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Category: The Mayor

A friend of mine said she feels like she cannot watch the news anymore because everytime she turns it on, they are talking about the mayor and I told her, that is because he will not stop talking and just do his job. That was just yesterday before the announcement of the new city text message policy.

Really? Did he run this past his legion of attorneys before he decided this was some more "must do" city business. Again I say, when the Mayor assured us that the reason he refuses to step down is because he needed to be about the business of the city, is this what he meant? He had to come up with a policy where no other "playas" would ever get caught up again. This is pressing city business??

Where does the arrogance end?

More importantly, when will the city and its residents get some relief from this situation.

Category: Election 2008

We Need to Lighten Up

I can only imagine the firestorm of comments that I am going to get about this one but, here it goes.

The other day, Sen. Barack Obama referred to a reporter as "sweetie." And of course, as with anything the Senator says (or anyone close to him), he had to explain and apologize.

I am sorry but, I really do not see the big deal. Everytime a man calls a woman "sweetie" or "honey" is not necessarily condescending.

I am not a woman who is offended by this sort of thing, in fact, sometimes I like it. Just as I like for a man to still open the door for me or to offer to buy a drink just to name a few. But thanks to a few people, men are afraid to do anything for a woman anymore. Most men feel like they cannot even compliment a woman anymore without offering an apology for noticing that the woman looks nice.

In my office, there is a happily married woman who oftens calls co-workers "sweetie" or "honey," does that make her a chauvinist also?

I could be wrong, but I just think that in this campaign and life in general, we need to be spend our time concentrating on much more important things than this.

Category: Decision 2008

Pipe Dream That Will Evolve Into A Nightmare

Please people, give it a break. The Democratic Party appears to be filled with far too many people with outlandish hopes and dreams. In a recent poll, even after all of the disrespect and lack of integrity displayed by the Clinton's, still, sixty percent of those that call themselves Democrats would like to see an Obama-Hillary ticket. These people have taken aloofness to a standard that borders on pathetic. Are they so desperate for a win in November that they are willing to sell their souls at the expense of pleasing the Clinton's?

And just how hypocritical is it of the party to act as if this primary season is about a consolation prize? This lady has proven herself to be untrustworthy, contrary to what the exit polls that came out of West Virginia showed the other night. On top of that, the ex-president has done more than show his true colors over the past five months. Now that the "entitlement" train appears to be coming up short, it seems that the best the Dems can do is to act as if everything is all honky-dorie.

Maybe this whole political season was all a dream and the message of "CHANGE" that was the mantra of Senator Barack Obama has yet to sink in with the 60% that are living this pipe dream. Because if they had been playing just an iota of attention at all over the past few months, then they would know that such a ticket makes no sense at all. There is a reason that oil and water does not mix.

Regardless of how badly many Democrats want a ticket of Obama/Clinton, that pipe dream just won't work. It is bad enough that the Clinton's were out-campaigned by the senator from Illinois, but to think that a marriage of Obama and Clinton would be perfection is just downright foolish. Freddy Krueger made "A Nightmare on Elm Street" a successful cult favorite for those that are into horror flicks. Trust me, we do not need "A Nightmare on the Campaign Trail". If the Democratic Party feel that the only way back into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is having some "pipe dream" ticket, then shame on them. A win can be had without converging the two top candidates and the sooner people realize that, the better.

Category: Rule of Law

Arrest in Rove's future?

Hot off the wire, this is the biggest news I've heard for a long time. Yeah for Conyers!

"Just off the House floor today, the Crypt overheard House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers tell two other people: "We're closing in on Rove. Someone's got to kick his a**."

Asked a few minutes later for a more official explanation, Conyers told us that Rove has a week to appear before his committee. If he doesn't, said Conyers, "We'll do what any self-respecting committee would do. We'd hold him in contempt. Either that or go and have him arrested."

It's about time the committees started using their power to hold these criminals responsible under the established rule of law. They could have done this months ago, but it's never too late to start. I hope they follow through.

Category: Global Warming

Polar Bears Lobby the GOP.

The secret polar bear hideout is right next to Santa's workshop. Sorry kids, but Santa doesn't exist. Polar bears, however do.

