Double Standard!!

Here's a video from Daily Show which might just end up as a ad being run by Democrats. Here Jon Stewart showcases the double standards from the likes of Bill OReilly, Karl Rowe, Sarah Palin. When its your candidate even a mayor of a small town of 9000 counts as great executive experience but when Tim Kane a former mayor from Richmond, Virginia a town of 200,000 was being considered as a VP candidate --- "Oh Richmond, Virginia is ranked 135th, it is just too small". Anyway here's the video.

Congratulations to Mandy Grewal

Congratulations to Indian American Mandy Grewal on becoming the new Pittsfield Township (Washtenaw County, MI) Supervisor. Mandy won the elections on August 5th.

Mandy Grewal for Pittsfield Township Supervisor

Please remember Mandy Grewal on August 5th, 2008. She is running for Pittsfield Township Supervisor. Grewal, born in Chandigarh ( India ), came to the U.S. for further studies. She has a PhD in Urban Planning from U-M and has been representing Pittsfield Township on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners for the past few years, where she currently serves as Vice-Chair.

Every single vote will count on August 5th – so please take the time to get out, vote and help make history by placing the first South Asian in such a leadership position in Southeast Michigan.

Mandy Grewal - Candidate for Pittsfield Township Supervisor

Mandy Grewal an Indian American from Pittsfield Township (Washtenaw County, MI) is running for the post of Pittsfield Township Supervisor. We now see more and more Indian Americans making a mark in mainstream and local politics. This is Great!! And with Mandy Grewal's impressive work and educational background she definitely deserves our support. So spread the word!!

Mandy Grewal born in Chandigarh, India is a 14 year resident of Pittsfield Township (Wahshtenaw County, MI) and has the privilege of serving township residents as their elected County Commissioner. Mandy is also the Vice Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and is Chair of the County Planning Advisory Board.

Commissioner Grewal has worked and published extensively in the area of domestic violence. She has worked with the National Organization of Women (NOW) in Washington DC to formulate and lobby policies and to present legislation. She served as Commissioner on the Michigan Women’s Commission from October 2001 through July 2003. Commissioner Grewal worked as a Program Specialist with the Great Lakes Commission to promote the bi-national regions environmental and economic prosperity. She also worked at the Washtenaw Development Council to attract and retain businesses in the region.

Mandy's Impressive Educational Background:
Mandy has a PhD in Urban Planning from University of Michigan and a
Master’s in Trade and Planning from Eastern Michigan University. Mandy is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a graduate of MSU’s Michigan Political Leadership Program. Mandy did her BA in Economics and MA in Public Adminstration from Punjab University.

Governor Jennifer Granholm weighs in on Drivers' License Issue

In a letter addressed to Andy Dillon (Speaker Michigan House of Representatives) and Mike Bishop (Senate Majority Leader Michigan Senate), the Governor writes

I am writing to seek your bipartisan support for rapid enactment of amendments to the Michigan Vehicle Code to address significant concerns raised by Michigan businesses and foreign governments regarding an opinion issued by Attorney General Cox on December 27th, 2007. In that opinion, the Attorney General determined that only permanent residents may obtain a driver's license in Michigan and that individuals living here legally, but on temporary basis, must be denied a license. Resulting changes in policy subsequently implemented by the Secretary of State on January 22nd now require first-time applicants for a Michigan driver's license or identification card to prove they have established a permanent legal residence in Michigan

Unfortunately, this change is causing severe disruptions for many Michigan job providers and their employees who are legally in the United States but not permanent residents. Many businesses and foreign government representatives have contacted my office to express their dismay. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation reports that this issue already is detrimentally impacting our state's ability to attract and retain foreign investment and skilled workers. There are currently nearly 400,000 foreign businesspeople, students, and their families in Michigan on visas, many employed in the automotive industry and other important sectors. To conduct business and live their lives effectively, they need to be able to legally drive in Michigan. While we should prevent persons in our country illegally from obtaining a driver's license, it is important that the law be changed to quickly address this problem

The entire text of this letter can be found here.

(Note: Thanks to Mumtaz Haque for the tip)

Bobby Jindal wins Louisiana Governor's Race

Bobby Jindal has become the First Indian American to be elected as a governor of a US State. Bobby Jindal (36) son of Indian immigrants will become Louisiana's first nonwhite governor since Reconstruction and the youngest U.S. governor in office.

Bobby Jindal received 54% of the votes. In his victory speech Bobby Jindal repeated his election pledge to fight corruption in the state of Louisiana.

"They can either go quietly or they can go loudly, but either way they will go," he said, referring to people who were "feeding at the public trough".

This is where Bobby Jindal will now get to stay (Google Maps View of Louisiana Governor's Mansion - Baton Rouge)