Kentucky political legend Gatewood Galbraith dies

Gatewood Galbraith - a perennial candidate for Kentucky governor and other elected offices - died of emphysema this morning at the age of 64.

Although my writings criticized Galbraith's later activities, I was once a big Galbraith booster, and he leaves behind a host of positive contributions. He helped out Lexington's homeless each Sunday, and his early stances almost certainly had a positive impact on a range of issues - which may well have saved many young lives.

For starts, I don't think The Last Word (our fanzine of freedom) would have even been possible without Galbraith's '91 campaign. If it wasn't for this endeavor, we never would have acquired enough audience to help close down an abusive cult, weaken corporate influence in our prison-like schools, or sabotage Bellevue's efforts to eliminate affordable housing. Gatewood Galbraith was an effective spokesman for his causes, and he inspired people to abandon failed convention.

Galbraith's untimely death closes a turbulent chapter in Kentucky politics. But I hope there's enough Kentuckians who are bold enough and inspired enough to continue the hard work.