Have you seen this hilarity? Damon Thayer is attacking the Herald-Leader for “misleading” despite everything reported by John Cheves being 100% accurate. Damon IS refusing to release the identify of his horsey and gambling clients. So, naturally, he’s gotta queen out about being held to the same standards that everyone else is held to. [Twitter]

According to the latest polling, Binack Nobama wins against both Mittens and Toot. [Daily Kos]

While Chris Hightower had some problems in 2010 over MySpace, the postings weren’t his and Kenny Coleslaw’s decision not to include those details is unfortunate. While it really was stupid of Hightower to have left the comments made by others on his profile for as long as he did, that should be detailed in a mainstream story. The real issue is that Hightower was stupid enough to leave bait like that for me to find. The even more real issue is that Rand’s staff (David Adams, who later threw Hightower under the bus with me) was too inexperienced to vet everything. [WFPL]

Prosecutors are warning of layoffs and furloughs if budgets are cut again. So, of course, budgets will be cut again. This is why Kentucky can’t have nice things. [H-L]

This needs to happen to Kentucky’s fetal seance legislation! Hero Virginia state Senator Janet Howell responded to another one of these stoopid bills requiring women seeking an abortion to first undergo a medically pointless ultrasound with a very smart amendment: every man seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction would also by law have to undergo a rectal exam and heart test to get a Viagra prescription. [Wonkette]

Walter Blevins, Jr. and the Senate Democrats thought they were pulling a fast one. They’d planned for him to withdraw at the last minute so no one could get their ducks in a row to file for the spot. Now they’re complaining about making a mistake. [Ronnie Ellis]

Human services are in peril for elderly and disabled Kentuckians. Frankfort does not respect its elders. [Debby Yetter]

Your favorite mormon cultist, Mittens Romney, won the Floriduh primary last night. He’ll soon share details of the white salamander and the planet(s) he believes he will rule in the afterlife or whatever. [HuffPo]

Uh, this burglar was nude and had food rubbed all over his body when police arrived at the Food World in Neon. [WYMT]

A paramedic in Louisville is being ignored by Greg Fischer and most of his administration after an amputation. Meanwhile, the Parks director was allowed to keep his job after driving drunk in a city-owned vehicle, Metro Animal Services is killing more than ever before, the head of the Metro Sewer District was excoriated in an audit but allowed to keep a $200,000 bonus. You can see where their priorities are. [The 'Ville Voice]

Every time we mention Ruth Ann Palumbo and the lack of real legislative ethics in Kentucky, we get threatened. So we’re mentioning the mess again. If Ruth Ann lived in Indiana, she’d probably be facing indictment right now. [Page One]

Some old West Liberty man pleaded guilty to selling mountains of cocaine. Really. Cocaine. All over Eastern Kentucky. [H-L]

Walter Blevins, Jr. has decided not to seek re-election. Eastern Kentuckians aren’t happy about it. [Ruh Ro]

The local press in the Fourth District is paying close attention to Thomas Massie’s candidacy to replace Geoff Davis in the U.S. Congress. [Ashland Independent]

Poor people in the United States pay way more for care insurance than the wealthy. Don’t act like you’re surprised in the least. [HuffPo]

Mitch McConnell’s new revisionist history is about the worst we’ve seen out of him in a long time. [TPM]

One of the sad things about Greg Fischer’s lack of any sort of experience is watching EMS workers like this guy suffer the consequences. [The 'Ville Voice]

Did you know that February is EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS MONTH in Kentucky? The more you know, kids. [SoS]

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services received a $600,000 federal grant – handed over by the Governor’s Office of Electronic Health Information – to connect behavioral health and primary care providers. We can’t help but wonder if those funds wouldn’t be better spent making sure social worker caseloads weren’t outrageous. [Press Release]

Will Warshington do the right thing and stop insider trading by lawmakers? [The Consumerist]

Dear Kenny Coleslaw: You should have included quotes from Steve Beshear saying we WOULD NOT consider tax reform in Kentucky. That would maybe prove he’s lying his ass off about flip-flopping. And it’s not just now that people are talking about this. [WFPL]

Former Rand Paul staffer Chris Hightower filed today to run for the State House. Mainstreamers are clamoring for the opportunity to interview him so they can dredge up the Paul campaign history. They likely won’t mention that all of the shenanigans were caused by David Adams and will attempt to lay all blame at the feet of Hightower. [Page One]

