Michigan

> According to the state, a small population of juvenile spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Lambertville [Monroe County]. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the findings last week.

!Spotted lanternfly

_{Adult spotted lanternfly. Photo: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org}

> “The infestation was detected through spotted lanternfly monitoring traps deployed by Michigan State University (MSU), as part of collaborative survey initiatives with MSU, MDARD, and the USDA,” MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. Steve Carlson said in a statement. “This work is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to identify and limit the spread of spotted lanternfly in Michigan.”

> The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. It was first found in the U.S. in 2014 and spread rapidly.

See it. Squish it. Report it.

According to Michigan.gov's Michigan Invasive Species website…

> Spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 different plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. The insects cause direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew and the resulting black sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The honeydew often attracts other pests like yellow jackets, flies, and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests. *** Anger or hatred is like the fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

If you need a car or truck, can't afford the massive depreciation hit from a new vehicle but want to express pride in Michigan's manufacturing base, you still have options.

|Category|Make|Model|Years|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Coupe|Ford|Probe||Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|| |Coupe|Mazda|MX-6||Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|| |Coupe|Mercury|Cougar|1999-2002|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|2012-2019|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|2008-2011|Wayne Stamping & Assembly (now Michigan Assembly Plant)|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|1998-2007|Wayne Stamping & Assembly (now Michigan Assembly Plant)|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Dodge|Stratus|2001-2006|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|DaimlerChrysler|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Dodge|Stratus|1994-2000|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Chrysler Corporation (later DaimlerChrysler)|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Ford|Fusion|2013-2016|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International (later Ford Motor Company)|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Mazda|6|2009-2013|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Mazda|6|2003-2008|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|2015-2023|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|2005-2014|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International (later Ford Motor Company)|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|1994-2004|Dearborn Assembly Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sports-utility Vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee||Jefferson North Assembly|Detroit|Fiat Chrysler Automobiles||

Assembly

|Category|Make|Model|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Crossover|Buick|Enclave|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Crossover|Chevrolet|Traverse|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Crossover|Ford|Bronco Sport|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|website| |Crossover|GMC|Acadia|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Electric vehicle|N/A|N/A|Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center|Detroit|General Motors Company|website| |Electric vehicle|N/A|N/A|Orion Assembly|Orion Township|General Motors Company|website| |Electric vehicle|Ford|F-150 Lightning|Rouge Vehicle Electric Center|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Electric vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee 4xe|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Electric vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee 4xe|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Luxury sedan, small|Cadillac|CT4|Lansing Grand River Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Luxury sedan, mid-size|Cadillac|CT5|Lansing Grand River Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang GT|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang Dark Horse|Flat Rock Assembly|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Wagoneer|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Wagoneer L|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Grand Wagoneer|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Grand Wagoneer L|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Dodge|Durango|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee L|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Truck, compact|Ford|Ranger|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Ford|F-150|Dearborn Truck Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Ford|F-150 Raptor|Dearborn Truck Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Classic Crew Cab|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Classic Quad Cab|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Crew Cab|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Quad Cab|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size, Heavy Duty|Chevrolet|Silverado HD|Flint Assembly|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Truck, full-size, Heavy Duty|GMC|Sierra HD|Flint Assembly|Flint|General Motors Company|website|

Components

|Category|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Axle assemblies|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website| |Axle assemblies|Grand Rapids Operations|Wyoming|General Motors Company|website| |Battery, EV|Brownstown Battery|Brownstown Charter Township|General Motors Company|website| |Valvetrain|Grand Rapids Operations|Wyoming|General Motors Company|website|

Propulsion

|Category|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Components, Engine|Bay City GPS|Bay City|General Motors Company|website| |Cylinder heads|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Dundee Engine Plant|Dundee|Stellantis|website| |Engines|Flint Engine Operations|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Romulus Propulsion Systems|Romulus|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Trenton Engine Complex|Trenton|Stellantis|website| |Transmissions|Romulus Propulsion Systems|Romulus|General Motors Company|website| |Engine blocks|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website|

Stampings

|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Flint Metal Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Lansing Regional Stamping|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Metal Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website| |Sterling Stamping|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Warren Stamping|Warren|Stellantis|website|

Tooling

|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |North American Engineering Tooling Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website|

Logistics

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Davison Road Processing Center|Burton|General Motors Company|website| |Flint Processing Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Lansing Redistribution Center|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Redistribution Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website| |Willow Run Redistribution Center #58|Belleville|General Motors Company|website| |Ypsilanti #87|Ypsilanti|General Motors Company|website|

Testing

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Milford Proving Ground|Milford|General Motors Company|website|

Other Facilities

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Durant-Dort Factory One|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Detroit Renaissance Center Global HQ|Detroit|General Motors Company|website| |Global Technical Center|Warren|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Engineering Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website|

Archaeologists made an intriguing find this week at Michigan's Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinac State Historic Parks officials said, an 18th century brass trade ring.

Researchers with the archaeological program at the Mackinaw City museum identified the piece as a trade good sometimes known as a "Jesuit Ring," parks officials announced in a press release.

"It's incredibly exciting," Dominick Miller, chief of marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks, told The Detroit News.

Possibly following in the traditions of Christmas decorations in November and summer Black Friday sales, some municipalities have been celebrating American Independence Day weeks in advance. Much of a super-genius as I am, I never really understood what's the rush. In any case, the linked article from our pals over at BridgeMichigan lists the pyrotechnic spectacles planned and already passed here in the Great State of Talktothehand-and-Belial.

Just to—ehmmm—present the other side of the coin for those who appreciated a pretty explosion, here's Planet Detroit's "Michigan fireworks add to air quality problems".

