Senators must ‘stand up for Kentucky science’ and reject funding cuts | Opinion

Science cuts

The White House’s proposed cuts to federal science funding threaten to derail the United States’ innovation economy and collapse the pipeline of tech-savvy workers educated at Kentucky institutions. U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both R-Ky., must reject these cuts and stand up for American science.

As a physicist, I study the fundamental building blocks of our universe. This kind of basic research may seem abstract, but it’s the engine behind some of the most transformative technologies in our lives, such as the internet or the navigation capabilities in our phones. It also serves as the training ground for the next generation of scientists, many of whom go on to careers in technology and defense-related industries.

The National Science Foundation faces a staggering budget cut of more than 50%, endangering grants that train students and build a strong in-state technical workforce. Between 2019 and 2023, Kentucky’s universities received $1.7 billion in federal research grants, much of which supported workforce development. This investment fueled economic growth, awarding nearly $100 million to Kentucky businesses through research partnerships with universities.

Kentucky relies on federal science agencies for its economic and academic success. I urge our senators to reject these cuts and stand up for Kentucky science.

Renee Fatemi, Lexington

Thanking Bill Estep

I’d like to offer public thanks to Bill Estep for his great stories and informative articles during the years at the Herald-Leader.

I am one of probable throngs of readers who pestered Mr. Estep with suggested topics for articles, as well as thanking him for articles of particular interest. His coverage of cock fighting arrests and other animal cruelty situations was in a class of its own. He wrote of our forests and our people and our benefits and our frailties. And I believe I read every one of his articles!

So, thank you, Bill. Know you have been appreciated, and I sincerely wish you and your family many happy returns during your retirement. You deserve it!

Ceci Mitchell, Franklin County

Education control

Government control of education is either communism or fascism, but it is not democracy.

Government control of corporations, i.e. placing “tariffs” on them, is either communism or fascism but it is not free-market capitalism, and it is not democracy.

Government control of the media (regardless how it gets funding) is either communism or fascism but is not democracy.

Government control of religion is communism, fascism, or theocracy but it is not democracy.

Government control of your associations is arguably more fascist than communist, but in totalitarian regimes, you are favored or not, and this too is not democracy.

Government control of your body, of your person, capriciously and arbitrarily with your human rights proscribed without due process is either communism or fascism, but it is not democracy.

None of the above attempts of control are in alignment with either liberalism or conservatism or being Republican or Democrat, because these uphold the “Rule of Law,” the Constitution of the United States, and what defines being an American. The above is more aligned with oligarchs sponsoring a fascist regime in order to control and make commodities or slaves of us all.

Oligarch domination is a tyranny, and we need to end it. The “culture war” is their invention to pit us against each other so that they can achieve this goal.

Robert Moreland, Lexington

Where’s Congress?

Donald Trump says he gave Iran two weeks to decide whether to negotiate about their nuclear weapons intentions or get bombed and attacked by the United States. Isn’t that declaring war? Last civics class I attended said declaring war on a foreign nation was the job of Congress. Has that changed? Is our Congress now that powerless? Can’t the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in on this?

Ralph Derickson, Lexington

Juneteenth

It is difficult to imagine a more meaningful, joyous, feel-good national holiday for all Americans to celebrate together than Juneteenth. It seems like it is quickly becoming our favorite. For everyone, that is, except the MAGA base. Our hateful President Donald Trump goes out of his way to not celebrate ... just can’t help himself from making derogatory remarks. All his minions follow suit, from the grass roots to the GOP leadership.

What is it, exactly, about the MAGA philosophy that prevents them from participating? What convoluted piece of twisted logic tells them that Juneteenth is somehow suspect and threatening?

They say that the best way to find your mistake is to explain, in detail, to someone else why you are correct. I have a feeling that if MAGA tried to explain their distaste for Juneteenth, it might reveal their mistake.

Dan Berry, Stamping Ground

Diversion tactics

While a destructive budget bill moves through Congress, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., is talking about his support for a war in Iran.

Barr is NOT talking about this bill, which would devastate health care in Kentucky, pull funds from Medicaid, and force the closing of dozens of rural hospitals, many in his district. This bill would also trigger deep cuts to Medicare, cancel National Institutes of Health funding and destroy the U.S. leadership in science.

Barr voted for this bill. He’s all for gutting his constituents’ health care options, even as he enjoys world-class medical care — paid for by Kentucky taxpayers.

Barr isn’t talking about this bill’s provisions to sell off millions of acres of our public lands, or the $45 billion tax dollars it allocates to private prisons, which would operate without oversight. He doesn’t discuss the numerous cuts to renewable energy in this bill, or the cost to us and our children of ignoring climate change.

He doesn’t mention that the bill guts FEMA and weakens judicial constraint of the executive branch.

Barr’s only job is to serve the people of his district. This bill would inflict a world of hurt on his constituents.

No wonder he wants to change the subject.

Kim Edwards, Lexington

Progressive signs

A few years ago, it was fashionable for progressives to post signs in their yards stating what they believe. It may be time to update those signs. I think they should read, “We believe that violent foreign criminals belong in our cities. We believe waste and fraud belong in our government. We believe that antisemites and terrorist supporters belong on our college campuses. And we believe that biological boys belong in girls’ sports.”

Doug Reed, Lexington

Draft-dodging warmonger

It’s a sad degree of irony that a Vietnam draft dodger commits American soldiers into combat.

Bob Sutton, Springfield

Stop the OBBB

U.S. Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, both R-Ky., must do everything in their power to protect everyday people in our community instead of enabling President Donald Trump’s tax breaks for billionaires.

The upcoming budget bill moving through Congress is a fight over our country’s values and priorities. We must stop Trump from selling off our public lands to the highest bidder and opening up the Arctic Refuge for oil and gas drilling. It’s imperative that we protect climate and clean energy policies that are lowering our energy costs, cutting climate pollution and creating good jobs nationwide. Our Senators must also block cuts to vital government programs like Medicare and SNAP.

As a parent, professor, pastor and patriot I care about public health, our climate, our children’s future and Kentucky’s precious public lands such as the Daniel Boone National Forest. We need the government to protect people over corporate polluters who paid for access to Trump. Our senators must fight for us.

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade, Lexington

Hegseth lied

A question that came up during Pete Hegseth’s nomination and approval for his position of Secretary of Defense was, would he carry out an order that was illegal. We now know despite his protest. I guess those who expected or only worried about President Donald Trump issuing such an order are vindicated in their paranoia.

Bob Crovo, Lexington

Childcare

I was truly impressed with John Cheves’ articles on Child Care! Our state has gone backward in its concern for Kentucky’s children which wasn’t addressed well for as long as I have been an activist.

I certainly knew this as a single parent and foster dad running my own business. More single moms and grandmothers end up raising foster or grandchildren with so many men and women abandoning their responsibilities. Drugs and poverty have contributed. In reality, this state and others should promote care and practice far better in legislative action!

Too many want teens and young adults — even children — to become parents when we should be pushing for them to wait for childbirth until they are 25 to 30.

First, let youth have early years to play while growing into adults. Let youth develop their independence from parents and their financial stability. Certainly, children shouldn’t be raising children! Yet their parents and grandparents have fantasies as do religious institutions, and under-educated leaders believe the fantasies while the children suffer.

The state needs to support birth control and Depo-Provera for delays.

Childcare, like medical care, is seriously difficult especially in our social and economic environment today!

Don Pratt, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey