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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

foreclosure
By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

U.S. Senate to vote on another unemployment extension

By Ed Brayton | 03.23.10 | 7:47 am

Jackie Headapohl of MLive.com reports that the U.S. Senate is going to vote on another short term extension of federal unemployment benefits sometime this week. This is only a temporary extension that will allow the House and Senate to iron out their differences on a much larger jobs bill that includes an extension through the end of the year.

Comments

  • lulu99

    Bunning will make sure this doesn't happen. Shame, but true. happy vacation time guys.

  • bill331

    Yea bunning needs to get laid off and see what it's like, This country is headed for a major downturn pepole are still getting laid off and pepole are getting mad. The government better start fear the pepole if things don't get better captital hill is going to be overrun by cival unrest America is a ticking time bomb.

  • voxpopuli101

    Bunning is too busy trying to further the Republican agenda of promoting the idea that the health care bill is unconstitutional in mandating and forcing Americans to have health insurance, he has no time to waste on such trivial things as unemployment insurance extensions; which he wasn't really interested in, only the act of obstructionism as the Republican party DICTATES.

    My concern is what happens to the US economy when unemployment runs out for the current 14 million recipients?” Is that when the second financial downturn hits (the dreaded double dip)? Wouldn't denying or delaying additional extensions potentially affect an additional 15 to 20 million more people, causing them to be unemployed?

    Unemployment insurance is not the answer, it is only a safety-net in order to prevent falling into the abyss of total financial failure. Job market revitalization is the true answer, but we have to get there first and that has not happened yet. We are really on the precipice of that abyss, something needs to be done now.

  • jake_reed

    PLEASE HELP… Remove the High Unemployment Period restrictions on Tier IV and add a 5th tier that is not connected to the unemployment rate. You only qualify for Tier IV (EB), IF your state is at 8.5% average unemployment or higher. These rates are adjusted as the politicians see fit, based on estimated migrant and seasonal farm workers – I bet it is happening in your state). The individual states unemployment rate does not matter if you are one of the people that has never been without a job, never drawn unemployment before, are trying your best looking hard for a job everyday, and are still on the verge of losing your home and being on the street with no income. Everyone please contact your politicians and local news channels until this gets the proper attention. Call and write every day. This last bill is nothing more than a deadline extension with huge restrictions tied to the unemployment rate. Just lip service during an election year. Let’s make them do the right thing or put them out of work in November 2010 or in November 2012.

  • tiredPA

    News out of Reid's office is they don't have time to vote on either the long term extension HR 4213 nor the temporary extension HR 4815 this week. So, benefits WILL run out on April 5 and the Senate will address it when they get back from thier two week break. Call Reid's office and demand they address HR 4815 this week. Senate Majority Leader Reid: (202) 224-3542

    • kwFL

      I called Reid's office and they told me they were not voting on this until after their break, I told them to have a horrible vacation and to enjoy their raises that they had time to vote on…. This HR 4213 or HR4815 would take too much time out of their schedule to get ready for vacation.

    • butterflymom

      Well at least you did not get hung up on and told you need to call your own state senator. Did you know Nevada does not have an unemployment problem the aid who answered the phone said people who live in Nevada do not need a tier 5 because they are not running out they have plenty of benefits so Nevada must be doing well. If you live in Nevada and ran out of benefits call Senator Reids office because they are under the impression you all are fine.

      • CompMan1952

        @ butterflymom

        Nevada is one of the highest states in country with unempolyment. Like at 13.5 so the person you were talking to was lieing to you. If anybody wants to see the unemployment rate here a link to it.

