Opinion

In Sheep’s Clothing

Upcoming Alinsky video a "must see?"

I am not sure of the last time I would have spent 10 minutes or more on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

For no reason other than that I generally watch TV to provide ‘escape’ on some level, EWTN is not usually my go-to channel.  Of course given the content of an upcoming program, there might be a little self reflection in our future. What we find ‘acceptable’ today, is markedly different than what might have passed not too many years ago, before the damaging effects of relative change.

Saul Alinsky was a smart cookie. But he was also a terrible influence on our nation.  Hat tip to submitter John, who notes the interesting juxtaposition of the programming, and the way in which the Church has participated in some way with some of what a video on it’s network is targeting.

“.. With organized religion (in general) such an integral portion of any present/future societal-based solution; it is incredible that the Catholic church has promoted this negative view of past(?) American church leadership as a history primer for succeeding generations.

A must see for those who believe that the church (long playing an intimate role) simply doesn’t ‘get it’ in terms of where we’ve been and where we’re fast headed ..”

Indeed.

Enjoy the trailer, and consider setting the DVR for Saturday Night at 10:30.

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

Define “Blown Away”

Will Michigan continue to provide unchecked investments for unworthy results?

pure-somethingI would say that yes, we were indeed “Blown away” by the abuses of our state government allowing such abuse by the taxpayer.

Pure Michigan has become the key phrase for all thing corruptible and cronyist. According to Cap Con, much of the taxpayer largess spent on economic development has yielded zero benefit. They point out:

“.. In addition, some investment groups received millions through the fund but created zero jobs and no proceeds ..”

“Investment”  ..It has a catchy ring to it, yes?

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(0)

So What About The Big M?

The 'progressive' left will leave no institutions standing when it is through.

msu-towerHas the left destroyed all of our traditions yet?

Perhaps not, though progressives cannot abide by any roadblocks to the ultimate agenda of ‘change’ toward their vision of a Utopian prison for all.  David French in The Left Is Weaponizing Sports, reminds us that it ain’t over till every institution has been destroyed, and the bonds that hold us together have been severed:

While the NCAA — as perhaps the peak representative of progressive hypocrisy and cheap virtue signaling — is an easy target, its action raises a much more significant concern. Simply put, there are not many cultural spaces remaining where Americans can meet on more or less neutral ground — where Americans of all faiths and political beliefs can meet, unite, and share a positive communal experience.

Our political polarization is but one symptom of our increasing Balkanization. When I speak, I sometimes challenge audiences to name one significant cultural force or trend that is binding Americans together, rather than pulling them apart.

The NCAA is being used as a weapon.

Which begs a great big question:Aren’t we supposed to store weapons in a safe place?”

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

Because It’s More

There are some things that simply cannot be trademarked.

m22Bill Schuette was right on this one.

His opinion in 2012, and recently compounded with a lawsuit to deny the Myers brothers their trademark is clear.  The M22 signs you see on apparel, coffee mugs, stickers on cars and used to profit a  Northern Michigan business cannot be claimed for their exclusive use:

“..  In documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, the state argues that highway signs can’t be registered and that trademarking signs violates the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which sets the federal standards for signs, signals and pavement markings. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette wrote in a 2012 opinion that “no entity can lawfully claim exclusive control over use of the state’s highway route marker design, because the design is in the public domain and is otherwise not subject to protection under trademark law.”   ..”

In other words, we all bought and paid for this design.

You Betcha! (8)Nuh Uh.(2)

Rails To Fails

Rails to trails projects - Are they worth the investment?

MicDSC_4010higan, and other states have seen a change from railroad grades to walking biking trails over the last several years.

While the old industrial infrastructure is converted to ‘cool cities’ attractions, communities are being asked to pitch in for tourism, and by golly, to commit for more of that brownfield dollar abuse as well. From today’s ticker:

“The new trail route is estimated to cost $5.3 million to complete. According to TART Trails Executive Director Julie Clark, $3.6 million (or 68 percent of the construction budget) is already earmarked in brownfield funding for the project. TART will seek an $800,000 commitment from Garfield Township trustees at their 6pm meeting tonight (Tuesday), leaving an $877,000 funding gap, or the remaining 17 percent of project costs. The city could help cover those costs, and partners could also apply for state grants, which “have funded the Boardman Lake Trail since day one,” Clark said.”

