TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalControversial lyrics raise calls of racism during dance performance for Noblesville Duck Race
A performance during the annual Noblesville Duck Race this weekend is under scrutiny, after children from a local dance company performed to a song from the movie "Hairspray" with controversial lyrics.
While passing by the performance Saturday, an individual stopped to take a video of EnPointe Indiana dancers performing to the song "Nicest Kids in Town," before posting it to Facebook.
During the video, children can be seen performing in the street in front of a crowd as the song plays and the lyrics “nice white kids who like to lead the way and once a month we have our ‘negro day’ ” can be heard.
Since the performance, the post has been shared more than 400 times and has more than 250 comments with some individuals reacting in surprise and others expressing their disgust with the Noblesville dance company's music choice.
Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2020/07/26/lyrics-during-dance-performance-noblesville-indiana-stir-complaints-racism/5515426002/
Indiana Democrats call for special session to address police reform, coronavirus pandemic
Indiana Democrats on Tuesday called for a legislative special session to address police reform and the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Eric Holcomb so far has declined to call a special session, instead taking executive action on a number of issues largely related to the pandemic. Republican legislative leaders say they don't believe a session is merited at this point.
Asked at a news conference Tuesday, Holcomb said he would look at any recommendations offered by Democrats.
"It's not on my agenda right now," he said of a special session, "but that's the first that I've heard of it. So they must've had their own press conference when we were having ours. I'll absolutely look at everything that they're recommending. I don't want to be presumptuous here, but I'm assuming they're talking to the leaders in their chambers as well about that possibility. They'll have a say-so as well."
Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/21/indiana-democrats-call-special-session-police-coronavirus/5478621002/
Iran moves mock aircraft carrier to sea amid US tensions
Source: AP
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has moved a mock aircraft carrier to the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the U.S., satellite photographs released Monday show, likely signalling the Islamic Republic soon plans to use it for live-fire drills.
An image from Maxar Technologies taken Sunday shows an Iranian fast boat speed toward the carrier, sending waves up in its wake, after a tugboat pulled her out into the strait from the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
Iranian state media and officials have yet to acknowledge bringing the replica out to the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil passes. However, its appearance there suggests Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is preparing an encore of a similar mock-sinking it conducted in 2015.
The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, which patrols Mideast waterways, remains “confident in our naval forces’ ability to defend themselves against any maritime threat," said spokeswoman Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich when asked about the faux carrier's movements.
Read more: https://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/nation_world/iran-moves-mock-aircraft-carrier-to-sea-amid-us-tensions/article_87a50e4f-b0b4-59ed-b281-81dcff1786dd.html
Study advocates government involvement in revitalizing state's tourism industry
ANDERSON — Perhaps no industry has been more drastically affected by the coronavirus pandemic than travel and tourism.
Worldwide, the industry creates one out of every 10 jobs and, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the pandemic has led to more than 100 million job losses in that sector.
A recent report by two professors at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business suggests that the damage to the tourism industry in Indiana is so extensive, government intervention is needed.
“The economic recovery for the industry in Indiana will require a strong governmental response, funneling funds into improving the tourism infrastructure and ensuring visitors in Indiana that they will be safe to travel to and in Indiana,” said Craig Webster, an associate professor of hospitality and food management at Ball State.
Read more: https://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/coronavirus/study-advocates-government-involvement-in-revitalizing-states-tourism-industry/article_b3657ab0-cc5d-11ea-ac7a-7736da368207.html
(Anderson Herald Bulletin)
Flint mayor calls for end to violence after weekend shootings leave 12 injured
FLINT, MI -- City leaders in Flint pleaded with residents to end the violence after a rash of weekend shootings left 12 people injured, including six at a popup party in a parking lot.
Flanked by police, clergy, and Flint City Council Vice President Maurice Davis, Mayor Sheldon Neeley said police were on site Saturday night in the Hallwood Plaza near the intersection of Clio and Pierson roads.
That’s where shots were fired by people in a crowd of approximately 3,000.
Six people were shot, with all the victims listed in good condition at a local hospital. Information was not immediately available from police on the six additional shooting victims that were injured elsewhere in the city.
Read more: https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2020/07/flint-mayor-calls-for-end-to-violence-after-weekend-shootings-leave-12-injured.html
Fems for Dems protest outside Lucido campaign fundraiser in Shelby Township
Macomb County prosecutor candidate Pete Lucido’s birthday celebration fundraiser Thursday had some unwelcome guests outside protesting his candidacy due to sexual harassment claims against him.
