Beech Tree News Network

Common sense and the birth of the United States

This time of year our thoughts turn to the pomp and circumstance of the Fourth of July, along with the joy of American freedom. While my primary focus as a state legislator is our Commonwealth, I enjoy celebrating the freedom gained at the birth of our country.

“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” – Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”

Perhaps the most common attitude among religious people is that one church is as good as another. Many who believe it “taboo” to talk about religious matters will say words to the effect, “You do what you want to do, and I’ll do what I want to do in religion.” Once the conversation turns to religious matters, some will interrupt, saying words to the effect, “Just stop right there. I’m satisfied with what I have!” Friends, what does this say about people’s attitudes?

The legislative interim continued last week with multiple interim joint committees (IJC) and task forces meeting to prepare for the 2024 Regular Session. While the budget will be high on our legislative agenda, it is only one of the many issues we will consider as we work to address the state’s challenges and identify opportunities. We have all heard that if you want to know what someone’s priorities are, you look at their checkbook.

Wednesday night, Garey and I went with our daughter, Natalie, and granddaughter, Sabria, and Sabria’s friend, Laela, to the Summer Solstice concert at the Capital Arts Theater in Bowling Green.  The concert featured Irish music performed by two local musicians, Skip Cleavanger and his wife, Rebecca Bombach, as well as two guest musicians, one from Lexington, the other from Chicago.  Rebecca Bombach is Sabria’s and Laela’s violin teacher through the Warren County school system.  Her husband plays bagpipes and Uillean pipes.

I am sure our readers are familiar with the recent news of the loss of the OceanGate Titan and its tourists who were taking an underwater excursion to see the wreckage of the Titanic. We hurt for the lives lost and the families who now must bear the sorrow and loss of their family members. We need to keep their families in prayer in the days and weeks ahead. What a tragedy!

Yet, when thinking about this tragedy, I also see some pertinent and poignant lessons to learn from this tragic loss of life. What can we learn?

The word “bittersweet” causes me to think of a mixture of pleasure and pain. Bittersweet connections –for me – generally include more pleasure than pain. Life experiences usually bring about our bittersweet connections.

Next-generation Internet access holds great promise to improve the well-being of Kentuckians across our state, furthering digital access to educational and online tools will transform the lives and communities of rural Kentucky.

I have ten extra pairs of shoes…I counted.  I’m not talking about my personal shoes, like church shoes, tennis shoes, sandals and flats.  I’m talking about extra pairs of shoes in various sizes.  Some of these shoes have been worn by me or Garey or one of my daughters.  I’ve also picked up a few cheap pairs at yard sales.  I keep them for emergencies.  Not the kind of emergencies like the house is on fire, and I’ve got to jump into a pair on my way out or someone shows up at my door, wearing no shoes, although the extras would work in either of those situations.  The emergencies I speak of

In the long ago, Solomon said, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered” (Ecc. 1:14-15). This is a hard truth for many to grasp. Put simply; there are some things in life that we cannot change! In this article, I want us to note some things that men cannot change.

Recently I stumbled upon a few classic series’ being aired on IFC.  IFC stands for Independent Film Channel.  Although these days it just goes by IFC because they show more than movies.  A few weeks ago, I ran across a tweet where a follower of mine was mentioning the show Who’s The Boss.  That was one I hadn’t heard about in years.  I asked him where he found that show.  He quickly replied, “it’s on IF