Published: August 18, 2008 05:42 pm            

CURRAN: And another thing....

Following-up thoughts on recent columns on driving, activism and politics

Some weeks, about two seconds after I send my column in, I feel the urge to yell, a la backyard kickball rules, “Do over!” Other times, there is just this feeling I forgot something. Once that something is identified, I often want the opportunity to say, “And another thing ... ” So, while I know I can't really get those extra points in every week, maybe I can get away with covering a few of those instances all at once.

Down with driving and death

A couple weeks ago, I proposed banning driving as an obvious and effective way of saving lives. I forgot to mention my inspiration for the column — recent reports showing high fuel prices have led to less driving which has led to fewer traffic fatalities. It is interesting that the smoking ban aspect was what a lot picked up on, even to the point of smokers' rights groups lifting the column for their Web sites and smoking ban advocates writing to tell me how stupid I am.

My intent was more general. There are a large number of laws, many economically burdensome and infringements upon our property rights and personal liberties, that are justified by studies that claim x many lives would be saved. Most only accept that argument when it is not their own dollars or bad habits at issue.

Appended to the end of this column was the joking claim I always write while strapped into my chair and wearing a helmet. Funny thing is, about a week later, I sat in my desk chair and was awkwardly and unceremoniously dumped to the floor. One of the legs had broken. The helmet, and refraining from buying second-hand chairs just because they look cool, seems less crazy now.

On that note, I almost never write those witty little sentences containing my e-mail address. I employ an anonymous comic genius for that. It is ego shattering that approximately 90 percent of the positive comments I receive about columns are about those lines. Of course, the lines themselves aren't often easy on the ego either. I'm now accepting donations for self-esteem therapy.



Last week's column about citizen activism was meant to be somewhat instructive, a prescription others could follow. Given that, it should be noted there was an additional step Tom DeArk took in supporting legislation to make public records more accessible. Besides contacting his own state representative about the problem, DeArk also made calls to others in the General Assembly to lobby for his bill and sent thank you notes to those instrumental in its passage. “Lobbyist” has an ugly connotation generally, but we can all be lobbyists, in a good way, by picking up the phone.

Rep. Steve Stemler also deserves further props for helping DeArk and contributing to the column. DeArk wasn't the only person to get a quick and personal response. I contacted Stemler by e-mail essentially offering him the opportunity for supereasy public relations by requesting he simply send me a quote about his support for the bill.

Stemler, who clearly has a work ethic superior to mine, instead quickly replied with the offer of a meeting. I've since spoke to others with similar experiences.

Mean boys

Several weeks back, I discussed negative political campaigning particularly in area congressional races. Afterwards, I remembered Baron Hill had endorsed Barack Obama in the Indiana primary contest because, “We cannot continue to pursue the same politics of personal destruction we have engaged in for a generation, some never-ending ‘groundhog day’ endlessly playing out the cultural wars of 40 years ago.” Interesting.

Also interesting, depressing and relevant to an older column is the fact John McCain and Obama have recently muddied themselves with ugly methods, too. I was among many who believed a race between these two guys would be a classier contest than we've seen in awhile. Paris Hilton and “race card” accusations from both sides, the general tearing down of the opposition, aren't what me, or Hill, were hoping for.

We claim this land and its people as our own

Sometimes it's just new developments that remind me of previous columns. Sure hope Jeff and Sellersburg residents caught this headline, “City looks for way to fund annex; council considers asking state for $10M over maximum levy.” Basically, the state says Jeffersonville can only tax the people so much. The city is saying, “please, can we tax 'em some more?”

Annexation is touted as a way to increase the money brought in to a city or town. It doesn't seem to be working out so well here. The sum the Jeff council believes it is short includes money for providing services for areas not yet paying city taxes as they're opposing their annexation. Of course, Jeff's overall budget includes the raises city council members gave themselves because the city they were counciling for was getting bigger because of the annexation they pursued.

It gives Sellersburg residents something to look forward to as they pursue their annexation of rebellious, anti-annexation Covered Bridge. It'll be a minute before that happens, though since the town forgot to dot all their “i”s and cross all their “t”s in the annexation process, failing to inform all the affected residents. It does warm the heart to see government officials tripping over red tape, too.

I think that's it. Probably. Maybe.

Jeffersonville resident Kelley Curran yelled 'do over!' two seconds after submitting this column because she mistakenly dotted some “t”s and crossed some “i”s. Wrtie her ai kelinawriterhat@aol.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.