Clarity of Thought

I'm partial to shadow5's "Twelve Questions," but there's more to be said, and we'll say it today at 2 p.m. We're calling the show The Truth About Equal Representation, and we welcome callers with opposing viewpoints...although who in their right mind would be opposed to equal representation in this day and age?

Discredited and outmoded ideas from the 1950s are no substitute for established law and it's an embarrassment that the blatant contempt for the law shown by New Albany's powers has gone on for as long as it has.

It has to be nothing more than inattention, the congenital forgetfulness of Indianapolis that "Southern Indiana" doesn't begin and end at the Columbus exit on I-65. Steve Carter is seemingly unaware of the failure of New Albany to redraw districts after the 2000 Census. Mitch Daniels is seemingly unaware, too, despite the fact that his wife hails from good ol' N.A. And they're Republicans. What incentive do they have to protect a corrupt Democratic regime?

Did you know that Indiana has one of the highest standards for equal representation for city legislative districts? That's right. The U.S. Supreme Court gives some leeway to the states - "as equal as practicable" and "substantially equal." But Hoosier lawmakers imposed a much higher standard - "as equal as possible," a standard applied nationwide to Congressional districts.

Connie Sipes, New Albany's senator, and Bill Cochran, New Albany's state representative, know the situation, but they seem to be participating in the coverup instead of stepping up and demanding that New Albany follow the law.

There seems to be a meme, on the Internet and elsewhere, that the idea of equal representation is some kind of "furrin'" idea. I likened the redistricting conversation hereabouts to another likely one between Bert and Gertie.

"Cain't believe they let that guy off. Whoever heard of needing probable cause, a search warrant, Miranda rights, and due process. They wuz guilty. 'Nuff sed."

Ayuuhh. That kind of stuff did go on, and still goes on, and cave-dwellers still say such things. They use words like "uppity" and "outsider" and appeal to "the way we've always done things."

Fortunately, we live in a nation of laws and not a city of lies.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of my time observing city government has been watching Jeff Gahan deteriorate before my eyes from a voice of reason to a champion of corruption. It is entirely fair to say that Jeff Gahan represents complete unaccountability to the law. And his ignorance and animus is so far gone that it's clear he is the definitive exhibition of a politician who believes his position grants him immunity from being responsible. I've said it before: there are only two choices - he's either totally corrupt or totally ignorant.

Pick 'em.