Creation Museum event about protecting unborn, not law and order | Opinion

Abortion clarification

In response to the op-ed that misrepresented an event that took place at our Creation Museum earlier this month, we write to correct the record.

While we teach that abortion is taking the life of a human being and according to the Bible is murder, it is the government’s ordained role to maintain law and order, not the church’s (which the guest columnist omitted). It is also worth pointing out that our striking “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” exhibit in our museum stresses God’s mercy and forgiveness for those who have had an abortion. This large exhibit teaches that we have a forgiving God, exemplified by his forgiving a repentant King David for the taking of a life. We welcome anyone to visit.

The so-called “extremist pastor” who spoke at the museum believes all human life should be equally protected from the moment of fertilization. He is working with churches and legislators in many states on bills that provide legal protection for the unborn, and our museum drew attention to those efforts. These bills, however, do not deal with types of punishment. Instead, the pastor is working to classify the unjustified taking of human life in the womb as homicide in the legal classifications of many states. While he believes the Bible teaches capital punishment as the penalty for murder (Genesis 9), he recognizes it is the government that is responsible for determining punishment.

-Mark Looy, CCO, Answers in Genesis/Creation Museum, Petersburg

Governor ads

Kelly Craft, you are running for Kentucky governor. Because you are little known in the state it makes sense that you are beginning to advertise. This is your chance to get your message out; to own your narrative. Is this really the message you want to send? It’s a bit surprising to see how white your ads have been. The only other candidate to surround himself with so much whiteness has been Kentucky’s Attorney General Daniel Cameron. When someone tells me who and what kind of person she is, I believe them.

Bob Crovo, Lexington

Craft ads

The silly season has officially begun. I’d hoped that Kelly Craft wouldn’t be the usual politician. Her first ad said she could stand up to the men. Her second ad proves she’s a solid politician, who hits the heart strings while not really saying how she’ll stop drugs at our borders. The devil is in the details.

The only way I can see to stop drugs at our borders is to create a police state with alert police guarding every road, path, river, stream and exit from any property along our state’s borders. Every vehicle, person, animal would have to be stopped without provocation, and cavity searches would become routine. We could have our homes raided and ransacked at the will of the authorities.

Even with all this, drugs would not be kept out. I’m sure some enterprising official would fill any vacuum that might be created. We might be free of drugs, but at what cost to our freedom?

Hopefully, Craft is just selling herself to the gullible, like all good politicians, and doesn’t really mean what she implies. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more nonsense from the other candidates soon as they, too, say a lot of words with no meanings.

Glenna Brouse, Lexington

Fiscal hypocrisy

Republican politicians would have us believe that they’re the party of fiscal responsibility, but that’s a myth! Looking at the U.S. budget deficits since the last budget surplus (under former President Bill Clinton), Republicans held the presidency, the Senate, or the House 54.4 percent of the time while Democrats held those same offices 45.6 percent of the time. Democrats ran up $9.31 trillion in debt to Republicans’ $10.96 trillion, or $1.65 trillion more. This assumes Fiscal Year 2023 ends with a $1.2 trillion deficit (per the U. S. Congressional Budget Office). If you adjust these numbers for inflation, then Democrats have run up $11.23 trillion to Republicans $13.39 trillion, or $2.161 trillion more in debt.

Now Republicans are once again threatening the full credit worthiness of the U.S. government by threatening to not raise the debt ceiling (an arbitrary edifice) on debt which they’re more responsible for than Democrats. Congress raised or waived the debt limit three times during former President Donald Trump’s presidency. It seems like the Republicans think it is okay to increase the debt limit when Republicans control the White House, but the budget is supposed to be balanced each year when the Democrats control the White House. This is clearly a double standard. Oh, the hypocrisy!

Joe Crouch, Lexington

School safety

Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) brags about spending over $80 million dollars for construction of a new middle school yet cannot get a lamp light replaced on the Squires Elementary sidewalk and drive way — a light that has been out since before school started. I know the school’s administration knows about the problem, but I’ve been told that it is out of their hands to fix. That leaves only the main office of FCPS failing to act.

If the motto is “All About the Kids” it must not be about the kids’ safety while walking to school in these dark morning hours. And then there are Henry Clay’s issues, but that is another story.

FCPS leadership and management is questionable to say the least.

