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(04/29/13 2:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A 4-year-old girl and her not-even-1-year-old brother were taken by Child Protective Services after their mother was involved in a meth bust at the 1400 block of North Arlington Park Drive.The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Unit received a tip on the evening of March 26 from an anonymous source through the Meth Suppression Hotline.The anonymous caller told police Michael Langley had warrants out for his arrest and had been staying with Deborah Jett, the children’s mother.“(Deborah) Jett was inside apartment 602 at the time of Langley’s arrest. The children were inside 602 with (Deborah) Jett,” Sgt. Curt Durnil of the Indiana State Police said. Trooper Joshua Allen had arrested Michael Langley once within the last year for manufacturing methamphetamine and Indiana records showed Langley had active warrants for his arrest in Monroe County. ISP troopers went to the apartment on March 26 to arrest Langley. When the troopers arrived, Langley saw them and immediately tried to evade the police.After apprehending Langley, Deborah Jett and Ashley Lovell exited the apartment together. Lovell had warrants for her arrest in Marion County.When Deborah Jett exited the apartment, she brought the children with her.“Troopers were not made aware of any family relationship between the children and Michael Langley,” Sgt. Durnil said. At this time, the troopers making the arrests contacted Child Protective Services to take the children for health evaluations and safekeeping. After arresting Langley, the police took Deborah Jett to the Indiana State Police post for questioning.Jett admitted to using meth from Langley, buying pseudoephedrine for Langley in exchange for meth, allowing Langley to manufacture meth eight times in her apartment, allowing Langley to manufacture meth while her children were in the apartment and talking to Langley about meth.According to the police report filed, Trooper Joshua Allen requested a warrant to be issued for the arrest of Deborah Jett.Despite the request for a warrant for Jett, no arrest has been made.“Children being found in a house or dwelling where meth is being manufactured or consumed is not uncommon,” Sgt. Durnil said.While there is no indication or report that the children had been injured or had medical issues due to their proximity to the manufacturing of meth, last January a mother in Indianapolis was charged with her son’s death after a fire was started due to the manufacturing of meth.Along with the child’s death in Indianapolis, there have been two instances in Bloomington where meth arrests have been made within a few hundred yards of elementary schools.On Feb. 2, Indiana State Police officers arrested Amy Young and Joshua Grubb on meth manufacturing charges behind Arlington Heights Elementary School. Young has since been arrested a second time for meth related charges in 2013.On Feb. 25, Meth Suppression Troopers arrested Justin Beck and Joshua Deckard on meth manufacturing charges at a residence across the street from Clear Creek Elementary School.“Obviously, those cases that involve children or those that may be located close to where children are usually present are a huge concern for the Meth Suppression Unit Troopers,” Sgt. Durnil said.In order to combat Bloomington’s meth problem, the Meth Suppression Unit relies on the Meth Suppression Hotline.“We have found that tips come in for a plethora of reasons — everything from wanting to protect their neighborhoods to revenge, among others,” Sgt. Durnil said. Since the middle of 2010 the Meth Suppression unit has received 244 tips and 149 have been from the hotline, but it is not the only source of information for the Meth Suppression Unit.“Twelve tips have been received through the MSU office and provided to the officers in the field,” Niki Crawford, Meth Suppression Commander said. “The full time meth investigations assigned to our office in the field have received an additional 153 meth tips from other sources.”The Meth Suppression Unit also uses their relationship with the public for tips on possible meth use and manufacturing.“Many of the tips our personnel receives come directly to them from local residents and retailers who have good working relationships with the Meth Suppression personnel,” Crawford said.Through all of its investigations and tips the Meth Suppression Unit made 243 arrests by the end of February and identified 53 additional suspects.While not every tip leads to an arrest, Crawford still urges the public to use the hotline.
(03/29/13 4:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana State Police made its fifth and sixth meth-related arrest in Bloomington in the past six weeks on March 18.Members of the methamphetamine suppression section arrested Eric Olmstead and Amy Young at 514 W. Davis St.Olmstead was charged with felonies of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of chemical reagents of precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine and a misdemeanor of visiting a common nuisance.Young was charged with felony counts of dealing in methamphetamine and unlawful sale of a precursor and misdemeanors of possession of paraphernalia and visiting a common nuisance. Young was also arrested Feb. 13 and charged with four methamphetamine or precursor charges and a possession of paraphernalia misdemeanor.The police were led to 514 W. Davis St., the residence of Jonathan Hull, when the National Precursor Log Exchange cited Hull for purchasing pseudoephedrine. Trooper Kent Rohlfing had placed a watch on Hull for purchasing pseudoephedrine on a regular basis. The NPLEX notified Rohlfing this was the second time Hull had purchased pseudoephedrine in March, according to the probable cause affidavits.Trooper Rohlfing and two colleagues went to Hull’s residence where Rohlfing said he smelled a strong chemical odor he knew to be associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Rohfling knocked on the door and Hull answered. When asked if anyone else was inside the residence, Hull indicated there were two others in the trailer. The two other individuals in the trailer were identified to be Young and Olmstead.Hull admitted to going to CVS with Olmstead, where Olmstead gave him money for beer, vodka and the pseudoephedrine.Hull was not arrested, and no charges were filed against him. “She (Young) didn’t have a place to go,” Hull said, “I said she could stay here a couple days. I said if I’m at work, I don’t want him (Olmstead) around. He causes problems.”As of this afternoon, Olmstead and Young are still in custody at the Monroe County Jail.“Eric Olmstead is the cause of all the problems,” Hull said.
