Five Things to Know Today
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! As we head toward the election, it seems that more and more “tell-all” books and stories are coming out about Trump and the Trump administration. There was Mary Trump’s book, Michael Schmidt’s book, and the book by Melania Trump’s former close friend.
In the shocking-story-every-day news firehose that is the Trump presidency, it’s easy for these stories to get their 15 minutes and then be gone. But one came out yesterday that may “have legs,” as they say.
According to multiple sources inside the administration, Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 “because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, ‘Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.’ In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.”
For many of us who have been paying close attention to Trump, this does not come as a surprise. But even so, it is shocking and disgusting. And as you might imagine, veterans across the country are outraged, and are making their feelings known in no uncertain terms.
For an American president to insult American war dead is simply unfathomable. And yet, Trump did just that. It is yet another reason, added to the hundreds already on the books, that he must be voted out in November.
And in the meantime, let us hope that each of these stories persuades yet a few more to abandon Trump and break with their vote of 2016, and to vote for Biden-Harris this fall.
Otherwise, we have four more years of this to look forward to.
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Today’s Five Things to Know
9/3 update — 906 new cases push total above 50,000; 10 more deaths bring toll to 976
As Kentucky saw more than 900 new coronavirus cases Thursday and double-digit death tolls for the fourth straight day, state officials cautioned that a vaccine is unlikely until 2021. (Forward Kentucky)
Trump says you should try voting twice; AGs warn “we will prosecute you”
In a recent trip to North Carolina, President Trump was asked about voting, and his answer seemed to encourage people to try voting twice, just to make sure their vote counts. Various AGs responded negatively to that idea. (Forward Kentucky)
Thomas Massie praises Kyle Rittenhouse, says he showed ‘incredible restraint’
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie in a radio interview Thursday defended the 17-year-old who fatally shot two protesters and injured a third in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last week, saying he acted in self-defense and showed “incredible restraint.”
Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged with two counts of first-degree homicide and several other felony counts after traveling from Illinois to Kenosha on Aug. 25 and shooting three protesters, two of which died. A self-described militia member, Rittenhouse shot the protesters after days of unrest in the city following video that went public of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer. (Courier-Journal)
Related: Massie opponent Owensby releases statement on his praise of shooter
“While I disagree with the rioters vandalizing businesses, this in no way justifies youth vigilantes traveling across state lines, illegally arming themselves with assault rifles, and shooting protesters in the back. As a nation, we need to do better. We need to hear the voices of those who don’t feel like they are heard and feel the need to take to the streets. We need to address these injustices and inequalities before they get to this level. The current Representative for this district, Thomas Massie, continues to throw fuel on the fire.” (Complete statement on Forward Kentucky)
Presbyterians lead march for justice for Breonna — a photo gallery
On Saturday, August 29, a “March for Justice for Breonna” was held in downtown Louisville, organized by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Del Ramey was there, and captured these images from the march. (Forward Kentucky)
Report: COVID-19 widens resource gap between KY school districts
Kentucky’s wealthiest school districts had nearly $3,000 more to spend per student than the state’s lower-income districts, according to a new report with data from the 2018-2019 school year. (Forward Kentucky)
Recent Content on Forward Kentucky
[new] indicates item not in a Forward Five before
[new] Protecting the U.S. Postal Service also safeguards your access to information – The changes to USPS that DeJoy has in mind for after the election could permanently damage this quintessentially American institution — and citizens’ access to far more than ballots for November 3. (Commentary)
[new] Bankruptcy law with Ally Holt, COVID-19, and lots of new info in the Breonna Taylor case – This week, local attorney Ally Holt joins Jazmin to talk bankruptcy law and courts; plus, new childcare regs, new information in the Breonna Taylor case, and a new lawsuit filed by Kenneth Walker. (Podcast)
[new] Let’s learn some mail-in voting lessons from Oregon, the state with the longest history of voting by mail – Oregon’s experience shows that mail-in voting can be safe and secure, and provide accurate and reliable results the public can be confident in. Here are some lessons we can learn from Oregon. (Policy)
Myths about Democrats: Debunked by a former Republican – I am a former Trump supporter. I am going to explain some of the lies that the Republican Party, Trump, and right-wing pundits tell their supporters about Democrats. (Commentary)
Critics say KY Utilities clean-up plan for polluted lake is inadequate – Critics say a plan developed by Kentucky Utilities to address groundwater pollution from an unlined coal-ash pond seeping into Herrington Lake is inadequate. (News)
9/2 update — Over 800 new cases for second day; Beshear says Ky. is in a ‘dangerous place’ as another holiday weekend approaches – The state reported 18 deaths from COVID-19, a near record. And the share of Kentuckians testing positive for the virus also went in the wrong direction. (News)
McGrath is ‘the one that’s going to support organized labor’ – Union retiree Benny Heady summed up the US Senate contest in a single sentence: “We need to vote for Amy because she’s the one that’s going to support organized labor.” (Commentary)
Sometimes, I just don’t understand people. – This is what we are dealing with in this country – two entirely separate realities. It’s no wonder we can’t agree on things; we don’t even agree about the facts. (PubBlog)
9/1 update — Beshear voices worry about increased coronavirus cases in kids – Cases in children and teens are rising across the country. Beshear also urged people to wear masks and take precautions during the upcoming Labor Day weekend. (News)
Secretary of state, breweries work together on recruiting poll workers – Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams has come up with a creative way to recruit poll workers for the general election in November: advertise on beer cans. (News)
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