The Anti-Defamation League issues security advisory to Jewish institutions nationwide

In the wake of recent bomb threats The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) New York has issued a Security Advisory to Jewish institutions  across the United States. According to a February, 27, 2017 ADL press release, "The Anti-Defamation League has issued a Security Advisory to Jewish institutions across the country following a new wave of bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and day schools in several states."

Monday, February, 27, 2017, Jewish institutions in at least twelve states, including Michigan, received  bomb threats. These states include Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

According to The Anti-Defamation League, "While this latest round of bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers and day schools across the country again appears to not be credible, we are nonetheless urging all Jewish institutions to review their procedures."

As reported by Purple Walrus Press there was a bomb threat Monday morning, February, 27, 2017 at The Jewish Community Center in Arbor. Monday morning a call was placed to the Hebrew Day School connected to the Jewish Community Center. The caller said there was a bomb in a backpack that was going to detonate. Ann Arbor Police were dispatched to the JCC and the school was cleared with bomb sniffing dogs. According to LT Lige of the Ann Arbor Police no suspicious packages or devices were found.

Jeff Brown
founder/editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Jewish Community Center Ann Arbor Monday, Feb 27, 2017. Purple Walrus Press photo.

The Voice of Reason

By Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.


We've all witnessed over the first 30 days of President Trump's
administration the constant maligning of a group of hard working
individuals.

They are the photographers, television broadcasters, journalists and
radio announcers that report the news of the day.  The Media.  The
Press.  The 4th Estate.  Call them what you will, but they have an
important job. Keep the public informed on happenings locally,
nationally and globally.

President Trump prefers to call them Fake News.  Phony.  The
Opposition.  The Enemy of the public.

These comments have troubled many Americans for the past 30 days and
at long last somebody came forward as the Voice of Reason.

I hope you saw President George W. Bush on the talk show circuit
Monday presenting his book "Profiles in Courage".  He hand painted
pictures of many of the wounded Vets and told their stories of service
to the nation.  It was quite moving.  The Today Show host, Matt Lauer,
asked some tough questions.  43 reiterated that in 2001, when he took
the office of the Presidency, the Nation was very
divided..........until 9/11.  He said "the enemy did a good job of
uniting America."

He was also asked about his feeling about the Press.  His words spoke
loudly and proudly.

"I CONSIDER THE MEDIA TO BE INDESPENSIBLE TO DEMOCRACY.  POWER CAN BE
VERY ADDICTIVE, AND,  IT CAN BE CORROSIVE.  IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE
MEDIA TO CALL TO ACCOUNT THE PEOPLE WHO ABUSE POWER."

Finally!  Somebody who's been in the highest office in the land
telling it like it is!
In other words,  people who live in glass houses should not throw
stones and if they do they will be questioned.

It's easy to forget how people constantly made fun of George Dubya.
Remember Will Ferrell's take on 43?  Hilarious! There were cartoons
galore.  Books about his butchering the English language.  But, he
stood there, like a rock, and took it.  He bit his tongue on many
occasions.  He knew how to be Presidential.  A lesson the current
President should learn.  Maybe growing some thicker skin would help in
addition to a better, not bitter, sense of humor.

We all have a Voice of Reason that resides within us.  We just have to
learn to listen and respond to it.

Bob Resch. PWP.

Bomb threat at Jewish Community Center in Ann Arbor

There was a bomb threat Monday morning, February, 27, 2017 at the Jewish Community Center in Ann Arbor. The JCC  is located at 2937 Birch Hollow Drive. I spoke with Lieutenant Matthew Lige of the Ann Arbor Police Department in front of the JCC around 11:30 Monday morning.

According LT Lige. "Around 9:20 am (Monday)  a single call was placed to the Hebrew Day School connected to the Jewish Community Center. There was a single caller who was very specific that there was a bomb in a backpack and the backpack was about to detonate. That triggered a call to law enforcement." This according to LT Lige.

Ann Arbor police cleared the school with bomb sniffing dogs and did not find any suspicious packages or explosive devices.

According to LT Lige,"It is my understanding that there were similar threats  to Jewish Community Centers in other parts of the country similar in content to the threat made to the JCC in Ann Arbor." LT Lige was clear that these reports are as of yet unconfirmed and need to be verified.

Jeff Brown
founder/editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Jewish Community Center Ann Arbor Monday morning. Purple Walrus Press photo.

Ann Arbor father working toward citizenship detained in Kalamazoo.

According to a post by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice an Ann Arbor father of four is being detained in Kalamazoo. Last week, as was Yousef Ajin's routine, he checked in with the immigration office in Detroit. Yousef has been working toward citizenship for over a year according to Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

Last Monday something went wrong. Yousef was taken to a detention center in Kalamazoo according to Interfaith Council. Sadly, this scenario is becoming all too familiar of late as President Trump has implemented highly aggressive and downright frightening immigration policies. During the CPAC Conference last week the President of the United States spoke of "Throwing" undocumented immigrants "The hell out of the country". This statement was beyond appalling. As I reported last week, four immigrants were taken into custody by ICE on Wednesday in Ypsilanti. What we are witnessing is Trump's mass immigrant deportation policy swing into action with all of its ugly, tragic, frightening and unethical might.

