Contract for kids

In this article from the courier, I am not real clear on how signing this contract is going to help our Indiana kids. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IN_CHILDREN_CONTRACT_INOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-11-29-14-10-07

It certainly may increase awareness of the problems but what is the contract and what does it say?

Here is a summary of the contract:

Every Hoosier Child will:

1. Receive responsible and caring adult supervision

2. Be provided adequate and nutritious food;

3. Have access to adequate clothing;

4. Receive essential health care and wellness care;

5. Benefit from safe and nurturing child care, whether it's provided in the home or elsewhere;

6. Have access to transportation sufficient to meet their basic needs;

7. Live in a healthy and safe home;

8. Live in a safe and nurturing neighborhood;

9. Benefit from educational opportunities that meet their individual needs;

10. Have the opportunity to explore a broad range of career options; and

11. Be provided with opportunities to develop spiritual and cultural identities.

All of these are admirable and certainly important, but I still am unclear as to how signing this contract will make any of these things happen.

New Use for an Old Building

New Albany’s landscape and architectural health has certainly been improved by this renovation. [The Jeffersonville Evening News and The New Albany Tribune]

It’s a shame that our city leaders do not have more initiatives to help bring in more businesses to other locations in New Albany and Floyd County. Both the city and county have so much to offer. There are several other locations similar to this one that could be utilized if the City leaders would find ways to encourage and incentivize businesses to stick around or relocate here.

Industrial Parks are nice, but they are not always the best solution for some organizations and businesses. I’d encourage anyone who has not seen the renovation at Grantline and Vincennes to drive by.

In addition, if you need custom cabinets, Rick does a great job. He has custom made cabinets for my home and I couldn't be happier.

Student Loan Debt

Here is a perfect opportunity to deregulate when it comes to student loans as this article points out. [The News Tribune--Loan ripoff is a test of rhetoric]

There are few burdens larger than leaving college and grad school with huge debts hanging over your head. I know from experience that leaving school with more than a $100,000 debt is an overwhelming obstacle. I was one of the students with the interest rates of 9% and no option to refinance at a lower rate.

This piece of legislation may seem trivial to many, but for those that have 10-20 years to pay off a debt, it can be overwhelming. Republican leaders have every opportunity to assist students by deregulating these loans and letting the market dictate the rates just as any other loan. Ted Kennedy does have it right on this issue.

It is tough enough to pay for college as it is and this is just one more unneeded obstacle that could easily be changed.

This is another example of where special interest and PAC money effectively harm every day citizens trying to better their futures and communities.

Think of all the charitable giving that could take place if we weren’t burdened with overwhelming debt. Think of how we could help our local communities and our neighbors.

If the republicans cannot get this legislation changed, Shame On Them!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a very happy thanksgiving.

Hope everyone takes time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for and keep in your thoughts and prayers all the soldiers and their families that will be separated on this holiday.

Will be out till monday enjoying family and the continued hunt for the big one!!

Menacing Pets

Two recent articles in the courier highlight an increasing problem with violent animals.
[Pit bull traps boy, 4, on car roof]
[Stronger limits on pit bulls pondered]

There was also a recent death because of dog attacks. The health and safety of many people are jeopardized by these animals at a much higher incidence than other breeds. Increased regulation is prudent to help minimize risk. I also think that much harsher punishment should be applied to the owners when the animals do cause problems.

I wonder what the PETA folks think about animals hurting people. What would be their solution to this problem or would they feel it is justified and a natural consequence to what we do to animals.

Smoking ban official

Jeffersonville did vote to proceed with the smoking ban. It was 4-3 down party lines. The mayor is considering a veto that would make an override very difficult as it is unlikely any of the 3 republicans would change their vote.

Practicing without a license

So where do we stand when it comes to protecting our children from their parents? How much leeway should we give to religious beliefs when it comes to innocent children? The Courier reports on a woman being charged of practicing midwifery without a license. [Work as midwife without license stirs indictment] But they elected not to charge the parents with any wrongdoing.

I am not sure I understand the rationale behind not holding the parents accountable for at least neglect. Choosing no medical care in a premature infant is a setup for disaster. If this baby were born in a hospital and the parents were informed of the available treatment options and given the choice, I think at that point they would have been justified in allowing her to die naturally. But unless they had corresponded with someone in the medical profession for a professional opinion, I think neglect is probably appropriate.

If this were Tom Cruise, I bet he would have been charged with something.

