Penn and Teller on Gun Control

This is a funny video from Showtime's Penn and Teller (Libertarian Comedians) on Gun Control. WARNING - The Video has Strong Language (including a couple of f'bombs) and isn't for young kids. In fact the title of the video is - Gun Control is Bull#@^%!!!

Republican Michigander's Presidential Tournament

After the March Madness tournament with Survey St Louis, the Republican Michigander has decided to post a tournament of our own here, although with a different twist. Half of the possible candidates are going to be democrats. We're going to have a Republican Bracket and Democrat bracket with a Republican vs Democrat bracket in the final round.

Since this is Michigan, it's well known that parties have orchastrated shenanigans when it comes to primaries. Democrats have voted for McCain, and Republicans have voted for Fieger. I'd like to see the democrats vote in the democrat bracket, and republicans vote in the republican bracket, but just like Michigan's primaries - that may not happen. Because I can't screen everyone, this is going to be by a "general election format" where tickets can be split.

Since this is going to be a tournament of 32 and Pollhost is limiting me to 15 polls (30 candidates), we're going to have two seperate round one polls for each party, with the remaining rounds combining all candidates. The brackets are as follows.

Republicans

1. Mitt Romney - Massachusetts Governor, Michigan Native
16. Alan Keyes - Former Ambassador, frequent candidate

8. Sam Brownback - Kansas Senator, attended Mackinac Conference
9. Tommy Thompson - Former Wisconsin Governor, known for Welfare Reform, attended Mackinac Conference

5. Newt Gingrich - Former Speaker of the House
12. Mike Huckabee - Arkansas Governor

4. Tom Tancredo - Colorado Congressman and Immigration Reformer
13. Chuck Hagel - Nebraska Senator

6. Mike Pence - Indiana Congressman and Fiscal leader
11. Bill Frist - Senate Majority Leader

3. John McCain - 2000 candidate and Arizona Senator
14. Tim Pawlenty - Minnesota Governor

7. Rudy Giuliani - Former NYC Mayor
10. Fred Thompson - Former Tennessee Senator and actor.

2. George Allen - Virginia senator and former governor
15. George Pataki - New York Governor

Democrats
1. Hillary Clinton - New York Senator and former first lady
16. Dianne Feinstein - California Senator

8. Joe Biden - Delaware Senator
9. Brian Schweitzer - Montana Governor

5. Russ Feingold - Wisconsin Senator
12. Tom Vilsack - Iowa Governor

4. Bill Richardson - New Mexico Governor
13. Tom Daschle - Former Senate Majority/Minority leader

6. Barack Obama - Illinois Senator
11. Howard Dean - DNC Chair

3. Evan Bayh - Indiana Senator
14. Janet Napolitano - Arizona Governor

7. John Kerry - 2004 Democrat Nominee
10. John Edwards - Former North Carolina Senator

2. Mark Warner - Virginia Governor
15. Phil Bresden - Tennessee Governor

I did not include Condi Rice, Dick Cheney, Jeb Bush or Mark Sanford as they said they were not running. I did not include Al Gore on the democrats side as he said he was not running.

Tancredo Wins March Madness 2006

Survey Saint Louis' March Madness 2008 is all over, and it wasn't even close. Tom Tancredo's online brigade ran through everybody, including Mike Pence, who I supported.

Several interesting developments have come from this.

1. There's a significant Stop McCain movement. I've said on several occasions that I can not support him under any circumstance. Many others I'm sure feel the same way. He lost to Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorn.

2. The only first tier candidate to get to the final four was George Allen. Rudy lost in the Sweet 16. Romney in the elite 8 (Both to Pence). McCain lost in the first round. Other rumored candidates Newt Gingrich lost in the elite 8 to Tancredo. Brownback lost to Fred Thompson in the Sweet 16. Tommy Thompson lost in the 2nd Round to Mike Pence. Mike Huckabee lost in the 2nd Round to Tom Coburn. Chuck Hagel lost in the 1st round to Lindsay Graham. Bill Frist lost to Mike Pence in the first round.

3. The top two finishers had hot button issues among President Bush and Congress' weak points among the right flank of the party. Tancredo is known for immigration reform. Pence is known for spending reform. Both are also conservatives on other issues, such as life and the 2nd amendment. These issues will be major in 2008.

