Michigan
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10:27 a.m.
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This month's Really, Really Free Market (RRFM) in Grand Rapids will take place on November 28 on the biggest shopping day of the year. Organizers hope that in the spirit of " Buy Nothing Day " the event will encourage people to build community rather than commerce: "Instead of spending a hectic day at the mall, why not spend it with others, becoming a community. Be a part of Bu...
Dissecting the Local News - 7:46 a.m. - 2 clicks 
James Carabelli ( Lose your house, lose your vote ) was elected to the Board of Commissioners. Jim Carabelli of Shelby Township is stepping down as chairman of the Macomb County Republican Party and his replacement may be a GOP loyalist who has been active in the party since he was a teenager. Carabelli, who was elected to the county Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4 and serves as vice presid...
Michiganliberal - 12:52 a.m. - 4 clicks
Office space : The freshman House member who got the first choice of available office space is Gary Peters, former commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery. By luck, chance or maybe he knew how to game the system, Peters reached into a wooden box of numbered chips Friday morning and withdrew a ticket bearing the No. 1. The other 53 freshman-to-be choosing office space also withdrew chi...
Michiganliberal - Fri 4:11 p.m. - 12 clicks
I really hope that this is all very coincidental and not a sign of things to come . California’s clout in Congress keeps growing. The Golden State is gaining again, this time at the expense of the Great Lakes region of the Midwest. On Thursday, majority Democrats decided to push Michigan’s John D. Dingell out of an important chairmanship in favor of Henry A. Waxman ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 3:45 p.m. - 11 clicks
Across the country, a protest by a queer and transgendered group in Lansing two weeks ago continues to get news coverage from mainstream outlets such as the Associated Press and Fox News . In response to this attention and requests from reporters, Bash Back! has released a statement providing more background information on why they chose to disrupt a church service at Mount Hope Ch...
Dissecting the Local News - Fri 3:05 p.m. - 11 clicks
The official records show that John Dingell has been in Congress for fifty-three years, but actually, he’s been there far longer than that. He grew up in the Capitol. His father was first elected to Congress the same day Franklin......
Jack Lessenberry - Fri 11:09 a.m. - 10 clicks
Yesterday, in the equivalent of a political earthquake, Michigan Congressman John Dingell, the longest serving member of the House, was ousted from his post as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. State Senator Jim Barcia served with Dingell in......
Jack Lessenberry - Fri 11:09 a.m. - 10 clicks
California Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been chosen to lead the Congressional Black Caucus. Rep. Lee will succeed Chairwoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Mich. http://www.mercurynews.com/bre... Lee is notable as the only person in either chamber of Congress who voted against the authorization of use of force following the September 11, 2001 attacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B... ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 8:31 a.m. - 11 clicks
From the Battle Creek Enquirer : Schauer said he told Democratic leadership that he needs committee assignments that will put him a position "to help turn around Michigan's economy." He applied for the Energy and Commerce Committee, a major appointment that is a long shot for a freshman, as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure and Agriculture committees. Members generally have ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 8:31 a.m. - 11 clicks
Many of us had a hand in the recent demise of the American auto industry. Consumers ate up big gas guzzling SUV's, trucks, and 300 hp engines in cars like my 9 year old Cadillac. Like most consumers, I figured if the Big 3 produces them, they are all right to buy, after all the car companies have the inside track and an eye up on the competition. We trusted their judgment and we were willing t...
Michiganliberal - Fri 8:31 a.m. - 8 clicks
Well, it shouldn't be of any surprise to anyone here that Congress put off taking action on the Big Three yesterday ... kicking serious problems down the road weeks and months at a time is nothing new to Michigan. However, if I understand things correctly, the Big Three could try again for assistance in early December. They're being told that they'll need to tell Congress ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 7:52 a.m. - 10 clicks
Back in September , Mike Rogers boasted about his success in achieving a "victory for Michigan workers." Then for some reason, he decided it would be more fun to rail against the Wall Street bailout (to the point where a local reporter basically told him to put up or shut up ). Nothing more was heard from Mr. Rogers on the auto industry, despite non-stop coverage in local and national media. I...
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (MI-08) - Thu 9:25 p.m. - 10 clicks
News : An agreement has reportedly been reached on a $25-billion-dollar bailout for the Big Three automakers. The "Detroit Free Press" says Michigan Senator Carl Levin and Missouri Senator Christopher Bond are working on a draft of the compromise. Three senators from auto industry states have come up with bipartisan compromise legislation to loan Detroit's Big Three automakers billions...
