Hoosier Life & Politics

Today is the day. My new friend Ryan McCann of the Indiana Family Institute challenged me to attend Love WON Out, the ex-gay reparative therapy conference, and I'm up and getting ready to go. Wish me luck. It looks like I'll know a few people after all! Indianapolis PFLAG will be protesting outside of the conference between 7:30am - 8:30am. While repressed queers from all over the state (and hundreds of churchies dedicated to saving those darn homosexuals too!) will be gathering at Traders Point Church in Whitestown today, the PFLAG folks will also be gathering the clans to protest peacefully at the opening and closing of the conference. Their message is simple and direct: "Love UNITES All." They'll even provide the protest sign for you! Talk about convenient. Unfortunately, due to the campaign, I can't attend all day as I'd planned. Instead, I'll be surfacing like a seal through an oil slick around noon or 12:30. Look for my take on the event later tonight or tomorrow. I'm taking my camera to make sure I get some pictures of the brave PFLAG moms too (I doubt they'll allow it inside the conference.) Wish me luck. Consider this your weekend open thread on ex-gays. Anyone want to bet on how many phone numbers I'll get slipped today? I'd say at least two...

The Indianapolis Business Journal calls the Guv's tax plan a good start but wants to wait and see what his bipartisan blue-ribbon commission has to say. "The business community is up in arms over its higher cap, which could end up being a mixed bag for economic development. On one hand, business would be vulnerable to contributing a larger proportion of local property tax revenue. On the other, the cap would establish a maximum property tax businesses could pay. There’s something to be said for that kind of predictability. "We'll have to be convinced that amending the caps into the state constitution, as the governor recommends, is in the best interests of the state. In the short run, however, property tax caps are good policy. And for local governments to live within the restrictions they dictate, local officials must be given every tool possible to cut the cost of government. "That's why we're eager to get a look at the recommendations of the bipartisan commission. Its report finally could push legislators to implement the kind of restructuring the state has long talked about but has repeatedly failed to deliver."We'll see how the Guv deals with the commission's recommendations. This, after all, is the group that he created to study the issue but whose ideas he overshadowed by releasing his own plan a few weeks ago. If past history is any indicator, His Mitchiness doesn't take kindly to constructive criticism.

Late money is better than no money, but it's always best to report it in a timely fashion: "The good news for Republican mayoral candidate Greg Ballard is that the state Republican Party has given him $30,000. "The bad news is that his campaign failed to file the campaign finance report by Thursday as required by law. "Candy Marendt, Ballard campaign treasurer, said that in the rush to get that and a $2,500 contribution Ballard received Tuesday in the bank, the campaign accidentally failed to follow its usual routine. "She filed the forms late Friday. Campaigns must report contributions of more than $1,000 within 48 hours of receipt. The fine: up to $50 for each late report. "Ballard also received an in-kind contribution of $25,000 from the state party. That was reported on time."Either way, maybe this will quell criticism from the fringe types that the state GOP doesn't care about their guy. That schtick was getting real old, real fast. In other news, just in case you've been living under a rock, the local mayoral race is likely to be a referendum on taxes between an experienced leader who's taken on several issues during tough times and a guy who's trying to fix a paper jam at the printer so he can finally get a copy of the city budget to review. Also from the Living Under A Rock Department, both parties are focused on winning a few Council seats in order to take/retain control of that legislative body.

As Bil posted yesterday, we're a finalist for the 2007 Weblog Award for the Best LGBT Blog category. This is pretty big for us! Now it's time to win this thing! You can vote for us here. You can vote daily up until the 8th, so bookmark that page and make sure you hit it every day! This is an award not just for Bil, Jerame, and myself, for for all of the contributors, readers, and commenters who help to make this site what it is. We've had a great year with relaunching and getting a gaggle of new contributors. Voting for us affirms all the hard work we've put into bringing you commentary and writing from some of the best writers and most opinionated advocates this side of the blogosphere. Vote daily by clicking here, then bookmark that page and vote daily. Thanks!

