More from the critics

The Lyrical Gangster has gone global!!! Reader feedback has reached us from the United Kingdom. Please see the comments section to the post titled "Smart Car Update Part 2: It's Official."

Here we hear from one "Wanderingscribe", whose own blog says "For the past five months I have been living alone in a car at the edge of the woods — jobless and homeless and totally unable to find a way out of it. I can't sing, I can't dance, I can't scream loudly enough, alI I can do is write."

And write she does, including the following praise for The Lyrical Gangster:

"WHO CARES?

YOU ARE JUST A BORING RETARD. PLEASE CLOSE DOWN THIS BLOG."

Mom? Is that you again?

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor. The Cat Menace Edition

It seems Victoria Neff has struck a nerve. As you will no doubt recall, Ms. Neff brought to our attention the serious problem of attack cats on bloody rampages through her neighborhood. Her letter in a previous post contained a not-so veiled threat to kill the neighbors cats if they don't keep them inside. Well, it seems Ms. Neff is not alone, as the two letters below demonstrate.

"Cats should be indoor pets or on leash outside

"I have considered many times to write a letter concerning outdoor cats. So I was thrilled, along with my husband, to see the June 20 letter written by Victoria L. Neff regarding the problem Ann Arbor and surrounding areas like Scio Township have with so many outdoor cats. I, too, believe that cats are indoor pets. My husband feeds the birds and squirrels. We will see the neighborhood cats carrying away their kill from our feeders. We've even had to rescue bunnies from these cats.

"Most of these outdoor cats are not neutered or spayed or have current vaccinations. The Humane Society already has so many felines. Due to a rabies issue, some cities have ordinances that any cat outside must be on a leash or you are fined. The article regarding the young boys being bit by a rabid bat is a good indication that maybe this should be considered here. Who knows what diseases these cats are carrying?

"We have two indoor cats. They enjoy and get so excited looking out the window watching the birds or anything that moves. If they do go outside, they are on a leash and always supervised with my husband and me. I think it is very inconsiderate for the pet and the neighbors to allow their animal to roam freely. Hopefully, Ms. Neff's letter along with my letter will bring some awareness of this problem.

Cheryl A. Mullins, Ann Arbor"

Thank you Cheryl. Now to another Cheryl

"Cat owners should follow dog owners' lead

I definitely agree with Victoria Neff in her June 20 letter regarding the problems with neighborhood cats and would like to share a portion of a letter that I submitted to our association on June 8:

"Unfortunately, we can no longer feed the backyard birds, open certain windows or allow our indoor cats on the screened porch in the evening - all due to the aggravating invasion of neighborhood cats. They kill the birds, make our planting areas into smelly litter boxes and are aggressive toward and torment our cats.

"Obviously, cats do what comes naturally; therefore, blame must fall upon the irresponsible cat owners who do not have the decency and consideration to keep their pets off other people's property. I wonder how they (outdoor cat owners) would react to dogs in their yards, killing birds, digging and defecating. The management of an individual's pet is a personal matter until issues arise that affect other people by creating unwelcome and bothersome problems.

"In relatively densely populated residential areas, I feel that cats should be under the same rules as dogs when outside, that is, leashed, on a "tie-out,'' or in a confined, fenced area. This would also provide a much safer environment for the pet. The respect and responsibility that is exhibited by our neighborhood dog owners should be an example for others.

Cheryl A. Navan, Saline"

Smart Car Update Part 2: It's Official

This from the AP


"DETROIT (AP) -- DaimlerChrysler AG will begin selling its funky, two-seat Smart car in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2008, the automaker's CEO said Wednesday.
The decision -- announced by Dieter Zetsche during an appearance in Detroit -- is a watershed moment for Smart, which has not posted a profit since it was formed in 1998.
The car will be distributed by auto retailer UnitedAuto Group, which will be responsible for awarding potential dealers and developing and maintaining a Smart vehicle dealership network throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico."

Starbucks trivia

Who is the editor of the Daily Planet?

Answer

Smart Car Update

Der Spiegel magazine in Germany is reporting that Daimler Chrylser has decided to bring the Smart Car to the United States!!! I love these little cars.

The story is here.

"DaimlerChrysler is to launch its Smart car in the United States for the first time. The company is expected to announced on Tuesday that the new two-seater ForTwo model, due for release in 2007, will go on sale across the Atlantic... The Smart ForTwo is just eight feet long by five feet wide, and fits into half of a typical parking place. It is hoped that the model may be able to exploit concerns in the US over rising fuel prices, where gasoline is approaching $3 a gallon. The price rise has sparked a new interest in smaller cars with more fuel-efficient engines."

It gets 60 miles per gallon, will probably sell for about $15,000 and is surprisingly roomy in the passenger compartment.

Starbucks trivia

In the scene in Gone With the Wind where Atlanta is being burned down, the set of what other popular movie is actually being burned?

Answer

Return to Port Huron

Several times a year, The Cheat gets nostalgic and requires a trip to Port Huron, Michigan, the place where the two of us were joined together in marital bliss. Sunday was such a day, after plans for a previous engagement fell through.

It was perfect weather for a trip to PH. Here we are with the bright blue waters of the St. Clair River behind us. On the other side of the Blue Water Bridge in the background is the very southern tip of Lake Huron. That's Canada you see on the right hand side of the picture. Needless to say, we try and avoid Canada.

Here's The Cheat walking along the river at the new waterfront park. I wrote about this as a newspaper reporter in Port Huron when it was nothing more than a far-fetcthed dream. I was so glad to see it worked out even better than I'd imagined.

