News Views - Times-Union Newspaper

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Situations Like These Demonstrate Importance Of A Newspaper
Thanks For A Great 31 Years
The Media Have Fully Taken Sides
Government Has Taxing And Spending Problems
What Is It That The Dems Want?
Some Advice For The Democrats
Will Dems Vote To Impeach President Trump?
Let’s Hold Everyone To Account
Crackdown On FARA Overdue
Technology Can Be Troublesome
Media Should Take It Slow Sometimes
Impeach All Of Them
Taking A Stand On Both Sides Of An Issue
Walmart Policies Won’t Help
We Should Make Laws That Work
An ICE Raid, Is An ICE Raid, Isn’t It?
We Should Base Policy On Facts
There Have Always Been Lots Of Guns

I’ve written columns like this a few times now, dating back almost a couple of decades.
Add To The List Of Things I Don’t Get

Here are a couple of things I don’t understand.
Now It Seems Sen. Franken Is A Victim

I read a story on Associated Press earlier this week about the former Democratic U.S. Senator from Minnesota Al Franken.
Google Bias
So Happy For The Blues

I’ve been waiting for this since I was nine years old.
Conservative Group Wins IRS Case

In a court case that will fly completely under the radar, a conservative advocacy group has won an eyebrow-raising judgment against the IRS.
News Views: Mueller ‘Conclusion’ Senseless
Buggy Fees May Be Changing

My column last week about the wheel tax contained an inaccuracy.
County Wrestles With Wheel Tax

County officials are looking at tweaking the wheel tax.
Social Media Has Problems Of Its Own

Well, we made it though the election despite all the social media hoopla surrounding the mayor’s race.
When Truth Becomes A Casualty

Tuesday, voters in Warsaw go to the polls to choose the Republican nominee for mayor.
Declaring Sanctuary Over Guns

On March 31, 2017, I wrote a column about immigration under presidents Trump and Obama.
Seems Like No One Is Held To Account xx Seems Like No On Is Held Accoountable

So U.S. Attorney General Robert Barr was testifying the other day in front of a U.S. Senate panel.
Base Policy On Facts
Media Have Some Explaining To Do, But Won’t

So I fired up my laptop Sunday and the headlines on the Drudge Report were giant and red.
Electoral College Serves A Purpose
Internet Turns 30

The World Wide Web turned 30 this week.

Woo hoo.
When Societies Decline

I read a fascinating article on BBC.com the other day about the decline of civilizations.
3 Things That Elude Comprehension

Here are a few things I just don’t understand:
All The News That Fits The Narrative

How about those high school students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, eh?
Hate Crime Law Isn't A Bad Idea

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is urging Republicans in the state legislature to pass a hate crimes law.
It’s Certainly Not About The Money

Now that Democrats have dug in on their refusal to spend $5.7 billion on some sort of border barrier, I thought it might be fun to point out some expensive things that do get approved.
Not Sure People Want Electric Cars
News Views: The Politics Of The Wall

If you ever wondered what’s wrong with politics and government, look no further for evidence than “the wall.”
Discovering Love At Christmas

Gleaned from the Internet and author unknown, here is a story about Christmas that I think helps illustrate the meaning of the holiday.
Hold All Of Them Accountable
Technology May Be The Bane Of Civilization

Maybe I’m just a grumpy old man.

Maybe I’m the classic example of someone who longs for the good old days as he grows older.

I remember when I was a teen my dad used to bemoan rock ’n’ roll. “How can you listen to that long-haired music?” he would ask.
Looking For Glimmers Of Hope In Tragedy

No matter how many laws we pass, no matter how hard we try to keep people safe, bad things will happen.
Where We Are Is Not A Good Place

I’m surprised more unhinged individuals aren’t flipping out in this political environment.
Where Are All Of The Conservatives?

