Pickens plan or Michigan Energy Summit?

Pickens is a windbag or a visionary?

PICKENS THROWN TO WIND..AND HE HAS GAS
BY Terry Bankert, (gmf) 7/31/08

Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens continues to be a pitch man for wind and natural gas as fuel for US energy needs.[1]...HE... acknowledged Wednesday that a plan he's pushing to use more wind power and natural gas to replace foreign oil is expensive, but said it's still cheaper than importing fuel.[2] Why is this guy getting all the attention? He is just out to make a buck. Our political leadership...well...should be leading. Governor Grandholm we have an emergency! We need an emergency energy policy summit to cause real change in policy, funding and action on alternative energy.[trb]Posted first to: http://energyalternativesadvisor.blogspot.com/

WHO IS T. BOONE PICKENS AND WHY DO I CARE? My elected leadership should be in the spotlight on energy reform. The techiees must come together with the industry leadership and the political people led by the Michigan Governors office.[trb]

Do we really want to be led by this guy.[trb]

Thomas Boone Pickens, Jr. (born )May 22, 1928) is an American businessman who chairs the hedge fund BP Capital Management. He was a well-known takeover operator during the 1980s. With an estimated current net worth of about $3 billion, he is ranked by Forbes as the 117th-richest person in America and ranked 369th in the world. Pickens has given more than $700 million away to charity. [7]Before reaching the age of 40, Pickens led Mesa's first big acquisition, the Hugoton Production Company, which was 30 times the size of Mesa. [7]

By 1981, Mesa had grown into one of the largest independent oil companies in the world, and Pickens shifted his focus to acquiring other oil and gas companies. He spent much of the decade targeting undervalued companies, making solicited and unsolicited buyout bids and other merger and acquisition activity. This made Pickens a celebrity during the 'deal-making' 80s. His most publicized deals included attempted buyouts of Cities Service, Gulf Oil, Phillips Petroleum, and Unocal. [7]During this period, Mesa did complete successful acquisitions of Pioneer Petroleum and the mid-continent assets of Tenneco.[7]

These as well as other deals placed Pickens at the center of controversy during the 80s. His celebrity rose so quickly after the Gulf Oil takeover bid that he appeared on the cover of Time magazine and briefly considered running for president in the 1988 elections.[citation needed] During this period, he was often characterized as a corporate raider and greenmailer, as many of his deals were not completed though Pickens and the shareholders he represented received substantial profits through the eventual sale of their stock. [7]

His later takeover targets included Newmont Mining, a New York-based firm, Diamond Shamrock, and Koito Mfg., Ltd., a Japanese auto-parts manufacturer, making substantial gains in the process. He was also involved in the creation of the United Shareholders Association (USA), which from 1986 - 1993 attempted to influence the governance of several large companies. After nearly two years of periodic hearing and debate, in July 1998 the Securities and Exchange Commission voted 4-1 to approve a one-share, one-vote rule, a primary USA objective.[7]

PICKENS WILL MAKE MORE MONEY OFF WIND THAN ALL THE TITS ON ALL THE MILKERS ON THE PLANETCritics say Pickens stands to directly benefit from wind generation. He has successfully lobbied the Texas legislature to invest heavily in wind technology. Pickens and several business partners are spending $12 billion to build the world's largest wind farm in Texas. He also sits on the board of the nation's largest natural gas company, Clean Energy Fuels Corp. [5]However, Pickens said he already has plenty of money and is pushing this plan for the good of the country. "The greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind is sending billions of our dollars overseas."[5]

ITS HIS MONEY ITS HIS PLAN ...BUT...its my country, my state and I want my elected leadership charting my future.[trb]Pickens planned to start his $58 million "Pickens Plan" today in Topeka. The idea is to use television ads and town hall meetings across the Great Plains to get his word out.[1]Industrial-scale wind energy is widely promoted as a clean and sustainable source of energy. It brings, however, many adverse impacts of its own which are often ignored or even denied. Of most immediate concern for communities targeted for wind power facilities are their huge size, unavoidable noise, and strobe lights day and night, with the consequent loss of amenity and, in many cases, health. [3]

PICKENS HE HOPES YOU WILL LEND HIM YOUR EAR ,THEN HE WILL TAKE YOUR MONEYHe tells anyone who will listen that the US imports 70% of its oil today compared to 24% in 1970. He says the annual cost of importing oil is $700 billion.[1]HE IS A SOCIAL NETWORKING KIND OF GUYFor starters, there’s a Facebook page where people can "become a fan" of Mr. Pickens (pictured above) and his exhortation to make energy independence a focus of national debate. There’s also a MySpace page and a YouTube channel. And for good measure, there’s also a Twitter feed for "pickensplan."[6]
see http://www.facebook.com/people/T_Boone_Pickens/1377001835

Networked out yet? There’s more. The Pickens Plan is setting up its own dedicated social network powered by Ning. That network includes message boards for supporters and the ability to form local groups.[6]

Though it remains to be seen whether Mr. Pickens’s approach will attract droves of supporters, his initial efforts to attract attention on the Web are finding success. Earlier this morning, the Pickens Plan accounted for the top three "Hot Trends" search terms on Google. (No. 1: "pickensplan.com." No. 2: "pickens plan." No. 3: "t boone pickens.")[6]

GOVERNOR WE NEED AN ENERGY POLICY SUMMIT IN MICH TODAY !!..DO YOU WANT THE RICH GUYS PLAN?

PICKENS PLAN (THE RICH GUY)
Pickens said there are about 85 million barrels of oil produced daily throughout the world and global demand is 86 million barrels. The U.S., with 4 percent of the world's population, uses about 25 percent of the oil, he said.[2]Summed up, Pickens wants to:-- Boost wind production -- which is environmentally friendly (and especially attractive as an investment in rural Kansas).-- Boost use of natural gas -- ditto on the environment.-- Slash oil consumption -- and our outlays for foreign oil.[4]

I BET MICHIGAN COULD BREAK MORE WIND THAN TEXAS. GOVERNOR BUILD THE POLICY SUMMIT AND THE PEOPLE WILL COME.

Kansas is in a corridor from the Texas panhandle to North Dakota that Pickens says could produce 20% of the nation's electricity by wind. The cost to achieve it is $1 trillion to build the turbines plus $200 billion for transmission lines.[1]Pickens' plan relies heavily on wind generation in the Midwest and solar generation in the Southwest.

He would replace gasoline with natural gas and suggest the country start with government fleets. "Within two years, people will start switching over.

It will be a patriotic thing. This will be our (America's) fuel." So far, he has launched a social networking Web site meant to educate and sign up volunteers. He has also spent time and money on national commercials and will start a series of town hall meetings Wednesday, the first taking place in Kansas. [5]

SINCE HE OWNS ALL THE NATURAL GAS ON THE PLANET, WILL THIS BENEFIT HIM?His plan calls for erecting wind turbines in the Midwest to generate electricity, replacing the 22% of US power produced from natural gas. The freed-up natural gas then could be used to power vehicles now reliant on gasoline and diesel.[1]

STEPING OUT WITH HIS BABEKansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was scheduled to introduce Pickens at the inaugural town hall meeting. She is a longtime advocate of alternatives energy sources.[1]Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a longtime advocate of alternative energy sources, introduced Pickens. In January, she formed a group to promote wind power in a state where 73 percent of the electricity generated comes from coal-fired plants.[2]

Sebelius wants wind power to account for 10 percent of the state's 10,000 megawatts of generating capacity in 2010 and 20 percent by 2020. She said the 10 percent goal will be met by year's end, with eight wind farms generating 1,013.4 megawatts.[2]

The governor also is locked in a legal and political dispute with Sunflower Electric Power Corp. over plans for two coal-fired power plants in Finney County. In October, her administration denied an air-quality permit to Sunflower, based on the plants' potential carbon dioxide emissions. Four legal challenges are pending.[2]

Pickens' plan has its critics, including Eric Rosenbloom, an East Hardwick, Vt., science editor who runs the Web site National Wind Watch.[2]

Rosenbloom said with wind power, additional power plants are needed to offset the times when the wind isn't as strong. He said the best type of plant to balance wind is natural gas.[2]"It would require increasing natural gas on the grid rather than freeing it up," Rosenbloom said. "It's not going to free up natural gas for transportation. There is no way."[2]

...the claims of their benefit of reducing pollution or greenhouse gases appear to be greatly exaggerated. Despite decades of experience and substantial installations in Denmark, Germany, and Spain, the giant turbines have not been shown to reduce the use of other fuels on the electric grid -- such as coal and nuclear -- let alone gasoline for transport and oil for heating. For this reason, their ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming or pollutants that cause acid rain and health problems such as asthma is doubtful, despite their size and extent. [3]

But Pickens said he takes such criticism in stride.[2]

"I've got a plan. We can fine-tune it," he said.[2]Pickens does have a point when he says it's now time for Americans to put pressure on the next president and Congress to act sanely on energy matters.[4]

I will start with my governor.[trb]

GOVERNOR GRANDHOLM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN HAS RESERVE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO FUND AN EMERGENCY ENERGY INITIATIVE, WE WILL ALL BENEFIT IF YOU ACT .WE WILL ALL SUFFER IF YOU DO NOT ACT. WE NEED A PLAN ,FUNDING, INFORMATION , POLICY AND ACTION.

