Time for Rumsfeld to step down

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear - one, of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of un-reason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were - for the moment - unpopular. -Edward R. Murrow (in 1954) Having read some of the portions of Rumsfeld's speech yesterday, I've no other conclusion except that Rummy suffers from what psychologists call denial. Keith Olbermann covers the issue better than I ever could, so why not take a moment out of your day to watch his commentary? (I even excerpted his quote of Murrow above).

Minimizing the importance of the judiary weakens our country

A number of Republicans and conservative groups are pursing classic ad hominem attacks of Federal Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, rather than criticizing the reasoning of her opinion in ACLU vs. NSA. These attacks are illegitimate and clearly portray the intellectual dishonesty of those that make them. Anna Diggs Taylor is a 1957 graduate of Yale Law School, the first black woman federal judge of the Eastern District of Michigan, and the first black woman chief judge of that circuit. She has been a federal judge for 27 years. She is and has remained committed to Constitutional issues and education, and she has donated her time to serve organizations that accomplish these goals. Apparently, her world-class education, decades of experience as a federal judge, and commitment and dedication to the Constitution are meaningless to conservative idealogues hell-bent on attacking anyone who disagrees with them. The issues in ACLU vs. NSA involve a balance between national security, the power of our executive branch, and our civil liberties. These fundamental concepts are complex, involve competing interests, and form the very basis of the underpinnings of our democracy. We should expect that there will be conflicts involving these values, and that the judiciary will shoulder the burden of resolving them. Attacking the qualified, dedicated, and able deliberations of some of our finest judges serves only to weaken our democracy. Even her most vociferous critics ought to be intelligent enough to know that this ruling will be appealed to the 6th Circuit, and then likely to the Supreme Court, the ultimate arbiter of these issues. This step was just the first one, as well as a crucial one in reaching an outcome about how this balance will operate in the future. There is nothing patriotic, in my view, about attacking a judge for doing her job just because the outcome is disfavored. Doing so is crass and unsophisticated.

Parking in a handicapped space while black

I should start out by saying that the vast majority of police officers, deputies and other law enforcement officers I come in contact with are fine, honest, upstanding people with noble intentions who do a difficult job for low pay. Which makes it all the more disappointing and depressing when I have to deal with a pathetic loser of a cop like I did today. I got up very, very early and drove up to Saginaw to prepare for a trial. This morning, I attended a video trial deposition of a physician. Halfway through the deposition, I was notified that the court would be adjouring our trial. So I took my African-American disabled client (she can barely walk), her daughter and her granddaughter (6 years old, and cute as a button, btw) out to lunch at a local Denny's to explain what was happening and to see if she had any questions. When we arrived, I parked in a regular space, and they parked in a handicapped space. As soon as she stopped, a Saginaw Township parking enforcement car (not a real police car - a dinky one without lights on top) boxed them into the spot, and an "officer" got out, along with an overweight bald guy in street clothes. The fifty-something white guy in a uniform (sans weapons) stopped my client's daughter from getting out of the car and demanded her I.D. The other guy stood next to the "police" car. The "cop" then proceeded to have my client's daughter exit the car so he could get in and inspect her handicapped hang-tag. All the while, my client sat in the passenger seat and her granddaughter sat in the back. Last time I checked, a police officer needed permission to actually get into a car -- either that or a warrant. He had neither. I walked over in my suit and tie, and quite innocently asked what the problem was. He told me to stand aside, and that he would deal with me in a moment. I stepped back and said, "Thanks, I represent these folks, and they don't consent to you entering their car." He got out and said, "Stand aside, I'll deal with you in a moment." I said, "I've done what you asked, and I'm standing aside, and now I'd like to confer with my clients before they speak with you any further. By the way, sir, are they free to go?" He got out of their car, gruffly gave the daughter her I.D. back and walked over to me. "If you have a problem with me, you can speak with my Lieutenant," he said. I said, "I don't have a problem. It sounds by the tone of your voice, though, like you have a problem. Are they free to go or not?" He paused. He said, "I do have a problem -- with you. I was concerned for my safety when you walked over here and interfered. You can't do that." I said, "I'm terribly sorry, sir. What is it that you were afraid of, my tie? Or was it my polite tone of voice? Or could it be that you were you afraid you were being caught harrassing some black people for no apparent reason. What's your name? I think I would like to speak with your Lieutenant, right now." He stopped talking, stared at me, backed away, and he and the other guy got into their car and drove off without saying another word. WTF? Does Saginaw Township have some kind of problem with gangs of multi-generational black women fraudulently counterfeiting handicapped hang tags so they can park closer at Denny's than everyone else? My client explained to me that this happens fairly regularly to her and those she knows when they come into Saginaw Township, though she had never seen an elderly person or a white person asked for I.D. when parking in a handicapped spot. When I went inside, the staff knew who the guy was, described him as an a-hole, but didn't know his name. My client suggested that I simply let it go. Well, the experience shook me up and was quite disturbing. As if we, as a state and a society don't have enough problems already without this crap. The audacity . . .

