Motley crew of union types, teachers, professional protesters, malcontents and kooks march on Governor Snyder's home

This what "democracy looks like" sad to say. Looking for all the world like a badly mixed blend of church picnic, protest march, and union picket line these misguided fools galumphed down Geddes Road to give a letter to Governor Snyder's chief of staff denouncing Michigan's Emergency Financial Manager law. Too bad these same goofs don't do this sort of protest march to the homes of their mayors, city council and school board members, past and present, who mismanaged their broke ass communities into their present condition in the first place.

Michigan's mandatory price tag law expires today

As one of his first acts as governor Rick Snyder urged repeal of the law that required Michigan retailers to put price tags on all items on their shelves. Supposedly it's a "less regulation" issue favored by retail business lobbies because, the theory goes, anything that saves businesses money will save consumers money in the end too as these savings are passed on as lower prices.

I personally hate this development myself but I see can see nothing I can do about it except to shop on line, barter and buy second hand more often but which is not always possible or convenient though. As always I ask myself cui bono? Who wants to drag several different items over to the sales counter to do price comparisons or flag down a clerk to make inquiries? Not me that's for sure. Maybe this will all work out well but I kinda doubt it as things stand now. We'll see.

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"I wasn't trying to be a hero," she said. "I just didn't want my car stolen."  - Det News
 "An alleged car thief got more than he bargained for when three women yanked him out of the vehicle he was trying to steal, held him down and made a citizen's arrest. But when the women repeatedly called Detroit Police, they said nobody responded, so they decided to walk the man to the nearby Central District police station. On the way, they said they encountered a Detroit police officer — who they claim refused to take the man into custody." (emphasis added)

DPD has largely checked-out as far as protecting Detroiters is concerned. They are demoralized, under-staffed and lacking in resources and so unless somebody is actually in the act of killing someone you get the "please leave your information and we'll contact you" routine from them. And that may account for why acts of vigilantism are on the rise. The news story reports that DPD chief Godbee says he'll "get to the bottom" of this failure but people have heard that stuff from the brass before.

Ann Arbor hospitals now firing employees who refuse to get vaccinated for flu & pertussis - AnnArbor.com

Governor Snyder wants to do away with law requiring price tags - Det Free Press
So ah, how the hell are supposed to know how much things cost then Rick? The gov said there's a smartphone app for that and so state intervention in the marketplace isn't needed? WTF?

What ever happened to the American anti-war movement? - Salon (Glenn Greenwald)
They used to be "useful idiots". Then they stopped being useful once Obama was elected. And yet Guantanamo remains open and the wars continue unabated. Go figure?

South Korean naval commandos rescue high-jacked ship, kill eight pirates - LA Times
Killed the pirates, rescued the crewmen, and keep the sea lanes safe for trade and commerce. Good, good, and good, as far as that goes. On a odd note this: ".. [SK naval officers] ..saw several pirates leave the South Korean vessel to hijack a Mongolian boat nearby. Using a fast boat and a helicopter, the South Korean military rescued the Mongolian ship, killing several pirates. Three South Korean soldiers suffered minor injuries." A Mongolian boat? Isn't Mongolia a landlocked nation? Weird.

Crucial by Gerber

My next pocket knife/tool -The Gageteer.com
It seems that in doing a little due diligence that both my current folding knife and pocket tool both are in violation of Michigan's knife law which limits "concealed" knife blades to three inches. Searching the Internets I've decided on this one: The Gerber Crucial for around $30. Once I get it that'll be my new daily carry knife/tool until I get out of this overly restrictive state. Better to spend the money than risk a five year felony if some Barney Fife-style Michigan lawman decides to frisk me.

"[H]e's a bully with a unwarranted reputation for forensic skill and inside knowledge. He possesses precisely two techniques: interruptions and tantrums." - Am Thinker (J.R. Dunn)
Speaking here of MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell but Dunn could really be describing 90% of TV, cable, and radio political talk show hosts that I have observed over the years. Watching that dreck is a guilty pleasure that is best kept private like adulterous affairs, drug use, gambling, and sexual kinkiness all used to be.