Elendil's Journal

• Henry Is Done

  Steve Henry has a fascinating political story. His career arc seemed nothing short of meteoric. He went from doctor to Jefferson County District Commission to Lt Governor. He suffered a set back in 1998 when he lost the primary for US Senate, but regained his mojo by marrying Miss America [...]
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  Posted: December 23, 2009, 10:10pm EST
  

• The Silent Majority Begins To Awaken

  Candidates running for higher office such as Senator or Governor as there first gig rarely work. There are a number of reasons for the high level of failure.  First, most newbies don't have name recognition. Unless they are a sports star or some other local celebrity they have to create' [...]
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  Posted: December 22, 2009, 10:32pm EST
  

• Global Warming - The Religion of Socialists

  In Copenhagen last night, world leaders are trying frantically to put together a deal that will "save the world". Why? Because we no longer have any time to wait.
  "Time is against us, let's stop posturing," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, one of scores of leaders who addressed [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2009, 6:15am EST
  

• Is Rand Paul's Campaign Peaking

  A number of political observers have wondered if Rand Paul's campaign was sustainable.
  By raising expectations for a "moneybomb" Internet fundraiser today (12/16), Rand Paul's U.S. Senate campaign is walking a high risk/high reward tightrope.  If campaign manager David Adams' public hopes are reached to raise $700,000 in one day, even skeptics will have' [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 4:41pm EST
  

• Moving Team Elendil Posts

  I am moving my triathlon posts off of Elendil's Journal. It just doesn't work to mix my training with Kentucky politics. If you are interested in following my triathlon training, I will be blogging at Team Elendil.
  
  ' [...]
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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 10:30pm EST
  

• KEEP's Next Move

  Apparently the KEEP people have come up with a new solution after their multi-million dollar gambit last week blew up in their face. They realize that gambling isn't popular in many parts of the state so they have come up with a more localized solution to their problem.
  

  The' [...]

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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 5:15pm EST
  

• Kicking The Habit

  Apparently budget deficits lead to fear monger and fear mongering leads to higher taxes. At least that is what I take from Stumbo's new found openness to higher taxes.
  House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Tuesday that he’s open to raising taxes to maintain the progress that the state has [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 9:12pm EST
  

• Prep Week 1 - Day 1

  I started my morning workout performing running drills meant to encourage a fore foot running style. I wanted to make sure I still had imprinted last season the necessary skills to make a proper running stride. After about 15 minutes of practice, I went outside and ran for 30 minutes [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 8:24am EST
  

• Nothing To Offer Except Fear Itself

  The Democrats in Kentucky suffered a serious setback last Tuesday. Higdon's easy win created shock waves that will be felt well into next year. Gerth has a good article today on the fallout of the election. He re-iterated points I made on the election. The Republicans nationalization of the [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 9:55pm EST
  

• 2010 Season Begins

  Number of comments: 1
  Next week begins my training for the 2010 triathlon season. It is a bit early to have a race schedule worked out but as of now two of my top priority Olympic distance races are going to be in the middle of June and early July. The June race will [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 12:04am EST
  

• Attack of Socialism

  The socialist leaders in the world are gathering this week in Copenhagen to plot the destruction of capitalism. All of which is done under the guise of "saving the planet". They continue warning of dire consequences if they don't act now.
  Keeping global temperature rise under 2C (3.7F) will' [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 7:53am EST
  

• Blisters And Running

  I haven't done any distance running since grade school. So when I started running this year in preparation for triathlon, it was a bit of a shock to the system. The worst part was the blisters. I would run for 60 minutes and have huge blisters on my big toe' [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 10:19pm EST
  

• Voters Reject Democrats

  Beshear's dream of switching the senate by appointing Republicans popped tonight. Republican Jimmy Higdon beat Democrat Jodie Haydon with 56% percent of the vote. The solid victory occurred despite Higdon being outspent almost 3 to 1. Two components led to the Republican win tonight.
  
  The first element was [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 9:44pm EST
  

• Annual Anti-BCS Rant

  Part of my yearly sports therapy is to use my blog as an avenue to rant against the stupidity of the current BCS system. This year was a nightmare for BCS supporters. Having 5 undefeated teams makes the title game a bit of a farce. How can you have a [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 6:32pm EST
  

• Attack Of The Environmentalists

  The environmentalists got a huge win today in their quest to to take us back to the stone ages where everyone lives in mud huts. The EPA ruled that CO2 (and other "greenhouse gases") are a pollutant. Yes, a key component of air is a pollutant. Yes one of [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:48pm EST
  

• Poor Horse Industry

  Life is so difficult for Churchill Downs that they have decided to cut back... oh wait no they aren't cutting back at all. They are expanding by purchasing Arlington Park Racecourse near Chicago. Tell me again why we need to pump money into their coffers at the expense of' [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:03pm EST
  

• Off Season Workout - Zumba

  Number of comments: 1
  The last two weeks of November and the first two weeks of December are my off season. It is a time where I stay away from both training and the triathlon sports. For me that means staying away from running, biking, and weight lifting. It is a chance to let [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 11:26pm EST
  

• KY Democrats - Taking From The Poor To Give To The Super Wealthy

  Number of comments: 1
  Every time a Democrat speaks they always talk about how they are for the little man. They tell us how the Republicans are the party of the rich while they only care about those who struggle to make ends meet. Turns out that really isn't the case.
  Major Republican' [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 11:00pm EST
  

• Importance of Properly Inflated Tires

  Imagine yourself on a bike going down a steep hill. Your heart is racing while the wind is whipping by at nearly 35 miles per hour. Now imagine losing control of your bike and having the back tire fish tail on you. Scary thought isn't it.
  
