Archive for October, 2007

From the Indy Star this evening:

U.S. Rep. Julia Carson will not return to Congress as planned Thursday while she continues to recuperate from a leg infection.

Carson said in a statement Wednesday that she hoped to return to Washington by mid-December.

In a statement released by her office, Carson said: “If you are frustrated about this, imagine how I feel! In the meantime, I continue to work from home on the people’s business. Unfortunately, healing sometimes takes longer than anticipated, but I’m working hard to be able to travel back to Washington by mid-December. My goal, of course, is to be back much, much sooner.”

Frustrated?! Only frustrated the 7th Congressional isn’t being represented and that she’s still considered a congressperson. I wonder how she really feels. I know you can’t vote in Congress from a hospital bed in Indianapolis!

I admittedly do not believe in the paranormal or in creatures from outer space (unlike Democrats, or really in this case “Moonbats” presidential hopefuls Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson…there goes his VP slot), but in the “spirit” of the day (and yes, I know it’s off topic for our site) Politico.com is running a story about the spooks and specters that apparently haunt Capitol Hill and surrounding areas.

Here are a few examples.

• Abraham Lincoln, whose lanky spirit reportedly haunts more than one White House corner.

• John Quincy Adams, whose spirit is said to stalk the Capitol, where he spent the last 17 years of his life being a congressman — after being president.

• Adams’ granddaughter-in-law, Clover, who committed suicide in her home, now the location of the Hay-Adams Hotel on Lafayette Square.

• Two more spooky denizens of that square — Dolley Madison, widow of the fourth U.S. president, and the slain Philip Barton Key, whose father wrote the national anthem.

Read the whole story here. Consider this an open thread.

(hat tip - Frugal Hoosiers)

From the Fort Wayne News:

I conducted a post debate interview with Matt Kelty last night. A few minutes before the debate, Matt was asked by WANE TV to remove his United States label pin. They stated that in the debate rules, lapel pins for banned. Matt reached into his pocket and offered one for Tom Henry and they still said no.

It’s about showing patriotism. It wasn’t a Kelty for Mayor button or a GOP lapel pin, it was the flag of the United States of America.

Read the rest here.

Bart and the Democrats should know at least one thing; Never attack someone who has served their country in the military.

I guess they didn’t get that memo. Read Greg Ballard’s response to Bart inserting his foot into his mouth in his recent press release.

Greg Ballard, Republican candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis, commented today on Bart Peterson’s latest campaign television advertisement. Mr. Peterson’s commercial takes a negative tone and attacks Greg Ballard’s experience and ability to serve as the Mayor.Ballard said, “Yesterday was a sad day in Indianapolis politics.

To date the candidates for Mayor have engaged in a frank and open discussion of the problems facing Indianapolis without resorting to personal negative attacks.Mayor Peterson’s latest campaign ad is a turn in the wrong direction.

“The Mayor’s charge, using the words of the local newspaper, is that a twenty-three year career in the U.S. Marines Corps leaves you “inexperienced” and “unqualified” to serve as mayor.”Mr. Peterson’s ad demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the education and training men and women in the military receive,” said Ballard.

(Read the rest of Greg’s response below the fold) (more…)

Kudos to the Marion County Republicans for picking up this one: www.monroegray.com. When will elected officials (especially those in Marion County) learn to register their name as a web domain? Marion County Democrats really typify the animal that represents their party.

Is it just me or is Hollywood running out of ideas for movies? I mean I’m getting sick tired of the same old movie getting rehashed all the time for sequel after sequel. In Peterson Plan 3, we have the same old story; a local Real Estate magnate who is running for office, but this time, it’s for his third term. I know, I know, it’s the same old story….or is it?The first two chapters of this series were quite dull….right up until the end of the last one. Then things started getting interesting. Murder, conspiracy, and an explosion in crime were the names of the game. The first two were late spring/early summer releases that faired well for the (pro)(an)tagonist (the script really lets you decide). He almost seemed to come out smelling like roses.

But the producers, after bringing in tons of money with the first two releases had us believe that they would be finished with just two plans. But PP3, you can tell was made in haste…as if they didn’t think that it would be needed.

The early reviews are mixed:

“Voters should look at how well Peterson kept promises made in the first two volumes of the “Peterson Plan” before buying into the third edition.’ - Republicans

“In Peterson Plan II, he promised not to merge the police departments, and obviously he didn’t follow through on that. I just don’t think people will find Peterson Plan III credible,” - John Cochran (Ballard for Mayor Campaign Manager

“I think it’s a very mixed bag,” - Cathy Burton (Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations)

(Read more below the fold) (more…)

Sir Hailstone of the Digital Farmers blog took some time to sit down with Christine Scales, City-County Council Candidate for District 4 in Marion County. It has come to our attention that Christine was never interviewed by the Indianapolis Star before they endorsed her challenger. Check out her reaction below.

 

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From IndyStar:

All prayers, including those to Jesus, once again can be given from the podium of the Indiana House.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled today to overturn the decision of a U.S. district court judge who ruled that sectarian prayers could not be offered from the floor of the Indiana House.

The initial decision, rendered by U.S. District Judge David Hamilton in November 2005, ruled that opening prayers in the House could not mention Jesus nor endorse a particular religion. Then House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, appealed that decision and current Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, decided to continue it.

The lawsuit challenging the House prayers was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of four citizens.

In a 2-1 ruling today, the appeals court said those plaintiffs did not have the standing to sue because public tax dollars could not be linked to the practice of prayer.

Bauer applauded the decision this afternoon.

“While we do need more time with the Indiana Attorney General and the House staff counsel to examine all the ramifications of today’s decision, I am delighted that the court has left alone a tradition that has been a part of House proceedings for nearly 190 years,” Bauer said.

Source: IndyStar

PDF: Full Opinion

Oct. 26, 2007
The Indiana Tax Debate

By Craig Ladwig

OK. We’ve read the governor’s tax-reform proposal and we’re bracing ourselves for the counter proposals, which, apparently, will drone on until 2010 or beyond, through at least two general assemblies and a statewide election on a constitutional amendment.

So forgive us if we keep falling into a scene from “Brazil,” the classic dystopic comedy by Terry Gilliam:

“A receptionist is seen casually transcribing an off-screen conversation,” begins the Wikipedia review. “When interrupted by the main character, she tilts her headphones off of her ears, allowing us to hear the pained sounds of someone undergoing severe torture. After cheerfully addressing the main character, she continues to dutifully record the nearly unintelligible pleas and screams.”

(more…)

I apologize to our loyal readers who came by yesterday hoping to find something new to read or see.  But the Directors have been crazy busy with their real jobs.  I’m not sure what we’ll be able to get posted today, but for now, since there is so much going on (Governor’s Property Tax plan, Indy, Ft. Wayne, South Bend Mayoral Campaigns, Marion County GOP putting the heat on the City County Council for an investigation into Monroe Gray’s (lack of) Ethics, to the council folding and doing it) I’m going to leave the discussion up to you.

Consider this an open thread!

After the tax rally on Saturday, I was able to get a few moments with Greg Ballard. We talked about the poll results, the Governor’s property tax plan and what his plan was going into the final days of the campaign. Since I was short handed, his wonderful wife was kind enough to be our cameraman. You may see her from time to time in the background holding the camera since we recorded in front of a window. (Notice the siren from his speech makes a brief return)

YouTube Direct 

Thanks to Sir Hailstone for taking this footage.  We video taped the speech too, but he beat us to the production punch, so we’ll gladly use his footage.  Listen for the siren that I mentioned in my earlier post just below the debate recap.

YouTube Direct