Not so tough guys
Not so tough guys
During a committee hearing, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, challenged a witness—Teamsters President Sean O’Brien—to a fight. The senator ordered O’Brien to “stand your butt up†while taking off his rings and leaving his chair.
The committee’s 82-year-old chairman, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, had to intervene and restore both peace and the dignity of what once was called the world’s greatest deliberative body.
“You’re a United States senator,†Sanders said plaintively while Mullin was showing off the conflict-resolution skills of a six-year-old.
Afterward, Mullin said he wanted to throw down with O’Brien because he thought the people of Oklahoma would want that—brainless brawling—rather than, say, leadership, statesmanship and thought. You know, the qualities people in high offices with important responsibilities normally are expected to exhibit.
At almost the same time that Mullin was working to de-dignify and dumb down the Senate, U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California—until not long ago the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives—apparently elbowed U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, in the kidneys while Burchett’s back was turned.
There’s bad blood between the two.
Burchett supplied one of the eight Republican votes that moved McCarthy from being House speaker to being a former House speaker.
After the incident, McCarthy said he did not intentionally elbow Burchett—although there were witnesses who said he did—and then boasted that normally when he hits someone the person being hit knows it.
Lord, help me.
Where do we find these people?
Much already has been made of the sheer idiocy and immaturity of these moments and—we’ll be generous here—men.
All those criticisms are valid.
McCarthy is 58. Mullin is 46.
By the calendar, then, they’re adults, grown men.
Their actions, though, indicate otherwise. One of the qualities of maturity—of manhood—is mastering one’s emotions, particularly one’s temper.
Real men have the emotional discipline to resist provocation. Their egos are not so fragile that they lash out physically when they’ve been insulted or offended. They understand that violence is justifiable only when someone is in danger of physical harm.
If their sense of manhood can be undermined, wounded or threatened by a joke, taunt or setback, well, then their sense of themselves as men can’t be that secure.
But this focus on the puerile immaturity involved in these incidents obscures another aspect that should be considered.
The sheer cowardice.
Both Mullin and McCarthy want their followers to think of them as tough guys. That’s why Mullin engaged in his macho posturing in a Senate committee room and McCarthy bragged afterward about how hard he can hit people.
But they’re not tough guys.
Not by a long shot.
McCarthy struck Burchett from behind while Burchett’s attention was focused on a reporter who was interviewing him. Even a schoolboy knows—as Burchett pointed out afterward in describing the incident—there’s nothing brave or tough about striking someone from behind.
And Mullin?
Give me a break.
He demanded that O’Brien mix it up with him in a room under the protection of the Capitol Police. If Mullins’ pro-wrestling like preening had resulted in fisticuffs and O’Brien had gotten the upper hand, the cops would have stepped in to stop the teamster from stomping his opponent into the marble floor faster than a referee could count to 10.
Because the police remember something that Mullin apparently doesn’t—that he is a United States senator and cops have a duty to protect that office, even if it’s a sense of duty the senator himself doesn’t share.
If McCarthy and Mullin wanted to see what true toughness looks like, they wouldn’t have to go far to find sterling examples.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, both often have demonstrated remarkable grace under immense pressure.
Even when they have been threatened with harm or death, they always have maintained their composure. They both have been relentless in meeting the duties of their offices and their responsibilities to the American people.
And they did it without taking cheap shots, ala McCarthy, or starting fights they knew they wouldn’t have to finish, ala Mullin.
In other words, Pelosi and Cheney acted like adults and leaders even under intense provocation to do otherwise.
That takes discipline.
That takes courage.
That takes toughness.
John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The views expressed are those of the author only and should not be attributed to Franklin College.
Surpassing $69 million, Attorney General Todd Rokita and team return record-setting amount of unclaimed property to Hoosiers
Amount returned in 2023 has already exceeded previous record from 2014
Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today that his office has set a new record for the amount of unclaimed property returned to Hoosiers during the course of a year.
This month, the amount of money returned to Hoosiers by Attorney General Rokita’s Unclaimed Property Division during 2023 surpassed $69 million — exceeding the previous record set in 2014 of $66.9 million.
