Kudos to Republicans, sort of

Lest Bluenecks ever be accused of being strictly partisan, I want to give credit to some Republicans for doing the right thing this week, even if they did so under pressure. Yesterday Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher called for beefed up mine safety rules in the wake of the Pikeville mine collapse (I'm sure the West Virginia mine disaster added some heat to this fire too). Today's Courier-Journal offers a more specific list of safety improvements the Governor should endorse as a part of his plan. Even Kentucky Senators McConnell and Bunning have expressed their concern about the declining budgets for mine regulations. As the C-J points out, it's too little too late and the Senators directly contributed to the problems, but at least they have the sense to see they can't avoid the issue any longer. Too bad it takes a tragedy--and public outrage--to get us there.

Speaking of responding to public outrage, Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky's 1st District filed his re-election papers yesterday and made a point to say he supports a troop withdrawal from Iraq. He still opposes a "premature" exit, but the fact that he felt a need to say anything at all indicates how far the tide has turned on this issue. Whitfield also expressed support for Congressional investigations into the President's decision to order the NSA to engage in warrantless domestic spying. Whitfield, like 2nd District Rep. Lewis faces his first real election challenge in years.