I think this might be the first Indiana GOP U.S. Senate primary attack ad.   John Hostettler goes after Dan Coats.

Now this is something you don’t hear about everyday.  Not one, but two incidents involving tasing, local law enforcement and pre-teens.

Two Martinsville police officers are on administrative leave for using a taser on an out-of-control 10-year old.  Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is defending an officer’s use of a taser to subdue an 11-year old.

The facts in both situations are pretty similar, police were called to a disturbance, they worked to subdue the kids, normal methods didn’t work, next thing you know, ZAP!

I’m not really sure where I come down on this one yet.  I believe that officers should respond with the force and methods necessary to get a situation under control,  however there is something to be said about the force necessary to subdue 10 and 11-year olds.

I think the bigger issue though is what is, or in this case, isn’t going on in the homes of these children that got them to this point in the first place.  Apparently no one ever put down any boundaries or told these children that there were consequences for their actions.

In the Martinsville case, the police had been called to the day care before regarding the child.  And in the Indianapolis case it looks like the child’s home was a magnet for police visits.

So with all that going on, is anyone surprised that the kids ended up getting tased?  The sad part if someone doesn’t intervene soon, when the kids get a little older and have a run-in with the law they may be on the receiving end of something a lot more serious than a taser.

On Thursday I’ll be moderating a debate for the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate at the Indiana War Memorial.  You can hear it live on WXNT-AM or www.wxnt.com.

The pre-debate show starts at 3 p.m. and the actual debate is from 4-5:30 p.m.  We’re soliciting questions from our radio audience and also doing the same with you?   So if you’ve got something you want to ask the candidates, feel to post it here.  I’ve got a nice selection to pick from, but it never hurts to add to it.

Looking forward to your input.

This question has nothing to do with politics or local government, but it does raise a question we have all faced at sometime.

I got a into a friendly debate with my lovely wife last night at dinner.

My parents were in town and they love buffet-style food.  I personally can’t stand it because it’s mass produced and that’s what they like.   At the end of dinner my wife told me to leave a tip.  I asked for what?  She said the server brought us our drinks and dinner rolls.   I told her what he brought us was bread and water which I can get in Turkish prison!

I have never been a big tipping fan and would just rather have the gratuity be included in the price of the meal and be done with it.   I left a tip because arguing with my wife and my mother would be a losing battle.

But it does raise a bigger question, who was right on this one?  It’s one thing to tip in a restaurant where they bring your food, but a buffet?  C’mon!

Your thoughts are more than welcome this weekend.

I’m in transit today, heading back to Indy from St. Louis.  No, I was not looking for another job!  However I did get a lot of calls because of yesterday’s April Fool’s Day post.

Since I’ll be on the road, I won’t be writing much of anything, so feel free to use this as an open forum to discuss whatever is on your minds.

Just play nice and root for Butler Saturday!

This is something that has been a long time coming and it’s finally here.  This is my last post for Indiana Barrister.  In fact, this is my last comment for a lot of things.  I’ve recently taken a position back home playing lawyer and political consultant for a firm back in Springfield, IL.

I can hear the champagne bottles opening right now at the Marion County Democratic Party headquarters.

I’ll be relocating immediately and my lovely wife will soon follow.  It’s been a blast doing this as well the television and radio.   I’ll miss most, but not all, of your comments.   I’ll also miss the occasional back and forth with my fellow bloggers, of course with me leaving their lives just got a lot easier.  I know it sucks for them to have me be right all the time.

I know there are some of you think I’ve just been a mouthpiece for the GOP or a flaming liberal dressed in conservative clothing.  I am what I am and I don’t apologize for it.  I always stayed true to my beliefs.  This has been a blast, but now it’s time to write a new chapter in the Abdul world.

April Fool.  Gotcha!!!

With the nice weather we had on Wednesday some friends and I decided to hang out downtown for drinks and getting caught up.  As we were sitting outside at a restaurant  on Washington street we were approached several times by people begging for money.  In addition, while walking over to meet my friends I had to deal with people sitting on the sidewalk, leaning against buildings and some even asleep on the street.

No offense, but I thought the Final Four was coming to town and the last thing Indianapolis needs is to have its dirty laundry just hanging out for everyone to see.  yes, I said dirty laundry.  When you have company come over don’t you pick up your trash or do you just leave a mess lying around?   The city should do the same.

As much as I find them annoying I can deal with panhandlers and beggars by telling them to get lost or playing with their heads and asking them for change.  But visitors shouldn’t have to deal with these people.  And we are not talking about the homeless.    Ask any expert and they will tell you that homelessness and panhandling are two different things.

The city needs to step up and get these nuisances and eye sores out of downtown.  I don’t care if they use spray or a hose, but these guys need to go and go now.

I owe my good friend and fellow political blogger Mike O’Brien an apology.  When he first wrote about the group Educators Against Mitch Daniels, I thought he was pulling an early April Fools Day prank, but they actually do exist on Facebook.

I visited the website and the last time there was that much whining going on there was brie and Camembert being served.  I have never seen so many people who get paid to work 180 days out of the year complain about their lot in life.

Here are some of the posts and comments from the page…

On most days I’m not a big fan of excessive government regulation, however this is one of those times when the regs don’t really bother me and in fact might actually do some good.

Under the new health care law restaurants with more than 20 chains must disclose the number of calories in the food they serve.  Now before some of you yell and scream that this totally smacks of of fascism and socialism, I ask you to take a deep breath and relax.

There is nothing wrong with giving consumers information so they can make more informed decisions and exercise a little personal responsibility.   I decided to get healthy this year and have dropped about 25 pounds since January.  And my long term goal is to get back to what I weighed when I graduated college which is 205.  I have about 12-15 pounds to go by May 23.  Having the calorie information in front of me makes a world of difference, primarily because I’m on the go and eat out a lot. For someone of my height, build and exercise activity I need about 2,300 calories a day.  And it’s amazing how that can add up real quick by 3 p.m.

Now I will gladly admit that when the federal government starts mandating certain foods have a certain amount of calories, we’ve got an issue.  But giving consumers information so they can make an informed choice is not some draconian measure.  It’s no different than having a bar put up a sign and let patrons know whether it is smoking or non-smoking and letting them make their own decision.

Now I have to work out.  Got a goal to reach by May!