Tag: detroit

Detroit has worst High School Drop out rate

 and… on the home front:

Article: Study: Detroit Gets F In Grad Rate (via WXYZ-TV)

Seventeen of the nation’s 50 largest cities had high school graduation rates lower than 50 percent, with the lowest graduation rates reported in Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland, according to a report released Tuesday.

The report, issued by America’s Promise Alliance, found that about half of the students served by public school systems in the nation’s largest cities receive diplomas. Students in suburban and rural public high schools were more likely to graduate than their counterparts in urban public high schools, the researchers said.

Nationally, about 70 percent of U.S. students graduate on time with a regular diploma and about 1.2 million students drop out annually.

"When more than 1 million students a year drop out of high school, it’s more than a problem, it’s a catastrophe," said former Secretary of State Colin Powell, founding chair of the alliance.

Hmmmmmm… You don’t think it is because of that Socialism that I blogged about a while back do ya?

Thinking

Of course, our Liberal Government here in Michigan and in Washington D.C. will throw more money at it and institute more entitlement programs for the problem. More Band-aids to fix the leaking dam.

Of course, the Right Wing, Christian, "Let’s take America over for Jesus Christ!!" Zealots will say, "See? this is why we need Christian schools!!!!" I got news for you, I dropped out of a Christian School, Because I was 18 years old and I wasn’t learning anything. Yes, I admit it, I have A.D.H.D.  But Honestly? As someone who spent almost all of my young life in Christian Schools, the Majority of them are ran by unqualified feckless imbeciles, who wouldn’t have a clue as to how to be a teacher.

Oh, the stories I could tell about my experiences within the realm of "Christian Schools"!  It would be enough to make a liberal squeal with glee.    

I was in a school, the last one that I was in, before I quit, that used the program called the "A.C.E. Program".  A very nice program for people, who don’t have learning disabilities. Not to mention the theological indoctrination or as some would call it, Mind control. While praised by many within the Christian Community, I had a well-known Baptist Minister admit to me, that ACE wasn’t for everyone.  It is for those so-called "Perfect Children", you know, the ones who don’t have any learning disabilities, or as I like to call them, "The Beautiful People".

Speaking of that guy, (that is if you caught the reference…) Did you know that he grew up in Church? Boy, do we have quite a bit in common!

Anyhow, there’s the story about the crap schools in Detroit. Thank God, I never went to them, Well, except for Higgins and that was only for a year or two.

Michigan Political Leaders React to the Mayor's legal troubles

Update:

kilpatrickbeattyphoto The Booking Photo…. Aren’t they such a sweet couple? SickWinkingTongue

VIA WXYZ-TV:

 

State leaders ranging from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to Gov. Granholm Granholm are weighing in on the charges filed against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff.

REP. CANDICE MILLER

"I listened closely to the statement by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and today everyone was put on notice that no one is above the law." – Rep. Candice Miller, a Republican from Macomb County’s Harrison Township

L. BROOKS PATTERSON

"What we are witnessing is the 21st-century rerun of a classic Greek tragedy: fallen heroes, lost opportunities, unfulfilled promise." – L. Brooks Patterson, Republican Oakland County executive

GOV. GRANHOLM

"As the former attorney general and a former federal prosecutor, the governor realizes as well as anyone that it’s important the legal process be allowed to work." – Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a fellow Democrat

SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW

"This is very disturbing and I hope that it is resolved as soon as possible." – U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Additionally, The Governor of Michigan, said she will NOT remove the Mayor of Detroit, unless he in convicted of these charges. I guess Party loyalty goes a long way. Plus, she is possibly worried, that she could be perceived as a white woman, persecuting a black man. Identity Politics? You decide.

BREAKING NEWS!: Detroit's Mayor has surrendered to Authorities

Via WXYZ-TV:

These are the listing of charges against the Mayor of Detroit.

Count 1: Conspiracy to obstruct justice, up to five years in prison.

Count 2: Obstruction of justice, up to five years. He’s accused of firing Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown as part of an effort to illegally hamper a criminal investigation and committing perjury to hide the firing of Brown or a relationship between the mayor and Beatty.

Count 3: Misconduct in office, up to five years. He’s accused of firing Brown to hamper a criminal probe of Kilpatrick’s personal conduct or the conduct of his security unit and committing perjury to hide the firing.

Count 4: Misconduct in office, up to five years. He’s accused of authorizing the city to settle a whistle-blowers’ lawsuit with the motive of preventing the release of text messages showing the mayor and his aide lied under oath.

Count 5: Perjury in court, up to 15 years. He’s accused of lying under oath in August 2007 by saying he didn’t fire Brown, didn’t know Brown was investigating him or a rumored party at the mayor’s official residence and testifying falsely as to other circumstances surrounding the termination of Brown.

