Sunday, November 30, 2008

Evening Trio

Terror in Mumbai: AFP: Officials quit over India attacks, tensions mount with Pakistan

National Weather Service: Snow likely late tonight, Monday in EKY

AP: WR Burress expects gun plea Monday

November 2008

Terror in Mumbai: The Telegraph (UK): India raises security footing to 'war level'

UK Men's Basketball: Lexington Herald-Leader: Cats get clean slate in Vegas

UK Football: The Courier-Journal: Tennessee downs Cats once again, 28-10

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Evening Trio

Doug Patton: Why I’m Thankful in 2008

Wall Street Journal: Mumbai Attack is Obama's First International Challenge

AP: Indiana woman dies at 115 as world's oldest person

Morning Trio

On this Thanksgiving, I would like to say thank you to God and all of you, my loyal readers, for making the blog what it is. On with the Trio:

Franklin Graham: Giving thanks in times like these

Terror in Mumbai: BBC News has live updates here.

Voice of America: Car Bomb Kills 4 Near US Embassy in Kabul

Monday, November 24, 2008

In Memoriam: Tom Gish and Bob Hale

Eastern Kentucky lost two media legends this week. Tom Gish, the courageous publisher of The Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, passed away Friday at Pikeville Medical Center. He was 82. According to the AP, Gish, along with his wife Pat, "overcame floods, threats, arson and attempted suppression to deliver news in the weekly publication with the slogan: 'It Screams!'" Editor & Publisher has the AP's obituary here. Even if you disagree with Gish, you have to agree that he had the guts to take on the issues that faced Appalachia: public corruption, education, poverty, and the environmental effects of coal mining. Gish's funeral was held today (Monday) at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Whitesburg. Click here to read about the funeral from WYMT.

On Sunday (yesterday), Bob Hale, the longtime co-host of the Faron & Bob morning show on WSGS-FM in Hazard and the station's engineer, passed away at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington after a stroke caused by complications from triple-bypass heart surgery. For nearly 40 years, he was a mainstay at the station. He was also a guitarist. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 3:30pm at the Hindman Funeral Services chapel in Hindman, with visitation there tomorrow night (Tuesday) from 6-9pm. Click here for an audio tribute to Hale. (Windows Media Player required) Click here to read more from WYMT.


My prayers go out to the Gish and Hale families. Post your memories of Gish and Hale in the comments section.

Evening Trio

Fox News: Virginia GOP Rep. Goode Defeated in Late-Decided Election

AP: Facebook wins $873M judgment against spammer

ESPN: Bulk of government's charges against Bonds remain intact

Afternoon Trio

Wall Street Journal: Obama Eyes $500 Billion in Stimulus; Paulson Weighs Ramping Up Aid Again

Voice of America: Palestinian President: Early Elections if No Reconciliation With Hamas

AP: Astronauts venture on 4th, final spacewalk

Morning Trio

MarketWatch: Citi, U.S. reach plan to lift capital, guarantee assets

Wall Street Journal: North Korea Gives Details on Border-Closing Plan

AP via Sporting News: Wildcats will try to even record Monday night

Friday, November 21, 2008

Evening Trio

Courier-Journal: BREAKING: Tom Gish, crusading E. Ky. newspaper publisher, dies

AP: Mukasey feeling better, returns to work

NY Times: Clinton Decides to Accept Post at State Dept., Confidants Say

Afternoon Trio

AP: The year 2025: Oil, dollar out; Russia, Islam in

USA Today: Huckabee says neglected 'value voters' are key to GOP future

Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky uses new execution chamber

Morning Trio

Before we get to the Morning Trio, I have posted info on the November snow under--what else?--the "November Snow" post. Read that post for the latest on the unusual event. Now on with the Trio:

AP: Atty. Gen. Mukasey collapses during speech (PRAY for his recovery.)