(03/08/13 5:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana State Police arrested two Bloomington men after receiving an anonymous tip from the Methamphetamine Hot Line Feb. 25. The arrests took place near Clear Creek Elementary School, the second methamphetamine bust near a Monroe County school in a three-week period.Justin Beck was charged with felony counts of manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of precursors and a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.Joshua Deckard was charged with felony counts of conspiracy to manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of precursors and a misdemeanor for visiting a common nuisance.Indiana State Police arrested two Bloomington residents, Benjamin Aylward and Julia Hamm (Aylward), on charges relating to methamphetamine on the 5000 block of South Madison Street Feb. 26.Monroe County Community School Corporation officials were not able to be reached for comment.Both Aylward and Hamm were charged with four felonies. The charges included felonies for manufacturing methamphetamine and for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of precursors with intent to manufacture.“The Aylward case was the result of a tip that was given to our Meth Suppression Troopers,” Durnil said.State Trooper Joshua Allen, who gave the statement in the probable cause affidavit, said he saw a hydrogen chloride generator, which is commonly used during the last step of manufacturing methamphetamine. Aylward also reportedly purchased pseudoephedrine seven times since Dec. 12, 2012. With this information and a previous arrest for manufacturing methamphetamine in April 2012, Judge Mary Ellen Deikhoff granted a search warrant at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 26.Both were transported to the Monroe County Jail.State police were made aware of Justin Beck after receiving an anonymous tip from the Methamphetamine Hotline. The caller stated he or she suspected Beck of manufacturing methamphetamine and that she saw glass jars soaking in a sink and plastic tubing lying around. Detective Jon Patrick, who made the statements in the probable cause affidavit, began to investigate Beck and found that he had purchased pseudoephedrine in the last two weeks. This purchase put him at 7.2 grams in 30 days, which is the legal limit a person can buy.Detective Patrick visited Beck’s address with Trooper Joshua Allen and then filed for a search warrant. While awaiting the warrant’s approval, Patrick and Allen drove by the house and noticed a vehicle in the driveway. Beck admitted to manufacturing methamphetamine Feb. 25.Beck also consented to a warrantless search. During the search, Patrick found Justin Deckard hiding in the basement. Deckard said he went to Wal-Mart earlier, bought pseudoephedrine and gave it to Beck in agreement that he would receive methamphetamine.Beck and Deckard were taken to Monroe County Jail.
(03/01/13 5:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Last year, the number of excise arrests involving hospitalization increased.The Indiana State Excise Police released its annual report, which details this and other trends for the last calendar year, Feb. 18.Excise serves as the law enforcement division of the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission of Indiana— the trend referred to as “unfortunate” in reports.“Excise officers took more than 50 people to emergency rooms for medical evaluations last year after they were found to be dangerously intoxicated,” according to the report.Amanda Roach, spokesperson for Bloomington Hospital, said the trend did not seem as prevalent to the hospital’s emergency department.“There’s not anything trend wise. It’s mainly college age persons,” Roach said, “If it’s a regular weekend, it’s typical. If it’s a time like Little Five, the number definitely goes up.”In 2012, 267 people between the ages of 17-23 were taken to Bloomington Hospital during Little 500 weekend and were treated at the emergency room for alcohol related reasons, down from 656 in 2011. During other high profile weekends, such as homecoming and move in weekend, 54 and 258 minors were charged for drinking offenses.Whether a person must be given emergency medical attention was dictated by Indiana sheriffs several years ago, IU Police Department Chief Keith Cash said.“The age of the person does not matter, it is the blood alcohol reading. If over a .25 (BAC), then the person must be cleared medically before the jail will take them. Many of these are treated then jailed,” Cash said.One of the force’s major focuses was the availability of alcohol to persons younger than 21 in 2012, also known as the Survey for Alcohol Compliance. The number of charges during 2012 SAC regarding sale of alcoholic beverages to minors was down from 603 in 2011 to 266, or a 39.3-percent decrease. The number of charges for allowing minors to loiter or enter in a prohibited place was down from 359 in 2011 to 285, or a 20.6-percent decrease. Traditionally, the most common charges in SAC checks are sale of alcoholic beverages to a minor, allowing a minor to enter or loiter and employee permit violations, according to the report. Excise also cited 15 locations for gaming violations during SAC checks.While charges for the most common SAC checks were down from 2011-12, alcohol-related criminal charges rose in most cases in 2012.Minor possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages charges were up from 2,315 in 2011 to 3,172 in 2012, or an increase of 37 percent.False identification or false statement of age charges rose from 467 in 2011 to 592 in 2012, or about 27 percent.There were 394 charges for supplying minors with alcohol in 2011. This number rose to 576 in 2012, or 46.2 percent.Along with SAC, excise police have been using the federally funded “Stop Underage Drinking and Sales Program” to combat underage drinking. This program pays officers overtime for working in areas where the likelihood of underage drinking is high.In 2012, the Excise Police were given a grant focused on college drinking. “As for the increased activity from Indiana Excise Police, they worked a grant this past year that focused solely on college drinking violations. This allowed them to put many more officers on campuses in Indiana,” Cash said.Cash said he had not seen a dramatic rise in IUPD statistics, but the official statistics for 2012 have not yet been released.
