Primary Results Thread

by: lpackard

Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 20:35:58 PM EDT

Sec of State's site here.

Det News/AP site here.

As of 12:03pm, from Det News/AP - last update for the night

US Sen (R):	Bouchard 59.68%	Butler 40.32%	4298/5470 precincts reporting
3rd CD (D):	Hickey 49.15%	Rinck 50.85%	312/313 precincts reporting
7th CD (R):	Schwarz 45.13%	Walberg 54.87%	259/336 precincts reporting
9th CD (R):	Godchaux 31.13%	Knollenberg 68.87%	130/296 precincts reporting

Note: 4 candidates messes up my table, so I'll mention here that Renier is ahead by a lot in the 7th Dem primary, and Casey and Denison are tied in the 10th Dem primary.

BULLETIN - Tom DeLay to resign

by: matt

Mon Apr 03, 2006 at 23:46:08 PM EDT

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 07:04:10 AM EDT

Morning, everyone. Just wanted to kick things off with a shout out to our most recent BlogAd sponsor, ED in 08 (it's the one above/below the leopard ad). The stated goal of ED in 08 is, "to ensure that the nation engages in a rigorous debate and to make education a top priority in the 2008 presidential election. We hope that candidates will offer genuine leadership rather than empty rhetoric and tell voters how they intend to strengthen America’s schools so all students receive the education they deserve."

Considering the way college students here in Michigan have been getting manhandled by all the recent tuition hikes (thanks to you-know-who), this is definitely something I think our readers might be interested in. Show them some love for supporting MichLib.

Anyway, enough chitchat... on to the links!

Current & Pending Legislation

• My Left Pinkie: Unclear on the concept, Senator? The Left Pinkie is gearing up for the looming Right to Work for Less fight.
• Derek Melot: Always time to party. Are the presidential primary bills as important to the future of our state as the budget? Derek doesn't seem to think so: "While Michigan lawmakers can't seem to find the money to fill a $1.8 billion budget hole, or service cuts of the same size the public wouldn't riot over, time is spent on nonsense like Senate Bills 624-25."
• BFM: Privatization kills union and 40 jobs. The Comm Guru, on the Howell Public Schools Board of Education's vote to break the custodians' union: "Granted, this case of privatizing is not part of any Republican conspiracy, but overall it fits right into their mission to break unions. Republicans in both the House and Senate have bills pending to make Michigan a right to work for less state, and if that fails, a rightwing extremist who specializes in fraudulent and deceptive petition drives is marshaling money and resources to launch a petition drive to place it on the ballot."

Budget Battle

• BFM: Granholm slams Legislature on budget stall. The Governor is heading to Sweden and Germany to bring jobs back to Michigan. As for the legislature... "Not only are they Absent in August, they haven't even set a calendar for September yet."
• Detroit News: Stop playing games on state reforms. The Lt. Gov doesn't mince words in this excellent Op-Ed: "If ever there was a time to move beyond political gamesmanship in Michigan, it is now. The Senate Republicans insist -- with good reason -- that government reforms are key to resolving the budget crisis in Michigan. But if they believe their own rhetoric, it is time for them to finally pass government reforms."

Tuesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Aug 14, 2007 at 08:49:32 AM EDT

Do you realize that there are almost 80 Michigan Lefty Blogs floating around on these Tubes of the Internet? In the realization that most of you rarely read more than just MichLib, here's something to wet your appetite for a little more...

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly -

• Trusty Getto: MI Supreme Court finally getting the attention it deserves - Trusty highlights some of the high courts misdeeds over the last couple months.
  
• To Play the King: Walberg Votes Against our Troops - Francis is giving dear Timmeh all the heat he deserves for the shoddy job performance he's pulling out in D.C. Hey Tim, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the Swamp!
  
• In the Middle of it All: Thought's on Today's Meet the Press and MI-07 - Get the run down of Sunday's Meet the Press featuring Markos, founder of DailyKos.com and the latest on the 7th Congressional District.
  
• My Left Pinkie: Friday Night Fright - Stormy's got some West Michigan/Muskegon area news to brighten your day...if you can work through the frustration of it all.
  
• Greed Eggs and Ham: Failing our Students - Petrolcide's got the latest frustrations courtesy of our Senate Republicans when it comes to our kids. After you get done wanting to pull your hair out, chip in and help college kids at one of the state's 15 public universities. With that many, you're bound to be near one or another!

• Great Lakes for All: Encouraging Signs of a cleaner Detroit River - For everyone who's like to crow about 'Dirty Detroit', well, put this post in your pipe and smoke it. More good news coming out from Detroit and about our environment.
• Great Lakes Guy: Detroit's Whale of a Mistake - Andy hit it right on the money with this one, corporate profits win out over art and beauty? Hey, I like the Verizon Guy too, but more than Robert Wyland's Whales? No way!

• The AP: $1.9M spent so far on U.P. fire - and counting as the fire continues to burn, the good news is it is becoming more and more manageable and closer to being extinguished.
• Ann Arbor News: Efforts to preserve land are succeeding - A record number of land was preserved last year in Washtenaw County, which means good news for our environment and our future.
  
• Kalamazoo Gazette: Professor funds WMU wind turbine - Wouldn't it be nice if the state could afford projects like this to keep energy costs and pollution down? I guess it's just a distant dream with Mike Bishop in office.
  
• LSJ: 'Hire Michigan First' Initiative Unveiled - Remember that 'No Worker Left Behind' proposal we heard from Gov. Granholm in January? Here it is,  ready to be made into law, by our House Dems.
  
• Freep: Detroit pill manufacturer plans to expand, creating 600 new jobs - Good news out of Detroit, and for those looking for a job.
• Freep: New DHS director says easing poverty to be main concern - Good news out of Lansing, Gov. Granholm's brought on a new community-focused director on board, and for this one, fighting poverty is one of the top priorities.
  

• Snappy Casual Nuns: Hail Maaaaarrrrrggghhy! - Nothing says fun like some snappy casual nuns, really.

Christine Barry in the Free Press: Blogging really is a lawmaker's business

by: BZP

Tue Aug 14, 2007 at 08:36:29 AM EDT

Blogs give constituents a new way to access their senators. People who aren't confident in face-to-face or phone conversations are sometimes very eloquent online. People who would never dream of attending a town hall forum may share experiences with each other in comments or in diaries. People who would never think of making their living as lobbyists or activists can make an impact with a blog.

Blogging opens up our government to a group of people who may never otherwise get involved. People who previously disliked politics now find that there is an enjoyable way for them to participate, on their own time, in their own homes. Why would Bishop, or anyone else, want to deny these people this method of communication?

If you feel so inclined, I might encourage folks to jump over to the Free Press comments section to voice your support for Michigan's progressive bloggers. Great work, Christine!

P.S. Almost forgot to mention, you can read her follow-up post to the Op-Ed here.

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Available Now on your Newsstand

by: LiberalLucy

Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 08:53:00 AM EDT

Welcome to Lansing, ladies and gents, and to our own sad excuse of a newspaper, the Lansing State Journal.

As if all of this wasn't enough, that very same paper keeps trying to find ways to slither back into hearts, homes, and local retailers by justifying its actions.

Despicable, just plain despicable.

It happened in the Sunday edition of the LSJ, which I only read online and slowly but surely I find myself picking up less and less. Matt Miller, who typically covers MSU and higher education issues, did a piece titled "Privacy vs. openness: A delicate balance".

How interesting, isn't it?

The story starts out about the salaries and budgets over at MSU, and about how the information is open to anyone because the school operates as a public university. But true to the LSJ's modus operandi, that's not really what the article's about.

Sunday Coffee Talk / Open Thread

by: JordanLFW

Sun Aug 12, 2007 at 02:10:04 AM EDT

• pWire: The  Ames Straw Poll Results were of course all the buzz...Romney-Huckabee-Brownback 123. Ironically problems with a Diebold voting machine delayed the results several hours.
• BGlobe: Romney tried to bury the firing of an indicted fundraiser amid the straw poll news, so of course I'll take the opportunity to highlight it here.
• VoteNoOnJoe: Local activist and MichLib blogger BFealk is once again in the news for his campaign against Congressman Knollenberg
• OurMI: Be sure not to miss Pierogi Day in Detroit!
• dKos: Nancy Skinner Considering Rematch Against Knollenberg created a lively and passionate  41 comment discussion at Daily Kos that we certainly haven't seen the end of.
• Freep: Evangelical Lutheran national assembly asks bishop to keep gay clergy in ministry
• DetNews: Pedals, Feet Power Green Cruise in Ferndale - Great to see Ferndale and the Sierra Club leading the charge on this...I'd like to give a shout out to Ferndale's State Rep. Meisner, 21st Century Dem and Stem Cell Research Champion, who's going to be term limited out of HD27
• dKos: Be sure to catch Markos of DailyKos fame on Meet the Press this morning, debating Harold Ford from the DLC!
• NYTimes: The real story out of Ames is Huckabee's second place finish

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 07:50:14 AM EDT

Happy Friday, everyone! Have a great weekend.

