Here we go again. It seems like every time the Kentucky General Assembly meets some pandering politician attempts to propel his or her own ambitions at the expense of the true Kentucky history.

This time, Representative Paul Bather, following the lead of racial agitators and the publicly stated hate resolutions of the NAACP, has introduced HJR 119 which calls for the removal of the statue of Jefferson Davis from the Capitol Rotunda.

As a former Kentuckian closely associated in the administration of one of the most courageous governors Kentucky ever had, Louie B. Nunn, I spent a lot of time working with legislators and the unique Capitol Rotunda was often the scene of meetings.

Kentucky has a unique distinction in that its Capitol Rotunda features the statues of native Kentuckians Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, facing each other. No state has this candid depiction of the leaders of the most discussed and perhaps important period in American history. The Rotunda is an American historic landmark because of the statuary.

We realize in this day of political correctness run amok, it is expedient for some to destroy or hide any particle of true American history to suit their own agenda. The Taliban in Afghanistan removed and destroyed monuments which they did not understand in their drive to revise and distort history. The Kentucky Taliban, represented by Mr. Bather in their attempt to censor Kentucky and American history to suit their racial divisiveness, is but a pitiful example of why we keep taking steps backward in genuine reconciliation.

Representative Bather needs to do some historical research when he prepares a bill for enactment. I don't advocate removing the statue of Abraham Lincoln. It is, however, obvious that Bather overlooks the real racist of the two presidents in the rotunda. There are hundreds of documented racist statements by Mr. Lincoln and none by Mr. Davis, unless his detractors equate support of the constitution and its amendments as racist sentiment.

It would be beneficial to see some of these racial profiteers be honest and admit it was Jefferson Davis who proposed Manumission, the gradual emancipation of all slaves, long before the war erupted. Where is there any mention of Jefferson Davis supporting the Confederate Constitution prohibiting the importation of slaves while the U. S. Constitution supported slave trade under the Lincoln administration? Why is it there is no recognition of the true emancipation enacted by the Confederacy when it provided freedom for black conscripts in the military? Has Mr. Bather ever read the Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation which emancipated no one?

Finally, what is Mr. Bather's response, or lack thereof, to the personal life of Mr. Davis who along with Mrs. Davis adopted a free black orphan boy named Jim Limber, who lived with his new family in the Confederate White House until he was captured with the family at Irwinville, Georgia?

Leave it alone, Mr. Bather. Abe and Jeff should be together for the sake of history and harmony. I can just see ole Jeff saying to ole Abe, "all we want is to be let alone" and I think Abe would nod in agreement.

Jeff Davis
Chairman, Georgia Heritage Coalition
Collateral descendant of President Davis