Michigan
updated
11:35 a.m.
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In her weekly radio address recorded from her residence in Lansing, Governor Granholm today paid tribute to nurses and state employees during a week that has been set aside to recognize them, and thanked citizens who have extend their get-well wishes as she recovers from surgery. This is Governor Jennifer Granholm. Now, typically, this time [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - 11:34 a.m.
On Thursday, David Bonior, former Michigan representative and erstwhile John Edwards campaign manager, gave Barack Obama a perceived boost with organized labor by endorsing the Illinois senator over Hillary Clinton. The day after Bonior made his announcement, union president and superdelegate John Gage of the American Federation of Government Employees union (AFGE) announced his support for Ob...
Michigan Messenger - 11:34 a.m.
The second annual Michigan Policy Summit will be held tomorrow, Saturday, May 10, at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing. The event, titled "Rebuilding Michigan," will discuss progressive plans and goals to move the state forward into economic and social recovery. The event drew nearly 500 participants last year. "In order to move Michigan into the 21st century our state must address the healt...
Michigan Messenger - 11:34 a.m.
Supporters of a bill called Matt's Safe Schools bill, which has been held up in the Michigan Senate since March of 2007, are calling on Michigan to follow the lead of Florida and pass the bill quickly. The bill is named for Matt Epling, a 14-year-old student from East Lansing who killed himself following a series of brutal hazing incidents. His father, Kevin, has taken a leading role in pushing f...
Michigan Messenger - 11:34 a.m.
The East Lansing Police Department and its riot task force continue reviewing videos, pictures and websites to identify criminal activity and suspects from the April 5 Cedar Fest riots. To date, the ELPD reports it has received 42 tips, eight photographs and one video to aid in its investigation. In addition, it has identified 11 suspects and has received warrants for eight of those suspects. Two...
Michigan Messenger - 11:34 a.m.
When I read Charlie Ballard’s state of the state survey this morning, a few things never mentioned in it popped into my mind. First of all, it seems clear that anyone who wants to win Michigan this fall better stop......
Jack Lessenberry - 11:34 a.m.
The results of Michigan’s annual State of the State Survey were released today. The survey asked Michigan residents about their economic situation and what issues they thought were most important. Charles Ballard is a Professor of Economics at Michigan State......
Jack Lessenberry - 11:34 a.m.
Michael J. Thorp officially announced his candidacy for state representative for the 51st District on May 6. (The District includes Grand Blanc, Mundy, Argentine, Atlas, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Linden and the Village of Goodrich.) The office is currently held by term-limited Republican Dave Robertson. I live in the 51st and don't know Thorp, but his resume sounds strong. Maybe someone else ...
Blogging For Michigan - 11:34 a.m.
Governor Granholm takes the opportunity to thank everyone who supporters her & her family through her emergency surgery last week. Listen here (mp3 link) Visit the Gov's official site here . ...
Blogging For Michigan - 11:34 a.m.
School board races in Michigan are supposed to be non-partisan -- and for good reason. Michigan residents think the education of their children should not be subject to political machinations. But the Michigan Republican Party is bragging about undermining that tradition in last week's Brighton school board election, in which Cheryl Leach and Jonathan Krause, who ran as team, defeated Winnie Garr...
Livingston County Democrats - 11:33 a.m.
In his appearance Thursday night (May 8, 2008) at the Howell Opera House, well-known Michigan journalist Jack Lessenberry pulled no punches in describing the problems facing our state and placing the blame for them. Term limits, lobbyists, and certain Republican policies are harming the state, Lessenberry said. As Lessenberry explained it, term limits have caused gridlock and excessive partisans...
Livingston County Democrats - 11:33 a.m.
It's very appropriate that today we welcome Gary Peters, the Democratic candidate for Michigan's 9th Congressional District, for a live chat here at Michigan Liberal. If you haven't heard the news, the Cook Report released its latest yesterday, shifting the 9th from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican." That means, as of now, things are going Peters' way in the r...
Michiganliberal - 11:31 a.m.
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote - Michigan is hosting a townhall on May 17, featuring presidential candidates addressing issues that impact the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. Local candidates & ballot issue campaigns have been invited to come and meet the community. The townhall takes place on Saturday, May 17, 6:30pm EST, at Lear...
Michiganliberal - 11:31 a.m.
Right now at MichiganLiberal.com , Gary Peters is participating in a live chat. Gary Peters is the Democrat running against Joe Knollenberg to represent Michigan's 9th Congressional District in Congress. For those of you not from Michigan, the 9th is in Oakland County, in the suburbs north of Detroit. It was considered solidly Republican for years, until 2006, when Knollenberg barely won agai...
