A rally to support expelled Indianapolis Public School student, Darnell "Dynasty" Young, will be held today at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Young, an openly gay teen, was expelled from Arsenal Technical High School last week after bringing a stun gun to school in April to protect himself against bulling related to his sexual orientation.

Joh Padgett, 40, a lifelong Indianapolis resident and organizer of the rally, said he was inspired to help Young because of his own experiences as a student.

"I identified closely with Dynasty. I was bullied in school and I too got suspended for bringing a weapon to school to protect myself," Padgett said. "So I kind of identified with him and wanted to show that it does get better and he has support in the community and there are people here that don't want to see this go on anymore."

A statement from the IPS Office of School and Community Relations last week said Young would be allowed to return to IPS on Jan. 7, 2013 and outlined its policy on both bullying and weapons at its schools.

"Students who violate the rights of others through bullying behaviors are held accountable. While the district does not condone bullying, it also does not allow weapons to be brought on our school campuses for any reason. Students who violate this rule will be held accountable," the statement said.

Padgett said he hoped the rally would show the city how many people are interested in the handling of Young's case.

"We want to tell the IPS school board that they didn't act correctly in this incident," Padgett said. "We want them to know we support Dynasty and his right to defend himself. And we also want to make sure that the public knows that there are people in this town that think things need to change and that the anti-bullying efforts need to be reformed."

In an Indianapolis Star report, Young's mother, Chelisa Grimes, who gave her son the stun gun, said in some instances, school officials seemed to blame Young's behavior for the bullying.

In an interview with the Star, Arsenal Technical Principal, Larry Yarrell, said Young's accessories drove the negative attention he received.

"If you wear female apparel, then kids are kids and they're going to say whatever it is that they want to say," Yarrell said. "Because you want to be different and because you choose to wear female apparel, it may happen. In the idealistic society, it shouldn't matter. People should be able to wear what they want to wear."

Padgett said administrators and school staff should take more responsibility for making sure that bullying issues are taken care of.

"It's the responsibility of school administrators, teachers and school staff to provide a safe environment for the education of our children," Padgett said. "When they're not providing a safe environment for those kids then they're failing in their responsibilities as educators."

According to a Facebook event created for the event, the rally will continue until tonight's IPS School Board meeting at 7 p.m. at John Morton-Finney Educational Center at 120 E. Walnut Street in Indianapolis.

All day a doomed feeling dogged the news editor. She felt nefarious forces mounting an attack on Hoosier decorum and sensibility.

Her misery increased as she mulled the fact that she had not confronted the threat face to face. She lamented that one of her predecessors has chided the entire Circle City press corps for its total lack of backgrounding effort when the threat began its metastasis. *

As brief but intense rainstorm shifted the afternoon to evening, she ran across an old Indiana artist and gardener, Thomas Aden Pfeiffer.

She asked if he planned to visit the polls in the morning. He said that he probably would; there appeared to be important business to take care of. He sensed her dismay about the situation and offered a beautiful thought before heading out the door.

He recalled a summer heavy with locusts, how he drove up Fall Creek toward Geist Reservoir and pulled over when he got to a place where the insects were buzzing about by the million - each on its own individual mission.

Some whizzed by one way making their own sounds, he said, indicating a declining tone, while others zipped the other way whistling a different tone.

But, overall, a general hum came together above the multiple interests, ebbing and flowing on a larger, rhythmic scheme.

Mr. Pfeiffer concluded:

"Common sense in the common people is superior to expertise on various issues. There has to be that commonality. If there's no commonality, then there's problems."

As she prepared to close her eyes on election eve, she prayed for that commonality to shine. She felt in her gut it must have been responsible for everything that ever made Indiana great.

- - -

* We beg Brian Howey's indulgence as we employ an extended except from the April 26 edition of the Howey Politics Indiana :

"There had been speculation that the Statehouse press corps - once the Indiana General Assembly had concluded in mid-March - would fully probe Mourdock's background on issues related to his personal finances, investment of public funds in junk bonds as treasurer, potential skirting of "pay-to-play" laws involving Club for Growth bundling, and on issues such as the alleged GOP database encroachment.

The Star skimmed across Mourdock's tenure at Buck Creek Coal, which included a number of safety violations, unfair labor practices and its bankruptcy ...

