Rapids

Anyone see the news out of Grand rapids Mi.? Security camera caught a man pumping gas being assaulted by a hispanic male for no reason. The attacker grabbed a heavy garbage can top and threatened the man with it. The man (who has a ccw) pulled his pistol and fired one shot to the head killing the attacker. Police investigated and have released the man with no charges filed and have said openly the aggresor was in the wrong and sad as it is deserved what he got. ABOUT DAMN TIME finally the armed citizen is allowed to defend themselves I am proud to be from Mi. today. I think it was wood tv 8 that it was on they should have the footage on their website.

news 8 "wood tv 8" grand rapids mi?

grand rapids, michigan - discovery kids on nbc (flight 29 down) ?? i live in grand rapids, michigan. which IS eastern time. i dont understand why i dont get discovery kids on my nbc channel (channel 8, called wood tv 8) on saturdays. does anyone know why i dont get it? i checked the time schedule and everything and nothing comes up! i check every saturday morning but all i get is news. how come the discovery program doesnt come on my thing? can someone check for me? or tell me if there even is a discovery kids here in grand rapids? cause i really want to check out the "flight 29 down" show.

where can i find old news archives? michigan grand rapids crime news

Palin in Cedar Rapids IA or Grand Rapids, MI? Gov. Sarah Palin's first visit to Iowa as a vice-presidential hopeful turned in a blooper reunion. She stated excitedly in Cedar Rapids, IOWA ""Thank you so much Iowa. It is good to be here in Grand Rapids!". Are we really wanting someone who does not check and verify information in any High Government Office? No wonder Senator Barrack Obama is ahead in the polls. I for one am questioning the Republican VP Choice..What about you? Curious check out this link: http://www.kcci.com/news/17506788/detail.html

Help filling out baby book-- headlines in world news. national news local, famous world leaders? My baby boy was born May 10 2010 I am trying to fill out his baby book and need current events for world news, National, local (Grand Rapids, MI) and famous world leaders as well as popular TV music, actors, movies, sports stars, cars books, fasion trends. Any suggenstions are much appreciated. Thanks

Did you check our Chuck Baldwin for president? Wood tv news in Grand Rapids MI shows and interview with Chuck Baldwin who is nonpartisan? What do you think? Why doesn't somebody run who is experienced yet will leave a party and run for president?

For those who swear by birdshot as a home defense load.? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/12/mecosta_county_homeowner_fires.html Homeowner shoots intruder 4x with birdshot load. Thief still around not seriously injured. If nothing else, you can also read the thief's hilarious defense.

Why is Fox News so deceptive? "The progressive media watchdog group Media Matters for America has cataloged what it called the ten most "egregious examples" of "distortion" by both Fox News and its TV personalities. The criticisms include several examples of cropping quotes from President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Vice President Gore so they appear out of context, using image manipulation software to edit the appearance of reporters from The New York Times, and using footage from other events during a report on the November 5 "Tea Party" rally in Washington, D.C. Media Matters said the intention of Fox News was to make it appear as if a larger number of protesters attended the event. Media Matters also called attention to the December 4 edition of Fox and Friends and accused the show of misleading its viewers with a "questionable graphic" that showed the results of a Rasmussen Reports climate change poll adding up to 120%." "In November, 2009, Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett told viewers that a Sarah Palin book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout while showing footage of Palin with a large crowd. Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book", adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." The video was actually taken from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." Fox offered an on-air apology the following day during the same "Happening Now" segment citing regrets for what they described as a "video error" with no intent to mislead. Fox also apologized for fabricated quotes attributed to John Kerry in an article which appeared on its website during the 2004 presidential campaign observing that the piece was a joke that accidentally ended up on the website for a period of time Friday." Are they so scared of the truth that they feel the necessity to deceive its viewers? For more filthy examples of Fox News dishonesty, click here: http://mediamatters.org/research/200910130047

Why is fox news misleading their audience? Fox News again accused of airing misleading video.Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout.However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts988

Stimulus for education? Another lie from the great powers that be? Where's the so-called Stimulus money? Show me the money, Barry! http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/byron_center_public_schools_ma.html http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/teacher_retirement_offer_closi.html#more

GW Bush admits KSM was waterboarded; would do it again to save lives; Who has more balls Obama or Bush? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/06/id_do_it_again_former_presiden.html God I miss having a REAL President instead of any empty suit

What is UR opioion on this Article Wyoming family's separation punctuates push for immigration reform? Do U believe the system is broken or do you believe that disobeying our immigration the laws is why this happened in the first place ? GRAND RAPIDS -- When labor, civil rights and religious leaders gathered today to call for immigration reform, their effort was encapsulated in the ordeal of Mandy Evangelista, who with her husband, Jose, traveled to Mexico so he could finally legalize his status. That was five years ago. Since then, Mandy and their children Jorge, 11, Marisol, 7, and Perla, 5, have had to live without Jose, communicating only via telephone after his residency was denied and he was kept out of the U.S. "For a mother having your child wake up in the middle of the night, asking where daddy is ... there's just no explanation," said Evangelista, 29, of Wyoming. Evangelista is among a group of labor, civil rights and religious leaders launching a statewide campaign to promote immigration reform. Today, the Michigan Coalition part of Reform Immigration for America held press conferences in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Pontiac and Lansing to promote their call for comprehensive immigration reform. Advocates said there needs to be legislation that will create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; reform the visa system to clear backlogs and to replace illegal immigration with orderly, legal immigration; and enhance border security and protect workers from unscrupulous employers. During the press conference in Grand Rapids, Luis Pena, a former trustee for Grand Rapids Public Schools, said reform is needed so more people seeking a legal way to enter the country can do so. Now the system is so complicated that many families, like the Evangelistas, are kept apart, sometimes for 10 to 20 years. Having a system that's easier to navigate would improve the country's safety while answering the needs of employees, he added. "We need a system that's easier to go through than to go around," Pena said. Agreeing was Kate Kooyman, from the office of social justice with the Christian Reform Church. She said illegal immigration is first and foremost a humanitarian issue, and that to deport about 13 million undocumented workers living in this country is unrealistic. "We can't do that and we shouldn't do that," she said. "Mass deportation is impossible. It won't work." Marv Russow, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, said protecting the rights of some workers will ensure that all workers are treated equally in the country and will prevent abuse of unscrupulous employers. While President Barack Obama has said he will not try to pass immigration reform until a health care bill has been dealt with, advocates and grassroots organizations have been mobilizing for months to push for immigration reform. For Mandy Evangelista, each day without her husband is a missed day in their children's lives. "When he was here, he took Jorge (their oldest) to school the first day," she said. Now her youngest daughter just celebrated her fifth birthday -- and all of them have been without her father. "He's lost every single moment in his children's lives for the last five years. You can't get that back," she said. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/08/wyoming_familys_separation_pun.html

Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get married in the United States? Kent County Clerk sued over failing to grant marriage licenses to illegal immigrants GRAND RAPIDS -- Attorneys for two unnamed West Michigan couples were to file a class action lawsuit in federal court today, claiming the Kent County clerk is violating civil rights by not granting marriage licenses to illegal immigrants who don't have a Social Security number. The suit, being filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, says Clerk Mary Hollinrake is breaking state and federal laws by requiring people who apply for marriage licenses but don't have a Social Security number to prove they qualify for two specific exemptions. It asks a judge to order her to stop and seeks monetary damages and attorney fees. "This is contrary to the constitution of the United States and Michigan and discriminatory in that it has an effect of discriminating against a large group of the Hispanic community in Kent County," said Robert Alvarez, and attorney from Wyoming whose firm has partnered with a Southfield law office. Alvarez said he is filing the suit on behalf of two local couples, who are using pseudonyms to protect their identity because two of the four people are here illegally and fear deportation. The complaint identifies one couple as Juan Doe, a U.S. citizen, and Maria Doe, a citizen of Mexico who lives in Grand Rapids and is ineligible for a Social Security number. The couple -- who have lived together since 2005 and have two children -- say Hollinrake's office denied them a marriage license when Maria was unable to sign a sworn affidavit and provide documentation saying she was exempt from providing a Social Security number under one the two acceptable answers listed. The second couple is identified as Andrea Doe, a U.S. citizen who lives in Wyoming, and Noe Doe, a Mexican citizen who lives in Grand Rapids and is ineligible for a Social Security number. The couple have been together since 2000 and had to cancel plans to be married at a local church after being denied a marriage license. The suit says Andrea Doe spoke directly with Hollinrake to explain that her fiance, Noe, did not have a Social Security number because of his lack of legal status and was told that was not a sufficient "legal reason" to qualify for an exemption. When reached Tuesday, Hollinrake said she could not specifically comment on the lawsuit because she had not seen a copy of it. She said her policy is based on federal law, which says each state must require county clerks to collect Social Security numbers on marriage license applications. County clerks have been collecting the numbers since 2005, when the federal government decided to enforce a little-known law that requires it on marriage license applications in case they are needed to collect child support payments. Hollinrake's office -- and others throughout the state -- require applicants without a Social Security number to sign a document swearing they do not possess one. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/kent_county_clerk_sued_over_fa.html

Were illegals here for better life document trade in the Hispanic community is controlled almost exclusively? Were illegals here for better life document trade in the Hispanic community is controlled almost exclusively by illegal aliens – it is a business run by illegal aliens for illegal aliens.” is this that same one illegal being arrested over and over ?GRAND RAPIDS – Last spring, federal investigators began looking into a ring that produced and sold documents to illegal Hispanic residents in the city. Police conducted three “controlled buys,” obtaining Social Security and permanent resident cards, before investigators raided an apartment on Seventh Street NW in June. There, they seized computers, laminating machines, card-making machines and other items used to make false documents, and arrested several people for being in this country illegally. This week, three of the five suspects accused in a large-scale scheme tied to Mexico were convicted of charges in U.S. District Court. Two others pleaded guilty before the four-day trial. "Evidence established that the document operation was financed by criminal elements from inside Mexico, who not only provided the expensive equipment used in producing high-quality documents that included U.S. Permanent Resident Cards (green cards), Social Security cards, and driver licenses from states such as Michigan, Illinois and North Carolina, but who also dictated which areas within the Greater Grand Rapids area a particular document crew could operate within and received monthly payments from their franchisees," prosecutors said. Prosecutors said the three who went to trial -Eddie Castilla-Lugo, 37, Israel Aremendariz-Becerra, 41, and Miguel Merlos-Gonzalez, 32 – had been staying in Wichita, Kan., shortly before they joined the fraud operation that was already under investigation. Two others, Jose Reyes-Gonzalez, 34, and Eduardo Lopez-Sosa, pleaded guilty to charges before the trial began at the federal courthouse in Kalamazoo. Soon after the bust, Reyes-Gonzalez, known as “Angel,” told authorities he had made more than 700 false identification documents in the Grand Rapids area, according to court records. Reyes-Gonzalez told authorities that five others arrested in the apartment with him were involved in the organization, with Lopez-Sosa producing up to 200 documents. One of those arrested at the scene was deported before an indictment was returned. The men shared the Seventh Street apartment, with Castilla-Lugo taking a bedroom, with new arrivals sleeping on the floor. Reyes-Gonzalez said he handed out cell phones to the “employees,” with business cards given to potential customers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank said the investigation by agents of U.S. Homeland Security and Homeland Security Investigations (formerly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) showed that the “document trade in the Hispanic community is controlled almost exclusively by illegal aliens – it is a business run by illegal aliens for illegal aliens.” He said document sellers advertised by distributing “sham business cards” where Hispanics gather.” http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/01/five_convicted_in_federal_prob.html

Political Correctness gone wild? Seriously? A six year old boy suspended for making a gun with his hand? Apparently it made other kindergartners "uncomfortable" What's next, chop off his hand? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/ionia_kindergartener_suspended.html

Did we have to import muslim criminals, don't we have enough already? I wonder how much of his illgotten gains went to Al Queada http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/06/prosecutor_government_helped_g.html GRAND RAPIDS – After reporting low income and virtually no assets, the government says, Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed got help for food, housing, heating, medical treatment and college costs for his family. He didn't disclose that his small Grand Rapids grocery store deposited $800,000 from 2006 to 2009. Or, that he made $60,000 annually in food-stamp fraud. Or, that he routinely moved cash in a business account to an account for personal spending, which included a $15,000 family vacation in Mecca, the government said. I vote kill em, kill em all.

We told illegals not to drink & drive I guess thats why this illegal decided to drink & drive 1 american dead? GRAND RAPIDS -- Months after 80-year-old Leonard Dykstra was killed in a drunken driving crash, his son Brian Dykstra asked a judge to sentence the culprit, Efrain Garcia-Miron, to five years in prison. That's just what Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Sullivan did Tuesday, sentencing the 33-year-old illegal immigrant to between five and 15 years in prison for drunken driving causing the death of Dykstra, a retired postman. After serving his prison term, Garcia-Miron will be deported to Mexico. The night of July 23, Walker Police say Garcia-Miron was driving a 1999 Chrysler 300 with a blood alcohol level that a breathalyzer showed to be nearly 0.18, but official tests showed as 0.10. The legal definition of drunk for motorists is 0.08. Garcia-Miron pleaded guilty to crossing the center line of Wilson Avenue SW and crashing into Dykstra's 2001 Ford Taurus as the older man returned home after dinner with family members. Dykstra worked more than two decades for the postal service, his last assignment at Grand Rapids' downtown branch, before retiring. Brian Dykstra said his mother died when he was a child and his father raised him. "As a result of the criminal actions of (Garcia-Miron), I lost my father," Dykstra told Sullivan. "But he was more than that to me. He was a dear friend." Dykstra turned to Garcia-Miron and told him that this was not the last judgment he would face -- there would also be the judgment of God. "Don't turn to sin to escape from your problems, turn toward God," Dykstra said. Garcia-Miron also made a statement through a court translator, weeping as he spoke. "I ask for forgiveness, forgiveness, a thousand times," Garcia-Miron said. "I would like to say that I've been looking for God and I have found God and I face God and I will hold his hand." http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/driver_who_caused_retired_post.html

