As reported yesterday by the Journal Gazette: My comments in red.

Airport gets OK to buy golf club
Runway lights at course edge to aid pilots

One of Allen County’s public golf courses could soon become publicly owned.
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority board of directors gave preliminary approval Monday to purchase Brookwood Golf Club for up to $3.15 million.

$3.15million? That's a steal considering the $2million+ the city paid for Belmont downtown! Did they finally hire a professional negotiator?

Tory Richardson, airport director, said purchasing the course will help improve safety at the Fort Wayne International Airport, as well as the airport’s long-term interests.
The course sits northeast of the airport’s property line, and the end of runway 23. By acquiring the course, Richardson said the airport will be able to install a ground light system to help pilots land planes during bad weather. The lights would run into the edge of the course and may require moving one of the holes.
Richardson said it is especially important to install the safety lights because when bad weather hits the area, prevailing winds typically make it safer for planes to land on the runway going from northeast to southwest. Flights to Fort Wayne have been diverted in the past to other airports because the airport lacked the lighting system, he said.
“It does provide a greater degree of safety,” he said.
OK, I can understand that. Safe air travel is good politics these days...

Having multiple runways with landing lights will make the airport more appealing to cargo carriers, who often require an airport to have at least two lighted landings, Richardson said.
So the airlines actually have a list of demands for terminals? How rogue-ish. Regardless, don't FedEx and UPS already fly in and out of FWA daily??? I swear I've seen their jets out there...

Paul Puckli, division manager with PBS&J, the airports consultant from Chantilly, Va., said the Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to own the land where approach lights are placed. I love legislation for the sake of busy work...self perpetuating jobs for government employees...what a scam! Puckli provided a report to the board members that recommended buying the land. By owning the land, the airport would prevent any development that would interfere with flights. Last I checked, it wasn't super dense development out there...is the airport feeling pressure from developers that we don't know about? The report also said the golf course could become a source of revenue. Yeah, it's so nice to play golf while engulfed by the din of a pair of Rolls Royce turbines strapped to an Embraer...where do I sign up? My clubs (and earplugs) are ready for action!!! I'm sure there's a long line for memberships forming already...

The course is owned by the estate of Jim Kelley. Richardson said he has been negotiating with Tom Kelley, executor of the estate. Kelley’s appraisal put the land at $3.5 million, Richardson said. The airport’s appraisal put it at $3.15 million with some possible additions. A final purchase price has not yet been reached. I've always found it amazing (read FRAUDULENTLY BIASED) that appraisals can vary so much depending on who hires the appraiser...

Kelley has said he has been looking at selling some of the family’s assets, including Brookwood and Fairview Golf Course to pare down the business and help pay estate tax owed after his father’s death. I'm sure the taxes are staggering. He said the airport previously approached his father about selling the course if it became available. Hell, Jim might have just GIVEN it to them...but I haven't seen their books so I can't positively say.

Airport board member Tim Haffner said the airport is not in the golf-course business so it should do everything it can to find someone else to run the course and prevent any service disruptions. Umm, I would think the winter would be a prudent time to make plans to that end...













“A lot of people call that their home course,” he said. Really? There are always so few cars there...although I do think a tournament hosted by AT&T relay service might work.
Richardson said the airport would likely lease operations of the course to an outside company. Surely a foreign company, made up of deaf folks (who won't notice the FRIGGIN' FIGHTER JETS) from Dubai, Spain or Australia would be the first (best) choice... He said he is negotiating with the current course managers to stay on and run the course under the airport’s ownership. I'm sure they are doing a bang-up job, considering how quickly Tom Kelley is trying to offload the joint...
The board required Richardson to come back with a final purchase and lease agreement. GO LOW!!! OFFER $1.25million!!!! YOU MIGHT GET IT! CALL IT EMINENT DOMAIN AND SNATCH THAT P.O.S. UP!!!

As reported by Fox News:

SAN`A, Yemen — A firing squad on Monday executed an Islamic militant who killed three American missionaries in a south Yemen Baptist hospital in 2002, Yemen's official Saba news agency reports.

Yemeni officials have said that Kamel may have been linked to the Al Qaeda terror network headed by Usama bin Laden, who has ancestral roots in Yemen. Police found bin Laden audiotapes at Kamel's house.

Abed Abdul Razak Kamel is now a dead scumbag.

Please note: Nowhere in the story does it discuss public outrage in Yemen about his treatment at the hands of the law. Nor does the story conclude that this piece of $#!+ was ever actually or officially linked to Al Qaeda, other than circumstantially (in the parlence of U.S. legal standards).

