FYI…
Theoretically, I’m on “vacation” this week, but I’m still blogging. Here are a few things that I’ve been noticing since I have time to sit around and almost do nothing…
Do You Trustee this Man?
- Have us media folks let Washington Township Trustee Frank Short off the hook? He’s the one who drafted the budget that included the 60-percent trustee raise for the Township Board and will be the one to sign and approve it.
Melina for Mayor
- There’s another sign Democrats are gearing up to try to run former Deputy Mayor Melina for Mayor in 2011. There was a big fundraiser on the Northeast side of town not too long ago and Kennedy was a reportedly helped raise quite a bit.
Second Time’s a Charm
- Marion County GOP Chairman Tom John intends to run for another term as County Chairman. No word yet on who might challenge him, but one name being surfaced is former IU law professor Henry Carlson.
Summers’ Time
- I’m also hearing that Democrat State Rep Vanessa Summers is running to chair in Indiana General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus. Righ now that job is being held by Vernon Smith of Gary. There is some talk that is the Marion County delegation attempting to flex it’s muscle. I’m not totally sold on that theory, yet.
Body and Soul
- Politico has an interesting story about the President elect and him hitting the gym instead of the pulpit. My belief, you can pray anywhere at anytime.
That’s all I’ve seen for now. I may post something tomorrow after waking up from my hangover. Enjoy.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:28 am
The only running Melina should be doing is the 800 meter. She is toast.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
No, Mr. Frank Short is not off the hook. Now he wants to build a fire station for the city. I have seen this in the paper 3 times. The rainy day fund of over 3.4 million dollars is funded by several receipt sources. This funding is not only from Washington Twp outside. It also includes receipts from Washington Twp inside. Construction of a fire station in NOT in the 2009 budget. The rainy day fund should be used to fund our current and future budgets without going back to the residents for more money. It is a surplus and should be used to benefit all of Washington Twp. Why does Mr. Short want to give away our earning power????
November 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
It took the Indpls. Star 5 days to pony up an eidtorial that appears in today’s paper, pg.A6.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20081125/OPINION08/811250318/1291/OPINION08
“Our position: Township government poses deeper problem than board.”
Using Washington Twp.behavior, they contrast the argument of twp.gov. closer to the people viewpoint with the Board ‘to be more like in-your-face’.
Also a great read on pg.B6: “Residents decry township board’s proposed pay hike”.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811240431
Penny Bigelow spearheads petition drive.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:40 am
It’s Karlson, and Democrats in Marion County would rejoice at his being named. A certifiable academic koot!
November 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Here’s something for Obama to contend with:
.
The Lakota Tribe has been busy since they backed away from all treaties with the US government and declared sovereignty. In a nutshell, they backed away based upon dismal failure by the US government to live up to various treaty obligations, and based upon the Lakota Indians having no credible motor to develop or maintain a viable economy under terms of their respective treaty agreements.
.
Yesterday, the Lakota Tribe introduced it’s new currency (0.999 silver coins) and made it available via the website of the Free Lakota Bank. The purchase volume yesterday exceeded Google’s ability to support the transactions.
.
So…. within our nation we currently have a sovereign tribal group who has recalimed their terrritory based upon numerous and repeated treaty violations. They have formed a government. They have begun to issue currency. And they legally control more than 1/2 of South Dakota, 2/3 of Nebraska, nearly 1/3 of Wyoming, and nearly 1/4 of both Montana and North Dakota.
Their bank website states the following:
.
“At the Free Lakota Bank, we issue, circulate and accept for deposit only AOCS-Approved silver and gold currencies. Silver & gold are a store of value, an equivalent of wealth produced. Paper is a mortgage on wealth that does not exist, backed by a gun aimed at those who are expected to produce it. Since we deal only in real money, we do not participate in any central bank looting schemes.
.
Money is made possible only by those who produce. Paper is not money, instead merely a promise to pay. We hope that some day the rest of the world will awaken from the American Dream: the dream that a person can sustain life by consuming more than producing. We call it the American Dream because you must be asleep to believe it. Well, that dream now has a silver lining; as people discover the dream is really a nightmare, the only solution is a return to value: value that comes from production and honest trade.”
.