Marvelous Marquette

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Michigan's Upper Peninsula yesterday and today. Marquette is a beautiful town in northern Michigan, and though there was much work to do while I was there, I nonetheless managed to sneak off to shoot some pictures, eat some good food (along with a good beer), and see some sights. When I arrived, I proceeded straight to my depositions. When they were done, I checked into the hotel. Needing a decent meal, I was directed to a local microbrewery called the Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I had an incredible Cajun rib dinner with a stout and a porter, both exquisitely delicious. The ribs were good, too. ;) Then I had to run back to my room to prepare for my depositions the next day. After taking them, I wandered over to Presque Isle Park. It is a beautiful municipal park made up of a large peninsula jutting out into Lake Superior. Here's a bluff I saw there: There is also an exquisitely beautiful lighthouse at the end of a long rock jetty: I also used a feature on my digital camera to take a number of panorama shots. Click here to see the one I did from Presque Isle (warning: these are massive files that require a high-speed connection to view in a reasonable length of time). And I challenge you on this first one: can you find the duck? On the other side of Presque Isle Park, there was a large facility (I don't know what it's called), that allows freighters to load/unload directly to an overhead train. I got a few panoramas of this from both sides that you can see here and here (more large files). I saw a coal-fueled power plant near the park, along with just about the largest pile of coal I've ever seen: On the way back, I passed some kind of recreation facility (I think associated with Northern Michigan University) and couldn't resist taking a picture: I also walked around the harbor in Marquette and got this shot of the old offloading/loading facility there (another large file). All in all, Marquette is quite a nice town. And, like Ypsilanti, they have an Aubree's (that just opened on August 8).

The liberal media . . . is really the freakshow media

I'm in Marquette for a number of depositions over two days. Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of TV at home, and when I do it's usually dramatic shows I follow during their seasons, like CSI or Law and Order. Last night in my hotel room with little to do after dark, I checked what was on TV. The story of Lamb and Lynx Gaede, the white nationalist little girls who wear t-shirts of Hitler cartoons was on. The segment featured the saga of how these teenage blonde bombshell white supremacists obtained Katrina aid food donations and then tried to give the aid only to white people (with little white supremacy brochures in the packages), followed by the story of their parents' custody battle "for their hearts." Pardon me, but it seems as if they don't actually have hearts, and to the extent that they do, they are made of ice. I turned the TV off after about 5 minutes. This morning, I put the TV on in the background as I was getting ready for the day, and one of the first commercials I saw was for a Special Report on Blackberry Addiction. The tagline: More dangerous than you think. Hmmmmm. I couldn't bring toothpaste on the plane to get here, and I'm supposed to be spending my time learning about the threat posed by my Blackberry? After this stunning revelation, I saw a commercial for their Medical Mysteries show, apparently on tonight. Featured on it, the world's first pregnant man. "You'll be shocked what you'll learn," the announcer said. Well, I am shocked. Not about the pregnant man, though. And I won't be learning anything about it, because I'm convinced my brain will shrink and shrivel up if I watch that crap on TV. What I am shocked about is all the crap on TV that people get paid money to produce and all the ads on those shows that advertisers pay money to air. Do people really watch this stuff? How can it even be listed on the ABC News website? That's an insult to very concept of news. P.T. Barnum had a name for it, and he charged for it. It's called a Freakshow.

SoundWaves: Rutherford Pool fundraiser this Thursday, Aug. 24 from 8 to 10 P.M.