It's our very second apartment together. The first one only lasted a couple weeks since the sum total of our Earthly possessions more than doubled (way more) once the female member of the family moved in. The top floor apartment of this converted warehouse is where we spent most of our first year of marriage. The top window on the right side of the building was our bedroom.
Peering out the car window as two freighters pass each other right in front of us, a pretty regular occurrence.

Don't jump! I still love you.














The Cheat really wanted you guys to see this. This picture is the point where the slow moving Black River joins the much faster moving St. Clair River. Though the Black River isn't necessarily dirtier, sediment suspended in air (or water or whatever) combined with light creates the appearance that the water is brown. It's not. No more than the St. Clair's water is blue. But it is a cool shot, no?

There's the honeymooners. Not a bad self-portrait.

It was a nice day. But it's been an amazing six and a half years of marriage.

Belated Grand Haven Pictures

Sitting on the sandy beach in Grand Haven this time of year, watching the waves roll in and soaking up the sun, it is nearly impossible to distinguish this sleepy West Michigan town from the beaches of Southern California (except for traffic and salt water). A few of us took the plunge (literally and figuratively) last weekend and had an absolute blast.

Here's Nirmal, Dr. Rob and somebody's feet.



Camera crews for Girls Gone Wild were there. By the way, this is what happens when Irish people spend all of their time inside the hospital for several years in a row.



Here's Jim at our campsite. You can see the sand, and yes we did actually camp right on the beach. The water is right on the other side of that building.

I'm open. Hit me over the middle.

Zach lines up a 30-footer for Eagle. That guy was unstoppable.

I AM TIGER WOODS!!! (Nike commercial? Anybody?)

Helmet law stays

Governor Granholm has vetoed the Legislature's attempted repeal of Michigan's motorcycle helmet law. The bikers are understandably frustrated. This year's passage of the helmet law repeal is the first time both houses had passed such a measure in the same legislative session.

According to this Free Press story, the Governor vetoed the bill at 2:30 on Friday and by 3:15 the biker special interest group ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education) announced it would support Dick Devos in his bid to unseat Granholm this November.

"'We intend to send out voters guide to our 60,000 members,' said Jim Rhoades, legislative director of ABATE. 'A lot of people who supported her previously, especially union people, won't be behind her now.'"

I seriously doubt this will cost her the election, but it's an example of further erosion of the Democrats traditional base here in Michigan. The party has become less and less the party of Lunchbucket Larry and his motorcycle buddies and more and more beholden to Deaniac left-wing elitists.

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor

Bikers, drivers and pedestrians may be duking it out, but apparently there is peace between runners and drivers, as is evidenced by this letter.

"Runner thanks driver, volunteers for their help

"I recently ran the Ann Arbor/Dexter 10K race. It was my first time and I was unsure of the drop-off locations for the starting line. About 10 minutes before the start of the race, I realized I was at the 5K start. In a panic, I asked local volunteers to help me get to the 10K starting line.

"An officer pointed me in the direction of a volunteer with a car. Another volunteer and his wife passed me and overheard my request for a ride. Without a moment's hesitation, he offered to drive me to the starting line. On the way, he made wonderful conversation about the history of the race, his family members who have ran the past races, and the area metroparks. Not once did he mention that I may not make it in time or imply that this was an inconvenience to him.

"Not only did he manage to calm my frazzled nerves, but he got me to the starting line just in time - and without breaking any driving laws! I jumped out of his car without asking his name and I never saw him after the race. I would like to send a sincere thank you to this man for going out of his way to help me. The entire team of volunteers seemed to do an excellent job at making sure this event went smoothly. Thank you, volunteers! We could not have done it without you.

Jennifer L. Rowley, Ypsilanti

AATA bus tax update

As discussed previously, in a post below, the AATA bus system is considering asking Washtenaw County voters for a property tax increase to operate its bus system after the City of Ypsilanti stopped making obligatory payments. The Ann Arbor News reports that the nonprofit AATA's board of directors has agreed to hire a Lansing based P.R. firm to help it research the possibility of a county-wide tax. If a county-wide tax is approved, the board is considering operating the bus system throughout the county, an expansion of the routes that currently run in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti only.

The still unanswered question is the effect of such a proposed tax on Ann Arbor taxpayers, who are already paying a dedicated property tax to fund the AATA. Unlike Ypsilanti, the City of Ann Arbor is also making direct payments to AATA on top of the property taxes its residents pay.

Attentive readers will also recall that Ann Arbor property taxes are already sky high. The owner of an average priced home pays about $5,645 a year, or $470 each month, in property taxes. This currently includes about $250 a year, or $20 a month, to fund the AATA.

The question asked previously and still unanswered is whether this proposed millage increase would simply put taxpayers in the rest of the county on par with Ann Arbor (at least as far as bus service goes) or whether Ann Arbor residents are going to be asked to pay a new tax in addition to paying the existing tax as well as funding the direct payments the city makes to the AATA.

Starbucks trivia

What song was the first hit of the Four Tops?

Answer

Who is this man?

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor

The Letters section of the Ann Arbor News has been very active lately. There's lots of good advice being given. And the war between drivers, walkers and bikers continues.

First we learned that pedestrians are a threat to drivers. Then we learned that drivers are a threat to cyclists. This letter informs us of a new threat to public safety here in A2.

"Bicyclists shouldn't be riding on city sidewalks

"In the wake of the latest to-and-fro over bicycling safety in Ann Arbor, I write to remind cyclists that their frequent riding on sidewalks is forbidden by city ordinance, as a call to the city police station will confirm. That the ordinance seems infrequently enforced at best does not absolve cyclists of the duty to obey it.