When I used to work for the Illinois House Republican Staff, I often interacted with state and local chambers of commerce. My father had been an active member of the local chamber of commerce when I was growing up. Generally speaking, I found myself more times than not in agreement with their views, such as smaller government, less regulation, lower taxes and economic development pursuits. I thought at one time that's what the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce represented as well, but not anymore. It's given more money to Mayor Peterson's re-election campaign than just about any of his contributors. The Chamber apparently thinks 19 tax increases and a 40% increase in the size of the city budget is good for business in Marion County. From what I see and hear, businesses are moving out of the county to the collar counties in search of something better. The zero job growth in Marion County is pretty good proof that the economic picture isn't looking good here.From PolisPolitics, we also learn that the Chamber thinks we ought to elect a Democratic-controlled council with Monroe Gray at the helm. Yep, you read that right. The Chamber endorsed Monroe Gray over real estate lawyer Kurt Webber. A career government worker who is ethically-challenged to say the least is a better choice than a bright and successful, self-employed businessman according to the Chamber. If the Chamber-endorsed candidates all win, Democrats will retain control of the council and actually extend its number from 15 to 16. PolisPolitics also points out a glaring error in the Chamber's endorsements. It endorsed all four Democratic at-large candidates plus Republican Kent Smith, even though only four at-large members will be elected.I don't have a membership in the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. Based upon their support of big-government, tax and spend Democrats, I can't see joining the group at any point in the future. And that's too bad because a Chamber of Commerce really should be on the side of small businesses.indiana politics gay GLBT law

Indicted Fort Wayne mayoral candidate Matt Kelty is really, really pissed off at the city he wants to lead. Look at all those negative headlines! Watch as Kelty walks with purpose and comes alarmingly close to the camera lens! Grrrrrrr! Mad! (Hat tip, Blue Indiana.)

The Pride of Indy Jazz Ensemble will continue its 2007 performance schedule with a night of entertainment at Talbott Street Nightclub on Thursday, November 29th at 8 PM.

Indiana Equality has released its 2006 "report to the community" on its activities, highlighting the protection of existing rights for LGBT Hoosiers during the 2006 session of the Indiana General Assembly. View the full report here. The mission of Indiana Equality is to secure basic human rights for Indiana 's LGBT citizens. Organized in 2003, Indiana Equality has two primary objectives - amending Indiana 's Civil Rights law to protect against discrimination based on either sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensuring that relationship protections for LGBT couples and families are not outlawed by an amendment to the State Constitution. The advocacy of the coalition, its allies and the community protected existing rights for LGBT Hoosiers during the 2006 General Assembly session, This included helping to force the withdraw of a legislative amendment that would have prohibited local governments from including human rights protections for LGBT persons, turning back proposed restrictions on adoption and foster care by LGBT families, and halting a proposal to study limitations on assisted reproduction. During the session and through the year, the coalition devoted countless hours and energy in preparation for the 2007 battle against the Marriage Discrimination Amendment, and to advance legislation regarding civil rights protections and hate crimes. A coalition of LGBT, allied and progressive organizations from around the Hoosier state, Indiana Equality is also working with civil rights groups, LGBT organizations, and other partners to form regional steering committees across Indiana , representing their community on the IE board of directors. Membership in the Indiana Equality coalition is open to any LGBT organization or LGBT-friendly statewide ally organization that accepts the IE Statement of Principals.

Coming soon! Be sure to check out our new website look! It launches tonight at midnight! Look for expanded capabilities and more interactive features. Be sure to join right away!

The Dems Fear Black Disillusionment -- Now?! In a New York Times article on the election, the headline Democrats Fear Disillusionment in Black Voters (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/us/politics/27race.html) left me cold. They reported that, of course, politicians who don’t normally darken the doorsteps of Black churches are flocking in (Virginia Dem, Jim Webb’s visited no less than 12 in his efforts to best George “I didn’t really say “Macaca” I meant “I’d like a taco” Allen). Still, they’re worried that Black voters won’t show up. So, the Season of Democratic Promises has begun. Just like the inattentive boyfriend who promises that things will be better next time, they promise more work...

Perhaps none more blatant As election day nears, the partisan desperation grows, and so smear campaigns have kicked into high gear. There are plenty of examples, but perhaps none more blatant (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061018/NEWS01/610180374) than the attack and destroy mentality on display in the Ohio race for governor . Republican candidate Ken Blackwell has been consistently lagging in the polls and apparently has decided the best way to raise his sinking ship is to fire all cannons at once and hope it lightens the boat enough to keep it afloat. Blackwell, however, is simply throwing garbage; his campaign has now sunk to new lows. Blackwell first...

