Done In

At least while the Battle to Save Michigan rages on.

Until it ends, I'll be over at MichLib by way of the Capitol Building keeping the commentary rolling and the perspective fresh.

Speaking of perspective, I just realized that since session started at 10:30 a.m. last Friday, I've done 18 posts about it all. While I'm not complaining, that's a heck of a lot writing/posting/background gathering to do in 3 short days. I don't think I've ever done 18 posts in a week!

Needless to say, my dwelling/bed has become little more than a staging area to get rested for the next long day of session, and my social life has been nil. Ah, the life of a political blogger! :-)

Since you're on the Tubes of the Internet anyways, stop by MichLib and say hi, it'd be nice to see a few familiar faces.

Michigan Republicans Behaving Badly (still)

Remember Jackson resident/East Lansing attorney and the former chairman of the Michigan Federation of Young Republicans Michael A Flory? (See the original post here)

Yes, he's that fine upstanding citizen (and protege of State Party Chairman Saul Anuzis?) who was arrested in February in Cleveland, OH for charges of rape, kidnapping, aggravated burglary, gross sexual imposition and witness intimidation.

Well this is from this morning's AP -

A lawyer who formerly led a Michigan young Republicans organization was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison on a guilty plea to sexual battery stemming from allegations that he forced sex acts on a woman while both were at a convention last year.

According to the story, the other charges were dropped because Flory plead guilty. Although I'm not sure the MYRF knows about it, because Flory's welcome message is still present on their website, including this choice sentence -

As a statewide organization, we also provide a stimulating network of conservative young minds that enjoy the social aspects of politics.

Well that explains quite a bit, doesn't it?
But don't be thinking that this was just any random act of violence. According to court documents -

He was attending a Cleveland convention of young Republicans, ages 18 to 40, at the time of the crime in July 2006. The victim, 21 at the time, was intoxicated and became ill, and Flory took her back to her hotel and attacked her in her hotel room, said assistant county prosecutor Carol Skutnik.

That's right ladies and gents, hold on to your hope for the young Republicans of Michigan. Just because the leader's bad, doesn't necessarily mean they're all bad, right? Let's hope so!

The New Kids on the Block: Part 1

As it's probably been apparent over the years, I love Mid-Michigan and my adopted home, Lansing.

Just as the rest of the state has suffered, Lansing's endured its fair share of bad news, depressing times leaving some residents with a glass is half-empty mindset, and understandably so.

Even though spring isn't exactly right around the corner, Mid-Michigan is starting to see some new signs of life, particularly within the media.

It wasn't until this past weekend at the Michigan Policy Summit that Capital Gains first made its debut. Owned by Issue Media Group, you might have seen some of CG's sister publications, like Model D in Detroit, Rapid Growth in Grand Rapids and MetroMode in Metro Detroit.

Capital Gains is unlike anything you've ever seen, focusing on the positive, highlighting the great things about our home, and what I think is a great hope for Mid-Michigan's future.

Stay tuned tomorrow as you discover the other latest and greatest new media here in Michigan. You're definitely going to like what you see.

A Simple Sunrise

Something pleasant to wake up too on this Tuesday morning.




Where in Michigan do you best enjoy a simple sunrise of your own?

Miscellaneous Monday Mutterings

First off, a happy Monday, Monday to you and yours, courtesy of the Mama's and Papa's.


Did you know that this week is the Eat Local Localvore Challenge? Join local bloggers Green Tuna and Mensch71 as we all participate.

In case you missed it, the Michigan Policy Summit was a great time and an incredible experience! There's quite a bit about it over at MichLib.

Are you a state employee worried about your job with the looming government shutdown thanks to Mike Bishop and his band of not-so merry Republicans? Be sure to stop by MichLib sometime after 10 a.m. today for some laughs and learn about a brand new contest designed just for you!

If you thought Mondays were particularly bad, let's hope it's not any worse than what the guys over from Office Space had to put up with -


But if you're looking for a new TV addiction this fall, be sure to check out one of my favorite comedies - The Office. Here's a teaser of the new season that starts in three weeks!

What not to do when you're an elected official

Don't get in a fight, beat someone up, plead guilty, lie about pleading guilty, and then lie to the press. Especially when you're part of the largest student government in the country, and working for a group that I was proud to be a part of.

Don't go golfing when 10 million people are counting on you to fix the state, and state employees are counting on you not to shut down the government.

Don't hide in the closet. It's okay if you're gay, even if your friends and colleagues don't think so. Listen to your heart, remember that God made all of us and loves all of us the same, and for crying out loud, come out of the closet and get new friends. You'll save a bundle on therapy.

Don't drink and drive. Don't keep drinking and driving even after you've been caught and arrested once before. No, no, no - bad move.