"As a frequent pedestrian in our fair city, I feel constantly in danger from cyclists whose path along the sidewalk where I am walking is unpredictable when approaching me on my front or who totally blindside me when they come up unannounced from behind.

"It is obvious from the most recent exchange in The Ann Arbor News letters' column on this issue that there is room for common sense, courtesy and legal observance by car drivers and bicyclists alike. The responsibility for safety cuts all ways.

Peter J. Bertocci, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor Part 2

This letter details a litany of complaints, many of which I've been meaning to raise myself, including the obligatory driver safety advice. And a shot-out to the troops!

"A lack of responsibility and respect abounds

"I'm stunned at the audacity of the researchers who termed "Intermittent Explosive Disorder.'' Isn't IED an improvised explosive device that blows up, kills and injures our men and women fighting for our country and freedom? Hardly appropriate for those selfish jerks driving with me-first attitudes that never learned self-control.

"Why do we feel it necessary to label everything a disorder? How about personal responsibility? I'm exasperated with everyone blaming everything else; lack of control is now a disorder? Quit calling them accidents. They're mostly crashes. Accidents are unavoidable. Watch the road, don't look up phone numbers, reach for something, eat or get distracted.

"Crashes happen quickly; preparedness avoids them. Remember driver's ed? We were taught to look for potential situations, brake lights ahead and prepare to react. This helps avoid the "accidents.'' Tapping your brakes signals to the person behind you who might not be paying attention and helps them avoid rear-ending you. You don't know what the people in cars around you are going through. Maybe they just found out they have cancer, or someone close to them died.

"Is it possible to give more respect to Sept. 11 and quit shortening it to 9/11? And I'm tired of 24/7. When did we get in such a hurry that saying 24 hours a day, seven days a week was too much for us? For those fighting for our country, sharing our roads and living on our planet, perhaps it's simply a matter of respect.

Janice L. Foster, Ypsilanti

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor Part 3

See if you can spot the veiled threat in This letter

"Keep cats indoors and solve many problems

"Dear Neighbors: Please keep your cats at home. You would never dream of screaming my entire household awake at 2:57 a.m. - why do you let your cats do that?

When they are not fighting, cats do a lot of hunting. House cats are a major problem for songbirds. I am sad that your cat is allowed to hunt in your yard, but I am angry that your cat is allowed to hunt in my yard. I have baby robins and cardinals in my yard. Your cat is not welcome!

"In case anyone feels compelled to say that cats are "natural predators,'' I will point out that the most fearsome and dangerous predator on the face of the planet walks on two legs and doesn't tolerate incursions from other predators on his territory.

"Aside from damage sustained in fights, and from encounters with raccoons and other wildlife, outdoor cats are vulnerable to cars, and get respiratory diseases for which there is presently no cure or vaccination. For the safety and well-being of your cats, please keep them home. Your cats will live longer, and your neighbors won't be rudely rousted by yowling cats in the middle of the night.

Victoria L. Neff, Ann Arbor

Is the new Camaro too manly?

GM is bringing it back and this American Spectator piece suggests it will fail because it turns off women.

"Unlike the Mustang--which has always managed to appeal to a broad base of buyers ranging from young women to old men and everyone in between--the Camaro is and always has been a strutting muscle machine. A car for drive-throughs, Friday night cruising, and teenage boys."

Since purchase price, insurance and gas prices will keep lots of teenage boys from buying them, this car will have to be purchased by men over 40 if it is going to be successful.

And therein lies the challenge, especially compared to the new Mustang wich "transcends testosterone--and the muscle car era... it's a car that guys absolutely love. But it [the Mustang] doesn't alienate women--and women are half the market, don't forget (and most guys have a woman in their lives who they'd prefer not to annoy with their choice of car). The previous generation (1994-2002) Camaro was an "in your face" kind of car--and so is this new one. You either love it--or you hate it. And the question is, can GM afford such a confrontational machine with inherently limited appeal--one that's already hobbled by being late to the game, fighting for a relatively small subset of prospective buyers and which will likely arrive just in time for the next ugly uptick in gas prices?"

Maybe so, but the only person I've ever known to own a car like this one (a cool red Firebird with T-Tops) was a girl. Loyal readers, what say you?

Changes at Eastern Market

For those who have never been, a trip to Detroit's Eastern Market is an experience well worth your time. Eastern Market is a farmer's market, where you can buy oodles of fresh produce, honey, eggs, live chickens and the like.

But it is so much more than a place to buy groceries. It's huge, it's bustling and it's cheap. It's estimated that 70,000 tons a year of fresh produce are moved through the market's decaying sheds.

People watching, chatting with farmers and watching Dr. Naj argue about the price of tomatoes are just some of the highlights.

Like most of Detroit, however, the market clearly needs some sprucing up. That's why this Free Press story is cause for optimism.

It seems the City Council has created a new non-profit corporation that will manage the market and oversee $17 million in improvements. The money will come from private sector donations, including $2 million from the Kresge Foundation. The Kresge family, as some readers may know, started K-Mart.

"The new nonprofit corporation has a $17-million plan to improve the market, including having the sheds open two days a week instead of one, and eventually having them open all week."

The sheds, which are basically large picnic pavilions, will be renovated, whatever that means. I'm always cautious when I hear about all the great things the Detroit City Council promises to do, but improving one of Detroit's best assets would be a smart move. Keep your fingers crossed on this one.

