This is a great article from the Weekly Standard.
Fat City
Thank you, Illinois taxpayers, for my cushy life.
After 34 years of teaching sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I recently retired at age 64 at 80 percent of my pay for life. This calculation was based on a salary spiked by summer teaching, and since I no longer pay into the retirement fund, I now receive significantly more than when I “worked.” But that’s not all: There’s a generous health insurance plan, a guaranteed 3 percent annual cost of living increase, and a few other perquisites. Having overinvested in my retirement annuity, I received a fat refund and—when it rains, it pours—another for unused sick leave. I was also offered the opportunity to teach as an emeritus for three years, receiving $8,000 per course, double the pay for adjuncts, which works out to over $200 an hour. Another going-away present was summer pay, one ninth of my salary, with no teaching obligation.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Legalize Tasers Without Permit
A state senate committee has voted to legalize the carry of Tasers, but only with a concealed carry permit.
Concealed weapons law may be applied to Tasers
According to the article, Michigan would be the only state to require a permit.
Michigan law bans stun guns, but a Bay City judge recently declared the law to be unconstitutional. This bill would not help the security guard who filed the suit, since he has a criminal record.
The same rules for using force would apply to Tasers as apply to guns. This is appropriate as Tasers are a less-lethal weapon, not non-lethal. They don't usually kill, but they can when the person shocked has a heart condition or some other health problem.
Tasers and other stun guns should be legalized without government requiring a permit.
Previous:
Stun Gun Ban is Unconstitutional
Legalize Stun Guns
Concealed weapons law may be applied to Tasers
According to the article, Michigan would be the only state to require a permit.
Michigan law bans stun guns, but a Bay City judge recently declared the law to be unconstitutional. This bill would not help the security guard who filed the suit, since he has a criminal record.
The same rules for using force would apply to Tasers as apply to guns. This is appropriate as Tasers are a less-lethal weapon, not non-lethal. They don't usually kill, but they can when the person shocked has a heart condition or some other health problem.
Tasers and other stun guns should be legalized without government requiring a permit.
Previous:
Stun Gun Ban is Unconstitutional
Legalize Stun Guns
Sunday, October 02, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War
This update focuses on the culture war.
Patrick Cleburn: “Hitler’s Revenge” Paralyzing GOP Hopefuls As Obama Plays Race Card
Gary North: The 'Mayor Palin' Program: Sarah Palin's Golden Opportunity to Change the Country
Steve Sailer: Charles C. Mann’s 1493: The “Columbian Exchange”, The Homogenocene, And White Guilt
Richard Spencer: The Majority Strategy: The Essential Argument--Why The GOP Must Win White America
Steve Sailer: Paul Graham, Ben Franklin And The Value of Political Incorrectness
Ann Coulter: The Flash Mob Mentality of Scientific Inquiry
Ann Coulter: Liberals Aren't Funny, They're a Riot!
Thomas Sowell: Social Degeneration
Phyllis Schlafly: Oh, How America Has Changed
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Patrick Cleburn: “Hitler’s Revenge” Paralyzing GOP Hopefuls As Obama Plays Race Card
Gary North: The 'Mayor Palin' Program: Sarah Palin's Golden Opportunity to Change the Country
Steve Sailer: Charles C. Mann’s 1493: The “Columbian Exchange”, The Homogenocene, And White Guilt
Richard Spencer: The Majority Strategy: The Essential Argument--Why The GOP Must Win White America
Steve Sailer: Paul Graham, Ben Franklin And The Value of Political Incorrectness
Ann Coulter: The Flash Mob Mentality of Scientific Inquiry
Ann Coulter: Liberals Aren't Funny, They're a Riot!
Thomas Sowell: Social Degeneration
Phyllis Schlafly: Oh, How America Has Changed
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
What Did Stephanie Moore/Bell Know?
Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Bell (formerly Moore) may be implicated in the crimes that her husband is charged with. Bell, pride of the Northside, has a long history of run-ins with the law and unethical behavior.
Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Bell saw sexually explicit text message to her husband, girl's mother testifies
A couple years ago, Commissioner Moore married Terrence Bell, an employee of Hillside Middle School, and changed her last name to Bell. But then...
Will Kalamazoo voters kick this disgrace out of office this November?
UPDATE: Guilty!
Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Bell saw sexually explicit text message to her husband, girl's mother testifies
A couple years ago, Commissioner Moore married Terrence Bell, an employee of Hillside Middle School, and changed her last name to Bell. But then...
Terrence Bell, 32, a coach and paraprofessional at Hillside Middle School who is currently on paid [!] administrative leave, is charged with four felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, three felony counts of producing child sexually abusive material, one felony count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and one misdemeanor count of furnishing obscenity to a minor in connection with his relationship with the girl. When the relationship is alleged to have begun in 2010, the girl was 16 and receiving special-education services at Kalamazoo Central High School.What did Moore/Bell know?
Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Bell had an "inclination" something was going on between her husband and a teenage girl before the relationship came to light in April because the girl erroneously sent Bell an inappropriate text message, the girl's mother testified Wednesday.Commissioner Bell has denied this.
Will Kalamazoo voters kick this disgrace out of office this November?
UPDATE: Guilty!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--News from Abroad
This update focuses on news from abroad.
Gary North: Paymaster Germany and the Endgame
Pat Buchanan: The Democracy Worshipers
Pat Buchanan: Why Are We Baiting the Bear In Georgia?
Steve Sailer: Protests And Population Policy: Israel’s Lessons For America
John Derbyshire: John Derbyshire On Understanding China And The Chinese
Ann Coulter: New York Times Reader Kills Dozens in Norway
Steve Sailer: Maurice Glasman, Ed Miliband And The Rapid Rise And Faster Fall Of Blue Labour’s Immigration Patriotism
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Paymaster Germany and the Endgame
Pat Buchanan: The Democracy Worshipers
Pat Buchanan: Why Are We Baiting the Bear In Georgia?
Steve Sailer: Protests And Population Policy: Israel’s Lessons For America
John Derbyshire: John Derbyshire On Understanding China And The Chinese
Ann Coulter: New York Times Reader Kills Dozens in Norway
Steve Sailer: Maurice Glasman, Ed Miliband And The Rapid Rise And Faster Fall Of Blue Labour’s Immigration Patriotism
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Monday, September 19, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--The Economy
This update focuses on the economy.
Gary North: Debt and Debt Maintenance: Why American Households Are Not in Big Trouble
Gary North: The Dollar As the World's Reserve Currency. Poor World.
Gary North: The Big (Stupid) Idea: Universal Personal Bankruptcy to Save America's Economy
Thomas Sowell: Back to the Future?
Gary North: How Dave Ramsey Made $55 Million by Being Good on Personal Debt, Naive on Business Debt, Lousy on Investing, and a Loudmouth Bully.
Phyllis Schlafly: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Gender Gap
Peter Schiff: Job Killer in Chief
Gary North: Pencils and Liberty
Phyllis Schlafly: Candidates Should Be Talking About China
Gary North: These Threats Will Not Collapse America's Economy
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Debt and Debt Maintenance: Why American Households Are Not in Big Trouble
Gary North: The Dollar As the World's Reserve Currency. Poor World.
Gary North: The Big (Stupid) Idea: Universal Personal Bankruptcy to Save America's Economy
Thomas Sowell: Back to the Future?
Gary North: How Dave Ramsey Made $55 Million by Being Good on Personal Debt, Naive on Business Debt, Lousy on Investing, and a Loudmouth Bully.
Phyllis Schlafly: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Gender Gap
Peter Schiff: Job Killer in Chief
Gary North: Pencils and Liberty
Phyllis Schlafly: Candidates Should Be Talking About China
Gary North: These Threats Will Not Collapse America's Economy
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Full Sixth Circuit Will Hear MCRI Case
The full sixth circuit court will conduct an 'en banc' hearing to review the decision of a three-judge panel to overturn the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. En banc hearings are rare, so this indicates that there is a good chance that the decision will be overturned. Ed Whelan offers some reasons for caution, though.
Court to revisit affirmative action ruling
En Banc Rehearing of Ruling Against Michigan’s Colorblind Amendment, But …
Court to revisit affirmative action ruling
En Banc Rehearing of Ruling Against Michigan’s Colorblind Amendment, But …
Monday, September 12, 2011
Up From the Projects
Up From the Projects
Walter E. Williams
This delightful little memoir was written by Walter Williams, libertarian economist, syndicated columnist, and occasional substitute host for Rush Limbaugh. Williams recounts his life beginning in the Philadelphia housing projects (not as bad then as they would later become).
Williams outgoing, mischievous nature was evident early on. The chapter on his time in the army, and the trouble he got into is particularly amusing.
After leaving the army, Williams attended college, eventually studying economics and earning a PhD in the subject at UCLA. During this time, he learned to think systematically about the effects of government policies, and adopted the libertarian beliefs that he holds to this day.
Up From the Projects is a quick and enjoyable read.
Walter E. Williams
This delightful little memoir was written by Walter Williams, libertarian economist, syndicated columnist, and occasional substitute host for Rush Limbaugh. Williams recounts his life beginning in the Philadelphia housing projects (not as bad then as they would later become).
Williams outgoing, mischievous nature was evident early on. The chapter on his time in the army, and the trouble he got into is particularly amusing.
After leaving the army, Williams attended college, eventually studying economics and earning a PhD in the subject at UCLA. During this time, he learned to think systematically about the effects of government policies, and adopted the libertarian beliefs that he holds to this day.
Up From the Projects is a quick and enjoyable read.
Is College Worth It?
The Gazette has a long article asking whether college is worth the money.
College degree still considered good return on investment despite climbing costs
The short answer is maybe. If you get a degree in a real subject that is required to get a job in the field, like engineering, statistics, or economics, college is likely worth it. If you get a degree in political claptrap (sociology), a junk major (communications) or a legitimate subject with no job prospects (history), probably not.
The smart way to go to college is to go to community college in high school and get a two-year degree at 18. You'll take the same classes that are gen-ed classes at a four-year school. Then if you are still apt and interested, go to a four-year college for two years and get a degree at 20 with far less debt.
Colleges love to trumpet that college graduates make more, but they don't mention that CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION. People who graduate from college are smarter, more motivated, and come from better families on average, and so would make more even without degrees.
College degree still considered good return on investment despite climbing costs
The short answer is maybe. If you get a degree in a real subject that is required to get a job in the field, like engineering, statistics, or economics, college is likely worth it. If you get a degree in political claptrap (sociology), a junk major (communications) or a legitimate subject with no job prospects (history), probably not.
The smart way to go to college is to go to community college in high school and get a two-year degree at 18. You'll take the same classes that are gen-ed classes at a four-year school. Then if you are still apt and interested, go to a four-year college for two years and get a degree at 20 with far less debt.
Colleges love to trumpet that college graduates make more, but they don't mention that CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION. People who graduate from college are smarter, more motivated, and come from better families on average, and so would make more even without degrees.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Ten Years Ago
I still remember that Tuesday morning when, hovering between sleep and wake, I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I had a 9:30 class, but was planning to drop it, and so I was sleeping in in my dorm room. My Dad soon called asking if I had heard, and I turned on the television.
I watched television most of the day, and I saw both the towers collapse live on TV. I remember having a sick feeling in my stomach.
Classes were cancelled at noon. There was a prayer service later in the day. My roommate went, but I didn't. Someone repeated a rumor that gas would be going up to three dollars. Since my tank was near full, I didn't see a need to get any.
I was finally peeled away from the television to get dinner in the dining hall. People talked quietly.
The rocks in Goldsworth Valley were painted in red, white and blue. While they are typically painted every couple days, they stayed that way for months.
Remember.
Remembering September 11
9/11 and Immigration
College Republicans of WMU honor the victims of 9/11 in a tribute of 2,997 flags
Notes from the Chairman
I watched television most of the day, and I saw both the towers collapse live on TV. I remember having a sick feeling in my stomach.
Classes were cancelled at noon. There was a prayer service later in the day. My roommate went, but I didn't. Someone repeated a rumor that gas would be going up to three dollars. Since my tank was near full, I didn't see a need to get any.
I was finally peeled away from the television to get dinner in the dining hall. People talked quietly.
The rocks in Goldsworth Valley were painted in red, white and blue. While they are typically painted every couple days, they stayed that way for months.
