Follow the Money

Less than 3 weeks away from the May Primary Election and the truth about one of the Democratic candidates for Governor finally finds its way to light.

Andy Beshear owes his political success, in part, to blood money from Purdue Pharma. We know his former firm was defending Purdue — the maker of the deadly oxycontin — against Kentucky. We know the outgoing AG’s office settled the “billion-dollar case” for peanuts because Purdue’s former lawyer just won election as Kentucky’s newest Attorney General and would be in charge of the lawsuit on the other side; a tremendous conflict of interest. We know Andy Beshear has repeatedly bragged, until Oklahoma’s recent $270 million settlement with the drug manufacturer, about how Kentucky’s was the largest settlement (at a paltry $24 million) in the country. We also know that Andy has repeatedly denied any connection with Purdue in his law practice.

The same cannot be said for his campaign to be AG. Three weeks out from Election Day, when the race was effectively tied, Andy’s good friends at Purdue Pharma dropped $100,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA):

DAGA’s Form 8872, Year-End Report (2015), available here.

The very next day, DAGA sent a cool $250,000 to the Bluegrass Democratic Attorneys General Association, a PAC established to help Andy:

KREF Report

And on that same day, the Bluegrass DAGA sent the $250,000 to a SuperPAC formed to help Andy called the Bluegrass Alliance for Consumer Rights:

KREF Report

Andy Beshear should be ashamed. Maybe a call gets made near the end of the close campaign and a client arranges for some last minute help. Andy benefited from a timely donation of $100,000, earned from the addiction to a drug that was shamelessly and ruthlessly marketed and sold across the country, irreparably harming so many families in Kentucky alone.

• Purdue Pharma blood money

• Defending child abusers by blaming victims

• A corrupt lieutenant serving federal prison time

• Accepting donations from the corrupt lieutenant

This man does not deserve to be a public servant, much less the Governor of the Commonwealth.

The Final Inspection

Today I attended the funeral for Officer Phillip Meacham, a 38 year old peace officer in Hopkinsville who leaves behind a young family.  Phillip was a high school classmate of mine, a professional colleague I worked with as a prosecutor, and he was the first officer (then a Deputy Sheriff) to respond to the farming accident that claimed the life of my father.

What I witnessed this morning was one of the most moving things I’ve ever seen. I was in the back of a section that seemed set aside mostly for those that weren’t law enforcement.  That seat allowed me to observe most of the CCHS Colonel gym. Not long after I was seated a procession of local law enforcement officers and their spouses began.  The line seemed to just keep going. And then I started seeing badges and shoulder patches that were unfamiliar.  The officers filled the rest of the gym floor, and one whole side of the stands. There was no music. There was no talking. Just quiet footsteps and silent observance of an incredible brotherhood. According to Pastor Ron Hicks, a Chaplain for the Hopkinsville Police Department and local minister, officers came not only from across Kentucky but from across the country.

That these silent sentinels would come to pay their respects, knowing they face the same risks, is an incredible tribute to the tightly knit fraternity of peace officers and their families.

Retired HPD Lieutenant Chris Aldridge, a high school classmate of Phillip’s and fellow officer, was one of the speakers during the service. He didn’t offer prepared remarks but rather a poem I felt compelled to look up and re-read tonight. I can find no author of this poem for attribution but it was too good not to pass it along below.

Please remember the Meacham family and the brotherhood of law enforcement officers in your prayers, and thank them for their service when you next see them.

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you? 
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Policy Together

In 2013, I was invited to tour one of the elementary schools in my district by one of their teachers.  She had the assignment to reach out to her state legislators to get them involved.  Fast forward to 2016, and that teacher and I have become good friends that rely on one another when making decisions on public policy involving education and educators.

A few months ago I was invited once again by my friend, Mrs. Cassie Reding, to come visit some students and experience their classroom environment, and then to sit down for an interview about the impact of working together.  I was happy to participate, and (as always) thoroughly enjoyed my time in the classroom.  Kids were testing egg-drop contraptions, discovering and experimenting with oobleck, learning about light and heat energy using a radiometer, measuring and cutting wood to build a raised garden, and looking up local animal habitats.  I could stayed there all day!

During the interview, however, we were asked about the importance of building a relationship between educators and legislators, and importantly, spending time in each others' shoes.  Mrs. Reding and her husband Conrad (also a teacher) have been to the Capitol in Frankfort several times to discuss policies and to observe the process.  Its not nearly as fun as making oobleck, but the exchange of experience and perspective is what really matters.  This shared exchange – Policy Together – is what is so important.  Mrs. Reding and others have begun an initiative to foster these relationships across Kentucky, and I could't agree more with that goal.  I encourage every member of the legislature, and every teacher, to sign up.  Ignore party labels.  Ignore preconceived notions.  Just be willing to listen and learn from each other.

Are you a teacher interested in getting involved?

Crime Victims' Rights

“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm excited and thankful to hear this radio spot is airing in Kentucky!  Please help us pass Marsy's Law in Kentucky by calling your State Representative at 800-372-7181 and kindly asking them to urge the final passage of SB175.

The bill remains in the House and can get a vote in time for the final remaining day of the 2016 session, Tuesday, April 12th.

Not sure who your State Representative is?  Head here to find out!

The rights of the accused are a critical part of the criminal justice system, but its time we value the rights of crime victims too.