Ever wonder why we can't make everything perfect?

Brigitte Dale provides the best explanation we've seen of why busybody attempts to control peoples' habits often have the opposite effect. Are you listening, Elkhart City Council?



Brigitte's very clever podcast is readily found on YouTube or via iTunes.

Talkradio Notes

The newest, best talk show on radio is Dennis Miller's. He's on in Chicago, from 1-3 Eastern, on WIND, or on the same station on the 'net. Another reason to pray the "fairness" doctrine doesn't get legs.

State confers power -- Elkhart Truth approves-- of course.

The state legislature passed a new fireworks law that will give localities the right to control fireworks usage in whatever way they desire, except on certain designated dates -- traditional fireworks holidays, mainly.

I wonder how effective this will be, in actuality. From my reading of it, the idea is to strengthen prohibitions on fireworks, mainly to deal with the noise nuisance, not the safety issues involved with explosives. OK, noise ordinances are fine, but I'm not sure they're easily enforced. And who the heck has the time? I always question laws that appear to burden law enforcement with the task of chasing minor issues, instead of focusing on the really bad guys.

But what strikes me as odd is today's Elkhart Truth editorial lauding the new legislation. I don't much care one way or another about this law, but here's what The Truth said in the closing lines:

The bill now goes to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who should quickly sign it. Then, as soon as they can, local governments should begin tailoring fireworks rules to suit the needs of their communities.

After all, there's no point in having local authority if you're not going to use it.

Does this mean that if a locality doesn't want to use its authority to limit or "tailor" fireworks rules that there's somehow no "point?" In some rural counties, maybe no rules are the best rules, but not, apparently, according to The Truth. In typical fashion, the paper reveals its preference for more control over peoples' lives, as if that's an end in itself. And I think that's sad.

Truth defensive about anti-smoking stance

Our letter speaking out against smoking bans appeared in The Elkhart Truth Saturday, and already, the paper is feeling a little heat. And it's defending itself. To be fair, The Elkhart Truth is duly noting some of its online criticism, and presenting a good bit of it on the editorial page.

But, we were struck by this little closer to today's editorial, following a reader's comment that ban proponents are "full of it."

We're full of something, all right. Either the hot air or the secondhand smoke that ban critics continue to blow.

Nice. It seems when your readers disagree with your position, it's time to insult them.

Imus Flap

While Stephanie Gattman in today's Truth editorial rehashes what every pundit across the USA is saying, my own daughter Paige has a more refreshing outlook.

A new look, a new idea, a new local medium

This is my beginning at formally commenting on events and issues in and around Elkhart Indiana. Local media have their own agenda, and this is a chance to advance mine.

I'm a libertarian, very often aligning with the Republican party, but not always. I find that the local newspaper, the Elkhart Truth (or The Truth, as it is now called) has too often become a vehicle for a liberal/progressive agenda (I'm speaking mainly of the editorial page, but their news judgement reflects this as well), and I feel that The Truth fails to pursue some issues when digging deeper is the right thing to do.

It's not my goal, however, to simply be a critic of The Truth. I also want to report, retort and present a point of view for its own sake. A point of view not reflected in most local media outlets.

Enough explanation. This blog will evolve, certainly, and I hope it gets some readership.