DailyKos (Michigan) - 11:29 a.m.
Read what the Republicans Wish You Wouldn’t Today's Daily Flipper - McCain Corruption Edition you will read: McCain Pushed Key Land Deal For Fundraiser McCain Misses The Mark In Michigan McCain Doesn’t Know Much About The Judiciary Either McCain Gets Support From EU Trade Minister Cindy On Release Of Tax Returns As The Money Woes Continue McCain Wants His FEC Ron Pau...
DailyKos (Michigan) - 11:29 a.m.
Headlines from Democracynow.org , a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US. Note: Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, will be speaking in Grand Rapids on May 10 . UN Chides Burma Junta for Delaying Aid Relief The United Nations is criticizing Burma'...
Dissecting the Local News - 11:28 a.m.
It's a bright spring morning in May, but for a family of five on Detroit's west side, things are looking dismal. The family -- a disabled grandmother, a mother and three children under 18 -- was evicted Wednesday, despite strong community support and a lawyer on their side. Thirty-Sixth District Judge E. Lynise Bryant-Weeks refused to hear a motion April 25 to halt the eviction process, bec...
Michigan Messenger - 8:13 a.m. - 4 clicks 
Associated Press is reporting that the State of Michigan is trying to help ease campers' concerns about the price of gas, by offering free storage for recreational vehicles, boats and trailers. About 30 parks will offer up to 15 days of free storage, on a first-come, first-serve basis. http://www.mlive.com/news/inde... ...
Blogging For Michigan - 8:13 a.m. - 5 clicks
We all know that some of the best things come out of Michigan. It certainly is the case with Jeffrey Feldman , native of Michigan and one of the most highly-respected progressive bloggers on the Tubes of the Internets. Feldman got his start on DailyKos and My DD back before many of us had even heard of blogs. In 2005 he left to go solo and opened shop over at Frameshop where he's r...
Michiganliberal - 8:11 a.m. - 3 clicks
Not that the Clinton campaign values intellectual honesty, but her main argument for staying in the race completely undermines her argument for having the Florida and Michigan delegations seated "as is". And this contradiction takes her campaign to new heights of intellectual dishonesty and cognitive dissonance . Here is her argument for Michigan and Florida being seated as "voted": ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - 8:11 a.m. - 4 clicks
You may have noticed a few fresh names here at Michigan Messenger over the last week. Three new contributors have joined our team, bringing further depth in reporting experience and new teaching and learning opportunities as well. Please join us in welcoming: James J. Fordyce, with decades of experience in TV, radio and print, and 7 years as news director of the ABC affiliate in Lansing; ...
Michigan Messenger - 6:04 a.m. - 9 clicks
Good morning Michigan! Today is Friday, May 9, 2008. Today's reader comes from James Oliver Curwood's, Kazan The Wolf Dog (free eBook): KAZAN lay mute and motionless, his gray nose between his forepaws, his eyes half closed. A rock could have appeared scarcely less lifeless than he; not a muscle twitched; not a hair moved; not an eyelid quivered. Yet every drop of the wild blood in ...
Blogging For Michigan - 6:04 a.m. - 4 clicks
As of yesterday, the Cook Political Report has upgraded Mark Schauer's bid for the MI-07 seat from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up." Gary Peters' race in MI-09 has moved from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican." The Cook Political Report is a non-partisan, online analysis of electoral politics. ...
Blogging For Michigan - 6:04 a.m. - 3 clicks
Senator Debbie Stabenow , along with Sen John Kerry, and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), introduced "The Medicare IVIG Access Act." The bill seeks to improve reimbursement processes for IVIG treatments. It will also allow for home treatments and provide coverage for related items and services currently excluded from home treatments. IVIG - or Intravenous Immunoglobulin - therapy is the only tr...
Blogging For Michigan - 6:04 a.m. - 5 clicks
Just when you were ready to put the dismal Supreme Court decision on same-sex partner benefits temporarily behind you, news that protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church will make an appearance at Eastern Michigan University today at noon. If you don't know what to do for lunch, stop by and share in the counter protest! From the Triangle Foundation press release: "Known for his "God Hates Fag...
Our Michigan - 6:04 a.m. - 6 clicks
The following is a message from the Triangle Foundation on a planned event by the hateful Fred Phelps and the 'God Hates Fags' organzation at EMU: Eastern Michigan University was just notified that Fred Phelps, Minister of the Westboro Baptist Church will be protesting on Friday, May 9th at noon. Known for his "God Hates Fags" websites and propaganda, Fred Phelps is coming to protest against a s...
