MITCH ALBOM

If I had the floor at the auto rescue talks

OK. It's a fantasy. But if I had five minutes in front of Congress last week, here's what I would've said:

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BRIAN DICKERSON

California schemin': Is left coast plotting Michigan's ruin?

That's right: It's Michigan vs. California -- Us vs. Them -- in the cultural grudge match of the century! Or at least this week's grudge match of the century.

DREW SHARP

Lions can't lose 'em all: They'll beat the Bucs today

The Lions will win today. And, no, I'm not crossing the border into the state of inebriation.

STEPHEN HENDERSON

Granholm pitches powerful state vision

Eighteen months ago, I came home to Detroit during what I knew were some pretty rough times and wondered aloud in my first Free Press column whether I was the "dumbest guy" in Michigan for having returned. But, boy, if I'd known then what we saw last week, I could have skipped the wondering.

MARK PHELAN

L.A. Auto Show pushes efficiency

As government hearings on the auto industry's fate take a Thanksgiving break, car fans in California will visit the Los Angeles Auto Show to see the technology, design and performance that have made cars an integral part of American culture.

GEORGEA KOVANIS

Retailers entice shoppers with early sales

The other day during one of my visits to the mall, I was tempted with 40% off holiday decorations, Christmas dinnerware that was half off and deeply discounted fall clearance clothing, including taffeta skirts suitable for holiday parties.

RON DZWONKOWSKI

Take the time to make best of it

Was it just me, or was the daylight getting way shorter ahead of schedule this past week? Is it winter in a hurry to get here or a reflection of time running out for the auto industry? Since we have daylight saving time now for most of the year, shouldn't that become standard time and the balance...

SUSAN TOMPOR

More big Michigan names may exit NYSE

As stocks in the auto industry skid below $2 or $3 a share, investors start to wonder if General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. or any other Michigan company could see the day when their stocks could no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

CAROL CAIN

Traditions go on, even in hard times

Times may be tough across our state but the show -- or, more specifically, the parade -- must continue.

ELLEN CREAGER

Take care when upgrading Amtrak miles

Dear Travel Diva: Until recently, I enjoyed upgrading to business class on the Amtrak train from Detroit to Chicago for $12. Now I notice that Amtrak has changed the way it calculates the fare. Formerly, they would just add $12 to the coach fare.

LAURA VARON BROWN

Kids' energy, ambition is cause for hope

There were some skeptics when I said I was heading to Central Michigan University earlier this week to talk to journalism students about internships and careers at the Free Press.

MICHAEL ROSENBERG | OHIO STATE 42, MICHIGAN 7

RichRod's focus shifts to offseason

Well, this looked familiar. In the last game of a season that is finally, mercifully over, Michigan’s defense gave away yards like they were tax-deductible.The final score, which we report only for bookkeeping purposes, was Ohio State 42, Michigan 7.

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MIKE THOMPSON'S BLOG

Dingell, Big 3 ain't what they used to be

O STREET

Fear of a black planet

“You shouldn’t be afraid of me, because I only have a pen and some paper, no guns,” Oneita the Blogger tells a reader who e-mailed her about a column in last Sunday's Free Press: "Annie, get your gun, Obama's coming!"

O STREET

A love letter to Engine 44

After Walter Harris died in an arson last week, Oneita avoided hanging out with her firefighter friends on 7 Mile. She explains why.

HELENE ST. JAMES' BLOG

Wings send Tomas Holmstrom home to get MRI

Update from Calgary: The Red Wings have sent Tomas Holmstrom home because of his ailing back.

HELENE ST. JAMES' BLOG

Kronwall in, Holmstrom out for Saturday's game

Update from Calgary: Niklas Kronwall skated Friday and will play tomorrow, while Tomas Holmstrom did not practice and won’t play against the Flames.

HELENE ST. JAMES' BLOG

Injuries keep Kronwall and Holmstrom from Oilers match

Update from Rexall Place, where the Wings are playing the Oilers: Neither Niklas Kronwall nor Tomas Holmstrom are in the lineup.

HELENE ST. JAMES' BLOG

In chilly Edmonton, Marian Hossa unlikely to get warm welcome

I remember a few seasons back when the Red Wings were here in Edmonton for the playoffs, and former Oilers defenseman Cory Cross got booed. So I’m betting fans will have a go tonight at Marian Hossa, who spurned the Oilers this summer and instead signed for less money with the Wings.

NICHOLE M. CHRISTIAN

This is not a puff post

But how about a big “way to go!” to the millions of people who set down their cigarettes today for the annual Great American Smokeout. It enabled them, and all of us, to breathe a little easier.

BARB ARRIGO

Dingell’s loss

I am enormously sad that Henry Waxman ousted John Dingell from chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

JEFF GERRITT

Crime and the mayoral campaign

Politicians usually dodge criminal justice issues, except to mouth platitudes about getting tough on crime. They figure there’s nothing to gain — and a lot to lose — by talking about better ways to handle people with criminal convictions. So we keep doing what doesn’t work.

MATT HELMS

Dreading winter driving

Here they come, those great cold-weather roadway traditions of our great state: salt everywhere, and brackish slush, to boot.

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