Indy Star Voter Guide
If you always wonder, when standing in the voting booth, how to pick candidates for the less well-known political offices, the Indy Star's interactive voter guide goes through each of the candidates, provides information about them, and lets you make selections and print out a cheat sheet to take to the voting booth with you. Very nice. I don't know...
Indiana
Back home again... [158 entries.]
Video Debunk: Kantor video about "Indiana" is faked
There's a video clip circulated by notorious nutjob Michelle Malkin making the rounds; it's of Democratic advisor Mickey Kantor, who is currently advising on the Clinton campaign. The scene is an edited clip from the 1993 movie "The War Room" about the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign. The movie followed Kantor, Stephanapoulos and Carville as they worked to get Clinton elected....
District 7 candidate Woody Myers threatens to sue blog
I've mentioned before that I'm voting for David Orentlicher in the primary as the Democratic candidate for Julia Carson's former seat in the U.S. Congress. The slated Democratic candidate and current office holder is André Carson (elected in March in a special election) but I'm just not convince that Carson has enough experience. David has been a State Representative for...
The New York Times comes to Kokomo
My family is originally from southeastern rural Iowa, and regardless of the small town life aspect, they're very well-educated and don't talk like hayseeds and goobers. Sit down and talk to them about the election and they have intelligent, thoughtful conversations about the issues. They have slightly different political agendas than those of us who live in cities, but rural...
Credibility
My post below about Butler student Evan Strange who asked Chelsea Clinton an inappropriate question spawned an interesting response. I received several emails from Butler student Lauren Laski defending her fellow student. I'm not going to go into detail of what they said, other than that Lauren really needs to take a logic course while she's there at Butler. But...
Moron Butler student insults Chelsea Clinton
Leave it to an idiot Hoosier to embarrass the state of Indiana now that we're in the national spotlight. I'm sure it's the first of many bonehead moves Hoosiers will make when they see television cameras. From the Chicago Tribune: INDIANAPOLIS - The college student who got a stinging brushback from Chelsea Clinton when he asked about the Monica Lewinsky...
March 11 District 7 Special Election
I've been saying I'm going to write about the March 11th special election, and I haven't forgotten that. I actually have had a REALLY long post written about it since Friday, but I've revised it 10 times and can't quite get out what I really want to say... so I'm starting over. Hopefully you've all figured out by now that...
So much to blog, so little time
I actually have things to write about lately, but haven't geared up to do it. Lets see, where were we when we last tuned in? Oh, yeah, I was probably playing Packrat. Well, the gloss has come off that Facebook game somewhat, as I got collected most of the cards I could get a hold of easily and was stuck...
HB 1197 - Data Breach Bill
A message from local blogger Chris Soghoian on legislation in the Indiana statehouse: 11 Indiana State Senators will be voting on an important data breach bill next Tuesday (the 12th). This bill (which I helped to draft with my local state representative) will shed a significant spotlight on companies who lose or misplace sensitive consumer financial and other personal information....
marriage discrimination attached to Gov's Property Tax Bill
Indiana Republican Foul play at work - because looked like SJR-7 the marriage discrimination bill that has failed to pass the Indiana House the last two years, might again fail, Representative Eric Turner, ranking Republican on the House Rules and Legislative Policy Committee, filed a amendment to House Joint Resolution No. 1 (HJR1) a proposed constitutional amendment concerning property taxes....
District 7 Special Election will be Tuesday, March 11th
From the Indy Star via Taking Down Words: Republican and Democratic state party officials have agreed on Tuesday, March 11 as the date for a special election to select Rep. Julia Carson's successor. State Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said Friday he and GOP Chairman Murray Clark had recommended the date to the governor's office. Gov. Mitch Daniels must set...
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette on the Marriage Discrimination Amendment
Courtesy of blueindiana.net, I enjoyed this editorial from the The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette on the plans to re-introduce SJR-7 - the marriage discrimination amendment - into the short legislative session this year (when, of course, there are much more pressing issues like property tax reform that need to be addressed.) There is no reason for it to pass this year...
Goodbye, Julia
I did indeed love you. Check out this wonderful video of Julia speaking at the Rosa Parks Memorial. Sparkling, funny and well-loved....
