Mislead by the Washington Post

Not that I'm surprised, but an article in the Washington Post last night gave me the impression that the public option was still a part of the Senate health care reform bill. But, I see now that they have substituted a PRIVATE plan for a government-run public option.

This is outrageous! Private plans are UNACCEPTABLE. Corporate control of our health care system is why millions of American's end up going bankrupt or become homeless year after year. What is WRONG with these weak don't-know-what-to-do-with-the-power-they've-been-given Democrats! This country overwhelmingly elected them a year ago to CHANGE things in this country. What a bunch of cowards!

Fight for the public option! Contact your Senators now!

The View is Getting Wider

The View from Kalamazoo has a new contributor! T Roosevelt Con and I have been talking politics and social justice issues since we met about four months ago. There have been some really great discussions between us, and I hope we can continue the conversation and share it with a wider audience on this blog.

Gaudy Gateway vs Saving East Hall

I’ve been thinking about this post since the new “gateway” at the intersection of Lovell, Oakland and Stadium Dr. was built in 2008. I’ve been so pissed off about it, I’ve had a hard time writing something that didn’t sound like a lunatic rant. Still not sure it doesn’t.


I visited East Hall this spring with my sister-in-law and took these photos. Whenever I have visitors from out of town, it is the one place I’m sure to take them. (All the photo’s in my blog header where taken there). I’ve recently discovered that many people that grew up in Kalamazoo have never seen this view either. After showing it to just such a friend, and sharing my passion on the subject, he told me that “people need to know it’s there — there needs to be a reason for them to go up there and see it.” I argued for a museum, but he said “museum’s don’t make money.” So now I’m on a mission to share it with everyone I talk to. If I can get a small, determined group of people to help, East Hall might have a chance for survival.


When I took these photos in April, it was covered with graffiti. I was happy to see that it had been cleaned up when I visited recently with my new friend. The Friends of Historic East Campus (formerly the Friends of East Hall) have cared for the building as best they can and they have made some progress in talking with WMU and the City about preserving the building.



The “gateway” cost over $650,000 — that kind of money would have gone a long way to make some of the much needed repairs to this historic building. East Hall is the original site of Western Michigan Normal School — now Western Michigan University. The City donated the site —Prospect Hill — to Western in 1904 for the purpose of creating an institute of higher education. WMU seems determined to let it crumble and fall. It’s not a priority for them. Instead, they want to build a new medical school (even though Kalamazoo already has one on East Campus) and have started to raise the money for it. That recent news has sparked my concerned about the fate of this beautiful, historic building and it’s view of our City. (I question many of WMU’s decisions, and even more so the City’s willingness to go along with them — no matter how they impact the neighborhoods around them. How can the City thrive without being trampled by this giant?)



I’ve been struck with an idea that I think could be a great joint venture for Western and the City. A way to partner in saving East Hall and create business opportunities and jobs while saving the view of Kalamazoo for all it’s citizens. More on that later.

What do you think? Isn’t East Hall worth saving? Sign the petition!

Life is Full of Surprises

Good ones, like meeting someone in real life that you really click with. A huge surprise because if I had read a “profile,” of this person, I would have passed him by in a quick minute. Lots of other reasons this connection was a surprise, but suffice it to say, it made the end of the summer (and the beginning of autumn — my favorite time of year) one of the best of my life.

And not so good ones, like hanging out on my patio with above friend and my next door neighbor last weekend having drinks, grilling dinner and watching in disbelief as two young, white males come walking down the hill in back of my house. They came from “the big house” at the top of the hill. They walked down along the fence line, and I wondered to myself (and then out loud) what are these guys doing? “Are they coming down to introduce themselves as neighbors?” No! They were cutting through my yard — with all the privilege and arrogance of GW Bush himself. “Steve” claimed that he thought “Greg” knew us (he sure acted like it). But “Greg” was the biggest little prick I’ve ever had the misfortune of “meeting.” He felt he had every right to just cut through my yard with no comment to me, no introduction — or explanation! I’m still in shock.

Good thing my friend was there. He was able to calm me down, and have a somewhat civilized conversation with them. Got us to introduce ourselves. (I was outraged and ready to punch that little prick!) It was a very good example of the entitlement this most recent crop of WMU students have. It’s shocking to me, though I’m not sure why. I see examples of it everyday living in Kalamazoo. I guess it was because it was literally in my own back yard.

Falling in Love Again

I find myself falling in love with Richard Brautigan all over again...

Another great from The Tokyo-Montana Express. From the beginning of

"Gone Before We Open Our Eyes"

I had nothing else to do but float along on a tide of memories carrying me toward no particular shore. I was lying in bed. It was the afternoon of a day that I would never really be in.

There are days like that when you just aren't there....gone before we open our eyes.

Is This Why I Stay in Kalamazoo?

While I’m still tired of doing stuff alone, there is no shortage of stuff to do in Kalamazoo — and for little or no money. I spent only $9 this weekend, but saw world famous art and photography up close, enjoyed a jazz concert and watched a really moving documentary about the Toronto Metal band, Anvil.

Concerts in the Park this week showcased the Blue Lake International Jazz Band. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the concert description was “striking, world-traveled jazz.” But I was thrilled when I saw all the saxophones, trumpets and trombones come out in the hands of really young people. It was a great mix with everything from Count Basie to Chic Corea.

But, the highlight of the weekend had to be Anvil! The Story of Anvil. It played at The Little Theatre all weekend. And, what a story it is! Sad, yet inspiring. It made me want to purchase their latest release. I’m not really a Metal fan these days — but these guys deserve a break!

Anvil! is a band (Robb Reiner and Steve “Lips” Ludlow) that didn’t make it on the Metal scene, yet is still together making music. They’ve produced 16 CD’s since 1981! Their influence seemed to be great in the beginning (though they reminded me of Judas Priest). They were supposedly groundbreaking with their fast paced heaviness and stage presence when they came on the scene in North America. I think it was Scott Ian of Anthrax that said they set the standard for Metal in the 80s and everyone just ripped them off and left ‘em to die.

But it was really a story about the love, dreams, and experiences that our lives are made from. These guys have been playing together since they were 14 years old, just hit their 50s, and are still trying to “make it.” It was a great reminder to live with a full heart even if your dreams never come true, because life goes by fast and can change forever in a split second. In pursuing your dreams, you create a life. Their story reminded you to not be left looking back to discover that you just sat there waiting for it all to happen. Now is all we have, so if not now, when?

Four-Dollar Friday

I had intended on spending this vacation day at the Lake. But, with temperatures only in the 60s, and clouds blocking out the sun, I decided to catch the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit at the KIA. And, I got a couple of bonuses — tickets are only $4 on Fridays, and I didn’t get rained on there or back.

It inspired me to paint! So, with this cool weather making “The Yellow Room” a great place to hang out (my favorite in the house, though it’s usually only usable in the Spring and Fall due to heating and cooling issues), I finally got the canvas that’s been sitting around here unwrapped and marked out for my faux Mondrian. I started with yellow of course. It’s looking pretty good so far. Maybe I’ll post a photo when it’s finally hanging on the wall.