"I was co-chairman of the initiative that led to Ballot Proposal 2 in 2006, which ended affirmative action policies at state universities. My business in Mt. Clemens was picketed by the N.A.A.C.P. They also distributed literature to every home in Mt. Clemens telling the residents to boycott my business because of what they perceived as racist views. Bottom line, people should be admitted into our universities based on merit, not race!"

In 2006 the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI; Proposal 2) appeared on the ballot. This took the hard work of many dedicated individuals - but Jack Brandenburg, despite what his campaign literature says, wasn't one of them. Jack Brandenburg initially agreed to be co-chairman of the MCRI petition drive. However, he abandoned the initiative in early 2004 just as the real work had to be done and long before voters had the opportunity to vote to end "affirmative action" programs that grant preferential treatment based on race.

Perhaps Mr Brandenburg's business was indeed picketed.  Its entirely possible.  In fact what better reason to abandon a cause early in the process, when the pressure mounts, the heat is high, and the fire is something you cannot take. Fine.  Not wanting to expose yourself or family to the harsh realities of taking a stand for principle is not for all people.

But to claim later, that you were there as a major player for the incredibly successful outcome that it enjoyed is just plain WRONG.

Few people actually stood up for Gratz and the MCRI.  One of them was Leon Drolet. Another was Mike Cox, the AG.  In fact while the Republican party of Michigan weaseled around an issue that was clearly one of taking a moral stand, these two were prominently promoting it.  They were right, and the vote that ensued showed that a majority of Michiganders were right as well.

Its sometimes incredibly hard to stand for that which you know to be correct, when the pressure of your peers, and a perceived public opinion is quite strong against it.  And seemingly, a paper thin moral compass, much like a sail, allows only a straight up stand after the winds of the storm have passed..