Can you hear them now? The Federal Reserve is making its views heard loudly and clearly. [The Economist]

Remember the McDonald’s incident in 2004 where a crank caller talked a manager into forcing an employee to strip? There’s a film about it. It premiered at Sundance. [Sundance]

A hearing over redistricting maps will be held Monday. So the filing deadline has officially been put on hold in Kentucky. [Ryan Alessi]

How hilarious would it be to watch Jerry Abramson get his ass handed to him by Crit Luallen? He and his lackeys, like Jim McGovern, are still complaining about Crit’s audit that detailed their decades-long corruption scheme. These sons of bitches think they’re above every person and every thing. [C-J/AKN]

Lonnie Napier can’t read or use the Google so there’s no way for him to realize that welfare drug testing doesn’t work. What does work, though, is testing legislators for drug use. Someone needs to file that as an amendment ASAP. [WKYT]

What kind of economic impact will this have on the United States? Economic conditions and social media are making protests more common in China—at a delicate time for the country’s rulers. [The Economist]

Ron Paul’s associates say he signed off on those racist newsletters from the 1990s. This is sure to enrage a few more folks. [WaPo]

Mitch McConnell is declining to write off a tax increase. This will make all kinds of folks angry, right? [Politico]

Here’s why new photo identification laws will mean some people won’t vote. [NPR]

Louisville’s Metro Council President – Jim King – is also playing pat-a-cake with that city’s Metro Animal Services nightmare. [The 'Ville Voice]

What was that, again, about the Legislative Ethics Commission not being under the direct control of the good old boys in Frankfort? [John Cheves]

Whaaat? Sexytime Herman Cain endorsed Multiple Sexytimes Newt Gingrich? Surely not! [More WaPo]

You should probably check these three stories out to see just how bigoted some Republicans are in the south. They’re just like Kentucky Democrats, for the most part. [Wonkette Here, Here & Here]

Newt Gingrich is pulling a Napleon Dynamite (or is it a Pedro?) by trying to claim businesses will start creating jobs on election night if President Barack Obama loses re-election. Can we just go ahead and get this over so Republicans can lick their wounds? [HuffPo]

His reasoning? He wants to spend more time with his family.

We hear the real reason is a bit more nefarious and that entire region in Western Kentucky is buzzing about it.

The Paducah Sun has allegedly been sitting on the story because he’s one of the most right-wing legislators in Frankfort. Can’t have people finding out that he’s been, ahem, eating in a strange restaurant, so to speak.

Funny how those family values folks work.

Maybe the Franklin County Humane Society needs to come up with an option for people who don’t want to drop animals off during the day if it’s becoming such a problem. [WKYT]

A 190 million-year-old dineysore nesting site was uncovered in South Africa. This is sure to upset Papaw Beshear and his fellow Ark Parkers. [HuffPo]

Kentucky should expect more from Frankfort. Obviously. But the editorial board can’t act like it doesn’t carry some of the blame because it’s partially responsible for those folks getting elected. [C-J/AKN]

Frankfort has turned into a literal cesspool. Now everyone is peeing all over everybody else when it comes to Congressional redistricting. [H-L]

Raise your hand if you believe Steve Beshear is going to lose gambling – again – in this legislative session. [WTVQ]

Students at Western Kentucky University remind Steve Beshear that there’s life beyond the University of Kentucky. You should give this editorial a read. [WKU Herald]

Whattya mean that simplifying regulations is not so simple? Surely not! [WaPo]

Oh, look, it’s MItch McConnell trying to blame Barack Obama for his problems again. Gridlock in Warshington is likely more Mitch’s problem than Obama’s and he knows it. [CNBC]

Tennessee teabaggers want schools to stop teaching historically accurate bits about the founding fathers owning slaves. It’s only a matter of time before the dumb spreads to Kentucky. [Wonkette]

Mittens Romney paid less than 14% in taxes in 2010. How much did you pay? More than twice that amount? Closer to three times? [HuffPo]

But he’s not Rick Santorum, who, despite his wife having an abortion, believes rape victims should “make the best out of a bad situation.” Sluts should pay the price, right?! [Think Progress]

“State capitalism” is apparently the new terminology for communism. Here’s a look at how it’s spreading, so be sure to scare your meemaw. [The Economist]

Tomorrow, Susan “chickens in the yard” Westrom will file legislation pushing a statewide smoking ban. This is a good thing. [Press Release]

Make your own racist newsletter with this fancy magnetic Ron Paul Kit! It is terrific. [Gawker]