IT'S YOUR MOVE.[TRB]

POSTED HERE BYTERRY BANKERT7/31/08

-WHERE DID THIS STUFF COME FROM
[1]7 KLTVhttp://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8762374
[2]Houston Chroniclehttp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/5916322.html
[3]National Wind Watchhttp://www.wind-watch.org/
[4]Midwest Voiceshttp://voices.kansascity.com/node/1758
[5]News 10http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=45604&catid=2
[6]The Wall Street Journalhttp://blogs.wsj.com/buzzwatch/2008/07/08/t-boone-pickens-facebook-guy-pickens-plan-taps-social-networking/
[7]WIKIPEDIAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Boone_Pickens
[8]T. Boone Pickens Face Book
http://www.facebook.com/people/T_Boone_Pickens/1377001835
[trb]Comments of Terry Bankert to include unattributed CAP headlines
http://attorneybankert.com/

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Great News for Flint MI USA

The city of Flint is preparing to get charged. That's because plans are under way for Flint to be the production home of the engine for the Chevy Volt. [1]

The Chevy Volt is a one-of-a-kind plug-in electric-gas hybrid car GM unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show[2]The Volt is a battery-powered vehicle that is designed to travel about 40 miles. After that, the car would switch to an internal combustion engine[3]

The four-cylinder engine built at the plant would also go into the new Chevy Cruze, a new, smaller vehicle that will be produced by General Motors in the future. [3]Posted originally to: http://energyalternativesadvisor.blogspot.com/

VOLT A COMBINED GAS AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMThe Volt, hailed for its potential to reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels, would run entirely on a battery charge for about 40 miles and use a gasoline engine -- apparently to be built in Flint -- to keep the vehicle powered for longer trips.[4]


Alternative energy is a term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuels./wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededGenerally, it indicates energies that are non-traditional and have low environmental impact. The term alternative is used to contrast with /wiki/Fossil_fuelsFOSSIL FUELS according to some sources. By most definitions alternative energy doesn't harm the environment, a distinction which separates it from/wiki/Renewable_energyRENEWABLE ENERGY Which may or may not have significant environmental impact.Due to a steadily rising gas price in 2008 with the US national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas above $4.00 there has been a steady movement towards developing higher fuel efficiency and more alternative energy vehicles for consumers. In response, many smaller companies have rapidly increased research and development into radically different ways of powering consumer vehicles. While Hybrid Vehicles (such as Toyota's Prius) and Electric Vehicles (such as the Tesla Roadster) are commercially available, other technologies such as fuel cells, flywheels, ultra capacitors and a Water-Powered car are starting to emerge as viable options.[6]

Great news for Flint, but remember historically when something big happens from GM there is a downside, namely additional plant closings. I would guess this is the end of Metal Fab, the rest of the Buick site ,Spo is rumored to be sold. It speaks volumes about how they feel about this town when the only reason new work is coming here is arm twisting in contract negotiations[ comment By GRANTBANK at 5]

HEY BABY CAN YOU GIVE ME A BREAK! YOU BETCHA, JUST STOP ON BYE DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK

Paperwork has been filed by General Motors Corp. to build a new facility in the Flint area. [1]According to the plan, the 530,000-square-foot building will be in an area between Flint Truck Assembly and Engine South.[1]Some are celebrating the addition of a more fuel-efficient component to the area's manufacturing base.[5]"It strengthens Flint's competitive position long term," said Flint City Councilman Ehren Gonzales, who sits on the city's brownfield redevelopment board and heard GM officials' presentation on the plant Friday.[5]

FLINT IS IN NOT POSITION TO SAY ANYTHING BUT YES TO THE GM INITIATIVE, DISREGARD OR HOUND OUT OF OFFICE ANY NAY SAYERSIn the paperwork, it is revealed GM is planning to make a $326 million investment into the Flint community.[1]"This is great," said Councilman Scott Kincaid, who works for the UAW. "There's no question there will be a big market for the engine."[5]The area along Van Slyke Road in Flint is where General Motors is looking to put the brand-new production line.[1]Flint Mayor Don Williamson previously said the plant will be built on Van Slyke Road, adjacent to Flint Engine South and Flint Truck Assembly.[2]"I think this shows that things are looking very well for us to compete with the rest of the U.S.," Williamson said. [5]Rough estimates by TV5 put the number of GM employees currently in the Flint area at 10,000.That number is compared to the 70,000-80,000 during the automotive boom from the 1950s through the early 1970s. [2]Genesee Regional chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Herman said while the plant may only retain, not create, jobs, it could lead other businesses to the Flint area.[2]

VOLT OUR FUTURE OR IS IT ANOTHER PIPE DREAM.Paperwork filed with the city says a new facility will be home for engines in new GM passenger cars, including the battery-powered Volt.[1]The Volt switches to engine power if driven for more than 40 miles. It was in June when GM CEO Rick Wagoner announced the production of a 1.4-liter engine in the Flint area.[1]The new facility will keep about 300 jobs in the Flint area now that the 3800 line at Flint North is ending.[1]

FLINT NEEDS TO COMPETE AGGRESSIVELY TO STAY IN THIS LINE UPGM is in the middle of transforming its lineup from mostly large trucks and SUVs to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.[1]Already the automaker announced it was cutting back truck production and focusing on smaller cars.[1]With the addition of the small engine plant in Mid-Michigan, it looks as if Flint maybe helping the automaker lead the way.[1]TV5 spoke with city councilmember Jim Ananich, and he told us the council looked at the plans submitted to the city Monday night by GM.[2]The engine built here "will be used in the proposed battery operated Chevy Volt and other GM passenger vehicles," according to an application asking Flint to designate the proposed plant location a brownfield redevelopment site, cutting GM's state tax bill. [5]

FLINT CITIZENS SHOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING THIS MEETING!Next up is a public meeting by Flint City Council Aug. 25 to decide on grants and tax breaks for the automaker.[1]The Flint City Council will host a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25 to decide whether to grant General Motors a brownfield designation for the proposed site for a small engine plant -- which could produce engines for the Chevrolet Volt as well as for other passenger cars. GM would receive a break on its Michigan Business Tax if the designation is approved.[4]The location GM wants to build on is on a brownsfield designated property, which means it is contaminated land. [2]This development has some irony to it, as it was General Motors that originally contaminated the site. [2]The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25, and the council will vote on the plans shortly afterward. If all goes according to plan, the plant could be open by 2010.[2]A spokesperson for GM would not comment on specifics, but said the automaker is filing the necessary paperwork and it all depends on agreements by GM, federal, state and local authorities.[1]City leaders said the facility will not only bring construction jobs to town, but could also contribute about $6 million in property taxes per year.[2]Flint resident Nayyirah Shariff said while it's good news for the city, she can't forget how GM pushed the sport utility vehicle gasoline hogs during the 1990s.[5]"It's almost like is this a case of too little, too late, with gas now at $4 per gallon," Shariff said. "It's part of the new green economy. There's still a lot of work to do with that."[5]

(GM Spokesperson)...Wagoner has said preliminary plans are to produce the Volt itself at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, about 60 miles away.[5]If all is approved production is expected to start in 2010 [1]Here's hoping that GM, the City and Council do something to promote alternative/'sustainable' remediation strategies for the brownfield and factory themselves.[Comment by indscpurbnsm at 5]

Posted byTerry Bankert07/30/08http://attorneybankert.com/-
[1]ABC WJRT TV 12 Flint MIhttp://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6294294

[2]WNEM TV 5http://www.wnem.com/news/17026622/detail.html

[3]ABC WJRT TV 12 MIhttp://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6293751

[4]The Grand Rapids Presshttp://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/gm_will_build_engine_for_batte.html

[5]The Flint Journalhttp://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/07/general_motors_confirms_intent.html[trb]Comments by Terry Bankert including unattributed CAP headlineshttp://attorneybankert.com/[6]Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_energy

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Alternate energy and wind turbines.

We are seeing big money fall behind wind turbine initiatives. Big money usually relies on big research and can defend their positions with a multitude of studies, as now with T.Boone Pickens and his wind tunnel initiatives. What is his motivation? Profit of course. He desires to affect public policy to benefit his natural gas .Pickens has posted his plan on line, spoken to Congress and putting millions of his own money behind referendums in California and lobbying Congress. Why we do not have more solar power and wind turbines? Is it the fault of our elected officials ,in both parties., A new public grid should be built and if government is not up to the challenge, let it be private. There is room for us in Michigan. To build wind turbines, look for areas of consistent wind. Our governments State, and Federal should get behind the idea of a new electric grid or get out of the way. Congress should declare an energy emergency and focus on our energy problems.

For full article and citations see ENERGY ALTERNATIVES INTERNET ADVISOR http://energyalternativesadvisor.blogspot.com/ 69992 http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32988#32988

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Child Custody when both parents are openly gay?

Custody could be sole physical and legal to one parent or both.

