Detroit verbatim: the week in quotes

Posted by Minni

Above:A view from Detroit's Cobo Convention Center (that is in the process of being "hijacked" for $20 million}.


Dear blogger,

It's been another awesomely ridiculous week. Detroit Mayoral candidate Bing not only forgot he didn't have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) but that it took him 29 years to get a bachelor's degree;Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's partner in crime, Christine Beatty, got sick on jail food -- a lot; Radio personality Mildred Gaddis was still spewing hot fire at the "Hijacking of Cobo Hall", and Governor Jennifer Granholm gave the city of Detroit up for "adoption" to --- waaaiit for iiiiit --- MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Scarborough!? Hold on ... I'm having a premonition ... something about the "City of Detroit hijacking" ...

You CAN'T make this stuff up but you CAN slice it into fabulous one-liners and post them onto your blog!


"She spent a lot of time throwing up."
Christine Beatty's lawyer Mayer Morganroth said regarding Beatty's reaction to jail food. Apparently Coney Island hot dogs are much easier fare for the stomach.

"We are going to adopt Detroit,”
Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" told Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm referring to a plan to air "Morning Joe" in the city out of ... pity?

"I think you're trying to dig into something that isn't a story."
Detroit Mayoral Candidate David Bing angrily told Free Press reporter Bill McGraw when he asked for college transcripts. Weeks before he blasted interim Mayor Cockrel for not releasing his personal finances. Oops. Maybe Bing's right when he says he ISN'T a politician.

"There is not a category of money for large public buildings or anything like that."
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said about using stimulus funds for expand Cobo Hall instead of transferring it to a regional authority.

"Some folks think we're stupid and don't read."
Detroit City Council President Pro Tem JoAnn Watson about people who are pushing the Cobo Deal. And if by "folks" she means interitm Mayor Cockrel, Wayne County Ececutive Robert Ficano, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Governor Jennifer Granholm, and Detroit Free Press Columnist Nolan Finley then ...

"You can google economic stimulus plans and convention centers. You're going to get more than 50 cities -- including Lansing."
Detroit City Council President Pro Tem JoAnn Watson.

"If you want to help us, just give us the money."
Detorit City Councilwman Monica Conyers said at a rally against the Cobo Hall expansion that would turn the city owned convention center over to a five person regional authority. She added, "A diva is a female version of a hustlaaa!"

“I got an MBA from the General Motors Institute after I got into business, quite frankly."
Detroit Mayoral candidate David Bing on an NBA website video interview.

“I don’t have an MBA from General Motors Institute.”
Detroit Mayoral Candidate David Bing on the Paul W. Smith show on NPR. Which one is it, Dave?

"I have pictures with my cap and gown [from 1966]"
Detroit Mayoral candidate David Bing told the Detroit News' Leonard N. Fleming. However, a story in the Free Press said: Bing's campaign spokesperson Cliff Russell "acknowledged Bing did not attend graduation ceremonies or receive a diploma." Get your game tight, Bing!

"I don't think I can get any more name recognition than I already have."
Detroit City councilman Kwame Kenyata on announcing his run for mayor in August. Apparently he can't possibly get any more well known. Is it because his name is Kwame K.? I kiiid, I kiiiiid!

"I don't see how somebody can forget that they never actually got a diploma."
Detroit Interim Mayor Kenneth Cockrel said of Bing's college education gaffe. Same way somebody can forget that they owe the city clerk $42,000, Ken. Saaaame way.

"We don't give up tapes without subpoenas."
Mildred Gaddis said to people calling into "Inside Detroit" asking fora copy of her program with John Conyers. Congressman Conyers said jokingly that she sounded like Carl Rove.

"I'm having a problem with elected officials with the audacity to ... tell Mildred 'I voted for it'. 'I hope it [passes].' I"m [going to] hire an attorney to make sure that it passes. Why? Because I'm smarter than you!"
Radio producer David Stephen at Cobo transfer protest. He added,"How dare Senator Hansen Clarke, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson get the NERVE to tell MILDRED their position in the Hijacking of Cobo Hall?


All in good fun,

MMF