The United States Humane Society released its mid-term scorecard on Animal Rights issues. And guess what, Joe Knollenberg rated near the bottom of the pile. This video is a good example of why animal issues are so important.
A Rochester Hills Democrat claims that his arrest Monday at a meeting of the Troy-Clawson Republican Forum was politically motivated.
“I did nothing wrong. I will be vindicated,” said Bruce Fealk.
Fealk faces three charges of assaulting a police officer, trespassing, and hindering and resisting arrest. All are misdemeanors punishable by a 90-day sentence, if convicted.
Fealk’s attorney, Paul Stevenson, said Fealk will have to make a court appearance in the case by March 12.
Troy Police confirmed the incident happened, but would not name Fealk as the person arrested, since he was allowed to post a bond and not face an arraignment on what are disorderly conduct charges.
The arrest at the Troy Community Center came after Fealk tried to videotape a forum meeting that featured a panel discussion on Black History Month and civil rights.
Lt. Gerry Scherlinck said a forum “representative told him that it (videotaping) was not allowed. He refused to stop, leave.”
At that point, the community center manager was summoned by forum organizers, who reportedly told Fealk that he would have to stop or leave the building. Police were called, Scherlinck said, who reiterated that he would have to stop videotaping.
“He refuses, and there was a struggle between him and a police officer,” according to Scherlinck.
Stevenson said that incidents, such as Fealk’s, are sometimes used “to try to criminalise political activity and political speech.” In this case, he said, the city attorney may deem the incident doesn’t merit the “time and taxpayer’s dollars” to pursue.
A political activist, Fealk has actively campaigned against Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg from Bloomfield Township.
According to 9th District Republican Committee Chairman Glenn Clark, Fealk has a record of harassing local elected officials, which prompted forum organizers to call the authorities.
In a Rochester Hills parade, Fealk wore a papier mache head of Knollenberg. He also has demonstrated in front of Knollenberg’s house.
“Mr. Fealk is a radical political activist who knows no boundaries,” Clark said in an e-mail.
Clark says that Fealk is raising funds and campaigning for Democrat Gary Peters, who is challenging Knollenberg for the 9th U.S. House seat. He also called for Peters to say whether he is “with Fealk or against him.”
“I support him (Peters), but I’m not working for him,” Fealk said. He later said that Clark “was technically right, I have raised money for him...But as a citizen, I’m not connected with him.”
The incident was “totally unfair and totally political,” he said, adding that he has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union.
Joe was on the radio today on WDET talking about the mortgage crisis. He tells a story about a woman who needed help and she was able to readjust her budget by stopping her fast food habits at McDonalds and Burger King and voila, she was able to stay in her home. Wow, why didn't I think of that? Cut out fast food and solve the mortgage crisis.
A listener chastises Joe Knollenberg for his vote in favor of the bankruptcy bill.
Today's Metro Times has an article, "How Green is Your Candidate?" Mike Brownfield, Joe Knollenberg's campaign manager feels Joe is being unfairly graded.
But Mike Brownfield, Joe Knollenberg's (R-Bloomfield Hills) campaign manager, says the league's scorecard is.
"This is just another politically motivated hit job by a group with a long-standing record of attacking Republicans," he says. Knollenberg has supported cleaning up the Rouge River, protecting the Great Lakes and improving Oakland County's drinking water during his career — actions and positions that are not reflected in the league's scorecard. "Frankly, it's shocking that they don't consider any of that work," Brownfield says.
I came across this little story in today's Oakland Press. Joe Knollenberg and some colleagues want to provide funding for people who are at risk of losing their homes for counseling. This reminds of Joe's health care plan, to provide a tax credit to employers who provide wellness training. It's completely, unequivocally inadequate.
I don't know what it is with Republicans. They think people should just be able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, without providing the boots. Republican policies on trade have devastated this country and while I love Bill Clinton, NAFTA was a bad idea and we in Michigan have bore the brunt of bad trade agreements ever since. So, excuse me if I greet Joe Knollenberg's announcement of a counseling program for those about to lose their homes with a health dose of skepticism. They don't need counseling, Joe, they need dollars to pay the mortgage, dollars that we are burning through in that little war Joe Knollenberg supports wholeheartedly, to the tune of $12 billion a month. Imagine what $12 billion could do to help people about to lose their homes. $130 million is a spit in the wind, Joe. They need good jobs that pay good wages, not the $14 per hour the two-tier system adopted in the auto industry. It makes me sick what the Republicans and George W. Bush have done to this country's middle class. They have devastated the middle class at every turn and my hope is that the voters of Michigan and across this country reject Republican policies across the board in November so that we can put America on the track to economic recovery and regaining our standing in the world.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — Democrat Nancy Skinner is no longer running for Congress in Oakland County.
The former radio talk show host lost to Republican Representative Joe Knollenberg in a close race in 2006.
She was expected to face former state lottery commissioner Gary Peters this year in the Democratic primary in the 9th District, which includes parts of OaklandCounty.
Skinner announced her decision to withdraw Monday.
She says Democrats need to rally behind Peters, who was beating her in fundraising. Skinner says a costly primary would have jeopardized Democrats' chances of beating Knollenberg in November.
Knollenberg is a major target for Democrats.
Skinner says she will devote more time to her consulting business and appear as a commentator on cable TV shows.
On Friday, February 22, 2008, I drove 4 hours round trip and spent approximately 3 hours on campus at Alma College to have an opportunity to respond to Dennis Lennox's ridiculous assertion that the state delay funding CMU's education budget in response to the hiring of Gary Peters as the Griffin Endowment professor in the political science department.
On Friday, February 22, 2008, I drove over 2 hours to Alma, Michigan. Why? Because the Michigan State Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding was holding a hearing. In attendance was a student from Central Michigan University, Dennis Lennox. You probably haven't heard of Mr. Lennox or if you're a regular reader of the blogosphere, maybe you have. Dennis has been stalking Gary Peters on campus in the dark, on occasion. Dennis is a tool of the Michigan Republican Party.
On Friday, Dennis testified and asked the committee to delay funding to CMU based on his complaint that Gary Peters should not hold a privately funded professorship, which doesn't cost taxpayers one penny, according to the CMU budget.
I also testified in front of the committee and I will be posting video of that testimony later today. Dennis testified that his issue with Mr. Peters is not political, which is a blatant lie. Dennis has even held press conferences with the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Saul Anuzis.
After the hearing, a reporter from the CMU student newspaper wanted to talk to me about the hearing and Michael Westendorf, from Saginaw Valley State University and contributor to the SVSU student newspaper, followed me through the halls until I found an office where I answered questions for the reporter. Westendorf continued to film me through the window next to the door of the office we were in. I want to make it abundantly clear, even though Dennis calls me a "paid bozo" in an article in the CMU student newspaper, I am not on the payroll of any Democratic organization, nor Gary Peters' campaign.
Dennis seems to be cut from the same cloth as Trent Wisecup, former Chief of Staff of Joe Knollenberg.
Here is a small piece from the CMU student newspaper, CM Life
In contradiction, Bruce Fealk of Rochester Hills, who writes a blog criticizing State Rep. Joe Knollenberg called Vote No on Joe (Knollenberg), spoke to the senators after Lennox.
"I would ask you not take any action," he said.
Peters is running against Knollenberg in November for the 9th district U.S. House seat.
Fealk said he reviewed CMU's budget, and the Griffin Endowment Chair, the position Peters fills, is a privately endowed chair and does not come from taxpayers' dollars.
Lennox said CMU is a public university and taxpayers have the right to ask legitimate questions.
Fealk also said he called all the Board of Trustee members and each reported no complaints from any students about Peters.
"I don't think it's unusual or unethical for him to run for Congress," he said.
Fealk pointed out that three presidential candidates also are senators.
Lennox said Peters should have been at the meeting to defend himself.
"Gary Peters is an adult and a politician, and CMU should be answering these questions, not a paid bozo from Oakland County," he said.
Gary Peters has taken a stance for the working man, calling for economic changes in Oakland County and lashing out at Rep. Joe Knollenberg, his Republican rival for the 9th U.S. House seat.
"I will be a strong voice for the working men and women of Oakland County and will fight to bring and protect high-paying jobs and ensure health care is available," Peters said Wednesday at the Pipe Fitters Local 636 in Farmington Hills.
Peters was joined by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen. Several workers were also in attendance to share their stories of struggle.
"Congressman Knollenberg has partnered with the Bush administration in leveling a disastrous economic policy that has undermined the rights of workers, dished out incentives for companies to invest oversees, and stood idly by, watching the exodus of thousands of Michigan jobs," Peters said.
"Gary Peters is a proven problem solver with a record of results for working families. No one will fight harder on behalf of his constituents and for every Michigan job," Van Hollen said. "Whether it's voting to outsource American jobs or blindly supporting the Iraq war, Joe Knollenberg is one of President Bush's most loyal rubber stamps and is out of touch with the struggles and priorities of working families in this district."
Peters and Van Hollen were joined by Dan Pier, who after 31 years of working for Farmer Jack grocery store lost his job.
"Our current congressman believes that Michigan jobs can not be saved," Pier said. "I do not agree with this. Our present situation calls for someone who will work for us in Washington and in Oakland County and not sit idly by as companies undercut wages and prices while our jobs disappear. We need a change in leadership and I know that Gary Peters will put the priorities of working men and women in Oakland County first."
You've probably heard about this story by now about the huge beef recall, 143 million pounds of it. What you probably don't know is that your Congressman, Joe Knollenberg had a role in this tragedy. HR 3931, introduced by Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Steven LaTrourette (R-OH) to prohibit USDA certification of meat from livestock too sick or injured to walk unassisted, making permanent the USDA's administrative ban on "downed cattle" in human food and expanding it to cover other species. The bill had 143 cosponsors. Joe Knollenberg was not one of them.
About 60 people gathered in Bloomfield Hills on Friday night for a presentation about Joe Knollenberg and his poor record on issues relating to animal right and animal cruelty. Everyone there was very excited to start going after Joe Knollenberg on his record on these issues. Joe Knollenberg's rating from the Humane Society Legislative Fund is a poor 28%.
The HSLF is looking to target the Peters v. Knollenberg race with issue funding to help retire Joe Knollenberg. Stay tuned. You can look at the HSLF score card by clicking here
On Friday afternoon, February 22, 2008, I attended the Michigan Senate Committee on Higher Education Appropriations. Dennis Lennox, of Students Against Gary Peters, was in attendance also. Dennis gave about a 12 minute presentation, after which I testified also. Dennis testified that his beef with Gary Peters "is not political." Well, I have to say, if this isn't politically motivated, I don't know what is. Lennox attended a press conference at Central Michigan University with Michigan Republican Chair, Saul Anuzis. There's even pictures of Lennox and Anuzis at CMU holding their press conference. Here's a little video I put together with just a bit of Mr. Lennox's testimony. I'm not the best video editor in the world, but you get the idea.
If this isn't political, why is Dennis Lennox holding a press conference with Saul Anuzis, Chair of the Michigan Republican party
Democratic candidate Gary Peters, party leader join forces at local rally in bid to oust GOP veteran.
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
FARMINGTON HILLS -- Democrats on Wednesday previewed their line of attack in what promises to be one of the nation's hottest congressional races, when a top party campaign official came to Oakland County promoting Gary Peters' bid to unseat veteran Rep. Joe Knollenberg.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stopped with Peters at a Pipefitters & Steamfitters Local 636 to rally organized labor support before attending a Peters' fundraiser later in the day. Van Hollen, whose job is to expand Democrats' narrow House majority, said the combination of a changing Oakland County district and Knollenberg's support of President Bush make the seat ripe for a takeover.
"If you look at the political constituency here, it's one we think is very up for change," Van Hollen said. The fact that Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, won a narrow 2006 victory over a relatively unknown and underfunded challenger, and Democratic polling showing Knollenberg with a low approval rating, "make it pretty clear that there's a huge amount of discontent with the incumbent," Van Hollen said.
Nancy Skinner of Royal Oak got a boost in her challenge to Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg last week.
Democracy for America, a progressive blog, named Skinner its 2008 All-Star among 98 candidates for Congress. It could bring Skinner much-needed campaign cash. She reported only $6,785 in her campaign fund at the end of 2007, compared with Knollenberg's $1,035,640.
Skinner's Democratic rival for the seat, ex-lottery commissioner Gary Peters, reported $358,516.
Peters is to campaign today with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Joe, here's a challenge to you, hold a public Town Hall meeting and Allow Questions from the Floor.
Walberg town-hall meeting is Tuesday
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg's town-hall meeting is set for Tuesday night in the library at Jackson High School.
A quarter-page advertisement that was published Sunday on Page A7 and Monday on Page A3 in the Citizen Patriot contained the wrong date. An outside advertising agency submitted incorrect information, officials said.
A member of Walberg's staff will be on hand at the school tonight to survey any constituent who shows up, said spokesman Matt Lahr.
Tuesday's open meeting begins at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to last two hours.
Walberg, R-Tipton, will speak for 15 minutes about current issues in the House of Representatives, then open the floor to questions from residents.
This is simply amazing, even in the partisan world we find ourselves in. Contempt of Congress citations were issued to Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten, President Bush's Chief of Staff, but they refused to even show up to answer the questions of Congress, showing an utter disregard for the law. The House passed a resolution holding them in contempt and Joe didn't even bother to vote. The Constitution means nothing to President Bush and Joe Knollenberg. The Democrats were able to pass the resolution even though the Republicans walked out.
Passed: 223-32 The House agreed to H. Res. 982, providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas, by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 32 noes, with 1 voting "present'', Roll No. 60, after agreeing to order the previous question by voice vote.
I've started a new blog for Oakland County Politics at www.oaklanddemocraticpolitics.blogspot.com. This blog is meant to cover politics and events in Oakland county, focusing on Democratic politics. Some topics we can cover currently in the news is the recalls of Marie Donigan and Aldo Vagnozi, etc.
This video of a Glenn Clark interview with Jim Thienel is on www.oaklandpolitics.com. I saw it, watched it and made comments. There were 8 comments on the video about Glenn Clark, specifically one of the comments was about the fact that Glenn Clark is on the payroll of John McCain while serving as the chair of the Republican 9th District Comittee. Click here to view the FEC report. Chetly Zarko, the owner of Oakland Politics, has taken down the comments without explaining why. Very interesting. Click here for the posting on Oakland Politics. You will note that it says there are 8 comments, but when you go to the comments page, no comments appear.
Here's a video of Glenn Clark, which will appear on The Oakland Right cable access show. Clark gives us insight into his and the 9th District's plans and activities.
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, announced today that he's throwing his support behind Sen. John McCain for president. He had been a Mitt Romney backer.
Praising McCain as an "American hero and an American statesman," Knollenberg said, "I am confident that he has the right experience to lead our country as president."
This endorsement comes to you from the same man that endorsed George W. Bush so enthusiastically in 2004. Can you trust him in 2008?
From the 9th District forum, Gary Peters responds to a question about what to do in Iraq. Interesting, Joe Knollenberg doesn't even think Iraq is an issue, since there is not one word about it on his web campaign web site.
This morning's Oakland Press published my response to Saul Anuzis' press conference regarding Gary Peters' teaching position at Central Michigan University. If Saul's mouth is moving, he's lying.
Last night the 9th District Democratic Committee held a forum between Gary Peters and Nancy Skinner. In this video Gary Peters addresses health care in America, endorsing a Medicare for all plan. Since Joe won't come out in public and debate Gary Peters, here's the next best thing.
This guest opinion appeared in the Oakland Press today, addressing Joe Knollenberg's record on animal cruelty. I wonder if Joe has a dog and whether he kicks it for fun. Joe even wants to process sick cows for human consumption. Thanks, Joe, we appreciate your concern for our health. Maybe you want to revisit your health care plan.
Almost no one defends cruelty any longer, and it would be hard to understand the motivation of a lawmaker who voted against efforts to crack down on the inhumane treatment of animals.
After all, animal welfare is widely recognized as a social virtue. Oakland County readers may be surprised, then, that Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, stubbornly refuses to let go of the ugly past. Sadly, he has amassed one of the worst records on animal cruelty issues in Congress. Throughout his career in Washington, he has opposed modest and common-sense animal welfare reforms.
He has time and again opposed efforts to halt the slaughtering of America's horses for export to Europe and Asia so the animals' meat could be consumed as a delicacy. His position is at odds with the important historical place horses have occupied in our culture. They helped Americans settle this country.
While horses are not food animals, even livestock deserve basic humane treatment -- but Knollenberg has voted to deny such protections and play Russian roulette with our food supply. He sought to continue processing "downer" cattle -- animals who are too sick or injured to walk to slaughter, and are often dragged with chains, ropes, bulldozers, and forklifts. These downer cows pose a greater threat of spreading "mad cow disease," or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), because they may go lame due to illness or neurological disease. Of the 15 known cases of BSE-infected animals discovered in North America, at least 12 involved downer animals.
Animals in the wild don't fare any better with Knollenberg. Last year, he voted to allow wealthy American trophy hunters to shoot polar bears in the Arctic -- where they face threats from global warming and vanishing ice floes -- and bring their heads and hides back across the border to America. It is already illegal to hunt these polar bears for sport in Alaska, so trophy hunters skirt the spirit of U.S. law by killing polar bears abroad.
The Safari Club International gives out a "Bears of the World" hunting achievement award to individuals who shoot four of the eight species of bears in the world, and that awards program drives competitive killing of polar bears.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has made a preliminary finding that polar bears should now be listed as "threatened" with extinction.
It wasn't the first time Knollenberg had taken aim at wildlife. He voted to allow the trophy shooting of bears over piles of grease and jelly doughnuts on national forests and other federal lands, and the use of steel-jawed leghold traps and wire neck snares on national wildlife refuges -- inhumane and unsporting practices opposed by responsible hunters. He even voted against two measures that would have protected dolphins from drowning in tuna nets.
Even with a ballooning deficit, and even though he says he's a fiscal conservative, Knollenberg believes in giving government hand-outs to industries that abuse animals. He voted to use your tax dollars to promote the trophy hunting of elephants in Africa, and to give a $2 million annual subsidy to the luxury mink coat industry.
Of all 15 Congressional districts in Michigan, the Ninth District has the most members of the Humane Society of the United States. Knollenberg's opposition to the most modest animal welfare reforms, especially in light of the humane-minded constituency he represents, is just perplexing.
Citizens of the Ninth District, and the nation's animals, deserve better treatment.
Michael Markarian is president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. He writes the blog "Animals & Politics" online at www.michaelmarkarian.org.
Now that the Senate has approved the FISA bill that will give the telecom companies retroactive immunity to continue spying on American, it's up the the House to stand their ground to prevent this travesty of justice and clear breaking of the law by the Bush administration and the telecom companies.
I'm watching to see how Joe Knollenberg votes, whether he'll stand up for the Constitution or stand up for our criminal president and vice president. No one needs immunity if they didn't commit a crime. When will we hold Bush and Cheney accountable for their crimes against the country? We're watching, Joe.
This article appeared in the Oakland Press this morning. Talk about making much ado about nothing. Republicans also plagiarized the John Ashcraft 2006 campaign, when John created a milk carton asking where Joe Knollenberg was. Knollenberg is rarely in the district and never conducts public town halls or forums where all 9th District residents are invited to ask Joe Knollenberg about his votes in Congress.
I personally called all of the members of the CMU Board of Trustees and not one had been made aware of even one complaint from a student that takes Gary Peters' class.
Also, it should be known, Dennis Lennox is not even in Gary Peters' class.
Let's focus on the real issues here. This issue is just a trumped up attempt to bring negative publicity to a public servant that has served Michigan residents honorably and capably and he is more than able to replace Joe Knollenberg in the U.S. Congress.
I just found this great video that speaks to a what John McCain would do if he were to be elected president. 100, 1000 more years in Iraq, who knows how many casualities and catastrophic injuries.
I wonder if Joe's vote against the mine safety legislation has anything to do with where Joe Knollenberg is getting his campaign contrubutions from. What do you think?
Ms. Stephanie Salvagno COALPAC - National Mining Assoc. 101 Constitution Ave NW # 500 East Washington, DC 200012133
11/05/2007
500.00
500.00
Receipt
Ms. Stephanie Salvagno MINEPAC - National Mining Assoc. 101 Constitution Ave NW, #500 East Washington, DC 20001
11/05/2007
500.00
500.00
Receipt
Ms. Beverly Marshall Duke-Energy PAC 422 S. Church Street, PB05D Charlotte, North Carolina 282420001
10/27/2007
1000.00
Treasurer
1000.00
Receipt
Mr. Jeff Hogg RJ Reynolds PAC 1201 F Street, #1000 Washington, DC 20004
12/12/2007
1000.00
2000.00
Receipt
This is unconscionable. The S-Miner Act would:
* Help prevent disasters. It would add new safeguards for a dangerous practice called “retreat mining.” It would strengthen standards to contain explosions and fires inside mines. It strengthens the enforcement hand of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, in part by giving the agency subpoena authority. It increases certain penalties against mine operators that violate the law. And it creates a miner ombudsman’s office to handle safety complaints from miners.
* Improve emergency response in the event that a disaster does occur. The legislation more clearly defines MSHA’s responsibilities and authority at the scene of a disaster. It requires MSHA to develop a plan to better coordinate with state and local authorities. It establishes rules for independent investigations of mining disasters. And it would improve safety technology in the mines, including better tracking and communications equipment, more reliable air supplies, and the installation of refuge chambers where trapped miners can safely await rescue.
* Reduce long-term health risks facing miners. The legislation updates standards to combat black lung disease and to reduce miners’ exposure to other deadly health risks, such as asbestos. It also strengthens rules to better inform miners of the health risks they face.
In the race for the U.S. 9th House seat, Gary Peters may be winning the battle of the bucks, at least on the Democratic side of the ticket.
On Thursday, Peters announced he "has received more contributions to date than any previous candidate to take on Republican Joe Knollenberg."
Peters said he raised $183,414 last quarter for a total of $401,217.
"Whether it's people I meet at house parties and club meetings or the nearly 1,000 individuals that have contributed to our campaign, every day I see momentum building for our grass-roots campaign," Peters said in a prepared statement.
It isn't clear how much ahead that puts him against rival Democrat Nancy Skinner, who said a tally of donations hasn't been made yet. "I've been getting small donations from around the county," Skinner said. (Skinner ended the quarter with $6700 cash on hand.)
In 2006, when Skinner ran against Knollenberg, she raised a respectable $420,000 during the length of the campaign and came within 15,000 votes of beating the incumbent Knollenberg.
"I have not been out there in full force," Skinner said last week. But she did take comfort in that she placed first in the Democracy for Action Internet poll, which rated her as the leading progressive candidate among 98 Congressional races across the country in a preliminary count.
"Money alone isn't going to do it," Skinner said.
Perhaps. But Knollenberg came up with his own figures, which cannot be taken lightly. He has rased more than $1.4 million in 2007.
"The Knollenberg campaign raised the most money it has since 2002," a Knollenberg campaign statement stated. It was, he noted, "a particularly strong showing for a non-election year, during which time candidates typically raise fewer dollars."
Still, with the primary in August and the general election in November, the campaign money-raising season is still young.
With John McCain now the presumptive Republican nominee, let's stop a minute and think about what a John McCain presidency would be about, especially were there to be more Republicans like Joe Knollenberg, who has supported the war in Iraq consistently. I don't think it's a pretty picture. Joe's choice for the Republican nomination, Mitt Romney, pulled out of the race yesterday. Will Joe support John (100 more years in Iraq) McCain?
I was looking at my tax bills going back to 2003, and there's a recurring charge for $275. What exactly is that for and how do I get it removed from my bill?
Gary Peters wants to get the U.S. out of the war in Iraq and start pulling our troops out immediately. Joe Knollenberg wants to stay indefinitely and has been willing to support President Bush's disastrous policy in Iraq that has killed almost 4,000 American soldiers, affecting untold families and 30,000 soldiers seriously injured, maimed and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. It's time to elect a Democrat to Michigan's 9th Congressional District.
Voters in two congressional districts -- one in Oakland County and one that stretches from Washtenaw County to Battle Creek -- will be the focus of hotly contested, expensive races featuring veteran Democratic challengers against incumbent Republicans.
Former state Sen. Gary Peters, a Bloomfield Township Democrat, has raised more than $400,000 to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Township, but Knollenberg has raised three times as much -- about $1.4 million through Dec. 31, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday
Peters had about $359,000 still available, while Knollenberg, who has represented the district cutting a wide swath across Oakland County since 1993, had more than $1 million available. Peters was the state's lottery commissioner before leaving to take a teaching post at Central Michigan University.
"This is a race that's going to have to be very well-funded. But raising money is not going to be an issue for us," said Peters' campaign spokeswoman, Julie Petrick.
Knollenberg, first elected in 1992, won by a 51%-47% margin in 2006 against Royal Oak Democrat Nancy Skinner. He spent $2.6 million on his 2006 race compared with Skinner's $364,000.
Oakland County, MI- Gary Peters continues to build overwhelming momentum in his bid for Congress in Michigan's 9th District. Peters has received more contributions to date than any previous candidate to take on Republican incumbent Joe Knollenberg and has garnered early key endorsements. Peters garnered support from almost 1000 individuals in the district including support from Republicans and Independents.
"Whether it's people I meet at house parties and club meetings or the nearly 1000 individuals that have contributed to our campaign, every day I see momentum building for our grassroots campaign. Our working families in Oakland County are fed-up with Washington and the direction of this country. Our message of change, fighting tooth and nail for jobs, and putting Oakland County first has really struck a chord."
Gary Peters is widely regarding for having a hands-on approach to solving local problems. He has a record of results and independence -- turning the lottery around, cutting taxes, holding the line on spending, and creating economic opportunity for the middle class.
In addition to his strong fundraising, Peters has received a flood of endorsements. Last week Peters received the full support and endorsement of the Michigan Association of Police Organizations, which represents over 14,000 police officers in Michigan. Peters has also recently received the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers in Michigan as well as the Service Employees International Union, the fastest growing labor organization representing over 80,000 workers in Michigan. Peters has also received one of the earliest endorsements of the Michigan AFL-CIO which represents over 600,000 workers and 59 unions across the state.
Peters, who has been outspoken about our need for change in Oakland County, raised $183,414.00 last quarter, bringing the total funds raised of the campaign to $401,217, and has a cash on hand balance of $359,366. The Democrat who ran against Joe Knollenberg last cycle raised just under $24,000 in her end of the year filing in 2006. Peters has also exceeded David Fink, the top raising Democrat to challenge Knollenberg, who to date in Q4 of 2001 had amassed just under $370,000 thousand.
These two letters appeared in the Troy Eccentric letters and both make very good points regarding the stance Nancy Skinner is making regarding her candidacy.
I am writing to object to the characterization of Gary Peters' congressional campaign as "Hinging on outsiders" or "anointed" by the party ("Congressional election could hinge on outsiders," Jan. 10) or "disenfranchised" ("Disenfranchised Dems steam over primary ballot," Jan. 13).
My name was mentioned as an early endorser for Gary's campaign, which I am happy to strongly emphasize, but it has nothing to do with party affiliation and everything to do with the fact that I have known and worked with Gary since he was first elected to the state Senate in January 1996.
He came to a meeting of the Bloomfield Hills Legislative Action Network, which was a group of parents who lobbied our Lansing delegation on both sides of the aisle to support our public schools. Gary made ongoing efforts to stay informed and seek out our opinions on issues effecting our district. As a 10-year member of the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education, I had the opportunity to work with Gary on many issues during his tenure in the Senate. I have worked with his wife, Colleen, for 10 years to support the work of Lighthouse of Oakland County.
I resent Nancy Skinner's inference that I am a tool of the Democratic Party. She doesn't know me and has never sought my endorsement. I am not a party activist and was not even present at the meeting Jan. 10 where the discussion took place.
Cynthia von Oeyen
Bloomfield Hills
Process was fair
In reading your Jan. 13 article, "'Disenfranchised' Dems steam over primary ballot," I was very disappointed by Nancy Skinner's comments that endorsements for her opponent in the congressional race were somehow rigged by the Democratic Party.
I am a member of the Service Employees International Union, which endorsed Gary Peters recently. Our process was driven by our membership. We held a town hall meeting of our members with Skinner and Peters. In fact, all three candidates were invited, including Congressman Joe Knollenberg (he declined).
We ask that the candidates "Walk A Day In The Shoes" of our members in order to earn our endorsement. Peters and Skinner both did such, shadowing a Farmington Hills home care worker and Royal Oak city employees, respectively. Lastly, we asked candidates to fill out a detailed questionnaire on issues affecting our members and required them to participate in a thorough screening before our Political Directors Committee. From this multistep process, we found that Gary Peters had a stronger grasp on the issues and had already built an impressive campaign structure aimed at winning in November. Any suggestion that our endorsement process was a foregone conclusion or that it was rigged is a disservice to our membership and the time they spent.
Joe Knollenberg has a new entry on his blog. Joe has introduced. Here's the language. Tax Relief for Families and Small Business
by Rep. Knollenberg
January 25th, 2008
Yesterday I was proud to introduce H.R. 5126, the Family Security and Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008.Our economy has slowed down and for the sake of families in Michigan, it is critical that we take action in Washington to help.Enabling families and small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money instead of sending it to the IRS is a valuable first step.My bill will do this in three ways: permanently cutting the lowest income tax bracket from 10% to 5%; sending all taxpayers an advance payment of this tax-cut; and allowing small businesses to expense more of their purchases.
Joe and his Republican collegues seem to think tax cuts are the answer to every problem. While no one likes to pay more taxes, a tax cut in a time of economic crisis, when our national debt is $9 TRILLION, we are fighting a war that is costing $12 billion a month, a tax cut will only multiply the crisis. A more sensible approach would be to invest in America's infrastructure providing good paying jobs to our citizens, who in turn pay taxes and improve the overall economy. The wealthiest American do not need a tax cut, but those citizens going through foreclosure need more than a tax rebate check to solve their problems.
Maybe if we end the fiasco in Iraq and use the money being poured down the rat hole there we can start to solve the economic crisis in America.
Joe seems very concerned about alternative energy, which is a good thing. Too bad he hasn't taken the lead and introduced his own legislation to make this a reality. My guess is that his plan would be all about tax breaks for the auto companies. Where has Joe been on alternative energy for the past 14 year he's been in Congress? I'll tell you where, he's been blocking every attempt by Congress to raise fuel economy standards. The Big 3 is finally waking up to the fact that they can't just keep building SUV's and making outrageous profits on the large, gas guzzlilng models. Finally hybrids, fuel cells and biofuels were front and center at this year's auto show. Maybe Joe and the Big 3 finally see the writing on the wall. It will be a little too late for Joe though. This is Joe's last term in Congress.
From the Detroit Free Press
“I ... support the president’s call for bipartisan work on energy issues. The American auto industry is facing the reality of meeting new fuel economy standards in the coming years. Now that the government has issued this mandate, it is our responsibility to help them get there. That is why we need an aggressive and robust investment plan for alternative fuels, including advanced research in plug-in electric batteries and diesel technology.” — U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township.
From the Detroit News
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, said Congress needs to do more to support automakers, now that they face the new mandate.
"I want to see more funding for plug-in hybrids, advanced batteries and clean diesels," Knollenberg said.
From the Detroit Free Press
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a Bloomfield Township Republican, said the stimulus bill should also expand tax breaks for equipment bought by small businesses. "This is about jobs for families who need them, and we should take some bolder steps," he said.
Well, this is interesting. A former Knollenberg campaign worker, John Witt, announced he is challenging Tim Burns for the 19th District of the County Commission. I wonder how if John thinks that his being aligned with Joe (33% approval) Knollenberg will be an advantage. It's kind of like aligning yourself with George (24% approval) W. Bush. I wonder if "fiscally responsible" means the he wants to continue to use the government credit card, as has been the policy of Joe Knollenberg and George W. Bush.
As an aside, the web site mentioned in the press release comes up "page not found."
CONTACT: John Witt Phone: (248) 229-8801 E-mail: wjohn@aol.com Blog: www.johnwitt.blospot.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2008
WITT ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER The John Witt for County Commissioner Campaign issued the following press release: Today, John Witt filed his candidacy for County Commissioner for the 19th District as a Republican candidate. Witt had the following to say about his campaign:
"I am running for County Commissioner because I will be a strong representative of the 19th District and provide a much needed fresh perspective on the Board of Commissioners. I am proud to be the candidate in this race most dedicated to fiscal conservatism and most dedicated to protecting the tax dollars of Oakland County residents. Today, I am demonstrating that very dedication by pledging to 19th District residents that I will never vote for a general county budget that increases at a rate higher than inflation and I will never vote to increase Oakland County's property tax millage rate. I also will work to make the Board of Commissioners more open and accessible to residents by pushing for the full Board meetings to take place in the evening and for these meetings to be televised. Furthermore, I will advocate for meeting minutes to be available in both hard copy and electronic form within three working days after a meeting. I will be a strong voice for the concerns of my constituents in Troy and Clawson. While I may not be the establishment's choice for the Republican nomination, I will work hard to become the people's choice. Instead of relying on the support of political insiders who reside outside the 19th District, I look forward to earning the support of Troy and Clawson voters. I will earn this support by always putting the 19th District first."
John Witt, an eight-year resident of Troy, has previously worked for Congressman Joe Knollenberg and the Keith Butler for United States Senate Campaign. He looks forward to using his fresh perspective to bring stronger, more fiscally responsible and resident-focused representation to the 19th District.
About John Witt Education: B.A., summa cum laude, Saint Louis University, January 2008. Graduate of Brother Rice High School, May 2004.
Political Intern in District Office of Congressman Joe Knollenberg. Background: Campaign Assistant for Keith Butler for United States Senate. Member, Troy-Clawson Republican Forum. Member, Oakland County and Michigan Republican Party.
Starting with Ronald Reagan and his busting of the air traffic controllers union, wages have been under tremendous pressure. This report puts Republican policies in perspective and how those policies are related to our current economic crisis.
Republicans say they are the party that takes care of veterans. The truth is, according to the Veterans Administration, there are 195,000 homeless veterans. Joe and his Republicans colleagues say they care about veterans, but the facts say something different. Bill O'Reilly and his kind can't face the consequences of their actions.
* Help prevent disasters. It would add new safeguards for a dangerous practice called “retreat mining.” It would strengthen standards to contain explosions and fires inside mines. It strengthens the enforcement hand of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, in part by giving the agency subpoena authority. It increases certain penalties against mine operators that violate the law. And it creates a miner ombudsman’s office to handle safety complaints from miners.
* Improve emergency response in the event that a disaster does occur. The legislation more clearly defines MSHA’s responsibilities and authority at the scene of a disaster. It requires MSHA to develop a plan to better coordinate with state and local authorities. It establishes rules for independent investigations of mining disasters. And it would improve safety technology in the mines, including better tracking and communications equipment, more reliable air supplies, and the installation of refuge chambers where trapped miners can safely await rescue.
* Reduce long-term health risks facing miners. The legislation updates standards to combat black lung disease and to reduce miners’ exposure to other deadly health risks, such as asbestos. It also strengthens rules to better inform miners of the health risks they face.
Our Congressman, Joe Knollenberg voted NO! How could you, Joe?
When I heard Mitt Romney, a week ago Saturday Night, in the ABC debate, claim that he's the only candidate who "understands radical jihad," I scratched my head. He refuses to ask his church to stop funneling $20 million plus to a HAMAS charity, or even to say he disagrees with it. I like and respect Mormons, but not this outrageous funding decision by their church. Plus, he made anti-American statements when he headed the 2002 Salt Lake Games that jihadists would love. And then, there was his statement at the ABC debate that he will take the Muslim world into "modernity and moderation." But, does he really believe "modernity" equals moderation? Um, I guess he's never seen a jihadist website or been to Dubai. They are more modern than we are. It's just their ideology that's back in the 7th Century and good luck to Mitt in bringing it up to date. Oh, and don't forget Romney's previous statement at a town hall meeting that he "admires Hezbollah."
But now, I come to find out, that Hezbollah's key funder in Congress, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Michigan), is a key Romney guy and has been hangin' with Romney all over Michigan for the last week. There he is on stage, denoted by a circle, in the picture below, from a Romney rally in the Detroit area yesterday.
Is Romney bothered that Joe Knollenberg put "Seeds of Peace"--a summer camp founded by Yasser Arafat's fave biographer--on the federal budget? Or that the camp, until recently run by Clintonista Aaron David Miller, discussed Holocaust denial as a legitimate theory and made Jewish campers and kids of Palestinian terrorists discuss that? Why is our tax money going to this camp in Maine? Ask Mitt Romney's favorite new Michigan Congressman?
Or ask Joe Knollenberg why millions in our federal money went to the jihadist, anti-Israel National Arab American Museum? He single-handedly went to bat for federal pork for this warehouse of enemy propaganda on our soil. And ask Romney why he has allies like this in Michigan.
How dare the Republican presidential candidates. Some of the Republican presidential candidates, as America falls into what is predicted to be a widespread recession, gathered at Laurel Manor in Livonia on Saturday. Republicans seem to think that tax cuts are the way to bring prosperity to America. Even though their tax cuts go to the richest 1% of Americans, those are the only people Republicans care about, including Joe Knollenberg.
A dedicated group of local activists showed up at the "American Dream Summit" to let America know that they are not fooling the rest of us any more. We all know now that Republicans don't care about average working men and women. They care about their corporate donors and the profits of the corporations they serve.
Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) is calling for the impeachment of Dick Cheney. Please watch the video and sign the petition Call or fax Congressman Knollenberg: Phone: (202) 225-5802 Fax: (202) 226-2356
I'm no economist, but this seems to make sense to me. It's Toyota combating Knollenberg's argument on yen manipulation.
Weak Yen or Strong Products?
We're going to take an overdue look at an old wives' tale that materializes rather like unwelcome ghosts from time to time.
It is that the Japanese government has somehow manipulated the value of its currency, the yen, to benefit Japanese-based companies that do business in the United States and Europe, holding it artificially low so that the manufacturers are able to realize what amounts to a subsidy on products they build in Japan and sell abroad.
Indeed, this tale of the manipulated yen is far more spectral than, say, Casper, our friendly ghost of theatrical cartoon series fame. It raised its wispy head again late last year, this time in a letter from Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R., Mich.), published in the Wall Street Journal.
On Tuesday, January 15, primary election day in Michigan, you may run across people asking you to sign a petition to make Michigan a "Right to Work" state.
DON'T SIGN THAT PETITION!!!!
It will drastically affect you and your family in a negative way if Michigan were to become a "Right to Work" state. Watch this video.
In the 1860s, Abraham Lincoln suffered the slings and arrows of nasty political cartoons. In 1964, a black-and-white TV ad showed a mushroom cloud over a child picking daisies, implying that presidential candidate Barry Goldwater would use the nuclear bomb in Vietnam.
In the digital age, you don't have to have money, access to the media or party connections to make waves in politics. Anyone with a camera phone and Internet access can get involved in a big way.
Rochester Hills retiree Bruce Fealk has forced people to pay attention to his campaign to unseat incumbent Congressman Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township. A liberal, Fealk has put up his own Web sites, hosts a cable TV show and engages in good old-fashioned demonstrating, such as showing up at the Rochester Christmas parade in a big papier mache likeness of Knollenberg.
This article appeared on January 2 in the Detroit News, noting Trent Wisecup's run-in with a camera wielding anti-war activist (me) and gives the link to the video and quotes Joe as saying Craig Albright is a professional, maybe implying Trent wasn't so professional?
It looks like rather than take a new tack, Joe prefers to stick with someone he knows. I expect that we'll see more of the same from Joe, rather than learning from his mistakes of the past. That's good news for Gary Peters, his expected opponent in the 2008 general election. This being Joe's last campaign, I'm glad Joe at least isn't going to turn into a Mitt Romney flip-flopper. Oh, did I mention Joe endorsed Romney?
Rep. Knollenberg hires top aide
U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, announced today that he's hired a new chief of staff, Craig Albright, who's worked in Republican politics since the mid-1990s and who's also getting ready to be a first-time dad.
Knollenberg is expected to face another barnburner of a race. He's targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He'll face the winner of the Democratic match between former Michigan lottery commissioner Gary Peters and Nancy Skinner, who held Knollenberg to an unimpressive 52-percent victory in 2006.
The already hot feelings in the race were captured on video and posted on YouTube in October. Knollenberg's chief of staff at the time, Trent Wisecup, got into a testy exchange with a camera-wielding anti-war activist. The video has now been watched 47,696 times. Afterwards, Wisecup announced he had gone on paid medical leave to seek treatment for a mood-swing disorder. Knollenberg's office said Wisecup is no longer employed either on the congressional or campaign staff.
"I'm excited to have Craig on board," Knollenberg said in a statement. "He's a true professional and effective at getting things done. It's rare to find someone with extensive knowledge of both my congressional district and Washington, DC."
Albright grew up in Birmingham and has a BA in economics from Michigan State University.
He worked as a legislative aide in the Michigan state legislature before Knollenberg hired him from 1997 to 2005 (including as campaign manager in 2002). He then worked for Vice President Cheney as deputy assistant for legislative affairs and for President Bush as special assistant for legislative affairs.
January 2007January 19, 2007Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce - Legislative Update 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Rochester College (in the RAC Theatre)800 W. AvonRochester HillsNo charge
