Today I watched the opening statements and corresponding videos presented by the prosecution at former President Trump’s impeachment trial. It was gut wrenching and hard to watch. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative the attack on the Capitol cannot be justified by any rational thinking American.
Anyone who has followed this blog, knows I am against violence of any kind, especially when it comes to protests. I admonished the violence that occurred this summer related to the protests of BLM and covid-19 shutdown. Violence has no place in our society. Today when I watched the impeachment trial it was the first time I saw things in chonological order. The violence that occurred to the Metro Police and the Capitol Police during and after the siege got to me in a way that I had not felt since 9/11. The violence and vile language which the police had to deal with was appalling. It is my wish that anyone who participated, planned or incited this insurrection will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and in the court public opinion.
I continue to condemn the prosecution of Nick Lyon, the former head of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, for multiple counts of manslaughter related to the Flint water crisis. As a reminder he was originally charged over two years ago by AG Schutte, but those charges were ultimately dropped. In January 2021 Lyon was indicted by AG Nessel. Yesterday, Lyon’s defense was denied the ability to see the transcripts from those who testified to the Grand Jury. It turns out only 18 of the 45 transcripts have been typed up at this point. A status review has been set for June. In the meantime the state has not finalized the contracts that will be used for his defense, which will be funded by the state. How much the state is willing to pay Nick’s defense attorneys is at issue. Think about that. The state is prosecuting someone they need to pay to defend. In the meantime, Lyon and his family continue to live with an uncertain future more than two years from the date he was originally charged. So much for the right to a speedy trial. The wheels of justice are moving especially slow for Nick Lyon. As a reminder the state has already agreed to settle this case for $640 million in civil court. This case has no business in criminal court.
As a follow-up to yesterday’s post regarding Anana the polar bear who was killed on Sunday, Detroit Zoo officials said Tuesday they followed guidelines in a breeding attempt between two polar bears that turned deadly. “Normal protocols were followed, including ensuring compatibility of two individual animals,” Christina Ross, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Zoological Society, told The Detroit News.
Quote of the Day: “I love you and the babies. Hug them for me.” Eric Swalwell, Democrat Representative from California in a phone call to his wife during the resurrection at the Capitol on January 6.
Orchid of the Day: The River Rouge Panthers varsity boys basketball team for starting the season as the number one team in the state.
Onion of the Day: Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen for his DWI in November. As a result Jeep has pulled the superbowl ad in which The Boss called for unity in the country. The add was considered one of the best of the game.