Michigan Barber Wins in Court Against Gov. Whitmer: 'Health Department Failed to Show Threat'

PJ Media ^ | 05/23/2020 | Megan Fox

[SeekAndFind]

Karl Manke, the 77-year-old folk-hero barber who stood up against the empress governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, has been vindicated in court. A judge ruled on Thursday that the health department failed to show that Manke’s business cutting hair was a specific threat to public health.

Manke faced incredible harassment, including police intimidation and losing his license. Not even that stopped him. The Washington Times reported Manke’s reaction.

Manke, 77, has received at least two tickets for violating Whitmer’s orders, and his barber license was suspended last week. Nonetheless, he said he’s still cutting hair – “Oh, heavens yes” – including the hair of a squirming 2-year-old Thursday.

“Listen, I’ve been in this business for 59 years. She wants to come cut my hands off, that’s another story,” Manke said in an interview, referring to the governor.

Michiganders watched the barber fight for his livelihood online Earlier, a judge held a hearing via video conference on the Whitmer administration’s request for an injunction to close the shop. More than 400 people watched online as the state argued that Manke was violating health department orders.

“People can’t simply say, ‘I don’t agree’ and do whatever they want,” Assistant Attorney General Joseph Potchen said. “It’s not how our legal system works.”

It seems that the sheriff’s decision not to arrest Manke hurt the state’s case that he was a threat to public health. When the order to arrest him went out, the sheriff refused to comply because militia members were blocking the entrance of the barbershop and said they would resist any attempt to arrest Manke. Sheriff Brian BeGole made a statement to the press that PJ Media reported.

[Regulator]

Gretchenfuhrer loses another one

[alstewartfan]

Yes, a very “close call”. The Constitution or tyranny.

[Paladin2]

Whitless has no Science that she likes to talk about so much.

[DannyTN]

I suspect this will get appealed.

I think the judge is out of line here saying there was no threat. The CDC, NIH, FDA, POTUS, Governor, State health departments, respected institutions of medicine and countries across the world acknowledged the threat and recommended social distancing.

And a sheriff that doesn’t want to enforce the law against an elderly barber, a community that doesn’t like the law, and a militia ready to fight, doesn’t change that fact.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Can’t let it rest at that. Have to go after Whitmer with lawsuits and throw everything at her but the kitchen sink.

[Bayard]

Her powerbase is in metro area, Flint, Ann Arbor and other big city areas. The rest of the state won’t be accepting the BS that comes from Lansing..

She is also losing ground in the Metro area I believe. Lots of small businesses have gone under there and that was the lifeblood of the suburbs.

[FreedomNotSafety]

To be consistent, Freepers safe at home collecting government checks, aka Fearpers, should be condemning this brave man. After all he is helping spread the most powerful all consuming virus of all time.

Or the can admit how pathetically wrong they are.

[ronnie raygun]

The health department wants to close a barber but infect a nursing home this is perfectly ok

[Grampa Dave]

You don’t really think that any blue state governor gives a $hit about your health and safety, do you?

This CovidB$ has never been about the science, your health nor your family’s health.

[Flick Lives]

“Listen, I’ve been in this business for 59 years. She wants to come cut my hands off, that’s another story,” Manke said in an interview, referring to the governor.

—

Geez man, don’t give that lunatic governor any ideas!

[MSF BU]

You can probably guarantee that this guy will be front & center among invited guests at the next Michigan Trump rally.

[Flick Lives]

I suspect this will get appealed.

I think the judge is out of line here saying there was no threat. The CDC, NIH, FDA, POTUS, Governor, State health departments, respected institutions of medicine and countries across the world acknowledged the threat and recommended social distancing.

And a sheriff that doesn’t want to enforce the law against an elderly barber, a community that doesn’t like the law, and a militia ready to fight, doesn’t change that fact.

—

I thought you said just a few more weeks of wearing masks, Danny, but that was like 4 weeks ago.

[Go Gordon]

When the order to arrest him went out, the sheriff refused to comply because militia members were blocking the entrance of the barbershop and said they would resist any attempt to arrest Manke.

Friggin awesome!!!

[dirtboy]

Sheriffs are under no obligation to enforce an unconstitution order. Try again.

[Dr. Sivana]

“People can’t simply say, ‘I don’t agree’ and do whatever they want,” Assistant Attorney General Joseph Potchen said. “It’s not how our legal system works.”

When the order is illegal, then of course people should do what they want. That's how you get it to court and get the illegal order thrown out.

[digger48]

Can you cite for us the statute for this “recommendation”?

I’ve been curious about where that one is

[DannyTN]

I can call for masks all day long, but if too many people don’t heed my call, it does not good.

It’s like if I say don’t run with scissors, and then people run with scissors fall and stab themselves. And then you come along and say, “I thought you said scissors were safe if you don’t run with them, look they got stabbed anyway.”

[eyedigress]

What law was the barber breaking?

It will also help to show where it circumvents the Constitution.

[caww]

Whitmer, Wolf and Cuomo are three Governors I’d love to see go down after pulling their power stunts...