Hoppe
David Hoppe
Does Indianapolis have two political parties -- or one, called The Business Community? Who's really in charge here? Hoppe takes a look.
Does Indianapolis have two political parties -- or one, called The Business Community? Who's really in charge here? Hoppe takes a look.
A Super Bowl for Indy
The NFL has managed to turn a roughneck Midwestern pastime into a fireworks celebration of the controlled violence at the root of American capitalism's fantasy life.
The NFL has managed to turn a roughneck Midwestern pastime into a fireworks celebration of the controlled violence at the root of American capitalism's fantasy life.
Kick start the economy
Want to improve the economics of most American households? Get healthcare off our backs and provide Medicare for everybody.
Want to improve the economics of most American households? Get healthcare off our backs and provide Medicare for everybody.
Obama's Story
When Barack Obama told supporters about what he's seen in the Midwest, some of us took offense. But was there anything in what he said that most of us couldn't recognize?
When Barack Obama told supporters about what he's seen in the Midwest, some of us took offense. But was there anything in what he said that most of us couldn't recognize?
The world is not G-rated
Without debate, a censorious law putting every bookstore in Indiana at risk was passed on the last day of the legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Daniels. With any luck at all, some judge will strike it down.
Without debate, a censorious law putting every bookstore in Indiana at risk was passed on the last day of the legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Daniels. With any luck at all, some judge will strike it down.
Hello Vegas
On the weekend that Bear Stearns, one of the largest investment firms in the world, was circling the drain, I was in, of all places, Las Vegas.
On the weekend that Bear Stearns, one of the largest investment firms in the world, was circling the drain, I was in, of all places, Las Vegas.
The forest for the trees
Anything in this state is for sale: now the Daniels administration wants to sell the oldest trees in our state forests to the lumber business.
Anything in this state is for sale: now the Daniels administration wants to sell the oldest trees in our state forests to the lumber business.
Conservatives are the new hippies
One thing we've discovered this election season: Conservatives are the new hippies -- as dated as the scent of patchouli.
One thing we've discovered this election season: Conservatives are the new hippies -- as dated as the scent of patchouli.
New beginnings from old duds
What do the last Oscar telecast and Ralph Nader's new presidential campaign have in common? Hoppe has an idea.
What do the last Oscar telecast and Ralph Nader's new presidential campaign have in common? Hoppe has an idea.
21st century catch-22
Keith John Sampson never thought he could get in trouble for reading a book, especially on a college campus. But that's what happened.
Keith John Sampson never thought he could get in trouble for reading a book, especially on a college campus. But that's what happened.
Making change, not war
Obama or Clinton -- the odds are that a Democrat will be the next president. But as long as there are wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's going to be difficult for either one of them to restore economic balance at home.
Obama or Clinton -- the odds are that a Democrat will be the next president. But as long as there are wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's going to be difficult for either one of them to restore economic balance at home.
Losing our kids
Black Expo's report, "State of Our Black Youth, 2007" should be a wake-up call about a crisis affecting our community. But will we only deal with kids' behavior -- or the poverty that's behind it?
Black Expo's report, "State of Our Black Youth, 2007" should be a wake-up call about a crisis affecting our community. But will we only deal with kids' behavior -- or the poverty that's behind it?
Dear Mayor Ballard
An open letter to Mayor Ballard: Mr. Mayor, you've arrived!
An open letter to Mayor Ballard: Mr. Mayor, you've arrived!
Why they call it dope?
Like any junkie, Major League Baseball swears it'll get its steroids act together in time for spring training. We'll see. Another Clinton is running for president.
Like any junkie, Major League Baseball swears it'll get its steroids act together in time for spring training. We'll see. Another Clinton is running for president.
What boomers did to college ed
From civilized air travel to the nuclear family, the Baby Boom generation has laid waste to a lot of things that made this country great, especially the one thing that set us apart from previous generations: the college education.
