Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is waging an increasingly high-profile battle against an elderly barber, and he appears to be winning in both the courts of law and public opinion.
Karl Manke, a 77-year-old from Owosso, reopened his shop after he was turned down for unemployment.
Amid the legal threats from Whitmer’s administration, he recently responded, “What, are they going to give me? Life? I’ve got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I could care less.”
“As long as I have two hands and I’m capable of cutting hair, that’s my occupation,” Manke said. “That’s what I do. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Jill Biden says former president will live with stage 4 cancer ‘for the rest of his life,’ has slowed down
Last surviving ‘Rosie the Riveters’ honored by WWII Museum on D-Day Anniversary: ‘We can do it’
Woman allegedly choked subway rider, yelled antisemitic remarks in attack caught on video: police
Steve Hilton launches ad mocking Xavier Becerra’s ’36 years’ as a career politician in California gov race
WATCH – Smug Dem Rep’s Face Goes Totally Blank After a Cool Sec. Bessent Educates Him About His Own Branch of Government
GRAPHIC: The Excuse This Islamist Gives for Raping 250 Women Shows Why Islam and the West Can’t Exist Together
Vance Enrages Starmer with His Condemnation of the Police Response to Henry Nowak’s Murder
Pennsylvania AG explains why state leads nation in Medicaid fraud convictions while others battle mass schemes
Veteran-founded bourbon brand wins $25,000 Fox Business contest: ‘Sip to remember’
Witnesses in Karmelo Anthony murder trial confirm Austin Metcalf’s words immediately after attack
Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading
The Way to Save Education Is Through School Choice
Christians Are Being Hunted Like Sport
Indian Christians Face Rising Levels of Persecution as Hindu Nationalism Grows
The Case For A Smaller, Humbler Federal Reserve
Manke addressed supporters outside his shop on Monday.
“I’d gone six weeks without a paycheck with no money coming in. I’ve been in this business 59 years…I’m 77. I’ve always worked,” he said.
“I’ve never looked for handouts. I don’t even know what they are. I had somebody call me and say why don’t you get on food stamps. I don’t want to get on food stamps. I want to work.”
“I came into this last Monday alone, thinking I’m going to swing in the wind alone,” he said. “I cannot believe the support that I’ve got,” he added to cheers, with some responding, “You are not alone!”
“It’s overwhelming,” he added, getting choked up.
Another day, Manke made it clear he was going to defy Whitmer’s orders.
Jill Biden says former president will live with stage 4 cancer ‘for the rest of his life,’ has slowed down
Last surviving ‘Rosie the Riveters’ honored by WWII Museum on D-Day Anniversary: ‘We can do it’
Woman allegedly choked subway rider, yelled antisemitic remarks in attack caught on video: police
Steve Hilton launches ad mocking Xavier Becerra’s ’36 years’ as a career politician in California gov race
WATCH – Smug Dem Rep’s Face Goes Totally Blank After a Cool Sec. Bessent Educates Him About His Own Branch of Government
GRAPHIC: The Excuse This Islamist Gives for Raping 250 Women Shows Why Islam and the West Can’t Exist Together
Vance Enrages Starmer with His Condemnation of the Police Response to Henry Nowak’s Murder
Pennsylvania AG explains why state leads nation in Medicaid fraud convictions while others battle mass schemes
Veteran-founded bourbon brand wins $25,000 Fox Business contest: ‘Sip to remember’
Witnesses in Karmelo Anthony murder trial confirm Austin Metcalf’s words immediately after attack
Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading
The Way to Save Education Is Through School Choice
Christians Are Being Hunted Like Sport
Indian Christians Face Rising Levels of Persecution as Hindu Nationalism Grows
The Case For A Smaller, Humbler Federal Reserve
He told radio host Steve Gruber he will only leave his shop “if they drag me out in the street or Jesus comes.”
Manke’s levity is a striking contrast to Whitmer’s attempts to appear tough.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "These executive orders are not a suggestion. They're not optional. They're not helpful hints." pic.twitter.com/ImffRfwPyb
— The Hill (@thehill) May 11, 2020
When asked specifically about Manke defying her edicts, Whitmer responded, “I expect people to follow the law. These executive orders are not a suggestion. They’re not optional. They’re not helpful hints.”
Despite failing to obtain a restraining order against the barber on Monday, Whitmer’s administration is continuing to pursue him in court.
The AG said:
The Attorney General’s court action, filed on behalf of MDHHS, seeks to enforce the MDHHS Director’s Public Health Order that deemed Mr. Manke’s business an imminent danger to public health in light of the COVID 19 pandemic and directs him to immediately cease operations at his barbershop. The State is seeking to schedule a hearing as soon as possible.
Jill Biden says former president will live with stage 4 cancer ‘for the rest of his life,’ has slowed down
Last surviving ‘Rosie the Riveters’ honored by WWII Museum on D-Day Anniversary: ‘We can do it’
Woman allegedly choked subway rider, yelled antisemitic remarks in attack caught on video: police
Steve Hilton launches ad mocking Xavier Becerra’s ’36 years’ as a career politician in California gov race
WATCH – Smug Dem Rep’s Face Goes Totally Blank After a Cool Sec. Bessent Educates Him About His Own Branch of Government
GRAPHIC: The Excuse This Islamist Gives for Raping 250 Women Shows Why Islam and the West Can’t Exist Together
Vance Enrages Starmer with His Condemnation of the Police Response to Henry Nowak’s Murder
Pennsylvania AG explains why state leads nation in Medicaid fraud convictions while others battle mass schemes
Veteran-founded bourbon brand wins $25,000 Fox Business contest: ‘Sip to remember’
Witnesses in Karmelo Anthony murder trial confirm Austin Metcalf’s words immediately after attack
Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading
The Way to Save Education Is Through School Choice
Christians Are Being Hunted Like Sport
Indian Christians Face Rising Levels of Persecution as Hindu Nationalism Grows
The Case For A Smaller, Humbler Federal Reserve
The AG asserted Manke’s open business presents “clear public health dangers.”
After the close of business on Tuesday, Whitmer’s administration stripped Manke of his operating license, his attorney said.
“Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has suspended Karl’s license,” attorney David Kallman told radio host Steve Gruber.
“Not thinking about it, they’ve actually done it without a hearing, without any due process,” he added, saying the action took place some time after 5:00 p.m.
“It’s an unbelievable abuse of power,” Kallman said, arguing there’s no legal basis for the action.
“This is pure retribution by the governor’s office and by the AG. This is so petty and vindictive, it’s beyond the pale,” he told Gruber.
According Kallman, the AG claimed one of the reasons for the license suspension was because Manke was violating the temporary restraining order–which was never granted.
Story cited here.
