Sound principle

Seems it is the season for unseemly GOP attacks on moral character. Thus the letter from Julia Carson’s opponent Andrew Horning (Mail, “Supposed Support,” Sept. 15-22) who asserts that my support for her reelection is a consequence of my love for her as a sister and not a matter of conviction.

The assertion invites a response and respond I shall.

Julia Carson remains the only one ever to be chosen “Person of the Year” by readers of The Indianapolis Star. With good reason. Consider a couple of mammoth examples.

While histrionic politicians were trumpeting ignorant, cruel and reckless pseudo-welfare reform, Julia, as the newly elected Center Township trustee, was quietly going about real welfare reform. She not only removed welfare cheats from the rolls, she also sued them to get the money back for the taxpayers. In the process she managed to pay off a longstanding public debt of millions, moving the Republican county auditor at the time to say, “She wrestled the monster to the ground.”

But the great grand daddy of all government waste, as well as literal deprivation of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” is unnecessary war. In 2002, Congress unconstitutionally contrived a resolution purporting to transfer to the president the non-transferable congressional authority to decide whether America should start a war against an Iraq that neither had weapons of mass destruction, nor was the least bit allied with the Sept. 11 monsters. Julia Carson, knowing full well how politicians could “twist her words to make a trap” for voters, stood up in sublime display of moral character and voted “no.” She knew that slaughtering hundreds of young Americans and squandering hundreds of billions of dollars borrowed on our children’s credit cards was horrendously too high a price to get rid of a tin horn and brutal dictator whom our government once befriended and defended.

Time and again Julia Carson has shown the political courage well described by Kipling: “Then it is the brave one chooses, while the coward stands aside, doubting in his abject spirit while the Christ is crucified.”

I support Julia Carson as a matter seriously sound principle. And, yes, I love her, too.

Andy Jacobs Jr.
Jacobs was Indiana congressman for 15 terms, and is a weekly contributor to NUVO

Steve, you are about the best goddamn writer in Indianapolis right now as far as I’m concerned. Been reading your column now for at least a year and anxiously await each new weekly thought. I usually agree on about 98 percent of what you write, thank God you’re not like all the other pussies pushing pens. Rock on brother!!

Andrew Pershing
Indianapolis

I suggest you dedicate an entire issue of NUVO explaining why voters should vote Democratic on Election Day. You should be asking your readers to make sure they are registered to vote and if not you should publish information telling how to register. Now is not the time to be complacent. Although Indiana will more than likely give its electoral votes to Bush; the importance of electing Joe Kernan as governor of Indiana is vital as Mitch Daniels does not have the competence to lead Indiana out of the sluggish economy nor will he have the compassion for average working Hoosier concerns. 

Let’s see a little more forward-thinking writers such as David Hoppe. Steve Hammer’s column is acceptable for comedic relief but intellectually it misses the point of political debate. Let’s see more cutting-edge political commentaries directed at real people on real concerns such as workplace issues, health care, the economy and jobs. NUVO should be a place to find articles that can’t and won’t be found in The Indianapolis Star or USA Today. I suggest you let go of the “artsy hype” and start acting like a real local alternative weekly newspaper before it is too late.

NUVO has a golden opportunity to become a beacon of progressive discussion here in the red state of Indiana but it seems it would rather cater to local garage rock bands, escorts and massage parlors. Election Day is near. Where does NUVO stand on the real issues that affect real working Hoosiers?

Doug Smiley
Indianapolis

OK, I have to admit, I read the NUVO and Steve Hammer’s column very regularly! Hammer is well-spoken and writes with a great style (or a damn good editor). I am not a staunch conservative and view my beliefs as fairly liberal. However, he typically makes me irate and thinking irrational thoughts. I think that part of his points are to provoke thought albeit by pushing buttons.

I was shocked to read (I know I am late sending this) his “Shout Out to LPNs” article (Aug. 11-18). It was an article that actually humanized him. I am an LPN and work in the general area where he was treated. Although I believe that MDs and RNs do have a lot more knowledge than I do, but it was really nice to acknowledge that it is the LPNs that usually are very compassionate people that try hard to answer patients’ questions and calm their nerves. Sorry that Mr. Hammer had to go through it but could it have been a turning point in his life? Nope, I read his next article and was glad to see that Steve was back to normal.

Michael O’Neal, LPN
Indianapolis

In the Arts Guide, under the Festival Music Society, there were seven concerts listed, and there are only six. All six concerts, including the last two concerts by the renowned British ensemble Red Priest, will be held at the Indiana History Center.

Telephone number is 251-5190, Web www.emindy.org.

Our apologies for the confusion.