In 1996 Jennifer Gratz was unfairly rejected admission to the University of Michigan despite placing 12th in her graduating class with a 3.8 GPA along with numerous extra curricular activities including serving as Student Council Vice President and being an Honor Roll Student for multiple years.

Her failure to be admitted revealed a racial based acceptance system the University of Michigan had been operating on for more than a decade. She sued and her case was decided in her favor in the Supreme court in 2003.  Although this was a win, U of M was able to continue some racial preferences and won a companion suit.  But there was more..

Following the Supreme Court decision Gratz organized the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI). As Executive Director of the MCRI, Gratz spearheaded the effort that secured a record 500,000+ signatures to amend the Michigan constitution to end race and gender preferences. In a landslide victory the MCRI (Proposal 2) passed by a margin of 58%-42%. As the Executive Director of Proposal 2, Gratz helped make history when the people of Michigan didn’t settle for state sponsored discrimination, but voted to make it unlawful for public employers, public contractors, and public education to discriminate or grant preferential treatment on the basis of race, ethnicity, skin color, sex, or national origin.

The 58% of Michigan of voters who supported equal opportunity in 2006 are facing a federal challenge today.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on the legality of the constitutional amendment that passed with 58 percent of the vote in 2006.

Civil rights groups along with University of Michigan students, faculty and applicants sued in late 2006, saying the anti-affirmative action measure discriminates against minorities by permitting many other non-academic factors besides race.

Yeah.. you know factors like “grades,” predisposition to actually pursue your education, ability to understand the material..  Unfair stuff like that.

The left sure likes Democracy..  until it works against them.

In 2006 Michigan voters reminded our government institutions that racism by rewarding skin color over ability or effort is quite wrong.  Fortunately for that majority of voters, Michigan has an aggressive advocate of equal opportunity fighting for it..

State Attorney General Mike Cox, whose office is defending the law, said voters spoke “loud and clear.”

“I am confident the court will again reject this attempt by activists to overturn the will of the people,” he said in a statement

Undoubtedly, the liberal failure to recognize racism in its own efforts, will likely rear its head again. Efforts by those who confuse equal outcomes with equal opportunity sometimes muddies the debate.  Certainly the supporters of such efforts to undermine the will of the people watch for openings and changes of the guard.  Hopefully we will continue to have the champions for what is right, looking out for our state in the coming years as we do now.

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I have tried to avoid writing on this subject generally. My name is attached to all posts comments, and frankly like most, I have an unsettled feeling about what those who pursue a certain religion are willing to do to shut us up.  Silence is no longer an option.

Today’s cold blooded killing of 12 heroes can be blamed on a mental condition, but now it appears it was a premeditated move to send a message about those soldiers going over to kill Muslims.  Fellow soldiers are now talking about how Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army major who was about to be deployed had already made references to how “the Muslim oppressed should rise up and fight the oppressors.”

His cousin called one of the Fox shows and said “he was an American..  we don’t know why…”

I know why.

He had received a full scholarship to medical school costing the taxpayers roughly a half million dollars according to Bob Scales a retired Military officer during an interview on Greta.  He has been “treating” our returning vets for years..

But rather than “conscientiously object” and seek discharge based on his religious conflict, he decided to pursue the natural calling of this “religion of peace…”

His choice.. Kill the infidel.

I am glad to find that this bastard is alive.  It may well help us turn that corner where we recognize the rabid condition of those who live and walk among us.

Michigan is a special place not unlike many other locations in the midwest when fall arrives.  You can actually SMELL football in the air.  Its a wave of nostalgia that I know is shared by many others who have for a long time have been avid fans of the Saturdays replete with back to back challenges worthy of the greatest gladiators that ever existed.

Some of the feelings, not surprisingly arise from the memories of the last trek to the stadium to watch your favorite team beat down its rivals, or even sometimes barely escape a pummeling that might have been expected.  No advertising is needed to fill the big venues, as the raucous nature of the students and the promise of a true loyal fan base guaranteed a good time.

I cannot share the same feelings for professional football.  For whatever reason that seemingly runs contrary to my “free market” principles, or perhaps BECAUSE of them, I don’t see professional football as either worth my time, energy, or money.  I cheer as my favorite college players move into the professional spotlight, hoping they make a decent living for all their hard work, but give them a wave goodbye.

