Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 07:07:38 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday. I've been summoned for jury duty, so while most of you are perusing today's links, I'll be listening to opening arguments. Make sure you take a moment to review Calendar Check... there's a very special birthday this week.

All Things Political

• BC Enquirer: Mark Schauer: Jobs, jobs, jobs. Mark says that he's running for Congress because "my state is hurting" and the current occupant of the seat is out of touch with his district. Finally, evidence that the BC Enquirer should move from "Birdcage" to "Recycle!".
• TC Record Eagle: Op-Ed: Seeking to Keep Seats in the Family. In my family, we hand down the silver and a few pieces of nice jewelry. In other families, it's political seats that are kept warm by generations of relations. It all seems a bit incestuous for my taste, but then again, I'd rather have a family than a dynasty.
• Skoop's Blog: Judicial Showdown. Timmeh has a few things to say about the RMGN initiative and the latest legal shenanigans. In the right corner, we have the Michigan Chamber (*cough*GOP*cough*) and in the left, we have Brewer's Bruisers...

• Kzoo Gazette: Republicans Jockey for 88th State House Seat in Allegan County. 8, count them, 8 Republicans are vying for the Republican nomination in the 88th. Meanwhile, Democratic challenger Tom Clark is quietly raising money and canvassing his district. Let 'em slug it out Tom.
• Voice of Mordor: Confrontation between 98th District Candidate and County Party Chair. Petrolcide summarizes a recent spat between Thomas Dauer (Dem candidate) and J.J. Horgan (party chair). Short version? A DINO walks in a party meeting and stamps his feet. The party chair nips the tantrum in the bud and sends the "former" Republican packing. The end.
• Windmillin': Weekend Redistricting Playground. Is the RMGN all Greek to you? Check out this week's installment - this time, with a lovely Excel spreadsheet to explain how the redistricting might work. Memo to the Mich Dems: Whoever ran your numbers stinks. Hire this guy.

• WMR: GVSU Takes Steps Towards Equality. Major hat tip to AikoAdam for this story. GVSU trustees voted 7 - 1 to allow benefits for domestic partners (same or opposite sex). The lone "no" vote? The wife of Mr. Chief Justice Cliff Taylor.
• MI Daily: Michigan Supreme Court Limits Freedom of Information Act. I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Someone opine in the comments on this please.

• AANews: Be Good to Your Environment: Go to the Summer Beer Festival. Yes! Drinking beer is good for the environment! Well, sort of. Festival organizers are working to reduce the environmental impact of the event by using biodegradable materials and recycling everything.
• Public News Service: Great Lakes Restoration Tour Stops in Traverse City. Stop in port. Get some petitions signed. An interesting way to tour the state by the President of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Huff Post: Starbucks Closure List. All 600 Stores, Searchable. Stop dripping tears into your half-caff, non-fat, over-roasted latte. Go to your nearest locally owned coffee shop and order something fair trade and unpretentious. Tip generously and someday, all will be forgiven.
• MITF: Michigan Development News. A weekly round-up of community and economic development from across the state. Surprisingly, the news is not entirely bad.

• GR Press: Chicago to Mackinac Race Down to Two Boats. No, that's not MY typo. Today's nominee for the worst headline. Guess which Michigan billionaire owns Boat #1 in the race?

• 07/23/08: Sarah Roberts Fundraiser (St. Clair Shores)
• 07/24/08: Dems Annual Picnic (Clinton Township)
• 07/25/08: Blogging While Brown Conference (Atlanta, GA)
• 07/25/08: Matt Ferguson's Birthday!
• 07/25/08 - 07/27/08: Camp Out Bike Tour (Northern Michigan)
• 07/26/08: Victory 2008 Campaign Office Grand Opening (Grand Rapids)
• 07/26/08: Black Pride Society's Hotter Than July Festival (Detroit)
• 07/26/08: Jennifer Haase Fundraiser (Armada)
• 07/26/08: Democratic Rally (Jackson)

Tuesday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 07:52:16 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. LiberalLucy is off today so I'm filling in as your Coffee Talk hostess. It's a light news day (for now) so grab some caffeine and let's see what's going on out there.

Pesky Politics

• FireDogLake: Senator Levin to do Live Chat on Ongoing Senate Investigation into Detainee Abuse at 11am Tuesday. So there's a senior Senator who not only knows how to email, he actually understands blogs? Wow. Someone better nominate him for President!
• MI Messenger: Petition by Right-Wingers to Repeal Hamtramck Human Rights Ordinance Fails Initial Hurdle. 410 people in Hamtramck hate gay people so much that they WANT them to be discriminated against. (That's in the Gospel of Asshattery, Chapter 1: The Tormentations of those that aren't like you, Verses 7:23.)
• Windmillin': Gaming Non-Partisanship. Two in a row from West Michigan's newest blogger and it's filled with wonky goodness.

• Click On Detroit: DeVos-Owned Boat Wins Port Huron-Mackinac Race. Isn't this the same boat that Dick tried to divest himself of while he was running for Governor so that he could appear to be just an average Joe?
• State News: Romney Visits Mich., Shows Support for Former Rival. Mitt brought his pom-pons and his magical underpants to stump for McCain this week. Cue the soundtrack from a very special South Park episode...

• AANews: UPDATED: GM to Cut Several Thousand Salaried Jobs. Declining sales, rising gas prices and general economic suckiness contributed to this latest bad news for the auto industry.
• MITF: CNN Money: Six Michigan Cities Among Top 100 Places to Live. The usual suspects include: Troy, Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield, Novi, Sterling Heights and Shelby. Good cities all, but what's up with the Southeast Michigan myopia? Hello! There's life beyond the 96/75 interchange!

• Kzoo Gazette: Zebra and Quagga Mussel Plague Spreads Nationwide. Originally a Lake Erie infestation, these mussels are appearing as far away as California. Quote of the day: "They didn't cross the Continental Divide on their own -- we know that much,"
• Muskegon Chronicle: Bush Declares 11 Counties Disaster Areas from Storms. Still smarting from Engler's failure to deliver Michigan? How does it takes the current occupant of the White House more than a month to say "yup, those counties are a mess"?

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 06:47:26 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday. A hearty thanks to LiberalLucy for taking over CT duties last week while I tended to family and personal business. For those of you playing along at home, my Mom is recovering nicely from heart surgery, I miss lpackard like crazy and the Lansing MichLib crew is just about the greatest bunch of friends a girl could ever have.

Three Ringed Circus (National)

• The Bradosphere: Be Careful When You Step up to the Mike. You never know who's listening, do you? You never know when a microphone might be on or when someone might see you wearing that completely inappropriate ensemble at the local watering hole. You never know...
• KAAA: Poll Dancing. My First Unscientific Poll. Help the U of M Dems out with their highly unscientific poll about FISA.
• Ballot Access News: McKinney Wins on First Ballot at Green Party Convention. Departing from the usual show of "jazz hands" (as described to me by an attendee), the Green Party used paper and pen to nominate their Presidential candidate.
• Open Left: 420 House Races Filled - 2 More to Go. Woo hoo! Check out all of those lovely candidates in Michigan: MI-01: Bart Stupak, MI-02: Fred Johnson, MI-03: Henry Sanchez, MI-04: Andrew Concannon, MI-05: Dale Kildee, MI-06: Don Cooney, MI-07: Sharon Renier and Mark Schauer, MI-08: Bob Alexander, MI-09: Gary Peters, MI-10: Robert Denison, MI-11: Edward Kriewall, MI-11: Joseph Larkin, MI-12: Sander Levin, MI-13: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Martha Scott, and Mary Waters, MI-14: John Conyers,MI-15: John Dingell.
• Media Mouse: Ehlers Remains Uncommitted on Media Ownership Consolidation. Congressman Vern Ehlers says "I will continue to monitor how these rules affect my constituents inWest Michigan, and will keep your views in mind." Translation: "I will continue to see how much money my donors/supporters have invested in this industry. If they want me to be for the bill, I'll vote that way."