        http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=usunemploym…

  • lulu99

    I guess no decision was made yet? I checked around online, although, I kind of know the most likely outcome. But I feel they should at least give a short extension till they come back from their posh holiday for two weeks to then re-visit this situation and really look at the people and their bad situation. I will not hide the fact that I just recieved my last check and I am out of work 99 week's. I have tried so hard to find a job. I even applied for Job's standing for 8 hours, while I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Because, when it comes down to it, we all must survive. Unfortunately, I have not gotten any offer's yet and I fear the worst now more then ever. I hope for myself and others in dyre situation's to find help and relief from this nightmare we are stuck in. I wish they would pull back from putting so much money into other Countries to be able to help us out. It's interesting how they have no problem throwing billions to another Country after a natural disaster, but when it comes to those who put in and contributed to the economy and made each state interesting as it is, they have no money for us? I am all for helping those in bad situations soley because they need help from a neighbor. But to leave us in this fearful situation and make us wait till not the end but past the end of our unemployment is absolutely deplorable. My heart is broken right now, knowing many of us might wind up homeless within the next month or two. I know I have done my best to find work. walking avenues with my resume, applying online, calling when a paper allow's a phone call. Now I will pray more then I have. I wish you all the best and those that might jump on me for being unemployed so long, don't judge as something like this can happen to anyone. Just pray for us.

  • HopefulKY

    I have been laid-off for 2 yrs. for no fault of my own. I check with the unemployment office on line besides sending my resumes to businesses in my county and every surrounding counties. We must get a tier V for the long-term unemployed because the jobs are not out there yet or there will be millions without food, electricity and ultimately homeless. God helps us!

  • phyllis1968

    i have been unemployed for over a year i check the unemployment office website local papers and drive around everyday filling out applications and resumes my unemployment benifits was exhausted 2 weeks ago i have absolutely no income at this point i have even tried getting minimum wage jobs with no luck i am a single parent but daughter is about to be 18 was looking forward to going to college in the fall but dont know how that will happen at this point what happens to people like us when we cant even pay our rent that is going to be due in less than 2 weeks?

    • sanfrancares

      TO PHYLLIS1968:

      Hi Dear…I understand your situaton as I am in it like so many…on my last week of benefits I am stressed to say the least. This will take another step on paperwork but I too have children and like it was suggested to me you can go on Cash Aid, Food Stamps and Medi-cal which will keep income in your family and food on the table along with being able to attend medical appts etc. until (A) another extension works for us or (B) we find a job (PRAYERS!!) Thought I would I send a little reply your way with this info because I have three children of my own and I guess never being on gov't asst I had to suck up the pride and do what was best for my children.—we all have to do what we need to do to survive.

      We can say what we want about the Senators leaving us hanging while they enjoy their vacations but the fact of the matter is we are strong and they at this point are going to take the time off whether we like it or not.

      So Social Services is what we have at this point.

  • dvillepro1

    try living here in kentucky and having bunning in your back yard. What an ass wipe. He is being pushed out by his own party and he is pissed off at the world. lets stop his retirment checks from the congress and see how he likes it. 1 out of every 9 people here are unemployed. what a joke

    • elizabethedwards

      Actually, they should stop his and Reids posh medical coverage too……. and drain their hard (?) earned savings so they have nothing to fall back on and then hold off any additional aid until they loose their homes…………..

  • marconick

    I been unemployed for over 2 years after working for over 30 years. I'm a former Green Beret, Nam Vet and have lost everything. I've lost my house, my retirement and wife and our Country has the gaul to bailout corporatons but has a problem with the extensons of benefits to us. There are no jobs and the reports show that the rich are getting richer. Our forefathers would roll over in their graves if they could see how our country has turned out. God Save this Country and the poor and middle class that are turning poor.

  • cate1225

    I am sure the one-month extension will pass.

  • nmshaffer

    Everyone…call the senators to demand a vote to extend unemployment adding a tier 5. I also am a long term unemployed person wanting to return to work and looking every week for ANY JOB!! Do people understand unemployment is only a portion of your wages?? And they don't just give it to anyone who doesn't feel like working. I would rather have a steady job with reliable wages and health insurance! How can people think extensions prevent people from getting a job?? The money from the unemployment barely covers the essential basics!

  • eddiek5

    Maybe with a little luck, Bunning will pass away tonight. And yea, these selfish, arrogant, stingy, rich and uncompassionate Republicans need to go. The next civil war in this country is going to be a political war.

  • roscopcoletrain

    Is this a true benefit extension or the same kind of fileing extension these bastards decieved us with the at the beginning of the month? I know what your going through NMS I get the same thing. Applied at grocery stores, department stores, i even dishwashing jobs just to get some work with no reply. I'm tempted to make a resume without listing my Bachelors in Business degree and see if anything changes.

