CUBA - USA OPEN DIPLOMATIC TIES....2014

President Obama has done what Richard Nixon did in 1972 - Nixon (the great anti-Communist) eho opened dipolmatic relations with China, in 1972...now President Obama has opened the door to diplomatic relations with Cuba, after over 50 years.

President Obama has realized that after 50 years the economic boycott of Cuba, by the US, has been a failure and that was a absolute failure and to create - change - and to create jobs in the US, diplomatic relations with Cuba, should be normalized. Now the Cuban people and Americans will soon be able to travel, and visit. The economic exchanges will provide profits to both countries. The decision was long overdue and President Obama is to be congratulated for making this happen.

There has been Republican outcries against President Obama's decision - what haven't they opposed ??? So to go forward with diplomatic, cultural and business opportunities is a good thing.

ps..Cuban President Rauol Castro has warned and advised the US that Cuba will not give up its political system because of the change - but that is for public consumption - real change is coming to Cuba, and now nothing will stop it. Mao also did the same thing to his Party.


THIS ENTRY WAS FROM 5/31/10

For over 50 years - the USA has boycotted Cuba, with a misguided policy that a boycott would bring down Fidel Castro and his regime.

Well after 50 years, by any measure this policy has been a failure - Fidel and Raul Castro remain in power and the Cuban people suffer - frozen in time.

President Obama has taken small steps - but he must declare an unilateral end to the boycott of Cuba - and Open Cuba to all Americans who wish to travel and/or reunite with family and friends. No restrictions - let American bring their dollars and voices of freedom - let the Cuban people begin to feel the freedom - even if Fidel and Raoul benefit, in the short run.

A program on CNBC (Escape from Havana:An American Story)about 14,000 children secretly flown out of Cuba in the 1960's and their stories is a compelling story of survival and of the failure of US policy.

These children now seniors - some feel Cuba must be open and that American policy, that they once supported, is wrong - and the USA must open trade and travel to Cuba.

Let It Rip: Should police policy include Tasers - Fox 2 News Detroit

Let It Rip: Should police policy include Tasers - Fox 2 News Headlines CLICK TO VIEW

I was on Let it Rip, Thursday, Nov 13, 2014...concerning the use of Tasers by Police...
Please watch and leave a comment

I will be on another segment of Let it Rip, Fox 2 News Detroit (Channel 2)
                                               on Sunday, Nov 23, 2014 at 10:00 am
please watch and comment.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to you all.........David

DEATH WITH DIGNITY...MICHIGAN NEEDS TO ADOPT THE LAW

http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Pages/index.aspx

CLICK ON ABOVE LINES.....

I have long supported a 'Death with Dignity' Law...now more than ever - Michigan should adopt a Law similar to the Orgegon Law, that allows a terminally ill person to die with dignity - to have a physican assisted death, that is in accordance with the persons wishes.

NO longer should a person or families be forced to watch a loved one die a gruesome, undignifed death.
Families should have a discussion with all members about how they want to die - and put it into a will / legan documnt, so that everyone knows the persons wishes, to die with dignity, and not have their life prolonged and that they suffer needlessly.

Michigan State Police - Detroit Police - Wrong: Education & Pay

Michigan State Police and Detroit Police Department - WRONG - Education - (Pay)

MSP and DPD require only a General Education Degree (GED) for hiring - in a job that is very stressful, dangerous and may require a person to make a split second decision that will face review, civilly, criminally and departmentally, and their members deal daily with the public - a low educational requirement - is WRONG, for the Departments and the public, which is demanding better police services.

I have spoken out about the need for Detroit PD to raise its hiring standards, this is the 21st Century...and DPD is trying to maintain a 'best practices' and professional police department and a GED requirement should have been dropped during the DOJ Consent Decree process (and so should MSP). DPD and MSP should have a two year minimum college requirement ( really four years) or a two year military experience requirement, raising the educational levels shows the members and the public that their departments demand more of them.
Colleges now require two and four year degrees to be hired into their police / public safety departments and now MSP and DPD should too.

DetroitPD starting pay is $29.300. and MSP starts troopers at $45,000 ($1,700 a month during training)...So DPD must under the Reorganization Plan raise its hiring standards and PAY, to maintain a professional department and MSP / DPD should raise its hiring standards to meet the requirements of state colleges.
ps: DPD under its new contract - still not signed - pays starting DPD officers only $14.25 an hour and they are required to contribute 8% of their pay to their pensions - effectively reducing their take home pay. Will some DPD members qualify for state welfare payments ????????????

DPD officers can effectively make more take home money, working a liquor store, or other off duty jobs. DPD officers can after training move onto suburban or out of state police departments and make substancially more money and with better benefits, recruiting efforts by out of state departments has always been a problem for the DPD. Burger King, McDonalds, Rally applicants may now flock to DPD recruiting with their GEDs in hand, hoping to be a DPD officer.
note: this should not discourage minority applicants but would require a different recruiting effort to find the 'best and brightest' applicants among those in college or the military.

MIKE ILITCH FAILS DETRIOT / YOUTH - CURSED...

Detroit Tiger Stadium vs. Utica (Mi) Baseball Stadium...Detroit Taxpayers Lost
....also Ilitch fails Detroit youth - they need baseball fields in Rouge Park - now.

Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Tigers, and Red Wings, along with George Jackson, former head of the DEGC, should be condemned and investigated for allowing historic Detroit Tiger Stadium to be demolished and Ilitch for taking Detroit tax dollars for the security and maintenance of the Stadium and then failing to fufill the agreements with the City.

Mike Ilitch and the Detroit Tigers are cursed - and will NOT win the World Series in Ilitch's lifetime, because he helped with the 'demolition by neglect' (documentary film - Stranded at the Corner -).

Utica is getting what Ilitch and Jackson could have achieved with Tiger Stadium, a revenue producing stadium to host minor league baseball and other activities. Detroit Tiger Stadium could have been configured to host a minor league team, Wayne State Universtiy baseball, local high school championship games and other activities that could have been a revenue stream for the City. Detroit Tiger Stadium could have been a visitors mecca, (like Fenway Park, Comiskey Park) with a Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Ernie Harwell's sports memorabilia, and more - but all attempts to save Tiger Stadium were meant with contempt by Jackson (Ilitch) and blocked.

The FBI should reopen or start and investigation of Ilitch and Jackson, so that Detroit residents and baseball fans, know the TRUTH about the 'demolition by neglect' that left Detroit without a viable revenue stream and a historic stadium torn down.

