The Capitol lawn will be a busy and diverse place during SOS speech

The Capitol lawn in Lansing will be a busy place on Wednesday evening when Gov. Jennifer Granholm gives her final State of the State address, and a very diverse group of people will gather to express their opinions.

Soon to be convicted felon and Republican Senate candidate Leon Drolet, head of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, is co-sponsoring a protest on the lawn called the "State of the Citizens" address. According to subscription only Gongwer, the group plan to “place 148 folding chairs on the lawn - one for each member of the Legislature - and invite them to attend their event instead of Ms. Granholm's speech.” This group is nothing but a thinly disguised teabagger group, so only a few extremist Republicans will take that invitation, if any. It should be even less when you consider that the House and Senate are actually in session during the speech.

You will recall that the so-called “Michigan Taxpayers Alliance” tried to recall Democratic lawmakers who voted to increase taxes in 2007 to avoid a government shutdown. They failed on almost all fronts, but they managed to recall Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, D-Redford, but voters soundly rejected it when it made it to the ballot. However, they had to use fraud and deceit to actually get it on the ballot, and at least two members are facing fraud charges because of it.

The co-sponsor with Drolet’s group is a group headed up by extremist Republican teabagger Wendy Day, who also happens to be a member of the Howell Public School Board. The fact is both group falls under the teabagger umbrella, known for their racist rhetoric and signs.

But the extremist teabaggers will be joined by a couple of liberal groups. A couple of groups called the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice and The Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions will be there also. They will be protesting against foreclosure, evictions and utility shutoffs.

Also getting a permit from the Michigan Legislative Council for Wednesday evening for a rally is a group called “Tears for the Mentally Ill and Disabled.” They will apparently be protesting the lack of funding for the mentally ill, who end up going to our jails and prisons costing taxpayers even more money.

It should be a very interesting evening on the lawn and in the House chambers.