According to a post by Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice,"Attend Yousef's Bond Hearing at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI." Interfaith Council has stated that this is not a protest but rather an expression of support for the Ajin family.

Please attend if possible.

Jeff Brown
founder/editor
Purple Walrus Press.

The role of government is to check power and abuse.

Brooks Parola. Purple Walrus Press.

Folks, the successful business person is such because (s)he is maximizing profits for their company and shareholders, oftentimes at the expense of the American public, and the greater good.

One of the roles of gov't. is to check the power and abuses of those private industries that would do us harm, in their zealous attempts to maximize profits.

Therefore, it is NOT in the best interests of citizens to place business people in positions of gov't. power since their only experience id doing what is best for them, and other business interests they see as worthy of help.

You, are the buyer, who needs to be very, VERY aware; no more so than when you allow business interests to take over gov't.

Brooks Parola. PWP.

Update concerning immigration arrests in Ypsilanti

Wednesday I reported that WICIR stated that reports had been made regarding immigration arrests in Ypsilanti. Reports were that ICE arrested immigrants in Ypsilanti early Wednesday morning.

As of Thursday afternoon The Ann Arbor News/mlive has confirmed that four people were taken into custody by ICE "who were here illegally" according to a quote in the mlive article.

Wednesday the organization WICIR (Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights) sent out an alert on their facebook page regarding arrests made by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Ypsilanti.

Many residents in Ypsilanti are understandably upset, concerned and anxious about these arrests and seemingly much more aggressive Trump immigration policies. Many individuals have taken to social media to express their anxiety in relation to what appears to be greatly stepped up immigration arrests locally and nationally.

WICIR has posted a very valuable video on its facebook page produced by Michigan Immigrant Rights Center titled Family Preparedness "Train the Trainers. According the post, "The video is designed to give background and an orientation to members of the community who would like to share "Know Your Rights" and other information to prepare for encounters with immigration enforcement."  According to Michigan Immigrant Rights Center the goal of the video to prepare immigrants to know their rights and provide information in communities effected by immigration enforcement. In these times this information is much needed.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

WICIR states that reports have been made regarding immigration arrests in Ypsilanti.

The organization WICIR (Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition For Immigrant Rights) sent out an alert on their facebook page Wednesday regarding arrests made by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Ypsilanti.  According to a post on the WICIR facebook page, "This morning immigration agents arrested some folks in Ypsilanti. There have been a number of reports of immigration enforcement activity on the major Ypsi roads."  To be clear, these are quotes from the WICIR facebook page. I need to stress that these reports are unconfirmed.

Wednesday afternoon Purple Walrus Press contacted ICE media relations department seeking information regarding information posted by WICIR. ICE media relations replied to PWP Wednesday evening stating that they are checking into the matter. As of 9:00 pm Wednesday evening I am waiting for information from ICE regarding immigration arrests in Ypsilanti.

Stay tuned for more information.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

NEXUS Pipeline / Concern over gas odorization permit waiver application.

Last week U.S.  Representative Debbie Dingell submitted a letter to Howard Mac McMillian who is Executive Director of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration U.S Department of Transportation in reference to the NEXUS Pipeline. In the letter Debbie Dingell stated her concern and disapproval over the fact that Spectra Energy, who is leading the project, applied fo a special permit to waive gas odorization requirements for the NEXUS Pipeline.

According to the letter sent by Dingell, "While Spectra argues that odorizing gas in the pipeline will be cost prohibitive and technologically difficult, it is critical to ensure that the public has proper input into these decisions and public safety is always protected."

According to the NEXUS website their proposal is to,"Construct a 255 mile interstate natural gas transmission pipeline to deliver 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of clean-burning natural gas from Eastern Ohio to an already existing pipeline in Southeastern Michigan." The pipeline would eventually end at an Ontario storage facility.

According to the letter written by Dingell to the Department of Transportation,"Not only would removing the odorization requirements endanger the health, safety and welfare of local residents, it would also be in conflict with the U.S. Department of Transportation's commitment to addressing environmental justice in low-income and minority populations."

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Not My President's Day / No Pipeline protest held at Ypsilanti Water Tower.

A demonstration was held in front of the Water Tower in Ypsilanti Monday night protesting in response to President Trumps recent Presidential order to revive the Dakota Access Pipeline. Demonstration organizers were intent on bringing awareness to Not My President's Day, Dakota Access Pipeline (NO DAPL), NO Nexus, and Shut Down Line #5. The organizers also collected donations for Standing Rock.

Roughly 50 people participated in Monday evenings protest at the Water Tower across from the campus of Eastern Michigan University. Many protesters carried signs such as Water is Life, and NO NEXUS PL.