AFP: Mosul's Christians make timid return after killings

Courier-Journal: Ruling clears way for execution tonight

November Snow

The snowflakes are flying here in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky tonight. Already there is a good dusting in my backyard at Isom here in Letcher County. There is a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in effect for Letcher and Harlan counties until 10am ET tomorrow (Friday) morning. An additional one to two inches is expected in the higher elevations in those counties, while an additional dusting to half-inch is espected in the valleys.

Just across the state line in Virginia, Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise county schools are all under a two-hour delay for tomorrow. No word yet from other schools in the area at this time.

This snow is unusual for this part of November. Post your thoughts in the comments section. I will post more on the snow if needed.

UPDATE on Friday at 5:47am: Looks like at least an inch or so in my backyard. Many schools in the area are either closed or on a delay due to the snow. This includes Letcher County schools, which are CLOSED while Jenkins Independent is on a two-hour delay. Winter weather advisory continues until 10am. Roads are slick in many spots. Stay safe.

UPDATE: Jenkins Independent is now CLOSED.

Monday, November 17, 2008

BREAKING: Report: Hillary Clinton to be Obama's Secretary of State

The British newspaper The Guardian is reporting tonight that Hillary Clinton will accept Obama's offer and become the next Secretary of State, pending US Senate approval. From the article:

Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned. Obama's advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton's foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem.


Clinton would be well placed to become the country's dominant voice in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected senator for New York, she has specialised in foreign affairs and defence. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops. Clinton, who still harbours hopes of a future presidential run, had to weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate, which offers a platform for life, or making the more uncertain career move to the secretary of state job.

In my view, Obama's reported--and I stress reported--pick will definitely please the liberal mainstream media because Secretaries of State usually do not take positions on domestic issues. Obama wants the focus regarding Clinton's reported appointment away from her liberal domestic policies and more toward her foreign policy views, which seem, as the article mentions, a little more hawkish than Obama.

Your thoughts???

Evening Trio

AP: Obama and McCain say they'll work together

Bloomberg: Mavericks' Cuban Sued by SEC for 2004 Insider Trading

ESPN: With no change in condition, Hansbrough to sit vs. Kentucky

Afternoon Trio

Albert Mohler: Defender of Faith? Throne Language for the Postmodern Prince

Michelle Malkin: Community bank to Paulson: Take your bailout and shove it!

AP: Somali pirates seize supertanker loaded with crude

Morning Trio

Christian Post: Orissa Bishops Warn of 'Master Plan' to Wipe-Out Christianity

Wall Street Journal: Most College Presidents' Pay Climbing

Sports Network: Three-Peat: Johnson captures record-tying third-straight Cup title

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Evening Trio

San Jose Mercury News: California's bad fire season could have been worse

WKYT: Elderly Letcher County Woman Killed In Crash

AP: '07 Horse of the Year Curlin to be retired

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Pray for my sister Peggy Caudill, who is in the hospital. I will post updates as soon as they are available.

UPDATE at 1:15pm ET: Peggy will continue to be in the hospital another night for observation. I will post more about her condition later today.

UPDATE at 4:56pm ET: Peggy is hoping to leave the hospital tomorrow. Here is the reason for the hospitalization: pain in the pancreas. Earlier in the week, doctors discovered a mass or tumor in the pancreas. Tests will be done on Monday to determine if it is cancerous. PRAY for her to be healed. I will post more when there are any new developments.

UPDATE on Saturday at 1:09pm ET: Peggy is feeling much better...however, she will be in the hospital for one more night. Hopefully she will be home tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers.

UPDATE on Sunday at 1:04pm ET: Peggy will be out of the hospital later today. I am very thankful for your prayers.

Morning Trio

Dallas Morning News: Fort Worth Diocese breaks from Episcopal Church

WKYT: WKYT Crew In Wreck

Lexington Herald-Leader: Vandy holds off Cats

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Evening Trio

WSAZ: BREAKING: AK Steel to Idle Plant Operations

UPI: Bush thanks military for 'standing up'

NY Times: Google Uses Searches to Track Flu’s Spread

Afternoon Trio

WYMT: Weekend Accident Leaves Man Facing Murder Charges

Lexington Herald-Leader: Staff cuts hurt radio news

David Whitley: NASCAR red-flagged by ABC (UPDATE at 5:40pm: NASCAR's chairman did not like ABC's move. Click here for more.)

