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Politics & Prejudices

A shining moment

The billionaire miscalculates and justice is done

Photo: W. Kim Heron, License: N/A

W. Kim Heron

Bridge company attorney Reginald Turner with Moroun shortly before the hearing ended.


Those of us who still recognize the rule of law and the authority of the United States and Canada have been fighting hard for them against the likes of Matty Moroun, for a long time. What happens next isn't clear, but is up to a panel of three appeals court judges. 

They could, and certainly should, send this old monopoly capitalist back to jail at least until a lot of work has been done at his expense to live up to his contract with the state, that is, MDOT.

Actually, Judge Edwards ought to appoint someone to do the work and then bill the charges, plus the court costs, to the Detroit International Bridge Co. But that's his call.

Incredibly, after this latest episode, and all Moroun's lies and antics, there are still some who think this creature ought to be allowed to keep complete control over what is this nation's most economically important border crossing.

This is the man who is perhaps our biggest slumlord, who owns and plays at sprucing up the ghastly ruin of the Michigan Central train station, and who has spent millions buying the Legislature and preventing the construction of another bridge that would create thousands of jobs and help make our economy competitive.

How thoroughly Moroun has corrupted our lawmakers can be seen in the remarks a particular specimen made when Matty was jailed. Mike Kowall is a pudgy state senator from White Lake Township who is running for Congress against Thaddeus McCotter.

Kowall, who has taken thousands in campaign "donations" from Moroun over the years, played the leading role last year in killing the governor's legislation to permit the new bridge to begin.

When he learned Moroun had been jailed, Kowall said, "I'd have thrown the director of MDOT in jail too, along with someone from the city." Nice that one of our elected representatives has such thuggish contempt for contracts, our court system and the rule of law.

Try not to forget that, if you live where he is running. 

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