Hero's to be

Don't take the easy route.  Go that extra step(s).  First, you will probably have to get some extra education past high school, in addition, many week of specialized training.  If you are fortunate enough to make the grade, you'll then need to do hopefully, the final two things.  1.  Swear to serve and protect your fellow citizens and 2.  Get and put on a policeman's uniform.  You're all set if you have what it takes!  Good luck!  PS. And importantly, you'll also get to carry a gun...............marge            Post Script.  May we this day honor the fallen officer on her first day on her new job.  Much much love to her family and friends.

Flint, Mi and GM

I admit to not remembering the GM Flint crisis when it happened but can't help wondering.  If GM had a problem with the water being 'bad', why at that time, was an investigation not instigated?  If it damaged new car parts, didn't anyone thing to ask what it might be doing to humans and if not, why not?...............................marge

Lost generations. How do we turn it around?

I keep hearing about sad groups of people living in one house.  We call them families, but they're not.  They are  multi generational dysfunctional relatives.  Therein lies the problem.  Sometimes, in our ignorance, we don't even realize they exist, nor do they,  or is it they don't know how to get out?  How can these debilitating chains be broken?  Its easier just to 'daily go along'.  That doesn't work.  How do you give hope where none has been seen or felt for more than one generation?  Even when given help, it seems to be taken as 'owed' to them, that's what they're taught or think.  I don't blame them.  It may be all they know.  How can this vicious generational circle be broken, or can it?  I can't answer that.  Hoping for better in itself is worthless.  The problem belongs to us all.  We all must do our best to fix it.  Waiting for someone else just won't work.  So when do we start, not tomorrow, not next week, but now, but how?...........................marge

Adulttrification

I know.  I made up the word but it works for me.  As you all know, I'm older, aging and getting more frustrated with you younger ones daily!  I used to be able to go into a store, pick out what I wanted, pay cash for it and go home.  You've turned that into an impossible task, especially if its on sale and requires a 'coupon', dated of course.  Heaven forbid if I don't or can't shop on that particular time line.  So I go and pick out what I want.  I'm two dollars short of the required spending.  I go get two items to bring the price up to the coupon requirement.  "Sorry" says the cashier.  The coupon doesn't include under priced (sale) items.  Those get put back.  Daughter finds something she needs and it now makes the coupon 'valid'.  Yea! Success!  Easy? No.  Time consuming?  Yes and exhausting.  Guess I'll take my savings and go for coffee with my daughter.  Win some, lose some, the latter the higher ranking of course..........................................marge

A Mayor's responsibility?

I was pleased for Detroit when Mike Duggan  became Mayor.  I admit not knowing the scope of his duties.  Detroit has not had a good track record when it comes to past Mayors.  To allow the Detroit Public School System to be so dangerously deteriorated makes me wonder, just who is responsible?  The health and safety of all who must daily attend these building seems to be terribly low on the list of importance.  I'm so glad teachers, students and parents are now taking part in an active revolt.  All those exposed to long lasting poor health problems don't deserve what has been put upon them.  All this talk about health and well being of our country's citizens, except maybe (among other places) for Flint and Detroit leaves me totally puzzled.  It just seems like all talk.  Environmental quality for many is real  with many active participants.  There are people out there who really do care.  We need more, especially those in government.........................marge

Flint's leaded city water

I do NOT think the citizens of Flint are dumb by any means.  It's the City officials who send out water bills for leaded, poisonous water I have to wonder about.  Why would they even do that?  I concluded the honest residents who continue to pay do it out of fear of getting penalized.  How can the City continue to bill them?  Wouldn't they be the ones breaking the law?  Somewhere common sense got lost in the shuffle.  Folks, put the money aside as if to pay, but don't.  Don't let the City scare you into paying for undrinkable, extremely unhealthy water.  It should be shut off so no one gets it in their homes.  Fight for what is right.  You have a lot of backers.  The state and every citizen should fix the problem.  The cost is secondary to each and everyone of us.  Health comes first..................................marge

Birmingham Mi Baldwin Library

Through a phone call, contacting City Hall or emailing, please let our City Commissioners know you support our local library.  Sometimes we forget or it doesn't seem too important.  A yes vote for the library funding from our Commissioners IS important.  The library is always seeking better ways to improve their Services to our and neighboring communities.  Don't let them down.  Don't let our city down.........................................marge