Anti-Abortion Leader Compares Rape And Incest To Accidents
News Briefs 05-24-2013 Hits:122 
Huffington Post
The head of a pro-life group in Michigan made a controversial comparison on Wednesday, arguing that women in the state should be forced to pay extra for health insurance that covers abortions, even in cases of rape or incest. "It's simply, like, nobody plans to have an accident in a car accident, nobody plans to have their homes flooded. You have ...
Read moreNo Surprise: Some GOP Foaming At Mouth For Obama Impeachment Amid ‘Scandals…
Prime Politics 05-24-2013 Hits:290 
News One
The “Get-That-N*gger” sect of the GOP is not bending on their talk of impeaching President Barack Obama. Yes, despite many Republican leaders urging their sillier members to slow down, lunatics, such as Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah, pictured) can’t stop, won’t stop. In an interview with the National Journal, Chaffetz claims, ”This is an administration embroiled in a scandal that they created. It’s a cover-up. I’m not saying impeachment is the end game, but it’s a possibility, especially if they keep doing little to help us learn more.” SEE ALSO: Check Out Barack ‘Barry’ Obama’s Prom Pics![1] If only “Grey’s Anatomy” writer and producer Shonda Rhimes were able to write the end result of this spectacle. In her world, Chaffetz would either be transported to the afterlife or either some hole in the ground meant for suckers who don’t do as they’re told. And before you ask, no, I don’t really want Chaffetz to meet Jesus, Buddha, and Xenu. I just want him to shut the hell up. Case in point, ...
Read moreSchool of Social Work Scholarship Fundraiser gets Supporters Ready for Summ…
Community 05-22-2013 Hits:162 
Michigan Chronicle Staff
Sundresses and linen are the theme of the School of Social Work’s June 20 “Dinner with Dean,” an annual fundraiser hosted by the school’s Alumni Association to raise money for scholarships. The event, which will be held at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle, will offer supporters of the school an opportunity to meet, mingle and learn from Dean Cheryl Waites about exciting initiatives involving research, funding and faculty. As always, the event will boast a “strolling supper” and a silent auction with can’t-miss items such as gift certificates, original art, themed baskets, sports paraphernalia, food, clothing, jewelry and alumni apparel. “‘Dinner with the Dean’ is one of the most anticipated events of the year for alumni,” said the association’s president, Larmender Davis. “Between the great food, the music, the bidding and the chance to catch up with friends and professors, there’s something for everyone.” The social hour, cash bar and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and speakers at 6 p.m. Strolling food stations this year include a fruit, vegetables and cheese table, a mashed potato bar, carved turkey, and a variety of desserts. Tickets are $25 for current School of Social Work students and $30 for the general public. To contribute an item to the auction, to buy tickets, or for more information on the event, please email Julie Alter-Kay, special assistant to Dean Waites, at ae8440@wayne.edu
Read moreMark Hackel Advocates a More Regional Focus
Prime Politics 05-22-2013 Hits:1188 Patrick Keating/Chronicle Staff
If there is one issue Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel would like to see discussed at the Mackinac Policy Conference, it is regional focus. “In other words, how do we brand the region?” he asked, saying he deals with the same question at the county level. Macomb is comprised of 27 varying municipalities. Hackel’s job is to figure out how to brand the county — based upon the unique assets of the individual communities within it — so that people get a perspective of what the county is all about. He believes the same concept should be expanded to the region, because Southeast Michigan is competing with other regions throughout the world for resources, assets and attractions. “We have some unique things in this region that we don’t cross-promote as regional leaders,” Hackel said, adding that they need to figure out how to come together to get people to understand the importance of this region. He also noted that Macomb and the region are ignoring the recreational opportunities and quality of life assets that also are economic opportunities. “Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River,” he said. “It’s the mainstream main street.” Hackel’s eighth floor office overlooks the Clinton River, which he said ties into Oakland County. “How do we make that connectivity as regional partners?” he asked. He said the Clinton River runs through Mt. Clemens, and asked why there isn’t a vibrant downtown, with investment from the private sector building on that riverfront. “How come we don’t see canoe rentals?” he asked. He also said the Clinton River is greater in size than “little creeks” that have been developed by other states. Hackel said that near the mouth of the Clinton River, there are businesses, such as restaurants, where people on the river can stop. But these are far fewer than there once were. There used to be a great boating...
Read moreFicano Wants Municipal Finance Discussed at Mackinac
Prime Politics 05-22-2013 Hits:174 Patrick Keating/Chronicle Staff
According to Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, municipal finance is the one issue attendees of the Mackinac Policy Conference need to discuss this year. He said Wayne County has lost $100 million since 2009 because it depends on property taxes. “The state’s revenues have gone up, and all of it has been because of action that helps themselves,” Ficano said. “For example, the auto industry really is the thing that has bolstered the state in the past couple of years because it has come back up.” He also said when there are increases in employment — such as 1,000 jobs at the Wayne Assembly Plant or 1,200 in Flat Rock — everyone pays income tax, but all that revenue goes to the state. “None of it is seen on the local level,” Ficano said. He also noted that when people are working, they buy more things, but the sales taxes from those purchases likewise go to the state. “On top of that, the state has increased its income tax rate from 3.9 to 4.25,” he said. “They’ve eliminated a number of deductions, and also tax pensions. So all that revenue goes to the state of Michigan, so if you had two charts, you would see the state of Michigan’s going up like that, and they never anticipated property values would drop like this. So we’re limited.” Ficano said that even if Wayne County bounced back to where it was in 2009 regarding property values, it would take until 2025 to get there because there is a 5 percent cap on each year it could increase. “Well, it’s not bouncing back at that rate,” he said. “So, that’s the dilemma we face in this.” Ficano pointed out that the state government increased its budget in every department except the Department of Corrections. “That’s their prerogative, but meanwhile revenue sharing and everything...
Read moreBenghazi-IRS-Leaks-- What about jobs?
Prime Politics 05-21-2013 Hits:252 
By Bob Weiner and Nakia Gladden
By Bob Weiner & Nakia GladdenThe nation's media are transfixed with obsessive coverage of Hillary Clinton's role (there was none) in the talking points on the Benghazi deaths, IRS investigation of Tea Party groups' tax deductions (the same way they earlier asked the same of the NAACP), the Justice Department's demand for AP's phone records concerning leaks on Yemeni terrorists (after Congress had demanded the investigation of the leaks); and the press properly wants to know what to do about Syria, and how to end sex abuse in the U.S. military.Meanwhile, WHAT ABOUT JOBS? That's the real problem that will define our future success as a country for the rest of this century, and it is a question Rep. John Conyers is asking. The silence has been deafening. At the President's news conferences, which we attended this week and last week, there was not a single question from the media about jobs.Despite the Dow reaching all-time highs, the number of jobs available has seen no such luck. "Are we in the midst of a jobless recovery?" asked MSNBC's Chuck Todd last week on "Andrea Mitchell Reports." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is at 7.5%. Though that is the lowest it has been in the last four years, the U.S.post-World War II norm is about 5% unemployment and has often been at 4% or under. . Michigan's unemployment rate is a staggering 8.5%. Michigan tops the list for African Americans who are unemployed at 18.7%.What are the major factors contributing to the slow recovery of jobs in the US? Outsourcing is at the top of the list. Shipping jobs overseas for cheaper labor hinders the opportunity for job growth. Moreover, based on recent tragic events in Bangladesh's and China's factories, lives would be saved because companies would be regulated...
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The annual watering hole gathering of Michigan’s top civic, business, labor, education, government, political and foundation leaders is set to begin.