This Genesee County case works through the law of custody and some unique and other procedural issues. [trb]

THIS IS THE TOPIC OF MY RADIO SHOW 9 AM to 9:30 AM EASTERN ON SATURDAY 7/26/08 WFLT 1420 AM RADIO ITS A CALL IN SHOW 1-810-239-5733. You are invited to call in.[trb]

[trb]QUESTION;
If the parents are never married but work out a liberal and shared parenting time/custody arrangement without going to court and they both involve their extended families,What should the cuistody order be? Full custody to mother, to father, or joint?

[trb]QUESTION: Now add this fact, the father is gay. What should the custody order be?

[trb]QUESTION;Now add these facts, Mother had moved out of state to Indiana , back to Michigan and said she was moving back to indiana. The Child is 3 years of age. What should the physical custody be?

[trb]QUESTION: Now add this fact the mother is gay. Now what should the custody order be and why?

Issues:

Child custody dispute;

Whether the plaintiff-father was entitled to a de novo hearing on his objections to the referee's recommendations; MCL 722.21; Harvey v. Harvey; MCR 3.215(E)(4), (F)(2), (F)(2)(a) and (c); MCL 522.507; Dumm v. Brodbeck; MCL 522.507(4);

Whether the referee and the trial court abused their discretion in granting the parties joint custody of the child where they were unable to agree on educational issues; Rivette. v. Rose-Molina; MCL 722.26a; Shulick v. Richards; Nielsen v. Nielsen;

Whether the trial court considered the factors in MCL 722.31(4);

Whether the trial court should have indicated the child's "legal residence" in its order; MCL 722.31(5); Report and recommendation (R&R)

S T A T E O F M I C H I G A N C O U R T O F A P P E A L S ,

ROBERT WAYNE BARNETT,Plaintiff-Appellant,Attorney Mitchell Dembo ,UNPUBLISHED July 17, 2008 ,v No. 283322Genesee Circuit Court Family Division ,AMY LYNN CLEMMER, LC No. 06-268806-DP, Judge Theile ,Defendant-Appellee. Attorney Charles Riley ,Before: Fitzgerald, P.J., and Talbot and Donofrio, JJ.PER CURIAM.e-Journal Number: 40003 ,


*****disclaimer*****
[posted by Terry Bankert at
http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/2008/07/child-custody-issue.html
http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/2008/07/child-custody-issue.html

The contents of this opinion have been modified for media presentation.

Review the origional document and consult an attorney before you rely on it.

The unattributed CAP head lines or that attributed [trb] are added by Terry Bankert 07/24/08]
********************

SUMMARY OF OPINION

FATHER HAS OBJECTED TO REFEREE RECOMMENDATION HE DID NOT LIKE

Concluding the trial court's hearing in this child custody dispute on the parties' objections to the referee's R&R ...[REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION...TRB]...satisfied the requirement of a de novo hearing where the trial court reviewed the record of the referee hearing and relied on the referee's recommendations, the court held the plaintiff-father was not entitled to a separate de novo hearing.

MOTHER AND FATHER UNMARRIED ARE IN LONG TERM GAY RELATIONSHIPS

The parties are both involved with their partners in long-term same-sex relationships. Defendant and her partner approached plaintiff in 2003 about becoming the father of her child, and plaintiff eventually agreed after discussing the issue with his partner.

THE PARENTS SHARED EQUAL PARENTING TIME INFORMALLY

Since the child's birth, the parties have shared approximately equal parenting time.

DAD FILES FOR CUSTODY FEARFUL MOTHER MAY LEAVE THE STATE

The plaintiff filed a custody complaint in June 2006, alleging the defendant-mother threatened to leave the state with the child and had eight dogs living in her home. The trial court entered an ex parte order prohibiting the parties from removing the child from the county.

THE REFERE RECOMMENDED JOINT LEGAL AND PHYSICAL CUSTODY, THE LOCAL COURT AGREED

After a hearing, the referee issued a R&R, and after another hearing the trial court adopted the referee's R&R and issued an order granting the parties joint legal and physical custody of the child.

DAD APPEALS THIS JOINT CUSTODY DECISION

Plaintiff argued on appeal he was entitled to a de novo hearing after filing objections to the referee's R&R. The court concluded the trial court's hearing on the parties' objections satisfied the requirement of a de novo hearing. Under MCL 552.507(4) and MCR 3.215(E)(4), plaintiff was entitled to a de novo hearing before the trial court. However, the trial court was permitted to base its decision entirely on the record of the referee hearing as long as it gave the parties the opportunity to present live evidence.

DAD CLAIMS CERTAIN RECORDS WERE NOT ALLOWED IN

At the hearing on the parties' objections to the referee's R&R, plaintiff's only objection concerning defendant's former employer was the referee had failed to address her employment records admitted at the referee hearing, plaintiff did not ask to call the employer as a witness, or repeat other allegations he had raised at the hearing. He also "neither asked to present live evidence to the trial court nor presented documentation or affidavits to support his allegations."

LOCAL TRIAL COURT AFTER HEARING AGREED WITH REFEREE

Thus as in Dumm, the trial court properly reviewed the referee's record and relied on her recommendations in issuing its order. Affirmed.

THIS MEANS THE COURT OF APPEALS AGREED WITH THE DECISION OF THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE–On 06/22/06 Case filed and 01/16/08 Final order of judgement filed [trb]

[this article posted at http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/2008/07/child-custody-issue.html]

http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/2008/07/child-custody-issue.html

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Black youth targeted for profiled stop and frisk under pretext of indeceny ordinance!

YOUTH TREATED UNEQUALLY IN FLINT MI
It's like deja vu all over again[3]

_______________
Good Morning Flint! 07/24/08
by Terry Bankert
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Melee Chat at:
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32733#32733
________________


CITY OF FLINT CODE
31-12 DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND DISORDERLY PERSONS.

A person is a disorderly person if the person does any of the following:
(n) For the purposes of this section, PUBLIC PLACE means any street, alley, park, government- owned or government-controlled building, common hallway or public room of any dwelling greater than two units, or any other place to which the public has lawful access, as well as any motor vehicle used to provide public transportation. Masculine pronouns in this section shall be construed to include both male and female persons.[9]

(o) Intentionally makes or causes to be made any open exposure of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast in any street, alley, park, sidewalk, public building, school or building open to or frequented by the public or any other place that is open to the public view or to which the public has access.[9]

Unequal treatment is what Nayyirah Shariff fears most from Flint's crackdown on saggy pants.[1] A question asked at a recent Flint community meeting was are people were a certain style of clothing which does not violate the law being unfairly targeted? My answer is yes.[trb]

Fashion is part of a freedom of expression. We don't always like what other people are saying, but there you have it. Unless a young man is actually showing his, um, "nether regions," arresting or searching him could easily be construed as harassment. And unless they start jailing suburbanite teeny bobbers with visible thongs, this is just unfair.[3] This ceriminal enforcement reeks of disparity and abuse of power.[trb]

This is not about saggy pants. This is about criminalizing black youth..." one Flint resident said.[8]


FLINT CITIZENS MET AT A MEETING ORGANIZED BY YOUNG PEOPLE TARGETED

The meeting at Red Ink Studios, 101 S. Burton St., ...(included)... members of the Flint Chapter of the National Hip Hop Political Convention and RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts and Awareness. Dicks and members of the American Civil Liberties Union have been invited. [2] Also Present was a member of ACORN[trb] I attended this meeting there were over 100 people.present.[trb]

"Flint police are attacking the black community and trying to get them off the streets," said another resident who attended the meeting.[6] The police chief in video was stopping young people fully covered lifting their shirts to see if under wear rise above their pants under their shirt after a pat down search. Do you think this is right?[trb]

WHAT IS SAGGYING

Some people call it a fad. But for the city of Flint, Mich., that urban style known as 'sagging' is now a criminal offense.[4] I bet the teen agersa who would not have saggyed will now start.[trb]

The issue at hand is "sagging." It's the tacky trend of young men wearing their pants super low and flashing their boxers or less, in the unfortunate event they've gone commando. I, personally, hate the style as, from time to time, it brings out the old biddy in me ("Would you look at how low his pants are? Why -- there is just no need for that. Someone should tell him to pull those up.")[3]

EVERY GENERATION TO PROVED INDEPENDENCE DEVELOPS THEIR OWN CULTURE AND STYLE

It's 90 degrees in downtown Flint Mich., and Jayson Miguel is shirtless, in a pair of gray sweatpants. He's hanging out, minding his own business—and breaking the law. It's not that he's loitering (he's on his way to meet a friend). It's his pants: they're hanging off his hips, below his butt to reveal a pair of gray boxer shorts. "I've been sagging since the fourth grade," the 28-year-old says. "I'll be sagging when I'm old and gray."[4]

WHERE DID SAGGYING COME FROM

The origins of sagging may be what's motivating Dicks. Long popular with the hip-hop set, sagging is in part a relic of prison culture: inmates sagged because they weren't allowed belts. To some, the style references a gangster lifestyle—a symbol of disrespect for authority. "I don't understand why parents let their kids out of their sight like that," said 81-year-old Minnie Boyd (no relation to Todd Boyd), shaking her head as she exited a Flint hair salon. "Who in the world wants to see a butt in public?"[4]

But sagging's origins came partly out of practicality, too. In the 1980s, long before labels like Sean Jean and Rocawear catered to black men, the jeans of popular designers like Tommy Hilfiger were made too narrow for the black male body, says Professor Boyd of USC. So people started buying jeans two or three sizes too big, and—voila!—a style was born. Even Miguel says his sagging was a product of necessity: his mom couldn't always afford new clothes, so he'd inherit oversize hand-me-downs from his older brother. "Of course they were too big," he says.[4]

Dicks said wearing pants below the waist is a crime -- a violation of the city's disorderly conduct ordinance -- and can give police probable cause to search saggers for other crimes, such as weapon or drug possession. He said exposing the buttocks is indecent exposure.[5] This police chief new to the job in a department and city flooded with bad news and a rising crime rate was looking for good press. Unfairly imposing an ambiguos city ordiance wrongfully interpreted and intentionalyy targeted to profiled young people who were thought to have no vocal coalition to defend them seem to be an easy shot for the chief. Wrong![trb]

Both crimes are misdemeanors punishable by 93 days to a year in jail and fines up to $500, Dicks said.[5] Lets just more kids a criminal record in Flint MI seems to be the results of the Dicks initiative.[trb]


IN THE CITY OF FLINT, HIGH CRIME, FINANCIAL CRISIS, LAYING OFF POLICE OFFICERS AND CLOSING THE CITY JAIL, WHY IS SAGGYING IMPORTANT?