Fems for Dems Macomb County organized a car rally in the parking lot of the fundraiser at the Palazzo Grande banquet hall in Shelby Township on Thursday evening. The cars were plastered with messages such as “Don’t Tell No Lies ..” and “... And Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and “No Misogyny.”
“We feel we need to stop Pete Lucido,” said Kristina Lodovisi, a Fems for Dems board member. “We don’t want him in a position of power where he can abuse and take advantage of people he was elected to protect.”
Lucido, a Republic state senator from Shelby Township, earlier this year was stripped by the Senate of his chairmanship of the Advice and Consent Committee and was ordered to undergo “training” due to the allegations. Three women – a news reporter, a fellow senator and a trade group representative – came forward with allegations of harassing comments by Lucido.
Read more: https://www.macombdaily.com/news/elections/fems-for-dems-protest-outside-lucido-campaign-fundraiser-in-shelby-township/article_510c29fe-cde8-11ea-95a8-97b983f122b5.html
How a 'secret bar' is surviving the pandemic -- and trying to be a good neighbor
When bars and restaurants were forced to close in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many owners had to change their business models by offering curbside service, specials or delivery to survive the economic hit.
However, for one Grands Rapids speakeasy-style bar, being the city’s “best kept secret” is still part of the plan, although people are going out less than ever to get a drink.
On the second floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, an unassuming door, with a keypad on the left and hand sanitizer on the right, welcomes people back to IDC, a ‘70s-themed secret bar located in the heart of the city.
The name of the bar, IDC, stands for “I Don’t Care,” a tongue-in-cheek response to the age-old question, “Where do you want to go tonight?”
Read more: https://www.michiganadvance.com/2020/07/26/how-a-secret-bar-is-surviving-the-pandemic-and-trying-to-be-a-good-neighbor/
State employee furloughs end Saturday, won't resume this fiscal year
LANSING — State workers will resume their normal schedules starting Sunday after weeks of temporary furloughs enacted as cost-saving measure during the coronavirus pandemic.
The bulk of the state workforce, more than 31,000 out of almost 50,000, were furloughed one day per week from mid-May through the pay period that ends Saturday.
Furloughs won't be extended during this fiscal year, Office of State Employer spokesperson Kurt Weiss said in an email Thursday.
A hiring freeze also remains in effect throughout this fiscal year, Weiss said. The state still is allowed to hire new employees to address the ongoing COVID-19 emergency, fulfill a legal or court order, work in positions that are critical to health, safety and welfare of Michigan citizens or if the new hires save money in the state budget.
Read more: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/07/24/state-worker-furloughs-end-saturday/5495013002/
Negative campaign mailers circulate in primary race for Delta Township supervisor
DELTA TWP. - The incumbent has a record of a police call for a domestic dispute in 2011. His challenger has a criminal record from more than a decade ago.
Voters deciding between two Democrats vying for Delta Township supervisor in the Aug. 4 Primary Election have received mailers about both in the last month.
Incumbent Ken Fletcher, 54, has held the position for more than a decade. He faces Joshua Lyman, 33, in the primary. No Republican candidates are listed on the primary ballot.
Lyman denies any connection to mailers, videos or robocalls focused on discrediting Fletcher.
Read more: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2020/07/24/negative-mailers-circulate-delta-township-supervisor-race/5481778002/
Jane Lumm does not belong in a Democratic primary
Ann Arbor 2nd Ward City Council Member Jane Lumm has run as a Republican, Independent and this year, Democrat. She’s changed parties more frequently than hairstyles. Who can blame her? She goes with what works. For her.
But if you’re progressive in any way, you sure as hell shouldn’t vote for her.
But “She responds to me!” you say?
As her former City Council colleague wrote, of course she’s cordial to constituents. “But I ask you to consider this: responsiveness or helpfulness on neighborhood-based issues means very little when their votes and policy decisions are severely hurting the overall financial position and public health of the city.”
Lumm consistently pushes for more police even as crime falls and policies that redline property values, rallying to save the golf course near her home instead of pushing for affordable housing allowing working class folks to live where they work. Mgoblog nailed it: Lumm (and a vote for her) is NIMBY. Ann Arbor’s professed progressive values are imposed on other areas, but not in our own backyard.
Read more: https://www.eclectablog.com/2020/07/jane-lumm-does-not-belong-in-a-democratic-primary.html
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,127
