Indiana

PLANS TO CHANGE AIRPORT NAME GROUNDED, FOR NOW

Posted on May 27, 2008
Plans to change the name of the Indianapolis International Airport have been grounded, for now.  A proposal to change add H. Weir Cook’s name to the Airport failed to garner a do-pass recommendation from the Council’s Rules Committee.  Cook was a World War I aviation hero, shooting down more than a half dozen German planes [...

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER 525,600 MINUTES

Posted on May 23, 2008
Today your favorite (fill-in-the-blank) turns another year older.  When someone asks my age I tell them “I’m old enough to know the difference between right and wrong and still young to act with occasional wildness abandonment.” I do find that as I get older, I find myself keeping a more even temper about things...

WELFARE IS NOT A RIGHT

Posted on May 22, 2008
I hate to sound like the bad guy here, but someone needs to tell people who get government assistance that it is not a right, but a privilege.  I cite the recent ACLU lawsuit against the Indiana Family Social Services Agency over the privatization of the agency...

SUPER CREDIT

Posted on May 20, 2008
There is a very good chance Indianapolis will be awarded the 2012 Super Bowl this afternoon in Atlanta.  Indy is competing with Houston and Phoenix.  I rule out Houston because the 2011 Super Bowl will be right outside Dallas.  And the Phoenix was a logistical disaster, ergo Indianapolis gets the bid...

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SUPER ANALYSIS

Posted on May 20, 2008
So why did Indianapolis get a Super Bowl this year as opposed to last?  Good question.  Fair question.  I asked Mayor Greg Ballard that this afternoon.  He gave three reasons. 1.  The city tied its legacy project to IPS and the new facility that will go up at Tech High School...

INDIANAPOLIS LANDS 2012 SUPER BOWL

Posted on May 20, 2008
The city of Indianapolis has landed the 2012 Super Bowl.  More details later.

COUNCIL STUFF

Posted on May 19, 2008
Although the city of Indianapolis is facing tens of millions in budget shortfalls, the Council overwhelmingly tonight approved spending $1.5 million for the arts. Councilors said the arts programs went to help youth and would in turn help lower crime and stimulate the economy, however critics said the city had to pay for other priorities...

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

Posted on May 19, 2008
A proposal that would change the way a new fire chief would be appointed to head the Indianapolis Fire Department is heading back to the drawing board. The proposal  has gone through a number of drafts and the Mayor’s Office and Fire Fighter’s Union can’t seem to get on the same page...

WHEN PLAYING THE RACE CARD, IT?S BEST TO DEAL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DECK

Posted on May 18, 2008
I understand the philosophy that “all is fair when it comes to love, war and politics” however, if you are going to try to play the game, at least do it with some modicum of sophistication. I am referring the whisper campaign being lodged against the Ballard Administration that it is full of racists...

BAGHDANIELS

Posted on May 17, 2008
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is on his way to meet with members of the Indiana National Guard in Iraq today.  Daniels is slated to meet with the 76th Infantry Brigade Team.

GOOD GOSSIP

Posted on May 16, 2008
I’ve picked up some good gossip lately.  Here it is.  Take it for what it’s worth. Is former Deputy Mayor and Marion County Prosecutor candidate Melina Kennedy gearing up for a Mayoral run in 2011?  Maybe.  Her old boss, Bart Peterson is having a party at the Broadmoor Country club and invited all of his old [...

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE GET DANIELS

Posted on May 15, 2008
Indiana Democrats say despite the divisive gubernatorial primary, they are united in their quest to win in November.   Nominee Jill Long Thompson stood with her fellow Democrats at the State Capitol saying they will work together to beat Mitch Daniels in November...

CALIFORNIA, HERE THEY COME

Posted on May 15, 2008
The California State Supreme Court ruled today that state laws banning same-sex marriage violate its Constitution.  Before you say the Court is ruled by judicial activists, please note it was a majority Republican-appointed Justices who made the decision...

THAT?S GOTTA HURT

Posted on May 14, 2008
The National GOP has got be sweating like a bunch girl scouts at R. Kelly’s house.  Republicans suffered a major defeat in a special election in Mississippi.  Democrat Travis Childers beat Republican incumbent 54-46.  The special election was to fill the seat of former Rep...

A FRIENDLY DISAGREEMENT

Posted on May 13, 2008
My good friend Thomas Cook over at Blue Indiana is taking issue with Governor Mitch Daniels’ latest ad.  In it, Daniels says he balanced the budget without raising taxes.  Cook argues Daniels did raise taxes in the form of the sales tax, cigarette tax and increases in property taxes...

