tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580 2008-07-24T19:45:45Z Andrew Heller's outlook and comments Movable Type Enterprise 1.52 tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1178486 2008-07-14T17:03:37Z 2008-07-16T21:55:21Z

Well, what else would YOU call a place where people's thoughts live together in peace, harmony and occasional knock-down, drag-out discord? (Hey, livin' together ain't easy.) Use this file to leave your mental meanderings on the events of the day, and I guarantee within minutes people will be picking them up, examining them and then sharing with you a few thoughts of their own. So jump right into the Thought Commune and have ya some fun! (Anyone smell patchouli?) -- andy heller (yooperandy)...

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal Well, what else would YOU call a place where people's thoughts live together in peace, harmony and occasional knock-down, drag-out discord? (Hey, livin' together ain't easy.) Use this file to leave your mental meanderings on the events of the day, and I guarantee within minutes people will be picking them up, examining them and then sharing with you a few thoughts of their own. So jump right into the Thought Commune and have ya some fun! (Anyone smell patchouli?) -- andy heller (yooperandy)... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1214732 2008-07-24T19:13:28Z 2008-07-24T19:45:45Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1214540 2008-07-24T19:00:32Z 2008-07-24T19:11:01Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1205523 2008-07-22T19:15:05Z 2008-07-22T20:06:28Z

Andrew Heller tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1205174 2008-07-22T19:00:23Z 2008-07-22T19:14:55Z

Journal photo Columnists often get criticized for pointing out problems but never coming up with solutions. And so I would like to announce that I am going to personally step in and solve Flint's biggest problem. I, of course, do not refer to unemployment or crime. We've been under-employed and over-crimed for so long around these parts that those things hardly seem like real problems anymore. They're more like the air we breath. No, I refer to young men who wear pants south of where they should wear them. As you know, they have been Public Enemy No. 1 ever since the new police chief criminalized the behavior shortly after taking office. I'm not sure who granted the chief the right to decide what is and isn't a crime. I always thought city councils and legislatures decided that sort of thing. But who am I to question the chief? I'm just glad he hasn't decided that being a smart aleck isn't ticket-worthy....

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal Journal photo Columnists often get criticized for pointing out problems but never coming up with solutions. And so I would like to announce that I am going to personally step in and solve Flint's biggest problem. I, of course, do not refer to unemployment or crime. We've been under-employed and over-crimed for so long around these parts that those things hardly seem like real problems anymore. They're more like the air we breath. No, I refer to young men who wear pants south of where they should wear them. As you know, they have been Public Enemy No. 1 ever since the new police chief criminalized the behavior shortly after taking office. I'm not sure who granted the chief the right to decide what is and isn't a crime. I always thought city councils and legislatures decided that sort of thing. But who am I to question the chief? I'm just glad he hasn't decided that being a smart aleck isn't ticket-worthy.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1200943 2008-07-21T18:27:53Z 2008-07-21T19:29:23Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1200599 2008-07-21T17:52:10Z 2008-07-21T18:05:37Z

APA 1949 Chevrolet Styleline drives down Saginaw Street in downtown Flint. The car, owned by Ron Heidel Sr. of Dryden, Mich, was one of about 250 featured in the General Motors 100th car parade, celebrating the car company's 100th anniversary. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Thomas Simonetti) FLASH POLL: What was the best/worst car you've ever owned? Your life and mine was on display Sunday in downtown Flint. It rolled right on past, like a slow motion movie with exhaust fumes: 1933 Chevy half-ton ... 1956 Bel Air ... 1961 Chevy Impala ... 1977 Buick Regal ... 1985 Cadillac Eldorado ... 1996 Chevy Camaro ... 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. It didn't matter if you had ever owned or driven any of the cars and trucks (and DUKWs) that made up the procession during General Motors 100th anniversary parade, although it was no doubt a huge thrill if you had. It didn't even matter if you were a fan of GM cars or not. Cars and cars, and cars are such a part of American life that a lineup of vehicles like that couldn't help but take you back. Remember your first car?...