The NEXUS Pipeline is a proposed gas transmission line that begins in Kensington, Ohio and ends at a storage facility center in Ontario. The proposed pipeline would run through Toledo and Michigan.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

NO DAPL organizer speaks during Protest Monday. Photos Purple Walrus Press.

The Art of the Handshake.

By Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.

Have you noticed when President Trump shakes hands, he puts a little

extra into it?  When he greets friends and foreign dignitaries, he'll
shake for about 5 seconds, which is standard, BUT THEN,  he'll PULL
the other person IN toward him.  This is unusual.  This is elevating
glad-handing to a new level!

Webster's Dictionary defines a handshake as: "a gripping of each
others hand in a greeting or agreement."

There's much to be said about a simple handshake, BUT,  Mr. Trump,
known for his book, 'The Art of the Deal',  has lead me to a topic I'm
sure he would call:

THE ART OF THE HANDSHAKE.

It happens in most cultures around the world. There are many styles.
Many methods. More importantly, there's a subliminal message expressed
in every person's handshake.  I can't speak for Mr. Trump, but to me,
the optics show his handshake signifies strength and dominance with
the caveat of  'I am in control here AND you will obey me' kind of a
feeling.  A little weird, but hey, he is the President, and it is
President's Day.

Now, in honor of Mr. Trump and because he is a New Yorker, I am
unofficially calling this: "THE YANKee Handshake'.  The YANK for
short!   It must me noted that he was mocked by the press and the YANK
handshake called "awkward"  when he pressed the flesh with Japan's
prime minister Shinzo Abe. I mean it went on, and on......for like 30
seconds.  Weird!!   I was pleasantly surprised to see Canadian Prime
Minister Trudeau was aware and prepared and giving no ground to Mr.
Trump when they shook hands a day later.

Let's look at some other forms of:

THE ART OF THE HANDSHAKE.

The Standard Handshake is commonly called The Firm Handshake. Palms
meet. Up and down movement for 3 to 6 seconds and release.  The
standard issue. No frills.  Friendly.  Strictly business.

The Dead Fish.  A limp hand that signifies passive indifference and
weakness.  These folks are quite introverted.

Sweaty Palms.   A cold, nervous tension in the hand denoting shyness.

The Crusher.   So strong the it can make the average person wince in
pain.  This denotes a controlling personality.

The Hand Hug.  Left hand covering the other persons right hand.  Used
by Politicians to signify warmth, honesty and trustworthiness.

The Dominator.  When a person points the right hand down it connotes
power and dominance.

The Soul Brotha' Shake.  Palms meet with a slight slap, then, each
person grips the others thumb for a couple of seconds, then a release
to palm to palm, then, slide into a finger clutch for a second and
release with an occasional snap of the fingers, all while touching
shoulders in a half hug.  All this denotes being in the Inner Circle.
This is about as close as you can get to a secret handshake.

The High or Low Five.  These two qualify because the palms do come
together.  Both have a loud slap sound signifying joy, happiness and
BIG FUN!

The Gunslinger.   I learned this one from  LLoyd Carr, the Michigan
Football coach in the mid 90's.  The right hand starts at the hip and
swings toward the other person's hand.  The palms meet with a solid
slap and then a normal shake ensues.  If this is done right when the
palms meet they might make a "pop" sound.  The ULITMATE SHOW OF
COOLNESS!!

The Sports Team Shuck and Jive.  Game time dramatics.  Some of the
players have such incredibly complex hand shakes and dances, they defy
description.

So there you have it.  These are just some examples of the manner,
method, and social significance of a common everyday occurrence.  The
basic handshake.  It's communication.  It's symbolic.  It's revealing.
It's a way for people to express their inner self.  After all, thanks
to Mr. Trump, we must understand, it's all about.....

THE ART OF THE HANDSHAKE!

Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.

Pete Murdock's TOWN HALL MEETING coming up soon in Ypsilanti's Depot Town.

Wednesday, February 22  at 6:30pm Ypsilanti Council-member Pete Murdock will be holding a Town Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Freight House located in Depot Town in the city of Ypsilanti. Discuss your thoughts, questions and concerns.

This should prove to be a very important and thought-provoking meeting for the entire community.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Sketchual Healing: An Original Sketch Show at Dreamland Theater.

Neighborhood Theatre Group is back and that is great news! "Sketchual Healing" is a comedy show that is inspired by a powerful brew of love, relationships and everything else in between. As we know, there is a lot there that we can all relate to!

According to cast and writers the show is brimming with original characters, parodies, a soap opera saga and celebrity tributes. This original show features a live soundtrack from NTG House Band as well as a performance by NTG Company Member Chris Jakob. And by the way, this fabulously original show is written by cast members Marisa Dluge, Daniel Ghastin, Brittney Nobles, Angela VanKempen, and Craig VanKempin. The show is directed by Kristin Anne Danko.

"Sketchual Healing" runs February 16-18 and 24-25 at the Dreamland Theater located at 26 N. Washington Street in downtown Ypsilanti. All performances begin at 8pm.-doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 General and $5 Students with ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.

