But in addition to being the state government's attorney, I am a lifelong Hoosier who loves this state. And I want to come to the defense of the reputation of the good people of Indiana, who are known for their Hoosier hospitality, family values and strength of character. Part of the reason the current controversy has affected Hoosiers viscerally is the unfair assertion that Indiana natives somehow are unkind and intolerant. That goes against the grain of the very cultural identity we all have learned and internalized all our lives of being kind and hospitable people, basically "good folks." …show more content…
To the extent that any in the national media and entertainment media have sought to paint Indiana with a broad brush as being an intolerant state and mock all Hoosiers for the policy decisions of elected officials, that's wrong. Just as we can't blame all 320 million Americans for the lawmaking actions of Congress and the president, outsiders ought not do that to the 6.6 million Hoosiers over the actions of state officials. It's not right and should