I'd like to see Mike Pence run. I'd also like to see Tom Tancredo run. If nothing else, these two candidates will bring issues to the debate that need to be addressed. It took Ross Perot's candidacy to bring a balanced budget to Washington thanks to the Class of 1994 Congress who got Mr. Clinton to sign it kicking and screaming (Although he signed it - give credit where it's due).

The Republicans need to remember their base. The move to the left on fiscal issues and immigration is dangerous if we want to keep the house, senate, and presidency.

March Madness Championship Game

While the Florida Gators are the NCAA national champions this year, we have another national championship game from Survey St Louis. Tom Tancredo vs Mike Pence.

It's currently not looking good for Pence, as the Tom Tancredo supporters are out in force. While Tom Tancredo's a good guy who brings many issues the establishment hates to the GOP debate, Mike Pence is the leading voice of fiscal conservatism in Washington.

We need to support fiscal conservatism and send a small, but important message to the party. Vote for Mike Pence!

Granholm selling Judicial appointments???

Saul Anuzis lets the cat out of the bag.

Granholm selling Judicial appointments???
MIRS Capitol Capsule, Monday, April 3, 2006

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"If this is the case, then the Governor should simply list these judicial positions on eBay and let the highest bidder be appointed.”

— Former State Supreme Court Justice candidate Martin BRENNAN on his belief that Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM hands out appointments based on political contributions.

Brennan: Granholm For Sale
A former Democratic-nominated Supreme Court justice candidate, J. Martin BRENNAN said Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM is living in a "parallel universe inhabited by moneyed sycophants," that she's so obsessed with money and competing with Dick DeVOS that it's guiding her decision-making.

Brennan said he believes he has been a team player for the state Democratic Party, but when he ran for the Court of Appeals in 2002, he asked for a Granholm endorsement and the request was denied.

When he secured the party's nod for the State Supreme Court in 2002, he complained he and Judge Maggie DRAKE "were treated like the proverbial red-headed step-children by the governor and her entourage."

More recently, this year, he applied for a vacancy to replace Judge Hilda GAGE, but, despite an endorsement from the Justice Caucus of the State Democratic Party and the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, he was rejected.

Brennan concluded Granholm and her husband are "nothing but Harvard elitists who profess to support the working class, but are truly clueless as they continue to pursue those with deep pockets to support another campaign."

He said there are rumors that "people who either heavily contributed to the governor's campaign or would contribute significantly to the upcoming campaign would be provided with the appointment."

"If this is the case," he went on, "Then the governor should simply list these judicial positions on eBay and let the highest bidder be appointed."

Brennan described the governor as being "self-centered, mercenary and hypocritical."

The reference appeared to be toward Granholm's alleged consideration of Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Deborah TYNER for the Gage position. Tyner had given Granholm and her leadership fund $2,000 over the past two years. The Tyner family has been active in campaign fundraising circles. Tyner didn't get the position after a TV reporter found that Tyner spent her afternoons at the spa, the mall or the gym, as opposed to the courthouse.

The governor's office said it bases its judicial appointments on the recommendations from the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Qualifications Panel, which evaluates the fitness of candidates to serve and "We have not appointed anyone who hasn't met those qualifications."

Which, of course, is a polite way of saying Mr. Brennan did not measure up.

As for the allegation about buying nominations, the governor's office said, "That is absolutely not true."

Tom Delay drops out of his race and takes one for the team.

From RedState

Just breaking on MSNBC's "Scarborough Country".
Tom DeLay just phoned Chris Matthews to give him the scoop that DeLay will be announcing tomorrow that he's dropping out of his Texas congressional race and will be leaving Congress.

Apparently, Rep. DeLay felt that he couldn't overcome the downward trends in the polls, his numbers weren't improving and likely wouldn't improve with the various scandals surrounding him, and he felt his chance of winning was no better than 50/50.

DeLay also felt another Republican candidate would walk into the job, and so he fell on his sword.

Pretty stunning news. And I'm assuming this isn't some delayed April Fools Day news story.

It's a smart move considering the black cloud around him. If he's guilty nail him. If he's innocent, he could make a comeback at some point.

State Senate District Profiles

I've started profiling the State Senate districts of Michigan. They aren't as hyped up as Congress, but there are several competitive and potentially competitive races here.

The first eight are completed. These are all in Wayne County.

Congressional Updates Finished

The Congressional District Profiles are now Finished. They will be updates on those pages as developments happen closer to August/November Elections.