Rishawn Biddle Gets Fired
I've been trying to avoid writing about local politics of late, just because the bile and animosity therein was way to much to deal with given my increased workload at my place of employment, and because others do a much better job of saying what I would anyway. On occasion here, I've ranted about Indy Star editorialist Rishawn Biddle, who...
Bart Peterson's Letter to Marion County Property Tax Payers
Making the rounds via email: July 20, 2007 Dear Neighbors: We have taken the first important steps toward long-term property tax reform. The Governor’s order of a Marion County reassessment is welcome news to our friends and neighbors who have been shocked by the unacceptable tax bills issued this month. Thanks to the reassessment, Marion County tax bills will be...
4 Deaths from Rare Brain Disease in NE Indiana
A very disturbing Associated Press report about a rare set of deaths in the Fort Wayne area. FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A rare degenerative brain disorder was suspected in the deaths of four people in northeastern Indiana during the past five months, health officials said. Allen County Health Commissioner Deborah McMahan said the deaths were suspected to have been caused...
Crothersville Hate Crime Murderers May Get Off Easy
Advance Indiana continues to follow up on the story I noted earlier of the brutal hate crime beating murder of Aaron Hall in Crothersville, Indiana. Gary Welsh reports the criminals are being charged lightly given the bias and brutality of the crime, and may even get off with an outrageous manslaughter conviction. Read the details. Gary also notes that no...
Thoughts on the Jesus MCC Bilboard Campaign
Awhile back, I wrote about the second part of Jesus MCC's anti-discrimination campaign here in Indianapolis, involving six provocative billboards. At the time, I said "I like it!" without putting a whole lot of thought into the matter. Soon after that, I caught sight of one of the billboards, at 38th and College. I have to admit, it's pretty impressive...
Another Indiana Hate Crime Death
From WTHR, a story on a man who was beaten to death in Crothersville, Indiana because his attackers thought he was gay: Police found Aaron Hall's badly beaten body hidden inside a garage on Sunday. Charged in connection with the murder were 19-year-old Garrett Gray, 18-year-old Coleman King and 21-year-old Robert Hendricks. Police made the arrests after receiving a tip...
Indiana Intolerance - Day of Silence Leads to Anti-Gay Bomb Threats
I've mentioned an event the past couple of years - the "Day of Silence" is an annual, nationwide school event designed to bring attention to the bullying, harassment and violence directed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered kids in school settings. This years event was yesterday. In New Castle, Indiana, the event lead to bomb threats and other violent threats,...
Jesus MCC's New Campaign
The second part of Jesus MCC's anti-discrimination campaign is rolling out here in Indianapolis, and it involves six potentially provocative billboards like this one: I like it....
Regarding SJR-7
I just wanted to say that there are a lot of hard working people who were tireless in getting SJR-7 stopped in its tracks. I'm afraid to start naming them, because I'll manage to leave someone out - but every single person who was involved in the grassroots effort worked hard - much harder than I did - and I...
SJR-7 Language rejected as flawed by ultra-conservative Bork
Bilerico contributor Don Sherffick testified before the recent House Committee meeting on SJR-7, noting that the language for the flawed second paragraph of the bill originally came from an early draft of the Federal version of the amendment - a draft that was later re-written considerably. That revelation caused some comment and concern amongst committee members. And now Advance Indiana...
Statewide religious coalition speaks out against SJR-7
From iconindiana.org: Indianapolis – The Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination (ICON) today spoke out against Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR-7) in a letter to the Indiana General Assembly. The letter, which is signed by 130 Indiana clergy, leaders of faith communities, and other religious professionals, opens with, “Our backgrounds and those of the people we serve vary widely. Our views on...
Lilly Opposes SJR-7
As reported in the Indy Star (and by bilerico.com, Advance Indiana and Taking Down Words): Eli Lilly has joined several other large Indiana corporations (Cummins, Wellpoint, Dow AgroSciences) in opposing SJR-7, the Marriage Discrimination Amendment: "As a result of this uncertainty (over what the amendment's impact might be,)" Murphy wrote, "some employees may choose to leave Indiana to work in...
Indiana Newspapers Against SJR-7
I was in the middle of putting this post together when Bilerico beat me to it... Newspapers that have come out against the SJR-7 marriage discrimination amendment legislation: The Marion Chronicle-Tribune The Bedford Times-Mail The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette The Indianapolis Star The Bloomington Herald-Times The Evansville Courier & Press The South Bend Tribune...
