Quentin Paige Smith died in January at age 94. If you didn’t know the Big Q, you missed a hell of a man—his own man—unbowed by the evil racism of the pre-Civil Rights era. I wrote his biography for my book “19 Stars of Indiana—Exceptional Hoosier Men,” and now I can tell you the rest of that story.
This is a very scary week. I hope everyone has received that message loud and clear. The great sequester deadline has arrived. March 1 is only a few days away. Not since last year’s end of the Mayan calendar has there been such focus on a date that could preclude the end of days.
That irrepressible Mel Reynolds is running again. Janie and I were just laughing with Rose and Bill Mays about being duped when we rallied our respective communities for an “Oreo” fundraiser on Reynolds’ behalf two decades ago.
You’ve seen the news coverage. Starting in August, the United States Postal Service will discontinue Saturday mail delivery. Forget the bills. Forget the junk mail. Who cares if you have to wait until Monday to get those items? In fact, studies have shown that seven out of 10 Americans are fine with eliminating Saturday mail delivery.
I am proud to relate that Pawel Fludzinski, Ph.D. recently published his first crossword puzzle in The New York Times. Pawel has worked at Eli Lilly and Co. for more than 28 years with the last 20 years being in executive level leadership positions. He has a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry, but never mind that: He shares with me a love for construction of crossword puzzles.
I wrote a column recently complaining about all the new taxes bestowed on us this new calendar year. It was a lengthy list. So, I don't want to sound contradictory when I tell you now that I want central Indiana residents to support a modest tax increase in the future to expand mass transit.
Guys love to quote “The Godfather.” It’s no wonder, with lines like “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” and “Leave the gun—take the cannolis.” These and other memorable movie quips are relevant today, just with new voices.
As Brent Musburger said when he spotted Miss Alabama in the crowd at the BCS National Championship game— “Whoa!”
Each January, I reflect on a few of the prior year’s columns. I am always curious about the topics and people I have written about over the course of the year. I hope you are, too.
I am a capitalist. I believe in free markets, in what the economists describe as “transactions entered into freely between buyers and sellers both of whom have the necessary relevant information.” I also recognize that markets cannot function without “umpires” empowered to enforce rules of fair play and protect that level playing field to which we all pay lip service. The most significant challenge to genuine capitalism, I submit, lies in the ability of some competitors to bribe or otherwise influence the umpires.
Put another year in the history books. It’s time for reflection and a look ahead to the new year. I went back and looked at my column written this time last year—“From politics to hoops, my 2012 wish list”—and I would say the results were mostly positive, with one big exception.
Now that the elections are over, please relax and enjoy this crossword puzzle and the political riddle it poses.
My job takes me out of my office into the community on a regular basis. As I’m out talking with folks in the business community, a common theme surfaces almost without fail on a weekly basis.
I realized that my original vision of the American Dream was a nightmare. I learned that there is more to business than the money earned.
I’ve been knee deep in budget meetings, one after another, for what seems like an eternity now. It’s been only about a month, but it seems much longer. I’ve talked to many business colleagues who have been doing the same.
Endocyte is an Indiana biopharmaceutical company that develops drugs and imaging diagnostics to identify and treat cancer.
I’m worried the defeat of Tony Bennett as superintendent of public instruction puts this state’s education reforms not at risk, but on a slower pace.
A note to heartily second your thoughts [Maurer column, Nov. 12] regarding Republican Party politics.
Now that the Tea Party has swapped the best public servant in the United States Senate and a sure Republican seat for newly elected Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, perhaps it’s time moderate Indiana Republicans stand up and reclaim the party.
We all need to express our feelings about what’s going on in our local communities, our state and our country by casting votes for the candidates we believe can make the most positive impact on our lives.