Tiger Stadium Update

It's history. The Free Press says the mayor has decided to tear it down this fall and replace it with "a ring of retail shops and residential housing surrounding the historic playing field, which will be preserved as a nonprofit park and ball diamond."

Anyone wanna go shopping in Corktown? Me either.

Check out the story here for the whole lowdown.

Action at Tiger Stadium?

The Tigers moved out in 1999, if you can believe that. The AP says the Mayor plans to make an announcement within two or three weeks about the future of The Corner, where the Tigers played for 88 years.

"City officials have generally spoken about demolishing the stadium and putting something new at the site, while some preservationists have talked about finding new uses for it."

Guess we'll find out soon.

The naked man and the "drill sergeant" with the itchy trigger finger

Quite a story in today's Ann Arbor News:

"An Ann Arbor couple said they were inside their apartment in the 1500 block of Pauline Boulevard discussing marriage just after midnight. The woman said she wasn't sure if she was ready, and her boyfriend responded that taking risks is an important part of life, police reports said.

"To prove his point, the boyfriend hopped out of the first-floor window on a dare and streaked naked across the street, police said. But before he could cross back to the residence, he noticed a couple walking down the sidewalk, so he hid in the bushes to avoid them, reports said.

"The 28-year-old Ann Arbor man who happened to be walking his friend home noticed the bushes rustling and feet underneath, so he pulled out his gun and ordered the naked man out, reports said. The naked man ran, and the chase was on.

"The man with the gun, who claimed he was an Army drill sergeant, repeatedly ordered the naked man to the ground as he chased after him, threatening to shoot him, reports said. The gunman then fired off a round, and the naked man hit the ground, causing minor injuries, reports said."

A nearby resident called police to report a naked man being chased by a man with a gun, reports said. Officers soon arrived and arrested the gunman. He does not appear to be in the Army and does not have a permit to carry his .40-caliber handgun, police said. He was lodged at the county jail on charges of aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon.

"The naked man was treated for minor injuries, but was not arrested. It's also not known whether the couple plans to marry."

Another year in the books

Well, Doctor Naj is about to become a third year resident, as a painful second year comes crashing to a close. Here she is posing with Ted, a classmate, at the annual Internal Medicine Dinner and awards banquet. She took home all of the awards, natch. Especially hottest hottie. For that one she got first and second place.

Here she is with Behi, Zweig (also known as the Jewish Lumberjack), Rob and Ted.




Rob Kennedy and The Cheat, looking good.

Today's good news

Headlice are becoming more resistant to common treatments. The Daily Mail in London has the story:

"Scientists believe that 80 per cent of the bugs are immune to over-the-counter lotions. They found lice were untroubled by the chemicals permathrin and phenothrin, found in popular bug-busting brands such as Lyclear and Full Marks. The experts say the process of natural selection means the insects have developed a resistance to the lotions... Most lice have developed a gene which makes them more resistant to poisons following years of exposure to the chemicals."

Have a nice day.

Just in case

Not much I can say here. You pretty much just have to click on this one.

Students find ring tone adults can't hear

This from the AP

"Students are using a new ring tone to receive messages in class -- and many teachers can't even hear the ring. Some students are downloading a ring tone off the Internet that is too high-pitched to be heard by most adults. With it, high schoolers can receive text message alerts on their cell phones without the teacher knowing.

As people age, many develop what's known as aging ear -- a loss of the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds. The ring tone is a spin-off of technology that was originally meant to repel teenagers -- not help them. A Welsh security company developed the tone to help shopkeepers disperse young people loitering in front of their stores while leaving adults unaffected. The company called their product the "Mosquito."

Donna Lewis, a teacher in Manhattan, says her colleague played the ring for a classroom of first-graders -- and all of them could hear it, while the adults couldn't hear anything."

Retirement communities for homosexuals

Or, as the AP calls them, "graying gays." Whatever their name, elderly practicing homosexuals are apparently a large enough demographic that retirement communities set aside specifically for them are cropping up all across the country.

One, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, plans a "prom party 'for those of us who didn't go to senior prom with the person we wanted to.'" How cute.

Steven David isn't so sure he likes the idea. David is a postdoctoral psychology fellow at UCLA (where else) "who counsels and researches older gay men." He said some people have been asking "'should we be creating these places in the first place or forcing society to accept us?'"

"Breaking News"

That's what the Free Press calls this announcement that Barbara Streisand will play the Palace on October 18. Exciting!

More Florida news

This just in

"Three elderly people spent three days driving lost around Miami until a police officer came to their rescue.

'The two women were taking turns driving, and they've been driving around non-stop trying to find the hotel,' said Mary Walters of the Miami-Dade police department.

'The gentleman does have alzheimer, so he didn't even know he was lost,' she said."

New yoga instructor?

Lost in thought?

Attack monkey

Apparently Phyllis Gates has a dangerous money. So dangerous, in fact, that more than 50 of her neighbors have "signed a petition asking the Sikeston City Council to look into monkey attacks on their street." TV Station KFVS in Sikeston has the story.

Ms. Gates defends her monkey. "He is usually pretty calm," she said. "People make him nervous."

Neighbors disagree.

"'She cannot control her monkey,' Peggy Bearden said. 'It attacked my grandson. Part of the material is gone in his shirt.' Bearden lives across the street from Gates. Next door, Gayla Schearf says Alex attacked her. 'They came over to my yard, and the monkey got away. He attacked me after that,' Schearf said."

I say forget the Sikeston City Council. This is a job for the professionals.