• Skoop's Blog: Bob Who Remains Bob Who. Despite Timmeh's very best efforts to fan ashes into flame, it looks like all of the smoke is coming from some other Capitol correspondent.
• Windmillin': The 50 Percent Solution. West Michigan has a new blog! Check out the first post on RMGN.
• TC Record Eagle: Stems Cells Likely Biggest Issue in Nov.  It's turning into a Science vs. Religion Rumble over the stem cell issue.
• WMR:  Roman Grucz (SH-104) Campaign Update.  Good news for the 104th and even some pretty pictures too!
• YAF Watch:  YAF Supporter/Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis Joins Connerly, Simcox on Speakers List.  Perhaps it's an old wive's tale that you are known by the company that you keep but in Saul's case, you'd think that a State Party Chair would take great pains to avoid associating with known white supremacists.

• Bay City Times: Construction Starts on Thumb's Second Wind Farm. It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a wind farm! I'm all for wind, solar and other alternative energy sources - I guess I didn't realize how gigantic these things are.
• GR Press: Does Science Undermine Religion? Read the article and then the comments. I just... you have to read it yourself.
• Public News Service:  Reduced Lead in Michigan's Air?  See, there's this thing called "science" that tells that lead particulates in the air are bad.  Perhaps we can "pray" for guidance on how to deal with it.

• Kzoo Gazette: Tighter Appraisal Standards make Mortgage Refinancing more Difficult for Homeowners. The mortgage credit market is tight, making any housing related loan more difficult. Having trouble with your mortgage payment? Call a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. The counseling is low or no cost.
• MITF:  Michigan Development News.  Interesting community development news from across the state.
  

• BAGNewsNotes: Well, Obviously. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan is quoted as saying of Sen. John McCain: "Well, obviously this is the nominee of the party." Now that's an enthusiastic endorsement of the Republican nominee!

• 07/14/08: "Behind the Mask" (Grand Rapids)
• 07/15/08: Fundraiser for Dan Scripps (East Lansing)
• 07/16/08: Charter Commission (Clinton Township)
• 07/17/08: Netroots Nation (Austin, TX)
• 07/18/08: BlogHer (San Francisco, CA)
• 07/19/08: Camp Millie (Macomb)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 07:03:57 AM EDT

National Politics

• WMR: National Republican Congressional Committee: "There are no safe Republican seats".   Great post by philgoblue.  Just don't think this means that we can rest easy til November.  There's a lot of work to do at the federal, state and local level.  How about that Supreme Court, eh?
• GLGTGS:  How Michigan Could Tip the Election.  I'm not entirely sure this was the plan the MDP had in mind when Primarygate 2008 started up, but there are pretty picture that show Michigan is going to be one of the big deal states in this year's Presidential election.
  

• LSJ:  Lawmakers Approve $44B Plan for Budget.  In a surprising move, the Michigan Legislature attempted to do their job by finishing the budget (sort of) on time.  Too bad it interfered with my fundraiser.
• Skoop's Blog:  Read the Fine Print.  From the man who penned "See Dick and Jen Run" comes Skooby-Do's latest attempt to out the group behind one of the ballot initiatives.  Rest easy dear readers, Timmeh is on the case.
• MI Public Radio:  Feds Investigate Detroit City Council.  Contract shenanigans or overzealous prosecutors?  What do I know?  I'm just a stupid tabloid blogger.
• Public News Service:  New Law to Give MI Kids a Safety Boost.  Give your kid a boost(er) seat.  Effective July 1, a new law requires kids under 4' 9" to use a booster seat in cars and trucks and things that go.
  

• BFM: Bishop, Cox, Talk About AG Endorsement.  Secret love letters between the two Mikes uncovered by the BFM crew.  Caution:  Do not read while drinking hot beverages.
• Jesus General:  Two Great Men Stand Up for Marriage.  More caution labels here:  Do not read with small children present.
  
• ODP:  Some Truth About John McCain and Iran.  So John, how exactly does sitting on your ass in a POW camp for five years (and then returning only to cheat on your disabled wife and dump her for the Budweiser Barbie) exactly make you such a military expert?
  

• MI Environmental Issues:  Great Lakes Compact Focus Shifting to Congress.   Congressman Bart Stupak has serious concerns about the Compact because of the bottled water loophole.  (Hat tip to Dave Dempsey at Great Lakes Blogger for this link.)
• Stateline:  Thank God It's Thursday. State governments are moving toward offering telecommuting and four day work weeks for employees to offset the increased energy costs and to improve employee productivity and morale. Michigan's own Jenny G is a leader on this initiative.
  

• Crain's:      American Axle CEO Dauch Gets $8.5 Million Bonus.  So the bossman gets the bonus while the employees went into bankruptcy and foreclosure.  Nice work.
• MI Citizen:  Power of $10 Equals $36 million for Michigan Economy.  If every Michiganian spent $10 a week on Michigan products, we'd push $36 million into our economy.  So do your part... buy local!
• MITF:  Michigan Development News.  Homelessness, movies and Homeownership month - the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund has it all.  Check it out!
  

• 06/30/08:  Public Transit Meeting (Roseville)
• 06/30/08: CD12 Democrats Meeting (Warren)
• 07/02/08: CD10 Meeting (Port Huron)
• 07/04/08:  Kent Dems in Kentwood Fourth of July Parade (Kentwood)
• Independence Day

Tuesday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 06:58:19 AM EDT

I'm back from the land of concealed weapons, killer margaritas and heat that will sear your brain. LiberalLucy is unavailable today so you're stuck with me, my jet lag and I. Thanks to the lovely and talented JoanB for filling in for me yesterday as I was dealing with squirrels on a plane.

Local & State Politics

• MI Equality: State and Local Officials to be Tested for HIV/AIDS. Four Democratic Senators are showing their constituents the importance of HIV/AIDS testing. Senators Clarke, Scott, Hunter and Jacobs will get tested in public at NOON today. The Republicans were last seen slinking out of the Capitol building...
• Conservative Media: Gang of Four Slams the Door of Justice in the Face of Citizens. Justice Cliff Taylor and his band of right wing justices have overturned a 50 year precedent in Michigan, leaving citizens at the whim of the insurance industry. Might be a good time to check those campaign contributions.
• LSJ: Good News Coming, Maybe... Derek thinks that the budgets might actually get done on time. At least one other political birdie has chirped the same thing to me, but then again, who knows? This is the same Legislature that caused the Never Ending Budget Story of 2007.
• MI Public Radio: Kilpatrick Attorney Compares Mayor to Rosenbergs. As I am unable to see my computer screen because of the red rage filling my eyes, please feel free to comment below on this gem of a story.

• Choice Words: Seriously? The Affordable Birth Control Crisis Really Hasn't Been Fixed Yet? The Bush Administration still refuses to fix a clerical mistake and make affordable birth control available. The religious right continues to undermine the separation of church and state in this country. Abstinence is only effective when dating Republicans.
• WMR: Throw Those Bricks, Fred! Fred Johnson is coming on strong against the Pete Hoekstra (R- Turtlegate). I find it amusing that Fred has to remind the religious right about their Bible story endings. They seem to forget anything that doesn't damn someone for something they don't like.
• Swing State Project: The House Seats Where We Can Make the Most Progress This Year. Check it out - we've got two races in the national spotlight. Go Mark! Go Gary!
• Roll Call: Kilpatrick Has Tough Primary. Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick is facing a strong challenge in the primary this year and many are suggesting that her son's recent legal and textual troubles are at the center of it. (Hat tip to Nirmal.)

