MIRS Misinformation

From MIRS:

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"She and I have something in common. I look out my window and see Canada."

- Rep. Phil PAVLOV (R-St. Clair) when asked if he would like the endorsement of former Alaska Gov. Sarah PALIN, who once said she could see Russia from her home in Alaska.

No she didn't. Check your facts.

More Endorsements

Several more organizations have made endorsements in Michigan primaries.

Michigan Townships Association (both parties-most likely winners endorsed)

National Federation of Independent Business-Michigan (only Republicans-most likely winners endorsed)

Republican Liberty Caucus of Michigan (libertarian Republicans-many underdogs)

Right to Life Endorsements

Michigan Right to Life has made its endorsements. RTL endorsements carry great weight in Michigan Republican primaries, as the RTL endorsed candidate usually wins. RTL does not endorse when all the candidates are pro-life. But if there is a credible candidate who isn't pro-life, they will endorse someone, even when there are other pro-lifers in the race.

RLM PAC Endorsements (continues on succeeding pages)

For governor, they endorsed Attorney General Mike Cox, as reported previously.

For Congress, the only significantly contested race in which RTL endorsed in the 6th district, where they support Jack Hoogendyk over incumbent Fred Upton. Upton is the only incumbent Republican in Michigan (state rep or higher) who is not RTL-endorsed.

For state senate, they endorsed:
Patrick Colbeck in the 7th district (Western Wayne) (who in that race isn't pro-life?)
Jim Marleau in the 15th district (NE Oakland) (why not John Garfield?)
Mike Kowall in the 15th (SW Oakland)
Dave Robertson in the 27th (West Genessee, NW Oakland) over Fran Amos (good)
All meet criteria in the 20th, 21st, and 24th in Southwest Michigan.
All the endorsees should now be considered favorites.

For state house, some endorsements of note:
Margaret O'Brien in the 61st (West Kalamazoo) (uncontested primary)
All meet criteria in the 79th (North Berrien)
Aric Nesbitt in the 80th (VanBuren) (who isn't prolife?)
Mike Callton in the 87th (Barry, Ionia) (who isn't prolife?)

RTL endorsed the same two candidates in the contested races in 80 and 87 as the Chamber of Commerce. Curious.

Previous: Chamber of Commerce Endrosements

McDonald Beats Chicago

The Supreme Court overturned Chicago's gun ban in a 5-4 ruling. The four conservatives and Kennedy made up the majority. There were several concurring and dissenting opinions.

Here are the opinions: McDonald v. Chicago

Victory for the Second Amendment
National Rifle Association Hails Historic Victory on Second Amendment Freedom in McDonald v. City of Chicago

Previous: DC Gun Ban Gone

Club for Growth Endorses Justin Amash

Via Club for Growth:

Club for Growth PAC Endorses Justin Amash in Michigan-03
Posted on Jun. 28, 10 12:41 PM by Michael Connolly Topic: Elections
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WASHINGTON – Club for Growth PAC today announced its endorsement of state legislator Justin Amash in the race to represent Michigan’s third congressional district, to replacing retiring Congressman Vern Ehlers.

“Justin Amash is a name pro-growth conservatives are going to hear and know for a long time,” said Club President Chris Chocola. “Amash epitomizes a new breed of limited government conservatives committed to breaking Washington’s addiction to deficits and debt, and freeing a rising, entrepreneurial generation to rescue our economy and our nation from political mismanagement.”

“In Lansing, Amash has fought against tax increases – even those supported by his fellow Republicans – and advocated for greater accountability and transparency, swearing off earmarks and even explaining his every legislative vote on his Facebook page. His election to Congress would not only mark a philosophical victory for those who believe in limited government and economic growth, but a cultural victory for those who believe in straight-forward, transparent democracy.”

