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.”
Internet Detectives Are Convinced an Innocuous Converse Sneaker Ad Is Full of White Supremacist Dog Whistles
Watch: ‘CBS Mornings’ Suddenly Heaps Praise on Lindsay Clancy Holdout Juror in Light of New Developments
Foreign hackers breach two more US water utilities, threaten safety of Colorado residents
Illegal immigrant arrested in Indiana for allegedly voting in federal election: DHS
Federal ban on handgun sales for young adults cannot be enforced, DOJ finds
EU floats even more ‘associate members’ as diplomats dismiss vague proposal as ‘middle power bulls***’
El Sayed says he and Harris have ‘come together’ after Biden administration’s struggle with pro-Palestinian wing
New Netflix Kids Movie Slammed as ‘One of the Most Satanic Inversions’
GOP lawmakers smell something else behind Big Tech’s AI doomsday warnings: ‘Something else going on’
‘As a Lifelong Democrat, I Am Ashamed’: Mom Blasts Her Party After Illegal Kills Her Son and His New Bride
Young swing-state voters cozy up to Democratic Socialists, say party establishment must ‘learn’ from DSA wins
European Leaders in Panic Mode Over Pete Hegseth’s Military Plans for the Region: Report
DEI Dies at Starbucks, but Not Before They Have to Pay Big Fine for Discrimination by Race, Sex in Florida
Ex-Dem insider reveals why Biden’s daughter threatened to sue her: ‘Bordered on parody’
Flock CEO, tech rivals called to testify before senators over AI camera privacy concerns
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.
Internet Detectives Are Convinced an Innocuous Converse Sneaker Ad Is Full of White Supremacist Dog Whistles
Watch: ‘CBS Mornings’ Suddenly Heaps Praise on Lindsay Clancy Holdout Juror in Light of New Developments
Foreign hackers breach two more US water utilities, threaten safety of Colorado residents
Illegal immigrant arrested in Indiana for allegedly voting in federal election: DHS
Federal ban on handgun sales for young adults cannot be enforced, DOJ finds
EU floats even more ‘associate members’ as diplomats dismiss vague proposal as ‘middle power bulls***’
El Sayed says he and Harris have ‘come together’ after Biden administration’s struggle with pro-Palestinian wing
New Netflix Kids Movie Slammed as ‘One of the Most Satanic Inversions’
GOP lawmakers smell something else behind Big Tech’s AI doomsday warnings: ‘Something else going on’
‘As a Lifelong Democrat, I Am Ashamed’: Mom Blasts Her Party After Illegal Kills Her Son and His New Bride
Young swing-state voters cozy up to Democratic Socialists, say party establishment must ‘learn’ from DSA wins
European Leaders in Panic Mode Over Pete Hegseth’s Military Plans for the Region: Report
DEI Dies at Starbucks, but Not Before They Have to Pay Big Fine for Discrimination by Race, Sex in Florida
Ex-Dem insider reveals why Biden’s daughter threatened to sue her: ‘Bordered on parody’
Flock CEO, tech rivals called to testify before senators over AI camera privacy concerns
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.
Internet Detectives Are Convinced an Innocuous Converse Sneaker Ad Is Full of White Supremacist Dog Whistles
Watch: ‘CBS Mornings’ Suddenly Heaps Praise on Lindsay Clancy Holdout Juror in Light of New Developments
Foreign hackers breach two more US water utilities, threaten safety of Colorado residents
Illegal immigrant arrested in Indiana for allegedly voting in federal election: DHS
Federal ban on handgun sales for young adults cannot be enforced, DOJ finds
EU floats even more ‘associate members’ as diplomats dismiss vague proposal as ‘middle power bulls***’
El Sayed says he and Harris have ‘come together’ after Biden administration’s struggle with pro-Palestinian wing
New Netflix Kids Movie Slammed as ‘One of the Most Satanic Inversions’
GOP lawmakers smell something else behind Big Tech’s AI doomsday warnings: ‘Something else going on’
‘As a Lifelong Democrat, I Am Ashamed’: Mom Blasts Her Party After Illegal Kills Her Son and His New Bride
Young swing-state voters cozy up to Democratic Socialists, say party establishment must ‘learn’ from DSA wins
European Leaders in Panic Mode Over Pete Hegseth’s Military Plans for the Region: Report
DEI Dies at Starbucks, but Not Before They Have to Pay Big Fine for Discrimination by Race, Sex in Florida
Ex-Dem insider reveals why Biden’s daughter threatened to sue her: ‘Bordered on parody’
Flock CEO, tech rivals called to testify before senators over AI camera privacy concerns
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.
