Politics and other nightmares

A good example from South Bend of the anger that's been building in the public over politicians at all levels. The Tribune newspaper there did a story pointing out that County Council member Heath Weaver had attended only two meetings so far this year and only five in the last 10 months, racking up by far the worst attendance record of any council member. The reporter talked to the councilman, who said he would not resign because he would not "miss any more meetings." He then offered the usual excuse:

A fascinating essay that begins with coyotes on the prowl and explores along the way the nature of statism and statists:

Those nefarious villains of the NCAA may be -- gasp! -- running an illegal lottery in Indiana:

MISSION CITY, KANSAS -- An NCAA ticket dispersal plan involving a lottery may violate laws in some states against gambling. A lawsuit alleging exactly that is headed for an Indiana court after a federal appeals court ruled the case had enough merit to garner a hearing.

Sometimes, when I see the word "compromise" thrown around, I'm not exactly clear on what is meant. This is one of those cases:

Proponents of banning smoking in Indianapolis bars are trying to revive a City-County Council debate over the issue by showing city leaders that voters support the cause.

This doesn't seem right:

Charges will not be filed against a University of Notre Dame hockey player suspected of supplying alcohol to underage students at a weekend party, according to a release sent out from the St. Joseph County prosecutor's office.

I've had problems with GOP Senate candidate Dan Coats' tenure in Washington as a lobbyist and have mentioned the issue in a couple of editorials and on the blog.

The trouble with Gary:

Much like the people of Mudville were let down by their beloved Casey, the residents of Gary have suffered the same fate at the hands of their mayors over the last four decades.

In the 1888 poem "Casey at the Bat," the famed slugger made the final out, whiffing as he swung for the fences with two men on and his team trailing by two runs.

Americans have voted for limited government, but they've never actually gotten it, and a growing number of people have figured out why:

Well, duh:

The best government money can buy:

Companies, organizations and even government groups spent more than $25.6 million lobbying Indiana's lawmakers in this year's legislative session.

And that number, said Indiana Lobby Registration Commission director Sarah Nagy, likely will grow as late and amended lobbying reports dribble in.