I think the folks in Abu Ghraib should be thankful that the Yemenis aren't running the joint...their humiliation, sores and bruises would likely be the least of their concerns.

Regardless this guys obvious "west-leaning-persuasion," this post takes a very interesting look at Dubai, UAE.
It prompted me to do a little investigating, and I found this monstrosity.

All finished.

Notice the palm trees outside..........

These clever bastards are spending our daily commuting dollars converting the anus of the earth into candyland for the likes of Paris Hilton and Michael Jackson. Snow skiing in the desert...who'da thunk it? How nice.

I realize that this is totally not newsworthy in any way, shape or form, but the dreaded cabin fever finally caught up with me. I've been hiding out in the Blogohood reading quite a bit and hadn't fully come to grips with the fact it is so miserable and cold outside I couldn't go sailing if I had to.

Anyway, this is one of my many boats, but it's my only sailboat. I was watching the "Water Channel" last night (Dish Network Channel 216) and they had some Hobie-Cat vacationing on there, looked like fun...woke up ready to put on a bathing suit.

The second pic is of my two Krazy Kidz, Axl and Whitney...sitting in the Scorpion.

Robert Rouse from The Tie Dyed Dark Side was taking some pictures of a silly (and evidently erroneously planned) protest outside the Fort Wayne Coliseum today when it was "suggested" that he discontinue his activities by the police. Check out the story here. Now, although I agree whole-heartedly with Mr. Rouse that he had every right in the world to cover the Republican Convention, the protest, or even the weather (or the pavement conditions of the Coliseum parking lot), I am confused about what these protestors were doing in the first place. All of the signs I see them holding were really more suitable for President Dubya or maybe Rummysfeld or Condydoll...but Steve Shine & Company? Perhaps they got lost on the way to Mishawaka's Bethel College earlier in the week and hung out here instead.....?

For a fellow who seems to have an absurd amount of enormous opportunities literally fall in his lap, this ignoramus just can't stop throwing himself under the bus.

Between his Tourette's-like flap-jaw routine in Saudi Arabia, his utter contempt for his own campaign staff at the end of the 2000 election, the RESULT of the 2000 election, the loss of his home state DURING said election, claiming to have "invented the internet," and now this bungled miscarriage of an attempt to become a media tycoon (...just for the record, if anyone hasn't seen this ridiculous TV station, by all means check it out! Once you manage to drag yourself out of the stupidity-induced coma that hits you upon tuning in to Current TV, the confusion will set right in! It is like a bad [and cheap] drug)...when is this fruitcake going to retire in seclusion? I sure wish he would. Maybe I could give him a pass if he would just shut up once in a while...

Anyway, Algore's TV station is being sued by two different entities claiming that they each had copyrights to the "Current" namesake. Read about it here.

I just don't like to pass up an opportunity to vent about Capt. Dufus himself, Algore.

Wanna hear the really scary part? He's taking a pay cut. This douche-bag is Rod Knox, currently the Principal at DeKalb High School in Waterloo. His current salary as Principal is approximately $92,000.00 plus the ridiculously cushy benefits package afforded him as a school administrator (he gets to keep that in his new position). The position in question is:

Director of Safety and Transportation.

Read: The FEMA of DeKalb Central Schools

I think Mike Brown needs a job...I'm sure it is right up his alley.

Sorry folks, this is just classic to me. Po-dunk DeKalb is paying this guy $86,000.00 per year to boss around bus drivers and coordinate fire drills. I am soooooooo glad my money isn't getting dumped into DeKalb Central School district at this time.

I have known this man for 15 years, and he was a fine administrator as long as he had no actual responsibilities (other than disciplinary and figure-head). I hope the burden of bus drivers and fire drills isn't too much for him to handle.

Here at "The Record," I am pleased to announce our first 1000 page hits (since installing the counter code on Feb. 17, 2006). That seems to be acceptable considering the rather low quality of the topic matter and the crude, cobbled-together artwork. Not bad for a no-talent hack, eh?

But what the hell, we can celebrate any way we want, right? Pants off, everyone!!! Methinks we are just getting warmed up.

I accidentally stumbled across this very well written piece today concerning the so-called "Media" and their relative incompetence. This guy pretty much nails it!!!

Mike the Mad Biologist

Just further reason to believe that the WebLog is most certainly the Media of the Future. Pay careful attention to the comment left by Mike Schmidt after the post...it is exceptionally valuable insight.

