was-neither-round-public-nor-a-discussionThe so-called public roundtable discussion on the future of public education in Kentucky that was neither public, at a roundtable, nor a discussion....2019-04-07 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/rural-jobs-small-business-administration-and-university-of-pikevilleRural jobs, the Small Business Administration and the University of Pikeville and the hardworking people of Eastern Kentucky would be a winning combination for Eastern Kentucky's economic success...2019-03-31 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/rural-jobs-not-broken-promises-and-tax-giveawaysRural jobs, not broken promises and tax giveaways to businesses which never create jobs, but squander our tax dollars....2019-03-24 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/governor-education-commissioner-or-schoolyard-bulliesGovernor, Education Commissioner or Schoolyard bullies and the voice of Kentucky teachers and all Kentuckians...2019-03-17 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/bevin-s-war-on-teachersGovernor Bevin's war on Kentucky's public school teachers has been a failure of his myopic world view of public education, a world view fueled and funded by those who want to destroy public education...2019-02-17 05:47:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/voice-for-the-victims-silent-no-moreA quiet epidemic of child sexual abuse without a voice for the victims...2019-01-27 07:11:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/bipartisan-problems-bipartisan-solutionsBipartisan problems, bipartisan solutions...time for Congress to end the partisan fights, join hands and solve America's problems, not create them...2019-01-15 11:17:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/trampling-on-rights-of-kentuckiansTrampling on the rights of Kentuckians under the guise of public safety needs to be rejected and the First Amendment rights of Kentuckians need to be restored...2019-01-14 11:45:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/build-wall-end-shutdown-and-address-immigrationIt is time for members of Congress to grow up and address border security and immigration...2018-12-29 17:39:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/a-silver-lining-in-the-government-shutdownThe lock box which is supposed to hold our Social Security which Al Gore promised is empty...2018-12-26 15:56:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/candidates-beware-kentucky-is-not-for-saleUnfortunately, many Kentucky politicians believe they own an allegiance to their political donors, not Kentuckians...2018-12-14 17:30:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/let-the-bells-ring-and-let-the-red-kettles-overflowThe Salvation Army's bell ringers and red kettle campaign, a holiday tradition...2018-11-29 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/coming-soon-five-smooth-stonesmarching-toward-armageddon-one-battle-at-a-timeA preview of Mark's first book which is scheduled for release early next Spring...2018-11-10 10:08:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/if-you-love-your-freedom-thank-a-veteranAmerica is the home of the free because of the brave, so thank a veteran...2018-11-10 00:00:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/the-first-amendment-and-five-smooth-stonesThe Founding Fathers, the First Amendment, the five freedoms, and David's five smooth stones...2018-10-05 18:50:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/mrs-collins-goes-to-washingtonSenator Susan Collins of Maine showed true courage with her vote for Justice Kavanaugh...2018-09-25 13:52:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/decline-of-civility-in-americaIs democracy in America going to end up as like the RMS Titanic and find itself on the bottom of the ocean, or reach its final destination of the port of call known as America's Democracy...2018-09-02 14:16:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/healthcare-crisis-in-rural-americaRural Americans have the right to the same healthcare services as those who live in the cities...2018-01-15 09:16:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/time-for-immigration-reformThe battle in Washington, D.C. rages over what to do with our immigration crisis...2017-10-24 13:13:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/lack-of-civility-or-mob-ruleThe gathering storm clouds of political dissent will destroy America unless we demand change...2017-04-01 12:03:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/time-to-end-the-war-on-doctors-and-health-care-providersIn the words of Ronald Reagan, "Either you will control your government, or government will control you." Time to say enough is enough...2017-01-25 08:52:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/time-is-right-to-move-the-embassy-from-tel-aviv-to-jerusalemTime to move the embassy and abandon the "two-state" solution...2016-12-16 08:59:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/time-to-end-the-faux-drug-warTime to refocus our limited resources on fighting the real drug war...2016-05-29 10:04:00https://www.fivesmoothstonesky.com/random-thoughts-from-the-heartland-1/memorial-day-reflectionsAmerica truly is the land of the free, because of the brave...