All the Other Stuff

All the Other Stuff, Michigan

Cut River Honor

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bridgeNormally, the gratuitous renaming of a bridge or stretch of road is to a loyal longtime bureaucrat.

Sure, there are people deserving of recognition for their work, and for most of the world, it normally happens with a decent (when earned) retirement.  However, being eternally disappointed with the self serving ‘public service employees’ who find one way or another to pat themselves or their friends on the back, it’s a bit of a relief to see someone’s ( a genuine hero) name going on an impressive structure who has actually earned it.

BREVORT — An Upper Peninsula bridge was dedicated to Petoskey native and Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (Navy SEAL) Heath Robinson on Saturday.

Robinson was raised in Petoskey and graduated from the Petoskey High School in 1995. He was killed in action more than four years ago on Aug. 6, 2011, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

Robinson’s memorial naming was attended by a couple hundred, including family, friends, and multiple veteran honor guards.

Below are some photos from the service on Saturday.

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All the Other Stuff, Democrats, Michigan, Republicans

Nuff Said.

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Carl Levin honored for being like Bill Milliken.

sencarllevin-jokerBegin Clip

“Former U.S. Senator Carl Levin will be recognized with the annual Milliken Distinguished Leadership Award at a reception in Traverse City this Saturday hosted by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. The award recognizes leaders who embody the legacy of Governor William Milliken and the late Helen Milliken ..”

End Clip.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

Smooth move there, Bonehead!

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"You resigned dude! I don't know what we're doing here?"

Last night, Fox 2 Detroit aired a very interesting “Let It Rip” featuring host Huel Perkins, a VERY unusually reserved Charlie Langton (I have not seen him this quiet for so long…ever), Charlie LeDuff (who was on his “A” Game last night), and disgraced ex-Michigan Representative (and now candidate for Michigan 82nd District) Todd Courser.

The interview went much better than last week’s “Off the Record” where Tim Skubick uncharactisticly put on the kid gloves and lobbed softballs, while Chad Livengood was strangely absent from the panel.

As I alluded to above, LeDuff got in more than a few good questions for Courser (I won’t spoil them if you haven’t clicked on the link to last night’s show above).

I will save everyone some time by mentioning that the first segment is the only one featuring Courser. The “Let It Rip – On The Road” segment dealt only with the made-up Ben Carson kerfuffle from last week’s Meet the Depressed.

‘Nuff said…for now.

 

 

 

 

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Humor in Michigan, Liberty, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Does EMU Have a Guilty Conscience?

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Ivory Tower Finances in Michigan: No Pocket Left Unpicked, Other People's Crumbs for the Students!

Greed Image 2
In June, the EMU Board of Regents unanimously voted a 7.8% increase in tuition for students. Their new tuition rate for Michigan residents is $ 10,417.00 per year. This $ 754.00 annual increase – about four times the rate of inflation – was justified on the grounds that EMU’s tuition was thirteenth among Michigan’s major public universities. Its not like EMU’s past tuition increases had been held below the rate of inflation, its just that they had been more circumspect about raping forcing their students into perpetual debt slavery.

EMU specializes in disciplines which don’t command especially high wages, but they do generally qualify for our fearless leader’s Income Driven Repayment (IDR) debt forgiveness plans. So the EMU President and Regents probably figure that it is long past time time to tap the federal taxpayers for their grand delusions ambitions through their victims students. Who would notice a few millions more in delinquencies in a program which already has $ 187 billion in delinquencies?

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All the Other Stuff, Cronyism, Democrats, Flint Water Fiasco, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Part Time Legislature, Philosophy, Republicans

Who’s Missing?

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Governor Snyder's New Pipeline Safety Advisory Board: Long on Bureaucrats & Special Interests, Short on Technical Talent

Ruptured Section of Enbridge Pipeline 6B Recovered from Calhoun County, MI. NTSB Image

Ruptured Section of Enbridge Pipeline 6B Recovered from Calhoun County, MI. NTSB Image

Governor Snyder filed Executive Order 2015-12 with the Secretary of State yesterday to create a Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board under the aegis of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. A response to the disastrous 2010 Enbridge Pipeline 6B rupture in Calhoun County and the agitation against Enbridge Pipeline 5, which transects the Straits of Mackinac.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Schuette completed a binding legal agreement with Enbridge to prevent Enbridge Pipeline 5 from being used to transport ‘heavy crude oil’ under the Straits of Mackinac. This agreement formally implements the first recommendation of the Michigan DEQ Petroleum Pipeline Task Force Report released in July to ban heavy crude oil in Line 5. Sounds good, but Enbridge Pipeline 5 does not now have the pumping horsepower for heavy crude transmission, and the weight of the crude has very little to do with pipeline integrity. Corrosive constituents in the crude, biofouling, and a host of other technical issues are far more important determinants of pipeline integrity. This agreement has great optics, but little consequence.

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All the Other Stuff, Michigan, Taxes

A Dam Fine Mess You’ve Given Us

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Short sighted grant based planning leaves a community in worse shape financially.

BrownbridgeReposted from grow.tc

Grand Traverse County residents have for the most part, been kept in the dark about the truth surrounding Dams removal.