Screw humans: maybe it is time to consider a different way to celebrate the Fourth of July: from the Humane Society: "Fireworks: An explosion of fear for animals"

Oh, and a premature Happy Canada Day to our friends to the North…uh, and South! You know…the ones with better beer and better health care… *** What We Want Now !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

> Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Wednesday — which also was Juneteenth — to celebrate the contributions of Black athletes in the Negro National League. The Detroit Stars was one of the original eight teams represented at the birth of the league in 1920.

> May 2 will be known as “Negro Leagues Day” in Michigan, the day in 1920 that its first game was played.

> Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) who sponsored the legislation to recognize the league, told a legislative committee in May 2023 that the league and its athletes stood up against racism and pursued greatness. “Without the influence of these exceptional players and the Negro League, Major League Baseball wouldn’t be what it is today, and America wouldn’t be the country that it is today,” Scott said during a state House Governmental Operations Committee hearing last year. *** Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From our friends over at BridgeMichigan, Sneha Dhandapani writes about the spreading idea in the Michigan legislature of a statewide ban on cellphones in school. Some state representatives and school districts don't think that's such a good idea…

> While there is currently no bill in the Legislature to implement a statewide ban in Michigan, some individual schools and districts are experimenting with the policy, hoping to improve academics and curb rising levels of anxiety and depression tied to social media.

> A study by Central Michigan University surveyed more than 600 students between seventh and 12th grade and found learning increased with a decrease in smartphone use, including at school and during homework. A separate study found that students who did not have cell phones in a classroom had higher levels of course comprehension, lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of mindfulness than those with cell phones.

Whether you're a parent or not, aren't higher comprehension, lower anxiety and higher mindfulness qualities we want in our students?

> State Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, a former teacher, said he “would be uncomfortable with a state mandate on (cell phone bans in classrooms) as no two communities are the same.” Koleszar emphasized support for local control and allowing teachers to make their own decisions regarding cell phone use policy.

> [Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles,] called a potential statewide ban “one of the worst ideas that we could come up with as legislators.” He emphasized that allowing schools and districts to make their own decisions regarding cell phone policy is important because “this is a cultural learning issue where kids are gonna have to learn how to deal with these distractors at some point in their life.”

Ironically enough, Rep Paquette, one of your own proposed exactly this idea in 2022…

> In Michigan, then-state Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Township, sponsored a 2022 bill that would have required districts to prohibit cell phone use during the school day. The proposal died in committee, however.

One of the weakest excuses I've heard against any cellphone ban is from parents, saying "what if I need to contact my child in case of an emergency?!" Is calling the school not an option? *** My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right? -- Charles Schulz !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Following up on !michigan@midwest.social post Tribes urge U.S. to weigh in on Line 5 case as appeal sits in court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has dragged back kicking and screaming a court case that should have never left the State judicial system…

> “This case never should have left state court in the first place, and after this long delay caused by Enbridge’s procedural manipulations, we’re elated to welcome Nessel v. Enbridge back to its rightful judicial venue,” Nessel said in a statement. “The State has an obligation and imperative to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of pollution, especially the devastating catastrophe a potential Line 5 rupture would wreak upon all of Michigan. As we’ve long argued, this is a Michigan case brought under Michigan law that the People of Michigan and its courts should rightly decide.”

!Enbridge Line 5 Map

_{645 miles from Superior to Sarnia. Graphic: Laina G Stebbins}

> When a coalition of 63 tribal nations from the U.S. and Canada submitted a brief in support of returning the case to state court, David Gover, managing attorney for the Native American Rights Fund said in a statement that a rupture in the pipeline would destroy the right to hunt, fish gather and continue living in land ceded by the Anishinaabe in 1836.

> “This is another step towards enforcing the permanent shut down of Line 5. We appreciate Attorney General Nessel’s persistence in the fight to protect our waters from a catastrophic oil spill in the heart of the Great Lakes,” [legislative and political director for the Michigan Sierra Club Christy] McGillivray said. “Michiganders have every right to protect themselves from the most dangerous oil pipeline in America, and Attorney General Nessel is representing the will of the Michiganders she works for. It’s past time Line 5 was shut down once and for all.” *** Everything I say is a lie… !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Some days, those who would command govern represent us just make it too easy for, among other things, finding "post fodder."

In the shadow of Michael William Nash's demonstration of his 2^nd Amendment rights on Saturday, according to The News…

> Twelve Michigan House Republicans have sponsored a bill this month to the name the AR-15 "the official rifle of this state," drawing criticism from opponents who labeled the proposal unserious and inappropriate.

For those who don't know, the AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle. Bear that in mind when reading the following.

> State Rep. Brian BeGole, R-Antrim Township, a former Shiawassee County sheriff, was the primary backer of the AR-15 measure and said in a statement issued Tuesday that thousands of people in Michigan own an AR-15. […] “This distinction recognizes these law-abiding gun owners who are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist or to keep their homes and families safe," BeGole said.

That's some hobby. Keep their homes and families safe. Safe from the government BeGole has represented most of his life, according to the oft-debated 2^nd Amendment.

> However, Ryan Bates, director of End Gun Violence Michigan, said BeGole's bill was about "worshiping the rifle that is the preferred weapon of mass shooters." […] Bates noted that on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks, a rapid-fire gun accessory that was used in a mass shooting at a music festival Las Vegas in 2017.

> "That shooter used 23 AR-style rifles modified with bump stocks to kill 58 people and injure nearly 500 in mere minutes," Bates said. "We now live in a world where any deranged person can turn an AR-style rifle into a machine gun capable of firing 400-800 rounds per minute, a level of firepower that quite simply overwhelms law enforcement."

