Indy ranked #1 in Jobs & Affordable Housing

Finding a city with affordable housing isn't too difficult, as long as you're willing to settle for low-income wages, high crime and high unemployment. Finding a booming city with a great job market is ideal, if you can afford to live there. Indianapolis combines both factors better than any other place in America.
With an average cost of living well below the national average, you can find a large but affordable home in any of the surrounding suburbs: Greenwood, Plainfield, Avon, Brownsburg, Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, etc - all just a short commute to downtown Indy. Or if you prefer to live in the city - ranked by Forbes as one of the safest in America - Indy boasts the nation's longest and busiest greenway (Monon Trail) stretching from downtown to Westfield. Indy is also home of the nationally renowned Children's Museum, the largest sporting event in the world (500), the 2012 Superbowl, NCAA headquarters, Mens & Womens Final Fours, BigTen Championships, and also dubbed the Amateur Sports Capital of the World.

'Hope' for 'Change'? Try "Business as Usual"

President Obama rejected the views of top lawyers at the Pentagon and the Justice Department when he decided that he had the legal authority to continue American military participation in the air war in Libya without Congressional authorization. 
Obama's view is that the Libya campaign is not covered by a provision of the War Powers Resolution that requires presidents to halt unauthorized hostilities after 60 days.
With drone attacks and spending in excess of $10M per day, the Office of Legal Counsel disagrees. Only the President or Attorney General can override OLC decisions. 

"From the outset of this operation, Members of the House have demonstrated respect for the authority granted to the Commander-in-Chief," John Boehner said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the President has not exhibited a similar appreciation for Congress' important job of providing oversight and accountability. Even worse, he has failed to communicate to the American people why continuing this mission is critical to our national security."

In 2007, President Bush ignored the legal conclusions of his top lawyers over NSA's warrantless wiretapping program. 

Mitch Daniels bows out

Official Statement: "Over the last year and a half, a large and diverse group of people have suggested to me an idea that I never otherwise would have considered, that I run for President. I’ve asked for time to think it over carefully, but these good people have been very patient and I owe them an answer.

The answer is that I will not be a candidate. What could have been a complicated decision was in the end very simple: on matters affecting us all, our family Constitution gives a veto to the women’s caucus, and there is no override provision. Simply put, I find myself caught between two duties. I love my country; I love my family more.
I am deeply concerned, for the first time in my life, about the future of our Republic. In the next few years Americans will decide two basic sets of questions: Who’s in charge here? Should the public sector protect and promote the private sector or dominate and direct it? Does the government work for the people or vice versa?

And, are we Americans still the kind of people who can successfully govern ourselves, discipline ourselves financially, put the future and our children’s interests ahead of the present and our own.

I am confident that the answers will reaffirm the liberty and vitality of our nation, and hope to play some small part in proving that view true."

Carmel hosts Roundabout conference

Traffic gurus from around the world are gathering in Carmel, Indiana this week in the 7th annual International Conference on Roundabouts. Both New York and Japan (pop. 19M and 125M) have fewer roundabouts than Carmel (pop. 79,000) - sent their best transportation engineers here this week to study the awesome effects it has on a community. For example, the Australian state of Victoria began building roundabouts in 1970 when traffic fatalities peaked at more than 1,000 per year. Two years ago, that number had been reduced to 300 while the population more than doubled. Melbourne now has over 5,000 roundabouts.

Not only do they save lives, but with less congestion and rarely stopping, travel time is also cut down - especially during the winter with icy roads.  Carmel is currently building its 69th since 1999 (131st & River Road) - this one located at 96th & Commerce Drive.

Mitch Daniels not saying No

The nation's best governor spoke briefly last night (before heading over to Kilroys) then passed the mic to Indiana's First Lady in a Keynote Address at a GOP-sponsored event. Many speculate that the purpose of the event was to build Cheri Daniels' public speaking repertoire. Mitch's outstanding record on fiscal matters and his recent education reform has earned a large following of supporters urging him to enter the Republican primary including Scott Walker, Chris Cristie, Jeb Bush, Haley Barbour, John Boehner, and Paul Ryan. When questioned earlier in the week, Governor Daniels stated that he thinks he could beat President Obama should he be elected to represent America's conservative party. His CPAC speech gives us some insight on those virtues.

