Promoting Grassroots Social Change in Grand Rapids, MI: The Grand Rapids Activist Calendar

by: gractivistcal

Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:39:49 AM EDT

The Grand Rapids Activist Calendar went “live” online about a year and a half ago with the simple goal of connecting folks to all of the grassroots organizing efforts happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since launching, the Calendar has collected hundreds of events displaying them both online and sending out a regular mailing to hundreds of subscribers via email and Facebook.

We’ve recently rolled out a new website with some improved features. It is now easier to add events to the calendar – which is a critical component of our work. We rely on folks in the community – both those doing “organizing” work and those sympathetic to such ideas – to let us know about what is going on in the community. Additionally, we have launched a blog to highlight organizing efforts going on that aren’t “event” based. For example, there is a strong campaign going on right now to boycott businesses in Holland, Michigan that don’t support LGBT folks after the City Council there voted against expanding their anti-discrimination ordinance. In the past, there would have been nowhere to highlight this important and vital activism.

Folks are encouraged to subscribe to our bi-weekly email list for updates on upcoming events, to check us out on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or check out our continually updated online calendar at http://calendar.diygr.org.

I need help for my blood pressure

by: jterley

Fri May 13, 2011 at 21:03:43 PM EDT

This hasn't been a good day for my blood pressure. I began listenint to Public Radio's "Ask the Guv"  and was totally amazed at Snyder's chutzpah.

 "Schools don't deserve funding because they haven't produced..."

"Larger public agencies should be able to get out of their collective bargaining agreements by consolidating services with smaller ones..."

"We all have to sacrifice...by taking away tax credits for poor folks..."

Then the minority leader comes on and admits that she and the Democrats have no plan for future solvency, except perhaps to beg the GOP not to completely decimate the schools.

 And the Democrats refuse to support a recall because people might be "disappointed." Disappointed isn't half of it--Democrats!

more...

On Contradiction, Or, Will Obama Lose An Argument With Himself?

by: fake consultant

Sun Jan 16, 2011 at 13:24:19 PM EST

There are even improbable sports stories: our frequently hapless Seattle Seahawks, the only team to ever make the NFL Playoffs with a losing record, are today preparing to knock the Chicago Bears out of their bid to play in the Super Bowl, having crushed the defending holders of the Lombardi Trophy just last week before the 12th Man in Seattle.

But as improbable as all that is, the one thing I never thought I would see is Barack Obama getting into a political argument with himself over Social Security-and then losing the argument.

Even more improbably, it looks like there's just about a week left for him to come to a decision...and it looks like you're going to have to help him make up his mind.

Coffee Party USA helps launch Movement for the People as part of For The People Summit

by: Neon Vincent

Mon Jan 10, 2011 at 01:50:52 AM EST

Happy New Year!

During the week and a half since the last time I reported on Coffee Party USA, the movement has continued to work on the upcoming For The People Summit on January 20th-22nd, including launching a new website for the event, posting new videos, and updating information on their website.

Join me, the maintainer of the Coffee Party USA community on LiveJournal and one of the adminstrators of Join the Coffee Party Movement Michigan on Facebook, over the fold for the latest details on the For The People Summit.

On Starving In Prison, Or, Who Gets Pardons In Florida?

by: fake consultant

Thu Dec 30, 2010 at 01:22:39 AM EST

In fairness, the State did not decide simply to starve her; instead, the Department of Corrections (DOC) first chose to withhold any further treatment for her inoperable cancer...and then they decided to starve her to death.

Her adopted mother is trying to get her released on humanitarian grounds; the DOC recommended in October that she be allowed to go home and die, the Florida Parole Commission refused.

Governor Charlie Crist chairs the Executive Clemency Board, who could also agree to let her go...and so far, they've also refused to take action.

Funny thing is, the Governor and his Board have been more than willing to step in when other Floridians requested pardons and commutations, even in situations that seemed a lot less dire.

Today, we're going to look at that history-and to be honest, as with many things in the Sunshine State, from the outside...it all looks a bit bizarre.

On Death And Clemency, Or, Here's A Real Christmas Story

by: fake consultant

Sat Dec 25, 2010 at 17:17:17 PM EST

Instead, they exist within the boundaries of our hearts.

Among those intangible presents, few matter more than the chance to be with those we love-and at the time of our death, it's the most important thing of all.

We have a chance to bring all of this to a dying woman and her family-but the only way it can happen is if we convince the Florida Department of Corrections not to kill her first.

It's not a tale of light and joy-but if we get lucky, there could still be a happy ending.

Hate Comes to East Lansing

by: smithj86

Sun Sep 12, 2010 at 17:46:45 PM EDT

I was dumbfounded.  "Here?  In East Lansing?"  

"Yes.  I'm from the Lansing State Journal, and I'm trying to find some people who found pages in the neighborhood."

