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Monday, March 26, 2018

Conservatives should Oppose the Death Penalty

Recently we all were pursuing online and came across an intriguing article called “Republicans Should Seek to End the Death Penalty Not Expand It” by Sarah Quinlan over at Redstate. The article is well worth reading in it’s own right. IR being conservative Republicans and believing christians one area in which we are at variance with many of our fellow conservatives is in our opposition to capital punishment. We oppose this on many grounds rooted in our Christian faith as well as being a natural outgrowth of our desire to limit the power of the state to the functions it MUST absolutely have in order to defend the lives, liberty and property of its citizenry. 

Those of us who are opposed to abortion must if we are to be intellectually and morally consistent must at the very minimum be as equally concerned about the death penalty. It is an irreconcilable quandary to us to favor limiting government power but to also allow the state which we at best view as a restrained monster the power of life and death over its citizens. We are not opposed to killing in self defense or defense of others. Or in defense of the United States in time of war. Those are very different circumstances than executing a person convicted of a crime. As Christians and conservatives we are all to familiar with the reality of sin or of fallen human nature. We are all to painfully aware that sin and Vice have one of there greatest breeding grounds in government. For that reason alone we should abolish the death Penalty if only to possibly be victims of it ourselves. After all anyone may potentially be wrongfully convicted of a capital offense. This maybe just us speaking here but we don’t feel like being sent to death row.

For more information visit Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty by clicking this link: https://conservativesconcerned.org/

Friday, March 23, 2018

The Iranians Are Coming: Indiana Edition w/Update

Looks like some of the Hoosier States computers have been hacked by that bastion of terrorism Iran. Tim Evans and Kevin Johnson have the story over at Indystar. Evans and Johnson reported:

The Indiana Department of Educationwas among hundreds of universities, businesses and government entities targeted by nine Iranians who are charged as part of a massive state-sponsored cybertheft campaign, federal authorities said Friday.

The suspects, all affiliates of an Iranian-based company known as the Mabna Institute, are accused of breaching the computer systems of the U.S. Department Labor, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the United Nations and state agencies in Indiana and Hawaii, federal officials said.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Friday accused the suspects of stealing more than 31 terabytes of data — about 15 billion pages — from 140 American universities, 30 U.S. companies and five government agencies, while targeting 176 universities abroad.

The stolen information — including academic research in technology, medicine and other sciences — is valued at $3.4 billion, authorities said.

"For many of these intrusions, the defendants acted at the behest of the Iranian government and, specifically, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps," Rosenstein said.

While the nine suspects remain in Iran, beyond the immediate reach of U.S. authorities, Rosenstein said their public identification "helps deter state-sponsored computer intrusions by stripping them of anonymity and imposing consequences." 


Wired Magazine and CNN also have more information on the alleged hacking committed by the Tehran-based Mabna Institute here and here. The FBI’s website has issued a wanted poster of the nine suspects. Please contact the authorities if you see any of these people.


Update: Stand Up Republic has the following observation about the continuing trend of hostile governments engaging in cyberattacks on the United States:





Monday, March 19, 2018

Holcomb to Call Special Session

Around noon today Governor Eric Holcomb stated that he will call the Indiana General Assembly into a special session sometime in May.

Holcomb listed the following five areas he would like lawmakers to focus on:

  1. Increase funding for the Indiana Secured School Fund by $5 million in 2018 and 2019.
  2. Allow school corps to obtain funding advances for school security equipment and capital purchases.
  3. Provide Muncie Community School Corporation with one-time $12 million loan from Common School Fund.
  4. Conform with federal tax reform changes.
  5. Comply with IRS rules to protect federal taxpayer information and assure access to federal tax data.
According to our sources the session can last as little as one day but no longer than 40 days. Rob Kendall over at WIBC had this to say about the whole situation:


Spot on again Rob! No mention of DCS at all. Perhaps Governor Holcomb doesn’t feel that’s important. We will watch and see what happens. 

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Is Governor Holcomb Going to call the General Assembly into Special Session?


Governor Eric Holcomb 

It appears our esteemed Governor is so hard up for company that according to INDYSTAR’s Tony Cook, Kaitlin Lange, and Arika Herron good old Eric may just decide to call the recently adjourned members of the General Assembly back into session  Of course that’s 150 legislators at a cost of around $30,000 a day at taxpayer expense just so the Governor can feel more secure about himself.

