You're not likely to find this in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. This is starting to become old news, yet the M-I hasn't covered any of it. Their coverage of SCHIP has been nonexistent. SCHIP, an acronym that I suppose is automatically rejected by the M-I's spell check, stands for State Children's Health Insurance Program. This program offers health, eye, dental, and prescription medicine for children of poor or working family's that aren't offered insurance through their employers. Well, SCHIP is up for renewal and needs funding. It passed the House of Congress by 256 to 159 and the Senate by 68 to 31. Not one representative from Kentucky voted for it. George Bush vetoed the bill. There's enough support in the Senate to override the veto but it takes 290 House votes or the veto will be sustained.


I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence but assuming you depend solely on the Messenger-Inquirer, you're not likely to be familiar with Graeme Frost of Baltimore, the 12 year old that was injured along with his sister in an automobile accident. Graeme Frost delivered the Democratic Radio Address, pleading with President Bush to expand SCHIP funding. Subsequently, Frost was viciously attacked by the right wing for his efforts. It was later found that the attacks were unwarranted and completely untrue.  Last week, It was  reported that Don Stewart, the communications director for  Mitch McConnell , had sent an e-mail to reporters encouraging them to cover the right-wing campaign to smear 12-year old Graeme Frost and his family. In the e-mail, Stewart claimed that research by conservative bloggers proved that Democrats did a bad job “vetting this family.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell knew last week -- at a time when he was denying it -- that his staff had sent e-mails encouraging reporters to look into the background of a 12-year-old boy used by Democrats to support expansion of a health-care program.

In an interview Friday with WHAS-TV reporter Mark Hebert, the Kentucky Republican said his staff had not been involved in trying to push reporters to look into the financial situation of the boy's family. Hebert asked McConnell about the e-mails. The exchange was broadcast Sunday night and again last evening.

Hebert asked the senator whether his office was attempting to get reporters to look into Frost's background.

"No," McConnell answered.

The senator was then asked, "What was the deal with the e-mail from your staffer?"

McConnell replied: "There was no involvement whatsoever."

It's one thing for our representatives to turn their backs on families that are working, playing by the rules, and trying to care for their families. It's disturbing the he'd exploit them to help promote his agenda. His lies bring out his true colors and exactly who he is.

I've found an interesting town meeting that's coming to Owensboro and has peaked my interest. It appears to promote the voice of the people and solicits a group consensus. According to their web page, the purpose of the meeting is; With leadership from an engaged, informed and diverse group of local citizens, We the People, a 21st Century Town Meeting seeks to provide all residents with the opportunity to make their voice heard and be a part of planning the future of our community. The meeting is free, open to the public and will be held in the International Ballrooms of the Executive Inn Rivermont on Saturday, November 10th from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Childcare and other special services are available upon request. During this important community event, you will work together with your neighbors to: * Identify community values and assets to create our ideal 21st Century future. * Prioritize the challenges to realizing our community vision. * Develop and prioritize strategies to address the challenges and/or leverage assets, focusing on five topics: 1. Education & Lifelong Learning 2. Jobs, Business and Community Development 3. Clean and Healthy Environment 4. Government and Governance 5. Health and Wellness of Our Less Fortunate * Gain a commitment to action from leaders and citizens It sounds like it could be an interesting and productive meeting. This meeting will be at The Executive Inn Rivermont on Saturday, November 10 from 9AM-4PM and you can reserve a seat by calling (270)685-2652 or visit at wethepeopletownmeeting.org. There's no charge and lunch and a t-shirt is provided. If anyone has input or has knowledge to share, I certainly welcome the input. Andy   





                                                                                                                                                                      
  Check their website<