Do you agree with Ron Paul when he said Obama's health care would be "incredibly expensive"? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/obamas_health_care_plan_will_b.html Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has a frank prescription for the health care plan making its way through Congress: Scrap it. "I think it's monstrous," Paul said. "I don't think it will improve medical care in this country. I think it's very, very costly and we don't have any money. And they don't have any way of paying for it." The libertarian GOP congressman and physician was in East Grand Rapids today for a private reception for what was touted as a "conservative comeback luncheon." Paul is skeptical of estimates that peg the 10-year cost of the plan backed by President Barack Obama at $1 trillion. He puts it much higher. He noted that cost estimates for Medicaid and Medicare are often below the mark. "On average, it's two or three times more expensive than they say. It's going to be incrediblity expensive." What do you think? Caribou, I know you don't. You are a liberal wing nut

For all who hate Pitts.? I'm sure that this woman bought this pitt a great BIG steak. ;) http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/04/blitz_the_pit_bull_stops_abduc.html

How much fraud will there be in a new Government Health Care Program? We have three major programs right now, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. In Michigan, one state out of 50, there is an estimate of $900 million worth of fraud in Medicaid alone. Rather than create yet another Government program which will instantly be filled with fraud and waste, why not fix the three programs we already have? Have you looked at your paystubs to see how much money is going to support fraud? This doesn't even count social security fraud. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/west_michigan_legislator_to_pr.html

So Fox News caught in a lie huh? What do people think of this so called honest network now? details inside->? Fox News again accused of airing misleading video For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." On Thursday afternoon, Fox News issued an on-air apology delivered by host Jane Skinner: Yesterday we told you about Sarah Palin kicking off her book tour and then we spoke to Sean Hannity about an interview that he did with former Governor Palin. When introducing the segment we showed you footage of people lining up in Michigan for a book signing that evening. In the tease before the segment, the tease to commercial, we told you how those people were already lining up to meet Palin. The problem is we didn't show you the video we were actually referencing. Instead we mistakenly aired what's called "file tape" of Sarah Palin. We didn't mean to mislead anybody in that tease. It was a mistake, and for that we apologize. The current mishap comes on the heels of a controversy sparked last week when footage from a conservative rally held over the summer was played on "Hannity" during a segment on a more recent rally. During the clip, host Sean Hannity marveled over the large turnout for a Washington, DC protest. The Daily Show later pointed out that there seemed to be some inconsistencies with the video shown on Hannity's show, namely that the atmospheric conditions seemed to vary from shot to shot. Hannity later apologized on the air for what he called "an inadvertent mistake." Barely a week into Palin’s blitz to promote “Going Rogue,” media coverage is becoming its own story. Fox News rival MSNBC caught heat last week for using altered images of Sarah Palin on the air, for which they later apologized. On Wednesday, Yahoo! News reported Newsweek’s defense of their latest controversial cover, which Palin herself blasted as “sexist.” -- Brett Michael Dykes is a contributor to the Yahoo! News Blog Thumbs up for everyone as i don't favor any of the News Networks.

Helping finding an old news article? I'm in the discussion category of the MSHSL Speech "team" and when we recieved our outlines they gave us a small bibliography of sources they want us to look at and I cannot find this particular news article (no librarians could find it for me either): Wylie, Margie. "Entrepreneurs Claim Parts of the Moon as Their Own ; No Law Says Individuals Cannot Own -- or Sell -- Space Prperty. So for 20 Bucks, a Dubious Deed to Lunar Real Estate Can Be Yours." /The Grand Rapids Press./ 15 Feb. 2004: A.9. Print If anyone can find me the full text of the article (along with the link) that would be superfantastic. I've exhausted all my resource, including ProQuest (which has electronic forms of archived newspapers). I've already asked research librarians for help and they best they can find me is a citation of the article, but cannot find the actual text article... Everything my school has subscriptions to doesn't have the article.

Christians Do you really think comments saying gays will burn in hell on news websites is improving your image? On news articles about the proposition 8 repeal. Most of the comments I have seen were in favor of it but I saw comments like gays were going to burn in hell or the judge is going to burn. I will tell you what I have observed growing up and I bring this up because I want you to realize what this kind of stuff is doing. The whole thing is even where I live in Michigan which a lot of people openly make fun of Christians who do stuff like this and dislike Christians in general, and the thing you have to realize is that is not helping your cause or image in California or the rest of the United States. It would help if you were not so aggressive. The thing about this and I have met and talked about religion of people from several different faiths, many of them don't believe in hell or even the concept of god so that doesn't help your cause, Christian younger people I knew from Church left one girl I knew named Mary was so mad she preformed a literal witchcraft curse on the Church I was going to when I was younger, another kid named Tonya at 11 years old told me she didn't like how her parents or the older generation were acting so she protested and refused to go to Church, When I was in middle school and highschool in English class we sometimes discussed religion and even the Christian people didn't like how the older people were acting, and when an Army person came to the school a big heated arguement got started because he said many people believe women shouldn't be in the army, and he finally said you can make that change when your old enough to vote if this makes you that angry thats just how people at voting age voted. i also noticed that the only people are angry about "gay marriage" were the older people in their 40's and fifties. (though I only hung out mainly with other people around my age) now the west side of the state thats where all the people are that dislike it but young people are moving out of there in droves and going to other states because of the conservatives (and this is a common complaint) being so mean in places like Grand Rapids I actually met someone from there and they told me that. So its you that are driving away the young people I assume its like this to a greater or lesser extent everywhere in the United States, go talk to the young people of your church and you have probably seen some of the same stuff I have. The main reason I left Christianity myself was because they wouldn't accept me for me it had nothing to do with gays the older people acted angry and one even almost punched me when I tried to explain in a conversation why young people were leaving. Also I feel all the rules and traditions are boring and outdated.

Have you seen either the You Tube video OR the National News coverage of .....? the Grand Rapids, Michigan Lip Dub? What was your reaction to it? It was on the ABC News tonight. Earlier this week it was on the Today show. It has almost 2 million hits on You Tube. It has made several other National News Radio and TV shows. It was made in response to an article in Newsweek that claimed Grand Rapids is a dying city. The citizens of Grand Rapids beg to differ with that conclusion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI

The "two Taylors" have split up!...who's happy about this???...? Breakinig news from Grand Rapids(Michigan), via Hollywood: LAUTNER, SWIFT SPLIT UP!...who's actually happy that TL dumped her(NOT the other way around!)? I blame her control-freak mom, and the age difference between them...and all of his fans who want to tear his jeans off him in anger over being jealous of the "date scene" between them! Now TL can date anyone he wants(EXCEPT Miley Cyrus and her "inner circle"[you know, Demi and Selena!], Kristen Bell, Rumer Glenn Willis[Bruce's oldest daughter], etc.), on one condition:she NOT be in the acting profession!...only cute girls his age in Grand Rapids can date him! Your thoughts?

Can anyone give me information on a car accident that occurred 5-17-08 on 8 mile road near Hesperia, Michigan? My family and I were the first ones on the scene where there was a young man trapped underneath a pontiac car that had hit a tree. I can't stop thinking about it and need to know if the man is okay. I think he was flown in a helicopter to Grand Rapids. Any information would be appreciated since I have searched all over for the news story and cannot find anything.

