Defense spending trumps poverty in the Republican Congress. That’s how it always works with people like Hal Rogers and Ben Chandler. [Politico]

Whattya mean the white supremacists aren’t crazy as hell? Another instance of gun deaths related to neo-Nazis. [Reuters]

Banks are fighting to keep major mortgage reforms from becoming permanent. Specifically the big banks that Morgan McGarvey has profited from. [HuffPo]

Have you seen what the local AFSCME labor union in Louisville is doing to the Metro Parks whistleblower? [The 'Ville Voice]

Of course income inequality has warped our political system. That’s not going to change any time soon. [NYT]

How desperate is Pikeville University for cash? Paul Patton got both Greg Stumbo and Rand Paul to keynote. [Floyd County Times]

Now Jack Conway says Richie Farmer “appears” to have abused the public trust? HAHAHAHA. [WHAS11]

Mitch McConnell wet himself and started crying when A Kentucky Newspaper wrote an editorial about how, you know, much off a butt cramp he is. [C-J/AKN]

Let’s just try pretending it’s not hilarious that Michele Beard Bachmann has endorsed Mittens Romney. Would would her glitter queen husband, Mary Kay… er… Marcus… think of that? [Wonkette]

You can’t even just be in your own neighborhood in Lexington these days without being shot dead. [H-L]

One in seven senior citizens faces the threat of hunger. Even in Kentucky. It’s not something you should be ignoring. [HuffPo]

“60 Minutes” will profile the case of corrupt former Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge. Yet another embarrassing moment on the national state for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. [WKYT]

What would you do if your home, place of employment and entire community were wiped off the face of the earth by a tornado? Recovery in Eastern Kentucky will take a long time and only the Red Cross remains on the ground supporting the people who most need it. [Click Here To Give]

Here’s an interview with Bill Adkins, who will lose to a Republican in November. Really, he’ll lose in May. Because that’s the end of the race. [Ryan Alessi]

Earlier today Papaw Beshear used his line-item veto power on the six-year road plan. He says road projects should be based on need and not on politics. Though, he sure let the House get away with trying to trade schools for votes when it came to gambling. [Press Release]

Clean energy is abundant in Oregon. So what happens there? Coal gets exported. [NYT]

Audrey Haynes was official sworn in today as the Secretary of the Health and Family Services Cabinet. [SoS]

We didn’t write about this bazillion-page press release Steve Beshear’s staff sent out about him being named ‘Person of the Year’ because it was, well, bogus. Leave it to the Lane Report to do so! Especially after the stories John Cheves did proving Papaw didn’t create even half the jobs he claimed to have created. [Click the Clicky]

Justice Department officials have known for years that flawed forensic work might have led to the convictions of potentially innocent people, but prosecutors failed to notify defendants or their attorneys even in many cases they knew were troubled. [WaPo]

Of course the mouth-breathers are lining up with the mormon cultist. Of course they are. [Politico]

We’re all for workers and their rights to unionize. But is it really necessary to force companies to hang posters discussing union rights? It’s 2012. Most people know they can unionize. If they don’t, they’re probably too stupid to function. [The Hill]

A coalition of more than 2,000 U.S. farmers and food companies said Wednesday it is taking legal action to force government regulators to analyze potential problems with proposed biotech crops and the weed-killing chemicals to be sprayed over them. [Reuters]

What happens when science and politics collide? All kinds of mouth-breathers go crazy. That’s what happens. [NPR]

Wow, these fancy little monkey rat things act just like people in Frankfort. [BBC]

Yes, we’re still on this Joey Sears / whistleblower gets canned for outing the drunk driving Metro Parks director scandal.

Let’s take a stroll down Greg Fischer Supports Whistleblower Retaliation Memory Lane/Supports Drunk Driving Memory Lane:

• Opportunity For Greg Fischer To REALLY Lead [October 25]
• Where’s The Leadership From Greg Fischer Today? [October 26]
• Shocking Fischer Double Standard With Parks Guy [October 27]
• Greg Let The Drunk Driver Come Back To Work [December 8]
• Retribution Is The New Way Of Life In Greg’s Govt [February 1]
• Fischer Swept The Heitz Scandal Under The Rug [February 2]
• Dear Greg Fischer: Coming A Bit Unglued Lately? [March 1]
• Look What We Found Swept Under Greg Fischer’s Rug [March 7]
• Metro Parks Firing Scandal Gets Worse For Fischer [March 8]

See where we’re going with this?

