Standing by their Men

In the Race for No. 1, the No. 2’s may be More Interesting

Ruby Laffoon was born to a staunchly Democratic family in Madisonville, Ky. He was the state’s leader from 1931-35, years which saw deadly turmoil in the coal fields of eastern Kentucky, tumult which he generally ignored although beseeched for humane concessions by beleaguered miners.

His governorship did have its noteworthy moments. Read the rest of this entry »

Farmer v. A Farmer

At John Riley’s auto body shop at Bardstown Road and Grinstead drive, the wood-paneled walls are dingy from decades of cigarette smoke and paint fumes and lined with photos of granddaughters’ soccer squads, certificates in shoddy frames and faded newspaper clippings. Lining the back wall are several gray file cbinets that look like they haven’t been opened since the Model T era. Read the rest of this entry »

Three-Card Monte

In the race to be Kentucky’s next Attorney General, there’s a broker, a toker and a joke(r). Generally speaking, it’s a race we’d rather cancel. Here’s the sad but true tale.

Take a look at the trio vying to be Kentucky’s next attorney general and you’ve got to wonder: Is this the best Kentucky’s legal community has to offer? One can’t be blamed if they are reminded of Chester A. Riley in the old ’50s sitcom, “The Life of Riley.” When he and pal, Gillis, found themselves in yet another mess with their wives, Peg and Honeybee, Riley would rasp, “What a revoltin’ development this is!”

The motley crew aiming to be the state’s next chief prosecutor is like three blind mice. See how they run. Did you ever see such a thing in your life? But there’s no farmer’s wife with a carving knife to save the day. Read the rest of this entry »

Down the Road A Ways, We Remember What Matters

There is a theory about the continuum of life, that it consists of two elements. As it goes, there is existence up to and including graduation from high school. And there is what comes after. Read the rest of this entry »