Silvercrest is Closing

After many months of rumors, the announcement has come that Silvercrest will be closing. Silvercrest Article

About 55 students will eventually be mainstreamed back into their local school systems, if possible, or placement into another facility will be found.

There additionally are about 160 employees who will be losing their jobs. Some who have been employed nearly 30 years.

All of this brings shock, fear, and uncertainty to all involved, but the decision did not come lightly. There were several different independent organizations that performed evaluations on the facility and submitted these to the State. These were combined and a final recommendation was made after several meetings.

The State is taking every effort to work with all the families and employees to find placement and other jobs in which their pensions can be transferred. There will be resources available to make the transition as smooth as possible, and this will probably take several months to accomplish.

There will no doubt be some political spin to this decision before all is completed.
State Rep. Bill Cochran, (D) has always been an advocate of Silvercrest, but even if he wants to keep it open, fiduciary responsibility and an examination of the reports should clarify his judgment. It is very difficult to recommend the continuing 8 million dollar expense for 55 children when in every other part of the State they are managed in other environments for much less.

In addition, it is possible that this facility and land could eventually be deeded back to the city or county and be placed back on the tax roles. This would be a prime piece of real estate for the benefit of the city.

The hospital and other local employers and agencies are working with the State to help facilitate jobs transitions and other issues related to the changes.

Although money is part of the issue, this is not and should not be be spun in that direction. The facility is outdated and more current methods have been shown to be more successful with outcome measurements. School systems accepting these students will also have increased State support to help with their needs.

Hopefully everyone will understand the decisions and if any community member knows of any additional jobs available for the employees in which their pensions could transfer, they could contact the State agency.

On the hunt

Back out this weekend looking for the trophy

Be back monday!!

Who is the ACLU really fighting for?

Between the article in the Courier [Court hears arguments on sex offender policy] regarding the rights of sex offenders or the one on camera’s to help minimize crime [Cameras pondered to curtail criminals], I am constantly amazed at their stance on issues. I believe these are examples of where common sense gets superseded by legal scholars wanting to protect the rights of criminals.

They appear to be hypocritical when it comes to protecting rights of some while ignoring rights of others that don’t fall into their radical ideology. Some bloggers have said in the past, they believe in Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as there guidance in decisions and morality. These criminals are pursuing their happiness. Should we therefore allow them to continue? Is that what the ACLU has as their philosophy?

When are we going to stand up against the ACLU and affiliates for their radical stances against the majority of American's traditions and values?

The Christmas Season is approaching and I am sure the ACLU is salivating over the thought of upcoming lawsuits to propagate their agenda on this issue.

New Data on Hops

It seems my friends over at Rich O’s may be on to something according to the newest medical research. [FOXNews.com - Health - Researchers: Hops in Beer May Be Healthy]

The flavinoids in certain hops and types of beer may have some antioxidant properties killing those free radicals.

This could possibly reduce the incidence of some cancer.

The study didn’t say how much of the drinks to imbibe so maybe we could do our own clinical study.

Meeting with Congressman Sodrel

The group of 10 physicians did meet with Congressman Sodrel for nearly an hour and a half on Friday. The meeting was very cordial and relaxed. Each physician reportedly had an opportunity to address key issues related to Medicaid, Medicare, Malpractice, Tort reform, insurance abuses and other issues.

Congressman Sodrel listened intently and took the literature from the physicians explaining their frustrations and dilemmas. He made no blanket promises as Congressman Hill had previously been characterized as doing. Sodrel was going to ask for some help from two other physician congressmen he knows and see how they can proceed to help with some of the issues.

This meeting certainly gave the physicians a little hope that they did have some voice with this Congressman. Empty promises from the democratic congressmen before Sodrel has left most physicians in this area disheartened. Most physicians and many other medical personnel feel that Sodrel will be their best opportunity for changing a broken system that democrats have long ignored.

[Mike Sodrel for Congress]

A Tribute to Mr. Greckel

This was a very nice article on “Wil” Greckel that appeared a few days ago.

['Wil' Greckel, who worked to bring music to IUS, dies]

For those that didn’t know him, it was their loss. He was a great asset to IUS and our community. For those in the orchestra and music programs, he will be missed. I’ve had both family and friends play in the orchestra with him and have thoroughly enjoyed his enthusiasm and continued interest in the growth of the music programs here at IUS.

We look forward to others like him bringing further vision and growth to our outstanding local college. I am hoping that we eventually get residential facilities (dorms) so that continued growth can be realized here in New Albany.

We have a true asset in our University and I believe it gets shortchanged by many in our community. It does not get the needed publicity or community support it deserves and I would love to see that change.

