For once, I don't actually mean this title to be all that snarky. The man is dead, nothing can change that now. Hearings can be a first step to prevent future, similar deaths. The point I'd make is that there's something deeply wrong with allowing power companies to shut off people's homes in the dead of winter. I know corporate profit is God in this country, and all must submit to its needs, but then again, once upon a time we called power companies "regulated public utilities" and understood that in civilized society, allowing poor people to freeze to death simply because they are poor is, you know, barbaric. From the MI Dem Party Press Secretary via email:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LANSING – State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) and State Senator Jim Barcia (D-Bay City) today called for a review of the tragic death of Marvin E. Schur, a 93-year-old World War II veteran, who froze to death in his Bay City home after Bay City Electric Light & Power placed a device on his home to limit his electric use.

"I am shocked and saddened by this tragedy," said Mayes, Chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee. "Though we're still getting more information, what's clear is that this man's death was entirely preventable. Until we understand this unfortunate situation, we need a moratorium on all electric shut-offs as well as the use of these limiting devices, in order to ensure that this does not happen again."

Schur, who owed more than $1,000 to Bay City Electric Light and Power, had a limiter device placed on his home on January 13 to restrict the amount of electricity that the home can use. If the homeowner uses too much electricity, the device shuts off all power to the home, and needs to be reset. City officials believe that nobody explained the device's operation to Schur, who tripped the device and did not reset it. Schur's body was found January 17.

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Can you hear us now? Count the votes already cast for Hillary in Florida and Michigan. Stop with the misogyny already and nominate the strongest and best candidate to go against McCain.

Today I have heard several radio commentators/hosts remark on how tired Obama is getting, of course, being sympathetic [it's all her fault it's gone on so long], but I wonder.

One even mentioned BO saying he'd been in 57 states and then, repeating 57 states again. Now that's tired! And there is that habit he has of running home to rest even before the ballots are counted in states he lost.

Gene Lyons

Xavier and Judy report that Clinton will be in Detroit tomorrow. I don't get it, I would think she would be living in Pennsylvania.

When is she going to do the roof top bbq at the big E?

Susie thinks that voter disenfrachisment is the most important issue. Chris Friend says that Democrats have given up the high ground. Kirk Wentzel calls for a do over. Daddy Democrat suggests that Obama would win a revote in Michigan. Will Bunch and Booman think it is important that Clinton broke her pledge not to put her name in the MI ballot.

I guess I'm just old-fashioned. The answer is "no," both practically and theoretically. No one seems to be talking about a revote here in MI, yet. Do we count (again)? Or is it just FL, where we all know they know how to count votes, and when those counts matter. This whole nightmare is just annoying the hell out of me. But I guess that's life in a banana republic- what a fun show your elections become! Honestly, part of me is really rebelling at the thought that Serious People are seriously considering, during a race that is too close to call a "revote." WTF. Is that like "second virginity?" The whole point of a staggered primary is that some races are different. If/when I vote, again, I still won't get to cast my ballot for my choice. When it could've made a difference, I was denied that right.* Now that I don't care, I get to "choose?" History is laughing at you, DNC. And anyway, the whole idea of a Republican gov doing the Dem party "favors" is just stupid, but I guess our leaders have never read about Trojan Horses or that sort of thing.

So I got this email from a friend:

DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas asked us to forward this message to everyone
we know in Michigan. If you'd like to comment on this plan, visit:
Dear Michigan Friend,

We're not going to beat around the Bush. If you want to help make mischief for
the Republican Party - and bolster the Democrats' chances for taking the White
House this November - read on!

Are you a Democrat or independent registered to vote in Michigan? If you are,
vote for Mitt Romney in the Republican primary on Tuesday, January 15th!

Do you know any Democrats or independents in Michigan? If yo u do, encourage them
to vote for Mitt Romney in the Republican primary on Tuesday, January 15th!

...

To which I sent this reply:

One of the better roundups on the state of the "first" primaries to date. I'll exerpt the whole thing, be advised there are live links at the original post.

by: John Deeth
Saturday (09/08) at 07:14 AM

The Iowa Caucuses will be Jan. 14. No, seriously, Jan. 14.
That's the official word out of Des Moines Saturday as the Iowa Democratic Party's state central committee met, mostly in closed session, without taking action in response to other states that have moved their contests ahead of the Democratic National Committee's official calendar.

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