Ky children face serious threats. Drag shows are not one of them. | Opinion

Anti-LGBTQ propaganda

The propaganda spread by extreme right-wing politicians and church leaders, regarding drag brunches, the grooming of children and prescribing puberty blockers, is leading to violence, hate crimes and murder. Entities including the NFL, Walmart and Chick-fa-la are joining Bud Lite and Target in speaking out and by financially showing their disdain for this hate-filled rhetoric. Law enforcement studies show that abuse by church members rank third in reported child sex abuse cases. It is easier to groom a child, if they are told that God says it’s ok. A former Southern Baptist Convention president allegedly delayed reporting an allegation of abuse “from heartfelt concern and compassion for the minister”.

Drag brunches raise money which is donated to charities. Entertainment is rated R, the venue is well lit, and there are NO children. In Lexington, over $500,000 raised in the past 3 years by all LGBTQ events.

There are serious issues that need to be addressed regarding children, include homelessness, abuse and starvation. The grooming of children by drag queens is not one of those issues.

Dolly Parton often tells a story, of being at a drag show, entering a Dolly lookalike contest and losing. Drag shows are simply a form of entertainment, attended by a diverse group of people.

Carryn Lee, Lexington

Classified dump

Regarding classified documents being found in former President Donald Trump’s bathroom - perhaps the explanation is that he wanted to save money on toilet paper.

On a more serious note, the way Republican politicians are defending Trump is appalling. Justifying a president’s outright theft of classified documents with such things as “bathroom doors lock” (only from the outside Kevin) or “What about Biden?” (Funny how they don’t ask “What about Pence?” isn’t it) shows them to be power-addicted pandering cowards who do not have the integrity to put their country and its safety over themselves.

Our nation deserves better. So indeed, let’s “Make America Great Again” by rejecting Trump and his enablers.

Jay Hopkins, Frankfort

Religion vs. Cult

If your religion demands inhumane treatment of anyone - it’s not a religion; it is a cult.

If your religion demands the hate of anyone - it’s not a religion; it is a cult.

If your religion asserts you are superior to others - it’s not a religion; it is a cult.

There is nothing Divine in believing that what harms another does not harm oneself, and that treating anyone as one would not want to be treated is acceptable, especially Christianity.

Christ is not a fascist.

Christ is not a racist.

Christ is not a misogynist.

Christ does not care about your gender identity. All to Christ are the same (Human).

Christ cares only for your soul and spirit.

Christ does not discriminate.

Christ is pro-diversity.

Christ is pro-equality and pro-equity (all of us are the same, none of us deserving more or less privilege).

Christ is pro-inclusion.

Christ has one essential law ... Love. Love everyone.

Any religion that would refuse to aid or discriminate against any other human for any reason other than self-defense under imminent threat negates its religious status and is in actuality a hate cult more diabolic than anything else.

Robert Moreland, Lexington

AI diet

I’m 74-years-old, and recently spent 5 weeks in the hospital and rehab. I have 3 major disorders, myasthenia gravis, diabetes and atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. I had a leg removed in May.

During my stays in both institutions, they would not let me have French fries with my cheeseburger. I tried to reason with them but to no avail.

The best I can figure out; a person comes to your room with a computer and the computer is programmed with different diets - cardio, diabetic etc. As you order each item, it subtracts how many carbs that food item takes away from your allowed total, if that item is even available for that diet. Artificial intelligence in action.

I think there should be an override button that identified this person as an end-of-life patient and that they can have any damn thing they want. They should actually send up a Margarita with each tray. It’s not about the French fries, they are only the tip of the iceberg. It’s about rules made by a machine without any human input.

One thing I have learned, there are worse things in life than death, and quality of life is more important than quantity.

Norman M. Newsome, Lexington

Subscriptions costs

I have read the Lexington Herald-Leader all my life and I’m 74. I took both major Kentucky papers for years. Have you people lost your minds? The circulation is down to 35,000 and your facility has emptied. If you’d check, you’d see one can purchase a digital copy of the Washington Times and the Courier-Journal for $5.00 a month. You want nearly $200 a year? This paper, because of technology, has been reduced to not much more than a small town daily or weekly. Never, ever a war price for such a comparative rag.

Steven Litts, Lexington

Healthcare nightmare

It’s overwhelming sometimes as I contemplate where to begin listing the myriad challenges that patients face trying to navigate our healthcare system. The big insurance companies collude with the big health systems doing things like “negotiated rates” for services, which are effectively price fixing by any other name.

They learned and adapted after the reforms of the Affordable Care Act, ensuring a continued streak of record-breaking growth. Now they have learned how to leverage the electronic records systems to their advantage, erecting obstacles to care and excuses for denials solely to maximize their profits. They whitewash this with high falutin’ language about “caring for patients” and “a commitment to care” etc., so often that we no longer recognize that we are playing a rigged game and they are the “house.”

We have an election coming up in Kentucky - another chance to ask hard questions and try to inspire our representatives to remember who they serve. Will any candidate listen? Will anyone step up and call this system what it properly is: morally bankrupt and corrupt? Are there truly no new ideas or candidates with the courage to reshape this system to be what we deserve?

Sean Zehnder, Lexington

Abatement money

I and many others are struggling with our homeless and addicted loved ones. Today I called the Mayor’s office and asked to be on the Opioid Abatement Commission. I was told all the spaces were full. I hope that some of the people on the commission are those that are directly and personally affected by this disease.

I was told that they have not scheduled a meeting yet. It is important they understand that time is of the essence! This $2 million is not difficult to figure out what to do with. Twenty percent of the money should go to administration and all the rest should go directly to opiate addicts. They should never be turned away from any detox or rehab center when they are seeking help. There should be no waiting. There should be no saying, “Come back tomorrow.” And the abatement money should be used to help them find housing after they complete a recovery program. It should help them get the necessary medication they need in order to sustain their well-being.

This has to be addressed now. If we expect addicts to handle their disease, then we need to handle facilitating their ability to get the attention and help they need.

Laverne Zabielski, Lexington

Toyota fumes

Toyota chemical fumes. I wrote about this in 2017. Today, June 22, I was going to mow some grass, but after stepping outside my house near Toyota, I was immediately nauseated. I wish I had someway to test air quality. No way this would be considered healthy ... it’s not always this bad but with light easterly wind and cloud cover it can be really bad. When I had my house built back in 1998, I had no idea it could be this bad. Not here in America. Not sure what could be done but there must be something. Be glad you don’t live here.

James McDermott, Georgetown

Compiled by Liz Carey