Michiganliberal - Thu 5:08 p.m. - 13 clicks
Even if Congress bails out the auto industry, and even if it returns to some form of profitability, everyone agrees it will be much smaller, and that Michigan needs a new basis for its economy. That’s a message Lou Glazer,......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 4:24 p.m. - 7 clicks
Even if Congress bails out the auto industry, and even if it returns to some form of profitability, everyone agrees it will be much smaller, and that Michigan needs a new basis for its economy. That’s a message Lou Glazer,......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 4:24 p.m. - 11 clicks
Our unemployment rate is the highest in the nation, and our key industry is on the point of something like collapse. What‘s more, Washington doesn’t seem inclined to help us. Not, that is, until it may be too late. Our......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 4:24 p.m. - 8 clicks
On Wednesday, the Progressive Women's Alliance hosted a speaker from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) who talked about the necessity of changing how government functions. Professor Danny Balfour's talk was entitled "Righting the Ship of State," which he said was a presentation on the importance of changing how government functions particularly while the country is in transition f...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 2:24 p.m. - 10 clicks
Anonymous donors dominated the race for Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, contributing more than 60% of the total spending in the race according to a new review by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. In the race between Chief Justice Clifford Taylor and Judge Diane Hathaway, much of the spending was "off the books" in that it was candidate-focused "issue" advertising that i...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 12:01 p.m. - 14 clicks
Here is the latest "IGE Talks," a monthly cable access show hosted by the Institute for Global Education (IGE) and aired on Grand Rapids' public access television. As part of our ongoing efforts to support independent and do-it-yourself media here in West Michigan, we will be posting these shows each month. In this episode, "IGE Talks" focuses psychologists and torture: The topic...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 12:01 p.m. - 14 clicks
The Killer Coke Campaign has issued a new report responding to both an International Labor Organization study about Coca-Cola's labor practices in Colombia and the Coca-Cola's response to the study. For the past several years , student activists at the University of Michigan have been campaigning to get the University to stop selling Coca-Cola products due to Coca-Cola's human r...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 12:01 p.m. - 11 clicks
Sadly, we don't have anything great to offer as a solution, but it seems worth noting that the latest unemployment numbers for Michigan continue to bring bad news. Unemployment rose slightly according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, reaching 9.3%. The rate was higher than a year ago when unemployment was at 7.5%. Moreover, the unemployment rate is the highest mo...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 12:01 p.m. - 14 clicks
It would seem all of the madness may be drawing to a close… at least temporarily! Auto state senators reached a deal on a last-ditch agreement to provide $25 billion in quick aid to automakers today, but it was unclear if the Senate and House would approve it before they adjourn for the year, congressional aides said. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today. Yeah team Michigan! Wor...
Far Left Field - Thu 11:25 a.m. - 21 clicks
According to MLive . DETROIT (AP) — Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer says he will not run for governor in 2010. The 66-year-old former Michigan Supreme Court justice and president of the American Bar Association said Thursday he is unwilling to make the personal sacrifices necessary to seek the office. This immediately makes John Cherry, assuming he runs, the automatic favorite to ...
Michiganliberal - Thu 9:24 a.m. - 11 clicks
Michigan loses again . Rep. Henry Waxman (Calif.) has ousted Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (Mich.), as Democratic lawmakers voted 137-122 Thursday morning to hand the gavel of the powerhouse panel to its second-ranking member. I'm beginning to think that maybe seceding from the union, declaring ourselves an independent nation, declaring war on the United States, allowing our ...
Michiganliberal - Thu 8:52 a.m. - 14 clicks
Watch CBS Videos Online more... Mitt "I was born in Michigan, and thus am an expert on the auto industry" Romney continued his anti-worker tirade on CBS News this morning. Sitting in front of a dark and gloomy Boston, Mittens had no answer for Lt. Governor Cherry, who has a letter in today's New York Times responding to Mitt's piece yesterday: Mr. Romney’...
Michiganliberal - Thu 8:01 a.m. - 14 clicks
A trial in front of the National Labor Relations Board over the firing of a union barista at an East Grand Rapids Starbucks store has been postponed until January 7. The trial was originally scheduled to take place Thursday, November 20 in Grand Rapids. For more on the campaign to unionize Starbucks, you can visit the Grand Rapids chapter of the Starbucks Union . ...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 9:24 p.m. - 14 clicks
When we think of the civil rights movement, images of Selma, Montgomery, or Birmingham come to mind. But there was another different, though equally intense, struggle going on in the North. Detroit native Thomas Segrue is a professor of history......