Remember.
Remembering September 11
9/11 and Immigration
College Republicans of WMU honor the victims of 9/11 in a tribute of 2,997 flags
Notes from the Chairman
POLITICAL UPDATE--Spending
This update focuses on spending.
Gary North: Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Bank Runs
Gary North: Your Portfolio of Lies
Thomas Sowell: A Pyrrhic 'Victory'
Gary North: Debt Impasse: Fake and Real
Pat Buchanan: Fiscal Hawks vs. Security Hawks
Gary North: Obama v. Obama
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Bank Runs
Gary North: Your Portfolio of Lies
Thomas Sowell: A Pyrrhic 'Victory'
Gary North: Debt Impasse: Fake and Real
Pat Buchanan: Fiscal Hawks vs. Security Hawks
Gary North: Obama v. Obama
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Monday, September 05, 2011
The Mysterious Drake/Railroad Stoplight
This complaint is highly specific to Kalamazoo.
A year or so ago, a stoplight was installed on Drake Road where it intersect the Amtrak railroad line. Having a stoplight at a railroad is unusual unless the railroad is right next to a road intersection with traffic light, which this one is not. Usually, there is at most gates and flashing lights.
But what is really unusual is the operation of this light. Most of the time it is green, but sometimes, for no apparent reason, it turns red. There is never a train in the vicinity when this occurs. Not even one of those carts with two guys pushing up and down on a lever from the old-timey movies. After a while, it turns green again. Even stranger, sometimes only one side turns red, while the other direction continues to allow traffic to go through.
Does anyone know why this light exists and operates in this manner?
POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration
This update focuses on immigration.
Federale: Obama’s Administrative Amnesty: Impeachment Is The Only Answer
Steve Sailer: Jorge Castañeda On Mexico's Eternal Mañana
Washington Watcher: Rick Perry—Another Texas Governor for Amnesty
Rachel Marsden: Global Poll Uncovers Psychic Shift on Immigration
Steve Sailer: "Latino Leaders" Lacking Followers, Name Recognition, And Voters—But Not MSM Influence
Allan Wall: Operation Wetback II: A Few Practical Proposals
For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.
Federale: Obama’s Administrative Amnesty: Impeachment Is The Only Answer
Steve Sailer: Jorge Castañeda On Mexico's Eternal Mañana
Washington Watcher: Rick Perry—Another Texas Governor for Amnesty
Rachel Marsden: Global Poll Uncovers Psychic Shift on Immigration
Steve Sailer: "Latino Leaders" Lacking Followers, Name Recognition, And Voters—But Not MSM Influence
Allan Wall: Operation Wetback II: A Few Practical Proposals
For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Schuette For Silencers
Good for Schuette.
Schuette clears way for Michigan gun owners to use silencers
-------------------
Lansing— Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says gun silencers can be used in the state by gun owners who have federal authorization.
Schuette issued an opinion Friday that says Michigan citizens who comply with federal firearm regulations can use the devices on their guns to "protect their hearing and minimize noise disruptions" in the surrounding area.
Marquette County Sheriff Michael Lovelace says the "rigorous" federal licensing process will make sure only law-abiding citizens win permission to possess a silencer.
A National Rifle Association official says in the Republican attorney general's release that 38 other states allow the use of silencers.
Possessing a silencer without federal authorization remains a five-year felony under Michigan law.
Schuette clears way for Michigan gun owners to use silencers
-------------------
Lansing— Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says gun silencers can be used in the state by gun owners who have federal authorization.
Schuette issued an opinion Friday that says Michigan citizens who comply with federal firearm regulations can use the devices on their guns to "protect their hearing and minimize noise disruptions" in the surrounding area.
Marquette County Sheriff Michael Lovelace says the "rigorous" federal licensing process will make sure only law-abiding citizens win permission to possess a silencer.
A National Rifle Association official says in the Republican attorney general's release that 38 other states allow the use of silencers.
Possessing a silencer without federal authorization remains a five-year felony under Michigan law.
Graceful Exit
Republican Jim Grace, the best member of the Oshtemo Township Board, has resigned.
Oshtemo Township Trustee James Grace resigns from board
It isn't entirely clear why.
Republicans need solid candidates for the Oshtemo board in 2012.
Oshtemo Township Trustee James Grace resigns from board
It isn't entirely clear why.
“Due to my lack of alignment with the Oshtemo Township Board on issues, such as benefits and citizen involvement, I am resigning from the Board and all committees, effective immediately, August 29, 2011,” Grace wrote in a statement.Leftist democrat Scott McCormick had previously resigned after moving out of the area.
Republicans need solid candidates for the Oshtemo board in 2012.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Immigrant Drunk Driving?
Doing the drunk driving Americans won't do...
Immigration status of man charged with drunken driving in motorcyclist's death under investigation
Immigration status of man charged with drunken driving in motorcyclist's death under investigation
Cooney, Moore Rally For Their Jobs
If you need a job, the best place to go is... a rally!
Labor Day 'Rally for Jobs and Justice' planned in Kalamazoo's MLK Park
Labor Day 'Rally for Jobs and Justice' planned in Kalamazoo's MLK Park
KALAMAZOO — A Labor Day "Rally for Jobs and Justice" is set for 11 a.m. in Kalamazoo's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, followed by a cookout for the homeless at noon Monday.Who is expecting to get a job there?
"The basic idea is that it's Labor Day and we should have some kind of event in this city talking about the issue of working people and their families, especially when there is such a crisis," Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney said.
The rally is sponsored by Cooney's and Stephanie Bell's campaigns for City Commission but their re-election bids are not the focus of the event, Cooney said.Ah.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Western Loves Gays
Fabulous news!
Western Michigan University No. 21 on Daily Beast list of gay friendly colleges
"Queer students say harassment has increased"
Axis of Queers
Western Michigan University No. 21 on Daily Beast list of gay friendly colleges
KALAMAZOO – Western Michigan University is among the most gay friendly universities in the country, according to a list published this week by the Daily Beast and Newsweek Magazine.Apparently they didn't hear about the imaginary crime wave that struck the campus gay community in 2007.
WMU is No. 21 on the list of the top 25 gay friendly schools. WMU was ranked on factors including the college's prowler diversity grade (B), a campus climate index score of 4.5 and because 75 percent of students surveyed said campus is "very accepting" of minority students. The rankings note that WMU offers a LGBT campus center.
The campus climate score is based on Campus Pride's ranking system that looks at how inclusive college campuses are of LGBT students. A high college prowler diversity grade indicates that different minority groups are well represented on campus and accepted by students.
"Queer students say harassment has increased"
Axis of Queers
Monday, August 29, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Liberalism
This update focuses on liberalism.
Pat Buchanan: Obama's Race-Based Spoils System
Phyllis Schlafly: Feminists Have a Tantrum
Phyllis Schlafly: VAWA Must Be Rewritten
Steve Sailer: That BAMN vs. Michigan Decree: Will GOP Defend Whites Against Judge-Imposed Discrimination?
Dan Flynn: Boston's Bin Ladin
Ann Coulter: Civil Rights and the Mob: George Wallace, Bull Connor, Orval Faubus And Other Democrats
Gary North: Population Growth as Propaganda: The Greens and the Reds
Much information on liberal individuals and organizations can be found at David Horowitz's Discover the Network site.
Pat Buchanan: Obama's Race-Based Spoils System
Phyllis Schlafly: Feminists Have a Tantrum
Phyllis Schlafly: VAWA Must Be Rewritten
Steve Sailer: That BAMN vs. Michigan Decree: Will GOP Defend Whites Against Judge-Imposed Discrimination?
Dan Flynn: Boston's Bin Ladin
Ann Coulter: Civil Rights and the Mob: George Wallace, Bull Connor, Orval Faubus And Other Democrats
Gary North: Population Growth as Propaganda: The Greens and the Reds
Much information on liberal individuals and organizations can be found at David Horowitz's Discover the Network site.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--The Economy
This update focuses on the economy.
Gary North: Roubini, Marx, and Keynes
Gary North: Too Many Emergency Meetings in Europe
Phyllis Schlafly: Debt Ceiling Up, S&P Rating Down
Gary North: The Crack in the Ice
Gary North: How Karl Marx Foresaw Bernanke and Krugman
Gary North: The Yellow Fever Economy
Gary North: The Ghost of Murray Rothbard Haunts The Economist
Edwin Rubenstein: U.S PhDs Have It Tough Enough Without Importing Immigrants
Gary North: The Next Financial Crisis
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Roubini, Marx, and Keynes
Gary North: Too Many Emergency Meetings in Europe
Phyllis Schlafly: Debt Ceiling Up, S&P Rating Down
Gary North: The Crack in the Ice
Gary North: How Karl Marx Foresaw Bernanke and Krugman
Gary North: The Yellow Fever Economy
Gary North: The Ghost of Murray Rothbard Haunts The Economist
Edwin Rubenstein: U.S PhDs Have It Tough Enough Without Importing Immigrants
Gary North: The Next Financial Crisis
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Case for a Creator
The Case for a Creator
Lee Strobel
This is the third in a series of apologetic books by Lee Strobel, who was an atheist and a journalist before converting to Christianity and becoming a pastor. He previously wrote The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.
This book focuses on issues of creation and evolution. Strobel approaches the issue from an intelligent design perspective. He uses the same format as in his previous books. He begins with a personal story about the issue, this time being asked to cover a creation/evolution school curriculum controversy in West Virginia while he was a reporter. He then proceeds to interview a number of experts associated with the intelligent design movement.
The interviews cover the subjects of icons of evolution, science and faith, cosmology, physics, astronomy, biochemistry, biological information, and consciousness. All are worthwhile, but I found the interview on consciousness particularly interesting.
The one problem that I have with the book regards the mathematics of infinity. William Lane Craig argues that the existence of an infinite number of objects or an infinite period of time is impossible. While he may be right about the underlying question, his arguments are unconvincing. He points out that ∞-∞ is not well-defined, and that ∞+1=∞. However, I don't see why this would rule out the existence of infinity in the the real world.
Overall, Case for a Creator is a worthwhile book.
Previous:
Summer Reading
Godless: A Review
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization
The Victory of Reason
The Privileged Planet
What's So Great About Christianity
Evidence That Demands a Verdict
Lee Strobel
This is the third in a series of apologetic books by Lee Strobel, who was an atheist and a journalist before converting to Christianity and becoming a pastor. He previously wrote The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.
This book focuses on issues of creation and evolution. Strobel approaches the issue from an intelligent design perspective. He uses the same format as in his previous books. He begins with a personal story about the issue, this time being asked to cover a creation/evolution school curriculum controversy in West Virginia while he was a reporter. He then proceeds to interview a number of experts associated with the intelligent design movement.
The interviews cover the subjects of icons of evolution, science and faith, cosmology, physics, astronomy, biochemistry, biological information, and consciousness. All are worthwhile, but I found the interview on consciousness particularly interesting.
The one problem that I have with the book regards the mathematics of infinity. William Lane Craig argues that the existence of an infinite number of objects or an infinite period of time is impossible. While he may be right about the underlying question, his arguments are unconvincing. He points out that ∞-∞ is not well-defined, and that ∞+1=∞. However, I don't see why this would rule out the existence of infinity in the the real world.
Overall, Case for a Creator is a worthwhile book.
Previous:
Summer Reading
Godless: A Review
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization
The Victory of Reason
The Privileged Planet
What's So Great About Christianity
Evidence That Demands a Verdict
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Weapons of Mass Instruction
Weapons of Mass Instruction
John Taylor Gatto
The author of this book is famous for being New York state teacher of the year who quit, convinced that government schools are bad for children.
This book contains lots of interesting material, but it is so disorganized that it is hard to recommend. It feels as though it consists of material that was cut from another book.
Gatto argues that the real purpose of government ("public") schools is not to help students learn and flourish. Instead, it is to make them submit to authority, make them alike, determine proper social roles, sort them accordingly, disadvantage those deemed less fit, and select the next generation of the elite. He cites a number of quotes from the architects of the modern government school system to support this.
Gatto adds several personal stories of his battles with the school system including an attempt to fire him on false pretenses and a principle who called the police to interrupt his school assembly speech.