Critics also say the Flint police department has bigger issues to worry about. A 2007 report by Congressional Quarterly ranked the city (population 120,000) the third most dangerous in America. It recently laid off 48 officers and closed the city jail because of budget constraints. With a climate like that, why allocate resources to a bunch of kids who have an aversion to belts? "Clearly there are more important things going on in Flint," says Todd Boyd a cultural critic at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.[4]

TARGETING BLACK YOUTH FOR RANDOM SEARCH... NOW THERE'S PROGRESS

"It seems like you're targeting youth," the 32-year-old Flint resident said Wednesday night during a community forum, noting she disagrees with Police Chief David Dicks' decision to start charging those with sagging pants with disorderly conduct or indecent exposure.[1]

GOOD PEOPLE BEST OF INTENTION HORRIBLE OUTCOMES

But, broken ALERT, hating bad fashion and punishing people for bad fashion are two different beasts. The proposed treatment of the "saggers" is about as appealing as seeing a young man's boxered butt walking down the sidewalk.[3]

"Don't they have something better to do than roll around the streets telling us what to wear and how to wear it," 15 year old, Donovon Cooley said.[8]

FLINT CHIEF OF POLICE ABSCONDED AND IS NON SHOW AT FLINT CITIZEN FORUM

"It's not the community's morals. I think he's kind of out of touch," she said of the chief.[1]

"But for David Dicks, Flint's new police chief, it's a national nuisance. Dicks has ordered his officers to start arresting 'saggers,' as some aficionados of this sartorial style call themselves, on sight, threatening them with jail time and hefty fines for a fad he calls 'immoral self expression.' He later told a local paper the style could give officers probable cause to search saggers."[3]


POLICE CHIEF HAD SUPPORTERS WHO WANTED TO SPEAK TO HIM

Shariff's views were echoed by many of the dozens of people at a community forum at Red Ink Studios in Flint -- but not by everyone.[1]

There has been a tidal-wave of fallout since Flint Police Chief David Dicks said he was cracking down on saggy pants. [6]

It has put Flint in the national spotlight, and at odds with the American Civil Liberties Union. Some people said the ability to sag one’s pants is freedom of speech and expression, but other said its just indecent.[6]

FLINT RESIDENT SUPPORTS CRACKDOWN ON CRACK

Lovie Giles, an eighth-grade counselor, said children need guidance, and their decision to wear saggy pants is more about peer pressure and maturity than about self-expression. She supports the crackdown, which could result in fines or jail time for offenders.[1]

"I think that children should not dictate what they can and cannot do," she said. "Parents need to set the tone for children."[1]

"if showing your undies and buttocks is gonna be the next generation of dress style we need to put a stop to it we all have rights is very very sickening to see this garbage,so if saggy pants wins a law suit for freedom of rights and speech then we can sue them for indecent exposure i really think they either wet their pants or filled them with festis and forgot to change we need to put a stop to it all now [7](comment of diablo)

IF THE RIGHT OF SELF EXPRESSION IS LOST IN FLINT, OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE IN AT RISK!

The crackdown has drawn national attention to both Flint and the issue of self-expression through fashion. It also has prompted the ACLU to seek out those targeted by the crackdown for inclusion in a lawsuit against what officials say is a faulty interpretation of city ordinances.[1]

ARE WE SO FRUSTRATED IN OUR INABILITY TO CONTROL OUR CITY FROM CRIMINALS THAT WE ATTACK OUR CHIOLDREN WITH FALASE ACCUSATIONS?

It's a move other municipalities have tried before on a style that's been around for decades. But Dicks, who took over the department on an interim basis last month, has employed a particularly harsh approach—one that some critics are calling downright illegal. So far, Dicks has only issued warnings to saggers, but he's made it clear that anyone with pants below the butt—whether or not they've got boxers underneath—is violating the city's disorderly conduct code, punishable by 93 days to a year in jail and fines of up to $500. "Everybody's talking about it," says Tonio Watkins, 18, a local high-school student. "I don't like what they're doing. I've been dressing like this my whole life."[4]

The suburban Chicago village of Lynwood, Ill., passed an ordinance last week that states people caught exposing three inches or more of their underwear will be fined $35.[5]


WAS IT DISRESPECT OR POLITICAL, WHY WAS THE CHIEF NOT PRESENT

Despite an invitation to the event, Dicks did not attend.[1]

SAGGING HAS CAUGHT THE NATIONS ATTENTION

Last year, city officials in Atlanta, Ga., started making laws about what people can and cannot wear. This summer, Flint -- or at least the police chief -- is trying to do the SAME.[3] If any saggers are interested I will sponsor a sagging fashion show but you will have to organize it. Most of us do not really kn ow what sagging is.[trb]

ACLU TO THE RESCUE

The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union doesn't like it, either—and has given Dicks an ultimatum: stop the policy or face a court battle. They say Dicks is taking the law into his own hands, and violating citizens' freedom of expression in the process. Sagging to show boxer shorts doesn't even violate the city's conduct policy, they say—which states a person must have "open exposure" of the "genitals, pubic area [or] buttocks" to be considered disorderly. "Under no stretch of the imagination does wearing saggy pants that reveal the top of one's boxer shorts violate the Flint disorderly conduct ordinance," says attorney Greg Gibbs, the president of the Flint chapter of the ACLU. "This man has basically taken his personal dislike of a style of dress and made it a violation of criminal law." Gibbs says the chapter will act after Monday if Dicks doesn't change the policy. [4]

With Flint Police Chief David Dicks refusing to back down from his anti-saggy-pants policy, the ACLU is asking people to come forward for a possible lawsuit.[5]

Like the electoral college, the ACLU has long worn out its usefulness. I'm fed up with them comming up with excuses for humanity to behave brainlessly. I believe the pants below the butt thing repulsive and I have yet to hear anybody say it's attractive or says anything to them but "nasty, dirty, repulsive, stupid, etc." I know law enforcement love it when baggy pants run. Makes it easier to nab the scum and hide them in a prison so decent society does'nt have to look at their filthy underwear. [6](-comment of rahrah)

HAVE YOU BEEN APPROACHED BY THE FLINT POLICE ABOUT-"SAGGING PANTS"[10]


The police may be violating your rights when they stop you, search or threaten to charge you with " indecent exposure" just because you are wearing sagging pants. As long as your " buttocks, genitals and "pubic area" are not "openly exposed" you are not committing a crime. [10]

If a police officer has approached you because of the way you wear your pants, or you have seen the police stop someone because of the way they wear their pants we need to hear from you.[10]
Call the ACLU Police Acountability Hotline (313) 578-6831[10]

You have a right to complain directly to the Flint Police Chief, Flint Police Internal affairs, The Mayor of Flint, The Flint City Council and the Flint Ombudsman. For any youth interested I am willing to help you with organizing for your contact with these governmental entities.[trb]

A CROSS SECTION OF FLINT WAS PRESENT AT THIS RED INK EVENT ,THANK YOU RED INK

The forum, organized by youth and community groups, was billed as a dialogue, not a debate. It brought together people from a range of professions, young and old, white and black.[1]

JUST GIVE ME A LITTLE RESPECT SAY THE SAGGERS THAT ARE DECENT

While many of those who oppose saggy pants focused on issues of respect and decency, those opposing the crackdown said the city should focus its limited resources on more serious crimes.[1]

Probable cause? Fines? Jail time? I know this is cliche, but doesn't the police chief of Flint have bigger FISH to fry? Like, say, catching actual criminals and solving real crimes?[3]

In the meantime, residents like Miguel—who, at 6-foot-3, wears a size 3XL in sweatpants—are just plain confused. Sagging has been around for decades. Why outlaw it now? "I think it's an opportunity to harass, to be honest," says Miguel. The ACLU worries about that, too: it's no secret sagging is a style long popular with men of color. Last week, a Flint police officer called into a local radio station to say that officers were already using the policy as a way to profile minorities. (Chief Dicks is himself African-American.)[4]

