The Culture Vulture: Movie Review — “The Ides of March” [With A Poll]
by William Belle
A drama about politics is nothing new if one thinks of similar movies like "Nixon" (1995) or "Primary Colors" (1998). But what is this movie telling us, if anything? As a run-up to the 2012 elections in the United…
The Culture Vulture: Porn for Women—Sex with Context (15 examples)
by Nelle Engoron
The pornographic movie industry, in response to the Internet, is focusing even less on narrative arcs these days. Savanna Samson, an actress, says she favors scripts with more dialogue. “Getting it on in one hardcore…
New Study Shows Michigan Ranks in Top 10 Among States in Which State and Local Politicos Ignore Public Opinion
Two professors from Columbia University who study how well elected state and local officials translate public opinion into policy, have determined that Michigan ranks fourth in the nation among states in which elected officials are most…
While Ann Arbor Pols Push Tax Hike, Street Repair Millage Fund Balloons & Miles of Roads Resurfaced Plummets
For more than five years, Ann Arbor residents have had to deal with a mismanaged and heavy- handed city sidewalk program which forced them to pay for repairing sidewalks along their property. City officials estimate property owners spent…
In Ward 3 Debate, Kunselman Goes After DDA & Alleges Political “Cronyism” A Problem in Ann Arbor Government
The Ann Arbor chapter of the League of Women Voters sponsors candidate debates each election cycle for City Council races. On October 5, 2011, the League gave Third Ward Democrat Stephen Kunselman the chance to strut his political stuff…
Interview: U.S. Rep. Schauer
by Chris Savage
In 2008, Democratic state Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer was elected to be the Representative for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, replacing Republican Tim Walberg. The 7th District, which spans a large…
Evidence Surfaces That Council Member Rapundalo’s Web Site Misleads Voters About Opponent’s Voting Record
On September 15th, former Second Ward Council member Jane Lumm (pictured right), who is challenging current Second Ward Council member Stephen Rapundalo, dropped what A2Politico described on September 15, 2011 as an endorsement "bomb."…
The Parent Trap: An Interview With Annie Zipser—Mother to Hundreds
by Betsy McMillin
Eleven and eight years ago, my two oldest kids had the great fortune of attending Stone School Co-op Preschool. The teacher of the 4s class was Annie Zipser. I knew I liked Annie the first time I met her. She was honest,…
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Former Governor Jennifer Granholm Talks About the Political and Economic Past & Future of Michigan and the U.S.
by Chris Savage
Last week, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and her husband Dan Mulhern released their new book A Governor's Story - The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future. (You can read my A2Politico review of their…
Recycle Ann Arbor Quietly Throws CEO Melinda Uerling Under the Wheels of the Compost Truck
MAKE NO MISTAKE. One look at the last three years of financial statements of Recycle Ann Arbor, and the company's losses make it clear that CEO Melinda Uerling was struggling to keep the company, controlled by the Ann Arbor Ecology Center,…
