Tag Archives: Indianapolis Star

January 21, 2013 · 6:33 AM

‘Gun Appreciation Day’ marred by accidental shootings

Define irony…

The Week

Just days after President Obama unveiled the most ambitious gun control proposal in decades, the first national Gun Appreciation Day was held on Saturday. It was organized by a Republican consulting firm urging gun owners to stand firm against the proposed new curbs.

But based on news reports of the last 24 hours, it didn’t go very well.

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that three people were shot when a loaded shotgun accidentally discharged at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that one man was left wounded after an accidental shooting at the Medina Gun Show in Medina, Ohio.

The Indianapolis Star reports a man was injured as he was leaving the 1500 Gun & Knife Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds when his gun accidentally discharged.

And gun shows accidents weren’t the only ones yesterday. There were many more:

UPI reports a Dallas man was arrested when a gun discharged in his pocket while he was shopping at Walmart, injuring two other people.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports a six-year-old girl shot herself in the face while handling her father’s gun.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports a 14-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 15-year-old brother with his mother’s handgun.

A Google search pulls up dozens of similar stories.

Gun enthusiasts rightfully note that these were accidents and that many people are also killed in car accidents every single day.

That’s very true. But as Congress mulls new gun laws, perhaps lawmakers could weigh whether guns and their owners should at least be regulated to the same degree that we regulate cars and their drivers.

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August 25, 2011 · 2:26 AM

Anti-Gay Indiana Lawmaker Who Paid Male Teen for Sex Resists Call from Speaker to Step Down, Says He’s Not Gay: VIDEO

This same scenario repeats itself every year and at least 3 to 4 times a year with GOP lawmakers on the State and Federal level.

TowleRoad

Anti-gay Indiana Rep. Phil Hinkle, who was caught earlier this month paying $80 to a male teen for sex after responding to an ad on Craigslist, is refusing calls, now public, from the House Speaker, for him to step down. The calls from Speaker Brian Bosma follow similar pressure last week from a wide range of officials.

Hinkle is also being removed from committees.

The Indy Star reports:

He said that he understands why he’s being stripped of his committee chairmanships and that he won’t seek re-election. But he said he will not resign, despite House Speaker Brian Bosma’s call Tuesday to do so.

And he said he did nothing illegal with — or to — the young man and that he himself was the victim of a crime. But he said he would not file a police report.

Said Hinkle in his first public comments since the incident: “I was on the road to self-destruction, and I don’t know why….I say that emphatically. I’m not gay…I went to the edge, but I didn’t fall over the edge.”   Watch:

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August 12, 2011 · 4:59 PM

Anti-gay Indiana state rep solicited 18-year-old boy on Craigslist

Just another day in the life of some of the most virulent anti-gay GOPers who just happen to like little boys and grown men.  It seems like every year at least three or more of these hypocrites are exposed for the world to see.

Raw Story

Indiana state Rep. Phillip Hinkle (R) is embroiled in controversy after The Indianapolis Star discovered emails appearing to solicit the paid company of a young man, sent from Hinkle’s publicly listed email address.

In response to a M4M forum Craigslist post, Hinkle emailed the man, named Kameryn Gibson, and offered him $80 cash, with a tip of $50 or $60 “for a really good time” in the hours he proposed spending together at a local Marriott.

Gibson, whose ad lists him as 20 years old but is actually 18, said he met Hinkle at the hotel, and tried to leave when Hinkle said he was a state politician.

The Star writes:

He said the lawmaker at first told him he could not leave, grabbed him in the rear, exposed himself to the young man and then later gave him an iPad, BlackBerry cellphone and $100 cash to keep quiet.

The BlackBerry contained all of the emails between the young man and Hinkle. In one, Hinkle gives a physical description: “I am an in shape married professional, 5’8″, fit 170 lbs, and love getting and staying naked.”

No police report has been filed, but a spokesman for Hinkle said that “a shakedown” had taken place, and did not deny that the emails had been sent by Hinkle.

Peter Nugent, Hinkle’s lawyer, asked “that everyone respect the privacy of the family at this time” while the matter is being investigated.

According to Project Vote Smart, Hinkle is against same-sex marriage, and carries the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Hinkle, 64, has been in state legislature since 2000 and co-authored a bill to create a license plate inscribed with “In God We Trust.”

“Indiana has no openly gay state legislators and provides no legal rights for LGBT people. Hinkle [and others] recently voted to pass a constitutional amendment to ban same-​sex marriage and civil unions,” political blogger Bil Browning pointed out.

The emails between Gibson and Hinkle contain no direct mention of sex acts, and Gibson said that they didn’t have sex. In Indiana, prostitution is defined as an agreement between people to have sex for money.

Megan Gibson, Kameryn’s sister, came to pick him up from the hotel after Hinkle thrust the bribes upon Gibson. She said that she spoke to Hinkle’s wife on the BlackBerry, and told her her husband was gay. Hinkle’s wife offered her $10,000 to keep quiet.

Later, Hinkle himself called the phone, and Megan Gibson told him that she’d spoken to his wife and said he was gay.

“You’ve ruined me,” the lawmaker said.

 

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February 22, 2011 · 3:40 PM

Indiana Democrats Flee State To Block Anti-Union Bill: Reports

~I still believe America’s destiny is to become a living testament to what free human beings can accomplish by acting in unity ~  John Kerry

Huffington Post

Democratic lawmakers are fleeing Indiana in an attempt to block anti-union legislation, the Indianapolis Star reports. A source tells the paper that the Democrats will most likely enter Illinois, where fleeing Wisconsin senators are also ensconced as part of a similar maneuver.

The Wall Street Journal reports that protesters encouraged the departing Democrats:

Republicans arrived at the statehouse Tuesday morning to find no Democrats present, as protesters applauding the walkout could be heard inside the chamber.The strategy is possible because Republicans make up 60 of 100 House seats. Without any Democrats present, Republicans lack a two-thirds majority needed for a quorum to act on the bill.

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports that the proposed Indiana legislation “prohibits employees from being required to pay union dues or representation fees as a condition of employment.”

Scroll down for the latest updates from Indiana, Wisconsin and other budget battles from throughout the United States.   

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