Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Bush Campaigner Lies to Michigan Workers

Posted by Ari Paul on 2. July 2004

The Michigan Land Use Institute reports:

On April 8 Marc Racicot, President George W. Bush’s national campaign chairman, startled Michigan by announcing what sounded like an ominous fact. After dedicating the Bush-Cheney campaign’s state headquarters near Detroit, Mr. Racicot said that if Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s proposal to raise vehicle fuel mileage standards went into effect Michigan would “lose 105,000 jobs.”

Mr. Racicot’s statement, meant to diminish Mr. Kerry’s standing in a swing state crucial to the campaigns of both candidates, was picked up by the state and national media. His comment was reported in the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, ABC News, and other print, broadcast, and Internet media…

But according to an investigation by the Great Lakes Bulletin News Service, Mr. Racicot’s assertion is at best a serious misrepresentation of a Pennsylvania economist’s two-year-old study, and at worst a deliberate fabrication. It also ignores the fact that many experts believe that improving fuel mileage would actually create more jobs, not eliminate them, and that the United Auto Workers supports Mr. Kerry and does not see his proposals about fuel efficiency as a threat to its members.

Comment [11]

"Texas Republicans Urged to Drop 'Christian Nation'"

Posted by Ari Paul on 2. July 2004

Reuters reports:

DALLAS (Reuters) – A leading Jewish group on Tuesday asked the Republican Party in President Bush’s home state of Texas to stop calling the United States a “Christian nation” in its platform.

The Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism and religious discrimination, said it was dismayed about the platform plank and other language in the document that describes as “a myth” the separation of church and state, which is enshrined by the U.S. Constitution and court rulings.

“America was founded on the belief that freedom of religion requires that the government take no official stance on, or participate in, religious activity or religion,” the group said in a letter to Tina Benkiser, the chairwoman of the Texas Republican Party.

In addition to long-established Jewish communities, Texas is home to a sizable population of Muslims, members of what experts say is one of the fastest growing religions in America.

Benkiser said in a statement Texans believe the party represents their beliefs and values.

“Our platform is an acknowledgment that most of our nation’s founding fathers had a deep faith in God,” she said.

The ADL, while vocal against the mix of Church and State, has often ignored Bush’s fundamentalist and anti-Semitic base and outwardly praised Bush due to his regime’s decision to take an extreme anti-Palestinian foreign policy stance.

Bush Supporters Denounce Liberal Ketchup

Posted by Ari Paul on 2. July 2004

Ketchup, which was declared a vegetable under the Reagan regime, is apparently, a Democratic product. As we all know, John Kerry has close familial ties to the Heinz dynasty.

In response, those in the right-wing ranks have developed W Ketchup which the company claims “In side-by-side taste tests of five leading brands, we found that W Ketchup is second to none. You’ll never go back to Heinz again!”

Comment [1]

Marlon Brando, Prolific Actor, Dead at 80

Posted by Ari Paul on 2. July 2004

Marlon Brando, whose works included Apocalypse Now, A Streetcar Named Desire, and the Godfather, has died at 80, report national news services.

Brando’s controversial career includeds his staunch position for only acting for money, refusing an Oscar out of protest against American crimes against Native Americans, and a legal battle within his family in the 1980s.

CNN reports, “The cause of death was not revealed, but he had suffered from congestive heart failure and was overweight.”

Comment [3]

News from MI IMC

Posted by dilleym on 1. July 2004

Detroit mayor appoints privatization-friendly director of Public Lighting Dept.

“The mayor’s possible choice has a demonstrated record of selling off city assets to private corporations and is closely associated with water department chief Victor Mercado, another privatization advocate.”

Grand Rapids’ Critical Mass Bike Ride Stopped by Police, Three Arrested

“Initially one officer lectured the group and when people questioned him as to why the ride was stopped, he singled out one man for having his tire in the opposing lane. When the man questioned this, the officer at first demanded identification and claimed he was going to ticket him and shortly after that stated that the man was under arrest. The man tried to walk away but was tackled and eventually pepper sprayed—an incident that is the first usage of chemical agents at a “protest” in Grand Rapids.