(02/15/13 6:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana State Police arrested three Bloomington residents Monday night in connection with a meth lab. Amy Christine Young and Joshua Grubb were charged with dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Young and Grubb were also charged with possession of paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. The third person, Brandon Grant, was arrested, but released Tuesday afternoon when he was not formally charged.According to the probable cause affidavit, the Indiana State Police received two anonymous tips about a possible meth lab at 612 Skyline Drive. The first was received Feb. 5, when a confidential informant told Indiana State Police Detective Jon Patrick he had talked with Grubb about manufacturing methamphetamine at the 612 Skyline Drive address. The informant stated Grubb talked about cooking meth in the garage.According to the affidavit the informant described needles and paraphernalia scattered throughout the messy house. The second anonymous tip came Feb. 6. Detective Patrick was told by Indiana State Police Trooper Kent Rohlfing that he had received information about a possible meth lab. The anonymous caller claimed to be a relative of Grubb’s, Rohlfing said. The caller went to the residence to pick up a friend and said his friend was high on drugs. The caller also told Trooper Rohlfing that his friend talked about how he and Grubb had just cooked meth in the residence.On Monday, Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing went to 612 Skyline Drive, attempting to contact Grubb and Young. Detective Patrick stated that from his training he smelled an odor consistent with chemicals used to cook methamphetamine. Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing noticed there were people in the house, so they left to avoid drawing attention to themselves.At about 8:30 p.m. Monday night, Detective Patrick ordered a search warrant, which was granted.At 8:50 p.m., Detective Patrick, Trooper Rohlfing and two other Indiana State Police Troopers entered 612 Skyline Drive. Detective Patrick stated he saw paraphernalia in the living room of the house and the remains of a meth lab in the garage, along with chemical reagents. As no one was home, they pulled back and waited for the residents to return.A red Ford Escape returned at 9:20 p.m. to the residence and entered the garage. Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing approached the vehicle. Detective Patrick said they asked the occupants of the vehicle to step out and then handcuffed the occupants — Young, Grubb and Grant. Young followed Detective Patrick inside and said she was making a documentary about drug use, and everything in the house was for her research. Young did admit to using methamphetamine, but denied the existence of the meth lab.Grubb was then brought into the house and then denied having knowledge of the meth lab. Grubb denied being the meth cook and refused to tell Detective Patrick who was responsible.After searching the vehicle instant cold packs were found, along with lithium batteries, coffee filters and a plastic bottle. Grubb admitted to buying the instant cold pack and said he was going to trade it for meth. Detective Patrick asked Grubb if the person he was trading with was the cook and Grubb responded, “no.”612 Skyline Drive is located behind Arlington Elementary School. The Monroe County Community School Corporation could not be reached for a comment.Grubb and Young were still in custody at the Monroe County Jail as of 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
(02/14/13 10:28pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana State Police arrested three Bloomington residents Monday night for connections to a meth lab. Amy Christine Young and Joshua Grubb were charged with dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Young and Grubb were also charged with possession of paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor. The third person, Brandon Grant, was arrested, but released Tuesday afternoon when he was not formally charged.According to the probable cause affidavit, the Indiana State Police received two anonymous tips about a possible meth lab at 612 Skyline Drive. The first was received on Feb. 5, when a confidential informant told Indiana State Police Detective Jon L. Patrick he had talked with Grubb about manufacturing methamphetamine at the 612 Skyline Drive address. The informant stated Grubb talked about cooking meth in the garage.According to the informant, needles and paraphernalia were scattered throughout the messy house. The second anonymous tip about the meth lab came on Feb. 6. Detective Patrick was told by Indiana State Police Trooper Kent Rohlfing that he had received information about a possible meth lab. The anonymous caller claimed to be a relative of Grubb, Rohlfing said. The caller went to the residence to pick up a friend and said his friend was high on drugs. The caller also told Trooper Rohlfing that his friend talked about how he and Grubb had just cooked meth in the residence.On Monday, Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing went to 612 Skyline Drive, attempting to contact Grubb and Young. Detective Patrick stated that from his training he smelled an odor consistent with chemicals used to cook methamphetamine. Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing noticed there were people in the house, so they left to avoid drawing attention to themselves.At 8:30 p.m. Monday night, Detective Patrick testified for a search warrant, which was granted.At 8:50 p.m., Detective Patrick, Trooper Rohlfing and two other Indiana State Police Troopers entered 612 Skyline Drive. Detective Patrick stated he saw paraphernalia in the living room of the house and the remains of a meth lab in the garage, along with chemical reagents. As no one was home, they pulled back and waited for the residents to return.A red Ford Escape returned at 9:20 p.m. to the residence and entered the garage. Detective Patrick and Trooper Rohlfing approached the vehicle. Detective Patrick said they asked the occupants of the vehicle to step out and they subsequently handcuffed the occupants — Young, Grubb and Grant. Young followed Detective Patrick inside and said she was making a documentary about drug use, and everything in the house was for her research. Young did admit to using methamphetamine, but denied the existence of the meth lab.Grubb was then brought into the house and read his rights. He denied having knowledge of the meth lab. Grubb denied being the meth cook and would not tell Detective Patrick who was responsible.After searching the vehicle instant cold packs were found, along with lithium batteries, coffee filters and a plastic bottle. Grubb admitted to buying the instant cold pack and said he was going to trade it for meth. Detective Patrick asked Grubb if the person he was trading with was the cook and Grubb responded, “no.”612 Skyline Drive is located behind Arlington Elementary School. The Monroe County Community Schools system could not be reached for a comment.Grubb and Young were still in custody at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department as of 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14.
