I’m no lawyer, but it seems pretty plain to me that if you’re an involuntary resident in any of Indiana’s prisons and wanted to create a problem and get some attention, all you’d have to do is insist on a facelift.
Last week, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting a statutory ban on gender-affirming procedures for those incarcerated by the Indiana Department of Corrections. It seems the ACLU of Indiana successfully argued that to deny what is essentially an elective surgery violates the plaintiff’s right to “be free from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.” It seems the plaintiff has such a high degree of “gender dysphoria” that he/she is suicidal and thus qualifies for the state to pay for the procedure.
Ergo, an aging convict hates the wrinkles around his/her eyes and convinces someone they are suicidal and sues the state for a facelift. Ridiculous? You bet.
I’m no politician, but it seems plain to me that making campaign promises you obviously cannot keep ought to qualify as a crime at some point. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch recently published a book titled “Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law.” An interesting tome in which he argues that a federal prosecutor could easily target just about anyone and find a federal law they’ve violated.
The point being: Somewhere in that pantheon of federal laws, there is a prohibition and penalty for any member of the American public to lie to the FBI. Contrary to Gorsuch’s argument however, there ought to be one more law prohibiting any elected official from lying to the American public.
“If you like your medical plan, you will be able to keep it.”
“Mexico will pay for the wall.”
And now we have promises of tax cuts and other freebies — or there will be a new law banning this or allowing that — if you’ll just vote for me. Certainly from both presidential candidates but Indiana’s gubernatorial aspirants are pushing those buttons as well. They seem to be forgetting there is a legislative branch.
I’m no economic development guru but it seems pretty plain to me that there are some new businesses that are good for a community and some that are not.
I’ve been reading with interest about a proposal to build a $500 million casino/hotel/entertainment complex in nearby New Haven. An initial public information meeting was held this past week; it appears a crowd estimated at about 500 people was equally divided on whether or not it would be an asset to the community. We should be thankful, I guess, that at least some people are asking the obvious question: “Why in the world do we need another casino in Indiana, let alone one in my community?”
However, New Haven opened this can of worms just a few years ago when a new off-track state-sanctioned betting facility was opened there with a gala ribbon cutting and full endorsement of an exuberant then-Mayor Terry McDonald placing the first bet. He was also, at the time, a part-time United Methodist minister. Strange bedfellows, indeed.
Speaking of strange, it seems the company behind the proposal (who pledged at the meeting to not seek any tax abatements or other tax relief, bless their hearts) would move an existing license to operate a casino from a community along the Ohio River to New Haven. I don’t understand how they can do that.
But then, there are a number of things regarding economic development I don’t understand. It seems pretty plain to me that if we had a local economic development director to help explain this to me, I could call him or her. But we don’t.
If I were a local taxpayer, I would begin to wonder why that is. Indeed, I am. On both counts.
miller@news-banner.com