We all know that rabbit and pheasant can get pretty mean. And who doesn't like their venison pre-ground? To quote my favorite philosopher and thinker, myself…

> It’s forever High Noon in this nation of cowboys.

Ah, almost forgot! Use it everyday!

Alt link for your convenience via archive.is *** If you can't see the crazy person on the bus, it's you. !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From BridgeMichigan's Paula Gardner, having truckloads of cash and no real vision adds up to circa one billion US dollars in hemming, hawing and broken promises…

> The spending so far is roughly half of the $2 billion-plus Michigan has pledged since 2022 to five companies: Ford Motor Co., Gotion Inc., LG Energy Solution and Our Next Energy for battery factories, and General Motors Corp. for a battery factory and expanded EV production.

> [Gov Gretchen] Whitmer announced the companies would invest $16 billion total and create 12,000 jobs. But all the projects are behind schedule and two have downsized, reducing best-case job expectations by 13%.

> And records refute claims from state officials that companies won’t receive money unless they meet hiring goals. “[…]the money hasn’t gone out the door,” Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet, told Bridge in late May.

> Bridge used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain records showing that Michigan has already given $51 million in loans and spent at least another $600 million on utility hookups and factory equipment, in addition to the land purchases for two of the five battery megadeals, Ford and Gotion. GM has received at least $468 million of the state’s combined $600 million incentive promise for a battery factory in Delta Township and an expanded EV factory at Orion Assembly in north Oakland County.

> Originally expected to open this year, both remain under construction.

> GM won’t say when either factory may run at full capacity. *** Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

This weekend there is a planned "MAGA Boat Parade" across Lake St. Clair to celebrate Donald Trump's birthday. Some local Libertarians, in honor of nominating the gayest presidential candidate in American history, want to give them a nice friendly Detroit welcome with Chase Oliver's Big Gay Boat Ride.

Would you like to help out?

Do you have a boat(s) that would like to host such a big gay ride?

Can you help out with: 1. Rainbow Flags and Decorations: Adorn the boat with rainbow flags and other LGBTQ+ symbols to make it stand out and convey a message of pride and inclusion.

Music and Dancing: we want upbeat music and to encourage dancing. A legit DJ would be awesome

Drag Performers?: Any local drag queens and kings to perform. This would be fabulous ha

Inclusion and Unity: We want to Make sure to emphasize messages of love, unity, and acceptance and Have signs and banners that promote these values.

Safety? PFDs and other safety gear are always welcome

Things to Avoid: [A.] Confrontation: We want to focus on creating a positive and joyful experience.

[B.]Exclusion: We want to Make sure the event is inclusive and welcoming to all, even if you are not Libertarian, or don't want to vote for Chase Oliver, we want everyone to have a good time regardless of their political views or backgrounds. EVERYONE WELCOME #NoNazis

Found this over at one of our regular sites, Michigan Advance, but honestly, it reads like a (not-very) covert ad for author Dave Liske's new book The Flint Coney. Flint Coney?!

That said I'm linking to the updated PBS video from which this comes from which plays less like one big book plug.

Moar Coney! BONUS:

• the original 2015 Made In Detroit broadcast about Detroit's coneys

Tell me you're not craving a couple of dogs now. What's that? You say you're vegetarian? Vegan? Well then…

• Velvet Peanut Butter!, with one of the greatest logos in the modern world ever! "Fresh! Pure! Delicious!"

!Fresh! Pure! Delicious!

Attention: SE-Michigan-specific content: I'll still respect you in the morning.

Reporter Susan Smiley at The Macomb Daily tells of the many firsts in steps toward recognition and acceptance in suburban(ish) Macomb County…

> Warren activist Monica Papasian has wanted to see a Pride celebration in Warren for a long time. When a friend asked her to help plan something earlier this year, Papasian created a Facebook page and asked for volunteers. “Within a couple of days, I had 50 people wanting to help,” she said. “We have a core group of about 15 people who have really put in a lot of time, but I’m so excited about the response and we still have people reaching out to be part of the event.”

> The first-ever Warren City Pride event will be Saturday, June 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The day kicks off with a parade that will feature floats, marchers and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is also scheduled to speak. Staging is at Cousino High School and the parade route will travel west on Common Road to City Hall.

Well, well. I guess every now and then we can have nice things. The cities of Mt. Clemens, Eastpointe and Sterling Heights are also hosting events in recognition of Pride. 100% snark-free: however difficult that road at times may seem, love is always the answer.

Totally off-topic: why is the sky always flat and cloudy along M-97? I mean, always? ☁☁☁ *** Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

> “When it comes to Nestlé, I don’t believe that they should be taking the water out of our ground and selling it, and I want to stop that,” [Gov Gretchen] Whitmer said in a gubernatorial debate. […] And her campaign water plan emphasized the disparities that set off the controversy in the first place, noting that some Michiganders struggled to pay bills for water of questionable quality. The state should be preserving freshwater, the plan said, “not selling it at a nominal price.”

> But six years later, well into her second term and with a Legislature controlled by fellow Democrats, little has changed.

> Since Whitmer was elected, at least nine bills proposing changes — from new groundwater protections to closing oversight gaps — were left to languish in the Legislature. Bottled water faded as a talking point. The administration and lawmakers turned to other priorities: reproductive rights, economic development, education, infrastructure.