Blogging For Michigan - 3:07 a.m. - 11 clicks
This report in from Eric B. at Michigan Liberal. The Cook Political Report moves Michigan's two biggest races in favor of the two Democrats. The 7th District goes from "Lean Republican" to "Toss up," and the 9th goes from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican." For Mark Schauer, this means the second bit of ratification in the last couple of days. It was Roll Call who most lately ca...
Vote No on Joe Knollenberg (MI-9) - 3:05 a.m. - 8 clicks
Yesterday's 5-2 Michigan Supreme Court ruling barring public employers from providing same-sex health care benefits as a result of a 2004 constitutional amendment has Florida pointing a finger at the state and saying, "We told you so!" In a press release, members of Florida Red and Blue , a group opposing a "marriage amendment" identical to the one passed in Michigan in 2004, were outraged in th...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 10 clicks
The wagons appear to be circling for Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. On the heels of a scathing report from the independent attorney it hired to help with its investigation into the mayor's text message scandal, the Detroit City Council this week is mulling the best way to rid the city of the burden the mayor has become. The Detroit Free Press reported yesterday that Council President Ken Cock...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 14 clicks
[COMMENTARY] Those of you who know me heard me say it. "Enough!" After three decades of news reporting on TV, radio and in print, including 7 years as news director of the ABC affiliate in Lansing, I said goodbye to my colleagues and swore off hard news, vowing to just do entertainment news and never again to chase a politician or elected official for a story, stay up late on election night to h...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 11 clicks
Michigan Messenger Fellow Todd A. Heywood will be a guest on Michelangelo Signorile's Out Q radio show at 3:30 p.m. EST today. Heywood will be discussing the impact of the Michigan Supreme court ruling on same-sex domestic partner benefits, as well his disclosure about his HIV infection. To tune in, people can download a free three-day trial of the satellite radio at Sirius.com For more on ...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 9 clicks
Man beaten near site of planned sulfide mine The 60-year old husband of a prominent Upper Peninsula anti-mining activist was reportedly knocked unconscious and left outside in the freezing rain by three men who first asked if he was a mine opponent. Cynthia Pryor, executive director of Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, told Michigan Messenger that over the weekend her husband Bob was attacked at ...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 12 clicks
LANSING, MI -- Over a thousand young people came to the Capitol in Lansing this morning to join parents, teachers and lawmakers for a giant exercise party. For the fifth year in a row, House Speaker Pro Tempore Michael G. Sak, D-Grand Rapids, invited children from nine Lansing area schools to take part in "All Children Exercising Simultaneously (ACES) w/ a Friend at the Capitol." Sponsors of t...
Michigan Messenger - 1:14 a.m. - 9 clicks
Yesterday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that no public employer in the state is allowed to provide health care benefits to same sex couples. In a straight party-line decision, the Republican majority said that the ban was required by a......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 9:46 p.m. - 4 clicks
via Twitter (a totally legitimate source, thankyouverymuch) -- Lt Gov John Cherry will be meeting with Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT) tomorrow morning to discuss local community issues and concerns. From the FACT site : Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT) brings people of faith together to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen families in the Flint region. Religious congre...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 9:46 p.m. - 4 clicks
Camp Hillary is rejecting the new plan floated today by Michigan Dems that would seat the delegation by awarding 69 delegates to Hillary and 59 to Obama. http://tpmelectioncentral.talk... That was one of the Challenge result options in our proposal, too, although with no superdelegates. But without the agreement, we're going for full Rules requirements, which would be based on the actual...
Michiganliberal - Thu 9:45 p.m. - 4 clicks
The Cook Political Report moves Michigan's two biggest races in favor of the two Democrats. The 7th District goes from "Lean Republican" to "Toss up," and the 9th goes from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican." For Mark Schauer, this means the second bit of ratification in the last couple of days. It was Roll Call who most lately called the race a toss up. Without men...