Ps: Mike Ilitch and the Detroit Tiger players have failed Detroit youth by not constructing and maintaining enough baseball fields in Detroit and throughout Rouge Park...no wonder there are so few black major league players.

Utica announces $8M-$10M, 2,500-seat semipro baseball development DETROIT FREE PRESS...STORY

DETROIT WATER IS NOT FREE...UNITED NATIONS, CANADA, THE WORLD

DETROIT RESIDENTS PAY: CABLE BILLS (66%), CELL PHONE BILLS (72%)...OOPS NOT WATER BILLS (50%).....THERE IS NO NO NO FREE WATER, GAS, ELECTRICITY !!

Federal Bankruptcy Judge Steve Rhodes...take note - concentrate on Detroit Retirees who may not be able to pay THEIR bills , because Big Banks, and Bondholders were greedy and now spiteful.

Detroit Police / Fire Fighters and General City Retirees - voted to help save the City and now a few protesters are stirring up a storm over unpaid water bills, in the winter, it was no heat... but cable bills and cell phones bills are paid, while Detroit retirees LOST ALL OF THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS...who has the better grievance ??? Detroit Retiress - Judge Rhodes !!!

Their is a small cadre of people, some lead by Ron Scott (misguided - will protest anything especially when DPD is mentioned) that will protest anything and everything in Detroit. It must STOP...The right to protest also has responsibilites, use the right to protest, wisely - against Big Banks and Bondholders who are robbing Detroit Police . Fire Fighters and General City Retirees of their HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, a part of the pension checks - Pensions guaranteed by the MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION...this is a justifiable PROTEST...

Ps. Mark Ruffalo - Celebrity mouth...learn about Detroit before you bad mouth it - you sounded loud and IGNORANT..
Canadians - We don't need your water - ours is a better quality...tell Detroit residents to pay, their water bills before their cable or cell phone bills...

DETROIT RESIDENTS PAY CABLE, CELL PHONE BILLS - OOPS NOT WATER BILLS

DETROIT RESIDENTS PAY: CABLE BILLS, CELL PHONE BILLS...OOPS NOT WATER BILLS...THERE IS NO NO NO FREE WATER, GAS, ELECTRICITY!! DETROIT RESIDENTS PAY THEIR CELL PHONE BILLS (72%) AND CABLE BILLS (66%) BUT 50% PAY THEIR WATER BILLS.

Federal Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes...take note - concentrate on Detroit Retirees who may not be able to pay THEIR bills, because Big Banks, and Bondholders were greedy and now spiteful.

Detroit Police / Fire Fighters and General City Retirees - voted to help save the City and now a few protesters are stirring up a storm over unpaid water bills, in the winter, it was no heat... but cable bills and cell phones bills are paid, while Detroit retirees LOST ALL OF THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS...who has the better grievance ??? Detroit Retiress - Judge Rhodes !!!

MALAYSIA FLIGHT MH 17...UNITED NATIONS, THE WORLD, NETHERLANDS

Russia is morally and ethically responsible for the death of 298 innocent passengers on Flight MH 17...There should be no hesitation on placing blame.

The United Nations Security Council should ignore any veto by Russia and order joint UN military units and the Ukrainian Army to secure the crash site and secure the site for proper inspection and removal of the dead and other properties.

If Russia objects or interferes with the UN troops, the European Union should send in a joint military units to act under UN sponsorship and fight the Russian terrorist who now control lthe plane's site.

This is not President Obama's fault or the US responsibility...there was only one (1) American listed as a passenger. The Netherlands lost the most citizens and it was Malaysian airplane. They must take the lead, with European leaders assisted by the US, but we are not the World - this is a World problem and the UN must stand up, now and in the future as conflicts becomes more the responsibility of the World.

Those who blame the President for a faulty or timid military policy - Republicans lead by Cong John Boehnner and grumpy US Senator John McCain would have had us fight in Iran and Syria and resend US troops into Iraq, in which, to many US soldiers (4,500) died and we spent over one (1) trillion dollars (it now seems misspent) . The Republicans - are WAR HAWKS who see US Soldiers as a symbol of our Power, and not a precious resources to be used only in the most serious of circumstances.

The US should not think or make every World problem a US problem or claim the US National Security Interests are at stake. We should have learned that lesson in Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan and now Syria - our military power does not always translate into military victories. The more we deploy US soldiers, the more we can expect death and none victories. American soldiers should not be 'cannon fodder' to those in the Congress who want to plant our flag at and in every World Crisis.

Diplomacy must be our first ACT...and only military intervention is so clearly evident and necessary that the American Public, whole heartedly endorses the deployment. NO lies or faulty military intelligence should justify US military intervention. The US can offer assistance - now its a DRONE world military, that is needed, not US troops.

DETROIT BANKRUPTCY - JUDGE RHODES - PUBLIC HEARINGS, JULY 14, 2014

DETROIT BANKRUPTCY PUBLIC HEARING - JULY 15, 2014, 2 pm

I was one on the @ 80 members of the public selected to appear before Federal Judge Steven W. Rhodes, at the US Court House, in Detroit, to talk about the Detroit Bankruptcy Case.

I was allowed five minutes and I had a prepared statement, typed in all CAPS, so that I could read it, there was no telepromter. Below is my prepared statement, but I went off message, because we were in Federal Judge Julian Cook's courtroom, who is in charge of the Department of Justice DPD Consent Decree Case, which began in 2003.

I was upset to be in the court room that I had been in with DPD PC Warren Evans, just after he was appointed Chief. I was there then to ask Judge Cook, to do his job and to accelerate the compliance of DPD with the Decrees. It has cost Detroit $$$ millions of dollars $$$ since 2003 and still as of July 15, 2014, there is still not full compliance with the Decrees.

Mark Diaz, President of the DPOA, told me that Detroit is paying $40,000 a month while the Decree Case drags on on and on.

I started off telling Judge Rhodes that I had been in this courtroom with PC Evans, to ask Judge Cook to do his job, and today I told Judge Rhodes that it has cost Detroit millions of dollars and still there is no compliance and that I belived that Judge Cook was not doing his job, he was failing to do his job and that Judge Rhodes and EFM Orr should order Judge Cook to end the Case, because the money that it was costing Detroit, could be better used by Detroit, the DPD or used for City retirees.

I told Judge Rhodes that the $40,000 a month could be paying for one DPD officer a month. One officer a month that is not protecting Detroit residents.