He cites a number of examples of people with little formal education inventing products, building large businesses, and otherwise achieving great things. While the examples are interesting, these may well be the exception, rather than a reliable model.
Gatto is an advocate of 'unschooling', in which students are basically left free to explore their interests, and there is no formal curriculum. While there merit to encouraging students to follow their interests, I am skeptical that you can do without any curriculum.
Gatto inveighs against standardized testing, and advocates that students refuse to take them.
Gatto believes that most students are capable of much, and their abilities are being suppressed by the system. He is on the political right, but his views contrast sharply with another segment of the (paleoconservative) right, which argues that intelligence and genes largely determine academic outcomes, and there is relatively little room for improvement. It would be interesting to see each discuss the others' views.
Weapons of Mass Instruction is interesting, but often frustrating due to its lack of organization.
John Taylor Gatto
The author of this book is famous for being New York state teacher of the year who quit, convinced that government schools are bad for children.
This book contains lots of interesting material, but it is so disorganized that it is hard to recommend. It feels as though it consists of material that was cut from another book.
Gatto argues that the real purpose of government ("public") schools is not to help students learn and flourish. Instead, it is to make them submit to authority, make them alike, determine proper social roles, sort them accordingly, disadvantage those deemed less fit, and select the next generation of the elite. He cites a number of quotes from the architects of the modern government school system to support this.
Gatto adds several personal stories of his battles with the school system including an attempt to fire him on false pretenses and a principle who called the police to interrupt his school assembly speech.
He cites a number of examples of people with little formal education inventing products, building large businesses, and otherwise achieving great things. While the examples are interesting, these may well be the exception, rather than a reliable model.
Gatto is an advocate of 'unschooling', in which students are basically left free to explore their interests, and there is no formal curriculum. While there merit to encouraging students to follow their interests, I am skeptical that you can do without any curriculum.
Gatto inveighs against standardized testing, and advocates that students refuse to take them.
Gatto believes that most students are capable of much, and their abilities are being suppressed by the system. He is on the political right, but his views contrast sharply with another segment of the (paleoconservative) right, which argues that intelligence and genes largely determine academic outcomes, and there is relatively little room for improvement. It would be interesting to see each discuss the others' views.
Weapons of Mass Instruction is interesting, but often frustrating due to its lack of organization.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
No Means Try Again
Voters in the Mattawan school district shot down an 88 million dollar bond issue in May. Naturally, Mattawan schools aren't about to take no for an answer.
Mattawan going back to voters for $59M for new elementary schools
Mattawan going back to voters for $59M for new elementary schools
Voters need to say no again in November.
Monday, August 15, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Riots
This update focuses on riots.
Mark Steyn: The New Britannia
Ann Coulter: The Sun Never Sets On The British Welfare System
Pat Buchanan: The Fire This Time
Gary North: My Lesson from Los Angeles' Forgotten 1962 Riot
Gary North: London Riots: What Nobody Dares To Say
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Mark Steyn: The New Britannia
Ann Coulter: The Sun Never Sets On The British Welfare System
Pat Buchanan: The Fire This Time
Gary North: My Lesson from Los Angeles' Forgotten 1962 Riot
Gary North: London Riots: What Nobody Dares To Say
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Upton, Camp named to "SuperCongress"
Michigan Congressmen Fred Upton and Dave Camp have been named by Speaker John Boehner to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, which has been nicknamed the "SuperCongress". The third Republican House member is Jeb Hensarling of Texas.
Republicans Fill Out Deficit Committee Roster
Their American Conservative Union (ACU) ratings are as follows.
Upton 73%
Camp 89%
Hensarling 99%
Upton is a well-known moderate with a long history of un-conservative votes. He has voted more conservative since surviving a strong Tea Party challenge in 2010. (His 2010 rating was 92%). Camp is an establishment Republican. Hensarling is a staunch conservative who previously headed the Republican Study Committee before being elected to house leadership.
On the senate side, the Republicans are
John Kyl 96%
Pat Toomey 97% (house)
Rob Portman 89% (house)
Kyl is in the leadership and is retiring. Toomey is a Tea Party favorite elected in 2010, while Portman is an establishment candidate elected in 2010.
Republicans Fill Out Deficit Committee Roster
Their American Conservative Union (ACU) ratings are as follows.
Upton 73%
Camp 89%
Hensarling 99%
Upton is a well-known moderate with a long history of un-conservative votes. He has voted more conservative since surviving a strong Tea Party challenge in 2010. (His 2010 rating was 92%). Camp is an establishment Republican. Hensarling is a staunch conservative who previously headed the Republican Study Committee before being elected to house leadership.
On the senate side, the Republicans are
John Kyl 96%
Pat Toomey 97% (house)
Rob Portman 89% (house)
Kyl is in the leadership and is retiring. Toomey is a Tea Party favorite elected in 2010, while Portman is an establishment candidate elected in 2010.
The ACLU vs America
The ACLU vs America
By Alan Sears and Craig Osten
This book chronicles the history and activities of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a leftist legal activist group that purports to defend civil liberties. Sears and Osten are the leaders of the rival conservative legal group Allaince Defence Fund (ADF), which has battled the ACLU in court many times in recent years. At times, the book reads like a commercial for the ADF.
They lay out the history of the of the ACLU, which was founded as a communist organization. Founder Roger Baldwin proclaimed
The book has chapters on marriage, mom and dad, children, human life, religion, Christmas, and American sovereignty.
By Alan Sears and Craig Osten
This book chronicles the history and activities of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a leftist legal activist group that purports to defend civil liberties. Sears and Osten are the leaders of the rival conservative legal group Allaince Defence Fund (ADF), which has battled the ACLU in court many times in recent years. At times, the book reads like a commercial for the ADF.
They lay out the history of the of the ACLU, which was founded as a communist organization. Founder Roger Baldwin proclaimed
We are for Socialism, disarmament, and ultimately for abolishing the state itself. We seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class, and the sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal.Even after the communists were purged following the Hitler/Stalin pact, the ACLU continued its war against Christians and religious liberty. ACLU vs. America cites case after case to document its agenda. In particular, it debunks the false notion that the ACLU fights for civil liberties. For example, they oppose the rights of the Boy Scouts to determine its own membership.
The book has chapters on marriage, mom and dad, children, human life, religion, Christmas, and American sovereignty.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Sunday, August 07, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Government
This update focuses on government.
Phyllis Schlafly: Get Government Out of Our House
Thomas Sowell: Misleading Words Part II
AWR Hawkins: Enemy of the State
Gary North: Counterfeit Gold Standards
Gary North: Good News on Taxes
Thomas Sowell: Dissecting The Demagoguery About 'Tax Cuts For The Rich'
Gary North: Restoring Liberty With Three Short Laws
Gary North: Bernanke Channels Benchley
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Phyllis Schlafly: Get Government Out of Our House
Thomas Sowell: Misleading Words Part II
AWR Hawkins: Enemy of the State
Gary North: Counterfeit Gold Standards
Gary North: Good News on Taxes
Thomas Sowell: Dissecting The Demagoguery About 'Tax Cuts For The Rich'
Gary North: Restoring Liberty With Three Short Laws
Gary North: Bernanke Channels Benchley
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Paul Scott Faces Recall Election
For months now, we've seen news of possible recall elections against Republican legislators. Basically, filing a recall petition is a cheap way to say that you don't like a politician. It gets media attention in a way that a press release doesn't. Then a couple people hear about it and decide to so the same thing elsewhere. But getting signatures is much harder.
After all the hype, only one recall campaign filed signatures for a November election. Republican Paul Scott of southern Genesee County is the target.
The campaign against him has yet to file its campaign finances and seems to be trying to hide them. Nonetheless, it seems clear that it is being run by the MEA, which has paid handsomely to collect the necessary signatures. Scott is being targeted due to the fact that he is chairman of the house education committee, which has passed modest teacher tenure reforms.
Scott has a lean republican district, which is where I would initially rate the recall election, assuming it makes the ballot. If Scott were recalled, there would have to be a special election to replace him.
Interestingly, Scott's district is basically chopped in half in the new redistricting plan. Half becomes part of a new lean dem district and the other half becomes part of an open safe republican district. If Scott were recalled, he could just run there next year.
Other recall campaigns were notably unsuccessful. Signatures have been collected against Al Pscholka (N Berrien), Kurt Damrow (Tuscola/Huron), and Jeff Farrington (Sterling Heights), but none were filed.
Meanwhile in Lenawee County, organizers claimed to have enough signatures. However, the person with the signatures disappeared under mysterious circumstances and they were not filed. There are rumors of a car accident involving him or a family member.
No November recall of state Rep. Nancy Jenkins as petitions fail to appear
As Jack Lessenberry argues, the recall threat has proved overrated.
Recall Threat Proves Overrated
After all the hype, only one recall campaign filed signatures for a November election. Republican Paul Scott of southern Genesee County is the target.
The campaign against him has yet to file its campaign finances and seems to be trying to hide them. Nonetheless, it seems clear that it is being run by the MEA, which has paid handsomely to collect the necessary signatures. Scott is being targeted due to the fact that he is chairman of the house education committee, which has passed modest teacher tenure reforms.
Scott has a lean republican district, which is where I would initially rate the recall election, assuming it makes the ballot. If Scott were recalled, there would have to be a special election to replace him.
Interestingly, Scott's district is basically chopped in half in the new redistricting plan. Half becomes part of a new lean dem district and the other half becomes part of an open safe republican district. If Scott were recalled, he could just run there next year.
Other recall campaigns were notably unsuccessful. Signatures have been collected against Al Pscholka (N Berrien), Kurt Damrow (Tuscola/Huron), and Jeff Farrington (Sterling Heights), but none were filed.
Meanwhile in Lenawee County, organizers claimed to have enough signatures. However, the person with the signatures disappeared under mysterious circumstances and they were not filed. There are rumors of a car accident involving him or a family member.
No November recall of state Rep. Nancy Jenkins as petitions fail to appear
As Jack Lessenberry argues, the recall threat has proved overrated.
Recall Threat Proves Overrated
Alumni News
I missed this at the time.
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State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, and former staffer having baby
GRAND BLANC, Michigan — State Rep. Paul Scott said today he's going to be a father soon.
Scott, R-Grand Blanc, said he and a former staff member will be welcoming a son together in a couple weeks.
Scott was most recently re-elected to the 51st state House seat, which represents southern Genesee County, referring to himself as a conservative "21st century Republican."
"This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me," he said of the baby.
Scott said he and the mother, Amanda Grove, are in a strong relationship. She left his legislative office in May before working on his campaign for secretary of state, he said, which ended in August when he lost the five-way race for the Republican nomination.
There are no plans for marriage at this point, but Scott said "you never know what's going to happen in the future."
Scott said the baby will have two "loving parents."
"This has been an incredible experience," he said.
------------------------
State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, and former staffer having baby
GRAND BLANC, Michigan — State Rep. Paul Scott said today he's going to be a father soon.
Scott, R-Grand Blanc, said he and a former staff member will be welcoming a son together in a couple weeks.
Scott was most recently re-elected to the 51st state House seat, which represents southern Genesee County, referring to himself as a conservative "21st century Republican."
"This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me," he said of the baby.
Scott said he and the mother, Amanda Grove, are in a strong relationship. She left his legislative office in May before working on his campaign for secretary of state, he said, which ended in August when he lost the five-way race for the Republican nomination.
There are no plans for marriage at this point, but Scott said "you never know what's going to happen in the future."
Scott said the baby will have two "loving parents."
"This has been an incredible experience," he said.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Michigan Redistricting
Thus blog extensively covered the 2010's Michigan redistricting that occurred in 2011. I drew my own plans and analyzed the plans that were eventually passed by the Michgan legislature. Many of these articles were cross-posted at Right Michigan and Red Racing Horses.