Michiganliberal - Thu 9:45 p.m. - 4 clicks
We here at the University of Michigan College Democrats official blog try to maintain the highest levels of discourse and news analysis. We attempt to rigorously examine the news both locally and nationally and bring a high level of analysis that we have from our fine educations here at one of the premier public [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Thu 9:45 p.m. - 3 clicks
Because of Barack Obama's large lead, he's in a position to agree to a generous settlement of the matter of Michigan and Florida: delegations that represent the will of those states' voters can be seated, with the same penalty that was assessed by the Republicans. If this is done, Obama would retain an insurmountable pledged delegate lead, and a major talking point for both Clinton and for McC...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 9:44 p.m. - 3 clicks
I must be dense. Florida and Michigan moved their primary dates in violation of DNC rules. They were told that their primaries would not count and their delegations would be not be seated. And now this: ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 9:44 p.m. - 4 clicks
Here is a simple proposal that could resolve the FL and MI delegation issues in a manner that would be fair to all: protecting the innocent and punishing the rule-breakers. Provide a full allocation of the FL and MI delegations, but allocate all of them as super-delegates chosen at random from among all the democratic primary voters. Deny entry and voting rights to all the official...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 9:44 p.m. - 2 clicks
Click on the picture below to watch a video-streamed archive of Governor Jennifer Granholm’s recent (April 25, 2008) appearance on MGTV Forum. Granholm discussed her economic plan for the state and the role that alternative energy will play during the 45-minute interview. ...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Thu 4:51 p.m. - 20 clicks
This will be a fun one . Can't wait to see how Brooks will handle this. She unseated a long-serving politician once -- to become mayor of Southfield -- and now Brenda Lawrence will try it again with her eyes on a higher office. Lawrence plans to announce Friday that she'll challenge Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson for the county's top job. Her supporters and at least one fellow S...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 4:50 p.m. - 13 clicks
Thank you so much for covering the "Rustbelt Midwest Swing State F@#kfest." Lest we take any of this too seriously... ...
Our Michigan - Thu 4:50 p.m. - 15 clicks
This is not a personal blog. But as the adage goes, the personal is political. Michigan's Supreme Court has interpreted the marriage amendment to the state constitution as prohibiting employee health benefits being extended to same-sex partners. Fine. The papers this morning are touting arrangements made by state universities with a work around that involves terms like "other qualified adult" a...
Our Michigan - Thu 4:50 p.m. - 19 clicks
I write this somewhat with tongue in cheek, but perhaps all Obama needs to do to hurt Hillary in West Virginia is remind West Virginians that Hillary loves Michigan. ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 4:48 p.m. - 16 clicks
As many have noted, the Clintons keep moving the goal posts. They have essentially 3 tactics/strategies that they are employing in order to pull victory out of the jaws of defeat. The first tactic- strategy is to play the race card. The second strategy is to bring up Obama's negatives so high to make him appear unelectable. She will also do this through emphasizing his demographical w...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 4:48 p.m. - 14 clicks
Everyone on the West Side, You're invited to the Michigan Policy Summit! The Michigan Policy Summit -- coming 10 May, Saturday -- is the annual gathering of Michigan's progressive community. The summit will bring together labor, environment, civil rights, social justice and other groups together to move Michigan forward. The summit will provide forums on key issues like health care, 21st ...
West Michigan Rising - Thu 1:58 p.m. - 18 clicks
In a letter addressed to Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton asks the Illinois Senator to join her in working towards a "fair and quick resolution" to the Michigan and Florida questions. Sen. Clinton writes that simply seating the delegaitons is enough enough, and that "[t]he people of these great states, like the people who have voted and are to vote in other states, must have a voice in se...
Cerebral Politics - Thu 1:57 p.m. - 21 clicks
Senator Mark Schauer hosted Bishop Earl Boyea at the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 6 to deliver the following morning invocation : O source of all wisdom and goodness, this day we open our hearts to You begging from You, as did Solomon, an abundance of wisdom. We seek it not for glory or advantage or self-satisfaction. Rather, we plead for this spirit-filled gift that we may rule justly, exerci...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 1:57 p.m. - 16 clicks
This just in from our friend Xavier, HRC penned this letter to Obama, asking for his cooperation in seating Michigan and Florida: Senator Barack Obama Obama for America P.O. Box 8102 Chicago, IL 60680 Dear Senator Obama, This has been an historic and exciting campaign. Millions of new voters have been brought into the process and their enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and the principles ...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 1:57 p.m. - 15 clicks
Well, not really. But GR ( or is G-RAP ?), the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water (1945), is now questioning that practice, due to increased concerns over the potential long-term effects flouride, which some say is a toxic chemical. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls fluoridation safe and effective for preventing tooth decay and identified t...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 1:57 p.m. - 16 clicks
Funny how things change in just a few months. Back in January, John McCain was pessimistic about the future of Michigan jobs. Maybe it was the effect of Michigan winter weather on this guy from the Valley of the Sun, but prior to the Michigan primary in January, McCain said the Michigan auto worker jobs were gone forever. But now that he hopes to carry Michigan in November, McCain is much mor...
Livingston County Democrats - Thu 1:57 p.m. - 15 clicks
LANSING – After more than a decade of debate, a smoking ban in Michigan workplaces, in including bars and restaurants, was finally approved in the Senate Thursday by a vote of 25-12.. “I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for thinking of the health of patrons, workers and customers,” said Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, who has championed the issue for the past decade. B...