Cook, Lange and Herron writing for the Indianapolis Star have the following information

Gov. Eric Holcomb faces a big decision after the General Assembly unintentionally allowed several bills — including two of the governor's top priorities — to die on the chaotic final day of the 2018 legislative session. (Note to everyone at home: the legislators didn’t “accidentally” let Lil Eric’s priorities die. Like him they are uninspiring and lifeless. They just died due to their own ineptitude)

“After meeting with Speaker (Brian) Bosma and Senator (David) Long, I’ll look at all that can be done to complete unfinished business — whether that’s by administrative or legislative authority, if needed," he (Eric Holcomb) said.


State House Speaker Brian Bosma RINO


More details could emerge Monday, when Holcomb is scheduled to hold an 11 a.m. news conference at the governor's residence.

The biggest points of contention that Governor Holcomb appears to have are over two bills. One dealing with funding for school safety, the other bill dealing with driverless cars.

The Star reports that Holcomb was so anxious to get some of his pet bills passed that he tried to extend the deadline to one a.m. from midnight for the legislators to adjourn.


Ultimately, lawmakers decided to disregard the directive amid legal questions about the move, bringing the session to a close with five bills still pending on the House floor. Casualties included two tax-related measures and a takeover plan for school districts in Muncie and Gary, in addition to the school safety and driver-less vehicle bills.

As to the costs to we the people in terms of tax dollars the Star says:

Lawmakers would receive $173 per day, including weekends, while in session. That means a special session would cost taxpayers nearly $30,000 for each day of a special session — and that doesn't include mileage lawmakers would receive for driving to and from Indianapolis once a week.

Such spending could be unpopular among Republicans who control the General Assembly, especially in what could be a tough election year. More Democratic challengers have filed to run against Republicans this year, and special elections in other states have resulted in gains for Democrats, even in districts that went heavily for President Donald Trump in 2016.

The Star gives lawmakers reactions to a special session being called as being mixed to say the least:

"Much will depend upon what the governor feels he can do regarding certain key issues without legislative action, such as money for school safety programs," State Senate President Pro Teme David Long said. "There are also key economic development issues and tax relief measures that should be addressed."

He (David Long) said it's not clear what the precise cost would be, "but if it occurs, our focus will be to keep it as short and inexpensive as possible."

His counterpart in the House, Bosma, initially seemed less interested, suggesting Thursday that leftover issues from the session could be dealt with administratively.

"I don't see anything on this list that's going to require (a special session)," he said.

But his tune changed on Friday after consulting with Holcomb's office. (IR is surprised it took Bosma THAT long to cave to his master Holcomb)

"We have had discussions with the governor’s team and have made it clear we will cooperate in every way if we determine any remaining items require legislative action," he said. "If a special session does occur, it will be limited to very a small number of critical issues, which remained on the table at the close of the regular session."

Even if Holcomb does call a special session, the timing could be complicated by an ongoing review of the Department of Child Services.

Back in January we had reported on the resignation of DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura which led to the current review of DCS. The review of DCS could complicate matters so much that if a special session is called now another may have to be called to deal with DCS.

More from the Star:

Democrats called for action this session, but Republicans put them off, insisting on waiting for results of the review, which are due June 21. If urgent legislative action is needed, they said, they would consider a special session.

But those promises now put them and Holcomb in an uncomfortable position. Do they wait more than three months to take care of issues like school safety? Or do they schedule a special session soon and risk the need for another one later this summer?

Those are difficult questions, especially in an election year with primaries just around the corner in May.

One thing is certain: If the governor calls a special session this year for any reason except to address problems at DCS, Democrats will pounce.

All we at IR can say is Holcomb and the other so-called Republicans in our State Legislature have seriously shot themselves and all Hoosiers in both feet! With control of the Governors office and both state houses there should be no reason at all they should need to call a special session. But largely because the Indiana GOP was to busy raising our taxes, and trying to coverup the absolute disaster that is the Department of Child Services started by former “Godfather” Governor Mitch Daniels. The taxpayers will be on the hook for even more money. Speaking of DCS is anyone at the state going to look into DCS and the murder of Tajanay Bailey over a decade ago? Tajanay Bailey’s blood cries out from the ground for justice! We can just picture Gary Welsh pounding away furiously over this if he was here now. The torch which Gary Welsh lit for all of us is being picked up!  It will burn away all the impurities that fester in this state and in the rest of these United States! Our countrymen stand up! Stand Up! All men and women of good faith and force the Governor and the lawmakers to fear We the People! Remember there has never been nor ever will be a night so dark to prevent the coming day. We are convinced that the Hoosier State will never atone of it’s sins but through the work of intractable, stubborn individualists such as ourselves, Paul Ogden, Christine Scales, Charlie White, everyday hoosiers who choose to never submit to ruthless politicians, and the master himself Gary Welsh. Gary’s soul lies a moldering in the grave, but his soul goes marching on! 


