Columns

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

My father died the morning of Jan. 16. Losing a parent to a terminal illness has to be one of the most challenging things an adult can face.

My father, whose legal name was John but who was known by most of his friends as Paul, suffered from lung cancer for about two years. He died peacefully in his sleep and for a loved one who knew he wasn’t going to get better, a quiet death is a blessing. I felt guilty saying that to myself and to others over the past week, but I no longer have any reservations.

By JEANNE MONAHAN, Guest Columnist

I remember well a night many years ago when a dear friend who was adamantly pro-choice came to me, sobbing uncontrollably.

With defenses down, she unloaded a heavy burden she had long carried – a few years before she had chosen to abort her developing baby. She told me that not one day had passed that she did not think about her baby and regret her decision. My heart ached for my friend, as she was clearly tormented by her decision.

By BRIAN GRAY, Guest Columnist

David Hammond’s guest column (Dec. 26) citing just one source as to whether or not a right-to-work state does better then a non-right-to-work state in providing better wages and better work conditions is a bit misleading.

If one looks at Chiefexecutive.net, a business-based Web site, Indiana is ranked No. 6 for attracting new business.

Now to be fair, some right-to-work states are ranked above Indiana in that survey, but a lot of them are ranked below us.

By STEVE DAVISSON, District 73 State Representative

The start of the 2012 session has been a tumultuous one to say the least. For the second session in a row, the House Democrats failed to show up to the House Chamber on account of the controversial right-to-work bill. Without a Democratic presence, the House Republicans were unable to begin conducting the business we were elected to do – a job that the House Democrats seem to have forgotten.