I learned a long time ago from a very wise man that the only problem with playing games in politics is sometimes you come across people who can play better than you.   I strongly suggest the Indianapolis City-County Council keep that in mind as it navigates the waters of Public Safety Director Frank Straub’s “confirmation” […]

I was going to write something snarky about Monday night’s failed override of the smoking ban veto, but my parents told me to never speak ill of the dead, so I won’t.

Not that you needed me to write or tell you about this, but Indianapolis is officially a Super City.  City leaders and volunteers pulled off a pretty darn near perfect execution of Super Bowl 46 and hopefully by doing so, Indianapolis has clearly demonstrated it can compete and do just as well, if not better, […]

I hate to be the bad guy here, but I will likely get elected the head of the local chapter of the Aryan nation before Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard signs the smoking ban that was passed 19-9 by the City-Council Monday night. Three Republicans joined all 16 Democrats to pass the measure which bans smoking […]

Smoking bans will get taken up on both ends of  Market Street Monday.  The Indiana House of Representatives will vote on a proposal that would ban smoking in most public places except casinos and racinos, cigar bars, private clubs, and hookah bars.  It would also grant an 18-month exemption to bars and taverns in order […]

About this time of year I start doing my review of crime stats to see how the city of Indianapolis is doing.  Overall, crime was up in 2011, but less than 4%.  According to the preliminary data released by  Department of Public Safety, there were 44,693 incidents in 2011 as December 24.   That number was […]

To be honest, I am not a big fan of voter referenda.  I think when we elect people to make decisions, that’s what they should do.  Talk to voters, study the issues, make the decision and live with the consequences.  However, sometimes there are decisions so big, that you don’t want to jump off that […]

Today concludes our multi-part series on the issue of abandoned housing in Indianapolis.   This week we have looked at the debate surrounding the city’s proposed demolition of 2,000 abandoned properties this year.  Some local activists have complained saying the city should look at alternatives.  City officials say the properties are more than eye sores, but […]

Today is part three of  Indiana Barrister/IndyPolitics.Org’s multi-part series on the issue of abandoned housing in Indianapolis.  The city is using some of the proceeds from  the transfer of the water and waste water company to tear down more than 2,000 abandoned properties this year. Some local activists say the city should move more cautiously […]

It’s not everyday I attend anything held by the NAACP.  I am not a fan of their politics and I personally think they have gotten away from empowering African-Americans and towards promoting policies and programs that make Blacks more dependent on government.  With that said, I am not above accepting an invitation from a friend […]