The Conservative Media - Thu 1:56 p.m. - 15 clicks
Oakland University Campus, Rochester, Michigan Seven members of BlueNovember.Org participated in John McCain's May 7th town hall meeting at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, to ensure the discussion included issues important to average Americans. Each member was prepared to ask a substantive question of the senator, who chose to limit his opening remarks to three topics: Human trafficki...
BlueNovember - Thu 1:56 p.m. - 18 clicks
At its meeting on Wednesday night, May 8, the Executive Committee (of the MDP) made these decisions: 1. To file an appeal with the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee proposing that all 157 automatic and pledged Michigan delegates be seated with a full vote and that the 128 pledged delegates be allocated 69 for Clinton and 59 for Obama. Joel Ferguson will join the appeal and withdraw his own appeal. ...
Michiganliberal - Thu 1:55 p.m. - 16 clicks
This is not a personal blog. But as the adage goes, the personal is political. Michigan's Supreme Court has interpreted the marriage amendment to the state constitution as prohibiting employee health benefits being extended to same-sex partners. Fine. The papers this morning are touting arrangements made by state universities with a work around that involves terms like "other qualified adult...
Michiganliberal - Thu 1:55 p.m. - 13 clicks
Remember how Clinton said it was important to get Mi and Fla counted? Well apparently Hillary Clinton isn't happy. Here is the plan they came up with. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpoi... The Michigan state party's executive committee voted to submit a proposal to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, to send 69 delegates for Clinton and 59 for Obama. Hillary camp rejected it. ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 1:55 p.m. - 15 clicks
LANSING – After over a year of inaction, House Democrats today called on the Republican-led Senate to pass ethics reforms designed to restore integrity and accountability to the State Legislature and Michigan residents' confidence in government. "As state lawmakers, we should be held to the highest ethical standards," said Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit). "The people of Mich...
Michigan House Democrats - Thu 1:55 p.m. - 11 clicks
While updating the Progressive Directory of Western Michigan yesterday, we came across an exciting new organization called GR Feminists . As a small gesture of solidarity and recognition of the importance of challenging patriarchy, we are reprinting their manifesta: Grand Rapids Feminists: A Gggrrrrrrrr Manifesta The Grand Rapids (GR) Feminists exist as an organ...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 1:54 p.m. - 15 clicks
Racial disparities in infant mortality are growing in Michigan according to a new study by the Michigan League for Human Services: " Right Start in Michigan - 2008: Targeting Disparity in Infant Mortality found that while infant mortality rates dropped from 8.1 to 7.6 deaths per 1,000 births between the periods of 1998-2000 and 2004-2006, racial disparity persisted. Statewide, African-Am...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 1:54 p.m. - 17 clicks
Do you want to get more involved politically, and make a difference in your community? Have you ever considered running for office? Camp Millie is a 2-day intensive training program designed to give you the tools for effective progressive political action in your community. They are coming to Grand Rapids on May 17-18th , and you are invited to attend! Their faculty of experienced politi...
Michigan Coalition for Progress - Thu 10:05 a.m. - 15 clicks
Headlines from Democracynow.org , a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US. Note: Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, will be speaking in Grand Rapids on May 10 . Burma Cyclone Toll Could Top 100,000 The first major international delivery of aid has...
Dissecting the Local News - Thu 10:00 a.m. - 10 clicks
African-American infants in Michigan are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than Caucasians, according to a study released Tuesday by the Kids Count in Michigan project and the Michigan League for Human Services. The study, "Right Start in Michigan - 2008: Targeting Disparity in Infant Mortality," focuses on the 10 counties where 90 percent of African-American infa...
Michigan Messenger - Thu 7:19 a.m. - 13 clicks
[COMMENTARY] A Grand Rapids area dermatologist, it was revealed late last year, may have exposed as many as 13,000 people to HIV and Hepatitis B and C because of his alleged failure to properly sterilize medical equipment. The Kent County Health Department sent out 13,000 letters to patients of Dr. Robert Stokes. The letters encouraged those patients to get tested for the three viruses and offer...
Michigan Messenger - Thu 7:19 a.m. - 13 clicks
According to MIRS News , Mike Bishop said yesterday that he would allow a vote on banning smoking Michigan restaurants, even though he personally opposes the idea. Sources indicate a growing number of Senate Republicans are becoming anxious about the no-smoking-in-restaurants issue as public pressure mounts. More and more units of government are going smoke-free in restaurants and bars and ...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 5:15 a.m. - 17 clicks
Good morning. Here's today's cup-o-links. LSJ : Same-sex benefits ruling might have minimal effect. Think Right-Wing Bigots are done? Far from it. This from Gary Glenn of the AFA: "We would support legislation that limited public employer benefits to between a man and a woman." MLive : Michigan Dems arrive at 69-59 solution. The MDP proposes to give Sen. Hillary Clinton 6...