Stimulus HR-Block Turbotax debacle? Anybody else think that it's strange that the media hasn't picked up on what is the hot topic on this board. What I am speaking about of course is the issue with Turbo Tax HR block fees/ RAL's. I only found one story and it was from a News station in Grand Rapids of all places. Oh Well I guess in the next couple weeks when people go nutty about where there money is then maybe the media will say something. Oh wait it's been 3 days and people are already going crazy!

Dog Section: Do you Like a Happy ending? I posted this story about Minnow the bait dog and it was removed. So I will try again. Here is the link. http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/unleashed_minnow_former_bait_d.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+grpress+%28The+Grand+Rapids+Press+Latest+News+%7C+MLive.com%29 My question is how do you think this little terrier survived being up against Pit Bulls? I guess with that kind of torment, it is a good thing dogs do not think and rationalize as we do! He is really cute and his personality just shines through in this picture. @M - Sorry if you felt it was misleading, you must have missed the other two posts. In comparison, it is a happy ending.

News on Probation violation? About 2 months ago I was caught shoplifting in grand rapids MI. I was put in jail for 4 days. They added the charge of use of marijuana onto my charge because while i was being arrested my father told the cop that I used it... They never drug tested me at this point. I was sentenced to a year of probation and counseling along with a lot of little stuff. Up until now everything has been going fine, but about a week ago I dropped dirty for marijuana. My court date is the 19th. Are there any loopholes that i could play with because they just now found out i dropped dirty. like they never tested me while i was in jail.. but i did admit to using it in my lifetime during my hearing. If not does anybody have a similar case that wants to tell me their sentence? Or just what you think ill get?

News on Probation Violation? About 2 months ago I was caught shoplifting in grand rapids MI. I was put in jail for 4 days. They added the charge of use of marijuana onto my charge because while i was being arrested my father told the cop that I used it... They never drug tested me at this point. I was sentenced to a year of probation and counseling along with a lot of little stuff. Up until now everything has been going fine, but about a week ago I dropped dirty for marijuana. My court date is the 19th. Are there any loopholes that i could play with because they just now found out i dropped dirty. like they never tested me while i was in jail.. but i did admit to using it in my lifetime during my hearing. If not does anybody have a similar case that wants to tell me their sentence? Or just what you think ill get?

Are you aware of the controversy about the United States Flag flying at half-mast for fallen soldiers? Hello Friends and fellow Americans When I was checking the news back home on channel 13's website, I found an article about a controversy about the flag being flown at half-mast for our soldiers who gave all. I was appalled, so I responded in an email to the woman who was quoted in the article. I am pasting the email to the bottom of this so if you wish you may copy, paste, change my name to your name and email it to her. Read the story as posted on channel 13 at the link below. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77066 Below is my email I sent this morning. Joyce Doody National Flag Foundation Email: flag@americanflags.org Website: http://www.americanflags.org/index.flash.html Dear Joyce Doody What are you thinking? Soldiers coming home dead deserve the honor of the flag flying at half-staff. "We view the flag with devotion, for it represents our national heritage of noble deeds, splendid accomplishment, and untold sacrifices which combined to establish the moral character of our country.” http://americanflags.org/docs/etiquette.jsp?pageId=0690200091781119362379544 That was taken directly off your website; however the following was taken of a local news station WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids Michigan. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77066&provider=top "If the flag is half-staffed all the time, then it will trivialize in that we won't take notice to it anymore," says Joyce Doody of the National Flag Foundation. "We want to make sure that half-staffing remains a significant, unique gesture of national mourning." If a soldier’s death is not worth national morning using our flag, what is the point of having it? I truly hope your foundation is not supported with our tax dollars. If it is supported by donations I hope those that donate funds will read what you have said. I would not support an organization that thinks a dead soldier is a trivial matter and establishes the moral character of our country. Our country is at WAR, do you understand what that does to our soldiers? It gets some of them killed. Is a soldier’s death a trivial thing to you? If that is not worth national mourning, our respect and gratitude then what’s the point of the flag. Those soldiers are serving this country, The Unites States of America. A Grateful Citizen of the United States of America

What do you think Fake ID leads to 'terror' arrest of Wyoming man suspected to be terrorist illegal alien GRAND RAPIDS -- The Michigan City (Indiana) News Dispatch reports a man arrested for using a fake ID at the Blue Chip Casino may be a suspected terrorist who lived illegally in Wyoming, Michigan. Investigators believe he may be wanted in Colombia for "dangerous terrorism." Officials in Washington, D.C. ordered him held until federal agents could take him into custody. The man identified as Antonio Cruz, 31, was scheduled to be charged for using a false identification Wednesday afternoon. 24 Hour News 8 learned federal officials have taken the case over from local authorities and will take the suspect from the county jail. The man in custody had multiple IDs when questioned. One identification listed him as Castillo Luis, 45, but a second ID showed he was Antonio Cruz, 31, wanted for terrorism in Colombia. He told police he was an illegal alien living in Wyoming, Michigan. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7543368&nav=0RceeSCn

Why does Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee believe voting laws do not apply to her? Why the double standard? Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat), the liberal and very verbal congresswoman from Houston was asked to leave a Houston polling place where she was illegally present during early voting. However, now she has asked the Department of Justice to investigate Tea Party members (poll watchers) who turned her into the election judge who then had her removed. http://www.topix.com/forum/city/grand-rapids-mi/TEHQHJELT5BRTRFCL http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/44331.html

Are Christians getting fed up with being pushed around? If this had happened to a Muslim there would be people protesting in the streets. Try forcing a Muslim to live with a born again Christian and see what happens. I think Christians are getting fed up with this and are starting to act out. What do you think?? http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=136362&catid=14 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - Death threats - that's what an employee at the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is facing for filing civil rights violation against a Grand Rapids woman. Tempers are rising after members of a Christian group revealed they're defending a woman, charged with violating the Fair Housing Act for advertising for a Christian roommate.

Calvin College, Michigan?? Calvin College, located on a 400-acre campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a top-rated, four-year, it has apparently released a news story on a study it did claiming that smacked children do better in their teenage years - does anyone have specific information on what the study was, the ethical components, the counter balances and checks to ensure it was a wide study - all the usual evidence needed to prove scientific study processes have been achieved?

FOX Production Error? This supports my belief that they should remove "news" from their title. For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." Error? I don't think so. What say you??? I'm not defending MSNBC here and they don't make a habit out of generating news. Just pointing out that FOX plays you idiots like a fiddle, that's all.

Why is FoxNews using bogus footage to pretend that 'throngs' of people are at Palin's book tour stop? For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts988

16,185 MURDERS; 92,837 RAPES IN USA...Should we use the 27 BILLION Spent on ILLEGALS to hire more cops? WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More murders and robberies in 2006 sent U.S. violent crimes higher for the second straight year, the FBI said on Monday, with the increase blamed on gangs, youth violence, gun crimes and fewer police on beatsCities with big increases in the number of murders included Orlando and Miami in Florida; Oakland and San Diego in California; Phoenix, Arizona; Corpus Christi, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Reno, Nevada and Little Rock, Arkansas. Even though the higher violent crime numbers had been expected, they still represented bad news for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who has targeted violent crime as a top priority for the U.S. Justice Department. A department study released last month of 18 metropolitan areas cited more violence by local gangs or street crews, a greater prevalence of guns in the hands of criminals and younger, more violent offenders as key reasons for the rising crime http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070604/us_nm/usa_crime_dc_1

Will the Obama administration try to ban this high calorie treat? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bodacious_burger GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Well, at least the salsa is low-cal. The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark. The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough! Its not a healthy food choice now isn't it. This has banned by the Universal Healthcare written all over it.