“From the first day of our administration, we have made it our priority to serve Hoosiers with servants’ hearts,†Attorney General Rokita said. “This achievement, along with others, proves how seriously we take this mission.â€
He thanked Amy Hendrix, director of the Unclaimed Property Division, for the focused resolve her staff has demonstrated under her guidance. He also commended Chief of Staff Jamie Weber for initiating the advertising-and-outreach strategy that generated the record results.
“Reuniting people with unclaimed property is a core function of this office,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Setting this record for the amount of money returned in a year’s time is a testament to our team’s hard work.â€
Every U.S. state operates a program for returning unclaimed property to citizens, but only in Indiana is it overseen by the state’s attorney general.
“We have the full and complete support of this administration,†Hendrix said. “We utilize the best technology in our claims process, and we employ a great team that is capable, experienced and dedicated. To reach this milestone, we added claims representatives and designated additional staff to proactively reach out to claimants. Our success is really an entire divisional effort.â€
Unclaimed property is any financial asset with no activity by its owner for an extended period of time. This can include unclaimed wages or commissions, money orders, safety deposit box contents, savings and checking accounts, refunds and overpayments.
More than $800 million is still waiting to be claimed.
Attorney General Rokita’s office conducts outreach efforts to locate the rightful owners or heirs. Individuals and/or businesses have 25 years to claim money once it is reported to the state.
Visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov or text CLAIM to 46220 to search your name, family or business.
Evansville Announces Pickleball Tournaments for 2024
 Evansville, Indiana — November 6, 2023 — The Evansville Parks & Recreation and the Evansville Community Pickleball Association (ECPA), formerly the Evansville Pickleball Outdoor Courts (EPOC) are excited to announce three exciting pickleball tournaments set to take place in 2024 at the new Wesselman Pickleball Complex.
“Evansville is poised to become the premiere regional destination for pickleball upon the completion of the 16 new courts in Wesselman Park. The excitement is growing and the complex will bring players of all skill levels together for both recreational and competitive play†according to Evansville Deputy Mayor Steve Schaefer, who also serves as the interim Parks Director.
Grand Opening Tournament
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- Date: May 10th – May 12th
- Description: The Grand Opening Tournament will officially kick-off competitive play on the brand new 16 court complex in Wesselman Park. Players from across the region will compete for the title, with various skill-level categories ensuring a great experience for everyone. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, this tournament is your chance to showcase your skills and connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts. A full weekend of events and pickleball will be showcased.
- Evansville City Championships
- Date: June 8th – 9th
- Description: The inaugural Evansville City Pickleball Championship is a unique opportunity for pickleball players in the Evansville area to compete at a high level and enjoy the fast-growing sport of pickleball.
- Wesselman Summer Open
- Date: August 3rd – 5th
- Description: This regional tournament is the grand finale of the 2024 summer season, and players of all ages are encouraged to experience pickleball and all of the amenities in Wesselman Park.
“We are thrilled to host these three exciting pickleball tournaments at the courts in 2024,” said Steve Burgess with the ECPA. “Our goal is to provide players with memorable experiences, fierce competition, and the opportunity to connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts. We can’t wait to see the talent and sportsmanship on display in these events.”
Registration for these tournaments will open soon, and interested players can find more information, including registration details at www.pickleballbrackets.com.
U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program Celebrates over 25 Years of Achievements in Lighting Efficiency
WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program celebrates over 25 years of achievements in lighting efficiency. Since the ENERGY STAR label for lighting and lightbulbs was first introduced in 1997 to improve market uptake of energy efficient lighting, well over 3 billion ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs have been sold in the United States. These sales have helped transform the lighting market and deliver electric energy savings of over one trillion kWh – equivalent to the annual carbon sequestration of over 800 million acres of forest in the United States – emphasizing that energy choices count and our collective decisions as consumers can have a big impact on the environment.