According to the website for the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) from 2/14/2006:

Schneider Corp., the Lawrence firm that offers engineering, geographical information systems and surveying services, plans to add 140 jobs in engineering and other professional occupations.

Marketing Manager Cheri Gustin said a formal announcement will be made at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the company's headquarters at 8901 Otis Ave. Gov. Mitch Daniels is scheduled to attend the event, as is Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and Lawrence Mayor Deborah Cantwell.

Founded in 1962, the company has nearly 400 professional employees in seven offices.

This will be a shot in the arm to the Indianapolis area job market, as Schneider employees are notoriously well-paid, highly skilled, and now IN DEMAND! This move paints an excellent picture of things to come at Schneider, and we as Hoosiers should be excited.

With an economy in an "outsourcing and streamilining" mode, we have a true leader emerging in Hoosierland building value and equity in our economy. Sure, we can sit around and debate how we can court new industries locally that might develop some potentially high numbers of low-skill manufacturing positions, but is that really how we want our state economy to evolve? I will credit Mitch Daniels with this: His vision of the new Indiana economy is NOT blue collar "on top." He has seen cities like Toledo and Detroit crumble at the hands of Mafia-style labor unions, whereby devastating communities as they milk the cow dry (vis-a-vis GM and Ford). He knows that by adding citizens closer to the top of the food chain than the bottom, entry level work will be created by windfall. Engineering, planning, design, all lead to construction, building, and assets.

"Investments like the one The Schneider Corporation is making today reflect an encouraging confidence in Indiana as a place of economic promise. We hope to create even greater hiring challenges for Schneider by passing our Major Moves program," said Governor Daniels on Bart Peterson's web page.

I realize there are many government agencies (IDEM, BMV, SWCD and others) calling for the Governor's head on a platter thanks to spending cuts and supposedly short-sighted debt relief decisions he has made. Here at "The Record," I'm starting to see the light, Mr. Daniels. It is not you who is thinking in the short-term.

Please send me a "my Man Mitch" bumper sticker. I'm sure they are still available.

As announced by Fort Wayne Observed last night, the local Republicans (spearheaded by Steve Shine) have now filed a formal request for disclosure with the local Democratic leadership to "characterize a donation made last year to local Democrats from an area real estate firm."

Here at "The Record," local leftist Robert Rouse engaged me in an amusing dialogue about why it is a bad idea for parties to get involved in such matters. Robert only ever partially agreed with me (in writing), but I don't think my point was totally lost on him. I would like to further elaborate on my position here...just for the record.

Watchdogging: It's gotten to be more than a "media thing." As the bias of the media swings fore and aft, watchdogging has become a severely politically charged matter. No donation goes unscrutinized, no statement goes undissected, no action goes unsuspected, no good deed goes unpunished. It's a constant ebb and flow of political karma. It's a daily barrage of emotionless accusations and half-truths followed by a mechanized knee-jerk on behalf of the assailed.

It goes back to the Nixon era, I think. The mass media found a loving, nurturing partner in Democratic politics and latched on like a fat girl who just found a date two days before the Prom. Don't get me wrong here, the politicians embrace the attention (as long as it favors them).

And so the battle has persisted, an unrelenting and ever-present tug-of-war over public opinion for the last 35+ years that comes across as more of a game than a straightforward political debate. So far, the score is fairly even in my estimation. The yin and the yang are never far from one another.

Skipping ahead a few years, the Republicans eventually tried to climb in bed with the media whore-machine in order to familiarize the Average Joe with the less-than-upstanding ongoings behind the closed doors of the Clinton White House. In doing so, they effectively painted themselves as prudish, inflammatory, invasive and mean spirited in the eyes of many people. But still they managed to drive their point home to countless other Americans, striking an unusual cleft in the voting and media-viewing populace. So naturally, Clinton put together a strategy that would win everyone back (making marked progress toward becoming the mealy-mouthed one-size-fits-all President he thought himself to be)...he lied. He lied to his friends, his family, his colleagues, his adversaries, he lied to everyone, whereby setting a precedent that the President of the United States of America doesn't have to tell the truth. Granted, we can go back over the course of history and drum up MANY instances where Presidents lied. I don't even want to get into that now. Even after that, the national media still took Clinton back into their good graces. Why? That's easy. It is much simpler from a practical and academic standpoint to accept an apology from a man who errs on the side of humanity than it is to regularly side with a man who preaches (not necessarily practices) divinity. Not to mention the fact that it SOLD PAPERS AND LURED NEW VIEWERS to have had a President that effectively turned the New York Times into The National Enquirer and CNN into The Jerry Springer Show.