Current & Pending Legislation

• Sen. Hunter to Senate Republicans: Support Must Come Soon. Part Three in the Senate Dems' Top Ten series. Hop on over to BFM to check out Sen. Hunter's post about various consumer protection efforts.
• LSJ: Anti-bullying bill stalls in Senate. Anyone else notice a pattern developing here?
• LSJ Editorial: Tax credit: Republicans shouldn't blame poor for budget mess. "Cassis should drop this punitive bill and use her time for more productive pursuits for all the people of Michigan."
• Sen. John Gleason: Don't let fleeing criminals outrun stricter sentencing. Following the death of a Flint police officer during pursuit of a fleeing suspect, Sen. Gleason (D-Flushing) introduced legislation that, "will make all offenses of fleeing and eluding a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment for two years."
• Conservative Media: SOS plays politics with branch office closings. House Dems fight back: "Later in the day on Wednesday, the House passed House Bill 4492 that will thwart Land from continuing to play politics with the further closing of branch offices and inserts some accountability. The bill reorganizes funding for SOS branch offices from a single line item to numerous line items. The bill could potentially restrict the ability of the Secretary of State to reorganize branch office operations."

Elections

• Capitol Journal: Congressional election ratings. Derek weighs in with his assessment of where all of the Michigan Congressional races currently stand.
• Peters for Congress: Republican Bloggers Target Peters. Jordan is really going to bat for Gary Peters, and is asking folks to chip in $9 for the 9th district.
• Walberg Watch: For and Against a Schauer Candidacy. Fitzy weighs the pros and cons.

Odds & Ends

• State News: Blocking blog site shows political bias. Nice to see my alma mater's student paper sticking up for the blogs. More editorials like this, please.
• DFP: Arrest the hysteria on sentencing. "Patterson's ridiculous rant in the Detroit News reflected the kind of divisive rhetoric he built a career on as county prosecutor. For pure hyperbole, he managed to outgun Attorney General Mike Cox, who earlier tied some of the proposed changes to terrorism, and a Michigan Sheriff's Association official who predicted murder and mayhem. Let's take a chill pill and look at the facts." Zzzzing!
• Auto Blog: Buick ties Lexus in quality. This is pretty cool. The Buick Enclave is built locally in Delta Township (near Lansing).
• AP: State, union begins talks on next contract. Eggert reminds us that Mike Bishop wants to balance the budget on the backs of state workers: "Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, has said workers should not get scheduled pay increases in the last fiscal year of their current contracts to help save money."

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

This Outreach Director Wants YOU to join us

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 23:22:58 PM EDT

They are a talented lot. Some have Ph.D.'s, and some have proudly served their country in the military.  Some are nearing retirement, others are about to start college. Some hold office, others hold their children's hands as they grow and blossom into proud citizens. Some have, and others are have-not. Some are straight, some are gay, some are athletes, some live proudly with their health challenges. Some have never been out of Metro-Detroit, and others make it a point to stay Up North.

No matter our differences, we have one unifying thread, we care enough about our state to fight against those who would tear it apart, who would rather the poor stay poor and the wealthy get richer. We love our state, and because it means so much to us, we're here to educate, to inform, and boost our state up to the place we know it can be. We chastize our public servants when they forget who they work for, and applaud them when they show the chutzpah and determination to make the right decisions. Simply put, we love our state as much as you do.