What is the real Tea Party anyway?

by: grmom

Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:02:59 PM EDT

All three tycoons are the latest incarnation of what the historian Kim Phillips-Fein labeled “Invisible Hands” in her prescient 2009 book of that title: those corporate players who have financed the far right ever since the du Pont brothers spawned the American Liberty League in 1934 to bring down F.D.R. You can draw a straight line from the Liberty League’s crusade against the New Deal “socialism” of Social Security, the Securities and Exchange Commission and child labor laws to the John Birch Society-Barry Goldwater assault on J.F.K. and Medicare to the Koch-Murdoch-backed juggernaut against our “socialist” president. 

The Truth Corporate America Deosnt Want You To Know

by: Union Labor

Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 09:13:57 AM EST

One BIG Reason Pres. Obama's Approach may be TOO LITTLE TOO LATE for the MI Economy

by: DetroitPolicy

Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 16:48:06 PM EST

Lansing Associated Press writer KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN today posted a report, which NPR picked up, that underlines the reasons we may still be on the path to a second great depression.

And unless President Obama and Congress develop a quick and aggressive response to this economic reality in Michigan and many other states, he (and we) will be following the path of Herbert Hoover rather than F.D. Roosevelt.

Clean Energy Repowering the Michigan Economy

by: AC350

Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 12:40:08 PM EST

Bad economic news has been relentless in the past year, especially here in the Great Lakes state.  However, it's now impossible to ignore what is perhaps the only countervailing trend: investments and job opportunities in the clean energy sector.  Story after story sneaks in amongst the gloom, most recently: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091209/BIZ/912090423/1361/Michigan-firms-get-stimulus-grants-for-green-manufacturing

And this follows hot on the heels of the announcement of GM's $336 million investment in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant to produce the new electric Chevy Volt: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091208/AUTO01/912080381/1148/Detroit-Hamtramck-plant-recharges-for-Volt--Malibu

It's become increasingly clear that a transition to a low-carbon, clean energy economy promises to be a huge boon to our beleaguered state (not to mention our national security and the future of the planet).  The only missing piece is decisive action by the Senate to pass comprehensive legislation to protect the climate and move us into a clean energy future.

We all need to speak up and demand action on this issue NOW: www.repoweramerica.com/wall

More BISHOP DILLON PAYBACKS. . .

by: justice-4-all

Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 15:37:58 PM EDT

Drug Immunity Vote Pushed Back Again Once again, the Republican-led Senate delayed a vote on the so-called drug immunity package that would make it easier for victims to win in-court damages for faulty drugs from pharmaceutical companies. Senate Majority Leader Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt) moved to postpone taking up HB 4316, 4317, 4318 until Nov. 30. Democrats objected. "The motion is on the table right now," said Sen. Hansen Clarke(D-Detroit). "Let's do it." But the motion succeeded on a party-line 21-13 vote. One Republican insider told MIRS the action was payback for the Michigan Democratic Party's Justice Caucus' call for both Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop(R-Rochester) and House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) to be tossed from leadership.

The Nauseating Cancer That is Glenn Beck Deserves Protest in Michigan

by: kenrwhittaker

Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 13:47:11 PM EDT

UPDATED:Write your newspaper about allowing full page propaganda

by: Steviey99

Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 13:17:45 PM EDT

In today's News Herald we saw a full page ad from some group calling itself the "U.S. Citizens Association". It's an outrageous ad made to look like an article.

 Nolu Chan wrote about the misleading ad and the tactics used by this group.

There is an absurd anonymous PAID ADVERTISEMENT by a lobbying group with no sources for their putrid propaganda and no footnotes. It is by a group going under the new name U. S. Citizens Association. This originally appeared by The Better Government Association who were forced to rebrand by court order. The putrid ADVERTISEMENT now appears with author listed as U. S. Citizens Association as a PDF.

Here is the FULL content of their site used under their former name, the Better Government Association, only changed with the past few days.

Hold Insurance Companies Accountable

by: Representative Barb Byrum

Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 13:25:16 PM EDT

In an instant, Kecia Milliner's life changed forever. She watched helplessly as a speeding car struck her 5-year-old daughter, dragging her to the next driveway and leaving her clinging for life.

As the doctors worked, they found that in addition to the broken legs, bumps and bruises, Kecia's daughter had suffered a traumatic brain injury that would require years of expensive treatment to help her reach her full potential.

Like so many of us who suffer a tragedy, Kecia called her insurance company, and was told that they would honor their promise and pay for her daughter's medical bills.  With a huge weight off her mind, Kecia began to prepare for the work of putting her family's life back together.

But unfortunately, this story does not have a happy ending because what the insurance company said and what the insurance company did were two different things.  They delayed benefits saying Kecia's daughter had to see multiple doctors who had to recommend the same treatment before they would even pay the minimum benefits.  In the end, they stopped paying entirely.

Michigan's Unkindest Cuts

by: jeremypeters

Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 18:18:02 PM EDT

I was asked a few weeks ago to do a bit of blogging for Concentrate Media, a news magazine in Ann Arbor. One of the posts I wrote, while intended for the Ann Arbor community, had more of a statewide tinge to it.