Could these Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputies be charged for their crimes? http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/Calhoun-Co-Sheriffs-Dept-sued - Calhoun Co. Sheriff's Dept. sued Couple alledges that deputies threw man on ground Thursday, 15 Sep 2011 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department is being sued because deputies allegedly pulled an older couple over, and threw them to the ground. This lawsuit was filed today in federal court in Grand Rapids. The lawsuit was filed by 72-year-old John Klima and 68-year-old Kerrian Klima. They now live in Florida. The lawsuit claims that in September of 2009 they were pulled over in Calhoun County and that deputies approached the car with their guns drawn. From there, deputies allegedly ordered John Klima to get out of the car, and then, quote, "violently threw him to the ground despite the fact that he was no physical threat whatsoever." He was injured. The lawsuit then alleges the deputy, quote, "asked Kerrian Klima to stand "spread eagle" while he patted her down for no reason." John Klima was originally charged with fleeing and alluding, and speeding. He pled guilty to speeding. The other charges were later dropped. The couple is asking for more than $500,000 in damages. We put a call into the sheriff. He has not returned our call yet tonight.

Why do you think John Edwards, finally decided to endorse Obama? ABC News confirms that John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at an event tonight in Michigan: Former Sen. John Edwards is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidate Wednesday evening, in a dramatic attempt by the Obama campaign to answer concerns regarding Obama's appeal to working-class voters, several senior Democratic sources tell ABC News. Edwards, who ran for president on a platform of eradicating poverty, plans to appear alongside Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., Wednesday evening. The event comes one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Obama by 41 points in the West Virginia primary, and Edwards' endorsement will give Obama a key establishment stamp of approval as he attempts to close out the nominating process. ... A source close to the Clinton campaign said the Edwards camp gave the Clinton folks a head's up. "Clearly it's upsetting" the source tells ABC. "He brings the workers" to Obama.

Red Wings question from earlier (why theyre so successful)? Somebody asked a question asking why the Red Wings are, so often, the best in the league. I'm not just trying to brag but I spent a long time on the question and when I type for 25 minutes only to be answered by "Yahoo Answers is unavailable..." I flip the frick out. sh*t pisses me off, so heres my answer to whoever asked that question (it disappeared I guess?) Well theres a number of reasons. There are so many people responsible for our success that its hard to know where to start. So, I guess we'll start from the bottom up (the ice to the front office...so in terms of elevation, not bottom --> up in terms of status or value). Players: We have a solid core of guys in their prime with the perfect mix of veterans and young guns. This allows for a perfect mix of leadership, energy, skill, and knowledge of the game. The older guys mentor the young guys. The young guys develop nicely and fit into the mold well. The guys in their prime mature and are able to teach the next generation of younger players how the game is played. Also, recruiting/scouting players that fill well in our system is a big factor, but we'll get into that in a moment. Front Office: Scouting: While people may ridicule the Wings for not turning out great players with our early picks, Hakan Andersson and the rest of the Wings' scouting is always able to find talent in the latter rounds that other teams forgo (i.e., Datsyuk, Zetterberg). This is crucial due to the fact that we NEVER place any lower than 5th in our conference (only 5th last season due to a HORRENDOUS plague of injuries). So, naturally, our picks are typically 20th - 30th in each round. For instance, Jakub Kindl is the ONLY RED WING DRAFTED EARLIER THAN 20TH OVERALL IN THE PAST 19 YEARS!!! Therefore, making use of our latter picks has been critical, and has paid off immensely. Management: Not much can be said about Ken Holland that hasnt already been said a thousand times. Hes the best GM in the league in my opinion and it shows. Its unfortunate that over the past few years Stevie Y and Scotty Bowman have pursued careers elsewhere but in both cases their reasons for leaving were understandable. Fortunately we now have Chris Chelios at our disposal and that is one of the biggest reasons why Im relieved that he FINALLY retired. Chelly knows EVERYBODY and knows A LOT about the game. He played in the NHL for the better part of 3 decades, what better ex-Red Wing would there be to pass on some of that knowledge? Fanbase: Its definitely beyond the point where people can call us bandwagon fans. When our bandwagon fans have been following the Wings religiously for 20 years, its no longer a bandwagon. Its called a solid fanbase. The Red Wings are always one of the top teams in revenue and attendance, no matter what people want to say about empty seats. Despite our economy, we still stand proud. In addition to these 3 major components we also have a very competent farm team that plays the same system and style that the Red Wings do, which is why most of our guys we bring up from the AHL transition so nicely. Good fan support in Grand Rapids as well. I would love to tell you more reasons why we're the best but I just dont have time right now, but heres a few links to back up some of the things Ive mentioned: Attendance (usually top 3 in the league): http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance Sellout Streak (ours is 2nd longest in history, according to most analysts): http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=520393 Red Wings predicted to be 2011 Stanley Cup Champions: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=539662#&navid=nhl-search I guess if I have to ask a question, what team do YOU think is the most successful franchise today?