Why Bart Peterson lost
We all know why Bart Peterson lost the election for mayor: Taxes! But not enough has been said about what's been behind local tax increases -- the War in Iraq.
We all know why Bart Peterson lost the election for mayor: Taxes! But not enough has been said about what's been behind local tax increases -- the War in Iraq.
Politics as Reality TV
People in the news business are used to thinking of themselves as big brothers and sisters for the rest of us. This patronizing attitude has hit new lows with the candidates' debates on CNN.
People in the news business are used to thinking of themselves as big brothers and sisters for the rest of us. This patronizing attitude has hit new lows with the candidates' debates on CNN.
What culture looks like
The biennial Fellows' show of contemporary art is now on view at the Eiteljorg Museum; go and see what art by people with a real culture looks like.
The biennial Fellows' show of contemporary art is now on view at the Eiteljorg Museum; go and see what art by people with a real culture looks like.
Environmental (mis)management
It is downright bizarre that the governor continues to insist that a policy of environmental degradation promotes business growth in Indiana.
It is downright bizarre that the governor continues to insist that a policy of environmental degradation promotes business growth in Indiana.
What I'll miss about Bart
Mayor-elect Greg Ballard has called the arts "inessential," a comment that's as easy to make as it is inaccurate. Bart Peterson's cultural policy added half a billion dollars to the city's economy with a $1.5 million investment; surely Ballard can see the virtue in that.
Mayor-elect Greg Ballard has called the arts "inessential," a comment that's as easy to make as it is inaccurate. Bart Peterson's cultural policy added half a billion dollars to the city's economy with a $1.5 million investment; surely Ballard can see the virtue in that.
Dick Cheney at the War Memorial
After seeing Dick Cheney surrounded by local cops for his recent visit to the War Memorial, Hoppe asks: what does a person have to do to get arrested in this town?
After seeing Dick Cheney surrounded by local cops for his recent visit to the War Memorial, Hoppe asks: what does a person have to do to get arrested in this town?
POF and the mayor's race
POF stands for Pissed Off Factor and that's what's driving this year's mayor's race. The trouble is Greg Ballard hasn't given voters any reason to believe he can make a difference.
POF stands for Pissed Off Factor and that's what's driving this year's mayor's race. The trouble is Greg Ballard hasn't given voters any reason to believe he can make a difference.
Get well, Julia
Julia Carson's latest health problems have again raise the question: who's next? Local Democrats, including Carson herself, should be considering options post-2008.
Julia Carson's latest health problems have again raise the question: who's next? Local Democrats, including Carson herself, should be considering options post-2008.
Indy, Meet Bogota
Indianapolis knows it needs better public transportation, but how can we afford it? Bogota, Colombia might show us how to get started.
Indianapolis knows it needs better public transportation, but how can we afford it? Bogota, Colombia might show us how to get started.
Another Nutcracker?
The Cincinnati Ballet wants $2million to establish a regional company in association with Indianapolis. The question: Do we really need another Nutcracker?
The Cincinnati Ballet wants $2million to establish a regional company in association with Indianapolis. The question: Do we really need another Nutcracker?
'Kid Nation' or grown-up fantasy
The name of a new show on CBS may be Kid Nation, but the kids in this summer camp version of Lord of the Flies are living in an adults-only world.
The name of a new show on CBS may be Kid Nation, but the kids in this summer camp version of Lord of the Flies are living in an adults-only world.
Bill Levin's Broadripple
Bill Levin is a storied Broad Ripple character. Lately he has taken to turning civic engagement into a kind of performance art as he tries to breathe fresh ideas into Broad Ripple's Village Association.
Bill Levin is a storied Broad Ripple character. Lately he has taken to turning civic engagement into a kind of performance art as he tries to breathe fresh ideas into Broad Ripple's Village Association.
Is BP the future or the past?
The recent showdown over BP's emissions of waste into Lake Michigan looked like a classic confrontation between economic development and environmental protection. In fact, it was really pitted an outdated business model against the new entrepreneurialism.