The Beauty of Creation

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity of spending time deer hunting. Having the ability to be in the woods before daylight and watching the sun rise and the woods come to life is like seeing creation being reborn each morning. It is a tremendous privilege that I encourage everyone to try. You do not have to be a hunter to enjoy witnessing the tremendous events that occurs each morning.

Having hours to think and recollect, it reminded me of my beliefs and my thankfulness for the earth that has been entrusted to us. It also reminded me of alternate viewpoints and of the following:

Harvard to Prove Life Began Without ‘Major Grant’

A new multi-million dollar Harvard University effort to study the origins of life in the universe seeks to prove that life did not begin with “a major grant” from an intelligent source, but rather sprang up spontaneously and entirely without purpose.

The university will fund the research with $1 million per year in a number of multi-million dollar facilities, employing some of the best minds in science to establish that the complexity of life started with no plan, no design, no forethought and no intelligent creative agent.

“Harvard University has proven over the years that the more complex something is, the less likely you are to find any intelligence behind it,” said an unnamed university spokesman. “In fact, this ‘origins of life’ project started out as an accidental ink spill on paper, and it just developed from there.”

The university said the study should take several million years to complete and is unlikely to produce any meaningful result.

I find it difficult to understand how "chance" could have created what we witness every day. I am sure that most of my blogging friends will have mixed reviews. The author of this satire is Scott Ott.

Deer Hunting

Sorry Bloggers, but opening day of deer season begins Saturday.

I will be back Monday to resume blogging!!

A Tribute To Veterans

In Vietnam, Korea and World Wars Past
Our Men Fought Bravely so Freedom Would Last
Conditions Where Not Always Best They Could Be
Fighting a Foe You Could Not Always See:

From Mountain Highs to Valley Lows
From Jungle Drops to Desert Patrols

Our Sinewy Sons Were Sent Over Seas
Far From Their Families And Far From Their Dreams
They Never Wrote Letters Of Hardships Despair
Only Of Love, Yearning That One Day Soon:

They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On With The Rest of Their Lives

The P.O.W.’S Stood Steadfast
Against the Indignities And Cruelties Of War
They Could Not Have Lasted as Long as They Did
If They Had Relinquished Their Hope That Some Day:

They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On the Rest Of Their Lives

Medics, Nurses, and Chaplains Alike
Did What They Needed To Bring Back Life
They Served Our Forces From Day Into Night
Not Questioning If They Would Survive:

They Mended Bones And Bodies Too,
They Soothed the Spirits of Dying Souls

And for Those M.I.A’S, Who Were Left Behind
We Echo This Message Across the Seas
We Will search For as Long As It Takes
You’re Not Forgotten And Will Always Be:

In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers,
In Our Minds For All Time

A Moment of Silence, a Moment of Summons
Is Their Deliverance of Body And Soul
To a Sacred Place That We All Know
Deep In the Shrines of Our Soul:

In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers
In Our Minds For All Time

GOLD STAR MOTHERS GRIEVE: ENDLESSLY,
ENDLESSLY, ENDLESSLY...

These Immortalized Soldiers Whose Bravery Abounds
They’re Our Husbands, Fathers, and Sons
They Enlisted For the Duty at Hand
To Serve the Cause of Country and Land:

They Had Honor, They Had Valor,
They Found Glory That Change Them Forever

Men Standing Tall and Proud They be
A Country Behind Them in a Solemn Sea
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High:

In the Sun, In the Rain
In the Winds Across This Land

Years of Tears Has Brought Us Here
Gathering Around to Hear This Sound
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High...

In the Sun, In the Rain,
In the Winds Across This Land

In the Sun, In the Rain,
In the Winds For All Time

By Jerry (Calow) Czykalowskyj
Copyright 2003

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)

I salute all of our veterans and current military men and women and sincerely thank them for their service.

Jeff votes to uphold smoking ban

The council voted 4-3 to uphold the ban on smoking. There were 29 people giving 3 minute speeches. Some passionately opposed and others just as passionate in favor of the ban. It will need to pass one more time before it takes affect.

[Smoking ban in Jeff a step closer]

It is disappointing that the vote was along party lines. Republicans need to consider their stance on this issue and admit they do not have the best interest of the majority in mind!!

I am hopeful that when it comes to Floyd County, there will be more knowledgeable consideration by both parties.

Residents fired up!!

Well, we knew it wouldn’t last. [The News Tribune--Residents fired up over smoking ban]

The smokers must have been in hibernation during the initial readings of the proposal to ban smoking.