Count 6: Perjury in court, up to 15 years. He’s accused of falsely testifying in August 2007 that he didn’t have a romantic or sexual relationship with Beatty.

Count 7: Perjury outside court, up to 15 years. He’s accused of swearing falsely before a notary public in June 2003 as to the circumstances surrounding the "un-appointment" of Brown.

Count 8: Perjury outside court, up to 15 years. He’s accused of swearing falsely before a notary public in October 2004 as to the circumstances surrounding the "un-appointment" of Brown.

I will posting any and all details regarding this case, as it get them.

BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Mayor's Former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty has turned herself into Authorities.

It is being reported that Detroit’s Mayor former chief of staff, Christine Beatty has turned herself in. Beatty turned herself in at the Wayne County Sheriff’s facility in Westland on Henry Ruff Road.

Finally, there is a list of counts against her, These charges include:

Via WXYZ-TV:

Charges Against Beatty….

Count 1: Conspiracy to obstruct justice, up to five years.

Count 2: Obstruction of justice, up to five years. She’s accused of firing Brown to hamper a criminal investigation and committing perjury to hide the firing of Brown or a relationship between Beatty and the mayor.

Count 3: Misconduct in office, up to five years. She’s accused of firing Brown to hamper a criminal probe of Kilpatrick’s personal conduct or the conduct of his security unit and committing perjury to hide the firing.

Count 4: Perjury in court, up to 15 years. She’s accused of lying under oath in August 2007 by saying Brown wasn’t fired, she didn’t know Brown was investigating the mayor or a rumored party at the mayor’s official residence and testifying falsely as to other circumstances surrounding the termination of Brown.

Count 5: Perjury in court, up to 15 years. She’s accused of lying under oath in August 2007 that she didn’t have a romantic or sexual relationship with the mayor and that she didn’t use her communication device to send or receive messages of a sexual nature to the mayor.

Count 6: Perjury outside court, up to 15 years. She’s accused of swearing falsely before a notary public in December 2003 that she didn’t know Brown was investigating the rumored party. She also is accused of swearing falsely as to the circumstances surrounding Brown’s termination.

Count 7: Perjury outside court, up to 15 years. She’s accused of swearing falsely before a notary public in December 2003 that she wasn’t aware of the mayor’s "philandering."

I am working on getting a detailed list of charges against the Mayor. Stay tuned.

BREAKING NEWS!: 12 Count indictment against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his Former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty!

The hands of justice have moved and it was not pretty at all.

The Mayor of the City of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty, have both combined, been charged with a 12 count indictment.

The Article Via MSNBC:

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, a one-time rising star and as Detroit’s youngest elected leader, was charged Monday with perjury and other counts after sexually explicit text messages surfaced that appear to contradict his sworn denials of an affair with a top aide.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy also charged the popular yet polarizing 37-year-old mayor with obstruction of justice and misconduct in office.

Former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty, 37, who also denied under oath that she and Kilpatrick shared a romantic relationship in 2002 and 2003, was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice.

In all, Worthy authorized a 12-count criminal information.

It is truly a sad day in Detroit. I was born and raised in that fine city. I am 35 years old. I have never, ever, in my entire life, seen anything like this in this town, ever. It is truly amazing.

I honestly thought,  that this case would be dismissed. I really did not think that the prosecutor would charge him at all. Thankfully, I was wrong.

There is live coverage from all the networks here in Detroit.

WXYZ-TV is providing full coverage, including live streaming. 

WDIV-TV is providing full coverage, including live streaming

WJBK-TV is also providing full coverage, including Live Streaming

I am now Live Blogging the event, I will post update as information, as I get it.

and by the way…. Kilpatrick is a Democrat!…

—

Update: I also forgot to put in this report, that the Mayor and Beatty are expected, by Prosecutor Kym Worthy, to turn themselves in by 7 a.m. Tuesday. Kilpatrick has said that he will not resign. However, I personally think that he will resign, seeing the circumstances. However, I would be wrong.

Update 2: The AP is now Providing coverage. Posted a Breit Bart’s site. How convenient. 

The Mayor is supposed to hold a Press conference at 12 Noon.  Waiting

Update 3: 12:30 still no presser. Still waiting……

Update 4: Don Surber says name that party!

Update 5: The press conference finally happened, The Mayor read a prepared statement, His attorney said he advised the Mayor NOT to resign. Said the Mayor will not me tried in the Media, but in a court of law, that there will be jury trial. Although, there are rumblings that the city counsel will pass a resolution forcing him to resign. I quite frankly, wish that the Governor of Michigan would force him out. However, seeing that both in the same political party, I highly doubt this will happen. Local coverage just ended here. It should be interesting around here. I will be Blogging it all.

