Bing Backing down or "sticking to his guns?"

DETROIT—It’s Friday, the last day of the work week for many and if Dave Bing is “sticking to his guns” like the Detroit Free Press reported yesterday, then it will be the last day of work for 3,500 city union employees.
But union leaders aren’t giving in under pressure and Bing, who promised the layoff would come today, has not made any moves or announcements. Mlive’s Jonathan Oosting has deduced, based on media reports, that Bing “Won’t be tearing up those union contracts after all”
Bing set the deadline last month to push negotiations with city unions, namely AFSCME, to agree to 26 furlough days or the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut as well as cuts to benefits, bonuses and health care.
The move is something top AFCSME negotiator Cathy Phillips calls a “bully tactic” to get unions to fold in negotiations.
But so far there are no immediate plans for layoffs, according to Bing’s Press Secretary Ed Cardenas in an interview with the Detroit News.

Detroit election night parties

It's election day in Detroit and that means tonight the city will be speckled with campaign parties as the election returns come in. What to know where your favorite candidate is partying? Here's a list of some of them. If you know of any more let me know!

Saunteel Jenkins:
Opus One 565 Larned Detroit, MI

TOM BARROW: 1915 W. Fort Street Cork industrial?

Jai-Lee Dearing/Rose Mary Robinson:
It's located at 2727 Russell 8:30 p "Bar-B-Q!"

James Tate
Doubletree Hotel terrace ballroom 9:00p

Kwame Kenyatta
“They say” restaurant 267 Jos Campau @ Franklin. 8:30

Andre Spivey: Hotel St. Regis @ Grand Blvd and Woodward. 9: 00p

Brenda Jones: The St. Regis Hotel in Main ballroom. 9:30 -10 pm

Shelly I. Foy:
Firewater grill 6521 John R St. 6 p.m. –midnight. She'll be there by 9.

Charles Pugh: Seldom Blues 8 p. He'll get there at 9 "Seldom blues play here"

David Cross: Kappa Alpha Psi House @ 269 Erskine St, Detroit, MI 48201 between John R and Brush “It’s gonna be a City of Detroit Party"

Raphael B. Johnson: Floods 10:p.m. 733 St Antoine St Detroit "Dress to impress"

DAVE BING: 8:00 p.m.
Doubletree Guest Suites
Fort Shelby/Downtown 
525 W. Lafayette 
Detroit, MI 48226

Gary Brown: Bookies Bar @ 2208 Cass at 8:00p.m.

More of the SAME hair advice:

To all my ladies with seriously curly hair!


Shampoos:
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl Bain" in orange bottle $35 at salons OR $23 at www.beautybythecase.com

#2. CHI "INRFA SHAMPOO" Grey bottle w. red cap. " Moisture Therapy Shampoo"(I found it for $13 at CVS) It works almost as good as Kerastase!

#3. Marc Anthony "Strictly Curls" shampoo $7 at any place that sells shampoo it's REALLY good the first week or some then it drops off. I'd suggest alternating it w. CHI or Kerastase twice a month or so. It'sa good backup.

#4. Pantene "ICE SHINE" Shampoo. $5 at most places. Again, like Marc Anthony only good if used once in a while or it dries out your hair. NEVER use Pantene "Hydrating Curl" it is a lie! They should call it Pantene "Crispy Frizz"

SO I think that's a good start on the shampoo. Let's talk conditioner!

#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl" conidtioner. Again, orange bottle about $25/bottle. I couldn't find it on beauty by the case website but it's at most salons. I don't sweat it too much tho bc there are cheaper ones that work.

#2. (Actually for the price this should be #1. ) PANTENE PRO V RESTORATIVES "FRIZZ CONTROL"conditioner. $6.50 at most places where Pantene is sold. It has a purple band around it and it comes in a tube shaped bottle like a large tube of toothpaste. AWESOME stuff! Never gets old! I suggest using it immediately after shampooing AND on days when you don't wash your hair. Put a good dollop of the stuff though hair and leave it in for about 5 mins while you shower before rinsing it all out.

#3. So I don't usually do the leave-in thing with conditioners but if you do, find a good black beauty supply shop and look for "Africa's Best" products. OMG they never let you down. This is a rule.

So IF in NYC you CAN find "Africans Best" there is a deep conditioning treatment they have for $3 and it gets you a tub of this stuff that even Kerastase can't touch. It's called "ORGANICS SHEA BUTTER PLUS" by "AFRICA'S BEST". It comes in a tub with a green top and a purple and green label.

If you can find that one let me know. This e-mail is getting long and I have a process I like to use with it.

There are lots of good conditioners out there. Don't use any with "Petrolatum" in the ingredients.

#4. Any of the Pantene PRO-V Restorative conditioners seem to do a good job.


OK. Now here's a step I skip unless I'm stepping OUT!!! IT's styling products.

This is quick bc. I only use three. And none of these are much better than the other

a. Redken "Ringlet 07" formula. $12 at most salons and dept. stores. Run that through combed, towel dried hair and watch the magic as it dries!

b. Garnier Fructis "Curl Scrunch" gel. $8 at pharmacy. Same application. Redken might be a tiiiny bit better but this one's cheaper!

c. This one works WITH Curls AND when/if you ever want to straighten our hair. It's called "OLEO RELAX" leave-in serum by Kerastase. $25/bottle @ salons AND beautybythecase.com. Smooth a very small dab it over hair after you apply the curl gel or if it's straight hair smooth down frizzes with it or use it to aid you flat iron.


OK that's all for now! Let me know how it goes!

I AM curious, what products do you use now?

Bing V. Barrow

Bing or Barrow? Here's an outline of who's who and such.


On unions:

Using phrases like “Barrow is our only hope”, calling Mayor Dave Bing “a liar” and wearing a Tom Barrow pin on her chest, one could easily mistake Cathy Philips, the Chief negotiator of Michigan AFSCME Council 25, for the Barrow’s campaign manager.

The reason: Phillips is not happy with Bing’s proposed cuts to the union city worker’s pay and benefits and it’s one week before the municipal election. It’s not necessarily Barrows running platform that is the draw: Barrow has said he would make the same cuts if he got into office and saw that that there were no other options. But still, they’re going to take the chance that he’ll be easier on unions than Bing, who Barrow is calling “The republican mayor”.