But as with all bears, they have awoken and I am sure will be ferocious as this proposal tries to move forward.

The anti-smoking groups also appear to organizing and this will likely be an ongoing battle from here on out.

Pick your side and let your voices be heard. In a democracy, “you may not always get your way, but you always get your say”

Physicians meeting with Sodrel

A group of 10 physicians representing the interest of all physicians in Floyd County will be meeting with Mike Sodrel on friday to discuss the ongoing issues related to Medicaid, Medicare, and malpractice premiums.

They will inform him of the seriousness of the issues and the fact that some offices are dropping Medicaid as of November 19th and others likely to follow. Medicare may be limited as well at the first of the year if the proposed cuts are passed.

Malpractice premiums for OB, in excess of $70,000, have caused many to drop OB services and is at a crisis level in Floyd and Clark Counties. The largest OB group in Floyd County no longer performs Medicaid deliveries and may have to drop insurers like Humana because of reimbursement and other issues. Two thirds of all their deliveries are used to pay for their malpractice premiums.

Radiologist in the area may stop recruiting new physicians because of the continued cuts in reimbursements for all x-ray procedures. One of the hardest hit areas are mammograms. Reimbursement has been cut so dramatically that some groups may decide to quit performing the exams because they cannot break even.

Typical write-offs for any service physicians perform is 30-70%. Medicaid rates have not been increased more than 5% in the last 10years. Most all other professions at least see a cost of living adjustment that has not been realized by physicians. Over the last 5 years, they have generated more gross revenue but because of write-offs and overhead expenses have made lower salaries.

It is a shame that health care access will need to worsen before legislators finally take the action necessary to remedy the problem.

Military Insurance

This morning’s article in the Courier is somewhat disheartening.
[Health insurance pinches deployed soldier's family]

When our military men and women are sent oversees on long deployments their families should be able to move back with their families for support without penalties.

But it appears that unless they live within a certain distance from a Tricare military facility, they may have more out of pocket medical expenses. The double standard comes in to play when they pay for recruiters medical costs living in these same areas.

I’d be in favor of putting some pressure on the Military to change this rule. Seems the least we can do for the families of our soldiers.

More on the moratoriums

Both the Indy Star and Courier Journal are reporting on the 2 cases this morning.
[Investors challenge hospital limits]
[ Judge: Hospital expansion OK IndyStar.com ]

The key point from the Morgan County case as reported is:
U.S. District Judge David F. Hamilton ruled that state law grants the Indiana State Department of Health -- not local government -- the power to regulate and license hospitals in the state.

This could be the crucial determination related to the Floyd and Clark cases. The Judge did not rule in favor of the Anti-trust complaint in the Morgan County case, but that will be major difference in the Floyd and Clark cases. If the Floyd and Clark cases are considered an Anti-trust issue and the moratorium is overturned, the private hospital could sue the Counties for damages. That could be in excess of $20,000.

Breaking News

The Morgan County moratorium issue out of Indianapolis was decided by Judge Hamilton. He ruled in favor of St. Francis Hospital and against the County and their moratorium.

Floyd County’s Moratorium case was heard by Judge Sara Evans Barker today. She did not make a ruling yet. She plans to have a written opinion in 2-3 weeks.

Reports from persons attending the trial stated it was not looking good for the County and they felt the Judge would rule in favor of the Heart Hospital.

Other reports stated that the expensive lawyers representing Floyd County from Ice Miller Law Firm were lacking at best. At one point when the judge asked a question about the moratorium, they really weren’t sure what it said.

More to come!!

Smoking on School Grounds

It’s funny how Jeffersonville can be supportive of a smoking ban and yet the Greater Clark School Board evidently has many more reservations. [Clark board cool to smoking ban]

It seems intuitively obvious that smoking is a hazard and it is what we preach over and over to the kids. I understand their concerns, but they need to take some bold steps if they really want to make an impact.

They could certainly limit the ban to Mon-Fri during school hours and no smoking in the buildings if they are concerned about football games. But failing to take any action is probably not the right step.

Alito, the next Supreme Court Justice

It is probably not necessary to state the obvious, but in a brief review so far, I am elated with the new nomination for the Supreme Court.

I am curious to hear the comments from my more liberal minded blogger friends about their thoughts and especially about his dissenting opinion on the Planned Parenthood vs. Casey ruling. As you could probably imagine, I would have voted with him.

