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It's Good To Be Back In The News

When I take a vacation, I generally try to stay away from news. It's difficult, since I'm a bit of a news junkie, but I really try. I only looked at CNN a couple times and I only read a couple newspapers in two weeks. So when I come back to work, I always have a bit of catching up to do. This week, there was plenty to catch up on. Kobe Bryant I guess I didn't realize his middle name was Bean.That's an unusual middle name.It's funny how when CNN throws graphics up on the screen, sometimes it seems they try to make things seem more ominous or significant. Like putting "Kobe Bean Bryant" under his picture while they're doing a story about his Colorado troubles. Of course, his case will polarize the country.They're already doing the polls. Most blacks think he's innocent.Most whites think he's guilty.I just don't get that.I honestly don't see what race has to do with it.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Government To Enter The Diet Wars

By the end of 2001 the government will tell us what diet to be on. This week the scientists with the Agriculture Department announced they are going to test two of this country's most popular diets - the low-carb diet and the low-fat diet. They want to see whether the diets work and how safe they are. I hope the report includes an endorsement of Mrs.Freshley's Bear Claw Danish.I love those things.The almond danish is pretty good, too.I buy them out of the the vending machine here at work. Anyway, just about everybody I know has been on one or the other of those diets in the past few years, so I suppose it's a good thing the government is going to check them out.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

On The Court Basketball Previews

ARGOS AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.Saturday in Mentone Coaches: Doug Snyder (Argos), Bill Patrick (Valley) Records: Argos 4-1; Valley 5-3 Last game: Argos 54, River Forest 42; Valley 54, Glenn 48 Last year: Argos 82, Valley 64 Matchup: Valley will have to wait one more night to return to the court following Christmas break ...With a victory the Vikings would have the same number of victories as all of last year ...Valley is led in scoring by Brandon Eaton and Jarvis Shepherd. Patrick: "I don't know a lot about them, but I think their record is pretty good.They play well and have one of the better guards in the area, but at this point I don't have a lot of information about them.I know they beat Valley at Valley last year, and they have some of those kids back.We'll watch tapes on Saturday morning and have a walk through.Then we'll see what we can do Saturday night." Snyder: Snyder did not return phone calls.
Times-Union Sports Staff- | July 28, 2016

We Need Some Random Acts Of Renewal

Last week I wrote that our nation is in need of a spiritual renewal. The evidence keeps mounting. Just this week five people were killed in southern Indiana and Illinois by suspects who the police say apparently had no motive. The killings were "random acts of violence." Now there's a scary term for the '90s. Violence for no apparent reason.Violence for violence's sake. The big question is why.Why would anyone want to kill someone just to watch them die? Murder is always heinous.But at least it's a little less baffling in the case of the drug turf war, the jealous husband or the gang banger. But teens preying on hapless innocents just to see what it's like? It defies explanation. The fact that we, as a society, are generating these homicidal miscreants is very unsettling to me. And don't tell me it can't happen here.I'm sure the people in Odon, Ind., and Albion, Ill., didn't think it could happen there either.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Just Not Sold On A War In Kosovo

I am glad to see the Kosovo engagement winding down. But since the beginning I have wondered why we were involved.It is difficult for me to see the national interest. I am not a big fan of war to begin with, but when we do have to get involved in such matters, I like to think there is a really good reason. Several conflicts the United States has been involved in seem not to meet that standard. I could see, for example, the need to get involved when Saddam Hussein took over Kuwait.He probably wouldn't have stopped there. He probably would have kept going until he had control of most of the Middle East.That wouldn't be a good thing.It would not be in our national interest for Saddam to control the vast majority of the world's oil production. Now, I know the politicians told us that attacking Saddam wasn't about oil.It was about returning autonomy to the sovereign nation of Kuwait.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Politics, As Usual, Are Unusual