Colts raise $20,000 for Anti-Gay Group
This is being discussed in the comments on my post on Tony Dungy - but it bears pulling up to it's own entry - at the Indiana Family Institute Dinner, the Colts sent merchandise to be donated off in an auction, which raised $20,000 for the organization to oppose gay rights and to support SJR-7. Seats for the event at...
House committee tables SJR-7 vote
According to Bil from Bilerico: The House Rules and Legislative Affairs committee listened to three hours of testimony regarding SJR-7, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. After several members of the committee commented that they'd like more time to review the testimony before voting on the matter, Chair Scott Pelath closed the hearing without holding...
Cummins plans to testify against proposed ban
From the Indianapolis Star: No private employers testified against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage when it was before the Senate, but that will change when discussion begins today in the House. Cummins Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso has sent a letter to House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, encouraging him to oppose the amendment. In...
I'll be burning my Colts gear
According to the Indianapolis Star: Colts coach Tony Dungy said he knows some people would prefer him to steer clear of the gay marriage debate, but he used a speech Tuesday night to clearly stake out his position. Dungy told more than 700 people at the Indiana Family Institute's banquet that he agrees with that organization's position supporting a constitutional...
House Joint Resolution 15 (HJR 15) Assigned to Committee
House Joint Resolution 15 (HJR 15), the legislation formerly known as SJR-7 and the marriage discrimination amendment, has been assigned to committee in the house. It's been placed in the House Rule and Legislative Procedures Committee. Please contact the members of this committee (information below) to oppose this legislation - for Democrats, remind them that putting this on the ballot...
Drive-by Posting and Current Events
Due to supervising all the work on my old house over the past few weeks, and the work on our current home (which is still ongoing. Sigh.), and a busy time at work, and preparation to go to SXSW, I'm guilty of quite a few "drive-by" posts: where I mention important things without enough context (or appropriate editing, grammar, spelling,...
Delicious Nut Sale (Spay-Neuter Serv.)
Several years ago, I posted a memo to my site that went around at work, because I thought it was really funny -- It was a fund-raising notice from Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana announcing their "Delicious Annual Nut Sale" to raise money for their programs. Yesterday, one of the folks from the organization found the post on my blog and...
Apparently, I'm Chopped Liver
Hmmmm - I guess my 20,000 visitors a day don't rate a mention on Indiana Equality's thank you letter for the Rally organizing... Many, many other businesses, organizations and bloggers contributed greatly to Monday's success by promoting participation in the rally. A big thanks to Advance Indiana; American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 62; American Values Alliance;...
Contacting Your Legislators about SJR-7
I've mentioned this several times, but it bears repeating. If you haven't contacted your legislators about SJR-7 (or even if you already have!), you can do so in a number of ways. Two sites have easy contact forms you can use, that look up your legislators for you based on the information you provide. You can use either or both...
Bias Crimes Legislation Pending Before Indiana House
Bias Crimes Legislation Pending Before Indiana House Make Your Voice Heard! Tell Your State Representative why Bias Crimes legislation is good for Indiana. House Bill 1459 (Bias Crimes) authored by State Representative Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis) will be considered by the full House of Representatives during the week of February 19th. HB 1459 amends Indiana's sentencing law to add the following...
Video from the Rally
Video of the Rally and Protest outside House Speaker Pat Bauer's office. Updated with a better copy of the video... The young man you see in the foreground here on the left is the fellow that Mark St. John grabbed by the arm and dragged out of the protest to argue about why the Democrats went into caucus during...
500 attend Rally, House Democrats Hide from Constitutents
About 500 people attended the Rally in the Indiana Statehouse, organized by Indiana Equality to address SJR-7, the amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and to support the hate crimes bill, which will include sexual orientation and gender identity. There were several speakers, including Candace Gingrich, lgbt civil rights activist and sister of Newt Gingrich. See all 52 of my...
Grassroots Organizing Against SJR-7
I attended a summit this evening of a bunch of different organizations and groups that are opposing SJR-7, along with a bunch of individuals - it was a group of around 30 people, all of whom are active in working on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered issues at one level or another in Indiana. The group was pulled together by...
Rally Reminder
Please don't forget there's a rally tomorrow against SJR-7 at the statehouse -- indoors, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the North Atrium of the Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St. (enter North Entrance, off Ohio Street). Candace Gingrich will speak at 1:40 PM. Many of you have President's Day off tomorrow - please attend the rally. You would not...
