Category Archives: Bad government

Bait and switch for press ‘freedom’

Posted on May 18, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Would some wise person in the media please explain to me how the government’s surveillance of The Associated Press’s phones translates into a new push for a so-called federal “shield” to insulate mainstream journalists from subpoenas? Somehow, … Continue reading →

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‘Michigan blogger’ to talk CABs to California

Posted on May 4, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell At 2:15 PM on Friday, May 10, I’ll be in Sacramento telling members of the California League of Bond Oversight Committees how I learned about Capital Appreciation Bonds in Michigan 21 years ago. I’ll talk about how … Continue reading →

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Ashenfelter-Convertino: Essential reading

Posted on April 24, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell A federal judge has ordered the Detroit Free Press to reveal the names of US Justice Department officials who illegally disclosed secret grand jury information about a former assistant US attorney, Richard Convertino. Convertino has sued the Justice … Continue reading →

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Convertino case: Judge orders Free Press to name sources

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Former assistant US attorney Rick Convertino’s lawsuit against the US Justice Department is still alive, despite a federal judge’s decision to let a Detroit Free Press reporter, now retired, off the hook as a witness in the … Continue reading →

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Stick-up at UM

Posted on February 24, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Two ways to make it big. There’s singer Petey Pablo‘s way: Put the money in the bag before I blow your head off. And there’s University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman’s way: Parley your fancy title … Continue reading →

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Kiriakou gets 30 months, Convertino snitches get a pass

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell They say the Obama administration has gotten really tough with federal officials who leak government secrets to journalists. For proof, look at what happened to former CIA agent John Kiriakou. He revealed names of government operatives to … Continue reading →

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Hacking JOTR

Posted on February 9, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell The New York Times is lucky. Lucky they’re a wealthy organization that can afford to hire a topflight computer security company when they find out that their computers have been hacked. I can kid around about my … Continue reading →

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My NRA hit list

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell I’m on the NRA’s hit list. They’re hitting me up for money so they can protect patriotic Americans whose “Second Amendment rights,” the NRA claims, are in danger of being “dismantled and destroyed.” “THEY WANT TO MAKE … Continue reading →

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Do the math: Right-to-work makes great sense at Free Press

Posted on January 19, 2013 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Excellent article by Detroit Free Press editorial editor Stephen Henderson explaining why “right to work makes absolutely no sense for Michigan.” Sound arguments all the way. I agree 100 percent. One fact not mentioned: The Detroit News … Continue reading →

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Setting UM’s tone

Posted on December 16, 2012 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Sidney Gilman’s Alzheimers research colleagues at the University of Michigan see some kind of “riddle” in their mentor and erstwhile hero’s parleying expert medical credentials into $1,000-an-hour consulting fees while serving as director of UM’s Michigan Alzheimer’s … Continue reading →

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