Every once in a while I try to assess my political ideology and match it up to what's happening in Washington. For the most part, I guess, I'm conservative.(I bet that's a big shock for regular readers of this column, eh?) But seriously, anymore, I don't think conservatives know what conservatives are. And the same thing is happening with liberals. Conservatives, traditionally, are known for being proponents of a smaller federal government.They think people should be allowed to take care of themselves whenever possible.They favor lower taxes because they think people should keep more of what they earn. Liberals, traditionally, are proponents of a more comprehensive kind of government.They figure government should take care of people.They favor a redistribution of wealth through taxation because taking care of the least fortunate Americans is good for the whole nation. Conservatives want more decisions on policies and programs left up to the states.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Freshmen Keep Lancers Focused On Future

WINONA LAKE - Scott Schramm is getting a chance to see his master plan in action maybe quicker than even he expected. When Schramm took over the Grace women's basketball program last year the biggest area he wanted to address was recruiting.He wanted to bring in quality players to help build the Lancers into a solid program. So, he went out and got four freshmen to come in this season to learn and develop and be ready to lead the program in a year or two.But as they say, the best-laid plans... Because some key personnel didn't rejoin the team from last year, Schramm's first recruiting class has been thrust into bigger roles on the team and at a much quicker pace. Against Marian Wednesday in the Mid-Central Conference opener for both teams, the Lancers started four freshmen on the court against five senior starters for the Knights.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Panthers Survive Late Meltdown

NAPPANEE -ÊIt isn't a good idea for any Northern Lakes Conference boys basketball team to dig itself too big of a hole at the beginning of the conference season. Not in a tough and rugged conference like this one. Heading into Saturday's NLC clash between Wawasee and NorthWood at the Panther Pit, each team was trying to pick up its first conference win and trying to avoid going 0-2 in conference play. "We really feel like we should beat anyone on our schedule,' Wawasee coach Phil Mishler said."You have to play four solid quarters to win in this league.' After three quarters of looking like the Panthers would pick up their first win in the conference, the Panthers crumbled in the fourth, and the Warriors looked to pick up a huge win in a very tough environment. After struggling badly, the Panthers got some key baskets late and held off the pesky Warriors 69-63.
Craig Helfrich, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Survives Wawasee Upset Bid

In case anyone forgot, the Warsaw Tigers reminded Wawasee on Thursday just how difficult it is to win in the Tiger Den.Wawasee had the offense moving on all cylinders in the first half with 35 points, the most allowed by the Tigers this year in one half. But when Warsaw clamped on the defense in the second half, the Warriors struggled in Mark Sumpter's first game as the official interim coach and the Tigers won 68-57. Warsaw survived a spectactular night from Lydia Carpenter.She scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting.Against most teams, those numbers would be impressive, but against Warsaw, that type of inside dominance is extraordinary. "Those are some pretty good girls that she's playing against," Sumpter said."She was moving and slashing, and she was using her outside shooting." For Warsaw head coach Will Wienhorst, it was his 200th victory (304 overall) at Warsaw and Sumpter had nothing but praise for him.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Equals Last Season's Win Total

MENTONE - To describe Saturday's Valley-Argos boys basketball game in one word, "aggressive" would be an accurate description. Aggressive enough for the two teams to combine for 44 fouls, shoot 41 free throws and have three players foul out. In the end, Valley used the Dragons' aggression against them to the tune of 17 of 23 from the charity stripe in their 61-59 victory.The win is Valley's sixth of the season, the same number of wins they tallied last season.Argos dropped to 4-2. Valley's Jarvis Shepherd led all scorers with 19 points.Brandon Eaton was the only other Viking in double figures with 11.Caleb Andrews paced Argos with 14 points, while Chris Kessler added 12. Shepherd was the story in the early going.During the third quarter of the junior varsity game while the Dragons made their way to the dressing rooms, one Argos player taunted Shepherd by calling his name as he passed.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Trips Northfield 65-44