But Bing’s actions have made it clear that he is not concerned about losing to his opponent, the third time mayoral candidate who challenged Coleman Young twice in the 80s. Not only has Bing refused to debate Barrow but he is not walking softly around re-negotiating union contracts. Specifically AFSME contracts, the biggest public labor in the city. It’s true, Barrow is a tan underdog who has some history of legal trouble in the past, and that Bing got about nearly 80 percent of the vote in the August primary. It’s also true that Barrow still thinks he has a chance. And if he does have a foot in the door, his only hope right now is in unions votes because he's not exactly financially level with the Bing campaign nor does he have a household name.

On Regionalism:

One of the major dividing lines in Detroit politics comes with how to handle regionalism at a time when the city is out of cash. On one side, some feel that the region—meaning leadership in the tri-county (Macomb, Oakland, Wayne) area—is taking advantage of the city while it is in a vulnerable financial state by buying out assets. The creation of regional authorities is a scorching issue in Detroit with one camp saying "Take back out city" and the other saying "we need to cooperate and save, take whatever you want1".

Two prime examples that have gathered around this regional issue are the Cobo Hall deal and the Macomb County Water interceptor.And a fierce battle that is looming on the region v. Detroit horizon is the issue of regional transit. DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) has a bus service and the suburban bus service SMART. Now it seems that SMART has more funding than DDOT. Just months ago SMART got 50 new buses while Detroit is cutting bus service. So it looks like DDOT would have to give up some power if the transit is lumped into regional authority. I can hear radio personality Mildred Gaddis throwing a fit about it already: "The hijacking of DDOT".

Here are some quotes from Barrow's hour long MiVote interview with Stephen Henderson of the Freep and Nolan Finley of the Detroit News.

BARROW: "Mr. Bing is clearly carrying the water of those who would privatize and regionalize take away diminish and dismantle the city of Detroit. There’s no doubt about it. He’s running plays that are being called form the sidelines."

NOLAN FINLEY: "What interest would those folks you’re talking about stand to have Detroit dismanlted and dismembered?

BARROW: "They stand to benefit financially: You privatize power and light, DTE gets a big book of business. If you privatizative tax collections some private corporation gets a big book of business. When you start taking away middle class jobs under the guise of “we’re gonna make things run more efficiently “ The very ones who are advocating it are the ones who stand to benefit. It’s disturbing to me and disturbing is a big word."

Nolan Finley: How does Tom Barrow pay for ... [City services]?

BARROW: I read financial statements. I understand them. That’s my background, that’s my training. Our records are screwed up. We’re managing it backwards. We’re managing it on projected cash flow up and down. One moment they tell us we had to cut the busses. Then they say 'we found $400,000.' they say we're gonna run out of Cash by Oct. 1 if we don't make these draconian cuts. When the unions bucked they say “we have til March. When you see that waning and waning, when you see that inconsistency, wall street loses confidence. I would have a forensic investigation into payroll, parking, pension, real estate transactions. Hundreds of positions aren’t budgeted for."

BARROW: The Mayor is way over his head. The plays are being called by Beckham and White. Why don’t you produce to me the interim financial statement? Show it to the public so we can talk to facts empirically. Stakeholders want to see something. They don’t trust this republican mayor. They have not being showing the unions. They never get back. We’re sitting here reacting to some numbers that none of us have ever seen. Why wouldn’t we have it on the website? Why wouldn’t we have it on TV? I want to put it online! Then, when I say I wanna cut this, I wanna cut that. They’ll say 'I see why'. The very first day in office ... We’re gonna get rid of this federal monitor. I’m a different guy. I’m in charge. Mr. Bing is not accountable he only wants one term. How are we gonna finance the deficit? There’s something else going on that they’re not showing us.

NOLAN: "What is different about Tom Barrow Plan than Mayor Bing?"
I’m gonna hire 300 new police officers. It’s not just labor.

Stephenson: "Police Chief: Warren Evans Is that your guy?"

BARROW: “Not at all. I don’t want political people. The only politician [in my cabinet is going to be me.”

BARROW on Bing: "He’s an outsider carrying the water of others> meaning L. Brooks Patterson… didn’t have to say a thing Bing did the work for him. I’m for regionalism, regional transit. Let’s just make sure that we have a fair way. I want fairness for Detroiters. That’s what we haven’t had.


SHOULD MAYOR TAKE CONTROL OF SCHOOLS?

BARROW: I don’t believe in the state saying ;Mayor, here, you take the schools.' If the people vote for me to lead then yes. I don’t like disenfranchising the board. The elected officials are accountable.



BARROW ON BING: "Here’s a man who’s never lived in his Detroit his entire life. He can’t relate to what we deal with everyday. I’ve lived in Detroit my entire life. I’ve never left and come back. There’s no such thing as a virtual Detroiter. He’s not one of us."

Detroit Mayoral challenger Barrow: "Bing is a republican"

Watch the hour long interview with challenging mayoral candidate Tom Barrow. He blasts Bing in the interview calling him a puppet who is making decision based on plays called "from the sidelines."

CHECK IT OUT:

Beautiful, I just want you to know...

It’s a fall day in Detroit. Standing at the corner of an empty lot on the city’s east side one can see a streak of iridescent color flitting between the browning knee-high stalks of wild grass— a pheasant, made uneasy by approaching footsteps, dodges into a nearby shrub and disappears. In the distance the Detroit skyline peeks over the horizon marked by the unmistakable Renaissance Center.

There is a certain quiet, a stillness that blankets the city’s east side communities. The rhythmic creak of crickets, sparatic bird calls and the occasional car with a loud muffler and bass system are the only sounds that can be heard at the moment. To the left is a patch of collard greens, overripe tomatoes and a few zucchini squash that have gone to seed. To the right there is a stack of hay, waiting to be moved to the pigpen for the winter.

This is one portion Detroit, and it’s a beautiful place to be.