• MI Messenger: Bathroom Access Under Review by Legislature. HB 5046 might seem trivial to those who don't suffer from illnesses like Crohn's disease but for the 50,000 Michiganians who do, this bill may make public life possible. Jason Allen must be constipated because he's sitting on the bill.
• DetNews: Michigan Electricity Customers tell State of Hardships, Losses. DTE's response to customers without power for 6 - 8 days earlier this month? "We'll file a report." I'm thinking the entire DTE Board of Directors needs to get locked in a house for a week without power, running water or telephones and see how THEY like it.
• D4MD: Take the Poll - Say No to Cliff Taylor! It's time for a poll. Head on over and follow the link to a Lawyers Weekly survey on how Judge Deborah Thomas would fair in a race against Justice Clifford Taylor.

• 06/24/08: National HIV Testing Day (statewide, Lansing)
• 06/25/08: Obama Volunteers (Clinton Township)
• 06/26/08: Not Your Daddy's Golf Outing (Grand Ledge)
• 06/26/08: Western Washtenaw Dems Candidate Forum (Chelsea)
• 06/27/08: Michigan Equality PRIDE Party (Lansing)
• 06/28/08: MICHIGAN PRIDE (Lansing)
• 06/28/08: Toni Moceri Fundraiser (Warren)
• 06/28/08: Are You Energy Efficient? (Oxford)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 07:01:06 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday. Anyone else glad last week is over? Another flood, tornado or mandatory family gathering for charred hot dogs and I'm going to wonder if doomsday really did begin on June 12. Ponder that while you grab some caffeine and enjoy today's Coffee Talk.

National Politics

• AP: Bush to Speak at Michigan GOP Fundraiser on June 25. Is a week and a half enough time to help the Shrub learn how to say "Michigan"? Nice timing though... Sen. Barack Obama is going to be in town on the 23rd. Well, better late than never I suppose.
• Skoop's Blog: The "D" Word. Skooby Do thinks that Sen. Obama should steer clear of Hizzoner for fear of distraction. Yes, Tim, I'm sure that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is a complete moron and needs political advice from you.
• LSJ: The Swingiest of Swing States. So do you think that the whole primary debacle was part of the MDP's master plan to make Michigan a major battleground state? Me neither. And Derek? Fire your copy editor. That post title stinks.
• Freep: Demands Answers, Michigan. "Both Obama and McCain need this state's electoral votes, but the state needs solutions, not just campaign slogans." Amen.

• Muskegon Chronicle: DEQ Says Hamlin Lake Dam in Ludington Safe. With all of the storm damage, demolished roads and houses destroyed, there's some good news here - the dam should hold. Pray for no rain.
• KAAA: Is Affirmative Action Still Needed? The U of M College Dems pose a difficult question. What do you think?
• TC Record Eagle: Justice Not Served by Process. Even though SCJ Taylor is Enemy #1 for the MDP, the Democratic candidate's name is still a big mystery. Lessenberry opines that Michigan's system for electing Supreme Court justices is inherently flawed.

• Det News: 21st Century Schools Fund Could Rescue Failing Districts. Eek! The Republicans are actually supportive of something that the Governor proposed. While I'm a big fan of public schools (daughter of a teacher), some are failing our kids. We need accountability and sustainable funding.
• MI Daily: Jobless Aid Needed. With an economic forecast for more rain and hail likely, the U of M student newspaper advocates for federal assistance for those who are unemployed.
• MITF: Michigan Development News. Housing and economic development news from across the state. Check out the section on why East Lansing is one of the best college towns in the Midwest and it has nothing to do with sports.

• 06/17/08 - 06/18/08: Michigan Teen Conference (Mt. Pleasant)
• 06/18/08: Peters for Congress Fundraiser (Mt. Clemens)
• 06/18/08: Citizen's Clean Energy Townhall (Pittsfield Township)
• 06/18/08: Shut Down the RNC Presentation (Grand Rapids)
• 06/20/08: Allied Media Conference (Detroit)
• 06/20/08: In the Dark... (Royal Oak)
• 06/20/08: No McAnti-Choice (Ferndale)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jun 09, 2008 at 07:49:33 AM EDT

Good morning storm survivors. It's Monday. Power, cable and internet might be restored by Wednesday. I'll be spending the next two days at NOI training with a few of the other front pagers. Try to behave, will you?

National Politics

• Britannica Blog: Who Wants to be Vice-President? Hands, Please! Seeking candidates with the ability to sit quietly in a room and do nothing to embarrass the occupant of the Oval Office.
• GR Press: Barack Obama Returns to Michigan Next Week. Commence with the screaming and rending of garments.
• Vote No on Joe: Veterans Ready to Knock Doors for Peters. Way to go Gary! He's got his fellow veterans fired up and ready to knock doors across the district for his campaign. This is great news, especially considering how out of touch Joe is with his constituents.
• Walberg Watch: Early Morning Greatest Hits. This exhaustive list of the "hits" that Tim Walberg has inflicted upon his constituents and the people of this country is nauseating. It's "NSFPWAC" ("not safe for people with a conscience"). Go Fitzy!
• Swing State Project: SSP's Competitive House Race Ratings (6/8/08) . MI-07 and MI-09 are in the "Lean Republican" category. Do you agree? What federal races are missing from SSP's listing? Go over and let them know!

• Kzoo Gazette: State Rep. Lorence Wenke May Sue Candidate for Comstock Township Supervisor. Local politics just got even dirtier for Rep. Wenke. He's accused of threatening and intimidating a supporter of the local township supervisor, someone he's trying to oust.
• MI Public Radio: Kilpatrick Friend Gets $109 Milllion in Contracts. I'm clearly hanging with the wrong crowd. My friends get me tickets to the Lugnuts and sometimes buy me ice cream. But $100 million or more in contracts? Wow. Must. Find. New. Friends.
• State News: Political Polls Exclude Many Young Voters Without Landlines. Hello Grebner? Yeah, I can't hear you now. And um, I'm not young but I don't have a landline. Welcome to world in which we live.
• TC Record Eagle: Lawmakers Shouldn't Meddle. Jack's in fine fettle in this Op-Ed in the "wretched beagle". I remember when that paper used to be the worst in the state... and now it's the little engine that could.
• Dem Edge: The "R" Word. It's called a recession people - embrace the word. Now close your eyes and think of England. It'll all be over in a decade or so.
• Great Lakes Politics: Jobs and Water in Michigan. Dave Dempsey has a few choice words for elected officials who believe that protecting the Great Lakes is akin to socialism. As a "socialist liberal blogger", I can confirm that conservation is not socialism.

• Media Mouse: Holland's Prince Family Continuing to Fund the Religious Right. Not content to wage war in foreign lands, the Prince family keeps waging war here in the U.S. against all religions that aren't theirs.
• Public News Service: Higher Medicare Premiums Could Mean Trouble For Politicians. You know how the population of the U.S. is getting a whole lot older and is going to bankrupt social security before any of us can retire? Yeah, they have this lobbyist group called the AARP and they are actually quite organized.
• AmericaBlog: Gay Anglican U.S. Bishop Enters Into Civil Union. Glory to God in the highest! Congratulations and best wishes to Bishop Robinson and his life partner, Mark. And to the lazy media, the word is "Episcopalian", not "Anglican" unless you are saying "Anglican tradition".

