Rev. Michael Latham, what were you thinking?

Ken Fries, Allen County Sheriff stated during his campaign nobody was going to tell him how to do his job. And that include you, Mr. President of the Local NAACP. Fries talked about all the millions of dollars leaving Fort Wayne based on drugs. How much do you think some of that drug money can keep those new sheriff posse members working? Sheriff Fries did promise them raises did he not? And did you notice his posse was made up of all raced white males. Yep, so much for inclusive in the Sheriff Department.

Now he decides he needs to convene the MetroSquad because he cares about African-Americans dying? Rev. Michael Latham, look deep into the man's eye and then tell me, if you think he cares one iota about a child dying on the southside. Tell him to hire some of these young men, if he is really concerned about their health or lives.

Can we say Tasers?

If you meet with the new sheriff in town, tell him to focus on getting some of those big money drug dealers off the street that harms thousands upon thousands of lives. Kevin Leininger wrote the story to say African-Americans don't want cowboys in our crime infested neighborhood. The point is we don't want cowboy harassing innocence folks in our neighborhood, which has pockets of permissible criminal activity. And the biggest activity everyone can agree on is drugs. Focus on that.

And I have a court case you can read and share with Sheriff Fries involving one of his staunchest supporter (one of his idol) and its got drugs written all over it. And if you could warn Fries about worshipping idol, it's in the bible. That's right, but Leininger's not going to write about that because it's an allegation. But Leininger has no problem writing about allegations about the thoughts and behavior of all African-Americans on the southside. I forgot these are his friends..can you say Republicans friends. You know your kind of friends Rev. Latham.

Tell the truth and shame the devil.

And while you're at it lay your hands on Leininger cause he needs Jesus.

Amen Amen

Speechless

At first you think a deer and you keep reading:

He was found guilty in April 2005 of felony mistreatment of an animal after he killed a horse with the intention of having sex with it. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and two years of extended supervision on that charge as well as six years of probation for taking and driving a vehicle without the owner's consent.

And the judge reaction

:"The type of behavior is disturbing," Judge Michael Lucci said. "It's disturbing to the public. It's disturbing

to the court."

Hmmm, sick sick sick.

Hey It's Spring

Want to know how I can tell? The smell of barbecue. Folks are cooking out on their grills. Forget all the rain, pull your grill out and bar-b-que on the porch.

I am so glad that 12 year old boy scout was found. Still wondering, what made him take off in the middle of the night? Question seeking an answer.

Why grinning cheesy smiling males should be questioned..6 year old boy found dead

Six year old boy came up missing. Where did they find him? On the side of a road in a trash bag dead. Nope. I don't have time to entertain liars among men. Nope, bad things happen when you allow men to come together based on secrecy and lies. Three adults, count them..are responsible for harm to an innocence child. What came three evil adults do:

A convicted child molester and his father took turns sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy while the molester's mother watched, then they choked the boy to death, according to an indictment issued Wednesday. The indictment charges all three family members with murder and child molestation in the slaying of young Christopher Michael Barrios, whose body was found last Thursday inside a trash bag dumped by a roadside.
District Attorney Stephen D. Kelley said he will seek the death penalty against 32-year-old George David Edenfield, who has a prior child molestation conviction from 1997, and his parents, David and Peggy Edenfield

Yep, they made it a family affair. Nope, criminals are not just on the street stealing stuff. They come together and cause harm to satisfy their ego. Ego..what else can explain the taking of this child life.

It also claims George Edenfield and his 58-year-old father sodomized the boy and forced him to perform oral sex while Peggy Edenfield watched and masturbated.

These adults were 57, 58, and 32 and only one was labeled a sexual violator, the 32 year old. Quess where he learned it from, the 58 year old, his father:

His father, David Edenfield, pleaded guilty to incest in 1994. He was accused of having sex with an adult relative who was not his son.

Nope,so folks in the blogosphere who hurl racial slur and sexual material about as fun and game. I don't trust them within an inch of my space..their intent is always questionable. If my children heard their names they would know instantly, they are not in the company of a safe person.

Nope because who you entertain, especially liars among men.

Amiri Baraka

Write a poem with the wrong language you may lose your job.

Opening argument comments on language used on the Internet and what can be done about it.

Folk you are all grown up now. Recognize the fact that if you have a professional business, or job you can not talk trash. If you are in your home or on the street, you may be able to get away with the dumb stuff. Bow down, humble yourself when you are on the job. You can not talk your racialist hatred language without paying a price.

You don't like me. Fine. But I'll be darn, if I stand and let you call me names. Nope ain't going to happen. Stop right there. Back your rear end up. Go on about your business. But I am not the one. There is no law on the book, that's said you are in uniform and you get to do it. Nope. Sorry, and if I am the one to educate you on the new day rule. I don't mind. Nope, I don't mind one bit.

No need for threats or anything else. You know I know that your rear end, can be sued all the way up to your elbow. Yep, that's right. No need to bargain with the devil, cuss or anything else. You say, I'll see ya in court. Ask AWB.

Plain and simple.

Calling me a druggie, or other names is not going to change the fact, it's a new day.

Manager cussed at woman

Kevin Leininger wants to push forward the notion that race relations are progressing in Fort Wayne. Why because a male with 29 years was let go because he cussed at a customer. The man who fired the 29 year employee was an African-American. Yep, Leininger is saying when African-American are discriminating against raced whites.

Because of the outward appearance, is it reverse discrimination when the two are of difference races? No, it because of an action taken through no fault on your part and you are dismissed based on race. Does Leininger, a newspaper writer, even know what reverse discrimination is ? Does Leininger even know what discrimination is really? The manager cussed at a customer. Would Leininger think it was okay for his wife to be cussed at in a store by a manager?

The man represented the company. The company is not going to allow you to use pejorative language in its store to it's customers who they are receiving money from. The language can be heard by other customers. But Leininger treats his readers as if they are stupid, when suggesting the manager was fired based on his race. The man believes it was based on his age or seniority on the job. And he has filed his complaint.

Ask Mr. Leininger, how many customer can he cuss at and still maintain his job?

Language can get you in trouble. You can't go around working for folks and talking to folks any kind of way. Be professional..or may cost you your job. Barry Shaw is a nice guy..but he lost control of the situation. And it suffered what happens to many folks who rage out of control. Be professional at all time, because folks ain't going to but up with "BS" just because you carry a title. Now those days are over with, when talking about the progress of the races because "BS" can hit the door, yes sirre bob.

REports on SRJ-7

Advance Indiana blogs about yesterday hearing on SRJ-7. SRJ-7 involves amending Indiana State Law to ban marriage between same sex couple. And denying benefits that are bestowed upon marriage couple to not be granted to those couple who can legally marriage but chose not to. Which will exclude such benefits to those who can not legally marry.In one of Advance Indiana's blog on his site, he talks about African-Americans not being able to legally marry and later restricting who African-Americans were permitted to marry.

I should add on a sad note, Indiana once enshrined discrimination in its constitution against African-Americans through the so-called exclusion amendments. Interestingly, those amendments were placed in the Article 13 rather than the Bill of Rights. These amendments did such things as exclude blacks from entering the state and ban interracial marriages. The Article 13 amendments were invalidated by the enactment of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution following the Civil War. They were subsequently repealed.