Detroit Nov. 2009 Ballot Proposals

Proposal O: Operating Millage Renewal
To renew the millage authorized in 2000, shall Wayne County be authorized to continue to levy this millage at the estimated 2008 rollback rate of 0.9529 (about 95 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for ten more years (2010 through 2019), and proceeds used to continue existing County services, including programs for arrest, detention and prosecution of criminals, juvenile court and related services, public health, recreation, County parks, job training, senior citizen services, and programs for meeting medical needs of the poor, the disabled, and the aged? This renewal is projected to generate $43,495,573 in 2010.

Yes ___

No ___





PROPOSAL D: Council By Distrcts
Shall the Detroit City Charter be amended to provide for a total of nine members of City Council with one (1) council member, with district residency, elected from each of seven (7) districts and two (2) members
elected at large?

Yes ___

No ___




PROPOSAL S: Detroit Public School District Bond Proposal
Shall the School District of the City of Detroit, County of Wayne, Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Five Hundred Million Five Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($500,540,000) and issue its unlimited tax general obligation bonds for the purpose of defraying the cost of:

Constructing new replacement buildings and/or additions to existing buildings;

Remodeling existing buildings, including energy conservation, safety and security improvements;

Acquiring, improving and developing sites, including playgrounds, playfields and outdoor athletic facilities in the School District;

Furnishing, refurnishing, equipping and reequipping School District buildings; and

Acquiring and installing instructional technology equipment in and connecting School District buildings?

The estimated millage to be levied in 2010 to service this issue of bonds is 3.82 mills ($3.82 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds of this issue is 2.56 mills ($2.56 per $1,000 of taxable value). The debt millage levy required to retire all bonds of the School District currently outstanding and proposed by this ballot proposal is currently estimated to remain at or below 13.0 mills. The bonds may be issued in multiple series, payable in the case of each series in not to exceed thirty (30) years from the date of issue of each series. If the School District borrows from the State to pay debt service on the bonds of this issue, the School District may be required to continue to levy mills beyond the term of the bonds to repay the State.

(Under State law, bond proceeds may not be used to pay teacher or administrator salaries, routine maintenance or repair costs or other School District operating expenses.)

Yes ___

No ___


For more information about the Detroit November ballot visit www.Publius.org

Serena Williams posing nude for ESPN

Serena is getting a lot of BS for posing nude. But what's the big deal? She looks good. If she's comfortable with it, why not?

Dave Bing

A savior of Detroit? I'd say its too early to tell. You decide.

Turkey Burger Recipe

Great recipe for TURKEY BURGERS CLICK HERE

Apple spice bread recipe

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/reviews/6993/Apple-Bread-II

On the ground in Detroit

Today the newest issue of Time magazine with Detroit on the cover was sold out in all the area Borders books and Barns and Noble stores. Apparently it's a good report, I'm not sure though. I want to read it and critically review its content. I really would like to see what they, ["they" meaning skilled, experienced, educated and assumedly intelligent journalists] put together on this city. But all in all is Detroit really as bad as it would seem to the outside eye? Once one adjusts to life in the 'hood things can be quite relaxing, and a sense of contentment and simple enjoyment sets in. The Sunday afternoon barbeque, the smell of smoke, the music from the neighbor's radio, the bump of the cars bass, the call of the pheasant, bees buzzing in the trees. I mean, this is my east-side reality were things are a bit more country. But Detroit's Deroit. Sometimes I find it liberating where people are just ... in the moment whatever that moment is. Whether you're serving at the spot or struggling to pay for classes at Wayne state or both, it's a unique experience and everyone's perception of the same reality shifts by person. Let's all share our perspectives. I do want to read the time report before I make any assumptions.

But because with all these reports coming in from national media; from stranger reporters who have descended upon this "industrial wasteland" it's starting to become a caricature of itself. Meaning the formula for this kinds of thing can be nailed and celebrated with a simple drinking game.

I'm not sure what's going on. I've only lived in the city proper for two years. I definitely think that the city may look different to a foreign eye. And I think that vantage point needs to be developed. But seriously, I feel that the mainstream information flow, for the most part, is so conventionally wacked. Here we have the majority of reports and analysis of the political and socio-economic situations coming from people who have not been assimilated into the unique culture of Detroit. A lot of these problems are based in a cultural, racial, class based subtext. They're problems that are not new but are magnified by economic recessions. But the magnification turns it into a spectacle, a grand exhibit. Then there's the added consideration that white people inherently have an incredible need conquer. If they talk about the old train station and urban farming and urban blight and such then it's ... pretty predictable.

Hair advice:

I've always worn my hair natural. As a mixed person (black and white) my hair doesn't respond well to all "black" hair products nor does it respond well to "white" hair products. For years I struggled with hair products from shampoos to conditioners and serums. They either oiled the hell out of my hair so it was just lumpy and heavy or dried it out until it was crispy and frizzy.

Here are some products that work for me and that I would recommend to people with hair like mine:
KERASTASE Lo'real Paris!!!! OMg these are very expensive but they are worth every penny. Instead of getting your hair done buy a bottle of the curl bain shampoo for $32. It's worth it. Also the conditioners in "Oleo Curl" collection work like magic. If you straighten your hair use the Oleo relax serum and it's like WOW.

On the cheaper end, the Pantene deep or "fortifying" condition treatments for "anti frizz" works well and the Chi shampoo's that used to be high end and are now at CVS and Aveeno "moisture" shampoo and conditoner are excellent for those times when a $30+ bottle of hair stuff just isn't gonna happen. As far as styling serums go, RedKen "7" curl serum really defines curls. So does Garnier Fructis curl scrunch gel.

For discounted high-end hair care products like Kerastase go to Beautybythecase.com. Awesome discounts.

TIP: If you've been using the same shampoo for months, try switching it up. It's good to rotate between shampoos you know work. For some reason my hair likes it anyway. So if I've been using the Chi moisturizing shampoo for a white I might switch to
Aveeno or Pantene "moisturizing" shampoos every couple months. If I could afford to I'd use Kerastase "Curl Bain" every time tho.

