|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
Gavel Gamut
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 01 May 2017)
HONEY OR VINEGAR
A large percentage of Americans trace their roots to Germany and Italy, not so many to North Korea. The United States fought two major wars with Germany and one with Italy in the 20th Century. North Korea was our enemy once in the 20th Century. We forgave Germany and rebuilt it and our Italian WWII enemy with the Marshall Plan. It was some of the best money America ever spent.
Both post-war Germany and Italy were near starvation and needed everything from butter to sewers. The U.S. of A. provisioned both countries. As for North Korea, when active hostilities ceased over fifty years ago we maintained, and still do, a stance of belligerence and bellicosity. Our statements and actions as recently as last week invited all-out war and even more harsh economic sanctions to North Korea but not a penny for food or infrastructure. When we helped rebuild Germany and Italy we made long term allies and loyal friends out of people who had previously been engaged in killing us. The Marshall Plan was relatively inexpensive, especially since what it purchased was not only lasting peace but also economic benefits that far exceeded the cost. It was as President Trump might say, “One hell of a deal.â€
I propose instead of spending billions of our treasure and many of our lives trying to force North Korea to give up attempting to create nuclear weapons, we should kill them with kindness; it would be a lot cheaper and much longer lasting.
When one whips a dog instead of feeding it, it should not be surprising if its first instinct is to bite.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to:
Judges make it official: Indy Courts Moving To Justice Center
IL for www.theindianalawyer.com
Judges of the Marion Circuit and Superior Courts formally announced Thursday that civil and criminal courts will move from the Indianapolis City-County Building to a proposed Criminal Justice Complex on the city’s near-southeast side.
The courts and the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force released a joint statement announcing the formal decision ahead of the May 1 deadline. The move was approved by Marion Circuit Court and the General Term of Marion Superior Court.
“Over the past four months, in partnership with the Indianapolis Criminal Justice Reform Task Force, the Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts have engaged in the hard work of putting Marion County on the cutting-edge of modern court systems,†the statement said. “By looking at models and best practices from all over the country, Marion County’s Circuit and Superior Courts are committed to building a court system that is effective, efficient, and continues to promote justice in line with the fundamental tenets of criminal justice reform. While the task before the courts is a challenging one, the courts are committed and will not settle for a system that does not enhance the community with great resources and access to the justice system.â€
Mayor Joe Hogsett in January announced a facility now dubbed the Community Justice Campus would be built in the Twin Aire neighborhood on the site of the former Citizens Gas and Coke Utility Plant. In Thursday’s statement, Hogsett thanked the courts “for their forward-thinking commitment to building an innovative, efficient, and just criminal justice system.â€
Hogsett has pushed for what he calls bold criminal justice reform that puts mental health assessment, substance abuse, treatment, and other services at the core. Along with a jail with 2,600-3,000 beds, the facility will include an upfront assessment center. The facility is expected to cost $575 million, but depending on the structure of lease payments, the city could pay several times more.
Former Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan for a public-private justice center on the former General Motors Stamping Plant that failed to gain City-County Council approval came with a long-term price tag of about $1.75 billion in lease payments over decades. Under Hogsett’s plan, the city will use a similar public-private partnership model for most of the project and has selected the HOK design and engineering firm that worked on Ballard’s proposed justice center plan to serve as a consultant on the development.
City-County Council President Maggie Lewis in a statement Thursday applauded the courts’ decision to locate at the complex and the collaboration that’s marked the process. “This marks an important milestone in our effort to reform the Marion County criminal justice system,†she said. “In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to continue working alongside my colleagues.â€
Three key dates remain prior to City-County Council approval, according to the Task Force report. The city will release a request for bid proposals on July 1; responses will be due back to the city Nov. 1; and the winning bid will be selected and proposed to the council by Jan. 1, 2018.
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2017, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).
The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room, same address.
Edith is a 4-year-old female gray tabby! She was one of 21 cats who came from the recent Hillview hoarding case. Her beautiful green eyes are a permanent fixture on the VHS YouTube channel’s landing page! She’s already spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, FeLV/FIV negative, and ready to go home TODAY for $30! Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Â
The Screaming Eagles took a 2-1 lead after doubles play, but were unable to hold on for the upset win.
After falling behind the second-seeded Greyhounds after number three doubles, the seventh-seeded Eagles came back at number two doubles with an 8-4 win by sophomore Ilia Karelin (Ekaterinburg, Russia) and freshman Denis Davydov (Chorvatsky Grob, Slovakia). USI would take the lead after junior Samuel Kiladejo (London, England) and senior Aaron Barris (Marietta, Georgia) upset No. 16 Arklon Huertas Del Pino and Andrea Morlet 8-6 at number one.
