We’re wondering how he’ll line the pockets of his wealthy friends and family in the next year.

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]

Now you know why there was so much drama with the Lexington fire chief. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Lexington fire department’s employment practices, city officials confirmed Monday. Susan Straub, naturally, is being dishonest with her response. The city has been aware of the investigation since its beginning – not just since April. [H-L]

Whattya mean Steve Beshear’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services fired someone because they were gay? Like you didn’t see that coming. Unfortunately, Kerri Richardson lied just like Susan Straub did. Steve Beshear’s entire office – including the governor and his wife – have been keenly aware of this case and the facts involved. Primarily since it’s all his gay staffers have been able to talk about for weeks. [C-J/AKN]

MOAA had its members “storm Capitol Hill” last week to urge legislators to block the Pentagon’s proposed reforms. But close analysis of the proposals from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the Joint Chiefs of Staff reveals that their critics’ arguments are baseless. [Politico]

Glencore — founded by famous fugitive Marc Rich — has cornered the market on just about everything. Now that it’s going public, will its ties to dictators and spies stand up to scrutiny? [Foreign Policy]

Yep, here’s yet another death/murder story about Laurel County giving Clay County a run for its money. [WKYT]

Ted Nugent is so mad that Fort Knox canceled his concert because he believes he is an American hero. [Wonkette]

No, Crit Luallen isn’t running for the U.S. Senate in 2014 against Mitch McConnell. She’s – according to her people and those who work for Jack Conway – talking to Jack about running as a gubernatorial ticket, however. Crit doesn’t want to be in Frankfort all the time so running as Jack’s lieutenant would give her more freedom and flexibility. [WFPL]

President Barack Obama’s campaign sought to make the death of Osama bin Laden a central part of the U.S. presidential election on Friday with a video that questioned whether Republican rival Mitt Romney would have made the same call to approve the mission that killed the al Qaeda leader. [Reuters]

Forget the teabaggers when it comes to taking on Mitch McConnell. There’s not even a solid Democrat who can take him on. [Politico]

Have you seen the reaction from Richie Farmer’s attorney? It’s actually sad to examine. What a hot mess that side is. Saying the audit is political and self-serving – ha. [H-L]

Nina Rhodes-Hughes, a key witness to the Robert F. Kennedy assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968, is making bombshell claims in a CNN interview, suggesting that convicted murderer Sirhan Sirhan didn’t act alone. [HuffPo & CNN]

The report about poor old Reeeeechie Farmer’s shenanigans is due to hit soon. Start popping that popcorn now. [FOX41]

Read this first sentence and you’ll learn again why Eastern Kentucky can’t have nice things: A 2-year-old boy was struck by a van Monday while playing in a Rowan County road. [H-L]

Republicans are beginning to blame Mitch McConnell for just about everything wrong with Washington. [Roll Call]

A well-known McConnell Scholar, Daniel Utley, has died. He was a bronze star recipient and died a hero. [Click the Clicky]

The facts already proved that Boone County parks thing wasn’t a tax and was revenue neutral. Years ago. But it takes a mouth-breather for some wingnuts to feel okay about it? [Amanda Van Benschoten's Replacement]

The House Appropriations Committee in Washington is cutting labor, health care and foreign aid. Hal Rogers is right in the middle of it all. Hitting his people – the poorest in the country – where it hurts the most. All while giving the richest of the rich everything they want and more. [The Hill]

Why can’t Eastern Kentucky kids have nice things? Because scandals like this continue to happen. [WYMT]

What’s this? A massive corporation engaging in legal bribery to make sure illegal bribery is more legal? You don’t say. [WaPo]

Here’s yet another reason no one should give two flips about the mouth-breathing, discriminatory printing company in Lexington. They’re complete and total hypocrites. The gays knew what was going on, too. And the faux christians knew they’d be using their homophobic assholery to cause a scene. [H-L]

Kenny Coleslaw woke up and realized those SuperPAC shenanigans in the 4th District are a bit crazy. [WFPL]

Again, this is the woman the Beshear Crew are working against. [The 'Ville Voice]

Investigation into the financial crisis suggests another disaster could be on the horizon. Be sure to tell your meemaw right away. [HuffPo]

Because there’s never another option when it comes to the United States of America.

Gotta keep those military contractors happy. And, of course, appeal to every lobby that likely donates large amounts to his PAC, other PACs and candidates in Warshington.

Ronnie Ellis recapped last week in the legislative session so you should probably go give it a read. [Ashland Independent]

No, this isn’t the last time gambling will come up in Frankfort. It’ll keep coming up until people stop trying to give ownership to a single industry. [C-J/AKN]

Even the editorial board knows that Frankfort rushes major, life-changing decisions through the decision making process. [H-L]

The world is obviously in need of yet another Bill Clinton documentary. Robert Reich, Dick Morris dish on the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Premiers tonight on PBS. [HuffPo]

This is how the foreigns are looking at insider trading in Congress. What an embarrassment. [The Economist]

Did you see what Karen Kelly and crew did over the weekend? They try to play innocent while operating in total secrecy. They act as if they’re under major attack when anyone dares question how they spend millions of dollars of state and federal taxpayer dollars. And then they use those dollars in an attempt to shut websites like this one down. We published proof. [Page One]

The National Council on Teacher Quality released its annual report. Kentucky ranks 27th with a D+. [External PDF Link]

The Fairness Campaign is making a stunt out of this knowing fully well the legislation is dead in the water. Chris Hartman knows 100% the politics involved and the entire group refuses to do what it takes legislatively. They’re afraid to go to David Williams and other hyper-conservative folks to have a face-to-face discussion. So while we all support statewide fairness? Let’s get real. These events are just for show. [C-J/AKN]

