Articles of Interest 7-14-06
"Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace."
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to James Monroe, 24 October 1823)
Reference: Jeffersonian Cyclopedia, Foley (685); orignal The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Ford, ed., vol. 5 (198)
Ummm…If Governor Granholm’s tax shift/tax hike plan had been implemented by the legislature - would it have made it “more expensive” and less desirable for Google to locate in Michigan? With Google being a high profit, high compensation company, Granholm’s proposal to tripled the profit component and eliminated reductions for high compensated companies would have “raised” taxes on companies like Google.
Republicans rejected Granholm’s tax increase and tax shift which she called her “proposal to elimate the SBT”.
Granholm = Tax Increases -- Republicans said NO!
Victory Centers are continuing to bring in more and more volunteers to make phone calls and go door-to-door to continually update our Voter Vault list. If you have any time that you are willing to give the party and our candidates, please come to one of our 26 local victory centers and sign up to help. To find the location nearest you, please go to:
http://www.migop.org/victorycenters/index.asp
The Michigan State Chamber of Commerce released their 2005-2006 Job Providers Index covers a wide range of business issues. This year, the voting record in the State House includes 21 key votes on topics including: tax policy, energy, environmental quality, health care, human resources, telecommunications, education, and tourism. The voting record in the Michigan Senate consists of 22 key votes on similar issues.
The average score for the Senate Republican Caucus was 89 percent while the average score for the Senate Democratic Caucus was 42 percent. Equally dramatic was the difference between the average scores for the House Republican Caucus at 97 percent and the House Democratic Caucus at 39 percent.
Also striking, when it comes to the issues of jobs and the economy, were the contrasts between the Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (100 percent) and Senate Minority Leader Bob Emerson (29 percent), and House Speaker Craig DeRoche (100 percent) and House Minority Leader Dianne Byrum (38 percent).
"Job providers can be thankful that Senator Sikkema and House Speaker Craig DeRoche were setting the agenda this past legislative session rather than Senate Minority Leader Bob Emerson and House Minority Leader Dianne Byrum," concluded Bob LaBrant, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Clearly Republicans have done their best to promote a “jobs friendly” environment in Michigan while Governor Granholm and her partisans have done all they can to raise taxes, increase the regulatory burden and virtually chase away job providers and jobs from Michigan. We need new leadership and Dick DeVos is that man!
The complete Michigan Chamber's 2005-2006 Job Providers Index is available on the Chamber's website at www.michamber.com.
Please note the MIRS article below about the “semi-closed” presidential primary. This is the proposal that was prepared by the Presidential Task Force and then passed by the state committee. I believe Chuck Yob may have misunderstood the question and didn’t realize this was the same proposal we have adopted and I was authorized to move forward on? I just wanted to make you all aware that this is NOT something new, but exactly what was passed by the state committee. I’ll clarify that with Chuck later today, but didn’t want any confusion out there on the issue.
Rol Call reports that Senate Democratic leaders have hatched a four-week, pre-August strategy that gambles on five issues they believe best define party differences and can best win over their base and independent voters this fall.
The pre-election plan, kicked off by Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) on Tuesday, will include daily floor speeches and exchanges by Democratic Senators, as well as frequent press events, according to leadership sources.
Those efforts will focus on what Democratic leaders call “a record of inaction” by the Republican Party, and their push for Congressional movement on stem-cell research, gas prices, college affordability, renewal of the Voting Rights Act and a “real debate” on the war in Iraq.
One Republican leadership aide said it is difficult to dignify the Democrats’ latest move with a response, saying: “This is so repetitive and comical. I can’t believe they can think of something new to actually message on.”
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607140422
Executives guarded, but eager for meeting
Wagoner, Ghosn to bring ideas to the table
July 14, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Judging by their comments Thursday, Rick Wagoner and Carlos Ghosn will head to their historic meeting today with opposite mixtures of caution and optimism about what an alliance among General Motors Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA could accomplish.
Wagoner, GM's chairman and chief executive, said Thursday that although he was open to any ideas about a possible tie-up, he couldn't offer any rough outlines of a potential deal or set a time line for reaching an accord. In fact, Wagoner declined to confirm that the meeting with Ghosn would happen today.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/AUTO02/607140374
Friday, July 14, 2006
Daniel Howes: Alliance would give Ghosn muscle for the big leagues
I t's Carlos time.
Ghosn, that is, the CEO of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. who's scheduled to meet General Motors Corp. Chairman Rick Wagoner today and draw the broad parameters to study a potential three-way alliance of the automakers.
And if Ghosn's media blitz Thursday is any indication, he'll make a plausible case. He'll say this isn't about control, it's about finding solutions that make sense. He'll say this isn't about the Franco-Japanese hybrid fixing GM's problems, it's about GM fixing itself with whatever help the other two might offer.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/AUTO01/607140402
Friday, July 14, 2006
Ghosn: Gung-ho about GM deal
Renault-Nissan CEO to meet with Wagoner today
Christine Tierney | The Detroit News
NEW YORK -- Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co., expressed confidence Thursday that the Franco-Japanese partnership would form an alliance with General Motors Corp. that would benefit all three automakers and transform the industry.
On the day before a crucial meeting with GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Ghosn told The Detroit News a deal would succeed only if GM's board and top managers wanted it. But in contrast with Wagoner's tepid response to the proposal made by GM shareholder Kirk Kerkorian, Ghosn was eager to move forward.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607140425
THE MICHIGAN POLL: People say union pay, benefits should fall
July 14, 2006
Most Michiganders say an alliance among General Motors Corp., Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. would be good for GM, but many fear it could harm the UAW, the inaugural Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll shows.
