TERRE HAUTE —
If you are cynical about government, down to its most local levels, you may think it is overrun — or even controlled — by corruption.
A more generous view is that, even amidst partisan politics and personal agendas, most who hold office are anything but corrupt. Our experience, over many years and in many Indiana counties, is that honesty prevails and that the majority of government officials work toward the public good.
But there’s probably more government corruption than any of us would like to think.
So, it comes as a welcome development that U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett — whose area is the southern two-thirds of Indiana — has initiated a Public Corruption Working Group, whose members include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and even some administrative departments of government such as the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Overall, interagency sharing of information seems to be on the rise, a positive development that we are seeing more and more. Such sharing is fueled by the belief that results — no matter who primarily produced them — are more important than protecting turf and taking credit.
The working group’s goal is to investigate, prosecute and convict public officials who have violated the law in such ways as bribery, extortion, graft (defined by one source as “unscrupulous use of a politician’s authority for personal gain”), embezzlement, illegal drug activity, money laundering and human trafficking.
Hogsett — whose high visibility and assertive prosecutions have characterized his 18 months in the U.S. Attorney’s position — vows: “If you violate the public trust, we’ll find you.”
That may at first sound like bluster, except that Hogsett’s record in pursuing lawbreakers is impressive. He has been laudably aggressive in prosecuting on federal charges those who aided the shooter who callously took the life last summer of Terre Haute Police office Brent Long. Hogsett also has been stalwart in prosecuting local drug cases and other crimes. So the record supports Hogsett’s promise of action.
The public’s cooperation is imperative in ferreting out public corruption, which stays alive because of secrecy and deception among those power-wielding, corner-cutting, influence-peddling corruption merchants who seek to deprive the public of what the U.S. Supreme Court termed the “right of honest services.” To report suspected abuse, call a special hot line at (317) 229-2443.
Hogsett’s working group seems to be a move in the right direction to curb those abuses and make government more honest in its service to the public.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Curbing corruption a worthwhile crusade
- Editorials
-
-
EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
-
RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
-
EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
-
EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
-
EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
-
EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
-
EDITORIAL: Fix fraud, don’t punish needy
Waste and fraud in government programs should be rooted out vigilantly. Legislation should fix a problem with a fitting solution, not punish the needy.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: An anniversary to honor
The anniversary we observe today is one that will forever live in the soul of America.
-
EDITORIAL: Highway 40 — where are you?
Area residents have been trying to come to grips with the Indiana Department of Transportation’s decision to change the official route of U.S. 40 through Terre Haute and Vigo County.
-
EDITORIAL: Indiana’s workforce problems require broad-based solutions
The issue of Indiana’s “skills gap” arose during a community jobs fair Thursday at Hulman Center, hosted by 8th District Rep. Larry Bucshon.
-
EDITORIAL: Happy trails for Hoosiers
Indiana has an abundance of natural treasures that should never be considered hidden treasures.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
While not much has been spoken or written recently about the Indiana 641 corridor through southern Vigo County, rest assured development continues and the approximately six-mile project linking U.S. 41 near Ivy Tech to Indiana 46 and Interstate 70 remains — mostly — on course.
-
EDITORIAL: Terre Haute Tomorrow seeks to reignite community momentum
Long-range planning that brings together diverse local interests in an effort to collaborate on community improvements often launches with a flourish but then settles onto a shelf to gather dust. That was remarkably NOT the result when the group known as Terre Haute Tomorrow emerged on the scene about 10 years ago.
-
EDITORIAL: Women in uniform must be treated with respect, dignity
As the nation pauses this Memorial Day weekend to remember those who have served their country, it is appropriate to reflect on the contributions of women in military uniform of the U.S. armed services. They are many, and their impact is great.
-
The celebration season
Spring has been a bit elusive at times in 2013, which is its nature.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: MVC tourney an event worth having
It’s been a long time since the Missouri Valley Conference chose Indiana State University to host its post-season baseball tournament, but Terre Haute had never been more prepared for an event such as this.
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
-
EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
-
EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
-
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
-
EDITORIAL: Memo to U.S.A.: You can ‘SPPRAK’ just as we do in Vigo County
Our kids, truly, are ‘Making a Difference’
-
Some words in praise of boring government — Indiana’s
A conservative Republican governor has super majorities in both branches of the legislature. One might suspect such one-party government leads to major changes in public policy. This did not happen in 2013 in Indiana.
-
EDITORIAL: Doc’s prescient prescription
Viewed through a 2013 prism, Doc Bowen’s response to the AIDS epidemic looks merely prudent, routine.
-
EDITORIAL: Education remains worth the cost
Within the next few weeks, each of the local colleges will have conducted graduation ceremonies. A few days later, a different Class of 2013 will don caps and gowns for commencement — the seniors at five Vigo County high schools. It is still a smart, worthy aspiration for those high school grads to replicate the achievement of those college students by earning a higher-education degree.
-
EDITORIAL: Good news for downtown
For decades, it seems, downtown Terre Haute has been in the throes of change
-
EDITORIAL: Overall, state budget step in the right direction
For average Hoosiers uninterested in political point-scoring, the budget crafted by the Indiana Legislature inspires only muted, if any, fanfare.
-
EDITORIAL: The lessons of organ donation
The range of emotion surrounding life-saving transplantation of a vital organ is extreme. It is the ultimate “good news-bad news” scenario.
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 26, 2013
• Pence’s tax cuts benefit wealthiest
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
This does not qualify as a surprise in any way. But the Wabash Valley’s response to widespread flooding of recent days has been nothing short of impressive, even inspirational.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Historic Ruling Set in Affirmative Action Case
Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck
Raw: India Floods Wash Away Apartment Building
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Tebow Thanks Patriots for Opportunity
Need an Organ? A Lab-Grown One May Work One Day
Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again
Raw: Marines Land Osprey on Japanese Ship
Colorado Springs Wildfire 65% Contained
Solar Plane Reaches East Coast
Raw: Australian Begins Cuba to Florida Swim
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Moderate Cleric Wins Iranian Election
Obama Welcomes WNBA Champions to White House
Prosecutors Push for Smartphone "Kill Switch"
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
FBI Searching Mich. Field in Jimmy Hoffa Case
Google Launches Internet-beaming Balloons
Raw: Obama, Daughters Visit Trinity College
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Landlord Assaults Reporter, Evicts Family after Reporting Filthy Conditions
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Lil Wayne's New Music Video Has Some People Outraged
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
Exclusive Clip: Jodi Arias: 'Dirty Little Secret'
Amphibious bus filled with tourists sinks
Best Bikini Abs
Mix-Up at Daytime Emmy Awards
Kim K. Is a New Mommy!
Sarah Silverman Roasts Mel Brooks at AFI Tribute
Obama on Fatherhood: 'Best Job I've Got'