> Americans spent about $49 billion last year on bottled water, even though most can access water safely in their homes. The Beverage Marketing Corporation, a research and consulting firm, called it the largest beverage category by volume in the United States. The group has said that water bottlers’ revenues are growing “largely due to higher prices.” *** The more you drive, the less intelligent you are. !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Regular readers of !michigan@midwest.social will remember last week's post about defendant Corey Harris driving with a suspended license…while Zoom-calling the judge. There's still more to the story and I hate to call it the punchline…

> A segment of a Washtenaw County Trial Court livestream on May 15 was spread widely after Corey Harris called into the hearing while driving. He was charged in April after reportedly driving with a suspended license in Pittsfield Township.

> A USA Today report claimed it was a misunderstanding and that Harris’ license was supposed to be reinstated in January 2022 but wasn’t due to a clerical error. During a follow-up hearing on Wednesday, June 5, Simpson said the reinstatement applied to Harris’ privilege to drive in the state and that he didn’t have a license to begin with [emphasis mine -- r² ] *** Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Pope Francis Center (PFC) today begins a new era for ending chronic homelessness in Detroit with the opening of its Bridge Housing Campus, a $40 million facility that provides comprehensive transitional services under one roof.

Born out of a desire to address the underlying reasons people live on the streets, the Bridge Housing Campus is the culmination of decades of PFC’s experience, research and dedication to helping the chronically homeless, one of the most challenging populations to serve.

“Putting people in a house or apartment before addressing issues such as substance abuse or mental health doesn’t work for everybody,” said Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, PFC president and CEO. “Our facility is a game-changer in how it allows those experiencing homelessness to have agency in their own healing. They decide how they want to progress, while we give them the support necessary to chart a better path in life.”

The 60,000 square-foot Bridge Housing Campus sits on 5.3 acres of land in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood. In addition to 40 furnished studio apartments, the facility features a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, free medical and dental clinic, library and classrooms, barbershop, and space for family gatherings and special events. A unique feature: heated sidewalks and an overhang outside the building for those not yet ready to make their way indoors.

Residents will have access to a range of social services including substance abuse rehabilitation, mental health assistance, and job training and computer classes. When they are ready, residents will transition to permanent housing while still receiving any support they need from PFC and its partners.

“Fr. Tim and the Pope Francis Center have done a great job working to create a better future for our most vulnerable residents,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The Bridge Housing Campus will be another example of how Detroit and its partners are creating pathways from homelessness to affordable housing.”

Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, a Detroit native who represents the 10th House District, said PFC’s comprehensive approach will set residents up for future success. “Having the full suite of wraparound services is a critical piece to making sure people have the ability to be housed,” he said.

Financial support for the Bridge Housing Campus comes from a variety of sources, with the majority being contributed by private foundations and corporations. The Julia Burke Foundation in Northern California contributed $13 million, the single largest donation. Other major funders include:

• J. Addison and Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation
• City of Detroit
• Ford Motor Company
• Lear Corporation
• Magna Corporation
• Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus
• Piston Group
• The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation
• State of Michigan

The Bridge Housing Campus is located at 2915 West Hancock Street, Detroit. PFC staff are working to determine the first group of residents. Plans are for them to move in late June, although that may change if the selection process takes longer.

The Bridge Housing Campus will also double as PFC’s new headquarters. PFC will continue to operate the day center and shelter where it started in 1990 and now serves more than 200 guests a day. The center is located at 438 Saint Antoine Street, Detroit, next to Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church.

Background:

Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, the Pope Francis Center provides vital services to the city’s homeless. On an average day, we welcome nearly 200 guests and provide them with nutritious meals, showers, laundry and access to doctors, dentists, lawyers, housing providers, and job training through our free clinics. We have been serving Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens since 1990, and we are committed to eradicating chronic homelessness in our city. @michigan @christianity

popefranciscenter.org/opens-th…

All that's missing from MichiganAdvance's Jon King's reportage on the ongoing Michigan 2020 fake electors trial is air-conditioned Cobo Arena, sports fans!

> On the stand for a fifth day, [MI AG special agent investigator Howard] Shock spent nearly seven hours under a withering fire of defense questions, as well as criticism from the bench, about his competency and how he carried out the investigation. More importantly, the defense questioning sought to cast doubt that their clients, who are charged with a variety of felonies including conspiracy to commit election law forgery, knowingly broke the law when they signed the documents, which is a required element for conviction under that charge.

> “The attorney general of the state of Michigan, Dana Nessel, that’s your boss, fair to say?” Freeman asked Shock. […] “This is a politically driven department that you work for, isn’t it?” pressed Freeman, who asked Shock when was the last time he briefed Nessel, a Democrat, on the case.

…and in a move reminscent of The Sheik vs Pampero Firpo…

> While Assistant Attorney General LaDonna Logan objected, arguing that the question lacked relevance to the case, Judge Kristen Simmons overruled the objection and expressed what appeared to be frustration with Shock’s inability to answer defense questions.

> “I think it’s glaring that we have a concern in this courtroom about the investigation and his ability to put forth information from that investigation. I took the bench after 9 o’clock and twice within that hour, I’ve had to break for him to refresh his recollection on his investigation,” said Simmons. “We’re not getting a great presentation. And so I can understand why the questions are now starting to [ask] how this investigation went about. Because if you’re not presenting your investigation well, we now need to understand what happened during this investigation.”

Emphasis mine -- r²

Dr Murad Jacob "Jack" Kevorkian died June 3, 2011 in Royal Oak, MI at the age of 83.

From the AP article…

> On a video recorded by Kevorkian in 1993, Poenisch steadies Frederick’s Lou Gehrig’s disease-ravaged body as she signs a form requesting help to die “in the most humane, rapid and painless manner” possible. Then, [Carol] Poenisch reads words just penned by her mother [Kevorkian patient, Merian Frederick] that convey her final, fervent, wish: “My tears should not be taken as an indication that I am in doubt.”