SoundWaves, a live and local music fundraiser for Rutherford Pool will be held poolside on Thursday, August 24th from 8 until 10 p.m. Come swim, boogie or lounge to the music, which includes ska/jazz/funk band Hullabaloo, eclectic Americana songwriter Gerry Butterwick, and happy old-tyme harmonist pickers Pat Grimes and Steve Newhouse. Music won’t be the only treat. The first thirty six parties to arrive will receive tokens to participate in the SoundWaves Cakewade. The lucky winners will take home a delicious homebaked good donated by members of the community. The suggested donation is $5 each, or $20 per family. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the lawn-style show, and swimming will be available. Organized through the volunteer group Friends of Rutherford Pool, all proceeds from SoundWaves will support the operational costs of the pool. The rain date is Saturday, August 26th. The Rutherford Pool is located in Ypsilanti’s Recreation Park at 975 N. Congress. For more information, contact Stacey Fallis at (734) 480-4485, or at sfallis@sbcglobal.net. Please come and join us at the Rutherford Pool this Thursday, August 24, from 8 to 10 P.M.

Matt and Rene Greff named 2006 Ypsilanti Heritage Fellows

A couple who brews beer for a living are named Ypsilanti Heritage Fellows. I think that's just super-cool. A frequent visitor to the Corner Brewery myself, it being just three blocks from my house, I do think its contribution to my neighborhood is quite welcome. And the Shadow Art Fair was an awesome event. Goodness, do I love this town! You can read about it here. And when you're done, stop by, have a beer, hang out. It's really quite delightful :)

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Caught this on Google Video this evening: After you've seen that one, check out this one.

The Day After: On to the challenges ahead

The Day After: Isn't that the name of a TV show portraying life after a nuclear holocaust? Well, it's finally time to put this campaign behind us and get behind the winner. We've watched the debate, put up with the negativity, listened to the name-calling, seen the flyers, read the analyses, tired of the sniping, and endured the arguing. Now it's time to celebrate the bewildering nature of our local brand of American democracy and have some drinks (either to sing and dance to, or to cry over). As I'm writing this, I don't know who will be the victor in today's primary. That said, I do think it is extremely important that we as a community get behind whoever it is, and let him or her do what he or she has been elected to do -- lead us into, through, and beyond the challenges ahead. And, this being my own personal blog, you may have guessed already-- I have some advice. Yea, I know, it's unsolicited, presumptuous and free, and worth about what it cost . . . but that's the fun of having a blog; I can just throw it out there anyway -- even if nobody wants to read it. So, Dear Mayor-elect ________, I offer the following 10 things to consider now that you've actually won the election: 1. Reach out early and often. We have a lot of caring, talented people here in Ypsilanti. Many would be delighted to help out any way they can. Reach out especially to those you disagree with, and carefully consider what they have to say. Don't assume they are uninformed or that you know better than they do, even if it may be true. If you do know better, be sure this is a conclusion you've reached, not an assumption you've made. 2. Listen more, talk less, above all: hear. People want their leaders to listen to them and hear what they have to say. When provided this opportunity, most understand that it's your job to make difficult, complex decisions. They will accept the ones they disagree with so long as they're assured you listened, thoroughly evaluated, and arrived at a principled conclusion. 3. Ask the hard questions. The decisions you make will be important. When considering what to do, don't be satisfied merely with what others provide you. Investigate on your own. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Be aware that some decisions made now may affect our community long after we're all gone. If you can't find answers to the hard questions, postpone action until you have. 4. Bring the community in. Though it's tempting to hand-pick experts and community leaders to serve on committees and panels, consider having others in our community pick representatives from a wider cross-section of the community. Go to local unions, our business community, our religious community, our school district, etc. and ask them to appoint representatives. You'll get a more representative and diverse group, lending legitimacy to your work and conclusions. 5. Dig deep, and err on the side of thoroughness. People will respect analyses that go the extra mile, but will hold a perceived lack of diligence against you. 6. Understand that you're now a symbol -- and you've got a target on your back. People will from time to time be angry at you for good reasons, for bad reasons, for rational reasons, for irrational reasons, and for no reason at all. Respond to their anger by inviting them into the process, reacting calmly and professionally, all with a smile on your face and with words of kindness and inclusion. Take even the most irrational of criticism seriously -- there's probably a nugget of truth in there somewhere. 7. Don't assume your personal opinons are representative of those you serve. The only way to find out what the community wants is to ask. You don't have the luxury of representing only those who agree with you. You must represent everybody, which means sometimes telling friends and supporters that you disagree with their conclusions and going against the grain if you think it's the right way to go. 8. Public service is a privilege. Demonstrate your thanks for the opportunity to lead your community in all that you do. 9. Don't be afraid to admit you were wrong, and feel free to apologize. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. People can be very understanding and forgiving if you honestly and forthrightly fess up to your mis-steps, and apologize, particularly if they feel you are willing to do what you can to make things right again. 10. Be a visionary. When facing the challenges ahead, keep your eye on the objectives you want to achieve. If you focus on cuts, all you will get is cuts. If you keep your focus on your vision of the future, you will make very different, forward-thinking decisions. Stay true to your vision. Whoever you may be, I am at your service. If I can be of help, call upon me. I'd like to do whatever I can to help you help our community meet and overcome the challenges ahead, even if it means merely keeping my big, fat mouth shut from here on out. ;) Oh, and congratulations :)