Here’s the link:
http://press.freelakotabank.com/currencypromotion.php
November 25th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Shorebreak, that’s just some cranks. It isn’t the official Lakota leadership.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Varangianguard – I’m now hearing the same thing. Interesting. I’ll update when I found out the specifics.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Woody Myers will appear as a mayoral candidate for 2011 also. He is already lining up contributors and – honestly – has nothing else to do. The “deal” being worked on between MK and Andre Carson is for his early endorsement, which would affect Dr. Myers’ fundraising efforts.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
In playing catch-up on the WT board situation, after reading many blog postings, talking to several interested parties, watching television coverage, and in attending the most recent meeting, I heard nothing of a 2007 50% pay cut for the board. The board would do themselves and the taxpayers a great service in at least attempting to communicate “township government”, even if they consider use to dense to understand. We seem to have grasped the 60%+ raise pretty quickly, judging by turnout. We might have understood the raise in the context of cuts in 2007 if we knew before the Star’s coverage today. I’m with Melyssa that we should just rotationally, cooperatively volunteer instead of putting up with this. Say when.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
…consider us too dense…
November 25th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I’ve not met Professor Carlson, but everyone I know who has says he is a class act. They don’t share the same kind of accolades for the current party chair.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Shorebreak? May I publish on HFFT your words about the Lakota Indians. I briefly read about them yesterday, but your explanation, as usual, is just great. I didn’t realize they were selling silver coins. I’m going to order some.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Abdul…Max and I are coming to your cigar bar gathering on Saturday. I didn’t catch what time people are meeting, though.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Funny though that this Lakota bunch takes dollars for their silver coins. We’re supposed to want their precious metal and they want our ‘worthless’ just-a-promise-to-pay dollars? Doesn’t make sense.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
John, they can use those dollars in the here and now for all kinds of capital projects. However, those dollars are going to be more and more worthless as time goes on. I look for silver to go up 300% or more.
November 25th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I’ll gladly campaign for whoever decides to run against Tom John. Hopefully it will be a candidate who truly has the interest of the GOP at heart and who is willing to re-establish the party as a legitimate political party in Marion County. John has done nothing to strengthen the party either by recruiting good PC’s, WC’s or candidates for office.
November 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
No, we’re not letting Frank Short off the hook. His antics are pretty slick, though. Typical. Taxpayer is hilarious–a throwback t the township board chairman saying we taxpayers aren’t bright enough to understand how hard they work.
If Melina wants to run for Mayor, she’ll do fine. So would Woody. It’s early, but it could be a crowded field, and whatever you read her or elsewhere, Andre’s endorsement alone won’t clear any field.
Prof. Karlson is a certifiable loon. Melyssa, ask around…he’s only at IU because he’s got tenure. Spend ten minutes with him. You’ll see.
But hey, if the GOP wants to inflict even more damage on themselves, go for it. Karlson has almost no support among rank-and-file precinct folks. His daughter is pretty involved in the Washington township club, but that doens’t necessarily transfer to county chairmanship votes.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Melyssa – you’re 100% correct. Dollars can be used now to leverage an economy. But if the dollar fails, a currency comprised entirely of silver and gold will sustain.
.
Essentially, by trading for dollars the Lakota can use them to create critical infrastructure – something that they are desperately lacking. As their economy progresses, they can begin internal trade using the new currency. I’m certainly not an economist, but this isn’t even economics 101.
.
FYI, I’m working on something similar that may enable my community to subsist with NO currency for exchanges between participants. There’s no sale, so no taxes and no currency required. In a financial crunch, any participating family can at least sustain. it’s an evolving idea so that’s all I can disclose right now.
.
With regards to the Lakota Bank, please don’t quote me until I can determine the authenticity of the bank. I’m still waiting for a response regarding it’s legitimacy and it’s affiliation with the Republic of Lakota.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
If the name Russell Means rings a bell with anyone, he is one of the top leaders of this fantasy league “country”.
Fictional Entity
November 25th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Why should Barry continue to go to church? He already conned the American public and got elected. Mission accomplished!
November 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Can anyone name anything of value that Tom John brought to the Republican party?
.
I recall him walking into GOP HQ like a peacock 3 days before the election and ignoring the volunteers on the phones calling for Ballard.
.
I also recall that he was overheard stating within earshot of Ballard that he didn’t have a chance of winning and that he was really only concerned with council seats.
.
I like crazy people, not that the GOP is my party and have any say in what they do.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Russell Means rings a bell. Indian seperatist movement years ago. Wounded Knee “standoff” of sorts in in 60′s-70′s?
November 26th, 2008 at 9:24 am
The Free Lakota Bank is confirmed as not affiliated with the Republic of Lakota. It’s a scam. I received the following email yesterday:
.
Dear XXXXXX,
.
We have nothing to do with that bank. Thank you for asking.
.
David
.
.
.
As Russell Means often says “May the Great Mystery continue to guide
and protect the paths of you and your loved ones!”
.
David Adams
Director of Communications
info@republicoflakotah.ws
605-867-1111
.