  Yet that is' [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:38pm EST
  

• Global Warming Hoax Exposed

  As we begin to learn more about the emails from the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, we begin to learn more about how they have manipulated the data to get the results they wanted. The world has finally been exposed to what can only be [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:11pm EST
  

• Buying A Used Bike For Triathlon

  In triathlon, biking is one of the three sports a person must master to be an effective competitor. The reality is that one can't be competitive biking without a decent road or triathlon bike. Why? Because the demands for speed are too great. You just can't do the high speeds [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 10:50pm EST
  

• Is There Such Thing As Too Much Money?

  Normally, I would bet on the candidate who significantly out raises an opponent in a political election. But I have to wonder if too much money might be a problem in a special election. Apparently Democrat Jodie Haydon has raised an astronomical amount of money for a special election. [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 9:50pm EST
  

• Happy Thanksgiving

  Today is a day where we have the joy of being thankful for all that we have. I want to give thanks to God for my wonderful wife, fantastic family, and great friends. For a beautiful home, a sound mind and a healthy body. I am thankful that my company [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  

• Dems Underwater

  For some time now, I have been saying that next year will be a huge year for Republicans. Most of my prediction comes from the fact that I believe the Democrats will be horribly unpopular. Well let's look at the current numbers for Obama and Beshear in Kentucky.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 11:14am EST
  

• Triathlon - The Expensive Sport

  Number of comments: 1
  I have found triathlon to be a fun and interesting sport. The challenge of learning and becoming proficient in three separate sports keeps the things fresh and interesting. There is always room for improvement and one must constantly search for ways to improve. I wish I could say it was [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:59pm EST
  

• Two Schoolkids Running for Senate

  While the GOP candidates were having a battle over what to do with the detainees at Gitmo, the Democrats were having their own squabble. Instead of fighting over relevant current events, they have decided to have a pissing contest over their business investments. First up Mongiardo.
  Lt. Gov. Daniel [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:56pm EST
  

• Grayson Wins Round 1

  As we head into the season for the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, I have no idea who I am going to vote for next May. Since I am a true undecided in this case, I hope I can provide independent analysis on the campaign.
  
  The first [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 12:19pm EST
  

• King's St. X Fundraiser Called Out... By St. X

  Yesterday a fund raising letter from the King campaign was sent out to a number of St. X grads. Asking them to attend a special "St. X Fundraiser". Below is the content from the email.
  

  Special St. X Fundraiser Wednesday December 2, 2009 at the Saints
  
  Skybar located [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:14pm EST
  

• Intesity and Volume

  Number of comments: 1
  One of the things I am thankful for was doing a couple rounds of P90X before starting triathlon training. P90X taught me two things. First it taught me about intensity in training. Before P90X, I thought a tough workout was lifting 3 sets of weights or spending a long time [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 4:17am EST
  

• Boswell Backs Out Of Rematch

  State Senator David Boswell has decided he wants to stay in the state senate rather than face Guthrie in a rematch for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
  As Reported by Keith Lawrence of the Ownesboro Messenger-Inquirer, Ketucky state Senator David Boswell has decided to seek a sixth term.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 10:16pm EST
  

• The Kings In The News

  Mayorial candidate Jim King's divorce information continues to leak out into the media. Today, we learn that Mr King's ex-wife got a restraining order in 1988 while seeking the divorce.
  in seeking the restraining order in July 1988, she alleged that he had been “emotionally and verbally abusive” [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:22pm EST
  

• Review of 2009 Training

  For those that don't know, I have spent much of 2009 training to compete in short distance triathlons. The year's training was a test pilot of sorts. I used it to gain a base level of fitness for competing. It also allowed me to learn the skills of each sport.' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:03am EST
  

• Meanwhile On The Democrat Side

  While the media continues to play up the "rift" between conservatives and the GOP, the Kentucky Democrat primary continues to get bloodier and bloodier.
  

  Attorney General Jack Conway failed to report on a state Executive Branch Ethics Commission form an investment in a Texas energy company, his chief [...]

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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:26pm EST
  

• GOP Split In Kentucky?