Flag disputes in Howell

As the LOVE/Diversity issues in Howell Schools have become a major topic of discussion on this blog, I'm posting the latest story on this. Due to my standing with the Concerned Taxpayers' Group and our PAC, I'm once again refraining comment on most school issues until at least our PAC's endorsements are decided upon.

From the Argus

Flags at school draw differing views — Community members, educators contend diversity, values banners symbolize something other than clubs
By Christopher Nagy
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Some teachers at Howell High School are raising the same questions over the interpretation of the flag for the school's Traditional Values Club that community members have raised over the interpretation of the flag used by the school's Diversity Club.
Roughly 40 staff members at Howell High School met with Principal Margaret Hamill Thursday to air concerns over the recent decision to display the Traditional Values Club flag, which some see as a representation of the Christian faith.

The white flag sports a red, lower-case "t" set in a blue field in the upper left-hand corner of the flag. The teachers say the lower case "t" is really a cross. The flag is commonly identified as a Christian flag used in some churches.

"There are concerns about that Christian flag they might put up, and there are questions to whether it violates the separation of church and state," said teacher Doug Norton, president of the teachers' union.
Norton said teachers are also upset that they learned of the approval to display the flag of the Traditional Values Club through media reports.

Andrew Cureton, the student who started the TVC, could not be reached for comment, but Livingston Organization for Values in Education member Jason Woolford, who has helped the club get off the ground, said there's no question that the club's flag is a Christian flag.

"Absolutely. It's a cross there, no denying that," Woolford said. "What's cool about it is that it's a cross, but it also looks like a 't' for 'traditional values,' but these kids are not going to lie and say the flag is something other than it is. They know what the flag is. They're not trying to hide that it's a Christian flag."

(snip)

Mike Pence makes Final Four in March Madness

It's now down to the Final Four in Presidential March Madness

Possible (we hope) darkhorse candidate and Congressman Mike Pence (who finished 4th in the Livingston County Straw Poll) upset well known Governor Mitt Romney in the Elite Eight. Hopefully this sends a message to the big spenders in Washington that government needs to live within its means like all of us have to do.

The final four contests are between Pence and Former Congressman JC Watts on one side, and between Congressman Tom Tancredo and Senator George Allen on the other.

Let's get Mike Pence the victory.


--------------------------------------------------------
Update from Survey St Louis -

What does Indiana, Virginia, Colorado and Oklahoma all have in common? Yes, they are all red states. But now, they each sent one of their favorite sons to the Final Four of the Presidential March Madness II tournament.


Cinderella story continues for George Mason, I mean Mike Pence. Conseravtives from Washington, DC, to Florida, through the heartland and across the country to California have rallied to support Mike Pence. Mr. President? If the shoe fits...

Tom Tancredo who made immigration his bread and butter issue, certainly picked the right time to make it a national debate. Tom rolled to an easy victory over Newt Gingrich. We don't know if anyone can stop Tom Tancredo and his juggernaut of online grassroots support.

J.C Watts made it to the Final Four for the second consecutive year. Last year Survey Saint Louis commented that J.C. Watts will definitely be on the short list for Vice President. Forget that, he has his eyes set on the big prize, President.

But the battle between Fred Thompson and George Allen was a masterpiece. George Allen started with a lead, fell behind for most of the voting, but surged in the last few hours. It was a textbook political comeback. If George Allen continues to build his political grassroots operation he will be the one to watch in 07's March Madness.

Judge Stan LaTreille challenged

From the Argus

Brighton attorney William T. Russell announced Wednesday that he will challenge Circuit Judge Stanley J. Latreille for his seat on the November ballot.
"I think I'm at a point in my career where I'd like to do that," Russell said when asked why he is running for judgeship. "I think the citizens of the county deserve a choice, and we shouldn't assume the incumbent will be re-elected."

Every judicial seat in the county will now be contested.

I don't know anything at all about Russell. I do think LaTreille is a stand up guy who deserves re-election.

2006 Open Seat Congressional Districts

I just read today that Lane Evans (Illinois 17th, Democrat) is going to retire from Congress this year. This was first going to be a post about his district, but I decided to expand this to all of them in alphabetical order with the more competitive races listed first.

Likely Competitive Districts:

Arizona’s 8th District: (Vacated by Jim Kolbe)
This district covers Southeastern Arizona. Bush received 53% of the vote in 2004 and 50% in 2000. Tuscon is not nearly as conservative as the Phoenix area. Overall Pima County went 52.64% for Kerry. Conchise County went 59.70% for Bush. Santa Cruz County went 59.21% for Kerry.

