Free speech assaulted by Kentucky's attorney general

Free_Speech

Kentucky may possess the embarrassing distinction of being one of only eights states that has yet to enact charter school legislation, and of being sorrowfully behind neighboring Indiana and Tennessee when it comes to ensuring employees the right-to-work.

But we recently acquired yet another unenviable feather to place in our worn and tethered caps: apparently we're now known throughout the free market movement as sultans of censorship.

Just this week, the Institute for Justice (IJ) filed suit against Kentucky's attorney general for ordering John Rosemond, a licensed psychological associate and one of the longest-running advice columnists in the commonwealth, to cease publishing counsel in Bluegrass newspapers to struggling families -  or face fines and jail time. As the IJ notes, advice-gurus like Dear Abby and Dr. Phil were never faced with the use or threat of government violence for providing educated opinions to the downtrodden. So why is the commonwealth threatening Rosemond?

One answer could be found by "following the money." Also involved in the witch-hunt against John Rosemond is Kentucky's psychological licensing board, a group with government-granted powers to pick and choose who is allowed into the business of providing psychological advice. If someone like Rosemond finds a way around their state-enforced monopoly, just think of the money it'd cost this government-favored organization.

Coincidence?

We'll have more as this story of outright censorship develops.