In constitutional vote, Ky voters made their voices clear on abortion. Respect them. | Opinion

Republican ideologue

Fifty-two percent of those voting in Kentucky voted “no” on the proposed constitutional amendment that would have incorporated stringent anti-abortion language in the state constitution! If the amendment had passed, it would have essentially left no room for interpretation on whether abortion access was covered under these rights.

So when Kentucky voters voted NOT to put language in the Kentucky State Constitution forbidding abortion for any and all reasons Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said that it was the responsibility and privilege of elected state officeholders to make those decisions and that — regardless of the vote of the majority of citizens — he would continue to push for severe anti-abortion language to be included in the Kentucky State Constitution.

Please don’t vote for the right-wing ideologue Daniel Cameron because he doesn’t believe in democracy! The new republican mantra — “If you can’t beat them, cheat them!”

Jim Porter, Danville

Dangerous road

South Ashland Avenue is a dangerous place.

If you live there and try to get out of your driveway, you had best be ready to gun it 95 percent of the time. It’s as risky to enter your driveway. Drivers don’t want to slow down to let you do so and you had best hope no one is on the sidewalk walking past your driveway.

Why aren’t traffic police monitoring this 25 mph death trap? Why are cameras not set up to catch drivers, some literally going 80 miles an hour, to catch the hostile, aggressive behavior of drivers who are furious that you are going 25 mph?

The stop signs at Fincastle and Central are meaningless. Drivers do a quick scan and then run the signs. Drivers trying to turn left onto Central or Fincastle, have cars barrel pass them on the right.

Tickets for $250 on the first offense and then doubled with each consequent offense might slow people down. These are people who don’t care about others no matter if they drive a 1995 Chevy or a 2023 Lexus.

Lloyd Hill Maury, Lexington

Safe boating

We would like to thank reporter Aaron Mudd for the July 6 story on boating education. Unfortunately, he did not mention three local boating groups that offer education to the public. All these groups have local activities open to the public and would welcome participation. Information is available on their websites.

First is America’s Boating Club-Bluegrass Chapter (americasboatingclub.org), which offers America’s Boating Course - a general boating safety course available on-line and yearly in a local classroom setting. They also offers boating classes and seminars online or in the classroom, including navigation, weather, and marine electronics as well as on-the-water training.

The second is the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (cgaux.org). They offer a boating safety class to the public at least once a year. Their website offers boating safety tips and local boating safety check sites.

Third is the Cave Run Sailing Association (caverunsailing.org). This organization offers youth and adult sailing classes, as well as American Sail Association classes for advanced boat handling and navigation.

Thanks to the Herald -Leader for its promotion of safe boating in Kentucky.

Tom Woods, Commander of America’s Boating Club-Bluegrass Chapter and Al Lawton, Educational Officer of America’s Boating Club-Bluegrass Chapter, Lexington

Unsettling consequences

One learns something new every day. Recently we learned that the spirit of Al Capone’s “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” was running for president. It appears that the Republican party genuinely does no longer stand for law and order, honesty, and democracy. Might makes right is now that party’s standard, and everyone better fall in line and kiss the king’s ring or suffer the consequences.

One has to wonder how deeply entrenched this “value” system is at the core of former President Donald Trump’s “Mini Me” that is running for governor of Kentucky (Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron) and his true intentions to promote or destroy democracy in our lovely state and country.

We live in very strange and unsettling times.

Gene Lockhart, Lexington

Contact 811

As I travel around the Commonwealth speaking to groups about the importance of contacting 811 before beginning any type of digging project, I hear a lot of excuses for why people don’t always contact 811.

“I know where all the utility lines are.” (They really don’t.)

“I wasn’t digging very deep.” (Ground erosion over time can cause some underground utility lines to be much closer to the surface than when they were installed.)

“I don’t have to call 811 if I dig on my own property.” (Actually, yes, they do.)

I could go on and on.

The national one-call system, or 811, is a free service that operates across the U.S. and coordinates the location identification of buried utility lines to prevent damage to property, potential injury and costly repairs.

Those offering excuses may not realize the true impact of hitting an underground utility line. It may result in an inconvenient disruption of service, but it could also result in the loss of property and lives. The “it’ll never happen to me” mentality can lead to disaster and has in far too many instances.