Comparing the Indiana Legislature to the 20's KKK is NOT Hyperbole
I'm sorry, RiShawn Biddle, but if you studied your history, like Chris Douglas and Gary Welsh have pointed out to you in several posts, you'd know better that to call it hyperbole. RiShawn is an editorialist for the Indianapolis Star, and posts to a "blog" on the newspaper's site -- which I still maintain is bizarre - if you write...
SJR-7 Will Eliminate Purdue's Health Care Benefits
As Gary Welsh rightly points out in a must-read article on SJR-7 and Purdue University's health care benefits, the infamous second paragraph of the proposed amendment will indeed eliminate health care benefits for unmarried partners that are currently used by 31 employees of the university. The question is raised in the Lafayette Journal and Courier - where the university employees...
Rally at the Statehouse - next Monday
The rally -- called the "Read the Fine Print" -- will feature Candace Gingrich, sister of Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich. WHAT: "Read the Fine Print!" Rally at the Statehouse WHEN: Monday, February 19, 2007 from 1:00 pm -- 2:30 pm (Presidents Day) WHERE: Indiana Statehouse, North Atrium, 200 W. Washington (Enter off Ohio Street)...
Right-wing lies about SJR-7
On the opinion page of today's Indy Star, Sheila Suess Kennedy, associate professor of law and public policy at the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indianapolis, (and one of my neighbors - she and her husband live a couple blocks away) comments on SJR-7, the amendment to ban equal marriage rights: It isn't just the hatefulness....
SJR7 Passes Senate
The bill to amend the Indiana Constitution to ban Marriage Equality passed the Senate today. As Gary Welsh notes on Advance Indiana, the right-wing hate battalion have managed to achieve something that even the KKK weren't able to do when they held total control of state government - disenfranchise an entire unfavored minority group. Here are the brave handful of...
SJR-7 Passes Senate
The controversial, discriminatory Senate Joint Resolution 7 - to amend the Indiana Constitution to bar equal marriage rights - had a second reading in the Senate today, and was passed by the Senate, much to the State's disgrace. Apparently an amendment to remove the highly ambigous second paragraph of the bill was voted down, even though a similar paragraph in...
Why don't you speak for yourself, John?
I'm going to emphasize my point at the very beginning of this post, rather than toward the end: If you don't want people to speak on your behalf -- to potentially agree to things you don't agree with, or to make decisions for you -- then you have to speak up yourself. If you don't do that, you bear at...
SJR-7 Update
SJR-7, the bill to amend the Indiana Constitution to prevent equal marriage rights for gay people, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today, and will soon be presented to the full Senate for voting - probably next week. That's pretty bad news, especially since two amendments to the legislation that were presented were struck down and it will...
My Testimony on SJR-7
The SJR-7 legislation to amend the Indiana constitution is going to be heard in committee tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. The committee will meet in the Senate Chambers - 3rd floor of the Indiana Statehouse (200 W. Washington Street in Indianapolis). Everyone is invited to attend - a good crowd against the legislation will make an impact, so if you...
Tony Dungy to Speak For Anti-Gay Hate Group
This is really disturbing - Colts coach Tony Dungy will be speaking at a dinner for the Indiana Family Institute, which is a right-wing hate group whose primary purpose is to promote hatred towards gay people. Make no mistake about what their goals really are - in the same way the the Irish Republican army has a legal, public face...
"What You People Should Do"
I'm shamelessly cribbing this post by Chris Douglas from bilerico.com, because it's so true and bears repeating in as many places as possible -- so hopefully people like RiShawn Biddle with see it. As long as we're contemplating the advice from the straight community about the strategy employed by various sectors of the gay community, I'll add my own beef....
Steph Mineart's Corollary to Godwin's Law
I've had an observation rolling around in my head for many years, but as far as I can tell, I haven't put written it on my site yet, although I know I've pointed it out in email on the gayindy mailing at various times. It popped back into my head as I was thinking about SJR-7 and the testimony that...
bilerico's new policy
I read with excitement this piece on Bilerico.com: Looking at last year's news cycle, one option had a high degree of success at influencing voters' behavior, setting back a large segment of the conservative movement, and generally providing a modicum of entertainment value for the masses. What was it? "Outing" the hypocrite. Think Ted Haggard or Mark Foley. I'm sick...
