Denied!

 The Indiana cigarette tax has failed. The 52-44 vote against HB 1008, which would have raised the Indiana cigarette tax by a quarter, is simply irresponsible. How can raising the second lowest cigarette tax in the nation by a mere 25 cents not pass in the House? The most frustrating aspect of this Bill’s failure is that only 19 Republicans backed up their Governor. I’m thankful that my State Representative – Amos Thomas – was one of the nineteen. I’m disappointed that my former State Rep – Bob Bischoff – voted against HB 1008.

Why?

Why Is This So Hard?

Earlier this year, in his State of the State address Gov. Mitch Daniels introduced an excellent proposal; raise the tax on cigarettes in Indiana by 54.5 cents a pack. The tax increase would serve a dual purpose. First, the increased cost would discourage smoking, especially among teenagers. Second, the added revenue would fund health insurance for the working poor, immunizations for children and anti-smoking programs; all children who are not covered by insurance would be eligible for the program.

Indiana HB 1008 is a much needed piece of legislation. Smokers who want to quit smoking, and most that I know say they do, would have some extra incentive. Many Hoosiers need this incentive. Indiana has the second highest adult smoking rate in the nation; 27.3 percent of adults and 21.9 percent of youth are smokers. Indiana’s current cigarette tax (55.5 cents) is one of the lowest in the nation. Among surrounding states, only Kentucky has a lower cigarette tax. Compare that with other Midwestern states: Michigan’s is $2, Ohio’s is $1.25, and Chicago has $3.66 in combined state, county and city taxes. On top of that, smoking costs the Indiana Medicaid program $487 million each year.

HB 1008 is a no-brainer, right?

As former IU football coach Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”

While the House Public Health Committee voted 8-0 last week to increase the cigarette tax by 54.5 cents per pack, for a total tax of $1.10, the House Ways and Means Committee recently slashed the increase back to 25 cents a pack. Why? It seems that Gov. Daniels made a remark regarding the Democrats property tax plan that the Dems did not appreciate.

Angered by Gov. Mitch Daniels’ characterization of their property tax initiative as a “whopping big” tax increase, Democrats are about to make a whopping big cut in the proposed cigarette tax increase he is seeking…The House Public Health Committee voted 8-0 last week to increase the cigarette tax by 54.5 cents per pack, for a total tax of $1.10, to pay for health coverage for the uninsured. But today, Democrats in the House Ways and Means Committee are expected to slash the increase back to 25 cents a pack…The governor’s off-the-cuff comment is creating a storm, creating a furor,” said Rep. Charlie Brown, the Gary Democrat who is the author of the health insurance bill, House Bill 1008. “You don’t kick me in my right shin while you ask me to do something for you.”

I thought the idea was to do something for the people of Indiana, not play partisan patty-cake. Are the Dems sticking it to Gov. Daniels, or are they sticking it to Hoosiers? A 54.5-cent increase would raise an estimated $230 million in revenue and cut youth smoking by nearly 10 percent, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a national anti-smoking group. In contrast, a 25-cent increase would raise about $115 million and trim youth smoking by an estimated 4.5 percent, according to the group.

This legislation makes sense from every angle, but the politicians behave as if their children on the playground.

Why is this so hard?

An Oscar and the White House?

Now that Al Gore has won an Oscar for his global warming documentary “Inconvenient Truth” I wonder if he’ll declare himself as a Democratic candidate for President? He barely lost the 2000 election, and some (though not I) would say thay it was stolen. I did not watch the Oscars, but I have seen a YouTube clip of Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore together. Watch the clip. Al Gore seemed as stiff as an Oscar.

Gore could make the Democratic primary interesting, and there are some folks out there who think he will not only win the Democratic nomination but the general election as well.

I don’t think he’ll get the nomination. Then again, I never thought he’d win an Oscar.

Why is this so hard?