I concluded this none prepared statement again requesting that Judge Rhodes look into Judge Cooks conduct, in regards to, the DOJ Consent Decrees.

Because I had used part of my time talking about the Decrees and could not fully complete reading my complete statement, I asked Judge Rhodes to accept my statement and to have it 'read into the court record' ...he agreed and has my statement and a letter to him, dated May 15, 2014 which details the loss of my DPD health coverage and the costs $15,170.16, (37%) of my pension check that I have to pay in 2014, and that the NEWS MEDIA was ingnoring in articles about the loss of medical coverage by DPD / DFD retirees.The news media keeps reporting (?) that DPD / DFD retirees, lost nothing from their pension checks - which is completely WRONG.

My prepared statement: ALLL CAPS...so that I could read it.

JUDGE RHODES, I AM DAVID LAWRENCE MALHALAB,A DUTY DISABLED RETIRED DETROIT POLICE SERGEANT, SINCE MAY 2005.

I HAVE COME TO EXPRESS MY DISPLEASURE OF THE DETROIT BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS. WE HEAR ABOUT RESTRUCTURING OF DETROIT
GOVERNMENT SO THAT WHEN IT EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY IT WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER SERVE DETROIT RESIDENTS…BUT IN 2 AREAS I SEE A GLARING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE FIRST CHANGES…DETROIT HAS TOO MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS…FOR 650,000 RESIDENTS…

EFM ORR AND YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REDUCE COUNCIL MEMBERS BY 2 TO 4 MEMBERS…THE COUNCIL IS BLOATED AND NOT EFFICIENT,AND THE COUNCIL JUST GOT A 5% RAISE AND NOT ONE MEMBER HAS REJECTED THE RAISE – WHILE CITY WORKERS HAVE LOST MORE.. AND SOME RETIREES LOST 4.5% OF THEIR PENSION CHECKS AND WE ALL LOST OR MEDICAL BENEFITS…THIS IS NOT FAIR …RIGHT …OR JUST. WHERES IS THE SHARED SACRIFICE…A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS FOR RETIREES.PUBLIC SAFETY IS SAID BY SOME TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES.

WE HAVE A NEW POLICE CHIEF WHO IS CLEANING UP THE MESS FROM PAST BAD AND CORRUPT POLICE CHIEFS THAT HAS HELPED LEAVE DETROIT UNSAFE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO HIRE NEW POLICE OFFICERS BECAUSE IT IS SEVERELYUNDERSTAFFED – INDEED THE LACK OF POLICE OFFICERS IS ONE REASON THAT DETROIT IS STILL UNSAFE – NO MATTER WHAT CHIEF CRAIG DOES OR SAYS…EFM ORR AND YOU MUST ORDER THE CITY TO RAISE THE HIRING STANDARDS FOR NEW POLICE OFFICERS… A GED REQUIREMENT IS TO LOW A STANDARD FOR A 21ST CENTURY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DETROIT NEEDS A 2 OR 4 YR COLLEGE REQUIREMENT AND OR MILITARY EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT AND A QUALITY PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR NEW OFFICERS,ANDFOR ALL OFFICERS.AND EFM ORR AND YOU MUST IMPOSE A STARTING SALARY FOR NEW OFFICERS THAT WILL ATTRACT APPLICANTS TO DETROIT AND RETAIN OFFICERS
THAT ARE SACRIFICING EVERY DAY TO PROTECT DETROIT RESIDENTS…$14 ($17 added in)A PROPSED PAY RATE FOR NEW OFFICERS AND WITH A 8% DEDUCTION FOR PENSION WILL NOT ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST POLICE OFFICERS.INDEED SOME OFFICERS MAY HAVE TO GO ON WELFARE TO KEEP THEIR JOBS. FUNDING MUST BE FOUND FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS (AND HOMELAND SECURITY, BECAUSE WE ARE THE BIGGEST BORDER CITY IN US (added) TO PAY FOR THIS MOST BASIC PUBLIC SERVICE YOU SHOULD ORDER JUDGE JULIAN COOK TO END THE DOJ DETROIT DECREE CASE, THAT HAS DRAGGED ON FOR 11 YEARS, AND HAS COST DETROIT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND SHOULD HAVE ENDED LONG AGO.IF ANY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN THOROUGHLY BAD AND CORRUPT – IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS OF THAT DEPARTMENT OR DETROIT’S.

I AM UPSET BECAUSE THE NEWS MEDIA CONTINUES TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS – THAT WE DID NOT LOSE ANYTHING FROM OUR PENSIONS…PENSION CHECKS…WHEN IN FACT EVERY RETIREE MUST NOW PAY FOR THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS WITH MONEY FROM OUR / THEIR PENSION CHECKS.I HAD AS A RETIRED SERGEANT A BC-BS MASTER MEDICAL BENEFIT WITH DENTAL AND VISION. NOW,I DON’T HAVE EITHER…10 DAYS AFTER MY DUTY DISABILITY NOTICE CAME THRU – AT THE REQUEST
OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT – PC ELLA BULLY CUMMINGS I HAD A TRIPLE HEART BYPASS WITH A BRIDGE…I NEEDED MY HARD EARNED MEDICAL BENEFITS THEN, AND NOW MORE THAN EVER…AS I APPROACH 10 YEARS WITH A HEART BYPASS.I NOW PAY ALMOST $900 A MONTH FOR A BC BS POLICY THAT HAS NO DENTAL AND NO VISION - I HAVE CATARACTS AND GLAUCOMA – AND TWO TORN ROTAR CUFFS FROM MY DUTY RELATED INJURY…I WILL PAY ABOUT $15,170. – ABOUT 37% FROM MY PENSION CHECK…OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO ME…THE STIPENDS ARE TOO LITTLE AND ARE NOW CAUSING CONFUSION, DUE TO DUTY DISABILITY QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLY GETTING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE STIPEND..AND NOW WE HEAR OF A VEBA HEALTH SYSTEM ??? WE ARE CONFUSED AND FELT FORCED TO VOTE YES ON RESTRUCTURING PLAN – THAT IS CONFUSING TO LAWYER AND TO US AND WE DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW VEBA WILL WORK OR
IF IT WILL HAPPEN THIS IS WRONG…