Howey Politics Indiana had covered Mourdock's meeting attendance issue, which became fodder for Lugar TV ads. FactCheck.Org, a national watchdog group funded by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, validated HPI's reporting on the fact that Mourdock had skipped 66% of the meetings of his various boards ...

But what is telling is that virtually no other news media source covered that story; rather focusing on the Lugar residency controversy and some coverage of the GOP database story - but not much else. Not only have Hoosiers witnessed a rancorous first-time challenge to a Senate incumbent in the TV age, but also the fact that not a single TV station or major newspaper could afford to poll. The fact that the role has fallen on this newsletter is a fascinating telltale on the decline of many aspects of media function, coming in tandem with the fallout of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and the engulfing tidal wave of outside money that will likely decide this race."

Editor's Note: The following press release arrived this morning:

PPAI Protest Planned for Mitt Romney's Fundraising Visit to Indianapolis Tonight

WHO: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana (PPAI) and their supporters

WHAT: Protest of tonight's fundraising visit by Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney

WHERE: Across from the JW Marriott 10 S. West Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

WHEN: TONIGHT -- Monday, May 7, 2012 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

WHY: PPAI and their supporters will be gathering outside the JW Marriott this evening to remind Mitt Romney and other candidates that Women Are Watching very closely this election year. Protestors have chosen this event, in particular, because Mitt Romney is an anti-choice Republican who has openly been supportive of legislation and policies that restrict women's rights and access to health care.

In March, Romney promised, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that." Romney also signed a pledge to prohibit Planned Parenthood health centers from providing preventive health care through federal programs. Translation: he supports cutting off nearly three million women from birth control, cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and STD tests from their preferred and trusted health care provider.

In November, Romney authored an op-ed in USA Today calling for an end to the national family planning program — Title X — which provides preventive health care, such as birth control, lifesaving cancer screenings and well-woman checkups to nearly five million women each year. Signed into law decades ago by Republican President Richard Nixon, the Title X program consistently has bipartisan support because it saves lives, keeps women healthy, prevents unintended pregnancies and detects cancer early when it can best be treated.

Mitt Romney's national plan for women's health has been on display in several states that made headlines last week as they moved forward in efforts to restrict women's access to health care. The extreme legislation being proposed in Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas is appalling and dangerous for women and their families. And in recent weeks, Romney has been campaigning with anti-choice elected officials like Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who championed legislation requiring women to undergo an invasive transvaginal probe before exercising their legal right to choose.

It's abundantly clear that Romney is anti-choice and supportive of turning back the clock on women's rights.

Editor's Note: We received the following press release from the Mayor's office at 11:44 a.m., Friday, April 27.

Mayor Greg Ballard Accepts Resignation of Public Safety Director Frank Straub

INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today accepted the resignation of Public Safety Director Frank Straub. At Mayor Ballard's request, Director Straub will continue to serve as the Director of the Department of Public Safety during a search for his successor. Straub hopes for a successful and complete transition by August 1, 2012.

Below is statement from Mayor Greg Ballard:

"Frank Straub came to Indianapolis facing the difficult task of updating and modernizing the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at the same time preparing for and successfully hosting the highest profile event in this city's history. It hasn't always been easy but meaningful reform seldom is.

During Frank's tenure criminal homicides are at their lowest levels in 15 years, the city's integrated public safety model is receiving national and international recognition, IMPD and IFD training is being modernized and steps are being actively taken to improve the diversity of hiring and promotions in our public safety departments.

Frank Straub's work set the stage for the Department of Public Safety and all of its divisions to proudly serve this city in a positive fashion for years to come."

A copy of Director Straub's resignation letter to Mayor Ballard follows:

This is part of a series of stories by Kimmel, who's given up her car and is relying primarily on public transit.

I just realized this week that gas was around $4. Besides the realization that it was something I didn't have to pay attention to anymore, I realized I do not miss the amount of money I used to spend on gas.

The new parking meters are comedy to me. There is always a line of confused people trying to figure out if they will get back to their car to find a ticket on the windshield. I think the credit card option was supposed to add convenience, but I've seen a lot of frustration. I do not miss paying to park.