(11/16/12 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>What do the following individuals have in common: former president Bill Clinton, Sen. John Edwards, Gen. David Petraeus, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and former presidential candidate Gary Hart? They were all caught or accused of cheating on their significant others. Does our country have any integrity at all? Is it that people who have fame and power think from their crotches instead of from their brains? Are you one of these people? How do you think when you’re out each weekend at a party? Am I going out on a limb? Hell yes, but what’s going on in this country needs some serious thought.How many people do you know who that have cheated on their spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend? It’s not “if” they’ve cheated. We’re beyond that. Rather, it’s “how many.”Elected officials, media stars, athletes and the like are glamorized and put on pedestals. You want absurd? Watch “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” Kardashian has more boyfriends and bedfellows than IU’s football team has “wins.”The recent Petraeus scandal has sent me over the cliff, not the fiscal cliff that in itself will be President Barack Obama’s next nightmare, but the cliff of moral sanity. If we can’t trust a four-star general to be honest and trustworthy, then who do we look to for hope? Sure, no one is perfect, but our standard of perfection is located somewhere between a prostitute, a sex offender, and a pervert.I am embarrassed for our country. We have never been more divided. We are $16 trillion in debt. We have more poor and unemployed people than ever, and we have the head of the CIA using zero intelligence and sleeping with his autobiographer. Is trust something that is a façade? What needs to occur to bring this country back to a leader of world-class integrity? This is a circus. “Saturday Night Live” writers just need to sit back and wait for the flurry of embarrassing and ridiculous news stories coming from the supposedly premier caste of our country. Other countries on which we spend billions of dollars and try to “fix” are in hysterics regarding our own stupidity.Perfection is not my foremost attribute, but you can trust me. Our political system is smoked with corruption, lies and selfishness. Our economy is dependent on credit - borrow, borrow and borrow at whatever cost. The United States’ bar of integrity can be tripped on by an ant. Forget the tired old claim of “no one’s perfect.”I’m embarrassed by the behavior of our country. We’re better than this. It starts with me, and it starts with you.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(11/07/12 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Barack Obama has officially been elected to his second term as president of the United States.Although Obama was not my preferred candidate in the 2012 presidential election, my reaction to his re-election is filled with feelings of hope. Sitting around and dreaming what it would have been like if Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney or anyone else were elected would be a complete waste of time. You have to play the hand you are dealt.My hope is that Obama, now that re-election and pleasing constituents is no longer a top priority, focuses on doing as much for our country as possible.The only way Obama will be able to achieve this goal is if he crosses partisan lines that have torn apart our country.No plan, proposal, regulation or bill presented by either party is the perfect answer to any dilemma with which Washington is forced to solve. Concessions must be made by both parties in order for our government to work as the well-oiled machine that we all desire.NFL fans pouted and whined more when the NFL Players Association and the league’s owners could not reach a new collective bargaining agreement than when Democrats and Republicans couldn’t agree on the debt ceiling crisis of August 2011.If we as citizens care enough and pay enough attention to the stalemate in Congress that has crippled the legislative process during the last two years, then hopefully Obama can bring the two parties in Congress together to give America what it wants: a functional and productive government.If both parties work together under the leadership of Obama acting as a steward to the American people, not a political party, then everyone who voted in the 2012 election will reap benefits from decisions made on Capitol Hill.The decisions might not be the exact ones that you personally want. But America isn’t about you, personally. It is about the American people.If both parties work together throughout the next four years, legislation can pass that pleases all American citizens.Once again, all I can do in reaction to the results of the 2012 presidential election is hope that Obama brings the Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill together towards a united cause. Then American people can benefit from his last term together.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(10/19/12 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Our government spent roughly $3.8 trillion in 2011. The total revenue was about $2.9 trillion.I realize almost every media outlet is beating readers over the head about our country’s current $1 trillion deficit. At the same time we have been so lucky to listen to President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney try to explain to us how they will fix this problem, which neither of them has truly done.Cutting the deficit and balancing the budget are much more perilous tasks than either of the presidential candidates would lead voters to believe.Government spending can be divided into two major categories: mandatory and discretionary. Mandatory spending includes Social Security, Medicare, interest payments and a few other entitlement programs. Mandatory spending is not subject to Congressional approval. Our country has to spend this money.Discretionary spending consists of defense spending and funding for various other government agencies. Discretionary spending must be approved by Congress.For our country to stop running a deficit, all discretionary spending would have to be completely erased. Tax revenue in 2011 barely covered mandatory expenses. It is impossible to eliminate all discretionary spending, so adjustments or restructuring of mandatory spending must happen.The three biggest expenses in mandatory spending are Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.The easiest and most logical way to adjust mandatory spending would be to reform Social Security or eliminate it altogether.When it was created, Social Security seemed like a fine idea, but the federal government has turned it into a piggy bank from which they take money, and put I.O.U’s to the American people back into.As of 2011, the federal government owes about $2.7 trillion to the Social Security Trust Fund. The truth is, it wouldn’t be that hard to reform Social Security and shut down the government’s piggy bank.Instead of taking a percentage of every taxpayer’s paycheck and putting it into the government’s cookie jar, that same percentage could be taken out of a taxpayer’s paycheck and put into a 401k, IRA or some other retirement investment for themselves. When that person turns 65, they would have access to their own form of Social Security, and the government would not have been able to create debt by borrowing money that is clearly not theirs.This program could be mandated for people around or less than the age of 30 and would give these people plenty of time to build their retirement fund.Implementing a program such as this would reduce the future debt obligations of our country and eventually stop the government from creating more debt out of social security.Medicare and Medicaid are political black holes that no one wants to touch. Restructuring Social Security is the simplest way to tackle our country’s mandatory spending problem.