In An Indiana Minute

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

What’s Happening Around Indiana (10-30-2012)

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Here Is An Email I Got From Representative Todd Rokita

Dear Ms. Blake,

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 112th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well.

For daily updates, please take a moment to "Like" my Facebook page by clicking here: .

This Week (Oct. 21-27)

On Wednesday morning, I joined Gov. Mitch Daniels and other state and local officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lafayette-to-Delphi segment of the Hoosier Heartland Highway. This was the culmination of a tremendous team effort that will result in safer travel and much bigger economic opportunities for the counties and communities served by the highway.

Earlier this year, I led a bipartisan group of Indiana’s congressional delegation in fighting to stop a proposed ban on federal funds being used under public-private partnership arrangements, including the Indiana East-West Toll Road. Through the state’s Major Moves program, the toll road deal freed up billions of dollars to fund other needed projects such as the Hoosier Heartland Highway.

For Wednesday’s celebration, I brought along my (and Kathy’s :-) ) 1973 Corvette that I have been restoring for the last five years. Most of it’s done now, but it appears to be a never-ending process. Anyway, Debbie Lowe from the Carroll County Comet got in and we helped lead the ceremonial caravan after we cut the ribbon. Here’s a photo of me with Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser at the event, and a photo of Debbie and me with my Corvette:

I also had the opportunity to visit with around 50 Hendricks Power Cooperative workers at an employee town hall meeting on Thursday, where I shared with them a presentation on our national debt and discussed solutions. It was a great discussion and I am always energized to hear common-sense solutions from Hoosiers:

Earlier in the week, I also attended the Tippecanoe County Right to Life’s annual Celebration of Life banquet, where I was able to catch up with many old friends. I am thankful for their partnership in the fight to defend the sanctity of life.

Last Week (Oct. 14-20)

I always enjoy talking with Hoosier business leaders and others around the Fourth District. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with leaders of Indiana’s auto industry. On Wednesday, I spoke to management and human resources employees at Meritor’s North American Site Management and Human Resources Management Summit about labor and workforce issues.

As you likely know, Meritor operates a large “remanufacturing” facility in Plainfield producing brake pads and other remanufactured parts. Over the past year, I’ve worked closely with Meritor to get the federal government to purchase remanufactured parts. I was honored that Meritor and their trade association awarded me the MEMA Legislator of the Year award for my efforts.

I also spoke with the Indiana Automotive Council, a collaboration between industry, government and higher education that exists to grow and promote Indiana’s automotive industry. Representatives from Chrysler, Cummins, Delphi, General Motors, and many other companies were in attendance, and we talked about the looming “fiscal cliff” and the need for comprehensive tax reform.

Last Thursday, I visited with the Brownsburg Rotary Club to talk about spending and debt. A very special thanks to club member Merlin Outcalt for the invitation and to Club President Danielle Snyder for the hospitality. Here’s a photo from the visit:

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I guess I am on a roll with politicians today. When I read this email some of it had a sound of “about me” to it. Did it sound that way to you? When Rokita mentioned his Corvette, I thought “that has nothing to do with what i want to know.” I also thought I could do a better job then him. Man, do I need sabbatical now. I admit I need an attitude adjustment on politicians.

This Is A Email I Got From Senator Dan Coats

We Need Answers on Libya

In September, our country mourned the tragic death of Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans who died in an attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi: Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods. In the days following the attack, the Obama Administration blamed the violence on a "spontaneous" reaction to protests over an anti-Islam film.

However, State Department emails released this week tell a different story. These emails reveal that the administration may have known within hours that this was a terrorist attack. Despite this information, administration officials continued to tell the American public the attack was a spontaneous response to a video filmed in America.

Then there is the question of security at the diplomatic compound in Benghazi. In the months leading up to this year’s anniversary of September 11, there were two attacks on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. Additionally, the British consulate closed its doors after an attempted attack on their ambassador. The Red Cross left as well due to deteriorating security. Americans were the last ones with a flag flying in this region of Libya and yet did not have an increased security presence. In recent testimony before a congressional committee, officials confirmed that the State Department refused requests for more security in Benghazi despite the growing unrest and violence.

