Letters to the Editor: Aging is hard on drivers and on certain politicians from Ky.

Retire, Hal

When I retired three years ago, I had many conversations with those my age about the aging process. A specific concern about being older was often mentioned: embarrassing oneself or family members with inappropriate behavior or language.

Apparently Kentucky Congressman Hal Rogers does not have this concern. His reprehensible behavior toward a female African-American representative from Ohio is proof of that.

Rogers has embarrassed not only himself with this unspeakable behavior, but also millions of us in the commonwealth, the commonwealth for which he often professes great love. This representative has had a long time in Congress and needs to understand that it is time to resign, leaving his office to someone who will consider actions and words carefully and think long and hard before touching or speaking to others.

Douglas Boyd, Lexington

Help out drivers

In 2020, the last self-service gas station in Lexington — Dixon’s on Southland Drive — closed for good. This has presented a real problem for elderly drivers, or drivers of any age who are mobility challenged.

Many fully functioning seniors are able to drive safely and to get around with the help of a cane or walker.

However, the self-service gas pumps present a problem, as well as a danger in losing one’s balance. It’s even worse if they need to put air in the tires.

I don’t look for full service stations to make a comeback, so how about asking readers to brainstorm some possible solutions to this problem. I have one: Station owners willing to help could post a sign saying: “Need Help at the Pump? Just call us” and list the phone number. An employee could then come out to assist.

Customers using crutches, a cane, or a walker shouldn’t be confined to their home because they can’t balance and manipulate the gas pumps. We can solve this.

Jean-Marie Welch, Lexington

Olympic coverage

I am the news media’s No. 1 fan. I remember my parents reading the daily paper every morning, and after they returned home from work the first thing they would do was turn on the television so they could watch and listen to the evening news while they prepared dinner for their four children. I began reading the Sunday morning comic section at seven years old. Reading the Herald-Leader is the highlight of my day, right next to watching the evening news every night. I’ve never been the television sitcom type. CNN and NBC evening news are my greatest loves after my son. For the first time in my life I am so angry and disappointed in both of them I can’t stand it. It’s their coverage of the 2022 Winter Olympics. All I am hearing from them both is “America failed to win another gold medal and had to settle for the silver, how disappointing.”

Too bad, so sad. They’re both acting like second place is crap. I wonder how we became so full of ourselves. The Olympic news coverage has to be a huge downer for our Olympic athletes in China right now.

Yolanda M. Averette, Lexington

Bail bill unjust

Kentucky House Bill 313 would outlaw charities paying bail for accused poor people to stay out of jail while their cases are pending. Similarly accused folk who can afford bail get out of jail. Since everyone has a constitutional right to be considered innocent until proven guilty, charities should not be banned for leveling the playing field.

Since 2018, Jefferson County’s Bail Project has helped 3400 people, nearly half of them African-Americans, with bail. Moreover, the non-profit connects them with needed community resources like drug treatment and housing, provides court reminders and even travel assistance for clients to show up for court. This has unburdened taxpayers of the detention costs — around $90 per person per day.

Kentucky is one of the worst states for incarceration in our nation, burdening us with ever higher human and correctional costs. Communities are safer when more is done to treat addiction rather than punish it. Even three days in jail has a negative effect on the accused, causing employment or housing loss and weakening families. Twelve percent of Kentucky children have had a parent incarcerated, the third worst rate in the nation. The consequence? More grow up in poverty, suffering deprivation and trauma.

Please oppose this unjust law.

Margaret Gardiner, Danville