Maps proposed by me:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Alternative State House Map
Republican and Democrat Proposals:
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State House Map Released
Official maps that passed the legislature:
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Court of Appeals
County Commission Redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: County Commission Roundup
Kalamazoo County Commission Redistricting Plan Adopted
Calhoun County Commission Redistricting Plan Adopted
The debate over redistricting:
Analysis and Rebuttal of the Center for Michigan Redistricting Study
The Center for Michigan Redistricting 'Study' Has Data Errors, Too
Washington Post Misleading on Michigan Redistricting
Maps proposed by me:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Alternative State House Map
Republican and Democrat Proposals:
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State House Map Released
Official maps that passed the legislature:
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Court of Appeals
County Commission Redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: County Commission Roundup
Kalamazoo County Commission Redistricting Plan Adopted
Calhoun County Commission Redistricting Plan Adopted
The debate over redistricting:
Analysis and Rebuttal of the Center for Michigan Redistricting Study
The Center for Michigan Redistricting 'Study' Has Data Errors, Too
Washington Post Misleading on Michigan Redistricting
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Michigan 5th Congressional District Election Preview
Michigan’s 5th district Congressman Dale Kildee has announced his retirement after 36 years in Congress. Kildee is a liberal union democrat based in Flint. His lifetime American Conservative Union (ACU) rating is 12%. He has identified himself as pro-life and until 2010 was endorsed by Michigan Right to Life, but nonetheless voted for Obamacare. He is anti-gun, with a rating of F from Gun Owners of America.
Michigan’s current 5th district consists of Genesee, Tuscola, and parts of Saginaw and Bay counties. It was drawn in 2001 to merge the districts of Kildee and then-congressman Jim Barcia of Bay City. The Republicans who drew the district successfully packed the most democrat areas of both districts into one, along with a small piece of Congressman Mike Rogers’ district in SW Genesee. Even though he represented more of the new district, Barcia stepped aside in favor of Kildee, and ran for state senate instead.
The new 5th, in which the next election will be held (assuming Rick Snyder signs the new redistricting maps) expands a bit. It consists of Genesee, Bay, Arenac, Iosco, and parts of Saginaw and Tuscola counties. The population of the district breaks down as follows.
60.3% Genesee
15.3% Bay
14.8% Saginaw
2.4% Tuscola
2.3% Arenac
3.9% Iosco
A number of candidates have expressed interest in running to replace Kildee. As this is a democrat district, most of the action so far is on that side.
Former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee, who is the nephew of the current congressman, has announced that he is running. Kildee was treasurer from 1996 until he resigned in 2009 to become the head “of the Center for Community Progress, which promotes the reuse of vacant, abandoned and problem properties in cities and towns across the country.” He very briefly ran for Governor in 2010 before dropping out.
Former Congressman and state senator Jim Barcia has said that he is “highly likely” to run. Barcia was a state rep 1976-82, state senator 1982-92, and congressman 1992-2002. After stepping aside for Kildee, he returned to the state senate from 2002 to 2010, when he was term-limited. Barcia is a genuine moderate democrat who has an ACU life rating of 54%. He is pro-life and a hunter who opposes gun control. For conservatives, he would be a big improvement over Kildee.
State senator John Gleason has said that he is very serious about running. Gleason was a state rep from Flushing before being elected to the state senate in 2006. He is now in his second term, and would be term-limited in 2014. Gleason is pro-life and has been endorsed by the NRA.
State Rep. Woodrow Stanley is “very interested” in running. Stanley, who is black, was mayor of Flint from 1991 until he was recalled from office in 2002 due to fiscal mismanagement. A state-appointed emergency financial manager was appointed afterwards. Stanley was then elected to the Genesee county commission 2004-08. In 2008 he was elected a state representative, and is now in his second term. He would be term-limited in 2014.
Former lieutenant governor John Cherry has been mentioned as a possible candidate but has not yet expressed interest in running. He was a state senator 1986-2002, rising to senator democrat minority leader before becoming lieutenant governor under Jennifer Granholm 2002-10. He represented the suburbs of Flint. Cherry is a liberal with strong union ties but is also pro-gun.
Genesee county treasurer Deb Cherry is the sister of John Cherry. She also has been mentioned as a potential candidate but has not expressed interest in running. She was a state rep before succeeding her brother as a state senator 2002-10 representing suburban Flint. She was term-limited and was elected county treasurer in 2010, succeeding Dan Kildee. Her political positions are similar to those of her brother.
There are plenty of other current and former legislators and county officials who could also run.
Here is the percentage of the new district that they have represented.
60.3% Dan Kildee
52.4% Jim Barcia (congress)
36.3% John Gleason
24% Deb Cherry (state senate)
14.5% Woodrow Stanley (mayor)
While this is a democrat district, it is possible for Republicans to win it under ideal circumstances. For example, Rick Snyder won it in 2010. Before that, John Engler and Candice Miller won it in 1998. Against Kildee, Barcia, Gleason, or either of the Cherrys, Republicans would have no chance. On the other hand, Republicans would have a good chance of winning if Woodrow Stanley were the nominee. Even in majority-black Flint, he was recalled as mayor, and he is not likely to play well outside the city.
Republicans should have a credible candidate in case circumstances line up their way. There are several Republican state legislators who represent significant portions of the district. They are state senators Dave Robertson, Mike Green, and Roger Khan and state rep Paul Scott. The portions of the district that they have represented are as follows.
31.6% Dave Robertson
20% Mike Green
14.8% Roger Kahn
15.2% Paul Scott
Robertson would be the strongest possible Republican candidate if he were to run. This isn’t very likely, though, as he was just elected to the state senate in 2010. Green was also just elected in 2010 and lives in the part of Tuscola county that is outside the district. Kahn is in his second term and would be term-limited in 2014. He is from Saginaw township, which is split between congressional districts. Scott is currently facing a recall campaign due to his efforts to reform teacher tenure rules in Michigan and doesn’t seem likely to run.
Republican’s best choice may be John Kupiec, who held Dale Kildee to only 53% of the vote in 2010, despite receiving very little attention. He is considering running again.
The 5th district promises to have a very interesting congressional race.
Michigan’s current 5th district consists of Genesee, Tuscola, and parts of Saginaw and Bay counties. It was drawn in 2001 to merge the districts of Kildee and then-congressman Jim Barcia of Bay City. The Republicans who drew the district successfully packed the most democrat areas of both districts into one, along with a small piece of Congressman Mike Rogers’ district in SW Genesee. Even though he represented more of the new district, Barcia stepped aside in favor of Kildee, and ran for state senate instead.
The new 5th, in which the next election will be held (assuming Rick Snyder signs the new redistricting maps) expands a bit. It consists of Genesee, Bay, Arenac, Iosco, and parts of Saginaw and Tuscola counties. The population of the district breaks down as follows.
60.3% Genesee
15.3% Bay
14.8% Saginaw
2.4% Tuscola
2.3% Arenac
3.9% Iosco
A number of candidates have expressed interest in running to replace Kildee. As this is a democrat district, most of the action so far is on that side.
Former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee, who is the nephew of the current congressman, has announced that he is running. Kildee was treasurer from 1996 until he resigned in 2009 to become the head “of the Center for Community Progress, which promotes the reuse of vacant, abandoned and problem properties in cities and towns across the country.” He very briefly ran for Governor in 2010 before dropping out.
Former Congressman and state senator Jim Barcia has said that he is “highly likely” to run. Barcia was a state rep 1976-82, state senator 1982-92, and congressman 1992-2002. After stepping aside for Kildee, he returned to the state senate from 2002 to 2010, when he was term-limited. Barcia is a genuine moderate democrat who has an ACU life rating of 54%. He is pro-life and a hunter who opposes gun control. For conservatives, he would be a big improvement over Kildee.
State senator John Gleason has said that he is very serious about running. Gleason was a state rep from Flushing before being elected to the state senate in 2006. He is now in his second term, and would be term-limited in 2014. Gleason is pro-life and has been endorsed by the NRA.
State Rep. Woodrow Stanley is “very interested” in running. Stanley, who is black, was mayor of Flint from 1991 until he was recalled from office in 2002 due to fiscal mismanagement. A state-appointed emergency financial manager was appointed afterwards. Stanley was then elected to the Genesee county commission 2004-08. In 2008 he was elected a state representative, and is now in his second term. He would be term-limited in 2014.
Former lieutenant governor John Cherry has been mentioned as a possible candidate but has not yet expressed interest in running. He was a state senator 1986-2002, rising to senator democrat minority leader before becoming lieutenant governor under Jennifer Granholm 2002-10. He represented the suburbs of Flint. Cherry is a liberal with strong union ties but is also pro-gun.
Genesee county treasurer Deb Cherry is the sister of John Cherry. She also has been mentioned as a potential candidate but has not expressed interest in running. She was a state rep before succeeding her brother as a state senator 2002-10 representing suburban Flint. She was term-limited and was elected county treasurer in 2010, succeeding Dan Kildee. Her political positions are similar to those of her brother.
There are plenty of other current and former legislators and county officials who could also run.
Here is the percentage of the new district that they have represented.
60.3% Dan Kildee
52.4% Jim Barcia (congress)
36.3% John Gleason
24% Deb Cherry (state senate)
14.5% Woodrow Stanley (mayor)
While this is a democrat district, it is possible for Republicans to win it under ideal circumstances. For example, Rick Snyder won it in 2010. Before that, John Engler and Candice Miller won it in 1998. Against Kildee, Barcia, Gleason, or either of the Cherrys, Republicans would have no chance. On the other hand, Republicans would have a good chance of winning if Woodrow Stanley were the nominee. Even in majority-black Flint, he was recalled as mayor, and he is not likely to play well outside the city.
Republicans should have a credible candidate in case circumstances line up their way. There are several Republican state legislators who represent significant portions of the district. They are state senators Dave Robertson, Mike Green, and Roger Khan and state rep Paul Scott. The portions of the district that they have represented are as follows.
31.6% Dave Robertson
20% Mike Green
14.8% Roger Kahn
15.2% Paul Scott
Robertson would be the strongest possible Republican candidate if he were to run. This isn’t very likely, though, as he was just elected to the state senate in 2010. Green was also just elected in 2010 and lives in the part of Tuscola county that is outside the district. Kahn is in his second term and would be term-limited in 2014. He is from Saginaw township, which is split between congressional districts. Scott is currently facing a recall campaign due to his efforts to reform teacher tenure rules in Michigan and doesn’t seem likely to run.
Republican’s best choice may be John Kupiec, who held Dale Kildee to only 53% of the vote in 2010, despite receiving very little attention. He is considering running again.
The 5th district promises to have a very interesting congressional race.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Concealed Carry: We Were Right, They Were Wrong
Michigan's concealed carry law went into effect roughly ten years ago. The Free Press has an article that admits that the fears of the opponents of the law were nonsense. Several opponents who were interviewed, including various prosecutors and police, admit obliquely that what they said would happen didn't.
10 years after concealed weapons law, unclear why many in state were gun-shy
Of course, it didn't take a genius to see that they were wrong. You only needed to look at every other state that has a concealed carry law.
Western's "Weak" Education College
Julie Mack reports on the poor ranking of Western's education program.
Julie Mack blog: Does Western Michigan University have a 'weak' program for training teachers?
Julie Mack blog: Does Western Michigan University have a 'weak' program for training teachers?
The National Council on Teacher Quality issued a report last week critical of U.S. teacher-training programs, based on a study of student-teacher programs at 134 colleges nationwide.
One of the programs included in the study was Western Michigan University, whose student-teacher program was listed in the report as "weak."
She had previously interviewed former Western President Judy Bailey about the issue.
I have talked to numerous College of Education students who describe sitting through endless busywork classes en route to their degrees.
As explained by Thomas Sowell in America's Education Disaster, colleges of education serve as negative filters to screen out bright and knowledgeable people who be good teachers but are unwilling to sit through years of busywork classes. Such people present a threat to the mediocre teachers who staff our classrooms. Teachers' unions and their allies use licensing to restrict the supply of teachers and hence increase their pay.
When Judith Bailey was still WMU president, I once asked her point-blank about the College of Education's mediocre reputation. Without missing a beat, she smoothly changed the topic. ("Do you know what program of ours is really underrated? College of Fine Arts.")Typical Bailey. Diether Haenicke gave an honest answer.
Before his death in 2009, I l recounted that conversation to former WMU President Diether Haenicke. I figured Haenicke would stoutly defended the College of Education. Instead, he shook his head and said his own failure to reform that particular program was one of his greatest frustrations and regrets. "I tried and tried," but there were too many people in the department resistant to change, he said.What's wrong with the program?
