WHY IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE?
Raging Moderate by Will Durst
And now the question that’s been dancing on the lips of politically concerned citizens for decades – Who’s the genius that chose Iowa and New Hampshire to be the first and most influential states in determining who becomes the next president? It was probably the same guy who figured out how to bundle subprime mortgages. Or related to the brewer who invented Cold Turkey Breakfast Beer. The idiot behind pay toilets on airplanes.
The premier production, the Iowa Caucuses, is a wild and wacky adventure that takes up an entire evening. First you find where your designated precinct gathering is being held in a school, church, library or neighbor’s house, one of more than 1680 in the state’s 99 counties on a dark February night. Which means motivating supporters to attend is an integral part of the campaign, making the promise of snacks incredibly influential.
Because the Hawkeye State is fiercely independent, the Republicans and Democrats have different rules. This will be the first year the GOP will announce a delegate count, which will be binding. Before, it was more of a “Santorum did well. Gingrich didn’t,†sort of thing.
All hell broke out last year, when Mitt Romney was declared the winner, but two weeks later it was revealed Rick Santorum had won, even though Ron Paul got the most delegates. This year, they promise more transparency. Stay tuned.
The Democrats huddle together with people who share a candidate preference. But supporters whose candidates don’t cross a viability threshold (15 percent or so) can either try to convince other people to join their group, or disband and hook up with a different favorite.
It’s the Tinder of electoral politics and places an emphasis on the art of hygienic schmoozing. A pleasantly odiferous group of followers holds a distinct advantage. People still talk about the delicious cookie smell that emanated from John Edwards’ supporters back in 2004.
The following week, the action moves north and east to New Hampshire. In the Granite State they are fiercely independent and proud of traditionally being the first primary since 1920. They actually have a state law that mandates they remain first in the nation, even if they have to move it to the previous year and compete with July 4th fireworks to do it.
While the Iowa Caucuses are a game of musical chairs without the music and no chairs, the New Hampshire Primary is more straightforward. You just up and vote. The problem is who is doing the voting. Iowa is 87 percent white but New Hampshire is 91 percent. The two are as representative of the country as sushi is of Southwestern Cuisine.
Both have tiny populations and are so damn white the blue veins running down their outer thighs could be interstate roads on the map of prejudice. These guys make the Pillsbury Doughboy look like a Central American coal miner after a double- shift. We’re talking about people who need SPF 50 to protect them from moonburn. If they were any more Caucasian, they’d be translucent.
Besides, in February, climate change notwithstanding, both the Hawkeyes and the Granitoids tend to experience a little thing we call winter. Needless to say, if it were up to the journalists, the first two primaries would be held in Hawaii and Guam.
ILNEWS Court split on whether defendant’s actions were proximate cause of injury
Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals ordered a man’s Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement conviction reduced to a misdemeanor because of a lack of evidence his actions were the proximate cause of the police officer’s injury during a foot chase.
Willie Moore Jr. was stopped by an off-duty police officer working as a courtesy officer at an apartment complex as Moore and another man were walking by the complex. Officer Christopher Helmer found it suspicious that Moore was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt when it was nearly 80 degrees outside. He began talking to the men, and Moore volunteered his name, which Helmer recognized as on the apartment complex’s trespass list.
Moore’s father, Willie Moore, had rented the apartment, but the complaints lodged by residents were against the son. As Helmer attempted to pat down the two men, Moore took off. Helmer fell and injured himself during the pursuit but caught up to Moore. Moore was convicted of Level 4 felony possession of a firearm as a serious violent felon and Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement, which was enhanced due to Helmer’s injury.
Moore appealed, raising three arguments. He maintained that the officer didn’t have reasonable suspicion to stop him, but the judges found Helmer did under both the U.S. and Indiana constitutions. Moore claimed that his Illinois conviction for residential burglary couldn’t be used to support his serious violent felon status because the statutes in the states were not substantially similar. But again, the judges ruled against Moore, noting that Illinois legal authority indicates that the state’s residential burglary statute implies the use of force, like the burglary statute in Indiana. The only difference is Illinois’ statute does not include the term “breaking†as Indiana’s does.
Finally, Moore challenged his resisting law enforcement conviction, which the majority of Judges Rudolph Pyle and John Baker reversed and ordered that he be convicted of and sentenced for it as a Class A misdemeanor. The majority did not find sufficient evidence to support the causation element that enhanced Moore’s conviction to a Level 6 felony. But they did hold there was sufficient evidence to convict him of resisting as a misdemeanor.