According to the organizers the show is not recommended for children.

Enjoy!

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Dreamland Theater downtown Ypsilanti. Purple Walrus Press photo.

The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. Well, maybe not.

In 1966 a movie was released called The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. The film is an American comedy directed by Norman Jewison. The movie was released in Panavision, also! Cool! The film was based on a novel by Nathaniel Benchley titled The Off-Islanders.

The plot of the movie revolves around a Soviet Russian submarine that just happens to come ashore on a New England island, kind of like Nantucket. In the movie all of the small island New Englanders go bonkers in the ensuing chaos.

Well, hold onto your britches because as of early Thursday morn there is actually a Russian spy ship a scant 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut. Yes, it is true! A real live actual Russian spy ship is cruising around within close proximity to the eastern coast of the United States. Holy Mackerel!

Of course upon hearing this news Wednesday I had to call my dad Gerry Brown who lives in Newington, Connecticut. My dad by the way was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War even though he harbors a keen dislike of guns. While serving in the Navy my dad actually refused to... Oh, never mind. Anyway, there's a Russian spy ship a scant 30 miles off the coast of....my dads apartment and I thought, heck, I better call him! I needed to know what my fathers take on the whole thing was.

Well, as my family is of Russian descent (My great grand parents split the scene and fled Russia in the early 1900's) my dad and I decided that he would paddle out to the Russian spy ship and share some of his coveted homemade Borscht with them.

I know, I know! This development is serious. So here's what is happening. Thursday morning the U.S. Coast Guard said that that they are monitoring the situation, as are federal agencies.  According to the Hartford Courant the ship is beginning to move South of Connecticut.

Further, it is more than a little disconcerting that the Russian spy ship had been hanging around waters a mere 30 miles from the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut.

Federal agencies agree that this is an aggressive move on the part of Russia, but there is little threat to U.S. national security.

Hope the spy ship crew enjoys my fathers old family recipe for Borscht with sour cream and a boiled potato, of course! Old Brown family recipe.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Dear PBS NewsHour.

By Brooks Parola. Purple Walrus Press.


Dear PBS NewsHour, I've been a devoted viewer for many years. One reason is YOUR devotion to being as fair as possible. But part of that fairness includes showing respect for the TRUTH.

Stephen Miller went on all of the weekend talk shows and LIED about voter fraud in this country. He LIED about presidential power under the constitution. He LIED about the constitutional power of the courts as a check on the power of the president. All while sounding like one of Adolph Hitler's ruthless henchmen in trying to justify Trump's "right" to wield raw, unchecked power!

PLEASE, Judy Woodruff, Amy Walter, and Tamara Keith, don't shake your heads at this fool, and say he's "something else".

CALL HIM OUT for his LIES! CALL HIM OUT for cynically trying to fool the American public as a way of gaining support for policies that are unconstitutional, hateful, and race baiting!

CALL HIM OUT for his ass-backward views on how constitutional checks and balances work in this country. CALL HIM OUT for speaking this way, in an attempt to make Americans believe that it's okay to give the president dictatorial powers!

I know you folks at PBS bend over backwards to be fair, but it's just as important that you be fair to TRUTHS that this administration has nothing but contempt for.

Brooks Parola   Purple Walrus Press.

Not My President / Bad & Nasty Cabaret event planned for...President's Day at Dreamland Theater.

An event called Not My President's Day / Bad & Nasty Cabaret is being planned for President's Day. According to the organizers "Bad Hombres and Nasty Women" will present the Not My President's Day event at Dreamland Theater in downtown Ypsilanti on February 20th.

In an attempt to focus anger toward the Trump administration Not My President's Day performance events are being planned around the nation.

The event at Ypsilanti's Dreamland Theater will include storytelling, comedy, improv, performance art and the Drag King Rebellion.

According to event organizers Patti Smith, and Heidi Haire," BAD AND NASTY  (aka Bad Hombres and Nasty Women) is a loose-knit coalition of artists, activists, media makers, theater folks, web geeks, designers, performers, writers, concerned citizens and talented people around the world who are tired of waking up every morning since Election Day 2016 feeling angry/scared/sad and not having anything useful to do with those emotions."

The event will held at Dreamland Theater located at 26 N Washington St. in Ypsilanti from 7 PM - 9:45 PM. Admission is $5.00. All proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood.

The doors open at 7 PM and performances begin at 8 PM.

Jeff Brown
Founder / Editor in Chief
Purple Walrus Press.

Dreamland Theater in downtown Ypsilanti. Purple Walrus Press photo.

Valentine's Day. AIN'T LOVE GRAND!!

By Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.


 Here we are. February 14th. Another Valentine's Day.   My! My! My!
I'm seein' RED all over the place!