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal APA 1949 Chevrolet Styleline drives down Saginaw Street in downtown Flint. The car, owned by Ron Heidel Sr. of Dryden, Mich, was one of about 250 featured in the General Motors 100th car parade, celebrating the car company's 100th anniversary. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Thomas Simonetti) FLASH POLL: What was the best/worst car you've ever owned? Your life and mine was on display Sunday in downtown Flint. It rolled right on past, like a slow motion movie with exhaust fumes: 1933 Chevy half-ton ... 1956 Bel Air ... 1961 Chevy Impala ... 1977 Buick Regal ... 1985 Cadillac Eldorado ... 1996 Chevy Camaro ... 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. It didn't matter if you had ever owned or driven any of the cars and trucks (and DUKWs) that made up the procession during General Motors 100th anniversary parade, although it was no doubt a huge thrill if you had. It didn't even matter if you were a fan of GM cars or not. Cars and cars, and cars are such a part of American life that a lineup of vehicles like that couldn't help but take you back. Remember your first car?... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1200561 2008-07-21T17:45:42Z 2008-07-21T17:51:08Z

Mark Raymond Guest blogger Mark Raymond of Swartz Creek chimes in several times a week. Here's his latest: Mark's Musings July.21.2008 Say you're at the Air Show in Dayton, Ohio yesterday. Here's your schedule: 11:00 - US Air Force C-17 Demonstration 11:30 - F-104 Starfighters Demonstration Team 12:00 - Northwest Airlines jet with 182 passengers makes an emergency single-engine landing 12:30 - Hercules Parachute Team Demonstration Wait. Go back one. What? +++...

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal Mark Raymond Guest blogger Mark Raymond of Swartz Creek chimes in several times a week. Here's his latest: Mark's Musings July.21.2008 Say you're at the Air Show in Dayton, Ohio yesterday. Here's your schedule: 11:00 - US Air Force C-17 Demonstration 11:30 - F-104 Starfighters Demonstration Team 12:00 - Northwest Airlines jet with 182 passengers makes an emergency single-engine landing 12:30 - Hercules Parachute Team Demonstration Wait. Go back one. What? +++... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1197706 2008-07-20T13:23:35Z 2008-07-20T13:33:44Z

AP"Say, Batman, why are we so unhappy, anyway?" Half the movies these days are about the comic book characters of my misspent youth, which is kinda funny since I was always told comic books would rot my brain and spoil my character. They didn't do that, but they did become big box office. Guess mom and all the experts were wrong. You know what I don't get, though? I don't get why superheroes today are so conflicted. I remember having epic arguments with my pals about who would win a fight between Superman and Captain Marvel. But I don't remember Batman being so tortured. I don't remember Iron Man needing Prozac. When did superheroes become so unhappy?...

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal AP"Say, Batman, why are we so unhappy, anyway?" Half the movies these days are about the comic book characters of my misspent youth, which is kinda funny since I was always told comic books would rot my brain and spoil my character. They didn't do that, but they did become big box office. Guess mom and all the experts were wrong. You know what I don't get, though? I don't get why superheroes today are so conflicted. I remember having epic arguments with my pals about who would win a fight between Superman and Captain Marvel. But I don't remember Batman being so tortured. I don't remember Iron Man needing Prozac. When did superheroes become so unhappy?... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1196524 2008-07-19T19:44:19Z 2008-07-19T19:48:48Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1195910 2008-07-19T12:41:14Z 2008-07-19T12:44:28Z

You wondered if Flint really WAS becoming a laughingstock because of the police chief's criminalization of sagging pants? Here's a Newsweek article, as spotted by blogger downtown56. Aren't we proud....

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal You wondered if Flint really WAS becoming a laughingstock because of the police chief's criminalization of sagging pants? Here's a Newsweek article, as spotted by blogger downtown56. Aren't we proud.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1195904 2008-07-19T12:32:02Z 2008-07-19T12:38:47Z

Paul Rozycki Guest blogger Paul Rozycki is a political science professor at Mott Community College. Here's his latest entry: This November's election, like most, will see a number of significant and important proposals on the ballot; stem cell research, medical marijuana and perhaps the biggest of all... the "Reform Michigan Government Proposal," or what has simply been called the "state reform proposal." The proposal, if it makes it to the ballot and is passed by the voters, would change more than two dozen major parts of the state's constitution. Among other things, it would reduce the size and salary of the state legislature, cut salaries for the governor and other top level state executives, cut the salaries of judges, reduce the number of Appeals Court and state Supreme Court judges, allow 'no-reason' absentee voting, require financial disclosure from candidates, limit lobbying by former elected and appointed officials, limit legislative and judicial benefits after leaving office and create a bi-partisan committee to redistrict the state every ten years. It is a huge proposal with huge implications. Depending on your views and partisan leanings, you will find some of the ideas appealing and you may dislike others. I generally like the bi-partisan...

