Red Herrings

Now that Charles White, the newly-elected Indiana Secretary of State, has been indicted for felonies regarding his disregard of Indiana election laws, some in the blogosphere have decided that he should be excused his "mistakes" because Senator Richard G. Lugar hasn't lived in Indiana for years.

Ummmm, Lugar's in Washington, D.C., as Indiana's longest-serving senator. There's provision in the law for that kind of absence.

And, besides: what's that got to do with White's transgressions? He's holding the state office that's supposed to uphold election laws, so he -- of all people -- should know what they are and abide by them.

Regardless of what Lugar (or anyone else) does!

In logic, that's called the fallacy of the red herring, isn't it?

Flower & Patio Show Opens This Weekend

The 53rd annual Indiana Flower & Patio Show begins Saturday (12 March) and runs through 20 March in the West Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis.

Hours are 10 am to 9 pm weekdays and Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday. General admission at the door is $12 (children 12 and under free).

Insider tip: Just 1000 visitors to the show will walk away with their very own “swag bag,” filled with all sorts of goodies. Want one? All you have to do is visit a show information booth inside the West Pavilion and say, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!” Each day during the nine-day show, the first 100 visitors to voice that phrase will lay claim to a swag bag. Another 100 bags will be distributed at random during the show’s run.

A preview of the show goes to those attending the "Noble Evening in the Garden" gala from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday (11 March). Proceeds benefit Noble of Indiana, which helps children and adults with developmental disabilities like Down syndrome and autism.

(Photo courtesy of Indiana Flower & Patio Show)

Museums and Cultural Property Forum

Who owns antiquities and other cultural property? A forum to discuss this topic is set for 1:30-3 p.m. 23 March in Lilly Auditorium, University Library, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

IUPUI Museum Studies graduate students will pose questions to Dr. James Cuno, President of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Dr. Maxwell Anderson, CEO of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and to join the discussion

If you want to go, sign up with the Center for Teaching and Learning at IUPUI. Although all CTL-sponsored events are free, participants are asked to register online in advance in order to generate nametags and attendance sheets, as well as to ensure that there are sufficient materials and seating available.

(Photo courtesy of IUPUI)

What Makes Mike Pence Run?

"Rep. Mike Pence's push to defund Planned Parenthood is shortsighted political posturing that may score ideological points with a few voters but shifts focus away from serious issues like entitlement reform," writes Mark McKinnon.

Read it here.

This Indianapolis Observer couldn't agree more. What is it about Hoosier politicians that causes this kind of idiot streak in their behavior?

First Friday is Tomorrow

The Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) holds its 5th annual "First in Line" Art Exhibition and Sale tomorrow (4 March).

This event will be held from 6-10 p.m. in the north gallery of the newly renovated Indy Indie Artist Colony, 26 East 14th Street, Indianapolis.

"First In Line" starts out as an exhibition of original art by local artists and IDADA members. All works are priced at $100 and are sold on a first come, first serve basis.

When art is purchased, a photo is taken of the buyer with the work. This photo is now displayed, and the art leaves with the patron. The exhibit morphs into a documentary snapshot show!

The IDADA is a non-profit membership based organization of studio artists, art galleries, and arts-related businesses within the 20-block square of Monument Circle.

City Seeks Ideas For Landmark

According to Inside INdiana Business, Mayor Greg Ballard is seeking public input on a landmark for the Lafayette Square area, which is now known as the International Marketplace. "The city is looking for ideas on an icon, feature or streetscape that residents and visitors would see upon entering the northwest side area."

Your Indianapolis Observer has an idea: how about starting with some landscaping? You know, trees alongside 38th Street, etc. The whole area needs a streetscape "green" facelift, not a "landmark".

Downtown Ponzi Scheme

As Paul K. Ogden reports this morning (when talking about the passage of the NoSo subsidy), City-County Council President Ryan "Vaughn said that in order to keep afloat previous downtown development subsidized by taxpayers, we need to keep pumping more taxpayer dollars in. The law enforcement authorities have a term for that. It is called a Ponzi scheme."