It's a LOVEFEST!!  Countless bouquets of red roses. Hugs and kisses
galore. Hallmark guestimates that 114 million greeting  cards were
exchanged worldwide in 2016, AND,  according to the National Retail
Federation, the average person will spent about $147.00 for gifts and
such.  Whew!!  That's a real celebration of love and happiness.

AIN'T LOVE GRAND!!

But, how did this all happen?  I, like many others, figured this was
just a gimmick by Hallmark, Flowers.com., and restaurants to get us to
spend some money on our honey so they could stash some cash.   A-ha!
Not so fast.  A little history will solve the mystery!

Our friends at History.com tell us that Pope Gelasius deemed February
14 Valentine's Day  near 498 AD.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine”
greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell
in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter —
who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is
alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your
Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.

AIN'T LOVE GRAND!!

The holiday continued to gain popularity in the 17th and 18th century.
The first Valentine's card was produced in the 1840's.  With onset of
faster communications in the modern era, Valentine's Day became a
major force in the retail industry.

So now we know Valentines' Day isn't just about roses, candy and
candlelight dinners.  Now we know the season has a reason.   So,
forget your cares and woes.  Reach out and tell that special someone
you've know forever just how much they mean to you.  The least it will
do is enhance your chance for romance!

Have a great Valentine's Day.

AIN'T LOVE GRAND!!

Bob Resch. PWP.

State of Michigan ending credits for Flint residents water bills / What a disgrace.

I have spent the last year and a half utterly dismayed at the lack of urgency on both a state and federal level in regard to the water crisis in my hometown of Flint. I don't know how many articles I have written on the crisis but it has been a helluva lot.

According to a press release from the City of Flint on February 10th,"A senior adviser to Governor Snyder has sent Flint's interim Chief Financial Officer, David Sabuda, a letter to inform him the credits currently being applied to the water portion of Flint utility customer's accounts will no longer be provided after February 28, 2017.

According to an update to the press release from the City of Flint,"I want the people of Flint to know we are still fighting for what is right,"said Flint Mayor Karen Weaver."I am disappointed by the announcement from the governor's office especially after we were told the credits would last at least until March 31."

As I wrote in a recent PWP article, as of January 12, 2017, Flint residents have been told that they still need to continue using a filter for drinking water. Even though the water in Flint is not safe to drink without a filter the State has notified the City of Flint that water credits for Flint city residents will end soon. This is appalling and unfathomable. Many experts feel that the water in the city is not suitable for consumption without a filter. This is not acceptable. The residents of Flint should not have to pay for drinking water that has to run through a filter before being considered safe to consume. What a disgrace.

 Mayor Weaver has said that she hopes to replace 6000 pipes by the end of the year. Residents in my hometown of Flint should not have to pay for city water until each and every contaminated and rotten pipe has been replaced in the city. Why the process of removing and replacing toxic pipes in the city is taking this long is anyone's guess. Certainly, in a nation as wealthy as the United States there is no reason why all of the pipes in the city could not have been replaced by now.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor in Chief
Purple Walrus Press.

Pro-Choice demonstrators rally in Ann Arbor.

Pro Planned Parenthood demonstrators held a rally in Ann Arbor Saturday morning. Roughly 360 demonstrators participated in the demonstration which was held at the intersection of Washtenaw Ave and Huron Parkway.

Lines of pro-choice demonstrators stretched along Washtenaw and Huron Parkway in a strong show of support for Planned Parenthood. Nearby roughly 25 pro-life demonstrators gathered near the entrance to a nearby Planned Parenthood center.

According to several pro-choice demonstrators, prior to the pro-choice rally a pro-life individual who was in a car parked near the intersection of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway and allegedly spray painted anti Planned Parenthood graffiti on the side walk.

 According to several demonstrators the police arrived and apprehended the individual responsible for the graffiti. According to pro-choice demonstrator Jamie Hunter, "It is my understanding that he came out and spray painted it and got towed and taken away. Hunter added that the individual allegedly had a concealed carry permit. To be clear, this information is unconfirmed and based on reports from several pro-choice demonstrators. Purple Walrus Press attempted to verify this information Saturday with the Ann Arbor Police Department, but was unsuccessful in obtaining information from Ann Arbor Police.

Pro-choice demonstration organizer Amanda Crowe told PWP that she was extremely happy with the turn out for the pro-choice rally.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor in Chief
Purple Walrus Press.

Pro-choice demonstrators at the corner of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway in Ann Arbor Saturday. Purple Walrus Press photo.

Orchestra Night at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor dazzling.

Thursday evening eight area middle schools and high schools performed to a packed house at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, and each school performed fabulously.

The eight area schools that participated in the Orchestra Night event included Clague Concert Orchestra, Ann Arbor Open &  Steam School Concert Orchestra, Tappan Concert Orchestra, Scarlett Concert Orchestra, Forsythe Concert Orchestra, Slauson Concert Orchestra, Huron Symphony Orchestra, Pioneer Symphony Orchestra, and Skyline Symphony Orchestra. Each school performed with grace, poise and passion.

The kids played their hearts out, and the mamas and the papas couldn't have been prouder, including yours truly.