• 06/10/08: St. Clair Shores Dems Club Meeting (St. Clair Shores)
• 06/12/08: North Macomb Democrats (Shelby Township)
• 06/14/08: Shutting Down the RNC (Lansing)
• 06/14/08: Flag Day (nationwide)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:25:53 AM EDT

Good morning folks and welcome to the Monday edition of Coffee Talk. I'd like to wish my baby brother a happy birthday.  Now that he's 35, I'm a middle aged "socialist liberal blogger".  Woot!

The Never Ending Story

• Mark Maynard: Seating of the Michigan Delegation. Mark has Howard Dean's speech and his own thoughts on the entire Primary debacle.
• Kzoo Gazette: Local Dems Support Decision on Delegates. Prominent Kalamazoo Democrats weigh in on the decision.
• MI Public Radio: Half Vote. Wholly Dissatisfied. Sen. Clinton's camp is outraged at the decision, according to this NPR report.
• State News: Mich., Fla. Receive Half Votes for Delegates. 19 hours later, the Rules Committee came up with a compromise sure to keep the MichLib comments flaming for weeks to come.

• Dome: Little Piggy Who Cried Wolf. Eric's girlfriend has a semi-funny summary of the Pigman's political downfall.
• Mad at Thad: May Roundup. Dear Thad: While you're busy trying to ban gay marriage and calling the Speaker of the House a dictator, did you forget that you hate children? Why are you now trying to push for S-CHIP? We call that hypocrisy back in the District.

• TC Record Eagle: Term Limits Energize House Races. Major shout-out to our favorite Dan Scripps (go Scots!) in the 101st.  Also, former Rep. Andy Neumann (D - Alpena) is back and looks like the strongest contender in the 106th.
• Skoop's Blog: One In and One Out. Marrietta Robinson is the Democratic candidate against the uber-conservative Supreme Court Justice Cliff Taylor. Ok peeps - this is it. Our one (and only) chance to get rid of Taylor. Start saving your pennies - this race is going to cost upwards of $20 million.

• Crain's: Statewide Investment in Innovation Hits New Low. Interesting take on the economy. Experts say that things are looking better.
• Stateline.org: State Jobless Benefits Reserves Low. The unemployment insurance fund is nearly insolvent due to the increased demand.
• Daily: Save the Lakes. Environmental experts are looking to the federal government for help in saving the Great Lakes. New reports warn that our most precious of resources are at serious risk.

• Ellen Cogen Lipton. Most candidates pay lip service to being out and about in their districts. A few fundraisers and a couple of parades and they call it good. Not Ellen. As of this weekend, she's already walked her entire district and is setting out this week to do it all again.
• The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks. Misinterpreting bad punctuation since 2005. Add this to your blogroll kids... you'll need the laugh in the upcoming primary and general election cycles.

• 06/02/08: Blogging for LGBT Families Day (Nationwide)
• 06/02/08: Community Anti-Drug Conference w/ Sandy Levin (Warren)
• 06/02/08: House Dems Reception (St. Clair Shores)
• 06/03/08: Planned Parenthood of Michigan Volunteer Night (Lansing)
• 06/03/08: Low Lake Levels Meeting w/ Sarah Roberts (St. Clair Shores)
• 06/04/08: The Jettisons Benefit Concert for Dan Scripps (Traverse City)
• 06/06/08: The Jettisons Benefit Concert for Dan Scripps (Manistee)
• 06/07/08: DFA Training Academy - Day 1 (Lansing)
• 06/08/08: DFA Training Academy - Day 2 (Lansing)
• 06/08/08: Impact '08 Training (Traverse City)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon May 19, 2008 at 07:23:33 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday. Did you enjoy last night's frost warnings? I had nightmare visions of my CSA share dwindling down to some beets and a turnip. The only cure for my Monday malaise is caffeine and Coffee Talk!

National Politics

• Vote No on Joe: Oakland Democrats and Gary Peters in Birmingham. Great photos from Sunday's parade in Birmingham. Love the Joe Knollenberg "thundersticks", whatever those are.
• WMR: Cooney for Congress Kickoff. Don Cooney is running against Fred Upton. Even though Upton is the richest Michigan Congresscritter, Cooney has the progressives on his side.
• Skoop's Blog: Barack's Kwame Problem. So does the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee campaign in Detroit with Hizzoner at his side? Or does he wait til the Mayor is otherwise occupied?

• MI Messenger: Casinos Bluffing House Dems to Slow Smoking Ban? Dear House Dems, The lobbyists for casinos (or health care or the auto industry or even the poor folks) sometimes LIE or EXAGGERATE to make a point for their clients. Hugs! JPowers155
• GR Press: Michigan State Senator from Detroit Injures Knee in Fight Outside Bar. Sen. Buzz Thomas broke up a fight over the weekend and ended up with a busted knee. We wish you a speedy recovery and perhaps an edited selection of friends.
• Monroe News: Several Races to Watch in the August Primary. Local analysis of Rep. Angerer and Rep. Ebli's August primary and November general races.
• TC Record Eagle: Land Short-Circuits Probe of Meijer's War on Acme. The wannabe Gov showed her true colors by siding with Meijer (admitted campaign finance violators) against Acme. Even Mike Cox claims this is a bad decision (and Mike KNOWS what bad looks like).

• Pam's House Blend: Spare Me the Commercials: Michigan's Economic Advantage is Not for All. Want to know what other people think about Michigan now when they see our tourism ads? Let's just say that they don't go all weak in the knees over Jeff Daniels and purple prose. In fact, many are seeing red.
• Crain's: Company Health Plan Costs Grow 7 Percent. It's not just gas prices that are going up, so is the cost of health care and those costs are also being passed on the the employees.
• Kzoo Gazette: CAFOs in Conflict: Huge Farms Increase Efficiency but Create Environmental Concerns. Today's nominee for the "duh" category of journalism.

• 05/20/08: Film: We Interrupt this Empire. (Grand Rapids)
• 05/22/08: Garnet Lewis Fundraiser. (Zilwaukee)

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:29:29 AM EDT

Politics

• The Conservative Media:   Policy Summit Brings Together Diverse Progressive Groups.  Miss the Policy Summit on Saturday?  Check out this summary of the speakers and highlights.  Sadly, no mention of the head-sized cookies or the Crazy.
• Grosse Pointe Dems:  Is Kilpatrick Vulnerable in the 13th District? With Sen. Scott running against Congresswoman Cheeks Kilpatrick, could this seat turn over this year?
• Freep: Oakland County Races to Watch.  Ok all you politicos in Oakland County, check out the Freep's analysis and take some notes.
• Rasmussen Report:  Election 2008:  Michigan Senate.  Sen. Levin has a 90% chance of being reelected to the U.S. Congress this fall.  That doesn't mean he can't get out there and campaign though... he showed up at the Michigan Policy Summit on Saturday unlike nearly all of our elected officials (except for the fabulous Sen. Mark Schauer, of course).
  

• LSJ:  Mich. Food Stamp use up 53% Since 2003, Rate Well Above US.  Need a sign that the Michigan economy is recessing? The real story is the number of families needing help with feeding the kids.  Please make a donation to your local food bank or pantry today.
• Freep:  Invaders that Swim in also must be Checked.  The Asian carp are lurking at the gates of the Great Lakes and environmental experts lament the delays in the fence that will keep these voracious critters from killing our fisheries and sports fishing industry.  Must explore the possibility of Asian carp sashimi...
• MI Messenger:  Politics, Dow and Dioxin.  Decades of political interference in Dow cleanup have caused serious harm, say local activists.  The politicians naturally think they're making it all better by bringing everyone to the table.
  

• Dem Edge:  Legislating from the Bench or Judicial Activism 101.  Think the Supreme Court's recent decision that offering health benefits to someone is the same thing as marriage was stupid/ridiculous/insulting?  The author does too.
  