By 2-to-1, respondents said GM would benefit from the proposed alliance, with 53% saying it would be good over the long term, 26% bad and 21% unsure. About half said they thought the possible alliance would be good for the U.S. auto industry and the Michigan economy.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION03/607140305/1008/OPINION01
James P. Hoffa
Stop NAFTA highway from killing jobs
This is what happens when trade pacts pit worker against worker
T wo months ago, the Teamsters sent an independent investigative reporter to Mexico to explore the inhumane conditions that drivers there are forced to endure. The findings, which will be released on www.teamster.org and to our membership next month, were startling: Most of the drivers interviewed said they had used illegal drugs to stay awake on the road. Many drivers interviewed said they had been involved in fatal accidents.
What does this mean for Americans? Right now, not much, since the Teamsters successfully lobbied Congress to require Mexican trucks to meet a series of environmental and safety requirements before they can deliver goods in the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION02/607140324/1070/OPINION
LOCAL COMMENT: Google move highlights value of state universities
July 14, 2006
Type "economic development" and "research universities" into your Google search engine, and the results are clear: jobs.
The exciting and important announcement that Google will bring 1,000 jobs to the Ann Arbor area points to the power of Michigan's research universities to help transform our state's economy.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION01/607140304/1008
Local ties land Michigan at top of Google's search
More high-tech jobs will require state overhauls
The Detroit News
Michigan's prosperity is intimately tied to people like Google co-founder Larry Page. He's a Michigan native who graduated from the state's higher education system, hit it big and returned some of that success back to the state.
Google, the search-engine company that is one of the Internet's most successful ventures ever, is expanding near Ann Arbor and promises to eventually add 1,000 high-tech jobs to the local economy. That's great news for Michigan.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1152807698229640.xml&coll=5
Google's gifts Move into Ann Arbor boosts state's image, sets an example
FLINT JOURNAL EDITORIAL
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Thursday, July 13, 2006
If Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others are going gaga over Google Inc.'s move into Ann Arbor, they're allowed. We're inclined to do the same, for this event will catch eyes nationwide.
Granted, Google's decision to expand its online advertising division in Michigan is not the full response to the auto industry's contraction, but it shows us a way to replace those high-paying jobs with others. It also announces to the world that this state is a player in the 21st century economy.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1152801996266830.xml&coll=6
Will Google jobs click for Granholm campaign?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
By Ed Golder
The Grand Rapids Press
For Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Google is good -- not just for the state's economy, but for her hard-fought battle to attain another term in office.
Granholm's campaign has suffered a steady pounding from Republican Dick DeVos, who has made Michigan's economy the centerpiece of his challenge.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060713/OPINION02/607130314
Article published Thursday, July 13, 2006
Granholm's image problem
WITH less than four months until election day, Gov. Jennifer Granholm is, by some accounts, in peril with voters in the state of Michigan.
Opinion polls show a steady erosion in ratings for the first-term Democrat. Critics - not just the Republican opposition - say she hasn't established herself in control in the Wolverine State, which continues to be plagued by unemployment and other economic woes.
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060713/NEWS01/607130340/1001/news
Published July 13, 2006
[ From the Lansing State Journal ]
Democrats say DeVos plan for state's economy short on specifics
GOP says proposals are detailed, Dems using 'bogus numbers'
By Tim Martin
Associated Press
The chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party on Wednesday said Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos should explain how he would pay for his economic development plan.
The DeVos campaign responded that it has been more forthcoming about its proposals and how it would pay for them than Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has been.
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/NEWS01/607140328/1001/news
Published July 14, 2006
[ From the Lansing State Journal ]
Election 2006: On the trail ...
Council of Sheriffs backs Bouchard
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard on Thursday announced that the Council of Sheriffs supports his Republican candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
Bouchard is running against Keith Butler in the Aug. 8 primary. The winner will take on U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION01/607140325/1068/OPINION
FREE PRESS ENDORSEMENTS | AUG. 8 PRIMARY: U.S. House of Representatives
July 14, 2006
All 15 of Michigan's U.S. House members are seeking re-election this year. Two veteran Democratic incumbents, John Dingell of Dearborn and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit, are without opposition through the November general election. Two incumbent Republicans, Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek and Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Township, face formidable challengers in the Aug. 8 primary.
Members of the U.S. House serve two-year terms and are paid $165,200 a year.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/POLITICS/607140336/1022
Friday, July 14, 2006
Alternative fuel plants to get tax breaks
Gary Heinlein / The Detroit News
LANSING -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed bills into law giving tax breaks to plants that convert crops into fuel, reducing the minimum hunting age to 10 and barring steroid use by high school students.
Those are among dozens of measures she has approved since the Michigan Legislature wrapped up work for the first half of the year at the end of June.
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060713/NEWS01/607130305/1002
Gas prices pinching lifestyles
By Christopher Behnan
John and Nancy Poelstra have been forced to cut back on dining out, going to the movies and following their children's travel soccer team during the past year or so.
It's not because they don't have good, longstanding
jobs — John is a chemical engineer for Chemtura, Nancy an occupational therapist for the state of Ohio — it's because the cost of gasoline has crimped their budget.
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION01/607140316/1086/opinion
Published July 14, 2006
[ From the Lansing State Journal ]
Single-sex: Single-gender classes may help, so state should try them
Michigan needs to try single-sex classrooms for public schools for one simple reason: The state can't afford to ignore any possibility that such classes will aid learning.
A bill to allow public and charter schools to provide single-sex classes is on Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk. It gives local school boards or charter trustees the option, for example, to create an all-boys class in eighth grade, with two important caveats:
Michigan students eligible for new federal grant
7/13/2006, 5:43 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's revamped high school graduation requirements are tough enough to qualify students for a new federal financial aid program, the state said Thursday.
Michigan students will be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant, a post-secondary financial aid program to complement the federal Pell Grant program.
