We get periodic e-mails from the community council reminding homeowners to not leave any scrap metal lying in plain sight, like the driveway, because thieves will just stroll on up and take stuff. Or not even scrap, really -- stuff like lawnmowers.

This is stressful to me because I live with a hoarder and we have 3 (non-working) lawnmowers and an old a/c unit in our backyard (not to mention the damn drill press). The good part is our fence is fairly high and obstructive, so the stuff isn't immediately visible from the street.

Still, we're attractive to metal thieves, and it freaks me out. This has become somewhat of a point of contention.

This is stressful to me because I live with a hoarder and we have 3 (non-working) lawnmowers and an old a/c unit in our backyard (not to mention the damn drill press).

Dude, put it further out closer to the street and let the thieves ease your clutter.

Did you all already know that the puppy cam is back: [link]

Michigan is so fucked up. [link]

As you probably know, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation passed by the Republican-dominated House and Senate that gives State-appointed Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) historically broad and sweeping powers. These new powers allow the EFM to cancel or modify contracts (including with unions) and even to fire the municipality's government.

Today, for the first time, a EFM did just that. According to a press release from the Michigan AFL-CIO, Joseph L. Harris, EFM for Benton Harbor, Michigan issued "an order prohibiting all action by all city boards, commissions, authorities and other entities, except as authorized by the emergency manager."

Am I wrong to think it's just a matter of time before an EFM ends up dead?

You missed the money quote:

Interesting statistic: Benton Harbor is 92.4% African American with an annual median household income of $17,471 with 42.6% of the population below the poverty line. St. Joseph, the next city south of Benton Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan and just on the other side of the Paw Paw River is 90.3% white with an annual median household income of $37,032.

I guess white people don't have to worry about being completely disenfranchised. Hey, you know what happens historically when people feel like they're completely disenfranchised with no rights within a system? Riots.

Dude, put it further out closer to the street and let the thieves ease your clutter.

Oooh! If only I could move that damn drill press on my own!

Oooh! If only I could move that damn drill press on my own!

It doesn't take much muscle to redirect a spotlight from the porch to illuminate the drill press at night. ijs.

And hey, Toyota + chains = problem solved

I guess white people don't have to worry about being completely disenfranchised. Hey, you know what happens historically when people feel like they're completely disenfranchised with no rights within a system? Riots.

White people won't be first anyway. Riots may happen, but I think the real violence will happen when a community with an active militia is taken over.

I wasn't looking for a movement at all.

Too bad, kid. The loudest person who believes roughly what you believe is officially your spokesbastard.