Unfortunately, more than one month after the attack, there remain many unanswered questions that this administration must address. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I will be actively pushing for answers and information. The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to hold a classified hearing on November 15. Some of the many questions that must be addressed include:

1. Why was an alleged request for more security at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi denied?

2. What intelligence assessments were made about Libya before the attack?

3. What information was provided to senior U.S. policymakers and the President immediately after the attack?

4. Were intelligence assessments shared with Ambassador Stevens before the attack?

5. Why did the administration respond to the attack by blaming an anti-Islam video despite knowing within hours that this was a terrorist attack?

6. Did the administration knowingly mislead the public?

7. Did the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi request military support during the night of the attack? If so, what was this administration’s response?

8. What are the lessons learned from this incident that will be applied to future events?

While we continue to mourn the lives lost in Libya, we must not tolerate these outrageous attacks on our people and the international diplomatic community. I am committed to obtain answers from this administration and work to ensure the safety and security of our diplomatic officials serving across the globe.

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I guess I am getting pretty leery of our leaders because my attitude after reading this “yeah, yeah, tell us another story.” It seems like for so long we been told “we’re getting this and that done”. Okay where is it that is getting done. I don’t see anything. Do you? Nobody is charge in Operation Fast And Furious fiasco. Nobody is going down for Benghazigate? Nobody has gone down for the insider tradergate? What are they doing? ARE THEY JUST GIVING US LIP SERVE? AND NOT DOING ANYTHING? Am I the only one that feels this way?

What’s Happening Around Indiana (10-26-2012)

Friday, October 26, 2012

Requiem For 4 American Patriots

What’s Happening Around Indiana (10-25-2012)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Sylvia Likens’ Case Rates In The Spooky Range

You can’t help but think the person that did this was a sick in the head individual. Indianapolis calls this one of gruesome crimes in the city’s history.

Jurors recall Sylvia Likens' torture-slaying trial by Michael Boren, Indianapolis Star

It has been nearly half a century since Paula Baniszewski pleaded guilty to her role in the brutal torture and eventual death of a 16-year-old Indianapolis girl. But the name “Baniszewski” is still synonymous with one of the most gruesome crimes in the city’s history.
That’s why, many jurors involved in the case say, it’s understandable that Paula Baniszewski changed her name to Paula Pace.
Pace was fired Tuesday from her job in an Iowa school district after officials discovered her real name and her disturbing past. She pleaded guilty in the early 1970s to voluntary manslaughter in the torture of Sylvia Likens, who died 47 years ago Friday.
Many involved in the case have died, but several surviving jurors say they remember the emotionally draining trial. One called it “five weeks of hell.”
“It was something you never forget and really wish you could sometimes,” said Bob Grabhorn, 70, Carmel.
Despite knowing Likens — she bought candy at his father’s Eastside grocery store — Grabhorn was still selected for the jury. He said he remains “amazed” by the decision.
Pace, now 64, could not be reached for comment.
Grabhorn and others say they would have changed their last name, too, had they been in Pace’s position. They recall a trial in which several family members were tried at once, and represented by three or more defense attorneys.
What made the case disturbing is that at least a dozen children — along with Pace and her mother, Gertrude Baniszewski — participated in or watched Likens’ abuse.
Likens was starved, beaten and branded with a hot metal object. She also had the words “I am a prostitute” etched onto her stomach. The torture lasted for weeks.
It comes as no surprise to former juror Rea Rogers that Pace tried to distance herself from the family name .
“I could understand that, especially with a name like Baniszewski,” said Rogers, 86, Indianapolis. “Which would stand out to anybody who ever had anything to do with the trial or read about it.”
Asked if people like Pace deserved a second chance, Rogers replied: “Sure, doesn't everyone? I mean if they’re truly sorry for what they did.”
Read More

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Jurors recall Sylvia Likens' torture-slaying trial by Michael Boren, Indianapolis Star

StarFiles: The 1965 murder of Sylvia Likens

Wednesday, October 24, 2012