by Mark Franke Now that the patriotic observances are past, it’s time to turn to another pillar of Americanism—baseball. Despite the combined efforts of the Commissioner, the club owners and the players union to price Major League Baseball (MLB) games beyond the financial wherewithal of middle-class Americans, there are those idealists like me who just won’t give up on our national game. I grew up with baseball, its being the only sport in those halcyon…

Leo Morris, columnist for The Indiana Policy Review these last six years, died yesterday the owner of a distinguished 50-year career in journalism, most of it with the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. His honors included the Hoosier Press Association’s award for Best Editorial Writer and being named a finalist in editorial writing by the Pulitzer Prize committee. There was talk of giving him a Sagamore but the talk came back that he might refuse it. He was cantankerous that way,…

by Mark Franke “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” These concluding words to the Declaration of Independence are not as recognizable as “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” but they deserve to be. Think about what the 56 men gathered as the Second Continental Congress just did. They declared…

For the use of the membership only; not for publication, duplication or quotation. Viva la France — Or What’s Left of It “Only resolute and urgent action will avert it even now. Whether there will be the public will to demand and obtain that action, I do not know. All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.” — Enoch Powell’s “River of Blood” speech (1968) WE HAVE…

by Richard Moss, M.D. I joined Jasper nation on the long voyage up to Victory Field in Indianapolis, the epicenter of Indiana and of Indiana baseball, to support and applaud our young stalwarts, the Jasper Wildcats, at State, a great team from a great town with a great tradition and legacy. My family and I were among the more than one thousand fans that made the three-hour journey so that our team, the best of…

They Ain’t Going to Study War no More And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world beginsWhen all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return. — Rudyard Kipling, “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” INDIANA UNIVERSITY as most large American universities has adopted the position…

by Richard McGowan, Ph.D. In light of news in the Indianapolis Star shortly before Father’s Day, it is appropriate to revisit data on child abuse. The Star had a story regarding the death of toddler Oaklee Snow, whose body was found in a dresser drawer. The next day, the newspaper covered the death of two-year old Erieomairy Dingui, who was beaten to death. In the former case, charges were brought against Oaklee’s mother and her boyfriend. In the latter case,…

by Mark Franke How did we ever get to this point? And so quickly? I routinely try to ignore national news channels but admit to scanning a daily feed of headlines. What I am seeing beggars credulity. One of the top news stories is gender affirmation/gender reassignment/gender whatever issues among young children. Young children? The battle lines are clearly demarcated. In numerous locales parents are pitted against teachers and school administrators over what the children…

Keeping Up Is a Crunky Trip GOING THROUGH the morning’s digitals, a headline caught my eye: “Big Pokey, of Houston’s Legendary ‘Screwed Up Click’ Dies after Collapsing at Juneteenth Show.” Am I wrong to have questions? Please understand that I am of an age accustomed to being out of sync, and I probably wouldn’t need to ask too many younger than me before someone could explain the headline. Nonetheless, the disconnect was jarring. I felt I should check it…

Let’s Hear it for the Midwest THERE ARE MANY social and political threats these days against which we are asked to stand — too many in fact. So I have chosen just one: I stand against Midwest denigration, if the word is still allowed. We live in a wonderful place with an inspiring story and we need to say so. To begin, I recommend my colleague Andrea Neal’s book, “Road Trip: A Pocket History of Indiana.” It will give you…