What is this article saying? what's the main point?, ? McCain, Obama scramble to shift economic message GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With economic anxiety rising, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama scrambled Wednesday to adjust their messages to connect more directly with financially struggling voters. Obama talks directly into the camera in a new, two-minute television ad on how he'll fix an economy in which "paychecks are flat and home values are falling." McCain and running mate Sarah Palin softened opposition to government bailouts, accepting the U.S. takeover of the nation's largest insurer as unfortunate but necessary to protect ordinary Americans. "The shot that has been called by the Feds — it's understandable but very, very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one," Palin told reporters during a visit to delicatessen in Cleveland. Both McCain and Obama advocated cracking down on freewheeling Wall Street practices and for tough new regulations on financial institutions. Obama ridiculed McCain's calls for more regulation as an eleventh-hour conversion for one who has long championed deregulation. Too many in Washington and on Wall Street "weren't minding the store. They sat on their hands until it was too late," Obama told a rally in Elko, Nev. He challenged McCain's vow to take on the "old boy's network...He hasn't taken them on for the last 26 years." The increased emphasis on the faltering economy came on a day when stocks resumed their downward plunge following Tuesday night's government takeover of American International Group Inc. with an $85 billion two-year loan from the Federal Reserve in return for a majority stake in the company. "The focus of any such action should be to protect the millions of Americans who hold insurance policies, retirement plans and other accounts with AIG," McCain said in a statement. "We must not bail out the management and speculators who created this mess." The turnabout came a day after McCain strongly opposed additional government relief and praised the government's decision not to rescue Lehman Brothers after it had intervened to help investment bank Bear Stearns and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. His Democratic rival addressed the AIG takeover in Elko, saying the government acted "to prevent an even larger crisis." Arguing that the U.S. housing market was "in a shambles," Obama said it was important now for the Federal Reserve to ensure that families with AIG insurance are protected. "It must not bail out the shareholders or the management of AIG that were making big profits when times were good." Obama, in his own change of tactics, speaks directly to voters in a new commercial to air Wednesday on national cable and in some battleground states. "In the past few weeks, Wall Street's been rocked as banks closed and markets tumbled. But for many of you — the people I've met in town halls, backyards and diners across America — our troubled economy isn't news," Obama says in the ad, taped Tuesday in a living room-like setting. "Paychecks are flat and home values are falling. It's hard to pay for gas and groceries and if you put it on a credit card, they've probably raised your rates," he adds. Obama also laments rising health insurance costs. He details major elements of his economic plan, including its proposal for a $1,000 tax cut for working couples, steps to reduce reliance on imported oil, bringing a "responsible end" to the war in Iraq and ending an "anything goes culture on Wall Street." "Doing these things won't be easy. But we're Americans," Obama says. Obama also discussed the AIG takeover McCain campaigned in Michigan, one of the states hardest hit by eight straight months of rising unemployment. At the General Motors Orion assembly plant, he told workers: "We are going to fight the special interests and corruption in Washington. We are going to fight the greed and irresponsibility on Wall Street." While both presidential candidates have called for tougher regulation of financial institutions and cracking down on Wall Street abuses, neither has come up with a detailed plan, nor gone so far as to endorse a proposal for the kind of massive federal intervention that took place in the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s and the early 1990s. Then, the Resolution Trust Corp. was established by Congress to acquire the real estate, mortgages and other assets of thousands of failed S&Ls. Some lawmakers suggest such a strategy may be needed to stabilize financial markets, rather than the ad hoc interventions the government has been doing. A day after extending a helping hand to AIG, the White House on Monday called the U.S. economy a mixed picture that would ultimately weather the current turmoil. Press secretary Dana Perino said help for other endangered companies would be considered on a "case-by-case basis." Both candidates have been adjusting to keep pace with a fast-changing situation in which financial markets have been buffeted by one j

Which is Obama more likely to accomplish: Ending Tax Cuts to the Rich,or Ending No-Bid contracts to Haliburton? The same goes for regulations on government contracts. In the past, Democratic and Republican administrations issued some contracts without competitive bidding for speed and to save money. When seeking the highest office in the land, Mr. Obama explicitly stated that he would not tolerate such practices. "I will finally end the abuse of no-bid contracts once and for all," he thundered to a Grand Rapids, Mich., audience on Oct. 2, 2008. "The days of sweetheart deals for Halliburton will be over when I'm in the White House." After becoming president, Mr. Obama continued the attack and promised on March 4 to "end unnecessary no-bid and cost-plus contracts. ... In some cases, contracts are awarded without competition. ... And that's completely unacceptable." That was then; this is now. Last week, the Army revealed that KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, was awarded a no-bid contract worth as much as $568 million through next year. This deal was announced only hours after the Obama Justice Department informed the public that it was joining a suit filed by whistleblowers who allege KBR used kickbacks to get foreign contracts. This isn't the first time the O Force broke its pledge against no-bid contracts. On Jan. 4, Checchi & Company Consulting, a Washington-based firmed owned by Democratic donor Vincent V. Checchi, was awarded a no-bid contract of more than $24 million to train lawyers and judges in Afghanistan. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/13/obamas-mounting-hypocrisy/

Rate the following cities please? I'm Italian,I'm gonna choose a city for a school exchange,please rate American cities with grades from 0 to 10 and explain why,for example Rome:9,it is a wonder city,full of history etc... New York (New York) - 8.214.426 Los Angeles (California) - 4.057.875 Chicago (Illinois) - 2.833.321 Houston (Texas) - 2.012.626 Phoenix (Arizona) - 1.552.519 Filadelfia (Pennsylvania) - 1.448.394 Dallas (Texas) - 1.314.893 San Diego (California) - 1.305.736 San Antonio (Texas) - 1.236.249 San Jose (California) - 945.522 Detroit (Michigan) - 918.675 Indianapolis (Indiana) - 791.926 San Francisco (California) - 776.733 Austin (Texas) - 656.562 Baltimore (Maryland) - 651.154 Boston (Massachusetts) - 589.141 Washington (distretto di Columbia) - 572.059 Nashville (Tennessee) - 569.891 El Paso (Texas) - 563.662 Seattle (Washington) - 563.374 Denver (Colorado) - 554.636 Portland (Oregon) - 529.121 Oklahoma City (Oklahoma) - 506.132 Tucson (Arizona) - 486.699 New Orleans (Louisiana) - 484.674 Las Vegas (Nevada) - 478.434 Cleveland (Ohio) - 478.403 Long Beach (California) - 461.522 Albuquerque (Nuovo Messico) - 448.607 Kansas City (Missouri) - 441.545 Atlanta (Georgia) - 416.474 Sacramento (California) - 407.018 Oakland (California) - 399.484 Mesa (Arizona) - 396.375 Omaha (Nebraska) - 390.007 Minneapolis (Minnesota) - 382.618 Miami (Florida) - 362.470 St. Louis (Missouri) - 348.189 Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) - 334.563 Cincinnati (Ohio) - 331.285 Tampa (Florida) - 303.447 Buffalo (New York) - 292.648 Corpus Christi (Texas) - 277.454 Aurora (Colorado) - 276.393 Raleigh (Carolina del Nord) - 276.093 Newark (New Jersey) - 273.546 Lexington-Fayette (Kentucky) - 260.512 Louisville (Kentucky) - 256.231 Riverside (California) - 255.166 St. Petersburg (Florida) - 248.232 Bakersfield (California) - 247.057 Birmingham (Alabama) - 242.820 Jersey City (New Jersey) - 240.055 Lincoln (Nebraska) - 225.581 Greensboro (Carolina del Nord) - 223.891 Plano (Texas) - 222.030 Glendale (Arizona) - 218.812 Madison (Wisconsin) - 208.054 Scottsdale (Arizona) - 202.705 Fremont (California) - 203.413 Montgomery (Alabama) - 201.568 Shreveport (Louisiana) - 200.145 Augusta (Georgia) - 199.775 Lubbock (Texas) - 199.564 Chesapeake (Virginia) - 199.184 Mobile (Alabama) - 198.915 Des Moines (Iowa) - 198.682 Grand Rapids (Michigan) - 197.800 Richmond (Virginia) - 197.790 Yonkers (New York) - 196.086 Spokane (Washington) - 195.629 Glendale (California) - 194.973 Tacoma (Washington) - 193.556 Irving (Texas) - 191.615 Huntington Beach (California) - 189.594 Modesto (California) - 188.856 Durham (Carolina del Nord) - 187.035 Columbus (Georgia) - 186.291 Orlando (Florida) - 185.951 Boise (Idaho) - 185.787 Winston-Salem (Carolina del Nord) - 185.776 San Bernardino (California) - 185.401 Jackson (Mississippi) - 184.256 Little Rock (Arkansas) - 183.133 Salt Lake City (Utah) - 181.743 Reno (Nevada) - 180.480 Newport News (Virginia) - 180.150 Chandler (Arizona) - 176.581 Laredo (Texas) - 176.576 Henderson (Nevada) - 175.381 Knoxville (Tennessee) - 173.890 Amarillo (Texas) - 173.627 Providence (Rhode Island) - 173.618 Chula Vista (California) - 173.556 Worcester (Massachusetts) - 172.648 Oxnard (California) - 170.358 Carolina (Porto Rico) - 168.164 Dayton (Ohio) - 166.179 Garden Grove (California) - 165.196 Oceanside (California) - 161.029 Tempe (Arizona) - 158.625 Huntsville (Alabama) - 158.216 Ontario (California) - 158.007 Chattanooga - 155.554 Ponce (Porto Rico) - 155.038 Fort Lauderdale (Florida) - 152.397 Springfield (Massachusetts) - 152.082 Springfield (Missouri) - 151.580 Santa Clarita (California) - 151.088 Salinas (California) - 151.060 Tallahassee (Florida) - 150.624 Rockford (Illinois) - 150.115 Pomona (California) - 149.473 Paterson (New Jersey) - 149.222 Overland Park (Kansas) - 149.080 Santa Rosa (California) - 147.595 Syracuse (New York) - 147.306 Kansas City (Kansas) - 146.866 Hampton (Virginia) - 146.437 Lakewood (Colorado) - 144.126 Vancouver (Washington) - 143.560 Irvine (California) - 143.072 Aurora (Illinois) - 142.990 Moreno Valley (California) - 142.381 Pasadena (Texas) - 141.674

