The people of Flint, Michigan should escort all state officials outside the

[KingCharlemagne]

Last edited Mon Jan 18, 2016, 08:53 PM - Edit history (1)

city limits under armed escort, should cease ALL state tax collections and remittances and should set up armed militia around the city's borders to keep all state officials out.

Goddamn, but I am mad. Fuck you, Snyder, you miserable sack of shit. And fuck all Republicans, each and every mother-fucking one of them.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_water_crisis.

[Siwsan]

1. There's a big demonstration, tomorrow night, in Lansing, timed for the 'State of the State' address

They will be right outside of the Capitol building. And it's not just people from Flint who will be there. The people of Detroit have been a massive ally in this fight.

I'm hoping we can keep this as peaceful as possible, and that people will start pressuring their representatives to vote to sanction and remove Snyder.

[KingCharlemagne]

3. The Equal Protection clause was relevant when SCOTUS decided Bush v. Gore, but

the children of Flint weren't protected from lead poisoning???

Fuck this system.

[dumbcat]

2. I'd love to see it

It would be really interesting to watch.

[Siwsan]

4. My cold will probably prevent me from attending, but my brother might go

If he does, I'll post his updates. And will share any news links I come across.

[NutmegYankee]

5. In reality, the governor would just call in the state militia (National Guard)

And retake the city. Snyder is such an asshole he wouldn't care about casualties.

[KingCharlemagne]

6. Not if Obama federalizes the MI Guard first. - nt

[NutmegYankee]

7. I have strong doubts he would do that.

He could have done so with the Oregon National Guard for the wildlife refuge insurrection, but hasn't. The law also limits his authority on why to federalize - he can only call them up to retake the city. He can't protect a city in open rebellion.

[KingCharlemagne]

8. He can federalize to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed, i. e., the

opposite of what Snyder has done and is doing. See Little Rock 1956 (or thereabouts).

[NutmegYankee]

10. Either result would be the retaking of the city.

[KingCharlemagne]

12. Hmm. You may have a point there. Only other

historical precedent I can summon is western Virginia's split from Virginia ca. 1860, upon Virginia's secession.

[NutmegYankee]

13. The Whiskey Rebellion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion

[KingCharlemagne]

16. Interesting for sure, altho I am not sure it is

directly analogous, as Flint's residents do not have a grievance with the national government, so much as with the the faction currently in control in the state government.

[NutmegYankee]

18. One of my points is the governor has the authority to restore order in the state.

The President, if he acted, would also have the same responsibility. Despite how much of an asshole Snyder is, he still is the executive of the lawful government of the state.

[KingCharlemagne]

19. Yeah, I hear ya. I suppose initially I envisioned Obama federalizing the state Guard to

preclude the bloodbath that might ensue were the Guard left under Snyder's command and control. But I readily take your larger point.

[UCmeNdc]

9. K&R

[jwirr]

11. Hopefully all the other states with R governors and legislatures

are watching to see just how much their government (state) cares about them.

[KingCharlemagne]

14. The effects of lead poisoning on the young are largely irreversible. This is a Katrina from

which there can be no rebuilding for its victims.

[jwirr]

17. I know. As you know I have worked with disabled children

and adults for my entire adult life. This governor is a piece of sh-t.

[KingCharlemagne]

20. And you are an unsung American hero(ine) - nt

[jwirr]

21. Well I thank you but I do not see myself that way. I'm just

like the rest of you - trying to do our best to make this world better.

[KingCharlemagne]

22. With all due respect, most heroes and heroines do not see

themselves as heroic. Indeed, humility seems almost a prerequisite in the modern age for the heroic.

Contrast with Herr Trump's non-stop vulgar vainglory.

[jwirr]

23. You do know that I was one of your followers during the

Ferguson MO protests. That is how I was looking at you.

[KingCharlemagne]

27. And now it is my turn to feel totally humbled. I suppose I should say "Thank you." It is weird that

you should mention Ferguson as, once again, my thoughts have turned to dropping everything, this time to head for Flint. I did not "go to Ferguson," wisely I suppose in rretrospect. But I can't help feeling I let Mike Brown and his surviving family down.

[jwirr]

28. We have all let the victims of police violence down but we

are still working on it.

I also am thinking that the water problems in Flint MI more than likely are the same problem as we saw in Ferguson MO. Racism. No one was watching the health of that water system and I would be willing to bet that a lot of the problems are now cropping up in black neighborhoods.

There are so many of our problems that are a part of the whole system of racism and bigotry. We have a big job ahead of us.

[Bigmack]

29. My concern is that other states with R governors ARE watching....

If they elected a Repub governor, why would they care about a small city with a large black population?

"Hey... those blacks...Latinos...whoever... can't run their own cities. Why should we pay for their water, etc. Fuck 'em"

Remember the attitude the R's had toward the folks in New Orleans?

[jwirr]

30. That is true. Hadn't thought of that.

[malaise]

15. They should all resend the water bills to the Governor with a Resign now visible

and then fill up his yard with the bills the state should anticipate as a result of the lead poisoning - would be nice if all of America sent him a bill.

[KentuckyWoman]

24. Wouldn't it just be easier to have them drink the water and take a swim? nt

[KingCharlemagne]

25. Spoken like a true revolutionary! I like the cut of your jib and

salute you. While my anger has reached a slow boil, I lack that level of sang froid. But I can respect it in others.

[Ilsa]

26. They're adults. The lead

won't quite harm them the way it's done those poor kids and people with chronic illnesses.

Maybe tying lead blocks on their feet and sending them for a swim...