Michiganliberal - Thu 5:14 a.m. - 12 clicks
An article in today's Eccentric is about how Joe Knollenberg wants to help the American auto manufacturers. It's interesting, at the legislative update meeting in Rochester a few weeks ago, when talking about health care, Knollenberg talked a lot about personal responsibility in regard to taking care of one's own health. But when it comes to the auto companies taking responsibility for their co...
Vote No on Joe Knollenberg (MI-9) - Thu 5:13 a.m. - 15 clicks
We're pro-family. No, not those families. The Michigan Supreme Court this week ruled that Proposal 2, the 2004 referendum that banned same-sex marriage in this state, also prohibits public employers like cities and universities from offering health insurance or other benefits to the partners of gay employees , despite innumerable public statements from the group that wrote that referendum...
Michigan Messenger - Thu 3:25 a.m. - 12 clicks
Good morning Michigan! Today is Thursday, May 8, 2008. To start off, an Ojibwa prayer: Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds And whose breath gives life to everyone, Hear me. I come to you as one of your many children; I am weak .... I am small ... I need your wisdom and your strength. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunsets ...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 3:24 a.m. - 11 clicks
The Free Press reported today that “Michigan Democratic leaders” have decided the best way to have our delegates seated at the DNC is to split them 69/59 to Clinton and Obama. I think this is slightly confusing, seeing as though we did not have a fair election, and therefore are not entitled to delegates… [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Thu 3:23 a.m. - 11 clicks
You know how the other day I posted that cute lost robot poster? Well, it turns out that it was the work of the kids at the fantastic little pro-writing non-profit 826 Michigan. For those of you who don’t know, the 826 locations around the country are all themed. I’ve written in the past about their place in San Francisco, which is pirate themed. Well, the one on Liberty Street in Ann Arbor, which...
Mark Maynard - Thu 3:21 a.m. - 12 clicks
Like it or not, Ingham County is not immune to the nation-wide financial crisis caused by the 7 year mis-management of the Bush doctrine, but that doesn't mean we can't fix it. I've always thought that government was supposed to be about making life better for others, but have regretted that it doesn't actually happen as much as it should. It's why men and women like you and I step up and decid...
Liberal, Loud and Proud - Wed 9:39 p.m. - 16 clicks
UPDATED: Pat Crowley's announcement has been POSTPONED to 12:30 PM next Wednesday, May 14, in the Van Duesen Room at the Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S Rose St. in Kalamazoo. Come on out to stand with our next Drain Commissioner as she announces her candidacy next Wednesday! From her press release: Pat Crowley, of Richland, will announce her candidacy for Kalamazoo County Drain Commi...
West Michigan Rising - Wed 4:07 p.m. - 18 clicks
Over the past month, Mediamouse.org has been hard at work updating and revising the Progressive Directory of Western Michigan and are excited to be re-launching it. It is a project that we inherited from the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID) back in 2007 when GRIID moved to Mediamouse.org. In the years since the Directory was initially created in 2003, it had become qu...
West Michigan Rising - Wed 2:20 p.m. - 17 clicks
The Michigan state police have been notified of an attack on a Big Bay man at his home over the weekend. Robert Pryor of Big Bay was assaulted by three unknown males in the late hours of the evening at his cabin, which is located in a remote area of Champion Township near Big Bay. [...]...
Save the Wild UP - Wed 2:20 p.m. - 24 clicks
Governor Granholm and the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) have allocated over $3 million in funding through the No Worker Left Behind program to 25 Michigan Works! centers across the state, to be used for customized job training for individuals in the Jobs, Education, and Training (JET) Program. “Providing targeted job training for [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Wed 2:19 p.m. - 17 clicks
Inflation is rising… And, it’s worrying economists and investors. Dana Johnson is chief economist of Comerica Bank. Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry spoke with him about how concerned we should be about the rate of inflation. Hear Audio Story...
Jack Lessenberry - Wed 2:19 p.m. - 16 clicks
Welcome to the backwater called Michigan. The Supreme Court has spoken. The state constitution as amended by voters defines marriage in Michigan as only possible between one man and one woman. Public employers may not extend benefits to same-sex partners of employees. If you are gay or lesbian and in a committed relationship, you cannot be construed as married in Michigan. While the court's dec...
Our Michigan - Wed 2:18 p.m. - 18 clicks
I wanted to highlight two events being put on by the getDowntown program this week as part of Curb Your Car Month . The first is a forum called Same Roads, Same Rules? sponsored by the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition . This is tonight (Wednesday, May 7) at 7:00pm in the Downtown Development Authority Conference Room (150 S. Fifth Avenue, Suite 301). This public forum will focus ...