Conservative critics, those I refer to as "intellectuals who are afraid of learning something new" place their bet on science that only conforms to their beliefs, and not the actual results. These conservative Chicken Littles tend to refer to science, yet deny the opposing viewpoint that uses the same science.

Their science, of course, is better.

After all, just yelling out that polar bears, seals and other northern wildlife are not in danger is a real fact. Seals, actually, benefit from the demise of the polar bear, in that the sea ice extent is lessened, and more seals survive the seasons. Polar bears, however, are animals, not people. It sounds odd to say that just then, but it's precisely the reason why they're so screwed in the future.

We first learned about polar bears through observation. Early furriers out in the wilderness saw a white bear, taking notes on the bear's behavior. Nunavut tribesman revered the white wandering bear, and noted their behavior as well. As time progressed, we learned more about this bear, and his habits. We even brought some back home to study in a large cage at times.

The behavior of the polar bear is not in dispute. They go out wandering for food, eat food, mate, and bear a couple cubs.

The thing is, polar bears have never had a huge population to begin with. Critics will claim that there are thousands upon thousands of polar bears, at least 25,000. Now, being a logical person, and taking the position of Global Warming skeptics, I'd just say, "If I can prove there are 20,000 polar bears actually, you're stupid."

I'd even take out an ad to do it.

The same argument that the extreme minions of Al Gore's policy is the EXACT same argument here for polar bears.

Gore is a bit extreme in his argument, and the true scientific consensus lies in-between.

Polar bear critics (amazing how they become so righteous in their belief) suddenly are awash with facts that they themselves cannot support without really twisting the facts.

Bottom line, polar bears are threatened. The reason why they're not classified as "vulnerable" is that biologists note that their genetics haven't become as inbred as the cheetah. And I bet that critics would probably claim the cheetah would not be in danger if oil were found...in Africa...Mako out.

Category: Middle East

Bush disgraces US -- again

Just when you think our president's lack of statesmanship couldn't possibly get more embarrassing, he tops himself. He's in Israel, obstensibly in honor of their 60th anniversary and used the occassion to take political potshots at Obama and the Democratic party during his speech to the Israeli Knesset this morning. Remarking on Obama's call to use diplomacy before bombs in dealing with unfriendly regimes, specifically Iran, Bush called them, and by extension all Americans who believe negotiation is a superior strategy to killing thousands of people to without even attempting diplomacy first, appeasers of terrorists and likened us all to Nazi sympathizers.

Fake moderate Joe Lieberman heartily approves of Bush's socially inept remarks and goes him one better in calling for intimidation first but Joe Biden has the better take on this kind of looney speechifying, calling it for the bullsh*t it is. One might also mention that both SecDef Gates and Condi Rice have called for talks with Iran. Wonder what Bush and Holy Joe think of them?

Besides, Bush should think twice before evoking Nazi comparisons when his own grandfather faced charges of trading with the enemy during that war for his profitable business dealings with Hitler's regime. Our cretin in chief brings a whole new level of meaning to the word hypocrisy.

Category: Election 2008

Endearment no big deal, sweetie pie

Three cheers for Channel 7 reporter Peggy Agar. She's shrugging off Obama's comment: "Hold on one minute, sweetie..."

Agar says she's been called worse. And that's the right attitude, sugar.

Obama apologized. But there's really nothing to apologize for. Endearments from either sex should be a plus. They're more common in the South, where life flows a little more gently than in the North.

Some folks get uptight over zilch.

Here for Hillary: 40 percent of her WV backers say race was a factor.

And here for sweetie.

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Category: Global Warming

Stupid Polar Bears At It AGAIN...

Once again, polar bears have found their way into our lives by going off and being rather silly bears.

Dirk Kempthorne, a name only politics could produce, has announced that due to Global Warming, the polar bear now is a threatened species.

In the words of Dirk, "While the legal standards under the Endangered Species Act compel me to list the polar bear as threatened, I want to make clear that this listing will not stop global climate change or prevent any sea ice from melting,"

Apparently, the inability of the polar bear to reduce greenhouse emissions is the main cause for the announcement, or perhaps he's hinting that polar bears can't trade in their SUV's because of poor credit.