COMING NOVEMBER 2008?

Posted on May 12, 2008
When I saw this Mitch Daniels campaign ad, I couldn’t help but think of a movie preview.  I guess the next question is would a second Daniels term be an  Iron Man or Speed Racer?

DANIELS ENDORSES COSTAS FOR AG

Posted on May 12, 2008
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels formally threw his support behind Valparasio Mayor Jon Costas for Attorney General.  In a letter dated May 11 to state Republicans Daniels called Costas a “proven vote-getter” and “progressive leader.” More importantly, Costas is not from Indianapolis like his opponent, Greg Zoeller...

POST-ELECTILE DISFUNCTION

Posted on May 11, 2008
I took a few days off after the primary to recharge the political batteries and it’s good to be back. A lot of us are still dissecting Tuesday’s primary results and what they mean in the grand scheme of things. Although many of my colleagues will say high voter turnout was a good thing in [...

THERE?S GOT TO BE A MORNING AFTER

Posted on May 07, 2008
Wow, that was fun.  It’s been a while since I’ve seen a political nail-biter.  Hillary got a slim victory over Barack 51-49 (White men saved her while Blacks kept Obama competitive).  It still wasn’t enough.  She needed a big win, but didn’t get it...

SCHELLINGER CONCEDES

Posted on May 07, 2008
Jill Long Thompson is the Democratic nominee for Governor.  Jim Schellinger called her in the last half hour to concede.  Now the fun can really begin.  Mitch Daniels v. Jill Long Thompson v.  Andy Horning.  Who wins?

IT AIN?T OVER TILL IT?S OVER

Posted on May 07, 2008
My sources tell me that Jim Schellinger isn’t ready to concede anything to Jill Long Thompson just yet.  The latest unofficial poll number show Thompson leading with 50.25 percent of the vote to Schellinger’s 49.75 percent.  However, Democratic sources say there are still provisional ballots that have yet to be counted as well as some uncounted [...

PRIMARY COLORS

Posted on May 06, 2008
Today is the primary.  You know what to do so go do it.  Here are my predictions about today’s outcome and the reasons behind them.   You’re welcome to add your own. Presidential - I say Barack by 2-3 points.  While Hillary leads in the Real Clear Average Poll and she has the mindles zombies participating in Operation [...

TWO HOURS AND COUNTING

Posted on May 06, 2008
Here’s the latest from the campaign trail. Turnout continues to be high amongst Democrat voters and low amongst Republicans.  Also, the word on the street is that the Barack Obama campaign is challenging some voters across the state.  One of the latest is in Franklin 13 at the Lutheran High School where 10 voters were challenged [...

FOR A FEW HOURS MORE

Posted on May 06, 2008
If you’re planning to vote after work today leave a little early.  Marion County Clerk Beth White said the voting has been pretty heavy this morning and will likely be so this afternoon.  White said the voting in some parts of the city has been heavier than it was in the 2004 general election...

WILL R?S GIVE D?S A WOODY?

Posted on May 06, 2008
I’m noticing a trend this morning, for what it’s worth.  Republicans who are crossing over and voting for Hillary Clinton are also voting for Jill Long Thompson and Woody Myers for Congress.   They say they are doing it to stick it to the Democratic establishment...

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BARACK

Posted on May 05, 2008
Every time I think I’ve had enough of this campaign, something comes along to make me laugh and keep it all in perspective.  Enjoy.

3 OUT OF 4 AIN?T BAD

Posted on May 05, 2008
In case you were wondering how much of a big deal this primary was going to be check out some of these facts from the Marion County Clerk’s Office. More than 7,900 absentee ballots were mailed out and more than 6,700 returned. That’s an 85-percent return rate...

LIVE FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IT?S SUNDAY NIGHT 8:15 UPDATE

Posted on May 04, 2008
Indiana Democrats’ favorite son is on stage now, Evan Bayh.  He got the best opening so far.  While speaking, he stressed a message of unity.  Bayh said although some in the audience have come to support either Hillary or Barack, either could do a better job George W...

LIVE FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IT?S SUNDAY NIGHT 7:15 UPDATE

Posted on May 04, 2008
Indiana Democrats just sat down to dinner.  Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Howard Dean are all up next in about an hour.

LIVE FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IT?S SUNDAY NIGHT 6:55 UPDATE

Posted on May 04, 2008
Jim Schellinger is up next. He’s being introduced by his wife Laura. Laura took a swipe at the incumbent saying that her husband “won’t ride around in an RV trying to look like one of us because he is one of us.” Schellinger seemed to get a larger round of applause and [...

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