African-Americans did not wait on the laws to be repealed.


African-Americans did it anyways. African-Americans did what they had to do fighting against though appointed to make such crazy laws. Unless they entered the arena and became part of the rule making body to change things. It was not going to be done with the status quo, who created such laws in the first place. It is an ongoing battle.

Coach Tony Dungy is not a lawmaker, he is a Superbowl Coach.


Dungy is not one of the legislators who are opposing SJR-7. I don't understand how same sex proponents line themselves up with Democrats or Republicans . Both members of both parties oppose SJR-7, yet I don't hear the same sex individuals, saying let's not supporting these parties. They keep voting for the Party. How hard is it to write in your name or stop another party. That's what the Republican did. They created a new party from the Whigs.

Why, the big deal over SJR-7 ? It's the benefit part to be in a same sex relation is less costly if companies proves certain benefits. It was interesting to hear that two of the largest companies stepped forward in this debate. Suggesting that SJR-7 may hurt the companies should attracting certain employees. I did not interpret that to necessary mean same sex couple, but more like those who can legally marry choosing not to marry.

Many couples are choosing not to marriage but attempt based on living together arrange attempt to provide and bestow benefits on each other as if they were married, such as sharing the same last name, property, and health benefit. Many of these folks are protected from the legal messiness of divorce law when they decide to go their separate ways. I believe these were the folks the two big companies were most concerned about not attracting.

And let's stop picking on Dungy. You are not going to get him fired. Dungy is not the poster child African-American who is spreading hate. It's just same sex folks looking for another excuse to hate African-Americans, by pointing to a prominent African-Americans and saying he is against same sex folks. It just not true. The man is going to retire from his job.

And the comparison to African-Americans is not a comparison. African-Americans have not been given anything. The struggle continues.

more on the hearing on Indiana Law Blog.

Obstructive of Justice-This ones for you Lucy

A little bitty woman is beat down while on her job.

Abbate also faces possible charges related to witness intimidation and obstruction of justice. Navarro said that after he beat the bartender and fled, another man came into the bar a few minutes later and offered her money if she agreed not to press charges

.

By who you say? An off duty police officer twice her size. Guess what he did after the beat down Lucy? The officer sent someone in to pay off the bartender..intimidation and obstruction of justice all rolled up into one.

Abbate also faces possible charges related to witness intimidation and obstruction of justice. Navarro said that after he beat the bartender and fled, another man came into the bar a few minutes later and offered her money if she agreed not to press charges.

Bam, but read it for yourself.

Update: Disclaimer, for those who read this you may wish to compare this to the incident that I had here with the incident that occurred in Chicago. Don't It is educate Lucy on exacting what obstruction of justice mean. Of course the meaning was missed, so I am going to highlight the section providing the necessary information.

Corrupt manipulative politicians under the magnifying glass

Kathleen Quilligan writes about wanna bees called political leaders in the News Sentinel. Self-interest. When corrupt politicians lie to the public they should be scrutinized. The three on the front page really need to be looked at. And ain't it funny, how all three look alike, all raced white males. Go figure. And Andy Downs, reminds me of George Bush, Jr. Got a job based on his father name, yes I typed it out loud.

Yes sirree bob, Enron, showed us criminals come from high places. Tom Smith had his face and name connected to the Fort Wayne Housing Partnership. And sweet quiet gentlemanly John Crawford, tried to do away with Metro. Yes, you got to love smiling politicians. The greatest fighter there ever was and is , Muhammad Ali, understood all his smiling paying fans were not necessary paying to see him win a fight. Some were paying to see him lose. The public is not stupid when it comes to the marketing of these grinning Cheshire cats, they are not about the right thing.

Quilligan in another article writes about the self-interest of this crew. It just so happen that businesses in Andy Down neighborhood will be able to borrow money. Yet Downs took a family that they could open their own home on John street to tutor children, sitting on the Zoning Board. What's up with that? Oh it was not in Andy Downs neighborhood.

If you look at them sideways, they run scared, because they know the dirt they have done to the taxpayers. As I would tell my own children, don't have to whip you. You'll whip yourself, when you do wrong. These are some wrong politicians. Politicians who are scared of the wrong they have committed against innocence people, not angry people, wronged people. It's a big difference. Who would steal from the poor to enrich themselves, read the story.

From a different lens my point of view.

Starbucks'Coffee

I'm not a big coffee drinker. My mother was a big drinker of coffee, Instant Maxwell House. She loved Maxwell House. I tend to drink coffee when I am very very tired or sick tired. I love McDonald's Coffee. But, I have to have lots of sugar and lots of cream Yesterday, the dental assistant was going on and on about Starbucks' coffee. She was tired from the night before and need a shot or two of Starbucks' Coffee. She loves Starbucks' Coffee. I've had Starbucks 'Coffee at least twice, too expensive. And now it seem Starbucks have latched onto an exotic coffee bean that's pretty costly. Here's another reason, for not drinking Starbucks found on African American News Alert.

Starbucks is real costly to the farmer who has the coffee bean, a trademark issue. Do you think they will build a school in Ethiopia?

Fraud Alert-Health Workers of Indiana

Courier-Journal reports a hacker was able to access the social security numbers of some health care workers.

An audit of a state government Web site database after someone hacked into the system found that personal information including Social Security numbers for 71,000 health-care workers had been accessed, officials said yesterday.

The breach occurred about two months ago, during the theft of some credit card information.

The breach occurred Jan. 3 at the same time that the hacker accessed credit-card information of about 5,600 people and businesses

.

Folks received letters in the mail informing them of the breach. Hat tip to Indiana law blog

I sure hope Attorney General Carter is checking up on these website sponsored and supported by local government. The damage a hacker can do.

Superbowl Coach Dungy Steps are not ordered by same sex advocate

The Indianapolis same sex community had their panties in a bunch upon hearing that Indianapolis Colt's Coach Anthony Dungy was to be honored by Indiana Family Institute's annual dinner. A political group that the Indy's same sex community believe is anti-same sex. Dungy the man of integrity did not give Indy same sex community what they were hoping for. A religious African-American male bashing same sex relationship. How can not not love the man, Dungy that is. Reported in Indy Star and blogged about on Advance Indiana.

IFI is saying what the Lord says," Dungy said. "You can take that and make your decision on which way you want to be. I'm on the Lord's side."
The coach said his comments shouldn't be taken as gay bashing, but rather his views on the matter as he sees them from a perspective of faith.
"We're not anti- anything else. We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.

Follow procedures-Steps to Censorship

Amy Sorrell, a teacher at Woodlan Junior-Senior High School is in the hot seat. Sorrell failed to discourage an opinion piece written by a student. Did Sorrell not read what happened to a young male student at Carroll High School in expressing his views about a friend. This student was kicked out of school for expressing an opinion also for defending a friend but in his own publication that dogged his school.

But student, Megan Chase expressed an opinion in support of a friend with same sex issues. Bad, Bad She wrote this opinion and it was printed in the school student newspaper. For all the other students to be exposed to same sex issues. Hello, can we say Rosie, Ellen, Rock Hudson, just to name a few. It's not like it's the student looking hearing about the issue. Nevertheless, Chase's opinion stirred the Woodlan's Principal into action. The Principal took over the student newspaper. This way, he will have final say on what goes on in the student's newspaper.

