Comments on Advance Indiana™: Ballard Has A Less Than Prideful Day

There was a vintage fire truck which probably came...

2011-06-13T08:17:33.365-05:00

There was a vintage fire truck which probably came from the museum on Mass Avenue that is often used in parades.

I saw a fire truck in the parade, and it looked li...

2011-06-13T07:53:08.888-05:00

I saw a fire truck in the parade, and it looked like it was from station 7. What was the deal with that?

Steve is a very well-respected and well-liked poli...

2011-06-12T20:22:16.181-05:00

Steve is a very well-respected and well-liked police officer. He was recently promoted to captain. If more police officers were like him, the police force would have a much better image.

The Turner mentioned in the article was for severa...

2011-06-12T20:12:48.250-05:00

The Turner mentioned in the article was for several years in charge of the Police Explorer Unit.
That unit was young boys and girls ages from 14-18, I believe.

This is shameful of both the Family Institute and ...

2011-06-12T09:46:29.527-05:00

This is shameful of both the Family Institute and Ballard's campaign.

As they say, "Hate is not a family value."

AJ is cool, by the way. I'm glad he was involved.

In the past, This event has not cost the City a di...

2011-06-11T21:21:05.056-05:00

In the past, This event has not cost the City a dime, Paul. The police officers who worked it have volunteered their time. This city pays more than 500 police officers to patrol the much smaller crowds that gather for Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration. That event costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime pay, not to mention the grant money the City has paid out of the CIB's budget to help put on an event that does nothing but damage the city's reputation as far as both out-of-town visitors and local residents are concerned.

I think Ballard missed the point when he stayed aw...

2011-06-11T20:53:36.036-05:00

I think Ballard missed the point when he stayed away. People didn't want IMPD involved for the reason I didn't, these folks are on the clock and using government resources, being paid for by taxpayers. They shouldn't be participating in anything that remotely has political overtones.

I realize your valid point, Gary, that it's a cultural event, like Italian Fest or St. Patty's Day. Assuming it's viewed that way, I dont agree with IMPD particpating in these cultural events either, especially while on the clock. Homestly I had no idea that police officers and firefighters marching in parades were being paid their regular pay while doing so. I knew the people working the security at the event were being paid - as they should be - but the actual particants in the parade, I never guessed they were being paid.

Given their roles, I think it's very important that our police force retains an appearance of neutrality. That doesn't apply to Mayor Ballard. He can do whatever he wants. I don't think there would have been near the uproar with Mayor Ballard participating as with law enforcement officials who have to appear neutral in public matters. It's not surprising that Mayor Ballard didnt' really get what people were unhappy about and misinterpreted things.

Daniels has in some ways been more friendly to the...

2011-06-11T18:56:41.318-05:00

Daniels has in some ways been more friendly to the LGBT Community than some of his Demo predecessors, and the word is that he hasn't much use for the ilk of Micah Clark and allied groups. They in turn were not happy campers when he opened the Governor's Mansion up to an LGBT advocacy group fundraiser a couple of years ago. The community took some hope when he made his plea for a "truce on social issues" earlier this year, but then when he toyed with running for the Oval Office and knew how being too cozy with the rainbow folks might fly in the Iowa caucus, the truce seemed to fall apart. One might hope that now that he's a "lame duck" Indiana governor and nothing more, he might have the moral fortitude to speak our for LGBT fairness. He won't endorse same-sex marriage, of course, but it's likely that if asked he'd say that the so-caled "Marriage Protection Amendment" goes way, way beyond what many members of his party say is necessary. But don't hold your breath.

That's a goddamn shame, Gary. I'll march ...

2011-06-11T18:37:48.083-05:00

That's a goddamn shame, Gary. I'll march in next years parade, in uniform, on my time.

This community is a part of the fabric of the city and no less deserving of participation in the parade by members of its PD.

That was included in the guide book for the event....

2011-06-11T18:28:36.192-05:00

That was included in the guide book for the event. I didn't see a guide book for this year's event.

I know Daniels as, in years past, penned welcome l...

2011-06-11T18:05:51.186-05:00

I know Daniels as, in years past, penned welcome letters for Indy Pride. Did he write one this year?