Remember the good old days when conservatives cared about debt?
Election Shines Light On Role Of Townships

I have to be honest. I haven’t really thought a lot about township government throughout my career in the newspaper business.
When Politics Rules The Day

This Brett Kavanaugh thing has become one big bowl of wrong.
#MeToo Comes To Confirmation Hearings

Wow, that whole Supreme Court nomination mess went off the rails, didn’t it?
A Look At A Few Current Topics

Following are a few observations on current topics in the news.
Assessing The Coming Blue Wave

I usually don’t make predictions with regard to politics.
If You Commit Crimes,You Should Be Punished

If you commit crimes, you should be punished.
News Views: Fake Letters And Politics Of Division

There is a man in Leesburg named Jacob Sprunger and the Times-Union owes him an apology.
Trump’s Words Don’t Match His Policies

Only President Donald Trump knows why he says what he does.
Shining A Light On Untold Stories

An outfit called Judicial Watch released a bunch of government reports July 10.
I Guess I’ll Stick With Capitalism

Last week I wrote about Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

She won a primary election to become the Democratic nominee in the 14th U.S. Congressional District in New York.

She’s a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, whose stated goal is the abolition of capitalism.
A Socialist Who Likes Tax Cuts?

Last week I wrote about the Democratic Socialist who won the U.S. Rep. primary in New York’s 14th District.

Here are a couple more observations.
Are Americans Ready For A Socialist?

It’s fun to watch the pendulum of politics swing.
NEWS VIEWS: Both Sides Behaving Badly

President Donald Trump reversed his position on zero tolerance immigration enforcement and separating families at the border.
Good Policy Formed By Facts

David Hogg was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14.

That’s the day Nikolas Cruz entered the Parkland, Fla., school, shooting and killing 14 students and three staff members.
Let’s Fire All Who Spew Vile

Roseanne Barr tried hard to apologize for tweeting some really vile stuff, but alas, it just wasn’t good enough.

For those who missed it, during a discussion on Twitter about former Obama aid Valerie Jarrett, Barr tweeted, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
The More Things Change ...

After the Parkland, Fla., shooting I wrote this:
Here’s Hoping Fairgrounds, Neighbors Can Settle

A group of homeowners has filed a complaint against the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds in an attempt to stop motorized racing.
Why Would Facebook Lean Left?

Comes now Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to tell us that his company has begun implementing a system that ranks news organizations based on “trustworthiness.”
It’s OK To Hurl Slurs If You’re A Lefty

Joy Reid is a liberal MSNBC host (I know, redundant) who hates Donald Trump.
Doc Bowen’s 100th A Time For Reflection

Dr. Otis R. Bowen was born Feb. 26, 1918, in Rochester.
Good Or Bad? It Depends

Facebook is being criticized these days for the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Ship Seems Steady, But The Captain’s A Lunatic

Everybody knows there is a certain level of hypocrisy in politics.

That certain level lately has been raised to new heights. Isn’t it odd how in the name of politics, folks can rationalize pretty much any behavior?

Generally, for a politician to turn on one of his own, there have got be some serious shenanigans going on.

But these are no ordinary times, are they, under one President Donald J. Trump?
Schools: Where Perception And Reality Collide

This past week youths all across America walked out of class in schools in an effort to prod adults all across America to do something about gun violence.

I think it’s a good thing to exercise your right to free speech and assembly.
Not Sure Laws Are The Answer

The national conversation has turned once again to guns following a mass shooting in Florida by a 19-year-old miscreant named Nikolas Cruz.
Government: It’s All About The Money

President Donald Trump came out with his plan to rehabilitate the nation’s infrastructure last week.
Things That Don’t Add Up

This week, a compendium of things that just seem a little bit off to me.
School Board Term Limits Questioned

Back in December, the Warsaw Community School Corporation Board of Trustees passed a resolution to extend board members’ term limits.
There’s Plenty Of Crooked To Go Around

When it comes to the Russian collusion investigation, I can say with certainty I have never seen anything quite like this before.
Some Oddities In The News

Following are some things I think are odd.
Tell-All Book Is Big News

Author Michael Wolff has made quite a name for himself with his Donald Trump-bashing tell-all, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.”
Art Museum Proposal Faces Hurdles

In spring 2016 my wife, Mary, and I saw “Van Gogh’s Bedrooms” at The Art Institute of Chicago.
I'm Averse To Social Media

I am not averse to technology, but I am averse to social media.
The 'W' In Christmas

Gleaned from the internet and author unknown, here is a little story for Christmas.
Politicians Aren’t Honest About Taxes

If you are looking for a pure example of demagoguery, look no further than the debate over the tax bill.
Event Aimed At Opioid Crisis Planned Dec. 11

There’s an important community event scheduled for Dec. 11. It’s billed as a community call to action with regard to the opioid crisis.
What Matters These Days?