Rishawn Biddle and Questions on Hate Crimes
Over on the Expresso blog, Rishawn Biddle asks this question regarding the current hate crimes legislation in the house. 3.) Can the supporters of the hate crimes penalities proposed in House Bill 1459 muster up evidence that gays are being murdered or assaulted at any higher rate than the rest of the population? More importantly, doesn't the laws currently on...
Rally at the Indiana Statehouse to Oppose SJR-7
A while back, I wrote about SJR-7, the bill to amend the Indiana constitution to eliminate equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, and I urged people to contact the legislators responsible for this atrocious piece of legislation. Well, there's more you can do. Indiana Equality is organizing a rally at the State House to oppose this amendment, and to support...
Anti-Marriage Equality Amendment Introduced to Indiana Legislature
As Bilerico is reporting - the massively flawed legislation to put an anti-marriage equality amendment (banning civil marriage for same-sex partners) on the ballot for voting had been re-introduced to the legislature. Here's the proposed bill: DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL Definition of marriage. Provides that marriage in Indiana consists only of the union of one man and one woman. Provides...
House District 97 Vote Recounts
Taking Down Words gives a nice run-down of what's going on in my district with the "still-up-in-the-air-due-to-polling-screw-ups" race between Mahern and Elrod, who are just 65 votes apart. Seems that the touch-screen voting stations available at each of the polling places weren't counted, and the state has just now decided to turn them on and get the votes from them....
Four Indianapolis Races Affected by Missing Votes
According to the Indianapolis Star: Sadler said vote tally cards from 66 precints remain out or have been misplaced with other election material. Election workers are searching for those documents this morning. She said the initial emphasis is on the 27 precincts that are involved in the four tight races. Sadler said that voting machines that had to be disabled...
Drinking Liberally Election Night Party
Drinking Liberally Election Night Party Election Night -- Tuesday, 11/7 6pm-whenever Spencer's Stadium Tavern 802 S. West St (SW Corner of West & McCarty) Drinking Liberally Indianapolis is having a special "Election Night" edition of their regular weekly gathering (usually held on Thursday nights, but switched to Tuesday this week for the election.) I haven't had a chance to attend...
Indy Star survey on Marriage Equality
The Indy Star has an online poll on it's front page, asking: Should the Indiana General Assembly amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriages? Please go vote NO on the poll....
Local progressive websites I added to my newsreader
A couple of local progressive websites I discovered through actblue.com, the online donation clearinghouse for democratic candidates. I added them to my feedreader under politics. http://www.indianaprogressives.com/ http://indyfordemocracy.com/...
A Commonplacebook Candidate Endorsements
These are Marion County, Indiana Democratic candidates who have shown strong stances and leadership on progressive issues including improving education, finding health care solutions for all Hoosiers, property tax reform and equality for GLBT citizens. I've personally shaken hands with all of these candidates at one time or another and discussed issues with them. I met with Russel Brown, Dr....
Blogger Forum with Progressive Candidates
I attended a blogger forum at lunch to day, where three local progressive candidates for office met with local bloggers to answer questions and talk about their political issues and campaigns. The candidates were: Russell Brown ( Democratic candidate, Senate District 31) Dr. David Orentlicher (Democratic Representative, House District 86) John Barnes (Democratic candidate, House District 89) And the other...
Eric Dickerson's not just slinging Mud
Indy Star Matt Tully's analysis of the recent polling in the Carson/Dickerson battle for made my jaw drop in shock: No mudslinging: Carson took hard personal shots at Dickerson last month, but the Republican remained positive. He knows there is nothing to gain by trading potshots and respectfully argues that Carson's time as an effective politician has simply passed. WHAT?...
Books I've read Recently
Garden Accents: Simple-To-Build Projects to Enhance Your Yard or Garden (How-to Gardening) Quite a few interesting building projects for hardscaping your garden. I read this over while drawing up plans for our flowerbeds. Pit of Vipers (Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective) #18 by Carolyn Keene There are 21 books out now in this all new series of Nancy Drew...
People You Meet While Gardening
I met two interesting people this weekend while planting bulbs in my front yard. One of the is our neighbor, Craig, who owns the house to the north of us, and is moving back in. He's not new to our neighborhood -- his family has owned the house for decades -- but he's just now returning because he's been in...
