We ask because he seems to have the same relationship with his fancy newsletters than his son had with his fancy pledge thing. [HuffPo]

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Putting an Autistic nine-year-old boy in a duffel bag?! These Mercer County sons of bitches need to be tied up in a bag somewhere. Superintendent Dennis Davis needs to fire everyone in sight and then resign himself. Terry Holliday needs to drive to Mercer County right now to start hitting people in the face. What a farce. [C-J/AKN]

The Kentucky Supreme Court says it’s unconstitutional to force miners with black lung to jump through hoops. [84WHAS]

Hahaha. Marcus Carey AND Nathan Smith considering the 4th District Congressional seat. HAHAHAHA. Oh god. HAHAHAHAHA. [CN|2]

Kentucky is apparently incapable of getting anything but hand transplants right. Really? Hep C? Come on. Yet another reason Jewish Hospital doesn’t need to merge with the University of Louisville. [H-L]

Paul Patton says he’ll probably leave his chairmanship at the Council for Postsecondary Education so there’s no conflict as he tries to hitch the University of Pikeville to the state trough. [C-J/AKN]

Kentucky should be glad that Vernie McGayhater is retiring. Praise jeebus. Amen. [Deep Gay Thoughts]

Steve Beshear says he’s got some goals for 2012. Which means the General Assembly will descend into chaos in 3, 2… [WKYT]

Now you know why the Cabinet for Health and Family Services added so many new attorneys. They were back in court yesterday fighting the release of public records. [Debby Yetter]

Wait, wait, this is worth it. A drunk guy in his underwear fell through the ceiling of a Frankfort hospital. [H-L]

Cities that broke up Occupy camps are now facing lawsuits over the freedom of speech and the use of force. You can expect something similar to go down in Louisville. [WaPo]

The Federal Communications Commission once again wants to make it easier for the same company to own a newspaper and television or radio station in the same local market. [NY Times]

Alison Lundergan Grimes FINALLY put the meemaw blooper video back online:

Dear teabaggers: you aren’t going to have more influence in Kentucky until you stop being absolutely insane. You’re being snowed by David Adams as he tries to make it to an easy payday. [H-L]

Chelsea Clinton has an NBC News correspondent? The world says yes. This could be a good thing. [HuffPo]

Ronnie Ellis is absolutely spot-on: thank goodness the gubernatorial race is over. [Richmond Register]

Lexington has suffered its third deadly hit and run accident in a week. It’s not safe to breath in Lexington – you’re either going to get shot or run over. [WKYT]

Problems persist with contractors paid millions of dollars to ferret out Medicare fraud. In Kentucky, we know they don’t get to the bottom of anything because they’re getting kickbacks. [HuffPo]

Republicans are optimistic. But not because of beating Bob Farmer, the worst Democratic candidate in decades. They’re optimistic because there’s an opportunity for Jimmy Higdon to become Senate President. [Joe Gerth]

Speaking of Higdon, his son was instrumental in rooting out a pill bill in Marion County. The doctor from the clinic got involved in another mess in Lexington. [H-L]

Does government regulation really kill jobs? Nope, even economists say the overall effect is minimal. [WaPo]

There could be actual riots in the streets if this country isn’t careful. These “Occupy” protests aren’t really getting folks anywhere and people will eventually get upset. The ones who aren’t lazy will, anyway. Stifling the ability to assemble in protest, though, is stupid. [Reuters]

We told you Kentucky has an advantage when it comes to organic farming. Young farmers are finding huge obstacles to getting started and Jamie Comer could ditch the teabaggers and find a way to make Kentucky hot. [NY Times]

Ralph Long is gonna manage the campaign of Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley. That has to sting for Steve Beshear and the good old boy Democrats in Frankfort. Lots of Democratic votes will roll Gatewood’s way in the general, for sure. Lots. [Bluegrass Politics & Ralph Long]

A federal investigation couldn’t find a single homeowner wrongfully foreclosed upon. Our heads are about to spin. [HuffPo]

Portraits Of The Poor: Dignity In Times Of Despair. This is right up our alley. Maybe it’s right up yours. [NPR]

Ben Chandler is co-sponsoring oil price gouging legislation. Seems a little too common sense for him. What gives? [WLEX18]

If you missed it earlier today, Jonathan Miller quit his job in state government. [Page One]

