I had my book club on Tuesday evening during the mayor’s State of the City address, so I didn’t hear it as it was happening, but I hard plenty about it on the local news when I arrived home that evening. The mayor said a lot during the speech, but the biggest hoopla to come out of the night were his remarks that the media is acting like a lynch mob against him and his blatant use of the N-word. Read more

The Detroit Free Press began a new editorial series today called “Cities Now and Tomorrow” that will focus on the state of cities today and their future. The series will run regularly through November.

This should be an interesting series for anyone concerned about the future of our city. There are historical, political, economic, and sociological reasons why some cities are better off than Detroit, and why some cities (if you can imagine it) are worse off. It will be interesting to see what insights the writers of this series may discover through their investigations.

The first installment is a comparison between Highland Park, MI, and Highland Park, Ill. Check it out.

Did the Democratic/Independent crossover vote give Romney the win? (see my two previous posts)

Who knows?

But it’s clear that the GOP primary will be very long, very heated, and very expensive. With nothing to gain by voting between Hillary or Uncommitted, I have a feeling that Michigan Democrats did what they could to help their party.

While I would rather have had a true Democratic Primary in Michigan as well, the decision to move our primaries up to January 15 was a success because it made our issues the issues of the American political media for a solid week. We do need more economic stimulus and a fair playing field for the American auto industry. We do need job growth and an end to the stream of foreclosures plaguing the state. And for a week, the nation listened and took notice. One week on the national platform may not be much, but it’s more than all of the Super Tuesday states will get.

<img src=”http://images.dailykos.com/images/user/3/demformitt.jpg”

Michigan’s primary election takes place this Tuesday, January 15, and as many of you know, the Democratic choice will be between Hillary Clinton and Dennis Kucinich (and “Uncommitted,” if you really want to vote for Obama and Edwards, but can’t). THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT WRITE IN A CANDIDATE’S NAME ON THE BALLOT. YOUR BALLOT WILL BE TOSSED. (I don’t know why this is. I haven’t been able to figure out. But everyone says it’s true, so don’t do it.)

But there is one other choice….

Michigan Democrats can make a difference in the overall election after all. The beauty part of Michigan’s primary election rules is that you can cast a ballot for either party, no matter your party affiliation. And since Hillary will be the winner anyway, why not shake things up in the Republican primary, by voting for Mitt Romney.

Daily Kos, a popular Progressive blog, is rallying the troops to upset the Republican election like we did in 2000 when our state went for John McCain over George W. Bush, after then Governor John Engler (remember that scumbag?) “guaranteed” a win the Bush.

Here’s why you may want to vote for Romney:

The longer the Republican primaries go on, the more money they’ll spend and the more they will attack each other, viciously. Mitt Romney has pulled his money out of other states and has bet his political future on Michigan this Tuesday. If he wins, he stays in. If he loses, he lost for good. The longer he’s in, the better for the Democrats.

So by voting Romney, it turns out that the Democrats in Michigan can effect change with their primary vote.

If you feel particularly strongly about Hillary, then by all means vote for her. But instead of voting for “uncommitted” and hoping the Democratic party gives back some of Michigan’s delegates at the convention, why not shake things up a bit?

I know, I know. If you do vote for Romney, you may feel a little dirty and in need of a shower after leaving the polls. However, if you want real change in Washington, if you want to hold the Bush Administration accountable for every pernicious lie and abuse of power over the past 8 years, then the “big picture” candidate for Michigan Democrats is Mitt Romeny.

It seems as though Michigan’s Republican Senate, with its slimy leader Mike Bishop at the helm, will refuse to take up a measure to force four Democratic Presidential candidates–Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, John Edwards, and Christopher Dodd–back onto the ballot after they pulled their names from the running when Michigan announced an early primary date of January 15.

On WDET today, I heard the pompous Bishop say that it’s not the job of the Senate to get in the middle of Democrat’s affairs and that such a vote would be keeping the legislature from discussing more pressing issues, like the never-ending state budget negotiations. Like most political talk meant to divert citizens from understanding the true motives behind a decision, Bishop makes a somewhat-valid point. However, the Republicans have something to gain by not allowing the Democrats to have a primary with a full slate of candidates.

Michigan election laws allow citizens to vote in either party primary, regardless of one’s party affiliation. Since Hillary is basically a lock to beat Dennis Kucinich, many Independents and Democrats may spend their votes on the Republican primary. Thus Republicans can argue that higher poll numbers shows that Michigan is leaning Republican. In addition, the Republicans will be able to flout the fact that they provided Michigan citizens with a true primary, that Republicans were unafraid to challenge Iowa and New Hampshire by coming to Michigan. They can claim that the Democrats really don’t care as much about Michigan’s people as the Republicans do. Based on recent Republican policies and actions, this is patently untrue to me, but they will make the argument nonetheless.

