If Comer wants to investigate PPP loans, he should look to his own party first | Opinion

Assistance investigations

U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky) is going to be investigating how federal money allocated for COVID-19 assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was actually spent.

Please note that “MAGA” superstars U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Paul Gosar (R-Arizona), and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will participate in the hearings. I would like to make a suggestion that the oversight committee first investigate U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky) who received $4.3 million in PPP loans (the largest amount of any congressman) which he did not repay. I would especially like to know if the social security numbers registered to the employees of his company are legitimate.

Guthrie excels in hypocrisy as he railed against President Joe Biden’s suggested forgiveness of student loan debt as excessive and inflationary. But it seems like when Guthrie is the recipient of government largess, no such criteria apply. When it’s his bank account and net worth that are benefited, the sky is the limit. Back in 2011, Guthrie’s net worth was a measly $1 million. Now, according to OpenSecrets.org it is between $10 and 12 million!

Why is it that I think it will be a cold day in hell before the MAGA Republicans investigate one of their own though?

Jim Porter, Danville

Classified information

As a retired commander in the U.S. Navy with more than 20 years of experience with classified documents, I can assure everyone of this: had Top Secret/SCI documents turned up in my personal residence, my Navy career would have ended at that moment, and I would be facing a court martial in short order.

The media is reporting that these documents were Top Secret/SCI which means that they are to be handled consistent with controls established by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence. In most cases, such documents are controlled within a sensitive compartmentalized information facility which is commonly referred to as an “SCIF.” President Joe Biden’s garage is not an SCIF.

Who knows who had access to the garage and, therefore, to the documents themselves? If Biden doesn’t know “how they got there,” then he certainly cannot assure the nation that the information contained in the documents has not been compromised.

Dale Henley, Lexington

Coyote co-existence

As a resident of Lexington, I am writing to express my concern about the recent reaction to coyotes in the city limits. While it is understandable to be cautious around wild animals, it is important to remember that coyotes play a vital role in our ecosystem and pose little threat to humans. In fact, attacks on humans by coyotes are extremely rare, with less than 10 reported incidents each year. Statistically speaking, even common household items like errant champagne corks are more dangerous.

As a community, it is important that we take steps to coexist with our wild neighbors rather than reacting with fear and aggression. One simple step that residents can take is to keep their pets on leashes when outdoors which can prevent any rare encounters between pets and coyotes.

Let us all remember that we are fortunate to live in a beautiful region filled with wildlife, and that it is our responsibility to respect and protect these animals.

Noland Aull, Lexington

Holocaust remembrances

It’s rather disturbing to see your newspaper print an offensive Op-Ed relegating the Holocaust to common run of the mill persecution on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The Holocaust was an effort by a group of people to remove all Jews from this planet in a brutal and inhumane manner. This heinous endeavor had a name - The Final Solution. Jews have been persecuted for many millennia and anti-Semitism is clearly on the rise as I write this, but nothing compares to the Holocaust. It was a unique evil event that even had its support in America.

In 1941, American aviator Charles Lindbergh, an admirer of Hitler, spoke how the Jews had so much power and were pushing the U.S. towards war. But if the Jews possessed the power of Lindbergh’s imagination and paranoia, the atrocities at Babi Yar, Warsaw Ghetto, Treblinka, and Auschwitz would never have taken place. The events of the Holocaust will not be diluted by the likes of Holocaust deniers or even a newspaper in Kentucky, as Jews and those who have been educated on history will continue to embrace the motto “We Will Never Forget” when it comes to the bleak period when the Holocaust occurred.

Howard Roth; Foster City, Cal.

Racist rants

I just finished reading a recent issue of the Lexington Herald-Leader and I am shocked that you would print a racist letter to the editor (from Bob Crovo Sunday on Jan. 29) making fun of both Kelly Craft’s and Daniel Cameron’s ethnicity and race. These are humans and, as everyone usually knows, no one should be subject to racist ridicule. This is irresponsible and poor journalism and it’s another reason why I canceled my home delivery subscription last week.

Will Day, Lexington

Veridian shame

My heart goes out to those poor citizens of Lexington that were renting apartments from the Veridian of Lexington. What has our Mayor or any so-called fair housing organization done to help these people? They are in shock, defeated and have nowhere to go. I was born and raised in Lexington and am ashamed at how stagnant, greedy, and violent with no plan for the future this city has become.

Cynthia Taylor, Richmond

Fentanyl crossings

In response to Al Cross’s column about Kelly Craft and his claims about fentanyl: It defies logic and common sense that most fentanyl would come through border check points when it appears to me the drug cartels are already smuggling millions of migrants annually across the open areas.

Also, does it matter? Regardless, enough fentanyl to kill every American comes across the southern border. And, it appears, the cartels themselves are no longer respecting our border as they bring their drugs and violence directly into our major cities without fear.

Doug Reed, Lexington

Deserved award

I would like to congratulate Linda Blackford for receiving the Kentucky Associated Press awards for Best Editorial Page and Best Editorial Writer. She deserves it! Linda doesn’t worry about angering bigots or crooked “Good Ole Boys” with the truth. Small town newspapers will not print anything they think their towns’ Baby Boomers won’t like. Which is everything!

They hate the way time has changed every aspect of their lives during the past 75 years. Their newspapers lack relevant content, making their editorials devoid of anything worth reading. They print stories about a local business burning down, or something sports oriented. They try their best to avoid printing anything negative about their local government and its officials. I highly respect an individual who has the courage to “Say What You Wanna Say! Just let The Words Flow Out Of Your Mouth!I love To See You Be Brave!” Congratulations Linda!

Yolanda Averette, Lexington

“Cancel” notice

My cancellation letter to AT&T — I’ve been a loyal AT&T cell phone customer ever since you bought out Cingular many years ago. However, I am appalled by your recent action to cancel Newsmax TV from your DirecTV lineup.

I canceled my DirecTV subscription through Kinetic (Windstream) this past fall, when they had the gall to drop OAN. I also severed my TV service package with Windstream and signed up directly with DISH TV, with whose programming I have been very satisfied.

As a MAGA Conservative, an “America First” supporter, and an American patriot, I will not allow you to impose your political ideology and/or your obvious political censorship agenda without standing up to your cowardly, un-American actions. Unless you agree to restore both OAN and Newsmax to your line-up, I will cancel my current AT&T subscription and switch to a cellular provider that values free speech and “The American Way.” Period!

Hoping your corporate decision-makers come to their senses!

Steve Nussbaum, Nicholasville

Kentucky development

Kentucky has big opportunities on the horizon. But, in today’s Kentucky, we are missing out on billions of dollars of local investment, local empowerment, hope, and opportunity.

It is clear that most of Kentucky’s 400+ cities and 120 counties are struggling with the same issues and challenges that prevent population and sustained economic growth.

Over our southern border, Clarksville, Tenn. is experiencing tremendous growth and development while cities just north of us struggle to see any real population growth. At its current pace, Clarksville may outgrow Lexington — its competitor — by 2040.

Quite simply, Kentucky needs more.

“You Decide, Kentucky!” is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing this by building a statewide coalition of citizens, officials, and decision-makers to educate Kentuckians on this need for change. We trust and believe in the ability of our local leaders and residents to decide what revenue streams will improve the quality of life in their communities.

Unlocking the door to the Kentucky we know is possible requires modernizing the outdated tax code of the Kentucky Constitution, and giving authority to the General Assembly to enable local revenue-raising options.

By centering on YOU, we will transform Kentucky. All of us, together, for a vibrant tomorrow.

Carter Hendricks, Executive Director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, Hopkinsville