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Stay tuned…AWB will be calling in and posting results as they happen from the 3rd District Caucus in Columbia City.

Come now the Voter.

In Indiana’s 3rd congressional district there is still unemployment, a sagging economy, and angst against government.

They are having a tough time at work. Maybe their lawnmower broke again. Maybe they can’t fill up their tank again until payday. They just got yelled at, again, for leaving their socks on the floor.

A little ‘boost’ to their ego seems to be the ticket out of their duldrum. Maybe this is everything they have ever wanted?

And the affair begins.

A friendly glance comes their way. A shiny smile…. A glance from the (awkwardly true) used car salesman, Bob Thomas. He drives a nice car, after all, his collector cars alone total almost 50. He has a big $3.4 million house (albeit in Indianapolis). He promises the world. He looks like just the man for the ticket. He agrees with you that you deserve everything you want.

Afterall, he looks like everything you have ever wanted. He says all the right things. He will spend his money and make you feel like you are the center of the world.

Then you take him home to Mother on election day. He dances about Israel awkwardly, has nothing to talk about because he doesn’t know who is the local rotary, and has to dash off to a mysterious meeting in Indianapolis.

You wait with baited breath for signs he will come back and have those picnics he promised and kiss babies at the local fair.

You can’t get ahold of him for days, weeks, months–he has a life somewhere else, but you always knew that.

You realize you are traveling to some other town just to get a glimpse at him during a town hall meeting. You know he won’t be at your church Sunday morning.

When the reality sets in, what you wanted, isn’t what you thought it was worth.

What usually comes of an affair? The shine wears off. You discover what happens when they take the make up off. You realize everyone leaves socks on the floor.

Go back home to what you know. Maybe he isn’t perfect. But he will be there when you ask to be. He will be at church on Sunday morning, and you can always find him at the picnic. He is from your town.

The grass will always be greener over Bob Thomas’ septic tank.

Meet Bob.

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There is a reason he is called Architect. Karl Rove know how it is built.

I am not big on standing in lines for celebrities, swooning for politicians, or camping out in lines. But today, I was able to spend a few minutes with Karl Rove when he came to Fort Wayne, today, on his book tour.  Albeit in a herd of media-cattle, I was able to hear his words in person, regarding several issues and shake his hand. I am glad I got to listen to his thoughts because he knows how this system was built.

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How did it get this bad?

Festering disease catches up with you. Whether it be  in a relationship, your own health, or budget deficits–if you don’t pay attention to the problem you end up with gangrene.

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The other day, I was on the FEC website looking at some of the campaign finance reports. Sometimes, the FEC will note errors or discrepancies in the campaign finance reports and requests that the campaign respond to them. The letters exchanged back and forth between the Commission and a campaign are all visible online.

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Evan Bayh, Marlin Stutzman and John Hostetler walk into a bar.

They belly-up and the first one says, “I’m Marlin Stutzman and I’m running for Senate, give me a drink.”

The second one says “”I’m John Hostettler and I’m running for Senate, give me a drink”

The third one says “Hmm.. I’m Dan coats and people tell me that sounds like a good idea. Me, too.”

In the next seat was the RNSC representative. “Great, so it’s official!”

All the talk about improving schools getting federal Obama money has brought to the forefront the idea of “What makes a good school?” Is it changing for change-sake?

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City Council President Marty Bender is either fond of that sweater or someone is going light on laundry duty. It’s the second time in as many weeks he’s showed up at council wearing it.

For someone who makes $117,932.33+, you would think he could afford a more diverse wardrobe selection…..

Should we hold 3rd graders back because they don’t pass a reading test? I have another idea…

Senate Bill 258 is being debated by our lawmakers would hold third graders back if they don’t pass the ISTEP reading test.

I can see some sense in this, but at the same time, I think students should be remediated while still in their same age group. In the high schools, students who don’t pass the end-of-course assessments keep moving up with their peers, but they repeat the one course and have remediation in the one subject. There is a mix of age groups in most classes–based on the level of need.

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The latest news regarding a shake-up in Fort Wayne Community Schools must have the teacher’s unions scrambling for a response.

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