Our Slantwise, Under the Radar, Off the Grid, Out of the Box Thinking

This article is somewhat divergent from my usual posts here. They have to do more with politics. But this is relevant as our way of interacting with people explains our political ideology, too. I just read that a Muslim group is marching on 9/11 to protest religious profiling of Islam
in connection with the twin towers disaster. A group of bikers (among others, I suspect) is launching a counter-protest under the thinking that Muslims caused 9/11 and how dare they "desecrate" the September 11 deaths with their march. See, that's exactly the time to march. And they have to call attention to this bigotry. I would stand with them. Because I try not to judge people by their identifiers--race, color, religion, culture. How can you, really? And this article gives background on where that thinking comes from.

My husband and I have always had...quirky...entertainment tastes. Like the weird cabaret circus musical we enjoyed at an arts festival in Grand Rapids, Mich. Or the radical punk venue we hit, with zombie black velvet wall art. Or that activist post-industrial "freak show" (their words) we explored in Detroit. We don't go purposely seeking oddities. They just recognize kindred spirits when they see us.   Our Slantwise, Under the Radar, Off the Grid, Out of the Box Way of Looking at People

Detroit Mayoral Race Called Two-Man Contest: Is Race an Issue?

 Detroit has an 82-percent black population and hasn't had a white mayor in 44 years. Bloomberg says Detroit's mayoral race has been plagued with "rivalries and racial rifts." Two contenders are tied for first place: one black and one white. Is race the biggest issue in Motown's upcoming election? Or is this just a tactic to divert our attention to the multitude of larger issues? I think minorities have been forced into a race contest in cities where they are not the minority. Decades of being kept out, hemmed in and downtrodden, have made Detroit African Americans tenacious of power where they could wrest it. And who can fault them for that? Self-preservation is human nature. Political control is the American ideal. The fact that Detroit is so impoverished has less than zero to do with corruption, race or any others scapegoats you care to name. It has all to do with barons (mostly auto) exploiting Detroit then abandoning it when they'd used up all the resources. So is the Detroit race racial? Detroit Mayoral Race Called Two-Man Contest: Is Race an Issue?

Billionaire Dan Gilbert Steadily Buying Up Detroit Buildings

Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans is fast becoming downtown Detroit's prime mover and shaker. In March, Forbes ranked Gilbert No. 384 on its "World's Billionaires" list -- a 470-slot jump from last year. And Gilbert is spending his money in the Motor City. Gilbert is buying up, remodeling, and repurposing downtown properties. He's definitely giving Detroit's Little Caesars Ilitch family a run for their money in the property line. And Gilbert's improvements may have major impacts for city dwellers. 
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Priorities for Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr

Kevyn Orr, Detroit's new state-appointed emergency manager, began his 18-month tenure late in March, says Click on Detroit. What are the priorities of a state controller in such a large city? Priorities for Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr The Detroit Free Press reports that some have only one task for the emergency manager: Leave leadership to elected officials. Rev. Charles Williams II of Michigan's National Action Network led a sit-in at City Hall last Thursday. The group filed a lawsuit against Michigan's new emergency manager law, Public Act 436, saying it violates voter rights. With Detroit's mayoral slot opening up, candidates must consider how they'd operate under a state-appointed controller, too. ABC Action News 7 WXYZ says Mike Duggan, a contender for mayor, wants the emergency manager gone ASAP and says he's ready to take over turnaround.

Detroit-Area School Suicide Highlights Gun Control Debate

Tragedy struck at a metro Detroit school in late March. ABC Action News 7 WXYZ reports that a eighth-grade boy brought a handgun to Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan, and shot himself in the school bathroom. In light of incidents like this and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, The New York Times reports that gun control advocates led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) are pushing for stricter federal gun regulations, especially on assault weapons.Detroit-Area School Suicide Highlights Gun Control Debate

Operation Desert Shield RAF Soldier John Peters' Viral Photo

This image of John Peters (RAF) came out in 1988. He was beaten after his plane was shot down in Desert Storm (or was it called Desert Shield then?). I had this photo on my fridge for several years and prayed for him and his comrades. I hadn't thought of him in years, then remembered it must be near the 25th anniv. I researched and found that he is well. Glad to hear it, John. 

Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Found Guilty of Corruption, Racketeering

Decisions were handed down in former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's racketeering and extortion trial today. Then-city contractor Bobby Ferguson and Kilpatrick's father, Bernard Kilpatrick, were tried, too, says ABC Action News 7 WXYZ. A federal jury decided today that Kwame Kilpatrick ran a criminal enterprise as mayor of Michigan's largest city. The jury determined that extortion, bribes and kickbacks, bid-rigging, and shakedowns took place, says the Detroit Free Press.  Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Found Guilty of Corruption, Racketeering