It doesn’t contain most of the democrat areas of Pima or Santa Cruz County (which is in Grijalva’s District), but this seat is still not a gimme for Republicans, especially if there is major infighting. Over 21 possible major party candidates are listed, so expect a major battle here on both sides.

California’s 50th District (Vacated by Duke Cunningham)

Duke Cunningham’s forced resignation due to criminal convictions gives us two races here. A special election in June, as well as the regular November election. Bush won 54% in 2000 and 55% in 2004 here, which were lower than most California Bush districts. This is tied with David Drier’s seat for the sixth closest district partisan wise in the state, behind districts held by Democrat Dennis Cardoza (50% Bush), Democrat Loretta Sanchez (50% Bush), Democrat Jim Costa (51% Kerry), Democrat Bob Filner (53% Kerry), and Republican Richard Pombo (54% Bush).

This district covers much of the City of San Diego and its Northern Suburbs. This is a sleeper race that leans Republican, but the special election aspect to it always makes things interesting. Fourteen Republicans and Two democrats are battling it out here. As a whole San Diego County went 52.52% for Bush, but the most democrat areas are in Susan Davis’ and Bob Filner’s districts.


Colorado’s 7th District (Vacated by Bob Beauprez)

Bob Beauprez had two tough races in this district. He won the first time by 121 votes and the second time by 12%. He is stepping down to run for governor. This was created as a 50/50 district and it is close to that. Kerry won with 51% here. Gore won with 50% here. Beauprez won twice. This district is in suburban Denver and contains most of Adams County, part of Jefferson County, and Aurora in Araphoe County. Most of the land is in Adams, but most voters are in Jefferson. Adams County is traditionally democrat, but new residents may change that. Arapahoe County was Republican but is changing to Democrat. Jefferson County swings, and narrowly gave Beauprez his first win. In 2004, Kerry won Adams County as a whole with 50.57%, while Bush won Araphoe County as a whole with 51.42% and Jefferson County as a whole with 51.75%. Three democrats are battling out in the primary, while Republicans rally behind Rick O’Donnell. This is a true toss-up race.

Florida’s 9th District (Vacated by Michael Bilirakis)
This Tampa Bay area district with Clearwater and some suburban areas leans Republican, but not overwhelmingly so. This covers parts of Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties, although it does not contain St Petersburg, Bradenton, or Tampa itself. Bush won 57% in the district. There are contested primaries in both parties for this seat. It should stay Republican, but may be a sleeper.

Florida’s 13th District (Vacated by Katherine Harris)
This district contains all of Sarasota, DeSoto, and Hardee Counties. It also has most of Manitee County and part of Charlotte County. Katherine Harris is a two term rep here stepping down to run for senate. She’s hated by democrats and had two competitive races here, but winning both times with 55%. Bush received 54% of the vote here in 2000 and 56% in 2004. This district has been Republican for 14 years, and will probably continue to be. Bush won Sarasota with 53.51%, DeSoto with 58.09%, Hardy with 69.65%, Manatee with 56.62%, and Charlotte County with 55.68%. Open seats may make this a sleeper however. There are contested primaries in both parties.

Illinois 6th District (Vacated by Henry Hyde)
After 32 years, Henry Hyde is retiring. The Chicago Suburbs used to be staunchly Republican, but are becoming more and more democrat. Bush carried this district twice, but with only 53% of the vote. Henry Hyde’s winning percentage dropped to 56% in 2004. Part of that is demographics, but part of that is also due to Bush writing off Illinois twice, and the current shambles (Thanks to corrupt RINO governor George Ryan) of the state party there. This district covers part of the Cook County burbs which are more democrat, and the now marginally republican DuPage County burbs. As a whole DuPage County went 54.39% for Bush. The Cook County burbs went for John Kerry. This race will probably be a very close contest in 2006.

Illinois 17th District: (Vacated by Lane Evens)
This is a gerrymandered lean-democrat open seat, but winnable with the right candidate. Kerry won 51% here. Gore got 54% in 2000. Evans won easily in 2002 and 2004, but had tough races here in 1996 and 1998 with 52% wins. This area is mostly rural, but covers the Illinois part of the Quad Cities area (Rock Island - where my gun was made, and Moline) which are heavily union. The rural areas are more democrat than most rural areas as well. The gerrymander gave it part of Springfield and Decatur which are democrat, while leaving out the rest of Sangamon and Macon Counties which went slightly Republican. This could be a sleeper race however with a good populist candidate.