It's not like the school is against same sex issues. Sorrell does not understand how it could have come to her losing her job. Krista Stockman reports:

The East Allen County Schools teacher at the center of a controversy over the newspaper at Woodlan Junior-Senior High School has been placed on paid leave.

English and journalism teacher Amy Sorrell was told Monday that she was being placed on leave while the district investigates allegations that could lead to terminating her contract.

She said she doesn’t know what the investigation is about or why she is being placed on leave.

“I’m assuming it’s with this whole mess of all this other stuff, but I really don’t see how it got this far,” Sorrell said.

Sorrell, probably got caught up in groupthink and decided she is an adult and skirted the rule of going through through the proper channels. Had Sorrell followed the correct procedure, the article would not have seen the light of day.. or at best would have been more balance. Balanced in the fact that the articlewould not have leaned so heavily toward supporting same sex relationships. Lesson, students need to follow school rules. And learning about same sex relationship has nothing to do with following man rules.

Sorrell knows the rules, she's a teacher. First and foremost schools are not about what students think. You can gossip all day, but don't have a student thinking. It is a place to teach them how to fit into society. Second rule, do not challenge authority. Who cares if authority, or role model are wrong. Heck the President started a war based on information that was wrong. But the President is authority, just follow the rules.

Sorrell broke the rules, and now her job is on the line. Sorrell took the risk, and now a quick dismissal will teach the students the price of not following the rules. Schools don't care if you eat, sleep, chew gum and even have sex, but for goodness sake, it's not a place to encourage students to think.

Oh by the way, Sorrell is a female. The student who wrote the opinion was a female. The reaction towards these two female is not out of character for a district that allegedly stopped collective bargaining with a group of workers who were mainly females.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) A federal labor board has ruled that an Indiana school district may have discriminated against female employees when it stopped collective bargaining with employee groups made up mostly of women.

East Allen County Schools said in December 2004 that the district would no longer negotiate contracts with nurses, secretaries, paraprofessionals and food service workers. District officials said the decision would save the district money, and noted there was no legal requirement to bargain with the associations, though they had done so for decades.

The four groups had a total of about 310 employees in 2005, but less than five were men. Union officials say the EEOC will work with the school district and the groups to come to an agreement.

East Allen County Schools attorney Tim McCaulay said he would forward the determination to the school board and consult with outside legal counsel about the ruling.

The saying goes, if you discriminate against one you will discriminate against others.

So now what? Hopeful those in the same sex community will stand with Sorrell and the student. Sorrell stood. Sorrell stood for the right to express your view. That students do have opinions and they need to be able to express these views without being censored. Let's see if the same sex community is without bias by standing up in defense of a female.

Education-The fear factor

Parents are concerned about their children's education. Some parents move to community in hopes of getting a good solid education for their children. Some fearing that their students are not being challenged enough, hire private tutors. Others remove their children from schools and began homeschooling as a choice in providing their children with a certain type of education.

Other families are less fortunate, unable to home school or even to hire tutors, see their children failing in schools. Some of these students need only a little help that is unavailable in crowded classrooms. Those students unable to keep up, give up. Low grades, low test scores, lead many of these students to just simply exit the schoolhouse all together. The drop out rate increases not just in urban schools there was an increase in the drop out rate in the rural area. Children willing to forgo higher learning and go it along in the new high tech world. Government decided to intervene, seeing not children failing, but schools failing to produce students prepared to lead its country. The No Child Left behind Act wanted to do something about the lack of academic achievement of students in these schools.

It would offer federal oversight for parents and demand accountability from schools. Those school committed to teaching would be rewarded, those teachers who failed to educate the students who showed up would see their schools closed. The teachers were required to teach no matter the students.

Tutoring program would be available to offer assistance to students who want to compete, but the resources they need are either in short supply or unavailable. Parents who want to be engaged in their child learning, can utilize tutoring program online. ATS is one such program:

ATS Project Success is an on-line tutoring program for math and reading.
We send our computer to your home and provide dial-up access to our program. Students work on our program in the comfort and safety of their own homes, any time of day, any day of the week. To be eligible for our program, you must have a land telephone line in your home and your child must attend a NCLB qualifying school.

The computer is very easy to set up and technical assistance is available if needed. Parents are sent reports weekly about their student’s progress and are also called weekly to discuss progress.

Parents love what ATS Project Success does to help their children improve their grades and test scores in math and reading! They love the way their child’s attitude improves toward school and their increased self-esteem.

If a child attends a qualifying school, there is no cost at all to the parents. The school pays for the tutoring. We charge the school $40 per hour. Each school district determines how much money the student is allocated. Most students are eligible for 25 - 35 hours of tutoring, based on the school district's per student allocation. Students keep the computer until they have finished their tutoring hours. Then we have UPS pick it up at no charge to them.

Our website is www.projectsuccessworks.com.

The need for educational reforms has prompt others to remove accountability from the federal level back to the state. On the fifth year anniversary of NCLB new legislature is in the works to end No Child Left Behind mandate to fund certain program. Today, Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A-PLUS) Act of 2007 has been introduced by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Academy. According to Senator Cornyn website:

A-PLUS would give states flexibility to consolidate federal education programs and funding and redirect these resources to state education reform initiatives. Currently, the U.S. Department of Education forces states to use federal education funds on specific programs, an approach that has shown little success. In exchange for the flexibility A-PLUS provides, states would be required to be transparent about academic results.

Under the A-PLUS Act:

All states would have the option of establishing a 5-year Performance Agreement with the Secretary of Education.

States could consolidate funds from a few or all of the federal education programs and redirect them to innovative programs created at the state level.

In exchange for this flexibility, participating states would be required to meet their state performance objectives for improving student academic achievement and demonstrate a narrowing of achievement gaps.

If a state fails to improve academic achievement, its Performance Agreement would be revoked and it would revert back to the NCLB system.

Accountability and student achievement would remain a high priority with A-PLUS, but unlike NCLB, A-PLUS allows states to use a variety of innovative accountability programs.

Transparency would be ensured by requiring states to submit annual reports on student progress to parents and taxpayers.

, according to the website.

Cornyn suggest that if state really believe in preventing brain drain, improve their schools. And to get the federal government out the business of oversight of local schools, based on the belief that the state should know what works best for their students. But parents are still protected by the new legislature, because if the state fails to do what it is in the business of doing, meaning improving academic achievement for all of its students, the state will go back into oversight by the federal government.


Locally we are concerned with renovating our school buildings, at the national levels the concern is a quality education for all of its students. Something that every parents wants for his or her child.

Mother says free Shaquanda Cotton

Free Shaquanda Cotton: Leave Shaquanda Notes of Love!



Read more here

No general taxes-Hotel needs more money

Now the planners, are blaming the state again. The cost for the hotel as just increased. In the news sentinel,

Also complicating matters is the state’s earlier decision to cut the amount of Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) tax credits for the project from the hoped-for $12 million to $6 million. That is a major reason why four firms that had expressed interest in the hotel project failed to submit a development proposal, Leatherman said.

But whose counting? Found this interesting over at Advance Indiana.