AKRON -ÊAfter playing Argos, primarily an outside-shooting team, Thursday, Tippecaoe Valley coach Bill Patrick was concerned about switching gears for Saturday's game against Northfield, primarily an inside-shooting team. However, Valley's basketball team (8-2) calmed Patrick's concerns by downing Northfield (2-7) 65-44 and improving to 2-0 in the Three Rivers Conference.Northfield falls to 0-2 in TRC play. After a patient Valley team held the first possession for more than a minute, Cody New started the game with a basket at the 6:58 mark.New continued to own the Norsemen through the quarter as he hit 3 of 4 three-pointers and 5 of 6 overall for 13 points in the quarter. The Viking man-to-man defense held Northfield to just four points the entire first quarter, while the Valley offense scored 18.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Vikings Shut Down Knights To Go To 3-0 In TRC

WABASH - Heading into Friday night's Three Rivers Conference boys basketball battle between Tippecanoe Valley and Southwood, the host Knights knew they would have to deal with 6-foot-3 senior Brandon Eaton. Eaton, who leads the area in scoring with a 23.5 average, was the Knights' main concern.Someone forgot to tell Southwood coach Steve McClure that there is another Eaton on this team, 6-3 freshman Trey Eaton, Brandon's brother. It was Trey Eaton who came off the bench to have a monster game for the Vikings. Trey Eaton erupted for 17 fourth-quarter points and had a game-high 22 points to give the Vikings a big 60-48 TRC win over Southwood.More importantly, the Vikings (6-3) move to 3-0 in the TRC.Southwood falls to 6-2 overall and 1-2 in the TRC.
Craig Helfrich, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Grapplers Improve To 8-2

NAPPANEE -ÊWawasee's wrestling Warriors boosted their season record to 8-2, defeating NorthWood in the midst of a roaring crowd at the Panther Pit Thursday, 40-27. Competition opened at the 275-pound class.As Wawasee was about to receive a forfeit, the Panthers moved their 215-pounder up for the match.In response, the Warriors brought out theirs and the two went at it on the mat.NorthWood's Randy Mitschelen came out the 7-3 winner against Mike Hall, giving the Panthers a 3-0 advantage. Wawasee built a big lead with forfeits awarded at 103 and 112, and then a fall for Eracleo Vallejo at 119. But it was no cakewalk for Vallejo when he faced NorthWood sophomore Derek Burnett.The Wawasee senior scored the opening takedown, but Burnett escaped and pulled quite a stunt, scoring a takedown of his own and putting Vallejo on his back.However, the skilled veteran Vallejo managed to elude being stuck, reversed control, and pinned the feisty Panther in 1:52.
Jim Brenneman, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Falcons Soar Past Triton

BOURBON - In search of their first win of the season against Northern States Conference opponent Glenn, the Triton Trojans put themselves behind the eight ball early and could never dig out of a 23-5 first quarter deficit. The Falcons were in flight early and scorching from the field.Glenn hit 10 of its first 17 shots of the game to garner the 23-5 lead. Glenn's Brandon Egger scored nine of his 12 points in the first quarter and also added seven rebounds. Egger and the rest of the Falcon squad dominated the glass to the tune of a 30-21 rebounding advantage.Egger's frontcourt running mate Joe Curtis added five rebounds and scored 11 points. Brian Bogard quickly put the Falcons up 4-0 to start the game on two layups that came from precise ball movement and Bogard's ability to move without the ball. Triton head coach Mike McBride called a timeout with 56 seconds in an attempt to sure up the defense and settle his kids down.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Parker-less Valley Picks Up TRC Win Over Northfield

AKRON -ÊTippecanoe Valley girls basketball coach Gary Teel knew Friday night's game against Northfield would be a challenge.Especially without team leader Rebekah Parker. Parker, who injured her knee in a game against Bremen earlier this season, was in Indianapolis Friday night recovering from knee surgery while her teammates were on the court beating Three Rivers Conference opponent Northfield 63-46. "I think the kids gave an outstanding performance," said Teel."You never know how a group is going to handle adversity, and our girls responded like a true team.Each player who came into the game did something positive for the team." After Northfield's Audrey Mast hit the first bucket of the game, Holli Jackson responded wih a steal and a basket of her own.Then a pair of free throw's by Viking Heather Rathbun gave Valley a 4-2 lead.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Partial-Birth Abortion Law Could Lead To Others