I do not miss car maintenance. In any form. However, I do wish I could find a tire for this person. This car has been sitting like this for over a week now.

As fun as this place looks, I used to spend too much time and money here. It looks inviting, but I don't miss that credit card bill.

This just seems like a lot of restrictions and directions. By foot, I can walk down any street, in any direction, down any sidewalk, through any lot and over or under anything I want. A few weeks ago, a fence didn't even stop me from where I needed to go. I do not miss so many things telling me what I can and cannot do.

While I'm on the topic of signs and their confusing directions...

April 13, 2012

The Dick Lugar I saw last night at a Marion County GOP dinner at downtown's Union Station was not the same Lugar I watched in an unscripted, but none-the-less carefully controlled, debate with Richard Mourdock the night before.

OK, he was the same Lugar — not some amped up doppelganger— but with pressure of the debate past, the senior-most member of the U.S. Senate shed the wooden posturing of made-for-T.V. politics. Thursday night's Lugar was more at ease and better able to convey some of the core lessons his more than a half century of leadership has taught him. In a nearly 45-minute speech he called his core constituency to action, and he shot from the hip starting all the way back with General Eisenhower.

Those Mid-Century lessons pay dividends today to those who listen — Democrat or Republican.

About 60 years ago, Indiana's state GOP party boss, the Honorable Cale Holder, recruited 20-year-old Lugar to organize rallies for visiting Eisenhower from the airport, all the way down Washington Street to a grand finale at the Circle. Next came service on the school board and a pitch from the party that he take on a powerful incumbent mayor that looked in good shape to continue the Democrat's 20-year hold on the mayor's office.

All politics is local

Lugar emphasized the importance of precinct work as the most basic building block of our representative democracy, noting that his victory in that 1967 race was due to the "brilliance of precinct committee work."

Understanding the significance of precinct work, in fact, helped him as a young mayor to handle a blowhard precinct board chair from the northern part of town. The man visited the mayor's office one day to complain that Lugar's appointments were not to his liking. Lugar recalled grabbing the precinct record book and cracking it open. "I began to recite the records (from the man's district), which were abysmal — he literally fainted on the floor. I remember watching from the mayor's office at the top of the city-county building watching the ambulance pull up to carry this precinct committee chair to the hospital."

Sometimes in his career, Lugar said, he'd taken precinct work too seriously, like when he and the party troops rallied a neighborhood, registered 400 people to vote only to watch it go 80 percent in the Democrat's favor.

Mayor Lugar ushered in UniGov, a major '70s political machination to unify city government beyond the urban core to include most of the county townships. He believed better government could be achieved with "one government and one mayor — all the responsibility around one table." The 1971 mayoral race became a referendum on the matter. More people headed to the polls that fall than ever before or since, he said, 263,000.

"That was then, this is now," he said. "It's a big year and I believe our Republican organization is up to the task, we must be up to the task," he said.

Girding for battle

In issuing his war call, Lugar charged the audience to an ambitious goal — total Republican domination. He said to make Barack Obama a one-term president, capture majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, elect Mike Pence as governor and as many state GOP politicians as possible. *

Even though he hasn't had a primary challenger to his senate seat since the 1970s, Lugar knew he had a sale to seal.

"I humbly ask that you consider support for my candidacy," he said.

When speaking to his people, without the glaring eye of the T.V. cameras, the ravenous din of the pack reporters or any boisterous confrontations from the Tea Party discontented, Lugar focused his core comments on core conservative ideals — not the "God, guns and gays" platform that's gained so much traction in some circles in the past couple decades.

Lugar warned that the scheduled expiration of the "Bush tax cuts" on Dec. 31 plus the inability of the president and Congress to agree on a federal budget are shaping up to "a very, very serious financial crisis — not just in terms of national debt but as families and farmers and people trying to create jobs." He talked about "the will to make a difference — tax reform on our terms and an end to over-regulation."

Traditionally, he said, social security is "like the third rail of politics — you touch it and you die."

With defense, social security and the Medicare and Medicaid programs representing 70 percent of the ever-expanding pool of federal expenditures (and federal debt), he said, "you have to begin to touch it."

Then Lugar went in for the kill, set up by an enthusiastic, hard-to-quibble-with endorsement earlier in the evening from Mayor Ballard. [Keep reading for details.]