You’ll probably want to start paying attention to one of the scandals that has the biggest potential to cause problems for Kentucky.

Read the rest by CLICKING HERE…

And then head over to the Red Cross site and make a donation marked for disaster relief. [Red Cross]

Last night President BarackObama signed Kentucky’s disaster declaration. Federal funds can now flow to the Commonwealth. [Press Release]

Unions are targeting Republicans like Mitch McConnell over transportation funding. If they put this much effort into assisting those in storm-ravaged areas for a couple weeks, cleanup wouldn’t take long at all. [WaPo]

Those folks Steve Beshear and Jerry Abramson put in charge of tax “reform”? They plan to hire a consultant. Because that’s what Kentucky needs. More damn consultants to suck down hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of taxpayer dollars. [H-L]

Mitch McConnell can’t possibly expect anyone to believe he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to war with Iran. This time we know first-hand that he doesn’t… because he’s focused on Eastern Kentucky. There’s just no time for him to do anything else. [The Hill]

Temporary banking facilities are finally open in West Liberty. Now people can try to getting their lives in order. [Press Release]

Really, who believes the President of the United States wants gas prices to rise during a re-election attempt? [HuffPo]

Electoral fraudsters have become more cunning but dirty politics is a bigger worry. Nope, this isn’t about Frankfort but it may as well be. [The Economist]

Steve Beshear is scheduled to visit the following tornado-hit areas today: Frenchburg at 9:40, West Liberty at 10:30, East Bernstadt at 12:15. Jerry Abramson will visit: Chapman at 10:30 and Hagerhill at 12:30. [Press Release]

We’re all thankful that UPS made a $100,000 contribution to the Red Cross. More wealthy folks and businesses need to do the same. [Giving Back]

Mine blowout in Pike County? There are more and more mine accidents in Kentucky that get swept under the rug. [WKYT]

Hahaha. HAHAHA. If you need a laugh amid the disaster, take a look at Newt Gingrich sleeping with all of his comical sleeping faces. [Wonkette]

Mittens Romney won in Virginia, Massachusetts, Idaho, Vermont, Ohio and Alaska but he lost in Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Georgia. [HuffPo]

Earlier today, John Yarmuth cosponsored a bill to require full disclosure in political campaign finance. [Press Release]

Jim Gardner, vice chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, is set to lead a national task force on environmental policies. According to a release, he will “represent the state utility commissions’ views to federal agencies. Which means the environment loses again, thanks to Kentucky. [Press Release]

This is why President Barack Obama’s budget is smart politics. [WaPo]

Dear Jack Conway: please watch and learn. New York’s Attorney General is showing folks how OAGs and regulatory institutions are supposed to act in the public’s interest. Again. [Business Insider]

We wish the mainstream would stop saying “Santorum Surge.” That is the most disgusting thing ever. [The Economist]

Here’s why millions of people won’t get help from the big mortgage “settlement.” [Pro Publica]

Ethics issues may be tarnishing Warshington, as this story suggests, but they’re absolutely plaguing Frankfort. [Politico]

President Barack Obama’s election year budget is set to target the rich. Because that’s the trendy thing to do at the moment. [Reuters]

The Tea Party was strong in 2010 so where is that group now? No, we’re not talking about the mouth-breathing teabaggers. We’re talking about the Tea Party. [NPR]

Teabaggers scoff at government handouts but they sure love spending them to buy stuff! [Wonkette]

When Muhammad Ali beat English boxer Henry Cooper in 1963, is it true that his trainer Angelo Dundee cheated to help him win? [BBC]

Rand Paul has decided he’s going to put a hold on the nominee set to become the head of the Army Corps of Engineers. [C-J/AKN]

The office of State Treasurer needs to be abolished. Democrats are costing this state tons of money by voting against it. If Todd Hollenbach is in Jake’s neighborhood every day at random hours, there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell there’s work that he’s actually doing. Especially when he’s spotted at Kroger with… people… [Bluegrass Politics]