what is this article about? im confused, can someone explain this for me? http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/08/18/20110818blacks-whites-see-racial-progress-differ-on-extent.html WASHINGTON - Amid preparations to unveil a national memorial in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a majority of Americans say King's dream of racial equality has been realized in the U.S., although a gulf between Blacks and Whites persists over how much remains to be done. A USA Today/Gallup Poll points to both pride and division on race relations. Nearly all - 90 percent of Whites and 85 percent of Blacks - say civil rights for Blacks have improved in the nation during their lifetime, although Whites are more likely to see the progress as far-reaching. "We have a long way to go, but I do think that we are changing," said Nancy Huizing, 70, a retired machinist from Grand Rapids, Mich., who is White and was among those polled. She sees much greater racial and ethnic diversity in her neighborhood, a fact reflected even in the foods available in the supermarket. Dawn Scott, 50, a caregiver for seniors from Bloomfield, Conn., who is Black, said racism continues but cited the election of the nation's first African-American president as evidence of King's legacy. "If he was alive, seeing what Barack (Obama) did, he'd be the proudest man on Earth," she said of the civil-rights leader. King was assassinated in 1968. Obama is scheduled to speak at the Aug. 28 dedication of the memorial, a nearly 31-foot-tall granite sculpture set amid cherry trees on the shore of the capital's Tidal Basin. A little more than half of those surveyed say King's dream of racial equality has been fulfilled, and an additional one in four says major progress has been made toward reaching it. Still, there is a chasm on some questions. Although nearly eight in 10 Whites say Blacks have an equal chance in their community to get any kind of job for which they are qualified, six in 10 African-Americans say job discrimination remains persistent. Six in 10 Blacks say the government should take a major role in trying to improve the social and economic position of Blacks and other minority groups. Just one in five Whites agrees. And 52 percent of Blacks say new civil-rights laws are needed, compared with 15 percent of Whites. "Whatever the civil-rights movement did or did not accomplish, there remain very different perspectives, on average, between Blacks and Whites on how they view the country," said Vincent Hutchings, a University of Michigan political scientist who studies racial politics. Still, on such non-policy issues as acceptance of interracial marriage or the prospect of a Black presidential candidate, "there is something verging on a sea change." The euphoria about race relations that surrounded Obama's groundbreaking presidential candidacy has faded. The day after his election in November 2008, a record 67 percent of Americans predicted the problem of race relations eventually would be worked out in the U.S. That view ebbs to 52 percent in the new poll, about where it was before Obama's political rise. Now, 45 percent of Whites and 55 percent of Blacks say race relations will always be a problem. In December 1963, four months after King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, only 26 percent of Blacks said race relations would always be a problem. At the time, seven in 10 predicted they eventually would be worked out. The poll of 1,319 adults was conducted Aug. 4-7. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points overall, 5 percentage points for Whites and 6 percentage points for Blacks.

If the illegal aliens weren't breaking the law by being here in the first place, would there be a need for CIR? If the illegal aliens weren't breaking the law by being here in the first place, would there be a need for comprehensive immigration reform? †††††††† Our Time to Fight for Immigration Reform is Now Democrats have become the party of "I can't," while Republicans have become the party of "I won't." But the overwhelming majority of Americans (conservatives, independents and everyone else) is saying, "Get to work on our nation's problems and fix the broken immigration system!" While the pundits, naysayers, and quitters in Washington are telling everyone that nothing can get done, the Campaign Reform Immigration FOR America is enlisting the American people in a massive effort to force the hand of the House, Senate, and President to finally fix our broken immigration system. You can feel the rumbling in the pews, at the town halls, and at overflow auditoriums across the country. In January the campaign organized more than 150 events across 40 states, that could barely accommodate the overflow crowds of Americans who wanted to voice their support for immigration reform. * In Denver, CO an overflow crowd of thousands cheered Senator Michael Bennett's pledge to champion comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate. * In Grand Rapids, MIhundreds gathered with community faith leaders to call on their elected leaders to get a comprehensive immigration bill done this year. * In Charlotte, NC overflow crowds gathered at a meeting of African American and Latino community leaders to show overwhelming support for reform. * 1,000 gathered on a cold night in Little Rock , AR to urge Senators Lincoln (D-AR) and Pryor (D-AR) to support immigration reform. * And in Ohio, a series of events all over the state culminated in a rally of thousands in Cincinnati - that included leadership from the African American, labor and business communities . * All this followed not long after more than 60,000 Americans mobilized for a single telephone call in October of 2009 with supportive leaders of reform in the U.S. Congress. In the last month, communities of faith have exhibited a courage and clarity that we wish our elected leaders would show. Religious leaders from across the theological and ideological spectrum and Members of Congress kicked off a nationwide mobilization called "Together, Not Torn: Families Can't Wait for Immigration Reform," that included the delivery of more than hundreds of thousands postcards to Members of Congress from people of faith in their states and districts. Over the course of the President's Day recess, local leaders from churches, small businesses, labor locals, and community organizations across the country descended on district offices. Americans in Ohio, Alaska, Arkansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states met with their Members of Congress to ask for comprehensive immigration reform to move forward in 2010. Some district offices, in fact, received a visit every hour, on the hour, for four days straight! This is beyond a campaign. This is America at its very core saying loud and clear we need a functioning immigration system that stops unscrupulous employers from exploiting American and immigrant workers, but encourages honest employers looking to play by the rules. Since June 1, 2009, the campaign has organized over 700,000 calls and faxes into the White House and Congress calling for reform. This is a significant a number of Americans but the decibel is nothing compared to that of an entire news channels (and multiple talk radio shows) that are primed and ready to scare Congress from endorsing an immigration solution that serves our nation. So, while our campaign is made up of over 750 faith, labor, business, progressive, African American, civil rights and immigrant organizations working to reform our immigration system in the interests of America's families, we need your help. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-noorani/our-time-to-fight-for-imm_b_476801.html

Egg processor fires 90 illegal workers what do you think of how fast Americans applied for these jobs? GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Saranac egg processor fired one-third of it workforce last week for failing to provide proper documenation. About 90 employees lost their jobs at Herbruck's following a crackdown by the federal government on employers hiring illegal immigrants. Like many employers, Herbruck's was audited by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and was red-flagged for a number of applications. ICE told the company it had to prove the citizenship of those workers or risk being prosecuted. A company spokesperson told 24 Hour News 8 they managed to replace all the workers and there has been no impact on its operation. Egg processor fires 90 illegal workers what do you think of how fast Americans applied for these jobs ?