In other Missouri animal news, an angry customer of a dog breeder in St. Peters became angry when the breeder would not allow her to return her dead puppy. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, things escalated and the customer attacked the breeder, hitting her in the head repeatedly with the dead Chihuahua.

"As the woman drove away, she waved the dead puppy out of the car’s sunroof and yelled threats at the breeder, police said."

Organic food comes to Wal-Mart

Today's Wall Street Journal has a fascinating story on Wal-Mart's entry into the organic food market. It details the history of the movement and the many reasons people decide to eat organic food. With organic going mainstream (it doesn't really get much more mainstream than Wal-Mart), the organic geeks are having to choose sides. Which poses the question: what is organic food? And if you eat it, why? Health? Support of small farms? Ethical treatment of animals? Decreasing global warming by eating foods that aren't shipped halfway across the world before ariving at the grocery store?

The WSJ says organic food has become much more industrialized since its introduction in the 1970's.

"More outlets sell organics every day--organic milk is now the fastest-growing sector in the beverage market--and grocery chains like Whole Foods are expanding so quickly that many suppliers have adopted the techniques of mass production, using trucked-in fertilizer and harvesting machines to keep up with demand.

"Still, old-school ethical eaters held on to the notion that, however indirectly, buying prewashed vacuum-packed organic 'baby' carrots shipped from California somehow helped to protect the kind of small traditional farmers who started the movement. But when Wal-Mart announced plans to introduce more than 1,000 new organic products in its stores this summer, denial was no longer possible. And that's when the organic compost hit the fan."

Mustaches

It appears that mustaches are gaining in popularity in New York City, at least according to this story from Agence France-Presse.

"Jay Della Vale verges on the evangelical in his praise of the moustache's attributes which, according to the 26-year-old DJ, include intimations of virility, a relaxed style and a healthy sense of humor. 'You walk differently. You're more laid back. You dress differently,' Della Vale said. 'We're on a mission to bring it back.'

"Della Vale's devotion to facial hair prompted him to make a documentary 'The Glorious Moustache Challenge' in which he persuaded 30 men to grow moustaches for a month to see what difference it made in their lives and the reactions of those around them."

I'd be willing to bet that most of you didn't notice that in 2003 the formerly mustachioed Brawny towel man was sheared to make room for "a clean-shaven hunk who was seen as more in tune with the times." See, you learn something every day from stopping by The Lyrical Gangster, don't you?

I hate to call it a trend, but USA Today weighed in a while back with this "review [of] the beauty, meaning and timeless elegance of the 'stache."

The author says "the mustache deserves to be celebrated, not scorned. Few accessories convey wisdom and mystery better than a stellar 'stache, and it's about time the hairy fellow received some appreciation."

I agree. T.L.G. readers, let's put it to a vote. All in favor of bringing back the stache say "I". Votes will be tallied in the comment section and women, of course, are not allowed to vote. By the way, anybody know how we can get a copy of that documentary?

Changes at Ave

The picture below is a view from the seat where I sat during almost every class of my first year of law school.

This is a picture of the room today it is being renovated. Josh is overseeing construction.

It tends to be the case that law students learn the vast majority of their legal knowledge in their first year, which is also often the most difficult year. I learned a significant percentage of what I know about the law while sitting in this very spot. I swear just sitting here makes me feel like Murphy could call on me at any second.

As you can see, there are changes taking place at Ave Maria. Some are physical, others not as much. Some are improvements, others, again, not so much. Though I had known for some time that renovations had already begun, I was pretty blown away when I strolled into the room today and saw that the wall that used to separate this room from 116 is now gone and the room is being transformed into a much larger classroom to accommodate a larger student body.

I guess there is nothing wrong with this. It's just, I don't know, not something I was prepared for. You see, my time as a student at Ave Maria was a very special time in my life, particularly my 1L year, which was at once ovewhelming, exhausting and exhilerating. My marriage was relatively new, I was given the opportunity to prove that I belonged in a difficult professional degree program and I faced the challenge of my life. I look back on those days fondly.

I can't entirely explain why, but it seems to me that this seat in this room in this building was just supposed to remain forever.

With last month's graduation, there really aren't any more students at the law school that I knew well while I was a student. Things have changed so much in the year since my own graduation that some days I barely recognize the place. Seeing the actual physical transformation of this important room only accentuates that fact. In fact, this seat or its equivalent may be in Florida in a few short years.

Unlike many others, I'm not necessarily against such a move. But 50 years from now when I'm concluding a successful legal career, I'm sure I would have taken some comfort in knowing that this seat in this room in this school is exactly as it was when I was a 1L at Ave Maria. Knowing that it has already changed was an emotional experience that quite honestly caught me off guard.

I have no option now but to seek consolation in the knowledge that, though the physical place may no longer exist, nothing can remove the image from my mind. Imaging it now brings back very vivid memories of the challenge, the faith that saw me through and the woman who has stood by my side through thick and thin. Maybe the lesson is that those things are eternal and far more important than a seat in a room in a building. But still, it wasn't supposed to change.

Where's Sacagawea?

You know you've hit the big time when you're invited to your first big Hollywood party attended by celebrities. For me, it happened this week when I was invited to a party hosted at some rich lawyer's waterfront home. Rumored to be in attendance? None other than Sacagawea Extreme, whose own blog is featured over to the right of the screen. Sacagawe Extreme is the newest Hollywood starlet (doesn't it seem like they get younger all the time) and a major motivating factor in The Lyrical Gangster's decision to go live.