Years later, after the obvious bias of the major media has leaned hard left for so long, the whore-machine no longer has the clout or the influence it once had in politics and they are rather upset. The political "right" has now taken it upon themselves to police the "left" and vice versa. Instead of the general public keeping the leaders in check, they are trying to keep themselves policed. Having said this, I can't help but cast my attention on this HUGE conflict of interest. It is like asking a wolf to make sure the fox doesn't eat the chickens. On occasion, it even reminds me of basketball players setting an illegal pick and crying foul when they get knocked to the floor.

Back to helter and skelter: The here, the now.

Let me stop rambling and simplify this so that everyone can understand: Mr. Knuth, Mr. Shine, please get down to business and stop wasting time and money on this nonsense. Clean up the feces from your own respective lawns before you call the cops about the smell coming from those of your neighbors. The only people gaining anything from this tomfoolery are lawyers and reporters...everybody else is losing.

If indeed either one of you feels that campaign finance is a bona-fide issue in need of debate and restructuring, please feel free to use your political influence to facilitate rational lawmaking to that end (read: should be easier to understand than IRS income tax code).

Have a wonderful day.

Today in the Community Update posted by the Journal Gazette, the following announcement was made:

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:15 to 10:20 a.m. Sundays; Salem United Church of Christ, 2401 Lake Ave.; register upon attending; 749-5847.

This announcement was printed exactly as you see it here.

This guy must watch an awful lot of TV to think that this was a good idea.

Sorry for such a quick post offering so little insight, but c'mon, how delusional must a person be to think that this would work out well for him?

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, I know I am!

Ok, I'll fess up. It's not really news at all. I had a day out of town yesterday (at a conference in Indianapolis) so I spent some time digesting the news, and I think I have single handedly resolved the "what to do with the Belmont lot on Harrison St." question once and for all. No, it's not a baseball stadium, but we have one of those already. It will not be an international attraction, but it will certainly facilitate more and bigger downtown events and further development. Enough said. You will have to excuse my pragmatism on this subject...our current baseball stadium is never full to capacity, and it is in a very easy-to-reach location with lots of parking. LOCAL LEADERS: Please stop wasting our time and money. Aren't you supposed to be fixing problems instead of creating more?

I figured the folks over at the WPTA/WISE news room might need some help coming up with some more stock photos to help illustrate their stories involving police. So, HERE IS MY ONLINE ARCHIVE OF POLICE CAR RELATED TOPIC IMAGES!!!

You can read about the ongoing drama:

Here

Here

It is now official, Mitch Harper of Indana Parley is now the new editor-in-chief of Fort Wayne Observed! Mitch will be taking the place of long time Fort Wayne blogger Nathan Gotsch. Evidently, a site preview will be available this afternoon so we will carefully monitor the feedback.

Read Nathan Gotsch's letter from this morning.

Read My Grumpy Comrade's Opinion

Personally, I think this is an EXCELLENT move! Mitch is charismatic, witty, observent, and well read. I think his unique mix of attributes will bring a much needed continuity to the Fort Wayne Blogosphere.

Right On.

Basically, since this whole Dick Cheney hunting ordeal started gaining momentum, I have been a little confused about "why" everyone was so up in arms (excuse the tasteless pun). Could it be that the national media smells a conspiracy? Maybe. Could it be that the national media is gunning for Cheney (again, baaaaad pun...sorry!) since Pat Fitzgerald couldn't take him down? Maybe. I think these two guesses are way off the mark.

I watched Hardball with Chris Matthews this evening and every talking head that was interviewed about the topic was chanting in unison with the droves of representatives from national media outlets nationwide: "Why didn't they alert us first?"

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I think what we have here is a bunch of bruised egos screaming for vindication. Chris Matthews, Ron Reagan, Pat Buchanan, and every other talking head known to man was screaming at the top of their lungs that there HAD to be a conspiracy...MUST have been a cover-up, or to quote Matthews, "at absolute least a peculiar protocol in dealing with 'this situation' by the VP and his entourage." These egomaniacs literally can't STAND the fact that a cute little Health/Fitness reporter from Corpus Christi got to break the story that was supposed to be theirs first!!!

It is actually hysterically funny to me to see the dejected looks of abandonment on the faces of these bloated clowns as they pine over a "scoop" that each one believes was rightfully the property of the "Big Dogs" in broadcast, print and blogosphere. After all, it is THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHT to tell the little guys of the World the news...not the other way around.