Morning Trio

San Francisco Chronicle via MormonTimes.com: Catholics, Mormons joined to pass Prop. 8 (Interesting quote: "Yes on 8 sought to marshal support among many religions, while the No on 8 campaign often put religion on the sidelines.")

Fox News: Gov. Palin on 2012: 'Don't Let Me Miss an Open Door'

Lexington Herald-Leader: Oil company owner cited for fouling water

Thursday, November 6, 2008

FLASH: Water non-consumption ban lifted in Whitesburg

WYMT is reporting that the city of Whitesburg has lifted the ban on water consumption. This is good news for both individuals and businesses, especially restaurants, which took a financial hit. Since the weekend, residents were told not to drink the water because it was tainted with petroleum.

I hope to have more details about the lifting of the ban soon.

UPDATE at 6:50pm: Mayor James Wiley Craft and County Judge-Executive Jim Ward just made the official announcement on the radio. There are NO restrictions on usage.

UPDATE at 9:13pm: The state Division of Water is advising customers to "flush pipes for several minutes when they resume water use." Read more here.

Evening Trio

AP: Emanuel accepts job as White House chief of staff

Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky picked presidential loser for first time since 1960

InformationWeek: Windows 7 Features Include Touch Screens, Better Device Support

Afternoon Trio

Voice of America: Rice in Middle East for More Peace Talks

Dallas Morning News: World reaction to President-elect Barack Obama's win

AP: Feds to provide drought relief to Kentucky farmers

Morning Trio

Lexington Herald-Leader: Letcher County water problems continue

L.A. Times: Extra! Extra! Barack Obama's election win sends newspaper sales soaring

AP via Sporting News: Wildcats not intimidated by Bulldogs

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Night 2008

This is the night I have been waiting a looong time for...

5:19pm ET: We are less than an hour away from the polls closing in the Eastern Time Zone portions of Kentucky and Indiana. I will post results from my home base of Letcher County throughout the night as well. While Letcher County is predominantly Democratic, it is a conservative county. Bush took Letcher County in 2004, the first time in a long time that Letcher County voted for a Republican for President. It will be very interesting how a conservative county can view a very liberal Barack Obama.

5:27pm ET: Drudge is splashing this headline: SENATE SOURCES: DEMS SEE 58 SEATS

5:34pm ET: Don't be fooled by exit polls the networks are broadcasting this early. They have a history of being skewered toward the Democrats. FoxNews.com is reporting that a federal judge has ordered the Commonwealth of Virginia to preserve late military ballots. The McCain camp had sued for those ballots to be counted.

5:52pm ET: Drudge is reporting that exit polls in Pennsylvania are showing that Obama is up by 15. Again, I do not trust early exit polls. Pennsylvania's polls close at 8pm ET.

6:03pm ET: Polls just closed in the Eastern Time Zone portions of Kentucky and Indiana. Here in Kentucky, those still in line at 6pm will be able to vote. All those who come in line after 6 will not be able to vote.

6:11pm ET: Already four precincts are in here in Kentucky. McCain leads 64% to Obama's 34%.
Click here for the statewide election returns from the State Board of Elections.

6:18pm ET: John McCain, Bruce Lunsford, and Hal Rogers win the absentee vote here in Letcher County.

6:36pm ET: Two precincts here in letcher County have turned in their votes.

6:50pm: You may think that McCain and Obama are neck and neck here in Kentucky, but most of Obama's votes thus far are in Democrat-dominated Louisville.

6:54pm ET: With 11 out of 32 precincts in here in Letcher County, McCain is crushing Obama.

7:01pm ET: Fox calls Kentucky for McCain, Vermont for Obama.

7:11pm ET: Mark Warner has defeated Jim Gilmore for the US Senate in Virginia, thus giving the Dems a seat.

7:31pm ET: McCain wins West Virginia

7:35pm: Hal Rogers and Geoff Davis keep their US House seats here in Kentucky.