No general taxes- Harrison Square Park-Fake Appraisal

The aggregated assessed value of all taxable property located within the tax incremental district was the question that was offered at the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana Harrison Square downtown meeting at the Allen County Main Library. It did not get asked or answered. But it is obvious that it is astate law requirement. Ryan Lengerich reports in the News-Sentinel the appraisal will now happen.

State law says the redevelopment commission must obtain two appraisals in a land sale with the average of the two indicating fair market value.

But the Harrison Square land purchase wasn’t typical. City officials took out land options and agreed to purchasing prices behind closed doors. This prevented land owners from inflating their asking price -- as city officials said would have happened had word leaked out about the city’s $125 million-to-$160 million downtown revitalization project.

Is this not a deceptive practice by someone acting under the color of the law? Was not the whole purpose to deceive and mislead the public?

as city officials said would have happened had word leaked out about the city’s $125 million-to-$160 million downtown revitalization project

.



Appraisals have to be approved in open meetings.

So is the City calling Greg Leatherman sneaking around town the open meeting? Was Leatherman trying to save the city money or was it trying to prevent the folks from asking the hard questions.

So Mr. save the taxpayers some money is now willing to pay for appraisal for land that is already owned by the city? Why is that? Mr. Leatherman wants to make should that they get credit now for the value of the land. Or did Mr. Freier and Mr. Schoen, require the appraisal? $63,000 for how many appraisals? Does the laws require at least 2?

Why don't we have more lawsuits? I just want to see Greg Leatherman and Mayor Dick on the witness stand, lying through their teeth. But we know Mayor Dick won't take the stand because he didn't when he was called to testify on the stealing of South town Mall and its improper appraisal.

Elegance Ball

Missy and FriendMissy and Friend>











Granddaughter's 1st ball at 14 years old..priceless

Scales of Justice -unbalanced

Mother reports on Shaquanda Cotton. Click here to read News coverage and to write Governor Rick Perry.

Thank you for your e-mail message, which will be reviewed by the Governor's office staff. We value your opinion, and the Governor is kept informed regularly on the issues of concern to our citizens.

If your submission was a public information request, Office of the Governor policy requires these to be sent by facsimile to (512) 463-1932, by electronic mail at publicrecords@governor.state.tx.us, by the U.S. Postal Service to P.O. Box 12428, Austin, TX 78711, or by hand to the State Insurance Building lobby located at 1100 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78701.

Fort Wayne Youth in a Culture of Violence

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette headline screams

Coroners Declares Oxford Death a Homicide:

Fifth of year in Allen County; all in Fort Wayne
The Journal Gazette
The Allen County coroner has released the name of the man killed Saturday night by gunshot wounds and declared the death a homicide.

Sheldon James Jefferson, 22, was one of two men in a car that crashed into a home in the 2900 block of Oxford Street Saturday night. His death is the fifth homicide in Allen County this year, all in Fort Wayne.

Police were called to the home at 9 p.m. Saturday and found two men in the car. Jefferson died at the scene, and the second man, whose name has not been released, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s editions of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 7 a.m. Tuesday.

While Marion General Hospital treats Fort Wayne youth residents injured at a Community Center in Marion

.

20-year-old injured in nearby shooting

A Fort Wayne man is in good condition at Marion General Hospital after being shot in the lower back early Sunday morning at a dance.

Terrence Glenn, 20, 2721 Stardale Drive, Fort Wayne, was shot at the Clarence Faulkner Community Center, 1221 W. 12th St., at 1:48 a.m. Sunday, Marion Police Department Capt. Jay Kay said

.

Was it a shot sounded around the world, because a few hours later:

Police said the incident is not related to a double homicide a few hours later at a motorcycle club on South Branson St.

Waiting for an headline to explain why youth dances with violence?

But its not just Fort Wayne youth who are acting up:

Teenagers brawled in the stands at a high school basketball game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, leading police to crack down on the melee, which spilled into the streets and subways.

Gunfire was heard as the crowd went from the arena to Times Square, police said. No injuries were reported.

Twenty-one people, mostly teenagers, were arrested, police said. Some were charged with disorderly conduct or resisting arrest and one person was arrested on charges of riot.

More on SJR-7

Indiana House committee will hold a hearing Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in the House Chambers on the controversial SJR-7.

What is SJR-7?

SJR-7 is a joint resolution (and not bill) that is used to propose a constitutional amendment. SJR-7 is a proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution to ban same sex marriages.

What does SJR-7 say?

SECTION 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of Indiana, which was agreed to by the One Hundred Fourteenth General Assembly and referred to this General Assembly for reconsideration and agreement, is agreed to by this the One Hundred Fifteenth General Assembly of the State of Indiana.

SECTION 2. ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA IS AMENDED BY ADDING A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Section 38. (a) Marriage in Indiana consists only of the union of one man and one woman.

(b) This Constitution or any other Indiana law may not be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups


What is the change?

Language in the constitution decreeing marriage as only between man and woman. And certain benefits bestowed upon unmarried people that are normally granted for marriage will be in violation of the amendment.

What is the snafu?

If the resolution is passed certain protections and benefit may be impacted that are currently given to those who are couples and their children outside of marriage. This will impact heterosexual couples as well as same sex couples.

Therefore the removal of (b) section of the resolution could be viewed as an amendment to the passed resolution.

What does the Indiana Constitution say about this issue?

Article 16
Section 1. (a) An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the General Assembly. If the amendment is agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses, the proposed amendment shall, with the yeas and nays thereon, be entered on their journals, and referred to the General Assembly to be chosen at the next general election.
(b) If, in the General Assembly so next chosen, the proposed amendment is agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each House, then the General Assembly shall submit the amendment to the electors of the State at the next general election.
(c) If a majority of the electors voting on the amendment ratify the amendment, the amendment becomes a part of this Constitution.
(History: As Amended November 3, 1998).


Section 2. If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of such amendments separately.
(History: As Amended November 8, 1966).


So now what?

It is an all or nothing, if Article 16 is interpreted to prevent striking out part of the approved resolution. It will mean the process may have to start all over again, if any part is removed before going to the voters.

And if the SJR-7 goes forward as written?

Because of the unintentional impact on current benefits or relationship for certain unmarried couples or groups, more than likely lawsuits will be filed and the issue brought before the Indiana Supreme Court.

For more information on SJR-7 check out Indiana Law Blog and Advance Indiana or Blue Indiana

OH Jesus, Jesus Jesus-

There is a good reason for changing my name. For all the hell that I raise, I don't want anyone trying to take it out on my children. Because at that point, of messing with my children, I know I would have to go to jail. (voicing your concerns to authority, does not put you in good grace, but to throw a child into jail or prison for pushing a hall monitor for seven years is a little too much. I do not condone violence, and the child had no business touching the hall monitor. But seven (7) years in prison is insane for a 14 year old. No weapons were involved and the adult was not injured.

I have been touched and cornered by students and no way do I think any of those immature students should end up in anybodies jail. This child was trying to get in the school, when most children are trying to escape school. Shaquanda Cotton's mother had been protesting the disciplining practices of the school Do you think that would have anything to do with the Judge decision? Where are the civil liberty attorneys? Seven years, that ain't right..that ain't right. Cotton received write ups like these:

Among the write-ups Shaquanda received, according to Reynerson, were citations for wearing a skirt that was an inch too short, pouring too much paint into a cup during an art class and defacing a desk that school officials later conceded bore no signs of damage.