On Commitment

“ ‘DO YOU KNOW why I am so glad,’ she said, ‘so glad to look at you? — why I like you so much today?’
‘Well?’ I asked, and my heart began throbbing.
‘I like you because you have not fallen in love with me.’ ” ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Political Detroit

chili recipe

http://greenlitebites.com/2009/01/14/easy-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili/

Packard Plant: let it burn?

Detroit's Packard Industrial Park's 3.5 million square feet is an eerie landmark in the city. Once a symbol of economic prosperity, today the sprawling, decayed frame covers 35 acres with shattered glass, dripping rust, and heaps of municipal waste such as shoes, dolls and boats. In the spring and summer parts become enshrouded in leafy overgrowth.

In many ways, The Packard factory is a symbol of The Motor City's decline from a prosperous manufacturing capital to a city in crisis.

A fire blazed through the top floors of the structure Sunday night June 28th at 7:30 p.m. Firefighters faught the blaze from the outside for hours. The fire is suspected to be arson.

Bing's campaign statement on trash incinerator

When running for Mayor Dave Bing has this to say about recycling and about his position on Detroit's method of municipal waste disposal:

Q: Do you think Detroit should continue to send garbage to its waste-to-energy incinerator?

A: In fiscal year 2007-2008, Detroit residents paid $172/ton for trash disposal – about 5 to 7 times as much as nearby suburbs, and about 14 times what private haulers paid to have their trash burned at the incinerator ($172/ton versus $12/ton).

In 2008, the city council voted to end sending our trash to its waste to energy incinerator. I support this action. Detroit can sell materials that are currently going into the incinerator on the global market. The city can not sell what now it burns. That is more money that could be earmarked for our deficit. I have been informed that of the nation's 30 largest cities, Detroit is the only major city without some type of curbside recycling program. While confronting our mounting deficit, I can not promise a city wide curbside recycling program, I would support working with the private and non-profit sectors on pilot programs.

Common goals

"I am the employer of Al Sharpton.
I am the paycheck for Jesse Jackson.

Sittin' here smokin' weed,
sellin' drugs,
countin' money with a bucket of chicken and a ...

... , listinin' to Gucci Mane.

Matrin Luther King Jr. is rolling in his grave sayin' 'This Nigga!'

(Don't quote me on that. The NAACP will throw a temper tantrum.)


I have that nightmare of bad credit.

I have that dream of a big house.

Can't stop now,

I am Barack Obama's 'yes we can.'"

DPS security hiring

Want to work as a Detroit Public Schools police officer? They make more than $17 an hour with full health benefits. Check out requirements here: CLICK HERE

Diane Bukowski sentenced

Diane Bukowski, a reporter for the African-American owned Michigan Citizen newspaper, was sentenced to one year of probation, 200 hours of community service and more than $4,200 in fines this morning after being convicted of two felony counts of police obstruction last month.

Bukowski was arrested at the scene of a fatal high-speed police chase crash in northeast Detroit last November. Her conviction has been seen as a political attack from the Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office for her long history of covering police brutality incidents in Detroit and her criticism of the Wayne County prosecutor for not responding to these incidents.

Early in the sentencing hearing Circuit court judge Michael Hathaway said he would not give Bukowski jail time.



After imposing the sentence he said was pleased. “I’m very comfortable with the result of this case and with the sentence that I am about to impose,” Hathaway said.

The Fly

The helpings were huge; greasy
The woman ate every bite

There was a surly waitress who ignored

The Fly

that circled throughout the meal

Ten Reasons why the North American International Auto Show WON'T move to Novi

JUST FOR FUN:




So there's been some talk recently -- well more than talk, there's a threat rolled into a recently passed senate bill that will put the same Cobo transfer deal that the Detroit City Council rejected in February in front of the council again to vote on. But this time the state is holding a water gun spray painted black to their heads and they think the council won't know the difference. L. Brooks is a white male version of a hustlaaa, of a hustlaa, of a-of a hustlaa. He's saying "This is a stick up, stick up, gimme that hall or that Auto show!" It's called the "if you don't we'll move the auto show to Novi," caveat.

This nothing more than an obnoxious bluff. Why would the biggest auto show on the continent move from the major U.S. city that is in history for being the birthplace of the automobile to some deadly dull midwestern city like Novi Michigan?

The Detroit City Council should not sweat about the Auto Show moving to the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. There are bigger fish to fry. Like Michigan losing the show altogether. The state and the city should be in talks not bickering with each other and giving CPR to dead legislation. These are tough times for Micihgan and leaders should act accordingly. The Cobo center does need to be repaired. No doubt. But if the state can give $9 million to the rock financial showplace for expansions it can give Detroit to fix some loading docks and repair some concrete.

But anyway here's ten obvious reasons why the auto show won't go to Novi:

10. WTF is there to do Novi other than 12 oaks mall and some skeezy nightclubs?

9. Since when is Novi a major U.S. City?

8. There are no casinos in Novi.

7. There is no international riverfront in Novi

6. A travel events page lists "Things to do in Novi: (1)" Seriously, there's only one thing listed to do. See for yourself: CLICK HERE

5. International Auto enthusiasts don't usually consider cow tipping a thrilling pastime

4. The Rock financial Showplace will need more that $288 mil to turn it into a Cobo Hall.

3. Why does the region wants Cobo for themselves so badly if they can have the beautiful Rock financial showplace in Novi? L. Brooks just wants what he can't have and Monica Conyers playing hard to get ... ok just kidding.

2. The Auto show is shrinking like a wool sweater in a dryer. Last year they didn't even use all the space in Cobo due to tough economic times. Is there some boom we don't know about that's gonna take place between now and January? Seriously what's the rush for this $288 million expansion? They do need the docks fixed and some repairs. But that's what we have the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for, no? Nothing a little teamwork can't fix.

1. THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW WILL MOVE TO CHICAGO OR L.A. BEFORE THEY MOVE TO NOVI. NOVI IS NOT EXACTLY AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ATTRACTION. WHO ARE WE KIDDING HERE? AT LEAST DETROIT HAS OPERA, GAMBLING, THE PEOPLE MOVER, UNIQUE DINING OPTIONS, ETC. NAIAS ORGANIZERS AREN'T THE ONES THREATENING TO LEAVE DETROIT! IT'S THESE REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATORS THAT WANT THE CONVENTION CENTER AND IT'S ALL A POLITICAL SHOWDOWN BETWEEN URBAN/SUBUNRBAN BLACK/WHITE, REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT.