Amash is the 13th candidate Club for Growth PAC has endorsed in the 2010 election cycle. He joins Senators Jim DeMint (S.C.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.), Congressman Tom Graves (GA-09), Senate candidates Sharron Angle (Nev.), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.), and House candidates Kevin Calvey (OK-05), Tim Huelskamp (KS-01), Mike Pompeo (KS-04), Robin Smith (TN-03), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), and Tim Scott (SC-01).

Chamber of Commerce Endrosements

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsements. Not many voters base their decisions on the CoC endorsement, but it can be valuable for fundraising.

Endorsement Watch (State senate)
Michigan Chamber State House Endorsements

Most of those endorsed for state senate are current or former state reps. In southwest Michigan, notable endorsements include Tonya Schuitmaker in the 20th district (Kalamazoo County) and John Proos and Rick Jones in less competitive primaries in surrounding counties.

For state house, they endorse Margaret O'Brien in the 61st, which is no surprise in an uncontested primary. They also endorsed Aric Nesbitt in highly contested primary in the 80th (VanBuren County) and Mike Callton in the 87th district (Barry, Ionia). They endorsed Upton staffer Al Pscholka against his Tea Party challenger Paul Petersen in the 79th (north Berrien).

POLITICAL UPDATE--Education

This update focuses on education.

John Taylor Gatto: Against Schools
Samuel Blumenfeld: The Evil of Compulsory Schooling
Steve Sailer: Acting White—Or Acting Smart? Stuart Buck's New Book Can't Explain Education Gap
Steve Sailer: Diversity Is Strength! It’s Also…The Emerging “Long Term English Learner” Problem In U.S. Schools
Gary North: Abolish the Public Schools
Alana Semuels: Universities Are Offering Doctorates but Few Jobs
Education Reporter: Texas Gives the Boot to Liberal Social Studies Bias
Education Reporter: Weapons of Mass Instruction
Education Reporter: New Sex Ed Study 'Game-Changing'
Phyllis Schlafly: Dangerous Projects in Public Schools

Learn more about education issues in Education Reporter.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Is Kalamazoo cool enough to hold onto its college graduates?
Kalamazoo's three higher education institutions explore jointly run center near proposed arena site
WMU, KVCC, K-College consider educational center in downtown Kalamazoo in area of proposed arena
Shamrock Montessori Preschool to paint roof green as Portage says ordinance violation continues (Dot = sign!)
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce endorses Nesbitt for state House
Christian Reformed Church Synod denies requests by Kalamazoo, Sparta churches for classis transfers
Ottawa County agrees to issue marriage licenses to illegal immigrants
WMU student sued by T&J Towing for $750,000: Part one of three
Kurtz files counterclaim against T&J

POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration

This update focuses on immigration.

Michelle Malkin: Club Fed for Illegal Aliens
Roger Hedgecock: Mexican Drug Cartels Control Parts of Arizona
Brenda Walker: Why Won’t Anti-Sharia Campaigners Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Frank Gaffney Oppose Muslim Immigration?
Joe Guzzardi: USA Libre! Why Can’t All Americans Vote On Puerto Rican Statehood?
Phyllis Schlafly: Why Tea Partiers Say Throw the Bums Out
Allan Wall: Will Democrats’ Standing Ovations For Mexican Meddler Calderon Return To Haunt Them? Will Republicans Remember Joe Wilson? Etc…,
Walter Williams: Immigration and Liberty
Washington Watcher: OK, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” Is Not Amnesty—It’s Worse Than Amnesty
Steve Sailer: MSM Buries Lead—American Majority Supports Arizona Law. But Our Elites Don’t Like The American Majority

For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.

POLITICAL UPDATE--Government

This update focuses on government.