State hikes per-pupil funds
But some school districts say extra $210 won't cover rising costs
Thursday, July 13, 2006
BY JUDY PUTNAM
Ann Arbor News Bureau
Trying to be conservative, Brighton school officials anticipated the district would receive a $225 per pupil increase in the new state school aid budget.
But the budget approved by a conference committee Wednesday, the budget included an increase of $210 - much lower than what Superintendent Jim Craig said schools were hearing from legislators.
Prosecutor, judge call for statewide child welfare agency
7/14/2006, 1:20 a.m. ET
The Associated Press
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The state should create a new agency whose only responsibility is to safeguard children, two top Oakland County law enforcement officials told lawmakers.
Judge James Alexander, presiding judge in the Family Division of Oakland Circuit Court, and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Deb Carley testified Thursday before a special legislative committee investigating the death of a 7-year-old Williamston boy.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/NEWS06/607140446/1008/NEWS
Separate child safety agency urged
Hearing is 4th on protective actions
July 14, 2006
Invoking the name of Ricky Holland, a former foster and adoptive child who was killed in Ingham County last year, Oakland County's chief family court judge and a veteran prosecutor urged a legislative committee on Thursday to break up the state agency responsible for protecting children.
The judge, James Alexander, said a new department should be created that would be focused only on shielding children from abuse and neglect.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-1/115280377660860.xml&coll=4
Michigan's drug lawsuit immunity law, the only one in U.S., must go
Thursday, July 13, 2006
There is only one state in the union where drug makers are immune from most product liability lawsuits.
It's Michigan.
Yet another in a series of attempts in recent years to overturn that law languishes in a state House committee.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1152807688229640.xml&coll=5
Burton recall mania
Bids to remove all officials run counter to city's welfare
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The recall mania in Burton leading to a possible removal of the entire City Council and mayor - all for no plausible reason - should not be dignified with the term "politics." The motivation is sheer peevishness, carried out at a personal level on the part of all involved, both visibly and behind the scenes.
Taking at face value the allegations listed in proposed petitions, nothing comes close to a standard of misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance to justify such an extreme action.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/OPINION01/607140303/1008
Friday, July 14, 2006
C'mon Brooks, get off N.Y. Times crusade
Proposed newspaper boycott is a pointless distraction
The Detroit News
O akland County Executive Brooks Patterson, upset with a New York Times story on U.S. government tracking of terrorist suspects' financial transactions, is calling for a reader boycott of the Times and asking the county board for action.
He should know better.
NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/10/news/state/25-school.txt
GOP revives Abramoff-Indian school issue
HELENA -- National Republicans are going after a U.S. senator from Michigan for her part in getting federal money for the wealthy Saginaw Chippewa tribe -- the same Jack Abramoff-sought money Republican Sen. Conrad Burns also helped secure.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee -- the group tasked with getting Republicans elected to the U.S. Senate -- has a computerized cartoon on its Web site that takes aim at Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EAVESDROPPING?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Bush agrees to review of NSA eavesdropping
By KATHERINE SHRADER
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush has agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations under a deal that, for the first time, would open an important part of his once-secret surveillance to a constitutional test.
The disclosure of the agreement on Thursday came as the White House sought to end an impasse over a six-month-old dispute with Congress on the National Security Agency's program. It monitors the international calls and e-mails of Americans when terrorism is suspected.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071300835.html
Bush Compromises On Spying Program
Senate Bill Would Permit Court Review
By Charles Babington and Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A01
Switching course on one of his most controversial anti-terrorism policies, President Bush agreed yesterday to submit the administration's warrantless surveillance program to a court for constitutional review.
A deal negotiated between the White House and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) came with conditions. Bush is insisting that Congress first give him new leeway in some areas of surveillance and that all lawsuits challenging his eavesdropping policy be funneled to a Washington-based intelligence court that operates in secret.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/POLITICS/607140321/1022
Friday, July 14, 2006
Court to review eavesdropping
Also, Senate to vote on stem cell bill; voting act renewed; Bush officials to back detainee bill.
Detroit News wire services
WASHINGTON -- President Bush has agreed conditionally to let a court review his eavesdropping operations under a deal that, for the first time, would open an important part of his once-secret terrorism surveillance to a constitutional test.
The disclosure Thursday of the agreement came as the White House sought to end an impasse over a 6-month-old dispute with Congress on the National Security Agency's program. It monitors the international calls and e-mails of Americans when terrorism is suspected. Breaking with historic norms, the president had authorized the monitoring without a court warrant.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CIA_LEAK_LAWSUIT?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Former CIA officer sues Cheney over leak
By TONI LOCY
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former CIA officer Valerie Plame is suing Vice President Dick Cheney, presidential adviser Karl Rove and other White House officials, saying they orchestrated a "whispering campaign" to destroy her career.
In a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, said Cheney, Rove and Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby, leaked her CIA status to reporters to punish Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/POLITICS/607140326/1022
Friday, July 14, 2006
Plame sues Cheney, Libby and Rove over leak
Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The CIA officer whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, accused Cheney, Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby of revealing Plame's CIA identity in seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/columns-2/115280434975720.xml&coll=7
House, Senate must reconcile on immigration
Thursday, July 13, 2006
In comparison with most of the world's other nations, the United States of America remains a land of plenty.
That's why so many millions of people come here -- legally and illegally -- to seek a better life.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1152802376266830.xml&coll=6
Enforce laws for illegal labor
Thursday, July 13, 2006
New federal rules should strengthen efforts to prosecute employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Until now, violators rarely have been penalized.
Immigration bills in both the Senate and House would require a reliable national verification system and stiffer employer penalties, but there is no telling when or if legislation will ever get to President Bush's desk. In the meantime, these new regulations can help employers who seek to comply with the law and isolate those who don't.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301552.html
Hispanics Cite Rise In Discrimination
Immigration Debate Is Called a Factor
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A09
Hispanics believe that discrimination has risen since the start of the congressional debate over illegal immigration, according to a survey released yesterday.