I certainly would have liked to have had a true Democratic primary here in Michigan with all of the candidates on the ballot. However, four candidates decided that they couldn’t suffer the backlash from Iowans and New Hampshirites should they leave their small, un-diverse populations to run in a state that actually matters in the general election and better represents the country as a whole. As much as I respect all four candidates (and I’m rather partial to Richardson), I feel that this was an act of political cowardice.

I was kind of on the fence about Hillary, but at least she didn’t chicken out, and it doesn’t seem as though there has been any backlash in Iowa or New Hampshire (although she has refrained from paying the Mitten a visit). She’s got guts, she’s smart, and she’ll make a good president.

So on the 15th, I’m going to go into the voting booth and press my pointer finger on the electronic screen next to the “Hillary Clinton” box with pride. I’m not a betting man, but I’ll put my odds on Hillary by a landslide.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to effect economic and political change, then that people often have no other choice but to rock you.

The Wayne State Law School Student Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, an organization “dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system,” is having a benefit this Saturday at the Village Idiot Pub on the Eastside of Detroit.

The benefit features an eclectic blend of bands, featuring The Hadituptoheres, The Sons of Adray, and Dan Kennedy.

Each band features either a current student member or alum of the Guild. Five bucks at the door, starts at 9pm. All proceeds go to the Wayne State Law School Chapter of the NLG.

Come out for the music, the drinks, and the social justice.

The downtown city streets are already adorned with holiday snowflakes and lights. The Salvation Army kettle (or as I see it a giant red cauldron) is prominent at Campus Martius as the city prepares for the annual lighting of the Tannenbaum/Christmas Tree/Holiday Tree in the city. The festivities will take place from 5 to midnight this Friday and boasts entertainment from Mitch Ryder and Thornetta Davis. The Detroit Skate Club will be on hand to make you feel terrible about your own skating skills and carriage rides will be available as well. Inside Detroit will be conducting a bar tour from 5:30-8:30 and will have you back for the lighting of the tree. The unofficial state song of Michigan is set to the tune of “O Tannenbaum!” However, due to political correctness, I am not sure that “O Christmas Tree” can be played at the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Talk about sacralidge. Brian O’Conner’s article, in the News yesterday, on non-car guys running the auto industry was pretty brutal. What I found ironic though was after reading that the Woodward Dream Cruise is “a nightmarish orgy of denial that’s nothing short of High Mass for the rearview mind of the “car guy.” And that “. . .Detroit is not a good-ol’ boy network, it’s a good-ol’ days network.” I went to the next section and low and behold. . .

. . . on page 1B, there it was, a huge spread on the ‘57 Chevy. Maybe he is right after all. Under Alan Mulally’s guidance, (he was the wagon master at Boeing) Ford had a $750 million second-quarter profit. Who knows what Bob Nardelli, (returned Home Depot to record profits) will accomplish at Chrysler. In thinking along those lines, how about a totally non-political type runs for govenor?? “No Politicians Need Apply!”

The coolest, hippest and free happening of the summer is at the Positively Fourth Street Fair today. Shhhh, this event is the best kept secret in the D’ and if you have the time tonight, check it out. Great live music. Rock on the stage at the end of the street and country/folk/grass roots on the lawn between two houses. Local artists selling hand made jewelry, paintings, vintage books, magazines and film souveniers. One guy has about a thousand odd buttons from years ago from past political campaigns, and just about everything else under the sun. If you are hungry they offer all kinds of home made food. Try the Sweet Roased Corn on the Cob. MMmmm. Tastes like candy and, yes, they sell adult beverages. This event is put on by the Fourth Street area community and only lasts one day. Open till’ midnight, (they stay later than that) the fair is located at Fourth and Holden in the Wayne State University area. From Woodward, take Warren to Third and turn right. Listen for the music just past the I-94 bridge.

It was a treat to be at the park last night. Scored a couple of tickets on E. Adams and off we went. These guys. . .I mean THESE GUYS are the best aren’t they? Against the mighty Red Sox, they out played them at every angle. Listen, I was around when the Tig’s won in 84′. I see the same comradery and intimate friendships in this team. Here in Independence week, they remind me of the founding fathers. Why? Because what were the odds of having the best and brightest political minds in Philadelphia all in the same spot at the same time? What are the odds of having the greatest MLB players gather together on the same team at the same time?

Oh, I know what you are going to say, not everyone on the team is the best at his game. No, man, what I’m saying is these guys. . .THESE GUYS, THIS TEAM. . .collectively are the best in baseball today and it wouldn’t surprise me if they go to the series again in October which is just about impossible to repeat. The fireworks and Proof after the game was just icing on the cake. LOL