Detroit's Kwame Duo

Unless you have been living under a rock on the ocean floor for the past six years, it has been almost impossible for a resident of Michigan to not learn about the allegations, accusations, and well just plain acts of foolishness, which have been levied against the Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick. Some of them have never been substantiated while others have been blasted on the front page of the newspapers and have led to Mayor Kilpatrick being charged with eight felony counts.

This crisis has serious implications for the Mayor and his family, his former Chief of Staff, the residents and the City of Detroit, and the entire State of Michigan for whom Detroit will be either the engine or the caboose.

However on July 29, 2008 the heat began to lift off the Mayor. If the
Mayor escapes his current scandals with Houdini like ease, this date will be
cited as the turning point.

What happened you say, well THE DETROIT PISTONS SIGNED KWAME BROWN!



Follow me here. Since the 2001 Mayor's Race, Kwame Kilpatrick has cast a literal and metaphorical shadow over Detroit politics. Friend and foe alike knew who he was to the point that other than official statements and news reports he became known just as "Kwame". Friends referred to him by just his first name as a way of distinguishing him from his Congresswoman mother. Foes omitted his surname as a sign of disregard and disrespect for the Mayor. Around Detroit and indeed Michigan, people would say, "Kwame did this...” "Did you hear what Kwame...".

However, beginning in November, people will have to specify which Kwame they are referring to. Detroit's new Kwame duo have more in common than the same first name:

2001

Both burst on to the stage in 2001: Kilpatrick winning the Mayor's race and Brown as the #1 overall pick in the NBA.

Youth

Both were relatively very young when they became household names: 31 for Kilpatrick, Brown 19

Record Setting Youth

Kilpatrick was the youngest Mayor in Detroit history, Brown the first High School Player selected with the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

Famous Pedigree

Kilpatrick hails from a famous Detroit political and succeeded his mother in the Michigan House of Representatives. Brown was the first draft pick by former Wizards General Manager and His Airness Michael Jordan.

There are however a few differences between the Detroit Kwame Duo:

Size

Brown is a typical NBA athlete with a tall sleek build checking in at 6'11" and 270 lbs. Kilpatrick has the build of a former football player, which he is, and checks in at around 6'4" and a kind 300+ lbs.

Hands

Brown's major weakness is his poor use of his hands. His inability to catch passes in the post and to be able to move the ball have hampered his development over seven seasons in the NBA. Kilpatrick though has allegedly shown himself to be skilled at using his hands, at least according to Wayne County Sheriff's Detective Brian White.

Which one of Detroit's Kwame Duo rebounds and reclaims some of their former prestige? Brown, Kilpatrick, Both or Neither? Post in the comments.

-Kyle M.

Young Dems Talking to Candidates

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

We have seen unprecedented involvement by young voters in the Democratic Primaries all across America this year. We want to keep the momentum going by having a Voters Forum with candidates answering our questions and talking about the issues that are important to us. Too often politicians have ignored young/first-time voters and we don't always feel like we are a part of the process. What a great way to keep young people involved in the process by having the candidates talk directly to us.

The Young Voters Forum will focus on the Democratic Primary Candidates in the 34th State House District (Flint) and the 51st State House District (Grand Blanc, Fenton, Linden). These are two important and competitive races for open House seats in Genesee County. The people who win the August 5th Primaries will stand in the General Election in November and we need the put forth the candidates who will best advocate for higher education, job training, affordable health care, and all of the other issues that are important to our demographic.

It will be held at UM-Flint in the Michigan Rooms on Wed. 7/30 from 6-8pm. The Event is being co-sponsored by the Genesee County Young Democrats and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Please invite your friends and family and come out and hear from and talk to the candidates.

-Kyle M.