What a wonderful opportunity it was for area kids to play in world-renowned Hill Auditorium. A hearty thank you to Ann Arbor Public Schools for coordinating such an awesome event for students and families.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor in Chief
Purple Walrus Press.

Tappan Concert Orchestra performing at Hill Auditorium.

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN. BRACE FOR IMPACT!!

By Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN.  WE'RE CRUISING SMOOTHLY AT 30,000 FEET.

Now we're beginning to see the REAL Donald Trump who might as well be
wearing an oxygen mask as the pressures of the office are slowly
changing him.

Suddenly we see that Mr. Trump has the lowest approval ratings in his
first month than any previous President. His first weekend in office
we saw millions of women's march all over the country who felt
marginalized and voiceless about reproductive rights, the wall, Mr.
Trump's vulgarity and many more issues.

The second weekend it was the Muslim travel ban that sure looked like
it had a religious undertone.  The ensuing chaos clogged up the
airports throughout the world.  Though the White House would have you
believe out of the 325,000 people checked only 109 were detained the
first day of the ban.  Oh, sorry it's not a ban even though press
secretary Sean Spicer and Mr. Trump himself called it a ban.  Let's
call it the immigration order.  The 'hidden' truth coming to light is
that close to a 100,000 visa's were confiscated.  Lives changed
immeasurably in that moment.

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN.  WE'RE GOING TO BE ENCOUNTERING SOME ROUGH AIR
AHEAD, SO FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS!

Then February 3rd rolls along and a whole new level of legal wrangling
started when James Robart, nominated to the Federal bench in 2003 by
George Bush, temporarily blocked President Trump's immigration order.
And all hell broke loose in the News Media while Mr.Trump took to
twitter to castigate Judge Robart.  So Sad!!

Just a few days earlier, Sally Yates, acting Attorney General
appointed by President Obama, told the members of the Justice
Department not to make any legal arguments on Mr. Trump's "Muslin Ban"
on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.  She was promptly fired.
It now appears that she knew what she was talking about.

It's hard to believe that Mr. Trump listens to any GOP members. He's
his own man and It appears he can't stand having to deal with Congress
and the Judicial branches of government.  He's waaaaaay too
impatient!!  I can almost hear him say: "Holy Smokes!!  Things didn't
work like that in the Trump Organization."

Now it's payback time!!  Mr. Trump launches a tweet tirade to hit back
at the Federal  judge WHO'S JOB IT IS TO BE THE CHECKS AND BALANCE ON
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.   Let's face it.   Mr.Trump needs a crash course
on the Constitution and all it's provisions.  At the minimum his
confidantes should know it so incidents like this don't continue to
keep cropping up.  But, it doesn't stop there. He just got upset with
the Australian prime minister over refugees.   Now, on Saturday,  Iran
is firing more missiles in defiance of Mr.Trump's sanctions from two
days earlier.  He's also getting in the middle of Japan and China over
island creation.  All of this without even having his full cabinet in
place.  Why that's like Tom Brady Of the New England Patriots calling
a play with only 6 other guys on the field.  Ouch!!

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN.  MORE TURBULENCE!!  IT APPEARS THAT THE LANDING
GEAR HAS MALFUNCTIONED!

Mr. Trump's bigger problem is he can't seem get out of his own way.
He loves controversy but so far there's way too much, AND the public
is already weary of the distractions....and so are members of his
team!!

Mr.Trump appears to be sending signals to the rest of the world that
his judgement should be unquestioned and anyone who disagrees will be
fired or hung in effigy on his twitter account.  It even appears that
with some of his appointments, he doesn't want his cabinet members to
be smarter than himself.   These actions are dangerous and will
undermine his efforts to Make America Great Again.  So far it looks
like he wants to Make Donald Trump Great Again!!

He's got to be more careful.  He's got to be more considerate.  More
compassionate. He's got to change his attitude.  All of these things
affects his altitude.   His vanity and vindictive nature will come
back to haunt him.  If he continues on this course the next order from
him will be:

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN. ALL PASSENGERS BEND OVER AND BRACE FOR IMPACT!!!

Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.

Water Infrastructure Conference coming to Flint.

As many people familiar with Purple Walrus Press know, I am from Flint. I have lived in Ypsilanti since 2004. Because Flint is my hometown I have been deeply interested in the Flint Water Crisis and have written many articles relating to the issue, as have PWP writers and contributors.

I was surprised to recently learn that Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and Governor Rick Snyder will be sharing the same stage in an event in Flint in March. Mayor Weaver and governor Snyder will be speaking at the Water Infrastructure Conference on March 7-9.

According to the Michigan Infrastructure Commission, "The goal of the conference is to highlight water infrastructure issues, share lessons learned from the City of Flint and other cities around the country, and present new technologies and innovations to individuals involved in the operation, maintenance, design, management or administration of aging water works infrastructure."

