A Win for Indiana Concealed Carriers

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled earlier this month in favor of a man that was handcuffed during a traffic stop because he was in possession of a firearm. The man was in legal possession with a necessary permit. The man's Fourth Amendment rights were infringed upon, according to the court. Simply having a gun does not necessitate an officer restraining someone for safety.

Also on the good news front: Governor Daniels has signed a bill that will let homeowners put political yard signs out 30 days before an election regardless of Home Owner's Association restrictions. Score one for free speech.

The Battlefield of Ideas

There are those in this community that abhor contested primaries. They claim it takes away necessary resources from the "real" campaign. They dislike conflict in the party ranks. To them I say "compete on the battlefield of ideas." I have worked on several campaigns, but never on my own. I have walked door to door for candidates that I believe in, but never for myself. I have watched from the sidelines as my community sets the course. Well, now I am in the fight. I am jumping in with both feet and not looking back. I have ideas on how to improve this county. I am not frightened by anyone else that wishes to question me or share their own ideas. I welcome it. The benefits of contested primaries far out weigh the draw backs. A contested primary forces candidates to get out there early. It causes one to find ways to get those ideas out in the open. In the end, doesn't that help the entire community? I welcome the competition of a primary battle, a battle of ideas.

The Campaign Web Site Is Up!

The campaign web site has gone live. Check it out at www.danielshort.org or click the link to the right. I will not go negative in this campaign. I am the candidate with fresh ideas and those ideas are what I will stand on. Give me feedback please. Thanks again for all the support.

Sodrel to Announce Today

I received the email just after midnight and it confirmed what Mike had told me in confidence after Sunday service...he is once again running for the 9th district congressional seat. The email text follows:

Media Blast

Mike Sodrel, "One of Us"
Jeffersonville, IN - January 11th, 2010- Sodrel Says YES!

Mike Sodrel announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for Indiana's 9th Congressional District.



"The Obama administration and Pelosi's Congress are doing all the wrong things. They have spent the last year on health care legislation. We need to get the economy back on track. We need to create real jobs, not another huge government bureaucracy. And you don't pull a country out of an economic slump by hurting the people who do the hiring. Additional taxes, government takeovers and programs like 'cap and trade' would do just that."



"I've been in business for years and we've faced hard times before. The way out of those hard times never came from higher taxes or more regulations or a government takeover."



"We cannot keep spending money in hopes of spending our way out of debt. We are writing checks that our grandchildren are going to have to pay. We are printing money and eroding the value of the savings of hardworking Americans. The debt we are creating with short-term spending today will be a long-term burden for generations yet unborn. For their future and for the future of our county, this cannot continue."



"For many years," Sodrel said, "I've worked hard to make my business a success; the same principle countless other small businessmen and women across America follow. These are the same principles that are needed now, more than ever, to return prosperity to America. This country needs less government, not more. It needs more liberty, not less. It needs less debt and lower taxes. It needs to return to the founding principles that made our country a great nation, and that will preserve that greatness for our children and our grandchildren. That's why I am running for Congress."



Mike Sodrel has been married to Keta Sodrel for 42 years, is the father of two and the grandfather of seven. He is a member of Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany. He served in the National Guard and is a member of the American Legion. He served as Congressman from the 9th Congressional District from 2005 to 2007.



Sodrel is the former CEO of Sodrel Truck Lines and Sodrel Logistics, and founded the Free Enterprise motor coach company in 1976, He logged over a million miles as a commercial truck driver and helped created over 600 good paying jobs.



He has served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations in southern Indiana, including the Providence House for Children in Georgetown, and he has served as a past regional council president of the Boy Scouts of America.



The Clark County Republican Party is hosting kickoff event for the Sodrel campaign at their headquarters, located at 2946 E 10th St, Unit 5 in Jeffersonville (behind the BMV License Branch). You are invited to come over and meet Mike Sodrel from 5pm to 7pm.


Stay tuned. This should be on heckuva ride.

Ray Stevens Tells it Like it is.

Hat tip to Deb.

Kicking Off the New Year With a Little Run!

I told you an announcement was coming and here it is. I am throwing my hat in the ring and running for Floyd County Council in District 2. This is a big step outside my comfort zone and something I never thought would happen. I will need the support of all my friends to make this happen. I welcome all suggestions and advice and will take them to heart. Please join my Facebook page by clicking here.





I will also have a candidates web site that will be up soon. I have already heard from many of you and appreciate the encouragement. Please keep it up because this will be a long campaign. I want this process to be positive and energized. That means I need you to get involved. So, come on, let's get this thing started.

I wish you all a blessed and safe 2010. Thanks again, Danny

Save the SEAL Three!

Today, on December 7th, 2009 we are remembering the attack by the Japanese military 68 years ago on Pearl Harbor, an attack that got the United States involved in World War II. But today three of our Navy SEALs are in a court room fighting a court martial and for their very military lives.

Jed Babbin at Human Events tells us why (H/T to Erick Erickson of Red State):

two weeks ago, the three SEALs — Julio Huertas, Jonathan Keefe and Matthew McCabe — were part of a platoon from SEAL Team 10 that captured one of the most-wanted terrorists in Iraq, Ahmed Hashim Abed, in a nighttime raid on or about September 1. Abed is believed to be the man behind the barbaric March 2004 ambush of Blackwater security guards in which four were murdered, their bodies mutilated and then hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

The facts of the case are a bit muddy. According to a source close to the case who requested anonymity the SEALs captured Abed and transported him to a place where they surrendered him to Iraqi custody. He made no complaint of abuse before being turned over to the Iraqis. At some point after that, the SEALs reclaimed Abed who — though still technically in Iraqi custody — was taken back for further questioning, complaining of mistreatment. There was some blood on his clothing but it’s not clear when it appeared.

There is every reason to believe the SEALs are innocent. Chapter 18 of the Al Qaeda training manual released by the US Justice Department says that members must complain of torture and mistreatment inflicted on them.

American investigators became involved and, from that point, it’s apparent that lawyers were making decisions, and the commander at the top of the local food chain — MGen. Charles T. Cleveland — at first misunderstood his options and then pushed the matter far beyond the point at which it should have ended.

Last week, Congressman Dan Burton was on Fox News defending and fighting for the SEALs while explaining why this trial, this court martial, is a sham.

Help save the the SEALs. Sign this petition to send a message that you stand with the three Navy SEALs for defending America. Petition to Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations to not court martial the SEAL three!

There is also a Facebook group you can join to the protest the prosecution of the SEAL three.