HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Now enjoy the sweet sounds of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians with Auld Lang Syne!

Politico Lists Top 10 Weirdest Political Moments of 2009

Politico writer Alexander Burns compiled the top ten weirdest political moments of 2009. If you wish to see the article, find it here. What do you think? The article doesn't list numbers, but I'll go in reverse order from the article for fun.

10. Conservative Congressional candidate Doug Hoffman says ACORN stole the 2008 Presidential Election
9. The Battle for the soul of the GOP between Chairman Michael Steele and talk show host Rush Limbaugh (who was hospitalized for chest pains in Hawai'i. Best wishes to El Rushbo).
8. Al Sharpton, Michael Bloomberg, and Newt Gingrich team up for education reform.
7. Tom DeLay on ABC's Dancing With the Stars
6. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's extracurricular affairs
5. The White House Beer Summit
4. Disgraced and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's wife Patti goes on reality TV.
3. Sheila Jackson-Lee invokes the U.S. Constitution at Michael Jackson's funeral.
2. Sarah Palin abruptly resigns as Governor of Alaska.
1. Oathgate...Chief Justice John Roberts flubs the Presidential Oath of Office, and Obama follows suit forcing him to, just-in-case, take the oath again later.

The Decade in Seven Minutes

As we get set to enter 2010, Newsweek does a spectacular job going over the biggest stories of the first decade of the 21st Century in just seven minutes (even though the decade doesn't technically end until next year).

Mayor Ballard Will Have to Be Wizard To Balance Future Budget

A stop by Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes' website shows the scary reality for this city's future services. Residential property assessments are down countywide. That means that there is going to be less money for city and county services in the future than there is now. With the new one percent caps that will likely be eventually placed in the state's Constitution, the mechanism to raise property taxes above that level will now be gone. Finally, the state revenue forecast continues to be short of where it is supposed to be. What does all that mean?

Mayor Greg Ballard will have to get out his Harry Potter magic wand and conjure up a spell to balance future city and county budgets. You can already see that the Mayor is hiking business fees and is raising other potential revenue generating sources. He's finding out that governing a city this big is not easy especially when he was elected on a platform of not asking for more money.





This revenue issue is not his fault. It's just reality of where we stand, but it really underlines the fact that saying stuff that sounds popular to win elections sometimes comes back to bite you in the rump. Sometimes things that sound good to get you elected don't quite pan out. They also tend to turn into campaign ads for your opposition.

I, for one, hope to the heavens that Mayor Ballard is up to the task to deal with this perfect storm of revenue flow problems, but I fear that he is not. Looks like it's time for a change in 2011. Had enough?

Never A Year Like '09...JibJab Looks Back

The JibJab folks take a look back at 2009. Some of this is on the line, but I think it's pretty much safe for work.

Councillor Coleman Wants Fans To Override Coaches In Colts Saga

The Indianapolis Star had a piece this morning about how former City-County Council Dictator...er...President Beurt SerVass is advocating a resolution to endorse the Indianapolis Colts refunding the money for the tickets bought by Colts fans to Sunday's Jets game.

Apparently, there are no takers that wish to pick this one up so far on the Council. That didn't stop the party-proclaimed highest-ranking Libertarian officeholder from saying something moderately stupid about the situation. Councillor Ed Coleman, who might or might not have been wearing blue face paint when he was interviewed by Star writer Francesca Jarosz, said,

"Coaches basically didn't care what the fans wanted; they did what they wanted. It's a load of garbage that they did that," said Coleman, who included himself among the disappointed fans. "(But) I can see the business side of it, whether I like it or not."

Does that mean that fans should now get a say in game planning? Perhaps they should have a keypad at each seat that lets them vote on plays now? What about the next fourth and short decision? Do we draw straws to see which lucky fan gets to be today's defensive coordinator?

Good one, Councillor Coleman, the same man who once said Congressman Carson wasn't "the sharpest tool in the shed." Coleman apparently is not planning to sponsor the resolution, but he would apparently vote for it.

As for incoming Council President Ryan Vaughn, he wisely steered clear of any Council action telling Jarosz that the Council had "better things to do" than to take up the issue.

Personal Prerogative: How Colts Fans Found the Deep End and Leaped Off It

Former Jets and Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards famously had a press conference meltdown where he exclaimed, "You play to win the game!"



It's a novel concept. Playing to win the game. The Indianapolis Colts honestly took a brief hiatus from playing to win the game on Sunday and detoured into playing not to lose a potential shot at a championship. Against Edwards' former team, the New York Jets, and up 15-10, Colts coach Jim Caldwell benched Peyton Manning and most of the rest of the starting lineup. The Jets scored 19 straight points and went on to a 29-15 win over Indy ending the Colts hopes for an undefeated season.

After the game, Colts Vice President Bill Polian told reporters that an undefeated season never actually entered the discussion at the beginning of the year, and I honestly believe he is right. We can sit here and debate the wisdom of the move by the Colts or not, but I could hardly stomach what happened as the Colts bandwagon of fans quickly lost its wheels and fans got nasty.

As I listened to the radio yesterday to both sports and news call-in shows, they were mostly filled with seemingly near-suicidal Colts fans griping about ticket prices and stadium taxes. They were griping about how the dynasty had ended and the impending doom to come forth upon the team. Some called for Polian or Caldwell's heads over the whole incident. Before we do something rash, let's expand this discussion.

To all those fans calling for Polian's head: where were you when this team was 1-15 in 1991? I was there driving the bandwagon, and I can remember when you couldn't pay people to take Colts tickets. It's the leadership of Jim Irsay and, most recently, Bill Polian that have taken this team from a poor to mediocre bunch to the team that WON THE MOST GAMES THIS CENTURY! It's Polian's football mind that brought together the talent to deliver this city's first major league sports championship since the Pacers won the ABA titles in the late 60's and early 70's.

What has Polian done to you? Did he kick your cat? Spank your pet newt? Steal your Christmas presents? Break your yard gnomes? I mean...come on people! Bill Polian is one of the best football minds in the history of the NFL. I'm not going to turn my back on him or, by extension, Jim Caldwell, because they decided not to play to win a game in hopes of instead WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP. That's the big picture folks.

YOU PLAY TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP! The Colts have won enough games to decide how to play these last few games, and we clearly saw what would happen if Peyton Manning breaks an arm or a leg or blows out a knee (see Tom Brady's injury last year), or gets turf toe or whatever. Curtis Painter will not deliver a title. Plain and simple. That's not a knock on him (Colts fans owe him a big drink), but it's simply that Curtis Painter is no Peyton Manning. There's only one Dwight Freeney. There's only one Dallas Clark or Reggie Wayne. Without those people, we, as Colts fans, lose the chance for a Championship. I felt your pain yesterday, but the big picture isn't to be undefeated. The big picture is to be Super Bowl Champions.

Sure, the Colts blew it yesterday, but the chance to win another Super Bowl should excite fans. Instead, our fans, for the most part, acted like spoiled little children yesterday. I am ashamed of those fans that booed. As I said, I wasn't happy, and I think the timing could have been better but my goodness! You would think that Bill Polian was Art Modell and just announced he was taking the Browns to Baltimore here.

So, Colts fans...dry your tears...put away the hankies...it's over. The dynasty is still here. We have a locker room of professional football players and one of the best franchises in football. It's here in our city.

Yeah, and I don't want to hear anything about the Lucas Oil Stadium mess and how the Colts should be paying every city expense and changing your baby's diapers because we funded that stadium for them...blah blah. That's old and it has nothing to do with this particular argument. The Colts are doing what they believe is best to win a Championship for this city. That's the big picture!

Another Line In the Sand Moment

I have been extremely disappointed in the DNC since Howard Dean left office as the Chairman. Tim Kaine has not been a strong chair, in my opinion, and has taken the DNC backwards. The DNC has not been a strong advocate for the public option, and they have not held the Democratic caucus in the Senate accountable for its actions. So, imagine my joy when I got a phone call from a nice young lady from...the DNC!

I can't remember he name now, but she started to explain all the accomplishments the DNC had listed in her script and told me how disappointed I should be in the Republicans that are holding up progress on true reform in the United States Congress. Then, she got to the ask.

"Can we count on you for a contribution of $200.00 today?"

I said, "No."

I told her that the death of the public option was enough for me and that I would not be contributing to the DNC but to individual local candidates or candidates in support of the public option. I told her that the lack of advocacy on several issues prevents me from donating my cash to the DNC this time around. I explained that I was a Democrat rain or shine, but that I could not find it in my heart to give my money to an organization that I felt has moved backwards since Howard Dean left.

Surprisingly, she didn't try to reason with me too much. She said, "Yeah, I've been getting a lot of that."

That response should say it all to the DNC. Again, the question must be asked: Why are Democrats so afraid to govern from the left? That's what America wanted. They wanted to go a different direction than the way the right was leading us. Instead, Americans are getting some wishy washy mishmash of liberal ideas with moderate or even conservative follow through.

It starts at the top, folks! From President Obama to the Senate to certain areas of the House to Tim Kaine to all Democrats, when will you do what you were elected to do and bring us REAL change instead of diet change. You are losing support because you won't do what you were elected to do.

I'm sorry, but that's my line. I hope the DNC joins me on the liberal side of it. After all, liberal values are Democratic Party values, and we aren't doing a very good job of standing up for them.

Health Care Bill is Progress, I Guess

The health care bill passed on Christmas Eve by the Senate certainly is not the change we all needed, but I guess it is a victory of some sorts for President Obama.

I have reviewed a couple of summaries of the bills passed by the House and the Senate, and I'm not convinced that this mess is over yet. What is clear is that, under both bills, more Americans will be insured. The House bill, however, is more along the lines of what Democrats and, yes, Americans want.

Polls show that Americans prefer at least the offering of a public option in the process of health care reform. The Senate bill, negotiated by Harry Reid, has no public option component. In this case, as many have rightly pointed out, Joe Lieberman became more powerful than the 435 voting members of the United States House as he singlehandedly killed that popular portion of the bill.

Now, since both bills are so different, a conference committee made up of senior House and Senate members will iron out the differences into a final bill that will need to be passed. The version passed must be identical. According to the Associated Press, it looks like it won't be until early next year. The final version of the bill, if passed by both the Senate and the House, will be on President Obama's desk after that process.

The public option still has a pulse. I'm sure that the House will advocate for it, but the Senate will likely fight it. There are some other issues in the Senate bill that have raised liberal ire. Some feel as if the Senate version is a bit of a giveaway to the insurance companies.

I just hope that the Senate and the House can settle their differences and come to an agreement on a bill that not only just increases the number of people insured but increases the quality of health care in the United States. Until then, any victories celebrated by Democrats in Congress or by President Obama will be seen as hollow in my book. The Senate bill was a chicken out on real reform. My hope is that Nancy Pelosi and the House's bill lives to fight another day...especially in the form of the public option.

Anything short of a public option is just, pardon me Sarah Palin, lipstick on a pig.

Saturday Humor: This One...Well...Try Not to Laugh Too Much

Right wing rapper Hi-Caliber's song called Patriotic People. There are so many things wrong with this song that I don't even want to go into them all here. Anyway, feel free to laugh and be disturbed all at once.

Personal Prerogative: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Today, I start a short holiday hiatus here. Unless something particularly interesting sparks some creativity, I'm not planning on posting anything for at least December 23, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

So, please have a safe, happy, and healthy time with family and friends. Whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday, this is a great time to come together in the spirit of love and togetherness. There is no better celebration of any holiday period than family and friends.

I thank you all for helping me get through this first Christmas with out my father. You have helped me through this with your simple encouragement by reading my sometimes incoherent ramblings I post here. Thanks for everything you have done to support this blog. I am averaging over 240 hits per day here, and that blows my mind. Those certainly aren't huge numbers compared to some other blogs, but it is humbling to think that many folks care about what I write. All of these blogs have a personality and a purpose. I am humbled that you spend a little bit of time here each day or week or month. I truly appreciate looking ahead towards a great future on the horizon.

Again, Merry Christmas to you all and all of yours! This song is a little melancholy, but I think it describes what many feel this holiday season. The love we have for those that are here and maybe a little longing for those who are not here. Thanks again for all you do! Enjoy your family this holiday season.

Airport Authority Wins...State Wins...City Wins...Property Taxpayers Lose

The Indianapolis Airport Authority announced that it's looking for ways to redevelop the 8,100 acres of land that sits currently off the property tax rolls in Decatur Township, Wayne Township, and in Hendricks County.

According to an article in the Indianapolis Star, the huge tracts of land currently occupied by the old airport terminal and parking lots could become some sort of "aiport city" attraction that would no doubt bring in dollars to the city and state in the form of sales tax and to the airport in the form of revenue, but the taxpayers in the various townships and municipalities would certainly lose out because all of that land as generates $0 in taxes. The Airport Authority is a governmental entity.

The taxpayers would continue to get shafted as the airport gets a free ride to profit. There has to be a reasonable solution to this, but I honestly don't know what it is. Perhaps the Airport Authority could work with a potential developer and actually sell them the land with specific zoning committments attached to it? That way, the land would go into the private sector and thus be on the tax rolls. That's just a silly suggestion from a neophyte that doesn't know the rules, honestly. I don't know what the airport can and can't do. It just seems wrong to me that all this land generates no tax dollars.

I doubt the Airport Authority wants to change the status quo except to redevelop the land within a plan they approve. I can't say that I honestly blame them. It's just nice to hope for some further property tax relief from more land being back on the tax rolls instead of being held in reserve for future projects. Actually, the prospect of whatever "airport city" might become sounds rather interesting. I just wish it helped out the local taxpayer a little bit. Lord knows we get it from every side!