US and the solution to the involvement in the Middle East...

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the US began a bombing campaign against ISIS. History proves this isn't a valid solution. There's been fighting in the middle east since biblical times. This suggests there will always be war in that region.

The US has two options: active involvement or no involvement. Recent history proves active involvement does not work. In fact, it only strengthens radical Islamic factions.

In combating radical Islam, the US is battling an individual or a group of individuals. Its a battle against an ideal itself. That's why killing militant leaders do nothing to stop the movement. In fact, it strengthens the ideal by making the leaders martyrs and kindles more hatred for America. The only REAL way active involvement ends in victory is by completely eradicating every single combatant. We all know this is neither practical nor acceptable, as it amounts to practical genocide.

Withdrawing all involvement seems it would be ineffective. Yet its really the only solution. Firstly active involvement simply doesn't work, as discussed above. There will be fighting whether we're involved or not. Secondly by withdrawing, we stop turning their leaders into martyrs, we stop kindling hate for America, and we stop giving their leaders a platform from which to broadcast their ideals.

Finally, we remove the inevitable collateral damage that occurs in the form of innocent lives and property. This inevitable collateral damage makes it easier for radical leaders to recruit new members to their cause.

Saving Eastern Kentucky.....Part 3A

The next two installments discuss legislative moves that will help fuel Eastern Kentucky's revival. While a complete revival doesn't necessarily require help from the government. There are definitely several things local/state/federal government could do to aid the revival. 

Up first is a change that must happen socially, then at the polls - the wet/dry issue. Most counties in Kentucky are dry (click the link for a map). To spark growth in tourism, this MUST change.
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If you have religious/moral convictions about the issue, think about this: Being dry doesn't stop drinking. It stops potential revenue, which stops growth/development opportunities, which stops the revitalization of our region. Its a financial decision.

Since the invention of the modern automobile, anyone in a dry county who wants to drink; will. They just go to a nearby county/city taking their potential revenue with them. It doesn't promote underage drinking. There are restrictions that come with the relevant ABC licenses and heavy fines associated with serving underage. The same cant be said for bootleggers. So if you oppose being wet for moral reasons, its really not making an impact.

It doesn't cause an increase in DUI related accidents. That's an argument unsupported by facts. Logic suggests residents in a dry county drive further to get a drink, therefore putting them on the road longer; increasing the chances of an accident. Furthermore drinking and driving are already illegal. So anyone making the conscious decision to break the law, it really has nothing to do with county/city lines.

Let's talk money. Restaurants are extremely hesitant to open in dry counties, and for good reason. Alcohol has a high profit margin. Probably the highest. If given the choice, why would a new restaurant open in a dry county? They wouldn't. Its why cities like Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Whitesburg all show some growth in the entertainment/restaurant sector; while dry counties/cities are stagnant.

Whitesburg is an excellent case study in favor of the wet vote, because it voted wet only a few years ago. Whitesburg voted "moist" in 2007 and wet in 2012. The direct financial impact is incredible. Speaking with Eleanor Caudill, who is the city ABC administrator, stated that going wet generates approximately $120,000 for the city. Per Kentucky law, these funds can be used ONLY to pay for administration and law enforcement. However this still clears up funds from the general budget to be used for other matters.

The indirect financial impact has been just as incredible. Whitesburg added two very busy restaurants/music venues. They've added an active farmers market, which I will discuss in a later post. These additions increase revenue, build a sense of community, and promote a "buy local" culture; which Ill also discuss later. All in all, it makes Whitesburg a place that people want to visit.

If going wet for a tiny town the size of Whitesburg makes $120,000 direct impact, think of what it could do for a dry county. Or the region as a whole.

One might ask: if nearby counties are wet, why should MY county be wet? Being wet is absolutely crucial for food/drink tourism that will focus on Appalachian moonshine distilleries, wineries, and craft beer. Ill outline all these later in more detail. For now, just know these businesses will work alongside adventure related excursions to create the "pull" that makes people want to visit. The more options, the greater the pull. Noone will drive to Eastern Kentucky to visit a lone restaurant.

If counties won't vote wet, then cities need to. If cities wont, then communities need to incorporate into new cities and vote wet. The importance of this issue truly cant be overstated. Without it, Eastern Kentucky's future looks extremely bleak.

Saving Eastern Kentucky......Part 2

If you read part 1 of my plan, you know I think Eastern Kentucky has a chance to successfully reboot using authentic Appalachian culture to develop a tasteful food/drink/nature based tourism destination. Part 1 was basically a big picture outline. Part 2 starts down the yellow brick road discussing the finer details and steps necessary to reach the end game.

The problem that needs immediate attention is infrastructure.

