Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Condemns Hateful, Violent Rhetoric.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell released the following statement calling on political leaders on both sides of the aisle to condemn violence, as well as vitriolic, hateful, and divisiveness in this state and country. The most recent example was at President Trump’s rally in Muskegon, where attendees chanted “Lock Her Up” just days after authorities charged 14 men in a plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer. This according to a Monday, October 19 press release.

“Inciting violence and sowing the seeds of division has no place in our politics and it’s up to Michigan leaders on both sides of the aisle to condemn this dangerous rhetoric. We are being divided by fear and hatred, and the heart and soul of our country is being irreparably harmed.  I call upon my Congressional Colleagues in both the Senate and House on both sides of the aisle, party leaders Laura Cox and Lavora Barnes, State Legislative Leaders and candidates such as John James - to join me in denouncing hateful, vitriolic, bullying, violent rhetoric. Michiganders deserve to be represented by leaders who will always stand on the side of civility in our public discourse.

"It is all our responsibility to lower the temperature right now, take a deep breath, and people need to feel safe.  We must come together and denounce violence by anyone, whether they are on the far right, far left or the middle. For the next 15 days, we should be focused on issues important to Michiganders who are struggling during a pandemic and a vision for a stronger America.”

Michigan National Guard Will Assist with No-Cost COVID-19 Testing in Oscoda, Ottawa, and Washtenaw Counties.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to the State Emergency Operations Center, the Michigan National Guard will continue its partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments by offering COVID-19 testing this week in the communities of Mio, Holland, and Whitmore Lake.   

Testing locations include: 

Mio: Thursday, Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Mio Baptist Church, 357 Mt. Tom Road, Mio 

Holland: Friday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Holland Charter Township Fire Station 2, 12169 James Street, Holland 

Whitmore Lake: Saturday, Oct. 17, Noon – 4 p.m., Whitmore Lake Middle School, 8845 Main Street, Whitmore Lake

According to the statement, the Michigan National Guard has more than 20 trained testing teams ready to assist with testing in communities, long term care facilities, and the Michigan Department of Corrections. These teams include a certified medic to conduct the testing and additional members to assist with paperwork, logistics, and non-medical tasks. The Michigan National Guard team members have tested negative for COVID-19 and follow strict medical protocols to ensure health and safety of Michigan’s communities. 

“Since March, Soldiers and Airmen from the Michigan National Guard have responded to more than 600 requests for assistance from state and local partner agencies, conducting more than 165,000 COVID-19 tests. In addition to community testing, we have provided testing support to more than 290 long term care facilities and have helped distribute nearly 12 million pounds of food at local food banks,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This according to the press release. 

“Wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing our hands, and following other guidance recommended by public health officials is still imperative to slow the spread of this disease, especially as the risk of a second wave remains high.”   

The Michigan National Guard has supported testing initiatives in all but two counties throughout the state during the last six months.   

For photos of COVID-19 testing Oct. 3 in Bay City, visit -https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6383255/michigan-national-guard-performing-coronavirus-tests-fall-bay-city

So I Live In A City That Was Poisoned For Profit: By Flint Water Crisis Activist and PWP Contributor Melissa Mays of Flint.

 So... I live in a City where our water was poisoned for profit... can anyone else understand how horrified I am when I hear Pence say "Joe Biden wants to ban fracking" like it's a bad thing... All I hear Donald Trump supports the spreading of the #FlintWaterCrisis... then Pence says we have the cleanest water anywhere!! UMMMM HELLO?!?!? Today is Day #2,357 in the FLINT WATER CRISIS!!! We aren't in crisis because our water is clean!!

Melissa Mays.

Attorney General Nessel Charges 7 Under Anti Terrorism Act/Plot to Kidnap Gov. Whitmer.

 

                                                                         

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a Thursday press release from the office of the Attorney General, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Matthew Schneider, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Michigan State Police – announced today a joint law enforcement effort that, after months of work, culminated Wednesday night in the execution of a series of search warrants and arrest warrants – both in-state and out-of-state – related to acts of terrorism under Michigan state law. 

According to the press release, the suspects, now under arrest,,are alleged to have called on the groups’ members to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them; made threats of violence to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse; and engaged in the planning and training for an operation to attack the state Capitol building and kidnap government officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. 

