As we approach Independence Day, the toxic cultural and political environment in which we live continues to unravel slowly our once shared belief in the American Dream. Hon. Michael Warren Many people this July Fourth will undoubtedly go through the empty gestures of fireworks, barbecues, and family gatherings. Hardly any will reflect on the magnificent Declaration of Independence and how, despite its many flaws, it is a shining, monumental change for all of mankind. Let’s look at four … [Read more...]
Judge Warren Patriot Week Commentary
September 11, 2020 by 1 Comment
Hon. Michael Warren Over a decade ago, my then 10-year-old daughter Leah pounded on a table and demanded a new celebration for America - and Patriot Week was born. She did so because the traditional civic calendar had been hallowed out by empty excuses for three-day weekends, barbecues, and appliance sales. The idea was to renew the spirit of America. Little did we predict that in 2020 the nation would need Patriot Week for another reason - to heal the spirit of America. The toxic … [Read more...]
Flag Day Commentary by Judge Warren
June 12, 2020 by 2 Comments
Why We Celebrate Flag Day on June 14 As the tumult of the trifecta of COVID-19, protests/riots, and economic distress grip our country, we are, of all things, supposed to celebrate the flag on June 14. Once an innocuous display of patriotism, you can no doubt envision the histrionic divides that celebrating our national emblem will likely bring. Before those who might desire to exercise their First Amendment right tear up or burn the flag do so, they might consider how Flag Day came to … [Read more...]
Honoring Memorial Day in 2020
May 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment
With much of the nation shutdown due to COVID-19, one might not even remember that May 25, 2020 is a Monday - or, more importantly, Memorial Day. The customary Memorial Day festivities of barbecues, beer, wearing white, traveling, and shopping will be truncated, if not arrested. However, perhaps this is a sublime unintended consequence of social distancing and sheltering at home orders. If it settles our minds and let us focus on first things first - actually giving Memorial Day its … [Read more...]
Op Ed: Stop Attacks on Asian Americans
April 3, 2020 by 2 Comments
Personally, I have no problem with President Trump’s labeling the current pandemic the “Chinese flu.” Like the Spanish flu (interestingly enough traceable back to France, Kansas, or China), he is simply following a time honored tradition. Likewise, the gnashing of teeth about closing the boarders as racist, xenophobia seems nothing more than the overwrought attacks of those suffering from Trump derangement syndrome. Closing the borders is also a time-tested response that countries across the … [Read more...]
Op-Ed: Judge Warren Calls for Fundamental School Reform in Light of Coronavirus
March 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment
The coronavirus has thrown our entire society in disarray, and no less poignant an example exists than our K-12 public schools. The closure of schools across the country has stopped the normal learning process dead in its tracks. In a valiant attempt to continue, many districts have sought to leverage long distance learning. Unfortunately, weaknesses in the law, technological infrastructure, and teacher preparation, as well as inequities among students, are barriers to success. For example, the … [Read more...]
Stan Lee’s Marvelous Lessons
November 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
By Hon. Michael Warren I confess. I have been a deeply committed fan of Stan Lee and his creations since I was a young boy. Even as a judge, author, non-profit leader, and informal educator, I still learn from him. By now, you probably know the outline of his story. A poor, first generation errand boy turned multinational millionaire mogul (he would have appreciated the alliteration of 3 m’s in a row (think Stephen Strange, Peter Parker, Reed Richards, Matt Murdock, but I digress)). I … [Read more...]
Oakland Circuit Judge Workshops ‘Patriot Week’
September 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Oakland Circuit Judge Michael Warren Presents to K-12 Educators at Professional Development Workshop Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren recently presented to Kindergarten through 12th grade educators at Clarenceville High School in Livonia. Convened by Learning to Give, Judge Warren and three panelists from other non-profits presented different approaches that citizens can take to be more involved with the non-profit community. Judge Warren explained steps that teachers and their … [Read more...]
Judge Warren Commentary about Judicial Threats Undermining the Liberty of All
January 3, 2018 by 1 Comment
By Judge Michael Warren One of the defining characteristics of our free republic is our strong adherence to the rule of law. President John F. Kennedy insightfully observed, “Our nation is founded on the principle that observance of the law is the eternal safeguard of liberty and defiance of the law is the surest road to tyranny.” The Founders wrote down and ratified the Constitution to ensure that all would be subject to it, and created a judicial branch to protect it. The judiciary is the … [Read more...]
Skip the Sales and Pancakes this Memorial Day and Honor the Sacred Dead Instead
May 26, 2016 by 4 Comments
Commentary on Memorial Day, by Judge Michael Warren I love pancakes, especially at the International House of Pancakes. However, when I sat down recently at my friendly neighborhood IHOP, I was barraged at the table with the message that I should "celebrate Memorial Day" by buying red, white and blue pancakes. My stomach ached instead of hungered. We should honor Memorial Day, not cheapen it with pretty pancakes. Of course, IHOP is hardly an outlier. Look around, the crass … [Read more...]
