Peaceful protest is not wrong

It's unfortunate that one would say that any peaceful acts would be a wrong way of fighting justice. On Aug. 30, there was an editorial headlined “Right and wrong” that stated the right way to fight justice was in the courts and the wrong way was peaceful protesting.

If one has studied our national and international history then one would know that we need multiple techniques to fight and obtain justice. The act of the two protesters in West Virginia is an historical means of nonviolent resistance. The word tree-hugger in fact comes from the 1970s Chipko movement in India in which women literally hugged trees to stop deforestation of their surroundings due to mining and commercial forestry.

During slavery, African Americans and their allies participated in the Underground Railroad. During the Civil Rights movement, African Americans and their allies participated in sit-ins and boycotts in times of segregation. These are just three simple examples, all in which people broke the law, but it was these people who participated in peaceful demonstrations that gave notice to their cause.

To say that non-violent resistance has no affect or that it is wrong would ignore social justice movements all over the world throughout history. True you do need people fighting in courts, but when the law protects big businesses over individual rights, there needs to be other ways to resist. It is the various types of resistance that causes a group or nation to obtain justice.

Bethany Deborde, Russell



Workers who build face challenges

For most people, the Labor Day holiday marks the symbolic end of summer. Since it became a national holiday 100 years ago, Labor Day provides an occasion to honor and thank the American worker and to celebrate the freedoms our nation provides its citizens.

Among the workers who deserve special recognition for their contributions are construction professionals. These men and women build the office buildings where we make a living, the schools where our children are educated, the hospitals where we receive medical care, the roads that connect our towns and the places we call home. The U. S. construction workforce makes an impact on their communities unlike any other profession.

On this Labor Day, the construction industry and its workers face challenges. Unemployment is 16 percent, a rate about 60 percent higher than in the overall workforce. With the construction industry struggling under the weight of the recession, the last thing Congress should do is to create programs which would increase taxes on individuals, stifle employment opportunities and take away the freedom to make personal choices. Heavy-handed government programs are no way to thank the American workforce.

Our country’s landscape wouldn’t be what it is today without the hard work, sweat and dedication of the American construction professional. As you drive to the shopping center or relax in your living room, remember the contributions of those professionals who continue to be instrumental in building our future.

Billy Parson, Chief Executive Officer, Associated Builders and Contractors of Kentuckiana



Trusting Medicare won’t be changed

There is so much misinformation out there on the proposed health care reform program that I want to share with readers that, in my opinion, President Obama has clearly said, “Nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits.”

As I understand the reform program, those who have health care can keep it. I trust the president’s explanation of what is taking place. We have Medicare Part A and B plus a supplemental program which covers the remainder of any costs incurred under A and B, and as such, we will keep our insurance now in place with no changes.

If, in fact, Medicare is affected, then I as a participant need to know as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will continue to maintain our insurance programs now in place.

Everyone should check with their representatives now to get all your questions asked and answered prior to the passing of a new health care reform bill.

Emily Cratty-Painter, Ashland



Keep health care reform bill simple

Republicans have no plan for health care reform other than delay. Democrats and President Obama should start simple. Their 1,000 page bill is a joke.

Present a one page bill: No insurance company can deny or charge more for health insurance for any American seeking health insurance with a pre-existing condition. It’s simple.

The bank bailout bill was a joke. The results are a testament to that. Don’t allow either party to make the same mistake on our health care reform.

See who screams the most on that one-page bill. I bet both parties. They are both bought and paid for by big business.

Demand more. After all, it’s our money they are throwing around.

Charles Joyce, Honolulu, Hawaii



Documentary stirs sweet memories

The “Field of Dreams” documentary brought back sweet memories to many of us who had the good fortune to grow up in this wonderful community in the 1950s. Interviews of individuals who had special memories of CP-1 were excellent. Jim Host gave a splendid account of his days on the field and credited Ernie Chattin and Bo McMillen with a large part in his successes.

Even though the field is named for Ernie, I’ve always thought it could just as easily been called Bo McMillen/Ernie Chattin Field since the two of them worked as a team through the YMCA to give everyone a chance to play ball regardless of their talent level.

Mark Maynard’s coverage of the documentary and associated festivities was excellent. Mark has an excellent sense of Ashland area sports history and it is always a pleasure to read his columns.

Jim McKee

Ashland



Disc golf tourney well worth drive

Boyd County deserves congratulations for hosting a well-run disc golf tournament on a beautiful and well-maintained course.

I grew up in Ashland and, as an avid disc golfer, was thrilled to learn of the county’s investment in two courses at Armco Park. The result is better than I’d imagined.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, Ashland hosted disc golfers from West Virginia, Ohio and all over Kentucky for the first tournament on the new courses and it could not have been more impressive. I drove all the way from South Carolina to play and consider it time very well spent.

Kudos to Tim Huff and the Ashland-Boyd County Disc Golf Club for organizing the event and running it so well. Kudos, too, to the Boyd County Parks Department for doing such incredible work to clean and maintain the course.

I’ve come back home with rave reviews of this new tourist attraction in my hometown, and I’m willing to guarantee there will be more players from across the southeast visiting Ashland in the years to come.

Gordon Dill, Greenville, S.C.