Iowa’s 1st District: (Vacated by Jim Nussle)

Nothing comes easy in Iowa for either party, and this is going to be one of the toughest open seats to defend. Jim Nussle won in a 53% Kerry and 52% Gore district. He always had tough races, but found a way to win due to his cross party appeal. Only two small rural counties here with for Bush. Kerry won the rest, including Dubuque County with 56.46%, and Scott County (Davenport) with 50.92%. Scott County is the largest county in the district, and if we are going to save this seat, it has to start there. Seven major candidates are vying for this seat. This is a tossup, but I suspect may go democrat. That said, Iowa has a LOT of ticket splitters.

Minnesota’s 6th District: (Vacated by Mark Kennedy)

Nothing really comes easy in Minnesota either. This is a suburban and exurban Twin Cities areadistrict. This was Bush’s best district in 2004. Bush did well in this district with 52% in 2000 and 57% in 2004. That said, democrats are still competitive here. Mark Kennedy had three tough races, beating incumbent David Minge in 2000 with 48%, Janet Robert with 57% in 02, and Patty Wetterling with 54% in 2004. This district is treading more Republican, but Wetterling’s taking another shot here and got 46% in 2004. So are several republicans and one other democrat.

New York’s 24th District (Vacated by Sherwood Boehlert)

Upstate New York is nowhere near as Republican as it used to be. New York State is more old-style New England “Rockefeller” Republicanism than Livingston County Republicanism. This district is a rural district spread across 11 counties in upstate New York. Sherwood Boehlert is a “Rockefeller Republican” who is retiring after 24 years. President Bush narrowly won this district twice, with 48% in 2000 and 53% in 2004. Several candidates in both parties are running for this open seat.

Ohio’s 6th District (Vacated by Ted Strickland)

The 6th District is a mostly rural district in eastern Ohio. This district was taylormade for Democrat Ted Strickland who was a natural fit for its populism. Strickland was a critic of NAFTA and gun control. He won narrowly in 1992, lost in 1994, won in 1996, and won easily since. President Bush won this district narrowly with 49% in 2000 and 51% in 2004. This district’s politics is similar to Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Eight people are running for this district. Five of the counties went for Kerry. The rest for Bush. This should be a tossup, and the Steubenville area will probably decide the winner.

Wisconsin’s 8th District (Vacated by Mark Green)

Nothing comes easy in Wisconsin either. The 8th District of Wisconsin covers Northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay and much of the border along the UP. President Bush won this district with 52% and 55% of the vote. Bush won every county except Menominee, which is a small Indian Reservation and went 82% for John Kerry. However, most of his wins were about 53%, so this is not a gimme. Seven candidates are taking a shot at representing the heart of Packers’ Country.

Less likely to be competitive districts:
Colorado’s 5th District (Vacated by Joel Hefley) – 63% and 66% for Bush – Based in Colorado Springs

Minnesota’s 5th District (Vacated by Martin Sabo) – 63% Gore and 71% Kerry – Based in Minneapolis

California’s 22nd District (Vacated by Bill Thomas) – 64% and 68% Bush – Based in Bakersfield and part of Lancaster

Florida’s 11th District (Vacated by Jim Davis) – 61% Gore and 58% Kerry – Based in Tampa and part of St Petersburg

Hawaii’s 2nd District (Vacated by Ed Case) – 56% for both Gore and Kerry – Based in Honolulu

Idaho’s 1st Distrct (Vacated by Butch Otter) – 68% and 69% Bush – Based in Western Idaho

Maryland’s 3rd District (Vacated by Ben Cardin) – 55% Gore and 54% Kerry – Based in Baltimore (although this may be a sleeper and less democrat than it used to be)

Nebraska’s 3rd District (Vacated by Tom Osborne) – 71% and 75% Bush – Based in Western Nebraska

Nevada’s 2nd District (Vacated by Jim Gibbons) – 57% Bush twice – Based in Rural Nevada and Reno

New York’s 11th District (Vacated by Major Owens) – 83% Gore and 86% Kerry – Based in Brooklyn NY,

Ohio’s 4th District (Vacated by Mike Oxley) – 62% and 65% Bush - Based in Lima and Findlay

Ohio’s 13th District (Vacated by Sherrod Brown) – 53% Gore and 56% Kerry – Based in Lorain, Elyria, Western Akron/Suburbs, and West Cleveland Suburbs