Today Congressman John Yarmuth introduced the Muhammad Ali Legacy Act in Warshington. [The 'Ville Voice]

The Legislative Ethics Commission chimes in saying everyone backed the Keith Hall fine. Unfortunately, Ethics folks still privately tell us that state law doesn’t allow them to go far enough with their punishment. [Page One - We Get Comments]

Julian Carroll has apparently gotten so old and forgetful that he believes Steve Beshear got the tax reform effort in Kentucky started. [State-Journal]

Here’s Jim Ramsey complaining about budget cuts. He still wants a hospital merger or a management contract for University Hospital. Note that there was no discussion of his massive pay raise. [FOX41]

Looks like the teabaggers have caused the tea party to start going cold. [The Hill]

The Supreme Court holds the fate of Medicaid in its hands. Which could spell bad news for states like Kentucky. [Politico]

In a positive move, that same court rejected an appeal over predominantly christian prayer at public meetings. Something that is sure to outrage the faux family set. [HuffPo]

You should probably go tell your meemaw that there’s some fancy strain of TB in India that can’t be cured. [BBC]

What this Mitt Romney 15% tax rate headline fails to mention is that he’s only taxed 15% on investments. An important clarification. He probably pays way less than that in actual income taxes. [Reuters]

A majority of Americans believe that former President George W. Bush is more responsible than President Obama for the current economic problems in the country, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. [WaPo]

Remember when we brought the mess up just about two months ago? We got all kinds of threats over it. So surely Cheves is going to be threatened. [Page One]

Oh, wait, binge drinking is apparently more common along higher income households, according to the CDC. Just not in Kentucky. [HuffPo]

Dear Brett Guthrie: What? [FMIKY]

Jeff Hoover and the House Republicans are getting what they asked for. Maybe now they’ll realize they shouldn’t have sold out to Greg Stumbo last time on that fake budget solution. [Ronnie Ellis]

And just like that, the Herald-Leader will officially become the state’s top newspaper. [Jim Romenesko]

Does anyone really believe charter schools are going to happen this legislative session? Nope, not even the people pushing for them. [WFPL]

Today’s memorial service will feature Republican Ben Chandler and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. Should be a really nice service. [H-L]

Warren Buffett challenged Mitch McConnell to help reduce the federal deficit. Something Mitch obviously has no idea how to do. [CNBC]

PEE ALERT: Mittens Romney’s delicate feelings are hurt over Barack Obama having the audacity to talk about his mountains upon mountains of magic mormon cash. He’d prefer to have that sort of thing discussed “in quiet rooms.” HAHAHA. [Wonkette]

Barack Obama raked in $68 million during the final three months of 2011. That’s quite a bit of cash to be raised in a single quarter. [HuffPo]

Jim Ramsey attacking Steve Beshear does serious harm to the University of Louisville and he may need to be replaced? But all the other scandals at UofL are water under the bridge? Really, editorial board? [C-J/AKN]

When reading AP stories like this about the pseudoephedrine bill, remember that it’s not so simple. And that it’s not just “drug companies” opposing it. It’s people with common sense, people who bother to get a look at the facts, folks not terrified by Hal Rogers, folks who don’t believe the state should lose tax revenue while driving costs up for consumers and the Medicaid system (taxpayers). [WKYT]

This is a really great read from Don McNay about Gatewood. It’s worth your time. [HuffPo]

Greg Stumbo proposes moving prescription drug monitoring to the attorney general. Because that would work so well! With Mr. Drug Brother Scandal. Hahaha. God. No wonder Kentucky is so screwed up right now. A non-partisan entity that isn’t trying to score political points needs to operate the system. [Bluegrass Politics]

Miss Governor Steve Beshear’s State of the Commonwealth Address last night? See our highlights along with the full remarks. [Page One]

Huh. Wonder where they got that story idear? [H-L]

Mitch McConnell hopes you won’t do the math when it comes to President Barack Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray. [The Atlantic]

Greg Stumbo just cam’t stop pushing the University of Pikeville. Now he says coal severance funds will pay for it. So you know he’s awaiting a massive payoff of some sort. [CN|2]

Can these ads shock us into caring about childhood obesity? They need to. [WaPo]

Fracking is being blamed for earthquakes in Ohio and the state has shut down an injection well after 11 of them in the past year. Meanwhile, the drilling industry tells us everything is puppies and rainbows. [Slate]

