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News-Sentinel.com Your Town. Your Voice.
Opening Arguments

Big time

Republicans for more government. First up, State Sen. Travis Holdman, who wants adults to have the same restrictions placed on teens in the last session of the General Assembly:

Drivers wouldn't be allowed to use hand-held cell phones or send text messages under a bill being proposed by an Indiana state lawmaker.

Republican State Sen. Travis Holdman of Markle says distracted driving is dangerous for everyone on the road. His bill would allow people to use hands-free headsets or speaker systems, but texting and calls that require using hands would be off limits.

How in the world did Sen. Tom Wyss let Holdman get ahead of him on this? Next up, Gov. Daniels gives encouragement to a Gary Democrat:

Gov. Mitch Daniels says he would sign a statewide smoking ban if Indiana lawmakers approve sweeping restrictions on indoor smoking in public places.

The Times of Munster reported Thursday that Daniels said he would definitely sign such a bill because "there seems to be growing momentum" for such a ban.

State Rep. Charlie Brown plans again to sponsor legislation in January that would prohibit indoor smoking statewide in public places. The Gary Democrat has won House approval of a smoking ban with exemptions in previous legislative sessions. This time he's seeking a ban with no exemptions.

Senate President Pro-Tem David Long has already said the time will eventually come for a statewide ban, so this may be the session it finally succeeds, although that "growing momentum" Daniels talks about has resulted in many city and county bans, making the statewide less necessary. Not sure about the cell phone ban, given legislators' general resistance to such things.

Comments

tim zank
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 7:19pm

Could we just speed it up and ban cars completely? It's obvious there will never be a safe enough manner in which to operate one. Not safe enough to satisfy super nanny, aka the state legislature.

Bob G.
Sat, 12/18/2010 - 12:18pm

Tim:
I'd bet good money (before inflationary adjustments) that "IF" ALL vehicles were banned from use by ALL the MORONS out there...the REST of us would see a LOT more "safer" vehicles on the roads...'ya think?

Or, we "could" JUST ban STUPID PEOPLE completely, and cut out the middle man, as it were.
(I'm am trying to set an example to ALlLthose frugal politicians...and cut the cost.)

Either way...makes the roads a lot safer, eh?

;)

littlejohn
Sat, 12/18/2010 - 4:44pm

Bob, I'll put this as gently as possible: Be careful what you wish for.

William Larsen
Mon, 12/20/2010 - 5:16pm

Tim, banning cars will make bicyclists happier while riding, but they will probably not like the snow and ice. Have a great Christmas and New Year!

tim zank
Mon, 12/20/2010 - 8:57pm

William, LOL. I'm sure the bicyclists would be happier for a while, but you know as well as I do, these legislators (in an effort to continue saving us from ourselves) would go after the bikes next. It's part of a warped goal of the legislature we helped create, to control every damn thing they can.

If they got rid of all the cars, they'd just regulate the livin' bejesus out what ever is left, bikes, horses, unicycles etc.

It's about the ability to control. Some boneheaded constituent calls the self important politician with a plea to "stop the madness"...like "I just saw a kid on bike and he was TEXTING"....Here comes the new life saving legislation..

tim zank
Mon, 12/20/2010 - 8:59pm

Oh, and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you to Bill!

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