ALL RETIREES HAVE BEEN WRONGED BY THE LOSS OF THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.. AND THIS MUST BE MADE RIGHT.RETIREES MUST KNOW THAT THEIR SACRIFICES ON THE JOB AND NOW IN RETIREMENT WERE NOT WRONG AND IN VAIN. I HAVE SAID PUBLICALLY THAT THE DETROIT BANKRUPTCY IS WRONG AND BE BOTCHED FROM THE BEGINNING I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ACTIONS PRIOR TO FILING THE BANKRUPTCY WERE LEGAL, TRANSPARENT AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF DETROIT RESIDENTS AND RETIREES.IF THE DETROIT BOND DEAL IS FOUND ILLEGAL OR A STRONG BELIEF THAT IT IS…THERE MUST BE AN FBI AND SEC INVESTIGATION, AND PEOPLE SHOULD GO TO JAIL. DETROIT POLICE AND FIRE RETIREES WERE MADE OUT TO BE A REASON THAT DETROIT WAS IN SUCH A DIRE FINANCIAL CONDITION.THE PUBLIC WAS TOLD THAT THE DETROIT POLICE FIRE PENSION WAS UNDER FUNDED AND RUN BY CROOKS AND SCAM ARTISTS…WE WERE SET UP TO BE THE FALL GUY IN EVENT THAT A RESOLUTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY WAS NOT PROPERLY ACCOMPLISHED. EFM ORR WENT AROUND SAYING HE WAS GOING CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, WHILE KNOWING THAT THE FBI HAD AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAD BEEN INDICTED,BUT IN FACT OUR PENSION WAS FULLY FUNDED @ $3 BILLION DOLLARS AND WAS A VIABLE AND WELL STRUCTURED PENSION CAPABLE OF PAYING ITS RETIREES. ESPECIALLY, NOW WITH THE NEW PENSION REQUIREMENT FOR DPD / FFs ALL OF THIS FALSE INFORMATION WAS A SET UP TO STEAL OUR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR PENSION SYSTEM ONLY AT THE LAST MINUTES DID EMF ORR ADMIT THAT THE OUR
PENSION WAS NOT UNDERFUNDED.

YOU RULED THAT OUR MICHIGAN CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED PENSIONS WERE A CONTRACT THAT COULD BE BROKEN – WE WILL NOW NEVER KNOW. SO POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS LOST THEIR, HARD EARNED HEALTH CARE BENEFITS….BENEFITS THAT WE WORKED HARD FOR AND SACRIFICED FOR GONE…AT A TIME IN OUR LIVES THAT WE NEEDED
THEM MOST – IN RETIREMENT.

Read to Federal Judge Steven W. Rhodes, July 15, 2014, in part, and
to be 'read into the court record' per Judge Rhodes.
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
Duty Disability 2005

ALERT...LISTEN TO WWJ RADIO...AM-950 THIS MORNING...JUST INTERVIEWED BY CHARLIE. LANGTON. ..ABOUT WHAT I WILL SAY IN DET BANKRUPTCY CRT...TODAY. .2PM..

SEGMENTS AIRED: 7:07 am / 7:34 am
Listen after news segments

FIREWORKS KILLS DETROIT MAN - JULY 4, 2014, DANGEROUS FIREWORKS LEGAL

FIREWORKS KILL MAN IN DETROIT..2014...STOP THE INSANITY...

Watch me on TV 2..4..7...Comment on professional grade fireworks being used by people who don't realize how powerful they are...JULY 5..

Maher Aburouman 44/A/M was eating and drinking with his friends on Plainview / S of Dayton, and they were shooting off a variety of fireworks. Maher held a ground based motar tube with a shell inside, lite it and it blew back into him because the shell couldn't go straight up. Ron Mohlman a friend said it happened so fast that everyone was stunnned. Maher fell back against a fence and Mohlman put a pillow under his head, and said that in less than a minute, Maher died.

I did for a long long time, did the fireworks enforcement in Detroit. Detroit party store owners, gas stations, dollars stores and gypsy salesmen on street corners sold, illegal fireworks, similar to what is legal now. I saw children as young as five years old, trying to buy fireworks. Detroit store owners would sell anything, liquor to minors, crack pipes, counterfeit designer items, pirated CDs / DVDs etc, all to make a profit, because they knew there was a lack of enforcement in Detroitt.

I was threatened by these merchants and laughed at by some police officers, but I saw the need for enforcement and tried to fill the void - it was difficult, but I got convictions in Court, my vidication (up to $500 ea fines) which incesed some merchants.

I emailed the Governor, the Mi Attorney General and legislators and to ask them - NOT - to legalize fireworks, because of the inherent dangers to the public. Legislators used the excuse of capturing millions of fireworks related tax dollars (up to $10m a year) and creating more jobs - that would go to Ohio or Indiana. So they picked the easy fruit from the forbidden tree without a serious consideration for the consequences - death, injuries and maiming.
I emailed the media - Ron Dzwonowski an editor with the Free Press, supported making them legal, for the tax dollars...I was never called or asked for a comment on the legislative action / mistake.

Maher has an exwife and four daughters, who now have no father, becaues he mishandled powerful legal fireworks.

11, 400 people were injured by fireworks last year...this year you can include a fatality. I watched in Dearborn Heights last night, as a father allowed his son (5 yrs old?) and his daughter (10 yrs old?) lite a similar tube filled with a powerful fireworks shell, like the one that killed Maher, in the 8200 block of Riverview. He came up to me and challenged me on Why was I photographing his children !!!

Even though he was in a public street igniting powerful - Legal - fireworks, with his children at his side. His son bent over a tube as he lit one !!!

You can see the videos I shot - on my facebook page (David Malhalab), watch and leave a comment

The Michigan Legislature made a serious mistake and Governor Synder ratified it by signing the fireworks legislation into law. NOW the Legislature should create a - Fireworks Victims Compensation Fund - by adding a $500 surcharge to every fireworks license issued in Michigan.

Local city councils and county commissioners should enact stronger penalties for selling fireworks to children, and for parents allowing their children to ignite fireworks, or putting them in harms way by being less that 50 feet away.

And put stronger restrictions on when and where they can be ignited - no public street or property, park or parking lot, etc....this may save lives.

Mayor Fouts of Warren should be an example to all cities...and to the Legislature - he recognizes the danger and consequences of allowing the unfrettered use of legal fireworks.

Some of the fireworks that are being sold in Michigan are professional grade and powerful fireworks - we have all seen them explode high in the sky for the past serveral years. These fireworks should be handled by professionals who wear firemen coats, helmets, boots and gloves - but the general public and buy them and explode them in shorts and flip flops - and children ignite them with their parent encouraging them to do so.