There have been stories covering the removal process, and no doubt most folks are familiar with the mistakes made during the removal process, but what is the back story behind the entire affair that needs to be told? Who did what, and why is it being done?

However, the as-demonstrated limited attention span of most of the electorate who read this must confine it to some previously unpublished facts. Take it for what you will.

In September and October of 2008, a survey was taken to quickly gauge public knowledge/concern/interest in dam condition/repair/options. The executive summary noted that it was as much informal, as looking for opinion:

“The Public Opinion Survey developed and administered through this project was not designed as a referendum or a statistically valid sample of public opinion. Rather, the Survey and associated Informational Booklet were intended to inform and engage the general population while offering another opportunity for public participation. The Surveys were distributed as broadly as feasible given time and funding limitations between September 23 and October 10, 2008.”

Of course, the “public participation” is quite limited when removal meetings are held mid afternoon, on weekdays when many who might otherwise be engaged, are busy working.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Detroit, Elections, Fees, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Part Time Legislature, Philosophy, Proposal 15-1, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Skewed priorities and reading between the lines.

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Don’t you know that “Take a vote, not a vacation” doesn’t apply to the man at the top?

“It’s essential that making Michigan’s infrastructure safer remains a top priority. While voters didn’t support this particular proposal, we know they want action taken to maintain and improve our roads and bridges. The ‘relentless’ part of relentless positive action means that we start anew to find a comprehensive, long-term solution to this problem.” – Gov. Rick Snyder after the crushing defeat of Proposal 1 on May 5, 2015

Unless of course, you are on yet another “vacation” to peddle blueberries to the Chi-Comms?

Or, maybe that’s what he wants everyone to believe.

{More below}

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All the Other Stuff, Cronyism, Michigan, Republicans

Gov. Rick Snyder leads fifth mission to China to promote business investment, tourism in Michigan

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And maybe check on a few of his investments?

Buick-ChinaC’mon, with China’s economy in a tail spin, what else might we expect?

From the office of state propaganda

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder will lead an eight-day investment mission to China, focusing on promoting continued job-creating business growth and investment for Michigan, and the state as a tourism destination.

Snyder is meeting with government officials, industry executives and key media in in China, departing Michigan on Friday, Aug. 21, and returning Saturday, Aug. 29.

“We have built strong relationships in China since our first mission in 2011 and we will continue to make the case that there is no better place in North America for Chinese companies to expand than in Michigan,” Snyder said. “Chinese travelers are now going all over the world and the United States, and this is a great opportunity to tell people about Pure Michigan tourism. We will also be working to open more doors to new markets in China for businesses from across our state.” 

Snyder will visit Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Shanghai, where he will promote Michigan business opportunities, make a series of company visits and connect with senior government leaders. As part of the trip, he will also meet with several automotive organizations including Chinese Association of Automotive Manufacturers (CAAM) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Auto Committee (CCPIT-Auto).

….

Company visits. Check.

Nothing says tourism promotion like checking out the local manufacturing facilities.

Who knows, maybe he’ll pick up a Buick while he’s there?

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans

Guam Tips Over

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Irritating GOP 'operative' lands on the wrong side of the island.

ReaganPlaybookLennoxTeam Cruz has an issue with its vetting of campaign tools.

At least as far as the former GOP chair of Benzie County is concerned.  Adrian Poulisse, a Cruz supporter and local chair has written a memo of concern to Cruz headquarters, and cc’d to  Wendy Day (State Cruz chair) Pat Colbeck and Saul Anuzis, titled: “Dennis Lennox is no good for the Cruz Campaign” The memo starts with

“Dennis Lennox has been a divisive figure in Michigan Politics over the last half dozen years. He has been controversial since his time in college. He has manipulated his resume and has a history of malfeasance while serving as an elected official.”

And then points out a number of references to Lennox’s political activities.

Lennox has recently been given the job as a consultant to try to get the 9 delegates of Guam on-board the Cruz team.  The weight of this, even  on such a small island must certainly have its effect. Sometimes stupid decisions like stupid people, are a fact of life.

Poulisse made clear in the memo that it will serve as his letter of resignation if Lennox is considered “a must for the Ted Cruz team,” pointing out the likely resignation of others in the organization.

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80th District Special Election (2015), All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

Some Other Thoughts

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courser-gamratA little unique perspective can be very helpful.

I don’t think any of you need to be told what to think, but it is not hard to imagine that many (like myself), like to hear other well reasoned opinions about the more difficult topics of the day.  Occasionally, we might even have an epiphany.  So when Isabelle Terry wrote RightMi.com with the following:

There is a saying in Lansing: What happens in Lansing after 5 PM stays in Lansing.

It is a small suburb of Vegas in the debauchery sense.

Deals over taxpayer money suddenly turn to deals over acts of heterosexual sex, homosexual sex (likely more rampant than the heterosexual sex judging by the huge numbers of effeminate men romping around the MIGOP) and drugs use. The politicos are sluts in money, power, and physical highs.

Players play, secrets are kept.

That is… unless you are speaking the truth.

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