.
Plain Text Attachment [ Scan and Save to Computer ]
.
.
.
On Nov 25, 2008, at 10:19 AM, XXXXXX wrote:
.
> Hello,
>
> I’m hearing reports that the Free Lakota Bank is not affiliated with
> the Republic of Lakota.
>
> Please post a clarification – it IS affiliated, or it IS NOT
> affiliated.
>
> Thank you.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:30 am
This one was right up there with the Black Helicopters from the get-go. Lakota Bank question, Shore: why do we even care? Just asking.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
In response to Melyssa’s 6:42 post, the same can be said of most Party Chairman. You can only judge them on their wins and losses. Tom John has overseen two election cycles. In one, his party won 4 of 5 countywide races and took back Mayors office and Council. In the Other, his party suffered due to the Obama tidal wave, although Mitch won Marion County. And as we found out, Obama had longer coattails than Mitch Daniels.
All things considered, that’s a decent record for an urban GOP Chair given a bad Republican environment the past two years.
Any one who understnds the Marion County GOP knows it has been a bifurcated, disorganized mess for years, but has the same problem as the Dems in that their people believe Township politics trumps everything else. We have seen Marion County Dems and Repulicans like Bill Crawford and Mike Young both work aainst their own parties to protect Carl Drummer on the left, and Decatur Township gov’t on the right.
Karlson, above all else, is a Township guy. if he runs, the GOP race is nothing more than a referendum on whether Township politics trumps the other stuff that really matters in the nation’s 12th largest city.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Melyssa – if you want something to post on HFFT, check your inbox :)
November 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
TA – like you, I highly doubt that there will be any significant results. But it’s not black helicopters. It’s happening. To claim it’s a conspiracy would be 100% correct – real individuals are conspiring to form their own government. But it’s not a theory. It’s fact.
.
My interest resides in understanding their greivances, determining if they are relevant, and following their progress – just in case. Again, I’m as skeptical as you are that it will amount to anything. But I’ll watch anyways. Who knows, something might happen.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I do not know much about Carlson but am willing to listen. Tom John is horrible. Remember the loyalty oaths? Then the 60-40 election? All the campaign workers complaining about his lack of leadership or vision on election day? He is offensive and change is needed in this office. What about mcgoff or brizzi, two good choices also. Integrity is what I am looking for.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I forgot about 100 other reasons but firing Dave Miller while he was building a house in a porr country was funny. And when he screwed up his own election and was not on ballot. on another note, melina kennedy would be great pick for us. She is extremely easy target with her background. The stories of how peterson left office and them destroying documents will resurface when the time is right.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Shorebreak, you’re wrong. The only thing that is going to create the “Republic of Lakotah” is if Ted Turner donates his Prairie Project to them when he dies.
Other than that, they are four out-of-touch activists who believe that by demanding the sky, they’ll be able to settle for the moon.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Varan just hit a home run. And it amazes me that anyone pays any attention to this kind of stuff at all.
Sue–hold those thoughts. And remember: Ballard is mayor because the Dems ran a lousy campaign and didn’t pay attention. No other reason. It’s still a 57-43 Dem city, at least…
If Melina is the chosen candidate, supposedly-shredded documents won’t matter. If the Dems are organized, they’ll win. It’s that simple.
They’ve got a logn way to go. But they can get there.
As for the GOP Chairman…we Dems think youall should let Tom John AND Karlson serve. Keep both of them around. They’re tremendously easily joke fodder for us. And ineffective as hell.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Dave Miller is exactly the type of person I am talking about putting Township politics abaove common sense. Miller worked against Ballard last year after Ballard announced he wanted Township government to go away. The Marion County GOP has too many Dave Millers and not enough Greg Ballards.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
“Ballard is mayor because the Dems ran a lousy campaign and didn’t pay attention”
Bull! It was because of Bart’s handling of his office and authority.
November 26th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’m amazed this is being rehashed a year later. The map shows it was districts like Washington Township that moved the votes for Ballard, despite the lackluster & reluctant bride called the Republican party. It was Monroe Gray, the behavior of the CCC, the property tax protests, the constant media harrange, and all the components of the perfect storm, not to mention the tireless shoe leather of Ballard himself.
November 26th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Due to the lack of support from Tom john and the GOP, Mayor Ballard barely had a campaign. Blaming Peterson’s loss on a poorly-run campaign is completely ignoring the facts surrounding the political climate at the time. What is the line you stole about facts and opinions?
November 26th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Myers would be great. He has very powerful business, public health and social services experience. Plus his I.Q is significantly higher than Mk (call be Sara).
