Ordinarily I write about politics, but please indulge me this week if you will. Several weeks ago I was on my way home from work--as usual I was riding a TARC bus heading for home. Since it was very crowded, I made room for a young African-American woman to sit down next to me. She was about 17 years old and said hello with a shy smile. I said hello, and continued reading my paper, but soon we struck up a conversation, and what we talked about was an eye-opener.
She noticed a story about Louisville's latest murder, and remarked that she knew how bad the family of the victim must be hurting. You see, her Father and Stepmother were victims of homicide at the same time. I was stunned and moved as she related the story. As it turned out, it was a case I knew very well since it was one of the more heinous crimes in recent memory. I won't go into details but it was a harrowing story she told. The girl did not get specific about the two murders, but it was what she told me about the aftermath that floored me.
Left behind were five children of various ages--from infancy up to the teen sitting next to me. All were farmed out to live with various relatives. The young woman I was speaking with ended up living with her Grandmother but says she's not really welcome there. She feels like a burden, but says she's trying to make the best of things. She tries to spend time with her younger siblings, but can't always because they all live far away from each other now. To top things off, she's still trying to finish high school after serving a suspension for fighting. Why was she fighting you ask? Because a classmate--someone she believed to be a friend--was actually laughing about how and where her Father died. As you can imagine, the child did not take that very well and a scuffle ensued.
For a long time, I have tried to understand why Louisville has such a high murder rate, and what can be done to stop it or even slow it down. I can't say I have any answers. But I do hope anyone who takes life so lightly reads this and might think twice. When I had time to reflect on our talk a bit later, I felt a rush of emotion. I think some was shame because I sometimes think my life isn't what I had expected But I also felt a wave of gratitude, because even though I missed being with family and friends on Thanksgiving--I gave thanks for what I do have. My health, my family, gainful employment--and a few good friends.
Whitney Jones #314845
fri dec 11 2009
at 11:14 pm
·
Wow, that poor girl has been through a lot already, life is hard enough without having it ripped away from you and thrown into turmoil. I hope she can survive this and make a good life for herself. Her classmate sounds like a real asshat, what compassion.
I feel for that young girl with such a burden to bare...why so people feel the need to be so violent towards one another...what is really worth taking another's life and the effect it has on those left behind. Such a waste of precious life...
Because it sure doesn't seem like it! Of course I'm referring to Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo and Attorney General Jack Conway. Both are accomplished men who have managed to distinguish themselves in life. But during this Senate campaign, the two seem to be running against each other more than running FOR the U.S. Senate.
Frankly, it's not a surprise given some of the missteps we've seen from both of these campaigns so far.
Mongiardo's formal entry into the race was announced in a press release on a day when the good doctor was practicing medicine in Hazard. A noble act to be sure, but not exactly the sharpest political move. It meant he was totally unavailable for press interviews on one of the biggest days a campaign will ever face. To make things worse, that left only Jack Conway to comment on his probable opponent's announcement--even though Conway had yet to announce his run. It allowed Conway to get valuable political mileage and free media at Mongiardo's expense.
But Conway's made his share of mistakes as well. His mild use of profanity and belligerent stance at Fancy Farm got a lot of notice, but most of it was negative and the campaign spent weeks shoring up the damage.
In recent weeks controversy over campaign workers taping each candidate's speeches, and some heavily edited audio of Mongiardo saying some unflattering things about Governor Steve Beshear have surfaced. These happenings all make great headlines, but so far neither Democrat has taken a major position on most of the issues, and precious little campaign time has been devoted to real substance. I realize it might be a pipe dream, but I really had higher hopes for this primary race.
After Mongiardo ran a very effective insurgent campaign against Senator Jim Bunning in 2004, he was seen as a real force. But Mongiardo lost that momentum -- partly because his election as Steve Beshear's Lt. Governor placed him squarely in the Beshear wing of the party. Not necessarily a bad thing unless you need to distance yourself to win another election -- something Mongiardo seems to be trying hard to do right now. It didn't help Mongiardo when Beshear's endorsement of his candidacy was released in a late afternoon press release on a Friday. Not exactly the way to get maximum exposure.
I'm told that Conway was furious that Beshear decided to make that endorsement rather than sit out the primary. It seems that may have been the impetus for much of the negativity running rampant in the race so far. One of Conway's mentors is State Auditor Crit Luallen. He would be wise to listen to her voice of moderation in this campaign.
Both men have more than five months before they finally face-off in May. Isn't it time they tackle something more than who said what about the Governor or who made more money in business?
I just wish these guys would actually RUN FOR OFFICE. not against each other.
This kind of silliness is why I plan on running for City Council in 2012. I know that's not the Senate, but you have to start somewhere to get somewhere. If running, even if I lose horribly, is what it takes to get some real issues on the table, I will try.
For more than a year, I've been anticipating a Trey Grayson versus Jack Conway/Dan Mongiardo senate race in 2010. However, with recent developments that scenario could be in peril.
With Grayson facing an unexpectedly strong Rand Paul challenge, and the two Democrats acting like kids fighting over a candy bar, the race is not shaping up the way I thought.
Ultimately I think Grayson will be too much for Paul's insurgent candidacy despite Paul raising serious money via online donors. That being the case -- I'll also make the argument that a Grayson win may not be the best outcome for Kentucky Republicans.
With no real challenger to Governor Steve Beshear on the horizon for 2011, Grayson could be an exceptionally strong GOP gubernatorial candidate. So far only Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has even been mentioned as a serious Republican challenger. But while Farmer's name recognition is sky-high, he's widely considered too inexperienced to handle the top job.
Consider now what happens if Grayson should lose the Senate race. A 2011 Grayson/Farmer ticket would be a potential juggernaut. Grayson adding experience, and substance -- while Farmer brings the star power.
The Kentucky GOP obviously wants to win every election -- as it should, but a Grayson Senate loss could assure the GOP will have a viable 2011 slate. Not to mention a real party leader for many years to come.
If Beshear would stumble and Grayson won the governorship, it could set up an eight-year run for the GOP in the Governor's office, and possibly longer if Farmer can demonstrate he's more than just a big name former basketball star.
Of course if Grayson wins the Senate race all of that scenario goes out the window. If that occurs, State Senate President David Williams could emerge as a likely front runner in 2011 if he chooses to run. No matter who is at the top of the 2011 GOP ticket for Governor, strong consideration must be given to Farmer as the number two man. If Williams and Farmer join forces, the GOP could still have a legitimate shot to oust Beshear, but much depends on the outcome of the next legislative session.
A Grayson/Farmer ticket would put two proven statewide vote-getting machines in the mix. So while I have always liked and admired Trey Grayson -- his loss in the 2010 Senate race could be a big long-term win for the Kentucky Republican Party.
Very interesting observations from someone who has been around Kentucky politics long enough to have a good feel for the way the political winds are blowing. I must say though that I think it is highly unlikely that Governor Beshear could be unseated on his bid for re-election. But in the world of politics anything is possible. Watch Rand Paul. He could well be the big surprise of this political season. I look forward to reading your blogs.
For more than a year, I've been anticipating a Trey Grayson versus Jack Conway/Dan Mongiardo senate race in 2010. However, with recent developments that scenario could be in peril.
Al Mayo