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(09/26/12 9:48pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Total disappointment.One would think the combination of Clint Eastwood and baseball would be a perfect match, but then again, there are people who think ranch dressing is good on pizza.Not even the backdrop of the greatest sport ever created could save “Trouble with the Curve” from almost two hours of Gus Lobel (Eastwood) and his daughter Mickey (Adams) bickering about his insufficient love for her throughout her childhood. Also, Gus gets old. That subplot happens.The film was filled with more clichés than you could make in reference to Eastwood’s speech at the Republican National Convention.Listening to Adams talk about baseball is like listening to Mitt Romney talk about what it would be like to be poor.It’s not believable.The only redeeming moments of the film are seeing John Goodman and smirking to yourself as you’re reminded of Walter Sobchak in “The Big Lebowski.”If you were hoping for another great baseball movie, stop now and just thank God for “Moneyball” and “The Sandlot.”By Will Gryna
(09/19/12 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After the video leak of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s remarks at a private fundraiser, it seems it will be only a matter of time before Kanye West says, “Mitt Romney doesn’t care about poor people,” as he said, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” Last night, a video of Romney giving a speech at a private fundraiser revealed him saying, “These are people who pay no income tax. My job is not to worry about those people.” It is probably a safe bet to think Romney’s detractors are already taking this quote out of context to derail Romney’s campaign.As with any quote, the key to understanding it is the quote’s context. What Romney was trying to say is simple.Romney was talking about the 47 percent of Americans who, for whatever reason, did not pay income tax last year.Romney was explaining his belief, which is most likely accurate, that these people will vote for President Barack Obama no matter what. He said people who are dependent on the government whether for food, housing, health care or any other reason, will vote for Obama, period.Why wouldn’t they?This is why Romney said it isn’t his job to worry about those people.The fact is, Romney is right.It would be a total waste of his time to try to convince someone who is dependent on an Obama-initiated or supported program to vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket.At the same time, the video and quote shows Romney addressing a key problem in America today. Too many Americans envision our federal government as a crutch on which to survive.Too many Americans believe the government should give them the necessities for which thousands of other Americans work.In a perfect world, one in which our country isn’t $16 trillion in debt and has trillions more in future debt obligations, perhaps these handouts would be possible.Right now, our country cannot afford such programs.These programs will make it impossible for our country to ever climb out of seemingly bottomless pit of deficit spending.If you look at Romney’s plans for our economy and debt reduction, it quickly becomes clear he cares deeply about every American.Whether people want to admit it or not, our country is on a fast track to self destruction thanks to its spending habits.Romney realizes that people who are recipients of entitlement programs are less likely to be concerned about this problem.Alexander Tytler, an 18th century historian, is often attributed with the quote, “A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.“From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship,” Tytler said.Romney is doing the right and responsible thing, focusing on the people who are more likely to realize the future of the United States is at stake.He is focused on those who by default are paying the bill for those who don’t care or are less fortunate.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(09/12/12 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Financial responsibility is something I began learning at a young age.I was 5 or 6 years old and standing in the checkout line at the grocery store with one of my parents.A Reese’s would always catch my eye.I would pick up a package, turn to one of my parents and do my patented, “Pleeeease.”My parents would almost always respond with, “Do you have the money?”My answer would inevitably be, “No,” and I would have to go on without my Reese’s.Being a candy addict, I went through this exchange thousands of times between the ages of 5 and 10, and it was the foundation for my understanding of money.If you can’t afford it, you can’t have it.It seems the United States federal government doesn’t understand this concept or exists in a parallel universe where Reese’s rain down from the heavens.The U.S. is more than $16 trillion in debt, and truly effective measures have not been put in place to slow down the rising national debt.It isn’t realistic to expect the national government to operate on a cash-only basis, but the country’s borrowing habits have gotten way out of hand.Our country’s borrowing habits are becoming eerily similar to those of thousands of American families throughout the past decade. We have overextended our credit. We are spending more than we are bringing in. This trend doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon.One of the other entities that appears to be concerned as I am is Moody’s. Moody’s is one of the main credit rating firms in the world. The U.S. credit rating was already downgraded by Standard & Poor’s, but Moody’s might soon follow suit.Yesterday, Moody’s said the U.S. could lose its AAA credit rating if Congress does not create a long-term debt reduction plan.When your credit rating has been downgraded by one of the top three credit rating institutions in the world, and another is close to following suit, it should be more than apparent your financial practices have gotten reckless.If Moody’s did downgrade the country’s credit rating, it would affect the country minimally. The U.S. gets most of its credit from bonds rather than borrowing from other countries. This doesn’t mean we should ignore the potential action of Moody’s.We need to be concerned with our country’s financial practices.At some point, our government is going to have to accept the fact that they don’t have the money for the things they want to do, just like me in the checkout line.After all, when you default on your mortgage you lose your house. Do we really want to see what happens if our government defaults on theirs?— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(08/23/12 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Many people will debate the existence of stupid questions. I happen to agree with fellow columnist Tanner Gragg that they definitely do exist.When it comes to stupid comments, though, there is absolutely no debate.For example, I’m sure I’m not the only guy who has been with a friend at a bar talking to a couple girls, and all of a sudden your friend drunkenly says something absurd. In my case, a friend told a nice young lady, “You would be way hotter if you had bigger boobs.” The girls instantly walked away. Stupid comments like that immediately make me think, “We can’t be friends anymore.”U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., has managed to make a stupid comment of even more epic proportions with his legitimate rape comment. After reading Akin’s quote, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” I thought, “The hell did I just read?”That thought was followed by a two-handed face-palm.Unfortunately for me, I identify with Akin’s party. Republicans and conservatives must deal with the repercussions of his idiocy. I believe many of us have been left thinking, “We can’t be friends anymore.”In reality, this is what the Republican Party has done by revoking any backing for Akin and asking him to stop his campaign.The backlash to Akin’s comments would not be as severe if it weren’t for his refusal to drop out of the Missouri Senate race. I’ll admit, I’ve said my fair share of stupid comments.However, I also would like to think when I do, I admit I’ve made a giant mistake. Akin is refusing to do so, claiming instead that his comments were misinterpreted. He will not admit that he was wrong.When thinking of Akin’s comments on a larger scale, comments like this seem to be a reoccurring theme for Republicans. Off the top of my head, and I mean this without any Internet research at all, I can’t think of a comment by a Democrat that made me react by thinking, “You damned idiot.”For some reason, Republicans have a special ability to put their foot in their mouth in the worst way possible. Akin’s remarks are just the latest addition to countless gaffes by party members.Regardless of party affiliation, political ideologies or your stance about abortion, Akin has blown everyone away with his Watson and Crick level of biological knowledge.So, congratulations, Akin.You have officially put in your submission to the Stupidest Comments of 2012 competition.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(08/17/12 12:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As Election Day approaches, the ideal strategy for Mitt Romney becomes increasingly clear: to be as un-Obama as possible.Almost two-thirds of the country believes we are headed in the wrong direction, according to an Aug. 13 poll by RealClearPolitics.com. Unfortunately for Romney, some of his most well-known actions as governor of Massachusetts are eerily similar to some of Barack Obama’s most famous policies, such as the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. These similarities are one of the main reasons Romney has avoided talking about his past as governor.Luckily, Romney and his campaign staff have noticed this and begun the un-Obama game plan. This was most recently shown by the selection of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as Romney’s vice presidential candidate. Ryan is everything Obama isn’t.What Ryan is, more than anything, is a budget guy, a number cruncher. This is what America needs.Since President Obama took office, our national debt has increased by more than $4 trillion. In comparison, in President George W. Bush’s two terms combined, our debt rose $4.9 trillion. Our country cannot sustain this level of spending. Our credit rating wavered for a reason. We have too much debt. Whether people like it or not, we must curtail our spending, which is Ryan’s expertise.One of the most attractive aspects of Ryan’s plans is his proposition to give choices back to Americans. Obama, conversely, seems to force his choices, such as Obamacare, on his constituents. With Ryan’s revised Medicare plan, retiring Americans would have the choice to enroll in a government health care program or receive their care from private programs with vouchers.Ryan also is a proponent of privatizing Social Security, which needs to be done. Social Security has become a bottomless piggy bank for the federal government to dip into whenever it pleases.Privatizing Social Security would ensure participants would receive payment when they retire. It could also yield higher return rates and eliminate the government from dipping into the piggy bank.Ryan plans to eliminate or restructure several safety nets, health care and tax programs, all with the goal of a balanced budget and to decrease our national debt. The Romney team has cast Ryan’s small government background and ideologies against Obama’s big government style, which seems like the best game plan for the Republican Party.Ryan brings more to the table than simply being un-Obama. Ryan brings the type of fiscal and budgetary discipline our government needs. Despite the ‘insignificance’ of the vice presidential office, it could only be beneficial to have someone like Ryan in the White House. Our country is almost $16 trillion in debt. If this doesn’t seem ridiculous to you, go to usdebtclock.org and watch our debt rise before your eyes.With Ryan in his ear, hopefully Romney could begin to turn back time on our debt clock.—wfgryna@indiana.edu
(07/15/12 9:53pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On Friday, July 13, JPMorgan Chase illustrated a perfect example of why the “Big Banks” are necessary.In May, JPMorgan reported it had suffered a $2 billion loss due to some flawed and poorly executed investment banking moves. Since the original $2 billion figure was released, speculations swirled that the loss was far greater than originally reported. JPMorgan’s shares took a nose dive, and criticism of the “Big Banks” seemed to be reignited.JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon put on a display worthy of a Comeback Play of the Year Award when they released their second quarter earnings Friday.JPMorgan Chase posted a $5 billion profit in the second quarter, good for $1.21 a share, beating analysts’ projections by $.49 a share. The news helped JPMorgan’s stock climb nearly 6 percent and spearheaded an almost 200 point rally by the Dow.JPMorgan Chase’s ability to post a profit after the reported loss shows the need for the “Big Banks.” While people will argue the loss would never have happened if such large banks did not exist in the first place, the big banks are able to do things smaller institutions would never be able to.The sheer size of JPMorgan allowed the firm to move forward as if the “London Whale” incident never happened. Had it not had the ability to cover its own losses, the economic effects could have been devastating. If JPMorgan had missed the projected earnings, rather than beat them, it would be safe to assume the Dow would not have been up more than 200 points.