Jason

All the Other Stuff

Memorial Day

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tagsWe remember.

The Sons, the Daughters, the Husbands, Wives, Brothers, Sisters ..

““War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

From only a story perhaps, but the words reach out into our reality.

Our fallen shall not be forgotten.

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All the Other Stuff, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan

Payola Or Pretense?

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Is The Traverse City School District Ignoring A Gift, Or Is That 'Gift' Completely Valueless?

What does the largest government body North of Clare do when it sees a case of vendor provided payoff to an employee?

It blesses the transaction.  <– yes, that is the punchline

As yet another example of misplaced priorities, and a misunderstanding of the roles they play, the Traverse City Area public School board trustees have approved a ‘settlement’ which involves a payment from the soon-to-retire superintendent Stephen Cousins, and a gift from one of the school’s vendors to make up the difference between the $25,000 owed to the school district by the superintendent and his $14,800 cash reimbursement component.

First a recap of the facts as we know them.

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All the Other Stuff, Cronyism, Democrats, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out Carl

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Senator Carl Levin's involvement In IRS Targeting Was Inappropriate And Repugnant

sencarllevin-jokerIts one thing for a US Representative, or US Senator to intervene on behalf of a constituent when government is running amuck, but its quite yet another when a powerful elected member uses the ‘running amuck’ government to stifle free speech.

Michigan Senator Carl Levin took it upon himself to challenge eligibility for non profit status of certain groups.  He SPECIFICALLY targeted 4 groups; each of which lean conservative and exercise their first amendment rights as protected by our constitution.  A Letter to the IRS by Mr Levin names the following groups response to a certain question to be reexamined:

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Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Moneybags

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BuySeatMy wife asked me, “who is this guy?”

She was referring to the now frequent television commercials for fourth district congressional candidate Paul Mitchell. And if you have never heard of him before, its because he has not held political office that you might recognize.  Another bucket list brigade member, GOP primary candidate Paul Mitchell has already piled tons of cash into Michigan’s 4th congressional district race in an effort to present himself as a real contender.

Cable and broadcast buys for April and May have already exceeded a quarter of a million dollars, and sources have indicated he intends to whiz away his entire bank account to feel extra special if necessary.  And who cares if anyone knows who he is, or what he stands for?

Ah yes, the “what do you stand for?” question. That place where people look beyond the claims of a candidate being a conservative first, and actually predict what kind of legislator they might actually be.

And if the nape hair instincts kick in at the point where you realize a candidate has no record to examine, is blowing a wad of his own cash, and was the finance chair for the Michigan Republican Party, then you might be paying attention.

Oh yeah.. All that.

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Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Conyers NOT On Ballot

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180px-John_Conyers_1977_Congressional_photoPolitics is always interesting.

Forever termed congressman John Conyers will not be on the ballot this year. Conyers has been in congress since 1965, (The picture at right from 1977.) and quite possibly will be gone after 2014.  From Fox news:

“Longtime Congressman John Conyers of Michigan doesn’t have enough signatures to appear on the Aug. 5 primary ballot, an elections official announced Tuesday.

Conyers’ nominating petitions were insufficient, Wayne County Clerk Kathy Garrett said in a statement.

It follows her report last week finding Conyers more than 400 signatures short of 1,000 needed. Garrett said Tuesday that he had 592 valid signatures after challenges.”

It comes as no surprise that Conyers’ signature counts included WAY too many that were not registered voters.

The REAL talent is in the Democrat party however.  Many were likely dead for decades as well.

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Michigan Politics

MacMaster On OTR

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About halfway through this episode of WKAR’s Off the Record with Tim Skubick candidate for the 37th District Michigan State Senate Race, Greg MacMaster answers questions on Prisons, Detroit, and Roads.

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Michigan Politics

Minimum Wage And Restaurant Reviews

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Truthfully I have never eaten at the Swiss Inn in Lake George, Michigan, so I have no idea of how accurate some of the statements I have found are.

But I had to find out more about the restaurant owned by a man who commented on one of my own statements.  In response to it, and to a recent Capitol Confidential article, he says with his own words:

“As a restaurant owner in northern Michigan, I would disagree with you! The last time the minimum wage went up (30%) I raised my prices only 15 cents to make up for the difference. What we (Small Businesses) need more than ANYTHING, is more spendable income in the hands of the people who spend it, the Middle Class. Giving me and other businesses a tax break did very little to help me. Adding a NEW tax actually took money OUT of our fragile economy, hurting it more. The ONLY thing that would cause me, (or ANY small business), to hire someone, is if there is an increase in the demand for my product or service. I believe the increase of minimum wage will help everyone, putting more money into the economy will not only help the struggling workers, but it will also help the struggling small businesses, and an increase in taxes for the State. Everyone wins!!! As far as a tipped employee goes, the smaller tips you claim will happen, will be taken care of by the $7.60 per hour they will be gaining!”

Everyone wins!

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All the Other Stuff, Humor in Michigan, Michigan, Philosophy

It Takes A Village

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To tell those punk kids of Text-Me-Notours to un-kink their goose necks.

Seriously.

“House Resolution No. 354.  

A resolution to declare May 5-11, 2014, as Screen-Free Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Screen-Free Week is an enjoyable and innovative way to improve children’s well-being by reducing dependence on entertainment screen media, including television, video games, computers, and hand-held devices, thus offering time for children to go outside, read, daydream, create, explore, and spend more time with family and friends; and

Whereas, Preschool children spend an average of 32 hours a week with screen media; and

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Conservative News, Democrats, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Lerner Found In contempt

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Abusive IRS director found in contempt of congress.

joker-petersGary Peters voted ‘innocent’ on IRS chief Lois Lerner’s contempt charge.

Lerner arguably directed the IRS policy to discriminate against conservative groups and their ability to finance against the ongoing federal tyranny.  She was then called to testify on the matter in front of a congressional oversight committee.  Instead of simply refusing to testify, she made a statement before a congressional panel investigating her crimes, THEN shut up expecting to enjoy 5th amendment protections.

It doesn’t work that way.

A Bi-partisan congressional vote 231-187 with 6 democrats joining the Republicans  found Lerner in contempt.  Nothing will happen of course, until the gatekeeper of lawlessness, Eric Holder is impeached and removed from his office.  Holder himself was found in contempt, and still exists as US Attorney General.

Michigan Republicans present voted to find her in contempt. (Bentivolio was unable to make this vote)  Conversely, All of Michigan Democrats including US senate candidate Gary Peters would apparently excuse this type of lawless behavior, and voted to protect her.

Remember this lesson and internalize it.

 

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