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Aug 08, 2007 at 07:15:41 AM EDT

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Bishop Censors Blogs

• BFM: Bishop Caves, Lifts Ban On BFM. Hooray! "Z" has a final roundup here.
• DFP: GOP ban is a blessing to blogger. Even though the ban has been lifted, it's still great to see more coverage of this in the Free Press from Brian Dickerson.
• BFM: Schauer Letter To Bishop On Blog Censorship. If you haven't already, check out Sen. Schauer's letter to Mike Bishop about his office's decision to censor Blogging for Michigan.
• The Bradosphere: What's a guy gotta do to get blocked around here? Brad Flory of the Citizen Patriot begs Mike Bishop to ban his blog. His logic is that it will drive up his stats. This is bust-a-gut funny. Be sure to read the caption on the second picture here.
• Stone Soup Musings: Censorship doesn't belong in Michigan. Kathy shreds Big brother (aka Mike Bishop). Her post-ban follow-up is here.
• Capitol Journal: Bishop and the blogs. Nice to see Derek's with us on this one too.
• Right Michigan: On Blogs, Senate Majority Leaders and Censorship. This could be the first and last time I link to Right Michigan here, but props to Nick for having our back on this one. Censorship is something that affects ALL of us.

Current & Pending Legislation

• BFM: Sen. Glenn Anderson: Why I'm Fighting for Worker Rights. Post #2 in the Senate Dems' list of the Top Ten legislative issues that are being ignored by the Republican Majority.
• Red Tape Blog: An Argument for a Public Smoking Ban. The Red Tape blog has a great post up in favor of the smoking ban that's working it's way through the legislature right now. Definitely worth a read.

Elections

• TPM: In Michigan, Dem Gary Peters Will Run Against GOPer Knollenberg. Nice to see some positive buzz for Gary Peters on a prominent national blog like TPM. Here's hoping it's just the beginning.
• AA News: Walberg recall language OK'd. Should be interesting to watch this play out. Constitutional or not, it certainly doesn't help Walberg to have his name in the paper for something like this.

Michigan's New Economy

• Getting in Your Business: An eye-opening walk through Armory Arts. One of the Cit-Pat blogs takes a look at the Armory Arts project in Jackson. More good news like this, please.
• BFM: Fairchild Semiconductor Expands Into Michigan. Christine has another Michigan success story to share.
• Michigan Future: Michigan tourism Web site sets record. We have the top state tourism site in the country... again. How'd we get there? "Michigan.org has been in the top three since the beginning of the year and rose to the top spot in April with the launch of the Pure Michigan advertising campaign."

Odds & Ends

• AA News: U-M Study shows rich getting richer, poor getting poorer. File under "Duh."
• The Hill: We Must Do More to Protect our Food Supplies (Rep. Bart Stupak). Rep. Stupack gives a quick update on what Congress is doing about food safety.
• Mark Maynard: dingell's town hall on global warming. Mark's got the lowdown on Rep. Dingell's. It's great to have a first-hand account of the event like this.
• Our Michigan: Gov. Milliken, My New Favorite Republican. I couldn't agree more.

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

Tuesday Coffee Talk - Senate Style

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Aug 07, 2007 at 09:10:31 AM EDT

YearlyKos: MichLibbers Make National News

by: LiberalLucy

Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 12:52:51 PM EDT

First it started when I was sitting next to LPackard out in the open foyer area at the McCormick Place with my laptop. A man walked up to me, explained he was with NBC Nightly News and asked if I would mind being interviewed. I was floored, but after I recovered, I accepted and subsequently was interviewed.

About 30 minutes later, it was Nirmal's turn with ABC News. Nirmal didn't have a laptop, but Brainwrap next to him had his. So off went Nirmal with Brainwrap's laptop. We all thought it was a good idea that Nirmal chose today to wear his "Everytime you shop at Wal-Mart, God kills a Kitten" t-shirt.

But what we didn't mention that Cliff Schecter, one of the Left's famous talking heads was also sitting to us. Funny enough, he needed Brainwrap's laptop charger, and off he went. Who'd a thunk it?

Of course, the line-up wouldn't be complete without some B-roll footage by FoxNews of some of the group of MichLib bloggers sitting around talking, with Brainwrap's laptop out in the open.

So tonight, if you're off The Tubes of the Internet, and happen to have your TV on, tune in to either NBC or ABC and look for Liberal Lucy and/or Nirmal, and watch as Michigan's lefty bloggers get a little more well-known all across the country!

Live from YearlyKos in Chicago, it's LiberalLucy, signing off till tonight's NBC Nightly News.