Comment [1]

The Union of Progressive Alumni

Posted by Rob Goodspeed on 30. June 2004

Is now accepting new members via their website:

The University of Michigan Union of Progressive Alumni is a global membership organization of alumni of the University of Michigan interested in progressive politics. Our mission is simple:

  • Provide opportunities for political, professional, and personal networking among members
  • Fundraise for programs and uses of our choosing at the University
  • Lobby and work with University administrators to help create a university that better reflects our values

Official members will be added to the official organization email list and hear about jobs, events, and other opportunities. Members will also be able to contact every other member through the email list. Whether it’s to solicit assistance in your personal political work, or draw the attention of the group to a specific issue at the University, you’ll be able to contact a group of Michigan’s most active, involved, and powerful alumni.

To Join, simply go to our website at MichiganProgressives.org and follow the easy instructions!

Union of Progressive Alumni/ae
PO Box 7207 Ann Arbor Michigan 48107
upa.core at umich.edu

Comment [2]

National Wildlife Federation Hiring in A2

Posted by Ari Paul on 30. June 2004

Idealist.org advertises:

The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a Project Coordinator to work with its Clean the Rain (CTR) mercury reduction program in its Great Lakes office. The position will assist Clean the Rain staff with communications, media development, event planning, outreach and coordination with activists and affiliates across the Midwest. The position will take part in projects to educate and mobilize effective grassroots action on Great Lakes mercury reduction, aid in mercury sampling initiatives, take part in writing, production, and distribution of outreach material, and help organize workshops, meetings, and press events including handling logistics and travel arrangements.

Qualifications: B.S. or B.A. Degree in environmental science, natural science, economics, business, and/or experience in energy or chemicals policy a plus. Minimum one-year professional experience with a conservation or advocacy organization; experience writing fact sheets, news releases and reports.

Air Quality?

Posted by Rob Goodspeed on 30. June 2004

Sure, I suppose the black film which builds up on my windows is just from cooking …

SEMCOG disputes EPA soot designation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it plans to declare the seven-county southeast Michigan region, which includes Livingston and Washtenaw counties, as failing to attain new, stricter standards for airborne particulate matter, or soot.

But Southeast Michigan Council of Government officials say they strongly disagree with the proposal.

Chuck Hersey, SEMCOG’s manager of environmental programs, called the move misleading and inappropriate, given that only the air quality monitors in Wayne and Monroe counties have been out of compliance.

The move is different from one earlier this year that designated the region and many others across the country as failing to meet ozone standards. But Hersey added that many solutions to the ozone problem might help reduce soot as well, since they have common sources like vehicles and factories.

The region will have three years to come up with a plan and several more years to lower soot levels, or it could face federal sanctions.

Comment [1]

Couch Ban

Posted by Rob Goodspeed on 30. June 2004

There’s an article in the Ann Arbor News today about a proposal to ban couches, but I can’t seem to find it on their website. According to the article, the change might be considered by the city council “as soon as” July 16.

If this sounds familiar to you, it’s because I reported on it on my personal website on May 21st.

Comment [4]

Mick Jones is Burning

Posted by Ari Paul on 30. June 2004

Mick Jones, the guitarist for the Clash, gave an interview to The Independent (London) on his time with what Bono called the greatest rock band, as well as what he is up to now.

“Do I seem very distracted?” Mick Jones asks me quizzically, bottle of Becks in hand, as he looks up from the mixing desk in Metropolis, an expensive recording studio in west London. Not at all, I tell him. Though I can understand why he asks the question. The guitarist and Clash founder is, as he frames it, currently working on his “past, present and future”, and is under a certain amount of pressure. This not even taking account the new baby – his third girl – and recent house move: “I’m living out of boxes. I can’t even find my passport, so I can’t escape what I’m doing.”

Comment [3]

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