Meanwhile, back at the bridge: Last week, I had a long conversation with Roy Norton, a high-ranking Canadian diplomat who recently became consul general in Detroit. He is primarily responsible for trade and immigration issues between Canada and Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. He made it clear in elegant and diplomatic language how essential a new bridge over the Detroit River is for our prosperity — and, also, how false are the claims made by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun and his latest mouthpiece, toe-suckin' Dick Morris.

Worst-case scenario, what are the risks to Michigan if the new bridge is built? "Nothing. Not a penny," said Norton.

I had intended to tell you more about what he said, but instead I want to share a letter from a truck driver who crosses the bridge daily: "Mr. Moroun is notorious in the trucking world as a cheap, penny-pinching owner who only wants to build his empire and wealth while paying wages far below industry standards and for busting unions ... it is hard for me to believe his bridge is still standing. The lanes were built for ... trailers common in 1929, but (trucks) are nowadays much wider ... imagine trying to squeeze a modern rig through the curves on those bridge approach ramps — not easy ...

"WE NEED A NEW BRIDGE."

Amen to that. Now, let's hope that a majority of the Legislature isn't too stupid or too corrupt to do the right thing.

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