“The recent transformation of how America lights its homes and businesses is an ideal success story of how a simple partnership program can make astounding progress in addressing climate change,â€Â said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “The ENERGY STAR label has guided millions of consumers towards lightbulbs that provide better lighting quality and save money, all while avoiding extraordinary amounts of climate pollution.â€
Back in 1997, the energy efficient alternative to incandescent lighting was primarily compact fluorescent bulbs, and the U.S. lighting industry had struggled to create consumer demand. A lack of consumer awareness and education around lighting efficiency, combined with limited coordination among manufacturers, utilities, and retailers created an opportunity for EPA to generate a market signal to help boost consumer adoption through ENERGY STAR. Over the next two decades, EPA’s focus on product quality, branding, and consumer education helped transform the market with the help of dedicated industry partners. These efforts brought together manufacturers, retailers, utilities, test labs, certification bodies, utility program implementers, advocates, and government to collaborate in a voluntary partnership that delivered unprecedented environmental results – with some partners having been with the program for over 30 years since the inception of the Greenlights program, ENERGY STAR’s predecessor.
With these remarkable improvements in lighting efficiency and quality resulting from over two decades of innovation from the ENERGY STAR program in partnership with the lighting industry, the lighting market has transformed, and inefficient light bulbs are a thing of the past. In May 2022, the Department of Energy formalized a policy that enforces a 45 lumen-per-watt limit and ushers in a new era for lighting. With this new standard, only energy efficient lightbulbs, predominantly LEDs and a small subset of CFLs, can be sold in the U.S. As a result of this new standard and widespread market penetration of energy efficient lighting, the ENERGY STAR label will be phased out from most lighting options effective at the end of 2024. ENERGY STAR will continue to certify and maintain specifications for downlights and string lights, which are not impacted by the federal standard.
‘Ball State in Southwest Indiana: A Conversation About Industry Engagement and Talent Pipelines’ Being Held Nov. 29 in Evansville
 ‘Ball State in Southwest Indiana: A Conversation About Industry Engagement and Talent Pipelines’ Being Held Nov. 29 in Evansville
MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University’s Office of Industry Engagement is hosting a gathering of local leaders and alumni to discuss strategic initiatives to develop the current and future workforce in the greater Evansville area.
The event, “Ball State in Southwest Indiana: A Conversation About Industry Engagement and Talent Pipelines,†will be held from 4-6 p.m. CT/5-7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket, 230 Main St., Evansville, IN 47708. Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns is scheduled to address attendees around 5:15 p.m. CT/6:15 p.m. ET.
Those interested in attending this free event can register online; RSVPs will be available through Monday, Nov. 20.
“At Ball State, we are currently educating over 250 students from the Southwest Indiana Region,†said Jeff Eads, director for Industry Engagement at Ball State. “We have established tools, like our County Ambassador Program, for communities to be strategic and intentional about bringing these talented young people back home once they graduate. These tools are available to every region in the state and are in place to help Indiana thrive. We look forward to discussing these tools, and many other industry engagement opportunities, in Southwest Indiana on Nov. 29.â€
The Nov. 29 event will also feature a customer experience workshop led by Greg Zirkle, director of business and executive programs in the Division of Lifetime Learning. In the interactive session, attendees will learn key drivers of customer experience, identify touchpoints they can control, and leave with actionable insights to apply in their businesses.
“We are proud to have alumni living and working in all 92 counties, including nearly 1,750 in the Southwest Indiana Region,†said President Mearns. “It is essential that we help our graduates recognize and take advantage of the many opportunities in Indiana to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.â€
To learn more about Ball State’s Office of Industry Engagement, contact Jeff Eads at engage@bsu.edu.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century. We Fly!
This Week in Indiana History
November 19 – November 25
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Indiana Quick Quiz1. What Indiana University was the first college in the nation to install artificial turf on its outdoor football field? 2.Who competed in the 1889 Thanksgiving Day football bowl game in Indianapolis? 3.In what year was the first intercollegiate football game in Indiana? 4. How many Notre Dame football players have won the Heisman Trophy? Answers Below
For more activities       in IN
Answers1. In 1967 Indiana State University 2. Purdue University and Butler University 3. 1884 Wabash defeated Butler 4. 7
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Strawbridge reaches 1,000 points in win over Ball State
Aces earn 74-50 win over Cardinals
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Playing in front of 5,172 fans inside the Ford Center, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team put on a show in an impressive 74-50 victory over Ball State on Saturday afternoon. Evansville improved to 4-0 to open a season for the first time since 2017.