I feel it is important to point out that as of January 12, 2017 Flint residents were told that they still need to continue using a filter for drinking water. The water crisis is far from over, and there remains much distrust among Flint residents regarding the water issue. This mistrust is completely understandable. How can residents of Flint trust the State when the State didn't bother to tell residents that the water they were drinking and bathing in was poisonous?

The fact that the water in Flint is still not safe is beyond appalling. Having a filter on your water faucet and on the shower head must not be considered the new normal.

On March 9 there will be a Water Infrastructure 101 Workshop that is free and open to the general public. The workshop will be from 1:00 - 4:30pm at the Riverfront Banquet Center in Flint.

See you there

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Downtown Flint. Purple Walrus Press photo.

SUPER BOWL 51 : Nobody Saw This Coming!!!

By Robert Resch.  Purple Walrus Press.

Did you miss the ending?  Did you stop believing in the Patriots?
Throw in the towel?  Pack up your misery and go home or change the
channel??

NOBODY SAW THIS COMING!!!

With the Patriots down by 25 late in the 3rd quarter, it was time to
pack up and go home.  Millions of people did the same
thing...including some AT the game.  My wife and I were at a friend's
house in Ypsilanti enjoying the Big Screen.  The Big Sound.  Great
food.  Having a fun time.   With one exception.  What the heck
happened to our Patriots?

Tom Brady and company looked sub-human in the first half and most of
the 3rd quarter.  Atlanta was dominating the action and doing
everything right.  This was the first public mugging of Brady and the
Patriots in a good long while....and AT THE SUPER BOWL none the less.
Brady got sacked one time and looked like a pretzel I was dipping into
some hot cheddar cheese.   He looked frustrated and so did coach
Belichick.  I mean being down 21-3 at the half was MAJORLY
EMBARRASSING!!

NOBODY SAW THIS COMING!!!

Well, maybe Lady Gaga would perk up the entertainment.  Wait......did
she just jump off the roof on to the stage?  WOW!!   She then went on
with an energetic performance that channeled Pink with her high wire
acrobatics along with a great crew of back up dancers.  The mike toss
and catching the football and then doing the stage dive into the crowd
was a suitable finale.

Oh Boy..........back to the game.

Suddenly the 3rd quarter score became 28-9 with the Pats muffing an
extra point attempt..  This was getting hopeless.  We started packing
our stuff and headed home.  Thankfully,  we were only 10 minutes away.
The best was yet to come.

NOBODY SAW THIS COMING!!!

What the sports world witnessed in the 4 quarter of Super Bowl 51 was
the rise from the ashes and dominance of the greatest quarterback in
the history of football.  Tom Brady went 21 for 27 in passing for a
total of 244 yards.  With 5 minutes left in the game the Pats not only
scored twice...then had to make two 2 point conversions and they did!

AMAZING! INCREDIBLE!  AWESOME!  MIND-BOGGLING! UNBELIEVABLE!

The first overtime in Super Bowl history and the Patriots win the
toss, and proceed to score a touchdown. Bam!!  No big deal!! Just like
that it was over.  The Patriots win 34-28. A Super, Super Bowl win!.
Brady finished 43 of 62, a record for most attempts, for 466 yards,
also a record, and 2 touchdown passes.

This was a game for the ages.  This was a season for the ages for New
England.  Remember 'Deflate Gate' sidelined Brady for the first 4
games of the season.  How sweet it must have been for the team to
receive the Super Bowl trophy from Goodell, the NFL Commissioner.

NOBODY, BUT NOBODY SAW THIS COMING!!

Robert Resch.  Purple Walrus Press.

freepik.com

YDL organizes 2nd annual TED talk event.

The Ypsilanti District Library is organizing the second annual TED talk event. The event will be held on April 13. The event will feature speakers who wish to talk about a topic of expertise that has a focus on Ypsilanti. Organizers are seeking speakers from various backgrounds and areas of expertise.

TED talks have been gathering, and spreading ideas and knowledge on a world wide bases. Residents in Ypsilanti are encouraged to share and talk about their big ideas at the  event.

The theme for this Aprils TED talk event is interdependence. The coordinators are interested in talks from people from various backgrounds that will focus on how people and ideas need to depend on each other in order to be successful.

TED talks are posted on you tube so that people around the globe may access them and learn something about a specialized field directly from the speaker.

Four YDL panelists will select and feature the best ideas and stories from people living in the Ypsilanti area. Speakers will discuss and share their stories in a 5-10 minute talk.

People who are interested in speaking at the event need to apply by the February 15 deadline. Background information and speaker applications are available here.

The event is scheduled for April 13 at 7pm at Halle Library on the campus of Eastern Michigan University and is free and open to the public. According to organizers first-come, first-served registration will not open until March 1.

The event is co-hosted by the Ypsilanti Public Library Library and EMU's Halle Library.