Don't hurt children, and those that are too young to defend themselves. (Again with the don't hide in the closet)

What you can do:

Lead by example - it's the best way you can. And if you can't, step down and let someone else. Our schools, our state, our country are too precious not to have the best of the best in charge.

From the Non-Political but Amazing File

Today is a sad day for music lovers across the globe. As both GreenTuna and Rich have mentioned, the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died. The world has lost one of it's musical gems, and people aren't stretching it when they called Pavarotti the next Enrico Caruso, because he was just that great.

If you head over to Pavarotti's website, you'll find this incredible quote from the Maestro himself -

I think a life spent in music is a life beautifully spent and this is what I have devoted my life to.

Amen.

While the aria Nessum Dorma was Pavarotti's best known song, here's my personal all-time favorite.


While hearts are breaking all across the world, people like this little guy give me hope that the message of music will continue on for centuries to come.

Local Treats that make you say Yum!

As a local follow-up to yesterday's debut of the new MichLib feature - Make it Michigan, I thought I'd post some of the local farmers' markets, and encourage you to stop by.

From the fabulous MI Department of Agriculture -

Allen Street Farmers' Market Lansing, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-485-7630 Type: Seasonal Hours of Operation: Open May 25-Oct 26, 3:30-6:30pm; live music; accept EBT Bridge & Project FRESH

Lansing City Market Lansing, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-483-7460 Type: All year Hours of Operation: Open All Year Tu Th Fri Sat 8am-6pm

Meridian Township Farmers' Market Okemos, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-853-4608 Type: Seasonal Hours of Operation: Open July-Oct Wed 8am-5pm; May-Oct Sat 8am-2pm

Williamston Farmers' Market Williamston, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-655-2774 Type: Hours of Operation: Open Jun-Oct; Thurs 2pm-dusk

If you're outside of Ingham County but still want to find tasty Michigan treats for half the price and all the while promote Michigan's economy, stop by this page from MDA.

Labor Day with the Lansing Lugnuts

It's a beautiful night for a ball game.

Hope your holiday weekend was just as nice.

Tee Time = Pure Michigan

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

You're just one over 10 million Michiganders who will enjoying this holiday, but the question is - what will you be doing?

Some of you have headed north, one last weekend at the cottage or the beach or camping in the beautiful forests.

Others are puttering around the house, readying the house for the impending fall.

You maybe one of the million or so also getting in one last tee time in before fall. No matter what your Labor Day plans, this Tee Time is for you, courtesy of Pure Michigan.

A Michigan Trailhead

= Pure Michigan.

Don't you just love these videos?

Happy Friday, friends.

The Worst of the Worst: My Bad Boss Series

From the files of the excellent folks at the official blog of the AFL-CIO, hear are some Michiganders "My Bad Boss" entries.

I can only hope that they don't sound that familiar.

Mr. Leader
Snow Days
120% Efficiency
The Euchre Player (you know that one's from MI!)
Management by Drugs
Bad Boss -- hmm sounds like KMart, Amway, Enron, etc. You decide!
Unfair to Senior Citizens

and of course the winner, who sounds like a truly despicable boss.

Got a terrible boss? Submit your story below in the comments, and to Working America, the organization working for you. Union benefits even if you don't have a union at your workplace. Check em out and join up!

While I'm fighting the Stone...

I'll also be fighting for others, and I sure could use your help.

Tuesday morning at 10:30 I'll be testifying before the House Commerce Committee about the Restroom Access Bill, HB 5046, introduced by Rep. Andy Meisner, and co-sponsored by Mid-Michigan Representative Barb Byrum. The bill is designed to provide restroom access to people with eligible medical conditions where a public bathroom might not specifically be available, i.e. retail businesses.

Rep. Meisner introduced the original bill two years ago, spurred by a constituent with Crohn's Disease who would no longer shop outside of her home because of an incident where the retail establishment would not let her use their private bathroom resulting in a very embarrassing situation for her.

This is no joke. When you have a digestive disease such as Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), etc, there are times where you need immediate access to a bathroom. Being denied it, especially as an adult, is incredibly humiliating and embarrassing. Certain aspects of your entire life are controlled due to your disease.

For instance, for the 10 years that my Crohn's was particularly bad, there were certain restaurants and stores that I refused to visit because they either did not have public bathrooms or they were less than hygienic to use, and that I knew should the sudden and terrible urge hit me, I would be left in a very undesirable situation. I know this to be the case of most others who suffer with these conditions.

These businesses lost out on my business, and in turn, the state lost out on much needed revenue in the form of sales tax. It was a losing situation for all parties involved.

For those of you thinking that it's just common sense for people to make their bathrooms available to someone with a medical condition like the ones described above, I'd agree with you. Unfortunately reality dictates that common sense is not always so common.

The bill works because it gives responsibilities to both the consumer and the business.

The customer provides the retail establishment with a copy of a statement on a prescription form that indicates the customer suffers from an eligible medical condition or utilizes an ostomy device, signed by a doctor.

Protections for the business include -

Two or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee toilet facility.

and

The employee toilet facility is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the retail establishment.

Many of us know someone who lives with either Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, and/or lives with an ostomy. We also know probably know of the pain, the embarrassment, and trials they have been through to carry on with their lives. As you support them in their goal to live a productive life, also support them in their quest to be have the same privileges and rights you would want if you were in their shoes.

Take three minutes out of your day and ask your state representative to support HB 5046, the Restroom Access Bill. Make Michigan the supportive state we know it to be, in our communities, in our health, and in our commerce.

Gone Fishin' ...

...for a kidney stone. No joke.

A trip to the local Urgent Care last night revealed the biggest kidney stone the doctor had ever seen lodge in my lil ol kidney. Actually, if you want to get technical, the body is only capable of passing a 4 mm stone. Mine is a whopping 3 cm. Fantastic, huh?

I spent most of the YearlyKos Convention trying to pass one that was nothing compared to this. For those of you who've had kidney stones, you know how bad they are. For those of you who haven't, imagine childbirth, or so I've been told by mothers who've had the stones.

Tomorrow I find out if it's going to get lasered to be blown up into smaller pieces that my body can handle, or if I have to have yet another surgery to have it removed.

So, I might be out for a couple days, but hopefully not.

The pain's terrible, the prospect of another medical procedure, much less a surgery is terrifying, and I'm reminded again of the realities of life with Crohn's Disease.

While my Crohn's is in remission, and there's no active disease within my body, the absence of my large intestine (colon) makes it very hard for my body to absorb nutrients and minerals, particularly calcium. For some reason, calcium has always been hard on my body since my ileostomy surgery 9 years ago. I've grown used to the calcium forming these stones in my kidneys several times a year and then my body trying to rid itself of them. Problem is, this is the first time the stones have been so big I can't physically pass them.

The problems my forever-weakened immune system now face are a serious kidney infection, and my blood count being too high and too low, all at the same time. If left unattended, this particular stone has the potential of causing permanent damage to my kidneys, and my body's not quite equipped to deal with that or a serious infection, after a previous infection years ago nearly killed me.

I'm not complaining, because I'm still alive. This is just another day in the life of a person who lives with a chronic illness and the frequent reminders of how precious the good days really are.

This maybe not what I have ordered, but it's another opportunity to learn to appreciate what you have and to continue to make a difference in the lives of others, because in the end, that's what life is really about.

Working Together

With all the bad news about our economy, I'm amazed that more people aren't doing more to work together to get it back on track.

I've always been a big fan of leading by example, whether it's our leaders, our friends and family or ourselves. That being said...

Angela is a fellow Lansingite (is that what we're called?) who's made some very pretty baubles and selling them on her Etsy page. I'm always looking for pretty things, and the hardest decision I'm faced with is which one I start with, but at least I've narrowed it down to three.

There's this bracelet, followed by this one, and finally this necklace, of course listed in no particular order. :-)

So when you're in the market to buy something pretty for yourself or someone else, shop local, shop liberal/progressive, shop Lansing.

(While you're at, be sure to check out Angela's blog and think about becoming a regular reader there as well!)

Weekend Travels and a Must-Read Book

Happy Friday.

I'm going to be spending the weekend packing in a lot of hours in the car, traveling to and fro.


Having a weakness for cheese, I'm excited that I'll be stopping by an excellent frommage factory and picking up some yummy for home.

Even though I'll be in the car, I won't be doing as much driving as I will be enjoying some delicious hours with a pile of books that I'm taking with me. Among those in my list and pertinent to you, the readers of this humble little blog is one read that is getting more fascinating by day.

Religion Gone Bad by Rev. Dr. Mel White is a fascinating look into the fundamental Christian movements war on gays and lesbians in America, led by James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and Pat Buchanan.

White is well qualified to lead this discussion. He's an evangelical pastor who's worked at the highest levels of the fundamentalist movement for over 20 years with the likes of Robertson, Dobson, Falwell and others.

• Among some of the more scarier revelations in the book (pun intended) -
  In August 2004, Dobson used one of his Focus on the Family broadcasts to compare the ethics of embryonic stem-cell research to "Nazi medical experiments on prisoners." (pg 87)

• In October 2005 - Dobson made it known that he had a private "conversations" with Karl Rove about Harriet Miers, the woman nominated by Bush to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and that during the conversation he was trusted with information ..."that I probably shouldn't know." The media had a field day. The Democrats and even some Republicans demanded to know why Dobson had more information about the president's nominee than they did. (pg. 88)

If things like that don't make you shudder, well, I'm not sure what would.