Highlighting the day was the performance of Kenny Strawbridge Jr. In the second half, he reached the 1,000-point mark in his collegiate career on his way to a team-high 13 points. Ben Humrichous and Joshua Hughes scored 12 apiece.
“Our guys were locked in from the start. It is a mindset and a commitment to the process. To be able to respond the way we did in front of a large crowd and play the right way was something that I really commend our guys for,†UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland exclaimed following the win. “We are committed to reviving this program. Winnings games is part of that process and this is one step in that journey.â€
Antonio Thomas completed the day with nine points while Yacine Toumi recorded eight points and a game-high eight boards.
Ball State opened the game with a triple and, following a 0-for-3 start to the afternoon, the Purple Aces got on the board with a Cam Haffner triple. Kenny Strawbridge Jr. forced a turnover and scored to give UE its first lead at 5-3. Trailing 9-7, Joshua Hughes scored the first of his eight first-half points to tie it up and open a 6-0 run that gave UE a 13-9 edge at the 12:07 mark.
Evansville held that lead for the remainder of the game. Strawbridge’s third basket of the period put the Aces up 19-14 inside of the 9-minute mark before two field goals by the Cardinals cut the edge to one a minute later. Over the next four minutes, the defense by the Aces took over, holding Ball State scoreless. Ben Humrichous and Hughes picked up baskets that pushed the lead to a game-high of six points at 24-18.
In the final stretch of the half, BSU made it a one-possession game and that would be the deficit at the break with Evansville holding a 30-27 edge. Hughes led the Aces with eight points while Basheer Jihad posted 14 to pace the Cardinals.
Out of the break, the Aces took full control. The defense held the Cardinals without a point over the first seven minutes of the half while the offense reeled off 17 points in a row. Evansville held Ball State to a 0-for-5 start in the latter half while forcing seven turnovers. Humrichous picked up a 3-pointer before Strawbridge connected on a free throw to establish the first double digit lead of the day at 37-27.
Thomas stepped up in the latter part of the run, scoring two field goals off turnovers with the lead growing to 20 points (47-27) with 13 minutes remaining. With 8:43 left in the game, a triple by Thomas made it a 59-33 game. One of the most impressive parts of that sequence was that the Aces never let up; BSU got as close as 19 points before UE quickly countered.
With 2:19 remaining, the Aces extended the lead to its largest at 29 points (74-45) with BSU scoring the final five points to make it a 74-50 final. For the game, the Aces outshot the Cardinals by a 45.8%-31.4% margin while taking the battle of the boards by a 39-31 margin. Basheer Jihad paced Ball State with 21 points.
Next weekend, UE will be on the road in Chattanooga facing the Mocs on Friday before squaring off against SEMO once again on Saturday.
NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month
Are you ready to embark on a creative journey this November? Join us for NaNoWriMo Write Nights at Willard Public Library!Â
Event Details:
Date:Â Every Monday in November
Time:Â 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location:Â Bayard Room (second floor)
Every Monday evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, our cozy library’s Bayard Room (second floor) transforms into a haven for aspiring novelists and passionate writers. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just beginning your writing adventure, these evenings are designed to help you let your imagination run wild.
What to Expect:
Inspiring Atmosphere:Â Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of our library, where creativity thrives.
Focused Writing Time:Â Dedicate your Monday nights to making progress on your novel, short story, or any writing project.
Supportive Community:Â Connect with fellow writers, exchange ideas, and find encouragement from like-minded individuals.
Refreshments:Â Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks to keep your creative energy flowing.
Whether you’re chasing a word count goal or simply looking for a space to write, Willard Public Library is your creative haven this November. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your literary ideas to life.