"We are not in favor of people exposing indecently, they don't have a right to do that," Gibbs says. "But that's not what Chief Dicks is doing here. He's going after a style not after indecent composure."[8]

Today, Miguel sags because it's "cool, hip"—but insists it's not a commentary on his way of life. "Hip-hop has been around for a long time now, and there are some things about the culture that have just become commonplace," says professor Boyd. "You're not making a big statement by sagging." As Miguel puts it: "It's just a style, man." And hopefully not a criminal offense.[4]

—end

Posted here by Terry Bankert

–where did this stuff come from
[1]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/NEWS06/807240428

[2]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/NEWS06/80723006/1008

[3]
Mlive.com
http://blog.mlive.com/newblack/2008/07/flint_fashion_police_the_no_sa.html

[4]
Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/id/146803
[5]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/NEWS06/80721061/&imw=Y

[6]
WJRT
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6283079
[7]
WNEM
http://www.wnem.com/news/16962293/detail.html
[8]
NBC 25
http://www.weyi.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=163897
[9]
City of Flint
http://www.ci.flint.mi.us/
[10]
ACLU FLYER distributed at Red Ink meeting see:
http://www.aclumich.org/
[trb]
Comments of Terry Bankert to include unattributed cap headlines.
http://attorneybankert.com/
***************
TERRY BANKERT WILL ASSIST ANY VICTEMS OF THE DISCRIMINATORY SAGGYING CRACKDOWN TO PROTEST ..not litigate go to ACLU for that...We will take this issue publicly to the powers to be in the City of Flint. CALL 235-1970. area code 810.
or email to ATTORNEYBANKERT@YAHOO.COM
***************



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BEST CHOICE- http://www.barackobama.com/splash/donate/donate.html
WORST CHOICE- http://howinsaneisjohnmccain.blogspot.com/
__________
secret code
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NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, BOY WE NEED IT NOW!

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO HAVE IT?
_______________
Good Morning Flint! 07/19/08
by Terry Bankert http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Chat at:
http://www.flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32380#32380
________________

Today Sat 7/18/08 on WFLT 1420 AM radio 9:00 am till 9:30 my guest will be Maryion Lee to talk about Health care in the United States.

This is a call in program 1-810-239-5733.

I asked her for several suggested questions and background information about herself. You are invited to call in-.trb --

Hello Terry,

I hope this is what you wanted. Please feel free to make suggestions. In the United States, Medicare is highly supported by the people as one of the most successful social programs in the United States.

Medicare has its 43 rd birthday on July 30 so it is opportune for us to discuss Congressman John Conyers, Jr.'s bill, HR 676, The United States Health Insurance Act. HR 676 is described as an improved and expanded Medicare Healthcare Coverage for everyone in the country.It will establish universal healthcare insurance program with single payer financing.

1. Will you give a brief summary of the HR 676?

2. The detractors of this bill charge that it will be too costly, reduce quality of care, deter advancement through research, cause a rationing of care, and is socialism. How do you respond to these charges?

3.At this time the nation is experiencing an economic crisis -some people believe that it compares to the upheaval immediately after World War II and some even predict that it will continue and will compare with conditions of the Great Depression of the Thirties. Why would it benefit the United States to take on the issue of healthcare financing at this time?

4.Since I have asked questions that could be attributed to the HR 676 detractors, I want to give you a chance to add anything that might have been missed in our prior conversation that causes you and others to be so committed to HR 676?

5. How can people get involved with supporting HR 676?

About me. B.A. and Masters, plus -University of Michigan Retired Flint Teacher, owner of several small businesses, financial representative Served on Flushing Board of Education, Genesee Economic Development Corporation, and Genesee County Board of Commissioners. Married to Sheridan Lee, my business and interest partner, as well as my life partner Three children, their partners, and four grandchildren Democratic Progressive Caucus Chair and co founder with my husband,Sheridan The quality of healthcare and the financing of care has been a concern in my life,all of my life. -- end

-- Previous post to Flint Talk on this issue. http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=30066#30066

--- I will be at the following meeting later in the day and will post my observations.-trb

Town Hall Meeting Non-Partisan Portion of the Ballot

The Genesee County Democratic Party along with The Genesee County Democratic Black Caucus invite you to a Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, July 19, 2008 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. E. L. Gurley, Pastor 2120 N. Saginaw Street (near Hamilton St.)
FREE ADMISSION Guest Speaker is Detroit's own, Judge Deborah Thomas, Candidate for Michigan Supreme Court (Let's remove Cliff Taylor) Facilitator: Danny Craig, Chair - Michigan Democratic Black Caucus

Continental Breakfast Served

Please feel free to bring a friend.

Gerri Hall - Genesee County Democratic Black Caucus

Ron Duncan - Genesee County Democratic Party


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68644/16006

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MIDDLE CLASS UNDER ATTACK, GORE HAS AN ANSWER...

SOLVE THE ENERGY CRISIS OR DIE, ALBERT GORES THEME
_____
Good Morning Flint! 07/18/08 by Terry Bankert
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Chat at:
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32328
_____
*****
With crisis , (energy, food, economic stability),and change swirling around us, how do we sort out the serious alternatives from the poorly thought out or presented crap we are fed daily by politicians and the media?

"The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk," he ..(Albert Gore)...said in a midday speech to a friendly crowd of mostly young supporters in Washington. "And even more — if more should be required — the future of human civilization is at stake."[2]

In the end its about people. Who leads, survives, and what they say. To be a responsible citizen you have to believe in something or some person and work to cause change. The option is to be couch potato cattle just waiting for the slaughter while complaining. I believe in Albert Gore and the need in this country for alternative fuels. Issues worth fighting for. How about you? The following are from 6 articles on the Gore environmental breaking news.- Terry Bankert
Complete morphed article with citations at
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
*****
GORE, A REAL LEADER WITH ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOUR LIVES

Gore called for the kind of concerted national effort that enabled Americans to walk on the moon 39 years ago, just eight years after President John F. Kennedy set that goal.[3]

Like a modern Jeremiah, Mr. Gore called down thunder to justify the spending of trillions of dollars to remake the American power system, a plan fraught with technological and political challenges that goes far beyond the changes recently debated in Congress and by world leaders.[5]

Our communities must engage in the environmental debate. Politicans want to survive in 2 to 4 years cycles. Argue their demise if energy options are not developed by this country, they will listen.

It sounds like a typical, idealistic Al Gore idea. But two things about this proposal merit attention. It points a country that uses too much energy down the right path. And Gore is showing that being environmentally responsible is economically sensible. [6]

Voters say they hate gimmicks and insist they want bold solutions. Well, Gore is testing that proposition. He says he wants to "expand the political space" for those actually running for office. Will they take the opening? [6]


10 YEAR PLAN : CUT OUR RELIANCE ON OIL, REPLACE IT WITH ELECTRICITY

Former Vice President Al Gore, seeking to shake up an energy debate that is focused mostly on drilling, challenged the United States to shift its entire electricity sector to carbon-free wind, solar and geothermal power within 10 years, and use that power to fuel a new fleet of electric vehicles.[1]

Former Vice President Al Gore urged....that drastic steps are needed to avoid a global economic and ecological cataclysm.[2]

LEADERS CHALLENGE , THEY MUST. IF THEY DO NOT TAKE THEM OUT, ELECTORALY

The goal is the most ambitious energy plan by a major U.S. political figure - and one many energy experts say is unrealistic. Gore insists the only real obstacle is the reluctance of America's leaders to seek bold solutions to high energy prices and global warming. He likened his challenge to President John F. Kennedy's 1961 call to put a man on the moon.[1]

AN ELECTRIC NATION IS ACHIEVABLE, AFFORDABLE AND TRANSFORMATIVE

"This goal is achievable, affordable and transformative," Gore told more than 1,000 cheering supporters at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington. "It represents a challenge to all Americans in every walk of life: to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers and to every citizen."[1]

Gore acknowledged that his plan would, at least initially, drive energy prices higher. But he proposed a payroll tax cut to offset higher prices for fuel and electricity.[2]

OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES MUST ENTER THE ELECTRIC DEBATE

Gore is seeking to pressure the presidential candidates and Congress, which is in the middle of a fierce debate on energy policy. He said he has spoken to both Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama about his ideas. Obama issued a statement Thursday saying he strongly agrees with Gore's goal.[1]

Gore, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his environmental advocacy, said in an interview that he hoped to raise the alarm so that the next president, whether Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain, can rally Congress and the nation to action. He disavowed any interest in returning to elective office.[2]

New jobs, safer world [1]

"It's a strategy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced, and one that will leave our children a world that is cleaner and safer," Obama said. [1]

MCCAIN , OBAMA BELIEVE GORE

Gore's ecumenical approach is intentional; he said to solve such a huge, complex issue as climate change, political leaders must move beyond partisan divisions.[3]

McCain said that while he and Gore might disagree on some aspects of climate change, he supports the goals Gore outlined for developing wind and solar. "If the vice president says it's doable, I believe it's doable," McCain said.[1]

WE MUST MOVE BEYOND PARTISAN DIVISIONS

Gore's ecumenical approach is intentional; he said to solve such a huge, complex issue as climate change, political leaders must move beyond partisan divisions.[3]