Earlier this year, in his State of the State address Gov. Mitch Daniels introduced an excellent proposal; raise the tax on cigarettes in Indiana by 54.5 cents a pack. The tax increase would serve a dual purpose. First, the increased cost would discourage smoking, especially among teenagers. Second, the added revenue would fund health insurance for the working poor, immunizations for children and anti-smoking programs; all children who are not covered by insurance would be eligible for the program.

Indiana HB 1008 is a much needed piece of legislation. Smokers who want to quit smoking, and most that I know say they do, would have some extra incentive. Many Hoosiers need this incentive. Indiana has the second highest adult smoking rate in the nation; 27.3 percent of adults and 21.9 percent of youth are smokers. Indiana’s current cigarette tax (55.5 cents) is one of the lowest in the nation. Among surrounding states, only Kentucky has a lower cigarette tax. Compare that with other Midwestern states: Michigan’s is $2, Ohio’s is $1.25, and Chicago has $3.66 in combined state, county and city taxes. On top of that, smoking costs the Indiana Medicaid program $487 million each year.

HB 1008 is a no-brainer, right?

As former IU football coach Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”

While the House Public Health Committee voted 8-0 last week to increase the cigarette tax by 54.5 cents per pack, for a total tax of $1.10, the House Ways and Means Committee recently slashed the increase back to 25 cents a pack. Why? It seems that Gov. Daniels made a remark regarding the Democrats property tax plan that the Dems did not appreciate.

Angered by Gov. Mitch Daniels’ characterization of their property tax initiative as a “whopping big” tax increase, Democrats are about to make a whopping big cut in the proposed cigarette tax increase he is seeking…The House Public Health Committee voted 8-0 last week to increase the cigarette tax by 54.5 cents per pack, for a total tax of $1.10, to pay for health coverage for the uninsured. But today, Democrats in the House Ways and Means Committee are expected to slash the increase back to 25 cents a pack…The governor’s off-the-cuff comment is creating a storm, creating a furor,” said Rep. Charlie Brown, the Gary Democrat who is the author of the health insurance bill, House Bill 1008. “You don’t kick me in my right shin while you ask me to do something for you.”

I thought the idea was to do something for the people of Indiana, not play partisan patty-cake. Are the Dems sticking it to Gov. Daniels, or are they sticking it to Hoosiers? A 54.5-cent increase would raise an estimated $230 million in revenue and cut youth smoking by nearly 10 percent, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a national anti-smoking group. In contrast, a 25-cent increase would raise about $115 million and trim youth smoking by an estimated 4.5 percent, according to the group.

This legislation makes sense from every angle, but the politicians behave as if their children on the playground.

Why is this so hard?

Will Indiana be Dancing in March?

 IU defeated the Gophers of Minnesota last night. The game was closer than it should have been (71-59 doesn’t tell the whole story), but it was still a win. Of course the team won; the game was played in Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers have posted an impressive 14-0 record in Bloomington. Too bad they’ve only won two road games: at Penn State and at IUPUI.

That leads me to ask this question: Will my beloved Hoosiers be invited to the March Madness Dance? Ryan Gunterman of the Hoosier Fan blog has argued this question as well, if not better, than I could; so I’ll just link his post.

Until last week I thought the Hoosiers were a lock. I’m not so sure anymore. The Big 10 is horrible. I don’t see this league receiving more four invitations to the tournament, and four is excessive. IU’s abysmal road record practically nullifies their pristine home record. Penn State, the worst team in the worst major conference, is the only notch on IU’s road belt. There is virtually no chance that Samspon’s crew will beat Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday night. So, will the selection committee choose a team that has only one conference road win? If we were talking about the ACC, then maybe.

IU still has a legitimate shot at dancing come March, but even if they make the tournament what can we expect?

Unless the games are played in Assembly Hall; not much.