• MI Messenger:  Michigan Pride Plans 20th Anniversary Bash Not to Miss.  Calling all progressive allies - we need you!  Stay tuned for more details...
• State News:  Benefits Banned.  Local LGBT activist and professor Penny Gardner and her partner talk about the impact of the Supreme Court decision on their family.
• Det News:  Mich. Court Condones Misleading Ballot Tactics.  Deb Price rips the Michigan Supreme Court for letting lies and a twenty year old dictionary form the basis for their recent political decision to harm Michigan families.
  
• MI Daily:  Reverse the Ban.  Michigan has regressed civil rights by about two decades, opines the U of M student editors.  For more, see this article on the real impact of this decision.
  

• KAAA:  Internal McCain Memo.  This has been floating around the tubes for a week or so... it's NSFW but very, very funny.
• Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Scott!:  Love for Dogs Key in Precinct Delegate Race.  It's not just enough to kiss babies, advertise and be a good person.  Now you have to love dogs too.  Sounds like a movie title...

• 05/17/08:  Camp Millie (Grand Rapids)
• 05/17/08:  APIA Presidential Candidate Townhall (Southfield)
  

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: PerfectStormer

Wed May 07, 2008 at 07:30:00 AM EDT

Election News:

• Eric Baerren: The Neglected Issue: Presidents Govern by Appointments. What matters in this election is not so much who we elect, but who our new president chooses to run our government and enforce our laws. An excellent article with an excellent point, and I'm not just saying that to be nice...I swear.
  
• Michigan Radio News: McCain to Campaign in Michigan Tomorrow Today. "The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is expected to talk about human trafficking and Internet safety during his appearance at Oakland University." The human trafficking thing I get--slavery is alive and well, even in this country. But Internet safety? Couldn't he talk about, I dunno...healthcare? The war? The economy? Something people actually give a damn about?
  
• The Hill: Gingrich warns Republican Party of "real disaster" this fall. That sound you hear in the distance is the world's smallest violin playing "My Heart Bleeds for You."
  

Your Health, Your World:

• Michigan Messenger: Stupak links firing of EPA official to suppressed Great Lakes report. Sez Stupak: "How do you go from being a model career employee to five months later being summarily dismissed?"
  
• MRN: Infant Mortality Dropping in Michigan. The news isn't all good: mortality rates for white babies have gone down, but rates for African-American babies are still high.
  
• Red Tape Blog: Ending Oversight of Mental Health Care in Michigan Prisons is a Bad Idea. "'From what we know about what's going on at the reception center, it's frightening to think what's happening to the mentally ill at segregation units around the state," Patricia Streeter, an attorney for the prisoners, told the Free Press."
  
• Michigan Business Review: Interest in brownfield projects remains, despite economic woes. "...during economic slowdowns, brownfields deserve a closer look. That's because raising capital and securing investment could take longer than usual during these times, which allows for time to address environmental issues, said Scott Beckerman of Comerica."
  

That's all I've got. Splash around in the comments, but play nice.

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon May 05, 2008 at 07:22:34 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday. Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Just 5 days until the Michigan Policy Summit.  Have you registered yet?  All the cool kids are going to be there...

National Politics

• Conservative Media: Rogers is Shocked, Shocked that People are not Happy with the Direction of the Country. Mike blames it all on the Democrats and taxes. Ever wonder why it's called the elephant in the room? Yeah. A big REPUBLICAN elephant called the war in Iraq.
• DetNews:  Michigan Compromise Could Ease Dem's Primary Woes.  The DetNews sounds off on the proposed "Group of Four" solution to the Democratic Primary debacle.  Let the yelling in the comments commence...

• WILX: State House Candidate Withdraws. Lennox was the Democrats best chance to take the seat, so I'm wondering what Saul etal had to promise Kevin Elsenheimer in order for him to go for another term instead of his planned Court of Appeals race.
• Jack & Jill Politics: Funny Sundays. Detroit Councilwoman Conyers Gets "Schooled". It's not just Hizzoner who's shining a light on Dee-troit. The antics of several have been enshrined in You-Tube perpetuity for your viewing pleasure.
• AP: Michigan Constitution Requires no Handoff if Gov. in Surgery. For those of you playing along at home - the Governor could not have handed off power to the Lieutenant Governor while she was in surgery because the Constitution doesn't provide for it. So all of you Republican critics? Bite me.

• Muskegon Chronicle: Meeting on Water Levels: Don't Tamper with Nature. Great Lakes levels are just part of a $15 million International Upper Great Lakes Study, funded by the International Joint Commission. Some experts blame dropping lake levels on the weather, others blame dredging.
• Capital News Service: Expansion of Bottle Refunds Offered for Approval Again. Rep. Mark Meadows has offered a bill that would expand Michigan's bottle law to include most packaged beverage containers including water bottles to those pesky ice tea bottles littering my office.

• GCYD: Are You Really Protected from Workplace Discrimination? Great analysis here about the employer/employee relationship in Michigan and the potential impact on your life. Take a few minutes to read through this post.
• MI Messenger: Washington Post covers Benton Harbor Development Controversy. A local story goes big time with coverage in the WaPo. MI Messenger has dug up a whole lot of tasty tidbits on this story so check it out.
• Crains: Area Execs Back Green Spending if it Yields Green. In a shocking story, Michigan business leaders say they'll spend money if it'll make them money. Shocking.

• Conservative Truths: There Are Still More Deaths Due To Accidents In Conservative States Than In Liberal States. As if we needed more evidence...
• TC Record Eagle: Would-be Legislators' Quiz. Take the quiz and see how Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and his cronies did. Bonus points for high snark and dudgeon.

• 05/04/08 - 05/10/08: Kids Mental Health Week (statewide)
• 05/05/08: Cinco de Mayo (worldwide)
• 05/08/08: Lessenberry in Livingston (Howell)
• 05/10/08: Michigan Policy Summit (Lansing)

Thursday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:08:54 AM EDT

National Politics

• Det News: Talks Turn on Michigan Delegate Split.  The "Group of Four" (Sen. Carl Levin, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger and Democratic National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell) have put forward a... ok, seriously... the "Group of Four"?  Someone call a marketing consultant - stat!
  

• AP via MLive:  Time Running out for State Spending Deal.  Tomorrow is the deadline for approval for major spending on local airports and transportation.  The deadline exists because of federal matching dollars that will go unclaimed if Michigan's legis-critters don't get off their duffs and do something about it.
• Jackson Cit Pat:  No One Files to Run Against Local Judges.  This is how it happens... no one runs against local judges and the next thing you know, we have Cliff Taylor on the Michigan Supreme Court.
  
• GR Press:  Detroit Mayor Questions Authenticity of Most Recent Batch of Text Messages.  In the latest twist of the Kwame Chronicles, now Hizzoner says that the not only does the glove not fit, it's not even his glove.  Or something like that.
• Freep:  Mich. Democrats Claim Fraud in Attempt to Recall House Speaker.  Leon's lousy recall tactics (and pathetic in-district fundraising numbers) are (finally) reported by the MSM.
  

• Kalamazoo Gazette:  Cold Night may lead to Major Losses for Michigan Fruit Growers.  Bring in those seedlings and potted plants to protect them from a late frost.  Michigan's fruit farmers are taking extra precautions to try and prevent a disastrous frost.
  
• Jack Lessenberry:  Energy Blues.  Jack says that the renewable energy bills currently before the Michigan Senate are not all that they appear to be - in fact, they might be the worst thing to happen to Michigan in a long time.
• Great Lakes Blogger:  About "The Waters of Michigan".  Dave Dempsey and David Lubbers have a new book out, "The Waters of Michigan".
  