“There has been a disturbing increase in anti-government rhetoric and the re-emergence of groups that embrace extremist ideologies,” Attorney General Nessel said. “These groups often seek to recruit new members by seizing on a moment of civil unrest and using it to advance their agenda of self-reliance and armed resistance. This is more than just political disagreement or passionate advocacy, some of these groups’ mission is simply to create chaos and inflict harm upon others.”  This according to the press release.

According to Thursday's statement, through the efforts of more than 200 state and federal law enforcement officials  – including experts from outside of Michigan – officers executed a series of search warrants and arrest warrants in more than a dozen cities around the state, including, Belleville, Cadillac, Canton, Charlotte, Clarkston, Grand Rapids, Luther, Munith, Orion Township, Ovid, Portage, Shelby Township and Waterford.  

“Michigan law enforcement officers are united in our commitment to rooting out terrorism in any form and we will take swift action against anyone seeking to cause violence or harm in our state,” stated Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “Michigan residents can assist us in this mission by speaking up if you see suspicious activity or become aware of someone making threats. No tip is too small; don’t wait until it’s too late. Tips can be submitted confidentially 24/7 online at our website.” 

In total, 19 state felony charges were filed by the Attorney General against seven individuals known to be members of the militia group, Wolverine Watchmen or associates of Wolverine Watchmen. 

Six individuals were also charged by U.S. Attorney Birge with separate, federal felony charges as a result of the execution of the warrants. This according to the press release.

The following individuals were charged by Attorney General Nessel as part of the joint law enforcement effort: 

• Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford:
  • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine;
  • Gang membership – a 20-year felony, which may be served as a consecutive sentence; and
  • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
• Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville:
  • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and 
  • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
• Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac:
  • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
  • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
• Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell:
  • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
  • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
• William Null, 38, of Shelbyville:
  • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
  • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
• Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 42, who live together in Munith:
  • One count each of threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine;
  • One count each of gang membership, a 20-year felony that may be served as a consecutive sentence;
  • One count each of providing material support for terrorist acts; and
  • One count each for carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively. 

According to the press release, these charges are subject to change after a complete review of the evidence obtained through the warrants, and differ from those charges issued at the federal level.  

Michael Null, William Null and Molitor were arraigned today before Antrim County Magistrate Jessica Allmand. A cash bond of $250,000 was set for William and Michael Null, while Molitor’s bond was send at $250,000, 10 percent. Their probable cause conferences are set for 1 p.m. Oct. 14, and their preliminary exams are scheduled for Oct. 21. 

Musico and Morrison are expected to be arraigned at 2 p.m. in Jackson County. Fix is in custody, and his arraignment is pending in Antrim County.  

“I’d like to personally thank the law enforcement officers who participated in yesterday’s arrests and those who have assisted with this investigation throughout the past several months,” Attorney General Nessel said. “Your heroic efforts have left the people of this state safer and the instruments of our government stronger. I know that I speak on behalf of Michiganders everywhere when I say we are forever grateful to you for your actions.” 

A recording of the joint press conference announcing the charges can be viewed on Attorney General Nessel’s Facebook page. 

Trump Should Apologize To Biden and Those Who Follow Safety Guidelines: By PWP Contributor Melissa Mays of Flint.

1. Trump is much older and... larger than me. Sure hope he don't get the permanent heart & lung damage from COVID-19 like I got. Well, you'd have to have a heart to begin with so... maybe he'll luck out.

2. Trump should apologize to Biden and those who follow medical safety guidelines for making fun of his mask at the debate.

3. Trump should apologize to EVERY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL he has attacked to downplay this REAL virus.

4. Trump should apologize to the US and all the people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 for downplaying the severity and allowing them to die.

**5. All Trump supporters and anti-maskers who have lived and died on the myth that COVID-19 isn't real or isn't bad... STOP. JUST STOP. It's obviously real. You heard Trump say it on the audio tapes from 7 months ago and now he has it. There's NO CONSPIRACY. It's a

damn virus that spreads through infected bodily fluids. The same as MANY viruses except this one is new so we don't fully know the long-term effects nor do we have a vaccine or immunization treatment ready. So drop the partisan talking points and listen to actual doctors. This is real and we can beat it if we treat the disease with common sense and safety measures. If you keep politicizing it, we will continue to lose.**

And finally, everyone, PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS, KEEP 6 FEET OR MORE DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE YOU DON'T LIVE WITH AND WASH YOUR HANDS. Stay safe.