How would you like to bill the city council? Man Bills Michigan Town $156 For Cleaning Bathroom SAUGATUCK, Mich. - A businessman said he was so frustrated with the condition of a public bathroom in the western Michigan tourist town of Saugatuck that he cleaned it himself, and billed the city $156 for his work. Steve Oswald told WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids that customers of his shop complained Aug. 9 about the condition of the bathroom. Oswald checked it out and said he "wouldn't have sat down there." He called a city official and soon got to work, spending 45 minutes cleaning. City Manager Kirk Harrier said the bathroom typically is cleaned twice daily, and he thinks it got dirty quickly because it was a busy tourist weekend. Since then, the city has increased cleanings. Harrier said the city appreciates Oswald's effort, but city council hasn't decided whether to pay him. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bathroom_bill;_ylt=AqxLoVcN2I_U5uAP3vjFDlPtiBIF Man Who Cleaned Public Restroom Gets Plunger Award SAUGATUCK, Mich. - Steve Oswald isn't getting back the $156.94 he charged the city for cleaning a public bathroom. However, he did get the attention of city officials who promised to take better care of the bathroom — and honored his efforts Tuesday with the Golden Plunger Award. Oswald, 45, said he didn't expect to be reimbursed after billing the west Michigan tourist town for the work he did last month. But he did say he appreciated the award, a toilet plunger spray-painted gold and set on an oak stand. WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids reports the city has replaced some of the fixtures in the bathroom and will hire a cleaning company to keep it tidy. Mayor Tony Vettori was quoted by The Grand Rapids Press as saying he was glad Oswald "lifted the lid on this problem." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080917/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bathroom_bill;_ylt=Anbt8FPZNJ3taqWb0.6rJV3tiBIF

How do you like the rhetoric of our PM: Legal order must constantly adapt itself to change? Hyderabad, Feb 6 (PTI) Developing countries needed a legal system that was conducive to rapid economic development and one that had a bulit-in mechanism to promote equitable distribution of gains from development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while inaugurating the 17th Commonwealth Law Conference here today.. http://in.news.yahoo.com/legal-order-must-constantly-adapt-itself-change-pm-20110205-223100-531.html Are you amused that the PM speaks of legal system and equitable distribution etc, while himself heading a Govt whose Ministers he does not question as per law and constitution, from doing corruption and draining massive revenues that should have gone into the Govt kitty, for development purposes? Where is question of 'equitable' development when the rulers themselves loot public money and resources intended for sections of citizens? What is the use of laws and constitution if the rulers pledging their loyalty to these would not honestly go by the same laws? The PM was supporting a mega scamster under the plea that he was just an alliance partner (an excuse not sustainable in law but a mere political expediency) whom the Cbi now takes into custody under serious charges of culpable offences! The major ruling party is also going in for further partnership with the same corrupt party with whom he had tough time pleading for the resignation of the corrupt member! Have law and ethics just become matters for public rhetoric only and no application by the grand proponents of the lofty ideals? Bang me if I appear to be unfair to Mr Honest or expose the PM for his duplicity, it is your time now to react! QUESTION IN YAHOO INDIA please. Mr MS! if the wrong doers would quote the lapses of others to get away with their evil actions, then no culprit would ever be prosecuted! Can Kasab question the Prosecution about the probity of the investigators or the other criminals in india, to get away with his crimes? Why does your logic repeatedly fail you so badly sir? Are you not aware that you are still in a democracy where the people, media and oppostion cannot simply be spectators of the Govt functioning, like in a Dictatorship? Don't you realize that your reply betrays the lack of any tangible excuses for the disturbing facts discussed in the poser? BJP could have been at fault as you tried to recall. I don't know how many would buy all the extreme allegations your party made against Modi - at least Gujarath, who was portrayed as the seat of injustice, had rejected all the mis propaganda! But BJP did lose the parliamentary elections for whatever misdeed it was associated with in public eye! At least accept that your pa contd.. ..your party is also ready to receive such verdict! Why do you try to shut others' mouths, on wrong pretexts? Bala sir, remember that Indian leaders were suppressed from expressing opinions in British rule and even from meeting people etc, to no avail! Truths do not need any stilts to survive, they are self sustaining. So you need not strain to defend the Truths! I had not put this question to Balas and Sudans, but for mainly the Congress fans only! Replies from stalwarts like MS exposes their inability to face the direct questions and makes them run around for shelters! That is the acid test I wanted to make! But this is also the warning to ALL politicians that they can not run away doing all evil things - That they would be grilled in every forum and stripped of their false shields of probity! MS continues to mislead the forum sibal style. It was not DR singh who dragged the BJP line by line like sibal or MS. So the Kasab analogy does not fit Dr singh but those who reply the charges by questioning people beyond the purview of the crime under discussion! And the critics do not claim to be Judges but represent the nation's conscience, to question the accused who mimic honesty! OK, thanks sir for your tacit admission that you have no reply to the poser except to enter into conflict outside the purview of the subject. This is more eloquent withdrawal than Sibal's counters that drew scores of caricatures across the country's frontline media! You can not reply to accusations by raining abuses on the non persons, outside the purview of the charges ! The dirty trick played here is that you consider the posers against the rulers as coming from opponents, rather than from citizens, to serve your tactic of heaping abuses! Even an opposition with significant public mandate is more qua contd... ... more qualified / nay intended to question Govt on suspected behaviour and entitled to get proper responses! You may raise your Qs on the lapses of your adversaries separately but not discuss them out of context to mess up the discussion in others' Qs! It is unbecoming of your stature as a senior contributor please!

Ladies, see all the crap you gotta go through when you beak-up with a guy? Whats the worst thing that ever happen to you post break-up? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/01/local_home_builder_accused_of.html

Do you agree with Ron Paul when he said Obama's health care would be incredibly expensive? <a href=http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/obamas_health_care_plan_will_b.html rel=nofollow>http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/i…</a> Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has a frank prescription for the health care plan making its way through Congress: Scrap it. I think it's monstrous, Paul said. I don't think it will improve medical care in this country. I think it's very, very costly and we don't have any money. And they don't have any way of paying for it. The libertarian GOP congressman and physician was in East Grand Rapids today for a private reception for what was touted as a conservative comeback luncheon. Paul is skeptical of estimates that peg the 10-year cost of the plan backed by President Barack Obama at $1 trillion. He puts it much higher. He noted that cost estimates for Medicaid and Medicare are often below the mark. On average, it's two or three times more expensive than they say. It's going to be incrediblity expensive. What do you think?