> The videotaped interview, clinically labeled “Medicide: File 8,” is one of many in a new archive at Kevorkian’s alma mater, The University of Michigan. It’s been digitized and included in one of nine boxes stored in the stacks of the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor — available for the first time as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S.

> Kevorkian, a graduate of Michigan’s Medical School, died in 2011 in suburban Detroit at 83. He sparked the national right-to-die debate with a homemade suicide machine that helped end about 130 ailing people’s lives, using the term “medicide” to describe physician-assisted suicide. Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 for assisting in the 1998 death of a Michigan man with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was released from prison in 2007.

> While rooted in the past, the archive has been unveiled at a time when the movement gains ground. In October, California became the fifth state — following Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana — where physician-assisted deaths are legal, and that’s made proponents of right-to-die legislation optimistic about possible successes elsewhere. Other bills are pending.

> Where does the outspoken, unapologetic and now archived Kevorkian fit in the current debate? Some see him and his efforts at the center. Others, like Poenisch, praise his trailblazing but believe his approach — wearing costumes and plugging his ears in court, once talking to reporters with his head and wrists restrained in a medieval-style stock — was detrimental to him and the cause.

> Others say the outlandishness was necessary. Mayer Morganroth, Kevorkian’s attorney and friend, said people who have said he had the right message but was the wrong messenger are missing the point. […] “The only way to get out there was to be out there himself, go over the top.” *** What We Want Now !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From our friends over at BridgeMichigan, reporter Jordyn Hermani covers the question of Michigan restraining orders: do Personal Protection Orders (PPO) only protect the victims half way?…

> Michigan is one of 12 states without a relinquishment law to further protect victims of domestic abuse, according to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a national nonprofit advocating for gun control legislation. […] That’s a glaring hole in the eyes of gun violence researchers and prevention advocates, who argue the possession component of protection orders are extremely difficult to enforce until after a tragedy might occur, such as the recent murder of a Saline woman by her ex-boyfriend.

> Some law enforcement officials are questioning whether any change is needed, however, because Michigan already has a way of removing guns from at-risk individuals: extreme risk protection orders. The state’s new “red flag” law allows police, mental health therapists or close relations to petition a court to allow for gun confiscation from someone deemed a threat.

> That makes adding a relinquishment component to protective orders redundant, said Bob Stevenson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, as “you’ve got a law right now that will address those concerns.” […] “A PPO is basically an order to keep somebody away from somebody,” he added, “and an extreme risk protection order is the order that requires someone to relinquish their firearms.”

> But if a person wants to harm someone, they’ll just find another way, countered Avi Rachlin, a regional director of Michigan Open Carry. His group advocates for the lawful open carry of a holstered handgun in Michigan. […] Rachlin called it a “fool’s errand” to believe that a police sweep of someone’s home for firearms would ultimately deter them from committing a crime, as “the reality is, the ways to get a firearm in this country are absolutely limitless.”

> “You have somebody in this emotional rage that wants to do you harm,” he told Bridge. “This three-page piece of paper followed up with a quick sweep of your house is not going to be the solution to that problem.”

…and the punchline…

> Rachlin suggested that if domestic violence survivors fear for their personal safety, they should look into buying a gun: “You want to prevent domestic violence? Allow women to protect themselves.”

:facepalm: That, indeed, is the solution. Arm everybody. As long as we're taking the apagogic route, just like a Social Security number, you are issued upon request (or parental request) a single-usage .STL or .OBJ file of the patent-expired Glock 17, complete with serial number and one (1) box of 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition. Printing costs and additional ammunition are, of course, tax-deductible.

It's forever High Noon in this nation of cowboys. *** What We Want Now !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From Kalamazoo's WRKR Radio…

> This will be the 11th annual Mustang show Tapper Ford has held and it’s going down Saturday, June 1 from 8 AM until 1 PM. There will be live music and those with classic cars can even get theirs sketched up by professional sketch artist Lou Hoekstra. The event is being held at their dealership located at 816 S. Kalamazoo St.

What follows is a pretty sweet collection of photos from a past show, giving us all a taste of what's to be seen this year.

And it's in Paw Paw, home of A.W. Underwood, purported telekinetic firestarter…!

Remember to always wash your hands after touching infected bovines. 🐮

> Another human case of bird flu linked to sick dairy cows has been detected in Michigan, marking the third farmworker diagnosed with the illness in the United States since March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. None of the cases are connected.

> This is the second farmworker in Michigan in a week to be diagnosed with the illness. And a dairy worker in Texas was diagnosed in March. In those cases, the patients' only sign of illness was a pink eye.

> This latest case is different, however, because the patient also had a cough that accompanied eye symptoms. The person was given Tamiflu and was reportedly recovering.

Where's that box of N95s I had stashed?… *** Stay sick, scratch glass, turn blue, climb walls…but don't get caught! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Disclaimer: while the article is national news, the first cited example is based right here in The Great Lakes State (where? -- r² ).

> In December, a new company registered in Michigan: American Lidar. Its planned home would be an easy drive from the big three U.S. automakers. […] The company behind American Lidar, and not mentioned in its registration, is China-based lidar maker Hesai Group, which the U.S. has labeled a security concern. It is a familiar playbook: a company facing regulatory or reputational problems sets up a subsidiary or affiliate with a different name.

> Chinese companies’ efforts to shift production, rebrand as American or set up subsidiaries with new names are legal, lawyers say. Still, such moves irritate regulators who can’t enforce laws when it isn’t clear who is behind a company.