November 27th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Rico–I stole the line, and I stand behind my earlier statement. Peterson would be mayor today if he’d run a better campaign, and if he’d thrown Monroe Gray over the side in August, when he should’ve. Cause everyone knows Monroe would’ve done the same lickety-split.
Just the facts, ‘mam.
Bart Peterson didn’t listen to the right folks–he was the victim of lousy advice…worse yet, he believed that advice.
MK, Sarah Palin–are you freaking kidding? What a hoot.
Sarah is the gift that keeps on giving (stupidity). Melina is a smart cookie. I’m not sure she’s mayoral material, but then, neither was Ballard, until he won.
Lots can happen in the next few months and years.
November 27th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Peterson was a lousy mayor, voted out by angry voters. It doesn’t surprise me you’re a fan, seeing how you prefer symbolism over substance.
By the way, Monroe won his election–another testament to the stupidity and ignorance of some voters in the 7th.
November 27th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Tom John wouldn’t even support Greg Ballard until the Indy Star poll. Then who was on stage after the election acting like him and the mayor elect were long lost friends. I thought I was going to puke. I keep hearing on the street the M.C.R.C.C. is going to back Brizzi for a primary run against Ballard. Anyone else hearing that?
Flipper
November 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Z4ever, you must be Tom John because that is the only one I know supporting him. The party was a mess when TJ took office and it is even more a mess now. We have a chairman who is openly hostile towards conservatives and party loyalists. His leadership style? The beatings will continue until morale improves…
November 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am
With a bunch of conservative Republicans that stayed home for McCain, what is the logic in the local party machine backing Brizzi, at least until Ballard sticks his foot in it big-time? If your argument is you need the greater $ that’s needed to defeat the resurgent Demos with a machine guy, Perhaps. Ideologically? On issues? How would Brizzi be a step-up? I like the non-political class guy, but respect “ground game” theory.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Z4ever…let’s be clear that it was NOT Tom John who was the reason that Ballard won the election and the council changed majority. Myself and a lot of other activists working long hours for no pay made that happen. And a lot of us happened to be Libertarians. If it was up to Tom John Ballard would have never won that election.
November 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I can tell you that Ballard might be persuaded not to seek another term and then…Brizzi steps in. Of Kennedy and Myers, Myers would be the better pick. Economics will be a big issue, so will crime. Myers is the guy to handle ecomomic issues. The Republicans will sink because of the rising homicide rates. Brizzi will appear to be an unindicted co-conspirator.
November 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Are you people all really so new to the game you don’t know about Henry Karlson??
There is no way the attorneys in this city would let him anywhere near the county GOP.
First of all, are you all unaware of what police officers in this city think of him?????????? Were none of you around when Henry Karlson became famous as the #1 defender of COP KILLER Fred Sanders?? Crash course: Henry Karlson is a 1.5 note guy: Issue #1: G-U-N-S. Which is fine, but his issue extends to believing Fred Sanders was justified in murdering a cop who came to his house on report of a dog disturbance, because Sanders was “defending his property”. I’m not saying right or wrong, I’m just saying ask around people.
His only other obsession is issue .5: Indiana’s obscenity law. He will talk to you for hours about the law making it a crime to be in public with “covered genitals” in a “discernibly turgid state” Ask him Melyssa. Seriously. That would be a fun conversation. He is very concerned that walking around with an erection – and I’m talking about with clothes on- remain a crime, punishable by criminal penalties.
Oh man.
November 29th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
The democratic party needs new blood. Melina and Woody are good people but they are fruits of the tree. It is time to endorse some new. Lets look for a good business person, teacher, etc that can bring life back to the democratic party.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Rico, Rico, Rico…one more time, s-l-o-w-l-y, so you can get it:
I do not prefer style over substance. Ever. It’s nice to have both in one package, which happens maybe once or twice in a lifetime, if we’re lucky. Get over it.
Monroe Gray’s re-election says nothing other than, his district is 64% Democratic. Just like a few others are overwhelmingly Republican.
We have our Monroe Gray and Olivers. You have your Susie Day and Bob Cockrums. Ignorance knows no political boundary.
Remember–a court drew those council lines.
And, regarding Prof. Karlson: bit has it exactly right. Ask around, Melyssa. Henry is a loon. First-class loon to boot.
The Fred Sanders case is a poor example to demonstrate that, but loons are loons. No way he gets five precinct votes in any sort of vote…it’ll never come to that.
I think you’re stuck with Tom John for the exact reason we were stuck with Mike OConnor for a long time–he was in the right place when your guy won.
These things tend to work out over the long haul.