  • beardenk61

    I have been without a check for about 2 weeks now and things are getting worse. I am trying to hang on but it looks pretty bad at this time. I think they will pass a tier 5 extension but it will be after they take there break. Congress always waits till people are desperate and out of hope before they will act. Everyone needs to keep writing and emailing officials and maybe they will eventually listen.

  • Anonymous

    Fuck all God damned politicians!!! May they all burn in hell. Don’t vote! REVOLT!!!

    • angelabuchanan

      i agree, why are we being all quiet, now I heard on new going to help out Greece what a crock . I have no I idea how to use facebook because if i did , We need a revolt now , we need to gather in every city capital and protest . Let them see our numbers . Fuck health care reform , we will all be on welfare soon and medicade soon if something is not done. Just glad I know how to camp gonna go find a nice piece of land mabe Oregon , peace and good luck. P,S lets not forget immergration reform for like 11 million more workers makes me sick

  • ericzyb

    GHow come job exportation to China, India, Bangladash .. How come the media is asleep on the obvious TRADE deficits and job outsourcing. I do know china and India hold too many T bills they can dump to ruin our economy further if we decide to start charging a tariff for their goods entering our country as a way of keeping jobs here in the USA. China – India do this to our products but we canbt with them? What I suspect is really going on here is a deliberate collapse of the US economy so the big banks can take it ALL over. Which is exactly what they are doing. Yes, It's a conspiracy. There are too many ez fixes for the economy and NO politician is really tackling this issue. I'd say because they are bought off to keep a shut mouth about the obvious just like the mainstream media is bought off. People need to understand the monopolization of of public policy has been well underway since at least 2000

  • donnab1

    I had an excellent job with HandHeld products and then Honeywell bought them out and moved our handheld scanners to China for manufacturing. There was about 270 of us that lost our jobs because of these fat companies wanting to huge profits off the cheap labor and no regulations in China. They should all be ashamed of themselves but they won't be because they have consious.

    P.S – Handheld was a double digit profit making company before Honeywell bought us.

  • brokeandpissedoff

    MANY OF US LONG TIMERS ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK, AS OF NEXT WEEK IWILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO MAKE MY RENT PAYMENT, I HAVE WORKED FOR OVER 30 PLUS YEARS, HAVE LOST TWO HOMES, SPENT MY RETIREMENT, AND USED MONEY FROM MY FAMILY TO A POINT WHERE THEY HAVE NO MORE TO GIVE. I MOVED MY THREE KIDS AND WIFE INTO A FRIENDS HOME, WHERE WE WILL BE FORSED TO LEAVE IN JUST TWO WEEKS IF THIS IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE CALLED MOST OF THE SENATORS, BEGGING THERE STAFF TO ASK FOR HELP FOR US AND THEY ONLY CAN SAY THERE NO ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND TO HAVE A NICE DSY, WHAT THE FUC.. ARE THEY THINKING HAVE A NICE DAY, I JUST EXPLAINED THAT I HAVE NOTHING LEFT AND I AM GOING TO BE HOMELESS AND YOU TELL ME TO HAVE A NICE DAY… I AM BECOMING VERY WORRIED AND FEAR THE WORST IS YET TO COME, I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY ARE THINKING THAT THE RIOTS AND THE CRIME WILL BEGIN VERY SOON IF THINGS DO NOT CHANGE, WE NEED WORK, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO FEED OUR FAMILY. DAMN THEM FOR THIS ANGER I FEEL. I PRAY THAT MY FAMILY CAN DO WITH OUT ME SOON AS I MAY BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HEAD HUNTING.

  • timoregon

    I am writing today to express the need for Tier 5. I am not at that level
    yet but see the need for hundreds of thousands of Americans. My story is
    simple, I have been unemployed and looking for work daily. On three
    different occasion I have been hired only to find out the position had
    been canceled before my start date.

    Just yesterday it happened again. The company was concerned about the
    Health care bill and what that will mean to them. They called and noted
    that they are on a hiring freeze until they figure out the impact of this
    new bill.

    This will only make it harder out there and we need Tier 5 extended ASAP.

