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The Republican Gazette
COMMENTARY
Some sanity seems to appear in some places on smoking bans
An Associated Press report on Wednesday carried evidence of a remarkable display of common sense from city council members in Florence, Kentucky.Remarkably, the council members actually seemed to recognize the rights of business and property owners when it comes to whether to allow smoking.As reported by the AP, "The (Florence) council voted 5-0 on Tuesday against the ban, which would restrict smoking in all public buildings, including restaurants and bars. Councilman Mel Carroll said he was concerned the ban would infringe on the rights of individuals and business owners."What? Since when did anyone care about the rights of individuals and business owners? It is certainly not a concern of the Kanawha County Board of Health, which unilaterally banned smoking with no concern for the rights of business owners or their loss of income.The AP went on to report that "Councilman David Osborne said he would prefer the issue go to the voters and councilwoman Betsy Conrad called the draft ordinance 'seriously flawed.'"It is heartening to read about some public officials who still seem to care at least as much about business rights and due process, instead of believing it is appropriate for a tiny handful of individuals to impose their personal preferences on everyone else.Smoking is bad for you. So is drinking too much, eating too much, and walking on rusty nails. But individuals and businesses should have the right to allow, or not allow, smoking, since all individuals have the choice to patronize or not patronize a bar or restaurant where smoking occurs. The free market should determine such things, not Big Brother."Leaving carbon footprints
every chance we get"
Walker, McKinney added to jam-packed lineup
Aside from getting up at 4:30 a.m. and being on the air by 6, I had a great time guest hosting the Tom Roten Morning Show on NewsTalk 800 WVHU Wednesday.Many thanks to guests Kelli Sobonya (for getting up early to be my first guest), Marty Gearheart, Congressman Geoff Davis, Dan Greear, Ben Beakes and, last but not least, Secretary of State Betty Ireland. Special thanks to producer Tyler Drennan for making it easy for me.I have guest hosted talk radio a couple of other times over the years, and what I learned was, the more guests, the easier on the host, especially when the host is half asleep and already pretty familiar with most of the guests.So, my guests today for my second and final show will be:6:15 a.m. House candidate Lisa Peana.
6:30 a.m. GOP gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks.
7 a.m. Secretary of State candidate Charles Minimah.
7:15 a.m. GOP Chairman Doug McKinney
7:30 a.m. State Senator and political consultant Vic Sprouse.
7:50 a.m. Delegate Craig Blair.
8:15 a.m. Supreme Court candidate Beth Walker.
8:30 a.m. Marshall professor and author Jean Edward Smith.
Former WCHS talk radio personality Stephen Reed has returned to broadcasting with a new podcast for Prison Fellowship's BreakPoint Division. The fifteen minute podcast is called "Discourse" and features Reed and occasional co-hosts interviewing intriguing Christian guests through the popular BreakPoint website. (www.breakpoint.org)BreakPoint is the Christian worldview wing of Prison Fellowship, the ministry started in 1976 by Charles W. "Chuck" Colson, former special counsel to President Richard Nixon. Prison Fellowship's headquarters is based in Lansdowne, Virginia, approximately 30 miles from Washington, D.C."Podcasting has really taken off and for obvious reasons," said Reed, who serves as the ministry's Grants and Foundations Specialist. "People like the idea of downloading a program and taking it with them on their iPod while they exercise, shop, or just clean the house. They can listen to it on their schedule."Reed's podcast will be a monthly look at the Christians who are creating or covering contemporary culture. This month, his guest is Heath Hardesty, a writer and musician from Longmont, Colorado, whose new book, To the Lion: The Christian in Tension, is the subject of their discussion. To hear the podcast, go to:
"This is a book and an author with a great mystique," said Reed. "Heath Hardesty is a name to remember, as this first effort of his challenges Christian believers of all stripes, as well as the intellectually curious person of any or no particular faith background. It's a real romp into deep material but highly readable for everyone.""Hardesty's basic premise is to not dismiss a paradox in Christianity just because you don't automatically embrace it initially," said Reed. "Maybe we aren't meant to understand a paradox completely, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate aspects of it that we might foolishly throw away."Paradoxes like God's mercy vs. God's judgment and sovereignty vs. free will are explored in the podcast; many more are addressed in the book. "At BreakPoint, we have so many good writers with a rich tradition of taking on whatever cultural currents come our way as Christians," said Reed. "We intend for "Discourse" to stay within that tradition, because it makes for lively and thought-provoking broadcasting."Stephen Reed, former WCHS Radio host, launches new website podcast
Supporters hold picnic for Weeks in Jefferson Co.
Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks are holding a fundraising picnic for him Sunday in Jefferson County.The event will be held Sunday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mountain Mission Community Park, 4210 Mission Road, Harpers Ferry. Weeks has been busy traveling the state this week, including various events and campaign stops in Nicholas, Pocahontas, Preston and, this weekend, Jefferson County.During his appearance this morning on WVHU, Weeks will discuss the issues at Mitchell-Bateman hospital in Huntington.In WV, McCain gets biz support, then touts jobs plan to audience in Ohio
Republican presidential candidate John McCain made a stop at Tri-State Airport in Huntington Wednesday, getting the support of a group of Huntington-area business owners supportive of his economic plan, including his promise to reduce taxes.McCain then traveled to nearby Portsmouth, Ohio, where he told a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting, "To achieve full economic recovery, we need to think as well about the leading job creators in America. "Small businesses have created 233,000 jobs so far this year while other sectors are losing jobs. Small businesses are the job engine of America, and I will make it easier for them to grow and create more jobs."McCain added, "My plan attacks the real problems of health care -- cost, availability and portability." McCain also launched a new series of TV ads this week.