But they also think their group is more galvanized after the pro-immigration marches that resulted from the debate, and many believe they are on the verge of a major social movement, according to the survey by the Pew Hispanic Center.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/REPUBLICANS_AP_POLL?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Most Americans plan to vote for Democrats
By DONNA CASSATA
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November. With less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen years of Republican rule.
Further complicating the GOP outlook to turn things around is a solid percentage of liberals, moderates and even conservatives who say they'll vote Democratic. The party out of power also holds the edge among persuadable voters, a prospect that doesn't bode well for the Republicans.
Results of AP-Ipsos poll on Bush, Congress
The Associated Press-Ipsos poll on public attitudes about President Bush, the nation's direction and the upcoming elections was conducted Monday through Wednesday and is based on telephone interviews with 1,000 adults, including 789 registered voters, from all states except Alaska and Hawaii.
Results were weighted to represent the population by demographic factors such as age, sex, region, race and income.
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/071306/pelosi.html
July 13, 2006
Pelosi calls on Democrats to 'own' August message
For the second time in two days, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has encouraged her colleagues to do more to help win the House in November, this time asking them to hold events over the August recess to trumpet their "New Direction for America" platform.
"Democrats have a strong and unified national message. As part of our national strategy, Democrats must own the message during August," she wrote Wednesday to all House Democrats.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201680.html
Beyond the Poll Numbers, Voter Doubts About Clinton
By Lois Romano
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 13, 2006; Page A01
Anna Shelley, a mother of three from Utah, says she is ready for a female president, and she is sure that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has what it takes.
But Shelley, a Democrat, is not sure she could ever pull a lever for Clinton. Her reservations are vague but unmistakable: Something about Clinton leaves her cold.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5148924&nav=0Rce
Senate advances measures targeting Canadian trash
WASHINGTON The U-S Senate has approved new measures aimed at reducing the amount of garbage shipped from Canada to Michigan.
One would require Canadian companies that haul trash to Michigan landfills to pay for security inspections at the border. No such inspection fees now exist.
Senate advances measures targeting Canadian trash
7/13/2006, 8:00 p.m. ET
By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canadian companies that haul trash into Michigan landfills could face hundreds of dollars in fees to pay for security inspections at the border under a measure approved by the Senate on Thursday.
The Senate also adopted a provision that would require border officials to review their screening process for municipal solid waste, a move that could eventually require the Department of Homeland Security to stop trash trucks from entering the United States.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VOTING_RIGHTS?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
House OKs renewing 1965 Voting Rights Act
By LAURIE KELLMAN
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Passed by the House despite criticism that Southern states were being hounded over their racist past, renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act now faces similar objections from senators who oppose its federal oversight.
"While we won in the House, the Georgia and Texas senators are going to use the same arguments," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said after watching the House debate from the gallery on Thursday. "In the Senate their power looms larger."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071300369.html
Voting Rights Act Extensions Pass House Despite GOP Infighting
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A01
The House yesterday easily approved an extension of key provisions of the landmark Voting Rights Act, after GOP leaders quelled a rebellion within the party's Southern ranks that threatened to become a political embarrassment.
Before the 390 to 33 vote to extend the measure for a quarter-century, the House defeated four amendments that would have diluted two expiring provisions and possibly derailed final passage before the November congressional elections. With the House hurdle now cleared, Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said he hoped to bring the extension to the Senate floor before the August recess.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1152801631246860.xml&coll=2
Congress must balance copyright safeguards Tech, entertainment industries face high stakes
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Internet and digital technology have been both a blessing and a curse for the entertainment industry, opening new opportunities for selling music and video but also fueling rampant global piracy.
To attack the latter problem, industry lobbyists are pressing Congress to adopt at least five different proposals that would give them more control over their works as they flow through new digital pipelines into living rooms and portable devices.
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/071306/hastert.html
July 13, 2006
Hastert admitted to hospital
Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) was hospitalized today for a skin infection, according to a release from his office.
Hastert will remain at Bethesda Naval Hospital over the weekend to receive treatment for cellulitis, a bacterial infection, and must remain off his feet for at least 72 hours.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071300278.html
Israel Blockades, Bombs Lebanon While Hezbollah Rains Rocket Fire
Two-Day Toll From Conflict Is at Least 57
By Anthony Shadid and Scott Wilson
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A01
DAMOUR, Lebanon, July 14 -- Israel imposed a blockade on Lebanon by land, sea and air on Thursday, striking the capital's airport twice, cutting off its ports and wrecking bridges and roads in attacks that killed at least 47 people in the last two days, nearly all of them Lebanese civilians. Israel said the radical Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah fired 150 rockets into northern Israel, including two that reached the port city of Haifa. Israeli jets repeatedly crossed over Beirut before dawn Friday. At least two explosions were heard, and antiaircraft fire and flares lit up the night sky.
For both sides, the fighting appeared to cross a psychological barrier that had earlier contained the frequent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli attacks on Beirut's airport -- a morning strike on runways and an evening attack on fuel depots -- were the first since Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. After the rockets crashed into Haifa, Hezbollah denied firing them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301602.html
The Mideast Erupts
Israel is entitled to retaliate. And then what?
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A20
WHEN ISRAEL withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon in 2000 after more than two decades of occupation, it also issued a warning: Any cross-border provocations by Hezbollah, the militant Shiite group, would elicit a severe military response. So there can be no surprise at the violent reaction to Hezbollah's ambush of an Israeli patrol Wednesday, in which three soldiers were killed and two others taken captive by the guerrillas. And there can be no doubt that Iran and Syria, Hezbollah's chief sponsors, bear responsibility for what has instantly become the most far-reaching, lethal and dangerous eruption of cross-border fighting in the Middle East in recent years.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607140437
Intense Mideast fighting worsens
Diplomats from U.S., UN rush to stem the violence
July 14, 2006
With the violence and destruction mounting every hour, the United States and United Nations hurriedly launched diplomatic initiatives Thursday to halt fighting in the Mideast that threatened to engulf a wider area of the troubled region.