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Governor Holcomb’s Workforce Development Plan Could Cost Indiana $49 Million


Governor Eric Holcomb 

Tony Cook and Arika Herron over at IndyStar reported earlier today that the Indiana Manufacturers Association normally a Holcomb ally. Has yanked it’s support from Holcomb’s plan to reshape the state’s Workforce Development programs. 

Cook and Herron writing:

Holcomb's office publicly acknowledged for the first time Monday that the state will need a waiver from the U.S. Department of Labor to continue receiving $49 million in federal funding for Indiana workforce development programs.

"We do not have a federal waiver at this point," Holcomb's spokeswoman, Stephanie Wilson, said. "However, Gov. Holcomb and his team have been in communication with the federal Department of Labor and Secretary (Alexander) Acosta, and we believe our actions are in line with the secretary’s pledge to provide states flexibility to do what’s right."

The Indiana Manufacturers Association announced Monday it was withdrawing its support for Holcomb's proposal. Association President Brian Burton said he considers the potential loss of federal funding a critical flaw.

"This bill becomes law effective upon passage," he said. "So without a waiver, we could be in violation of federal law."

Cook and Herron make reference to the specific legislation that is the source of such tension between legislators and many business leaders throughout Indiana SB 50:

Senate Bill 50 replaces the state's Workforce Innovation Council with a new Governor's Workforce Cabinet that would have fewer members and more authority over the nine state agencies that administer about $1 billion in various workforce development programs.

But the new cabinet would not conform with federal rules for states' workforce investment boards, the governor's office confirmed Monday.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act requires a majority of the board to be business representatives who reflect the state’s major employment sectors. It also requires two members from each chamber of the state legislature.

Holcomb's proposal would not include any state lawmakers and just under half would be actual business representatives. The majority of the board will be filled with state agency and education officials, with one member from a community-based organization.

States that don't meet federal requirements are at risk of losing their funding. Indiana receives about $49 million a year through the federal program. That money goes to programs that support out-of-work adults and at-risk youth, including WorkOne, the state’s employment centers.

Click here to read all of Cook and Herron’s excellent piece.

IR and Company are all wondering why Holcomb would want to antagonize the Indiana Manufacturers Association during what is shaping up to be a really bad year for Republicans. The IMA if they get mad enough could and should do everything they can to make Holcomb’s life hell. Back in November we reported on Holcomb’s administration being sued for $1 Billion over trucking fees by powerhouse GOP lawyer Jim Bopp.

Tony Cook also reported on that in November. Between pissing off the state’s Manufacturing, Trucking Industries and everyday Hoosiers by signing into law last year over 45 tax and user fee hikes. Holcomb should be run out of town on a rail. That may or may not happen but let’s all do what we can to kick Holcomb’s ass out in 2020. Barring that we make his life hell. Let’s do this for Gary Welsh. 

Update: Hayleigh Colombo has also written a good piece about the IMA’s opposition to Holcomb’s Workforce Development plan click here to read her article. And please reach out and tell Tony Cook, Arika Herron and Hayleigh Colombo to keep up the good work.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Matt Tully throws stones at fellow a$&hole Todd Rokita


Matt Tully 

Earlier today the IR gang checked out IndyStar and found a semi decent article written by the papers resident mental midget Matt Tully. We checked through our archives and the last time we decided to punish ourselves by mentioning the king of the Indianapolis Circle Jerks was last year when we discussed Tully’s bromance with Carmel Mayor Jim “Crash” Brainard. In his most recent opinion piece for the Star. Tully writes about what a useless tool Congressman Todd Rokita is.

Tully writes:

The most cynical cheap shot artist in Indiana politics today, the 4th district congressman took his behavior to a new low in recent days. He did so by taking an unfair shot at an Indiana city he should be trying to help, but one he couldn't help himself from trying to hurt in his quest for political gain.

But befitting his campaign of empty red-meat rhetoric, Rokita went to Twitter last week to unfairly and inaccurately label Gary a “sanctuary city” in "our own backyard." There could be only one goal in doing this: To infuriate what will likely be a small primary electorate by exploiting the negative feelings many in Indiana feel toward Gary. Rokita’s angry and laughable “we’re-not-going-to-take-it-anymore” campaign has been based on little more than inciting ill will toward liberals, Democrats, those who disagree with him, and now, apparently, entire cities.Still, this is a new low.

Real leaders who seek to represent the state try to bring us together. They remind us that we are better off when all of our state’s communities do better. Not Rokita. And while it is not the least bit surprising given his past rhetoric, it is jarring after years of watching true Republican leaders, such as former Gov. Mitch Daniels, work to help Gary move forward.

