I took Wednesday off as I got together with my college roomates, Larry, Marc and Rollie. We met at Larry’s house for a fish fry and euchre tournament. We had canceled it three times in the last 6 months due to Covid-19 restrictions. Larry and his wife Nancy out did themselves, with the spread they put out for us. The fresh deep fried perch, bluegill and shrimp were outstanding. It was accompanied with some great tasting tartar sauce, green beans, rice and hawaiian rolls. Dessert was strawberry-rhubarb pie. It is always good to get together. We have always had a no politics rule which we honored, except for Rollie walking in with a full over-the-head Trump mask. His covid mask had a scrolling message that could be programmed to say anything he wanted, which at times was comical. Euchre went without incident, which is more than I could say for many of the games we played while in college.
Throughout my early adult life, it was pounded into my head that voting was the most important thing a citizen could do as part of a democracy. I was told by many people that hundreds of thousand soldiers died for our right to vote. Soldiers of all race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. By voting we honored their ultimate sacrifice. As a result, voting was important to me. I tried to vote in every election I could. I thought everyone had the same attitude I had, then John Engler defeated Jim Blanchard for the governorship in Michigan in 1990. It was an election where only 40% of the registered voters voted and Engler won even though he received less than 21% of the votes of registered voters. That was when I realized that not everyone viewed voting the same as I did. I also learned that the ease of voting was not the same for all citizens because in many instances the system was set up to make it difficult for people to vote by limiting polling places, by making absentee voting difficult and by not keeping addresses up to date. It was especially hard for working parents when elections were held on work days and transportation or child care was not availble during the limited hours they had to vote. Fast forward to now when state legistures around the country are trying to pass laws to make it harder for people to vote. Why would we do this? Didn’t people die so all US citizens could vote? Didn’t people of all races ethnicity, gender and religion die for our democracy and our right to vote? Why would we make it harder for people to vote? It seems to me the right thing to do is to make it easier for all citizens to vote? Isn’t that the best way to honor those who gave their lives to protect our democracy? If we make it harder for people to vote, we are being disrespectful to those who gave their lives for our democracy. We are also saying they died in vain.
The Governor and state legislature continue to get it from all sides. Here is what Nolan Finley had to say today. “The dysfunction in Lansing continues. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier in the week vetoed $650 million in relief for small businesses, schools and the unemployed, saying she did so because the package wasn’t negotiated with her. The Legislature failed to override her veto. So the House passed the bill again and sent it on to the Senate for approval, and it now goes back to the governor. Who will likely veto it. The pettiness will leave folks who need help waiting even longer.” It is really discouraging
Michigan State’s mens basketball team started out strong today in their first game in B1G tournament against a good Maryland team, unfortunately things went sour quickly as MSU went over 12 minutes without a basket and ended up losing to Maryland by 11. Both these teams were on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. Maryland pretty much locked up a bid, while the Spartans have to remain isolated in their Indianapolis hotel room until Sunday evening when the NCAA tournament selection is completed. At that time, MSU will find out if they continue to stay in Indianapolis for the NCAA tournament or if they go home because their season has ended. I cannot imaging how Izzo and his coaching staff are going to keep fifteen 18-23 year old men cooped up in a hotel for the next 72 hours.
Stay safe. Wear your mask properly. Wash your hands regulary. Social distance. Schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “I let the officiating get to me in the first half. Twenty-six years in this job, that should never happen. That’s totally my fault and that is immature, ridiculous and any other words you guys want to use,….. I did a poor job, and the coach has got to be able to admit when he did. ‘Grow up, Izzo’ — that should be your headline” Tom Izzo following the loss to Maryland today.
Orchid of the Day: Michigan’s Meghan Beaubien who threw a no-hitter in extra-innings win vs. Nebraska
Onion of the Day: Governor Whitmer and the state legislature.