One more reason to vote for Steve Pierce

I received a last-minute flyer today at my house from the Schreiber campaign. It has been put in doors all over town, and it's on Paul's website. You can view it here. Which brings me to the final reason why I'm voting for Steve. I just can't bring myself to vote for Paul. If he were the only choice in this election at this point, I think I'd just stay at home, or perhaps write Steve in. 1. With this flyer, Paul is impairing the possibility of future cooperation with the Township I must admit that I'm finding it difficult to fathom how any mayoral candidate would slap the Ypsilanti Township Trustees in the face quite so publicly. Though our historic relationship with the Township hasn't been all that great, several important factors have changed over the last couple of years that make the positions of days gone by obsolete. For example, the County has really raked Ypsilanti Township and other municipalities over the coals on police services. This alone is a good area in which regional cooperation could actually result in some progress and some cost savings. Unfortunately, with his newest flyer, Paul has re-opened a wound with the Township that won't be easily or quickly forgotten. This isn't the type of flyer I would anticipate seeing from a visionary ready to lead us through the challenges ahead. Paul's shot himself and Ypsilanti in the foot with these pictures as well as the statements that accompany them. Admittedly, I'm not entirely convinced Paul thought about the consequences of these words. If he did and didn't care, that's even more disturbing. We need a leader eager to build bridges, not burn them. 2. Lansing isn't going to help us out in the foreseeable future Paul thinks an income tax is a temporary solution until Lansing bails us out of the financial mess we are in. As early as next week, our Republican Legislature may vote to repeal the Single Business Tax. Last time the Legislature voted, they passed this repeal, and the Governor vetoed it. This time, since the repeal is before the Legislature as a result of a petition drive, Governor Granholm can't veto it. If it passes the Legislature, it passes once and for all. Currently, there is no plan at all in Lansing to replace the $2+ Billion that will be lost upon repeal of this tax. $2 Billion is an enormous sum of money and a significant percentage of our state budget. The cuts that will be required once this tax is repealed will make hope of any kind of bailout a forgone conclusion. We can't rely on Lansing for help. We need solutions of our own. 3. Paul is putting all his eggs in one basket with the income tax. Prudent leaders don't do that. Paul honestly believes that the solution to Ypsilanti's fiscal problems is an income tax. I honestly believe that an income tax has no hope at all of passing. I believe people are generally against it, so against it that people who have never even voted before will will probably register to vote and come to the polls in droves just to vote against it. Income taxes in other cities have met with mixed results. Because our city has undertaken no real study or collected any objective data particular to the attributes of our community and how it will be affected (either positively or negatively), I remain highly skeptical. The analysis I've read is merely an exercise in running numbers. It is devoid of both depth and particularity to our community. Our community is unique in many ways -- we cannot simply generalize the experiences of others and expect it to work. We already pay the highest property taxes in Washtenaw County. I believe increasing our taxes further makes us less attractive to young families, to new businesses, and to real estate agents who are likely to steer potential homebuyers away from us in favor of selling more expensive properties elsewhere. We already have way too many homes on the market, and an income tax will only serve to increase that number. But the biggest problem with the income tax argument is that even its proponents, including Paul, admit it's a temporary solution. We will tax ourselves far and above any other community in our region, yet in a few short years, we will again be on the brink of receivorship. This is not a justification for an income tax, and it is not a solution to our problems. It is procrastination. I firmly believe that a proponent of increasing taxes must bear the burden of justifying them. This burden hasn't been met. To date, nobody's even come close to any kind of objective justification of this proposal. I must reject it. Paul doesn't appear to have a B Plan. When an income tax doesn't pass, we're all going to be standing around with our hands in our pockets wondering what to do next. A true leader always has a B Plan. If Paul has one, he's keeping it a secret. There are other reasons to criticize the flyer. It's intentionally polarizing. It suggests (disingenuously so) that a mayor could stop our community from voting on an income tax. This isn't true, and even if it were, Steve has said he's all for having a vote. I've said over and over again that we ought to vote this November, so that when it doesn't pass, we can get on with the discussion of a B Plan. I'm voting for Steve. I think he's the only real choice this Tuesday. UPDATE: A kind reader forwarded the link to the Blue Ribbon Finance Committee Sub-Committee Regionalization Report, dated July 2005. It states, contrary to the assertions in the flyer: Our recommendation is that the City of Ypsilanti implements the strategy of regional cooperation as the long term solution to our fiscal crisis. Also forwarded was the link to the Final Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is also dated July 2005. It stated: . . . we believe there is considerable potential to reduce costs by sharing functions with our neighbors and/or the county. . . . We strongly urge active pursuit of "regional cooperation" possibilities.

