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 [...]
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.
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.
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.
State Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), House sponsor of Michigan’s Emergency Manager law, has announced that he will not participate in the annual St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Blossomtime parade this Saturday because people are planning to protest.
Pscholka’s bill, which was signed into law in March, has been used to strip the Benton Harbor City Commission of all decision making power, a move that has inspired protests, national television coverage, calls for legal action and an effort to recall him.
In a Facebook message Pscholka said that the parade, which will be lead by Gov. Rick Snyder, “is not, in any way, a tasteful forum for political dialogue.”
“When I got word that there was a possibility of protestors at the Blossomtime Parade, I was deeply disappointed and angered, to say the least. With every indication that the protests will still take place there, I have made the decision not to participate as part of the parade procession.
“I am a supporter of free speech. I consider it to be among the most essential founding principles of our nation. Though recent protests regarding Michigan’s new Fiscal Accountability Act have been largely spurred by misunderstandings and misinformation, I would be first in line to defend a citizen’s right to invoke his or her constitutional liberties. With few exceptions, the protests that have taken place before our state’s capitol and in Southwest Michigan have been conducted peacefully and with great respect to the venue. By rule of law, protestors do indeed have the same right to bring their voice to the Blossomtime Parade.
“But that doesn’t make it appropriate.
“To fully appreciate why the Blossomtime parade is the wrong forum for protest, you have to be familiar with the tradition of the event. Since the early 20th century, the festival has served as a celebration of the agricultural community and a bountiful environment. The Blossomtime Parade is about children, families, and a celebration of our rich farm heritage. It is a wholesome community event that our young people have looked forward to all year long. It is truly unfortunate that some groups have decided to send in professional agitators by the bus load to try to create a political sideshow.”
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