Jeff Brown.
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Love Resilience Action Ypsi local walking civil rights history tour Saturday

The local organization Love Resilience Action Ypsi organized a walking tour of Ypsilanti's impressive abolitionist, black civil rights, worker, women's, and disability history. The walk was led by Love, Resilience, Action Ypsi coordinators Jen and Mariah. The two coordinators were on the steering committee of the Ypsilanti Women's March Saturday, January 21.

Saturdays walk consisted of about ten people. Participants in the Ypsilanti civil rights history walk gathered in front of Bona Sera Restaurant in downtown Ypsilanti at 1:00pm..

The route took 30 minutes, beginning at Bona Sera, looping back around before ending at the restaurant. Participants as well as organizers spoke at the various stops.

The tour highlighted two multi-cultural themed murals near Dos Hermanos Market on Michigan Ave.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Walking local Ypsilanti civil rights tour pauses before mural. Purple Walrus Press photo.

Parola perspective: My Conspiracy Theory: Trump, The Hired Gun.

By Brooks Parola: Purple Walrus Press.

I loathe conspiracy theories, so as a result, I feel that entitles me to perpetuate a few of my own, every now and again. I’ve decided that Trump is really a hired gun paid off by the GOP to do their dirty work.

I awoke this morning thinking how important it was to not become fixated on Trump’s mouth, lies, or even actions. That if you focus too much on him, you miss the important ultra-right wing work his GOP partners in crime are engaging in. I ended the evening convinced that his executive orders re. immigration, the wall, and sanctuary cities, were in actuality the opposite of what concerns many people: they’re deliberately vague because he WANTS them shot down by the courts as a face saving measure, and that’s what brought me to my theory.

I’ve always believed that Trump won the GOP nomination because he had the balls, ego, and shamelessness to take the GOP strategy of divisive politics to a level, no other in the party was willing to do. Many, like myself, have argued that he’s only the logical extension of the direction the GOP has been moving for many, many years...But, tonight I got to thinking...what if he’s not that at all? Instead of the outsider with bigger balls than the rest, what if he’s the HIRED GUN brought (bought by) on board by the GOP to do their dirty work?

Think about this possibility...the GOP Is tired of losing the White House, but can’t win with a narrow base of Tea Partiers that keep insisting they be like Trump. But, the party is too concerned about going there, since many of them feel they must broaden the base. Broadening the base however, is impossible since the Tea Party prevents any moderation. Their dream would be to win the White House in a way that placates the Tea Party, but insulates the GOP from a candidate like Trump, who might be able to win, but may also do real damage to the party. So, how could they achieve those goals? Well, instead of using someone within the party, you hire someone (Trump) to do your dirty work. You appeal to his oversized ego, you convince him he really won’t have to do anything once he’s in office, and most likely, you pay him a huge sum of money for putting his name and reputation on the line.

In return, if he wins the White House, the GOP has won the presidency they’ve been unable to win for some time, they’ll get a presidential puppet that will rubber stamp their ultra-right wing policies, and if he becomes too much of a problem, we help the Democrats impeach him, and install Mike Pence.

I think the executive orders are deliberately vague, so they won’t stand up in court. They only exist as a face saving measure, to say to Trump’s base, that he’s keeping his promise on these issues (not his fault the courts are shooting them down). Trump was allowed to make outrageous promises he couldn’t keep because they knew a more extreme version of divisive politics could be a winning formula, and that it really doesn’t matter if you can’t keep the most divisive of those promises, as long as you make people believe that you stood for them, and tied to implement them...thus the executive orders. Executive order are nice because they sound tough and dictatorial, and that’s what the base wants, but are actually paper tigers, since none of the policies can actually be implemented due to money or constitutional constraints.

Folks, where is the notoriously tight-fisted, tax-cutting GOP going to come up with the cash for Trump’s wall and expansion of border control agents? Most of those executive orders have severe costs and constitutional baggage making implementation very difficult. But, all of that’s okay, because the GOP (by way of a puppet president) get Obamacare repealed, more tax cuts for the rich, planned parenthood defunded, and a nice new ultra-right wing Supreme Court Justice. But hey, this is all just a theory folks...just a theory...

Brooks Parola: Purple Walrus Press.

What those of us in Flint have learned.

By William Hammond: Purple Walrus Press.

For those of us here in Flint we learned that it is important to listen to the voices that don't seem like they reflect what the prevailing wisdom says. We learned that the early signs of trouble with our water were indeed a very serious matter. We now know that 9,000 children were exposed to a dangerous neurotoxin, Lead. We now know that 12 people were killed by Legionnaires that was probably related to the water. And just this week we learned that as many as 71 other people may have died from Pneumonia that was probably misdiagnosed Legionnaires - again with probable ties to our water.

So when there are signs that Russia may indeed have messed in our election, that they may indeed have influence over our President we need to pay attention to those signs and look very closely at what the real story actually is.

If even half of what Rachel Maddow talks about (Russian U.S. hacking campaign) is true then we've got enormous risks in the highest positions in our Government putting our very democracy at stake. Even Republicans should at least listen with as open a mind as partisanly possible.

William Hammond. Purple Walrus Press.