A former Kentucky teacher who was fired for her past in pornographic films has been fired in St. Louis. For the same thing. Who cares? Jesus H. [H-L]

The AARP is suing the United States over effects of reverse mortgages. Guess Fred Thompson’s career as a reverse mortgage spokeshack is gonna be short-lived. [NY Times]

Three Kentuckians are prominently involved in the Yale Environmental Film Festival. [The 'Ville Voice]

A study says melting ice sheets are now the largest contributor to rising sea levels. But global warming isn’t happening, right? Just a hoax. [HuffPo]

Remember the attempted MLK bombing in Spokane? The nutbag arrested for it yesterday apparently left a trail of hate on the internet. [TPM]

Republicans love free speech when it comes to pocketing millions in campaign cash but they hate it when it comes to the internet and free flow of information. [Engadget]

The Public Service Commission will hold a home energy workshop in Hazard on March 10 at 6:00 P.M., old circuit courtroom, Perry County Courthouse. It’s free. Go learn how you could save money on your utility bills. [Press Release]

The Faux Family Foundation and ole Marty are crying over instant racing again. It’s almost like they don’t realize you can already gamble in Kentucky. [The 'Ville Voice]

Ohio’s right wing just passed an anti-union piece of legislation. Could Kentucky be next? [HuffPo]

What’s that? You mean union pay ISN’T busting up state budgets around the country? You don’t say! [NY Times]

From the White House event during which Wendell Berry received a National Humanities Medal: Wendell E. Berry. (Applause.) The 2010 National Humanities Medal to Wendell E. Berry for his achievements as a poet, novelist, farmer, and conservationist. The author of more than 40 books, Mr. Berry has spent his career exploring our relationship with the land and community. (Applause.) [Press Release]

These two folks who were convicted of abusing a mentally handicapped man should rot in prison for the rest of their lives. This is yet another reason the State Senate needs to step up to the plate to protect the elderly and those who can’t help themselves. It’s a shame David Williams is afraid to do so and continues to send things back to Committee. [H-L]

It’d be funny watching the Democrats in Washington continually give in to Republican demands. Never putting up a fight. If it weren’t so serious. [ABC News]

Maybe some day Steve Beshear will present something to the state legislature regarding the budget that he’s discussed with people prior to sending it over. Maybe then it won’t get killed for political reasons. [WFPL]

Yet another reason Kentucky can’t have nice things. Because horrible people steal from needy kids. [Richmond Register]

Yesterday the Federal Chief Performance Officer and OMB Deputy Director for Management announced they’re ridding the federal government of excess real estate. The move will save taxpayers some $15 billion and that’s a good thing, regardless of politics. [Press Release]

Attorney General Jack Conway announced the 12th annual LifeSmarts competition that takes place this morning at 9:00 at KSU. It’s a consumer education game show competition for high school students that’s pretty cool. On top of addressing the need for more meaningful consumer education for students, it’s a solid way for folks to learn about issues in the marketplace. Teams from Bath, Bracken, Grant, Jefferson, Mason and Powell Counties will be competing for the state title. [LifeSmarts]

Sarah The Quitter Palin is all upset over the God Hates Fags people being able to spew their ignorance. She also says she’s not allowed to say “God” in the “public square.” It’s probably because “God” knows she has no clue what a “public square” is. [Wonkette]

This is Kentucky. The Commonwealth. The place where we allow our legislature to kill bills that would curb nursing home abuse. [Bluegrass Politics]

Republicans not only hate the freedom of speech, they hate it when common sense prevails in relation to the internet. [HuffPo]

Like zero rural homes have broadband. Which is not news to us folks from rural Kentucky. [WFPL]

I don’t understand why people are against gay marriage. Their main argument is that it’s tearing away at our social fabric. You really think gays would do anything to harm fabric? [Deep Fabric Thoughts]

Dear Bruce Maples: Frankfort lost its ever loving mind a looooong time ago. Long time ago. [Bruce Maples]

The FDA approved lap-band surgery for less fat people. This is a sad moment in American history. [Consumerist]

Colin Powell’s chief of staff says they were manipulated into making the case to go to war in Iraq. Imagine that. [HuffPo]

Maybe some day people running the Kentucky Retirement Systems will stop trying to line their own pockets. Maybe. Not holding our breath. [Ralph Long]

There are apparently a boat load of problems with a sanitation district in Campbell County and Crit Luallen is set to perform an audit. [Enquirer]

