http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/Local Columns, Blogs, Editorials, Letters and ForumsenMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noLocal Columns, Blogs, Editorials, Letters and Forumsflint_journal_voiceshttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/oBbxFURN1Pc/another_view_investing_in_publ.htmlCommunity Voice | Flint Journal LettersFri, 10 Feb 2012 13:56:41 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7714461 ]]>The Governor’s recent budget proposal shows that he is beginning to realize the value of public safety because he recommends a slight increase after years of cuts. But unfortunately, he is also suggesting putting $130 million, nearly the same amount that could hire 1,000 new police officers, into a rainy day fund.http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/another_view_investing_in_publ.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/4oi-0NjH2Jk/surviving_the_invasion_of_the.htmlAndy's Journal columnsAndrew Heller | Flint JournalFri, 10 Feb 2012 15:10:57 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2012:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.7710048 ]]>Henry, like all kids these days, believes that birthdays are extended weeks-long celebrations, not unlike Mardi Gras or Carnival, only without the beads, barfing and naked people. I fear for humanity when they reach college. http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/aheller/2012/02/surviving_the_invasion_of_the.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/7fMQjmQH12Q/moving_out_of_michigan_because.htmlCommunity Voice | Flint Journal LettersFri, 10 Feb 2012 10:33:21 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7701404 ]]>Several of my retired friends have moved out of Michigan due to Gov. Rick Snyder income tax withholding pension benefithttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/moving_out_of_michigan_because.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/7q33ZJoHZQw/from_the_comments_californias.htmlDana DeFever | ddefever@mlive.comFri, 10 Feb 2012 09:47:27 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7712466 ]]>This week's decision in California that overturned a ban against same-sex marriage, has MLive readers siding for and against the issue. Here's what a few of them had to say:http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_californias.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/u3CVWIjVzgc/from_the_comments_arrest_of_ac.html183737752902Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.comFri, 10 Feb 2012 12:22:43 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7712352 ]]>FLINT, Michigan -- The arrest of Daniel And Alisha Hall, of Mt. Morris, for sexually abusing their infant daughter has drawn calls for strict punishment from readers on mlive.com/flint.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_arrest_of_ac.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/4NdMTiYqi4g/gm_and_chrysler_bail-out_what.htmlTim Skubick | For MLive.comFri, 10 Feb 2012 05:56:12 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/politics/index.ssf//3203.7709255 ]]>Tim Skubick asks Durant, "Had you been in the U.S. Senate, how would he have voted on federal aid for the two struggling car makers?"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/02/gm_and_chrysler_bail-out_what.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/NU8V2a2Z-sM/from_the_comments_readers_deba_17.html277753Sarah Schuch | sschuch@mlive.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 12:20:42 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7707617 ]]>Would a Crime Stoppers program at Corunna High School, which offers students $50 for tips, be beneficial to stopping drugs and weapons from coming into the school? Or would it cause more harm than good with false tips? Readers debate the issue on The Flint Journal Facebook page today.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_readers_deba_17.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/t44-iDVeHZo/column_fighting_in_hockey_shou.htmlHockeySportsRoss Maghielse | rmaghiel@mlive.comWed, 08 Feb 2012 16:03:09 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/sports/flint/index.ssf//2553.7702741 ]]>USA Hockey and Hockey Canada are taking measures to try and remove fighting from the sport. Is this the right decision or is hockey a part of the game?http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/column_fighting_in_hockey_shou.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/hHA_mGZpPbU/gov_rick_snyder_not_a_career_p.htmlMLive - Opinion161844Tim Skubick | For MLive.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 05:41:05 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/politics/index.ssf//3203.7703737 ]]>Snyder is moving to protect GOP members of the House who did his bidding last year.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/02/gov_rick_snyder_not_a_career_p.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/xfiP2iskTnE/from_the_comments_readers_shoc_1.html183737752902David Harris | dharris5@mlive.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 07:09:37 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7705324 ]]>Readers expressed shock and outrage at the Mt. Morris couple accused of possessing hundreds of child pornography photos, including some with their infant child.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_readers_shoc_1.