Obama issued a statement saying he strongly agrees with Gore that "we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power, and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as president."[3]

"I see my role as enlarging the political space in which Senator Obama or Senator McCain can confront this issue as president next year," Mr. Gore said.[5]

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MUST MAKE ELECTRIC ENERGY A PRIORITY

Separately, Democratic leaders are under pressure from environmentalists to curb the U.S. consumption of fossil fuels, amid new warnings about climate change's effects. A government report published on Thursday said climate change "is very likely to accentuate the disparities already evident in the American health-care system," with expected health effects -- such as heat-related illnesses and the spread of certain diseases -- likely to fall disproportionately on the poor, elderly, disabled and uninsured[4]

Democrats should be concerned about where they are on the gas-price issue right now, and the party's own strategists are worried that its response so far is inadequate. [6]

U.S. MUST RESTRUCTURE ITS ELECTRICAL SECTOR

Gore's challenge would require a massive restructuring of America's electricity sector. The country currently relies on coal for about half of its electric power - 49 percent - followed by natural gas (22 percent) nuclear (19 percent) and hydropower (6 percent), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable power accounts for 2.5 percent, although it's growing rapidly in many states, especially California.[1]

Gore's proposal would represent a significant shift in where the United States gets its power. In 2005, the United States produced nearly 3.7 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, with coal providing slightly more than half of that energy, according to government statistics. Nuclear power accounted for 21 percent, natural gas 15 percent and renewable sources, including wind and solar, about 9 percent.[3]

INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON SAYS IT CANNOT BE DONE IN 10 YEARS

Jim Owen, a spokesman for the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities that produce 70 percent of the nation's power, said his group supports Gore's call for more electric vehicles and a major increase in wind, solar and geothermal. But Owen said there's no way renewables could meet all the country's energy needs in 10 years.[1]

Robbie Diamond, president of Securing America's Future Energy, a bipartisan think tank, said that weaning the nation away from fossil fuels - coal, oil, and natural gas - can't be done in a decade. "The country is not going to be able to go cold turkey," Diamond said. "We have hundreds of years of infrastructure with trillions of dollars of investment that is not simply going to be made obsolete."[3]

ELECTRIC INDUSTRY ARGUES FOR MORE NUCLEAR

"We cannot do the job with renewables and energy efficiency alone," he said. "We have to have a balanced energy portfolio that includes all those things in even higher percentages, but also has to include nuclear. And we frankly think that nuclear should be increased."[1]

THE U.S. FACES THREE CRISES ,TODAY.

Gore, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and 2000 Democratic presidential candidate, presented his challenge as a solution to three overlapping crises: an economic crisis fueled by rising energy prices; a global climate crisis; and a national security crisis fed by instability in the Middle East, the largest source of the world's oil supply.[1]

WE ARE BORROWING MONEY FROM CHINA TO BUY OIL

"We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet," he said. "Every bit of that's got to change."[1]

THE COST OF SOLAR CELLS IS DROPPING

Gore said as the prices of oil and coal have increased, wind and solar have become more economically competitive. He noted that the price of the specialized silicon used to make solar cells fell from $300 per kilogram to as low as $50 per kilogram recently. [1]

OUR ELECTRIC GRID MUST BE IMPROVED

But Gore acknowledged that there are barriers to reaching his goal. The nation's electric grid is still not sufficiently developed to move solar power from sunny states out West or wind power from windy states to power-hungry markets, he said.[1]

AUTOMAKERS SHOULD SHIFT TO ELECTRIC HYBRIDS

A centerpiece of Gore's plan would be to help beleaguered U.S. automakers produce a new national fleet of plug-in electric vehicles. Foreign competitors, especially Toyota, have taken a lead in selling fuel-efficient hybrids. Gore said U.S. automakers could regain their edge with new electric cars that can be plugged in at night - saving consumers money while reducing air pollution and U.S. dependence on foreign oil. [1]

PICKENS SAYS ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS ARE THE ANSWER

Gore isn't the only one touting a new energy plan focused on renewables. T. Boone Pickens, a Texas oilman who has recently invested heavily in wind, is pushing a plan to use wind power for about 20 percent of the nation's electricity needs, and then use the natural gas that would have gone to power plants for new fuels for cars and trucks.[1]

GORE PROPOSES ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

Gore has previously supported cap-and-trade schemes, which could raise revenue to subsidize renewable projects. But he said Thursday he also likes the idea of cutting the payroll tax and creating a new tax on carbon emissions, which would give a leg up to low-carbon sources.[1]

He said the single most important policy change would be placing a carbon tax on burning oil and coal, with an accompanying reduction in payroll taxes.[3]

Cheers against drilling[1]

Gore drew his loudest cheers from a crowd packed with environmentalists when he denounced efforts, backed by President Bush, McCain and congressional Republicans, to boost oil drilling. Gore said, "It is only a truly dysfunctional system that would buy into the perverse logic that the short-term answer to high gasoline prices is drilling for more oil 10 years from now."[1]

DRILLING IS NOT THE ANSWER

Environmentalists have been disappointed at the recent energy debate, where even some Democrats have backed more drilling as an answer to $4-per-gallon gasoline. Gore's speech could convince Democrats to take a different approach, they said.[1]

Former Vice President Al Gore urged Congress not to overturn a federal ban on offshore drilling and complained that lawmakers are "being stampeded by lobbyists for special interests" eager to lift the moratorium.[4]

WHERE DO WE NEED TO GO, WHO WILL LEAD US

"It's a very aggressive, bold, comprehensive proposal and it's great to challenge the politicians to go where they need to go," said League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski.[1]

Last winter, the House failed to enact legislation to require utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Last month, supporters could not even get a Senate vote on a climate change plan that would cut greenhouse-gas emissions by nearly 70 percent by 2050.[2]

Gore's core assertion is that the technology for alternative fuels -- wind, solar and geothermal -- is far more advanced than we realize. Pushing that progress further would cut the costs of energy, with Gore insisting that renewables could eventually "give us the equivalent of $1 per gallon gasoline." [6]

A majority of voters," they continue, "believe that coupling an investment in alternative fuels with increased domestic production of oil is preferable to alternative fuel investment combined with energy conservation alone." [6]

–
[1]
SFGate
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/18/MN2711QRVL.DTL


[2]
Star Telegrahm
http://www.star-telegram.com/869/story/766574.html
[3]
Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/18/gore_sets_energy_goal_for_2018/

[4]
Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121633985301764011.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[5]
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/washington/18gore.html?hp
[6]
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071701840.html

[TRB]
Unattributed comments and CAP headlines are those of Terry Bankert
http://attorneybankert.com/

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NO VOUCHER FOR MCCAIN

MCCAIN DOES NOT GET HIS VOTING VOUCHER FROM NAACP NOR AFL-CIO

It was just one hour after Senator John McCain's speech at the NAACPconference when leaders of the AFL-CIO spoke out at a luncheonagainst the presidential candidate. [1]

_____
Good Morning Flint! 07/17/08By Terry Bankert
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32295#32295
or,http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/

*****Reflection:McCain was denied his Presidential voucher from the NAACP that spokeloudly to protect public education. Obama is expected to get 94% ofthe black vote and a majopirty of the rest of us is just right forAmerica on all issues. Now even establish Republican are turning toObama.Why : Unjustified war and unconstitutional abridgment of individualrights vs. ill-conceived tax and economic policies - this is thedifference between venial and mortal sins.Taxes, economic policy andhealth care reform matter, preserve our individual rights whiledealing with real foreign threats - these are of greaterimportance.Even McCain is supportive of Obama McCain said:"He'sinspired a great many Americans, some of whom have wrongly believedthat a political campaign could hold no purpose or meaning for them.This success should make Americans, all Americans, proud. Of course,I would prefer his success not to continue quite as long as he hopes,but it does make you and me proud to know the country I've loved andserved all my life, still a work in progress and always improving. "http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/

*****

DEMOCRATS ARGUE, KEEP PUBLIC EDUCATION ALIVE
Republicans have made vouchers a linchpin of their education overhaulinitiatives. Democrats have steadfastly refused, saying it would takevital dollars out of the public school system.[2]While McCain received some applause earlier Wednesday about hissupport of school vouchers, members of the labor union disagreed. [1]

NAACP IS OBAMA TURF, ANTI VOUCHER IS HIS ISSUEDavid Bositis, who studies black voting patterns at the Joint Centerfor Social and Economic Studies, says black support for Obama islikely to exceed even the 94% that President Lyndon Johnson receivedin 1964."I fully expect black turnout to be in record territory justabout everywhere," Bositis says.[3]

MANY SPOKE OUT TO SAY PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD GO TO PUBLIC EDUCATIONThe union, which has endorsed Senator Barack Obama, says allgovernment funding should go to simply public education, notvouchers. [1]Sen. Barack Obama says the GOP has talked and talked about vouchers,and it hasn't amounted to much more.[2]Obama's opposition is right along the lines of the National EducationAssociation, and the teachers union is a reliable and powerfulDemocratic ally. [2]

UNION BRASS OUTSPOKEN AGAINST MCCAINOne of the AFL-CIO's top leaders addressed the NAACP labor luncheon.[1]Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker was the keynote speaker.[1]She also happens to be the first African American to hold such a highposition in the union.[1]A major portion of Holt's speech was in reaction to McCain's addressto the convention. [1]

