Jason

Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Pardon Me?

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Former Detroit mayor seeks unlikely relief from well earned berth.

Things that make you go hmm..  Many times over.

[Former?] Thugmaster K wants “to go home.”  He says he doesn’t like prison, and is now praying for a pardon from the president. He is a changed man:

Our country has always been the land of 2nd Chances! I am hoping, confidently expecting, that I will have the opportunity to boldly move into the next season of my life; outside of these prison walls. Also, that I will have the opportunity to help someone else get off the floor of despair, failure, brokenness and calamity…then walk courageously, confidently, and powerfully into their own new season, their own destiny.

By God’s grace, I have received a pardon from Him, through Christ Jesus. I pray that I will receive the opportunity for Pardon/Clemency from the President of the United States as well.

Changed.

“White Jesus” notwithstanding, change carries with it some personal responsibility, yes?  Just a couple months ago, we saw how he is willing to own up to his former life as a corruptotician.  From Click on Detroit

Kilpatrick was also ordered to pay  $1,637,087 in restitution. He told the court in February that he doesn’t believe he should have to pay because it’s impossible to calculate the amount of money he took from taxpayers.

No comment necessary.

Other than even the folks out West aren’t writing scripts as good as this.

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Detroit, Humor in Michigan, Michigan, Opinion

The Michigan Connection

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Maybe North Korean efforts might have been more difficult if not for a former Detroit athlete?

As you know, these pages have been primarily for Michigan based political discussion and opinion.

I thought this might be an opportune time to offer some credit to an unlikely recipient of praise for anything ‘diplomatic.’ The strange path to regained world prominence continues with a historic effort by Donald Trump’s administration and possibly bolstered by a former Detroit (among others) basketball player.

The effort by our president and his team in Singapore appears to have borne fruit.  Removing the nuclear threat from North Korea is now a very real possibility, and even better, the possibility of continued human rights abuses by that regime will be lessened as economic growth and wealth realization appeals to its leadership.

Kim Jong Un, who came to power following the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011, an heir to a dictatorship has always had a taste for western luxury.  A private yacht akin to a Disney ride, and port turned into a private resort. Former Piston Dennis Rodman described it as a Seven Star Party:

“He’s got 50 to 60 around him all the time – just normal people, drinking cocktails and laughing the whole time. …If you drink a bottle of tequila, it’s the best tequila .. Everything you want, he has the best.”

And Rodman was laughed at by many folks (including myself) for his attempt at personal diplomacy.

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Michigan, Michigan Politics

Prevailing Wage Repealed.

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Michigan's prevailing wage law no longer will hamstring local government construction efforts that use state dollars.

Let this soak in for a few days.

From MLIVE:

LANSING, MI – The Michigan House joined the Senate in voting to repeal prevailing wage Wednesday afternoon, officially unraveling a law that had guaranteed union-level wages on public construction sites for half a century.

And the most ‘progressive left’ Republican governor since Bill Milliken cannot even veto it.

More later.

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Michigan

Wifi High

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Is all technology good all the time?

Things that might be said in the near future?

“No officer, I wasn’t stalking the school kids …  It was the bus I really want to be near.”

“Honey try to stay close to that bus till my download is finished”

“Excuse me Mr Johnson? (the bus driver) I missed my stop again.”

“My mom says all I have to do is take this raw egg with me on the bus and I’ll have breakfast by the time we get to school.”

School Bus Internet (the new federal SBI program) coming your way.

 

 

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Michigan

UPCPAC June 8-9

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Upper Peninsula Political Action Conferences (UPCPAC)

Last call for the first Upper Peninsula conservative Political shindig.

 

Friday Night: June 8, 2018 Highland Golf Club, Escanaba, MI. 7:00pm (TICKETS HERE)

UPCPAC will host a meet and greet for candidates seeking election in the 2018 primary and general elections.

Please come out and cheer on your favorite candidate.