USI was unable to win a singles match as UIndy took the first four matches to be completed for the 5-2 win. Barris battled at number three, winning the first set 6-4, and was tied 5-5 in the second, but the game was unfinished as the match had already been decided.
The Eagles concluded the season 16-11, their eighth consecutive winning season.
#17 Indianapolis 5, #48 Southern Indiana 2
Apr 27, 2017 at Indianapolis, IN (UIndy Tennis Center)
Singles competition |
1. #2 A. Huertas Del Pino (UINDY-M) def. Denis Davydov (USI) 6-0, 6-1 |
2. Nils Hoffacker (UINDY-M) def. Samuel Kiladejo (USI) 6-3, 6-2 |
3. #39 Christoph Drechsler (UINDY-M) vs. Aaron Barris (USI) 6-4, 5-5, unfinished |
4. Magnus Mueller (UINDY-M) vs. Ilia Karelin (USI) 6-7, 0-1, unfinished |
5. Andrea Morlet (UINDY-M) def. Jack Lipchik (USI) 6-0, 6-2 |
6. Marco Razo (UINDY-M) def. Andrew Dones (USI) 6-4, 6-1 |
Â
Doubles competition |
1. Samuel Kiladejo/Aaron Barris (USI) def. #16 A. Huertas Del Pino/Andrea Morlet (UINDY-M) 8-6 |
2. Ilia Karelin/Denis Davydov (USI) def. Christoph Drechsler/Magnus Mueller (UINDY-M) 8-4 |
3. Nils Hoffacker/Marco Razo (UINDY-M) def. Andrew Dones/Jack Lipchik (USI) 8-3 |
Â
Match Notes |
Southern Indiana 16-11; National ranking #48; Regional ranking #7 |
Indianapolis 16-4; National ranking #17; Regional ranking #2 |
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,5,6,2) |
2017 NCAA Midwest Region First Round |
Agriculture is an integral part of Indiana’s economy. We have 19 million acres of farms, forests and woodlands, and Indiana’s 57,500 farming operations grow, produce and process some of the highest-quality products around the world. In 2014, the General Assembly approved the Indiana Grown program to encourage Hoosiers to buy locally grown products.
Indiana Grown is a branding program helping Hoosier farmers and producers promote their products by encouraging consumers to buy local. After a business becomes a member, the Indiana Grown logo is placed on their products, which helps consumers more easily identify and purchase their goods.
This program keeps jobs and financial growth in the community by supporting Hoosier businesses in our state. It also supports job creation, building sustainable communities and preserving Indiana’s agricultural heritage. It is important to remember that when an Indiana Grown product is bought, no matter where from, it helps local farmers and producers succeed as well as the Indiana economy.
When shopping, look for the Indiana Grown label and help support our community by choosing local options. If you are interested in joining the Indiana Grown program, visit www.IndianaGrown.org.
Appeals Court Upholds Decision To Block Anthem Bid For CignaIL for www.theindianalawyer.com
A federal appeals court on Friday left in place a decision blocking Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc.’s bid to buy rival health insurer Cigna Corp, saying that a bigger company is not better for consumers.
The 2-1 decision upholds a federal judge’s ruling in February that said the proposed $48 billion acquisition would reduce competition in the concentrated insurance market.
Anthem argued the merger would save $2.4 billion in medical costs and lead to lower consumer premiums. But the Justice Department said Anthem had no real plan to reach those savings. The government sued last summer to block the deal amid concerns over its effect on prices and consumer choices.
The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit likely dooms the merger effort that lasted nearly two years. Even Cigna has soured on the deal, filing a separate lawsuit seeking a $1.85 billion termination fee from Anthem and billions more in damages that include the amount Cigna shareholders would have received if the merger hadn’t failed.
Consumer groups had opposed the merger, saying it would have a negative impact on consumers and lead to fewer choices. Industry experts suggested any consumer impact from the deal would take years to materialize and could lead to savings in some areas but higher costs elsewhere.
Anthem had promoted the merger as a way to help the companies negotiate better prices with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and doctor groups. They also said it would help cut expenses and add more customers.
Writing for the majority, Judge Judith Rogers said the lower court was correct to halt the merger “based on Anthem’s failure to show the kind of extraordinary efficiencies necessary to offset the conceded anticompetitive effect of the merger†in 14 states.
Rogers also said the merger would have a “substantial anticompetitive effect†in the Richmond, Virginia, large-group employer market.
In dissent, Judge Brett Kavanaugh said a merger would allow the larger company to negotiate lower provider rates and mean cost-savings for consumers. He said he would send the case back to the lower court for further deliberations.
Earlier this year, a federal judge also blocked a separate health insurer combination: Aetna’s roughly $34 billion acquisition of Medicare Advantage provider Humana Inc.