Its only money right?

One commenter says:

Kudos to the City and TART. Trails are big money for cities, both in enhanced tourism and in adding value to properties. This will open up a lot of cool opportunities and add value all around Boardman Lake.

Well snap.

I guess its “big money.”

Add to this the suggestion of creating a new parks authority, it only starts there.

You Betcha! (13)Nuh Uh.(1)

Are Guns Next?

Expect cigarette sting operations to be in full swing in the peoples republic of Ann Arbor this winter

Got-A-SmokeOne thing that the Democrats are good at, is ‘Nanny Statism’

If in any particular form it poses a health risk, you better damned well believe it can fall under a federal mandate, state law or local ordinance.  Democrats, progressives, and big-government little-minds know what is best for you.  Even if they can hardly manage their own lives, its for your own good.

So it comes as no surprise that Ann Arbor, bastion of elitist progressive nincompoopery has decided that unless you have obtained the age of 21, you cannot buy smokes in their little Utopian safe-space paradise. From Cap-Con:

“The Ann Arbor City Council last week voted for an ordinance that will ban the sale of tobacco products to people under 21, making it the first city in Michigan to raise the legal purchasing age from 18.”

So, has Ann Arbor made the statement that its population does not mature quickly enough to make such decisions?

Next up, no recruiting by the military of anyone under 25?

Oh..

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

Inside Job

Just order the damned happy meal and be quiet.

Customer:     A Whopper with cheese please

BK Guy:    I think you would like the Big Mac better.

Customer:     Big Mac? Isn’t that McD’s?

BK Guy:    Yes.  They are quite good too.

Customer:     Is this BK selling Big Macs now for the McD’s next door?

BK Guy:    Oh.. Not really, but I am.  I just think that is a better choice.

Customer:     But you work here at BK?

BK Guy:    For about 60 years. Yessiree.

You Betcha! (21)Nuh Uh.(1)

The Milliken Resolution

As far as the Grand Traverse County GOP is concerned, Bill Milliken isn't recognized as a Republican

Every couple of years, Former Michigan governor William Grawn Milliken trots out his endorsements for Democrat candidates.

While endorsements are a part of the political process, it is always noted that this has been by a ‘Republican’ who “is crossing party lines” to support Democrats.  Often enough it has been against incumbent Republicans, and is used in the press to promote disunity within the party.

Over the years, this has happened several times, and is consistent enough that it seemed prudent that the Republican party in his county of residence have a say in whether he is even considered to be a Republican at all.

Much in the way our nation has been beset by ‘gender confusion’, it seemed the former state executive has had a political identity crisis for some time. Supporting publicly funded abortion through the veto pen, and supporting Democrats against Republicans in critical contests not once or twice, but habitually for too many years to ignore.

You Betcha! (40)Nuh Uh.(9)

Neither Austerity Nor Rebuilding Are Guaranteed

How do the current crisis period and the current presidential election impact each other?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (attributed to Margaret Mead)

Insofar as I have been able to research, historical consensus is that the American Revolution began with the Stamp Act Congress (October 1765), and ended with the ratification of the Bill of Rights (December 1791). This twenty-six year effort to secure independence from the British Crown, and establish a free and independent republic (America’s original “crisis period”), was unique in the entirety of human history. By this I mean that, rather than simply swapping one set of rules for another, or one set of political leaders for another, the patriots of America’s founding generations created, from scratch, a nation dedicated to and based upon the proposition that every man and woman stands equal before the law, and has a God-given and inalienable right to a life of Liberty and Justice. Yet, the sum total of soldiers, sailors, statesmen, sages, and shopkeepers who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the cause that established the freest and most prosperous nation ever known – made most of the sacrifices, did most of the work, and made nearly all of the major decisions – amounted to merely three percent of the total American population of the time . . . evidence for the credibility of what historians refer to as “The Law of The Vital Few.”

In contemporary America, every economic, social, and political trend seems to indicate that the United States are already in the fourth crisis period of our national history. Given this, the question seems fair to ask: Where now are the sages, statesmen, investors, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs . . . and even leaders . . . who will guide us through not only this crisis, but also the austerity and rebuilding that will surely be needed once the crisis has passed? More importantly, would we know how to recognize such producers and leaders when they arrive?

You Betcha! (12)Nuh Uh.(2)