more fun in the C-J on the library tax

More on the Louisville library tax proposal going down in flames on Tuesday...

The C-J editorialists were quite gracious in accepting such a profound defeat of something they held dear. But there were still some funny moments in today's C-J on that topic!

First, the political cartoon featured Steve Beshear's "landslide" victory over Ernie Fletcher. I wonder if we'll see a future cartoon featuring the library tax taking a beating?

Second, the editorialists took some odd, unnecessary, and condescending pokes at the less urbane parts of the city/county.

In 1991, the pro-tax campaign had clout and organization on its side, and outspent the opposition 130 to 1, but still won only 48 percent of the vote and lost 12 of 19 legislative districts, mainly in southern and far eastern areas.

This year's rejection was far more massive, with only 33 percent voting yes. Although the margins were especially huge in southwestern, southern and south-central parts of the county, the proposal lost big almost everywhere. In fact, opposition to this tax increase seemed to create a rare degree of local civic unity...

Why mention the geography at all? The good news of this is that, apparently, the wealthier parts of the county voted for the tax. So, they could most afford to voluntarily tax themselves and provide the services they so passionately desire.

Third, the editorialists drew some interesting inferences about the two key landslides on Election Night. In their comments on Beshear/Fletcher:

Mr. Beshear can also confidently argue that his victory represents overall comfort with his platform, including a proposal to allow a vote on whether to legalize casinos.

But...

The result [of the library referendum] was not, however, an endorsement of the alternative suggested by Councilman Hal Heiner, R-19th District, which hasn't been subjected to the kind of scrutiny that anti-tax voters and political opportunists gave the ballot proposal. Indeed, Tuesday's outcome wasn't a vote for anything.

Of course! How could draw any other inferences? ;-)

And finally, two amusing letters to the editor (funny for different reasons):

In Mary Meehan's letter entitled "Saying NO to knowledge" by the C-J, she wrote:

Burn books! This is what I heard the majority of voters say...We have said NO to knowledge.

And Norman Morton's letter was beautiful (given the C-J's use of testimonials to try to persuade the public to accept the tax increase):

I hope The Courier-Journal editors will continue to run the "What the Library Means to Me" testimonial series. There is a lot of work to be done getting the library's master plan going without tax increases. The public deserves a voice in support of that effort. Or was The C-J only interested in helping Mayor Abramson raise taxes?

Somehow, despite the challenge, I don't see the C-J doing that...