Oh what a beautiful sight it will be when the walls of Jericho finally crumble. I certainly hope I live long enough to see it through.

I sent the following letter to Indiana 3rd District Representative Mark Souder today. I am all for elected officials keeping the promises they make. I totally understand that certain circumstances sometimes prohibit people from keeping every promise, but this one is completely within the control of the guarantor.




Greetings Congressman Souder!

I should first start by saying THANK YOU for your dedicated service to our country over the course of your tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. I supported you with my vote on several occasions and backed your decisions regularly in conversation and debate. I was raised Republican, and still hold many GOP values as my own, but I do vote my mind and not a straight party ticket.

With this in mind, I must now air my objection to you pursuing any more time in the office you now hold. You promised us a maximum of twelve years, and with our support you have achieved exactly that. Might I recommend that you keep your word regarding your self-imposed term limit…if for no other reason than just to show that you are indeed a man of your word. The GOP does NOT need to lend Democrats any campaign assistance by publicly (and ON RECORD) lying during stump speeches.

It would be in the best interest of The Party and your district if you throw your remaining clout behind a new candidate, maybe even offering your services to them as a staff-level consultant to ensure they can pick up where you left off. This would ensure that your vision and work remain fast in your absence. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Andrew Kaduk

State officials say Indiana is prepared to deal with an avian flu pandemic. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says all 92-counties have updated their response plans to deal with a flu outbreak and a summit will take place next month to talk about the state`s response.

Daniels says Hoosiers might have to live with quarantines and the isolation of flu victims, in addition to cancelled events, if the avian flu hit the state. Medical treatment would also be reserved for those in the greatest need. Avian flu has not been detected in the United States but has become a growing problem in parts of Asia, Africa and Europe.

The avian flu is so far only transmitted through contact with infected animals but some scientists fear the flu could mutate and be able to be spread through human to human contact.

Well, I tell you what, I feel a whole lot safer now that this news has circulated. I'm pretty sure when they authored this emergency plan they must have looked to "Ye Olde Handbook of Containment for Leprosy and the Plagues" for inspiration.

Honestly, folks, is this the best we can do?

In a post on IP, Mitch did an excellent job of dissecting last years Allen County State of the Democratic Party speech as delivered by Party Chairman Kevin Knuth. Robert Rouse of Left of Centrist took issue with some of my comments (I think he's just fishing for a reaction out of me, but I'm not a very tightly wound guy), so instead of wasting any more of Mitch's time, I have moved the dialogue here with my latest response and as always, invite Robert to continue posting here. After reading Mitch's diagnosis, I posted:

ANDREW KADUK said...
Mitch, I honestly feel as if this is one of the best posts I've read lately. Intuitive, funny, and obviously took you some time, but the finished product is well worth whatever work you put in. HOWEVER, you really lobbed some softballs at some of these items! Tisk Tisk.Just a couple of thoughts here that occurred to me as I read Knut(h)'s monologue:

Exhibit A: Knuth states: "As Democrats, we too often allow Republicans to define our position for us."

I can't help but think this is because they do little or no coherent defining for themselves...somebody has to do it. I suppose this is a symptom of the dems spending the last two decades allowing ridiculously narrow-minded special interests to define their platform as a whole.

Exhibit B: Knuth says: "So the question becomes how do we improve? I have set five goals for the next year that I believe will move us in the right direction."

We can only assume as objective observers that they must have fallen drastically short of all five goals in the last year since the strategy now seems to be "Let's spend our remaining strategic platform-planning time digging up dirt on suspicious Republican campaign financing items."

Exhibit C: And on this item I am going to paraphrase a little just to save space: Knuth says the following items:"I will add to the Executive Committee appointed slots for individual organized labor unions."

and:"I will also add positions of Precinct Committee People at-Large."

and:"...Community Involvement Team. That group will focus on promoting our Party message, while aiding those in need."

and:"I have asked David Rogers to chair a Precinct Recruitment and Retention Committee."

Ain't that just like a true-blue democrat to add MORE layers of bureaucracy and middle management to a party format that is already circling the bowl with last night's corn? Talk about acting out a stereotype!Anyway, I guess a guy could almost pick apart this speech sentence by sentence, but I'll save the rest of my energy for tomorrow's action-packed game of "Fact or Crap...Special 'Dying Donkey' Edition."

Mr. Rouse then posted:

Andrew, I'm just curious, if the Republicans discovered "suspicious Democrat campaign financing items" would they remain silent? Sorry, it just sounds like a silly thing to say.

