Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by those who believed the “Big Lie” that Trump was the winner of the election. It is one of the days I will always remember what I was doing, where I was, and who I was with when the news broke. It is burned into my memory like the JFK assassination, Jack Ruby’s murder on live TV, the MLK assassination, the Challenger explosion, John Lennon’s assassination, Kent State and the aftermath at EMU, Neal Armstrong taking a giant leap for mankind, September 11, and the shock and awe bombing of Baghdad. Leah and I were watching the electoral vote procedures of Congress. I was confident that democracy would prevail, and the vote would go as planned as it had throughout our country’s history. I was in shock as I watched what happened. I was embarrassed for our country. I was angry at the “Trumpsters” for doing something that had never happened before as the Confederate flag was flown inside our U.S. Capitol. I watched in shock as members of Congress were taking cover, hiding under seats, and being escorted out of the chambers. I couldn’t believe I heard gunshots coming from the Capitol. The scene inside and outside the Capitol was pure chaos for the next four hours. I remember thinking about my best friend George, who had told me six months before the election that if Trump lost, he would try to stay in office by organizing a coup. I called my friend Nancy at the outset of the insurrection and told her to turn on her TV because I knew she was not watching the proceedings. No matter how Trump and his multitude of supporters want to spin January 6, 2021, I will not buy it. I know what I saw. I am as disgusted today as I was one year ago. I pray our country will learn from insurrection of January 6, 2021 and come out in the end with a much stronger democracy. Too many people have given their lives to protect our democracy. We cannot allow for them to have died in vain by allowing the extremist to ruin our democracy from within.
It is going to be interesting to see how the public reacts to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan lawmakers signing non-disclosure agreements to not share any development information with any third party. Per the Detroit News. thirteen Michigan lawmakers signed confidentiality agreements, preventing them from disclosing details of potential development projects, before approving a $1 billion incentive plan, according to documents obtained through an open records request. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. released redacted versions of the agreements on Tuesday afternoon, revealing an unusual arrangement between the state’s top elected legislators from both sides of the aisle and an agency that works to attract businesses. All of Michigan’s highest-ranking lawmakers signed the confidentiality agreements. “These NDAs may just be pieces of paper, but they should be seen as a major red flag for working people across this state who care about accountable government,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Michigan needs more transparency, not less. If our lawmakers can’t bring in jobs without shady backroom deals that have to be shielded from the public, then are these deals even good for our state?” I have no problem with non-disclosure agreements, during the early stage of talks with potential business partners. It is necessary to gain each other’s trust and to share important proprietary information that will help in the decision-making process. I have used formal and informal NDA agreements throughout my career. However, once the final agreement is signed, the agreement must be available to the public if it involves a public institution or government.
In ESPN’s first of the season projections of the 68 team to make the men’s tournament, MSU is projected as a number two seed and Michigan is not projected to make the tournament. Anyone who has seen Michigan play during the first two months of the season should not be surprised by this. They do not shoot well, their freshmen are lost on defense, and the team has not shown they can guard effectively for 40 minutes. There is time to turn it around, but I do not see it happening.
Michigan on Wednesday recorded its highest daily confirmed case rate for COVID-19 since the pandemic began, adding 27,346 cases over two days and 277 deaths from the virus. In addition, hospitalizations continue to rise significantly. The outlook for January is bleak.
What are you doing today to stop violence? What are you doing today to expand mental health services for those in need? What are you doing today to make sure your guns are not are accessible to minors in your household?
Stay Safe. Social Distance. Wear your mask when indoors in public places. Schedule your vaccine and booster.
Orchid of the Day: Congresswoman Liz Cheney, for standing true to her conservative values while taking a firm stand against the January 6, 2021, insurrection.
Onion of the Day: Novak Djokovic, who was banned from defending his Australian Open Tennis title because he refuses to be vaccinated for Covid-19
Quote of the Day: “Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.” Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia
Song of the Day: God Bless America, Celine Dion