Battle of Eagles kicks off OVC Championship
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (14-15, 10-8 OVC) received the five seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and will face off against four-seeded Morehead State University (18-12, 11-7 OVC) in the quarterfinal round at Lantz Arena on the campus of Eastern Illinois University on Monday at 10 a.m. The winner between the Eagles and Screaming Eagles will move on to the semifinal round against the winner of No. 1 Eastern Illinois and No. 8 University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Game Coverage
Information about USI Volleyball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on USIScreamingEagles.com.Â
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Tickets
Admission to the OVC Championship matches at Lantz Arena is free to all attendees.
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OVC Tournament Central
For an updated bracket, match times, and ESPN+ broadcast information, go to the OVC Tournament Central.
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Screaming Eagles Headlines:
Eagles Secure Postseason Bid. After the Screaming Eagles win over UT Martin on Wednesday, USI was guaranteed a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship. This is the first conference tournament berth in the NCAA Division I era for USI. The Eagles enter the playoffs with a season-high four-match winning streak after sweeping Lindenwood and UT Martin in back-to-back weeks.
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You Have To #OVCit. USI faces the four seed, Morehead State, in the first round of the tournament. These Eagles have battled twice this season with Morehead State holding a 2-0 record after posting a pair of wins (3-0 & 3-2) earlier in the year. The Eagles also hold the 4-0 all-time record over the Screaming Eagles with three of the four matches coming in sweeping fashion. In neutral territory, it’s anyone’s game.
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Postseason History. Since the inaugural 1979 season, USI has had three conference championships with the latest being in 2021 when the Eagles topped Missouri S&T in the GLVC Championship. In the last 10 seasons, USI has been in five conference championships and one NCAA tournament. For Morehead State, the Eagles have a 44-36 all-time record in the OVC Championship with eight straight appearances. Morehead State has made the championship match three times since 2019, winning the OVC crown in 2020 after defeating Jacksonville State, 3-0, in their lone match.
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Season Recap. After a disappointing year in 2022, USI put together a solid performance in 2023 with a 14-15 record and 10-8 in conference play. The Eagles hired Jeffrey Aucoin and returned all but one starter from last year’s roster. USI had big wins over Radford and New Orleans while earning solid victories over top-tier Lindenwood. The Eagles had close encounters with Bradley, Eastern Illinois, Morehead State, and Tennessee Tech who pose big threats this postseason.
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OVC Leaderboard. In conference matches, USI stands third in hitting percentage (.213) and fourth in aces/set (1.47) and points/set (16.39). In all matches within the OVC, USI is top five in digs/set (16.41), aces/set (1.57), blocks/set (2.09), opponent aces/set (1.37), hitting percentage (.196), and opponent hitting percentage (.198).
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OVC Leaders. Junior Paris Downing boasts the most blocks/set (1.11) and total blocks (122) in the conference. Senior Leah Anderson holds the most kills (428) and points (506.5) in the OVC and has her name in three categories including second in points/set (4.48) and kills/set (3.79) while standing fifth in aces/set (0.41). Senior Abby Bednar sits sixth in aces/set (0.38), seventh in points/set (3.91), and eighth in kills/ set (3.17). Junior Carly Sobieralski ranks fourth in assists/set (9.73) while sophomore Keira Moore rounds out the leaders with the eighth-most digs/set margin (4.14).
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About Morehead State. The Eagles enter the tournament as the four seed with an 18-12 overall record and 11-7 in OVC play. Morehead State has dominated at home with a 12-3 record but has struggled on the road with a combined 6-9 record in neutral/road sites. The Eagles have been on a roll as of late, winning seven of the last eight matches against Tennessee State, SIUE, UT Martin, and Lindenwood. Morehead leads the OVC in opponent hitting percentage (.169) and is second in opponent assists/set (10.62), assists/set (12.56), opponent kills/set (11.50), kills/set (13.38), and digs/set (17.40).
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Leading the Eagles. M.E. Hargan has excelled for Morehead State, posting the second-most kills/set (4.01) and third-best points/set (4.57) margins in the OVC. Irene Wogenstahl has punched down 1.22 blocks/set which is second-most along with the seventh-highest hitting percentage (3.17) in the conference. Brenna Bommer holds the eighth-most assists/set (6.66) while Peighton Isley posts the fifth-most digs/set (4.81).