DIETER: It sure looks like Hoosier hospitality is disappearing
The concept of Hoosier hospitality suffered some body blows in 2015, thanks largely to the person who, more than anyone, should be looking out for Indiana’s reputation: Gov. Mike Pence.
Forefront
Articles
DANIELS: Attractive communities will attract talent, jobs
Young, talented people are looking for quality of life, and will choose a community with a rich lifestyle over a good job elsewhere. Indiana has seen stagnating population growth at least in part as a result of our failure to keep up with this trend.
SHABAZZ: Hogsett, Dems own Indy’s government—and its problems
With Joe Hogsett as mayor and the Democrats with control of the council by a 13-12 margin, they now have the power to put their vision into play. They also get the responsibility if things go south.
DANIELS:Pass a pay increase but put off the implementation
It’s really not surprising that the City-County Council, in an 11th-hour, post-election/pre-inauguration move, is seeking to increase the salary of council members. An accompanying proposal to raise the mayor’s pay unfortunately has been withdrawn.
BOEHM: Pay increase for Marion County pols is long overdue
The bipartisan proposal to raise the salaries of city-county councilors and the mayor was certainly reasonable. (The mayoral raise has since been withdrawn.)
DIETER: Reaping the results of what we do and fail to do
Two recent news stories would seem to have nothing to do with each other. But they represent cause and effect. Reaping what we sow.
MEREDITH: Renewed respect for teachers tops this wish list
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is respect for all those who serve in Indiana’s public schools.
MASSON: Too much fear, politics inform governor’s refugee policy
The world is getting more tightly intertwined all the time. We are now immediately immersed in events that take place thousands of miles away. Far-off atrocities are now the subject of swift political decisions and corresponding lawsuits.
SIDDIQUI: Honestly, we don’t have answers for extremism
America is weaker because our leaders are busier fighting elections than keeping us safe. The biggest example of this failure is failing to have an honest conversation about our Middle East policy.
DOUTHAT: Contrasting the conflicts in Syria and pre-WWII Spain
Between 1936 and 1939, the Spanish Civil War condensed the awful drama of the 1930s into one conflict.
SOWELL: Battling back against surging campus intolerance
Storm-trooper tactics by bands of college students making ideological demands across the country, and immediate pre-emptive surrender by college administrators—such as at the University of Missouri recently—bring back memories of the 1960s, for those of us old enough to remember what it was like being there, and seeing firsthand how painful events unfolded. At Harvard, […]
BARLOW: The real motive of the gun-control intelligentsia
Agendas are a tricky thing. On the one hand, it’s easy to assume that someone’s agenda motivates his or her actions and that this is inherently sinister. But even after spending over a decade in politics, I still think most people are good and want the best for their neighbor, their community, and themselves.
DOWD: A liberal’s GOP brother rates the 2016 candidates
With the intense interest in the thrill-a-minute, through-the-looking-glass 2016 race, fueled by anger at maladjusted Washington and anxiety after the Paris attacks, I decided to let my Republican brother offer his red-state soliloquy, hoping. He-e-e-ere’s Kevin:
SHEPARD: Latest Lilly Endowment gusher furthers state impact
During a season when we often pause to express gratitude, Indiana can give special thanks for Lilly Endowment’s recent commitment of $100 million to 14 cultural institutions. The endowment’s action will enrich our civic life. And if you haven’t thought about its economic impact, think again.
SHABAZZ: Worried about Trump? Scrutinize the survey numbers
For all the consternation about alleged Republican GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump, I really don’t worry about him all that much.
BLOW: Police shootings are a barometer of social attitudes
Police departments in a way are simple instruments that articulate and enforce our laws and mores, which are reflections of our values.
BROOKS: A founding father charts a path on climate change
I’ve been confused about this Paris climate conference and how the world should move forward to ameliorate climate change, so I seanced up my hero Alexander Hamilton to see what he thought. I was sad to be reminded that he doesn’t actually talk in hip-hop, but he still had some interesting things to say.
WAGNER: It’s harder to hold people to truthiness standards
Chuck Todd was visibly annoyed by his guest on “Meet the Press” a few Sunday mornings ago.
KRUGMAN: Health care reform thrives despite rough patches
To the right’s dismay, scare tactics — remember death panels? — and spurious legal challenges failed to protect the nation from the scourge of guaranteed health coverage. Still, Obamacare’s opponents insisted that it would implode in a “death spiralz” of low enrollment and rising costs.
TAYLOR: Conflict raises teachable moment for lawmakers
After the RFRA fiasco, we must send a clear message that our state does not tolerate inequality.