Congresswoman Dingell Attends UN Climate Change Conference With Congressional Delegation.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) is joining a Congressional Delegation – led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi – to Madrid, Spain for the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as COP25.

On the visit, Dingell said: “Look around us: devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. This week, countries from every corner of the globe are coming together in Madrid for the United Nations Climate Conference. It’s an honor to join Speaker Pelosi and our strong Congressional Delegation in this important mission. The Trump Administration is sadly moving to formally withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and refuses to acknowledge the science or urgency to act. Participants at COP25 will lay out crucial steps and implement guidelines to reduce greenhouse gases – it’s critical our nation be represented at the coalition. American leadership is at the center of rising to the moment to protect our planet for future generations.” According to a Saturday press release from the office of Debbie Dingell.

November 30, 2019	Contact: Speaker’s Press Office, 202-226-7616
Pelosi Leads Bicameral Congressional Delegation to Madrid for COP25 Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a bicameral Congressional Delegation to Madrid, Spain for the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP25. “It is a privilege to accompany a high-level Congressional delegation to Spain to combat the existential threat of our time: the climate crisis,” said Speaker Pelosi.  “On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my gratitude to the Spanish government for hosting this critical meeting, and for elevating the priority of the climate crisis to the forefront of the international conversation.” “Taking action to protect our planet is a public health decision for clean air and clean water for our children, an economic decision for creating the green, good-paying jobs of the future, a national security decision to address resource competition and climate migration and also a moral decision to be good stewards of God’s creation and pass a sustainable, healthy planet to the next generation,” Speaker Pelosi continued. “On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I am proud to travel to COP25 to reaffirm the commitment of the American people to combating the climate crisis.” This according to Saturday's Press release. The Members of the Congressional Delegation are: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)  Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Committee on Science, Space, Technology Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Committee on Natural Resources                  Chairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN)    Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)   Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA)   Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA)        Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA)             Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI)  Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA)     Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL)    Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO)

University of Michigan and Ohio State Students To Join Together And Hold Demonstration On Climate Change In Ann Arbor Saturday.

Yale and Harvard university students and alumni protest during football game demanding action on climate change Nov 23.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

University of Michigan and Ohio State University students plan to join together and demonstrate in support of climate action on Saturday, November 30 in Ann Arbor. According to organizers, the demonstration will take place at 10:30 AM at the corner of South Main Street and East Davis Avenue just prior to the start of the Ohio State vs Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium. South Main and Davis is located only a few blocks away from the Michigan Stadium.

Students from both universities are planning to paint themselves purple, which is meant to symbolize Republicans (Red) and Democrats (Blue) coming together in solidarity.

Undefeated Eastern Michigan Men's Basketball Team Defeats North Carolina A&T In Jamaican Classic Tournament Game and Brings Home Championship Trophy.

Photo by Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Eastern Michigan Men's basketball team defeated North Carolina A&T Sunday in the Jersey Mike's Jamaican Classic Tournament in Montego Bay, Jamaica and remain undefeated in this 2019-20  season. The 6-0 EMU Eagles got off to a shaky start in today's game but soared back in the second half to snag a nifty 58-54 victory over North Carolina A&T to win the tournament Rose Hall Championship.

Eastern Michigan hasn't been 6-0 since 2014. Credit Coach Murphy and a close-knit EMU group of players. Eastern played stingy defense Sunday holding at bay a late come-back attempt by an aggressive North Carolina team. Eastern averaged 13 steals a game in the tournament which was a strong factor in Eastern's tournament victories in the Jamaican Classic tournament.

High scorers for EMU were Noah Morgan who notched 12 points, Shamar Dillard scored 12, and Yeikson Montero sunk 10. Eastern finished today's game with an impressive 10 steals.

Eastern got off to a uncharacteristic slow start Sunday as they were down by double digits early in the first half, however, the second half proved to be another story. A couple of 3 pointers in the second half set the tone for a nice victory over a pesky North Carolina team.

Next up Eastern Michigan will take on UC Irvine on the road in California on Saturday, November
30. Tip off will be at 7 PM.

Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

On The Flint Water Crisis: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor And Activist Melissa Mays of Flint: Water Crisis Drags On.

What blows my mind is that the #FlintWaterCrisis has been dragging on for 2,027 and while the world says "Oh my, what about the children," the City, County and State Education Systems continue to fail our kids. Instead of putting in the proper special education supports and screening these kids properly, kids are being suspended for "behavioral issues." The schools should be seeing if these behaviors are lead or disability related or what it is and HELP THEM, not send them home for the parents to be helpless on how to help AND deny these kids the proper education and supports promised to them. Flint families are innocent but are continuing to be failed by the systems and agencies that exist to help.

By Melissa Mays of Flint.