Certainly, in the local K-12 community, school officials take a lukewarm view of WMU's program. The standard critique: Too many professors teaching outdated theories; too few instructors with actual experience in K-12 classrooms; too little focus on skills such as classroom management and the challenges of educating low-income students.Shockingly, the best way to learn how to teach is to actually do it. In some of Western's departments, graduate students can be put in the classroom teaching college classes with only a couple days of training.
"When we get kids from Western, we have to retrain them," a former superintendent once told me.
I have talked to numerous College of Education students who describe sitting through endless busywork classes en route to their degrees.
As explained by Thomas Sowell in America's Education Disaster, colleges of education serve as negative filters to screen out bright and knowledgeable people who be good teachers but are unwilling to sit through years of busywork classes. Such people present a threat to the mediocre teachers who staff our classrooms. Teachers' unions and their allies use licensing to restrict the supply of teachers and hence increase their pay.
POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War
This update focuses on the culture war.
Allan Wall: Don’t Expect “Hispanic Family Values” To Counter Gay Agenda
Pat Buchanan: Demography And Debt Are Both Destiny—We're All Greeks Now
Gary North: Cars 2 Isn't a Lemon. It's a Saab.
Gary North: Never Say Retire
Ann Coulter: Casey Anthony -- Single Mom of the Year!
Phyllis Schlafly: Court Wraps Video Games in First Amendment
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Allan Wall: Don’t Expect “Hispanic Family Values” To Counter Gay Agenda
Pat Buchanan: Demography And Debt Are Both Destiny—We're All Greeks Now
Gary North: Cars 2 Isn't a Lemon. It's a Saab.
Gary North: Never Say Retire
Ann Coulter: Casey Anthony -- Single Mom of the Year!
Phyllis Schlafly: Court Wraps Video Games in First Amendment
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Monday, July 25, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Debt
This update focuses on debt.
Pat Buchanan: Is a Tea Party Triumph at Hand?
Gary North: Baloney
Gary North: On the Road to Government Default
Mark Steyn: The Great Charade
Pat Buchanan: An Establishment in Panic
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Pat Buchanan: Is a Tea Party Triumph at Hand?
Gary North: Baloney
Gary North: On the Road to Government Default
Mark Steyn: The Great Charade
Pat Buchanan: An Establishment in Panic
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Does Detroit Need Immigration?
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, not content with imposing a nanny state on New York City, has weighed in with his solution to Detroit's problems.
Having read reports of Detroit's dramatic population loss (about 25% over the past decade), Bloomberg's solution is simple. Immigration!
Mayor Bloomberg: Detroit Needs Final Solution
Having read reports of Detroit's dramatic population loss (about 25% over the past decade), Bloomberg's solution is simple. Immigration!
Mayor Bloomberg: Detroit Needs Final Solution
Snyder sees immigrants as a key to state's economy
Governor Snyder apparently thinks this is a swell idea, too.
Neither Bloomberg nor Snyder seem to have addressed the most basic question. Why is Detroit losing population? They make it sound as if it were some unknowable force of nature causing Detroit to lose people.
In fact, people are fleeing Detroit because of high crime, social disfunction, high taxes, and low human capital. Anyone who can afford to leave does.
Bloomberg and Snyder seem not to understand that the whole point of immigration is to move someplace better than where you are now. Why would anyone in their right mind choose Detroit as the place to start a business? Why didn't Bloomberg and Snyder move their businesses to Detroit if it is so full of opportunity?
Instead, what Bloomberg and Snyder seem to want for Detroit is colonization, where more advanced outsiders share the blessings of civilization with the benighted native population. But colonization can only work when the colonists have political control. Imperialist Europeans are in short supply these days, anyways.
The flipside to Snyder's belief that immigration is the key to turning around Michigan's economy is apparently that existing Michigan residents are a bunch of lazy bums. While that may be true in Detroit, it is a slander against Michiganders generally.
The reason for Michigan's economic depression is dysfunctional political structures (both government and unions). Some of Snyder's other initiatives are positive reforms, but so far they have mostly been marginal changes, with tax reform being the big exception.
It is true that some immigrants come to America, start businesses, and create jobs. You know what those immigrants have in common? They aren't from the Third World. The three examples Snyder cites were Dutch, Armenian, and Canadian. Michiganders who oppose more immigration aren't upset about Canadian immigration (well, other than Granholm).
Meanwhile, most of America's immigrants continue to come from the Third World, particularly Latin American, particularly Mexico. Why didn't Snyder cite all the big Mexican-founded corporations in Michigan? Wait, there aren't any?
Governor Snyder apparently thinks this is a swell idea, too.
Neither Bloomberg nor Snyder seem to have addressed the most basic question. Why is Detroit losing population? They make it sound as if it were some unknowable force of nature causing Detroit to lose people.
In fact, people are fleeing Detroit because of high crime, social disfunction, high taxes, and low human capital. Anyone who can afford to leave does.
Bloomberg and Snyder seem not to understand that the whole point of immigration is to move someplace better than where you are now. Why would anyone in their right mind choose Detroit as the place to start a business? Why didn't Bloomberg and Snyder move their businesses to Detroit if it is so full of opportunity?
Instead, what Bloomberg and Snyder seem to want for Detroit is colonization, where more advanced outsiders share the blessings of civilization with the benighted native population. But colonization can only work when the colonists have political control. Imperialist Europeans are in short supply these days, anyways.
The flipside to Snyder's belief that immigration is the key to turning around Michigan's economy is apparently that existing Michigan residents are a bunch of lazy bums. While that may be true in Detroit, it is a slander against Michiganders generally.
The reason for Michigan's economic depression is dysfunctional political structures (both government and unions). Some of Snyder's other initiatives are positive reforms, but so far they have mostly been marginal changes, with tax reform being the big exception.
It is true that some immigrants come to America, start businesses, and create jobs. You know what those immigrants have in common? They aren't from the Third World. The three examples Snyder cites were Dutch, Armenian, and Canadian. Michiganders who oppose more immigration aren't upset about Canadian immigration (well, other than Granholm).
Meanwhile, most of America's immigrants continue to come from the Third World, particularly Latin American, particularly Mexico. Why didn't Snyder cite all the big Mexican-founded corporations in Michigan? Wait, there aren't any?
Conyers in Big Trouble
Others in the media have finally noticed that John Conyers is in big trouble due to redistricting.
John Conyers at mercy of redistricting
John Conyers at mercy of redistricting
The new district that he resides in contains only 20% of his current constituents. While the district is still black-majority, that now includes the suburbs of Southfield and Oak Park which could be less sympathetic to Conyers.
The Conyers brand took a big hit when his wife Monica Conyers went to prison for corruption during her stint on the Detroit city council.
Conyers is now in his 80s, and hasn't had a tough race since he ran for Mayor of Detroit in 1993.
The Politico article lists a bunch of potential candidates, including:
The Politico article lists a bunch of potential candidates, including:
- Senator Bert Johnson (who has announced that he is running)
- Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence (who was the democrats' token black candidate for lieutenant governor last year)
- Attorney and 1998 gubernatorial nominee Geoffrey Feiger
- Congressman Gary Peters
I had previously concluded that Peters' best chance of staying in Congress is the run against Conyers.
Conyers' best chance of staying in Congress is to run in the new 13th district, in which Hansen Clarke currently resides. The article mentions the possibility of two switching districts. While this probably would benefit both, neither would be safe. Conyers could still be challenged, and Clarke just won a 2010 primary challenge against Carolyn Kilpatrick.
Western's Bookstore Monopoly
Western has announced that it will purchase University Bookstore and the property that it sits on.
Western Michigan University to purchase University Bookstore, property for $1.9 million
Western Michigan University to purchase University Bookstore, property for $1.9 million
For decades Western has had two bookstores--the university owned WMU Bookstore and the privately owned University Bookstore. Now that competition will be eliminated. Thankfully, there is competition from internet book sales. However, this does not apply to custom editions of books and coursepacks.
Will already outrageous textbook prices go even higher?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Government Controls All Guns
That's the message of a gun "buy-back" like the one in Bronson Park yesterday. Government cannot "buy back what it didn't sell in the first place.
Another absurd cliche is getting gun "off the street", as if they were just sitting there waiting to be used by criminals.
This won't make anyone safer, but it does try to stigmatize gun ownership.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration
This update focuses on immigration.
Steve Sailer: Propagandist And Traitor: NYT’s Damien Cave And State’s Edward McKeon
Pat Buchanan: Moral Of That U.S.-Mexico Soccer Game: Say Goodbye to Los Angeles
Phyllis Schlafly: Lamar Smith's E-Verify Bill Must Be Amended
James Fulford: Illegal Alien Poster Boy Jose Antonio Vargas—Lawbreaker, Liar, Displacer of American Workers, Treason Lobbyist, Thief
Hugh McInnish: Alabama’s Illegal Alien Crackdown And The Emerging Racial Polarization Of U.S. Politics
Washington Watcher: American Jobs For American Workers—No Compromise On E-Verify!
For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.
Steve Sailer: Propagandist And Traitor: NYT’s Damien Cave And State’s Edward McKeon
Pat Buchanan: Moral Of That U.S.-Mexico Soccer Game: Say Goodbye to Los Angeles
Phyllis Schlafly: Lamar Smith's E-Verify Bill Must Be Amended
James Fulford: Illegal Alien Poster Boy Jose Antonio Vargas—Lawbreaker, Liar, Displacer of American Workers, Treason Lobbyist, Thief
Hugh McInnish: Alabama’s Illegal Alien Crackdown And The Emerging Racial Polarization Of U.S. Politics
Washington Watcher: American Jobs For American Workers—No Compromise On E-Verify!
For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Michigan Redistricting: Alternative State House Map
The legislative portion of Michigan redistricting is finished, assuming Governor Snyder signs the maps passed by the legislature. I have highly praised the congressional and state senate maps. The state house map is another story.
I proposed my own state house map in four parts here:
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
The Republican state house map was quite a bit different. Part of this was due to the desire to protect existing districts. This led to districts being distributed differently in the Thumb, south-central Michigan, and the northeastern Lower Peninsula.
Even on these terms, though, some parts of the map still perplex me. I decided to take another crack at the state house map. This time, I started with the Republican map and made changes in particular areas. Since my first map, Dave’s Redistricting App has added some election data for Michigan, allowing for more precise analysis.
I. Wayne County
I don’t know what Republicans were thinking in Wayne County. Currently Wayne has three Republicans. Two are strengthened under the new map. There is one more district containing the majority of Canton and Van Buren that is winnable.
The existing map has 23 districts in Wayne County. Due to population loss, the ideal number of Wayne districts is about 20.3 districts. I drew exactly 20 to avoid a county break, but the new map has about 20.3 and has a district overlapping parts of Monroe and south Wayne. This allows the Detroit districts to be slightly underpopulated, which makes it easier to maintain ten black-majority districts.
Here is the new Republican map.
Here is my alternative map.
There are several missed opportunities in the new map.
1. The district based in the Grosse Pointes was Republican until 2008. Demographics are tough here, as Harper Woods has rapidly become half-black and the district needs to gain population. The Grosse Pointes are a real “community of interest”, and should not be split as they are in the new map.
The only way to maintain a competitive district is to stretch it down to River Rouge and Ecorse, which are 20% Republican instead of 3% in Detroit. Admittedly, this is pushing it a bit, but the district has only one city break and the lines could be cleaned up by splitting a few precincts. This district is no better than a tossup (53.1% GOP average in 2006), but at least the GOP would have a chance here.
Now this would eliminate one of the black-majority districts, but it can be replaced by a district (11) that stretches from Inkster through north Dearborn Heights to western Detroit.
15. The Dearborn district was Republican until 2004. The west half of the city is fairly Republican, while the east half is heavily Muslim, and swung against Republicans after 9/11. It is possible to draw a fairly Republican district by combining west Dearborn with Allen Park and southern Dearborn Heights. This had a 54.2% GOP average in 2006.
21. Canton has the population to be its own district. This would be an improvement on the existing district, as it would lose democratic Van Buren. Canton had a 56.6% GOP average in 2006.
This necessitates some changes to district 20, based in Plymouth/Northville. It can take a corner of Livonia and the less democratic precincts of Westland and be just as Republican as in the new map.