The recent showdown over BP's emissions of waste into Lake Michigan looked like a classic confrontation between economic development and environmental protection. In fact, it was really pitted an outdated business model against the new entrepreneurialism.
Afraid of the dark
News coverage has been blurring the lines between speculation and information for for such a long time that catching a reporter in the act of refusing to conflate the two has a whiff of righteous rebellion about.
News coverage has been blurring the lines between speculation and information for for such a long time that catching a reporter in the act of refusing to conflate the two has a whiff of righteous rebellion about.
The real '60s
The 1960's have been demonized by conservatives for over 25 years. The paradox is that the same people who voted for Reagan and Thatcher in the 1980s were the ones who made the '60s swing.
The 1960's have been demonized by conservatives for over 25 years. The paradox is that the same people who voted for Reagan and Thatcher in the 1980s were the ones who made the '60s swing.
BP = BS
Here's a bad idea: turning Lake Michigan into a toilet. But that's what Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management want to do by letting British Petroleum increase its dumping of toxic waste into the lake.
Here's a bad idea: turning Lake Michigan into a toilet. But that's what Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management want to do by letting British Petroleum increase its dumping of toxic waste into the lake.
After the next terrorist attack
will we choose fear?
will we choose fear?
Property Protests
Gove. Daniels did the right thing when he ordered a property tax reassessment. But we've known our unconstitutional property tax system was still unconstitutional for at least two years. That's reason enough to keep protesting.
Gove. Daniels did the right thing when he ordered a property tax reassessment. But we've known our unconstitutional property tax system was still unconstitutional for at least two years. That's reason enough to keep protesting.
Property tax crisis
Where should our anger over property taxes be directed? Hoppe has a few ideas.
Where should our anger over property taxes be directed? Hoppe has a few ideas.
It's time for high-speed rail
Moves are afoot in the US Congress that help make rapid rail between Indy, Chicago and Cincinnati a reality. But first, Indiana has to get with the program.
Moves are afoot in the US Congress that help make rapid rail between Indy, Chicago and Cincinnati a reality. But first, Indiana has to get with the program.
Lugar's Fulbright Moment
Like J. William Fulbright in the 1960s, Richard Lugar broke with his president last week over the conduct of a foreign war. This is a big deal.
Like J. William Fulbright in the 1960s, Richard Lugar broke with his president last week over the conduct of a foreign war. This is a big deal.
No Vacation Nation
Every European has the right to at least 20 days off per year, but in America a vacation is usually a long weekend. Hoppe asks if this is the land of the free, or the home of working stiffs.
Every European has the right to at least 20 days off per year, but in America a vacation is usually a long weekend. Hoppe asks if this is the land of the free, or the home of working stiffs.
Artsgarden get-together
The news that Antioch College, a liberal arts college in Ohio, is closing should make arts fans worried about the larger state of the culture.
The news that Antioch College, a liberal arts college in Ohio, is closing should make arts fans worried about the larger state of the culture.
Around the campfire on the digital frontier
The federal government has mandated that American TV will go digital in 2009; Hoppe wonders why this can-do spirit can't be applied to gas mileage, health care or alternative forms of energy?
The federal government has mandated that American TV will go digital in 2009; Hoppe wonders why this can-do spirit can't be applied to gas mileage, health care or alternative forms of energy?
Digital billboard (b)light
Digital billboards are like giant plasma TVs on sticks. They gobble 200,000 watts of power every hour. And they're coming to Indiana in July. Hoppe says Indianapolis needs to regulate them.
Digital billboards are like giant plasma TVs on sticks. They gobble 200,000 watts of power every hour. And they're coming to Indiana in July. Hoppe says Indianapolis needs to regulate them.
Crime as an Election Issue
It's an election year in Indianapolis and crime is soaring. You'd think that public safety would be a major issue in whether or not Bart Peterson keeps his job. But it's not -- yet. Hoppe thinks it's time for that to change.
