Letters to the Editor: ‘Vigilante society.’ Readers react to Rittenhouse verdict.

‘Vigilante society’

I am truly puzzled by my friends who can justify the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse. This young man had no business being there to begin with, much less with a semi-automatic weapon, and the overriding issue for me is much like the pending case in Georgia. As a country, do we want to diminish all that we have worked for to develop a government of laws into a vigilante society. Imagine that I enjoy the Lexington Halloween parade (which I think is outstanding) and I hear there is a potential for an pro alternative lifestyle demonstration planned in conjunction with the event. I show up with a semi-automatic weapon in order to monitor, possibly punish behavior I didn’t like. An adversary grabs my gun and ends up dead and I’m exonerated. The beginnings of a vigilante society are frightening.

Tom Padgett, Lexington

Rittenhouse column

I always look forward to Leonard Pitts’ sensitive, insightful columns for both the content and his remarkable, gifted way with words. His recent column on the outrageous Rittenhouse verdict brought me to tears. It is an indictment of our judiciary and our society. That this verdict was even possible, much less a reality, is a travesty and bodes ill for the future of our country. I am saddened as well as fearful of what is to come.

I hope Pitts will continue to fight the good fight, bringing his wisdom and clarity to those of us lucky enough to have access to his columns.

Carole Boyd, Lexington

Help for caregivers

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. As a volunteer advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association, I’ve made it my personal mission to be a voice for those in my community impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

I personally understand the challenges Kentucky caregivers face daily. As the daughter of a caregiver, I have witnessed the sacrifices made by my father to care for his parents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The physical and emotional toll of this role is not only draining for him, but for my entire immediate family.

This November, I am humbly requesting Congress to do more to support our nation’s dementia caregivers. I ask that my U.S. senators, Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, and Congressman Andy Barr pass the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (S. 56 / H.R. 1474), which will provide relief to caregivers, and support increases in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding to eradicate this disease that has greatly impacted caregivers’ lives.

Please join me in asking Senators Paul and McConnell and Representative Barr to make sure our caregivers can continue to care for their loved ones — and equally important, themselves.

Lyndsey E.A. Young, Lexington

This story was originally published November 22, 2021 at 10:55 AM.