Undecided? This is the place to be! Come and meet local and state candidates. So far, confirmed candidates:

  • 110 State Rep. Candidates: Kirk Schott
  • 38th Senate Candidates: Ed McBroom
  • Mike Carey
  • Governor Candidates: Patrick Colbeck

Saturday Morning: June 9, 2018 Highland Golf Club 10:00am
The theme of this years event:  “Our Constitution: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”
UPCPAC brings togther knowledgeable speakers to help us understand our Constitutions rich history, the differing ways it is under attack, today and what our future may look like tomorrow because of it.

UPCPAC’s list of speakers include:

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All the Other Stuff, Michigan

Memorial Day 2018

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Some memories from today.

It was warm and humid.

As usual, it hardly stopped hundreds who gathered in Traverse City at the veterans memorial for the annual Memorial Day observance.  Veterans, patriots, and Gold Star mothers were present, all to honor the fallen in wars both recent and past.

I have never served.  My family and so many others have have been blessed in ways to have a military that has guaranteed certain freedoms.  So many have sacrificed it all for our country, but it has already been said more eloquently here.

Below is a collection of photographs from today’s gathering.

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2018 Michigan Gubernatorial Race, Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Mackinac Center Interviews Pat Colbeck

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Michigan Gubernatorial candidate Pat Colbeck was interviewed earlier this year on a number of issues.

A couple of choice quotes:

Essentially the state has deemed it upon itself to play venture capitalist with taxpayer money to the tune of about a billion dollars. It’s about halfway split between MEDC and Michigan Strategic Fund. … I propose broad-base tax incentives that honor Article I, Section I of the Michigan Constitution, which means that our policies are meant for the equal benefit of all of our citizens.

Right now, with these venture capitalist approach to economic development, like the ones you mentioned, the only people that get the deals are the ones with the ears of the power brokers up in Lansing, … it’s turned into more of an “old friends and family discount” than something that benefits all the citizens of Michigan. It’s something that I’m vehemently opposed to.

and

Businesses thrive when you lower the total cost of doing business, which is confirmed if you click here and read this article. One of the major costs for businesses is the cost of government, and we can get into some of the other costs here down the road here, but health care is another one and energy is another one, and if you can lower all three of those costs, you actually create an economic development incentive package that’s not picking winners and losers; that applies to everybody equally.

When folks ask if it is possible for someone to represent ‘everyone.’ I say this last part is how its done.

The full transcript is available at Michigan Capitol Confidential’s site.

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Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion

Something In The Water

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Traverse City pursues expensive power option.

There’s Crazy – Then There Is Traverse City Michigan crazy.

Once upon a time, Traverse City owned TCL&P (Traverse City Light & Power) produced electricity.  (see picture at right) We had coal docks, a steam producing boiler, and turbines that were able to produce all of what was needed for Traverse City, and some surrounding area power needs.

In the early eighties, TCL&P, contracted with the county to operate power generation from three dams that were deeded to Grand Traverse County a decade before by Consumers Power. It cost them nothing. In the 90s, TCL&P erected the region’s first windmill, while at the same time reducing output and planning complete decommission of  its coal fired facility which (by the way) was located on the valuable public waterfront.

Stories were plentiful about how the city was conscious of the environment, had to do their part, and how some folks would sign up for that ‘expensive’ energy which cost only 3 or four times the current rate. There were TCL&P customers who voluntarily paid for ‘green’ energy that came down the same transmission lines, even though it was the same electricity as the guy was getting next door for less.

I suppose a byline in the local fish wrap was worth it?

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2018 Michigan Gubernatorial Race, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Governor’s Debate Takeaways

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So who won?

I’ll admit it, I have a dog in this race.

I prefer Patrick Colbeck for the GOP nomination, but an honest critique of the Grand Rapids debate is warranted here. The one hour forum broadcast with at least 5 minutes of technical difficulties, and a scheduled emergency broadcast test in the middle offered voters a better picture of who ought to represent as gubernatorial flag bearer for the GOP in November.

Bill Schuette, Brian Calley Patrick Colbeck, and Jim Hines participated.  Each candidate was clearly prepared, and felt comfortable in front of the camera.

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