Some say if we go make them illegal again, then people will still go to Ohio and Indiana, buy them and bring them back to Michigan - well let them the less fireworks in the hands of the general public, the less chance of multi digit deaths and injuries, and we will have taken back our authority to ticket and arrest serious violators.

We have all seen the fireworks bursting in air and heard the noise that is likened to a - war zone - an Iraq War vet said he has flashbacks and nightmares, when fireworks are exploded over and over again in his neighborhood and all across his city ...and from one end of Michigan to the other...It is wrong.

PS. So vote out every state legislator (August 5th Primary) that voted for legalizing fireworks...taxing your pensions...making Michigan a 'right to work state...voted for a 'anti-texting law (uneforceable) when a ban on hand held cell phones / distracted driving law was needed...oppose a woman's right to an abortion (God will be the judge not legislators) and went home to campaign for your vote - with no plan for fixing the states roads and bridges...

VOTE: MICHIGAN HOUSE DIST 11 - DAVID LAWRENCE MALHALAB

Michigan Primary Election - August 5th...Michigan House District 11
VOTE: DAVID LAWRENCE MALHALAB (r) INDEPENDENT...
Absentee voters: vote for me...now

The best Ukrainian - Armenian candidate for YOU...

I am a retired Detroit Police Sergeant and I will not stand for anymore 'business as usual' in the Michigan Legislature. I will stand up for Senior Citizens and Women and make sure that they are protected and get the best services, they need.

We must spend to educate our children starting in pre-school and make sure that at every grade they are meeting their potential. The better the education - early on - the less educational problems we will face later. I favor a 365 day school year and a requirement for K-8, second language education.

I support more education requirement for Concealed Weapon Licenses, more restrictions on 'Open Carry' of firearms, and a ban on the sale of military style assault weapons and ammunition. We need more reasonable gun control laws.

I support a womans right to an abortion; and assisted suicide (death with dignity).

I will support repeal of the No Texting Law (phony) and replace it with a Distracted Driver Law (no hand held cell phones and anything else that impairs a driver) the current law is unenforceable.

Road repair requires an increase in taxes (specifically designated) with no diversion - it requires an increase in fees and making trucking companies pay their fair share. Asphalt and Concrete construction companies MUST be held accountable for the roads they build and repair.

Michigan's 11th District Wayne County (part)

Dearborn Heights city (part)
Garden City city
Inkster city
Livonia city (part)
Westland city (part)

DETROIT'S M - 1 LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, STOP IT - NOW

M -1 LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM - DETROIT....STOP IT, NOW

I have contacted the US Department of Transportation, asking them to STOP and no longer support the Detroit M-1 Light Railway System, that is a 3.3 mile / 13 stop - bondoogle, already over budget and under funded.

It is support by rich businessmen, Mike Ilitch, Dan Gilber, Roger Penske and others that promoted it as a privately funded project, that is now gotten $25 million dollars in Federal Aid and requesting another $12.2 million dollars.

It is a fanciful Disney Land ride, in a City that is in bankruptcy, with retirees robbed of their pensions, tax dollars that should be helping Detroit are labeled Detroit Downtown Development Authority 'captured dollars' (not tax dollars).

Detroit does not have a dependable bus system. Detroit residents do not even have bus shelters, to protect them from wind, rain or snow. Detroit and its suburbs need a coordinated bus system that will provide economic aid to the region and not just to some rich - 1% ers - who plan a mega million development project with a MINI ICE ARENA, as its center piece.

My email says:

PLEASE ...STOP...THE DETROIT M1 RAILWAY....
THEY WANT $12.2 MILLION MORE DOLLARS FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT....
BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERFUNDED...

DETROIT RESIDENTS DO NOT NEED ANOTHER FAILED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - DISNEY LAND RIDE - WE HAVE THE 'PEOPLE MOVER'...

DETROIT DOES NOT HAVE A DEPENDABLE BUS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, THAT PREVENTS RESIDENTS FROM GETTING TO AND FROM WORK OR SCHOOL. THEY DO NOT HAVE BUS SHELTERS, TO SHIELD THEM FROM WIND, RAIN, SNOW...

THE M1 IS TOO SMALL, WITH TOO MANY - STOPS, TO BE EFFECTIVE AND WORTH THE MONEY, WHICH WILL BE NEEDED AND PAID FOR BY THE DETROIT RESIDENTS, IN THE FUTURE...A CITY ALREADY IN BANKRUPTCY, WITH TRANSPORTATION DEFICITS AND SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

PLEASE - DO ALL YOU CAN TO STOP THE M1 - AND PROMOTE A VIABLE PUBLIC BUS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR DETROIT AND ITS SUBURBS.

It's been assigned a number for reference #140624 - 000088...if you wish to support and end to the M-1 Light Rail System, go to the US Department of Transportation website - contact us...and submit your email of support.

IRAQ TODAY - ONLY GOD (ALLAH) CAN SAVE IT NOW...

IRAQ - ONLY ALLAH (GOD) CAN SAVE IT - NOW...
ps: USS John McCain - now a grumpy stupid old Senator....

Radical Islamic terrorists (not insurgents) are knocking on the front door of Baghdad and only Allah (God) can save this country - not US soldiers (again), drones or air strikes.

We (USA) were villified as the 'great satan', our soldiers hated / killed, but now the REAL SATAN has shown up, at the front door - and a religious blood bath will surely follow, when they are victorious, all in the name of Allah. Shi'ites will be slaughtered, women will be raped...then Sunni...over and over again - this will repeat itself in Syria with other Islamic sects killing each other.

These faux religious terrorists want to proclaim an Islamic State ruled by Shaira Law - but they pervert Islam and insult the Prophet Mohammed and Allah.

It is time, long past, that the Muslim clerics join together and proclaim that these terrorist are not doing Allah's work, but are mocking Allah, and denigrating Islam and the Quaran.

The King of Saudia Arabia must take the lead and unite the Arab League to condemn these terrorists and send Arab League soldiers to fight against them.

US soldiers are not any answer and should no longer figure in the outcome of Iraq's futured. They have served, paid with blood and now it is in Arab hands. If Iraq falls to radical religious terrorists - Islam and its religious and political leaders are the fault and the reason - not the the US.

Ps..US Senator John McCain, was a decorated war hero / POW Suvivor, was was - now he has transformed himself into a grumpy stupid Senator. He is currently, criticizing President Obama for pulling US troops out of Iraq and for "not finishing the job" ( US spent over $1 trillion dollars, suffered 4,600 dead soldiers and over 35,000 injured soldiers).