I've said time and time again, as a spiritual person I will never advocate to criticize anyone's personal beliefs. I am a very staunch supporter of a very clear separation between church and state, it's clear that the mainstays of the Republican Party have become anything but.

But back to my travels. There's several other lighter books on the list to be read, and a good time with friends and family.

Here's hoping you have an enjoyable weekend!

Color My World

I got to admit, I think the Pure Michigan campaign is one of the cleverest ad campaigns the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has come up with yet.

Not only is it truly memorable, it's beautifully shot, written extremely well, and Michigan-native Tim Allen does a fantastic job narrating it. All in all, it can't be beat. Even the California ads with Paul Newman, Terri Hatcher, and Austrian native Ahh-nawld Schwartzenegger can't beat the gem that is the Pure Michigan campaign.



Never doubt the beauty and charm that is Pure Michigan.

Help Mid-Michigan's kids succeed in school

It's no secret that many folks in Michigan, particularly in the Mid-Michigan area, have been hit hard by the state's economic problems. It's one thing for adults to suffer, but when it affects children, it just seems that much worse. Thank goodness we can all be a part of the solution.

The City Rescue Mission on Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing is on its annual mission to make sure children from low-income families have what they need to return to school with its Backpack and Supplies Drive.

According to an article in today's LSJ, the drive is already off to a roaring start, but on a more depressing note, the number of children in need is also up.

With the Lansing School District canceling their annual drive, there's still a possibility that some children could go without.

If you would like to help out some children in need, drop off a brand new/gently used backpack full of new school supplies to City Rescue Mission, or call 485-0145 for further info.

It really does take an entire village city to raise a child. Be a part of the community and help out some kids in need.

Rest in Peace, Miles

A couple months ago I highlighted the story of Miles Levin, the 18 year-old from Oakland County that was fighting a rare and often deadly form of cancer.

Since his story was told in the Detroit News, I've been following his fight and journey on CarePages, a great blogging tool made especially for those in hospital or fighting serious illnesses, something they didn't yet have when I was so sick.

About a month ago, doctors made it clear that Miles would not beat his cancer and while those of us following along knew the end was near, many of us still hoped for a miracle.

Each time as of late that I received an email notifying that Miles' page had been updated, a sense of dread loomed over. This morning it was confirmed, Miles passed away.

I can't imagine what his parents and sister must be going through, but I bet for him personally it is a relief and a blessing, or at least, that's how I would imagine it after my long experience with a serious illness and pain.

Often times when my body was racked with pain and the illness seemed to completely consume every part of my life, I prayed for an end to it all.

Sometimes that meant death, other times it meant a deep, unconscious sleep that lasted for months until my body could heal itself. I never quite tolerated painkillers very well, and my threshold for pain was so high, that often times I was just left to deal with it, despite the doctors and nurses best efforts.

Miles described his last couple weeks as full of pain, something that reminded me a lot of my pain, mind-numbing and all-consuming. While I don't believe that anyone really sets out to die, given his experience, his pain, and his revelations on life and dying with dignity, I believe that Miles was ready to move on from this earthly life to something better. Here are his words, courtesy of the Detroit News, on death and dying -

If my struggle with cancer galvanizes actions of goodness, I can rest assured that even if I succumb to the rogue cells I will leave behind a legacy of victory. Dying is not what scares me. It's dying and having had no impact.

Miles will be missed by many of us who never met him. The thousands and thousands of lives he touched through his blog, his interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, his caregivers at Beaumont Hospital, and of course his friends and family can never quite be counted. His impact on all of us, guiding us how to live and die with dignity in a most uncontrollable situation will be forever felt.

Rest in peace Miles, God knows you've earned it.

Update: The Detroit News' Laura Berman has a touching memoriam to Levin here

Life's little moments

Interesting thing life is, isn't it?

You sail around doing your thing, whether that's work or a hobby, or caring for someone, and then you get one of those little wake-up calls.

You know, those wake up calls, bad news from the doctor, shocking news from a friend, something in the news that really strikes you, etc. The ones that really just jar the core of your very being.

It's almost as if we enclose ourselves in our happy little worlds, set on auto-pilot, doing our thing, just like a bubble. But one poke at the balloon in just the right manner, and then wa-bam, you realize you're off on the shoulder watching everything zoom by, and you're still trying to recover your senses.

We get through it, we experience that situation, taking it in, almost being consumed as we attempt to get on with the rest of our day, and then sooner or later you find yourself back in the bubble set to auto-pilot.

Do we learn from it? Do we take something away that's now ingrained not only in our memory but also in our soul?

I think we have too, because that's how we survive and how we go on to live richer, fuller lives and learn how to cope through the future moments when life pulls out the rug under our feet. Otherwise, what's the point?