by Jim Bleeke
The last weekend in May always seems like a celebration of the true beginning of summer. In Indianapolis, it has special meaning, because the Indy 500 emphasizes the huge sacrifices of so many who have courageously given their “last measure of devotion” to allow all of us to enjoy the freedoms of our great country. If you get a chance, try to take thirty minutes to watch the pre-race festivities and the start of the race. Listen to the single bugle bellowing “Taps” throughout the throng of more than 300,000 people, and take a moment to thank those who have sacrificed themselves for the rest of us. My kids and I, and our guests, will be about twenty feet from the famed “Yard of Bricks” enjoying it all.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Month of May in Indianapolis
Milt Thompson
On the eve of qualifications at our venerable Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I am at great pause with respect to the shadow of what once was great, but not so great.
I grew up in the hay day of Indy Car racing and recall the magical attraction of the place. I continued to be a spectator well into my adulthood and have been fortunate to have worked with great race car drivers and race teams.
I witnessed the Indy Care split, lost of prestige, and consequent reunion of the series more than a decade later.
I, like others, always appreciated the posture of the Motor Speedway and the Hulman Family as they operated a successful enterprise without taxing government for a subsidy. I also, like others, watched before our eyes, a private business implode when the family squabble became public.
What we now expect of new management as they attempt to restore luster to a diminished jewel?
I would submit that gimmicks and get well quick schemes will only exacerbate a market that has lost interest. I will, like you, hope that current management will not forget their history or I fear they might lose their way.
Not only has the Indianapolis 500 lost its mind share in the international and national market; it has lost a great deal of its local appeal. As much as I try, I am having a difficult time “feeling” the month of May with great enthusiasm.
I hope that management will listen carefully to the market place and take steps to reengage its core business so that we may once again proclaim Indy as the “greatest spectacle in racing.”
On the eve of qualifications at our venerable Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I am at great pause with respect to the shadow of what once was great, but not so great.
I grew up in the hay day of Indy Car racing and recall the magical attraction of the place. I continued to be a spectator well into my adulthood and have been fortunate to have worked with great race car drivers and race teams.
I witnessed the Indy Care split, lost of prestige, and consequent reunion of the series more than a decade later.
I, like others, always appreciated the posture of the Motor Speedway and the Hulman Family as they operated a successful enterprise without taxing government for a subsidy. I also, like others, watched before our eyes, a private business implode when the family squabble became public.
What we now expect of new management as they attempt to restore luster to a diminished jewel?
I would submit that gimmicks and get well quick schemes will only exacerbate a market that has lost interest. I will, like you, hope that current management will not forget their history or I fear they might lose their way.
Not only has the Indianapolis 500 lost its mind share in the international and national market; it has lost a great deal of its local appeal. As much as I try, I am having a difficult time “feeling” the month of May with great enthusiasm.
I hope that management will listen carefully to the market place and take steps to reengage its core business so that we may once again proclaim Indy as the “greatest spectacle in racing.”
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Primary Elections: Who Cares??
By Brandon Milster
If I was asked to sum up my political views in as much of a non-partisan way as I could, I guess I would have to say - I enjoy being informed! It appears that party lines are dictating law and policy now more than at any point in recent memory. Republicans and democrats cannot seem to agree on one piece of legislation presented to Congress, and the party line is becoming finer with each passing vote. It also appears that there is a growing distinction between republican and conservative and democrat and liberal. Our citizens are tuning into their favorite news station almost every night to find out the latest developments in healthcare reform, border patrol, United States Supreme Court nominations, etc. One would think that a primary election this year would be a bit more important than in years past.
On May 4, 2010, I went to my registered voting location right before the 6:00 p.m. closing time, cast my vote, and headed over to the vote-tallying machine to insert my card. As my card was being fed through the scanner, I noticed a voter tally for the entire day: 41. That’s right folks: 41. In what could be one of the most influential mid-term elections in years, a mere 41 people decided to cast a vote in my district. I know what you are going to say, “But it’s only a PRIMARY ELECTION.” “I can go vote in November when it really matters.” My reply is simple: Many republican and democratic candidates’ political stances are vastly different (inside their own party). By the time November arrives, the candidate that embodied the beliefs closest to yours may already have been sent home.
I know this is a little too late for people in Indiana, and I apologize for that. However, there are other primary elections around the country in the months ahead. Please go out and vote!!! I am tired of people that complain about what is going on with our country but are too lazy to go out and make a difference.
If I was asked to sum up my political views in as much of a non-partisan way as I could, I guess I would have to say - I enjoy being informed! It appears that party lines are dictating law and policy now more than at any point in recent memory. Republicans and democrats cannot seem to agree on one piece of legislation presented to Congress, and the party line is becoming finer with each passing vote. It also appears that there is a growing distinction between republican and conservative and democrat and liberal. Our citizens are tuning into their favorite news station almost every night to find out the latest developments in healthcare reform, border patrol, United States Supreme Court nominations, etc. One would think that a primary election this year would be a bit more important than in years past.
On May 4, 2010, I went to my registered voting location right before the 6:00 p.m. closing time, cast my vote, and headed over to the vote-tallying machine to insert my card. As my card was being fed through the scanner, I noticed a voter tally for the entire day: 41. That’s right folks: 41. In what could be one of the most influential mid-term elections in years, a mere 41 people decided to cast a vote in my district. I know what you are going to say, “But it’s only a PRIMARY ELECTION.” “I can go vote in November when it really matters.” My reply is simple: Many republican and democratic candidates’ political stances are vastly different (inside their own party). By the time November arrives, the candidate that embodied the beliefs closest to yours may already have been sent home.
I know this is a little too late for people in Indiana, and I apologize for that. However, there are other primary elections around the country in the months ahead. Please go out and vote!!! I am tired of people that complain about what is going on with our country but are too lazy to go out and make a difference.
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