Five Things to Know Today
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! Here is something to consider as we start the week:
I paid more income taxes in 2016 than President Trump. And I bet you did too.
President Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016, and again in 2017. How do I know? Because the New York Times has a bombshell story where they obtained Trump’s tax returns for the last twenty years, and spent months analyzing them. (It’s the first item in the Five Things section.)
Everyone is going to first focus on the $750, because that is easy to grasp. But the biggest revelations in the story are not those ridiculously low payments. No, these are the main points we should remember:
- His family’s companies have made substantial sums off of payments from the government he leads.
- He possibly faces state-level charges of tax fraud, bank fraud, and other crimes, which a presidential pardon cannot prevent.
- He owes over $400 million in outstanding loans (to whom?), most of which come due in the next two years. Based on the business income shown in the returns, he has no way to pay those debts.
Desperate people do desperate things. Donald Trump appears to be more and more desperate to win this election, and these returns show some of the reasons why he is so desperate.
As for us, we do not need to be desperate; we need to adhere to another D word: determined. Determined to vote, to get others to vote, and to do all we can to protect our democracy.
As Rachel Maddow says, buckle up – it’s going to be a wild ride. But together, we can get through it.
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Today’s Five Things to Know
Long-concealed records show Trump’s chronic losses and years of tax avoidance
The Times obtained Donald Trump’s tax information extending over more than two decades, revealing struggling properties, vast write-offs, an audit battle and hundreds of millions in debt coming due. (New York Times)
9/25-27 weekend updates — Almost certainly a record number of cases
“Today’s COVID report is far too many cases, and unfortunately far too many people who we’ve lost,” said Beshear. “This virus has come for us. We have to fight back.” (Forward Kentucky)
Ballistics don’t support AG Cameron’s claim Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend shot officer
A Kentucky State Police ballistics report does not support state Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s assertion that Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot a Louisville police officer the night she was killed.
Cameron said officer Brett Hankison had been eliminated as the shooter that wounded the other officer because the three officers were all carrying .40 caliber handguns, while Walker had a 9.
But appearing later that night on CNN, Steve Romines, one of Walker’s attorneys, said he had obtained a LMPD record showing Hankison had been issued a 9-mm weapon as well. (Courier-Journal)
Open records authority weighs in: Can Cameron release the Taylor investigative files?
Attorney General Daniel Cameron says that he cannot release any of the Breonna Taylor investigative files because of “ongoing investigations.” Amye Bensenhaver discusses that claim, using precedents from earlier cases. (Forward Kentucky)
League of Women Voters starts new chapter in northern Kentucky
Did you know there is a new northern Kentucky chapter of the League of Women Voters? Christina Conover interviewed the founders, Becky Smith Jones and Jane Page-Steiner, about their plans and goals. (Forward Kentucky)
Upcoming Events from the ForwardKY Calendar
We post about upcoming events by campaigns and organizations if we know about them in time. Post your events here. View the full calendar here.
- Today (9/28) – Shelbyville Meet-and-Greet with Amy McGrath(Info) – If you are in or near Shelbyville today, drop by this event at noon at Clear Creek Park to talk with Senate candidate Amy McGrath.
- Tuesday (9/29) – Forum for House District 33 Candidates (Nemes/Plattner) (Info)
- Tuesday (9/29) – Planned Parenthood Texting Tuesdays (info)
- Tuesday (9/29) – Virtual Reception w/ Gov. Beshear, James Taylor, & Yo-Yo Ma (Info)
- Wednesday (9/30) – Demand Safe Schools Rally and Caravan (Info)
- Saturday (10/3) – KFTC Fall Gathering, Session 3 (info)
Recent Content on Forward Kentucky
[new] indicates item not in a Forward Five before
[new] When it comes to Barrett, we should focus on OUR religion – Can progressive Christians support Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court? Ivonne Rovira examines the question from the light of her own faith. (Commentary)
[new] Small boy: ‘I want to march. For justice.’ – A vignette by Mandy McLaren of the Courier-Journal, about an episode that happened during a recent evening protest. (Feature)
[new] Danville vigil for Breonna Taylor – a photo gallery – United For Change in Danville put together a vigil Saturday evening in response to the travesty of a grand jury in Louisville dealing with the murder of Breonna Taylor. Nick Lacy captured these moments. (Photo Gallery)
[new] ‘The only thing he craves and respects is power’ – McConnell, with his hypocrisy, guile and cynicism, has broken the American system of government. No one should count on McConnell to do the right thing, the ethical thing, or the honest thing. (Commentary)
[new] RBG memorial at McConnell’s office in Paducah by Four Rivers Indivisible – Many of the messages were similar to what Leslie McColgin penned: “Please honor her wishes and her legacy – No confirmation until after inauguration.” Here’s a story with photos. (News)
[new] I’m pro-life. I’m Christian. But is that all there is to it? – As a pro-life Christian, I feel that abortion is wrong. Period. But here’s the thing. Being pro-life doesn’t necessarily mean that I support regulations that outlaw it. (Commentary)
[new] Mandee McKelvey of “The Mitch Show” – There’s a new online comedy show, with Mitch McConnell as the host! Join us as we talk with Mandee McKelvey, an actress on “The Mitch Show” who plays both Kayleigh McEnany and Amy McGrath. (Video/Audio)
Grand jury returns only one indictment + interview with author Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons – This week – the single indictment in the Breonna Taylor case; the Fischer no-confidence vote; and the death of RBG. Plus, an interview w/ Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons on his new book about progressive Christianity. (Podcast)
Maskless in Kentucky — ‘Save Who You Can’ – “There’s only so much you can say. The fact that we have to … literally beg people to wear a mask, to save their own dumb ass from getting sick – I’m sorry, to me it is beyond the imagination.” (Commentary)
The Breonna Taylor grand jury decision home page – This post is the home page for the Forward Kentucky coverage of the Breonna Taylor decision. (News)
- Breonna Taylor grand jury announcement, summarized
- One Louisville police officer indicted in Breonna Taylor case
- Cameron office issues statement on Taylor decision
- Reactions to announcement in Breonna Taylor case
- Cong. Yarmuth’s reaction to Breonna Taylor decision
- Beshear says AG should release probe information
- Reactions to grand jury results captured in photos
- Related: Beshear afternoon press conference (video)
- Related: ‘Ongoing investigation’ should not be a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card when it comes to open records
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