To which I responded:

Robert, Let's review, according to all local accounts: "The Allen County Election Board found that one complaint was without merit. Another was dismissed when it was discovered that Republicans gave the excess money back. The third is still pending."
It smells like desperation to me when the local leader of a political party is spending large amounts of his time and resources to garner a 33.333333% chance of screwing over the opposition. Those aren't odds on which I would wager, were I a betting man.
I personally feel that the Dems time would have been much better spent DEVELOPING A BONA-FIDE CAMPAIGN PLATFORM instead of running on the "Republicans are cheaters" platform. But hey, it is totally possible that my assessment of the situation is indeed silly.

Then, with the obvious followup, Mr. Rouse asked again:

Andrew,I asked if the Republicans would bring it up if they discovered the Democrats might have done something similar.As for giving the money back. I guess that makes it okay. After all, ignorance (at least in political financial matters) is an excuse to the law.


Robert,
To answer your question, I'm sure they would bring it up. No debate in my mind about that. But with the GOP stronghold (read: 'stranglehold' kudos, Mitch) in this area, the appearance is that Dems are just ankle biting. Are the allegations serious? Yes. Are the allegations being taken seriously by the public? Only by Democrats. Local Republicans have enough faith in their leadership that they don't even care that Knuth is throwing stones.
Can you honestly tell me that you wish your party of choice to be spending their time waging a pissy ethics battle when they can't win elections based on the merits of their platform? Mark my words, my friend: The voting populace WILL grow tired of these asinine mud-slinging contests. It will all start to look more and more like a bad drama on TV instead of a battle for the control of our political arenas. People expect this irritating behavior from the national political scene...not from the locals with whom they attend church or sip punch at PTA meetings.
Leave the mudslinging to the Big Leaguers...it's all they really have to do (God knows policymaking is about the LAST thing they ever get done). At the local level, we actually have the means by which to affect actual changes to our circumstances. Is it really a good idea to push our local affairs into the same quagmire as the Federal government? Bogged down with partisan politics, stale rhetoric, political bomb-dropping, lobbying scandal, etc...the federal government is about as useless as a Computer to the Amish. I suggest we distance our locals as much as possible from this kind of stuff before people start to look at it all like a great big overblown Municipality/County version of Political Survivor. Eventually, the public will think it simply "novel" to see who gets "voted off the island" based on who has a worse attitude or a nicer posterior...
Certainly isn't my idea of how local politics should be, but go ahead, keep pumping up the drama and the posturing...

Following an animated Q&A session Tuesday night between Perry Lakes Homeowners Association members and representatives of Tazian Enterprises (a real estate developer), the whole "dog and pony show" is going in front of the county plan commission tonight for review.
Tazian plans to add "The Coves of Perry Lakes" to the existing Perry Lakes Estates subdivision using a right-of-way easement located near the end of Worthington Dr.
The homeowners association has hired legal counsel to approach Tazian and the plan commission in an effort to address concerns about wetland issues, Rule 5 compliance, and unusually high levels of construction traffic.
Another issue which many homeowners feel needs addressed is that they feel as if they were mislead by realtors and the original Perry Lakes developer while negotiating the purchase of their homes. Evidently, these home buyers were lead to believe that due to the moisture-rich soil and existence of wetland conditions, the property in question would not be developed. Tazian had other plans upon their acquisition of the parcel (roughly 10 acres). 22 home sites ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 acres are now planned and ready to develop. At the Tuesday night meeting, Zohrab K. Tazian (a principal at Tazian Enterprises) indicated that the homeowners association had no legitimate complaint. Mr. Tazian also alluded to the fact that he feels as if his 39 years in the developing business has helped him develop strong ties and rapport with the plan commission members, referring to them as "in his pocket" during one portion of the dialogue.
This should be an interesting one to follow, folks. It could get ugly.

Hold the phone! Runs in my mind that recently (Specifically VETERANS DAY, NOV. 11, 2005), there was a monstrosity of a political fallout from the left side of the political aisle when Dubya used his podium as a "elevated position" from which to defend his stance on the highly politicized "War." At the time, I thought to myself "Self, what's the big deal? Why can't the Prez discuss 'The War' in front of a bunch of veterans on a day specifically designated by the government to honor and celebrate veterans?"

So naturally, I tuned out the Democrats' tomfoolery. Today, I am absolutely lambasted with reports that these sad little hypocrites used the funeral of Coretta Scott King as their elevated position to spit more venom at the seated administration!!! Angry White Boy says it best in his post from today.