Friends of Tom Delay plan attack ads on behalf of Indiana's Chris Chocola
Associates of disgraced former house majority leader Tom Delay are funding attack ads under the name "Americans for Honesty" for nine Republican congressional candidates in embattled districts, including on behalf of Representative Chris Chocola of Indiana, according to the New York Times. A previously unknown group led by a Republican political consultant in Houston is financing television advertisements against nine...
Oh my god, Did Bauer just throw us under the bus?
Thanks to Bil for pointing out this jaw-dropping statement from Indiana Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend: "I just think that the only way for (Republicans) not to (continue to) demagogue it is to have a redundancy. It's too bad it has to go in the constitution, but so be it," Bauer said. "It's not worth the time, the trouble,...
Susan Fuldauer Fundraiser
We are strapped for cash and time, so we can't go to this, but I wanted to be sure to pass it along because it's an EXCELLENT cause... Get tickets to this event to raise money for Susan Fuldauer. You will get food, drink, comedy and the pleasure that your donation is going toward removing Bosma from office. Life doesn't...
Hey, I got called the D-Word
No, no, not "difficult." The other D-Word. The one that's the equivalent of the N-word. You know... the one that if you had the balls to say it to my face, you'd be riding to the hospital in an ambulance. Yeah. THAT D-word. And who busted out this lovely phrase? Only our Indianapolis' Finest -- our esteemed law enforcement officers...
The "dangerous" gay community
From today's Indianapolis Star: But lawmakers and judges are a different matter. Legislators have been carrying guns into the Capitol for years, exercising what they say is their Second Amendment right to bear arms. Twenty-five of Indiana's 150 senators and representatives had permits to carry concealed weapons in 2003, according to a study published by The Journal Gazette of Fort...
Indy Undercover
I mentioned Indy Undercover on IndyScribe, but I've now read several of the posts, and want to comment here on it separately. Indy Undercover a site about law enforcement issues in Indianapolis, purportedly written by an law enforcement officer. It's getting lots of traffic and comments from other people who claim to be law enforcement officers in the city, and...
Make Sure You're Registered to Vote!
In all the recent hullabaloo surrounding the GOP purging voter rolls in Indiana, it turns out that although I returned my postcard with my corrected new address on it promptly, my voter registration was not updated. I talked to at least one other person who discovered that they are no longer registered to vote either after calling the Marion County...
More Gatsby
“Self-control!” Repeated Tom incredulously. “I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that’s the idea you can count me out. . . . Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they’ll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black...
Local News and Online Reporting
WTHR has this story on their website: Study: Omega 3 can save lives Experts say beefing up intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can save lives more than AED's and implanted defibrillators. Omega 3 is found in foods like fish and nuts, and some experts believe they can lower the risk for heart attack because of their ability to reduce...
How To Identify Where A Driver Is From
1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: CHICAGO 2. One hand on wheel, one finger out window: NEW YORK 3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across all lanes of traffic: NEW JERSEY 4. One hand on wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator: BOSTON 5. One hand on wheel, one hand on...
Daily Show: Terror Threat #1...Indiana!
Here's a show for all you guys who think we're in such terrible danger -- a little examination of all the terrorist targets in the state of Indiana, as reported by our crack team of Department of Homeland Security staffers. Gotta protect those pie-giving angels of Indiana!...
Welcome to the party, kids.
According to WISH-TV: House Republicans want Indiana to lead the way in alternative fuels INDIANAPOLIS House Republicans announced a plan today they say will help Indiana lead the way in alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. House Republican challengers and incumbents met this morning near the Indiana State Fairgrounds to release their plan for energy. Their proposal would give...
AFA Sues Michigan State To Block Same-Sex Benefits
Advance Indiana comments on a recently announce lawsuit from the American Family Association -- suing to block same-sex couples from receiving university health care benefits on the basis of Michigan's ban on same-sex marriages. I'm blogging this specifically for my mom and other family members -- THIS IS THE REASON THESE BANS ARE SO DANGEROUS. Because they aren't just after...
Drinking Liberally: Indianapolis
Great idea -- Drinking Liberally: "An informal, inclusive progressive drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade...