REPUBLICANS ARE TURNING TO OBAMAHUNTER ON OBAMA "I'm a lifelong Republican - a supply-sideconservative. I worked in the Reagan White House. I was the chiefeconomist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for five years. In 1994, Ihelped write the Republican Contract with America. I served on BobDole's presidential campaign team and was chief economist for JackKemp's Empower America.This November, I'm voting for Barack Obama."[5]When I first made this decision, many colleagues were shocked. Howcould I support a candidate with a domestic policy platform that'santithetical to almost everything I believe in? [5]

BUSH COMMITTED MORTAL SIN, MCCAIN WILL FOLLOWThe answer is simple: Unjustified war and unconstitutional abridgmentof individual rights vs. ill-conceived tax and economic policies -this is the difference between venial and mortal sins. [5]Taxes, economic policy and health care reform matter, of course. Buthow we extract ourselves from the bloody boondoggle in Iraq, how weavoid getting into a war with Iran and how we preserve our individualrights while dealing with real foreign threats - these are of greaterimportance. [5]

BUSH/ MCCAIN BETRAYED CONSERVATISM...NO JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT..VOTEOBAMAJohn McCain would continue the Bush administration's commitment tointerventionism and constitutional overreach. Obama promises ahumbler engagement with our allies, while promising retaliationagainst any enemy who dares attack us. That's what conservatism usedto mean - and it's what George W. Bush promised as a candidate. [5]

MCCAIN TWO FACED, HE SPOKE FOR EDUCATION BUT VOTED AGAINST ITMcCain spoke of fixing "No Child Left Behind" regulations, but unionmembers say his record of voting down full funding for the programshows otherwise. [1]

SOME ARGUE CORRECTLY THE VOUCHER ISSUE IS CONFUSING AND COMPLICATEDThe fundamental problem with the voucher debate is that it is alwaysseen as an either/or proposition. For Republicans, it is the panaceato all the educational woes, and that is nonsensical. For Democrats,it is something that will destroy public education, and that too is abunch of crap.[2]

WE WILL BECOME A DIFFERENT COUNTRY WHEN OBAMA IS ELECTEDAnd Obama? That and more, Hayes says. In a USA TODAY/Gallup Polltaken June 5-July 6, nearly six in 10 blacks say Obama's electionwould be one of the two or three most important advances for blacksin the past 100 years; 48% of whites agree. [3]"For 100 years, this has been what the NAACP has fought for," Hayessays. "We've fought for the day when candidates could run for officeand be considered as viable candidates irrespective of their race."[3]

EVEN MCAIN SUPPORTIVE OF OBAMA"He's inspired a great many Americans, some of whom have wronglybelieved that a political campaign could hold no purpose or meaningfor them. This success should make Americans, all Americans, proud.Of course, I would prefer his success not to continue quite as longas he hopes, but it does make you and me proud to know the countryI've loved and served all my life, still a work in progress andalways improving. "[4]

–end
Posted byTerry Bankert 7/16/08—where did this stuff come from

[1]Kyposthttp://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story.aspx?content_id=db2e8b78-3afa-475c-97b1-266506f7478f

[2]CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/16/martin.vouchers/?iref=mpstoryview


[3]USA Todayhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-13-naacp_N.htm
[4]The Washington Pos
thttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/16/AR2008071602384.html
[5]Daily Newshttp://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/07/16/2008-07-16_im_a_lifelong_conservative_activist_and_.html

[TRB]Comments of Terry Bankert to include unattributed CAP headlineshttp://attorneybankert.com/

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GENERAL MOTORS, BANKRUPTCY AVOIDANCE?

Is General Motors Stalling Out?[1]Obama: Auto industry faces 'perfect storm'[6]
_____________________
GOOD MORNING FLINT!
07/16/08, BY Terry Bankert

Full cited article at http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Flint Talk chat snippets at http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32176#32176 ____________________


100TH BIRTHDAY SPENT IN AN INDUSTRIAL NURSING HOME-GM
GM, turning 100 this year, reported its largest annual loss in 2007, $38.7 billion, after a tax-accounting change, and hasn't posted a profit since 2004.[3]

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FIX GENERAL MOTORS
"I'm sickened by this," said John Lauve, 66, a retired GM manager from Holly, Mich., who has been an outspoken critic of the company's board of directors in recent years. "We can put a man on the moon but we can't fix GM."[2]

OBAMA RECOGNIZES THE PERIL OUR HEAVY INDUSTRIES ARE IN
Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama said today that the job cuts at General Motors Corp. were "a sober reminder of the difficult economic times we're facing," and said the U.S. auto industry was facing a "perfect storm" of trouble.[6]

NO DIVIDEND/PROFIT TO GM OWNERS
General Motors, buffeted by a U.S. sales collapse and three years of losses, will suspend its dividend for the first time since 1922, cut the management payroll by 20 percent and sell assets to raise at least $15 billion in the next 18 months.[3]
GM did not say how many non-union jobs it would eliminate...[5]

About $10-billion of the $15-billion will be generated by the cost-cutting moves. Another $2-billion to $4-billion will come from asset sales. Tapping credit markets should add another $2-billion to $3-billion of financing.[4]

IS OUR COMPANY DYING, WHOSE COMPANY TOWN WILL WE BECOME?
It's hard to tell whether General Motors (NYSE: GM) has just stalled or is careering toward a wall.[1]

OBAMA MEETS WITH AUTO EXECUTIVE TO CREATE NEW POLICIES TO HELP THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY
Obama has reached out to auto industry executives in recent weeks, following a primary campaign where he frequently focused on the industry's opposition to tougher fuel economy rules. In his statement, Obama noted he had met with GM Chairman Rick Wagoner and Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally to talk about the industry's concerns, and said the industry's success was crucial to the U.S. economy.[6]


GENERAL MOTORS, IS BANKRUPTCY AN OPTION? THERE IS TALK.
The spending reductions accelerate Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner's efforts to conserve cash and avert bankruptcy as a slowing economy and record gasoline prices push U.S. industry sales to a 15-year low.[3]

In addition to dreadful market conditions, GM also faces collapsing investor confidence amid whispers on Wall Street of a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which has helped send the company's share price to below $10 for the first time since the 1950s.[4]

GM said it "anticipates it will report a significant second-quarter loss, driven in part by the previously disclosed negative impact of the American Axle and local union strikes in North America, as well as the continued weakness in the US car market and adverse vehicle segment mix".[5]

I WONDER IF WAGONER HAS A GOLDEN PARACHUTE
Whichever is occurring, the company, in a program that CEO Rick Wagoner calls "a plan to win," rather than simply to survive, is undertaking some draconian measures to try to fend off the automotive grim reaper. And it's all taking place against a backdrop of U.S. auto sales that have plummeted amid skyrocketing gasoline prices.[1]

Embattled General Motors Corp. will attack its looming liquidity crisis with another round of drastic cost cutting and a substantial gamble that the U.S. auto market will recover from its deep slump by 2010.[4]

Waning U.S. consumer confidence and a sharp rise in gasoline prices have sapped sales of GM's profitable pickup trucks and SUVs, contributing to a 16-per-cent sales decline through June. In making its latest plans, GM is assuming annual U.S. industry sales of 14 million units and oil prices ranging from $130 to $150 U.S. per barrel by 2009.[2]

GM..BUILD A SAFE, HIGH MILEAGE, ALTERNATE FUEL CAR WITH A GREAT RADIO!
With its fortunes in tatters, the company announced on Tuesday that it will cut its number of salaried workers, its production, and its dividend. It'll also borrow $2 billion to $3 billion as it tries to weather the downturn in the U.S. market. The ultimate objective is to raise about $15 billion, an amount it hopes will sop up losses and reverse the fortunes of its North American operations.[1]

SLICING THE WHITE COLLAR, THE BLUE COLLAR SOON TO BE DICED
General Motors Corp. is slicing into its white-collar ranks in both Canada and the United States and could shut down its Oshawa, Ont., pickup truck plant earlier than expected as it takes further steps to shore up cash in the worst North American vehicle market in a decade.[2]


MOST OF US THINK YOU COULD FIRE 80% OF THE SALARIED RANKS
The company will cut its truck production by 300,000 units, double the expectation of just a month ago. And it'll trim the ranks of its 40,000 salaried employees, mostly through initiatives. The objective there is to lop about 20% from salary costs in the U.S. and Canada.[1]

ATTENTION UNIONS THE SALARIED WORKERS ARE LOSING 80% OF THEIR HEALTHCARE!
In a wide series of moves aimed at bolstering liquidity by $15 billion U.S. over the next 18 months, GM said yesterday it would cut its salaried workforce in both countries by an unspecified number, freeze pay for remaining salaried employees until 2009, eliminate health-care coverage for U.S. salaried retirees over 65 and cut cash bonuses for executives. The company estimated the white-collar cuts will reduce cash costs by more than 20 per cent, or $1.5 billion U.S., in 2009. It has about 2,500 salaried workers in Canada.[2]