Just dial 811, or visit Kentucky811.org, and provide some general information at least two full working days in advance of the digging project. Kentucky 811 will notify the member to mark their lines and provide a positive response back to the requester.

It’s free. It’s easy. And it’s the law. No more excuses, Kentucky. Contact 811 every time you plan to break ground.

Tim Vaughn, Executive Director, Kentucky 811

Grammar lesson

Many speeches by candidates at the Fancy Farm Picnic were full of verbal jabs and negative comments. Apparently, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron needed a crash course in grammar before speaking. In his closing remark, Cameron said, “Governor, I know you guys are obsessed with pronouns these days. But come November, yours are going to be ‘has’ and ‘been’!”

Mr. Cameron, “has” and “been” are verbs, NOT pronouns! Most students in elementary school know the difference between pronouns and verbs! It is a shame that a candidate for governor of Kentucky has not mastered using correct language!

Carol McKee, Lexington

Fancy Farm fallout

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron frequently misses the point, and I fear he must have missed English class. He says our well-spoken Governor is obsessed with pronouns these days. He goes on to suggest that in November, Gov. Andy Beshear’s pronouns will be “has” and “been.”

Oops! Those are both verbs, Mr. Cameron.

Carole Boyd, Lexington

Best governor

The COVID-19 pandemic was the greatest scourge for our people in my lifetime. Mitigation and reassurance were needed. We anticipated and took solace from the daily briefing by Gov. Andy Beshear and staff. Now, after the fact, detractors are second-guessing.

Beshear’s choices for us to minimize close contact, sanitize, and wear masks were in conformity with prevailing scientific and medical advocacy. He was our symbol of leadership, concern, sympathy and determination to help us prevail — a beacon of light in perilous times.

As further evidence of guidance and compassion, our governor asserted immediate response to the terrible tornadoes in Western Kentucky. He did no show-boating but was honest, sincere, and sympathetic to the needs of affected citizens.

This disaster was followed by the devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Beshear again responded to alleviate the suffering and loss.

Throughout his term, I have found Beshear to be the least partisan elected official in my lifetime. The present excellent economic health reflects his capability. Undergirding this governor is his compassion, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness and genuine devotion to Christian faith.

Forget the sound bites, glitzy ads, platitudes and political jargon. By all ethical and moral standards, we have the best governor in America. Let’s keep him for another term!

John H. Britton, Winchester

Rosenwald schoolhouse

Officials of Lexington, the Fayette County School’s administrators and board and the Kentucky Historical Society could — and should — do something to preserve history and educate all levels of folks needing education about our history, starting immediately.

A Rosenwald schoolhouse sits in Cadentown, I believe, on private property now.

This historic structure could be renovated, furnished, supplied and used to educate all levels of Lexingtonians, in addition to any and all others around the state, about racism.

Re-enactors could be hired to teach about one-room schoolhouse education which is a major part of Kentucky’s rural history. There might be interest and support by the Kentucky Historic History Society and Kentucky History Museum with money from state leaders, both executive and legislative. Maybe Gov. Andy Beshear could get federal dollars.

I personally bought a two-seater desk which is the type the school house would need. I don’t know if I’d part with mine - my dad started teaching in a one room schoolhouse - but I am sure many more can be found.

I hope there is massive interest immediately to do this. Lexington needs to be a model in Kentucky!

Don Pratt, Lexington

Personal freedoms

“The Deep State is out to get you. A weaponized Justice Department wants to take away your freedoms - freedom to have guns, freedom to worship, freedom of speech and assembly, freedom from travel restrictions, freedom to grill burgers on Sunday. Yes, we’re at risk and only one guy can save us!”

Too many Americans swallow this nonsense like honey on a pop-tart. If our freedoms are so fragile under Democratic leadership, then why didn’t we lose them under former presidents Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama or current President Joe Biden? Freedom, truth, justice and other critical concepts are easily twisted into whatever scoundrels may wish them to mean.

There is also a freedom which authoritarian regimes grant their subjects. It is a freedom from the challenges and anxieties of personal responsibility. No more need to worry over who to vote for; no more need to decide what level of education to pursue; no more anxiety over career choice. Just relax and take whatever comes; but don’t dare make a fuss!

Make up your mind, America. Time is short!

Ernest Henninger, Lexington