Canada, however, is extremely upset with this recent decision by the United States, as a lot of revenue is generated from US hunters who pay millions of dollars to shoot the bears for sport.

Then again, it's obviously the stupid polar bear's fault. They shouldn't wander into the towns of the Nunavut Territory just because the sea ice is receding for no apparent reason, and forces the silly bears to go further inland in search of food.

I mean, you can't talk sense into these bears (they're known to be stubborn), and for that matter, they fail to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which obviously is causing their plight. It's THEIR fault. Just look at what they drive... Those stupid polar bears, at it again...Mako out.

Category: Education

Thanking Lansing For The Hospitality

Kudos to Eastern Michigan University's Government Relations team of Freman Hendrix, Don Hazaert, and Holly Smith. On the very day that the 22nd and first female president, Dr. Susan Martin, was officially announced, the aforementioned people were busy in Lansing, Michigan touching flesh with the political power brokers on EMU's legislative day at the state capital. Along with Mr. Hendrix, Mr. Hazaert and Ms. Smith were students, alumni, faculty and staff making their presence known.

As we walked through the capital, then over to the senate and representatives offices, being associated with such a wonderful institution of higher learning never felt better. Still coming down from a natural high, as a result of news that reached me over the weekend of Dr. Martin's selection as our new president, today's event made me feel just as good about being an alumnus of EMU. And to the tour guides (Renelle and Valerie) for your hospitality and Liz Brater's acknowledgement and introducing the EMU contingent to her fellow senator's, a hearty "thank you" for your kindness.

This posting would not be complete without expressing some gratitude to each and every state Representative and Senator for taking the time to welcome us into your offices and/or coming out of session or out of your meeting to give us your undivided attention. On behalf of our new president and the whole EMU family, your hospitality was appreciated.

Today's visit was not about spending time with a Democrat or Republican, but letting the elected officials know that EMU was in Lansing to show our appreciation for them. So to Howard Walker, Mary Valentine, Chris Ward, Richard LeBlanc, Tony Stamas, Glenn Anderson, Ron Jelinek, Andy Dillon, Cameron Brown, George Cushingberry, Brenda Clack, Irma Clark-Coleman, Martha Scott, John Proos, Alan Cropsey, John Pappageorge, Michael Lahti, Bill Hardiman, Alma Wheeler-Smith, Gary McDowell, Roger Kahn, Jim Barcia, Pam Byrnes, Michael Sak, Rebekah Warren, Kathleen Law, Kate Ebli, Morris Hood, Darwin Booher, John Pastor, Hansen Clarke, John Stakoe, Liz Brater, Dudley Spade, Joan Bauer, Gilda Jacobs, Deb Cherry, Rick Shaffer, Shanelle Jackson, Ray Basham, Lee Gonzales, Valde Garcia, Martin Griffin, Kathy Angerer, Mickey Switalski, Randy Richardville, and Tupac Hunter; "Thank You" for your hospitality.

A special "thank you" also to the various staff members that are EMU alums that took time out of their busy schedules to come greet us and offer a hearty hello. And to Governor Granholm, though you were not there to greet us, we felt your spirit and collectively, we wish you a speedy recovery and get well wishes. Today was a great day for Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Lansing and throughout this great state known as Michigan.

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Category: Election 2008

Andrew Johnson's Haircut.

Maybe it's timing, but John Edwards really knows when to break a silence that I'd simply forgotten about. On the heels of a West Virginia beatdown, Barack Obama gained the support of someone who is about to speak in Grand Rapids, and possibly, a unique ticket of change. John Edwards carries weight in domestic US economic policy, with populist handshakes all around. His speeches are for unification of a country split in twain, something of a reminder since Senator Obama announced his candidacy from Springfield, Illinois.

For those who read up on politics, there's a simple story that sounds familiar. Someone born in Raleigh, North Carolina, son to hard-working and poor parents, and a man who underscored the problems of "Two Americas".

Hillary can't be happy, being stuck in Kentucky, Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota as Obama sweeps across Michigan and Florida, solidifying his position that Clinton claimed that she was entitled. Irony. Mako out.