Local Opinion

I feel Tom Brady’s pain.

The value of a free, independent press to representative democracy is incalculable. Our system of government relies on the people knowing what their elected representatives say and do. The best check on every elected official is an active news media looking over their shoulders.

The war in Ukraine continues to hit home in our area, demonstrating anew how connected our world is.

“The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” is the mantra I have been listening to for years from guns rights advocates. It’s a silly little quip that looks good on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt, but really has no logical place in an adult discussion about community, policing or human behavior. My standard response to it over the years has been, “a good guy with a gun is only good until he’s not.”

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” — Title IX

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, the old adage goes, and that’s especially true for drivers of the roughly 17 million vehicles that traverse Columbus’ gateway — Interstate 65 at Exit 68 — every year.

About every 80 years since the American Revolution began in 1776, there have been decisive pivot points or cataclysms in history. It was followed by the Civil War eight decades later.

This is traditionally a tough time of year for food banks, and this year is even tougher. Raising enough money to meet the needs of those who may not know where their next meal is coming from is always challenging, but that’s especially true when folks are thinking about spring break, warm weather and summer vacations.

Last year, the federal government offered $3.07 billion to Indiana units of government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help mitigate the financial effects of the pandemic. This optional funding gives state and local officials the freedom to invest these dollars in infrastructure, critical public health programs, and other areas of need. But local governments and communities in the state aren’t spending the money.

From: Sharon Krieg