Liberty

Grand Traverse County, Clous, and The Nutty Left

The Irony of the "Chilling Effect" on display.

The bat guano crazy left won one this time.  And it’s not a good look on local government.

TRAVERSE CITY — Grand Traverse County has settled a long-running lawsuit involving former Commissioner Ron Clous for $100,000, according to plaintiff attorney Blake Ringsmuth.

The settlement of the case likely came from a desire to end the nuisance suit and get back to the work they were supposedly elected to do.  However, the core of the lawsuit against Commissioner Ron Clous revolves around the claim that his display of a rifle during a virtual meeting had a “chilling effect” on free speech. Yet, the ensuing legal action itself arguably exerts a chilling effect on expressive conduct, particularly when it pertains to constitutionally protected rights.

The “chilling effect” refers to the inhibition or discouragement of legitimate exercise of natural and legal rights by the threat of legal sanction. In this case, Clous’s action—while perhaps ill-advised (and maybe a little funny at the time), was a form of expressive conduct. The lawsuit, and the subsequent $100,000 settlement, could deter public officials from engaging in similar expressions, fearing legal repercussions.

You Betcha! (8)Nuh Uh.(0)

The Case Against Zoning Enabling in Michigan

How Did We Ever Survive Without Zoning?

So .. In Lansing, there is great ballyhoo about Lansing “returning zoning power to the local governments.”

All well and fine .. but

There was a time when homes were built by families with sweat, timber, and willpower. Before the advent of bureaucratic overreach, people lived in homes they designed, worked in businesses they created, and adapted their communities through mutual interest and common sense. Today, we’re told we cannot build like our parents did. We’re trapped in a maze of restrictive zoning laws enabled by the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MZEA) of 2006—a law that stifles private property rights, innovation, and natural development.

As a real estate agent working in Northern Michigan, I see firsthand the impact of these constraints. Buyers are fighting for affordability while sellers—who must often become buyers again—face a new market skewed by government-imposed scarcity. My goal is to ensure both sides find the best value, despite a system that increasingly works against them.

Private Property Is a Natural Right

You Betcha! (4)Nuh Uh.(0)

Teach A Man To Fish

Why Tariffs Matter More Than You Think

Big picture, long term.

Imagine you’re running a small fishing business. You’ve got nets, boats, a crew, and years of know-how passed down through generations. Then one day, imported fish starts showing up in your market — dirt cheap. Tastes okay. Looks the same. Your customers love the price. You can’t compete, so you cut costs. Maybe lay off a few folks. Eventually, you hang it up.

Now what?

Let’s zoom out. This isn’t just about fish — it’s about everything we make. Microchips, textiles, tools, technology, even baby formula. When goods from overseas flood the market at prices lower than domestic producers can match, it feels like a win for the consumer… at first.

But over time, we risk forgetting how to fish.

Wait — Isn’t That What Antitrust Law is For?

You Betcha! (6)Nuh Uh.(0)

Time To Light It Up Again

She is a tyrant.  Don’t forget this

Whitmer’s recent enactment of gun control measures are a step in the wrong direction. The legislation introduces universal background checks for all firearm purchases and mandates ‘safe storage requirements.’

While proponents argue these laws aim to enhance public safety, it’s far past time to examine their potential impact on law-abiding citizens. (The rest of us not currently holding the top three executive positions in MI State govt.) The universal background checks extend to private sales, raising concerns about the implications for responsible gun owners. Additionally, the safe storage mandates may impose challenges for individuals seeking immediate access to firearms for self-defense.

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(0)

RINO John James Protest – October 25th.

 

I’ve already written about the swamp-dwelling RINO’s completely losing their minds after Rep. Gaetz called out FORMER Speaker McCarthy on his spinelessness when it came to running things in the House.

Did any Republicans from Michigan stand up for Conservative Values and demonstrate where they really stand?

Nope.

Thanks guys. Great job! Good to know where you really stand when it really counts.

Then we’ve seen them extend this streak of cowardness when it came to nominating and electing a replacement Speaker.

This one should’ve been a slam-dunk.

After a few RINO’s were washed out of the contest, Rep. Jim Jordan’s name came up for a vote.

And how did that vote turn out?

{Continued below the fold}

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(1)

Clearly you fail to recognize the problem.

Which is worse, those who are purposefully driving our republic into ruin or those people allegedly on “our side” who are directly contributing the underlying problem?

{Click on that red button below to find out who is up to what this time…}

You Betcha! (6)Nuh Uh.(0)

And just who do we have to thank for this?

I STILL fear for the Republic.

That been said, I am disappointed, but I am certainly not in the least bit surprised with what transpired last November.

After last year’s raging dumpster fire of an election, there really wasn’t much to say about its outcome.

With what had transpired over the previous two years, the 2022 election should have been simply a formality, and we could’ve been focused on getting Michigan back on track, had the drive been there to accomplish that task.

Regrettably, certain people in our state were more concerned with “their candidate” winning than promoting (or even defending for that matter a political philosophy).

Their ego…conceit…hubris…call it what you’d like, blinded them to the actual threat.

Now, people are beginning to take notice of the consequences from their actions, or more accurately, LACK thereof.

And only now is it beginning to frighten them.

{Continued after the fold.}

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(0)