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 07:14:52 AM EDT

On the Budget Battlefront

• BFM: Michigan Kids, Legislature Both Need to Shape Up. Sen. Deb Cherry launches the first post in a series of the Top Ten issues being ignored while the Senate sits on the budget (see story below). In this post, Cherry writes about her legislation that would mandate physical fitness in elementary schools. With classes starting in a month time is running short, but her bills have yet to receive an up or down vote. Keep an eye on BFM next week for more updates from the Senate Dems.
• Conservative Media: Numbers prove this is the laziest state Senate in more than a decade. "Schauer told Gongwer this is fewest total roll call votes held so far in a decade and no budget bills having passed the chamber under chief obstructionist Mike Bishop. The Senate earned the reputation as the place where bills go to die in the last session even when Republicans controlled the House, and Bishop is only enhancing that reputation."

Current & Pending Legislation

• Toledo Blade: Smoking ban progress. The Blade comes out in favor of the workplace smoking ban: "In the long run, a smoke-free state should pay healthy dividends, both in reduced medical costs and the improved well-being of all residents." Like they said, if Illinois can do it, so can Michigan.
• Cit-Pat: 'NO-REASON' ABSENTEES Make voting easy. "The guiding principle should be that our society will benefit from making it easier to vote. It's encouraging that so many of us put up with long lines to elect our leaders, but it's also pointlessly archaic. Why should people have to slot their vote for president during a 13-hour window? We hope the Legislature gives this idea the green light soon." Amen to that.
• Republic of M: Anti-Gay, Anti-Black, Anti-Human. Dawn Wolfe of the Triangle Foundation tells the story of Anthony and Bruce, two disabled roommates who have become the target of racist and anti-gay vandalism and threats. As Dawn explains, "I'm glad that Anthony and Bruce may see some justice because the haters were too stupid to realize that, while attacking someone for their real or perceived sexual orientation is not a crime in this country (or in Michigan), attacking them because of their race is." This is another example of why we need hate crime laws here in Michigan.
• MI Class Notes: Michigan's Congressional Republicans Vote Against Children's Health Insurance. Joel has another great post up about the Republicans in our Congressional delegation who voted against healthcare for poor kids this Wednesday. Check it out.
• Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood: Mike Rogers Votes Against Rest for U.S. Troops Serving in Iraq. Yesterday Rep. Rogers voted against a bill that would "ensure that our brave men and women in uniform have the tools and training they need to do their jobs and return safely home." They say there's no rest for the weary, and thanks to Mike Rogers, that statement still applies to our American troops who have bravely served in the war he voted for.

Elections

• Capitol Journal: Ward 1: Leeman and the longshots. Hop on over to CJ to get Derek's take on Lansing's City Council Elections, and his prediction for the two candidates who will win on Tuesday.
• MDP: MI Democrats Announce Unprecedented Election Protection Program. Anything that makes it easier for folks to vote is a good thing.
• Cit-Pat Opinion: Recall Walberg? Wait for election. Rep. Walberg has a well-documented history as a loon, but I am forced to agree with this statement: "The congressman's critics will get their chance to give him the boot soon enough. There's no need to rush into things with an expensive recall, financed by taxpayer dollars."
• Stone Soup Musings: Giuliani's (Non) Health Care Plan. Want the details on Rudy's (Non-)Plan for Healthcare? As Ezra Klein points out, "Rudy Giuliani's health care 'plan' is less a good-faith reform proposal than a cudgel with which to bash liberals." Gee, that's swell.

Odds & Ends

• LSJ Editorial: Legislature: Limit session days, not pay, to improve lawmakers' work. The LSJ argues that a part-time legislature is a bad idea, but then they go on to say this: "In a reformed Legislature, lawmakers would work year-round on constituent service, take testimony on public problems and watch the executive branch. But they would have only a limited number of days - say, 90 - to actually enact legislation." Wait... huh?
• BFM: International Engineering Firm Expands In Wixom. Christine has another Michigan success story.

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Aug 01, 2007 at 07:11:31 AM EDT

Okay, I'll play along with the new format.