"There are still more than 5,000 warheads left in Russia," Lugar said, recounting a visit to a decommissioned Russian nuclear silo that still had pictures of American cities taped to its walls — the Red Army's former targets.

"A single strike would obliterate our city," Lugar said. "One of the reasons why I'm so persistent (with the Nunn-Lugar disarmament efforts) is there are still about 5,000 warheads left in Russia."

The difference between Ballard and Pence

Remarks from newly appointed Secretary of State Connie Lawson and U.S. Congressman and Mike Pence, the GOP candidate fro governor, opened the evening.

The latter claimed "steadfast neutrality" in upcoming senate primary race, but, he told Lugar, "that does not prohibit me from saying, 'I admire and appreciate the leadership and statesmanship that is personified in you.'"

Then the ever-even-keeled Mayor Greg Ballard actually leapt to the stage to offer Lugar his unequivocal support.

The Nunn-Lugar program nuclear disarmament program "has really made, not just America, but the entire world safer," eliminating nearly a million chemical munitions, thousands of nuclear warheads, submarines and bombers, Ballard said.

"Because of what he's doing, this is a much safer world. You don't know what could have happened because it never did happen. I will tell you, as somebody who was in the military for over 23 years, we all knew Dick Lugar kept us home with our families — we weren't someplace else in a bad situation because of the work people like Dick Lugar were doing.

"That's why I will continue to support him as our senator."

The demographics of the evening did not do much to contradict a stereotype I had that the room would be filled with old, white men. There were several women in attendance. But it would not be unfair to say the room was a sea of white. Of about 23 10-person tables (not all totally packed to capacity, but most nearly full) I counted less than 10 people of color.

I wonder how the Indiana GOP narrative and demographic is shaping up in the counties.

Early voting has started. No matter what your political persuasion, if you love Indiana, now is the time to tune in and take a stand. Like Dick Lugar told his brethren, Indiana's best days are still ahead. But, this observer must add, only if we step up and make it so.

* [If I could have interrupted with a question at this point I would have asked, "Goodness, senator, isn't there a Democrat anywhere that you like, that you think would do a better job the GOP alternative?" Can the U.S. sustain a free marketplace of ideas, unfettered by the over-regulation of well-heeled special interests and pre-approved sound bites?]

Editor's Note: This morning we received notices of leadership changes from three major local organizations. The following news releases offer more details:

The American Civil Liberties Union

A long-time member and former board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has taken the helm as its interim executive director.

Frank Young of Terre Haute, Ind., is Professor Emeritus of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and a member of the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. He was Head of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Rose-Hulman from 1987 to 2002. Young earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Haverford College in 1961, and the M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1963 and 1968. Involved with the ACLU since the 1970s, he served as the Western Region representative to the ACLU of Indiana Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005, and previously served on the board of the ACLU of Illinois.

Young replaced Gilbert Holmes, who was ACLU of Indiana executive director from 2008 until his retirement on March 31. Young takes leadership during a time of expansion for the organization into fundraising and education outreach made possible by a $500,000 gift from the estate of Albert G. and Sara I. Reuben.

"The ACLU has two main tasks. First is the active opposition to unwarranted government actions that violate the U.S. and Indiana Constitutions. The second is ensuring the civil liberties of all individuals are protected, especially individuals who are marginalized by our society because they lack the resources to defend themselves," said Young. "As a long-time supporter of the ACLU's efforts in both of these areas, I am honored to serve as the interim director. Helping to further the goals of the ACLU is one of the ways that I express my love of my country and my support of its ideals."

IKE HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dolores E. Weis, an MPA who has directed development and relief programs and projects around the globe and in the United States, has been chosen as the new executive director of Improving Kids' Environment. She also has degrees in nursing and communications. She will be starting with IKE April 12.

"We are pleased to have found a new executive director who brings a wealth of experience to our organization. We welcome her new perspective and ideas," said Board President Indra Frank.

Ms. Weis' work has included oversight at an international non-profit specializing in solar energy and clean water programs in East Africa, directing a non-profit social services agency on a Navajo Reservation and serving in leadership roles at organizations in locations ranging from Washington, D.C. to Africa and Eastern Europe. She was also a Peace Corps volunteer.