Essentially, what I'm trying to argue here is that in order to help turn around Michigan's economy, we need to consider investing in the arts and culture of our state, and that the rewards we'll see as a state, in keeping residents & in increasing our tax base will highly outpace any investment the state would put in. I have been reading here for a while, but only now am getting around to posting, as I thought it might be something this community might be interested in seeing (I'll admit I'm a newbie here).

Caveat emptor: In choosing my initial wording, however, it comes off like I'm attacking our Governor and Lt. Governor's budget. One of the comments there, from a Mr. Larry Krieg says it best though. "The statement "easy ways to balance a bloated budget" implies that you think Michigan's state budget is bloated - but perhaps you are just attributing these terms to others. Nothing could be further from the truth about our skeletal state budget, but nothing comes forth more easily from the lips of certain politicians."

I'm not out to attack the Granholm/Cherry budget in the least, but the wording comes off like that, so I wanted to be sure to point this out at least before I post the entire thing verbatim (in the interest of trying to be open). I know they are doing what they can faced with hardline MI GOP members who want to do what they can to cut arts funding - and who won't support budget resolutions that include investments in our culture.

In any case, I think the state needs to highlight and focus on our culture - it'll only bring rewards back to the state!

Here's the original post, unedited, for your reading pleasure...

MDP Convention

by: Representative Barb Byrum

Sun Feb 22, 2009 at 18:26:51 PM EST

This was an exciting weekend to be a Democrat. In an effort to build on our many victories from November, the Michigan Democratic Party held its State Convention at Cabo Hall in Detroit on Saturday.

As Democrats, we had some important priorities at convention this year. My top priority at this year's convention was to ensure the re-election of Mark Brewer as MDP Chair.

Mark has a proven track record of victory for Democrats. Under Mark's leadership, Democrats in Michigan have gone 4-for-4 in Presidential elections, 5-for-5 in U.S. Senate elections and 2-for-3 in gubernatorial elections. We've built a 24-seat majority in the state House and we shocked the pundits by taking out Cliff Taylor, making it the first ever defeat of a sitting Supreme Court Justice. 

Just as important, Mark is working hard to build the future of the MDP by traversing our state and working with tens of thousands of activists at thousands of local party meetings.

As Democrats, we've accomplished a lot with Mark Brewer as Chair, and there's plenty of work to do. That's why I supported Mark Brewer for re-election, and why I am excited that he will continue his service as Chair of the MDP.

I was glad to see so many Democrats out this weekend. It was a fun and productive weekend for the party.

RNC chair nominee, Anuzis, challenged over sneering beer bottle fundraising

by: Gaspare

Thu Dec 04, 2008 at 10:42:37 AM EST

From the Politico:

RNC chair race: Empty beer bottle edition

The battle for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, a fascinating political fight that could be the first step of party re-building, and whose outcome is unclear, is exposing the kind of bitterness that you can only get in a civil war.  The latest: A mass email from a 2006 Michigan Senate candidate, attacking that state's party chairman, Saul Anuzis, who is one of the candidates for the RNC post.

Ms Granholm, I will NOT accept the loss of 174k Jobs

by: Gaspare

Mon Nov 24, 2008 at 15:21:39 PM EST

Change and The Auto Bailout: Mission Accomplished?

by: TomChoske

Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 11:16:18 AM EST

   Despite the clamoring of the Talking Heads and the Media of how we have entered a new phase as a country and nation, the political establishment in Washington seems intent on retaining its old ways: bickering and listening to special interests over the voice of the American people. Case in point: The Big Three bailout.

   I won't bore you with the statistics. The economy's already going to hell in a hand basket- we all know that. And this readership is well aware that the millions jobs that will vanish if we do nothing are not just in Michigan, but all over our great country, affecting union and non-union workers, people with Doctorates and MBAs all the way to just GEDs, but Americans all. However, we see lukewarm treatments of the auto bailout from the DC political powerhouses. Don't they know what will happen if we don't act? Are they seriously that blind?

   No, they are simply stagnant in their ways. The Democratic leadership, far from changing to reflect the mainstream voice of the American people, has instead fell back on its standard high-horse that Detroit cars destroy the environment, and that any bailout must impose more government regulation on the cars they design and produce, leading to the same problems that have plagued the companies for years: a design focused on CAFE standards and not the consumer. The Republicans want to draw 'a line in the sand' against "economic socialism", a standby of conservatism- but of course this does not apply to them bailing out their hedge fund buddies; that is.

   Barack Obama has been very vocal and adamant in his support for helping to protect American jobs. The people support him. The News/Free Press conducted a poll saying that the majority of Americans are not opposed to using part of the $700 billion to help out industries beyond Wall Street- including the auto companies. However, we still see opposition in Washington. It's clear that this 'wave of change' that swept the nation crashed just short of the shores of DC.

   It's now up to us. As Obama said in his victory speech, the campaign to change America is not over, and it now rests with each and every American to make change in their own way. The best way we can do that now is make it clear to each and every representative of the American people: listen to us, or you will be flooded with e-mails, letters, protesters, and the entire spectrum of brute popular political force until you relent, or are out of office.