A Kentucky Newspaper/Courier-Journal laid off eleven more employees. [WFPL]

The Whitley County Judge-Executive apologized for violating the Open Records Act. Thank goodness there’s finally some honesty. [H-L]

Who even cares about Ben Chandler any more? He’s gonna eventually get beaten and then – regardless of politics – that district will have a representative who isn’t as dishonest. [B&P]

Rich Democrats and rich Republicans elect politicians who ultimately respond to the policy preferences of the rich. [The Economist]

This Friday and Saturday the National Paddling Film Festival will be held at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort. The all-volunteer event will benefit river conservation and wounded veterans. So, obviously, you need to go if you’re able. [NPPF]

Then there are the bad ones: Rep. Jim Gooch, D-12, wants to repeal the federal health care reform act; Rep. Stan Lee, R-45, wants to severely punish employers who hire illegal immigrants; and Rep. Rick G. Nelson, D-87, seeks to curb Internet free speech by requiring websites, blogs and message boards to disclose user information or face a $500 fine, thereby eliminating anonymity.

“You should have freedom of speech, but not freedom of slander,” Nelson says. “That’s a good quote! … Down in this area (Bell County), it’s terrible: I get on (www.topix.com, an Internet message board) and see these people talking about these little girls and boys, and I think they should have some protection.”

Interestingly, Nelson says he’s sponsored a bill that would curb food stamp abuse by requiring recipients to provide photo identification upon their redemption, adding, “believe it or not, the idea came from a Louisville grocery store.”

When asked which grocery, Nelson actually protects their anonymity. “I know it, but I’m not going to tell you,” he says. “I don’t want them gettin’ burned down or nothin’.”

Slander. Right.

What Nelson doesn’t tell you is that sites can already be forced to reveal the identities or IP addresses of users with a simple subpoena from a judge. And most people – like myself – will hand information over to law enforcement without a subpoena if there’s a crime involved or if I’m not journalistically and ethically required to protect an individual’s identity.

You can’t stop people from trash talking you in everyday life and you most certainly can’t stop it on the internet. When will these old white men get with the 21st century?

What Meador doesn’t tell you is that when he wished Nelson’s family a secular “happy holiday,” Nelson shot back with an asshole-ish, “Down here, we say ‘Merry Christmas.’” Heh.

Jerry Abramson, Steve Beshear’s running mate, doesn’t seem to be on the same page with Papaw when it comes to the dineysore ark park. [WFPL]

Mitch McConnell is right about Net Neutrality. The internet should be left alone! [The Hill]

So it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is and do something about it. It’s beyond time, really. And beyond time for him to stop blaming this mess on some Barack Obama conspiracy. [HuffPo & More HuffPo]

Will Jody Richards beat Larry Clark in the House leadership race? No one knows. But Jody is, as we all know quite well, pretty gullible when it comes to vote counting. [Ryan Alessi]

Will proposed legislation from John Tilley stop the use of synthetic meth? [Bluegrass Politics]

Kentucky won’t get any more crazy people to send to the U.S. Congress, but Texas and Florida will. Can you imagine just how crazy they’re going to be? Hot messes, for sure. Thank goodness for the slowest growth since the Great Depression. [Wonkette]

The Kentucky Fairness Coalition’s State Equality Fund was awarded $50,000 by the Tides Foundation to promote LGBTQ equality across the state in 2011. Those organizations include: Lexington Fairness, Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Fairness Campaign. [Press Release]

Outgoing Lexington failure Jim Newberry certainly has some interesting thoughts about his biggest accomplishments. Really, they’re things that exist only in his imagination. [B&P]

Like clockworth, the mouthbreathers are setting out to punish senators who voted for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. What this means: A bunch of closet cases are freaking out and want to harm people for not hating them. [AlterNet]

But check this hypocritical mess pre-filed on the 14th by Nelson:

BR 344 – Representative Rick G. Nelson (12/14/10)

AN ACT relating to information technology.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 369 to establish definitions relating to Internet Web sites, blogs, and message boards; require registration by parties who post entries to these interactive services; require providers of these services to conspicuously identify the parties who post entries; require providers of these services to disclose, upon request, the names, addresses, and e-mail addresses of parties posting entries; establish penalties of $500 for first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

HAHA! Catch that? Can’t breathe from laughter.

