Being a school lunchroom monitor might be the greatest preparation for politics today | Opinion

Political consistency

Realizing consistency is not always a valued attribute for politicians, I recognize former President Donald Trump’s thinking that several totalitarian communists, most notably Russian President Vladimir Putin, are great leaders of their countries to be emulated. Yet, at the same time, according to Trump, many Democratic leaders and their positions are bad for Americans because they are characterized as communist. You might think Trump would be more pleased to see his sympathy and esteem for communist regimes gaining a foothold in America. Surely someone with such a great brain as Trump would know better than to try to have it both ways.

As a side note, perhaps the most overlooked qualification of one of the candidates, Tim Walz, may be his experience as a school lunchroom monitor. Having also had this experience, I can attest to the skills and temperament necessary for success: communicating clearly in a timely manner; watching and listening closely and carefully; negotiating disagreements over fault and blame fairly and impartially; educating about the value of community and responsibility; and last, but certainly not least, a sense of humor.

Charles Myers, Lexington

Incompetence

When former President Donald Trump calls anyone incompetent, the first thing I remember is how he didn’t take COVID-19 seriously until March 16, 2020. I’m reminded of the “cognitive” test he took and how he bragged about it. I’m reminded of him altering Hurricane Dorian’s trajectory with a Sharpie in 2019, and then suggesting nuking it. I’m reminded of him looking up at the solar eclipse. I remember about the scandals and self-inflicted political and criminal scandals, including misogynistic, racist, white supremacist dog whistling, and his admiration for autocrats, like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I remember he is twice impeached. I remember the chaos. I remember he is a felon. I remember his incessant lies.

He now says things like the Medal of Freedom is better than the Medal of Honor - after calling our Veterans “suckers and losers.”

I remember how he tried to use the military against civilians, how he held a bible upside down in front of a church for a photo op, and how January 6th’s riots were all directed by him.

Yes, let’s do talk about incompetence, please!

Robert Moreland, Lexington

Describing elephants

There’s an Indian parable about blind men describing an elephant based on only the part they can feel. As each describes the animal based on his experience, arguments and condemnation begin as differing perspectives emerge.

Washington politics is similar. Only in place of physical blindness there is a political equivalent, partisanship. Politicians who are unwilling to see the whole issue or listen to alternative descriptions/solutions accomplish little in Washington. Lack of solutions to gun violence, immigration, voter issues, deficits and abortion, result from Congressmembers who never see or are willing to work beyond partisan divides.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) is up for re-election this year. In 12 years, Barr has sponsored just 4 bills signed into law, 3 of them having little significance. Most of the legislation Barr writes and co-sponsors is partisan in nature. Consequently, Barr consistently receives negative bipartisanship scores by the Lugar Center which tracks the legislative cooperation of Congressional members.

If we really want a Representative solving problems instead of contributing to the continued failures in Washington, isn’t it time to vote Barr out of office this November?

Peter Wedlund, Lexington

Domestic abuse

Kentucky has the inauspicious reputation of having a high level of domestic abuse and femicide among the 50 states. The Ky. Secretary of State has announced both his office and the General Assembly are supporting an initiative called “Safe at Home.” This is to protect the personal information of abuse victims from public records. Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs) do not offer enough protection for the abused women and this “Safe at Home” is untested. Is this to prove that our state government really cares for the safety and welfare of the women and girls?

As long as there are no exceptions for rape or incest in Kentucky’s abortion laws, this proves nothing. The offspring resulting from rape or incest have more rights in our state than the crime victim. At this point, the state government is the abuser.

Cheryl Keenan, Lexington

UK student behavior

I live near the University of Kentucky campus. Recently, we had student streaking up our street. Literally naked as a jay bird. Then at 3:30 in the morning students woke me up again drunk, partying on the front porch. We have been through this before. We call the police, and the college kids hide in their houses, refusing to answer the door until the police leave. The last bunch egged my home because I kept calling the police on them. What more can I do? Literally, I am at my wits end and the school year has just started.

We, the home owners, suffer the damage and sleepless nights. How much does the University of Kentucky expect old home owners to deal with? If this was happening in their neighborhoods it would end. I’m thinking the next time maybe I should go to the dean of student affairs’ house at 3:00 a.m. and stand on the sidewalk in front of his house to beat some pots and pans, then take off when I see lights come on. That’s what their students do. Maybe a little hair of the dog would be good for the dean of student affairs!

Evelyn Griffin, Lexington

School choice

Vote NO on Amendment 2. This amendment would put many, and perhaps eventually all, of our children in religious schools. When the state moved to place foster children in privatized care, most of our children in foster care wound up in religious programs where they were often told they were going to hell for various normal childhood behaviors. As an employee of the state, I witnessed abusive actions by most of these religious programs. Don’t fool yourself. As loving as Christ wants us to be, these programs were punitive, had horrible food, and hired unskilled “teachers” and “therapists” who lacked basic education for their roles.

Once we start on this path, the state can start contracting out education wholesale to these churches, who offer discounted services with their minimum wage “teachers.” It sounds great; get your kid into private school at the taxpayers’ expense, but that is not where this train is headed.

Susan Bell, Lexington

Light Pollution

Kudos to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government council for passing an ordinance governing outdoor light pollution.

A private school expansion abutting my property has put up a hideously blinding “security light” that hits me in the face when I go into my kitchen at night. I can no longer sit on my deck in the dark without shading my face. This in spite of the heavy tree canopy I allowed to grow so I could have a peaceful, dark yard. A well-lit space could have easily been achieved with a series of traditional canopied street lights. Do people really think they are in danger from extraterrestrial aliens? Is that why they use lights that can be seen from outer space? Many of my neighbors supplement traditional back door lights with these monstrosities. LFUCG please enforce this new enlightened policy.

Sally Wasielewski, Lexington

Compiled by Liz Carey