Update 6: For those wanting to know, I do not live in Detroit proper, I used to, I moved away in 1989. I now live in the southern suburbs of Detroit. I will take any and all interview requests or emails at tpblogeditor at gmail dot com.     

Update 7: Memeorandum has full coverage on this story. and my Buddy Ryan, who is a Blogger from Ann Arbor, has an entry too.

Update 8: According to the Detroit Free Press, this is nothing new:

Two previous Detroit mayors have been charged with felonies, both after leaving office.

Mayor Richard Reading, mayor in 1938-40, was sentenced to 4-1/2 to 5 years in prison after being charged with conspiring with 80 policemen to protect Detroit’s numbers racket. Mayor Louis Miriani, mayor from 1957-62, was sentenced to one year in prison for income tax evasion after leaving office.

So, nothing new here, corruption goes back, way back….. I also knew about the numbers racket charge from the 1940’s. I wasn’t aware of the Tax Evasion charge, Wow, learn something new everyday. I also know that Detroit Former Mayor, Coleman A. Young, was very much known to be connected to corruption in the 1980’s. Nothing was ever proven, there was the rumor that Young had the investigators on the take. Again that was rumor and nothing was proven.

Update 9:  The Detroit News reports a detail account of the charges:

Kilpatrick faces a total of eight counts — one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice, both of which are five-year felonies. He is charged with two counts of misconduct in office, two counts of perjury in a court proceeding and two counts of perjury other than a court proceeding. Those charges are 15-year felonies.

Beatty is facing seven counts — one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office. In addition, she is charged with two counts each of perjury in a court proceeding, a 15-year felony, and perjury other than a court proceeding, also a 15-year-felony.

Also, Mayor’s lawyer has said he will attempt to get the text messages thrown out of court, because the messages were, supposedly, obtained illegally.

Live Blogging is complete, But I will continue to follow the story and I will post on what I know.

Shocka! Detroit Mayor says, "I ain't going anywhere!"

Am I shocked? No. Surprised? Yes.

The Story: Stalemate in Detroit: City Council Asks Mayor to Resign, but He Refuses to Go (via New York Times)

Quote:

The City Council on Tuesday asked Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick to resign in light of evidence that he had lied under oath and plotted to cover up an extramarital affair with his former chief of staff.

The 7-to-1 Council vote is not binding, and Mr. Kilpatrick has vowed to remain in office.

Nonetheless, the Council’s action is a political blow for the mayor, and support for the measure was greater than expected. Council members spoke highly of Mr. Kilpatrick but said he could no longer govern effectively, given the scandal that has enveloped Detroit for nearly two months.

“It is a vote of no confidence in the mayor’s ability to move the city forward at this time,” said Councilwoman Sheila M. Cockrel, who drafted some of the 33 reasons listed in the resolution for the mayor to step down. “It is a tragedy — an enormous talent that has been squandered.”

The mayor’s spokeswoman, Denise Tolliver, reiterated Mr. Kilpatrick’s determination to remain in office.

“While certain members have been playing judge and jury in the court of public opinion, Mayor Kilpatrick has continued to stay focused on advancing bold initiatives, such as his economic stimulus package,” she said in a statement. “As Mayor Kilpatrick has said before, he will stay in office, he will stay focused on city business, and he will continue to lead our city forward.”

As others have pointed out, this article fails to mention that the Major of Detroit is, in fact, a Democrat. His Mother is a Democrat Michigan Representative. Her name is Carolyn Kilpatrick. Which is why, as many locally suspect, is why he was elected Mayor, His mommy pulled the right strings. Mike Hendrix, a local man who ran against him, suspected that there was tampering of the polls. However, these charges were dismissed by many.

Do I think he should resign? Yes, I do. He disgraced the office and the fallout will be region-wide. However, it might not matter, there is a full scale investigation going on and the results will be released next week. Should be interesting indeed.

Others on this: Matthew Yglesias, NewsBusters.org, Associated Press and JammieWearingFool (via Memeorandum)

Playbook TV from Politico

Here’s today’s edition of Playbook TV from Politico.com, while I attempt to wake up, read my e-mails, and generally figure out what the heck I want to Blog about…

Detroit, Michigan's mayor, A Case Study of Abject Stupidity.