On the Budget Battlefront

• BFM: The wrath of Rick Albin. If it's anything like the Wrath of Khan, I'd suggest staying away. Of course, that's the problem: "But this month they'll have more time than normal to work in their local communities because the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate are only scheduled to meet five times in the next five weeks -- one day a week through the end of August."
• MDP: Brewer Calls on Drolet to Sign Petition to Surrender Free Lifetime Health Care. "Mr. Perks certainly seems to have a sweet spot in his belly for Leon Drolet," Brewer said. "This is a man whose has made a living off our taxpayers for years. I challenge Drolet to change is ways and give back to the taxpayers who have been supporting him for years."
• BFM: Wrong Michigan Feeds Distortion To MIRS. Christine calls BS on Right Michigan's most recent smear campaign against the governor.
• K-Zoo Gazette: WMU trustees approve 2007-08 budget. "After visiting Lansing recently, [President John] Dunn said he believes legislators 'understand there is an ethical responsibility there and we continue to think of that as a team effort, us working with them, them working with us.'" A group of students respectfully disagree.

Current & Pending Legislation

• LSJ Editorial: No reason: Loosen absentee rules in Michigan so someone will vote. "[Lansing City Clerk Chris] Swope says if HB 4080 became law, he would expect the number of people voting absentee to double." Interestingly enough, Rep. Chris Ward has done a complete flip-flop on this issue. The Comm Guru has details.
• WXYZ: Smoking Ban. "Michigan should join 32 other states in making its citizens healthier and its restaurants more family friendly. The rights of smokers must not supersede the health of those who do not smoke. According to the American Cancer and Lung Associations, second hand smoke causes roughly 35-thousand deaths every year."
• Far Left Field: RATS!! The left fielder has a similar reaction to recent legislation introduced by senate republicans: "State Senator Nancy Cassis (R-Scab) has introduced both "Right to work" (for less) legislation and a bill that would eliminate the earned income tax credit that Michigan's poorest families receive; families with two or more children who earn less than $36,348 a year would be eligible for a credit up to $4,536. Workers with no children and who earn less than $12,120 could get a credit of up to $412."
• State Action Blog: North Carolina: first Southeastern state to require renewable energy production? First they beat us to the punch on same-day voter registration... now renewable energy? Come on, Michigan! Let's get with it!

On the Environment

• Lessenberry: To Dig or Not to Dig. Jack poses a few questions about the DEQ's recent decision to move forward with the Kennecott mine: "What does the state of Michigan get out of it? Yes, I know a few blokes will get jobs for a few years. Naturally, we don’t even know if local people will be hired or not. But what do we the people get?"
• [con]serving Michigan: A 4-3 Michigan Supreme Court Decision Takes Away Citizen's Rights on the Environment. It sounds like the environmental community is ready to take on the Supreme Court head-on next year: "Environmental organizations are hammering out plans to change the make-up of the court by replacing it with judges who will use the Michigan Constitution to establish truth and fairness for all people. This will take an all out effort to get people to the polls in 2008 who will vote to elect a panel of judges committed to serving the people of Michigan rather than the corporate interests in the State."

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Chicago we go!

by: LiberalLucy

Wed Aug 01, 2007 at 01:23:41 AM EDT

For the first time in a very long time, ordinary people are getting much more directly involved in shaping the face of politics, whether it's at the local, state or federal level.

Here in Michigan, we've got one of the strongest netroots communities in the entire country. Yes, you heard me right, we're leading the pack. I've heard from people in D.C., New York, California, and everywhere in between who are envious of the size and power of the Michigan progressive netroots.

And now, we're really about to grow leaps and bounds.

Over the next 48 hours, there will be a mass exodus of Michigan bloggers and netroots activists who will be heading to Chicago to take part in a momentous event that Bill O'Reilly and the Right can only drool over - YearlyKos 2007.

Tuesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Jul 31, 2007 at 01:40:21 AM EDT

On the Media

• Living Blue: May as Well Laugh - That darn double-edged sword of the media. Love it or hate it, Kelster93 reminds us, we might as well laugh about it.
  
• Liberal Loud and Proud: Local Talk Radio Moves Up and Left - Mid-Michigan's radio market is getting another progressive perspective. Have you tuned in lately?

• LSJ: Plan to stop prison work crews could hurt MI trails, streams - Instead of making license plates, Michigan prisoners have been making a significant dent in keeping our environment clean. Bishop's Budget Bullsh*t could wipe that program right out.
  
• Great Lakes Blogger: Cleaning up a little leftover MI Supreme Court Business - Newsflash - Cliff Taylor and his Republican Supreme Court cronies just screwed MI's environment over, again. Dave Dempsey's got the break down.
  
