As I have been talking about, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and State Representative Al Pscholka are scheduled to be in tomorrow’s Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade that starts in St. Joseph and ends in Benton Harbor. It turns out, Rep. Pscholka may chicken out.
“We always have a big law enforcement presence at the Blossom parade, up and down the route, the whole way,” Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said. “We always do that.”Regarding any potential protests, “As long as they do it in a peaceful manner, there won’t be any problems,” Bailey said. “We won’t tolerate anyone disrupting it or stopping the parade.”
Bailey said he recognizes there’s a lot of political controversy but said the parade is intended to celebrate agriculture and youths.
“If people are coming to disrupt it, shame on them,” Bailey said. “If they do, I have a place for them right here at 919 Port St.” That’s the address of the Berrien County Jail.
Also scheduled to take part in the parade are U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph; state Rep. Sharon Tyler, R-Niles; and state Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville.
However, Pscholka on Wednesday said he may change his mind about taking part. He declined to elaborate, but said he may issue a statement today.
Funny, he’s begging to appear on The Rachel Maddow Show but won’t face his own constituents. At this point in the game, it’s hard to say which would be tougher, actually.
Also interesting to see Congressman Fred Upton will be in the parade. With him involved, it’s the top two Republicans from the area plus the Governor. Almost like a victory lap for them in some ways, isn’t it?
UPDATE: Al Pscholka WILL chicken out:
State Representative Al Pscholka alerted the media yesterday that he will not be in the Blossomtime Parade because of protests scheduled against the Grand Marshal: Governor Rick Snyder. In a press release, Pscholka says he is “deeply disappointed and angered” about the news of protests. He says he supports free speech, and the protesters have a right to be at the parade, but “that doesn’t make it appropriate.”
Expressions of free speech aren’t “appropriate”, Mr. Pscholka? YOU are angry? You’re a real tough guy, aren’t you? A real defender of our Constitutional rights…
Pathetic.