Arbor Update - Wed 2:15 p.m. - 19 clicks
Over the past month, Mediamouse.org has been hard at work updating and revising the Progressive Directory of Western Michigan and are excited to be re-launching it. It is a project that we inherited from the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID) back in 2007 when GRIID moved to Mediamouse.org. In the years since the Directory was initially created in 2003, it had become...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 2:14 p.m. - 19 clicks
After more than a decade of stalling and obstruction, Michigan may soon join the 33 other states that have banned smoking in workplaces. A vote on House Bill 4163 that bans smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants, could occur in the Senate as early as Thursday. The issue really picked up steam after a study released last month by Public Sector Consultants proves that smokefre...
The Conservative Media - Wed 10:52 a.m. - 16 clicks
Headlines from Democracynow.org , a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US. Note: Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, will be speaking in Grand Rapids on May 10 . Obama Widens Lead Over Clinton with Big NC Win, Narrow Indiana Loss Senator Barack Oba...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 10:50 a.m. - 20 clicks
United for Peace and Justice , one of the largest antiwar groups in the United States, has issued an alert calling on its membership and opponents of the US occupation of Iraq to call their congressperson to oppose a new Iraq spending bill. West Michigan congressional Representative Vern Ehlers has been a consistent supporter of the war and has voted for every funding bill. Nevertheless, given...
Dissecting the Local News - Wed 10:50 a.m. - 15 clicks
The headlines shriek: "Obama blasts Detroit, Ford again." Oh please. As if Detroit and the Big Three are above reproach. Obama simply shared a memory of a dismal ride from the 1970s, a Granada. Even if you are loyal to Ford or GM or Chrysler, you can't argue they never ever produced a dud, especially in the 1970s. My first ride was a late 1970s Chevy Nova with cheap interior, bad radio, hideo...
Our Michigan - Wed 5:42 a.m. - 17 clicks
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce became the latest group to come out against the misguided and illegal recall against House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford. The chamber, which never endorses a Democrat, joins the Michigan Township Association in speaking out against the recall, calling it "counterproductive," according to subscription only MIRS. A hearing over whether Republican Macomb Co...
The Conservative Media - Wed 3:01 a.m. - 15 clicks
Grand Rapids Public Schools School Board -- Full Term (2 positions) Time: 11:27 pm 100% Precincts Jane Gietzen 27%% (4,403 votes) Winner Kenneth Hoskins (i) 24% (4,085 votes) Winner Gordon Griffin 22% (3,831 votes) Derrick Martin 15% (2,601 votes) Luis Pena (i) 13% (2,192 votes) Grand Rapids Public Schools School Board - Partial Term (1 position) Time: 9:57 pm 100% Precincts T...
West Michigan Rising - Tue 9:38 p.m. - 17 clicks
The conservative Phillips Foundation of Washington, D.C., has announced scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for what they call the "Top 100 Conservative Students." The scholarship announcement lists 83 awards; 26 are renewals for winners in 2007, and the remaining 57 are new winners. Michigan university students are well-represented on the list, with 10 scholarship winners from Michigan, ...
YAF Watch - Tue 9:37 p.m. - 21 clicks
Almost nobody familiar with the horrendous mess in Detroit thinks the mayor ought to stay in office. The ranks of his defenders have shrunken to paid stooges like Sharon McPhail, who used to refer to Kwame Kilpatrick as a “thug”......
Jack Lessenberry - Tue 9:37 p.m. - 15 clicks
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger gave a rousing speech at the Livingston County Democrats' 25th annual Winans Dinner last month. Now everybody in Michigan can see Gettelfinger for themselves, thanks to the magic of youtube. Click on our link to youtube on the right of the page. There are several videos of the evening to choose from. Enjoy!...
Livingston County Democrats - Tue 9:37 p.m. - 16 clicks
Mediamouse.org is reprinting this announcement from the Friends of Marie Mason group on how you can support alleged arsonist Marie Mason who is being charged for for an Earth Liberation Front (ELF) arson at Michigan State University (MSU). Mason's arrest is part of a recent government campaign dubbed "the Green Scare" that is targeting environmental and animal rights activists. We have r...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 9:34 p.m. - 16 clicks
The Grand Rapids branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) held a press conference on May Day outside of the East Grand Rapids Starbucks store. The press conference is part of an ongoing campaign to get Starbucks to recognize the union's legal right to organize workers at Starbucks via . A video of the press conference: In addition to their ongoing organizing work, ...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 9:34 p.m. - 16 clicks
Headlines from Democracynow.org , a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US. Note: Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, will be speaking in Grand Rapids on May 10 . Cyclone in Burma Kills at Least 15,000 In Burma, at least 15,000 people are feared dea...