  The national media can see their Democratic party falling apart at the seems as the Dem leaders push a radical leftist agenda. But instead of reporting on the problems of the Democrats, they have instead turned their attention to the looming battle between conservatives and the GOP.
  Underdogs [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:18pm EST
  

• Good News And Bad News On KY State Budget

  Yesterday, House Appropriates and Revenue Committee Chairman Rick Rand said tax increases next year are unlikely.
  House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chairman Rick Rand said all 100 House seats and 19 of 38 Senate seats will be up for election next year, making tax increases of any kind unlikely.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:49pm EST
  

• Back From Leave Of Absense

  I have been away from blogging the last few weeks because... well life sometimes just gets in the way. Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of things and start posting regularly.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:46pm EST
  

• Rand Paul Goes Overboard In Criticism Of Grayson

  Rand Paul today called out his rivals for not attending a forum at UK.
  

  Paul, a Bowling Green eye surgeon, accused Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo and Attorney General Jack Conway of “elitism and arrogance” for not appearing at the event that attracted more than 100 [...]

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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 10:26pm EST
  

• Latest Poll: Rand Paul and Mongiardo Lead Respective Primaries

  The latest poll numbers are in and they results are interesting. On the Republican side Rand Paul has taken a small lead over Grayson 35%-32%. Undecideds and others garnered 34% of the poll. Since undecided / other is such a huge percentage of the poll responders we can tell [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 3:24pm EST
  

• State Constitution? We Don't Need No Stinking State Constitution!

  The decision yesterday by Ohioans to legalize gambling have the Democrats up at arms over legalizing gambling here in Kentucky.
  “Clearly, the time to act on expanded gaming is now,” Beshear said Wednesday in a written statement.” Ohio citizens are going to reap the benefits of thousands [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 5:04pm EST
  

• UAW Members Reject Contract Changes

  The union members at Ford are an interesting bunch. The economy is in the toilette. The car industry is looking at a slump the rest of this year and early next year. Especially after the cash for clunkers program distorting the market to get people who would be buying in [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:18pm EST
  

• State Democrats Balk At Thier Top Priority

  Republicans have been under huge pressure from the racing industry and the media to back gambling in Kentucky. The woes of the horse industry have been shoved down the public's throats during this entire debate.  Well, it looks like Republicans are starting to break under the pressure. Last week, Rep [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 8:05am EDT
  

• Is Chandler Ripe For An Upset?

  When Chandler won the 6th Congressional district back in 2004, I thought he would be nearly impossible to dislodge him from that seat. Given his name recognition and his moderate politics, I thought he would be congressman for life. Fast forward a few years and my have things changed. Chandler [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 7:49am EDT
  

• Surprise - Kelly Appointed Judgeship

  Republican Sen Kelley was able to cash in on his position in the state senate today. He was appointed  as a judge on the 11th circuit court by Gov Beshear. A job that will pay a pawltry $124,620 a year. I am shocked! Not really. First, Beshear is a one [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 10:05pm EDT
  

• War On Kentucky's Energy

  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the Obama administration was at war with the coal industry. A move that would severely damage the economic stability of Kentucky. Remember 90+ percent of Kentucky's electricity comes from coal. Any action that will drive up the cost of coal will drive [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
  

• KY U.S. Senate Primary - An Update On The GOP

  The financial numbers from the major GOP candidates reported last week and the results are interesting.  Rand Paul raised over $1 million dollars in the last quarter. An impressive amount of money for any campaign. The question was how did Trey Grayson do during the same period. He had [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 9:32pm EDT
  

• Kentucky Democratic Primary Turns Uglier

  Number of comments: 1
  Over the last few weeks there have been a number of videos released anonymously on youtube that have caught Mongiardo saying negative things about Governor Beshear.  When the first one was released, I was curious as to how it happened. Now that there are multiple recordings, I have to [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
  

• Bob Dole Calls Out McConnell

  Number of comments: 3
  Former Sen Bob Dole reminded us today why he won 40% of the vote when he ran for president in 1996 by calling out Sen McConnell.
  Later, he repeated that news, and elaborated on one "very prominent Republican, who happens to be the Republican leader of the Senate."
  [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 5:07pm EDT
  

• KY U.S. Senate Poll Numbers

  Earlier this week, Rasmussen release a poll on the state of the Kentucky U.S. Senate race. I was hoping for a poll that would tell us where the major candidates stood in their primary battles. Instead we were treated to a series of matchups between the top candidates from [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  

• A Challenger For Rep Chandler

  Number of comments: 2
  The coming Republican wave in 2010 is continuing to grow. Just a couple of days ago Rasmussen had the generic congressional ballot showing Republicans with a 43-39 lead. It has been a long time since Republicans led in a generic ballot yet alone have a lead nearing the margin [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 3:13pm EDT
  

• Is Beshear A Shoo-In To Win Re-Election?

  John Dyche has well written piece in the Courier Journal today that argues that Beshear is a shoo-in to win re-election in 2011. While the article is well written it is horribly flawed.  He starts off well by accurately cataloging the complete failure that has been the Beshear administration.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 3:01pm EDT