LC Bears ranked #1 in HS Track

The Lawrence Central Boys Track & Field team won the Marion County meet again last night - defeating Ben Davis, Warren Central, Lawrence North, Pike and North Central. In addition to winning the 100, 200 and 800 the Bears also won all 3 relays.

Matt Dorsey, Michael Steele, Adam Turner and Connor Claflin opened with a meet-record 7:50 in the 3,200M relay. Anthony Shelman, Tyrennzie Burgess, Marcellian Gardner and Deontre Gray ran a dizzying 41.3 seconds in the 400 relay (also a meet record), and Steele, Burgess, Jeron Brown and Claflin took the 1,600 relay in 3:17.55. The Bears hope to overcome last year's Runner-up finish at the State meet in June.
The LC Girls also won the Marion County meet this week and look to defend their State Championship even though they lost their top 4 runners to D-I programs last year.

Coach K, Williams, Pitino... Painter, Brey, Stevens

Do NCAA coaches win games [and Coach of the Year awards] because they're that good or because they recruit Indiana's amateur talent?

Is there any doubt that this is still the mecca of hoops? Indianapolis is tied with L.A. for most consecutive drafts represented (5) and they are still killin it in the pros: EJ, Jeff Teague, George Hill, Mike Conley Jr, Josh McRoberts, Gordon Hayward, Courtney Lee, Rodney Carney and former #1 pick Greg Oden.

It can't be understated how significant a feat it is for Tom Crean to lock up all the Elite talent for the next 4 years; hopefully that translates to the same postseason success as the coaches above.

Baseball studs and duds

Who to keep on eye on for the 2011 MLB season:

NL MVP candidates:
Matt Kemp, Joey Votto, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun

AL MVP candidates:
Adrian Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Curtis Granderson, Jose Bautista

AL Cy Youngs:
Dan Haren, Jered Weaver, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander

NL Cy Youngs:
Roy Halladay, Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee

Closers:
Salas, Hanrahan, Cordero, Putz, Farnsworth, Storen

Still got it: Lance Berkman, Paul Konerko, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon
Aint got it: Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Derek Jeter, Adam Dunn

Whiz kid takes advanced classes at IUPUI

Jacob Barnett is 12 years old and has Aspergers, a mild form of autism that allows brain development to expand at a rapid rate, but also causes him to be socially reserved.  His PhD-level understanding of math and science has garnered him a 'genius' label. His passion in the field of Astrophysics will soon turn into paid research, a possible Nobel prize, and maybe even solving the Big Bang Theory. Other than that, Jake is just another healthy kid growing up in Hamilton County.

IU's Derek Drouin is National Athlete of the Year

The High-jump champ was awarded this honor - the 1st in BigTen history - by the U.S. Track & Field and XC Coaches Association.

The junior from Corunna, Ontario won his 3rd NCAA title in the high jump (2nd-straight indoor title) by clearing 7'-7.75", which broke the all-time BigTen record and tied the Canadian record. Drouin won his 4th BigTen high jump crown en route to BigTen Field Athlete of the Year and Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year honors as well.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear Meltdown

[click image to watch video]

Mitch Daniels 2012 gains momentum

This past month has seen a flurry of articles from political insiders and national pundits boasting Mitch Daniels at "the It boy" likely to receive the 2012 GOP bid. As noted in my previous post, it picked up steam right after CPAC - which Ron Paul actually won, but that sparked a mention of Mitch on the cover of TIME magazine, Jon Stewart commenting on Mitch's chances based on his "height and hair", ABC News says he's a "nerdy chic" choice, and now George Will says Daniels has "the low-key charisma of competence." Will he enter the race or let the deadline pass without blinking?