By Howard Witt
Tribune senior correspondent

March 12, 2007

**SNIP**

There are the Paris public schools, which are under investigation by the U.S. Education Department after repeated complaints that administrators discipline black students more frequently, and more harshly, than white students.

And then there is the case that most troubles Cherry and leaders of the Texas NAACP, involving a 14-year-old black freshman, Shaquanda Cotton, who shoved a hall monitor at Paris High School in a dispute over entering the building before the school day had officially begun.

The youth had no prior arrest record, and the hall monitor--a 58-year-old teacher's aide--was not seriously injured. But Shaquanda was tried in March 2006 in the town's juvenile court, convicted of "assault on a public servant" and sentenced by Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville to prison for up to 7 years, until she turns 21.

Just three months earlier, Superville sentenced a 14-year-old white girl, convicted of arson for burning down her family's house, to probation.

"All Shaquanda did was grab somebody and she will be in jail for 5 or 6 years?" said Gary Bledsoe, an Austin attorney who is president of the state NAACP branch. "It's like they are sending a signal to black folks in Paris that you stay in your place in this community, in the shadows, intimidated."

**SNIP**

But the teen's defenders assert that long before the September 2005 shoving incident, Paris school officials targeted Shaquanda for scrutiny because her mother had frequently accused school officials of racism.

Retaliation alleged

"Shaquanda started getting written up a lot after her mother became involved in a protest march in front of a school," said Sharon Reynerson, an attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid, who has represented Shaquanda during challenges to several of the disciplinary citations she received. "Some of the write-ups weren't fair to her or accurate, so we felt like we had to challenge each one to get the whole story."

Among the write-ups Shaquanda received, according to Reynerson, were citations for wearing a skirt that was an inch too short, pouring too much paint into a cup during an art class and defacing a desk that school officials later conceded bore no signs of damage.

Shaquanda's mother, Creola Cotton, does not dispute that her daughter can behave impulsively and was sometimes guilty of tardiness or speaking out of turn at school--behaviors that she said were manifestations of Shaquanda's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for which the teen was taking prescription medication.

Nor does Shaquanda herself deny that she pushed the hall monitor after the teacher's aide refused her permission to enter the school before the morning bell--although Shaquanda maintains that she was supposed to have been allowed to visit the school nurse to take her medication, and that the teacher's aide pushed her first.

But Cherry alleges that Shaquanda's frequent disciplinary write-ups, and the insistence of school officials at her trial that she deserved prison rather than probation for the shoving incident, fits in a larger pattern of systemic discrimination against black students in the Paris Independent School District.

In the past five years, black parents have filed at least a dozen discrimination complaints against the school district with the federal Education Department, asserting that their children, who constitute 40 percent of the district's nearly 4,000 students, were singled out for excessive discipline.

**SNIP**

A peculiar inmate

Meanwhile, Shaquanda, a first-time offender, remains something of an anomaly inside the Texas Youth Commission prison system, where officials say 95 percent of the 2,500 juveniles in their custody are chronic, serious offenders who already have exhausted county-level programs such as probation and local treatment or detention.

"The Texas Youth Commission is reserved for those youth who are most violent or most habitual," said commission spokesman Tim Savoy. "The whole concept of commitment until your 21st birthday should be recognized as a severe penalty, and that's why it's typically the last resort of the juvenile system in Texas."

Inside the youth prison in Brownwood where she has been incarcerated for the past 10 months--a prison currently at the center of a state scandal involving a guard who allegedly sexually abused teenage inmates--Shaquanda, who is now 15, says she has not been doing well.

Three times she has tried to injure herself, first by scratching her face, then by cutting her arm. The last time, she said, she copied a method she saw another young inmate try, knotting a sweater around her neck and yanking it tight so she couldn't breathe. The guards noticed her sprawled inside her cell before it was too late.

She tried to harm herself, Shaquanda said, out of depression, desperation and fear of the hardened young thieves, robbers, sex offenders and parole violators all around her whom she must try to avoid each day.

"I get paranoid when I get around some of these girls," Shaquanda said. "Sometimes I feel like I just can't do this no more--that I can't survive this."

Somebody needs to tell the governor of Texas to chose ye this day, and set Shaquanda free. Hat tip to Mother. WEBSITE For ADDRESSES AND WRITE TO Shaquanda Cotton Get to writing !

These are updates from ybpguide website: update 1]: looks like we’re getting the word spread. a fb group has started.

[update 2]: i started a thread over at topix. interesting pov’s, without question. i’ve also gotten word from a few friends that we have connections to ebony magazine and cnn that are being explored. keep spreading the word!

[update 3]: a site has been setup for her at http://freeshaquandacotton.blogspot.com/

and posted here: Paula Mooney

Fort Wayne Indiana South Sider makes Indiana All-Star Team

Sha'la Jackson

Many view the number 13 as unlucky. But for the 13 members of the 2007 Indianapolis Star Indiana Girls All-Star team, they can count that number lucky. And Sha' la Jackson is one among the thirteen high school girls basketball players selected to be a part of that team.



South Side Girls Basketball Team


Jackson who played for Fort Wayne, Indiana South Side High School was one of the top Hoosier talents selected for the All Star team, according to Jeff Rabjohns of the Indystar.

ROSTER

The Indiana team will be gunning for a win against Kentucky.




Hat tip to Fort Wayne Observed.

The Handicap Stall

potty

Going to the restroom, and seeing a handicap stall, makes me very happy. Because, it's roomier than the other stalls and is usually not occupied. Because, it's not that many handicap accessible, folks pass it by. But a meeting place for Internet dating? The story goes that two fellas met on the Internet. And decided to meet up at the airport. Perhaps they had a bite to eat before heading to the john (pun intended)...and got busted having oral sex in the rest room.Flush

Not only is it a cheap date..but a public restroom. And this restroom was in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,. But I guess if an adviser from the National Center for Disease Control selected the place for his cheap dates, it must be free of germs or disease. You think? Maybe, there were cleaner than at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.


But the airport? How busy are those places? I am wondering if the guy, Chris Hansen, from Dateline, does the show to catch online sex predators will start hanging around the restrooms. No need for a fancy big house, just go hang around the public stalls. I am going to make sure that I lock the stalls door from here on out.

But this is not the first time, a bust has occurred at this airport. It seems that a few of the down low clientele are big name folks and can make you laugh out loud. LOL And you can find each other on craiglist.

Fort Wayne Finest Police Officers

City of Fort Wayne Police Station

Dear Police Chief Rusty York
City of Fort Wayne


The bully patrol was in the neighborhood today. I noticed them out my back window. As well as my new neighbor's building a fence. My neighbor probably has not been in the neighborhood more than six months. But, has been a victim of burglary at least once. By building his fence, he will reduce the pass through traffic. Criminals who pass through to see what you got for a quick grab, or to move property to a new location.

So seeing this,I was a little alarmed. Especially with the weather warming up, and with my last meet and greet with a break in "at the top of my stairs" moment. So, I decided to do what I do best, investigate. When I finally caught up with officers driving cars #430, #129, and #138. I did not ask their names, after their rude and insolent behavior. Specifically car #129, I asked him what was going on? He decided to be a smart mouth. Me, of all people, I am not the one. Remember I wrote you about behavior that was unbecoming of another one of your officer.

I still believe these officers need cultural sensitive training, and gender issue training thrown in there too. Officers with smart mouths and guns are not a good mix. Tone it down with the testosterone, the officer was only required to answer a question not to "F" it up. Here's an article to help them get over themselves.

Three of the five policemen whose 50-bullet barrage killed an unarmed man on his wedding day were indicted Friday in a case that heightened racial tensions and renewed allegations that the city's officers are too fast on the trigger.

Here another article to give to them or read to them during roll call.

I hope I am not asking too much, but Police Chief Rusty York, could you tell your bully patrols they are not members of the Klu Klux Klan organization. Sorta remind them, they are members of a law enforcement agency. And when a citizen asks a question, don't get informal with them, nor unprofessional or rude and insolent. Don't tell them to not worry about it. I am not street or their wives. Just answer the "GD" question.

Sincerely,

A law abiding citizen

P.S. I am working on my name calling. Time between 2:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

No Child Left Behind-tutoring

Schools under the No Child Left Behind may be required to pay for tutoring services. Students must use only those tutoring services that are approved by the NCLB programs. Many of these programs charge a fee, but the child school may be required to pay the fee. Many parents are unaware that their children may qualify for these services. Parents should shop around and get the best service for their child and should not have to pay any out of pocket expense.


Krista Stockman of the journal-gazette reports on three schools in Fort Wayne Indiana. Children in these schools are entitled to paid tutoring. The article reports a low number of students utilizing the program.

Fairfield and Bloomingdale elementary schools in Fort Wayne Community Schools and Village Elementary in East Allen County Schools are required to offer free tutoring to students because they failed to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind for at least three years and because they receive federal money to assist schools with a high percentage of low-income students.

It would be interesting to know what tutoring services are available in Fort Wayne, how much do they charge, where they perform their services, and is the tutoring a group or individualized service. Many tutoring services are based out of town.

Both districts have tried to eliminate transportation as an issue by offering companies that do in-home tutoring. A to Z In-Home Tutoring of Nashville, Tenn., and Club Z Tutoring Services of Tampa, Fla., work with students in their homes.

Both districts are also working with Specialty Tutoring of Fort Wayne, which tutors at the schools. FWCS also uses A+ Grades Up of Fort Worth, Texas, and EACS uses The Neighborhood Learning Place of Fort Wayne, which tutor in the schools.

The online service would work wonder for students, if they had computers in their home. Perhaps, some type of funding program could provide computers in the home for some of these students.

Officer and the reason you arrested this child was?

Seven year old boy goes to jail in hand cuffs. Hmmm, you say. For what, you say. For sitting on his dirt bike on a sidewalk. Let's see you want to read it for yourself, right here.

Hat tip to villager.

What is SJR7

I do not have a clue about SJR7. The most I can tell you it has to do with defining marriage. And some language in the Indiana Constitution will need to be changed to accommodate same sex marriage. And next week Indiana house will hold a hearing on the proposed changes.

Indiana Law Blog discusses SJR7 in detail.

But nobody discusses it more than Advance Indiana, all over his blogspot.

Get informed by reading the exchange of information on the two sites and don't forget to read the actual bill. This is one hot topic.

Allen County Election Board Boots Potential Candidates.

On March 9, 2007, the Allen County Election Board booted James Talarico from running for city council at large. It seems that Talarico voted in the last election as a Democratic, but selected the republican ticket to declare his candidacy. With that last name Talarico was more than likely to draw a lot of votes. Talarico could have appeared on the ballot with the blessing of the Allen County Republican Chair, Steve Shine, but that did not happen.

The election board also decided that the City Council at-large candidate James Talarico and city clerk candidate Thomas Schrader would not be on the Republican primary ballot. Both had voted as Democrats most recently and had not received a certificate of support from Republican Party Chairman Steve Shine.

Side note here, Ron Buskirk declared his candidacy for the 5th district. Buskirk did not become a member of the 5th district until January, 2007. Which means that Buskirk will represent long term voters of the 5th district. Buskirk last voted in precinct 412. Buskirk has not vote in his new precinct 578, is this fair?


Another candidate who was booted from the pool of contenders was Thomas Schrader. Schrader running for city clerk was dismissed based on his voting record rather than his party affiliation. The Democratic leader Kevin Knuth, did not give a thumbs up to this candidate, and should have invited them into the party game. Now we fully understand Steve Shine assimilation into the money community did not accept these waffling gents. But it is still a questionable eyebrow raising event for Knuth to thumb his nose at any potential candidate for the Democratic Party.

I forgot the Democratic Party is about the less the merrier membership. This party gave us a Pat Love to screw property owners on their taxes. This woman was a stellar post child representative for the incompetent leadership driving the party. And by keeping the Democratic party cliche membership low, members don't have to share power. And members do not have to take inclusion, serious, either. (wink, wink). Or pushing for more jobs for African-Americans, they just need the African-American votes. Independently typing outloud, if it's not true,prove me wrong.

Where are the independent candidates? I understand there is one independent candidate who will be running for Mayor.

FWAAIW salutes-Megan King

Megan King played basketball for Canterbury. That's all I can tell you. I heard about the young lady during a sport highlight on television. I was surprised to learn that her mother, who pointed in the story had cancer has left us. My heart breaks for Megan King. King's mother left behind a shining star and others who have followed her career will tell the story much better. Here, I simply note, Megan King makes us proud. According to News-Sentinel article




Sha'la Jackson
Sha’la Jackson of South Side, Megan King of Canterbury, Marceya Mingo of South Side, Rashida Ray of Harding and Jennifer Wall of New Haven have been named to the original list, which will be pared to a final list of 40 seniors.
Marceya Mingo





Those 40 girls, plus 10 participating alternates, will be invited to Hoosier Basketball magazine’s 26th annual Top 40 Workout on April 15 at Ben Davis High School


Fort Wayne Observed post a heartbreaking story about Megan King not being selected for the Indiana Basketball All-Star Team.

Polls for Cash

I am taking an informal poll. This will be a donation poll for Obama'08 campaign. You go here to donate. You do not give me a check, credit card number, cash, nothing. You just go to the website and give them your donation. I have set a goal of raising $1000.00. I believe the goal is reasonable, if not my donatation poll will prove that my other polls (listed in the sidebar) are incorrect. Help me in my polling.

Also, there will be numerous Obama community kickoff events scheduled for March 31. One community kickoff event for the Fort Wayne, Indiana Community will be small. So far 6 people have signed up. A conference room is scheduled for at least 12 people. This an informal and educational meeting planned for a total of 12 individuals.

Email dowdells@comcast.net for more information.

