Indiana Writers Group Taking a Day OffFrom Buying Booze For release noon Sept. 29 and thereafter (667 words)by Andrea NealCall me old-fashioned, but I think it’s a good thing that Hoosiers can’t buy alcohol at supermarkets or liquor stores on Sunday. Do we really need another day to stock up on intoxicating beverages? The self-interested special interests (i.e. the big-box chains that want to nudge up their Sunday sales figures) have hijacked this debate. They’ve…

Health Care ReformAnd the New EugenicsFor immediate release (659 words) by Dr. Eric Schansberg I’ve written frequently on eugenics, the study of the hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled, selective breeding. The word derives from its Latin components (eu meaning well or good and genics meaning born or birth). In other words, eugenics seeks the products of “good birth” or being “well born” — “better” human beings or a “better” human race —…

For release Sept. 23 and thereafter (591 words) As Indiana’s urban mayors prepared to meet in scenic French Lick, and as governors and congressmen returned from exotic locales, an ex-councilman in Terre Haute was doing some serious thinking about how his state could survive this economy. “It’s time — long past time actually — to recognize that the right and better course of action is for taxpayers to keep a great deal more of their…

Editors: Constitution Day is this Thursday, Sept. 17. The author, who has run for statewide and district offices as a both a Libertarian and as a Republican, is an expert on the Constitution and an advocate or restoring its role in restraining the powers of government in Indiana and the nation. Like most people, I deny much of what’s happening today. As long as we don’t personally run afoul of the rapidly increasing militarization, authoritarianism…

For release noon Sept. 15 and thereafter (675 words)Legislators aren’t exactly embracing Todd Rokita’s proposal to remove politics from the process of drawing legislative maps, and it’s sadly obvious why: It threatens their re-election chances. Why give up the tool that lets them maintain partisan majorities and safe seats for themselves and their cohorts? It’s the right thing to do; that’s why. In 2010, the Census will give us updated population numbers upon which congressional…

For release noon Sept. 8 and thereafter (661 words)With a presidential address to Congress capping a rough-and-tumble summer, we’ve learned at least three things about health care. Most people are concerned about the health care system; reasonably happy with their own health care; and quite worried about a massive increase in government’s involvement in the system.   In political economy, it’s standard to note that people don’t pay much attention to politics — they’re busy…

For release noon Sept. 1 and thereafter (672 words)It was late September 1918.  Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis was a hub of activity for thousands of soldiers mobilized in the critical final days of World War I. But war wasn’t the only thing they were fighting. Hospital No. 25 had reported 60 cases of flu accompanied by typical symptoms: fever, nausea, malaise. By Oct. 6, 1,100 soldiers were under quarantine. As schools, employers and hospitals…

For immediate release (730 words) There’s a moment in the movie “As Good as it Gets” when the character played by Jack Nicholson explodes in frustration at his therapist. “Look you. I’m very intelligent. If you’re gonna give me hope you got to do better than you’re doing.  . . . I mean I’m drowning here, and you’re describing the water.” Some who attended a recent Indiana townhall meeting felt like that. The presiding congressman…

For immediate release (565 words)   “So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.” — John F. Kennedy There is a call for civility these days in public discourse. No matter that it is a call from those who routinely practice incivility. For in the considered words of Emmylou Harris, “if we don’t get our civility back, we’re…

For release noon Aug. 25 and thereafter (549 words)As parents and teachers, we are concerned about railroading a student into a career track far below his or her potential. It is generally agreed that a broad liberal education benefits most students even when it consists of the continual reiteration of eternal verities upon reluctant minds. The fantasy is that one day a young person’s unique talent will be recognized by a selfless and insightful teacher-mentor…