 Check this out…

The Story: Mayor’s Office Defends Use of ‘N-Word’ (via WXYZ.COM)

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR’S OFFICE…
The Mayor acted with courage and conviction in making the public aware of the threats against his life and the lives of his wife and children.  He did so for no other reason than to rebuke the bigots and hate mongers who issued the threats.  As he said in his address; “we must turn to each other, and not on each other.” 
It is not the Mayor who has resurrected the n-word, nor is it the Mayor who inserted race into the discussion. 
The people who are responsible are those who sent the despicable emails, letters, and telephone calls, all of which use the n-word in describing the Mayor and his family.  We urge those criticizing the Mayor regarding this issue to focus their condemnation on those who spewed the hatred rather than the victim of the hatred.
Denise Tolliver
Press Secretary
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

This is a full glimpse into the idiotic logic of the Mayor of Detroit.

"They called me a Nigger first, I just repeated the term."

What an idiot.

Live by Identity Politics, Die by Identity Politics.

What is it?

identity politics
n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

Political attitudes or positions that focus on the concerns of social groups identified mainly on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation: “However, identity politics, whether in the guise of nationalism, feminism, or some other form of political expression is on the defensive these days” (Clarence Lusane).

 

The point I am trying to make is. This man is joke of a Mayor. He will forever be remembered as the Mayor of Detroit, who could not keep his penis in his pants or for his wife. Who was absolutely corrupt and when confronted, he played the race card……towards his own people. 

Quite a Legacy, No Doubt. 

Editorial: Mr. Mayor, You are wrong!

While the national media today is focusing on the moral failure of the Governor of the State of New York.  We here in the State of Michigan and those in the city of Detroit and the many suburbs of this great city are watching in utter horror as a Mayor is attempting to turn a failure, of his own making, into a race war.

Mr. Mayor, You sir, created this mess.  You were the one, who had the extra-marital affair, you sir, were the one, who used a device, bought by your own governmental organization, to provide accountability to your office.  You sir, were the one, who foolishly used this device to commit criminal offenses and were the one, who was caught.

This whole mess was created by you and you alone.  It was not created by the local media.  The local media did not have sex with another woman, while still married to your wife, the local media did not lie to a federal judge and a grand jury and give a settlement to people trying to sue the city of Detroit.  Further more the Media did not attempt to cover this up either.  These things were committed by you and you alone.

As if this all were not enough, YOU have the blatant audacity to turn this scandal of your own doing, into a racial matter! This and the utter abject “pimping” of your wife and children to rally your supporters around you, is utterly detestable.

Mr. Mayor, You said something that troubles me, you said and I quote:

“In the past 30 days, I’ve been called a nigger more than any time in my entire life.  In the past three days, I have received more death threats than I have in my entire administration.  I’ve heard these words before, but I’ve never heard people say them about my wife and children.”

Mr. Mayor, while I personally think that it is reprehensible that someone would threaten to harm your wife, children, and yes, even you.  The fact remains, the people that are attempting to investigate your wrong doings, are not those of the Anglo Saxon race; like me, they are your own people!  They are black; they are African-American, Just like you! 

Therefore, for you to go up on a stage, and complain that the “big bad media” is picking on you and use terms like “unethical, illegal lynch-mob” is totally out of bounds, and further it smacks of something that the Republicans constantly accuse the Democrats of partaking in, that being Identity Politics.

Further more, Mr. Mayor, This is not 1964, this is the year 2008, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of racial equality has been realized, the Selma, Alabama bridge has been crossed already, so, why are you attempting to turn back the clock?  Why are you trying to go back across the bridge and stir up something that has been resolved for years?  It does not make any sense, at all.

Mr. Mayor, you have totally disgraced this city, this state, and your office as a whole.  Please, for the sake of the city of Detroit, the State of Michigan and for the viable future of it.  Do the one thing left that can provide atonement for the sins that you carried out while in office:

Resign.

Resign and reclaim what little dignity you still have left.

This nation is at a crossroads; the Bush Administrations reign of warmongering is about over, the democrat party has the nation’s first African-American Presidential candidate that is about to take office.  We have already had one scandal in the State of New York; we do not need another dent in the party’s armor.  

However, realistically, I know that you will not listen, you will do, just what our embattled President in Washington DC is doing, surround yourself with people, that will tell you exactly what you WANT to hear.  Instead of people that will tell you, what you NEED to hear.  

I thought that a man from the City of Detroit, and a democrat, no less, would be better than that sort of political tone deafness.  I must have been mistaken, because what I am seeing from you, Mr. Mayor, is just that, George W. Bush, with black skin.

I hope, Mr. Mayor that you will awake from your Political tone deafness soon, because the future and the legitimacy of the city of Detroit rests in that awakening. I just hope that you do not wait, until that moment has come and gone.

And that’s the way I see it…..

Cross-Posted on my Blog @ Detroit Free Press