NewsCovering Kentucky

Actions

Gov. Bevin Draws Criticism After Saying Schools Closing For Cold Make US ‘Soft’

Posted
and last updated

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Matt Bevin’s comment that schools calling off due to cold weather was a sign that Americans are “soft” took several hits Wednesday, including from “Today” show’s Al Roker.

Bevin — appearing Tuesday on WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners show — voiced his concerns about so many districts closing for the cold without any ice or snow.

In the interview, Bevin said Americans are getting “soft.”

He later said though he was being “slightly facetious” that it’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to school closings.

Roker said: “These are not hearty explorers, these are little kids,” who went on to urge people to ignore the governor’s take on cold weather cancellations.

However, Bevin also said it could set a bad example to young people, that when life gets hard, you can “curl up in the fetal position somewhere in a warm place and just wait until it stops being hard.”

Wednesday night, he tweeted at Al Roker, The Courier-Journal, and the Herald-Leader in response to the criticism. You can read those tweets below: