Hoosier lore

Lucien R. McRobbie, 18, has been arrested on marijuana charges. Ordinarily, most of us would never know that. People who rob banks or stab people in bars or commit other felonies usually have their names published in the newspapers and announced on TV as part of their lawbreaking experience. The thousands and thousands of people who commit misdemeanors, which these marijuana charges are, do not. There just isn't enough print space or air time. So why pick on McRobbie?

Life imitates art, which surely imitated life:

Remember what happened to Flick?

In the 1983 film "A Christmas Story," based in the 1940s, Flick, a friend of the young protagonist, Ralphie, gets his tongue stuck to a flag pole when he tries tasting the frozen metal. 

Who would DO that?  Well, apparently, Flick is not alone.  

Are they coming to take us away?

INDIANAPOLIS - JAN. 13, 2009 - A 19-year-old woman exiting I-65 at I-465 northwest of Indianapolis at 10:45 p.m. witnessed the sky light up a bright blue color while also observing a single blue beam of light at its center connecting the sky to the ground.

[. . .]

Ah, family togetherness. Off-duty Muncie police officer Chris Kirby was waiting in Wal-Mart's customer service line with his wife and daughter when he had an encounter with Edward R. Pluhar Jr., 26, of Frankfort, and his father, 61-year-old Edward R. Pluhar Sr. According to police reports, Pluhar Jr. cut in front of officer Kirby, and Kirby told him to wait his turn, but the man refused. Let us consult the Muncie Star Press for the continuation of the story:

I considered blogging about Gov. Daniels' State of the State address, but it was pretty standard fare. The governor says we have tough times ahead, but we're better prepared than most, so let's stick together and tough it out. Well, you know. Rah, rah, rah.

The city of Gary is accused of racial discrimination in its hiring of paramedics, and the irony is so thick that it makes one want to set "what goes around, comes around" to music and hire a brass band to play it:

The federal government is suing the city of Gary over accusations the city discriminated against white applicants for paramedic jobs.

The politicians never rest:

Perhaps caught up in Super Bowl fever, Sen. Evan Bayh says he wants outgoing Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy to be President-elect Barack Obama's point man for promoting responsible fatherhood. 

It's unclear exactly what he wants Dungy to do in that role. But as Washington has a czar for most everything, a fatherhood czar might not be far off. 

Fatherhood czar. Right.

If you're going to put your plane on autopilot, then jump out with a parachute in order to fake your own death:

1. Don't approach a police officer afterward.

2. Don't tell the officer you were in a canoeing accident with some friends.

This would seem like common sense. But Marcus Schrenker is a Hoosier con man apparently unable to believe his careful schemes were unraveling:

Another vacant building in Marion, another demolition, another hole in the downtown landscape. But, hey, let's look on the bright side.

Once the demolition is done and safety considerations are taken care of, putting in a green space with grass, trees, flowers, a path and a few benches should be relatively cost-effective.

It would also add a nice flavor to the downtown area, a place where those who work downtown could enjoy lunch and a little fresh air.

An editorial in the Exponent, student newspaper of Purdue, laments Gov. Daniels' proposed budget cuts, including a 4 percent one for universities:

Economic times are tough, and spending cuts will have to be made somewhere. But education is one of the last areas that should be cut. It's vital to the state and its economy.