Security Please: Indiana Attorney General Steven Carter

Dear Attorney General Steven Carter:

I understand on Thursday, you were in Fort Wayne, pushing law enforcement entrance into the digital age. Fort Wayne law enforcement is not your most technology savvy type. Hell they are having enough problems catching our own drug dealers. Just ask the small town Muncie police force that arrested one of our big time drug dealer. Steven, what's up with that? I know you've been busy with all the fraud concerning nonprofits and consumers in Fort Wayne. But, I think you better take a little closer look at this Internet stuff, if you know what I mean. Meaning these organizations are full of nepotism and cronyism and are not necessarily intellectually wired with computer knowledge. I fear that those citizens who maintain these sex offender websites are not law officials. And therefore, oversight is lacking for these people.

These folks are capable of capturing the keystrokes of law abiding taxpayers who log onto these websites simply to gather information about sex offenders. You (meaning officials) provide these sites with little logos on giving these sites authenticity. Folks think everything is peachy because government supported and sponsored some of these sites.. But are these sites really government sites and are they really safe?

Identity theft can become a problem for these folks who visit such websites which lack privacy disclaimers. Attorney General Carter, I know you are in the business of protecting our citizens. So Steven are you requiring local law enforcement sites to warn citizens about the risk of their identity being stolen?

Well Steven, I don't expect to hear from you. I've yet to hear about State charges brought against the folks who ripped off our local home buyers. But, that does not mean I'm going to stop writing.

Public Restroom-rooms for sex

Fort Wayne Mayoral candidate Matt Kelty is hosting a discussion about sexual oriented businesses and its impact on the community. Indiana has suffered several stories with students having sex in school.And the behavior has now moved to a Fort Wayne public library, with the reporting of sexual of a young female pushed into the boy's restroom. However, the incident that caused the most outrage came after the story in Indianapolis reported that a teacher and students were presence in the classroom at the time of the act. We wonder what motivates children to cross the line of appropriate behavior into inappropriate behavior. Some blame parents, others like myself, blame the unprincipled character of leadership or adults titled as children role models.

Is this normal behavior from leadership? From the IndyStar an article by Whitney Smith raises certain questions:

Atlanta police have arrested an Indianapolis man and a Georgia public transportation official after police said they observed them having sex in a restroom at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

What if a child had entered that public restroom? Do adults care anymore about their lifestyle choices having an impact on children? I think that is probably why Kelty is having the discussion. Read more from the article in the Indystar.

Michael Pettry, 24, Indianapolis, and Edmond J.Wall , 43, Atlanta, were arrested on a preliminary charge of public indecency Tuesday after an undercover officer reportedly witnessed the sex act in a restaurant bathroom.
Pettry is managing director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Wall is board chairman of MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
Pettry, reached in Lafayette, declined to comment. Michael Abbott, his Atlanta attorney, said Pettry denied "that he has done anything wrong." Abbott said police did not give Pettry a citation.
Wall's lawyer, Steve Sadow, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the allegations were "malicious and false lies," and that Wall was at Hartsfield-Jackson to see the airport's general manager.

Hat tip to Advance Indiana.

Wayne Township Relief vs. Harrison Square Park Funding

Rick Stevenson Applauds, Applauds to Wayne Township Trustee Rick Stevenson for pointing out the lack of funding in the Wayne Township budget needed to serve the community. According to Amanda Icone's article in the journal-gazette.

Stevenson requested a million dollars for Wayne Township budget. The Republican led Allen County Commissioners denied the request while the Allen County Council agreed to provide the funding. Of course this is a temporary loan from the county.

Township Trustee Rick Stevenson asked the county commissioners last week to borrow the money to cover costs through the spring, but the commissioners denied the request. He went before the council Thursday hoping for an advance on its tax distribution.

The media has given lots of ink and air time to young folks having meetings about what they need to have fun in downtown Fort Wayne. They don't have a clue that jobs and people are leaving, because of the high increases in taxes throughout the city. Many families remain in the city and work. Many of these families fall short of meeting their basis needs because of the low wages in the core of the city. These families are not carrying around pictures of a baseball park, they are carrying around the grit needed to make life better for their children. These families are the ones paying the price for( stealing a line from Cyndi Lauper) girls (boys)who just want to have fun. These family have little to no disposable income in taking care of their families.

A voice of reason came from Allen County Council Person Darren Vogt in the article,

But Councilman Darren Vogt, R-3rd, was concerned that the higher interest rate from an outside lender would increase the township’s tax rates. That could adversely affect taxpayers and send more people to the township seeking poor relief, he said.

.

Several speakers at the Harrison Square Park meeting held at the Allen County Main Library stated that 50,000 folks had left the core of the city. Dan Carmody
Dan Carmody Downtown Improvement District spoke about the exodus of more than 50,000 folks from the city. 50,000. This number suggest that folks are leaving Fort Wayne. This out migration is not only people but includes loss revenue. The tax burden of growing the current population was placed on those who were left behind in the central city. The tax shift to the suburb contributed to the gutting and negligent of downtown.

Today, the city and county need to reach into the pockets of those who prospered from leaving the city, and capture some funds to restore downtown. The restoration of downtown includes the Harrison Square Park. Instead of impact fees to capture the revenue needed to finance the downtown redevelopment, the wager is that projects within the Harrison Square Park with provide some of the necessary funding.

Not only that, young professionals returning home from college are bored with the cookie cutter life style of the suburbia. These young go-getters are seeking a more creative fun social life in the less inhibited urban core. However, these urban dwellers want homeowners rather than seeking a lifestyle of renters. This myth is that the young will build a new tax base in purchasing housing.

These potential homeowners are different than the old stuck in the mud Leave it to Beaver generation, a husband, wife and children. These young generation are seeking shared housing among friends. Friends who they can work with, hang out at their favorite restaurant or bar with. These young folks are seeking a downtown where they can live work and play in a bigger playground one that does not have the incestuous feel of their smaller communities.

Unfortunately this new younger generation bring in certain type of bias. They want to remove the old dwellers and create their newer cookie cutter community inside the urban core. These folks young folks don't have a clue, but show their true colors. It is the city's poor funding, the police department, schools, and other units. Each of these department demand more from this shrinking community. Take a look at that reassessment again. And the rest of the story has not been told, that these young professionals are unable to afford home ownership of the condos being proposed by Hardball Capital.

Liberty Day

When learning about American history, often we think fighting for liberty was and is a thing of the past. As we struggle locally to access information and speak truth to power, we understand that the battle is ongoing. But we move forward on our beliefs that are based on principles established in documents crafted by the governing and founders of this country. There are those who wish to remind us of a principled government:

In the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and its defenses in the Federalist Papers, we find many principles which lay the foundation of our American Republic. These principles have been under attack since the death of George Washington, and with decreasing understanding of these principles, our foundation is beginning to erode as well. Dedicated to Liberty Day, the purpose of this carnival is to promote discussion of events, trends and ideas in light of these founding principles. Entries come from a variety of viewpoints, but all present ideas worthy of examining as we ponder the foundation we are leaving for future generations. Unless otherwise indicated (by EC for editor's choice), all blog entries were submitted by the authors.

More can be found on Dana Hanley website

A community to discuss SOB and Not Just about Baseball

Mayoral candidate Matt Kelty speaks out again against the impact of Sexual Oriented Businesses on communities. Also Kelty spoke about the public right to speak out about such businesses with WOWO Charley Butcher. Kelty announced a meeting will be held in the summit city with community leaders coming together to discuss the issue of SOB. The meeting is open to the public.