After a dramatic, confusing night of suspense in the Republican Party’s Iowa caucuses, the big winner may well have been a Democrat: Barack Obama. [Reuters]

Holy crap – a whopping two percent of voters thought Mitt Romney’s real name was Mittens. [The Wire]

The U.S. Constitution is no longer original enough for mouth-breathers in New Hampshire. We can’t wait for the fun to spread to the Commonwealth. [Wonkette]

Kentucky State Police say there were fewer highway deaths in Kentucky in 2011. Maybe because fewer people could afford to drive. [C-J/AKN]

Yesterday, Greg Fischer appeared flippant on the radio, told everyone that there was absolutely no one who made appointment decisions within his administration. And then we were able to run two big stories about the buying and selling of administration jobs handled by more than Tommy Elliott. Whoopsiedaisy? [The 'Ville Voice Here & Here]

The horse industry sponsored a poll that says 87% of Kentuckians want to vote on expanded gambling. And they do. They’ve wanted to since well before Steve Beshear killed gambling three times. [H-L]

Maybe Kentucky has a problem on its hands with the early release of a thousand prisoners. Rehab facilities apparently can’t handle them all. [WFPL]

Coal slurry and acid mine drainage is set to be cleaned up in Muhlenberg County. [C-J/AKN]

People in Eastern Kentucky are now freaking out about the 1,000 or so inmates getting released in Kentucky next Tuesday. [WYMT]

These Mercer County schools officials out to be in jail. Regardless of this little boy’s condition. Putting a student in a duffel bag is one of the most stupid and cruel things we can imagine. [WLEX18]

Hey, everyone still remember the Stop Online Piracy Act that the cranky old farts over at famous Washington senior center Congress have been feverishly gluing together during craft time, to try to make all that noise from “the tubes” go away? [Wonkette]

Apparently, no one in Southeastern Kentucky pays attention to how these things fail. Charging a subscriber fee for protection from a fire department? Wow. [H-L]

In Kentucky, this rare bird would likely be dead. A rare Asian hooded crane, normally seen only in Southeast Asia, China and Japan, apparently “took a wrong turn” and has joined sandhill cranes wintering at the Hiwassee Refuge in southeast Tennessee, bird experts say, drawing flocks of curious birdwatchers along with it. [Reuters]

Looks like the Democrats are once again most afraid of Mittens Romney. Apparently, they don’t see the potential humor in watching him run against Barack Obama. [HuffPo]

Here’s more of that famous Greg Fischer Transparency. This one likely won’t surprise you at all. [The 'Ville Voice]

With all of this talk about the national debt limit, one can’t help but wonder why no one in the mainstream or in Frankfort ever discusses Kentucky’s insurmountable mountain of debt. It’s been completely ignored. [NY Times]

The person who tried to rob this elderly woman in Lexington ought to be hit about the head with a cane about 400 times. [WKYT]

Wait, wait. The Ron Paul Survival Kit. HAHA. This mess is for real. Pee alert, though. “When the New money is imposed, every American family must have a Survival Kit of highly liquid, small-denomination silver and gold coins for hand-to-hand use in an emergency.” [Slate]

Ruh ro. Here comes President Barack Obama telling folks that Steve Beshear is wrong about online gambling operations. [Politico]

What happens when one of the most damning audits in Kentucky history hits some of Jerry Abramson’s pals? For starters, A Kentucky Newspaper runs a headline like this: MSD’s $850 million renovation plan is creating numerous jobs. [C-J/AKN]

You’ll note the headline doesn’t mention what a disaster MSD is. Doesn’t mention that sewers overflow with even slight rain. Meanwhile, the AP is running stories about troubled sewage systems around the country. [WLEX18]

How is it 99% of the Republicans are too inept to get their names on the Virginia ballot in the presidential race? [Wonkette]

Documents are contradicting Newt Gingrich’s account of his first divorce. Naturally, his handful of supporters are super-angry. Guess it’s time for him to get a new wife or whatever. [NYT]

State Senator Jimmy Higdon has made it to Twitter. If you don’t follow him, he will tackle you like a Slim Jim thief in his former grocery store. [Twitter]

Coal extraction is posing a climate challenge, to say the least, for the Obama Administration. But coal states wouldn’t be voting for Barack Obama anyway. [WaPo]

Democrat Bob Sanders is asking everybody in the 4th District what they think about him running for Congress. We think the seat will go to a Republican no matter what. [4th District Flustercuck]