Jack Lessenberry - Wed 5:08 p.m. - 8 clicks
Michigan Clean Energy Now --a coalition of groups working to stop the construction of new coal plants in Michigan--is urging the state of Michigan to stop issuing air permits for new coal plants in light of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision ruling that carbon dioxide pollution must be factored into the permitting process. In a press release issue by the group, the group...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 12:49 p.m. - 11 clicks
The following articles of interest were published elsewhere on the web today: Reporter charged after deadly police chase A well-known reporter covering police abuse in Detroit is being charged after a deadly police chase. Categories: media police repression detroit michigan VIDEO: Foreclosures in Michigan mind-numbing in number Foreclosures continue to increase in Mi...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 12:49 p.m. - 14 clicks
A former Disney Radio station is now offer a totally new format in West Michigan. WPRR (1680 AM) is now the home of Reality Radio and has begun airing popular national programs such as Democracy Now! . According to their website, "WPRR Public Reality Radio is a non-profit, listener supported radio station dedicated to providing quality educational programming to the public. In a...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 9:44 a.m. - 16 clicks
In a story that has received relatively little mainstream news attention , it was announced last week that Booth Newspapers--the owner of The Grand Rapids Press --is looking to eliminate a number of positions in a consolidation effort that could decrease quality reporting across the state. Booth Newspapers--which itself is a subsidiary of Advance Publications /Newhouse--owns and oper...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 3:04 p.m. - 19 clicks
A new nationwide website called Eat Well Guide aspires to be the source free online directory to help people find local, sustainable, and organic food, stores, and farms. It's got all the latest Internet bells and whistles--user submissions, ratings, and widgets--which come together to create an incredibly useful website with a lot of potential. For Grand Rapids, Michigan, the guide o...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 12:43 p.m. - 17 clicks
On Thursday, a trial against Starbucks will take place over the wrongful firing of barista Cole Dorsey. Dorsey was active in the Starbucks Workers Union and was fired for his organizing. The local chapter of the Union has put out a call for people to attend the trial in support: PACK THE COURTROOM FOR BARISTA RIGHTS! What: A trial against Starbucks at the National Labo...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 12:43 p.m. - 17 clicks
Aside from speculation about rumors of high-ranking cabinet positions, attention on who is involved in Obama's transition effort has been relatively muted over the past week. For example, on the Sunday The Grand Rapids Press reported on some of Obama's appointments thus far, but offered little by way of substantive examination of those appointed--or the advisors helping Obama make ...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 12:43 p.m. - 17 clicks
FISCAL NOTES: “Tax Em Where They Ain’t” The current and projected financial meltdown means a lot of things to Michigan fiscal stability. One of them is that the income tax will generate over a billion fewer dollars than anticipated in......
Michigan Prospect - Tue 8:47 a.m. - 6 clicks
On Sunday, the Grand Rapids Press ran a Cox News Service story, which states that the new administration is "strikingly different from the last time a Democratic administration was preparing to take power." The article then never substantiates this claim and only provides a list of president-elect Obama's "inner circle" with a short bio after each name. The list of Obama's inner circ...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 2:31 p.m. - 16 clicks
An Ingham County Circuit Judge has ruled that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ruled appropriately when it for a proposed sulfide mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The lawsuit was filed by the Huron Mountain Club, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Additional hurdles remain before the mine can begin operating, including an...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 11:40 a.m. - 14 clicks
On Saturday, about 50 people attend a protest for LGBTQ rights and against the anti-gay Proposition 8 in California. The nationwide protest was held in over 300 cities, including 7 cities in Michigan . In Grand Rapids, participants rallied at Calder Plaza before marching to the corner of Fulton and Division. Photos from the protest: The protests were o...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 11:40 a.m. - 14 clicks
A new campaign is being launched in Grand Rapids to push for the United States' ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child : The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the U. N. General Assembly on 20 November (Universal Children's Day), 1989. Exactly nineteen years later Parenting for Peace, a newly formed group based in Grand Rapids under the aus...
Dissecting the Local News - Sun 7:31 p.m. - 18 clicks
Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Press published a story on the positions of Representatives Vern Ehlers , Fred Upton , and Peter Hoekstra on the proposed taxpayer bailout of the US auto industry. The story quotes each of these lawmakers with Ehlers and Upton in full support of the proposed auto industry bailout. Ehlers--in response to the current economic crisis facing GM--said "B...
Dissecting the Local News - Nov 14 - 18 clicks
On Thursday, Grand Valley State University's Latin American Studies department hosted a speaker on the topic of immigration. Erik Camayd-Freixas, a Professor of Interpretation at the University of Florida International addressed an audience of about 100 on his experiences of being an interpreter in one of the largest government raids on immigrants in the US. On May 12, 2008, the Immi...
Dissecting the Local News - Nov 14 - 22 clicks
Earlier this week, the American Civil Liberties of Union (ACLU) of Michigan agreed to represent the Reverend Edward Pinkney in a controversial case over the limits of the First Amendment and is calling for Pinkney's release from an Upper Peninsula prison on bond. Pinkney--an African-American community activist in Benton Harbor--has been in the public eye over a series of debates about...
Dissecting the Local News - Nov 14 - 26 clicks
LANSING – The Michigan House today passed a bipartisan economic development plan proposed by State Representative Richard E. Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township) to enable community colleges to train residents for specific new jobs to ensure that companies have the qualified workers they need to do business in Michigan. "The New Jobs Training Program offers a creative solution to the most urgent p...
Michigan House Democrats - Nov 14 - 12 clicks
LANSING- House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) today hailed the passage of legislation to expand and modernize Detroit's Cobo Hall, ensuring its status as a prime international destination for business and special events, and cementing its place as the home of the North American International Auto Show. "I'm pleased with the progress that has been made on the Cobo Hall expansion legislation, ...
Michigan House Democrats - Nov 14 - 10 clicks
