KyKurmudgeon

Sunday's column:

This and that as my taste buds dream of the pork, mutton and fresh veggies at the Fancy Farm Picnic:

Although both houses of the General Assembly have departed Frankfort (temporarily, at least), the posturing over Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s failed special session continues.

It has changed forms, though. Instead of listening to bombastic floor speeches, we get to read letters.

First, House Speaker Jody Richards sent a missive to Fletcher and Senate President David Williams, inviting them to join him in traveling to St. Louis to meet with Peabody Energy CEO Gregory H. Boyce to discuss an incentive package for the development of alternative energy plants.

Williams responded with a letter questioning the need for such a trip and criticizing Richards and the House for failing to act on the package before gaveling out of the special session.

I also question the need for this trip, but not for the same reasons as Williams. My doubts stem from the appearance the trip would create.

When I think of the state’s three top political leaders seeking an audience with a CEO on the CEO’s turf to discuss what the state can do for his company, the image that comes to mind is one in which weak medieval rulers journey to the court of a powerful king to pay tribute.

Maybe that’s the norm in economic development these days, but it still doesn’t look good.

                                         * * *

Dr. James W. Holsinger may not have changed any senators’ minds with his testimony before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last week.

However, I’m going to take the former head of the University of Kentucky medical school at his word when he says a controversial paper on homosexuality he wrote in 1991 “doesn’t represent where I am today, who I am today.”

His refusal to bow to legislators who criticized a conference on lesbian health issues hosted by UK in 2002 helps me take him at his word.

Mostly, though, my willingess stems from the fact that public acceptance of homosexuals has grown in the last 16 years. We’re still far from the tolerant, inclusive society we should be. But the attitudes of many Americans have evolved, thanks to increased familiarity with our gay and lesbian friends, co-workers and family members.

So, until he proves otherwise, I’m willing to believe one of the attitudes that have changed belongs to Holsinger.

                                           * * *

I hope members of the Kentucky Board of Education bought lottery tickets Friday. It could have been the luckiest day of their lives.

Had Barbara Erwin taken the job of education commissioner and lived up to the negative reviews she received from folks at some of her other career stops, board members would have had a train wreck of their own making on their hands.

They should be thankful for the “do over” they received when she bailed — thankful enough to do a better job search this time.

                                          * * *

Yes, it’s a long haul from the eastern half of Kentucky to Fancy Farm, way out there just a hop, skip and jump from the Big Muddy.

Yes, the Western Kentucky Parkway at times can be a boring ride.

And yes, the heat index often hits triple digits on the first Saturday in August, reminding us all of what Noel Coward had to say about mad dogs and Englishmen.

But the folks of St. Jerome Catholic Church know how to throw what back in the day (my day, anyway) might have been called a political “be-in.”

Last year, some usual suspects — including a few media wiseguys — took a look at the list of politicos who chose to skip the 126th Fancy Farm Picnic and decided the long haul, the boring ride and the heat of dog days weren’t worth it.

Their loss.

They weren’t there when Secretary of State Trey Grayson “jumped off the high board” into the pool of gubernatorial ambition.

So what if he later climbed out of the deep end and ran for re-election? His fanciful leap is now part of Fancy Farm lore.

State Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton became part of that lore, too. Roller-blading to the picnic as part of Democrats’ “Bicycle Brigade” protest of high gas prices, Cherry took a head-over-heels tumble onto someone’s lawn.

Who will leave their mark on Fancy Farm’s colorful history this year?

Don’t wait to read or hear about it. Go. Pig out. Watch the show in person. Afterward, check out Paducah’s lively “Downtown After Dinner.”

It’s worth the trip.