Jimmy Brannon Blog

Gatewood may become the mainstream candidate for Governor

For folks who don’t care much about politics, it may seem awful early to start handicapping the 2011 Kentucky Governor’s race. But for several reasons it appears that the independent candidacy of Gatewood Galbraith may have a much better chance than some people would expect.

The Republicans have many self-inflicted injuries and appear to have only two candidates with statewide appeal: Trey Greyson who is already running for the senate in 2010 and Ag. Commissioner Ritchie Farmer who may not have the political acumen it would take to turn popularity into success at that level.

The Democrats have an incumbent Governor who like him or not has demonstrated an inability to excite the masses. The upcoming U.S. Senate race in which Beshear has endorsed Lt. Governor Mongiardo is going to cause Beshear problems in 2011 no matter how the senate race turns out. The recently released tape of Mongiardo allegedly cussing and calling Beshear the worst Governor we’ve had may be the beginning of the problems for Beshear.

“A pox on both their houses,” many Kentuckians may say.

The biggest problem facing both political parties which accounts for their inability to solve problems is that both parties are affected by “jerky knee syndrome.” This syndrome causes many politicians on the right and left to give knee-jerk support for any proposal that seems to fit with their sometimes radical agendas and oppose all others without respect for the true underlying merits or demerits of the policy.

Any doubts about whether Galbraith is a “mainstream” common-sense candidate have been eliminated by the behavior of the radicals on the right and left.

If Gatewood can avoid ‘Jerky Knee Syndrome,’ and those of us who know Galbraith know he will, he might be the next Governor.

As a former Republican county chairman I would add that he might very well be the best choice.

Poll on Ballard murder case continues with most favoring death

The on-line poll on my blog continues to gather votes but the results are hovering in the area of 60% plus for death in the Ballard murder trial to begin in a couple of weeks.  Death has not been able to get over about 68% and life has been able to get as high as 40% in the poll. Check it out and vote if you  have'nt on my blog

 Jimmy Brannon blog

The real reason for UK's poor performance against the Gators

   The reason for the UK Wildcats poor peformance against Florida was plain and simple depression. Some said the game was over in the first quarter when the Gators opened up the 31-0 lead.  The reality of the matter is that the Cats were beat before the game started. The cause: plain and simple depression.

   We all here in Kentucky had endured almost a week straight of cloudy skies and persistent rain. We were all depressed.

   The Gators flu-in from the land of sunshine full of happiness and optimism.

   If you don’t believe it, there is proof!

   How else can you explain why the Gators could only play a 10-7 game for the final three quarters of the contest. The answer is easy. After one quarter of being here they got depressed too.

How to cook a Gator..... recipe

How to cook a Gator:

Ingredients:  About 75 Gators (more or less)

Water by the buckets (rainwater is fine)

A whole bunch of mud

About 75 Wildcats (more or less)

About 70,000 crazy human beings

Enough Kentucky Bourbon from Loretto, Kentucky for 70,000 people (to taste)

A very large pot (Commonwealth stadium)

A time-keeper who knows how to start and stop a clock (this may be hard to

find in some parts of Kentucky)

Preparation: For at least fifteen minutes, (or for one quarter, whichever comes first)

roll each Gator in the mud until fully covered

WARNING: Gators can be pesky little devils; if they try to get out you have to roll them in the mud a second time

Cooking Time: Cook Gators for at least another 15 minutes until they are half done; [You will know when they are half done when most of the 70,000 crazy people begin searching for more of the Kentucky Bourbon from Loretto, Kentucky.]

SECOND HALF OF COOKING TIME: It is important to turn the heat up on Gators as they are cooked. These beasts are bent on intimidation and once they realize they are cooked they will become much more enticing treats.

PRECAUTIONS: The full cooking of Gators has been known to cause dangerous conditions such as the burning of couches, furniture and other items on the streets of Lexington to the amusement of many but to the dismay of some who either like Gators or who because they were on official police duty were not able to obtain any of the Kentucky Bourbon as a part of the recipe. PLEASE BE CAREFUL AFTER COOKING GATORS!

Do you know people from the Bourbon County area who have written a book?

My efforts to author my first book have given me a great admiration for everyone who has endured the labor of being an author. My book will be published within a couple of months but I am trying to compile a list of area authors to give them a pat on the back. Please visit my blog  Jimmy Brannon blog  and post your information. I am aware, of course, of David/Lalie Dick, Tom Leach and Barbara Kingsolver and a few others. If you know of others please post your information so I can compile a full list. Once complete the list will be published in The Bourbon County Citizen.

 

 

Should Ballard get death penalty if convicted in Wesley Mullins' death case?

The first death penalty case in Bourbon County in some 40 years is scheduled to begin next month when Lewis Ballard is tried for the murder of six year old Wesley Mullins. Do you think the death penalty should be imposed? Vote and obtain more information at http://jimbrannon.typepad.com/

Death penalty cases are not very common to Bourbon County but there have been a few in neighboring counties. I have tried three murder cases in the last several years, only one of which was a capital or death penalty case, that being a case out of Harrison County. All of my cases were acquittals so I did not have to endure the actual penalty phase of the trial.

More than 300 citizens of Bourbon County are likely to be brought in for jury selection for the Ballard trial which is scheduled to last for most of the month of October.  The question of the month may well be "What do you think about the death penalty."

Some of the pros and cons for the death penalty include the following: Pros include deterrence of crime, closure to the victim's family, makes an example out of a criminal, and that it gives a certain finality to the matter. Cons include arguments that it costs more than life in prison, that it is barbaric and cruel and unusual punishment, that there is a chance an Innocent person could be put to death, and that some of those executed may be sick or insane.

What do you think? Be sure to vote in the poll at the bottom of this screen. And watch for updates here and in the Bourbon County Citizen each Wednesday.

My first post..... about my first book

Within the past 24 hours I have finished what has been a more than two year effort to author a book about my son's journey through cancer from his diagnosis at age 11 until his death at age 13. The book will be available for purchase in late 2009 or early 2010. There will be more to come on that later.

However, I will say that I have nothing but respect for anyone who has ever authored a book. It is a most excruciatingly pleasurable and painful exercise. The amount of time that such an effort entails seems almost immeasurable. Hopefully the pride and satisfaction when the finished product comes back from the printer will be likewise.

That's all for now. More posts to come on a variety of topics on a daily basis. Check by often for all the news that is news and some that aint.