The Livingston Press and Argus has new information on the political swamp that the Republicans running Hamburg Township have created.
Someone left a package of letters on the door step of the newspaper editor's home.
I get the feeling that it's hard for the newspaper to sort out what is going on there. With all the township boards in the county, plus the county commission, it must be very difficult to the Press and Argus to provide any sort of meaningful coverage of them.
Makes you wonder what is going on in a lot of these townships, with no one really watching.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Vote for Health Care Today!
Make your voice heard today (April 28, 2008)!
The Detroit News is running an on-line poll on health care.
Vote "Yes" to show your support for a state ballot issue requiring the Legislature to ensure access to health care.
The Detroit News is running an on-line poll on health care.
Vote "Yes" to show your support for a state ballot issue requiring the Legislature to ensure access to health care.
Don't Miss 'Activist' Piece in Press and Argus
The Livingston Press and Argus had a great piece over the weekend from Sue Kelly with the Sierra Club here in Michigan.
Kelly defends the role of activists in a free society, writing:
"The reality is that the activists are as fundamental to this democratic machine as the soldiers, the corporations, and the powerful leaders are. An incalculable debt is owed to those who wear the uniform of our country, protecting our way of life with great honor and sacrifice. We all need to be aware of how delicate democracy is, how willingly some will forgo justice and the health of our families to increase their bottom line. Sadly, those in power will always characterize the people who challenge the powerful and their profits as radical, uninformed and unpatriotic."
Something to think about this summer as you decide whether to play golf or knock on doors for a Democratic candidate.
Kelly defends the role of activists in a free society, writing:
"The reality is that the activists are as fundamental to this democratic machine as the soldiers, the corporations, and the powerful leaders are. An incalculable debt is owed to those who wear the uniform of our country, protecting our way of life with great honor and sacrifice. We all need to be aware of how delicate democracy is, how willingly some will forgo justice and the health of our families to increase their bottom line. Sadly, those in power will always characterize the people who challenge the powerful and their profits as radical, uninformed and unpatriotic."
Something to think about this summer as you decide whether to play golf or knock on doors for a Democratic candidate.
Look Who's Cleaning Up!
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Many thanks to those Democrats who turned out on Sunday (April 27, 2008) to help with the roadside cleanup along Michigan Highway 59!
The thousands of volunteers like these Democrats save the state of Michigan $1 million in litter pick-up costs with their efforts, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Public Radio Political Analyst Coming to Howell
Jack Lessenberry, the well-known senior political analyst for Michigan Public Radio, will speak in Howell next month about the fall election.
Lessenberry will discuss, "Michigan and the Election: Are Any Surprises in Store?" during his appearance Thursday, May 8, at the Howell Opera House, 123 W. Grand River. The 7 p.m. event will include a chance to ask questions of Lessenberry.
The event, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Voter's Voice, a nonpartisan organization that sponsors forums to educate Livingston County residents, and
Community Unitarians Universalists of Brighton.
Admission is free, but donations to cover the cost will be gladly accepted.
Lessenberry is well-known for his interviews of Michigan leaders on politics, business, education, and other topics. He is a contributing editor and columnist for the Metro Times, The Traverse City Record Eagle, The Toledo Blade, and has been a consultant for many other newspapers. He has also provided political analysis for local television and radio stations and is a professor of journalism at Wayne State University.
Previously, he worked as a foreign correspondent and executive national editor of the Detroit News. His writing has appeared in such national publications as Vanity Fair, Esquire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.
For more information, contact Jim Swonk at swonk@sbcglobal.net or Marilyn Hysen at thysen@provide.net.
Lessenberry will discuss, "Michigan and the Election: Are Any Surprises in Store?" during his appearance Thursday, May 8, at the Howell Opera House, 123 W. Grand River. The 7 p.m. event will include a chance to ask questions of Lessenberry.
The event, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Voter's Voice, a nonpartisan organization that sponsors forums to educate Livingston County residents, and
Community Unitarians Universalists of Brighton.
Admission is free, but donations to cover the cost will be gladly accepted.