I endorse Steve Pierce for Mayor of Ypsilanti

The original of the following letter was signed on July 18, 2006, and mailed to voters last week. You can visit Steve's website for the information included in the brochure that was sent along with my letter. Dear Friends and Neighbors: I'd like to share with you my enthusiastic support and endorsement of Steve Pierce for Mayor, and I encourage you to vote for him in the upcoming primary on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. There are many reasons why a vote for Steve Pierce is a vote for Ypsilanti's future. Steve shares my values, the very values I advocated for when I ran for the Ypsilanti School Board two years ago. Favoring transparency in government, he endeavors to include all stakeholders in our community in an ongoing dialogue prior to making decisions as a leader. Steve is a team builder and a consensus builder, and he is a strong Democrat, committed to progressive leadership. Steve knows that real leadership requires humility as well as a keen ability to listen, and Steve has proven himself to be a great listener. Steve recognizes that our schools are some of our most important and valuable community assets. Strong schools make up the centerpieces of strong cities. Steve is committed to working closely with our school district to make our community even better than it already is. Steve understands that making our City a more attractive place in which to work and live calls for positive and creative leadership as our community faces tough financial times. Though I am not permitted to speak on behalf of the Board of Education when endorsing candidates and do not intend to do so with this letter, I do want you to know that my personal faith in Steve's leadership has motivated me to join his campaign and donate my time and effort to getting him elected. I believe Steve is the right man for the job. I've taken the liberty of including one of Steve's brochures. Please feel free to call, email, or visit Steve's web site at www.VotePierce.com for more information. And keep in mind, voting day this year is on Tuesday, August 8! For a .pdf version click here, and feel free to share as you like. The costs of printing and mailing the original letter were paid for by Steve Pierce for Mayor, 118 S. Washington, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

I endorse Brian Robb for City Council, Ward 3 on Tues., Aug. 8

I endorse Brian Robb for City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 8. I think Brian is precisely the person we need on Council representing Ward 3. Here's why: Transparency: Brian values transparent government. He understands that transparency legitimizes and strengthens city government. He shares what he learns, he listens to others, he appreciates dissenting voices for what they contribute, and he will work tirelessly to ensure that all our voices be heard. Dedication: Brian is the most dedicated non-incumbent I have ever met. He goes to meetings, he obtains information, he analyzes, he shares. Brian will set a new standard for service on City Council, and he will set the bar high. Brian obviously wants to be on Council, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Smarts: Brian is a brain. Though his welcome sense of humor belies the depth of understanding his analyses portray, Brian digs deep when researching an issue. He asks the right questions and does not shy away from asking the difficult ones. Brian also thinks ahead, way ahead. Brian keeps an eye on what consequences City decisions will have in both the near term and the long term. His foresight and focus on the details will enhance Council debate and action immeasurably. Progress: Brian's blogging is much more than a novelty. Brian's harnessing of the Internet to disseminate relevant information is a positive, powerful and progressive force that symbolizes the leadership Ypsilanti needs as we face many challenges ahead. Brian will undoubtedly usher in a new era in information exchange at City Hall. Inclusion: Brian listens to everyone, even those he disagrees with. Brian appreciates that our City government serves all who live here, and nobody's voice should ever be silenced or attenuated. I believe our community would make an enormous mistake if we were to let Brian's offer of public service slip away. I urge you to vote for Brian Robb on Tuesday, August 8.