The second day of fighting between Israel and Hizballah militants quickly escalated into all-out warfare as Israel bombed the Lebanese capital's suburbs and crippled the airport, and bombed roads early today leading from Beirut to Damascus, Syria.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301670.html
Behind the Crisis, A Push Toward War
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A21
After Hezbollah guerrillas captured Israeli soldiers Wednesday, a furious Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz warned that the Israeli army would "turn back the clock in Lebanon by 20 years." Unfortunately, that statement was truer than he may have intended.
By pounding the Beirut airport and other civilian targets yesterday, the Israelis have taken a step back in time -- to tactics that have been tried repeatedly in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories without much success. Many Lebanese will be angry at Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah for provoking the crisis, but that won't translate into new control on the militia's actions. Instead, the outcome is likely to be similar to what has happened in Gaza over the past several weeks: Israeli attacks to free a captured soldier further weakened the Palestinian Authority without much damaging the terrorists.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008658
States of Terror
Syria, Iran and their proxies wage war on Israel.
Friday, July 14, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT
Israel's military invasion and naval blockade of Lebanon is being denounced in European capitals and at the United Nations as a "disproportionate" response to the kidnapping this week of two of its soldiers by Hezbollah. Israel's decision late last month to invade Gaza in retaliation for the kidnapping of another soldier by Hamas was also condemned as lacking in proportion. So here's a question for our global solons: Since hostage-taking is universally regarded as an act of war, what "proportionate" action do they propose for Israel?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301599.html
Off-Target on Terror
At least the popcorn factory is safe.
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A20
PERHAPS ONE way the District can get more federal money to guard against possible terrorist attacks is to establish more petting zoos. That seems like a lesson to be drawn from an absurd list of possible targets that the federal government has established to help decide where to direct anti-terror funds.
The inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security, in a report released this week and described first in the New York Times, spotlighted problems with the department's database of sites deemed to be of national or local importance. Among the sites listed: the Amish Country Popcorn Factory (in Berne, Ind.), the Groundhog Zoo (in Punxsutawney, Pa.), Sweetwater Flea Market (in Sweetwater, Tenn.) and Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo (in Woodville, Ala.). Among the anomalies cited: Washington state lists more national monuments and icons (65) than Washington, D.C. (37); New Mexico claims the lion's share of the information technology sector (553 assets), with Virginia coming in second (68); Indiana boasts more assets (8,591) than any other state, including New York (5,687). Among the questions raised: Why are mortuaries, water parks and jails included in the inventory?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_GUANTANAMO?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Admin. willing to adjust detainee policies
By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Negotiations on how to treat enemies captured in President Bush's war on terror spilled into the open Thursday as administration officials indicated a willingness to look at new protections for detainees in CIA and Pentagon custody.
But, officials maintained, these "enemy combatants" must not be granted certain legal rights that would expose classified information or hinder interrogations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301637.html
Policy Rewrite Reveals Rift in Administration
Top Officials Split on Treatment of Detainees
By R. Jeffrey Smith and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A04
Three days of congressional testimony this week by senior Bush administration officials about U.S. treatment of detainees in the war on terrorism have made clear that the administration remains deeply divided on the issue and unsure how to replace a key policy that the Supreme Court declared illegal two weeks ago.
Interagency divisions normally kept hidden from public view have been on unusual display as officials from the Justice Department and the Pentagon have offered starkly different accounts of the administration's reaction to the court's opinion, baffling members of Congress and other interested parties about U.S. intentions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301600.html
Wisdom on Detainees
The military's top lawyers talk sense on trying terrorists.
Friday, July 14, 2006; Page A20
SENATE TESTIMONY yesterday by the judge advocates general of the four military services was illuminating -- so illuminating, you wanted to weep that they hadn't been listened to four years ago or more.
The setting was the Armed Services Committee's opening hearing into how terrorists should face trial, following the Supreme Court decision that struck down the administration's scheme. Testimony from the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines' justice systems showed how foolish the administration was to sideline both Congress and the existing military justice system in crafting its plan for terrorism trials. Had the conversation that began yesterday taken place soon after the Sept. 11 attacks, many terrorists might today be serving prison sentences instead of being warehoused -- and some innocent men being warehoused might be free.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201697.html
Bush in Europe With Spate of Issues
Concerns on North Korea, Iran Top President's Agenda for G-8
By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 13, 2006; Page A14
ROSTOCK, Germany, July 12 -- President Bush arrived here Wednesday night trailed by crisis as he began a delicate diplomatic mission to hold together fragile international coalitions he has been building while tensions rise from Asia to the Middle East.
Parallel confrontations with Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programs had reached new intensity even before Air Force One left U.S. airspace. By the time he landed here, the president faced a new escalation between Israel and its Arab neighbors and a new spat with Russia 48 hours before he heads there for a summit.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201872.html
For Bush, A World Of Worry
Abundant Trouble, But Few Solutions
Thursday, July 13, 2006; Page A23
Pretend for a moment that you are in the president's cabin on Air Force One as he tours Europe this week and heads for the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg. What does the world look like to you?
The answer, in one word, is trouble.
MIRS Capitol Capsule, Thursday, July 13, 2006
John Reurink (517) 482-2125
MDP And GOP Agree To Partially Close Primaries
After nearly two years of negotiations, the state Democratic and Republican parties have agreed to partially close its open presidential primary system, effectively ending an open primary system in which Democrats were voting in Republican primaries and some Republicans were participating in the Democrats' vote.
