INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

You make me think

I voted for Bush twice and his father once. I have carried a pistol for personal protection since I was 19 (I’m 34 now) and thank God I have never had to use it. I work for the largest Hummer dealer in the state as a manager. I believe in the death penalty. I think you (Hammer) and I are probably about as opposite as two people can get, but if I happened to see you in a bar I would buy you a beer.

Why you ask? You make me think. You force me to examine what I believe and why I believe it. I’m not sure exactly when I began to look at the world the way I do, but I know it’s different than it used to be. I know more people that are personally bankrupt and hanging on by a thread than I ever thought I would. People that I never believed would be reduced to what they are now and I’ve just been trying to figure out the answer. I suppose if I had the solution I would be running for president.

I used to just read your column because I thought you were an idiot and I wanted to be entertained, but that has changed. As I’ve gotten older I have become more open-minded and have seen the value in examining opposing viewpoints. You really hit the nail on the head with this week’s column on Tim Russert (June 18-25). I didn’t realize that you and I were doing the exact same thing at the exact same time every Sunday. Of course that is drinking coffee and watching Meet the Press. My wife and I are going to miss him greatly, especially with the coming election.

You do a good job, Hammer. Even though you and I may not agree on many issues, I always look forward to see what you have to say every Wednesday. You keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

Don’t let that shit go to your head though.

Andy Simmons
Noblesville