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old……. 1 / 1 / 0 / 2 / 19
GOP…… 2 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 16
ME:…… 2 / 1 / 3 / 0 / 14
The alternative Wayne map would mean three more winnable districts than in the new map. It also complies better with the Apol standards than the GOP map. It breaks only five jurisdictions outside Detroit (Dearborn three ways), while the GOP map breaks six. Their map breaks Detroit seven ways, while mine breaks it only five ways.
II. Macomb County
Macomb currently has about 8.7 districts. Due to population growth, it is entitled to about 9.3 districts. The Republicans chose to slightly underpopulate the Macomb districts so that the Thumb districts would not be disrupted. Thus Macomb gets about 9.6 districts, with one containing Chesterfield and New Baltimore in Macomb and a chunk of St. Clair.
That said, the GOP made major changes to several districts that have worked well for them the past decade. The Macomb delegation in the state house was 5R-4D all decade except for two districts that flipped in 2008 and flipped back in 2010.
Here is the GOP map.
Here is my alternative map.
In the GOP map, the St. Clair Shores/Harrison district, which was Republican except in 2008 was split, with St. Clair Shores being stuck with Eastpointe in a safe D district. Sterling Heights is split east/west instead of north/south. The ‘east’ district (25) includes a chunk of Warren and I rate it as a tossup. The north Warren/south Sterling Heights district was held by a Republican in the 90’s, so it was winnable at least back then.
My map packs all the most democrat areas into three districts. The St. Clair Shores/Harrison district is maintained, with one precinct from Clinton added for population. The Sterling Heights break is a little awkward because I wanted to put the most democrat precincts in with heavily Republican Shelby.
1. Lean R 54.3% [St. Clair Shores, Harrison district]
2. Safe D 39.8% [S Warren, Eastpointe, Center Line]
3. Safe D 48.1% [N Warren]
4. Safe D 42.7% [Roseville, SE Clinton, Mount Clemens]
5. Safe R (new) 57.7% [E Shelby, S/E Sterling Heights]
6. Lean R(-) 55.3% [Sterling Heights, Utica]
7. Lean R(+++) 54.9% [W Clinton, Fraser]
8. Safe R 59.6% [Macomb, Ray, Lenox]
9. Safe R 63.6% [W Shelby, Washington, northern tier]
10. Lean R 58.4% [Chesterfield, New Baltimore, central St. Clair]
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old……. 3 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 4
GOP…… 4 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 4
ME:…… 3 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 3
My Macomb map complies better with the Apol standards. The GOP map breaks five jurisdictions, including a triple break of Warren. My alternative map breaks only four, including a triple break of Clinton.
III. Genesee County
Genesee County currently has five districts. Due to population loss, it is now entitled to about 4.6. Both my map and the GOP map have a district that overlaps Genesee and Oakland Counties. Our Oakland maps are similar and should lead to the same partisan outcome, but mine avoids breaking Waterford.
My initial Genesee map was far from ideal. The initial version of the GOP map was pretty good, but it was amended to something that appears worse.
Here are my calculations using the 2006 average. District 1 is whichever one contains Grand Blanc (Paul Scott’s home). District two is the other winnable district.
Existing map:
51. Lean R 55.5% [Grand Blanc, Fenton, Mundy, Atlas, Argentine]
My initial map:
1. Tossup 52.5% [Grand Blanc, Fenton, Mundy]
2. Lean R 56.9% [E Genesee, Brandon, Oxford]
GOP initial map:
1. Safe R 57% [Grand Blanc, Atlas, Fenton city, NW Oakland]
2. Tossup 52.9% [W Genesee, Fenton twp.]
GOP final map:
1. Lean D 49.6% [Grand Blanc, Mundy, Burton]
2. Safe R 57.8% [W Genesee, Fenton, NW Oakland]
My alternative map:
1. Safe R 59.7% [Grand Blanc, Atlas, Brandon, Oxford]
2. Tossup 53.7% [SW Genesee]
The only downside to my map is that Paul Scott and Bradford Jacobsen are put in the same district. But Scott is put in a lean D district in the final GOP map, and Jacobsen could move to an open safe district under my plan.
Here are the overall ratings.
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old....... 35 / 18 / 12 / 4 / 41
New...... 45 / 14 / 8 / 5 / 38
ME:...... 44 / 18 / 10 / 3 / 35
Previous articles on Michigan redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State House Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
I proposed my own state house map in four parts here:
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
The Republican state house map was quite a bit different. Part of this was due to the desire to protect existing districts. This led to districts being distributed differently in the Thumb, south-central Michigan, and the northeastern Lower Peninsula.
Even on these terms, though, some parts of the map still perplex me. I decided to take another crack at the state house map. This time, I started with the Republican map and made changes in particular areas. Since my first map, Dave’s Redistricting App has added some election data for Michigan, allowing for more precise analysis.
I. Wayne County
I don’t know what Republicans were thinking in Wayne County. Currently Wayne has three Republicans. Two are strengthened under the new map. There is one more district containing the majority of Canton and Van Buren that is winnable.
The existing map has 23 districts in Wayne County. Due to population loss, the ideal number of Wayne districts is about 20.3 districts. I drew exactly 20 to avoid a county break, but the new map has about 20.3 and has a district overlapping parts of Monroe and south Wayne. This allows the Detroit districts to be slightly underpopulated, which makes it easier to maintain ten black-majority districts.
Here is the new Republican map.
Here is my alternative map.
There are several missed opportunities in the new map.
1. The district based in the Grosse Pointes was Republican until 2008. Demographics are tough here, as Harper Woods has rapidly become half-black and the district needs to gain population. The Grosse Pointes are a real “community of interest”, and should not be split as they are in the new map.
The only way to maintain a competitive district is to stretch it down to River Rouge and Ecorse, which are 20% Republican instead of 3% in Detroit. Admittedly, this is pushing it a bit, but the district has only one city break and the lines could be cleaned up by splitting a few precincts. This district is no better than a tossup (53.1% GOP average in 2006), but at least the GOP would have a chance here.
Now this would eliminate one of the black-majority districts, but it can be replaced by a district (11) that stretches from Inkster through north Dearborn Heights to western Detroit.
15. The Dearborn district was Republican until 2004. The west half of the city is fairly Republican, while the east half is heavily Muslim, and swung against Republicans after 9/11. It is possible to draw a fairly Republican district by combining west Dearborn with Allen Park and southern Dearborn Heights. This had a 54.2% GOP average in 2006.
21. Canton has the population to be its own district. This would be an improvement on the existing district, as it would lose democratic Van Buren. Canton had a 56.6% GOP average in 2006.
This necessitates some changes to district 20, based in Plymouth/Northville. It can take a corner of Livonia and the less democratic precincts of Westland and be just as Republican as in the new map.
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old……. 1 / 1 / 0 / 2 / 19
GOP…… 2 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 16
ME:…… 2 / 1 / 3 / 0 / 14
The alternative Wayne map would mean three more winnable districts than in the new map. It also complies better with the Apol standards than the GOP map. It breaks only five jurisdictions outside Detroit (Dearborn three ways), while the GOP map breaks six. Their map breaks Detroit seven ways, while mine breaks it only five ways.
II. Macomb County
Macomb currently has about 8.7 districts. Due to population growth, it is entitled to about 9.3 districts. The Republicans chose to slightly underpopulate the Macomb districts so that the Thumb districts would not be disrupted. Thus Macomb gets about 9.6 districts, with one containing Chesterfield and New Baltimore in Macomb and a chunk of St. Clair.
That said, the GOP made major changes to several districts that have worked well for them the past decade. The Macomb delegation in the state house was 5R-4D all decade except for two districts that flipped in 2008 and flipped back in 2010.
Here is the GOP map.
Here is my alternative map.
In the GOP map, the St. Clair Shores/Harrison district, which was Republican except in 2008 was split, with St. Clair Shores being stuck with Eastpointe in a safe D district. Sterling Heights is split east/west instead of north/south. The ‘east’ district (25) includes a chunk of Warren and I rate it as a tossup. The north Warren/south Sterling Heights district was held by a Republican in the 90’s, so it was winnable at least back then.
My map packs all the most democrat areas into three districts. The St. Clair Shores/Harrison district is maintained, with one precinct from Clinton added for population. The Sterling Heights break is a little awkward because I wanted to put the most democrat precincts in with heavily Republican Shelby.
1. Lean R 54.3% [St. Clair Shores, Harrison district]
2. Safe D 39.8% [S Warren, Eastpointe, Center Line]
3. Safe D 48.1% [N Warren]
4. Safe D 42.7% [Roseville, SE Clinton, Mount Clemens]
5. Safe R (new) 57.7% [E Shelby, S/E Sterling Heights]
6. Lean R(-) 55.3% [Sterling Heights, Utica]
7. Lean R(+++) 54.9% [W Clinton, Fraser]
8. Safe R 59.6% [Macomb, Ray, Lenox]
9. Safe R 63.6% [W Shelby, Washington, northern tier]
10. Lean R 58.4% [Chesterfield, New Baltimore, central St. Clair]
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old……. 3 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 4
GOP…… 4 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 4
ME:…… 3 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 3
My Macomb map complies better with the Apol standards. The GOP map breaks five jurisdictions, including a triple break of Warren. My alternative map breaks only four, including a triple break of Clinton.
III. Genesee County
Genesee County currently has five districts. Due to population loss, it is now entitled to about 4.6. Both my map and the GOP map have a district that overlaps Genesee and Oakland Counties. Our Oakland maps are similar and should lead to the same partisan outcome, but mine avoids breaking Waterford.
My initial Genesee map was far from ideal. The initial version of the GOP map was pretty good, but it was amended to something that appears worse.
Here are my calculations using the 2006 average. District 1 is whichever one contains Grand Blanc (Paul Scott’s home). District two is the other winnable district.
Existing map:
51. Lean R 55.5% [Grand Blanc, Fenton, Mundy, Atlas, Argentine]
My initial map:
1. Tossup 52.5% [Grand Blanc, Fenton, Mundy]
2. Lean R 56.9% [E Genesee, Brandon, Oxford]
GOP initial map:
1. Safe R 57% [Grand Blanc, Atlas, Fenton city, NW Oakland]
2. Tossup 52.9% [W Genesee, Fenton twp.]
GOP final map:
1. Lean D 49.6% [Grand Blanc, Mundy, Burton]
2. Safe R 57.8% [W Genesee, Fenton, NW Oakland]
My alternative map:
1. Safe R 59.7% [Grand Blanc, Atlas, Brandon, Oxford]
2. Tossup 53.7% [SW Genesee]
The only downside to my map is that Paul Scott and Bradford Jacobsen are put in the same district. But Scott is put in a lean D district in the final GOP map, and Jacobsen could move to an open safe district under my plan.
Here are the overall ratings.
Rating: SR/LR/TU/LD/SD
Old....... 35 / 18 / 12 / 4 / 41
New...... 45 / 14 / 8 / 5 / 38
ME:...... 44 / 18 / 10 / 3 / 35
Previous articles on Michigan redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State House Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Hooray for Wisconsin!
Governor Scott Walker signed a right to carry law. There are only nine states and DC left without right to carry, and only Illinois has no concealed carry at all.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Signs Historic Right-to-Carry Legislation Into Law
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Signs Historic Right-to-Carry Legislation Into Law
POLITICAL UPDATE--News from Abroad
This update focuses on news from abroad.
Phyllis Schlafly: Libya and the War Powers Act
Pat Buchanan: Who Is To Blame For Losing Our Unnecessary Wars In Afghanistan And Iraq?
Pat Buchanan: Return of the Anti-Interventionist Right
Ilana Mercer: Ilana Mercer’s Preface to Into the Cannibal’s Pot: Lessons For America From Post-Apartheid South Africa
Pat Buchanan: In The Arab World And Elsewhere, People Are Seeking A Separate Existence In Nations—That Are Of, By And For Themselves Alone.
A Antonov: Stalin, Israel, And The National Question
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Phyllis Schlafly: Libya and the War Powers Act
Pat Buchanan: Who Is To Blame For Losing Our Unnecessary Wars In Afghanistan And Iraq?
Pat Buchanan: Return of the Anti-Interventionist Right
Ilana Mercer: Ilana Mercer’s Preface to Into the Cannibal’s Pot: Lessons For America From Post-Apartheid South Africa
Pat Buchanan: In The Arab World And Elsewhere, People Are Seeking A Separate Existence In Nations—That Are Of, By And For Themselves Alone.