“Today is all about bank uncertainty getting resolved,” said Doug Cote, chief market strategist at ING Investment Management. “To me, that’s what is really driving the market.”JPMorgan’s ability to sustain such a great loss and still post a profit was the move investors needed to see to reconcile much of the uncertainty surrounding banks.“They are the single best bank, not only domestically but globally,” said Chip Cobb, portfolio manager at BMT Asset Management in Bryn Mawr, Penn., in a MarketWatch article.The “Big Banks” are still big, and they are still profitable. Despite the criticism and justified blame they have received during the past few years, they are still some of the most integral parts of the world economy today. They offer the financing and support other businesses around the world need to exist. Instead of trying to destroy and breakdown the “Big Banks,” people should hope they begin to thrive once again.The better the “Big Banks” do, the more willing they are to lend money. The more willing they are to lend money, the easier it is for businesses to expand. When it’s easy for businesses to expand, it’s easy for them to create jobs.We need the “Big Banks.”— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(07/01/12 9:05pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>People misunderstand why opponents of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are upset. As an opponent of the law, its not that I don’t think everyone should have access to some sort of health care. Ideally, I do. The problem I have with the act is that I don’t believe Congress and the federal government have the power to enact such a law, and the law as written is so complex that it required our nation’s Supreme Court to decide if it’s even Constitutional. What ever happened to simplicity in governing?Congress cited the Commerce Clause, one of its favorite clauses, to give itself the power to pass PPACA. The Commerce Clause states the Congress shall have power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” Reading the Commerce Clause, I have a hard time figuring out how it is within Congress’ power to assess a penalty, which is now considered a tax, if someone doesn’t do something. I’m not the only one who has a hard time understanding this. Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito feel the same way. The U.S. has always been a pinnacle and beacon of “freedom.” We have freedom of speech, religion, protest and so on. But now, Congress is going to start penalizing citizens for not doing something. Congress is going to penalize American citizens for making a choice they don’t like because it thinks it knows what is better for every person who might become subject to the individual mandate.When was Congress granted the power of knowing what is best for its citizens, better than its citizens do?If Congress is given the power to do this, when are we going to start reeling in its powers? At what point do we say, “OK, now they have gone a little too far”? Is it when they decide that no one can make more than $1 million a year in investments? Congress hasn’t decided to give itself the power to make decisions for us, but it is on its way there. While it knows it can’t get away with that yet, it decided to do its best to make sure people make the decisions Congress wants.The individual mandate is Congress leaning over your shoulder and making sure you do what they want. The individual mandate is basically a financial threat for noncompliance from Congress. Congress is completely overstepping its boundaries. It is now bullying people into doing what it wants. If the individual mandate doesn’t make you concerned about your liberties and freedoms in the U.S., then you don’t care about them at all.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(06/24/12 11:12pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The separation of church and state can be one of the most difficult challenges of creating one’s political views. Personally, I struggle with this separation constantly. On one hand, I believe in a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution.On the other hand, I am a practicing member of the Catholic Church.On the surface, the Health and Human Services mandate brought more difficulty to the separation of my religious and political beliefs. The mandate originally stated that religiously affiliated employers had to include contraceptives in basic health coverage for female employees. After protest from primarily Catholic groups, a compromise was offered. The insurance companies would be required to foot the bill, which seems reasonable, but many Catholic groups rejected it.As a Catholic, I am stubbornly opposed to the use of contraceptives. Many people who disagree with that point of view often argue that I can’t fully understand the benefits of contraceptives because I am not a woman, which is probably true to some extent.At the same time, my political views butt in. Instinctively, I turn to the Bill of Rights, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”So, the question becomes, “Does the HHS mandate prohibit the free exercise of religion?” Because it obviously doesn’t establish one. My short answer is no, it doesn’t — not with the compromise offered by President Obama.Without the compromise, I do believe the HHS mandate would be prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It is a strict belief of the Catholic Church that contraceptives are morally wrong, and the Church opposes them vehemently. So, making religiously affiliated organizations pay for contraceptives would, in my opinion, be prohibiting the exercise of their religious beliefs.I actually do have to commend the president for his actions in this situation, despite how much it pains me to do so. Obama saw the infringement on religious freedom and quickly found a reasonable solution.The opposing Catholic groups have put themselves in a sticky situation by taking the mandate to court. The precedent set in free exercise cases by the Supreme Court is that most laws imposing on religious freedoms are met with “strict scrutiny,” which means they must advance a “compelling interest” for the government.The problem here for the Catholic groups is that the defense can easily cite that the mandate promotes women’s health through the use of contraceptives.As much as I am against the use of contraceptives, and support the Catholic groups, it is hard to see them having much success in this case.