Detroit, It's a DAMN SHAME.

That's the word,

MMF

John Conyers snubs Granholm

"Now I am not endorsing my good friend Jennifer Granholm. Tell her that next time you see her."
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. withdrawing his endorsement of MI Governor Jennifer Granholm after she wrote a letter in support of Terrance Berg, current U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. "What was she thinking?," Conyers asked.

MI Indigent defense Subcommittee

Chair of MIchigan's indigent defense subcommittee Bob Constan speaks about ideas the committee is reviewing for new legislation on indigent defense:

Bob Constan, State Rep 16th house dist Chair of Indigent Defense subcommittee
What’s happened is because money seems to be tighter and tighter money for indigent criminal defense is the first area to get cut. We have a system now that varies from county to county. Funding [public defense] programs at the state level instead of a county level so we have same system throughout the state is maybe something we have to look at doing.
What works or doesn’t work in Wayne County may or may not work elsewhere. I’m an attorney. I’ve been in private practice for 21 years and a lot of the courts are moving to the lowest bidder contracts where one person comes in and handles all the cases that day. There’s no continuity representation. None the fees have been updated in years and years and years. We’re [Michigan is] very low on the totem pole. When they do the budget that’s one area that doesn’t get any cost of living adjustments.
Looking at how we can get more bang for the buck – one of the things we’re gonna need is some increased funding. Well we’re going to look at adding something to the bail bonds business – looking at some revenue sources there – the different fees or costs that are assessed –whatever revenue streams we can latch onto. [Changes in the current public defense policy] have to be done. They’re just changes that have to be made we’re not meeting our constitutional obligations – the ACLU has filed a lawsuit as they’ve done in other states – we just have to update and improve our criminal indigent defense. We have to make sure we get every dollar we can. Our state public defenders office handles 1/4 of criminal appeals – they’re doing a very good job. They have attorneys that specialize and that’s all they do. They’re very good at what they do. All they do is criminal appeals so they become specialized. You have to look at efficiencies like that. That could work statewide. The end result will be some legislation that will improve our criminal defense system. It will be introduced in the next six months.

Conyers to Endorse Cockrel for mayor

Detroit, Michigan- Detroit Congressman John Conyers, Jr. will announce his endorsement of Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. for the May 5 Mayoral Special Election.

Congressman Conyers will announce his endorsement at the 14th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization’s town hall meeting on Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 5-7pm at the Detroit Teamsters Complex located at 2741 Trumbull.

This town hall meeting will allow attendees to ask Mayor Cockrel abo ut his vision for the city of Detroit. Moreover, this event will also feature a discussion on whether Detroiters should approve the creation of a commission to revise the City charter.

Who won final Detroit mayor debate?

Thursday night the third and final Detroit mayor debate of the special election was aired live on Detoit's
Channel 7 (WXYZ). The debate was predictable and did not produce one clear winner though Bing did stutter at bit and Cockrel got a lot of heat for the failed Cobo deal. Neither candidates showed a lot of passion and stuck to the old familiar speak points: Police mini stations, The failed cobo deal, The budget, past scandals ... yawn. Heard it all before in the first two debates! Bing offered as few specifics as possible and cockrel spent a lot of time defending his place as Bing attacked with often ridiculous charges saying Cockrel made the budget go up from 150 mil to 300 mil in a month. If I HAD to say there was a winner I'd say Cockrel only because he's had experience as mayor and knows a bit more specifics of what's going on than Bing. But neither one of them's stellar.

At one point in the debate Cockrel was talking about scrubbing toilets for a day in Cobo Hall? Really? And apparently he saved the city 400 million on some bonds controversy? Huh?

And Bing said his "relationship in Lansing is very good". With Who? That's sooo vague but that's how Bing debates.

New anchor Steven Clark asked the first question:

“Gentlemen, first of all we’re here tonight because of failed leadership. Specifically leadership run amuck by the Kilpatrick administration. So far as interim Mayor Mr. Cockrel your biggest leadership test has been the Cobo deal and by all accounts you failed at that one. You and the council ended up in court over that, the deal didn’t get done, it fell through, you haven’t been able to get all the parties back to the table. Mr. Bing your political leadership is untried and untested. This question is for both of you. Mr. Bing if you’re given the opportunity and Mr. Cockrel if you’re given another chance, what kind of leader will you be? What will you do to unify the council reengage the region? In short Mr. Bing what kind of leader will you be?


Bing: My relationship with the council members is very very good. I believe that the Cobo deal is a deal that has to happen.I thought it was a good deal when it was announced. I have great relationships with the Wayne county executive and the Oakland county executive and I don’t know the macomb executive as well... My relationship in Lansing is very good.

I do understand why president of city council was opposed to deal. She wanted to make sure that Detroiters were involved in the deal You have to get Detroiters involved in the deal. This was not the case. That seemed to put the deal to the shelf. I would not have brought that deal to the table without knowing if I had enough votes. And that’s the mistake of faild leadership.

Cockrel: We engaged council very early in the process. It’s important to know that the same deal that the council ultimatly voted on is the same deal presented to the council last summer. Yes, the membership of the authority did change but that was a result of some late night menuvering in the senate.

In reality it wasn’t ‘til 11th hour that certain council members started to raise issues. The people have spoken. I’ve already spoken with presisent Conyers about this. What I plan to do moving forward -- we plan to re-engage everybody and come up with an alternative plan that works and a plan which represents the interesets and concerns of everyone and which seek to address concerns of everybody.