WHO IS BUILDING THE CARS THE EMERGING MIDDLE CLASS IN CHINA IS BUYING?
GM isn't, of course, the only car company that's making draconian changes in the face of a near-market crash in the U.S. Only Honda (NYSE: HMC) and Hyundai of the bigger carmakers reported that their sales grew last month, and for Honda, it was by only a single percentage point. Last week, Toyota (NYSE: TM), which is gaining steam on GM and Ford (NYSE: F) for global car sales supremacy, announced that it would shut down U.S. truck and SUV production and begin making its Prius hybrid here.[1]

SALARIED MIDDLE MANAGERS ARE AT FAULT, THEY SHOULD ALL BE FIRED
Sales of the Prius fell by 34% in June at precisely the time that buyers are looking for more efficient vehicles. The culprit? Toyota failed to keep up with demand for the vehicle, which gets about 46 miles to the gallon. So you have to wonder why the company is just now starting to turn out the model in our country.[1]

HUMMER ON THE BLOCKS
The Detroit-based automaker said it would also suspend its 25-cent quarterly stock dividend immediately, look at selling $2 billion to $4 billion worth of additional assets, including its Hummer brand, and tap capital markets for at least $2 billion.[2]

THE BEAN COUNTER HAVE WEIGHED, THE ENGINEERS ARE NEXT.
"What we saw today is the accountants' plan," industry consultant William Pochiluk, president of AutomotiveCompass LLC, said yesterday. "What we haven't seen yet is the product plan. What's missing is a very aggressive product plan."[4]

WILL GM EVER BECOME A SURE BET AGAIN?
As for GM, whether it's Bear Stearns, an IndyMac, or potentially other formerly strong U.S. institutions, we now seem to be living in a time when downward slides are awfully hard to reverse. So good luck to Wagoner and his minions. But Fools, there are lots better places for your shekels than the shares of automakers that suddenly seem unbelievably cheap.[1]

OBAMA: WE NEED NEW DIRECTION
"When a mainstay of the American economy is forced to make a restructuring decision like the one General Motors is announcing today, it is a sober reminder of the difficult economic times we're facing and of why we need change and a new direction in Washington," Obama said[6]
–END ARTICLE

posted here by
Terry Bankert

-- where did this stuff come from
[1]
The Motley Fool
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/07/15/is-general-motors-stalling-out.aspx

[2]
The Gazette
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=3f751cad-1d2c-43af-be48-8bca98836b0d


[3]
The Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008053805_gm16.html

[4]
The Globe
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080716.RGM16/TPStory/Business

[5]
The Dispatch
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=225137
[6]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS15/80715042/1002

[trb]
Comments of Terry Bnakert to inlcude cap headlines unattributed.
http://attorneybankert.com/

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BY Terry Bankert 7/16/08.http://attorneybankert.com/
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FLINT POLICE WILL ARREST YOUR BUTT...IF YOU SHOW IT!

Lay off saggy pants, ACLU warns Flint cops[1]

Gregory Gibbs, President of the ACLU Flint Branch says, "under no stretch of the imagination does wearing saggy pants that revel the top of one's boxer shorts violate the Flint Disorderly Conduct Ordinance. It is clear that the ordinance provision that is cited by the police chief requires that a person openly expose certain body parts to be guilty, Flint residents should embarrassed by this colossal waste of time and scarce resources."[3]
_____________________
GOOD MORNING FLINT!
07/15/08, BY Terry Bankert
Full cited article at
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/ -
Flint Talk chat snippets at
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=32176
______________________

A crack in civil liberties found in Flint MI USA..Could there be any correlation in the rise in man hole cover robberies? [trb]

Flint residents who like to wear their pants in the latest sagging fashion shouldn't have to pull up their trousers to stay out of jail, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.[1]
See:
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/07/hundreds_of_manhole_covers_sto.html

You no longer have a right to dress poorly in Flint.[trb]

The right to wear sagging pants is protected by the U.S. Constitution, the state ACLU argued in a letter it sent Monday to acting Flint Police Chief David R. Dicks, who has ordered officers to start arresting people who wear saggy pants that expose Skivvies, boxer shorts or bare bottoms.[1]

Hey, young and want some attention, call the A.C.L.U. tell them you are fearful of being arrested for Crack![trb]

The letter called for an immediate end to the stopping and searching of individuals with low-riding pants and a response from the Police Department by July 21. If not, the ACLU said, it would be willing to represent in federal court any Flint resident who has been or has had a "legitimate fear" of being stopped, threatened or charged under the ordinance.[1]

On behalf of the men of Flint,Gibbs announces, we want some crack.[trb]

The Flint Police Department's practice of stopping individuals wearing saggy pants is unconstitutional and the practice should immediately be halted, the Flint branch president of the American Civil Liberties Union said Monday.[2]

"I think the police chief is abusing his power and violating a person's First and Fourth Amendment rights," said Gregory Gibbs, ACLU of Michigan Flint Branch president and cooperating attorney. [2]

Flint Police will get your butt, notice given to all butt heads.[trb]

The state ACLU said the new policy gives police authority to conduct unconstitutional searches and seizures, promotes racial profiling, violates due process and interferes with individuals' freedom to express themselves in their appearance.[1]

One old mans offensive is a kids...kool![trb]

This fashion may be offensive and annoying to some people, but as long as the youth wearing it are basically covered up, what’s being indecently exposed? And doing a stop-and-frisk based on what someone is wearing is a form of profiling. (As an aside, wouldn’t you think that if people in super-low baggies were actually engaged in nefarious activities, police would prefer it, since it has to be really hard to run in those things?) If police engaged in this practice with young girls who they thought were dressed like hookers, the shopping malls would be cleared out in no time. (And a lot of retailers would be really unhappy.)[4]

Is this ordinance just a ruse for an anal pat around, drug search?[trb]

"Given that Flint has one of the highest crime rates in the country, you would think the police chief would be fighting crime instead of the latest fashion fad," said Michael J. Steinberg, legal director of the state ACLU.[1]

Police Chief Dicks looking for a saggy pants showing a little butt has gone too far?[trb]

Gibbs said Dicks is taking his mandate too far. He accused the chief of stopping individuals and pulling up their shirts to see if their pants are hitting below the buttocks, a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens against unlawful search and seizure. [2]

"He doesn't have the authority to enforce his dress standards on the public," said Gibbs. [2]

This is a sagging commentary on th priorities of leadership.[trb]

Dicks did not return multiple calls Monday seeking comment, and Flint Mayor Donald J. Williamson said he had no comment on the sagging-pants policy.[1]

Show you butt in Flint and we will arrest it.[trb]

In an interview last week with the Free Press, Dicks said wearing pants below the waist is a crime -- a violation of the city's disorderly conduct ordinance -- and can give police probable cause to search saggers for other crimes, such as weapon or drug possession.[1]

Baggers will get complimentary jump suits for a re-socialization to get their heads right.[trb]

Individuals would be subject to searches and punishment of up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.[1]

Fat middle age white guys with bad comb overs are next.[trb]

"It is not the job of the police officer to enforce his idea of what dress is appropriate when no crime is being committed," Steinberg said.[1]

A.C.L.U. begs to not b e forced into court. Butt, they will if they must.[trb]

Steinberg said the ACLU would prefer not to go to court but was prepared to do so.[1]

Will all butts be treated equal, we demand it.[trb]

"People should be concerned when police officers go up to individuals and lift up their shirts to expose young men's boxer shorts and claim that they're acting indecent," Steinberg said, citing a Free Press video report last week on the enforcement. "There's nothing different between that and lifting up women's skirts to expose their underwear and charging them with indecent exposure."[1]

Faux Pas used in a sentence. This guy must not be from Flint.[trb]

He cited exposed bra straps or slips as comparable fashion faux pas that would not warrant police searches and citations.[1]

Just where does the butt begin?[trb]

"It's another matter if you can see their naked buttocks ... but it is not a crime to wear sagging pants where boxers are exposed."[1]

In a letter to Dicks, the ACLU states: "This practice is akin to lifting a woman's skirt in front of the camera to expose her underwear and then telling her she is indecently exposed. It must stop. It must stop." [2]

–end
By
Terry Bankert
7/15/08

–where did this stuff come from?
[1]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS05/807150349/1007
[2]
Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/METRO/807150350/1409/METRO
[3]
NBC 25
http://www.weyi.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=158884
[4]
Freep.com
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/BLOG2504/80714060/1068/OPINION
[trb]
Comments of Terry Bankert
--
- MAST HEAD for the search engines-
GOOD MORNING FLINT! -
BY Terry Bankert 7/15/08.
http://attorneybankert.com/
You are invited to join me at Face Book- Http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry_Bankert/645845362___________________________Full article at http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Flint Talk summary
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=31896
__________________________
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Great information from caring people in Michigan
USA__________________________
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see also

See
-
http://www.blogrunner.com/snapshot/D/1/0/flint_michigan_battles_crack_epidemic/?referer=sphere_related_content

-
http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=3500&referer=sphere_related_content

-
http://shrimpandgrits.rickandpatty.com/2008/07/11/just-say-no-to-crack/?referer=sphere_related_content

-
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2008/07/dicks-this-immoral-self-expression-goes.html?referer=sphere_related_content

-
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?ID=/20080709/NEWS01/807090359/1001/NEWS&referer=sphere_related_content

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