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(06/17/12 9:33pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I remember what, to me, is the most important conversation I have ever had with my dad like it was yesterday.It was a Saturday morning in summer 2011, after my junior year. I had come to IU as a business major but quickly realized that I had little interest in business. Being a dumb freshman, I decided to do the logical thing and change my major to biology/premed. After a two-year attempt at biology/premed, I had been destroyed by organic chemistry and realized that, unlike business, there was no way I was going to be able to pull it off.So, the summer after my junior year I came home with my tail between my legs, having been obliterated by a couple of IU’s science classes. I had no idea what I was going to do. I hated business classes, which were my original plan, and I struggled in science classes. I was lost.That Saturday morning my dad and I were driving to breakfast like we always did. On the way, he brought up the topic of what I was going to do about my major. Being a college student, and afraid of the future, I tried to blow off the topic and change the subject immediately. Today, I’m sure my dad knew I was trying to avoid the topic, but before he let it blow over for that day, he said one last thing about it. “I don’t care what you do, whether you’re a doctor, teacher, businessman or garbage man, as long as you are happy,” my dad said.That single sentence changed my entire college career. I knew that my happiness was the most important thing to my dad, and parents, but hearing it in that context gave me a confidence to do what made me happy, which I never had before.I know today is not Father’s Day, but my column is not published on Sundays. So, Dad, thanks for telling me what you did that day on the way to breakfast.Thanks for always pushing me to do my best. Even when I think I can’t do any more.Thanks for giving me all the opportunities I have been blessed with throughout my life.Thanks for overlooking some of my ridiculous bar tabs from ’Roy’s and Sports.And finally, thanks for loving Mom and giving my siblings and I the best family we could ever imagine.Happy Father’s Day, Dad.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(06/10/12 10:14pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Almost four years ago Tiger Woods’ life looked to be in complete shambles. His wife had chased him out of his house on Thanksgiving night with a golf club. All of his marital infidelities began to come to light. He was still recovering from injuries. Woods even checked himself into a therapy program. Even after the initial disaster, Woods continued to suffer. He clearly wasn’t the same golfer. He came close to winning a couple of tournaments but couldn’t close. Woods went more than two years without winning a PGA event. Amazingly, though, Woods has brought back his pre-scandal magic and seemingly made us forget about his past transgressions. Last week at the Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, Woods turned back the clock almost six years with his ridiculous chip-in on the 16th hole.At that moment, it was impossible to think of the scandalous and unfaithful Woods. He made spectators ask the same question he had been making everyone ask for years: “How the hell did he do that?” As long as he has played, he has shown an ability to make a small white ball do things that no one else in the world can seemingly make it do.More amazing than any shot that Woods has ever made is his ability to make us instantly forget about his past.After his win on June 3rd, it almost seemed his infidelities had never happened. Woods reminded us of what he was: an athlete, a golfer. Like most college-age young adults who grew up watching golf, my favorite golfer is and will always be Woods.I’m glad Woods has been blessed with the little memory-erasing device from “Men in Black.” While he made some absolutely unforgiveable mistakes, those are mistakes he made in his personal life. His mistakes don’t affect us, and I personally believe they aren’t any of my business.This weekend, Woods will play in the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club outside San Francisco. While it would be slightly ironic if the first big championship he won since the scandal would come on Father’s Day on Sunday, it would be a cool storyline for a father who has made many mistakes. Woods is back to playing golf and playing golf well. And when Tiger Woods is playing golf well, I challenge you to try to find a more exciting athlete. No one can match the drama he can create on a golf course.— wfgryna@indiana.edu
(05/21/12 12:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It seems rather hypocritical that an institution employing millions of individuals is telling another institution that employs only 260,000 people it is too big to manage.From the start of the economic crisis around 2008, there was talk that many of the “big banks” were too big. Regulators looked at banks like Bank of America, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase and said the “too big to fail” idea wasn’t working, and that these banks were really “too big to manage.”The government responded to the crisis with attempts to revitalize the economy and clean up the big banks’ mess. The Trouble Asset Relief Program was passed in order to provide banks with enough capital to cover their losses. In reality, the government had to force some banks to accept this assistance — specifically JPMorgan Chase. At a time when other banks were completely falling apart, JPMorgan was strong enough to repay the $25 billion it was forced to take in less than a year and pay the government about $1 billion in interest on the money they didn’t want in the first place.Before TARP, JPMorgan Chase showed its financial strength. In March of 2008, Bear Stearns was on the verge of bankruptcy. The government turned to Chase to acquire one of the largest and most well-recognized investment banks. Chase bought Bear Stearns for about $250 million, a bargain price, but helped avoid further economic loss by preventing its bankruptcy and the subsequent fallout.In 2011, Chase continued to show its financial strength. That March, the bank agreed to lend AT&T $20 billion in order to finalize its acquisition of T-Mobile. The loan not only showed how much muscle JP Morgan Chase could flex in lending, but it also gave a positive outlook to the economy and lending in general.More recently, Chase has maintained its record of being a financial backup for non-federal governments. In February 2012, Chase, along with Barclays, loaned the state of California $1 billion to pay its bills.In the meantime, our federal government continues to borrow and sink further in debt, and all President Obama is focused on is his re-election campaign. We elect our government leaders based on popularity and promises. Leaders of banking giants are chosen based on credentials, experience and skills.Throughout this entire economic recession, Chase has remained incredibly financially secure, led by CEO Jamie Dimon. Throughout the crisis, Dimon has referred to the company’s balance sheet as a “fortress balance sheet,” and for good reason. In 2011, the company’s annual report claimed more than $59 billion in cash and due from banks. With almost $60 billion in cash, Chase is more than capable of handling the $2 billion loss, which is actually $900 million net after gains it recently incurred from bad trading. While the trading practices involved in the loss are completely inexcusable, they should have little meaning on how the bank is managed.JPMorgan Chase under Dimon’s guidance has been a beacon of financial security throughout this crisis. One poor decision and subsequent news story should not reignite federal regulators’ debate about the “big banks.” Banks like JPMorgan Chase are vital — just ask the State of California’s employees and citizens or former Bear Stearns’ shareholders and investors.— wfgryna@indiana.edu