    Please support and ask for this.

  • bill331

    I've been breakin my arse since i was 18 years and in 2008 i laid off becasue the company went back to isrial, i haven't found work since, so late 2008 went back to school hopeing it will get me somewhere , And these fat pork belly polititions think we are lazy? i bet none of the politions worked as hard as i did in there life time. When the get out of office they will be set for life with health insurance, cigars, sipin wine with a prostitue, playing golf, well they prob. sucks at gulf to, they might bitch to the senate to pass a bill to pay for there broken golf clubs and there yupie nicker pant and lime green hat. Hope a golfer tears up up the guld course and swollws there golf balls, May the termites chew away there palace, and mold grow on there caviar

  • nickyooo
  • 123465796

    They better get some body guards

  • jimoconnor

    I lost my job in 2006. I have worked over 40 years in the Information Technology profession. No one will hire me –because of my age and too much experience.

    There is a dire need for a Tier 5 extension of Unemployment Benefits. The fact that the national unemployment rate is at 10% and the true unemployment rate including discouraged workers is probably around 20% indicates an emergency situation.

    People on Unemployment Benefits who were let go “due to no fault of their own” are the victims chiefly of the financial collapse caused by the greedy and irresponsible actions of the banking, insurance and manufacturing industries. Many of the aforementioned industries saw fit to award themselves billions of dollars in bonuses after receiving bailout money.

    Most of us on Unemployment Benefits will never return to the income level they were at when we were let go and/or it will take years to get back to it. Most of us are also spending retirement savings to make ends meet.
    Please put partisan politics aside, do what is right and help us with a Tier 5 extension of unemployment benefits. Many of us have no where else to turn.

    Jim O’Connor

  • BrokSteve

    I lose my job in the mortgage field 11 days before the last tier expired and i want to know is why do people that have been on unemploymnet for 2 years are gettting this extension, while i only am getting 26 weeks i am faces with the same hardships as they are so why are these extensions not across the board, if someone can look for two years and not find something what make you think that i can in just 6 short months, Being mind fuck by the goverment is not make a bad situation any better get this on the table and get it done stop waiting to the last minute with people lives are at stack. We are suppose to be this big super power and we can even help out our own

  • catmanjack57

    catman here. I wrote a comment a few minutes ago but this computer is driving me nuts (library) and I couldn't get it posted. Sad, because I was really pissed. Still am actually, but I'm a beginner typist and I'm not going to go ballistic like that again unless someone wants me to. Sometimes I even scare my self with the rage I have toward our bullshit government. Not that I don't love our country goddam it, but these weasles in congress always do everything ass backwards and in their own political and personal interests. They honestly don't give a SHIT about average people. Oh they'll tell us they do just before an election but after that it's right back to,and I quote Bunning, “tough shit”. Dont ever forget that people, because thats really how they all are. Organize sympathetic people where you live and most importantly, show the bastards that the people are BOSS!!! DON't VOTE! REVOLT!!!

  • deniec

    could somebody tell me where and how to sign the petition for tier 5.

  • butterflymom

    I read all of these comments and we are being ignored we all need to go to washington and stand on the steps of Congress and not let them go into their offices without seeing every last one of us so they can see what millions of unemployed looks like in real not on paper. They can hang up on us when we call but what can they do if we are in there faces. We all need to get together and go to make them listen Are there any lawyers out there Can we write a bill ourselves and put it in the hopper and go on the floor to make them listen? Can we make an appointment to speak to Congress and make them listen?

  • nickyooo

    Sign the Tier V extension petition!

    http://www.change.org/petitions/view/the_99ers_…

  • deanneroseknaan

    I seriously, seriously, can not believe Health Care Reform was a priority. What were they thinking? Is Bunning still alive? Lacking in common sense should be a crime. Crime will begin to become a way of life I'm afraid. People start to do crazy things when they become desperate enough.

    I'm starting to get this crazy little laugh and think of things like joining a gym with my last $200 so that I can at least shower for 3 months this coming summer is actually an AWESOME idea. And that my cat (who I do have a harness leash for but he hates it) and I could live quite comfortably in my 40 year old 1970 Mercedes with my $200 Food Stamp Card. It's all insanity.

