Kentucky's National Guard is used and abused; Kentucky needs a "Commonwealth Defense Force"

Kentucky Governor's Mansion

I have never been interested in joining the military, nor have I ever sought to join. It isn’t my calling, but I appreciate what they do.

Here in Kentucky, we are blessed with a great National Guard organization. Compared to some states, we have a very responsive, technology-savvy team in Kentucky. This is really fortunate because our luck over the last few years hasn’t been the best.

We have experienced floods, tornadoes, ice storms, and all sorts of other natural disasters. Not only that, but we frequently catch the leftovers from other rough weather from neighboring states, especially hurricanes headed north. On top of this, our commonwealth is built over several fault lines, some of which are considered overdue to produce substantial earthquakes. Fortunately, our National Guard is well-equipped to assist in recovery missions. In addition to this, Kentucky, like any other state is subject to a cowardly terrorist attack at any moment.

Warning about extending your anger with federal politics to state politics

It is difficult for me to believe that the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex community in Kentucky is so cynical that they would vote against their own interests as published in the following stories:

• Democrats earned their drubbing (from the Washington Blade, the largest LGBTI newspaper) 
• Gay voters angry at Democrats could sway Election 
• Will angry gay voters punish the Dems?

Yes, we have the Log Cabin Republicans fighting for LGBTI rights within the Republican Party, and I am proud to have them, just as we have the Stonewall Democrats fighting for LGBTI rights within the Democratic Party.  However, the Log Cabin Republicans have had limited success in curtailing conservative social agendas, and now we have the anti-gay Tea Party to contend with.

• Take a look at the argument I had with one person running for Kentucky office next year as a perfect example; is this what we want our future to be?  I dedicated the name of this blog, "Kentucky Spirit" in defiance to his statements. 

If the Commonwealth of Kentucky had all the political money that it's political candidates have wasted in this election with mudslinging, Kentucky would be out of debt.  Perhaps we need a law that limits campaign spending and contributions?