Dad Being Dad

As my favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds arrive in Sarasota, FL, the reason behind Ken Griffey, Jr.’s broken hand has finally come to light. He broke his hand playing with the kids. According to MLB.com reporter Mark Sheldon:

Griffey explained that he was wrestling with his two youngest children, Tevin and Taryn, when then-12-year-old son Trey joined in. It was at that point when an awkward fall had the elder Griffey land on his left throwing hand. “He just doesn’t know his own strength yet,” Griffey said of Trey, now 13. “He’s at that age where he’s getting to be a man. A little leverage and a little height helped. I also didn’t want to land on my 4-year-old, too”…Trey took the accident hard, but Griffey was quick to offer his son consolation. “It was one of those things. We were messing around, and he got me,” Griffey said. “I just told him it was an accident. ‘I’m your dad, better me than you.’ It’s going to happen.”

Junior Griffey is one of my favorite baseball players. This has not always been the case. Even though we are both from the tri-state (SE IN; SW OH; No. KY) I was never a big Griffey fan during his Seattle days.Why?

Because I’m a Cincinnati Reds fan and not a Seattle Mariners fan. Sure, I enjoyed watching him play, and I appreciated his attitude and spirit. But I’m a Reds fan; so while I admired his game I could only dream of the Cincinnati native wearing the Reds uniform.

Then the dream came true. As is always the case, however, reality is much different from the dream. Griffey arrived in the Queen City the year after their improbable 99 win season. The 2000 team was basically the same as the ‘99 team, except for the outfield where Dante Bichette replaced Greg Vaughn in left (Jeffrey Hammonds was traded to the Rockies for Bichette and Vaughn became a free agent) and Junior Griffey replaced Mike Cameron in center.

Obviously the Reds are headed to the Series right? I never thought so, but my opinion was in the minority. Everyone, seemed to think that adding Griffey to the team meant an automatic postseason appearance. What few people were willing to realize was the ‘99 team overachieved. Pete Harnisch won 16 games. Steve Parris went 11-4. Scott Williamson won Rookie of the Year (his only solid year too, by the way.) “Trader Jack” McKeon made all the right moves as he platooned Michael Tucker and Jeffrey Hammonds in right , and as he found playing time for Dmitri Young in the outfield and infield corner positions. Sean Casey, Pokey Reese, and Eddie Taubansee all had career years. Barry Larkin had his last Barry Larkin like season. And even Jim Bowden made the right moves. He brought in Greg Vaughn before the season, and Vaughn smacked 45 HR and drove in 118 RBI. Bowden brought in Juan Guzman at mid-season. Guzman went 6-3 and he pitched well enough to have been 9-0.

If the 2000 Reds would have had the identical roster as ‘99 the team still would have hovered around .500. With Griffey hitting third and patrolling CF the sky was supposed to be the limit. Instead, the team finished just above .500 and Junior was blamed for not leading the team to the postseason.

2000 was Griffey’s best year in Cincinnati (145 games; .271, 40 HR, 118 RBI). Every year since has been cut short by injuries. Every year his critics, especially in the Cincinnati area, get louder and more obnoxious. You won’t hear that junk from me. It’s not as if Junior has gotten hurt by being stupid, and even if he’d have averaged 150 games per year you still must have pitching to win. Until last season the Reds had none.

Do I wish Griffey would have been healthy with the Reds? Absolutely! Am I happy that he’s still a Red? Absolutely! Am I bothered that he broke his left hand playing with his kids? Absolutely not!

Homophobic?

“I hate gay people.” That’s what former NBA player Tim Hardaway said during a radio interview when asked how he would handle an openly gay teammate. Hardaway wasn’t finished:

I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States…And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don’t think that’s right. And you know I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we’re in the locker room. I wouldn’t even be a part of that.

Hardaway was scheduled to spend this weekend in Las Vegas doing publicity work for the NBA during their All-Star weekend festivities. Not anymore. He has been banished.

Hardaway has now given the obligatory apology.

As an African-American, I know all too well the negative thoughts and feelings hatred and bigotry cause. I regret and apologize for the statements that I made that have certainly caused the same kinds of feelings and reactions.I especially apologize to my fans, friends and family in Miami and Chicago. I am committed to examining my feelings and will recognize, appreciate and respect the differences among people in our society. I regret any embarrassment I have caused the league on the eve of one of their greatest annual events.