I know I promised an ethanol post today, but I am conducting some interviews. I promise, it will be well worth the wait!!!!!!!

To further emphasize my earlier post about reactionary protesting, let's take a good long look at who out there thinks that it's a good idea...and what it takes to get noticed.

Prophet Muhammad Cartoon Protests, compliments of the BBC

Now here in the States, we look at these obnoxious displays of child-like tantrum- behavior and say "there has to be a better way to get your point across..."

In an earlier post, I mentioned a puzzling scene to which I bore witness on Feb-7. I have since done a lot of reading and contemplating about the First Amendment, peaceful protest, public perception, and a host of other affiliated thoughts.

Let me preface the remainder of this article with an absolute admission that I am thinking on paper here. I am not even going to claim that my thoughts are correct, but more admit that they exist and they are bothering me a little bit.

Today I read a long series of "Diary Entries" cataloging the events that occurred in and around the Fort Wayne version of "Camp Casey." To view the chronicles, click the previous link and scroll down a little...they are all on the right side of the page. As I read (drinking copious amounts of coffee and even splashing some in my eyes to keep them from closing involuntarily [zzzzzzzz]), it occurred to me that the days of protest as a viable means to an end (an end to war, oppression, hunger, etc... fill in the blank however you wish) are effectively over. In the '60s, protest was a new and righteous tool which had hardly been explored as a delivery method for political agendas and progressive thought. It was a means by which people could gather themselves in such massive numbers that a person could feel the winds of change begin to blow. Media coverage, national attention, the pure adrenaline....I fully understand the history of protests and the reasons they worked.

When was the last time a noteworthy protest of any consequence at all actually worked? A walk-in? A sit-in? I am racking my brain (and Google's too) trying to put my finger on the answer. I can't help but think that the answer I'm looking for involves some event that occurred before the inception of the Internet. Let me air out a few and see what we can come up with.

Cindy Sheehan: Ummmmm, I think she's been at it for quite a while...her "movement" is losing respect and momentum, she is now resorting to clownish publicity stunts just to stay in the news. To my knowledge, the war continues. Effectiveness: 2 out of 10 (read: She's at least managed to drag the usual suspect cause-heads out of their cannabis induced comas in order to rally by her side).

Convention protesters: How about the crowds that gathered in the streets of New York to protest the Republican National Convention prior to the last election? We all remember the agitated Chris Matthews trying to talk over the disruptive din coming from directly behind him...losing his train of thought at times. Ditto all of the other talking heads in attendance, except maybe that pompous blow-hard Sean Hannity (the background noise generated by his ego could drown out the crowd at the SuperBowl!). Effectiveness: 1 out of 10 (read: It's always funny when Chris Matthews has to shut up for a second...rare but funny. HOWEVER, I do recall the Republicans DOMINATING that particular round of elections, including a Presidential win and a total shellacking in Congress, which has effectively parlayed into a Supreme Court version of Hiroshima).

1999 WTO Protest in Seattle: Thousands gathered in this liberal Quasi-Mecca to vilify world economic and trade leaders simply to draw attention to some poorly researched and single minded issues. This instance is very unique in respect to the fact that in its aftermath, even some left-friendly entities called attention to the fact that the media coverage was very poor (read: Waaaaanh! Our opinions are being oppressed! Nobody wants to listen to our whining anymore...Mom and Dad, send pity, we're almost out! The roguish media won't pay attention to our old-hat playbook!) Effectiveness: 4 out of 10 (Hey, at least some university newspapers took the time to interview some of the protesters, that's a start). Just the above linked article from www.globalissues.org really does a lot to further my hypothesis here!!!

The Los Angeles Riots, 1992: This one is the odd-man out in the respect that it was not planned as a peaceful protest, nor was it peaceful. It most CERTAINLY was a protest. I only tabled it as a talking point because of the overall similarity in function, not necessarily form. Effectiveness: NEGATIVE 5 out of 10 (read: Rodney King was not helped by the rioting, the police were NOT re-tried or convicted, and can anyone out there think of another isolated incident in the recent history of the world that has done more to negatively influence the public opinion of blacks? In three days, the actions of these rioters totally torpedoed 30 years worth of civil rights and minority rights work).