That tired old chesnut For years, we’ve heard both major political parties accuse their opponents of wanting to raid the Social Security Trust Fund. How many times are they going to inflict us with this tired old chestnut? According to FactCheck.org (http://www.factcheck.org/article459.html), this has been going on since at least 1999. It’s always the same: a campaign lists a series of budget resolutions on which an incumbent voted and claims those votes supported using money from the Social Security Trust Funds. And, every time, these charges are proven to be false. Unfortunately, the parties wouldn’t keep dragging out this old favorite if they didn’t think it...

Tempting faith David Kuo’s new book, Tempting Faith, alleges that the White House cynically used its faith-based initiatives (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15228489)to win points with white conservative evangelicals and with black church leaders whose flocks usually vote Democratic. The faith-based initiatives sought to lower the church-state bar so congregations and small, religiously oriented service programs could receive federal funding. Kuo claims this strategy was riddled with political manipulation and he ought to know--he was special assistant to the President from 2001-2003 and the number two man in the Office of Faith-based Initiatives. Two quick confessions. First, I have not read the book yet, though I plan to soon....

AVA's first discussion forum Yesterday AVA ventured out into the daylight to host a public, face-to-face, conversation rather than an online one. (As in radio, there’s always that slight fear of people finding out what you really look like.) About 30 people came to the Sagamore Institute to discuss the difficulties involved in holding a civil, evidence-based political dialogue about such controversial topics as the recent detainee bill, immigration policy, and election reform. The conversation included several local opinion-makers. There were two city council members and two Indianapolis Star columnists, although in fairness I should add that one of those council members and one of those columnists...

The best (looking) candidate I think most people would agree that the attractive people among us have an easier time getting through life than those of us who are, shall we say, less well-put-together. Attractive people seem to have an advantage when it comes to gaining love partners, being treated well by salespeople, and advancing their careers. How influential is physical attractiveness when it comes to getting elected to public office? I came across an article on MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15256923/) the other day that suggests that a candidate’s perceived physical attractiveness has an impact upon his/her chances of winning. The article says: “The beauty gap between the parties,...

The art of going negative The Indianapolis Star's Dan Carpenter has an opinion piece (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061018/COLUMNISTS06/610180385/1002/OPINION) in today's paper that deals with negative ads and their effect on voters. He focuses on the Wisconsin 3rd district race between incumbent Rep Ron Kind and Republican challenger Paul Nelson. It would seem that Nelson has been taking a page from Vernon Robinson's book (http://www.valuesalliance.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=903&Itemid=86) of The Best Negative Ads Money Can Buy. In fact, the ad Carpenter mentions lists the same not-quite-truthful charges that Robinson brought against his opponent in North Carolina. Carpenter has a point too in that these negative ads that play to everyone's worst fears...

Tired of the sleazy campaign This article from the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/opinion/20fri2.html?ex=1162008000&en=819d608be898af83&ei=5070&emc=eta1) reiterates a common theme one hears over the cubical wall, in the coffee shop, and at the dinner table. More and more, Americans are tired of the sleazy campaign tactics being used in contemporary politics. In California, a letter has surfaced telling immigrants that if they vote they will be committing “a crime that can result in incarceration.” An ad misrepresenting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s politics is running in six states. A website, MuchasGraciasDebbie.com is also an offender. Too many people have too little time to sift through the muddled facts, innuendo, and flat-out lies...

Religion is a matter of personal conscience David Kuo, the former deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under Pres. George W. Bush, has created a stir (http://www.valuesalliance.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=914&Itemid=96) with the release of his new expose’, “Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction”. E. J. Dionne, Jr., argues in a recent column appearing in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/16/AR2006101601017.html?referrer=emailarticle) that Kuo’s stunning revelations of the rampant hypocrisy within the Bush Administration in using faith-based initiatives primarily to score political points with evangelical Christians, all the while privately disparaging them and their leaders, should cause a “quiet reappraisal by rank-and-file evangelicals of their approach to politics”....