It’s time for the rest of the pain clinics in Eastern Kentucky to get raided. Rowan and Morgan Counties are loaded down with shady medical providers that allow doctor shopping and pharmacies that willingly comply. [WKYT]

Damon Thayer has taken his princess hat off for a bit and is trying to help Papaw Beshear fail at gambling for the fourth year in a row. [Ronnie Ellis]

Steve Beshear says an agreement has been reached on language for the gambling bill. But he’s still only spoken with Damon Thayer and maybe two other legislators. Hasn’t even bothered to conference with his own party’s members. [C-J/AKN]

No one can figure out if Michele Bachmann is going to run for Congress again. The world will be sad without her and her gay husband on television all the time. [Wonkette]

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited three Kentucky coal mines for safety violations. [WFPL]

American banks are apparently now only able to cheer for their own survival. It wouldn’t make sense, apparently, for them to do much else. Yay America. [The Economist]

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund says that the global economy is deeply in the danger zone over risks from the euro crisis. [BBC]

Unions in Louisville are unhappy with the way Greg Fischer is trying to “save” the city from overtime costs. He has no idea that all it takes is proper management and he wouldn’t be wasting umpteen millions of dollars per year. [FOX41]

Don’t queen out like you’re a run-of-the-mill meth head in the state capitol and you won’t get your ass arrested. [Bluegrass Politics]

Niger and El Salvador beat the United States when it comes to freedoms of the press. Your country dropped 27 places in just a year, thanks to harsh treatment of reporters covering protests. [Slate]

The U.S. Conference of Mayors quietly led efforts to coordinate responses to protests. Oh, what? You’re shocked? [HuffPo]

Beyond fighting crime, the FBI reaches out to victims. Actually a good read and listen. [NPR]

Whattya mean yet another Republican talking point about organized labor and regulations is about to disappear? [HuffPo]

Funny how that works! Folks at risk of losing their job in Congress are suddenly backing legislation to stop congressional insider trading. [The Hill]

Interesting what does and does not get published in your Kentucky newspapers these days. More furloughs at your least favorite newspaper. [The 'Ville Voice]

You excited about eating horse meat in Kentucky? This is sure to go over really well. How gross. [H-L]

Papaw Beshear will be at Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual meeting tomorrow at 11:30. You think he’ll ask if they’re still homophobes? Of course not – because he can’t say the word “gay.” [Press Release]

People are pooping their pants in Louisville now that suit has been filed pushing the University of Louisville to hand over documents relating to its silly hospital merger plan. [C-J/AKN]

And now for this week’s ‘Republican caught in gay sex for meth sting’ story! You knew you were waiting for it. [Wonkette]

Take a look at this story about a 72-year-old lady who has to cross a creek on foot to get home in Letcher County. [WKYT]

Sexytime Herman Cain’s latest scandal lady, the one he allegedly started sexytiming in Louisville, is answering all kinds of questions these days and we are grossed woah out. [HuffPo]

Congressman John Yarmuth is none too happy about the way Republicans are screwing around with tax cuts and he took to the House floor today to make his voice heard. [More 'VV]

In conservative districts, the Tea Party is losing support. This is largely due to the increase in hypocritical teabagging that turns people away. [National Journal]

Are your eyes rolling back in your head? It’s because of all of the out-of-staters trying to talk about Kentucky when they clearly haven’t a clue. The fact that they think Kentucky is in play in 2012 is earth-shatteringly hilarious. [Deep Outsider Failures]

We hear there were a whole lot of hookers who got paid handsomely last night by both Democrats and Republicans. [Deep Hooker Thoughts]

Miss last night’s election results? Check the final numbers out. [Page One]

Here’s how the out-of-state press is looking at Steve Beshear’s win over David Williams. [CNN, Chicago Tribune, Politico, LA Times, WaPo]

The outsiders apparently think Ben Chandler has a tough row to hoe in 2012 and they’re probably right. Candy Barr is going to give him a run for his money and will likely teabag him often. [USA Today]

First the gays came to redecorate. Then they came to make everybody vote. Might as well scare the bejeebers out of meemaw and poppop. [Wonkette]

Sexytime Herman Cain and his gross campaign manager are now just making shiz up about people. This is the dumbest thing we’ve heard in a week. [HuffPo]