On Politics: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor Bob Resch: PRESIDENT PELOSI? It Could Happen.

When Ambassador Gordon Sondland testified at the impeachment hearings and said "EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP ", and "EVERYONE KNEW IT WAS A QUID PRO QUO", there should have been alarm bells going off in each and everyone of our heads!

The "Everybody included Trump, Pence, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Bolton and Giuliani.  THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT!

But, there's a silver lining to every black cloud.  I believe the GOP now has a sustainable path to redemption.   Remove Trump's dictator style of rule through impeachment so the Republicans can pursue their traditional conservative stance, limited central government and a strong national defense.   Pence, Pompeo and Mulvaney would have to leave as well since they knew and silently went along with the freezing of the Defense Funds to Ukraine in exchange for an announcement for an investigation of dirt on the Bidens and a meeting with Trump at the White House.  

THESE ARE THE INDISPUTABLE FACTS! 

That is unless you're one of the 22 PARANOID Republicans up for re-election in 2020 and who would support Trump even if he shot someone on 5th Avenue for no apparent reason.

This would allow a new crop of Republicans to run in the 2020 election.

And no matter who is elected in 2020, be it a Democrat or Republican,  it's time for  a new Choice.  A new Voice.  New ideas.  A New administration.  Someone who could unite and not divide the nation and ultimately repair and recover relations with our allies around the World.

It would also open up a startling new possibility for the next year.   PRESIDENT PELOSI.    Like it or not.  It could happen!!

ReplyReply allForward

Parola Perspective In Brief: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor Brooks Parola: Jim Jordan Comes Up W/ Garbage In Impeachment Hearing Wednesday.

The GOP is whining that this impeachment inquiry is nothing but a partisan smear campaign against Trump, and yet Jim Jordan comes up with complete garbage like this. Someone (press, Dems, someone) needs to hold him accountable, and demand he produce SPECIFIC people who "questioned Vindman's judgement".

This is right out of the Joe McCarthy playbook: "I have a list of 200 communists working in our government!"

Michigan Attorney General Nessel Announces Second Conviction In Clergy Abuse Investigation Wednesday.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 Hours after the first convicted defendant in Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s clergy abuse investigation was sentenced, Nessel announced the second conviction in her department’s ongoing investigation, according to a Wednesday press release from the Attorney General's office.

According to Wednesday's statement, Brian Stanley, 57, of Coloma, pleaded guilty to one felony count of Attempted False Imprisonment during his final pretrial conference today before Allegan County Circuit Court Chief Judge Margaret Bakker. Stanley faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.

Stanley was charged in August after being accused of secreting away a teenaged boy and holding him against his will in the janitor’s room of St. Margaret’s Church in 2013. Stanley reportedly immobilized the young man by wrapping him tightly in plastic wrap, then used masking tape as additional binding and to cover his eyes and mouth. Stanley left the victim, bound and alone, in the janitor’s room for an extended period of time before returning and eventually letting him go, according to the press release.

“Mr. Stanley’s decision to plead guilty to Attempted False Imprisonment ensures that he will be held accountable for the pain and suffering he has caused,” Nessel said. “His guilty plea marks the second conviction in our aggressive pursuit of justice for all those who have been victimized by priests or members of the clergy. Our department remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing a swift end to an era of abuse that has hidden in plain sight for too long.” This according to the Attorney General's office.

Stanley’s sentencing date has been set for January 27, 2020.

Rollover Collision Corner of Washtenaw and Mansfield in Ypsilanti Monday Evening.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

A rollover collision occurred Monday night at the intersection of Washtenaw and Mansfield in Ypsilanti. The two car crash happened at approximately 6:00 pm. Ypsilanti Police and the Ypsilanti Fire Department responded to the scene. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. Ypsilanti Police informed Purple Walrus Press that there were no injuries.

The accident caused a back-up on Washtenaw between Hewitt and Mansfield. As of 6:30 pm the scene of the accident began to clear.

Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Posthumous Harry Nilsson Album Release Coming Soon: Material Meant for release before his death

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

There once was a rock singer named Harry Nilsson. By all accounts Harry was a real hamisher guy. Hamisher is Yiddish for a down to earth, unpretentious and personable guy. Harry was not only known for his eclectic and multi-styled singing voice, but for also being a partier of legendary portions, just ask his old buddy Ringo Starr. If you ask, Ringo will most certainly tell you that Harry was John Lennon's favorite drinking buddy in the mid seventies.

Harry Nilson's break-through song was "Everybody's Talkin" from the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. The song peaked at no.2 on Billboard in the United States.

In 1994 Harry died of a heart attack at age 52. He had stopped recording after 1980 but had completed a set of demos slated for a new album to be released in 1992. Word is that the label rejected his new material implying it was dated sounding. Harry walked out. Shame on the record label.