7:37pm: With 29 of Letcher County's 32 precincts reporting, John McCain is poised to keep Letcher County red.

7:49pm: CBS has called South Carolina for McCain.

7:55pm: Incumbent John Yarmuth has defeated Anne Northup for Louisville's US House seat.

8:03pm: McCain wins Oklahoma; Obama takes Illinois, DC, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut.

8:06pm: McCain wins Tennessee. Here in Letcher County, McCain, Lunsford, and Rogers won their respective races.

8:09pm: Fox has called McConnell the winner in the US Senate race here in Kentucky.

8:13pm: NBC has called Pennsylvania for Obama. Fox has called New Hampshire for Obama.

8:31pm: Fox has now called Pennsylvania for Obama and Arkansas for McCain.

8:39pm: Fox has called Georgia for McCain.

8:50pm: McCain wins Alabama.

9:06pm: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin for Obama; McCain wins North Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas.

9:19pm: Ugh...Fox has called Ohio for Obama.

9:32pm: McCain campaign disputes projections that Obama won Pennsylvania. Nets stand by their projection.

9:34pm: McCain wins Louisiana.

9:57pm: It appears that Ed Whitfield will maintain his seat in Congress, defeating Democrat Heather Ryan in Western Kentucky's 1st District. Brett Guthrie is leading in the 2nd. Yarmuth, Davis, Rogers, and Chandler are heading toward victory.

10pm: Texas, Utah for McCain; Iowa for Obama

10:03pm: McConnell is making his victory speech right now.

10:17pm: Lunsford is now giving his concession speech. On a non-political note, there will be NO SCHOOL for the Letcher County School System tomorrow due to the Whitesburg water crisis. The Lexington Herald-Leader has more on the situation here.

10:18pm: Mississippi stays red--Fox projects McCain will take The Magnolia State.

10:23pm: Courier-Journal calls Kentucky's 2nd District congressional race for Brett Guthrie. The balance of power for Kentucky's US House delegation remains the same--four Republicans, two Democrats. Fox calls Nebraska for McCain.

10:35pm: Christian blogger Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds has an excellent post about what Christians must think regarding our leaders, especially our next President.

10:43pm: Fox calls Virginia for Obama. First time since 1964 that Virginia has gone for a Democratic nominee for President.

10:54pm: AP joins Fox in calling Virginia for Obama. It appears that history will be made at 11pm.

10:57: McCain wins South Dakota.

11pm ET: BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT

11:13pm: Good news for the GOP: Looks like the Dems will fall short of a filibuster-proof majority in the US Senate.

11:16pm: The AP is reporting that McCain has called Obama to congratulate him on winning the Presidency.

11:18pm: Fox News' electoral count: Obama 297, McCain 155. Few states have yet to be called. The McCains are about to speak.

11:19pm: McCain has conceded the race.

11:42pm: What a great speech by McCain. On a personal note, while I am strongly disappointed with the outcome, as a Christian, I will pray for Obama and Biden, their families, and their future Cabinet. In addition, I pray that their hearts would realize the importance of the least among us--especially the unborn and the elderly. I also pray that they would realize the importance of God's Word and the role of Israel. I also am praying for McCain, Palin, Bush and Cheney and their families as they look forward to the future.

As I wind down my thread, you can look at the Google election map at the bottom of the blog. Thanks for hanging around. God bless all of you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Evening Trio: Election Day

AP: Long lines greet voters as polls are deluged

Lexington Herald-Leader: Keep an eye on Kentucky Senate race

National Weather Service: Dense Smoke Advisory for Lee, Breathitt, Owsley, Perry, Clay, and Leslie counties tonight and tomorrow morning due to forest fire

Afternoon Trio: Election Day

WorldNetDaily: Report: Obama backs Palestinian capital in Jerusalem

ABC News: What If the Presidential Election Is Tied?

Fox News: Broken Machines, Shortages Plague Voters Around the Country

Morning Trio: Election Day

Kentucky residents: Get information on the election here.