The time and location is in the press release found on the Mattkelty.com that is copied below:

Matt Kelty convenes leaders to discuss the effect of Sexually Oriented Businesses upon the families of Fort Wayne




3 /14/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matt Kelty convenes leaders to discuss the effect of Sexually Oriented Businesses upon the families of Fort Wayne

Contact: Christopher Mann, 260.422.2007


FORT WAYNE—Matt Kelty has convened the Fort Wayne Family Health and Decency Summit to examine and better understand the effects of Sexually Oriented Businesses in the city of Fort Wayne, once known as the “City of Churches.” The summit will occur on Friday, March 16, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at Hall’s Guesthouse, 1313 West Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, (260) 489-2524.


Kelty will deliver introductory remarks and the event will be moderated by Cathie Humbarger, a concerned resident and renowned advocate for family-friendly public policy. Panelists will present perspectives addressing the various ways that Sexually Oriented Businesses affect a community in terms of crime, health, economic development and a variety of social pathologies. The panelists will focus on ways that balance the rights of free speech as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court with a community’s interest in developing a culture of life and prosperity.


Confirmed speakers include the following:


• Micah Clark, Executive Director of the American Family Association of Indiana

• Jim Howard, Alliance Defense Fund

• Phil Burress, Citizens for Community Values, Cincinnati, OH

• Vicki Burress, Citizens for Community Values, Cincinnati, OH

• Patrick Mangan, Citizens for Community Values, South Bend, IN



Each panelist will offer introductory remarks 5-8 minutes in length and the panel will then be asked to comment on several directed questions. An open discussion involving questions of the public and the media will ensue. Kelty will provide closing remarks.

One of the panelist for sure, may be of interest to Advance Indiana.

Self-Esteem Issue for Women

Welcome to my second blog carnival. This March 15, 2007 edition is on the topic of self-esteem issues among women. I've checked out all the sites listed below, some are not what I expected.

However, I was inspired by all as well as had my moments of WTF, but I continued to read to get it. I think I got it. Self-esteem is the guiding force for each one of the blogs.


Karen Lynch presents Self-Talk posted at LivethePower.

Christine Kane presents You Teach People How to Treat You posted at Christine Kane.

Arvind Devalia presents Arvind Devalia » Build up your self esteem posted at Arvind Devalia.


Debra Moorhead presents 9 Ways to Increase Your Self-Esteem posted at Debra Moorhead.com.

Mr Juggles presents Pomegranate Capital Thinks Women Can Run Money Better, Is Wrong posted at Long or Short Capital.

Jacqueline Passey post on her blog Dating Tips: Quality dates Quality offers dating tips to men.

Jeanette Ponder presents 41 Things, 1/16/07: Self-acceptance is the only option posted at Luscious Life By Isis Kali.

Alan presents There is always a way posted at Made to Be Great.

Marcella Chester presents Blog Against Sexual Violence Day 5 April 2007 posted at Abyss2hope.

Alvaro Fernandez presents Stress Management Workshop for International Women's Day posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution.

Anja presents How do we see ourselves? posted at anja merret.

Walt presents Self Worthiness posted at Walt Nation!.

JoLynn Braley presents Do You Deserve To Be Thin? posted at The Fit Shack . com.

Enjoy!

That concludes this edition addressing self-esteem issues among women. Mark your calendar for my third carnival of bloggers on new jobs on the internet and generating income from home on March 26, 2007.


Posted at >> LivethePower.
debra moorhead, Isis Kali,Walt Nation!, anja merret, SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, Abyss2hope, Arvind Devalia,Long or Short Capital, Made to Be Great, The Fit Shack . com,Christine Kane,Dating Tips: Quality dates Quality

YLNI and Hardball Capital Meeting Pictures

Jason Freier

Mark Pope, faciliator and Bennie Lewis

Wilbert "Duke" Brown and Deputy Mayor Mark Becker

Small talk
Adam Mildred and Bill Brown

Steve Brody

Wilbert "Duke" Brown and Deputy Mayor Mark Becker

5th District Council Person Tim Pape

Land for sale

The Young Leaders from Northeast Indiana meeting ended early. The biggest treat was to speak to the million dollar man himself, Jason Freier. Freier, is taking a risk. Freier, the outsider has upped the ante. Freier is investing $20 million dollars into the downtown business district. Something that hometown business owners have failed to do. So you got a love Freier. There is no way around that fact.

But, Freier is no country hick. Freier tells about a business man who listened to the people. The business man purchased up the land. After acquiring the land began to built offices in a certain downtown. The man is in his 70 and is worth billions of dollars.

Freier has an eye for an opportunity. Freier need not purchase up the land like an old protege. The City of Fort Wayne is giving it to him. On this land Freier will spend around $20 million dollars. $15 millions will go toward building some condominium. Nice condominiums with the price range in the ballpark area of $180,000 to $300,000. Let's see a little multiplication and addition, and I come up with a figure between $10 million to $18 millions for 60 of those bad boys. Now the price and number may change. Interest in ownership will more than likely drive the price. That does not include the baseball park.


The baseball park design is a beautiful place. Why wouldn't be. Freier is a baseball fan and he loves his team's, the Wizard's , fans. Freier envision a baseball park that is fun for the whole family. A baseball park where family can enjoy a picnic. And perhaps because he has two little ones, where children can play on oversize slides of some sort. And with the downtown baseball park, this dream can come true and than some.

Did I say anything about brain drain. Did I say anything about young folks bored with the suburbia moving back into the urban cutting edge, hip and happening downtown area. I didn't did I.


Nope, because it ain't about these young folks. It's about the businessmen in downtown Fort Wayne who should be carrying Freier and his partner on their shoulders. Freier is going to make those folks a mint. Council members, attorneys,and other folks with property in proximity, like West Central Neighborhood, to the Freier project will go on the market. Yes sirree, Freier probably sees a billion in the making. And it happening way before he hit 70 years of age.

Mr. Freier you are the best thing that could have happened to Fort Wayne Wizard. Or should I say Fort Wayne, Indiana is one of your best friends.

Harrison Square Park Dialogue

The Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana convened a panel to discuss the Harrison Square Project at the brand new Allen County Main Library. The panel included one of the wizard owners, Jason Freier. Other members of the panel were Mark Becker, Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor, Steve Brody, Harrsion Square Project Member, Chris Schoen from Barry's Real Estate, Mark Pope, IPFW Athletic Director Dan Carmody, Downtown Improvement District, and Steve Gard, Oyster's Bar owner.

The citizens listened to a brief presentation and the panel answered questions from the audience. The questions were written on paper, and the facilitator read the question to the panel.

Some of the same questions were asked, and got some of the same answers. Mainly, the project is still in negotiation. All the details have not been hammered out. But for sure, the Harrison Square project will be a great catalyst for downtown development the panelists were in agreement.

The most commanding statement came from Attorney Jason Freier when the panel was asked about taxpayers dollar. Freier stated that some of the tax dollars that would normal go to the state from the city of Fort Wayne could be used right here in the city rather than go to the state.

Good Point.

But the most telling comment came from Barry Real Estate, Schoen. It had to do with the fact that our new city in the making, for folks to live, work an play will cost a pretty penny to live down there. In phase one of the project condos will range in price from $180 000- $300,000 apiece.