Per CNN, there were at least nine mass shootings in the country over the weekend that combined left at least 15 people dead and 30 more wounded, according to CNN reporting and an analysis of data from Gun Violence Archive, local media and police reports. It seems that our country is becoming immune to this as only one of the shootings gained major media attention. How many more mass shootings will it take before we take serious action to prevent future mass shootings? Forty-five families are affected for the remainder of their lives.
Last Friday I wrote about my disappointment about the lack of transparency from Governor Whitmer and her office. I am not alone in my thoughts. Today, Bridge Magazine which has been very supportive of Whitmer, wrote an article expressing their frustration with her lack of transparency. Here is an excerpt from the article. “As a gubernatorial candidate in 2018, the Democrat unveiled the Michigan Sunshine Plan, which she said would “rewrite the rules in Lansing to work for regular families by making the state government more open, transparent and accountable to Michigan taxpayers.” Nothing has come of the plan, though, or Whitmer’s pledge to open the governor’s office to the state’s Freedom of Information Act.”
Starting in the Fall, the University of Michigan will require all students living on campus to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. A recent petition drive by the U of M faculty wants administration to take it one step further. They want all students who attend in-person class to also have to be fully vaccinated. The faculty are concerned about safety and the further spread of the virus among the students, faculty and staff at U of M. A petition drive is currently underway by the faculty to obtain as much support as possible prior to presenting their demands to the administration. If the faculty has their way, this could have a detrimental impact on the local economy if students chose to stay at home rather than live in Ann Arbor because they are not vaccinated.
To further complicate the above issue, the Republican led state legislature is considering legislation that would ban state support of any university who requires students to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person class.
This week is supposedly the date in which Governor Whitmer’s executive order is to go into effect to shut down the Line 5 pipeline under the Straights of Mackinaw. Enbridge, the company to runs Line 5, has gone on record as saying they will not follow the governor’s order unless they are ordered to do so by a court order. Canada is fighting the executive order and is threatening to invoke the rules of a treaty signed in the 1970s that prevents either country from stopping the flow of oil between the two countries. I don’t see Line-5 being shut down soon. It seems to me the reasonable option to allow the agreement signed by Enbridge and Governor Snyder to build a tunnel under the Straights to take place that will take the place of the current Line-5. Enbridge has promised to pay for the entire cost of the tunnel.
Churchill Downs officials have suspended the victory of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who failed a drug test after the race. Officials are awaiting the results of a second test of blood to confirm the original results. If he is disqualified, Medina Spirit will be stripped of the Derby title and its winning purse, and become only the third horse in the 147-year history of the race to receive such a penalty after finishing first. In addition, Churchill Downs officials suspended Medina Spirit seven-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert from entering other horses there. It’s unclear how long the suspension will last or how it will affect his standing in the sport.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped 35,000 today for the first time. It couldn’t hold the level by the close of the day’s trading session. I hope people are preparing for the correction that will be sure to occur in the near future.
Stay safe, wash your hands regularly, social distance, wear your mask properly and schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “It bothers me you have to swear fealty to the dear leader or you get kicked out of the party. It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s sort of a circular firing squad where we’re just attacking members of our own party instead of focusing on solving problems.” Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan
Orchid of the Day Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who announced his retirement effective June 1, 2021.
Onion of the Day: Bob Baffert, see above story regarding his suspension by Churchill Downs officials.