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/oRk2lBBPVgw/occupy_momement_just_regular_p.htmlCommunity Voice | Flint Journal LettersWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:56:12 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7701339 ]]>While the right wing politicians just want the Occupy protesters to go away and quit pointing out the inequities in our system, it's obvious they aren't going anywhere. http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/occupy_momement_just_regular_p.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/KtaTVzBObeM/post_22.htmlCommunity Voice | Flint Journal LettersWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:31:10 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7701635 ]]>There is a movement in our state's legislature by both house and senate republicans to increase the price of wholesale gasoline to the retailers by 9 cents per gallon.http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/post_22.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/sotfShNuSb0/hoekstra_ad_drew_a_clear_line.htmlAndy's Journal columnsCome Heller high water...MLive - Opinion1849243361Andrew Heller | Flint JournalWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:09:46 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2012:/flintjournal/aheller//1580.7698238 ]]>Does that make him a bad person? No. It makes him calculating. With that ad he was probably aiming solely for the tea party vote and nothing else. If so, then spot on, Mr. Hoekstra. Spot on.http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/aheller/2012/02/hoekstra_ad_drew_a_clear_line.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/mMBuFSjRzq0/from_the_comments_some_say_boo.htmlDavid Harris | dharris5@mlive.comWed, 08 Feb 2012 05:03:36 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7699204 ]]>MONTROSE, Michigan -- The Booty Lounge stripper bus has its fans and its critics, according to readers comments on mlive.com/flint.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_some_say_boo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/vYsMiIw_Uco/mitt_romney_and_dick_devos_two.htmlMLive - OpinionTim Skubick | For MLive.comWed, 08 Feb 2012 07:10:02 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/politics/index.ssf//3203.7696576 ]]>If you look closely, the next time you watch Mitt Romney, you might see shades of Dick DeVos.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/02/mitt_romney_and_dick_devos_two.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/0tqAd8MVUYE/letter_what_does_pension_tax_m.htmlCommunity Voice | Flint Journal LettersTue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:56 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7697945 ]]>People hear a sound byte or see an inflammatory headline in a paper and panic.http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/letter_what_does_pension_tax_m.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/dZC4WAEzJNk/madonnas_super_bowl_performanc.htmlMLive - Entertainment577194Justin Engel | jengel1@mlive.comTue, 07 Feb 2012 19:05:07 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/tv/index.ssf//5132.7694648 ]]>A Sunday poll, posted minutes after the glitzy -- and sometimes controversial -- act, shows 915 of 1,627 MLive readers considered the Bay City native's mini-concert among the best Super Bowl halftime shows ever.http://www.mlive.com/tv/index.ssf/2012/02/madonnas_super_bowl_performanc.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/lT2g6xuJPpo/want_to_ask_flints_emergency_m.htmlKristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.comTue, 07 Feb 2012 12:11:41 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7695079 ]]>Emergency manager Michael Brown will hold his second community meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at the Flint Public Library.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/want_to_ask_flints_emergency_m.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/LkPMlmkGN6E/from_the_comments_some_readers_6.htmlDavid Harris | dharris5@mlive.comTue, 07 Feb 2012 07:12:10 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/news/flint/index.ssf//2552.7693002 ]]>FLINT, Michigan -- Some people said Purple Moon Nightclub should be closed after a shooting there left one man dead.http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/from_the_comments_some_readers_6.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/J81EhgAgXQw/caption_contest_kindergartener.htmlBernie Eng | beng1@mlive.comTue, 07 Feb 2012 07:03:20 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/opinion/flint/index.ssf//2753.7690717 ]]>Please give us some caption suggestions for this photo. Make them cute kid captions and have some fun with it.http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2012/02/caption_contest_kindergartener.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/flint_journal_voices/~3/mzCbvopaohc/was_chrysler_ad_a_thinly_veile.htmlMLive - OpinionTim Skubick | For MLive.comTue, 07 Feb 2012 14:25:31 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2012:/politics/index.ssf//3203.7690077 ]]>Clint Eastwood was a hit with many Michiganians on the ad when he invoked: “Detroit is showing us it can be done ... The world’s gonna hear our engines roar.”http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/02/was_chrysler_ad_a_thinly_veile.htmlnonadult