    • lulu99

      lol, I hear you on all that! Sometimes I take a break from my anxiety of it all and scream at a fav Cousin on the phone. He asked, how long is this going to go on because I'm really beginning to take it personal lol. FAmily can be there is so many ways, not money, but at least an ear to scream in. I feel at this point, I am going to apply for food stamps in case I still dont find a Job soon, this is insane, I can't believe we all are living meal by meal if even that anymore. I feel we're not in America anymore! I see someone saying we're now going to be reaching out to help Greece? ARe you F******* kidding me! I feel like a rubber band, stretched to the fullest and soon to snap, unless I have already and don't realize it?

  • sunflower10

    OMG deanneroseknaan, you made me laugh, THANK YOU!!!!! I feel what your saying and I have joined a gym and have already thought about using the shower if I become homeless, at least I will be clean LOL. On a serious note, I am on my last week and have done everything possible to get a job with no success. The House and Senate need to be unemployed for a month to see how it feels. OMG, can someone slap them please………Soon to be homeless in Michigan.

  • azjdennison

    I need a Tier 5 extension also, I have had three jobs in 22 yrs and this time the job I lost has gone to illegal workers, here in Arizona this has been going on for quite some time ! It seems like It's going on everywere here in AZ, I hope It all ends soon ! I don't understand why they can't help in a time like this , I need this help I'ts not much money but It helps to look for work with a couple of dollars in your pocket, It gives you some dignity !!!

  • brokeisnojoke

    I am all for the republican viewpoint of – keep what you earn, but it is only good in theory.(ok I am a lib demo)..If we do not provide gov't programs/aid there would be anarchy – anyone seen Mad Max? People who steal feel JUSTIFIED, and when people are starving/broke – they feel justified.

    I earned over 75k in 2007, and now I am a 99er facing welfare…ugh…all day everyday I send out my resume (which is amazing) and just recently I started to get interviews…but life is about to take another turn because this is my last week of benefits…How I went from Louis Vuitton to brown bags is frustrating enough, but to have your gov't turn its back on you, and friends look at you as though your a moocher is amazing!

    Anarchy here we come!

    And I agree that healthcare reform is ridiculous when I can't eat!

  • mcnealprissy2010

    PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE CONGRESS WE NEED A TIER 5 PLEASE HELP US! I LIVE IN FLORIDA THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 13% IT IS NOT GETTING BETTER I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A JOB EVERYDAY I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE 2008 I HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR THIS LONG I HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS I WANT TO WORK BUT THERE ARE NO JOBS! UNEMPLOYMENT HELP PAY MY BILLS AND TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE PLEASE WE NEED A TIER 5 UNTIL WE CAN FIND A JOB THANK YOU

  • mcnealprissy2010

    PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE CONGRESS WE NEED A TIER 5 PLEASE HELP US! I LIVE IN FLORIDA THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 13% IT IS NOT GETTING BETTER I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A JOB EVERYDAY I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE 2008 I HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR THIS LONG I HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS I WANT TO WORK BUT THERE ARE NO JOBS! UNEMPLOYMENT HELP PAY MY BILLS AND TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE PLEASE WE NEED A TIER 5 UNTIL WE CAN FIND A JOB THANK YOU

  • ghovsepian

    PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE CONGRESS WE NEED A TIER 5 PLEASE HELP US! I LIVE IN NEW YORK. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 10.5% IT IS NOT GETTING BETTER I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A JOB EVERYDAY I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE 2008 I HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR THIS LONG I HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE I WAS 16 YEARS I WANT TO WORK BUT THERE ARE NO JOBS! UNEMPLOYMENT HELP PAY MY BILLS AND TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE PLEASE WE NEED A TIER 5 UNTIL WE CAN FIND A JOB THANK YOU. ADD A TIER V IMMEDIATELY!

  • blackpearl1

    im a 99er but let me tell u something its not all on the repubilican the dem are so cunning and misleading . they dont budge on nothing and say they are extending long term benifits look carefully the dems dont care about us 99ers either

  • blackpearl1

    let me tell u this its not all the repubs fault . the dem dont give an inch if they will work with the repubs i think things will b alrite

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