• MI Radio News:  Enviros Unhappy About Reduced Permit Reviews.  Budget cuts mean that the DEQ has had to cut back on reviewing what they consider to be "minor" permit reviews.  Activists are worried that this means less oversight.
  

• GR Press:  Record number from Grand Rapids seek tickets to 'Antiques Roadshow'.  You know that bowl up in the attic of your grandmother's house?  It could finance your way into a House seat next time around.
  

Saturday Coffee Talk: Planet Earth edition

by: Eric B.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 09:19:09 AM EDT

Yeah, so it went from being grillin' weather to November.  Bye-bye, summer.  See you in about six months.  At least it's good coffee-drinking weather.

We start you off with fear...

• Business Week: Good Bye, Cheap oil; so long, suburbia.  A quick interview with everyone's Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, James Howard Kunstler.
• Great Lakes Guy:  Name that Transit Tune.  State Reps Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Marie Donigan, and Tom Pearce get props for recognizing the need for mass transit.  Everyone else gets a musical raspberry.
• Great Lakes Blogger:  Earth Day Michigan 1970:  A look back in time.  In case you're too cheap to go out and buy Dave Dempsey's books (or too lazy to borrow them from the library) on the environment and Michigan history, he snippets a section on Earth Day.
• Gristmill:  Buckeyes on Solar.   Who's that Michigan has now fallen behind in crafting RPS?  Why, it's Ohio.
• Townhall:  A New Environmentalism.  I thought it was maybe April Fool's Day up until the last paragraph, when I learned that "a new environmentalism" was really just drilling for Alaska.

Tuesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: PerfectStormer

Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:01:31 AM EDT

Hidey-ho, MichLib-a-reenos. It's Tuesday! Your usual Tuesday CT hostess-with-the-mostest LiberalLucy was nice enough to step aside and let me serve the brain food munchies this morning. She'll be back tomorrow. On with the show...

Big Economic Stories We Broke

• MichLib:  Granholm Announcement:  6,600 Jobs for K-zoo Area.  In case you missed this story... MichLib had it first.  MPI Research has taken over the old Pfizer campus.  They've done a major hiring wave already - snapping up mid-Michigan liberal arts grads. 
  
• AP:  Expansion of MPI Research of Matawan Creates 3,300 Jobs in Michigan.   More on the story from the AP.  400 new employees added to downtown Kalamazoo (a very nice place, IMHO) and the remaining employees will work in Matawan.  Nice!
• West MI Rising:  Developing:  Expected Announcement on Job Creation in Kalamazoo County.  The new kids on the block over at West Michigan Rising caught this story as it was about to break.  Looks like a $300 million investment in West Michigan along with 3,300 immediate jobs and up to 3,300 more in the future.

Dear Andy Dillon:  Read This!

• KAAA:  SB:776:  Wasting Time and Our Dime.  This redundant, ridiculous bill should stay in committee and die.  Speaker Dillon needs to keep his word and not let it out for a vote.
• The Upper Hand:  Stop!  The Political Attack on Choice.  "Our state legislators, including House Speaker Andy Dillon, are cowering to anti-choice forces".  Be a man, Andy.  Keep your word to your Caucus, your constituents and to advocacy groups.
• BFM:  They Fall For it Every Time.  "Republicans don't give a damn about "life" and we all know it. What the do give a damn about is gaining political power, getting people to give them money, and using whatever measures they can in the goal of obtaining the two."  Are you listening Speaker Dillon? 
  
• Michigan Class Notes:  SB776:  Stop Pandering to Anti-Choice Forces and Stand Up for Women.  If you are anti-choice, you are anti-woman.  It's as simple as that.

National Stuff:

• Michigan Messenger: Tweedle beetles 'bitter' paddle battle done--for now? What, the title of that post alone isn't enough to make you want to go and read it?
• State News: Youth use web as source of action. State News opinion editor Kate Polesnak raises an interesting question (albeit to an audience that already knows the answer): if Facebook can be used to instigate the Cedar Fest shenanigans, when will politicians realize that the Web can be used to spur so many more good things from our young people?

• Muskegon Chronicle: Rep. Mary Valentine tops newsletter's list of vulnerable incumbents. In news that shocked absolutely no one, MIRS says Mary Valentine, Mike Simpson and Marc Corriveau are in danger of losing their jobs...unless we pitch in and stop it from happening.
• Freep: New fuel rules to call for 32 mpg. Today the NHTSA is set to unveil a new proposal that would raise the CAFE requirement to an average of 32 mpg by 2015.
• BFM:Energy Efficiency-"You'll see your bills go down." Lower utility bills AND a cleaner environment? Sign me up...
• West Michigan Rising: Robert Dean announces re-election campaign. Recall woes behind him, Robert Dean is ready to move on. philgoblue has a great write-up of Dean's re-election plans.

• Ann Arbor News: Bells to ring in Ann Arbor to mark signing of the city charter in 1833. Tomorrow marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of Ann Arbor, and bells will ring in the town's honor.
• Mining Gazette: Local Dems order up optimism, hold the hubris. The Houghton County Dems held their annual Spring Fling dinner this weekend, and the Mining Gazette has a pretty good rundown.
• Michigan Messenger: Detroit needs 500 new police, but recruiting stymied. Detroit has the means, motive and opportunity to hire 500 new cops. They just can't find enough suitable recruits.

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 07:21:22 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Monday.

The Thing You Need to do Today

• MI Prospect: Michigan Policy Summit 2008. What happens when you put representatives of most of Michigan's progressive organizations in a room? We make things happen. You should be part of that discussion so register today. Bloggers are welcome and even have special nametags. (Ooooooooh.) I have it on good authority that front pagers Eric B, rich, PerfectStormer, LiberalLucy, lpackard and JPowers155 will be there too. It's $30 and a Saturday's investment to change our world.

• DailyKos: The Woes of the Michigan Republican Party. Check out PhillipMoon's (YAF Watch) post on the sad tale of the Michigan Republican Party. From six-figure debt to lingering ties between GOP head Saul Anuzis and a hate group to DeVos's epic failure in the last election: it's hard out there to be a Rethug.
• Jackson Cit Pat: Mortimer is Taking Me Back Twenty Years. Brad Flory is one "whoa dude" away from getting smacked but that doesn't mean that he isn't right about Mickey Mortimer's lame attempt to get back into Jackson politics by trying to oust his former employee.
• Freep: More Mayoral Nonsense. In the interest of not starting a flame war, let's just say that the Freep believes that the current mayor of Detroit should polish his resume.
• LSJ: State's Playing Games on Taxes. I read the op-ed three times and am still confused. Also, check out the linked site which describes itself as " 'not a blog' with quick witted put-downs or personal attacks." Well now I'm obliged to make quick witted put-downs AND personal attacks.

• OpenLeft: Major Michigan Convention Updates. Looks like the big national blogs are keeping their eyes on our little Mitten today. There's even a shout-out to MichLib for our thread on the Conventions.
• Kzoo Gazette: Michigan Democrats Confident They'll Be Seated at Democratic National Convention. Delegates elected on Saturday express their optimism that they will indeed get to travel to the city of Oz Denver. In other news, apparently if you eat rainbows you will poop butterflies.

• Our Michigan: Dalai Lama Urges Understanding Across Religious Traditions. Celeste has a wonderful post about the Dalai Lama's visit to Ann Arbor this weekend with gorgeous pictures.
• MI Radio: Dalai Lama Draws Protests. Chinese students protested against the Dalai Lama during his visit to Ann Arbor, berating the religious leader for his views on China's human rights policies and his opposition to the Olympics being held in Beijing this year.