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal Paul Rozycki Guest blogger Paul Rozycki is a political science professor at Mott Community College. Here's his latest entry: This November's election, like most, will see a number of significant and important proposals on the ballot; stem cell research, medical marijuana and perhaps the biggest of all... the "Reform Michigan Government Proposal," or what has simply been called the "state reform proposal." The proposal, if it makes it to the ballot and is passed by the voters, would change more than two dozen major parts of the state's constitution. Among other things, it would reduce the size and salary of the state legislature, cut salaries for the governor and other top level state executives, cut the salaries of judges, reduce the number of Appeals Court and state Supreme Court judges, allow 'no-reason' absentee voting, require financial disclosure from candidates, limit lobbying by former elected and appointed officials, limit legislative and judicial benefits after leaving office and create a bi-partisan committee to redistrict the state every ten years. It is a huge proposal with huge implications. Depending on your views and partisan leanings, you will find some of the ideas appealing and you may dislike others. I generally like the bi-partisan... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1189915 2008-07-17T18:41:19Z 2008-07-17T19:31:43Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1189677 2008-07-17T18:31:11Z 2008-07-17T18:41:03Z

You can tease a Yooper about many things -- his accent, his tendency to slap the term "eh?" onto the end of most sentences, his fondness for deer, beer and flannel. We are good natured people, by and large, and will take a joke in the spirit with which it is intended. But you should never question his knowledge of and/or skill at "bags," which is the greatest summer backyard game ever invented. And yet that is precisely what Tim Welker of Fenton did after I included a brief mention of my bags prowess in a recent column. He wrote: "Only somebody from the U.P. would call the game 'bags.' The correct name is cornhole. It might be dangerous, but go to Google and type in cornhole. You get the official Cornhole Association website, and a YouTube cornhole song, and a site for rules and regs. You can even learn the difference between Cincinnati rules and Kentucky rules....

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal You can tease a Yooper about many things -- his accent, his tendency to slap the term "eh?" onto the end of most sentences, his fondness for deer, beer and flannel. We are good natured people, by and large, and will take a joke in the spirit with which it is intended. But you should never question his knowledge of and/or skill at "bags," which is the greatest summer backyard game ever invented. And yet that is precisely what Tim Welker of Fenton did after I included a brief mention of my bags prowess in a recent column. He wrote: "Only somebody from the U.P. would call the game 'bags.' The correct name is cornhole. It might be dangerous, but go to Google and type in cornhole. You get the official Cornhole Association website, and a YouTube cornhole song, and a site for rules and regs. You can even learn the difference between Cincinnati rules and Kentucky rules.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1185906 2008-07-16T18:13:14Z 2008-07-16T19:13:50Z

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.1185539 2008-07-16T17:25:54Z 2008-07-16T17:40:54Z

General Motors turns 100 this week, and celebrations are going on all over town. And yet few weeks have been rougher in the company's existence. Sweeping changes were announced Tuesday -- a dividend freeze, accelerated plant closings, white collar buyouts, cutting health benefits to retirees. The company's stock price dipped into the $8 range before rallying today. So is that a sign that investors think GM has in fact bottomed out or is there more pain to come? You tell me....

Andrew Heller | The Flint Journal General Motors turns 100 this week, and celebrations are going on all over town. And yet few weeks have been rougher in the company's existence. Sweeping changes were announced Tuesday -- a dividend freeze, accelerated plant closings, white collar buyouts, cutting health benefits to retirees. The company's stock price dipped into the $8 range before rallying today. So is that a sign that investors think GM has in fact bottomed out or is there more pain to come? You tell me....