In summation, I would like to clarify a few things:

1) I have absolutely nothing against peaceful protest, except for the fact it has really lost it's effectiveness within our political system.
2) I have nothing against protestors, except that I feel that they have severely limited their ability to affect any sort of real change thanks to a static set of ideals and methodologies.
3) I have no qualms with any of the "causes" I cited above. "Causes" are a necessary part of living in a Representative Republic like the United States. I welcome dissenting opinions from anyone, anytime...Period. Hell, I don't even mind it if people agree with me on occasion. But MAKE NO MISTAKE: I most definitely do have very strong opinions, and a sharp tongue. Weigh your word choices carefully. One thing I cannot stand is people regurgitating the same tired old rhetoric that have been polluting our free-thinking society for years...and that applies to folks on BOTH sides of ANY issue. If I catch the faintest whiff of old, worn-out rhetoric, I may come unhinged and be forced to show my fangs.

Come back and visit later for some Ethanol news!!!

OK, for some reason I am feeling a little froggy tonight, so I 'm going to take a second to play to my narcissism and send everyone that might be looking to my band's website. We are the Martin's Allstars, the official house band of Martin's Tavern in Garrett, IN. ***FREE PREVIEW***

You can come heckle me on Thursday nights if you wish, we like the attention. I do SINCERELY apologize for this off-topic rant, but I had a few Warbirds and a couple of Gin & Tonics down at Fenders with my stromboli tonight so I figured whatever, you know? BACK TOMORROW with more pointed political and sociopathic commentary for those with ridiculously strong stomachs...

I have just returned to my office after a brief trip to Warsaw. On my way out of the Fort, I passed two warmly dressed men wearing sandwich boards and holding signs along Coliseum Blvd. I really wish I had been able to get my camera out and snap a photo without causing an accident!

The first man's sign was emblazened with patriotic colors and some kind of slogan about the government. The second man's primary sign was similarly illustrated, but had a much more memorable slogan. It read:

"Don't Sell Our State"

Now I may be missing something, but are we not just leasing the toll road to the incoming conglomerate? Now obviously by the time Indiana has a chance to un-do this thing, it's very likely that we'll all be dead and gone...but as far as my research has indicated, actual ownership of the property on which the highway resides will still belong to Indiana.

My real reason for posting this is simply that I was completely taken aback by the fact that these two guys (and probably more like them in other places) really have nothing better to do with their time than hike up and down the road in the cold, rallying to a cause they obviously don't understand. So are these guys just cause-heads or do they have a legitimate beef here? More to come later, I have to chew on this for a while before I try to psychoanalize...

I am taking this opportunity to use the "Normal Size" text option to extend my grattitude to Mitch Harper who authors and moderates www.indianaparley.com for his humbling endorsement via weblink to my modest weblog. Mitch: I will do my best to keep my head and NOT embark on any angst-infused tirades which may offend unnecessarily. Playing to your standard is a challenge to which I look forward as I begin to get aggressive with this site. Cheers Mitch!

ADK

It certainly seems to me that the local blogs are full of sappy little blurbs about the triumphant (read: corny publicity stunt) return of Victor "The Voice" Locke to the Fort Wayne Airwaves.

So, here I am...stuck in a very actionable position to either:

A) Pile my fat carcass on the bandwagon and start planning a ticker tape parade for this goofball

B) File a petition with local authorities to prevent 21Alive from broadcasting any further newscasts (is anyone really watching???)

C) Ignore this nonsense and boycot local news broadcasts until they give up the idea that they NEED to fill a full half hour slot.

I choose "C"

All I can see when I watch local newscasts are a bunch of chimpanzees in really bad outfits, with terrible make-up, broadcast picture resolution straight from the TechniColor studios of the 40's and 50's, and sound clarity that resembles my wife sleep-talking through her goose-down pillow.
These things, although SUPER IRRITATING, I can overlook. I can NOT, however, overlook the nauseating abyss that opens up directly after the first "7 minutes of news." This cavernous vacuum that fills the final 23 minutes of each local news broadcast is so benign, so empty, and yet, somehow....still so awful.
How much time and money is wasted in pursuit of little tidbits of local narratives that neither inform us nor amuse us? I have an idea...let's all grab our video cameras, hop in the back of a pickup truck, don our straw hats and overalls, chomp on a toothpick and go drive around "21 Country" for a while, interviewing "down-home folks" about some absurd wiggle-waggle that bears absolutely no resemblance to "news" or anything that falls within the same hectacre as "news." Maybe we can get a time-slot directly after Jeff Neumeyer interviews 3rd grade students from Haverhill Elementary about how they think Dubya is handling the war in Iraq...

I had a busy weekend with no real time to post anything substantial, but this was bugging me all weekend, I had to do it. Come and get me, suckas.


CARROLL (THE BOOK) I hope you enjoy it!