At any rate, I knew as soon as the invitation arrived that a new outfit would be necessary. Nothing in my wardrobe was sufficient for this kind of party and I knew I was going to have to splurge to keep up with this crowd. As far as I was concerned, the attitude was spare no expense.


This little number is pretty swank, don't you think?

Once I arrived, the first item on the agenda was the red carpet strut. And I was joined by several other celebrities. Let's see: short blonde hair, goatee, John Deere hat, bottle of whiskey - Hey, that's Bo Duke. I thought he was past his prime.


This guy looks important. Isn't that new Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper? Nobody knows what Canadian politicians look like anyway, but something tells me that's him.


Spotting B-List celebrities was fun for a while, but I had to remember the main goal of the evening was to get my picture taken with the lovely Sacagawea. I tried to find her over by the buffet, but I got caught up in the amazing spread. Beer, donughts, cheese and sausage. These people must be loaded.



While Sacagawea eluded me, I did spot her bodyguard, who got a little defensive when I got too close.


Drinking on the job, eh?


Well, the night is over and I still haven't found Sacagawea Extreme. You know how the celebrity rumor mill is. Someone mentions that a celebrity is going to show up at a party just to keep people hanging around, even though they have no plans to come. Complete dissappointment.

Then, the next day as I was cruising the Strip, you'll never believe who I saw walking down the street.

She was so gracious, posing for photographs despite the paparazzi and autograph seekers. Such a sweetheart. No wonder they can't get enough of her on the Silver Screen.

More on illegal immigration in Michigan

The Macomb County Republican Party speaks and the federal government jumps. Just days after a handfull of Republican voters announced that their pick for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES is anti-immigrant Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the completion of Operation Motor City, a five-day roundup of illegal immigrants in Southeast Michigan.

According to the Free Press:

By Wednesday, 63 immigrants -- most of them from Eastern European countries and ranging in age from 10 to 60 -- were in the process of being deported in one
of the largest roundups yet in an ongoing effort to clear Michigan and Ohio
of an estimated 4,500 illegal immigrants. "This was just one
operation, and there will be more in the future," said Rob Baker,
director of detention and removal operations for Immigration and Customs
Enforcement in Detroit.

Again I ask: am I missing something here? Are the whopping 4,500 illegal immigrants in Michigan and Ohio really causing serious problems here in the Midwest? Or are some of the locals getting caught up in the current national clammoring for a crack down?

One friend, an astute observer of the Michigan political scene, said he expects illegal immigration to be a much larger issue than most people realize in the November Michigan election. He attributes this to two things. First, he says, there are far more illegal immigrants than people realize, from Arabs in Dearborn to Mexican farm workers in the rural parts of the state. (Some reports indicate there may be as many as 4,500 in Michigan and Ohio alone!) And second, he says, immigrants (presumably those with jobs) might just bear the brunt of the electorate's frustration with Michigan's troubled economy.

His first point would seem to be disputed by the Free Press story about the raid itself. Quoteth I - "Twenty-five of the people targeted during the latest operation, which lasted from May 31 to Sunday, were from Albania, while eight were from Macedonia, officials said. The rest were from 13 other countries." The Macedonians are taking over!!! The Macedonians are taking over!!! Maybe not. My friend's second point may prove more accurate, but is it valid? How many people do you know who are unemployed now because they lost a job opportunity to an illegal alien? Maybe the problem is more serious than I realize. After all, I haven't been to Macomb County in a while. But maybe, just maybe, there's a little bit of Macedonian bias in the air.

Jennifer Granholm: This man is looking for your help.

The Michigan House of Representatives, following the Senate, has passed a bill to repeal the mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists. The bill is now in the hands of Governor Jennifer Granholm, though this Detroit News story suggests it may not become law.

"'The governor supports the current law, and no one has made a convincing argument that she should feel differently,' said Liz Boyd, the governor's press secretary."

According to the News, yesterday's vote "marks the first time both chambers have agreed during the same legislative session that Michigan should join 30 other states -- including all those in the Midwest -- to let riders decide whether to don helmets."

One long time Democrat motorcyclist "said he would likely vote for DeVos based on the helmet issue, despite leaning toward Democratic candidates for 20 years. 'It's about who will represent me and my interests.'"

Says Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis: "If this governor doesn't sign it, I guarantee you the next governor will."

Ikea update

This is Ikea Nirvana

Actually, its the Detroit News photo of Audrey Seilheimer of Canton, the first customer to enter the new store. (I'm guessing her 15 minutes are officially over.) The store opened yesterday and in the first three hours, 5,000 people had trapsed through.

The Free Press has the story, including reaction from other shoppers.

"Liz Bertolini, 28, of Novi had taken a day off -- a personal day -- from her job as a high school teacher. She spent about $109 on lamps for her classroom, silverware, lightbulbs, a baking dish and other things she couldn't name right off.

Her sister, Emily Bertolini, also, 28, took a day off from her job as a geologist. She spent about $15, but knew she would come back for more stuff later, when the crowds die down.
'People at work are kind of torn on whether I'm crazy,' said Emily Bertolini, who lives in Wixom.
'We've been wishing for an Ikea for so long,' said Liz Bertolini.

The company is saying another Detroit store could open in the future.

'We could see something else in the metro Detroit area,' [company spokesperson] Lopez said. 'There is no question that down the road, we could see something. If we see that this store is overwhelmingly successful, we will open more stores.'"

Which brings us to today's trivia question. What take less time - spending two days in the parking lot in Canton waiting for the new Ikea to open or driving to Chicago (or flying to Sweden for that matter) to buy your nick nacks at a store that is already open?