• Crain's: Gettelfinger Unhappy with Pace of American Axle Talks. Two months in to the strike at American Axle, the UAW honcho is getting a bit short about what he perceives as the lack of communication.
• AP: Harry Potter Case Illustrates Blurry Line in Copyright Law. It's the ultimate Harry vs. the Flaming Dragon story: a tiny publishing company in Muskegon is going up against the J.K. Rowling's zillions of dollars in an effort to publish a Potter lexicon.
• Capital News Service: Prospering Entrepreneurs cited in North, West Michigan. Contrary to all of the doom and gloom headlines, not all business is tanking.
• MITF: Development News. More news from around the state, courtesy of the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund's intrepid staff. Looking to invest in Michigan? Check out the Trust Fund's website for interesting projects.

• Saginaw News: Federal Judge Orders Michigan to Review "Life" Prison Sentences. Life in prison may not mean a lifetime anymore if the decision by a federal judge is upheld.
• GR Press: Med School to Start Rising on Skyline. MSU's western campus will start going up this week after a groundbreaking ceremony. As with all things Grand Rapids, guess which name is inextricably intertwined with this project? Maybe we can donate his body to science.

• 04/23/08: Michigan Supreme Court Examination (Dexter)
• 04/22/08: Earth Day
• 04/22/08: Drinking Liberally (Detroit)
• 04/24/08: Drinking Liberally (Ann Arbor)
• 04/25/08:  National Day of Silence (Nationwide)
• 04/26/08: Michigan Equality Old Town Spring Clean Up! (Lansing)

Saturday Coffee Talk: Planet Earth edition

by: Eric B.

Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 09:24:40 AM EDT

Right now, even as we speak, Democrats from across Michigan are gathering to elect delegates in district conventions.  While I sit in MichLib's Oak Street compound, those from the 4th are gathering here in overcast Mt. Pleasant.  Meanwhile, up in outer space, a swirling, burning ball of gas is expected to provide most of the energy that'll push today's expected high temperatures into the low 70s.

Think about it, won't you?

• Michigan Department of Agriculture--First blueberry scouting report to be issued April 22.  It's springtime, when a young man's mind turns to fancy, but also when those in southwest Michigan start thinking blueberries.
• Traverse City Record Eagle--Editorial:  Great Lakes water not for sale.  The world gets thirstier as lawmakers around the Great Lakes decline the opportunity to consider what that means for our water.  How will history judge this?  You need not consult Magic 8-ball for an answer.
• Gristmill--Same as it ever was.  Speaking of do-nothing politicians, President Breaks Everything He Touches gave another climate change speech earlier this week.  Broken down, it largely represented nothing by an extra contribution of hot air to an already-warming globe.
• RealClimate--Moulins, Calving Fronts, and Greenland Outlet Glacier Acceleration.   How long before someone on the Right suggests we need not address global warming because melting glacial ice means helping to protect the Great Lakes from a world getting thirstier?
• Gristmill--Slurps of joy.  It was great sadness that I learned that my wide-mouth Nalgene bottles might someday kill me.  It is with great joy that Nalgene is making them safe once again.  Huzzah for the shopkeep! 

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: PerfectStormer

Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 06:40:23 AM EDT

Headlines:

• Freep: 2 unions will try to ground merger. Northwest's IAM and ALPA unions are less-than-thrilled about the proposed Northwest-Delta merger and will do whatever they can to stop it.
  
• LSJ: Workers walk off job at GM parts supplier. Workers at Alliance Interiors went on strike last night, in a move that could affect GM's brand-spankin'-new Delta Twp. Assembly if it goes on long enough.
  
• DetNews: Bush, Mich. senators end fed judge fight. In exchange for giving Clinton (!) nominee Helene White an upperdown vote, Levin and Stabenow have agreed to support Bush nominee Raymond Kethledge's nomination to the Sixth Circuit.
  

Congresscritters:

• Vote No on JOE: Joe has some interesting donors. Surprise, surprise...Bruce Fealk goes diving through Joe Knollenberg's campaign finances and finds all sorts of sleaze.
  
• The Hill: Let's Get the Economy Moving Again (Rep. Tim Walberg) "Democrats in this Congress are following the same failed blueprint that Governor Granholm used to drive our state economy into a ditch and destroy Michigan jobs." That's funny...I could've sworn it was John Engler that was behind the wheel of the Epic Fail Train as it went over Epic Fail Cliff a few years ago... (h/t to BZP)
  

• Families USA: Michigan Will Lose 15,300 Jobs, $1.5 Billion in Economic Activity Due to Bush Administration's Medicaid Cuts. Every dollar spent on Medicaid ends up in someone's pocket, and a good chunk of it goes to hospital payroll--doctors, nurses, PAs, CNAs, pharmacists, etc. Michigan's healthcare professionals are about to get a rude awakening when Bush starts swinging his budget ax in the direction of Medicaid. (h/t to Kathy at BFM)
  
• Lessenberry: Balancing Act. Michigan Republicans are trying like heck to hold Gov. Granholm to her supposed promise not to raise taxes, but as Jack points out, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
  
• LSJ: Study: Smoking bans don't hurt bars and restaurants. In a study commissioned by The Campaign for Smokefree Air, Lansing think tank Public Sector Consultants concludes that banning smoking in bars and restaurants would have no economic effect on these businesses.
  
• Toledo Blade: Don't judge politicos by their labels. A message to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and his Environmental Protection Agency: Hands off Lake Erie, guys. It's ours too. (h/t to Dave Dempsey)
  

Upcoming Events:

• Our Michigan: Dalai Lama coming to Michigan to uplift. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be in Ann Arbor this weekend to bring us a message of "upliftment in the midst of economic suffering."
  
• Senate Dems: Senator Cherry Encourages Residents to Attend Health Fair, Ensure Car Seat Safety. If you live in or around Clio, come on down tomorrow night for a Health Fair cosponsored by Sen. Deb Cherry (D-Burton).
  
• MLive: Church to host gay-rights activist after Aquinas College cancellation. John Corvino is coming to Michigan anyway, and will be at Fountain Street Church in GR on April 23 at 7:00PM.
  
• Soo Evening News: Volunteers sought for tree planting. For you Yoopers out there, MDOT is looking for a few good volunteers to help plant 2,000 trees along M-129 and I-75 on April 30th.
  

Other Random Goodness:

• State News: Personal needs triumph genocide in US minds. We may not all be as bad off as double-amputee Eric Winter, but in a world of rising gas prices, high unemployment, and spiraling healthcare costs, it's no wonder Darfur gets lost in the shuffle.
  
• GR Press: Amway Grand Hotel's 1913 Room still best in state, with its sixth five-diamond rating. Yeah, I know, Mister Amway Guy gets to play at being a hotelier in between his maniacal plans to take over the world. But still, it's cool that GR gets to brag about having a great restaurant, right?
  
• Young Dems of America: Getting the Most Out of Your Members. This is really geared toward YDA chapters, but as we head into campaign season there's a lot of good advice here about how to leverage the skills and commitment of your volunteers.
  

That's all I've got. I'm going back to bed. If I missed anything good, here's your chance!

Tuesday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 07:19:32 AM EDT

Good morning. It's Tuesday. How did you like that 20 degree weather last night? A perfect start to Tax Day.

National Politics

• DailyKos: New Michigan Poll - Obama Up. A new EPIC-MRA poll suggests that Obama might be a stronger candidate against McCain.
• West MI Politics: Not as Unpopular as they would have you Believe. Pol Watcher remarks that despite the MSM's efforts to portray Governor Granholm as disliked as much as the Shrub, in fact, she's doing ok considering the economy and the budget debacle of 2007.
• AmericaBlog: In Michigan, Obama Wins and Clinton Loses Against McCain. More of the same on the EPIC-MRA poll.

