by Andrea Neal Study a map from the late 19th century and it’s easy to see how Indiana became known as the Crossroads of America. Like spokes on a bicycle wheel, railroad lines extended from Indianapolis in 12 directions. Tracks crossed the state from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River, Terre Haute to Richmond and everywhere in between. “By 1880, the steam railroad had triumphed over all other forms of transportation in Indiana,” said the…

by Stephen M. King, Ph.D. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) and its supporters are looking with anticipation to the Supreme Court’s expected favorable ruling on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage sometime in late June. Previous court rulings have danced around the issue of the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. The upcoming ruling is expected to address it directly. U.S. society and culture are more favorably disposed toward acceptance of same-sex marriage and the…

“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.” — Will Rogers MEMBERS OF THE COFFEE GROUP are discouraged by the announcement that their senator will retire after only a single undistinguished term. The members, several of whom worked hard on this guy’s earlier campaigns, are searching for a better way to manage political succession. They all agree that the system is broken. We don’t have public servants who are provided pensions but…

“Even though I made (donations to the Clinton Global Foundation) strictly to support work done to stop the spread of AIDS, help children and protect the environment in poor countries, I should have gone the extra mile to avoid even the appearance of a conflict.” — George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America” IT IS OBVIOUS to the fully awake that they can no longer depend on the national media to keep them informed or even…

by Tom Huston Indiana has developed a two-tier tax structure that reflects a political ingenuity that only money could buy and only George F. Babbitt could rationalize (from the book “Babbitt” by Sinclair Lewis). The word “Babbitt” means a “person and especially a business or professional man who conforms unthinkingly to prevailing middle-class standards.” The first tier is the traditional tax scheme pursuant to which residents pay income, sales, property and other taxes for the purpose of…

by Andrea Neal Upon the death of Lew Wallace, The New York Times struggled to sum up — in a single headline — the 77-year-old Hoosier’s accomplishments. “Won fame in many ways,” it declared. Wallace, his 1905 obituary noted, “achieved widespread distinction as a lawyer, legislator, soldier, author and diplomat” and was a man of “exceptionally refined manner, broad culture and imposing personal appearance.” It was quite a resume for someone who lost his mother…

by Bruce Ippel, M.D. The word “can’t” in the catchphrase “you can’t tell a book by its cover” not only can mean beyond difficult but also illegal or nearly so — at least here in these Newnited States where it’s now called profiling and is prohibited. For example, even though the “sex industry” is illegal most places, a seductively dressed gal struttin’ her stuff on certain street corners is not to be arrested or even…

For the use of the membership only (608 words) “Ultimately the question Pence needs to answer: Is he willing to do what it takes to push himself to be bolder, to be more inclusive, to build bridges with people who have different worldviews, to show passion for the state and for the people he serves?” — Tim Swarens, editorial page editor of the Indianapolis Star WITH AN INDIANAPOLIS STAR columnist openly advising him on how…

by Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D. A simple insight I teach introductory economics students is that for-profit firms strive to maximize profit. What is more important, however, is that all for-profit firms, from a roadside taco stand to the largest company, receives constant feedback as to how they are doing through the metric of profits and losses. Economic losses send a clear signal that the firm is doing something wrong and gives it an incentive to change.…

by Andrea Neal It is the nation’s third largest cemetery and a “Who’s Who” of Hoosier heroes. One president, three vice presidents and 11 governors are buried there. The grave of poet James Whitcomb Riley occupies the highest point — the “crown hill” — and is one of the most popular tourist sights in Indianapolis. So is the less grandiose burial place of bank robber John Dillinger, an Indianapolis native who became nationally known in…