This sexual harassment thing is spinning out of control, isn’t it?
My, How Times Have Changed

It’s easy to see that we’re living in different times.
Brazile’s Rant And More Tragic Gunfire

Donna Brazile’s new tell-all book was all the rave this week.
Lots Of News Goes Unreported

I get that a lot of people on the left quite literally hate Donald Trump.
NFL Botches Anthem Debacle

I wondered how long it would take for the light bulb to go on.
Gun Problem Solutions Are Elusive

This is a troubling time for a gun owner like me.
NFL Sows Disrespect; Trump, Divisiveness

The whole NFL kneeling thing really spun out of control, didn’t it?
Escalante Was Grand 20 Years Ago

Early this week there was a story on the Associated Press about President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Interior recommending six national monuments be reduced in size.
The Big News Of Hurricanes

My daughter and her husband live in Tampa.
Was It A Russian Hack Or Inside Job?

Well, here’s something you won’t see on CNN or any other mainstream news network.
Demos, GOP Both In Bed With Russia?

Remember Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager John Podesta?
Let’s Remove Everything That’s Offensive

Seems like it’s a good time to denounce things in America.
Trump Sticks Foot In Mouth

I will admit I was more than a little concerned when Donald J. Trump was elected president.
Someone Will Get Busted For Something

I’m not sure that Russia colluded with the Trump campaign.
Lots Of Folks Deciding Not To Work

So have you noticed all the “help wanted” signs around the county?

They’re everywhere.
The Weird Case Against Wasserman’s I.T. Guy

I know the national media won’t latch onto this with the same pit bull vigor they employ to cover the Russian bombshell-of-the-week.
Media Must Investigate All Of The Collusion

I wrote last week about the meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer.
Donald Jr. Got Played This Time

OK, this is about Russia, and it’s going to get a little deep in the weeds, but bear with me.
What Happens When Service Jobs Dwindle?

I am not averse to technology.
Health Care Legislation Is A Mess

Here’s a rundown – provided by National Public Radio – of the proposed changes to Obamacare from House and Senate Republicans.
Fox’s Fake News, & A Democrat Defends Trump

First, an update.
Trump Not Sinister, But Rich Murder Might Be

Well, President Donald Trump has turned out to be quite the lunatic, hasn’t he?
Don't Click The Bait

We ran a small story Wednesday about Winona Lake being named “one of the coolest towns in the U.S.”
Now It's Time For Demos To Hate Deficits

Well, the government didn’t shut down last weekend.
Funny How Culture Decides What's Acceptable

I’m not going to make excuses for Bill O’Reilly’s behavior.
Different Treatment For Similar Rich Kids

Variety magazine is honoring Chelsea Clinton in its “Power of Women” edition.
Trump’s Comments Do More Harm Than Good

Everybody knows that President Donald Trump makes inflammatory comments.
Economy Seems A Bit Better

A couple of weeks ago the government released employment data that I found encouraging.
Seems Like A Strange Way To Assess Laws

I was reading about the rulings against President Donald Trump’s second, “revised” travel ban this week.
Who Do You Trust Anymore?

Even the most ardent Trump supporter these days has to admit that our president needs to rein in his twitter rants.
The Constitution And Religious Freedom

The Indiana House Education Committee this past week passed a bill related to school prayer on a vote of 10-2.
Politicians Can’t Handle Prosperity

Why is it that politicians just can’t seem to handle prosperity?
Trump Should Dial It Back A Bit

I’ve been writing a weekly news-pegged opinion column in this newspaper since 1990.
Trump Policy Flawed, But Critics Are Off Base, Too

I understand the hubbub regarding Trump’s executive order for a travel ban.
Trump: The Good, Bad And Ugly

The good – jobs.