Other Opinions

Keeping Veterans Day alive

By ED HOOPER / History News Service

Two months ago, Jacksonville, Fla., was threatened with cancellation of its 2009 Veterans Day parade after the City Council cut the parade’s funding. Only a firestorm of protests from the city’s residents restored the parade.... Full story

Another view: Give locals control of taxes

The News-Sentinel

FORT WAYNE — The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns has the germ of a good idea, and it is now in the “be careful you don’t get what you ask for” position. The association, which represents 470 cities and towns in the... Full story

Tough decisions await Indiana

By MIKE SMITH, The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels has promised no new taxes. It’s about the only positive news he had after the latest report on state revenue. Leading lawmakers didn’t try to sugarcoat the news either, although House Republicans... Full story

Massive federal hiring a bad idea

OUR OPINION

The federal government “needs” to hire 270,000 more employees in the next three years. We’re told this, unsurprisingly, by the federal government, which surveyed 35 agencies representing 99 percent of its workforce. We wish... Full story

Tax unhealthy eating habits

Guest writer

By ANDY DENNY

About 40 million Americans are without health care coverage, which in turn is cost-shifted to those who carry the coverage. This situation, among others, has forced health care costs to escalate every year. This article addresses a solution to the... Full story

ANOTHER VIEW: Rowdy protests hurt debate

MIAMI HERALD

As a rule, giving politicians a piece of your mind now and then is a good idea. Occasionally, elected officials need to be reminded who’s in charge. But don’t confuse the rowdy protests in the health care reform forums with the fine... Full story

Too much Michael? There's more

The NEWS-SENTINEL

FORT WAYNE — Can you say “wretched excess”? Michael Jackson, who hadn’t had a big hit record in 14 years and who got most of his recent publicity for bizarre behavior and accusations of worse behavior, somehow turned into a... Full story

Hill disputes editorial, explains cap/trade vote

By BARON HILL / Guest Writer

It is no secret that the editorial writers of The Tribune and I disagree on the issue of climate change. While I respect such differences of opinion, I cannot allow their false claims about the American Clean Energy and Security Act to go unchecked.... Full story

Obama gets behind PAYGO

By BARON HILL, Guest Writer

During a recent press conference, President Obama announced his support for legislation to make pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting a federal law. As the sponsor of a statutory PAYGO bill, I was undoubtedly very pleased by this news. And, this... Full story

Camp offered for youth

By SCOTT DAVIS, Reserve Officer

For the past 29 years, the Indiana Sheriff's Association has conducted the Indiana Sheriff's Youth Leadership Camp. Sheriff Marc Lahrman and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department have been very pleased to help make the camp a success each year by... Full story

Perception plays into life

By BILL BAILEY, Guest Writer

The ideas of perception being reality and the contrarian approach to the stock market have been bouncing around in my head recently. A good friend of mine recently gave me an article to read on the perils and opportunities of investing in the... Full story

Good news on batteries

By DEBBIE HACKMAN, Living Green

There is finally some good news about household batteries. You can find household batteries in computers, remote control devices, cell phones, iPods, CD players, portable DVD players, flashlights, cordless landline phones, watches, hearing aids,... Full story

The speaker and the truth

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

On Sept. 4, 2002, almost a year after the worst terrorist attacks in this nation's history, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended a CIA briefing about the agency's interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, a senior al-Qaeda operative. She and other congressional... Full story

Volunteerism alive, well

By RUTH ANN REBBER, Guest Writer

The Jackson County United Way Board of Directors would like to thank Brian Hardy, the 2009 Day of Caring committee and community volunteers and donors for the continued support of this community event. This year more than 217 volunteers worked all... Full story

Education stretches beyond schools and into our homes

By BILL RINEHART, Guest Writer

Over the past several months I have read many, many comments concerning the situation with our school system and need for more classrooms and space. Many feel this is not needed but I really wonder - have they visited the middle school? Have they... Full story

HOOSIER COMMENTARY: Manny Ramirez suspension

PHAROS-TRIBUNE

LOGANSPORT - If Manny Ramirez was using performance-enhancing drugs, a 50-day suspension is a slap on the wrist. This is not a case of a player who took steroids five years ago when the rules of baseball might have been a bit unclear. Either... Full story

HOOSIER COMMENTARY: Limiting charter schools

The TIMES

MUNSTER - State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, has led the charge for a moratorium on opening new charter schools. His plan failed in the regular session of the Indiana General Assembly and must not surface in the special session. Smith formerly served... Full story

Donations aid community

By SCOTT DAVIS, Guest Writer

Even in these tough economic times, you cannot help but be impressed by the generosity of the people of Jackson County to the service clubs and other philanthropic organizations in our communities. Because of the support of all of you who take the... Full story

Putting kids 1st in Indiana

By MONIQUE CHRISTENSEN

Why does common sense seem to be so elusive to some of our state leaders? Actually, the answer's pretty clear: Power, money and greed for more of the same do crazy things to otherwise good people's heads. Rather than putting the needs of children... Full story

A small school solution

Ruth Ann Hendrix

While I appreciated the public information-gathering sessions and the comment period the school board allowed prior to the decision to remodel JCEC into an all-sixth-grade building, I do not believe there was much listening. I also know that my... Full story

The governor’s disconnect

By MIKE SMITH

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Three days before the legislative session was to end, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said one way to avoid an overtime was for a governor to be clear about what he could and could not accept in a new state budget. He said budget... Full story

Let’s embrace greenness

By BILL BAILEY, Guest Writer

Last week, the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce's Recycling Committee held its first Earth Day event. It was called See More Green. It was simply a fantastic event. And, it set me to thinking about our community and county on a broader scale. I... Full story

Hoosier thoughts:Public transportation

The Times

MUNSTER - Public transportation in Northwest Indiana is broken. It's so disjointed that it doesn't meet basic needs. The proposal by Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, calls for establishing a regional transportation... Full story

Everyday environmentalist

By RALPH COLLINS, Guest Writer

Earth Day, the environment and a landfill. Which does not belong? Most people would say a landfill, but I would argue landfills are essential to protecting our environment. As manager of Rumpke's Medora Landfill in western Jackson County, I am one... Full story

Hoosier thoughts: Commentary from Indiana newspapers

The NEWS-SENTINEL / Fort Wayne

Property tax capsFORT WAYNE - Indiana House Democrats should start making the comedy-club circuit, because the latest act they've been rehearsing is hilarious. For months now, House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, has been saying he doesn't think... Full story

Obama listened to critics

As a veteran also, I agree wholeheartedly with Jim Lucas that the proposal by President Barack Obama to force veterans to use their private health insurance to cover medical costs associated with their service is way out of line. If Jim had checked... Full story

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