Who will be the next federal judge from the Western District of Kentucky? The delegation to make the nomination is silent. It’s absolutely hilarious that Jennifer Moore is campaigning for the job. [C-J/AKN]

200 people are being laid off with a plant closure in Barbourville. Yet another instance of all those jobs Steve Beshear has “created.” [H-L]

Ohio rejected the right-wing ignorance of limiting the rights of organized labor. You can expect the same outcome here in the Commonwealth if any mouth-breathers try to pull that stunt. [NY Times]

President Barack Obama says his biggest task remaining is to “fix” U.S. politics. That’s just not possible at this stage of the game. [Reuters]

If Bill Clinton can admit when he’s wrong or doesn’t know something, why can’t people like Mitch McConnell and Ben Chandler? [Politico]

Have you seen the campaign finance highlights from your gubernatorial candidates? Check out all the details – particularly the highlights from Steve Beshear. [Page One Here & Here]

Rep. John Yarmuth supports the troops and wants to continue sending them ballots to active duty locations. But the rest of Congress apparently does not. [The 'Ville Voice]

Here’s a shocker! The wife of a Clay County constable says she intends to plead guilty to being a pill seller. [H-L]

No wonder Covington is the literal armpit of Kentucky. A City Commissioner is threatening protesters with violence and death. [Think Progress]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. It likely won’t suck because of scheduled guests: John Cheves, Bennett Haeberle, Greg Stotelmyer. The Beshear Campaign and KDP will be watching tonight for sure. They’re terrified of Cheves. [KET]

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld a $1.3 million judgment against a Klan leader. [C-J/AKN]

Okay, it’s a little bit scary that Ron Paul is maybe wearing eyebrow wigs. Just maybe. [Wonkette]

Yet another person has been shot in Lexington. This time in the head. [WKYT]

Lexington isn’t alone. Police in Louisville have identified a body that was discovered on 43rd Street. [FOX41]

The CEO of General Electric says the company’s employees basically like him. We guess that’s a good thing. [HuffPo]

Louisville Republicans were definitely trying to undermine collective bargaining in the city. But making contract costs secret is bogus. [WFPL]

We can regulate sunscreen but we can’t be bothered to protect the air we breath – something that you need 24/7. [The Hill & More]

But here come the typical complainers complaining about air quality regulations. [The Economist]

President Barack Obama is suddenly finding it safe to criticize Wall Street. Where were all these people years ago when this mess started? [Reuters]

One of these Davids was arrested for writing cold checks and for driving without a license. We’ll let you guess which one, as we’ve already written about it. [WFPL]

Oh, look, it’s Steve Beshear pretending he knows anything about guns. We need to dig that PEW PEW picture out really soon. Because it’s a sad day when a known homosexual knows more about guns than the governor of Kentucky. [AP]

Jack Conway says the University of Louisville Hospital is public, not private. Jimbo Ramsey will be calling him in 3, 2… [C-J/AKN]

Speaking of Jack Conway… have you seen this hilarity? His “campaign” is trying to pretend that he’s more transparent than Todd P’Pool and more in touch with the voters. We think P’Pool is an embarrassment for his lack of appeal to Democrats but he’s clearly more transparent and working harder to get the vote. [Jack's Site]

Jack is now trying to say that politics won’t influence election complaints against Steve Beshear. Not even his own office staff believe that. If politics didn’t influence what he does, he wouldn’t retaliate against anyone who questions him – including Jake. [H-L]

The U.S. Senate made an unprecedented late night rules change amid debate over jobs and procedure. Mitch McConnell is ruining this country. [WaPo]

Lexington police are investigating the second shooting in two days. Jim Gray must be scaring everybody. [WKYT]

Rand Paul says the United Nations is gonna steal all yer guns! It’s a giant conspiracy that only he knows about. [Wonkette]

According to the latest census data, the housing bust is the worst since the Great Depression. But everything is puppies and rainbows in housing, right? [WLEX18]

Michele Bachmann is apparently trying so hard to hate the gays because she doesn’t want the rest of the world to find out her husband is a giant queen. Somebody needs to clue this loony woman in. [HuffPo]

A House panel voted to eliminate funding for a United Nations family planning program. We think some other House panel should vote to abort all children being had by mouth-breathers. [The Hill]