Judge Cale Bradford dissented as to this issue, believing the evidence was such that the trial court could reasonably conclude that Moore’s actions were the proximate cause of Helmer’s injury.
The case is Willie Moore v. State of Indiana, 49A02-1505-CR-321.
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Men’s Swimming And Diving Defeats Ball State
Men’s Swimming And Diving Defeats Ball State
Aces Defeat Cardinals, 151.5-148.5
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – An exciting meet came down to the final events as the University of Evansville men’s swimming and diving team defeated Ball State by a final of 151.5-148.5 on Friday afternoon at Wyttenbach Pool.
“I am super happy, we did a great job of coming together as a team. The divers were awesome and relays were great,†Purple Aces head coach Rickey Perkins said. “Ethan O’Rourke won three meets and did a nice job. I am very happy with the win, the guys worked very hard and it is great to see their work pay off.â€
O’Rourke’s stellar day began in the 100 backstroke event as he swam a 52.16, topping the competition by 1.49 seconds. He was even more dominant in the 200 backstroke race. O’Rourke’s time of 1:55.25 was over four seconds better than his nearest competition. He finished the day with another great race, taking top honors in the 200 IM. His 1:57.44 was nearly four seconds ahead of second place.
Evansville swept the diving events, led by Cory Barnes and Miguel Marcano. Barnes was credited with a 212.17 to take first place in the 1-meter event while Marcano recorded a 258.15 in the 3-meter dive to earn the win.
Dan O’Brien had a solid day for the Aces. The sophomore came home on top in the 100 fly, registering a 51.86 to win by 0.41 over Ball State. He also contributed to a team win in the 200 medley relay. He joined Troy Burger, Matt Duke and Matt Childress to swim a 1:36.35. The group won by just 0.12.
Troy Burger was victorious in the 100 breaststroke, finishing in 59.61. He was 1.69 seconds ahead of teammate Will Glasscock. Burger got the job done again in the 200 yard breaststroke, dominating the competition by over three seconds as he finished with a time of 2:12.60.
Tomorrow, the Aces men and women will hold their final home event of the season, taking on Valparaiso at 1 p.m. at Wyttenbach Pool.
Intoxicated Motorist Causes High Speed Crash
- On Thursday, January 28, 2016 at approximately 12:11 a.m. the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to W. Diamond Avenue (SR 66) near St. Joseph Avenue in reference to a motor vehicle crash with injuries involving two vehicles.
- On scene investigation and statements taken from the drivers and witnesses indicated that a maroon 1995 Chevrolet Impala driven by Mr. Gary Alen Robertson had struck a blue 2008 Honda Civic from behind. Witnesses reported that the Impala passed them at speeds of nearly 100 mph prior to the crash. Both vehicles had been travelling west on W. Diamond Avenue east of St. Joseph Avenue when the Impala struck the Civic at a high rate of speed. The collision caused the Impala to cross into the east bound lanes, strike a guardrail on the south side of W. Diamond Avenue and then enter a field. The Civic struck a guardrail on the north side of W. Diamond Avenue before coming to rest.
The investigating sheriff’s deputy observed that Mr. Robertson appeared intoxicated. The drivers of both vehicles were transported by ambulance to Deaconess Emergency Room for injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Civic was treated for what was believed to be minor injuries. Mr. Robertson was treated and released and later booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated with Test Refusal as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Westbound W. Diamond Avenue between Kratzville Road and St. Joseph Avenue was closed for approximately 45 minutes while the scene was cleared.
ARRESTED:
Gary Alen Robertson (pictured above), 33, of Evansville. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated with Test Refusal as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Pictured above: Crash scene image of the blue 2008 Honda Civic that was struck from behind on SR 66.
IS IT TRUE JANUARY 29, 2016
IS IT TRUE the buzz we are hearing about todays Evansville Brownfield Corp. meeting at Vectren Corporate offices is making us wonder about this not-for-profit organization more than ever?
IS IT TRUE we understand that past Evansville Brownfield board meetings have been held around town in various upscale restaurants?  … the one scheduled for today was originally to be held  at a restaurant located on Haynie’s Corner?  …It would be interesting to know whether or not if the taxpayers are footing the bill for the fine dining experiences of the Evansville Brownfield Corp Board?