Steven Brixey, Lexington

Abortion slogans

Slogans. Some are thought provoking. Others are downright stupid.

In 1973, the slogan for Roe vs. Wade it was “Keep your laws off my body”. How clever.

Fifty years later, Roe is overturned. Panic on the left ensues and back it came. “Keep your laws off my body”. Never mind that the overturning of Roe did not forbid abortion, it merely turned the question to the states where it belonged all along.

But I think the fans of abortion on demand didn’t really want “choice,” as was so often stated. In my opinion, they really demanded a mandate. So let’s go vandalize churches and threaten a couple of Supreme Court judges with violence. Yessir, we will show them.

There really is a fitting meaning to that slogan “Keep your laws off my body”. It was the cry of 50 million slaughtered helpless children who were given no “choice” in the matter.

And the beat goes on.

Wayne Burns, Lexington

Addiction images

Imagine if Joel Pett replaced “addiction” on his grim reaper with “heart disease.” It would be nonsense. But because otherwise sympathetic people have no problem dismissing and demonizing people suffering from addiction, the audience understands. After all, why promote healthcare when you can pretend addicts are corrupted and, therefore, inherently evil?

I am not indicting Pett but describing how all media treats addicts. Instead of human beings with an illness, they are portrayed as possessed. Instead of seeking treatment, they must overcome demons. While no one protests treating cancer with chemo, many see doctors giving opioids to heroin addicts — despite being a medically valid treatment — as “enabling” them. Imagine telling diabetics that insulin “enables” their diabetes.

Yes, addiction isn’t diabetes. Anyone who’s physically wrestled a loved one hell-bent on pawning their jewelry understands how addiction strains personal relationships.

But all illnesses have different pains. My mother’s pancreatic cancer included dementia. Dad’s pulmonary fibrosis required leashing him to an oxygen tank.

The point is, I believe mainstream media can do better with how it depicts addiction and addicted people. After years of being vilified by bad-faith politicians, newspapers deserve to be respected for their role in society. And with that respect comes responsibility.

Bronson O’Quinn, Lexington

Kennel Club

Lexington has an AKC kennel club with a sterling reputation. Lexington also has a plethora of independent trainers who are in the BUSINESS of having clients pay for classes or private training services. However, a great many municipalities across the US have “companion sports” clubs which promote obedience, agility, tracking, etc.

I got involved in training and showing back in the 1970s at the Columbus (Ohio) All-Breed Training Club. Dayton (Ohio) has two clubs, and Cincinnati has two. A friend in West Virginia has THREE clubs within easy driving distance from her home. Why doesn’t Lexington have a basic AKC companion sports club? In these clubs, members offer their services to the public for affordable classes, but they also support one another in training pursuits including preparation for earning AKC companion sport titles.

I’ve been told that there isn’t interest from experienced trainers because they make money off their training businesses. The lack of a club created a niche for a service that has been filled, and now filling that niche prevents another club from forming. I’d love to see an ACK companion sports club start here in Lexington. Is there any interest from others?

Betsy Packard, Lexington

Paycheck bonus

I’d like to thank the Kentucky legislature, in particularly Kentucky Sen. Donald Douglas (R-Nicholasville), for the extra $8 in my paycheck this month. I almost didn’t notice it! But I’m glad I did so I can say “Thanks!” for trusting this citizen to spend it on what I see fit. A burger and fries was an excellent use for this $8. You just hate to see the government using that money for things like counselors for incarcerated youth or public education.

J.E. Miracle, Nicholasville

Turn to love

February, along with Valentine’s Day, does not have a monopoly on love. As a way of life, love can be any day of the year with family, friends, people nearby and far away, those who agree or disagree with us, and total strangers.

Love is the opposite of hate. If there’s hate in our heart, it doesn’t do much for ourselves or others. We’ve seen too much of that. It’s time for a change.

I’ve experienced firsthand how love can touch your heart like nothing else. One way was inheriting a family farm. It was a gift from God, the perfect fit, and it brought me back home to my roots. I had been my daddy’s tag-along, but it had been my great grandfather who had purchased land as it became available. Now my husband and I are having our turn to enjoy and experience farm life.

Love can help a heart like nothing else. Let’s get rid of the hate. Make February and the rest of the year a blessed time for all.

Belinda French, Columbia, Tenn. (formerly of Georgetown, Ky.)

Compiled by Liz Carey