Baptist Press has candidates' positions on key social issues here.

After you vote, get the returns for Kentucky here.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Election Eve Thoughts

As we approach the end of the longest political campaign in human history, some perspective:

1) In the election season of 1980, virtually all polls indicated that the race between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan was too close to call. Reagan eventually won in a landslide. The December 1, 1980 issue of Time explains this further. Think about this when you hear these polls which indicate that Obama is leading despite the fact that McCain is closing in and there is a sizable number of undecideds. (On a sad note, Obama's grandmother died in Hawaii today. My prayers go out to Obama's family.)

2) With that in mind, I believe that McCain can and will win. This is because of the reasons above, as well as the revelation that Obama wants to bankrupt the coal industry--which will not play well in battleground Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio--and tonight's announcement by Alaskan investigators that Sarah Palin did not break any ethics laws in the "Troopergate" investigation.

3) How many electoral votes and states will McCain win? I am not sure, but Pennsylvania is the key to a McCain victory. While Gore and Kerry won the vote in 2000 and 2004, respectively, Bush won the most counties. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are traditional Democratic strongholds while central and northern portions of the state are solidly Republican. Another thing to watch is the US House race between John Murtha (D) and Bill Russell (R). Murtha called the people of his Western Pennsylvania district "racist" and "redneck" last month. Those comments, plus Obama's comments about coal, could swing the state in McCain's favor.

4) There are constitutional amendments on the ballot in California, Arizona, and Florida to define marriage as that of one man and one woman. While the Left and Hollywood are spending millions to defeat the measures, the tide is turning in favor of the amendments. I hope and pray that those measures pass. The traditional family is the cornerstone of Western Civilization.

5) Our men and women in uniform are serving overseas defending America's freedoms. It was announced today that a member of the Kentucky National Guard gave his life in defense of freedom. Remember those who have served--and those serving now--when you vote. NEVER take your vote for granted.

6) On a non-political note, PRAY for those affected by the water crisis here in Letcher County. The Whitesburg water system was contaminated by leaking petroleum over the weekend and the water is unsafe. Bottled water is being brought in. WYMT has coverage here. Thankfully I am not affected by the crisis because I have well water.

I will have an Election Night open thread and will have breaking news throughout the day if needed. Post your thoughts...keep it civil and clean.

Evening Trio

Mission Network News: American presidential election could affect religious freedom

WORLD Magazine: The birds, the bees, and TV

MarketWatch: Treasury expects to borrow record $550 billion

Afternoon Trio

ESPN: BREAKING: Fulmer agrees to step down as Vols coach

Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky favors status quo in delegation

Wall Street Journal: Circuit City to Retrench

Morning Trio

IBD/TIPP Poll: 2.1 percent difference between McCain, Obama (IBD/TIPP was the most accurate poll of the 2004 election. Don't be fooled by Big Media's polling which claim that Obama has huge leads. The fact of the matter is that McCain is gaining support. If this poll continues to be tight--and I believe it will--I believe that McCain will win the election.)

Voice of America: Foreign Aid Worker Kidnapped, Afghan Killed in Kabul

AP: 'High School Musical 3' is head of class at movies

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Evening Trio

Wall Street Journal: McCain's Honor

Jerusalem Post: Thousands more Syrian troops deployed on Lebanon border

Christian Post: San Francisco Christians Out to Break 'Sodom and Gomorrah' Mentality

Reason No. 5732 to Vote for McCain, McConnell, and Rogers

In January, Sen. Barack Obama told the lefties at the San Francisco Chronicle that he wants to bankrupt the coal industry, the cornerstone of Appalachia's economy (Hat tip: NewsBusters):



Barack Obama would destroy the economy of Appalachia if elected. This is just another reason we need to vote for John McCain, Mitch McConnell, and Hal Rogers on Tuesday.

Morning Trio

Voice of America: Obama, McCain Rally in Key States 2 Days Before Election

AP: Senate candidates making final pitches to voters

Courier-Journal: Not pretty, but pretty big for UK: Cats edge Miss. State 14-13 to earn 6th win