It’s all about where do we go from here? What I had first and foremost with this deal, people like Sheila Horton is a janitor who works for ABM at Cobo hall and I had the opportunity to work with her for one day doing her task at cobo hall. Cleaning toilets scrubbing bathrooms and wiping off table tops. I wanted to protect her job and the jobs of other people working at Cobo Hall and the jobs of those working in hotel rooms who desperately need concevion business and an auto show to keep going


MORE:



Bing: Budget: "First thing that I would do is go back and look at when my opponent first went into office we had at that time a 155 million deficit. Now I’m hearing that the deficit has grown to 280 mill maybe 300 million? He got there by inaction. Had my opponent made the decision to do the cuts that were necessary early on I don’t think that was as a city would be losing a million dollars a day and building that deficit up even more. I’m wondering where were are you going to get the $ from to buy these employees out. [Cockrel said he'd buyout city workers who've been around more than 30 years]. Sometime in the month of May that [Detroit] may run out of cash --- I don’t want to put fear in any body. Nothing worse than a payless payday...

My opponent is talking about a 10 percent pay cut across board. Look at each dept on dept by dept basis not necessarily Cut them. Look where your valuable employees are …

Cockel's Response: I became mayor on September 19 – we divulged to the public a month later the 280 million deficit. There’s not way I spent that much money in less the month –let be realistic about that. The reason why the amount went up is I revealed those numbers to public. The true numbers were never revealed. I also saved the city 400 mill by eliminating a controversial problem with a bond swap. I also indicated that I would take a 20 percent cut to own salary.

Cockrel volunteers protest at Bing HQ?

The event organizer Derrick Sanders said Cockrel's team of supporters marching in front of the Bing headquarters in the rain were donating their time. The volunteers had planned to spend their Sunday afternoon canvassing for Cockrel but changed gears when Bing did not release the names of people he appointed to his crisis management team.

Two of the volunteers had a slightly different story. They both said that they (and others there) were getting paid to be there. They said they were slated to go door to door to canvass for Cockrel but were sent to the protest instead, though they were on the clock to canvass. "We're getting paid, believe that," said one volunteer.

The Cockrel campaign responded saying they did not pay anyone to show up and that the event was not related to the Cockrel campaign but put on by organized labor and community groups. They called the allegations of paid protestors "misleading".



Photos:

Detroit verbatim: the week in quotes

Above:A view from Detroit's Cobo Convention Center (that is in the process of being "hijacked" for $20 million}.


Dear blogger,

It's been another awesomely ridiculous week. Detroit Mayoral candidate Bing not only forgot he didn't have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) but that it took him 29 years to get a bachelor's degree;Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's partner in crime, Christine Beatty, got sick on jail food -- a lot; Radio personality Mildred Gaddis was still spewing hot fire at the "Hijacking of Cobo Hall", and Governor Jennifer Granholm gave the city of Detroit up for "adoption" to --- waaaiit for iiiiit --- MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Scarborough!? Hold on ... I'm having a premonition ... something about the "City of Detroit hijacking" ...

You CAN'T make this stuff up but you CAN slice it into fabulous one-liners and post them onto your blog!


"She spent a lot of time throwing up."
Christine Beatty's lawyer Mayer Morganroth said regarding Beatty's reaction to jail food. Apparently Coney Island hot dogs are much easier fare for the stomach.

"We are going to adopt Detroit,”
Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" told Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm referring to a plan to air "Morning Joe" in the city out of ... pity?

"I think you're trying to dig into something that isn't a story."
Detroit Mayoral Candidate David Bing angrily told Free Press reporter Bill McGraw when he asked for college transcripts. Weeks before he blasted interim Mayor Cockrel for not releasing his personal finances. Oops. Maybe Bing's right when he says he ISN'T a politician.

"There is not a category of money for large public buildings or anything like that."
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said about using stimulus funds for expand Cobo Hall instead of transferring it to a regional authority.

"Some folks think we're stupid and don't read."
Detroit City Council President Pro Tem JoAnn Watson about people who are pushing the Cobo Deal. And if by "folks" she means interitm Mayor Cockrel, Wayne County Ececutive Robert Ficano, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Governor Jennifer Granholm, and Detroit Free Press Columnist Nolan Finley then ...

"You can google economic stimulus plans and convention centers. You're going to get more than 50 cities -- including Lansing."
Detroit City Council President Pro Tem JoAnn Watson.

"If you want to help us, just give us the money."
Detorit City Councilwman Monica Conyers said at a rally against the Cobo Hall expansion that would turn the city owned convention center over to a five person regional authority. She added, "A diva is a female version of a hustlaaa!"

“I got an MBA from the General Motors Institute after I got into business, quite frankly."
Detroit Mayoral candidate David Bing on an NBA website video interview.

“I don’t have an MBA from General Motors Institute.”
Detroit Mayoral Candidate David Bing on the Paul W. Smith show on NPR. Which one is it, Dave?

"I have pictures with my cap and gown [from 1966]"
Detroit Mayoral candidate David Bing told the Detroit News' Leonard N. Fleming. However, a story in the Free Press said: Bing's campaign spokesperson Cliff Russell "acknowledged Bing did not attend graduation ceremonies or receive a diploma." Get your game tight, Bing!

"I don't think I can get any more name recognition than I already have."
Detroit City councilman Kwame Kenyata on announcing his run for mayor in August. Apparently he can't possibly get any more well known. Is it because his name is Kwame K.? I kiiid, I kiiiiid!

"I don't see how somebody can forget that they never actually got a diploma."
Detroit Interim Mayor Kenneth Cockrel said of Bing's college education gaffe. Same way somebody can forget that they owe the city clerk $42,000, Ken. Saaaame way.

"We don't give up tapes without subpoenas."
Mildred Gaddis said to people calling into "Inside Detroit" asking fora copy of her program with John Conyers. Congressman Conyers said jokingly that she sounded like Carl Rove.

"I'm having a problem with elected officials with the audacity to ... tell Mildred 'I voted for it'. 'I hope it [passes].' I"m [going to] hire an attorney to make sure that it passes. Why? Because I'm smarter than you!"
Radio producer David Stephen at Cobo transfer protest. He added,"How dare Senator Hansen Clarke, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson get the NERVE to tell MILDRED their position in the Hijacking of Cobo Hall?


All in good fun,

MMF

Detroit COBO deal protest

Here's some protest pics! Enjoy!

Detroit the new Africa?

Remember when Africa was the place to "adopt" from and hold free concerts for? Now, at risk of sounding politically incorrect, we need look no further than our own city.