What do you expect from a guy who has lived on taxpayer-funded paychecks for two decades but who now tries to portray himself as an outsider?

To be fair to Mister Tully it is no secret that this blog is no fan of Todd Rokita. And Tully is correct to point out how Todd has spent much of his adult life living at taxpayer expense. But Tully is all to aware of the sins of his beloved masters former Governor Mitch Daniels and former Senator Dick Lugar. Tully though when he had a chance to call Dick Lugar on the carpet for his having committed voter fraud for 35 years. Or to seriously investigate Senator Evan Bayh’s voter issues. Tully as documented by Paul Ogden and Gary Welsh.
Tully proceeded to attack those of who rightfully questioned the Indianapolis Press Corps unwillingness to go after Lugar and Bayh. We applaud Tully for highlighting some of Todd Rokita’s shortcomings. But Tully has shown once again how he is nothing more than a shill for the Indiana Political Elites. It appears that he and his “Circle Jerk Club” as Gary Welsh called Tully and his minions. Is alive and well. Strangely for a man who is well connected to very powerful people. Old Matt is very insecure and thin skinned. As many of us here have learned after attempting to communicate with Matt Tully via Facebook, Twitter and other means. Tully is so thin skinned that he will block anyone who asks him serious questions. Indy Republican has a message for our old friend Tully. The message is this: “You may have thought that the untimely passing of Gary Welsh meant you could avoid being called out on your bullshit. Once again as you usually are you were wrong Tully. Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden lit a fire under all of us. We will not stop until you and your circus freaks are out of business. Gary Welsh maybe dead. But let’s just say death is no barrier from Gary calling you out.” Good night fellow malcontents. As for you Tully go to Hell you piece of crap.

Links to some of Paul Ogden and the late great Gary Welsh’s posts about Tully/Lugar/& Bayh:




For more information search Paul Ogden and Gary Welsh’s blogs. Type in Matt Tully on their blogs search engines.


Sunday, March 4, 2018

Did Mike Pence engage in Nepotism to give his Nephew a Cushy Political Job?

Mike Pence and Donald Trump

On Friday February 23rd, 2018 CNBC's Christina Wilkie reported that the Republican National Committee (RNC) had since September 2017 been paying tens of thousands of dollars in rent for office space in Trump Towers in New York. In addition several thousand dollars has been being paid to John Pence the nephew  of Vice President and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence. The money from the RNC is being used to pay for office space for use for President Trump's reelection campaign. Of which John Pence is the campaign's deputy executive director. 

Christian Willkie reports:

Campaign finance experts who spoke to CNBC said this type of spending by a party committee on behalf of a campaign is highly unusual but legal, and it appears the RNC disclosed it correctly.

"This is permissible and it's being reported properly, but why they are doing it is a mystery," said Brendan Fischer, senior counsel for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. "One would think the RNC could be spending their money more effectively right now on the 2018 campaign, rather than spending it to pay Trump's rent."

So far, the party has spent more than $290,000 to cover the Trump campaign's expenses since September, the first month it paid the Trump Tower rent or Pence's salary. Before then, both expenses had been paid directly by the Trump campaign.

John Pence had begun receiving a paycheck from the RNC on Sept. 15, 2017.

Pence's salary was $12,000 a month at the Trump campaign, and the RNC appears to be paying him the same or nearly the same amount, judging from the state and federal payroll taxes withheld.

Ms. Wilkie's article does go onto to question the wisdom of the RNC spending so much money on the next presidential race in 2020 rather than devoting resources to this years midterm races. We recommend that everyone out in cyberspace reads her article here. But our concern is mostly on why is John Pence so valuable to be paid a $12,000 a month salary? The only reason he seems to have been hired is because he is related to Milquetoast Mike Pence. 

John Pence

Ballotpedia gives the following background information on John Pence here:

John Pence graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2011. Attended Indiana University School of Law graduated in 2015. Worked as an extern at the U.S. Justice Department on Criminal and Civil Matters. Worked as an associate at Ice Miller in Indiana from 2015 to 2016. 

At only 28 years of age John Pence is a tad young and inexperienced to be given such a high level position on a presidential campaign.

We did find one other item of interest regarding John Pence. In a Washington Post article from February 7th, 2018 Emily Heil did report that John Pence is currently dating Giovanna Coia who is a cousin of Kellyanne Conway a senior advisor and spokesman spokeswoman for President Donald Trump. 

Ms. Coia might actually be a good match for John Pence seeing as they are both trading on their family connections to enhance their own standing. Not only does the swamp need to be drained in Washington, D.C. It looks like the political classes gene pools could use a filter.

John Pence and Giovanna Coia



Here is a money saving suggestion for the RNC from Bill Kristol: