I was born in Detroit, almost 48 years ago. Lived there for my first 9 years and continued to visit my father there until I was 19.

We moved to the burbs and lived in a time that I can only compare to the T. V. Show, the Wonder Years. Farmington.

My father would take me to work though, and he worked in home remodeling so, we often went into the many inner city homes. Things were stirring even then.

In 1968 though, the proverbial fan was hit and it wasn't pretty at all. Riots, fires, and looting were occurring all over the place.

It became very tense. . . . until the fall, when the Tigers won the World Series. Strange as it seems, but the entire city was in Peace for several months during that time. Maybe it was the cooling weather, but I believe it was baseball fever that took over the rioters and looters.

I returned to Detroit 2 years ago, the first since 79. It looked like an atomic bomb had gone off there. It was horrible. I showed my wife and daughter where we lived in the city, and it was awful now.

I then took them to the burbs, back to the very home that I cherished, and nothing had changed. It was still a wonderful place to live. The yards were well maintained, children playing in the streets. People were friendly and smiled when they saw you on the street.

We walked down the main city street and came to the old Cinema, that had been restored. Light bulbs covered the marquee and bright yellows and reds adorned the entrance. When I walked up to it, I got this feeling. Its what I guess Chris Matthews gets when he's listening to Barack. A chill traveled up my leg into my spine and spread out all over my body. It was like an epiphany was exploding inside me, as I gazed at the cinema. I stood there smelling the popcorn and seeing the many people lined up to watch a second run movie. The heebie jeebies stayed with me as I sat down in my seat, while a man with a banjo played on the stage as a warm up act for the patrons. I was saddened about the years I lost, not living in that community.

I had completely forgotten those feelings, but now it had all come back again. We then drove a short distance to the still standing A&W Root Beer Drive In. Ordered a Root Beer Float and Chili dog while I soaked in the memories of when I was a child, before my parents divorced and moved me to a god forsaken town, called Bristol Virginia, to completely screw up the remaining years I had as a child.

Revisiting Detroit was depressing, totally a mess. But a mere 10 miles northeast, if that far, stood a community that I still loved and which still shined bright in my memories and still shines bright today. (They don't have sweet tea in their restaurants, and their food is a bit "bland" are my only complaints.)

We went back into the city one last time. I wanted to find a Top Hat restaurant and get a cheeseburger, but they were all shut down. I found a White Castle, which was okay, but not near as good as the stainless steel counter tops found at the Top Hat, where pie slices and donuts were properly displayed under glass, in obvious view to all 9 year old boys, having breakfast or lunch with their father.

Maybe Aristotle's vision of Greece's city states was right. 50,000 is the maximum number that he predicted would be the point in which the people would lose touch with their communities and their individuality.

Its sad what has happened to Detroit. Even worse, Detroit will likely vote for Obama 95% to McCain's 5%. Which tells you a little something about his supporters. And if he allows the people that destroyed Detroit to influence his administration, then God help us all.

I've just finished reading some of David's Mom's "explanations" of the Black Liberation Theology and some of Hack's and Jeff's discussions about Obama's "we're angry and bitter" speech" and then I saw your comments on this situation in Detroit. It occurred to me that it all sounds so similar, that people with this same mindset are always ready to try to excuse the inexcusable. They have their "liberal blinders" on and will only see what they want to see. It is truly amazing to me to what extent all of them will go to present Obama as pure and unblemished, and never hold him accountable for ANYTHING. Pretty much how the NAALCP does when they constantly excuse any behavior if it is done by one of color.

Mismanaged Municipality

You want to talk about just one?

Based on what I have been reading in the Detroit Free Press they have enough disgrace to last them for generations. It is astounding what that community lets their politicians get away with.