http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/michigan/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:54:18 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417316/posts Candidate Rick Snyder criticizes opponent for governor Pete Hoekstra for citing attempted Detroit terrorist attack in fundraising letterU.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra was blasted Monday for using an attempted terrorism attack to raise money for his campaign for governor. A fundraising solicitation Hoekstra's campaign e-mailed Monday criticized the response by President Barack Obama administration's to a failed attempt to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as it neared landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The solicitation showed poor judgment, according to a campaign spokesman for Rick Snyder, an Ann Arbor venture capitalist and 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate. Grand Rapids Press File PhotoRick... Mlive.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417316/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:54:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts New population figures give a boost to the GOP By: Chris StirewaltPolitical EditorDecember 28, 2009 The 2010 census is sure to be controversial.Republicans will thunder about the community organizers who get hired to do the counting, and Democrats will wail that the homeless and migrant workers are undercounted.But in the final pre-count estimate just released by the Census Bureau, we already have a broad idea of where the results are headed and what they will mean politically.The numbers are cause for alarm for Democrats.Of the states gaining House seats -- Texas (three) and Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:44:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415943/posts On the city's east side, where auto workers once assembled cars by the millions, nature is taking back the land. Cottonwood trees grow through the collapsed roofs of homes stripped clean for scrap metal. Wild grasses carpet the rusty shells of empty factories, now home to pheasants and wild turkeys. This green veil is proof of how far this city has fallen from its industrial heyday and, to a small group of investors, a clear sign. Detroit, they say, needs to get back to what it was before Henry Ford moved to town: farmland. "There's so much land available and... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415943/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:08:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416527/posts Europe We Hardly Knew Ye By Norma Zager “The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay, I heard the laughter of her heart in every street café. The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring, And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing...” Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. The latest terrorist attempt on a Northwest Airlines plane bound for Detroit is the greatest example and warning to the world that a sleeping giant has awakened. We are all bursting with pride. Obviously, the terrorist had no idea what... "Postcards from Israel - Postcards from America" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416527/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:45:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416439/posts Cell phone-related materials, including SIM cards, were recovered during searches of "flats or apartments of interest" connected to Flight 253 bomber suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, Fox News learned Monday. SIM cards, which store cell phone numbers and incoming or outgoing calls, may be able to determine who was talking to whom in the months and days prior to Abdulmutallab's flight from Nigeria to Detroit. Catherine Herridge - FOXNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416439/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:27:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416469/posts President speaking live now! Topics: 1) Steps feds taking;2) Investigating ongoing; 3) How awesome he is and how HE stopped the attack (just kidding); 4) Actions to protect Americans;5) Statement on the unrest in Iran http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416469/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:05:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416035/posts As some Houston leaders called on Sunday for measures to help guard against future terrorist attacks, others questioned why the Nigerian man charged with trying to destroy a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit spent time last year in Houston. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is believed to have traveled to Houston in 2008, but no details of the trip were available Sunday. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston declined to discuss any connection Abdulmutallab might have to the city, saying details of the investigation remain classified. U.S. government officials did confirm that they are looking into his travel itinerary, but the FBI... chron.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416035/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:53:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415975/posts "Y Not The Shariah? Saturday, 26 December 2009 06:42 Al X" SNIPPET: "Salaam aleikum to the Muslims. This message comes from our brother in deen, Detroit Red, who lets the kuffar and the wuslims know what's wrong with them. In this one, he tells in simple and straightforward terms why the Shariah must be supreme and why wuslims and kuffar look stupid for trying to bash it. Click the image to see and hear." Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2009 08:26 REVOLUTION MUSLIM RevolutionMuslim.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415975/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:16:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415847/posts CBS radio reporting new action at Detroit Airport. CBS radio http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415847/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:13:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415182/posts An al Qaida-linked suspect who allegedly tried to blow up a transatlantic plane is studying at a UK university, it has been reported. The Nigerian is accused of trying to detonate a powdery substance on a plane from Amsterdam as it prepared to land at Detroit with 278 people on board. US sources said he was subdued by passengers and has since claimed to have been acting for al Qaida. He has been named by ABC News as Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, an engineering student at University College London, with the broadcaster citing US government documents. The suspect, who has... This is London http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415182/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 03:17:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414245/posts     For Immediate Release December 19, 2009 Contact:  Michelle Begnoche(202) 225-4735 STUPAK STATEMENT ON SENATE ABORTION LANGUAGE WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) issued the following statement regarding to the abortion language provisions in the Senate health care bill: “While I appreciate the efforts of all the parties involved, especially Senator Ben Nelson, the Senate abortion language is not acceptable.  I will continue to work with my colleagues on this issue as the process moves forward.  A review of the Senate language indicates a dramatic shift in federal policy that would allow the federal government to subsidize insurance policies... Rep. Stupak House Web Site http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414245/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:45:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412875/posts Detroit's (predominantly black) public schools are the worst in the nation and it takes some doing to be worse than Washington, D.C. Only 3 percent of Detroit's fourth-graders scored proficient on the most recent National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) test, sometimes called "The Nation's Report Card." Twenty-eight percent scored basic and 69 percent below basic. "Below basic" is the NAEP category when students are unable to demonstrate even partial mastery of knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work at their grade level. It's the same story for Detroit's eighth-graders. Four percent scored proficient, 18 percent basic and 77 percent... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412875/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:47:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413851/posts Ann Arbor, MI – “80% of the victims of human trafficking are females, and 50% are children,” said Josephine Nicholas, who, together with three of her siblings, is a successful local Arab-American entrepreneur, founding several companies; as well as the charity event group called Party with a Purpose (PWAP). “My siblings and I decided to turn our family’s Annual After New Year’s party into a fundraising event for Free to be Kids, an organization that has positively changed the lives of thousands of children sold into human trafficking, TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413851/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:27:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413798/posts Stupak: Obama Admin Bullying Me to Accept Abortion Funding in Health Care Washington, DC -- Congressman Bart Stupak, the pro-life Democrat who has been the consistent champion against abortion funding in the health care bill, says the Obama administration is trying to bully him. Stupak says in a new interview that he will not back down in the face of pressure from the White House. http://www.LifeNews.com/nat5810.html LifeNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413798/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:28:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412957/posts By William D Smith (to hear it read click the play button) Paul W Smith WJR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412957/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:11:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411252/posts 18 states allow for recall votes on US Senators. The 18 states allowing for recall are as follows: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. The Senate oath of office is: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well... Vanity http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411252/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:02:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411275/posts Senate Democratic leaders say last-minute changes to the health care bill include giving nonprofit health insurance companies an exemption from the excise tax on insurers, a revision pushed by Sen. Carl Levin, who is a major recipient of campaign contributions form mega nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield. The excise tax or fee on health insurance companies was expected to bring in $6.7 billion to help pay for the nearly $1 trillion bill, but the complete exemption for nonprofits sought by Mr. Levin, Michigan Democrat, would cut the revenue in half. "The health insurance fee proposal in the pending Senate bill... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411275/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:37:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409015/posts A collective gasp was heard when computer enhanced photographs depicting numerous wind turbine generators were shown in Lake Michigan off Pentwater harbor and Little Point Sable at informational meeting in Scottville Tuesday night. The photos were included as part of the public presentation before a full house at West Shore Community College by wind farm developer Scandia Wind LLC. “It’s (Lake Michigan) more beautiful without them. Even I recognize that,” said Harald Dirdal, a project manager with Havgul Clean Energy of Norway. Scandia Wind LLC is exploring the possibility of constructing an estimated $3 billion, 1,000 megawatt wind farm in... Oceana Herald Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409015/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:07:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411257/posts An aide to Rep. Bart Stupak (D. Mich.) coordinated opposition to a Senate compromise on the place of abortion in health care legislation this morning with the Republican Senate leadership, the Conference Catholic Bishops, and other anti-abortion groups, according to a chain of frantic emails obtained this morning by POLITICO. The emails show that Stupak — who has so far remained silent on language accepted by Senator Ben Nelson (D. Neb.) and faces intense pressure from the White House to accept it — is already working behind the scenes to oppose the compromise. They also demonstrate a previously unseen... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411257/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:09:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411153/posts Dave Bing has just signed on to four years of maybe the most futile and thankless job in America: mayor of Detroit. What in the world was he thinking? "I wouldn't have taken this job if this wasn't doable," he tells me. "I finished basketball in 1978, then went into my own business in 1980 and did it for 29 years. . . . Now I get to the end of that career and probably should have retired. But there was a calling greater than anything that I ever envisioned, and that was to help bring this city back." In... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411153/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:44:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409064/posts While we argue amongst ourselves as to whether there really is an Islamic threat in America, Muslims remain focused and continue to push forward with their agenda. Group distributes Qur’ans to front doors By Khalil AlHajal DEARBORN — Many Dearborn residents have been wondering about the source of paperback Qur’ans found hanging from doorknobs throughout the city in recent months. The group distributing free copies of an English translation of the Muslim holy book hopes to create better perceptions of Islam by simply making the scripture available. Logan's Warning http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409064/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:05:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409128/posts The Detroit News’ Mike Wilkinson has an eye-opening story on how unemployment rates generally under-report true joblessness — and specifically how this is happening in Michigan’s largest city. The story points out that Detroit’s official unemployment rate of 27 percent (as of October) may be dramatically under-counting those without work in the economically-strapped city. The actual unemployment rate, when you factor in those who have given up looking for work or who have gone back to school following fruitless searching for work, could be as high as 45 percent. Similarly, official joblessness stats don’t include early-retirees — those who want... Michigan Messenger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409128/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:40:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408415/posts The announcement that federal detainees in Guantanamo Bay will be moved to a facility in Thomson, Ill. rather than another facility such as the Standish Maximum Correctional Facility has generated a lot of discussion The Bay City Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408415/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:57:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407420/posts For the second time Detroit Public Schools Financial Manager Robert Bobb has threatened to bankrupt the school system. Bobb wants school teachers to agree to a Termination Incentive Plan (TIP) which says each teacher must loan the district $10,000 a year from pre-tax earnings to help eliminate the schools’ deficit. DFT President Keith Johnson says if teachers do not agree to the union-generated plan, they face a 10 percent pay cut for five years widening the wage gap between city and suburban teachers. Additionally, teachers may face bankruptcy proceedings that could make a teachers’ contract void. Many teachers have said... Michigan Citizen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407420/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:39:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405956/posts Will consumers buy from a bankrupt auto maker? There always are bargain hunters, but I was certain many would stay away. With Pontiac and Saturn out of the picture, I figured General Motors would be down to 16% market share, losing perhaps another 3% as worried potential buyers talked themselves out of visiting a GM showroom. That would have left GM with as little as 13% share. At least, that’s what I figured, and I have a lot of experience covering failing auto companies. So far, I’m wrong. GM’s market share has been climbing since it left bankruptcy, hitting 20.2%... WardsAuto.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405956/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:57:47 GMT