• Related report from India media WION

> A month after it set up American Lidar to be its manufacturing facility in the U.S. heartland, Hesai was added to the Defense Department list that designates companies as Chinese military entities operating in the U.S. Its stock fell 30% in a day after the list was published and hasn’t recovered. Almost one-fifth of Hesai’s revenue comes from the U.S.

> Hesai filed a lawsuit this month against the Defense Department, asserting it should be removed from the list because it has no affiliation with any military and isn’t controlled by the Chinese government.

…which is false as all Chinese "private" business is "enlightened" in Xi's CCP.

Further reading interaction:

• Original WSJ article

  • The article is paywalled but the "Listen" audio works and the related video, What Banning TikTok in the US Would Look Like* plays

And why not? DTE says there's plenty of money still to be made on Michigan's abundant methane resources, global warming be damned, and compared to northern Michigan's propane jones, it's almost half the cost and at least a stop-gap measure.

> Like many buildings in this part of rural northern Michigan, the Tsuber Auto garage in the Village of Mesick is heated with propane, delivered by truck once or twice a month to the tank outside.

> On average, [owner Vyacheslav Tsuber] said, it costs anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 a year to heat the shop. But that could soon change. DTE Gas Company, a subsidiary of Michigan’s largest utility, is expanding its natural gas network to the area, giving over 1,000 homes and businesses the choice to switch to natural gas.

> What’s left out of that equation, say climate advocates, is a third option: electrification. Instead of locking in fossil fuels for decades to come — and reducing the incentive for people to electrify their homes — why not make it easier to switch to electric heating instead?

> As Sam Stolper, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Sustainability puts it: “We have really ambitious [climate] goals for good reason[…]and we’re not going to hit them if we keep making decisions to switch to natural gas … instead of going straight to electrification.”

So many stumbling blocks. *** What We Want Now !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

…or maybe Consumer Energy has to give back ~USD$1M of the recently approved USD$92M rate increase

Power outages. Clients in the cold. Incorrect billing estimates. Broken meters. Inordinate delays in new service. This is Consumers Energy.

From crack reporter Kyle Davidson at MichiganAdvance…

> Consumers Energy has faced repeated criticisms on the quality and reliability of its services, with members of the House Energy, Communications and Technology Committee pressing the company on its plan to address future long-term outages after an ice storm in February 2023 left thousands of Michigan households without power for days.

> “It is a fundamental job for a utility to measure the amount of electricity used and then accurately bill their customers,” MPSC Commissioner Katherine Peretick said in a statement. “There was a clear and obvious failure here, and this $1 million fine and the corrective actions required in the settlement agreement will hopefully ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

> Consumers Energy has not responded to a request for comment as of the time of publication. *** Remember…Parma spelled backwards is AMRAP! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Rule #1: Don't panic.

> In Michigan, the case initially went undetected. A nasal swab first tested negative for influenza in Michigan, but an eye swab from the patient was shipped to CDC. There, it tested positive for the flu virus, according to the CDC.

> The virus has been circulating in dairy and poultry farms across the U.S. for several months, and was detected in Michigan cattle March 29. Just more than a month later, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s director Tim Boring directed farmers to take extra precautions to separate potentially infected livestock and to minimize interaction between humans and farm animals. […] Boring, in the statement released Wednesday afternoon, said finding the human case is “exactly how public health is meant to work, in early detection and monitoring of new and emerging illnesses.”

From the Freep's coverage…

> [Michigan chief medical officer, Dr. Natasha] Bagdasarian said the average Michigander shouldn't panic. […] "The risk to the general public remains low," she said. "And that's for a few reasons: No. 1, we have not seen evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. ... For this to become a bigger risk to the general public, we would be looking for sustained human-to-human transmission and we have not seen that."

> Citing privacy concerns, no details were released Wednesday about specifically which farm employed the Michigan worker or in which county the infection occurred. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported Monday that avian influenza outbreaks have been identified in 18 dairy cow herds in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Gratiot, Ionia, Allegan, Ingham, Isabella, Montcalm, Barry and Ottawa.

> It's more cow herd outbreaks than in any other state, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Since the outbreak began in February 2022, H5N1 avian influenza also has been detected in domestic birds from 23 Michigan counties: Bay, Branch, Cass, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Menominee, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wexford.

Alt Freep link for your convenience via archive.is *** Everything I say is a lie… !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From ace reporter Anna Liz Nichols at MichiganAdvance…

> The Caring for MI Family Tax Credit is one of the proposals under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recommendations for the state’s next budget and would afford caregivers tax relief of up to $5,000.

> “That work is almost always uncompensated. … It is not always visible in policy in terms of how we respond to the needs of caregivers, things that caregiving requires so that people can do it,” [Michigan Lt Gov Garlin] Gilchrist said. “Caregivers are a critical infrastructure to life, to success, to wellbeing, to stability, and we need to make sure that they are really supported.”

> “These are people who care for their loved ones and use their own dollars for out of pocket expenses, grandparents taking care of grandchildren, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, mothers daughter taking care of those who they love,” [state director of AARP Michigan Paula] Cunningham said. “They don’t do this for the money, they do it because of their commitment to their family members and … their loved ones.”

Although the majority of the readers of this community were hatched from reptile eggs, I'm sure there are those among us who are part of this uncompensated, unofficial nursing team (if you aren't, I wouldn't ever wish it on you). Talk about tough; you're constantly in damage-control mode. At least with the state's proposal, this monthly USD$416.00 largesse could help with, for example, occasional outside care so you can do stupid stuff…like take a shower or grocery shop or talk to someone.