• Great Lakes Guy: The (New) Water Economy - GR's Andy Guy spells it out - we can harness the environment to move forward, or to die. Guess which one Cliff Taylor picked?
• Chelsea Standard: Cows step up to the pump - Dairy farms are still making it here in Michigan, but do you know what it really takes for one family to survive? Follow the Huehl Family out of Chelsea.
  

• Our Michigan: Garage Sale as Economic Indicator - Now here's a real interesting take on Michigan's economy, all gauged by your garage sale. Can you compete with Amway China?
  
• Stone Soup Musings: Taxpayers come through for DeVos Family - Those poor, poor DeVos people. So much they can't afford with Amway Guy only at the 73rd richest man in the country. When we see guys like this, it's a wonder people like Crazy Nancy Cassis aren't more out of touch.
• State News: 'Fresh' Choices for Less - Thanks to the Michigan Dept. of Community Health, just because you're low income doesn't mean you can't eat healthy, and better yet, healthy Michigan-only produce.
  

• Blogging for Michigan: Senate Republican SOD 7/30/07  - Marsden on Inertia - Theories on physics from Senate Republicans? Ohhh, like the Hike from Mike (Bishop)? Wizardkitten's got it, with a bit of snark on the side.
  
• Senate Dems: Senate Dems, DHS Announce Efforts to Fund  Weatherization, Increase LIHEAP - With one fell swoop, Mark Schauer's Senate Dems are working to reduce dependence on foreign oil and help Michigan's working poor. Way to go Senate Dems!
• David LaGrand: LaGrand Wins the Press Endorsement - One of MichLib's 2006 Senate-endorsed candidates, David LaGrand picks up a shiny endorsement from *gasp* the Grand Rapids Press for City Council. Nice job Team LaGrand!
  

Sunday Coffee Talk / Open Thread

by: JordanLFW

Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 03:29:45 AM EDT

• MrRogersNeighborhood: What I Want My Congressman To Do - A letter to Rep. Mike Rogers.
• VoteNOonJoe: Congressman Knollenberg This Ones for You - An appeal to Rep. Knollenberg
  
• B4MI: Some Lawmakers Fighting Back in War on Middle Class - It's no secret some people have an agenda to destroy unions...but who's sticking up for them?
• OurMI: Garage Sales as an Economic Indicator - How is "Free Trade" skewing buyers expectations?
• B4MI: Cool Cities Director to Speak on Creative Economies - Make sure to checkout the Sierra Club's Cool Cities campaign, and see about making progress in your own city.
• dKos: Pat Tilman Comrade Disputes Final Moments - I try not to get sucked into these "alleged conspiracy" stories, few of them ever pan out...but after 6+ years of the Bush Administration it's tough to dismiss this.
• MyDD: Supporting the Blogosphere: Part 1 Services for Bloggers - Looks like this will be a fun series to read, how can you help?
• NYTimes: Impeach Gonzales - Multiple U.S. Senators think Gonzales is lieing/not trustworthy...why is he still AG?
• NYTimes: Sunday Morning TV Schedule - Gonzales, Gonzales, Gonzales...
• Freep: State Law Commission Investigates Oakland County Prosecutor Gorcyca - State Rep. Paul Condino has formed an exploratory cmte to take him on next year

