Many news outlets are reporting that former U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell is among a group of 150 independents, and current and former Republicans founding a group that is threatening to form a breakaway party if the GOP doesn’t part ways with former President Donald Trump. The group, “A Call for American Renewal” rejects what it calls extremist elements within the Republican Party. “A Call for American Renewal is a rallying cry for pragmatists everywhere. Our nation’s future should not be dictated by a single person but by principles that bind us together,” the group declares on its website. It will interesting to watch if this group gets any traction as it moves forward. Conservative Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley announced today that he will sign up for the new group.
I always get concerned when the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians increase. The latest tension has escalated quickly and has been deadly. Seeing the video of the latest bombings is very concerning.
With the CDC’s and Governor Whitmer’s loosening of mask guidelines it appears we are turning the corner and heading down the home stretch after nearly 15 months of various forms of restrictions. I am not in a hurry to ditch the mask as I have not been sick with even the slightest sniffle since January 2020. Wearing a mask in public places, especially grocery stores and gyms will probably be a norm for me in the near future, mask mandates or not.
Bridge Magazine reported over the weekend that Governor Whitmer’s office revealed Friday that a nonprofit connected to her paid for her chartered flight to visit her dad in Florida. The documents showed a non-profit established to pay for Whitmer’s inauguration, Michigan Transition 2019, paid $27,251 for the jet that flew from Lansing to Palm Beach, Florida, on March 12 and returned March 15. The nonprofit paid for the fight in the first two weeks of May, several weeks into the controversy about her travels, records show. Based on my experience, the IRS may be interested in looking at how she handles this on her 2021 tax return. It can be argued that it is income to her in 2021 and that it is an inappropriate expense of the non-profit as it was not used for the purpose that the non-profit was established.
The NY Times is reporting that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was expected to earn more than $5 million from his book about leading New York during the coronavirus pandemic, according to figures released by his office on Monday. At the same time, he is under scrutiny for his handling and reporting of nursing home deaths during the early stage of the pandemic. There are also concerns that state resources were used to assist him in writing the book. Nothing is ever as it appears when it comes to many of our politicians.
The oil and natural gas continue to flow in the Line-5 pipeline. I wonder when it will stop.
Stay safe, wash your hands regularly, social distance, wear your mask properly and schedule your vaccine.
Orchid of the Day: Former Detroit Piston center Ben Wallace who is expected to be named to the National Basketball Hall of Fame. If confirmed, Wallace will be the first undrafted college player to ever be named to the H of F.
Onion of the Day: The people who continue to push the voting review in Arizona. How many times and how many different sources need to tell them that Biden won the election before they believe it. Obviously, we haven’t hit the number yet.
Quote of the Day: “The crime plan we’re working on will be sensitive to our community, but it’ll also be aggressive to those who commit crimes. People have the right to walk down the street.” Newly appointed Detroit interim police chief, James White