Philosophy

Article V Debate In Traverse City

What is an Article V Constitutional Convention and why did the Michigan Legislature apply for it?

912TBIn recent months, there has been an interesting divide in conservative politics on the efficacy of holding an Article V constitutional convention.

Points have been made vigorously on both sides of the issue. Some argue that an article V could get out of hand, while others see it as a way to harden  constitutional principles firmly with specific goals.  The fact is, that average Joe hasn’t a clue of what it entails, what the risks are, or what might be unexpected outcomes.

Here is an opportunity to hear both perspectives presented in a debate format among good friends; each, who are solidly on either side of the question.

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Oh Bouchard, you haz Some ‘Splaining to do

Interesting series on local government invasion of privacy events in the Detnews.com

Now, though, some privacy advocates question why one of the safest counties in Michigan needs the super-secretive Hailstorm device that is believed to be able to collect large amounts of cellphone data, including the locations of users, by masquerading as a cell tower.

“I don’t like not knowing what it’s capable of,” said county Commissioner Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Township, who has met in recent weeks with sheriff’s officials about his concerns.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is one of about two dozen forces nationwide — and the only one in Michigan — with the $170,000 machine. So little is known about Hailstorm that even national experts will only speculate about its capabilities. The technology from Florida-based defense contractor Harris Corp. is believed to be an upgrade of Stingray, a suitcase-sized contraption that is installed in cars and used to trick nearby phones into connecting with it and providing data to police.
….

Undersheriff Michael McCabe said, “Hailstorm helps us capture fugitives from the law, people wanted for murder and rape” and can be used only with a search warrant. He said the federal Homeland Security Act bars him from discussing Hailstorm, but he elaborated at length about what it doesn’t do.

“It’s not a tool to spy on people, unequivocally,” McCabe said. “It does not record cellphone conversations … Hailstorm does not capture personal information on anyone or store unintended target data. It does not take photos of anyone. It doesn’t take videos or fly in the sky. It’s a tool used for criminal investigations and it’s legal and lawful.”

McCabe recently gave similar assurances to county commissioners. He was prompted in part by persistent, anonymous emails that have been sent to county officials and others about the system, but also questions from Runestad.

MORE

Sure… like why would anyone question the on record judgement calls from the Oakland County Sheriff?

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Keeping ’em fat, Dumb, and Happy

Interesting Opening Day snippet about the new “Enhanced Security” clustermuck at billionaire Ilitch’s taxpayer subsidized Amphitheatrum Flavium.

SheepleOthers, such as St. Clair Shores resident Scott Mitchell, came early to beat the wait.

“If it’s for our safety, I don’t mind it,” he said.
….

“I’m OK with it,” said Bryan Collison, 27. “Pretty much anywhere you go now you have to use these.”
….

Larry Dewey, 58, wasn’t worried about longer lines, either. Dewey has been to more than 30 Opening Day games and said the change wasn’t that big of a deal.

“Safety first,” the Rochester Hills native said. “Once everyone gets used to it, it will be just like any other game.”

Now, how did Franklin know that what he warned about would be Boomer and Millennial dolts? What a visionary Ben was. If one suspected otherwise one most certainly could assert that the indoctrination is being induced from elsewhere *cough*Public Act 396 of 2012*cough*.

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Saturday Wrap Up – And Other KrisAnne Hall Stops

Can't Miss Classes On The Constitution

KrisanneToday’s KrisAnne Hall presentation in front of 100 plus in Traverse City was nothing short of eye opening.

Hall offered to a ‘Constitutional Conservative Republican’ Senate leader in Florida, the way in which the state could ‘nullify’ provisions of the healthcare law. The Senate leader Don Gaetz replied in an email to Hall with a disturbing note:

don-gaetz“After sending Senator Don Gaetz my letter explaining the positions of James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton on State Sovereignty, Mr. Gaetz says that citizens who agree with the writer of the Declaration of Independence should be summarily shot and hanged.”

Summing up the attitude that makes up a greater part of the leadership in the country.

While I digest all of the class information, file away the epiphanies, and prepare for the next round of historical fact based blogging observations, It occurs to me that other Michigan folks might appreciate a heads up of what to expect.  First off, you might THINK you know the constitution, and you might even know of the documents that were ‘plagiarized,’ to form the basis of the constitution, but her presentation will fill in where it matters.

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Windsock

Or, more accurately, windsuck.

Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration is reviewing whether some 300 same-sex marriages performed Saturday in four Michigan counties are valid, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said the governor’s office could make a determination on the legality of the marriages as early as Wednesday.

….

Following Friedman’s ruling and Schuette’s continued defense of the 2004 voter-approved ban, Snyder has stayed away from reporters’ questions this week about his views on gay marriage.

REST

There is no end to the deceitful propaganda that continues to flow from this administration. Snyder has a J.D. from U of M, and damned well knows this Anthony Kennedy-esque out in Left field opinion is being appealed, and is sworn to the same Oath to defend Michigan’s Constitution as every other elected office.

DicksI’m also not impressed with the Alticor checkbook that funds the MI-GOP fueling the divide with their cabana boi’s publicity stunt.

If it weren’t for Ruth Johnson, I’d stay home in November.

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Parts By Mr Godwrench® Certified Mechanic

Isn't It Amazing That This Must Be Explained?

nuts-boltsWhen placing a nut on a bolt, there is an axiomatic reality that must be observed; two nuts don’t go together, and likewise neither will two bolts.

Its not a function of discrimination, or the hating of the thought that no two similar pieces of hardware unite, but rather a simple fact that bolts require a nut to function properly, and conversely the nut needs a bolt.  The hardware is designed to mate and perform a function.  And because bolt on bolt action doesn’t work, doesn’t mean that those same Bolts cannot find a matching Nut.

Nut on Bolt is still perfectly legal and allowed by design.

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