US Senator McCain has in the recent passed - 'Beat the Drums of War' - for the US to stand up for the opposition forces in Syria (he even got his photo with a known terrorist) and earlier for strong action against Iran.

If President Obama had listened and took the 'sage' advice of the war hero - we would be in three (3) wars - now...Afghanistan, Iran and Syria...which would have led to diaster for all of us. Thousands more US soldiers would be coming home to Arlington Cemetary, and more to dysfunctional veterans hospitals, the US and world economy would be in ruins.

So it is time for US Senator McCain to 'shut up' or resign...the country no longer needs his advice.
Mitt Romney, the failed Republican presidential contender (?) should also, not
comment on what President Obama has done...Romney had no exit plan for Iraq when he ran, and President Obama has limited options, that don't include US 'boots on the ground' and he is demanding that Iraq solve its internal political disputes while he works with other governments, some in the area, to find a good plan of action - one that George W. Bush, should have had before, he took us into a no win War in Iraq.

OPEN CARRY GUN LAWS - CHARLES SIMKINS...MURDER - PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST

OMG...WRONG...Public Safety - First (RE: DETROIT FREE PRESS (6-9-14 - Real threat or just odd behavior ???....

Police officers / Law Enforcement Officers should not be intimidated by "Open Carry" proponents, the NRA or any one else, regarding the safety to themselves or the public....

This article as written shows that the officers actions, should be reexamined...Richard Tillman is wrong...I don't like it - but officers actions that have fatal consequences, must be reexamined (2nd guessed) to determine - was their actions appropriate, and what could they have done different - to protect themselves and the public better. Police Agencies do - do this for training purposes and to see if policy changes need to be made. Detroit Police have done this and saved lives of officers by changing procedures and policies, when necessary.

The officers based on this story, SHOULD HAVE 'detained' Simkins for a mental health evaluation (3 days). That is the minimum they should have done - if not outright, called for assistance and arrested him. Confiscating a gun from a person and NO arrest ?????

Governor Engler burdened police officers, with his failed policy to close mental health facilities, years ago, making police departments a taxi cab service for the mentally ill, who couldn't get extended care.

With the increase in mental health playing a large part, in recent (Las Vegas / PD) mass shootings, and the lack of mental health care for returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and the lack of public funding for mental health facilities, police officers must take more seriously, their duty to 'detain' members of the public who exhibit, dangerous / bizarre / etc behavior - but they also need more training, in this area.

Years ago, media reports said the police officers, at the RO Arts Beats and Eats Festival, couldn't challenge / investigate persons who 'Open Carry" at the festival, because of Constitutional concerns - police officers should receive more training, in regards to - 'Open Carry' and CPL violations. Those that 'Open Carry' in public, create a - clear and present danger - to the public, and law enforcement officers need to be able to challenge them.

There is NO - GOD given right to carry a gun in the USA...the Constitution was written over 200 years ago, by MEN...who would be appalled to see their words twisted - to support - carrying military style assault weapons in public and the lack of training in the use of firearms.

The Governor and the Michigan Legislature need to abolish / or severly restrict "Open Carry' laws, and to increase the training requirements for CPL licenses, and give law enforcement officers more power to protect themselves and the public - when confronted by these people.

You can also leave a comment on my - facebook page - please do...

David L. Malhalab
Sgt Detroit Police Retired

PS: TO READ THE ARTICLE IN THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, which promted this Blog Entry... go to my facebook page: DAVID MALHALAB....

In Walled Lake case, cops say it's not easy to tell odd behavior from real threat
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2014 - MEMORIAL DAY - NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND

MEMORIAL DAY - 2014 - No Soldier Left Behind...

150 Years ago, we were fighting a Civil War, where 750,000 soldiers died, some trying to uphold their principles and others to preserve the Union - this after fighting two wars to create this country.

Today, US Soldiers are fighting a war in a far away country that some people can't spell and other can't locate on a map.

We must remember - Presidents and Congress must remember that War has consequences and that is - DEATH. Soldiers are buried in every state and all to numerous foreign countries, and we must remember them and their service. War also creates, broken / damaged soldiers and we must remember them and make sure that the soldiers of all of our Wars - are properly medically, physically and psychologically treated - numerous Presidents and Congresses have pledged to do this - but have failed badly - Monday - they must vow - privately - and publicly that no Soldier is left behind, in their homes, our hospitals, or on our streets.

Today, yesterday and the days before, Americans are dying on our streets and in our homes, victims of a weapon of war. Military style assault weapons, are a being used in our civil society to kill - our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and strangers - all of them Americans.

The Fathers of our US Constitution would be appalled, saddened and furious that their words are being twisted and misused to justify the ownership of military style assault weapons, in our civil society.

We must remember everyone who have died in service to their county and those that have died in our country - Columbine, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Tucson etc etc etc etc and now - Santa Barbara - a civil society. We must all work together to end the carnage brought about by weapons of war - whether on the battlefield or on our streets.

God Bless our Soldiers - their familes and ours. Remember

CARNIVAL FRAUD SEASON 2014...IN MICHIGAN, USA

BEWARE...CARNIVAL GAMES...FRAUD...children cheated...

If you suspect a carnival game is rigged / illegal - immediately contact the police officer patroling the carnival and make a complaint - he may not be able to verify that a games is rigged / illegal, but he should take a report, protect your children from carnival fraud.

The 2014 City and church carnival season has begun, but - BEWARE - there are carnival game operators, that bring in carnival games - that violate the law, and cheat you and your children.

A couple of years ago, retired Dearborn Police Corporal Richard Margittay (carnival fraud trained and author of Carnival Fraud books) and I warned Faye Beydoun and others of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce about 'rigged' / illegal carnival games - and they didn nothing, as did the Wayne County Sheriffs.
The Arab American Festival, in Dearborn, has not operated for the last two years, because of a myriad of problems, including security. But there was no excuse to allow illegal / rigged carnival games to be used.

The Spirit Festival organizers, in Dearborn Heights, were warned for several years, and allowed illegal / rigged carnival games to operate. Will they allow illegal / rigged games at the 2014 Spirit Festival ????

The Livoinia Spree, in Livonia, had illegal / rigged games but warnings seem to have produced better results. I hope the police department and organizers keep it up.

I filed a police report about the rigged / illegal carnival games at the Battle Creek (Mi) Balloon Fest - but I never recieved a call or any response to know if they are going to allow such games again at this very family friendly event.