Oklahoma’s 5th District (Vacated by Ernest Istook) – 62% and 64% Bush – Based in Okalahoma City

Tennessee’s 1st District (Vacated by Bill Jenkins) - 61% and 68% Bush – Based in Northeastern Tennessee and Kingsport

Tennessee’s 9th District (Vacated by Harold Ford Jr) – 63% Gore and 70% Kerry - Based in Memphis

Vermont’s Statewide District (Vacated by Bernie Sanders) – 51% Gore and 59% Kerry

In the senate, Paul Sarbanes is retiring as Maryland Senator. Mark Dayton is retiring as Minnesota Senator. Bill Frist is retiring as Tennessee Senator, Jumpin’ Jim Jeffords is retiring as Vermont Senator.

Michigan wants 2008 GOP primary same day as South Carolina

Will we have the primary the same day as SC? From the AP

Michigan wants 2008 GOP primary same day as South Carolina
3/27/2006, 5:20 p.m. ET
By JIM DAVENPORT
The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Michigan's Republican Party wants to reshape the 2008 GOP presidential primary map by sending voters to the polls the same day as South Carolina.

But Katon Dawson, the South Carolina Republican Party chairman, said Monday that the state doesn't want to share its early primary date with Michigan.

Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis said he'd like to hold Michigan's election the first week of February, making it the third or fourth in the country, and to hold both the state's GOP primary and the Democratic presidential selection process on the same day.

The earlier the better. The other key thing is for the GOP and dems to have the primary on the same day to prevent jokers crossvoting in our presidential primary.

Presidential March Madness - Sweet 16 - Vote for Pence!

It's now the Sweet 16 in Survey St Louis' March Madness.

Let's send Mike Pence into the Elite 8. He's up against liberal Rudy Giuliani. I like Rudy as a person, but on the issues he's everything that Mike Pence is not.

Let's also send NRSC joker Liddy Dole home for her negative ads against Steve Laffey in the Rhode Island Senate primary. She squeaked through twice, but has met her match in Newt Gingrich.

Let's back Tom Coburn as well, one of the few voices of sanity in the US Senate.

It looks like Pat Buchanan has his worst matchup. Most of his voters in the past rounds were Tancredo voters and now he's up against Tancredo. This one's over.

Concerned Taxpayers Group forms PAC (School board and other races)

I'm taking my partisan hat off here for a moment. I recently said that a winning organization is going to make a comeback. The Concerned Taxpayers' Group is back!

From the Argus

Another group has taken the unusual step of forming a political action committee that will, in part, try to influence the May 2 school elections.
The Concerned Taxpayers Group — which last year spoke out against a proposed property tax that officials in the county's five school districts called a "survival millage" — has registered as an official PAC that will concentrate on several races this year, including the races for school boards, according to PAC Chairman Bill Johnston.

First up on the group's agenda is holding 20-minute interviews with candidates running for the school boards in Hartland, Brighton, Pinckney and Howell.

The group plans on announcing its endorsed candidates April 6.
"We feel (with) the school board candidates, this endorsement process has just been forgotten about in the county and voters are really looking for assistance from groups like ours," said Johnston, a Cohoctah Township resident. "What we're really after is finding candidates who are fiscally responsible that wouldn't support unnecessary taxation."

This PAC is sorely needed. While the countywide enhancement millage failed 2-1, that did not end the problem. It was the fiscal irresponsibility that put the schools into the situation iin the first place. All of us in the Concerned Taxpayers' Group understand this, so we formed a PAC about two weeks ago.

Being a Republican is not an advantage and being a Democrat is not a disadvantage to getting the Concerned Taxpayers' Group endorsement. We don't ask party affiliation in our interviews, and our PAC committee is multipartisan. That's not to mention that several Republican school board members pushed for the millage last year, and at least one democrat letter to the editor writer opposed it.

We will conduct our interviews, ask our questions, look at statements and any voting records if applicable. From there, we will make our endorsement decisions.

The Concerned Taxpayers' Group is not going to limit this to schools. All levels of government need to have taxpayers' groups as watchdogs. Fiscal responsibility at all levels needs to be praised. Fiscal mismanagement at all levels needs to be discouraged. I'd like to see our group become a force every May, August, and November.