Dissecting the Local News - Tue 9:34 p.m. - 16 clicks
Want to be a reporter for MM.com? There’s a big Michigan Progressive Summit taking place this Saturday in Lansing that I can’t attend, and I’d like to have someone there, covering it for the site. Here’s the rundown as it was relayed to me by MoveOn: …It’ll be huge. The 2008 Michigan Policy Summit will bring together folks in the environmental, civil rights, labor, faith based, LGBT, education, r...
Mark Maynard - Tue 9:34 p.m. - 15 clicks
Volunteers from all over the state will be honored at the Fox Theatre in Detroit at a gala event entitled “A Night with the Stars” on Thursday, June 19th. The governor’s office has released a list of the 40 finalists in eight different categories for the Governor’s Service Awards, and they are as follows- Governor George [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Tue 5:41 a.m. - 16 clicks
(For my out-of-state friends, I cross-posted this at Blogging for Michigan , but I think you'll be able to identify with what I wrote unless gas prices are cheap where you live.) According to AAA Michigan, gas prices are at an all-time high in Michigan, averaging $3.65 per gallon. The cheapest price is in the Flint area ($3.61 per gallon) and the highest average is in Marquette ($3.73 per gal...
Stone Soup Musings - Mon 1:54 p.m. - 16 clicks
There is an election for the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Board of Education tomorrow. In the election, voters will choose there new members for the school board. Three candidates endorsed by the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA) recently appeared on the Working West Michigan radio show to talk about why they are running: Additionally, Mediamouse.org co...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 1:54 p.m. - 21 clicks
The following articles of interest were published elsewhere on the web today: Geologist testifies in Lansing about sulfide mining Categories: mining environment lansing michigan Hearing begins on permits for Kennecott mine project in Marquette County Categories: mining environment michigan Outsiders try to Influence Grand Rapids School Board Race Cate...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 1:54 p.m. - 15 clicks
On Saturday morning, Grand Rapids Congressman Vern Ehlers hosted his annual "town hall meeting" at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. For the most part, the format was the same as it has been in recent years (see Mediamouse.org coverage from 2005 , 2006 , and 2007 ), with Ehlers delivering prepared remarks and then fielding questions from audience members that he selects. The meeting--held on...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 1:54 p.m. - 17 clicks
The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) called the attempted recall of Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, recall abuse. In its weekly Legislative Report , the bipartisan MTA headlined the brief that goes to elected officials across the state “recall abuse spreads to state level.” “As so many township officials have experienced in the past, the recall is not based upon...
The Conservative Media - Mon 10:40 a.m. - 21 clicks
Headlines from Democracynow.org , a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US. Note: Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, will be speaking in Grand Rapids on May 10 . Cyclone Kills Nearly 4,000 People in Burma In Burma, a powerful tropical cyclone has k...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 10:38 a.m. - 17 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" discusses "SpankOut Day" and raising children compasionatel...
Dissecting the Local News - Mon 10:38 a.m. - 16 clicks
We know that Mike Rogers doesn't really pay much attention to the lives of people living in MI- 08. That much is clear from his voting record, which shows plenty of support for oil companies & not enough for working families . He prefers to stay in Washington, spending his time & energy fundraising on behalf of his fellow Republican pols . When he does come home, it's to raise more mon...
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (MI-08) - Mon 8:14 a.m. - 15 clicks
I hesitate to post this here because I fear that some of you may feel inclined to poke fun, but my hope is that the good that comes from the resulting discussion will outweigh the bad. In any case, what follows is, to my knowledge, the first citizen-originated video created for the purposes of drumming up developer interest in Ypsilanti’s Water Street property. If you have constructive comments th...
Mark Maynard - Sun 9:42 p.m. - 11 clicks
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton is shocked, shocked I said, that people are not happy with the direction of the country. Obviously, the Congressman needs to get out of Washington, D.C. once in a while and actually visit regular people in the 8th Congressional District. According to a story in the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus , Rogers told one of his pat stories to a receptive aud...
The Conservative Media - Sun 7:37 p.m. - 17 clicks
Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm. City Council Agenda Highlights: Amendment to City Code giving pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks Proposed 2008-2009 budget and property tax millage rates Reconsideration of backyard chicken ordinances Allocation of HOME funds for several projects Approval of contract and agreement for upgrades to the Ann Arbor Airport ...
Arbor Update - Sun 7:36 p.m. - 19 clicks