For 2008, both parties have agreed on a semi-closed system that would require all primary voters to publicly declare his or her party before voting. It would also require both parties to hold their primaries on the same day.
A draft bill legalizing the change has been given the House Speaker's office.
"This is designed to deter people from crossing over from one party to another," said Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Chair Mark BREWER.
For years, the two parties have been operating under two different presidential nominee selection systems.
The National Democratic Committee requires state parties to hold caucus primaries, which requires those participating to declare their party. Meanwhile, the Michigan Republican Party (MRP) has been operating on an open primary standard, under which any registered voter can participate.
In the past the "open" primary system has resulted in people "raiding" primaries, which occurs when voters from one party crossover and vote for who they'd like to see win for their rivals. U.S. Sen. John McCAIN's (R-Ariz.) 2000 victory in the Republican presidential primary over George W. BUSH was blamed on crossover voting.
"It's been a constant problem because both party's members have crossed over and raided the other party's process," Brewer said. "Both parties have been hurt by this raiding."
With the semi-closed system, a person will have to publicly declare his or her party before voting. The idea is that if a person is forced to declare a party, they won't vote for the other party's candidates and sway the outcome of that party's primary.
"We don't want them influencing who will be nominated in the Republican Party," said MRP Chair Saul ANUZIS.
The Democrats in 2004 used a caucus election system in which the state party ran the election as opposed to the Secretary of State. Those who declared themselves Democrats could vote. Voters were allowed to use the Internet or visit individual caucus sites, but the MDP footed the bill.
Anuzis started working on changing the primary process about a year and a half ago. First the MRP committee had to agree on the change, which it did overwhelmingly, and then the Republicans had to get approval from the Democrats, Anuzis said.
"There wasn't anyone who disliked it, they just had different preferences," Anuzis said about statewide Republican reaction to the change.
Some party factions wanted to keep the open primary and others wanted to go to a caucus system, like the Democrats have. In the end, the majority agreed to the change and so did the Democrats, Anuzis said.
MIRS asked Anuzis why it took so long to make the change.
"It takes time and the presidential primary wasn't coming up until 2008," Anuzis said.
In reaction today Inside Michigan Politics Editor Bill BALLENGER said he doesn't think the voters will like the idea.
"I can't believe that," Ballenger told MIRS after being informed about the plan for a new partially closed structure. "The only thing I can think of is that we're living in a term-limited environment where people just don't remember the backlash that came from voters when they tried this before. The result was that they turned right around and repealed it."
Ballenger then went into the history of Michigan primaries over the past few decades.
In May of 1972 Michigan held a presidential primary for the first time in many years. At that time, President Richard NIXON had virtually no competition on the Republican side, but it was a different story on the Democratic side of the ledger.
"There were some big names on the Democratic side, like George McGOVERN and Jerry BROWN to draw a lot of attention," Ballenger recalled. "There really wasn't much to get excited about on the Republican side. So when George WALLACE won the Democratic primary it was a huge embarrassment for the Democrats. In some ways they've never really gotten over it. He was not in line with the party's hierarchy."
"Ever since then the National Democratic Party hasn't trusted the open primary process in Michigan," Ballenger continued. "In hindsight they maintained that Republicans had crossed over and voted for Wallace. Whether that was true or not, they've gone to a closed process. Of course Republicans have always attempted to make hay with that, comparing their open primaries to the Democrats' closed caucuses."
He said that back in 1992, the Legislature changed the primary process to a closed system and that was when voters expressed their disapproval in no uncertain terms, which resulted in a quick return to an open process.
Not all Republicans are happy with the so-called agreement.
"The only thing we've agreed on is to have the primary on the same date because the state pays for it and neither party wants to pay for themselves," said National Republican Committeeman Chuck YOB.
Asked if Democrats and Republicans have agreed to have a partially closed primary, Yob said, "That's not true."
Yob said he wants an open election, not a partially closed or closed election and that Anuzis needs to consult with the rest of the party before making that agreement.
"I want to see an open primary because the problem is, in Michigan, you have about 30 percent Republicans, 30 percent Democrats and 30 percent Independents," Yob said. "If you have to vote as either a Republican or Democrat, Independents really can't vote."
Anuzis said the partially closed system would allow independents to vote, they would just have to declare a party to do so.
This doesn't sit well with Yob, who thinks it's unfair to make independents declare a party.
The agreement still has to be approved by the Legislature. Anuzis recently sent the agreement to the Speaker office and guesses he'll see something in bill format by September.
The bill will be drafted to ensure that both parties will agree on the primary date but the conceptual agreement is that the primary will be held the first Tuesday in February, maybe earlier. This would bump up the date the presidential primaries are completed, which is something both parties want, Anuzis said.
High Court Tosses Anti-MCRI Complaint
The Michigan Supreme Court denied a motion, 5-2, today to reconsider its order to have the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) placed on the November ballot.
The motion, filed by the group "Operation King's Dream" was based on a Civil Rights Commission (CRC) report that claimed petition circulators fraudulently represented the proposal. Justices Marilyn KELLY and Michael CAVANAGH dissented.
Today's ruling was another in a long line of legal setbacks for groups trying to stop the anti-affirmative action/racial preference proposal from getting on the 2006 ballot. Operation King's Dream is trying once more in federal court, but today's ruling all but dried up any opportunity to keep MCRI off the ballot through the state courts.
In the majority opinion, Justice Stephen MARKMAN wrote that the law is clear that the state court system must rule on whether MCRI collected the signatures necessary to put the proposal on the ballot, not on the "hundreds of thousands of individual conversations that may have occurred between petition circulators" and signers.
Besides, he wrote, it's the not the job of the judiciary to evaluate if a description given to someone signing the MCRI petition is "fair." If it was, the process of certifying a ballot petition would be under "perpetual collateral attack," putting the courts in new, uncharted territory, legally.
"This is a determination for the people of Michigan when they cast their votes," he wrote.
If MCRI did defraud the public in its explanation of its proposal, the constitutional process leaves it up to public debate, media analysis and an informed electorate to kill the proposal in the November election. It's not the role of the courts to take sides, he wrote.
"We're glad the Supreme Court looked beyond the daily political whims of (CRC Chair) Mark BERNSTEIN and to the law and the basic democratic principle of letting the people of this state vote," said MCRI director Jennifer GRATZ. "In addition, although the court didn't come right out and state it in so many words, I think it clearly implied that that the Civil Rights Commission overstepped its authority by carrying out an investigation it had no authority to do and that ultimately had no impact."
Kelly wrote in her dissenting opinion that the court should have reconsidered the case and held hearings on the CRC report. She wrote that the allegations of fraud seem credible and the law appears to give the Board of State Canvassers the authority to investigate.
The CRC concluded that MCRI had put together a highly coordinated, systematic strategy involving many circulators to basically trick "fair-minded" citizens into thinking that MCRI was going to strengthen affirmative action programs as opposed to taking them away and creating a playing field where all are theoretically equal.
"The Court should be concerned that the power of the initiative petition might be seriously undermined if the Board of Canvassers could not review challenges like the ones made in this case," Kelly wrote.
Although One United Michigan (OUM), the more institutionally grounded group opposing MCRI, was not part of the lawsuit, spokesperson Dave WAYMIRE commented on the court's ruling today.
"We were not surprised by the Supreme Court ruling today," Waymire said. "Apparently, we have more protections against unscrupulous vacuum cleaner salesman than we do against unscrupulous constitutional amendment salesmen.
"Our campaign is up and running, and ready to defeat this California proposal," Waymire added. "We picked up even more support today when the City of Jackson was added to the list of those who oppose the MCRI. This (MCRI) has absolutely no institutional support in the state of Michigan. If it weren't for Ward CONNERLY's money it wouldn't even exist. Connerly's from California and Jennifer Gratz's husband lives in California, so we all know where she'll be going after November 7."
Waymire added a statement that that Affirmative Action is the best program in place to protect women and minorities against discrimination.
Anti-K-16 Forces Kick Into Gear
Sporting a logo with a stop sign and the phrase "STOP the K-16 Money Grab," the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Proposal held a press conference today in front of Lansing City Hall to denounce the proposal. The coalition held similar events at other locations in the state, as well.
The selection of City Hall as the site was consistent with the group's arguments that local services stand to lose if voters approve this proposal to lock future increases in state funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and universities at the rate of inflation.
The K-16 Proposal is making the 2006 ballot now that the Legislature has opted not to address a citizens' petition filed by the K-16 coalition within the required timeframe.
"This K-16 Money Grab simply pits public education against law enforcement and other critical services," said Ervin PORTIS, Jackson City Police Chief, and outgoing president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. "To fund automatic annual increases in education, we would have to raise taxes or drastically reduce spending on other state and local services such as emergency services. It would be irresponsible to drastically reduce funding for law enforcement and other critical services."
Only a portion of the 55 statewide organizations that are part of the coalition against the proposal were represented at the Lansing press conference. Apparently, the coalition includes law enforcement groups, firefighters, health care providers, social service organizations, taxpayers and local governments.
Whether today's angle that K-16 will gut local police and fire money will remain the mainstay of the anti-K-16 campaign, remains to be seen. It is virtually the same argument that's being used against the Stop Over Spending ballot proposal, and in a year that seems punctuated by a general anti-governmental mood among voters, the "governmental services v. governmental services" theme may be problematic.
MIRS asked David DOYLE, who is managing the anti-K-16 campaign, if the group has looked at polling numbers to see what would best eat into the proposal's support. The answer was yes.
Even today, the anti-K-16 representatives hit on other themes, such as the fact that the proposal doesn't include any accountability as to how the additional money would be spent.
"Basically, all we had to do was read the proposal," Doyle said. "The only guarantee in it is that money will go to teachers' retirement."
Brad WARD, of the Michigan Association of Realtors, hit hard on this argument.
"There are no guarantees in this proposal that any of this money would go to the classrooms," Ward said. "As a matter of fact, the proposal never mentions the word 'classroom' or achievement. The only assured use of the money would be teacher retirement."
However, Ken McGREGOR, of the K-16 Coalition, said that the idea that somehow the proposal lacks accountability is "ridiculous."
"Look, this is clearly about three budgets, K-12, community college and higher education," McGregor said. "We're talking about the foundation allowance. All of the accountability is in place. The Legislature has passed the statewide curriculum. That's in place. All we're doing is asking them to follow through with the funding."
"Our contention is that this proposal will be good for the economy," McGregor said. "We've just seen that Google is coming to Michigan. That should be a testament to the fact that future employers will be looking for highly skilled workers."
Tricia KINLEY, director of tax policy for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said polling shows that voters could be persuaded to oppose the proposal.
"Of course, when they're first asked about this, the voters say they support education," Kinley said. "But it doesn't take that much education to get them to be opposed to it. We've seen polling that shows that once they understand all of the ramifications, support for it drops."
Ward was also the one spokesman today who put forth the argument that education is already very well funded in Michigan.
"Michigan has one of the best-funded education systems in the country, in regard to per-pupil funding," Ward said.
Doyle was asked if the "money grab" term would be the central theme of the coalition.
"Not necessarily," he responded.
Backers of the K-16 Coalition, which primarily includes the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, initially envisioned it as a means of pressuring the Legislature to appropriate more funds to education.
The initial coalition backing the K-16 proposal has fallen apart, as the Presidents Council has left the group. This has caused some observers to quip that it should no longer be referred to as the K-16 Proposal, but just the K-12 Proposal.