The road to revitalizing Eastern Kentucky begins with - roads. The roads aren't awful. This is probably to ease access to Lexington so Appalachians can spend hard earned money away from home. The need for the "buy local" concept is another issue Ill be addressing later.

Visitors/tourists MUST be able to easily access the area; especially from I64. To do this, roads need 4 lanes the entire way from Lexington to Eastern Kentucky. They're almost there now. Just not quite.

Secondly, cell/data service must improve. Cell service (which I also mean to include data service) in Eastern Kentucky is absolutely abysmal. I would call it garbage; but that would be offensive to garbage everywhere.

Its a struggle to consistently make calls, texts, or get data connection. This is true for either of the cell providers in the area. Even worse, cell service is most scarce along the Mountain Parkway. 

This is crucial, because its the route most tourists would use to access Eastern Kentucky. If there are federal subsidies, it certainly needs to be to improve cell service rather than to provide high(er) speed internet (a SOAR recommendation. As if internet doesn't exist in the area).

Next is the power/electricity reliability. Anyone who's ever lived in Eastern Kentucky knows the power goes out anytime there's even the slightest inclement weather. This is easily solved by burying the power lines. Burying the lines would ensure dependable service and reduce costs of paying linemen overtime to constantly make repairs.

The final point on infrastructure that needs attention is public sewer/water. This is an essential governmental service that must be in place in order to allow the smooth operation of restaurants and other tourism focused businesses. Thankfully this only needs intermediate attention because some cities do a good job. Even the cities that don't do a good job with water/sewer are getting better. One things certain: Eastern Kentucky has several lakes upon which to use as a water source. So this really shouldn't be an issue.

Next up.....legislative framework...

Saving Eastern Kentucky.....Part 1

There was quite a response to the recent New York Times article "What's the Matter With Eastern Kentucky". http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/whats-the-matter-with-eastern-kentucky.html?_r=0


The article focuses on many problems with Eastern Kentucky and why industrialization wont work. Its all pretty much true. But as the great John Wooden said, "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do". We know what wont work. Lets focus on what will.
When examining Eastern Kentucky the most important questions are: what does the region have? And what can it do?


First, what does Eastern Kentucky have? Eastern Kentucky has difficult, mountainous terrain. There isn't enough flat land available for industrialization or modernization, as noted by the New York Times. However the Times sees only half the picture.

Difficult, mountainous terrain makes Eastern Kentucky impossible to industrialize/modernize. Yet the same is also the region's greatest assets: incredible environmental scenery and wildlife. At every turn there are scenic mountains, lakes, trails and streams. Incredible hunting/wildlife consisting of elk, deer, turkey, etc. Terrific climate for certain kinds of agriculture that could provide small scale/locally sourced vegetables for local/regional restaurants. A perfect climate for growing industrial hemp.


Second, what can Eastern Kentuckians do? Sadly the days of backbreaking, yet well paying, labor in the coal mines are gone; likely never to return. Trust me, it hurts to say. As an attorney coal put a lot of money in my clients pockets; allowing them to pay my fees. Its loss financially hurts me as much as anyone. But we, as a region, need to plan as if coal is finished. Then if coal returns - it will be a HUGE bonus; not a life source the region NEEDS just to survive. Therefore "tunnel vision for coal" MUST stop if the area is to survive.


What are Appalachian people good at? Most people fail to realize Eastern Kentuckians possess several artisanal skills that currently in incredibly high demand both regionally, nationally, and globally. In fact, many of the artisans themselves are yet to realize their skills are in high demand. Also many in the region are exceptional artists and/or musicians.


There's small scale/locally sourced farming. Right now, the fastest growing movement in the restaurant industry is the "farm to table" concept. Eastern Kentuckians have been eating from farm to table for DECADES! Raising gardens and small/medium livestock are skills basically woven into the DNA of many Appalachian people.


Lets not forget moonshine/corn whiskey distillers, which is on the verge of experiencing the type of explosion enjoyed by Bourbon the last few years.

Eastern Kentucky is doomed in terms of industrialization? So what? The region is ripe for sustained, continual success in tourism and cultural export. Not the goofy go-cart, airbrush T-shirt driven tourism of Pigeon Forge (which admittedly, I love too). Instead upscale, rustic, nature driving tourism could quickly and easily begin to bring tourists into the area to spend their money with local merchants/artisans. What's more, the same merchants/artisans could easily export the "Appalachian culture" regionally, nationally, and globally.


In the coming weeks, I'll be writing in more specifics exactly how the region can create a sustainable economy based on tourism and culture. I invite you to follow my posts, and lets all try to reboot Eastern Kentucky together.