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor

The walkers fire back at the bikers. Pretty soon we're going to have a full-fledged war on our hands. And somebody could get killed - intentionally or otherwise.

Bikers, too, responsible for safety on the roads

In regards to bicycles and cars, the other side of the equation needs to be examined: The bicyclists who pay no attention to the traffic around them, ride back and forth across the lane, ride their bikes down the middle of the road holding up traffic and generally disobeying any and all traffic laws. I've seen several bicyclists turn right in front of a car. It's time for the bicyclists to start taking responsibility for keeping themselves safe and obeying traffic rules. I wonder how many car/bike accidents are the fault of the bicyclist? Maybe it's time to start licensing bicyclists the same as we do drivers - with both a written and a road test.

Jacqueline Simon, Ann Arbor

Ahh yes, the heavy hand of government gets a little heavier. Sorry Timmy, you can't ride your bike with the rest of the kids until you spend three hours in line at the Secretary of State's office, pass your written and road test and pay your annual license fee. It's time you start taking responsibility for keeping yourself safe and the government is here to "help"

The critics to the south

have not been as kind and the vast majority of our readers in the more civilized parts of the country. One reader, who calls himself Baby Crackhead, left the following message in the comment section below:

"What is going on here? Everything is about AA. Aaron T, I think you should spread your horizons and include a little news from the PSL or FLA as a whole. BC"

We at The Lyrical Gangster always aim to please and are saddened to see that our readership in the Sunshine State has been left less than satisfied. While this is generally a blog about the things that happen within a five-mile radius of where T.L.G. happens to be standing at the time, this post, about a serious health epidemic in Florida, is offered to warn Bad Cannibal to be more careful as he dabbles in the Florida dating scene. Enjoy.

Other Florida news can be found here, here, here, here and here.

Baby got book?

I like big Bibles and I cannot lie. You Christian brothers can't deny.

Ann Arbor gets a dog park "at last"

A good friend once told me that, after much reflection, he had figured out that the reason you see so few children in Ann Arbor was that people substitute their dogs for children. I'm not sure but it's an interesting theory nonetheless. Maybe we should invade the new dog park with a classroom full of kindergartners as a social experiment. Would people protect the kids from the pack of dogs or vice versa?

Maybe it's the Canadians

Does Macomb County have a serious problem with illegal immigration? How else do you explain the results of a straw poll taken at a Republican Party dinner there last night. Asked "Who is your choice for President in 2008?" the 327 people who participated picked virulent anti-immigrant Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado by a pretty wide margin, scoring 60 votes to Rudy Guiliani's (the closest competitor) 45.

Tancredo's national profile has been raised in recent months solely based on the GOP base's rising opposition to illegal immigration. Tancredo has fanned the flames and rarely talks about anything else. Anti-immigrant sentiment is worrisome, but not surprising in places like California and Arizona, where the problems associated with illegal immigration are so obviously present in every day life. But the fact that (some) voters in Macomb County, Michigan prefer a man for president of the United States whose sole issue is illegal immigration and whose views on that subject can be pretty extreme is surprising to say the least.

Starbucks trivia

What does Tanqueray Gin make its bottles to resemble?

Answer in second paragraph. (It's the first of two suggested answers presented here, according to my friends at Starbucks.)

For those who want to see the bottle first before guessing, click here.

Ikea update

Two days before the opening and 50 people already in line. Best quote:

"It’s quite an experience. I’ve never done anything like this, even for a concert."

Right...

Ann Arbor News letter to the editor

This letter demonstrates that all is not well in Tree Town this summer. Hapless pedestrians: Don't say I didn't warn you.

I am glad that Terry Calhoun wrote an article about bicyclist safety (The Ann Arbor News, May 30). However, there is another, similar concern regarding pedestrian safety that is apparent every time I travel downtown. I wonder how difficult it is for pedestrians to obey traffic laws as they walk through campus. It is not uncommon to see people intentionally cut in front of cars or jaywalk. I see people of all ages zigzag through a flow of traffic without a concern in the world.
Often when I blare the horn, our eyes meet and theirs are angry, as if they own the streets. Sure, pedestrians have the right of way, but what about common sense and a mutual respect for vehicle drivers? I have come close to hitting someone and would hate to live with the memory of killing a person especially when it can be prevented. Thank you, Terry, for reminding us that responsibility is not only in the hands of drivers but is also very much a responsibility of pedestrians.

Kate M. Johnson, Ann Arbor

Starbucks trivia

Which long-scorned language and culture is making a comeback in Maine?

Answer

Reader e-mail

Maybe it was Manifest Destiny. The Lyrical Gangster has reached the western edge of the United States and the critics are once again very impressed. One very important reader had these thoughts:

"Good job Aaron ..... I liked your blog very much ....

Thank you for adding our pictures .... we looked like a very weird family !!!!!"

Indeed you did. Welcome to the club.

More bad news for GM

The Free Press details a series of Enronesque accounting errors (GM calls them honest mistakes) each and every one of which just so happened to be in the company's favor.

"'The evidence is there was a string of errors, all going in one direction, giving a more positive light to GM's results,' said Charles Mulford, an accounting professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology who has studied accounting at GM and other large companies. 'Simple, honest errors go both ways. Investors were misled, in my view.'"

Meanwhile, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman criticizes GM's plan to give gas rebates to people who buy new gas guzzlers such as the Hummer. Instead of building vehicles that get good gas mileage (you know, products consumers want to buy), GM has decided to continue pushing its current products and give people who buy them rebates for every penny over $1.99 they pay for gas.

Friedman, in his typical hyperbolic style, asks "Is there a company more dangerous to America's future than General Motors? Surely, the sooner this company gets taken over by Toyota, the better off our country will be."

GM's response is here and basically makes two important points. First, it says, "GM offers more vehicles that get 30 mpg or better EPA highway mileage than any other automaker. More than Toyota. More than Honda. More than Nissan." And second, it says people who buy large trucks and SUV's are going to buy them anyway; for large families, towing or work. "But let's be intellectually honest here: A gas card is not going to get someone considering a $15,000 economy car to buy a $35,000 Chevy Tahoe."

Meanwhile, Diamler-Chrysler is going to announce in June if the Smart Car will be sold in the United States.

To those of us who call Southeast Michigan home (especially those of us whose aging parents rely on GM pensions and health care benefits), what happens at GM matters. Let's hope they get some smart folks in there to provide the leadership that has been so lacking the past few decades. It really is crucial to the future of this area of the country and the people who live here.

A doctor shortage

This L.A. Times story is interesting and worth reading if you're interested in such things. Maybe we should pay them more. Lots more. And buy their husbands jet skis.

AATA

The Ann Arbor Transit Authority has announced it will no longer consider a fare increase, nor will it reduce bus service, but instead suggests it may ask for a countywide property tax millage to replace some of its lost funding. The proposal surfaced a few months back after the City of Ypsilanti decided to stop funding the bus system in its continuing and somewhat fruitless effort to avoid financial ruin.

In addition to other sources of revenue, AATA relies on funding from the cities it serves to stay in the black. Ypsilanti's share of that is $82,000 in fiscal year 2007 and $88,500 in fiscal year 2008. With Ypsilanti no longer paying, AATA had threatened to cancel routes in the city. That, of course, would have been disasterous.

According to the organization Keep Ypsi Rolling, 292,000 people a year, or 800 each day, board the 3, 4 and 5 routes in Ypsilanti. In my own experience riding the bus here, most of the people (though not all) are riding it not because they want to but because they have no other option. This gut feeling gets stronger as the route I ride inches away from Ann Arbor and closer to Ypsilanti. Cutting bus service in already struggling Ypsi would heavily impact the many poor and elderly people who use the bus to get to work and school, do their shopping, etc.

To its credit, AATA recognized as much and quickly began exploring options that would allow it to, you know, Keep Ypsi Rolling. Then came discussion of a 25-cent fare increase on all routes that begin in Ypsilanti. The outcry continued and so now AATA has dropped even discussion of a fare increase and will instead "cover the shortfall in funding from Ypsilanti with existing revenues and internal cost reductions." I'm glad to see the bus system's finances are good enough that it can cover such a large shortfall with existing revenues and internal cost reductions, though I have to wonder, if streamlining its organization and reducing costs was so easy, why it wasn't done long ago.

Don't get me wrong. The AATA operates an excellent bus service here in auto heaven. The buses are generally clean and on time and the drivers are professional and courteous.

The problem I have is with the property tax suggestion. Property taxes in Washtenaw County are already very high. For example, the median home price in Ann Arbor appears to be right around $241,347. (This information comes from a very scientific analysis I did that basically amounts to googling "Ann Arbor median home price" and clicking on the first relevant site I saw). Applying 2005 tax rates, if the median price is accurate and my math is right, the homeowner of an average home can expect to pay about $5,645 a year, or $470 each month in property taxes. In Ann Arbor, this currently includes about $250 a year, or $20 a month, to fund the AATA.

So here's the question. When the AATA says it wants a county wide millage, does it mean it wants communities not currently served to begin paying and getting service? Or does it want to tax new communities and increase the property taxes on communities (such as Ann Arbor) that are already paying? And if the county wide tax increase becomes a reality, does that mean that Ann Arbor and other cities can pull an Ypsilanti and stop making their annual lump sum payments to support bus services. I mean, if the City of Ypsilanti is either unwilling or unable (or both) to pay for its residents to use the bus, is it fair for AATA to ask the taxpayers in the rest of the county to subsidize Ypsi's bus service through higher property taxes on top of the annual fees our communities have not refused to pay? Just asking.

Brian and Ab

It seems to me there are two types of people in this world: Those who bring homemade strawberry shortcake and fresh strawberries to every family gathering, and those who complain that the strawberries weren't sweetened with sugar. But we love them both.

A cool new hike

Just a short ride from Ann Arbor, the Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula. The Waterloo Pinckney Hiking Trail is a huge trail from roughly Chelsea to Pinckney - a pretty significant distance. A map of the trail is found here.

We dutifully checked it out on Saturday.


The first bad sign was this:











We saw a couple shells on the trail itself and heard gunfire nearby. That made Dr. Naj a little nervous.










The biggest problem, however, was the mosquitos. I don't know as I've ever seen more than I did today. It was nothing to slap your arm and kill three at once.

Heavy and repeated applications of bug spray reduced the bites, though the swarms of mosquitos in our faces were a little intense. But the scenery was beautiful. I'd definitely go back, but probably not until things dry up and the bugs chill out a little bit.

Swimsuit Edition

From the Free Press' new Twist magazine for women

LET'S FACE IT. Few women look forward to shopping for a bathing suit.

But here's a twist on bathing suit shopping. Don't try on suits in the company of strangers. Do so with your girlfriends.

Deepika's Married!

Slightly belated. But congratulations, Sister.


She obviously knows lots of important people. (What's that Dad? Pistons win in overtime?)


So many reasons to celebrate. Now, we dance