Lessenberry is well-known for his interviews of Michigan leaders on politics, business, education, and other topics. He is a contributing editor and columnist for the Metro Times, The Traverse City Record Eagle, The Toledo Blade, and has been a consultant for many other newspapers. He has also provided political analysis for local television and radio stations and is a professor of journalism at Wayne State University.
Previously, he worked as a foreign correspondent and executive national editor of the Detroit News. His writing has appeared in such national publications as Vanity Fair, Esquire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.
For more information, contact Jim Swonk at swonk@sbcglobal.net or Marilyn Hysen at thysen@provide.net.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Levin Wants Answers on Military Pundits
Was the Pentagon using TV pundits to spread its propaganda about how well the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are going?
That's what The New York Times claims in a story on Sunday (April 20, 2008).
Now Michigan Sen. Carl Levin wants some answers. Levin has written the Pentagon demanding answers to what looks like an attempt by the military to unfairly influence the information Americans get about the war they're paying for.
"While the media clearly have their own shortfalls for paying people to provide 'independent' analysis when they have such real and apparent conflicts, that doesn't excuse the Department's behavior in giving both special treatment and valuable access to analysts who provide commentary in favor of DoD's strategy, while not offereing similar access to some other analysts and cutting off access to others who didn’t deliver as expected," Levin wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Times' story indicates that military analysts hired by television networks to give unvarnished views to the American public on the wars are actually beholden to companies that profit from continuing the war. Furthermore, they are given special privileges by the Pentagon, such as special briefings, access to classified information, and trips to Iraq. Sometimes, these special briefings even include officials who have influence over contracts that are awarded.
In exchange, the TV pundits -- retired miliary officials -- are expected to provide favorable comments in their TV appearances. Those who don't are cut off from the privileges.
Levin's intervention merited the attention of The Times in editions for Saturday (April 26, 2008), as well as media watchdog sites such as Media Matters.
After Levin's letter, the Pentagon announced it was suspending the briefings.
But that shouldn't be enough for Levin. He needs to get to the bottom of what was going on, as he usually does.
That's what The New York Times claims in a story on Sunday (April 20, 2008).
Now Michigan Sen. Carl Levin wants some answers. Levin has written the Pentagon demanding answers to what looks like an attempt by the military to unfairly influence the information Americans get about the war they're paying for.
"While the media clearly have their own shortfalls for paying people to provide 'independent' analysis when they have such real and apparent conflicts, that doesn't excuse the Department's behavior in giving both special treatment and valuable access to analysts who provide commentary in favor of DoD's strategy, while not offereing similar access to some other analysts and cutting off access to others who didn’t deliver as expected," Levin wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Times' story indicates that military analysts hired by television networks to give unvarnished views to the American public on the wars are actually beholden to companies that profit from continuing the war. Furthermore, they are given special privileges by the Pentagon, such as special briefings, access to classified information, and trips to Iraq. Sometimes, these special briefings even include officials who have influence over contracts that are awarded.
In exchange, the TV pundits -- retired miliary officials -- are expected to provide favorable comments in their TV appearances. Those who don't are cut off from the privileges.
Levin's intervention merited the attention of The Times in editions for Saturday (April 26, 2008), as well as media watchdog sites such as Media Matters.
After Levin's letter, the Pentagon announced it was suspending the briefings.
But that shouldn't be enough for Levin. He needs to get to the bottom of what was going on, as he usually does.
Set the Alarm, Get Some Exercise Sunday!
The forecast is for 60-degree temperatures on Sunday (April 27, 2008) so why not set the alarm, get up a little early, and get some exercise while helping out your community?
Sunday is the date for the spring roadside cleanup. Livingston County Democrats will be meeting at 8 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the clubhouse at the Ironwood Golf Course, 6902 E. Highland Road (M-59), Howell, Michigan.
Coordinators Paul and Pat Perosak will be there to pass out highway safety vests and rubbish bags.
All across Michigan this month, some 27,000 people will be volunteering their time to spruce up the state's roadsides, picking up the trash that has accumulated there over the winter, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Each year, volunteers like Paul and Pat save the state more than $1 million in litter removal costs.
At the Livingston Democrats' 25th annual Winans Dinner, Paul and Pat (above) were honored for their service in leading this clean-up for many years. How about lending a hand this year?
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