IS IT TRUEÂ having todays Brownfield Corp meeting at an upscale restaurant would not be a suitable venue to hold a public meeting, but the choice of Vectren seems odd? Â … several potential attendees from the general public have commented on being “turned off” by having to pass guards to attend a public meeting at the plush Vectren Corporate Headquarters?
IS IT TRUE we’ve pleased that DMD Director Kelly Coures has invited City Council members to attend todays Brownfield meeting?
IS IT TRUE the Principal Officer, (secretary-treasurer) of Evansville Brownfield Corp. is Carolyn Rusk? Â …Carolyn Rusk is employed by DMD? Â ,,,,the name and address of principal officer of Evansville Brownfield Corp listed on several IRS 990 tax form is DMD employee CAROLYN RUSK whose office is located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr , Civic Center in room, 306 EVANSVILLE, IN 47708?
IS IT TRUE one of the things we find most problematic about this issue is the fact that we can’t find any notice to the public about this meeting in the mainstream media? …Evansville Brownfield Corp. is subsidized  by taxpayers money and we wonder if they should have given a forty-eight hour public notice about todays meeting?
IS IT TRUE the other big problem we have with the way todays Brownfield meeting is being conducted is that we are told by second hand sources that the meeting will begin at 1:30 and then quickly go into a private Executive session for an hour or so before holding the public part of the meeting starts? Â …if the public shows up at 1:30 they shall sit for an hour waiting for the public session to begin?
IS IT TRUE THE Foundation Finder report that one of our bloggers sent us shows that the Evansville Brownfield Corp filed an IRS 990 report back in 2004?  …THE Foundation Finder reported that from 2005 to 2011 the Evansville Brownfield Corp. didn’t file an IRS 990 report?  …the Foundation Finder-990 report did show that Evansville Brownfield Corp did file reports in 2012, 2013 and 2014?
IS IT TRUE attached below is a link to THE FOUNDATION FINDER-990 web site for local  not-for -profits for you to look at the Evansville Brownfield Corp IRS-990 tax reports for 2004, 2012, 2013 and 2014?
http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?
IS IT TRUE attached below is a long to the FOUNDATION FINDER-990 Not-For Profit web site for you look at the Evansville Brownfield Corp IRS-990 tax reports for 2004, 2012, 2013 and 2014?
IS IT TRUE todays “READERS POLL; “Do you feel its time for the books of the Evansville Brownfield Corp to be audited?
IS IT TRUE today at 2:30 p.m. at Vectren Corporative Headquarters the peoples business will finally be discussed publicly?
IS IT TRUEÂ starting next week articles shall be posted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays unless we have unexpected breaking news?
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016.
Roger Matthew Pirtle Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 felony
Kyle James Wood Dealing in a look-alike substance, Level 5 felony
John Eugene Deer Carrying a handgun without a license, Level 5 felony
Dealing in a look-alike substance, Level 5 felony
Amanda Carol Fryman Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony
Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor
Randal Dale Schaeffer Attempted battery by bodily waste, Level 5 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Javion Hisheem Bell Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony
Carrying a handgun without a license, Class A misdemeanor
Keyvan Shamaal Fellows Possession of marijuana, Level 6 felony
Ricardo Markim Roberts Sr. Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Jeremy Craig Collier Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felony
Travis Lee Buchanan Armed robbery, Level 3 felony
Criminal confinement, Level 3 felony
Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 felony
Quinton Lee Jennings Intimidation, Level 6 felony
Michele Denise Guthrie Dealing in a narcotic drug, Level 4 felony
Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony
Timothy Boyd Shane Burglary, Level 5 felony
Theft, Level 6 felony
Gerald Lamont Robinson Intimidation, Level 5 felony
Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug look-alike substance, Class A misdemeanor
Donald Charles Freeman Jr. Armed robbery, Level 3 felony
Battery against a public safety official, Level 5 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony
Carrying a handgun without a license, Class A misdemeanor
Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of marijuana, Class B misdemeanor
Seth Andrew Dill Child seduction, Level 5 felony
Stacy Ryan Goldman Battery against a public safety official, Level 5 felony
Theft, Level 6 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Ushanda Raye Johnson Operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, Level 6 felony
Bennie Lee Fulton II Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Jimmy Ray Davis Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony
Theft, Level 6 felony
Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor