Civility vs. A Comeback; The Tale of Two Leaders

The difference in tone and content between the two government leaders is telling of the entrenchment by Snyder in regards to his failed administration.

Calling for civility above the hate speech of Trump elevates Snyder in a way that serves his purpose for a better public image.

November 9, 2018

Detroit — Gov. Rick Snyder (click here) has given another pitch for civility in government and politics.

Snyder spoke Friday at the Detroit Economic Club, taking friendly questions about his two terms from the head of DTE Energy. The Republican says a lack of civility is the "greatest threat" to the country.

Snyder says the focus should be on solving problems, not insulting people. He says he's most proud of keeping young people in the state and Detroit's turnaround, which began with a bankruptcy filing that he authorized. He says "enough was enough" in Detroit, after years of mismanagement and poor services.

Snyder didn't mention the Flint water crisis while on stage. Later, he said there were failures at all levels of government.

He doesn't plan to pursue another elective office in Michigan.

Snyder's failed administration hides from view. Don't tell me he isn't attempting to conceal the truth and avoid prosecution.

November 7, 2018
By Veronica Meadows

This heat map (click here) was made by researchers Jacob Abernethy and Eric Schwartz using their predictive model to identify service lines. The blue represents areas predicted to have copper, or safe lines, the red predicts areas that have lead or galvanized lines and the black is where AECOM has dug up pipes in 2018.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (click here) was a no show at a Flint City Council hearing.

The council subpoenaed them to learn more about how state funds are being used for pipe replacement.

Since the MDEQ didn't show, project manager AECOM was front and center.

They're in charge of a five million dollar contract for Flint's FAST Start Service Line Replacement Program.

But the meeting also came with plenty of conflict.

A familiar sight at Flint City Council meetings: two councilmembers walking out after butting heads with Eric Mays.

Meanwhile AECOM answered several questions....

The Flint plan for replacing water pipes fell into criticism and now is used as the reason for continuing the city's dangerous water system. The city did not decide on the approach, their advisors allowed the faulty technology to be used. Why is it the victim is always to blame?

November 5, 2018
By Zahra Ahmed

..."The city's illogical approach (click here) means that hundreds of lead and steel pipes will likely stay in the ground and in use, and Flint families will remain in harm's way in the meantime," said Cyndi Roper from the NRDC.

Rather than checking homes documented to have hazardous pipes first, the city wants to dig up pipes at all 25,800 homes with active water accounts at its own pace.

The city referred all questions about its methods to AECOM, a Los Angeles-based engineering firm contracted for $5 million to oversee FAST Start.

Mayor Weaver doesn't have to call for civility, she continues to put one foot in front of the other to solve Flint's problems.

October 8, 2018
By Brianna Owczarzak

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver (click here) delivered the State of the City address on Thursday, Oct. 18.

“I think the things and programs that she’s got going is tremendous,” said Donald Stevens, Flint resident.

Flint residents are feeling confident about their city after Weaver’s third State of the City address.

“I’m able to stand here today and speak about the greatest comeback story of all time,” Weaver said.

The newly refurbished Capitol Theater was packed as Weaver delivered the good news about the city. She said more than 15,000 lead pipes have been replaced since the water crisis came to light. They are hoping to complete the rest soon.

“We are well on our way to meet our goal replacing all the known lead service lines in the city by the end of 2019,” Weaver said.

She also mentioned the generous donation from Elon Musk.

“Flint Community Schools will be installing new ultra violet water filtration systems for water fountains throughout all the school buildings,” Weaver said....

I think President Macron has a valid point and I doubt it is all financial. President Trump has demonstrated a hostile attitude regarding NATO while illegally embracing Russia. I think Europe will find developing it’s own military industrial complex will be a lucrative venture with many benefits including strengthening national security and the overall GDP of Europe. Great Britain and France are two permanent members of the UN Security Council. 

I don’t believe the USA has the strong moral commitment to allies it once had. There is also the issue of acting effectively, in the case of the migrants from the Northern Triad, to US aid and supporting asylum when that aid is slow in arriving.

There are problems with the chumminess of Trump and Putin. Russia is becoming more aggressive in regard to NATO. There cannot be another demise of Europe and the disrespect Trump shows regularly to European leaders is counter to good and productive relationships. 

Europe has gained good allies in the Post Soviet States since the inception of NATO. They are developing their economies as quickly as they can, but, they also have great military minds that understand the dangers of communism vs. democracy and they have no will to go back to practing communism. I also believe Russia is completely undependable as an economic or military partner. Treaties mean nothing to them. Russia breaks treaties as quickly as it makes them when it discovers it will not serve as a method to end great democracies. 

There is also the issue of China. Recently the former US Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson wrote an article stating while Goldman was the first investment firm to make development important in China, things were changing and he was experiencing a less enthusiastic welcome.

I think Europe has to reassess its place in the world and reassert it’s prowess and morality. There is nothing lost with a stronger military with a sovereign Europe, especially with the consolidated nations of the European Union. I hate the thought, but, the facts before all of us gets more real everyday.

The Republicans lose their voters in their 50s to cultural entrenchment.

The purveyor of Fake News. President Trump is not interested in improving the knowledge of his base. His expression of lies in this particular encounter is for the purpose of violence. If Trump can INSPIRE one or more of this old, white man nut cases to disrupt the count, he will. He is advocating violence when he fabricates FAKE NEWS to his loyal thugs.

Politico (click here) has an interesting method of reporting the demographics of the elections. Click on a state and red and blue demographics show up.

Example: 

Georgia (click here) 

It is pathetic to realize the Republican voter is actually undereducated, poor, white people.

THAT IS THE FACT.

That statement about who exactly votes Republican is not prejudice or discrimination. These graphs show exactly the truth as to who the Republican Party is and it is poor, undereducated white people. As long as the Republican Party is benefitting from this demographic they will never seek to improve cultural dynamics which include economics. The Republican voter is stuck in a failure chain and it will never change until they seek higher standards of living for themselves.

The rhetoric of Trump is more toxic than his predecessors and it spawns violence among this demographic. They are stuck and don't realize it. They believe they are oppressed by a political system they cannot control. They become violent because they feel threatened. They feel threatened by "the other." They don't feel threatened by alcohol, tobacco, high cholesterol diets, long hard hours of work or limits on health care. They embrace death and god because this demographic has been proven to die primarily in their 50s.

This is a shame the USA has to overcome.