Jay Drick declares candidacy for 53rd District Court

Law Office of
Jay R Drick, Attorney

Contact: Jay R Drick
528 West Grand River Avenue
Howell Michigan 48843
(517) 546-5601

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

(HOWELL) Jay Drick is declaring his judicial candidacy for the 53rd District Court seat in Brighton, formerly held by Judge Michael Hegarty

Personal
• Jay Drick
• Age 55
• Born East Aurora, New York, son of two high school teachers
• Resides in the City of Howell
• Married to Debi Drick, Executive Director of Ingham East Habitat for Humanity and Director of National Service Programs at Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
• 3 Children: Tanya – 26, Corey – 23, Lee - 21
• 2 Grandchildren: Jacob – 3, Isabella – 22 months

Education
• Political science and history major at Alma College, 1973
• Juris Doctor with honors from Thomas Cooley Law School, 1976

Professional
• Attorney of 30 years
• Chairman of Livingston Panel Attorney Discipline Board
• Arbitrator and certified mediator
• Case evaluator for both Circuit and District courts
• Past chair of the Consumer Law Committee
• Lecturer at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education

Community
• Member executive committee of Livingston County Republican Party
• Member, past president and Paul Harris Fellow of Howell Rotary since 1979
• Co-founder of Real Estate Investors Association of Livingston
• Member of both Howell and Brighton Chambers of Commerce
• Member of First United Methodist Church of Howell
• Member Howell Lodge #38, F&AM

The LOVE Group forms PAC (Howell Schools)

We're going to have an interesting school board race this spring. From the Argus.

Values in foreground for school vote
By Christopher Nagy
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Frustrated that the Howell Public Schools district has not addressed their issues, a group of parents want to push traditional values to center stage in the upcoming May 2 school board election.
This week, they announced the formation of a political action committee to do that pushing.

Paperwork was filed last week for the formation of the Livingston Organization for Values in Education Political Action Committee by members of the LOVE traditional values group.


LOVE sprang to life last spring, emerging in opposition to the rainbow diversity flag put on display in Howell High School in late 2004, which its members see as a promotion and endorsement of homosexuality.
"You can't have something hanging on the wall as controversial as that flag has been and not have a dialogue with the people who are angry about it," said Vicki Fyke, LOVE member. "That's been going on for over a year now. If they won't run (the district) the way we want it run, then we're going to put some people in there who will."

I expect a high turnout in this election. The current Howell School Board is very hostile to the LOVE (Livingston Organization for Values in Education) organization, and many of its members are unhappy to say the least with the board. It's mutual. There is going to have a social issues controversy related to the schools, so it is going to be interesting to say the least. I have not attended any of the LOVE group's meetings, so I am unaware at the specifics they are looking for in school candidates.

Stay tuned for another MAJOR schools related announcement very soon. Thing are going to heat up even more this Spring. I'll just say that a winning organization from the past is going to make a comeback in a very big way.

March Madness Rd 2 - Vote for Mike Pence!!!

It's round two. Let's send a little message to the big spenders. Vote for Pence!!! (and Coburn)

Jay Drick to run for District Judge?

Reliable sources told me that Jay Drick will soon be announcing his candidacy for one of the District Court seats currently held by Theresa Brennan.

Jay is a good guy and a strict constitutionalist. He has my support.

Michigan House approves bill to lower hunting age

Good News from the AP

Michigan House approves bill to lower hunting age
3/21/2006, 7:24 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state House approved a bill Tuesday that would lower the legal age to hunt deer, elk and bear with firearms in Michigan.

The bill would lower the age requirement from 14 to 12, and require the state Natural Resources Commission to create an apprentice hunting license program.

The bill specifies that a 12- or 13-year-old would have to be accompanied by a parent and could only hunt on private property.

Joe Hune and Chris Ward both supported this. Kudos to them. Below are the turkeys who opposed it. All are Democrats.

Frank Accavitti of Eastpointe, Steve Bieda of Warren, Marsha Cheeks of Detroit, Brenda Clack of Flint, Paul Condino of Southfield, Marie Donigan of Royal Oak, Morris Hood III of Detroit, Tupac Hunter of Detroit, Chris Kolb of Ann Arbor, Kathleen Law of Gibraltar, Alexander Lipsey of Kalamazoo, Jim Plakas of Garden City, Alma Wheeler Smith of Ypsilanti, Virgil Smith III of Detroit, Steve Tobocman of Detroit, Aldo Vagnozzi of Farmington Hills and Lisa Wojno of Warren.