Fast-forward to November 2019 and guess what? Yep, those demos have been polished and will be released in four days as an album titled Losst And Found. Consider Losst And Found to be Nilsson's first release of new material since 1980.

This new album is most incredible news for Nilsson fans, including yours truly.

Demonstrators Will March Sunday Demanding Affordable Housing In Ann Arbor.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Demonstrators will march today (Sunday) in downtown Ann Arbor in a call for affordable housing in the city.

Demonstrators participating in the "March for Affordable Housing Now" will gather at Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor at 1 pm prior to the march.

In recent years affordable housing has become an ever-increasing concern in Ann Arbor.

Taylor Swift's Plea To Fans In Light of Unfair Restrictions On Her Music.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Folks, the music industry can be cut-throat and at times artists and musicians can become victimized by companies who attempt to control artists, their creativity and ability to make their own decisions regarding their own music. Presently, Taylor Swift is going through a horrible ordeal as, according to Swift,  her music is being restricted by Scott Borchetta who owns Big Machine Records. Below is a plea to fans written and released by Swift on Thursday, November 15. Swift is asking her fans to let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how they feel about Swift being bound to harsh and unfair restrictions regarding songs she wrote and created. Read Taylor Swift's plea below.


                                                      Don't Know What Else To Do.

Guys - It’s been announced recently that the American Music Awards will be honoring me with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year’s ceremony. I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show. Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year. Additionally - and this isn’t the way I had planned on telling you this news - Netflix has created a documentary about my life for the past few years. Scott and Scooter have declined the use of my older music or performance footage for this project, even though there is no mention of either of them or Big Machine Records anywhere in the film.

Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.

I feel very strongly that sharing what is happening to me could change the awareness level for other artists and potentially help them avoid a similar fate. The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.

This is WRONG. Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of those songs. They did nothing to create the relationship I have with my fans. So this is where I’m asking for your help.

Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this. Scooter also manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work. Please ask them for help with this - I’m hoping that maybe they can talk some sense into the men who are exercising tyrannical control over someone who just wants to play the music she wrote. I’m especially asking for help from The Carlyle Group, who put up money for the sale of my music to these two men.

I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it. I’ve tried to work this out privately through my team but have not been able to resolve anything. Right now my performance at the AMA’s, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning to play until November of 2020 are a question mark.

I love you guys and I thought you should know what’s been going on.

Taylor

Congresswomen Debbie Dingell Releases Statement on Trump Administration's Formal Withdrawal From Paris Climate Accord.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) has released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s formal withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord:

“President Trump’s decision to move forward with withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord is stunning, but not surprising. As the California fires rage, even the biggest climate deniers have to see that global climate change is real.

“At this consequential moment, the United States of America should be leading all countries in the fight against climate change and not pulling back from the world stage. This is an existential threat we all must face together. Bold, urgent actions and defined goals are needed. Let’s set our course to achieving a 100 percent clean, net-zero economy—as called for in the United Nations IPCC 2018 climate report.

“My colleagues and I are working on legislation to set this ambitious goal. Introduction and more details on the 100% Clean Economy Act will be coming soon. It’s only through American might, ingenuity, and leadership that we can rise to meet this moment for future generations and the planet we call home."

Parola Perspective: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor Brooks Parola: On Perpetuating Double Standards In Washington..

PWP contributor Brooks Parola.

Once again, I'm very disturbed on several levels. No, I don't think we should stoop to the level of GOP males, and yet if we forced all of them to resign (who had affairs) we'd have complete control of congress, and many of the state legislatures, (and yes, I know that Dems do it too). But again, we're cannibalizing ourselves, as we are the only side playing by the rules.

So not only do we continue to help perpetuate the double standard, we continue to let the other side have the upper hand, as they do what they please, while we insist on destroying our own through purity tests. People get divorces folks, and yes, they also have affairs...to quote Mulvaney: "Get Over it!" I'm so glad we're finally at a point with weed, where candidates no longer have to sound as stupid as Clinton did, when in his desperation to justify his weed smoking, he claimed not to have inhaled. I can't wait until we reach the same level of acceptance re. many more of our other human foibles.

Business On Michigan Avenue In Ypsilanti Robbed At Gunpoint Thursday Evening.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Ypsilanti Police Department informed Purple Walrus Press that an armed robbery occurred Thursday night, October 31, at a business located in the 10 block of  West Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti. According to Ypsilanti Police, two subjects wearing masks and gloves entered the business.

 Both subjects were armed with handguns and demanded money. The suspects emptied the register before fleeing on foot. According to police,  K9 tracking was unsuccessful. The investigation continues.

Stay tuned to Purple Walrus Press for updates.