A Antonov: Stalin, Israel, And The National Question
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Sailer on MCRI
Steve Sailer discusses the outrageous 6th circuit ruling on the MCRI.
By the way, where are all the liberals who complained about overturning 'democracy' regarding the emergency financial manager bill?
Monday, July 04, 2011
Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
The state legislature has passed the Republican plan for redistricting Michigan congressional districts. The plan has been analyzed at several other sites, as congressional plans attract more attention than legislative ones.
Michigan Redistricting Maps
Redistricting: Hail To the Michigan GOP?
Here are brief district descriptions.
1. Benishek (R) Upper Peninsula, northern lower peninsula.
2. Huizinga (R) West Michigan coast, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming, Kentwood.
3. Amash (R) Kent excluding Grand Rapids suburbs, Ionia, Barry, Calhoun.
4. Camp (R) Central lower peninsula.
5. Kildee (D) Genesee, Saginaw area, west Tuscola, Bay, Arenac, Iosco.
6. Upton (R) Southwest Michigan.
7. Walberg (R) South-central Michigan.
8. Rogers (R) Livington, north Oakland, Ingham.
9. Levin (D) and Peters (D) south Macomb, Royal Oak, Bloomfield.
10. Miller (R) North Macomb, St. Clair, Huron, Sanilac, Lapeer, east Tuscola.
11. McCotter (R) Northwest Wayne, Southwest Oakland, Troy.
12. Dingell (D) Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Downriver, Dearborn.
13. Clarke (D) south, west Detroit, Redford, Westland, Romulus, Dearborn Heights.
14. Conyers (D) north Detroit, Grosse Pointes, Southfield, Oak Park, Farmington, Pontiac.
Republican Michigander has written more detailed district descriptions. He also compiled election results in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections and a recent congressional election broken down by jurisdiction.
Congressional District 1 - Redistricted (MI-01)
Congressional District 2 - Redistricted (MI-02)
Congressional District 3 - Redistricted (MI-03)
Congressional District 4 - Redistricted (MI-04)
Congressional District 5 - Redistricted (MI-05)
Congressional District 6 - Redistricted (MI-06)
Congressional District 7 - Redistricted (MI-07)
Congressional District 8 - Redistricted (MI-08)
Congressional District 9 - Redistricting (MI-09)
Congressional District 10 - Redistricted (MI-10)
Congressional District 11 - Redistricted (MI-11)
Congressional District 12 - Redistricted (MI-12)
Congressional District 13 - Redistricted (MI-13)
Congressional District 14 - Redistricted (MI-14)
Here are more vote totals from 2008 and the average of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general races from 2006. (via Ryan_in_SEPA at Red Racing Horses)
District (Color) McCain/Obama DRA Average (GOP/Democrat)
MI-1 (Navy Blue) 48.4/49.8 55/45
MI-2 (Dark Green) 50.3/48.1 63.4/36.6
MI-3 (Purple) 48.7/49.6 60.6/39.4
MI-4 (Red) 48.6/49.7 58/42
MI-5 (Yellow) 35.4/63 56.2/43.8
MI-6 (Teal) 45.2/53.1 56/44
MI-7 (Gray) 47.4/50.9 57.1/42.9
MI-8 (Brown) 46.6/52 59.7/40.3
MI-9 (Blue) 40.2/58 50/49.6
MI-10 (Pink) 50.1/48.1 60.1/39.9
MI-11 (Lime) 48.3/50.2 61.2/38.8
MI-12 (Light Blue) 31.4/66.9 42.3/57.7
MI-13 (Tan) 15.7/83.2 25.8/74.2
MI-14 (Olive) 18.5/80.8 70.6/29.4
Many observers have detailed the basic features of the map. Gary Peters' district is carved into four pieces. Most of the Republican districts get safer. Thad McCotter is the big winner, with his district getting about four points more Republican. All the other incumbents get about one point safer, except for Amash, who loses one point.
Nonetheless, there are some issues that have either gone unremarked or misunderstood.
Michigan Redistricting Maps
Redistricting: Hail To the Michigan GOP?
Here are brief district descriptions.
1. Benishek (R) Upper Peninsula, northern lower peninsula.
2. Huizinga (R) West Michigan coast, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming, Kentwood.
3. Amash (R) Kent excluding Grand Rapids suburbs, Ionia, Barry, Calhoun.
4. Camp (R) Central lower peninsula.
5. Kildee (D) Genesee, Saginaw area, west Tuscola, Bay, Arenac, Iosco.
6. Upton (R) Southwest Michigan.
7. Walberg (R) South-central Michigan.
8. Rogers (R) Livington, north Oakland, Ingham.
9. Levin (D) and Peters (D) south Macomb, Royal Oak, Bloomfield.
10. Miller (R) North Macomb, St. Clair, Huron, Sanilac, Lapeer, east Tuscola.
11. McCotter (R) Northwest Wayne, Southwest Oakland, Troy.
12. Dingell (D) Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Downriver, Dearborn.
13. Clarke (D) south, west Detroit, Redford, Westland, Romulus, Dearborn Heights.
14. Conyers (D) north Detroit, Grosse Pointes, Southfield, Oak Park, Farmington, Pontiac.
Republican Michigander has written more detailed district descriptions. He also compiled election results in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections and a recent congressional election broken down by jurisdiction.
Congressional District 1 - Redistricted (MI-01)
Congressional District 2 - Redistricted (MI-02)
Congressional District 3 - Redistricted (MI-03)
Congressional District 4 - Redistricted (MI-04)
Congressional District 5 - Redistricted (MI-05)
Congressional District 6 - Redistricted (MI-06)
Congressional District 7 - Redistricted (MI-07)
Congressional District 8 - Redistricted (MI-08)
Congressional District 9 - Redistricting (MI-09)
Congressional District 10 - Redistricted (MI-10)
Congressional District 11 - Redistricted (MI-11)
Congressional District 12 - Redistricted (MI-12)
Congressional District 13 - Redistricted (MI-13)
Congressional District 14 - Redistricted (MI-14)
Here are more vote totals from 2008 and the average of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general races from 2006. (via Ryan_in_SEPA at Red Racing Horses)
District (Color) McCain/Obama DRA Average (GOP/Democrat)
MI-1 (Navy Blue) 48.4/49.8 55/45
MI-2 (Dark Green) 50.3/48.1 63.4/36.6
MI-3 (Purple) 48.7/49.6 60.6/39.4
MI-4 (Red) 48.6/49.7 58/42
MI-5 (Yellow) 35.4/63 56.2/43.8
MI-6 (Teal) 45.2/53.1 56/44
MI-7 (Gray) 47.4/50.9 57.1/42.9
MI-8 (Brown) 46.6/52 59.7/40.3
MI-9 (Blue) 40.2/58 50/49.6
MI-10 (Pink) 50.1/48.1 60.1/39.9
MI-11 (Lime) 48.3/50.2 61.2/38.8
MI-12 (Light Blue) 31.4/66.9 42.3/57.7
MI-13 (Tan) 15.7/83.2 25.8/74.2
MI-14 (Olive) 18.5/80.8 70.6/29.4
Many observers have detailed the basic features of the map. Gary Peters' district is carved into four pieces. Most of the Republican districts get safer. Thad McCotter is the big winner, with his district getting about four points more Republican. All the other incumbents get about one point safer, except for Amash, who loses one point.
- Benishek adds the Grand Traverse area and loses areas north of Bay City
- Huizinga loses a couple northern counties and takes some Grand Rapids suburbs from Amash
- Amash takes Calhoun from Walberg
- Camp takes Clinton and south Schiawassee back from Rogers (he had them in the 90s)
- Upton adds north Allegan, a heavily Republican area
- Walberg loses Calhoun (including Mark Schauer's base) and takes Monroe from Dingell
- Rogers takes some of north Oakland from Peters
- Miller takes the majority of Tuscola from Kildee and loses a chunk of Sterling Heights
- McCotter loses Redford, Westland, and Van Buren and adds Waterford and Troy
The districts are all safe for their current incumbents.
Nonetheless, there are some issues that have either gone unremarked or misunderstood.
3. Some commenters have speculated that the legislature was trying to weaken Amash. I would have preferred that Huizinga take part of Grand Rapids rather than the suburbs. Nonetheless, this district is not vulnerable in the general election and is the second or third most Republican in Michigan.
Some have also speculated that they may have wanted to weaken Amash for a primary challenge by former secretary of state Terri Land. I would be very skeptical of this, as Amash has not voiced any complaints about the map. Of the area Amash lost, he did well in Wyoming, Walker, and Grandville in the primary. Kentwood was dominated by Bill Hardimann, who was mayor there before he was a state senator.
Calhoun County may have something of a reputation for moderation, but this is exaggerated. Much of this has to do with longtime state senator Joe Schwarz. But it has also voted for state reps Jerry VanderRoest and Jase Bolger, who are hardly moderates.
Nonetheless, Amash won almost all areas of the district over two credible primary opponents. The only way he would have a chance of losing a primary is if Right to Life didn't endorse him. Some folks were miffed when he voted present on defunding Planned Parenthood. (He supports defunding them but didn't like singling out an organization.) As long as Amash has the support of the Devos family, I can't see Right to Life abandoning him.
6. People keep saying that the sixth district would be vulnerable as an open seat. I don't agree. Their opinion seems to follow from Presidential election results. People don't realize that John McCain publicly pulled his campaign out of Michigan, which netted him the votes of some upset independents and joiners who wanted to be on the winning side.
While the sixth has occasionally gone democrat at the top of the ticket, this doesn't hold in downballot races. The district has all Republican state senators. Moreover this has been true for many decades, with term limits ensuring frequent turnovers. Only the Kalamazoo seat has been close, and it has still leaned Republican.
There is one solidly democrat state representative in Kalamazoo and seven Republicans. Again, it has stayed this way for many decades. Only two of the Republican districts have even had close races in 2008. Only one county commission has had a democrat majority (Kalamazoo, 2006-2010).
9. Commentators have discussed the options for Gary Peters. The consensus (which is correct) is that he would have no chance against Sander Levin. Actually, he might not have an easy time even if Levin retired. The new district 9 is based in south Macomb, which likes a particular type of democrat. Macomb democrats are white, blue collar, pro-union, pro-gun, and often pro-life. Peters doesn't fit the bill.
The other widely discussed option is running in McCotter's district. But this district has basically no democrat areas left. Peters would lose here.
Oddly the option that seems clearly the best shot for Peters does not seem to have been mentioned anywhere. He could run against John Conyers in the new 14th district. He would certainly take some flack for running in a black-majority district, but that hardly makes it unwinnable. Due to clever line-drawing, Conyers has only about 20% of his old constituents. Part of that black majority is Pontiac, which is currently in Peters' district. Southfield is full of middle-class blacks who fled Detroit, and probably wouldn't be thrilled with Conyers.
Conyers is 82 and hasn't had a remotely competitive race (primary or general) in decades. His wife Monica is in state prison for corruption when she was on the Detroit city council. I suspect that he may be vulnerable to a strong primary challenge.
11. Thad McCotter is currently running for president, and nobody seems quite sure why. The best guess I've heard is that he is hoping to get a talk show. People seem to think that McCotter will not run for reelection, though I don't know that this is certain.
If he doesn't the seat will be open. Some commenters assume that term-limited state rep. Marty Knollenberg is a shoo-in for the nomination. True, he is the son of Congressman Joe Knollenberg, who was defeated by Peters in 2008. But Knollenberg has had Republican detractors on both the left and the right. He was primaried by liberal Republican former state rep. Pat Godchaux in 2006. She got about 30%.
I would expect a tough fight for the nomination for this seat. A top candidate for conservatives and the Tea Party if he chose to run would be Senator Pat Colbeck of Canton.
Overall, I consider this map to be practically a work of genius. It is a very solid incumbent protection plan.
Previous articles on Michigan redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Previous articles on Michigan redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible Congressional Maps
Michigan Redistricting: Two Possible State Senate Maps
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part I: Wayne County
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part II: Oakland and Genesee
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part III: Macomb and the Thumb
Michigan Redistricting: State House Part IV: The Rest of the State
Michigan Redistricting: Analysis of Democrats State Senate Plan
Michigan Redistricting: Official Republican State Senate Map Released
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State Senate Map Passed
Michigan Redistricting: Republican State House Map Passed
Michigan House to Vote on E-Verify
From Fox News Latino (!!)
