I had forgotten about Ingham Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth’s comments regarding the state’s medical marijuana law -- until reminded of them in this morning’s LSJ.
I get that he doesn’t like what the voters did, in decisive fashion, in 2008. But, as a public servant, is it proper behavior for him to be disparaging the decisions and judgment of those who pay his salary? (“Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth, whose department handles law enforcement in the county, has called the club ‘a joke.’ ... ‘This is exactly what law enforcement said would happen when they passed the (medical marijuana ballot measure),’ he said in February. ‘This has nothing to do with medicinal marijuana. This has to do with getting high.’”)
Continue reading "Sheriff doesn't think much of us" »
I have no idea what went on behind the scenes before Doug Fleming was
let go as East Lansing boys’ basketball coach. But if I were a taxpayer of the school district, I would find one comment most troubling:
“Athletic director Tom Hunt wouldn’t elaborate on why Fleming was fired, only that it was ‘probably one of the toughest (decisions) I’ve had to make’ and that ‘Doug is an outstanding basketball coach.’”
I’m confused. Don’t we want “outstanding” people in public service?
Continue reading "Good isn't good enough in East Lansing" »
I would presume that the folks over at Michigan State University will not be inviting this British role model back for another headlining role at the annual Kaleidoscope women’s day:
“LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Duchess of York, caught on camera apparently offering to sell access to her ex-husband, UK trade envoy Prince Andrew, said on Sunday she was sorry for her ‘serious lapse in judgment.’
“According to footage on the News of the World newspaper’s website, Sarah Ferguson appears to ask for $40,000 in cash and 500,000 pounds ($718,500) by wire transfer, claiming she could introduce the undercover reporter to the prince. ...
“The Duchess, known as ‘Fergie,’ who is no stranger to controversy, said she deeply regretted the sting and admitted her financial situation was ‘under stress,’ British media reported.”
Now isn’t this interesting: “Expectations are growing that France is set to remove the right to retire at 60, as it embarks on a contentious reform of its debt-laden pension system and brings public finances back into line,” reports the Financial Times.
“Although there has been much speculation that France’s legal retirement age of 60 – one of the lowest in Europe – would be abandoned, Mr Estrosi’s comments on national radio are the clearest statement yet of government intentions.”
Contrast that with what Michigan just did — promise more future benefits to get thousands of teachers to retire while still of working age. Early retirements cost money, though lawmakers assure this new plan will save Michigan schools $3 billion over 10 years. The keys to making that happen are the 3 percent health-care fee to be paid by working teachers and the fact that said working teachers are going to be paid less than the ones now retiring.
Continue reading "More generous than the French?" »
More fun on the year of anybody but incumbents ...
Four Michigan Senate districts cover parts of mid-Michigan: 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 33rd. Thanks to term limits, voters will have little chance to punish an incumbent this year. East Lansing Democrat Gretchen Whitmer of the 23rd is the only incumbent senator available.
In each of the other three seats, a current state rep is running for the Senate: Joe Hune in the 22nd, Rick Jones in the 24th and Brian Calley in the 33rd.
Now, let’s say that Whitmer wins a second term and all three of the reps win, too. (I’m not predicting that result, though I've been told by people with far more practical political knowledge than I that Whitmer, Hune and Jones are big favorites to win. I’ve seen a poll -- have no idea as to its quality -- that shows Calley way behind in his GOP primary.)
That means that four current members of the Michigan Legislature would be spending the next four years ... in the Legislature.
Would that be a sign of an anti-incumbent year?
In advance of the fall elections, can we establish some metric by which to judge whether 2010 is a year dominated by “anti-incumbent” voters? I know we are all supposed to be as mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore, but I believe we will enter 2011 with plenty of the same incumbent politicians we have now.
Just look at the recent federal office filings in Michigan.
Continue reading "What constitutes an 'anti-incumbent' year?" »
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