RiShawn Biddle Doesn't Know Anything About Blogs
I participated in a panel of bloggers this morning, addressing the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America, Hoosier Chapter) to talk about local blogs with public relations people. Here are my fellow panelists: RiShawn Biddle, Editorial Writer, The IndyStar, and Expresso blog Jennifer Wagner, Taking Down Words blog Gary Welsh, Advance Indiana blog Matt Tully, political news writer, and IndyStar...
Progressive Candidates you might consider
Below are candidates that have been supportive of GLBT issues and strong on progressive issues in the past. Please consider voting for them tomorrow when you go to the polls for the primaries. Marion County Superior Court Judge Karen Celestino Horseman "Every so often an elected official will go to extraordinary lengths to improve the lives of those around them....
Indiana's Billionaires
According to Forbes Magazine, Indiana is home to three billionaires. William Cook #170 73 , self made Source: medical devices Net Worth: $3.2 bil - Country of citizenship: United States Residence: Bloomington, IN, United States Industry: Health Care Marital Status: married , 1 child Northwestern University, Bachelor of Arts / Science Melvin Simon #355 78 , self made Source: real...
Daylight Savings Time and Cable
I noticed with some grumpiness this morning that although my digital cable had adjusted correctly to the new daylight savings time, my DVR settings did not, so my show recordings are all off by an hour -- instead of recording Desperate Housewives, then Gray's Anatomy, my DVR recorded Gray's Anatomy and the evening news instead. Combined with the general wonkiness...
How to Evaluate Candidate's Stands on the issues
On Bilerico, Sheila Kennedy provides a great checklist of things to think about when candidates start talking about their pet issue this campaign season. Read the whole post (it's great!) but here are the highlights: when Congressional candidate A unveils his "Major Initiative to Solve the Boll Weevil Problem," I suggest the following four questions to help you evaluate the...
You Know You're From Indiana When...
This page gets name-checked in a YouTube video critique of the list, from nthecgirl88. You've never met any celebrities. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway. "Vacation" means driving through Amish Country or going to the State Fair. You've seen all the biggest bands ten years after they were popular....
e-mail - a tool for good, and for evil
Every once it a while, you get an e-mail that's so shocking that it could either destroy your soul, or make you a completely better person. Recently I got blind carbon-copied on an exchange a friend of mine had with "respected activist" Marla Randolph Stevens, a former resident of Indiana and former "political activist" here in the state. If you...
Advance Indiana, Carson's Challenger, and Ted Fleischaker
Julia Carson is facing a democratic challenger to her office -- a gay man, Kris Kiser, with very little political experience. Much of the GLBT community supports Carson, who has been a friend of ours politically and gone to bat on gay issues with no hesitancy whatsoever. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) both support Carson over...
Kids suspended for massive food fight
I love kids, and this is why. Rock on, kids. Associated Press, CHESTERTON, Ind. — A massive middle school food fight left several students suspended and the eighth-grade class footing the cleaning bill that included the cost of scraping mashed potatoes off the ceiling. Last week’s fight at Chesterton Middle School left ceiling tiles damaged and could cost the students...
Giant Cross in Terre Haute
The Cross Tabernacle Church has erected a nearly 50 cross near U.S. 41 outside Terre Haute. If I'm not mistaken, there are a number of giant things in that area that we're planning to photograph on a weekend roadtrip already, so we'll probably grab a picture of it, too....
Political Sites I Like
If you're looking for intelligent stuff about Indiana politics, these guys are great: http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/ http://www.masson.us/blog/ http://www.takingdownwords.com/taking_down_words/ And on a national level: http://www.democraticunderground.com/ http://www.goodasyou.org/ http://americablog.blogspot.com/ http://www.biggaypicture.com/ http://atrios.blogspot.com/...
Photos of the Rally at the Statehouse
Marti has photos of yesterday's Rally at the statehouse, from beginning to end. There's apparently some question of the number of attendees. Fortunately, I know how to count, so I think we can solve the mystery....
When you pay attention to work, you miss all the good stuff
For the past couple days, StAllio! has been covering a fun controversy brewing in Indiana politics concerning the "Bloody 8th" congressional district race between Republican incumbent and right-wing loony John Hostetler, and his hottie Democrat opponent, Sheriff Brad Ellsworth. Ellsworth's daughter is an IU student, and happened to have a facebook page where she's alleged to have had pictures of...
IU Student Republicans are having a party
and you're invited! If you follow the rules, that is. Taking Down Words reprints a party invitation sent out