It's an election year in Indianapolis and crime is soaring. You'd think that public safety would be a major issue in whether or not Bart Peterson keeps his job. But it's not -- yet. Hoppe thinks it's time for that to change.
How we talk about art
Too many arts promoters in this town talk about what they do as if they were trying to convince grandpa to use a walker. Hoppe says it's time the arts here grew up.
Too many arts promoters in this town talk about what they do as if they were trying to convince grandpa to use a walker. Hoppe says it's time the arts here grew up.
God Save the Queen
If we don't make some hard choices about climate change, Hoppe wonders if a queen (or king) can save us from ourselves.
If we don't make some hard choices about climate change, Hoppe wonders if a queen (or king) can save us from ourselves.
Our new Central Library
It's been one damned thing after another with the Central Library expansion, but the beginning is in sight: the new Central looks to be the most impressive Indianapolis building in a generation
Hiding behind the first amendment
Although the producers of violent media hide behind the First Amendment, Hoppe says their products are like gasoline: just because we get off on it doesn't mean it's good for us.
Although the producers of violent media hide behind the First Amendment, Hoppe says their products are like gasoline: just because we get off on it doesn't mean it's good for us.
Medicare for everybody
The new expansion on Community Hospital North make going to the hospital look like a vacation. Hoppe talks about what's wrong with this picture.
The new expansion on Community Hospital North make going to the hospital look like a vacation. Hoppe talks about what's wrong with this picture.
God bless you, Mr. Vonnegut, and farewell
Hoppe says farewell to Indy's native son, his friend and mentor, Kurt Vonnegut.
Hoppe says farewell to Indy's native son, his friend and mentor, Kurt Vonnegut.
Taking Back Indiana's Republican Party
Pat Bauer to the rescue: in orchestrating the downfall of a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions, the Democrat has provided the political cover for moderate Republican to take their party back.
Pat Bauer to the rescue: in orchestrating the downfall of a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions, the Democrat has provided the political cover for moderate Republican to take their party back.
Democrats Fiddle, Iraq Burns
In spite of a flurry of recent activity, most Democrats have done little or nothing to change things in Iraq. Hoppe looks at why
In spite of a flurry of recent activity, most Democrats have done little or nothing to change things in Iraq. Hoppe looks at why
The forest for the trees
In denying a developer's proposal to build houses and a strip mall on some of Crown Hill Cemetery's undeveloped woodland, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission finally met a money-for-land deal it didn't like. Could this be a turning point for the city? Hoppe takes a look.
In denying a developer's proposal to build houses and a strip mall on some of Crown Hill Cemetery's undeveloped woodland, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission finally met a money-for-land deal it didn't like. Could this be a turning point for the city? Hoppe takes a look.
Wishing the war away
As we pass the fourth anniversary of our invasion of Iraq, Hoppe wishes he could say this carnage was not a waste -- but wishing will not make it so.
As we pass the fourth anniversary of our invasion of Iraq, Hoppe wishes he could say this carnage was not a waste -- but wishing will not make it so.
Bart and the business party
When it comes to local politics, Hoppe asks whether we have a two-party system or just one -- the Business Party. "Bart Peterson, to the Business Community's delight, has proven himself a talented manager. But t he time has come for him to use what capital he's amassed to mobilize this city's business resources to invest in our public spaces, services and people. Whether Bart has it in him remains to be seen."
When it comes to local politics, Hoppe asks whether we have a two-party system or just one -- the Business Party. "Bart Peterson, to the Business Community's delight, has proven himself a talented manager. But t he time has come for him to use what capital he's amassed to mobilize this city's business resources to invest in our public spaces, services and people. Whether Bart has it in him remains to be seen."
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Jul 25, 2008
Downtown
The New York-based artist is known for her expressive work utilizing tires that are cut, shaped and folded, then woven onto metal frameworks (called armatu...
Do you think some of the state's Major Moves money should be dedicated to mass transit projects?
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