Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! I want to ask you to put something on your calendar. This Friday on The State of Kentucky, our guest will be Teri Kanefield. If you haven’t heard of her, don’t feel bad; I suspect very few of our readers have.
She is an author and a lawyer, who has written fiction for children and briefs for appellate judges (and yes, she says that writing for one is similar to writing for the other). For the past few years, though, she has been posting Twitter threads delving into the antics and tactics of the GOP and Donald Trump, and I have found her analysis both insightful and fairly unique. She ties our current situation to the the 50-year struggle to become a “true democracy,” especially when it comes to racial equality. She also points out how Trump’s actions are actually part of a larger plan of authoritarianism. And finally, she lays out steps we can take, rather than just get angry or depressed.
I think it is one of the more important interviews I have done, and so we are devoting the entire show to talking with her. I hope you can join us at noon on Friday; we’ll be live-streaming on both Facebook and YouTube.
And as always – Wash your hands. Wear your masks, homemade or store-bought. And check on each other. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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This Friday’s “The State of Kentucky”
Insights your mother never told you:
Why Trump and the GOP do what they do
Join us for this week’s show featuring award-winning author and analyst Teri Kanefield, as she explains the actions of the Republican party, the 50-year struggle driving those actions, and how Trump’s actions actually fit into that plan. Live at noon on Facebook and YouTube. Don’t miss this discussion – it will reframe the way you see politics.
Beshear holds firm on plans to reopen, but may pause if needed – 5/5 update
State reports highest daily case number; about half at Green River correctional facility. Beshear says state still feels it can begin reopening. (Forward Kentucky)
Today – “When white America gets sick, black America gets hospitalized.”
In the COVID-19 pandemic, black Americans are getting sick and dying at a rate higher than their portion of the population. Time to discuss it. A live-streamed forum at 11 AM today; details in the story. (Forward Kentucky)
#StopWalker trends as Senate Democrats protest Mitch McConnell-backed judicial appointee
Ahead of this week’s Congressional nomination hearing of Judge Justin Walker to U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing back against confirming the Kentucky native on Twitter, using the hashtag #StopWalker.
U.S. President Donald Trump tapped Walker to fill a vacancy on one of the most powerful benches in the country last month. The confirmation hearing for Walker, a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is scheduled for Wednesday.
But on Tuesday, Senate Democrats issued a blistering advertisement against Walker, attacking the 37-year-old judge in the Western District of Kentucky. The ad attacks Walker for his labeling of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as unconstitutional. It also takes digs at Walker’s close ties to McConnell and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and criticizes Walker’s many appearances on Fox News television. (Courier-Journal)
Federal judge requests investigation of McConnell for allegedly pressuring judges to retire
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s bid to stack the federal judiciary with conservative judges — including one who is his protege — has run into a hitch.
The chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, often called the nation’s second-most important court — has asked for an investigation to determine whether a judge on that court retired at McConnell’s request to make room for the appointment of Judge Justin Walker of Louisville. (Courier-Journal)
Rand Paul says he doesn’t have to wear face mask, claims coronavirus immunity
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul did not wear a face mask to a GOP Senate lunch Tuesday, saying he had already tested positive for the novel coronavirus and therefore has immunity.
“Of all the people you’ll meet here, I’m about the only safe person in Washington,” Paul said when asked why he was not wearing a mask. “I’ve already had (the) virus, so I can’t get it again and can’t give it to anybody.”
In a Twitter thread later that evening further explaining his actions, he posted this: “”To the approximately 2 million New Yorkers and others who got coronavirus and survived, don’t let these busybodies tell you that you don’t have immunity. They want you to be lemmings and do as THEY see fit. RESIST.” (Courier-Journal)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] 🔥 Indivisible KY endorses Broihier in Senate race – Indivisible KY today announced their endorsement of Mike Broihier for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate race, joining three other Indivisible groups in endorsing Broihier. (read)
[new] KY Black Legislative Caucus condemns ‘rally’ at Capitol – “It didn’t take long for those attending the so-called Freedom Rally to show their true colors, from waving Confederate flags and automatic weapons to flashing white supremacy symbols.” (read)
[new] 🔥 KYGA Dem leaders denounce racism at rally and the leges who participated – The Democratic leadership in both chambers of the General Assembly issued a statement denouncing Saturday’s protest at the Capitol as a “racist exercise,” and calling out the legislators who participated in the event. (read)
[new] 🔥 COVID-19: How is Kentucky doing compared to its neighbors? – It seems that Kentucky is ahead of the game when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus – but what do the numbers show? Here’s a look at some data. (read)
🔥 Is COVID-19 actually worse in Kentucky’s rural counties? – The numbers of cases and deaths are biggest in our cities. But when it comes to rates, how are our rural counties doing? Actually, worse than the cities. (read)
UofL study shows social distancing slowed virus spread considerably – A study released by the University of Louisville says social distancing measures have significantly slowed the spread of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. (read)
—Commentary—
Pulitzers don’t grow on trees – YOU have to help them grow! – The Courier-Journal won a Pulitzer. Here are THREE THINGS you need to know about that, including something you need to DO. Read on for more! (read)
🔥 Don’t let him fool you: #CoronaMitch is scared – McConnell the Deficit Hawk is back. But, worrying about the deficit seems to be a net loss for Repub chances in the fall. So, why is Mitch doing this now? (read)
🔥 When Trump shafts Fox News – It’s coming, you can count on it – Donald Trump is going to put the shaft to Fox News, just like he has so many other loyal allies. (read)
— Cartoons —
What modern-day heroes REALLY want – During this pandemic, we’ve taken to calling our front-line responders and essential workers the “heroes” of this crisis. Some people have even made capes for them. Aaron Smith, though, captures what many of these modern-day heroes are REALLY thinking. (view)
— Media —
🔥 John Yarmuth and Nolan Higdon on “The State of Kentucky” – We talk with Cong. John Yarmuth about rescue packages, Joe Biden, and what he thinks of McConnell’s “bankruptcy” comments. Then, we’re joined by Nolan Higdon to talk about his book “The United States of Distraction.” Watch it here! (view)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Reopen churches to in-person services or face legal action, AG says (2,000+ shares)
- ‘War Against the States’ — Yarmuth on McConnell (1,000+ shares)
- Confederate flag, meet Unity Water Tower (638 shares)
The Forward 5 is published Monday to Friday by Forward Kentucky, an independent media organization focused on progressive news and issues in Kentucky, and is re-posted with permission. You can sign up for the email version of the newsletter on their website.