Gary North: Bringing Down the Empire
Gary North: There Is No Money
Becky Akers: Abolish the TSA
David Coia: More Guns Mean Less Crime
Gary North: The Welfare State Is Through
Gary North: What the Anti-Social Fed Is Hiding
Walter Williams: Nation's Tyrants Turn Attention to Salt
Phyllis Schlafly: Democrats Try To Lock Up Their Base
Phyllis Schlafly: America Becomes a Two-Class Society
Phyllis Schlafly: Some Pay, and Some Receive
Thomas Sowell: The Limits of Power
Ron Paul: Healthcare Reform Passes

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Polling Michigan

A new Rasmussen poll tests opinions in Michigan. The three leading Republican candidates, Mike Cox, Pete Hoekstra, and Rick Snyder all lead both democrat candidates.

Poll: Michigan GOP gov candidates more popular than Dems

• 56 percent of Michiganians would back an immigration law similar to the one passed in Arizona and 28 percent oppose that law.

• 56 percent of state voters favor repeal of the national health care bill, while 38 percent oppose repeal.

That's right, Michigan supports the Arizona law by a 2:1 margin.

Big Endorsements for Cox

Attorney General Mike Cox picked up several big endorsements over the past week. They are

Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Dick and Betsy Devos
Michigan Right to Life

Right to Life is particularly important, as RTL endorsees usually win Republican primaries in Michigan. The endorsement may be somewhat less powerful in a race with several other well-known candidates, but it is important nonetheless.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Democrat Randy Thompson ends bid for 88th District seat
EPA classifies milk as oil, forcing costly rules on farmers
Profile: Republican Tom George fights underdog status in governor's race
Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney says state Democrats ignored him with Obama visit
Push and pull continues in lawsuit involving towing company and Facebook group
Executive assistant pleads guilty to fraud charges; will repay $1.67 million

Obama in Kalamazoo

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

He fell asleep during President Obama's speech to Kalamazoo Central (video)
Obama High School Graduation Speech Not an Eye Opener

"your extraordinary governor, Jennifer Granholm"

That's one way to put it.

POLITICAL UPDATE--Civil Rights

This update focuses on civil rights.

Walter Williams: The Right To Discriminate
Steve Sailer: The Chicago Fire Department And Civil Rights—Official Discrimination Against Whites
Ellison Lodge: Memo To Rand Paul On The Civil Rights Act: The Issue Is Not Segregation—It’s Anti-White Quotas
Lew Rockwell: Who's in Charge of Your Life?
Ann Coulter: Modern Civil Rights: Cockfighting & Same-Sex Proms

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Tea Party group won't protest during President Barack Obama visit; others will demonstrate on immigration, war spending
Gov. Granholm at Mackinac Conference: 'It would have been fun to be governor in the '90s' when times were better
Michigan governors debate recap: Talking taxes, budget cuts and stinging personal attacks
Immigration reform rally set for Monday: Event timed for President Barack Obama visit to include march to Western Michigan University
Controversy of Justin Kurtz's Facebook group against T & J Towing spreads nationwide

Ouch

Universities are offering doctorates but few jobs

NRA Alert

Legislators will try again to repeal Michigan's law requiring a permit to purchase handguns.

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Michigan: Legislation to Repeal “Permit-to-Purchase” to be Heard on Tuesday, June 8

The Michigan House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee will consider a pair of bills which will eliminate Michigan’s onerous “permit-to-purchase” for handguns.

House Bill 5972, sponsored by State Representative Kim Meltzer (R-33), and House Bill 5973, authored by State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-103), would eliminate this bureaucratic obstacle, which has been obsolete since the national instant check system went into effect in 1998. Under the current system, gun buyers must apply with their local law enforcement agency and pass a written test before being authorized to buy a handgun. The “permit” is good for only one gun and it expires after 10 days.

This important pro-Second Amendment legislation will be heard before the House panel on Tuesday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m. Please contact the committee members and respectfully ask them to support HB5972 and HB5973. Contact information can be found below:

Tea Party Popularity

From MIRS:

Poll: 40% Support Tea Party

"Forty percent of Michigan voters say they support the Tea Party movement and what it stands for and 17 percent, when given the chance to declare their allegiance to any political party, name the "Tea Party," according to a survey released tonight by EPIC/MRA."