The pro-abortion crowd was all atwitter this week because W signed a bill banning a certain late-term abortion procedure. The procedure is dilation and extraction, but is commonly called "partial-birth abortion" because the abortionist pulls the fetus partially out of the womb before killing it. This term bugs the pro-abortion crowd for some reason. And it's funny how it gets reported in the news.Most of the time the term is used it is preceded by the phase "so-called." It's the "so-called" partial-birth abortion ban. It's kind of strange how that phrase is used by the mainstream media, really.You have the so-called war on drugs, the so-called war on terror, so-called family values, so-called religious right, so-called contract with America or the so-called liberal media. Seems it only gets attached to things put forth by conservatives.You never hear anybody say the so-called environmental movement or the so-called woman's right to choose. But I digress.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

The News From Iraq Isn't All Bad

Before the war in Iraq started, I suggested that W shouldn't go to war without the support of the U.N. When he decided to go to war without U.N.support, I wasn't really all that enthusiastic about it, but I supported the decision and the troops. Since then, I have been critical from time to time of some of W's policy, including spending, and what appears to be hawkish foreign policy. Media reports in general seem to be quite negative when it comes to the war in Iraq. I realize that when something blows up in Iraq, it is news.There is no question about that. But there are positive things going on in Iraq, too, and I think those stories are being underreported by the mainstream media. To that end, what follows is a message allegedly sent by Lt.Col.Scott Seitz, a commander in Iraq, to his troops.He was attempting to show his troops that they should be proud of what they have accomplished in Iraq.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

We And The GOP Have An Opportunity

I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the result of the election this past week. I was glad to see that W's approval rating was able to help Republicans get elected in so many races. Not many people would have predicted gains in the house and a shift in power in the Senate during a midterm election. It was historic. Most times in the past, the president's party loses seats in midterm elections. There were a lot of factors that entered into it, but I think the overriding factor was W's popularity. People just like him.They trust him.He seems more populist than most politicians. He exudes a sort of down-home, roll-up-your-sleeves persona. Granted, when it comes to oratory, he lacks polish.Heck, sometimes he lacks grammar and diction.But you know what, I think people relate to that. They understand it.Most people think it's really hard to get up and speak in front of people and they empathize.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Hepler Wins Big Break VI

Warsaw's Denny Hepler blew a 5-up front-nine lead in regulation, but birdied the first playoff hole to win the "Big Break VI: Trump National." "Relief" is the word Hepler, owner/PGA pro at Raccoon Run Golf Course, used to describe how he felt after sinking the winning put. He said friends and colleagues put a lot of light-hearted pressure on him all week following his stellar performance last week on the front nine. "If I'd have missed that ...Hey, I had death threats, people threatening to pull my IHSAA (officiating) card if I blew that lead," he joked. "I blew the lead," he said, but quickly added he was able to regroup and put together solid back-to-back shots and a true-rolling putt for the win. "It played out great for The Golf Channel," he said.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016

Joe Camel And The Golden Arches

What's all this about tobacco these days? A couple weeks ago the Liggett Group lost that big court case and 'fessed up to all manner of tobacco evil. When that happened, the anti-tobacco folks were jumping for joy, shouting things like, "We've got them now! We've got them now!" I asked one of those people.What's the big deal? What have we learned here that we haven't known all along? "It was the deception," he proclaimed."The tobacco company officials admitted they were lying to us." He meant the part about cigarettes being addictive and bad for you.For the first time, a tobacco company admitted those two well-known facts.
GARY GERARD, Times-Union Managing Editor- | July 28, 2016
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