Thoughts for the Day, March 4, 2021: What goes up comes down.

The two Democratic Governors who received great praise for their handling of Covid-19 during the early stages of the pandemic are now under fire for different reasons. Governor Cuomo is under fire for his words and actions to some of the female members of his staff. Governor Whitmer is under fire for her signing of separation and confidentiality agreements with two high level staff members of Michigan’s DHS. In the case of Cuomo, he is losing support of the media and some fellow Democrats in the state legislature. Many are calling for his resignation. Whitmer is getting hammered in the press but the Democrats are standing behind her. These issues may make their chances of holding national office in the near future, much more difficult.

Michigan beat MSU tonight to win the regular season B!G championship. Michigan held MSU to 22 points in the second half, most of which were scored in the last 4 minutes of the game. The game was a dogfight for most of the first half, until an unwarranted flagrant foul was called on MSU’s best player, Aaron Henry, with 3 minutes to go. It caused MSU to sit Henry for the remainder of the half and Michigan capitalized by expanding a five point lead to 11 by half time. The call seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Spartans as they never got untracked in the second half and Michigan led by 20 for most of the secocnd half. In this game, the referees were too much of a factor. Two of refs were not guys I recognized and they needed to “swallow” their whistle. Even the half-time commentators said the game was not being called like most B1G games, which was a detriment to Sparty who needed to be able to be physical against Michigan.

It isn’t often I agree with Nolan Finley but I do agree with his comments about people who are trying to ban some Dr.Suess books. Here are his comments in his daily blog. “The effort to cancel Dr. Seuss may be a step too far for Americans who have groused but did little as one after another of their heroes have been toppled. The woke Gestapo is getting pushback for targeting the work of Theodor Geisel, who produced the most popular children’s books in history. Critics are waving diversity tallies of the characters in his books, and some caricatures that are unsuitable by today’s tight standards, But parents are more likely to be interested in the fact that his stories captivate their children while teaching them to read.” In my opinion, anything that gets kids to read is a good thing and no one has done it better than Dr. Suess.

In the ongoing story of Nick Lyons, the former DHS Director who is charged with 9 counts of manslaughter, the following story was reported yesterday by ABC channel 12 out of Flint.

” A month after state investigators charged nine people with crimes stemming from the Flint water crisis, the family of a Legionnaires’ disease victim believes the wrong people are facing involuntary manslaughter charges. Former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon and former Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells both face nine counts of involuntary manslaughter — each count for one of nine people who died of Legionnaires’ in 2015. Lori Kelly’s mom is one of the nine victims. She believes the wrong people are charged with her mother’s sudden death.“Unbelievable. They’re getting away with murder,” Kelly said. “

As reported by ABC channel 12 Flint, at least one-third of the people represented in those nine involuntary manslaughter charges were treated at McLaren Flint Hospital. Their families are suing the hospital, believing they died because of the hospital’s negligence. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the connection, saying 52 people contracted Legionnaires’ Disease during the Flint water crisis from 2014 to 2015 because the bacteria was in McLaren Flint Hospital’s water supply. I have said it before and I will continue to say it. The case against Nick Lyon and others has no business in a criminal court. The State of Michigan has already settled the Flint water case for over $600 million in civil court, which is where this case belongs.

Major League Baseball announced today that they well create an annual day to honor Lou Gehrig and increase ALS awareness beginning this season. The date for this year is June 2. It is only fitting that this occur as ALS is otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The annual day will be similar to the annual Jackie Robinson day, in which all players on every team wear number 42 in place of their regular number in honor of Robinson. More details will be forthcoming.

Stay safe. Wear your mask properly, Social distance. Wash your hands regularly. Schedule your vaccine.

Quote of the Day: “Dr Seuss has brought a true joy of reading – and life – to millions of children over the years. He is a treasure, not an evil racist. Don’t let the killjoys take him down.” Sean Collins

Orchid of the Day: Major League Baseball for creating an annual day to honor Lou Gehrig and promote ALS awareness.

A second Orchid of the Day: Mason Plumlee and Dennis Smith of the Detroit Pistons for achieving a rare triple double on the same day. It is only the seventh time two teammates have achieved a triple double in the same game.

Onion of the Day: Two orchids eliminates a need for an onion.