Otherwise, you know, we could always demand the dismantling of the trillion-dollar racket known as "American health insurance" and maybe shoot for a system proposed back in 2003 by the late representative John Conyers (D-MI) that would cover most of these needs…? No, I get it…y'alls too busy checking…

Reporter Brian McVicar at mlive.com covers the big news about the coming outdoor covered arena in Grand Rapids…

!The planned Acrisure Amphitheater in Grand Rapids, MI

> After years of planning and fundraising, a ceremonial groundbreaking for Acrisure Amphitheater, the 12,000-capacity venue that officials say will transform a sprawling stretch of Market Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, is happening Tuesday.

> The venue would have 7,000 fixed seats and 5,000 lawn seats. Its main entrance would be along Market Avenue, and its pedestrian plaza would be open to the public during events and non-events.

> In addition to 201 Market Ave. SW, the venue would also occupy 225, 233 and 301 Market Ave. SW. The site is bordered by the Grand River on its west, by Market Avenue on its east, by U.S. 131 on its north and railroad tracks on its south.

> The venue is expected to host an estimated 54 events per season, with a projected 300,000 visitors.

Me, I got an allergy to stadiums and arenas named after corporations.

From crack reporter Jon King over at MichiganAdvance, Another Day, Another Election Interference: more voting obfuscation for the ever-unstable GOP…

> Following overwhelming victories in a recall election last week, the Republican members of the Delta County Board of Canvassers are refusing to certify the election results.

> Unofficial results indicated that Van Ginhoven, a Democrat, and independent candidates Myra Croasdell and Matt Jensen, each defeated Republican Commissioners David Moyle, Robert Barron, and Robert Petersen by an approximately 3-1 margin. The incumbents were targeted for recall after they voted in February 2023 to fire County Administrator Emily DeSalvo.

> When the county canvassers met this past Tuesday, however, Republican members Bonnie Hakkola and LeeAnne Oman refused to certify. The board, consisting of two Democrats and two Republicans, has to produce at least three votes in order to certify. […] Van Ginhoven tells Michigan Advance that the GOP canvassers cited, without evidence, irregularities in the vote totals based solely on the similarity across all three races.

> While the board’s failure to certify the election has delayed the swearing in of the new commissioners, they will meet again on Monday, at which point they will have a final opportunity to provide certification. […] “And if at that time, the Republicans are still not willing to sign off on the certification, then everything’s going to have to be trucked downstate on the county dime and go to the State Board of Canvassers,” said Van Ginhoven. *** Everything I say is a lie… !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

The NYT article (being in the Dining section) doesn't really go into it, but this one goes over the climate risks to wild rice

Who could have forseen this? 🤦‍♂️ From our friends over at BridgeMichigan, journalist Gabrielle Nelson reports on the pants-around-the-ankles situation in EV land…

> A new International Energy Forum report, co-led by a University of Michigan researcher, found that a swift transition to EVs will require “unprecedented rates of mine production.” […] The world’s active copper mines, the authors concluded, can’t deliver.

Waitaminute…swift transition? Much like space exploration and a national renewable energy network, thanks to corporate greed and government myopia/complacence, the execution of a working national EV strategy is at least 20 years behind schedule, by my unscientific reckoning. Talk about dropping the ball.

> Amid mounting political pressure to address climate change and looming competition from overseas automakers, Michigan’s Big Three automakers have all set ambitious EV production targets. General Motors has committed to all-electric sales by 2035, and Ford Motor Co. has said it wants half of its sales to be EVs by 2030, although both now face a reality check amid a slowdown in EV sales.

> Bridge Michigan spoke to Adam Simon, a professor of earth and environment sciences at the University of Michigan and lead researcher on the report, about its findings. […] “Without copper,” Simon said, “you don’t have an EV.”

> Unless the industry can find a way to make EVs with less copper, meeting EV demand would require an average of 1.7 new mines every year until 2050, according to the report. Achieving a full net-zero economy could require as many as six new mines per year.

…or Scrupulous Senator Reports Regaled Shill Stubs

> State law bans lobbyists from giving officeholders gifts worth more than $76. However, lobbyists [slimy creatures that they are, tell me I'm wrong -- r² ] have used various strategies to circumvent the prohibition, including providing tickets to lawmakers and then privately sending them letters asking for the value of the tickets over $76 to be paid back to the lobbying firm, according to more than 10 sources with direct knowledge of the arrangements. […] Whether lawmakers ultimately hand over what they owe the lobbyist is a mystery.

> Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren, mistakenly thought he had to disclose tickets he received from lobbyists to a Detroit Lions game, to a Detroit Red Wings game and to the North American International Detroit Auto Show's annual Charity Preview event. The auto show tickets were worth $700, Wojno wrote in his disclosure.

> Eric Doster, an Okemos attorney who advises clients on how to comply with state lobbying and campaign finance policies, said it's become a common practice for lobbyists to ask lawmakers to reimburse them for the cost of tickets over the gift limit. Such transactions are perfectly legal, Doster said.

> Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, a first-term lawmaker who has called for greater transparency, described the strategy of lobbyists using letters to seek reimbursements after sporting events as a loophole. […] Wegela said receiving tickets from lobbyists should be banned over a certain financial threshold. […] “Certainly, it should all be reported, period,” Wegela said.

[All emphasis in the above quotations is mine -- r² ]

I was thinking (working without tools, I know), "what if your preferred politician isn't a sports fan or car buff?" It's a rhetoric question, kids.

Alt link for your convenience via archive.is *** Stay sick, scratch glass, turn blue, climb walls…but don't get caught! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Why should DTE have to pay their "extracurricular" business expenses when you can?

> Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony on Tuesday in DTE’s most recent request to increase its rates, calling the $266 million request “excessive and unnecessary.”