Homosexuality in the NBA is currently a topic of discussion because former player John Amaechi has recently come out of the closet. There has been a variety of responses to Amaechi’s “outing”. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who is also a Hoosier native and IU alum, praised Amaechi as a “hero”.

When you do something that the whole world thinks is difficult and you stand up and just be who you are and take on that difficulty factor, you’re an American hero no matter what. That’s what the American spirit’s all about, going against the grain and standing up for who you are, even if it’s not a popular position.

Miami Herald and ESPN the Magazine writer Dan Le Batard praised Amaechi and condemned Hardaway. Columnist LZ Granderson, who is a homosexual and a sportswriter, was not impressed with Amaechi coming out after his playing days were over.

I suspect that a lot of Christians were disgusted with Amaechi’s “outing”. I’m also sure that the same Christians approvingly nodded at Hardaway’s ugly remark. That would be the wrong reaction. If you are a believer and you agree with Tim Hardaway, then let me remind you of this:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-7 (KJV)

Humble Pie

 It’s never easy to swallow. Purdue 81 – Hoosiers 68. My beloved Hoosiers have fallen to their arch nemesis. They were roundly and soundly beaten. What’s worse, they didn’t seem prepared to play. This team is now 2-7 away from Assembly Hall. Why does the “away” team look so different from the “home” team? I’ll say this in the Coach’s defense, it has only been the conference road games that have been so abysmal. But how does a team beat UCONN in Hartford, push Duke in Cameron, and then lose to Illinois, Iowa, and Purdue?

This season has been a pleassant surprise, but I’m afraid we’re headed for another “one and done” in the NCAAs.
I need some more coffee with this humble pie.

Hoosier Show-down

The inclement weather here in God’s country, that is to say central Indiana, has postponed Purdue’s butt-whuppin’. Instead of being whipped at home in the Mackey Arena on Valentines Day, the team will receive their beat down this evening.

This “rivalry” has been anything but competitive during this decade in which IU has beaten the Boilermakers eleven times. The only memorable aspects of their January 10th match-up in Bloomington was the Earl Calloway vs. Coach Painter fiasco and the fact that IU massacred their instate rivals to the tune of 85-58.

Painter has actually made this game interesting again, and to be honest, even though I loathe Purdue I would like to see this match-up be a good contest. It’s much better if both teams are doing well in the conference and in the polls. But Painter has made the circus surrounding the game interesting in spite of his team’s abysmal play. He has not been shy in his criticism of Kelvin Sampson. As a Bruce Weber disciple, and an instate recruiting rival, Painter has vociferously denounced Sampson’s role in Eric Gordon’s bolting the Illini canoe for the good ship IU.

The games haven’t been that competitive lately, but the sideshows sure have been.

Of course, with IU’s pathetic road record this year (all six of IU’s losses have come on the road or at a neutral site) and with Purdue’s excellent home record (13-1 with OSU being the only loss)…well, something has to give.

IU needs to win this game, if only to prove that they are able to beat inferior conference teams on the road. The loss to Illinois was embarrassing, and the loss to Iowa was avoidable. IU needs to sweep Purdue for more reasons than just state bragging rights.

Although state bragging rights are pretty cool.

Will America be an Obama-nation?

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has officially entered the Presidential race. The Senator has only been in Washington for 25 months, but already he wants to move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Obama is the current media darling. That should make him nervous. Former media favorites John McCain (R) and Howard Dean (D) did not receive their respective party’s nomination. Obama won’t get the Democratic nod.

He trails Sen. Clinton (NY) in the most recent polls by eleven points. I feel that his lack of experience will hurt him rather than help him. He is banking on the latter. Obama certainly has charisma, but charisma will not be enough, in my opinion, to win him the Democratic nomination.

My prediction: Sen. Clinton receives the nomination and offers Sen. Obama the VP, giving America the first all minority Presidential ticket.