Kentucky gov gets heat for criticizing cold-weather closures

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 10:34 am CST, Wednesday, January 30, 2019

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Republican governor is getting some heat for saying school districts are being too "soft" on kids when they cancel classes due to cold weather.

Many of Kentucky's schools closed Wednesday with forecasts predicting wind chills well below zero degrees (negative 17 Celsius).

Gov. Matt Bevin told WHAS radio on Tuesday that closing schools for cold weather "sends messages to our young people that if life is hard you can curl up in the fetal position somewhere."

Bevin added that he's "being only slightly facetious." He also said it is "better to err on the side of being safe.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Bevin-criticized-for-comments-on-school-13573482.php

[DirtEdonE]

1. Gov. Matt Bevin needs to worry about opioids more than cold weather

Bevins ignorance aside, the opioid epidemic is THE prime example of people curling up into the fetal position. Bevin is an example of a politician curling up into the fetal position when it comes time to face true problems.

[TheRealNorth]

2. Matt Bevin wouldn't last 30 minutes in MN

Having lived in either WI or MN my entire life, they probably wouldn't have closed schools at the temperatures they have in KY. It usually has to be something like -10 f (-30 f windchill) to close the schools. However, I don't know if everyone in KY is prepared for that level of cold weather.

[modrepub]

6. Actually Less Than 30 min

that what the local NWS is saying; The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

You Midwest types are CRA CRA: https://www.npr.org/2019/01/29/689760932/athletes-kick-off-ultramarathon-in-minnesota-despite-extreme-cold

Endurance runners, skiers and cyclists in Minnesota haven't let extreme cold get in the way of competing in the Arrowhead 135 ultramarathon. The race kicked off Monday in International Falls, Minn.

[BamaRefugee]

3. He "gets heat" while thousands of poverty level Kentucky kids DON'T HAVE ANY!

[Judi Lynn]

5. All that matters to Matt is that his driver has warmed the car before he drives him to "work." n/t

[Judi Lynn]

4. Al Roker calls Matt Bevin 'nitwit governor' after school closing comments

By WKYT News Staff | Posted: Wed 12:46 PM, Jan 30, 2019 | Updated: Wed 1:23 PM, Jan 30, 2019

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - NBC's Al Roker was highly critical of Kentucky governor Matt Bevin Wednesday morning after his comments on cold weather school closings.

The longtime Today forecaster finished his forecast on an MSNBC segment calling out Bevin for saying "we're getting soft" when it comes to school closings during a Tuesday radio interview.

"This nitwit governor in Kentucky saying these kids who are going to be in sub-zero wind chills...no! Cancel school," Roker said. "Adults, if they want to be out there, that's great. These are our children, you know. I'm glad you're not a teacher."

The Louisville Metro Police Department, in an apparent reference to Roker's comment, asked the public to not be a "nitwit" and bring pets inside because of the cold weather.

More:
https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Al-Roker-calls-Matt-Bevin-nitwit-governor-after-school-closing-comments-505087611.html

[Thekaspervote]

7. Yes school closings on severely cold days are for safety, also too costly to heat the bldgs

The governor should know that!