Posted on 04/19/2010 6:40:22 AM PDT by TonyInOhio
Chris Hansen traveled to Detroit, Michigan for a Dateline special that aired tonight on the state of what is probably America's most desolate city. And in aerial footage—devastation porn at its best—Detroit's grim plight was revealed.
"Today, from the air, parts of Detroit look like a war zone," Hansen said in a voiceover near the beginning of the special, before he listed some of the most shocking facts about the city's current state—the population is less than half of what it was decades ago; there are 400 liquor stores there, but only eight supermarkets—all while panning shots of the consequences of its deterioration flashed on the screen.
Describing Detroit as "a city that is virtually on life support," Hansen then introduced the audience to an ambitious plan by Mayor Dave Bing to bulldoze down more than 10,000 buildings and literally shrink the city's borders in order to save money spent on public services. Again, disturbing aerial shots were abound.
As the special's end drew nearer, depressing music played as even more aerial shots revealed Detroit's desolation—combined with shocking information, like the fact that there are 40 square miles of vacant/abandoned property within the city's limits—and Mayor Bing explained in more detail to Hansen his plan to shrink its size (something he claims will take 10 to 20 years, if it's able to be completed at all).
Will Detroit ever return to its glory days of the first half of the 20th Century? Probably not. Will it even be able to avoid going completely bankrupt and return from the brink of total destruction? Nobody really knows. What is clear, though—especially after seeing the devastation from the sky—is that the Motor City has a long, long way to go to even become a shell of its former self.
We have first-hand evidence of the destruction wrought by the Great Society. If Obamaism is allowed to take root, we will see many more formerly great cities degenerate to this state in our lifetimes.
Liberalism: Exhibit A.
a democrat, union controlled city and state.
from the ground, too, probably.
Well since it looks like a war zone anyway. We need to declare war on Canada, whoever loses is forced to take Detroit.
” 400 liquor stores “?
Understandable, I’d drink lots too if I lived there.
Detroit is the poster child for rat and union dominated government. Detroit is civilization in reverse. It is a warning to what our country is rapidly headed for.
I can see socialism from my house!.................
Great story, the mayor is right, bulldoze the city and make it smaller.
but thankfully the feckless Michigan state legislature beat back a “right to work” bill, ensuring the union status quo will remain
so especially all you black folks in unions, be assured your reps are taking good care of you
sarc
It’s a liberal utopia... we ought to rename it Acornia.
No a poster on the thread said it was “racism and classism” and his professor told him that, so it must be true.
It would be extremely interesting to see what would happen if they’d elect a white government.
Detroit now = USA later, under Obamaism.
What is the racial makeup of Detroit?
All whites, conservatives too?
Cause and effect at work.
In the Scary Movie spoof of War of the Worlds, the TV reporter shows the Tom Cruise character photos of Detroit with the Martian leveling it. The she shows him what it looked like before. The only difference is the Martians aren’t in them.
Only a 50-1 ratio? Reminds me of a story my Dad used to tell me about four guys from Detroit out fishing. They pass a little convenience store on the side of the lake and decide to pull in nearby to set up camp for the night.
Two of the guys draw short straws and are sent to buy provisions for the night. They come back with four cases of beer and two loaves of bread. "Idiots!", shouts one of the guys who stayed behind to set up cam, "What are we supposed to do with all that bread?"
The pictures depict an effective Vandalism Prevention Program in action.
Who would attempt to further damage those buildings?
Looks like Warsaw at the end of WWII.
Much better video with audio commentator explaining that Detroit is the poster boy for leftist politics here:
Detroit in RUINS! (Crowder goes Ghetto
http://vodpod.com/watch/2741783-detroit-in-ruins
Those were once the dream homes of the Depression/World War II generation.
Saved for, cared for, and paid for. The way real Americans behave.
That looks like a city that spent its way to prosperity. Curious how many thousands live on these streets, according to the 2010 census.
re: a democrat, union controlled city and state
When you see something like this article re: Detroit, isn’t it natural to ask, “What happened????” I went to the link and read the script and watched the videos. There was no mention of the causes of Detroit’s decline. It is simply something that happened. No blame on those who caused it. Rush always points out, “Being a Liberal means never having to say you are sorry.” This is definitely the case when it comes to Detroit.
Cities come, cities go, adapt or die!
I can bet some of those buildings were once very elegant.
Thanks Democrats!!!!!
We took it in the War of 1812 and you wanted it back. You can keep it. Too bad...I'm just old enough to remember it in it's heyday. Some great memories of Tiger Stadium, the Olympia, Cobo Hall etc. My parent's first date was at The Elmwood. It's a shame, really.
That's a great and ironic comment. :)
I live in NW Ohio, only 1 1/2 hours away from Detroit, and formerly lived in Lima, Ohio, which is right on I-75 S. The drug gangs from Detroit are moving into Lima, a waypoint on the road south to Dayton, and I can't help but wonder if Lima will not share the same fate as that once great city.
For later.
“...but wonder if Lima will not share the same fate as that once great city.”
####
Its ALL in the demographics.
I’m sure these homes were once lovely and lived in by families going to work every day, raising their children and doing all they should to live their daily lives. How sad that they look like they look today.
I have heard reports that you could find homes there for as little as a hundred dollars. It was hard to believe, but now I look at those photos, and I got to ask, That much?
No, a conservative government, regardless of color. Heck, even a RINO government would make a difference.
United Artists Theatre 
Brush Park
bttt
Wow!
Of course we all know liberals will never EVER admit that their ways are what brought this city down. And certainly won’t admit that unions were the second driving force.
I doubt their national budget could afford the Yankee's salary expense.
By the way, I completely agree with the mayor on bringing in the city limits. There is no reason to have fire and police in an area with just a few homes. The land can be used for farming or something productive.
The Obama posters in Detroit says a lot about who is voting in these Marxists.
SAdly, much of this (Det riot) is too much like the photos often seen on EnglishRussia, another failed Empire gone to rot.
SAdly, much of this (Det riot) is too much like the photos often seen on EnglishRussia, another failed Empire gone to rot.
That's a terrible thing to say about Sarajevo.
Environmentalist whackos brought Detroit down when they banned the auto companies from dumping into the Detroit River. The River was what gave Detroit it’s competitive advantage over other areas, and the Feds killed it.
Looks like a great setting for "Phantom of the Opera."
The destuction by neglect of Brush Park lies at the feet of the racist mayour Coleman Yound and the prevention of whitey from coming in and redeveloping the area.
If able to carry the correct amount of fire power, I’d love to explore some of those old buildings. They have always fascinated me.
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