• Capitol Journal: Schauer vs. Renier. Derek Wallbank finally jumps in and is betting on Sen. Mark Schauer taking the Democratic primary in the 7th. Also, rumors about Republicans crossing over to try and make Renier the nominee.
• Walberg Watch: Sharon Renier's First Quarter Fundraising. Fitzy has a quick post on Renier's fundraising efforts to day and wonders how you can run an effective campaign with just $45 cash on hand and a $5,200 debt. There's also another post about Sen. Mark Schauer's $326,000 raised this quarter.
• Swing State Project: MI-07, MI-09: Schauer, Peters Receive Strong Financial Support for First Quarter. Nice post. Check out the idiotic comments. Apparently the "blogs" haven't been pushing Schauer or Peters this last quarter. Yes, we've all been sitting around knitting waiting for someone to write about these two races. Knitting, I tell you! Knitting!

• B4MI: Republican Arlan Meekhof's Plan for Children: Tasers, Yes. Clothing, No. Props to WizardKitten for an excellent piece on yet another crazy Republican ploy to arm children and attack the working poor.
• Kazoo Gazette: Detroit Council Prevents Mayor Kilpatrick's Budget Address. Already strained relations between Hizzoner and the Detroit City Council are now stretched to the breaking point.
• MI Daily: Group Wants Health Care Mandate on Nov. Ballot. The Health Care for Michigan Campaign is working through campuses statewide. The U of M paper looks at the impact on in-state students.

• MI Messenger: Equal Treatment in Scandals? Not if you're a Woman. Hizzoner and his Chief of Staff are both indicted for the same crimes (he got one more charge than she did, actually). Who resigned under pressure and who's on "an assignment from God"?
• Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Scott: Confessions of a Bitter American. ScottyUrb talks about his family experience and why he's bitter.
• Crain's: Fieger Calls Case 'a Joke' as Campaign Finance Trial Starts. Showing his usual bombast and lack of decorum, Geoffrey Fieger chuckled his way through jury selection as his trial gets under way.  His mother must be so proud.

• MI Radio News: State Tourism Industry Forecasted to Decline by 2 Percent. Tourism dollars are actually expected to remain flat but prices will rise by 4%. If gas prices increase, the industry will likely see a large reduction unless we all pledge to travel Michigan this summer! Check out summer road closures here.
• Bay City Times: Rep. Jeff Mayes Backing Bill to Benefit Distilleries. Mayes (D-Bay City) along with many other House Dems is backing a bill that could potentially create 1,400 new jobs and more than $400M in economic activity.
• Ann Arbor News: Rebate Checks Help Fuel Extra-Hectic Tax-Filing Season. Those rebate checks won't come in 2008 unless you file your taxes on time so make sure you get yours done today.
• Freep: Northwest Airlines and Delta Announce They'll Join Forces. Looks like the deal is done. The "Northwest" name will be defunct, headquarters will move to Atlanta and they are saying that they won't close any hubs meaning that DTW should be OK.

• Media Mouse: Local TV Stations don't want to Adopt new FCC Rules.  The big media conglomerates don't want you to know how big they really are so they are protesting the recent FCC rules that would require minimal disclosure about ownership of local TV stations.

• Absolute Michigan: Michigan Flower: Trillium. I'm a sucker for a pretty picture.
• The Conversation: No Child Left Inside Days. The Governor says that we should all go outside and play.
• Covey's Corner: I Saw a Dinosaur Yesterday. Ferndale's mayor reports on a recent sighting of the rare Hummersaurus in the Detroit area.

Monday Coffee Talk

by: JPowers155

Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 07:26:32 AM EDT

Good morning. Only a day left to get those taxes done, so grab some caffeine and see what's happening in Michigan political news before you tackle the 1040.

People & Politics

• MLive: The Dalai Lama's Long Road to Ann Arbor: Invitation was Issued Almost 14 years ago. Next weekend, the Dalai Lama will return to Ann Arbor to meet with supporters, the faithful and the curious.
• TC Record Eagle: Op-Ed: GOP may take State. Gee Jack, why don't you tell us what you really think about the MDP and Mark Brewer? This piece is a rehash of his same rant from last week but I needed filler for this category.
• West MI Rising: DeVos Inc Fined for Violating Ohio Campaign Finance Law. See Dick run. See Betsy scheme. See Dick fail. See Betsy break the law. See Dick try, try again. See Betsy...
• Ms. Magazine: A Preference for Deception. Ward Connerly has co-opted the words of the Civil Rights movement in his sometimes illegal efforts to stop affirmative action. Interesting perspective from the Michigan experience.
• LSJ:  Levin, Stabenow See Housing Bill as Start.  Levin and Stabenow are backing an innovative plan to help the housing market.  Rogers and Walberg are still singing from the Old <30% Approval Rating's Hymnal.  Tax incentives will save us all!

• Bay City Times: Michigan water Pails, in Comparison to other Regional Commodities. Should Michigan turn our water into a commodity and market it to the highest bidders? Commence with the flame wars. I'm standing by with my pale pail.
• DetNews: New Coal-Fired Power Plants Opposed in Michigan. Environmental activists and community leaders are very concerned at the prospect of additional coal fired power plants in their communities. Energy companies say it's too expensive to produce clean energy so they want to stick with polluting the environment instead.
• Save the Wild U.P.: Kennecott's Lobbying Information. The folks over at "Save the Wild UP" have all the details on the money behind the Kennecott Mine's lobbying team. My thoughts? This issue is so bad, they had to hire someone from Utah to lobby for it.
• Public News Services: High Gas Prices Bring Hybrid "Hijinx" to Michigan? Is your hybrid car really all that s/he seems? A scientific group has issued their concerns that car buyers might be misled by the hybrid hype.

• MI Radio News: American Axle Makes New Offer. The strike is now approaching 2 months old with nearly 36,000 autoworkers affected. UAW leaders are considering the latest proposal.
• Flint Journal: Flint's Budget woes Mirror Money Crunch in other Michigan cities. Local communities are having to look for ways to pare jobs and expenses from budgets that are already stretched thin enough. Just take a look at how the roads are in your community.
• AP: Delta, Northwest may Announce Combination Deal Tuesday. A merger is looking more likely again for the two legacy carriers. 
• MITF: Development News. Detroit, Lansing and Muskegon all have good things happening around community and economic development.
• Gadling: Detroit's New Casinos: The MGM Grand. While not strictly political, something positive about Detroit hitting a national travel blog had to get some coverage here on MichLib.

• Kzoo Gazette: Canceled Aquinas Lecture a 'Missed Opportunity,'Gay-Advocate Speaker Says. Dear Mom & Dad: I am so incredibly grateful that you sent me to Alma College and not Aquinas College where students aren't even permitted to HEAR things that are contrary to the Roman Catholic church's teachings. Also, thanks for raising me an Episcopalian.  Love, JPowers155
• KAAA: The Five Tribes of the Republicans. The children are being funny again with their Five Tribes of Republicans: Neocons, Theocons, Business Conservatives, Libertarian Conservatives, Paleocons. So where are the Luddites and the Satan Worshipers?

• 04/15/08: National Stonewall Dems Speech (East Lansing)
• 04/15/08: Tax Day
• 04/16/08: Progressive Women's Alliance (Grand Rapids)
• 04/19/08: 25th Annual Winans Dinner (Hamburg)
• 04/19/08: District Conventions (Statewide) - CORRECTED DATE
  
• 04/20/08: Michigan College Dems Conference (Lansing)