There is something about the innocence lost when I see a “good kid” turn into a monster as “celebrity status ” rears its ugly horns. And though its not all, it is enough for me to let go when I had respect for them in the somewhat protected environment of  their college requirements.   No big money contract, no sharpies in their socks, and if they fail to be respectful, they don’t play.  A time when they WANTED to play.

Now.. add to this, the current debate of WHOM is allowed to buy into a team.. or not?

Like him or not (I Personally do) you cannot argue anything but that Rush Limbaugh LOVES football.  He cut his teeth in it, and recently was part of a group that was going to buy into an NFL team.  As things go, politics soon entered the mix, and the NFL has now become an arm of the left wing agenda through its capitulation to “political pressure” because Limbaugh has opinions that differ from the current white house occupant.  Pressure accelerated by the lies of those who really have no interest in the sport itself, but saw it as an opportunity to strike at a voice from a different place.

Its just one more place to NOT spend any money in my opinion.  Give me the politics of the Big Ten any day over this crap.

No thanks NFL..  Not interested.. But I guess I never was.

What if the Republican Party annually popped up the name of some particular leader who promoted “peace through strength, gave them an award and touted to the world the great achievement of that (presumably Republican or conservative) person? Why certainly they could base it on “words alone” using a precedent already established for such things.

Why not?

If the award recipients have not already shown the true nature of the Nobel peace prize agenda, I cannot imagine what possible act could. Peace is hardly a leftist Ideal, but is used as if it is within their domain exclusively. The Nobel prize being awarded for and encouraging such socialist ideals is capitulation with the rest of the world, weakening defensive postures, and lowering standards. A Republican Peace prize could give the leaders of those countries who actually HAVE standards.. hope.

The first person I would nominate would be El Presidente Robert Micheletti of Honduras for his commitment to upholding a constitution and freedom in the face of international pressure. His stand being taken particularly against the US administration’s wishes shows true courage in the face of a tireless socialist world community that wanted ONE MORE dictator for the club.

Obama’s winning of the prize certainly drives home the truth of the OSLO political party’s agenda: Shame the U.S.A. with timed world headlines, and support of socialist ideals in the face of what would be perceived as strength of those opposed to the winner’s politics.

Carter’s award in 2002, to let that war monger Bush know they weren’t happy. Al Gore in 2007 reminding us that the global warming scam has firm socialist footings. And now this wonderful award for a president who throws the United States under the bus in the name of “getting along.”

A political party in Oslo Norway crafting a “world message” of peace through Subjugation, Unbounded Humility and Weakness could easily be countered with a message of Peace through Strength perhaps called the Reagan Peace Prize

(Cross posted from Michigan Taxes Too Much)

Lets all be non-politico shall we? My goodness, when the dust clears and we look at who crossed the finish line, certainly a fair race would mean a genuine win. Right?

The Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference was certainly an important event to be sure, and particularly coming into the next BIG cycle of 2010 elections. Friendships reinforced, loyalties affirmed, and a chance for those who aren’t yet recognized as legitimate players, to show their potential and perhaps win some support.  A win for a relative unknown in the conference governor’s “straw poll” would be considered a boost for that candidate.

And apparently.. nobody needed it more than Ann Arbor’s Rick Snyder. He needed it so much, that he paid the way for HUNDREDS of supporters to attend this exclusive bi-annual event. While that is apparently not unheard of, (the numbers maybe) it wasn’t merely that fact, but the manner in which the supporters were “handled,” that is at the very least… interesting.

I had first heard of the possibility of Snyder “stranding” supporters who decided he was not worthy of support from another blogger’s post (A Conservative Teacher):

But the worse part about Snyder’s behavior this weekend that was revealed to me was that Snyder blackmailed his paid supporters into voting for him in the straw poll, threatening to kick them out of the street and out of their hotel rooms unless they voted for him.

Kick them out?  ..ohh My, can you say CHICAGO? Meet Ann Arbor…  SO much for not being a “politician..”

Apparently Tim Skubick has the memo:

The following memo reached this desk in which the Snyder folks look  like their learned how to play politics in Chicago’s Cook County which  is notorious for questionable activity.

In it Snyder supporters are advised that “you are in no way required  to vote for any candidate, disclose or show your ballot to anyone.”  All nice and proper, with no gripes there.

Ah but read on: “However, in order to remain eligible for Rick for  Michigan receptions, ferry’s (to and from the island) and hotel room, you must show your ballot to Rick’s official representative at the ballot box….”  Hum, this is getting interesting.