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 07:12:11 AM EDT

• Capitol Journal: GOP nomination plan bad for voters, good for Romney. If we end up with nominating conventions here in Michigan, Derek thinks Romney has it in the bag.
• WSJ: College Students Face Rising Birth-Control Prices. As if college students weren't getting screwed enough by the recent tuition hikes (puns intended), now this. Birth control that used to cost students $20/mo is now going for $50/mo at MSU. Who's to blame? "The change has an unlikely origin: the Deficit Reduction Act signed by President Bush last year. The legislation aimed to pare $39 billion in spending on federal programs, from subsidized student loans to Medicaid. And among the changes was one that, through an arcane set of circumstances, created a disincentive for drug makers to offer school discounts." Nice.
• BFM: Senate Republican Statement of the Day 7/25/2007- The Big Stall. "'Besides, if we put out a realistic budget now it would just scare people.' - Ron Jelinek (R- Three Oaks). Republicans? Worried about scaring people? That's a new twist."
• Conservative Media: Michigan Repubs take page out of Bush playbook with anti-union legislation. The Guru: "According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in so called 'right to work states' earn about $5,300 less, they lack health care insurance or it is extremely expensive and they receive less for Worker’s Compensation if injured on the job."
• House Dems: House Democrats Pass Bills to Increase Voter Participation. No reason absentee voting, allowing clerks to send absentee voter applications to any citizen 60 or older (even if the application is not requested), and repealing the Rogers Law are three voting reforms that are long overdue.
• Stone Soup Musings: Republicans flip-flop on expanding health care for children. "Democrats in Washington want to expand health coverage for low-income kids, but President Bush says he'll veto any such legislation because he fears it might lead the nation 'down the path to government-run health care for every American.'" Oh, heaven forbid!
• Our Michigan: Child Poverty Increases in Michigan. CEW points out that 19% of children in Michigan live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level. Of course, things could be worse: "Curiously, the states with the highest child poverty rates are all "red" states that swung for Bush/Cheney in 2004. Here are the top 10: Alabama 25%, Arkansas 25%, Kentucky 22%, Louisiana 28%, Mississippi 31%, New Mexico 26%, Oklahoma 23%, South Carolina 23%, Texas 25%, West Virginia 26%."
• Walberg Watch: Walberg Was For It Before He Was Against It. First he compares Iraq to Detroit, then he rides into work on a Harley, now this whole episode of Tim saying he "supports" an earmark he submitted for the W.K. Kellogg Airport (even though he voted against it). Tim Walberg is many things, but boring is not one of them.
• Observer & Eccentric: Break the energy gridlock with creative opportunity. Earlier this week Eric B. had a great post up about renewables. There's clearly a market for renewable energy in Michigan, but as this article points out, "for these initiatives to ultimately be successful, the public must insist that state and federal elected officials develop policies that turn challenges into opportunities."
• Record-Eagle: Engler Majority mangling state environmental law. The Record-Eagle takes on the latest gem from the state supreme court: "Former Gov. John Engler's Gang of Four has once again chipped away at your rights as a Michigan citizen. In the process, they have also pushed us closer to a time when water — the state's most precious asset — can be bought and sold like cornflakes."
• K-Zoo Gazette: State funds to retain Pfizer workers are delayed. Gee, what could be holding up the money? "More than $8 million in funding that state officials had pledged to retain laid-off Pfizer Inc. workers has fallen victim to the ongoing budget mess in Lansing." The article continues, "'The window of opportunity to retain these employees is closing,' said Randy Thelen, president of Lakeshore Advantage in Holland. 'Now is the time that we need action. Anything that slows that down means Pfizer talent driving south out of Michigan.'"

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

Thursday Coffee Talk / Open Thread!

by: JordanLFW

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 03:41:36 AM EDT

More: Read about the upcoming Ann Arbor city council primaries, here.  And yes, there will be state and regional caucuses  at YearlyKos on Thursday, Liberal Lucy and Cordelia Lear are some of the organizers. Tentatively scheduled for 2-4:30 PM Thursday afternoon, August 2nd.

• VoteNoOnJoe: Knollenberg Goes on a Pork Spending Spree - Once Again Joe Knollenberg continues brag about securing earmarks...like hooking his campaigns biggest donor up with some Amtrak contracts
• JGranholm: NGA Wrapup - A summary of the NGA events from the Granholm Leadership Fund.
• B4M: State Supreme Court Decisions
• dKos:Young Republicans Chair Pleads Guilty to Rape Moral Majority?
• WalbergWatch: The Recall Battle Continues ...and if that doesn't work, the '08 election is only 466 days away!
• mLive: Teen Mayor's Recall Over Myspace Shenanigans Dismissed Over Wording -
• Freep: Wayne State Approves 18% Tuition Hike - Mike Bishop fought a 2% service tax, and now education costs more. It's a tax on students.
• OakPress:Prison Labor - This is interesting...how do you feel about prison work crews?
• TheStakeholder:Meet the Candidate - This is very cool...the DCCC is helping Larry Kissell retire some campaign debt. He narrowly lost by less than 350 votes, and put a lot of expenses on his personal credit card towards the end of the campaign. Chairman Van Hollen is a class act.

Happy Birthday Matt!

by: LiberalLucy

Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 08:33:00 AM EDT

Here's a Happy Birthday wish to the proud new papa!