> […]business consultant Sebastian Coppola said DTE’s proposed gas rate hike would result in a 6.5% increase to the average customer’s bill.

Need I remind the DTE-bill-paying customers amongst us that a $368 million rate increase was approved only in December 2023?

>Coppola also pointed to DTE’s estimated $74,769 jet travel costs included in the company’s projected expenses submitted as part of the rate case, and[…]leased private aircrafts for executives[…].

> DTE spokesperson Ryan Lowry [said], “Regarding travel expenses, a fraction of the costs for limited air travel for business-appropriate needs[…]were included in the initial DTE Gas rate request.” *** Everything I say is a lie. !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

…and what digs she had set up for herself! Computer, printer, coffee maker…yeh, not glamorous…

From the AP website:

> Contractors curious about an extension cord on the roof of a [Midland,] Michigan grocery store made a startling discovery: A 34-year-old woman was living inside the business sign, with enough space for a computer, printer and coffee maker, police said.

> The woman, whose name was not released, told police she had a job elsewhere but had been living inside the Family Fare sign for roughly a year, Warren said. She was found April 23.

> A spokesperson for SpartanNash, the parent company of Family Fare, said store employees responded “with the utmost compassion and professionalism.” […] “Ensuring there is ample safe, affordable housing continues to be a widespread issue nationwide that our community needs to partner in solving,” Adrienne Chance said, declining further comment.

> Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges on Wednesday against former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney, Stefanie Lambert Junttila, alleging the pair permitted an unauthorized computer examiner to access voter data concerning the 2020 election, which included non-public information.

> In a statement, the Michigan Department of Attorney General contended that Scott, a Republican, disregarded multiple instructions from the director of elections to present the Adams Township voting tabulator to an authorized vendor for maintenance and testing. The department said Scott withheld the tabulator until it was seized by Michigan State Police executing a search warrant.

> “Ensuring election security and integrity stands as the cornerstone of our democracy,” said [AG Dana] Nessel[.]

> [Stefanie Lambert] Juntilla’s attorney, Dan Hartman said a statement: “I have spoken to Stefanie who remains steadfast in her efforts to bring transparency to the people’s election data, processes and procedures.”

As covered back in March (you read it here! -- r²), our Gov Whitmer signed off on two bills banning the sale of…

> […]any device specifically designed for inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters for recreational purposes, with stiffer penalties for selling the devices to minors.

That's great and would have solved the problem there and then…but unfortunately we're dealing with humans. The problem with idiot-proof solutions is that they're always inventing a better idiot. Take me, for example: I'm most likely a better idiot than you are.

From today's Detroit News article, "'Whippets' cannisters causing big problems in Michigan as lawmakers crack down"…

> Many community leaders are hoping a new statewide ban, starting June 10, will make a difference. The two-bill package adds nitrous oxide or whippets to the list of drug paraphernalia under the Public Health Code that can't be knowingly sold to minors for the purpose of being inhaled for recreational use.

Of course. We all hope for the same thing, even the most cynical and coldhearted amongst us. But let's get down to the real problem here…

> Whippets are metal containers. Some are about 3 inches tall and often sold in packs. More recently, cylinders about 12 inches tall also are being sold. Once a user sucks out the nitrous oxide, the canisters are no longer needed. Tens of thousands of them end up as hazardous litter, contend many who deal with the issue.

> Four years ago, more than 30,000 canisters were picked up in a six-week period in southwest Detroit by a group that formed to clean up whippets in the community, organizers said. And more than 11,000 were picked up in a single day at a recent Motor City Makeover, an annual citywide volunteer cleanup and beautification initiative, Detroit Police Department officials told a state House health policy committee in February. [all emphasis mine -- r² ]

It's no skin off my genitalia if you wanna huff your way to a vitamin deficiency (to go with your mental deficiency)—weed's gonna harm you less in the long run. Nevertheless, like I have no legal problem with heroin enthusiasts or exhibitionist sex, I don't wanna see your—ahem—biohazard leftover paraphenalia littering my streets. Ya follow?

And now…

r²'s Solution to The Whippit Problem

Return deposit on whippit cannisters.

• USD$1.00 on 3" cannisters
• USD$5.00 on 12" cannisters
• USD$20.00 on cannisters larger than 12"
  • Exemption for individuals/businesses with a valid Michigan food establishment license

Labelling

• Cannisters may no longer have "enticing" labelling. Any labelling on cannisters is limited to company information (name, address, internet information) and cannister content information. Labels are to be no greater than one-quarter of cannister surface area minus 0.25" top and bottom radii. Labelling must be text only, with no illustrations nor logotypes.
  • This is inspired by Plain Tobacco Packaging statutes worldwide…except here…in "The Greatest Country in The World"

"Cracker" tax No…I'm not saying adding a new tax on 80% of the citizenry of Michigan and Ohio (I'm kidding! I'M KIDDING!)…

• a 50% state tax would be applied to the purchase of N₂O "crackers," including online sales.
  • aforementioned exemption applies for licensed individuals/businesses

It may not be the perfect solution but as the old saw goes, "'perfect' is the enemy of 'good'". It's not going to stop anybody from inhaling laughing gas but you're gonna see a dramatic decrease—decrease is the keyword here, for the Manichians or absolutists among you—of whippit litter around the state.

Being how I don't run in those circles, I had no idea (other than the non-trivial litter problem) how common and widespread the problem is worldwide.

Has anybody in the State government considered any of these proposals before and I'm just repeating past arguments as my own? I couldn't find any prior art online.

What do you think?!

*** Alt link for your convenience via archive.is *** Remember…Parma spelled backwards is AMRAP! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social