"I am very excited to join IKE and help further the important work the organization does to protect our children and keep them healthy. Making the environment safer for children protects not only them, but future generations to come," said Ms. Weis.

Improving Kids' Environment (IKE) is a non-profit, advocacy organization that facilitates tangible and significant improvements to children's health through reductions in environmental threats. IKE helps children reach their full potential by working with citizens, non-profit organizations, governments, businesses, and others to:

1. Identify environmental health threats to children;

2. Ensure that parents and others who help children have effective access to information about these threats and the means to prevent them;

3. Support the activities of those organizations striving to remove, reduce, and communicate these threats; and

4. Promote practical means to remove or reduce recognized environmental health threats.

Note: Previous Executive Director Jodi Perras has returned to her consulting business, Perras & Associates.

Georgetown administrator to become UIndy's ninth president

After an extensive national search, Georgetown University Associate Provost and Dean Robert L. Manuel has been selected to serve as the ninth president of the University of Indianapolis, effective in July. He will succeed Beverley J. Pitts, who is retiring after seven years at the helm of the 5,500-student private university four miles south of downtown.

In announcing the selection, Board of Trustees Chair Robert Wingerter said, "I'm very excited that Rob has accepted our offer. He is extremely intelligent and reflective. He has a very clear vision for higher education and he has the ability to turn vision into action. He will be transformational for UIndy."

Trustee Deborah J. Daniels, who chaired the search committee, described Manuel as "student-focused while understanding the importance of reaching out to external constituencies. He has a vision for helping us move forward in a very entrepreneurial way."

Manuel has gained international recognition during his 20 years in higher education for his development and implementation of innovative academic programming in graduate, undergraduate, online and customized education, both at Georgetown and, prior to that, at New York University. Since arriving at Georgetown in January 2006 as dean of the School of Continuing Studies, he has reorganized and rebranded the school—streamlining operations, creating new degree and certificate programs, and increasing enrollments in all programs by more than 200 percent. He also created the Georgetown Global Education Institute for leaders from around the world, offering customized education in areas of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, urban planning and fiscal policy. The Institute has raised more than $6 million in corporate sponsorships.

Continuing Studies is one of eight degree-granting entities at Georgetown. It enrolls roughly 6,300 students, employs 350 faculty and 85 administrative staff, and generates more than $40 million in revenue annually.Manuel's emphasis on connecting the academic environment with corporate, non-profit and government organizations has been a driving force behind the school's growth and success, and makes him an especially good fit for his new institution. UIndy has been very successful in forging alliances that advance its mission while addressing needs within the public and private sector.

In his other capacity as associate provost at Georgetown, Manuel works with the leadership of the university's Center for Social Justice, Research and Teaching; Diversity Action Council; and the senior vice president for research/chief technical officer. He is a member of the Main Campus Planning Committee, the Dean's Council and the University Campaign Council.

Manuel sits on the editorial advisory board for the Continuing Higher Education Review. He is the 2012-13 chair of the national conference for the University Professional & Continuing Education Association, and was just appointed to a two-year term on the UPCEA national advisory board.

Before arriving at Georgetown, Manuel served in the office of the Vice President for Enrollment Services at NYU, and also held the positions of chief information officer, assistant dean and clinical associate professor at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

"UIndy has grown remarkably in academic quality, programs, enrollments and impact under the leadership of Beverley Pitts and her predecessors," Manuel said. "I am honored to join the UIndy community, and excited to work with the faculty, students and staff to address the challenges of our day. In the face of shrinking job markets and rising costs, higher education today is under intense pressure to define its relevance. Because of the groundwork that has already been laid, I believe UIndy is well positioned to lead the higher education community as we demonstrate our value to the larger society."

Manuel received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Allegheny College, a master's degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from NYU. He and his wife, Wilmara, have three daughters, Sophia, 11; Alexandra, 8; and Margaux, 5.

About the University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis is a private, comprehensive university dedicated to its motto of "Education for Service" and the city whose name it shares. UIndy's undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs include widely respected offerings in healthcare, education, business, communication, and the arts and sciences. Drawing students from around the globe, the university is the state's fifth largest producer of doctoral degrees, and prepares more physical therapists, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists than any other institution in the state.