Dave Agema's bill to mandate E-Verify in Michigan may be coming to a vote soon in the state house. E-Verify is a federal program for employers to easily verify whether their employees are in the country legally.
Rick Snyder has been an open borders type, so it isn't clear whether he would sign this. The Farm Bureau opposes having to hire people who are in this country legally.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
POLITICAL UPDATE--Spending
This update focuses on spending.
Gary North: Geithner's Victims of Last Resort
Gary North: Austerity Is Good
Thomas Sowell: The Missing Money
Gary North: The Federal Debt Elevator: Going Up
Gary North: When TBTF Meets TBTK
Gary North: The Safe Banking Fantasy
Mark Steyn: Discredited
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Geithner's Victims of Last Resort
Gary North: Austerity Is Good
Thomas Sowell: The Missing Money
Gary North: The Federal Debt Elevator: Going Up
Gary North: When TBTF Meets TBTK
Gary North: The Safe Banking Fantasy
Mark Steyn: Discredited
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War
This update focuses on the culture war.
Gary North: Never Say Retire
Pat Buchanan: Gay Marriage And The Death of Moral Community
Thomas Sowell: Is Democracy Viable?
Steve Sailer: Immigration/Invasion/Demographic News Funnier If You Get The Joke—Which Is ALWAYS On America
Steve Sailer: The New York Times's Jonathan Mahler On Arizona: Immigration Policy As Fantasy Baseball For Liberals
Phyllis Schlafly: The Cost to Taxpayers of Missing Fathers
Steve Sailer: Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki And U.S. Basketball’s De Facto Discrimination Against Whites
Steve Sailer: Republican Sports Fans And The Affirmative Action They Cheer For
Gary North: Time To Get Rich
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Gary North: Never Say Retire
Pat Buchanan: Gay Marriage And The Death of Moral Community
Thomas Sowell: Is Democracy Viable?
Steve Sailer: Immigration/Invasion/Demographic News Funnier If You Get The Joke—Which Is ALWAYS On America
Steve Sailer: The New York Times's Jonathan Mahler On Arizona: Immigration Policy As Fantasy Baseball For Liberals
Phyllis Schlafly: The Cost to Taxpayers of Missing Fathers
Steve Sailer: Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki And U.S. Basketball’s De Facto Discrimination Against Whites
Steve Sailer: Republican Sports Fans And The Affirmative Action They Cheer For
Gary North: Time To Get Rich
POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Michigan Redistricting: Legislative Maps Passed
The Michigan legislature has passed the Republican legislative redistricting plans on mostly party-line votes. I have previously analyzed the Republican proposals, but the plans have been amended since then. I posted updated analyses on the political group blog Red Racing Horses, which is the conservative counterpart to the old Swing State Project.
The only changes to the senate plan were in Wayne County, where the Republicans agreed to the democrats' plan. This has no partisan impact, but it made the districts a little more compact and friendly for their incumbents. Two Detroit senators voted for the final map.
I have to report that I made one mistake in my senate analysis. The district containing Saginaw County (32) dropped Gratiot and added Western Genesee. I had assumed that this made the district worse, but running the numbers showed that it actually got a bit better. This district is still a tossup.
The house plan changed in S Wayne, fixing one of the problems I mentioned. The break on Canton was changed. Most significantly, the map was redrawn in Genesee. I don't much like the new Genesee map, and I think the first one was better.
In addition to the problems I mentioned before, I noticed that it is possible to draw tossup/lean R districts based in the Grosse Pointes, W Dearborn, and Canton. I don't know what the GOP was thinking in its Wayne County map.
Well, it's all over now, assuming Rick Snyder signs the maps.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Ann Coulter in Kalamazoo
Ann Coulter recently spoke in Kalamazoo.
Ann Coulter dishes up dirt on liberals during visit to Kalamazoo
Ann Coulter dishes up dirt on liberals during visit to Kalamazoo
-----------------------------
KALAMAZOO - Author and political commentator Ann Coulter didn't take long to set the tone for her 50-minute discussion Saturday at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites.
"It's so good to be back in Michigan, which I've discovered is Native American for 'No more Granholm,'" said Coulter, who was in Kalamazoo to promote her new book, "Demonic: How the Liberal Mob Is Endangering America."
About 50 people paid $50 each to attend a breakfast with Coulter, and about 300 attended book-signing that did not charge admission.
From the onset at the book-signing, Coulter made punchlines out of President Barack Obama, Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, Kwame Kilpatrick, Osama bin Laden and others.
Her candid observations were delivered similar to the routine of a standup comedian and yielded the same results from a partisan and appreciative audience.
Coulter, 49, condemned America's involvement in Libya and Afghanistan. Of the latter, she said it's a terrible country with no natural resources, no oil and 70 percent of its people are illiterate.
"There are more goats in Afghanistan than there are flush toilets," she said. "If Obama is so interested in getting rid of dictators, why doesn't he start with (U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security) Janet Napolitano?"
Coulter, a University of Michigan law school alumna, kept the mood light and the audience laughing by dishing out more observations and opinions.
She said contrary to what Obama has said, the killing Osama bin Laden is not the end of terrorism.
"No more than killing Kenny Rogers would be the end of country music," she said. "(Al-Qaida) has vowed revenge and they're really ticked off at us. What were they before, just moody?"
Regarding the care that terrorist prisoners receive at Guantanamo Bay, Coulter said health coverage, exercise, eight hours of sleep and three meals daily shows the prisoners are living better than many free Americans do. Coulter said she's been treated worse at Holiday Inn Express.
Looking ahead to presidential elections next year and in the future, Coulter said the Republicans boast "a strong farm team," led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Coulter made no secret her support for Christie as a Republican candidate for president next year.
His only flaw, she said, is that "he's too normal to run for president." Coulter also acknowledged Mitt Romney as a viable candidate.
Coulter's Kalamazoo appearance - the fourth of five stops in Michigan this week - was sponsored by Americans For Prosperity. Its deputy state director, Annie Patnaude, said Coulter's views are consistent with ideals supported by the Lansing-based group, including a smaller and financially responsible government.
Battle Creek resident J.D. Davis, 67, said he was impressed with Coulter's presentation and appreciated her humorous spin.
"I appreciate her strong conservative principles and straight talk," he said. "I've always wondered why Congress doesn't stand up to the president ... I have respect for the president's position but the laws that govern the people should be the same laws that govern the president as well."
Davis said he is frustrated that high-profile elected positions, including president, are filled by people who have made a career out of being self-serving politicians.
"That's why I'd vote for a guy like (chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City) Herman Cain. He's just a regular guy, a smart businessman who would make a good president because he's not a politician," Davis said.
Kim Robbins, 43, also from Battle Creek, said she is tired of politicians who say one thing when they run for office and do another once they're elected. Robbins said she shared many of the same views on the world and politics as those expressed by Coulter.
"A lot of decisions made right now will have an impact on my kids 10, 20, 30 years form now, and I don't think a lot of (politicians) look that far forward," Robbins said.
"I try to have open-minded discussions with my oldest kids about Democrats and Republicans, why they make the decisions they do and what they stand for ... it's important because my kids will be the next generation impacted by what happens under Obama and the next president."
KALAMAZOO - Author and political commentator Ann Coulter didn't take long to set the tone for her 50-minute discussion Saturday at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites.
"It's so good to be back in Michigan, which I've discovered is Native American for 'No more Granholm,'" said Coulter, who was in Kalamazoo to promote her new book, "Demonic: How the Liberal Mob Is Endangering America."
About 50 people paid $50 each to attend a breakfast with Coulter, and about 300 attended book-signing that did not charge admission.
From the onset at the book-signing, Coulter made punchlines out of President Barack Obama, Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, Kwame Kilpatrick, Osama bin Laden and others.
Her candid observations were delivered similar to the routine of a standup comedian and yielded the same results from a partisan and appreciative audience.
Coulter, 49, condemned America's involvement in Libya and Afghanistan. Of the latter, she said it's a terrible country with no natural resources, no oil and 70 percent of its people are illiterate.
"There are more goats in Afghanistan than there are flush toilets," she said. "If Obama is so interested in getting rid of dictators, why doesn't he start with (U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security) Janet Napolitano?"
Coulter, a University of Michigan law school alumna, kept the mood light and the audience laughing by dishing out more observations and opinions.
She said contrary to what Obama has said, the killing Osama bin Laden is not the end of terrorism.
"No more than killing Kenny Rogers would be the end of country music," she said. "(Al-Qaida) has vowed revenge and they're really ticked off at us. What were they before, just moody?"
Regarding the care that terrorist prisoners receive at Guantanamo Bay, Coulter said health coverage, exercise, eight hours of sleep and three meals daily shows the prisoners are living better than many free Americans do. Coulter said she's been treated worse at Holiday Inn Express.
Looking ahead to presidential elections next year and in the future, Coulter said the Republicans boast "a strong farm team," led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Coulter made no secret her support for Christie as a Republican candidate for president next year.
His only flaw, she said, is that "he's too normal to run for president." Coulter also acknowledged Mitt Romney as a viable candidate.
Coulter's Kalamazoo appearance - the fourth of five stops in Michigan this week - was sponsored by Americans For Prosperity. Its deputy state director, Annie Patnaude, said Coulter's views are consistent with ideals supported by the Lansing-based group, including a smaller and financially responsible government.
Battle Creek resident J.D. Davis, 67, said he was impressed with Coulter's presentation and appreciated her humorous spin.
"I appreciate her strong conservative principles and straight talk," he said. "I've always wondered why Congress doesn't stand up to the president ... I have respect for the president's position but the laws that govern the people should be the same laws that govern the president as well."
Davis said he is frustrated that high-profile elected positions, including president, are filled by people who have made a career out of being self-serving politicians.
"That's why I'd vote for a guy like (chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City) Herman Cain. He's just a regular guy, a smart businessman who would make a good president because he's not a politician," Davis said.
Kim Robbins, 43, also from Battle Creek, said she is tired of politicians who say one thing when they run for office and do another once they're elected. Robbins said she shared many of the same views on the world and politics as those expressed by Coulter.
"A lot of decisions made right now will have an impact on my kids 10, 20, 30 years form now, and I don't think a lot of (politicians) look that far forward," Robbins said.
"I try to have open-minded discussions with my oldest kids about Democrats and Republicans, why they make the decisions they do and what they stand for ... it's important because my kids will be the next generation impacted by what happens under Obama and the next president."
Questioning Ann Coulter
I missed this one at the time of Ann Coulter's appearance at Western more than five years ago. (See the February 2006 archive for our coverage at the time.) Julie Mack provides some of the usual liberal sniveling.
From the archives: Julie Mack's take on Ann Coulter's 2006 appearance at Western Michigan University
From the archives: Julie Mack's take on Ann Coulter's 2006 appearance at Western Michigan University
Regarding Coulter's alledgedly disrespectful treatment of questioners, none of their questions were worth a serious response. See this comment by Chris.
I was there that night working the event. Not every question was "heartfelt," including one question I had to yank the mic away from. And the 20 uniformed police officers operating metal detectors outside the room were required because some not-so-nice students didn't like Pat Buchanan nimbly picking their arguments apart the year before. But you are right, she is pretty tough, that is her shtick. I think it's popular because liberals in general are so disdainful of conservatives (especially on a college campus) that it's refreshing when some conservatives see another refuse to be browbeaten into apologizing for their very existence. On an individual level, she's pretty nice. She even said I had a nice tie...I concur that Coulter is one of the nicest people that I have ever met.
Outrageous!
A 6th district federal appeals court panel has struck down the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which bans racial discrimination.
Thankfully, Attorney General Schuette will fight this ruling.
There are a couple facts the media conveniently declines to mention. The two judges in the majority, R. Guy Cole Jr. and Martha Craig Daughtrey, are both Clinton appointees. (The third judge is a Reagan/Bush 43 appointee.
Second, the group that filed this lawsuit, By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) is a front group for the communist Revolutionary Workers League. See the post below for documentation.
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