Letters to the Editor: In defense of a free press. What would JFK say about primary?
Free press essential
The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press. I am reading the book “The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell Truth in America” by CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta, which outlines how our president has demonized the press, calling them liars, scum, thieves, disgusting, dishonest, fake news, and the enemy of the people. The president told Lesley Stahl of CBS News that he calls the media “fake news” so people won’t believe what the press is reporting.
The president’s insults directed at the media have had disturbing real-world consequences for Acosta and other reporters as the anger and language filtered down to his supporters. Reporters have been physically and verbally abused with death threats requiring security guards.
Being persistent, asking tough questions, and fighting for the truth is a reporter’s job.
This is even more important due to our president’s disregard for the truth. The Washington Post’s fact checker database has cataloged over 16,241 false or misleading statements in his first three years. Without diligent reporters how would the American people learn the truth?
Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. A dictatorship suppresses any press with which they disagree and crushes dissent and independent thought. Words do matter — the truth does matter.
Frances Strange, Bardstown
What would JFK say?
I was just thinking about the contrast between one of the most revered Democratic presidents of all time and the Democratic hopefuls of 2020.
The supposed front-runner, Bernie Sanders, is trying to get votes with “Medicare for all” and “free college tuition”. President John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you (i.e., give me healthcare, give me free college) — ask what you can do for your country (i.e., work hard and pay your own way).”
Is this how the Democratic party has morphed? Kennedy would have been booed off the debate stage the other night if he had given his most famous quote. However, there is great wisdom in what Kennedy said, and it is the only way we can continue to be a democracy (which I am assuming is where “Democrats” got their name.). Democrats should not let their hatred for President Donald Trump and loyalty to their own party cause them to destroy what made America great.
If people think socialism or government-run healthcare is the answer, they should go live in countries that have those systems for a year and see what they think. Wake up, America. Our kids’ futures are at stake.
Pat Bullock, Salvisa
Trump ‘here to stay’
It appears that President Donald Trump now controls the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Senate, which was silenced by Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell. Even if Trump numerically loses the 2020 election, he could declare that the election was fraudulently rigged and then attempt to nullify it. He could then remain in office until 2024. This would give Trump’s base and wealthy supporters ample time to arrange for him to run next as a vice president in a Mike Pence “shadow presidency.” Bottom line: Unless public sentiment changes significantly, Trump is here to stay and his opponents need to acknowledge this possibility.
John W. Morrison Jr., Elizabethtown
Speak up!
The state of Kentucky is not always known for good governance. However, I would like to sing the praises of several tools that make it easy for Kentuckians to weigh in on legislative issues. The Legislative Message Line is a toll-free number that allows citizens to call and leave messages for multiple state legislators at once. You can leave a message for your own representatives, for all members of a committee, for House or Senate leadership, even for every member. A friendly human being will take your call.The first time you call you may be asked for contact information. After that you are in the system and only need to spell your name. Kentuckians can call 1-800-372-7181. Call as often as you like.
Kentucky also makes it easy for citizens to find out who their state representatives are, to email them, find out what bills they are sponsoring, read bills and summaries, receive alerts about the progress of legislation, identify committee members, and more. A wealth of information is available at the Legislative Research Commission website.
If you want to be represented, the first step is to be informed. The second step is to make your opinions known.
Marilyn Machara, Lexington