At one point the MEA vowed to spend millions of dollars to promote the proposal however, there has been some speculation about how much funding it will actually be willing to invest in the cause.
GONGWER- Volume #45, Report #133 --Thursday, July 13, 2006
Larry Lee (517) 482-3500
SUPREME COURT REJECTS LATEST ATTEMPT TO STOP M.C.R.I.
The Supreme Court has rejected on a 5-2 vote the latest effort to prevent the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative from appearing on the November ballot, saying in an order that the Court of Appeals did not incorrectly place the proposal that would block affirmative action efforts before the voters.
The court ruled after the Civil Rights Commission prepared a report charging the MCRI organization used fraud in enticing voters, especially minority voters into signings its petitions. The group By Any Means Necessary asked the high court to reconsider the placement of the ballot proposal in light of the Civil Rights Commission report.
The Civil Rights Commission issued a statement saying that while it was disappointed in the decision, it respected the process used to reach its conclusion.
But the commission also questioned what route then officials were to take if there are cases of apparent fraud in soliciting for petition signatures.
George Washington, attorney for By Any Means Necessary, while disappointed with the ruling said the effort will continue with a federal case before the U.S. District Court in Detroit. He expects to file the brief in the action, which includes support from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the Legislative Black Caucus, on Friday.
The chair of the MCRI said the opinion reached the correct conclusion and that the Civil Rights Commission itself should be investigated for its "disgusting abuse of power."
Justice Marilyn Kelly dissented from the order's ruling, in M.C.R.I. v. Board of State Canvassers (SC. Docket No. 130342), arguing that the allegations of fraud in the Civil Rights Commission report "seem credit and the statutes involved appear to give the Board of Canvassers the authority to investigate fraud. The court should be concerned that the power of the initiative petition might be seriously undermined if the Board of Canvassers could not review challenges like the ones made in this case."
Saying the report indicates that the "impact of (M.C.R.I.'s) fraudulent acts was substantial," Ms. Kelly concludes that: "The commission's report is an impressive compilation of persuasive information that this court should not dismiss without careful consideration."
Justice Michael Cavanagh indicated he too would have granted reconsideration of the case.
But Justice Stephen Markman wrote separately, concurring with the ruling and arguing that even assuming the accuracy of the Civil Rights Commission report. "This court dos not sit in review of the hundreds of thousands of individual conversation(s) that may have occurred between petition circulators and signers. Rather, it sits in review of the petitions themselves."
If the court tried to review what was said between circulators and petitions signers, "it is difficult to imagine what, short of a verbatim rendition, would constitute an appeal-proof description of a proposed constitutional amendment," he said.
"When the citizen acts in what is essentially a legislative capacity by facilitating the enactment of a constitutional amendment, he cannot blame others when he signs a petition without knowing what is says. It is not to excuse misrepresentations, when they occur, to recognize nonetheless that is the citizen's duty to inform himself about the substance of a petition before signing it, precisely in order to combat potential misrepresentations."
The Civil Rights Commission's statement said Mr. Markman raised valid issues about the court's role in assessing conversations that take place during the petition process, but the decision still leaves the state with no direction on how to deal with potentially fraudulent signature gathering techniques.
The MCRI would amend the constitution to bar the use of affirmative action on the basis of race and sex from the state's public universities and local governments. Critics have charged the organization used deceptive descriptions of the proposal to get signatures, particularly signatures from minority voters. MCRI has vigorously denied all along that any fraud was used.
One United Michigan is the larger of the opposition groups, and has focused more on defeating the proposal at the ballot, arguing that the proposal would hurt the efforts of women to advance.
Dave Waymire, spokesperson for One United Michigan, said the group had expected the ruling and thought it interesting that the public "has more protection from door-to-door vacuum salesmen than they do constitutional salesmen." With its campaign up and running, Mr. Waymire said the group is seeing large gains of public support when "they see that fraud is involved."
By Any Means Necessary has focused trying to prevent the proposal from getting to the ballot, charging that it violates state and federal civil rights and voting rights laws. Officials with BAMN have also said the proposal amounts to "plantation politics."
Jennifer Gratz, chair of the MCRI, said Mr. Markman's opinion dealt with the primary issue: "What are they afraid of? Let the people vote."
She also said the opinion implied that the Civil Rights Commission was acting as a "kangaroo court" in holding its hearings and drafting its reports. But the commission, in its statement, praised the "courageous citizens who testified under oath" about what it charged was fraud in the process.
Mr. Washington said the ruling effectively says that it is okay to "lie to 125,000 black people" (that number is essentially the number of signatories from Detroit, Flint, Benton Harbor and other cities with primarily minority populations).
He was confident the federal court would find that the question of fraud was controlling. And he said the group's efforts to attack what it said are fraud is part of its overall campaign effort to oppose the proposal.
CAMPAIGN NOTES
BOUCHARD BACKED BY SHERIFFS: Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard was backed by a number of his fellow sheriffs, and former sheriffs, for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Mr. Bouchard is running against Rev. Keith Butler for the bid to challenge U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Among the sheriffs, current and former, backing Mr. Bouchard is Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), who called Mr. Bouchard a leader in law enforcement in the state.
WALBERG ENDORSED BY CONSERVATIVES: The Conservative Victory Fund has endorsed Tim Walberg, Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek). Conservative leader U.S. Rep. John Ashbrook of Ohio founded the fund more than 30 years ago.
POLICE FOR SCHWARZ: Also on Thursday, the Police Officers Association of Michigan announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek). "As a member of Congress and as state senator, he has supported initiatives that are tough on crime. Moreover, he has always worked to ensure that law-enforcement personnel have the resources to protect the citizens of our state," said Ken Grabowksi, executive director of the association.