Over the past couple weeks two popular talk show hosts have tried to rescue Detroit. One is the Tonight Show's Jay Leno, who held free concert for Detroit (although it took place in Auburn Hills, a well-to-do suburb about 40 minutes away from Detroit).

The other is Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe". Scarborough says he wants to air Morning Joe from Detroit "all the time" and adopt the city. "I want to adopt the City of Detroit." He told Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.

"I'm glad you haven't forgot about adopting us," Granhold said.

As a Detroiter I'm not sure if I should be happy to have a famous talk show host for a Dad or mad at Jennifer Granholm for shuffling me off so fast.

Either way, I have this weird feeling that the city of Detroit is thought of as this helpless orphan. What's Next is U2 gonna come and do a concert for hunger?

Is the UN gonna send helicopters full of rice sacks and drop it over the neighborhoods?

Are national Geographic photographers gonna come in and take photos of babies in poverty?

Ok I'm half kidding. But seriously, Detroit, we need to take care of our shit before Elton John and Michael Jackson sing a charity duet for the kids. (Juust kidding!)


OK I'll stop. But am i the only one who feels kinda like they're living in a third world situation?

Here's the clip:

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Michigan Messenger on Countdown

Eartha Melzer's coverage of a dioxin contaminated river that flooded and contaminated the soil in Saginaw Township, Mich., makes MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:

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The Cobo Deal. Period.

Here's a link to the actual Cobo deal so we can put rumors to rest. I'll be going through and reading it but for now here's a link to the actual document.

CLICK HERE to read!

Verbatim: Detroit Style

I am a subscriber to Time magazine and every week I break into the new issue and head straight for the briefing section to read the "Verbatim" page which is top ridiculous one-liners of the week in news quotes (which I find hilarious). So I decided to create my own pathetic little mock "verbatim" page on my blog weekly. You're probably thinking, "how original." I'm probably thinking, "I know."


Only difference is I'll try to keep it concentrated in Michigan (specifically Detroit) politics since I eat sleep and breath them these days. I can only hope state and city politics aren't carcinogenic, but at times I wonder. This week I have a lot of quotes about the Cobo deal because it was a hot topic in the city.

But I digress. Let's get down to bizzniss:

VERBATIM March 6 2009

"He never called me."
Detroit City Council President Monica Conyers said of Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel on the Mildred Gaddis show. Background: Ever since she called him "Shrek" they've had a rocky relationship. Maybe he's just not that into her

"It was a tragic circus, a festival of ignorance that confirmed the No. 1 obstacle to Detroit's progress is the bargain basement leaders that city voters elect."
Detroit Free Press Columnist Nolan Finley wrote in an editorial in which he dogged the entire Detroit city council for the way they're handling the Cobo hall transfer. Many where quick to call him a racist. Hey, at least the guy's honest.

"He's pimping his father's legacy."
Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle said of interim Mayor Kenneth Cockrel's push to finalize the Cobo regional transfer deal.

"Kiss the employer based insurance goodbye."
Health care specialist on NPR talking about the economy and health care. This one pretty much speaks for itself.

"It's like a sub teacher coming in and giving a final grade."
Caller on "Inside Detroit" said about interim Mayor Cockrel's push for the Cobo deal in his short tenure since he took over for former mayor Kwame Kilparick.

"Cobo Hall Hijacking."
A segment on Mildred Gaddis' show that turned the Cobo drama into a little mock daytime drama plot. Er ... she's not biased or anything.

"I hope it all goes forward smoothly."
State Senator Hansen Clarke on Cobo Deal. He added, "I hope pigs can fly."

"Don't let Obama fool you, now. I'll never feel safe driving through Livonia."
Black Detroit City truck driver said referring to a predominantly white suburb of Detroit.

"Nolan has a tendency to be offensive when talking about Detroit."
Radio talk host Mildred Gaddis said of Detroit Free Press columnist Nolan Finley, who called the city council crazy, cheap and stupid in a recent commentary.


"Barbara Rose Collin's craziness gets in the way of the real issue."
Mildred Gaddis referring to the Detroit city council woman who is known to wear gaudy dresses and tiaras to council meetings and who sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" at a recent city council session.

"I opened my newspaper and every article except maybe one calls us crazy, stupid, monkeys in a zoo."
City Council Woman Barbara Rose-Collins told Detroit residents during a special session intended to override the Mayor's veto. She was referring, most likely, to Nolan Finley's controversial piece "Elect a crazy council; get crazy results." And, oh yeah, OC ececutive L. Brook Patterson is racist because he made fun of her precious tiara.

"Going after Barbara-Rose Collins' tiara. ... and I want the fist. That's all I want."
Oakland County executive L. Brooks Patterson's response to Collin's charge that he was trying to steal Cobo from the city.

Take the Shuttle from Detroit to Ikea!

Looks like in order to bring in customers, Ikea will have a shuttle out to their store from Detroit. Read all about it HERE

Other than gay, what is Lil' Wayne?

He's also ubiquitous. How many songs was he featured on over the past year? I stopped counting after 10. It's like he's in every recording studio at once jumping on any song he can. Whether his computerized croak is spliced into the Keri Hilson's hot track or he's howling at the moon with Kanye, he knows what's up: Get it while he's still hot. Before we're all like Lil' who? And we get someone else who's acting "Brand New". I'm not mad at him. But LOL.

That's the word.





MMF

Wayne County Foreclosure sales resume, but limited

Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans resumes foreclosure sales but on a limited basis
Foreclosure sales in Wayne County will resume but on a much more “limited basis”, according to John Roach, spokesperson for Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans.
But all homes up for foreclosure sales will not go though. “Only in the cases where single family homes or for residential the lender has to provide us with an affidavit that says either that there were no TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) monies involved in that mortgage, or, if there were TARP monies involved, that the homeowner have been availed a process to modify their mortgage,” Roach told Michigan Messenger. He added that all commercial and industrial foreclosure sales will go forward as usual.
However, as of Monday afternoon there were only about 20 properties that met the criteria for a foreclosure sale this week. “It’s Very small number that are going to sale at this point,” Roach said. He said 20 foreclsure sales ina week in Wayne county was a “far cry” from the 300-400 that come up for Sheriff sales each week in Wayne county.

