Over 40 years in broadcasting has taught me that “Timing is
everything” is a good maxim, one that works there, and seems also to
work in other aspects of life, including civic activities.
So the Kentucky state senate’s passage of an NRA-sponsored bill to
allow guns to be carried concealed, without a permit and without
training (as now)—on the very anniversary of the Parkland, Florida high
school shooting that killed so many—seems more
than just callous, it seems ignorant and unnecessary.
Kentucky parents from our own Marshall HS shooting, more on that
later, had testified earlier of the anguish they felt over the loss of
their children –yet the Senate seemed to ignore those same feelings by
parents in another state. More than just bad
“timing.”
And it got worse. One senator, an NRA supporter and former cop,
argued that to end permits and especially to end training programs for
those carrying concealed weapons was bad practice and flew in the face
of experience.
Before the week was out came the shooting at a factory in Aurora,
Illinois. It turned out the fired worker not only had his deadly weapon
illegally (another example of failed state background checks), but this
was only found out when he applied for a
permit for concealed carry. Will this now happen here, if the
senate/NRA bill becomes law?
All of which would seem to indicate our state senate doesn’t give a
hoot about our own tragic shooting at Marshall High. Yes, a study group
afterwards had come up with an omnibus school safety bill, but it had 2
major faults. One, it was brought up during
the 30 day session when no funding can ordinarily be passed to
implement the bill, and two, it contained nothing about guns and their
crucial impact on school safety. Bad “timing.” (and head in sand.)
Our general assembly needs to consider a constitutional amendment
to allow it to call itself into session; not, as now, where only the
governor can do that. (He just did, with disastrous results; nothing
accomplished on pension reform, and a lot of money
spent for naught.)
Some other legislative issues bear serious study. Ex-speaker
Hoover’s bill to require candidates for statewide office to make public
their income taxes is a good idea and should pass. Yes, it may cause
some good candidates not to run, but the overall idea
is excellent.
Two, the GOP’s bill to slap Democrat Grimes handling of voter data
in her Sec. of State office ought to pass also. A study by the
Herald-Leader shows she probably had access to data she didn’t need, and
for political purposes—though she denies it. This example,
coming on the heels of the Republican candidate for governor in Georgia
(also their Secretary of State) being charged with using his office to
purge voting roles of people most likely to vote for his opponent---and
winning a very narrow race—shows safeguards
are needed in these officies that control voting rules and data.
That “timing” is right, so to are (finally,) bills to protect small
water districts from collapse; though woefully late. How many years has it
been since news media stories have shown the dismal, unsafe state of
drinking water in many areas of Kentucky. But,
better late than never.
Kentucky needs either to have annual 60 day sessions –or give
lawmakers the power to call special sessions—or both. An amendment can’t
get on the ballot too soon. Til then, their “timing” score is D-minus.
I'm just sayin'...
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