And just to make sure none of the volunteers for Ricky didn’t miss the point, they were asked to sign a document that was blunt: “I have read and understand that by staying in a Rick for Michigan sponsored hotel room and traveling on a Rick for Michigan ferry is contingent upon voting for Rick Snyder in the straw poll.”

Yeah  how bout that..

Well..  Maybe he isn’t like those “other Politicians..”  At least THEY respect the private ballot.

A recent posting at RightMichigan.com reveals the measures used by some politicians to “buy” a position under a particular party banner. The student who was brought in as “support” for a candidate’s straw poll endorsement, had not a clue who he was… or maybe WHY he was there.

It was suggested that Michigan gubernatorial  Candidate Rick Snyder paid the cost of attendance for up to 600 for the Mackinac Republican Leadership conference in an effort to “GIN UP” a rallying point of legitimacy.  As one commenter added:

He also needed serious name recognition – and now he has it.  Bouchard, Cox, and Hoekstra really did not need to win this poll, this poll was really for Snyder and George to get on the political radar screen.

Truth be told, there aren’t a lot of folks in the state who know who Rick Snyder is, so this method was a legitimate way to spark some recognition value, and perhaps a look his way. Snyder has been a financial supporter of the Republican party in recent years, and now seeks a more visible role it seems.

But he has also given to prominent DEMOCRAT coffers as well. And his support for abortion, carbon initiatives.. etc.., seem to indicate he is a little left of center. Under normal circumstances, I usually reserve the word “RINO” for cases as extreme as this.  He does not appear to be a Republican in spirit. And at the very least, his political aspiration is hardly suitable for Governor in a state that needs a truly conservative Republican at the helm.

And there are three decently conservative Republicans to choose from; Cox, Hoekstra, and Bouchard

The you tube posting follow through of the video had a response from the student in the original video.  What you don’t see in THAT response is the guys who cam and paid him a visit for making Uncle Ricky look bad.

Thought I would post a note for those heading up to Mackinac Island for the Biannual Republican Leadership Conference.

Think warm sunny thoughts.

I probably cannot make it, but one part I won’t want to miss..

Saturday – 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Gubernatorial Debate sponsored by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance Broadcast live by WJR, WJRW and the Michigan Talk Radio Network.

The Michigan US senate race was seen as un-winnable for the Republicans in 2008. So rather than support the David v. Goliath effort made by Jack Hoogendyk, the Michigan Republican Party decided its resources were better used for the state representative races, many of which were lost anyhow. Decisions were made, and likely the outcome of Hoogendyk v. Levin wouldn’t have been different but for the resulting point spread.

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The first time in this campaign cycle I discovered a straight out fabricated organization designed to fool people into thinking it was OK to go against your conscience was with the Ray Schoenke ads playing on my radio. It didnt make sense and I wrote about it here: Ray Schoenke, the guy in the “Obama loves gun owners” advertisements.. Which simply amazed me, as I discovered the organization is a front for gun control.

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Just a little something to pass along..

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- Cross posted from Michigan Taxes too Much -

Everyone had their favorites, many like myself felt Mitt would be a solid choice for McCain’s pick, but the more I follow the reports and commentary from both the right and left side of the room, the more I can truly appreciate the choice made. The RIGHT side is happy, ..no ECSTATIC about the pick of a solid family, pro hunting, outdoors, pro life candidate who doesn’t take any crap from those IN or OUT of the Republican party. Someone who brings a level of trust to politics. The LEFT side is caught off guard, but has already established particular talking points, including level of experience and predictably the fact she should be taking care of her baby.

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Don’t care which party has em, if they are Republicans, throw em under the bus. In this case it is Conrad and Dodd which are on the radar for accepting “special deals.”

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Stumbling around as usual… I came across this.

Take it for what it is.. I caution it is 1 meg PDF.. an image.. quite literally a “snapshot.” – Enjoy

1954

I was particularly struck by the element of fear that Russia has for us because of our freedoms.

An interesting read here.. Maybe just a little scary..

Drinking the Kool-aid

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Cross posted from Michigan Taxes too Much -

Using the wayback machine this little doggie sniffed out a seemingly forgotten item from Michelle Malkin in 2007.

Congress certainly rewards those who try hard Huh? Water front property needing a face lift for increased desirability. For Pelosi’s Rent collecting businesses. Classy!

There has been quite a bit of buzz regarding Nancy Pelosi’s investment in CLNE, but on a couple of blogs the numbers seemed to jump to where I was getting lost . It is important that much of this is vetted properly so that the rest of the nation can find out what we seemingly already know.

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