Bill Shuette, Michigan Attorney General, is failing to provide police departments throughout Michigan with proper training and instructions, as to how to recognize, investigate and enforce the gaming law. He should immediately begin a program to combat illegal / rigged carnival games that steal millions of dollars from carnival goers and children.

DETROIT BANKRUPTCY...SETTLEMENT WITH POLICE / FIRE RETIREES

FYI.......

Don Taylor (RDPFFA) has done a great job trying to protect uniformed retirees...but he was up against an EFM who wanted to protect bankers and bond holders above retirees who spent their lives working for Detroit residents, and sometimes risking their lives....

I am a duty disabled retired DPD Sgt....under the proposed agreement...retirees u/ age 65 will take a BIG hit to their pension checks....despite attempts to disguise this...

I am paying $968.00 a month for BC/BS ..because of my health status...due mostly to my efforts as a police officer....that's @25% of my pension check...with the loss of 1.5% cost of living x 10 years...that's a 40% reduction - despite the FACT that the Michigan Constitution guarantees my pension....

I was granted a duty disability by the request of the CoP Cummings, I was promised a lifetime disability check by the Pension Board secretary, when I was deciding wether to accept or decline the disability....Now I have lost a substantial portion of my pension check....I was sent (and returned) a $125 payment for my health care because I thought I was going to get $400. a month....$125 does not come close to adequately reimbursing me for my current health plan, which replaced a City BC/BC Master Medical Policy, which included a dental and vision play - my current plan - does not.

So to say that this is good for uniformed retirees, is not really accurate, it is a
compromise that lets the City feel good and aids in a bankruptcy settlement - but leaves me with a serious lack of income via my pension check (no social security)

And it should be noted - the agreement isn't finished - the RDPFFA notice says-
details are still be worked out....

David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired

Note: To all Detroit Police / Fire Retirees who are not members of the RDPFFA...
you should join...they have represented all of us - and it has cost a lot of
money and thousands of hours of time...The RDPFFA has good leadership
and you should encourage it...by joining...Do It Today...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rdpffa@hotmail.com
Subj: Bankruptsy Plan of Adjustment Agreement

April 15, 2014

Bankruptsy Plan of Adjustment Agreement
The RDPFFA has reached an agreement with the City regarding the Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment. The following is a list of the main items which have been agreed to;

1. The mediated result provides retirees with no cuts to their current pension checks and a substantial portion of their COLA benefits (45%) going forward.

2. The mediated result also provides Police and Fire Retirees with the opportunity to have their COLA benefits restored to 100% under the plan of adjustment.

3. Police and Fire Retirees will continue to have voting representation on the Police and Fire Pension Board, (1) Retired Police and (1) Retired Fire.

4. A separate Police and Fire Retirees Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) will be established for Police and Fire Retirees healthcare.

This is just a short summary of the major points; some details are still being discussed. There is no doubt some will criticize this agreement. It's easy to say you could have done better after the fact. We believe this provides the best protection of our benefits we could obtain under the circumstances. More details will be released as they become available.

Remember each retiree will be sent a ballot starting on May 1st, and will have the opportunity to vote on the Plan of Adjustment, which will contain the details of this agreement.

Don Taylor
Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Assoc | 586-795-1734 | rdpffa@hotmail.com | http://www.rdpffa.com/
2525 E.14 Mile Rd
Sterling Hgts, MI 48310

http://www.rdpffa.com/
rdpffa.org

MICHIGAN GAY MARRIAGE APPROVED - MICHIGAN LAW, UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Michigan - Gay Marriage approved - Federal Judge strikes down "unconstitutional law" 3-21-2014

OMG...OMG...some Republicans / Tea Party and "real Christians" heads exploded today, after Federal Judge Friedman, declared the Michigan Marriage Act unconstitutional !!!!...Gay and Lesbian couples can now join together in marriage and adoptions and become first class citizens, in Michigan.

Some will say God - will punish Michigan - God was smitten but apparently an all knowing God, must have known in advance of Judge Friedman's decision but he didn't strike down the Judge, so logically you can assume that God approves of the decision.

Michigan AG Bill Schuette must be dancing on a cloud, stars in his eyes, because NOW he can reestablish his conservative credentials - to those Republicans and Tea Party members who doubt him. He will fight the decision, waste taxpayers money and lose in the end. "Real Christians" will be upset and speak out - but, God knows who the Christians are - anti gay, anti lesbians are not.

DETROIT BANKRUPTCY BOTCHED, DETROIT POLICE RETIREES LOSE MEDICAL

RETIRED - Detroit Police Officers are getting screwed, #!"+**, as of February 28th, retirees from the Department will lose their medical benefits, with no assured replacement, reimbursement plan, in place. February 28th - everything we worked for, sacrificed for will be gone.

The Detroit Bankruptcy has been mismanaged, bungled and botched from the beginning - when Governor Snyder made plans for the bankruptcy, before the data had been verified.

The Detroit Bankruptcy should have been a 'managed bankruptcy', like the GM / Chrysler bankruptcy, all the pieces should have been, in place and agreed too. Everything should have been considered - but now bit and pieces are missing, not everything is on the table, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, was blackmailed into contributing to the solution, while other assets were left out (Belle Isle (other options were not considered), Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, Rouge Park and all the other parks in Detroit,
Water Department (?), vacant land etc...Mike Ilitch, the billionaire, and other corporate executives walk away with Detroit tax payer monies ($235m +), tax credits, and loans, while Detroit retirees, Police and Fire retirees walk away with no insurance and now No retirement checks (*?)

I retired as a Detroit Police Sergeant, with BC/BS Master Medical coverage. I received a Duty Disability from the Department, at the request of xPC Ella Bully-Cummings, and the support of the Detroit Police Medical Section, after 23 / 31 years. Less than 10 days later, I had a triple heart by-pass operation. I still haven't realized all the effects of my on duty related injury (I was hit by a car, during an ice storm). I took the position of sergeant because of the medical benefits, and I worked all those years, in service, to the residents of Detroit. I made sacrifices in my personal life, for Detroit residents. Now, I face uncertainty - a reduced retired check (?), and expensive health insurance that I must pay for, despite my service to the community and believing that the State of Michigan Constitution protected me - as I had protected the public.

I am sad, depressed and disappointed that Detroit retirees are not given the respect and dignity that they worked for - that outsiders - are taking away my life and future, claiming that we must share the burden - while banks and brokerage houses that knew the facts and risks involved in loaning money to Detroit are going to walk away with even more money, than they deserve - the same banks and brokerage houses that are responsible for the 2008 National Economic Collapse and Depression, that they were responsible for. Indeed the State must accept blame, for not paying attention to Detroit as it slowly sank into a 'pit of debt'. The banks and brokerage houses have recovered their losses and are indeed - back to billion dollar profitability.

