They want the land in Benton Harbor Michigan

[notadmblnd]

Rachael going over it now. They want a golf course and upscale resort along with McMansions on Lake Michigan. They want to sell a city park on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The business community. I didn't specify that. Only 5k a year to join the club!

I'll bet the ink is drying on the sales contract the city manager has gotten drawn up, at this very moment.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. This land was your land,

Now this land is my land . . .

[rurallib]

2. what a surprise. Use the gummint to steal for the rich.

[Drale]

3. Wasn't there a movie with that premise?

I think it was called um Blazing Saddles?

"Unfortunately there is one thing standing between me and that property: the rightful owners." - Hedley Lamarr

[pscot]

4. You didn't have to specify

Just round up the usual suspects.

[Dawson Leery]

5. This is one of the corporate elements of fascism.

[Thunderstruck]

6. What a Shock...

Doctrine.

[handmade34]

7. mustn't let it happen

I spent many fine hours on the Lake Michigan Beach when growing up...

[SharonAnn]

10. Sounds like it's already a done deal. Elected officials have been removed and

the Financial Emergency Czar is in control.

[Hannah Bell]

8. kr

seems to me i heard something about the prime real estate in bh even before this latest.

[EFerrari]

9. One of Thom's callers mentioned that this morning.

Scum bags.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Thom Hartman covered this story today

I actually had tears in my eyes listening to the Benton Harbor residents who were calling in.

[Casandia]

12. Protest in Benton Harbor

https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=180701291976943

[notadmblnd]

14. It does make you sick when you think about the residents that they will use as their cheap labor

[notadmblnd]

15. Why are all the protests held in the middle of the week?

Saturday, I can be there. Wednesday, not so much.

[Buzz Clik]

13. Benton Harbor, about a decade ago, was an awful battle zone.

Has it gotten any better?

[travelingtypist]

16. I loved the way she built this case.

She nailed the developer who's in bed with the new emergency financial manager.

Beautiful work, Rachel.

[xxqqqzme]

18. She has a dedicated team working with her.

Her stories are pristine.

[notadmblnd]

23. And Michigan is training hundreds of new financial managers

Hundreds! I wonder just how many Michigan cities he plans to usurp?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x919258

[Canuckistanian]

29. Training? There's actually CLASSES?

Wow, I just read the link. Nice knowing you, Michigan...

[scarletwoman]

17. So, is anybody doing any organizing to fight this?

Are the citizens of Benton Harbor simply going to be left to the mercy of the predatory capitalist bulldozer? Have they been judged expendable?

[xxqqqzme]

20. There seems to be so little information - big shock!!!

Has anything been done to challenge this dickwad governor who set up this bullshit? Restraining order - injunction - law suit. I've heard/read very little.

[notadmblnd]

22. I know there's a recall effort against the gov. Haven't heard if law is being challanged

[highplainsdem]

19. See this topic, too, for more details:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x919047

[Botany]

21. The people must move in and not move from ...

.... those beaches. A family having a picnic in a park is far more important than
some rich so and so getting a 3 on a par 4 hole that will be called "the lakeside."


That land was given to the people so they can take their families to the beach and feel the
sand under their toes, the wind in their faces, and have moments where they can be rich in
the little things that make us all human.

John K-sick has the same vision for Ohio's Hocking Hills.

[Bozita]

24. This doesn't bode well for Detroit's magnificent Belle Isle.

You can bet your ass these "financial emergencies" are not occurring at random.

[notadmblnd]

25. I posted up thread a link to an article that says Michigan is training hundres of FMs

No, this is not random. Not random at all.

[Armstead]

26. I almost threw my shoe at the TV watching that -- Goddamn Motherfuckers

[Armstead]

27. Ed Schultz is covering it too

[Canuckistanian]

28. Disaster capitalism

Only the "disaster" is manufactured.

[MedleyMisty]

30. Make them resign

God. Strike, get out into the streets, occupy properties. Make them resign, or we go full fascist and we lose everything. They cannot be in office for the legal term limit. Recalls take too long (and I thought recalls weren't an option in Michigan?), and they own the voting machines and most of the courts.

If you value life, put your body on the line and make these goddamn fascists resign. Walk like an Egyptian. They took down a dictator who'd been in power over 30 years. Can we not handle little governors who've only been in power a few months?

[moondust]

31. Is this eminent domain on steroids?

:shrug:

[mrmpa]

32. Yep, I posted yesterday, that after reading the 2010 audit of...

Benton Harbor, and seeing what its assets were, I was afraid that the republicans would be wanting to sell of these assets.

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x912647

[Snoutport]

33. now it makes sense...they thought nobody would care if it was a 92% black community nt

[eilen]

34. I have the feeling that construction costs are going to go

through the roof.

[live love laugh]

35. That's why they spend millions to run for office--so they can steal from us. nt

[jillan]

36. What makes me sick is that St Josephs is one of my favorite vacation areas.

I love that whole southern area on the shores of Lake Michigan. Now I'll never be able to go to that area and feel the same sense of relaxation that I have in the past. Damn repugs - they even ruin vacations!

[Rhiannon12866]

37. Here's the video of Rachel's coverage:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=574888&mesg_id=574888