Here’s a brief review of some notable stats on Judge Alito taken from Tom Goldstein:

Brief biography
Judge Alito currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Prior to his nomination to the Third Circuit by President George H.W. Bush, he served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey (1987-1990), Deputy Assistant Attorney General (1985-1987), and Assistant to the Solicitor General (1981-1985).

Judge Alito was born in 1950 in Trenton NJ. He attended Princeton University and Yale Law School. He clerked for Judge Leonard I. Garth on the Third Circuit.

Notable opinions:

A majority opinion in ACLU v. Schundler, 168 F.3d 92 (3d Cir. 1999), holding that the Establishment Clause was not violated by a city hall holiday display that contained a creche, a menorah, secular symbols of the season, and a banner proclaiming the city's dedication to diversity.

A majority opinion in Fatin v. INS, 12 F.3d 1233 (3d Cir. 1993), holding that an Iranian woman seeking asylum could establish that she had a well founded fear of persecution in Iran if she could show that compliance with that country's "gender specific laws and repressive social norms," such as the requirement that women wear a veil in public, would be deeply abhorrent to her. Judge Alito also held that she could establish eligibility for asylum by showing that she would be persecuted because of gender, belief in feminism, or membership in a feminist group.

A majority opinion in Saxe v. State College Area School District, 240 F.3d 200 (3d Cir. 2001), striking down as contrary to the First Amendment a public school district anti-harassment policy that extended to nonvulgar, non-school-sponsored speech that posed no realistic threat of substantial disruption of school work.

A majority opinion in Shore Regional High School Board of Education v. P.S., 381 F.3d 194 (3d Cir. 2004), holding that a school district did not provide a high school student with a free and appropriate public education, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, when it failed to protect the student from bullying by fellow students who taunted the student based on his lack of athleticism and his perceived sexual orientation.

A majority opinion in Williams v. Price, 343 F.3d 223 (3d Cir. 2003), granting a writ of habeas corpus to an African-American state prisoner after state courts had refused to consider the testimony of a witness who stated that a juror had uttered derogatory remarks about African Americans during an encounter in the courthouse after the conclusion of the trial.

A dissenting opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 947 F.2d 682 (3d Cir. 1991), arguing that a Pennsylvania that required women seeking abortions to inform their husbands should have been upheld. As Judge Alito reasoned, "[t]he Pennsylvania legislature could have rationally believed that some married women are initially inclined to obtain an abortion without their husbands' knowledge because of perceived problems--such as economic constraints, future plans, or the husbands' previously expressed opposition--that may be obviated by discussion prior to the abortion." Chief Justice Rehnquist's dissent from the Supreme Court's 5-4 [corrected] decision striking down the spousal notification provision of the law quoted Judge Alito's dissent and expressed support for Judge Alito's reasoning.

A dissenting opinion in Homar v. Gilbert, 89 F.3d 1009 (3d Cir. 1996) arguing that that a state university did not violate the procedural due process rights of a campus policeman when it suspended him without pay and without a prior hearing upon learning that he had been arrested and charged with drug offenses. The Supreme Court, which reversed and remanded the case on other grounds, agreed with Judge Alito's reasoning that no hearing was required prior to the suspension because the drug charges showed that the suspension was not baseless.

A dissenting opinion in Sheridan v. Dupont, 74 F.3d 1439 (3d Cir. 1996) (en banc) arguing that a plaintiff in a sex discrimination case should not inevitably be able to survive summary judgment simply by casting doubt on the employer's proffer of legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for the adverse employment decision.

Street Names

Over the weekend I heard about Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky.

Alice Lloyd College is named for its founder, Alice Spencer Geddes Lloyd. She came to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky from her native Boston. In the early part of her career, she was a writer for local newspapers and periodicals. In 1902, Miss Geddes became publisher and editor of The Cambridge Press that was the first publication in America with an all-female staff. She developed a work study program for students and to this day, most students leave this college with no student loan debt.

What are more interesting are the names of the streets within the campus community. They were named to reflect the traits that Lloyd demonstrated in her life and what the college strives to instill into the students.

Character Drive
Courage Street
Purpose Road
Integrity Lane
Action Lane
Faith Avenue

It got me thinking of how streets might be named in our city and county based on what we do in our lives.

Corruption Central
Cowardice Court
Neglect and Avoidance Streets
Dishonest Avenue
Lazy Lane
Skepticism and Sarcastic Streets

Although my streets are probably not as admirable as hers and hopefully not like the ones above, I do strive to do better.

My hope is that others in our community will also consider how their streets would be named.

Character does matter!!!