Cockrel, Bing win Detroit primary

Election night parties went on late Tuesday night after Detroit's special election primary for mayor of Detroit. Here's some pics from election night!

CITY OF DETROIT TAX PROPOSALS ON THE BALLOT TODAY!

PROPOSAL C:
CITY OF DETROIT MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES AND RECREATION ANDOTHER CULTERAL FACILITIES BONDING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Ninety-seven Million Dollars ($97,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of City of Detroit Museums, Detroit Public Library Facilities, Recreation, and other Cultural facilities? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $.5855 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Twenty-Three Million Dollars ($23,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is 0.3466 mills ($0.3466 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage. Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Ninety-seven Million Dollars ($97,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of City of Detroit Museums, Detroit Public Library Facilities, Recreation, and other Cultural facilities? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $.5855 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Twenty-Three Million Dollars ($23,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is 0.3466 mills ($0.3466 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.

PROPOSAL L:
CITY OF DETROIT PUBLIC LIGHTING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($22,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of improving street and alley lighting emergency communications, service extensions, and improvements required to supply light and power? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $0.1328 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is .0786 mills ($0.0786 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.



PROPOSAL M:
CITY OF DETROIT MUNICAPAL FACILITIES BONDING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of Detroit municipal facilities? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $.2113 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is 0.1251 mills ($0.1251 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.

PROPOSAL N:
CITY OF DETROIT NEIGHTBORHOOD REDEVELOPEMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPOEMENT PROGRAMS BONDING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of improvements to various neighborhood redevelopment and housing rehabilitation projects, and for economic development projects? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $0.1509 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 year from the date of issuance, is .0893 mills ($.0893 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.
PROPOSAL S:
CITY OF DETROIT PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS BONDING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Seventy-Two Million Dollars ($72,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public safety projects relating to, Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health facilities and other municipal facilities public safety improvements? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be $0.4346 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is .2573 mills ($0.2573 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.

PROPOSAL T:
CITY OF DETROIT TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES BONDING PROPOSAL
Do you favor the authorization and issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds, payable from taxes the City is allowed to levy in addition to state statutory and City Charter limits, in an amount necessary to pay the principal and interest thereon in the principal sum of an amount not to exceed Twelve Million Dollars ($12,000,000) over three years for the purpose of paying the cost of acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of Detroit transportation facilities? The estimated millage that will be levied per $1,000 of the taxable value of property located in the City to pay for the proposed bonds will be .0724 in the first year, which will raise in the first year an estimated amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate over the life of the bonds, which will not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance, is .0429 mills ($.0429 per $1,000 of taxable value). If approved, this would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage.

Michgan Democratic Convention

Cobo Hall in Detroit was full of democrats on Saturday for the Michigan's Democratic convention. Here's some of photos from the event:

Detroit The Beautiful

Even the Queen of England is Online these days!

The Queen of England has a hi-res website with youtube videos and virtual tours of the palace. Plus Princes Diana's first pubic speech when she was 12.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Check it out by clicking HERE.

GOP Governors disagree with their own party on stimulus

Vermont's GOP Governor Jim Douglas is one of many GOP governors who are pushing for Obama's stimulus package.

According to a story on MSNBC.com, GOP governors would love some stimulus money to help their state's economically strained budgets.

Read the whole story HERE.

VIDEO: A More Open White House

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Steele is RNC Chair, it's time to consider becoming a black Republican!

Black Republican Recruit: [JUST FOR FUN]

"Maybe it’s time you considered being black Republican. As a black Republican, not only will you be accepted, you will quickly rise to the top as your party will need you to be an important face for the Republicans, even if you’re dangerously unqualified. The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln and freeing the slaves is a position we’ve chosen to stand by."


Thanks to The Message Show for this:

Steele [ing] Obama's Style

Jockin' Obama, Jockin', Jockin' Obama like they do Jay-Z!!!!!



In order to gain back some of the minority vote the RNC elected Michael Steele as the first African American to chair their party's national committee.

In his acceptance speech to RNC chair Friday evening, Michael Steele sounded a lot like President Obama. But since Obama already coined some things like the word 'change,' he had to play with words.

"It's time for something completely different and we're gonna bring it to them," Steele told RNC leaders in his acceptance speech. "We're going to bring this party to every corner every board room every neighborhood every community and we're going to say to friend and foe alike 'we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us' and for those of you who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

In addition to that, Steele ironically employed DNC chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy (which Obama later adopted) calling on uniting people from all over the U.S. map.

"To my friends in Northeast, get ready baby it's time to turn it on and work to do what we always do well and that is win. We're going to win again in the Northeast, were going to continue to win in the South. When we get to the West we're gonna lock it down and win there, too. We're going to win with a new storm in the Midwest.

Again, he emulated Obama when he called for a group effort and said he was listening to the people. "I cannot do this by myself," he said, echoing Obama almost verbatim. "This is about empowering you. We stand proud as the conservative party of the United States, the party of Lincoln. We will cede no ground on matters of principle on matters that matter to people of this country."

On the Corner

In the 'hood on the corner there are kids on the block running work to dope to the fiends with dark hollow eyes. They know "crack kills" but not literally. The fiends keep coming back with their last and only dollar asking for a rock. Crack heads from the 1980's and 1990's are still roaming the streets physically alive and breathing, but resembling zombies in their dirty, torn, oversized coats and threadbare pants stumbling around, skin and bones constantly pursuing their next hit. Because of them there will always be a demand. Because of them there will always be a supply.

The kids on the corner know how to cook crack and sell it, but they won't touch the stuff. It's a job.

Sometimes outsiders wonder why these kids aren't in school. Do they know that just by hustling fiends on the block one could make enough money to buy clothes and food and candy still go to the movies on opening night?

There's a kid in his drab middle school uniform walking down the street with dreams of nice cars but so far the school has given him tattered books. The dope boy rides by in a jag and the kid turns his head, eyes follow the shiny car down to the end of the block at he abandoned house.

The kid walks down Jefferson wondering if the Warren boys are going to beat on him today. He gets homeand calls his friend on the block. "Let's get money."

He's not going to school tomorrow.