Category Archives: Politics

‘Privacy’ for snitches

Posted on September 14, 2010 by hro50ta1

A clerical error appears to have allowed Mr. Withers’s identity to be divulged: In most cases in the reports, references to Mr. Withers and his informant number, ME 338-R, have been blacked out. But in several locations, the F.B.I. appears … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad government, Chicago '68, Joel's J School, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Turning rain into smoke

Posted on July 12, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Mostly, I let people post comments on JOTR without adding my two cents. Now and then, though, a comment will contain some quality that seems to cry out for my reaction. It may be very interesting, very … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures in history, Adventures on the Rouge, Bad government, Lakes and streams, Muni bonds, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Not the Middle Ages

Posted on June 25, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic church got to act as prosecutor in cases touching every walk of life. The church’s behavior was justified by authorities as “defending the faith.” Legally, in many countries, the Church … Continue reading →

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The ‘rainmaker’ and the sewer

Posted on May 29, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Abe Munfakh calls himself a “rainmaker.” He’s running for state senate. “Rainmaker.” What he means is that he got contracts for the Ann Arbor engineering firm he headed. In the following April 22, 1992 Detroit Free Press article, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad government, Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Tale of a ‘rainmaker’

Posted on April 12, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Well, well. So Abe Munfakh, the “self-made man,” is running for state senate. Seems just yesterday that his $10 million inside deal — the no-bid contract his engineering firm received from the Western Townships Utilities Authority while … Continue reading →

Posted in From My Files, Politics | 4 Comments

Advice to pope: Get thee to a monastery!

Posted on April 10, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell King Louis XIV of France is supposed to have said, “Apres moi, le deluge.” I wonder if the pope thinks that because he is anointed to serve as the Vicar of Christ for life, no earthly force … Continue reading →

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Remembering the ‘Party of No’

Posted on March 23, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Have Republicans lost their brains? President Obama is poised to sign the long-awaited health reform bill into law today, March 23, 2010, and not one single Republican voted for it. I think I understand their reasoning, such … Continue reading →

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