When I think of Benton Harbor these days, I think of a ripe, juicy plum, hanging in the sunshine, ready to be plucked off the tree. But Benton Harbor is a plum with a “bad spot” in the minds of some. A bit of rotten fruit that needs to be cut off and discarded. Once that’s done, those that would […]

Michigan Messenger has a pretty awesome piece up today totally debunking state Rep. Al Pscholka and his ludicrous claims that the protesters that showed up by the hundreds at the Blossomtime Grand Floral parade last month were paid professionals. hen people from around the state announced their intention to converge on Benton Harbor during the Blossomtime parade to protest the […]

EclectaReader Anthony sent me this link. The Superintendent of Ithaca Public Schools in Michigan sent a letter to Republican Governor Rick Snyder in which he suggests that his students would be better off if they were treated as prisoners. That way, there would be more per-pupil-funding than there is now. Here’s his letter: In these tough economic times, schools are […]

I have a new piece up at A2Politico that looks further at the Detroit Newspaper blackout of the gigantic union rally last weekend. Here’s a brief excerpt: Bill Moyers once said, “There is no more important struggle for American democracy than ensuring a diverse, independent and free media. Free Press is at the heart of that struggle.” In Michigan right […]

I live in a small village outside of Ann Arbor called Dexter. It’s a quaint little place with a downtown area only a few blocks long and wide. My wife and I often call it “Stars Hollow” after the town in the Gilmore Girls. Like Stars Hollow, Dexter business owners form a community. They have a Chamber of Commerce that […]

It’s oh-so-much easier to get things done when you have both houses of the Legislature and the Governor’s office in your control. Today, Michigan Republicans showed just how much easier it is. Both the state House and Senate completed passage of the various packages of budgetary bills this week and, today, in a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am flurry of […]

Remember way back in 2008 when presidential candidate John McCain was dead set against the loans being given to our domestic vehicle manufacturers to prevent the entire industry from collapsing? It has turned out to be a big win for President Obama and his administration since then, but John McCain didn’t think it was a good idea at all: I […]

Michigan Senator Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan) from Michigan’s 33rd Senate District has had recall paperwork filed against her. Recall fever in Michigan is now targeting state Sen. Judy Emmons. On Wednesday, the Sheridan Republican became the latest state lawmaker who might be subjected to a recall election. Montcalm County officials received petition language in the mail seeking her ouster for supporting […]

By now you’ve probably heard of this bit of utter Republican embarrassment: Patrick McHenry, Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs, calling Dr. Elizabeth Warren, assistant to the President and interim head of the new department to oversee credit protection for Americans a liar. It comes in at about 0:58 […]

Sorry for the light blogging the past couple of days. We’re still dealing with a very sick dog and it now appears she has liver disease which was the original cause of the thrombocytopenia. She had a liter of fluid drained from her belly yesterday and had a rough night. I thought for sure we’d be putting her to sleep […]

After failing in their first submission of petition language for the recall of State Representative Al Pscholka, recall advocates, led by Benton Harbor City Commissioner Dennis Knowles, were successful yesterday in getting petition language approved. Unsuccessful earlier this month with its recall language, the group seeking Pscholka’s ouster covered its bases this time by submitting four separate wordings, said Berrien […]