I am now going to purchase BC/BS insurance for $868. a month / with no dental or optical, because in addition to growing old and the infirmities that includes, I have to protect myself from my duty related injuries, and the uncertainties that they will present, in the now and future years.

Detroit is still an unsafe city, with poor schools, and it will be for years, because the billionaires are building a downtown and midtown - for us - but they will reap the bounty, the millions of dollars, because of the hundreds of million of dollars, we as taxpayers gave them, err they gave themselves..

Where is the Justice - Where is Superman when you need him.

NFL - PRO BOWL, 2014

NFL - PRO BOWL, 2014

Is there any better backdrop to any kind of TV, Movie or sporting event than Hawaii ?? Even in the rain - football is great.

Al Micheals, Chris Collingsworth, coaches and sideline personeel should be wearing - Aloha Shirts - if they need to add neon colors, OK ??? but everyone should be wearing Aloha Shirts, its Hawaii and a special event !!!

Michaels and Collingsworth see...med like cheerleaders, commenting on how much more effort this game had versus the 2012 game, in which, NFL Commissioner Roger Godell, threatened to end the game, if there wasn't more effort. This is the same guy who apparently didn't object to playing the Super Bowl, in New Jersey, in an open aired stadium, now there is talk about changing the day of the game - they can't.

It looks like the defenses have the advantage - so its a low scoring game, maybe they can work to make a more even game, next year. Some of the players, looked like they were playing in slow motion, and some players weren't blocking, as if this wasn't a real game.

NO kickoffs ??? but punting is alright ??? they are both dangerous, why eliminate kick offs...? And the NFL could have tried kicking the extra point on the 5 or 10 yard line, in this game, rather than thinking of eliminating it.

The NFL needs to sell more tickets to fill the stadium, the poor weather, may have player a factor, in the poor turnout, but the empty seats, should be an embarrassment for the NFL and it Hawaiian supporters.

CUBA - OBAMA - OPEN TRAVEL NOW

CUBA - PRESIDENT OBAMA - OPEN TRAVEL TO CUBA - NOW, TODAY....January, 2014

President Obama shock the World !!! Open travel, tourism, economic development to Cuba - Unilaterally today - Now...

Boycotting Cuba hasn't worked for over 50 years, Fidel Castro, the last of the larger than life world leaders from the Cold War, in enfebbled, his brother, Raul, is now in charge and elderly. President Obama was criticized for shaking his hand at the United Nations, but he did what he has preached - engagement, not War... the US must take the first step, like Nixon did in China, Open Cuba to the US economy, let the US markets / business reform Cuba, free its people from Castro(s)- let the Cuban community reunite with families that have been divided.

It could be one of President Obama's signature events in his legacy, and it would be
good for all, even the Republican / Tea Party members would eventually see the wisdom of such an effort, as US businesses rush in - where they should have been, all these years.

President Obama - Just Do It.


2ND POST:

For over 50 years - the USA has boycotted Cuba, with a misguided policy that a boycott would bring down Fidel Castro and his regime.

Well after 50 years, by any measure this policy has been a failure - Fidel and Raul Castro remain in power and the Cuban people suffer - frozen in time.

President Obama has taken small steps - but he must declare an unilateral end to the boycott of Cuba - and Open Cuba to all Americans who wish to travel and/or reunite with family and friends. No restrictions - let American bring their dollars and voices of freedom - let the Cuban people begin to feel the freedom - even if Fidel and Raoul benefit, in the short run.

A program on CNBC (Escape from Havana:An American Story)about 14,000 children secretly flown out of Cuba in the 1960's and their stories is a compelling story of survival and of the failure of US policy.

These children now seniors - some feel Cuba must be open and that American policy, that they once supported, is wrong - and the USA must open trade and travel to Cuba.

1ST POST:

Memo to President Bush,

Cuban President Fidel Castro has resigned his position today, now Raoul Castro is in charge, officially.

It is a psychological event, a time for change, transition time - even though Raoul has been in charge, this is an opening, an opportunity to take advantage of...

President Bush - Open Cuba to travel by US citizens, open it to economic aid, to all Americans - SHOCK THE WORLD, as President Nixon did with China. Don't let this opportunity slip through the cracks of ideaology.

Now is the time to OPEN Cuba to the world.

GEORGE CUSHINGBERRY, DETROIT COUNCILMAN MUST GO..

George Cushingberry, Jr should resign...from Detroit City Council

George Cushingberry Jr, was stopped by Detroit Police Officers, and their are three versions of the event - including: location, police chase, contents of the car, but he has charged 'police profiling'...there is agreement that their was a stong odor of marijuana (from a friend in the car with a marijuana medical card)...

"Profiling"...yet the officers (one who may have been black) 'were so far behind him that they couldn't have seen if he was using a turn signal' - then they would be to far behind to profile the driver or any passengers !!!
Cushingberry is a 'stink bomb' on the Council waiting to go off - and he maybe sizzling with his 'go to to he...ll' (Detroit News statement) and now this traffic incident.

If their was a delay in confronting Cushingberry, by the officers - it could have been they were waiting on a response from their computer, with information about the car and license plate, and / or they were contacting dispatch, informing them - of the situation. Detroit Police officers should not be denigrated for doing their jobs.

The Detroit City Council needs to be a hard working exemplary group, working together to 'move Detroit forward' - already Cushingberry is a bad distraction - and its only going to get worse...

Council member Jenkins had every right, when asked for a comment to give one - and she would have made a better Detroit City Council President than Brenda Jones.

PC Craig needs to get the investigation - correct - he cannot be seen as giving special favors to politicians, and neither should the Detroit Police Department

Detroit Police officers don't need another Detroit 'political leader ?' creating a controversy over their actions - we are in Bankruptcy and are being offered 17c on the dollar to take away our health benefits. DPD have suffered pay cuts, poor equipment, poor training and poor executive leadership for years upon years. Newly appointed Police Chief James Craig, had spent months correcting the mistakes and errors of previous police chiefs and is trying to put DPD on the right path to fight crime - Detroit, the Chief and the Department do not need Cushingberry, acting badly and then trying to shame DPD...The TRUTH must be told and if Cushingberry was wrong - then he should accept responsibilty and apologize and change his behavior patterns.