Elkhart Review

The WSJ’s article, “For Obama, Taxes Are About Fairness”, articulates a position we’ve had for a long time — that Obama doesn’t really care if a tax policy produces a good outcome, as long as the evil rich are “punished.”  His complete cluelessness about economics, coupled with the fact that he’s not paricularly concerned about what objectively works, should be disturbing to all save the most radical leftists.  It’s another indicator how out of the mainstream this guy’s politics really are.

The SB Trib reports that there will be DUI checkpoints set up Friday and Saturday, on the south side of Elkhart.  Does this mean they stop everybody who passes the checkpoint?  These things are a pain.  At least it’s not for frickin’ seatbelts.

Episodes 2 & 3 of “Where the Rivers Meet,” the Ruthmere Foundation’s Elkhart history podcast are up and running now. Get them on iTunes or go to Ruthmere.org for more info.

The companion radio featurette, “Elkhart History Minute,” is popping up on WTRC Radio AM 1340, and should continue for a while, as new episodes of the show are provided to the station.

With all this radio and podcast production for others, there hasn’t been an Elkhart Review Podcast for a while, but have no fear, we’ll be back again soon.

Here’s the signage at the entrance to the Oakland Ave. underpass.  The big red circle has been there for years, although it’s been repainted several times.  It’s kind of a metaphor for how government seems to focus on restrictions instead of freedoms.  How about saying “Enjoy turning right” instead?

Charles Schumer, Senator from New York, is at least partially responsible for the run on California’s IndyMac bank, because of a memo he released that warned of “concerns” over the banks stability.  Unfortunately, such rumors because self-fulfilling prophecies, since they essentially encourage massive withdrawals from panicky depositors.  Well, what are people supposed to do when a US senator announces he thinks their savings are threatened?

It seems apparent that the memo’s release was not accidental, particularly in light of Schumer’s defensiveness about his duty to “warn” the public.  Problem is, there are laws making it a crime to incite a bank panic.  It will be interesting to see if Schumer is further investigated, and if he is, to find out if he had other motives (besides public service) for creating this situation.

Schumer is always more than willing to harass innocent businesspeople for nothing more than his personal political ends, so it’s time he got a little of his own medicine.  Unfortunately, he’s powerful and probably connected enough to get himself off the hook for doing something he’d never let slide if it were someone else spreading the rumors.

Just in time for Elkhart’s sesquicentennial, the Ruthmere Foundation has launched a new Elkhart history podcast.   The foundation operates Ruthmere (the A.R. Beardsley Mansion), and has recently purchased the Havilah Beardsley House.  The latter is the home of Elkhart’s founder, and is currently undergoing a restoration to its 1874 form.

The podcast, “Where the Rivers Meet,” will cover interesting tidbits of Elkhart history as well a unique look “behind the scenes” at what’s going on at the foundation and the two historic Beardsley houses.

Check out Episode 1 of “Where the Rivers Meet” at http://www.ruthmere.org, where you’ll see a number of options for subscribing — or you can download the podcast directly from the website.

Bret Stephens comments on global warming hysteria today in the Wall Street Journal. With the evidence coming more and more into question, how else to explain the preoccupation with carbon offsets, anti-humanism, and general panic but as mass neurosis, fueled by politicians and assorted other nut-jobs?

The Elkhart Jazz Festival was another winner, with 2-1/2 days of great music.  Above, Kathy Morris and Collage, perennial faves at the festival, give their usual spectacular performance.

Just a thought: if Obama is the candidate of the soaring theme of change, hope, audacity, and the future, why does he have tired old hacks like Al Gore, Ted Kennedy and Carl Levin hanging around?  His big political political endorsers are all liberal dinosaurs.  And he just hired one of Hill’s ex-employees.  Is this what the excitement’s all about?

Obama’s star has burned pretty brightly and with a lot of heat this year.  And his accomplishment IS historic.  But his ideas are nothing new.  He’s a rock star singing about peace, love, hope and understanding, and I think he’ll end up being a one-hit wonder.

Local educator (Chris) comments on DQ from a conference in NW Indiana. Besides DQ, we concur on Cracker Barrel, and raise Chris one Applebee’s. Where else won’t YOU eat in Ekhart County (or anywhere else, for that matter?) Listen below then comment freely.