Requiring us to disclose the identifies of commenters? HA! Requiring us to pay a fine if we refuse to disclose?

Wanna see how quickly I remove everyone with employment connected to me outside the Commonwealth? Wanna see how quickly Gannett, McClatchy and other operators yank jobs outside the state? Too bad for paranoid Rick Nelson that this piece of proposed legislation is dead int he water.

Say it with me: IDIOT. Hahahahaha.

UPDATE: Yes, this is an invitation for you to say just about everything you can possibly think of about Rick Nelson. Anonymously, of course.

Todd Lally’s got a desperate new television commercial in which he blames John Yarmuth for everything wrong in the country. [The 'Ville Voice]

Why does everyone use Jack Conway and “bear” in the same sentence all the time? This is getting weird. [HuffPo]

The night Jack Conway yelled at Rand Paul over Aqua Buddha and pretend-kidnapping a lady, to have fun in a creek with some scary marijuana, is the #4 weirdest moment of the 2010 campaign. I maintain that the weirdest moment was the discovery of the quote, “Whenever I choose between two evils, I choose the one I’ve never tried.” [LA Times]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Cincinnati says teachers have no First Amendment free-speech protection for curricular decisions they make in the classroom. So keep your Jesus and Buddha at home, teachers. [Education Week]

More than half of Americans say religious messaging fuels negative views of the gays. Duh? [More HuffPo]

Jack Conway says that Rand Paul failed to adequately report his personal finances. He allegedly failed to report more than $20,000 in Medicaid funds. [Bluegrass Politics]

Are Kentucky’s U.S. Senate candidates trying to give Aqua Buddha a rest? [CNN]

Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee are filled to the brim with fancy teabagging hypocrisy. Especially on the faux religious front. Huckabee, as he eats small children dipped in chicken grease. Paul, as he tries to make tea out of some old Buddha bong water. [B&P]

MoveOn is pretending only Republicans are corrupted by corporate America. We all know the Democrats are in the same boat. Either way, they have a fancy new website. [RepubliCorp]

If you live outside of Louisville and haven’t heard the latest about the Karen Sypher – Rick Pitino sexytime scandal? Here’s your chance for lurid new details. [DRY HEAVE]

Rand Paul says he’s gonna debate Jack Conway on Monday and his campaign staff tried to kick Joe out again. Makes me think everybody should go bet on Red Hot Buddha in the 9th race at Keeneland tomorrow. [B&P]

I hear David Adams had a little “fair tax” discussion with Kruser on the radio in Lexington today. Lots of talk from David about people rolling up in “pimped out Cadillacs” and such. Nice race baiting, David. Hope that works out for ya. [Radio Crap]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. Scheduled guests: Ronnie Ellis, Bill Estep, Tom Loftus. [Press Release]

The University of Kentucky won’t allow its own student newspaper to be distributed at Commonwealth Stadium during UK games. Why? Because a sports marketing firm thinks it has the legal right to prohibit free speech. This isn’t some private business on private property telling folks to shut it with political speech. This is a state university telling its own student body that they cannot distribute their free student newspaper. $80 million trumps a state school’s own students, it seems. [Kentucky Kernel]

Jack Conway is apparently fired up about Rand Paul’s statements. Must be because that gross Crossroads GPS is factual and damaging. [Glasgow Daily Times]

A level 2 drought was declared in 50 of Kentucky’s 120 counties today. [Press Release]

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government council races have a whole bunch of campaign finance numbers going on. [B&P]

Woah, the entire world has frozen over. The Herald-Leader has endorsed Stan Lee. Only because his opponent is a complete embarrassment. [H-L]

Ben Chandler is fighting to retain his seat in the United States House of Representatives. Will he, as a Republi… Democrat, be able to defeat the teabagger Andy Barr? Or will ole gurl just roll on with effort to ignore his constituency? [Ronnie Ellis]

Have you seen the trailer for Sarah The Quitter Palin’s new reality television program? [USA Today]

October is Sheep and Goat Month. It’s true. I read it in a release from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy. We actually have a Sheep & Goat Development Office. [Seriously]

Like Joe said, Rand Paul is protecting us all from Susie having two mommies. Big, tough lesbians are the worst and they are here to ruin your lives. DON’T LET THOSE LESBIAN LADIES AROUND YOUR KIDS! [Think Progress & WonkRoom]