The University of Louisville and the Kentucky National Guard have teamed up. [WLEX18]

Here’s how the folks in Bowling Green are looking at the gambling issue. Rather, here’s how they’re looking at constitutionally guaranteeing ownership to five corporations. [BGDN]

If you missed it last week, Greg Fischer’s crew caved after weeks of pressure to authorize a prosthetic limb for an injured paramedic. Yes, it took weeks of pressure and public outrage to make it happen. [The 'Ville Voice]

First, Rick Santorum attacks President Barack Obama for not loving Jesus enough or whatever. [Reuters]

Then he denies ever questioning his faith. Because that’s how the mouth-breathers operate. [Politico]

Known robot Dick Cheney is reportedly part of the lobbying effort for marriage equality. [HuffPo]

Turns out ole dude who is friends with Jack Conway allegedly likes to beat folks when they’re in handcuffs. [BGDN]

Leaked documents are revealing the climate change skepticism/denial efforts. It’s not pretty. [HuffPo]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. Scheduled guests: John Cheves, Kenny Coleslaw, Greg Hall. [KET]

What’s that? Taxpayers in the United States are subsidizing that shady housing/mortgage fraud settlement? Imagine that. [Financial Times]

It’s not just Marcus Carey running for Congress in KY-04. This guy in Oldham County filed today. [He's A Realtor]

Well, somebody’s gotta fight the scourge of poor kids getting free meals. Can’t be having any freeloaders. [Wonkette]

You’ve seen this movie before. Military strikes expected, weapons inspectors called in, al Qaeda connection. [HuffPo]

When will Democrats in Louisville take campaign finance and equal time seriously? This Metro Council candidate is appearing in television commercials left and right while running for office. [The 'Ville Voice]

Rand Paul apparently doesn’t realize he lives in Kentucky. He wants state and local governments to handle drug problems. Apparently has no clue what’s going on in the Commonwealth. [H-L]

Yep, Morehead State University is strongly against the University of Pikeville proposal. [WKYT]

Maybe it’d be a good idear for the Southern Baptist folks to worry a little bit about why so many closet cases are at the seminary instead of about keeping women from obtaining contraception. [C-J/AKN]

Looks like Warren County is about to join a class action lawsuit against some mortgage banks. [BGDN]

It was actually worth watching the entire thing!

Looks like Kentucky is going to get a No Child Left Behind waiver. [WFPL]

Is this really one of Steve Beshear’s top priorities or is he merely trying to save face with disabled people in Kentucky? [Page One]

Today House Republicans in Warshington earned their salary by worrying about strip clubs. [Wonkette]

Mittens Romney literally said he is “not concerned about the very poor.” That’s how your mormon cultist overlord feels about a huge swatch of the United States of America. [WaPo]

Quietly, the U.S. is moving to block lawsuits filed by military families over medical malpractice. [The Atlantic]

Ruh ro, here comes everybody freaking out about the Republicans they have to pick between. [NPR & Politico]

We still can’t believe it requires legislation to keep some uptight homeowners association from freaking out over a child’s playhouse. The House panel rejected the bill. [WKYT]

A for-profit college regulator bill is proceeding to the State House. Remember when Jack Conway was feigning concerned about this when he was in the fight of his life? [H-L]

Aww, look how concerned Denise Harper Angel got over her new Democratic opponent, Curt Morrison. [The 'Ville Voice]

What was that, again, about Greg Fischer saving Louisville Metro Government money? Look what Metro Council had to deal with and look at the excuses offered by Fischer’s office. [C-J/AKN]

Oh, look, how Republicans in Warshington are having journalists arrested. Sounds like something Kentucky Democrats would try to pull. [HuffPo]

Is Janie Miller the dumbest person in state government? Here’s her statement from last night: “The Cabinet is pleased that Judge Shepherd has agreed that the identity of innocent victims can remain confidential as the Cabinet releases its records of child fatalities and near fatalities cases. The Judge recognized that the public’s interest in determining whether the Cabinet did its job is not compromised by respecting the confidentiality of those children who survived grievous injury and those citizens who come forward to report abuse or neglect. The Cabinet is currently weighing its options on the Judge’s award of attorney fees and penalties and other issues, but certainly with today’s ruling, it is clear that when weighed against the Cabinet’s efforts to protect children from unwarranted invasions of their privacy, it was definitely well worth the price.” Daniel Mongiardo is right – craaaazy. Still making excuses for doing a horrible job. [Press Release]

Food stamp recipients wish critics would spend some time in their shoes. You’ll never see something like that with folks in Frankfort, though. [HuffPo]

Even Mitch McConnell recognizes that the online piracy bits of legislation are a complete joke. [Roll Call]

Media in Eastern Kentucky spin the University of Pikeville push with headlines like this: “UPike needs funds to become a public university.” [WYMT]

Ahahaha. CNN number-reader John King did manage to really get the amoral jewelry-debt piglet Newt Gingrich in full squeaking rage because, boo hoo, somebody asked Newt about his endless adultery and divorcing and banging other ladies while he’s married. [Wonkette]

Here’s more on the shenanigans with Newt Gingrich and his open marriage or whatever. [HuffPo]

Can the Kentucky Senate essentially kick out Democratic Sen. Kathy Stein of Lexington — and disenfranchise the 26,593 voters who chose her to represent them — by moving her district to another part of the state? [John Cheves]

You can’t even drive around in West Liberty these days without getting randomly hit by some lady. [WLEX18]

Active-duty soldiers are taking their own lives at a record rate. The Army also reported a 30% increase in violent sex crimes. [NYT]

Some guy named Rick Perry dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed an amoral cheater. That’s how those Texas Republicans operate. [Reuters]