Letters to the Editor: Yes, God does care about UK sports. Football glory is proof.
God does care
Herald-Leader sports writer Jerry Tipton sure can show his arrogance and has before when he talks about praying for University of Kentucky. His latest jab proves that. Does God really care? Sure He does. In 1988, when UK was in big trouble, I was praying about the matter and it was a pretty day out, but all of a sudden I was looking at a big storm that went for a while, then it got pretty again. The Lord spoke to me and said “They will have trouble, but later they’ll have glory.” For decades, UK has been laughed at in football; I know I’ve prayed for them too. Then they hire Mark Stoops as coach and now look at them. Benny Snell, Josh Allen, Terry Wilson, Lynn Bowden — nobody, not even Tipton, thought this would be. But here it is. Laugh on, Mr.Tipton, but you won’t laugh last.
Ray Davis, Hager Hill
Yes to ‘Non Sequitur’
I would like to strongly second the request of a recent letter writer to the Herald-Leader to bring back the comic strip “Non Sequitur”. It is far and away a better choice than its replacement. I would guess that the offended reader who complained is the same person with too much time on their hands who complained about the Wildcat logo to University of Kentucky Athletic Director C.M. Newton and caused that change for the worse.
John Thompson, Louisville
Prison changes needed
Herald-Leader reporter John Cheves’ article on the Kentucky corrections department /Justice and Public Safety Cabinet was well done.The new secretary has her work cut out, and I don’t see how she’ll find those employees she’ll need to effect much real change. With mental health programs, the workers will not be there as long as salaries for lots of education are similar to the minimal levels expected for a corrections officer at a similar starting pay.
Let’s hope we don’t see the continued archaic approach of keeping jailers for jails that don’t exist, paying less than is logical for professional employees, and paying less than a livable wage for the frontline officers in prisons and among our citizens. It’s much the same employment situation as teachers; STEM-subject teachers (in particular) don’t make even close to what they’d make in a non-school job.
Given that the Justice Cabinet has been extremely affected by political influence, let’s hope that changes help improve the justice system in Kentucky.
I worked in both prisons and juvenile treatment in the 1970s and 1980s, and most of the same old problems are still there.
Michael A. Tyree, Frenchburg
Don’t blame the H-L
A recent letter writer commented: “It doesn’t matter what article the paper deems important enough for its front page; whether it be sports, human interest, business, religion, or used car parts, it makes President Donald Trump involved in any derogatory manner it can invent.”
No, sonny, the Traitor-In-Chief involves himself in every possible topic, in any derogatory manner he can invent.
Charlie Adams, Harlan
Fix loophole
Jonathan Watkins was recently charged with animal torture after it was discovered he skinned several neighbors’ dogs to make a fur coat in Floyd County. While few would deny he is mentally ill, people are rightfully concerned that he needs to be institutionalized for the public’s safety. This was true as well when he was charged with killing a relative in 2012, was found incompetent, and released.
A little-known loophole in Kentucky law allows people charged with crimes who are found incompetent to avoid trial and ultimately be released, regardless of the severity of their offense. The vast majority of people with mental illness are non-violent and are more likely to be crime victims than perpetrators. However, legislators need to find a workable solution for the small minority who are a danger to society.
Melissa Bowman, Paris