http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/urban/ en-us Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:48:06 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2138930/posts Interesting crime statistics from CQPress.com... Actually, if you're like me, you probably could have guessed at least 8 of the top 15 without looking. The first seven were all no-brainers. I'll give you a hint for each of them; see if you can guess the city.In order: 1. The city where the people were so dependent on government that they couldn't manage to get out of town with a couple days' advance warning. Did you know that buffoon Mayor "School Bus" Ray Nagin is still in charge of things there? How sick is that?2. America's Eastern Armpit. 3. The home... conservatismtoday.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2138930/posts#comment Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:48:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137009/posts An elaborate modeling of housing prices and traffic congestion in cities across the US concludes that financing roads with comprehensive congestion priced tolls rather than taxes rather would provide major benefits in reducing housing prices and sub-optimal densities - 'sprawl' - as well as reducing the familiar delays and uncertain travel times. Moving to tolls or other direct road use charges will significantly improve overall welfare, economic efficiency and standards of living, the study says. Authors are Ashley Langer University of California Berkeley and Clifford Winston, Brookings Institution. The study is reported in Brookings-Wharton Papers on Urban Affairs 2008. ...... Toll Road News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137009/posts#comment Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:33:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135024/posts Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee of Oakland has been selected to chair the Congressional Black Caucus. The caucus made the announcement at a Capitol Hill press conference Wednesday where Lee accepted the gavel from outgoing Chairwoman Carolyn Kilpatrick. Lee, just elected to her 7th term, said she looked forward to working with President-elect Barack Obama in advancing goals of justice and equality. SNIP NBC Bay Area http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135024/posts#comment Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:45:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2125171/posts Moron Obama voter in Philly tells a CNN twit that he came back to vote a "couple times." Love how the genius reporter says "I think that's illegal" and then fails to follow up. CNN via YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2125171/posts#comment Wed, 5 Nov 2008 01:04:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2124461/posts On election eve I re-post my personal analysis and prediction for the 2008 election. The Steady Drip http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2124461/posts#comment Tue, 4 Nov 2008 06:57:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2124037/posts "I hope to God I'm wrong, but there are 7,000 known gang members in Chicago and they aren't going to miss an opportunity like this," says Paul Huebl, a former police officer in the city and now a respected author and crime blogger. "Police officers will be gravely outnumbered and outgunned and placed in danger. "There is no way to protect businesses. Parents and kids are going to think they're going to a party and they're going to end up getting hurt." More than a million people are said to be planning to celebrate the expected election of the first... Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2124037/posts#comment Mon, 3 Nov 2008 23:02:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2122180/posts One really has to ask the obvious question: If Obama’s economic policies work so well, why isn’t Detroit a paradise? In 1950, America produced 51% of the GNP for the entire world. Of that production, roughly 70% took place in the eight states surrounding the Great Lakes: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The productive capability of this small area of earth staggers the imagination. Virtually everything that rebuilt the industrial bases of Europe and Japan came from those eight states. Cars, planes, electronics, machine tools, consumer goods, generators, concrete - any conceivable item manufactured by... ChicagoBoyz.Net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2122180/posts#comment Sun, 2 Nov 2008 01:32:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114540/posts CHICAGO (CBS) ― Chicago is the Second City in nickname and the third in population, but when it comes to murder, the city has the dubious distinction of being second to no city in America. As CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports, the Chicago Sun-Times pointed out on Friday that Chicago has seen 426 homicides this year through Tuesday, compared with 417 in New York and 302 in Los Angeles. At the end of 1998, Chicago made international headlines as the U.S. "murder capital" after surpassing New York's homicide totals for the first time ever. Chicago shed that dubious distinction when... CBS Chicago http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114540/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:28:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114112/posts Via Gateway Pundit this video of some of Obama's previously undeclared views on race relations has apparently surfaced... Red State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114112/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:12:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2113687/posts The first is "human capital development". By this he meant public education, welfare reform, and a "workforce preparation strategy". ... A true welfare system would provide for medical care, child care and job training... While Barack Obama did not use this term, it sounded very much like the "social wage" approach used by many social democratic labor parties. By "workforce preparation strategy", Barack Obama simply meant a coordinated, purposeful program of job training instead of the ad hoc, fragmented approach used by the State of Illinois today. Chicago DSA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2113687/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:31:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111692/posts Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest. Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation’s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence. Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111692/posts#comment Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:25:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102531/posts HOUSTON -- Note: The following story is a verbatim transcript of an Investigators story that aired on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2008, on KPRC Local 2 at 10 p.m. Local 2 investigates dead voters. The push to register voters for this year's presidential election is breaking records. More than 1.9 million people are registered to vote in Harris County alone. But how many of the people listed on the voter roll are actually eligible to cast a ballot? Investigative reporter Amy Davis shows you how hundreds of voters could sway this year's election -- voters who are not even alive. "All-in-all,... KPRC Houston Channel 2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102531/posts#comment Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:21:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100890/posts While the state has seen demographic shifts in suburban school districts, the isolation and intense concentration of minority students in the 31 Abbott school districts is worse today than it was 20 years ago.  That's the basis for a "friend of the court" brief filed jointly by the New Jersey Black Issues Convention and the Hispanic Directors Association, two influential umbrella organizations. They are among nine groups challenging the state's overhaul of the school funding formula that guaranteed additional aid to the state's neediest districts. Locally, Paterson, Passaic and Garfield are classified as Abbott districts.   The court is scheduled... northjersey.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100890/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 23:42:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091762/posts PHILADELPHIA — A state court ruled Friday that Philadelphia was not entitled to set its own gun laws, invalidating five measures passed by the City Council last year and striking a blow against the city’s efforts to strengthen gun control. The Commonwealth Court dismissed a petition by two City Council members, Darrell L. Clarke and Donna Reed Miller, who filed suit last year arguing that the state’s Uniform Firearms Act did not pre-empt Philadelphia’s gun laws. The two council members had also argued that the state legislature had created a “state of danger” for Philadelphia residents by their continued refusal... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091762/posts#comment Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:00:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086495/posts SANTA FE — The New Mexico Secretary of State's Office plans to print nearly 2.5 million paper ballots for the Nov. 4 general election, although the state has only slightly more than 1.1 million voters. The reason? With a highly anticipated election less than seven weeks away that includes voting for president, an open U.S. Senate seat and three open congressional positions, the Secretary of State's Office wants to make sure each of the 1,550 precincts statewide is ready for an onslaught of voters who might or might not vote at their assigned polling places. "If we're going to err,... Albuquerque Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086495/posts#comment Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:23:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2085350/posts http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20126503&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=8 The Bulletin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2085350/posts#comment Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:42:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084534/posts Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was in southern California last night, attending a pair of fundraisers in Beverly Hills. In attendance was the usual crop of Hollywood political activists, but also former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan. He told KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde why he’s not supporting fellow Republican John McCain. Richard Riordan: “We want the best person to be president of the United States, whether they’re Republican or Democrat, and now I think clearly Obama is the best candidate. But I’m still basically a Republican, I’m supporting Republicans in the Senate and Assembly, everywhere else.” Kitty Felde: “Well, it... Public Radio.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084534/posts#comment Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:33:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2082309/posts With his visceral, award-winning writing and television shows such as The Wire, David Simon has brought to the world's attention the challenge of policing America's drug-ridden cities - something he says is doomed to failure. Behind his avuncular exterior, Burns holds tenacious opinions about the destruction of community in Baltimore. There is something odd about hearing a former cop speaking in language that is close to revolutionary. He argues that one half of America has abandoned the other, most deprived half, except, perhaps, as a source of job creation. 'If you look at poverty in America,' Burns argues, 'it is... Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2082309/posts#comment Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:40:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074858/posts Total Is About Double The Death Toll In Iraq CHICAGO (CBS) ― An estimated 123 people were shot and killed over the summer. That's nearly double the number of soldiers killed in Iraq over the same time period. In May, cbs2chicago.com began tracking city shootings and posting them on Google maps. Information compiled from our reporters, wire service reports and the Chicago Police Major Incidents log indicated that 123 people were shot and killed throughout the city between the start of Memorial Day weekend on May 26, and the end of Labor Day on Sept. 1. According to the Defense... CBS 2 - Chicago http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074858/posts#comment Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:38:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069299/posts Barack Obama's campaign plans to relaunch his "urban agenda" Monday in what people close to the strategy say is an effort to assure urban leaders and voters of the Democratic nominee's commitment to cities and minorities without alienating skeptical white voters. The plan features an increase in the minimum hourly wage, a new White House office focused on metropolitan areas and $60 billion to establish a national bank to finance public-works projects. The campaign didn't give a total cost for the plan, but the 32-page blueprint that will be released during a meeting of the Democratic Party's African-American caucus includes... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069299/posts#comment Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:09:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067373/posts A new generation of shakedown artists hampers America’s urban revival.___ Barbara Bradley, an editor with the Memphis Commercial Appeal, moved into the River City’s reviving downtown about a year and a half ago, loving its “energy and enthusiasm.” But a horde of invading panhandlers has cooled her enjoyment of city life. Earlier this year, she recalled in a recent column, as she showed some visitors around the neighborhood, “a big panhandler blocked the entrance to our parking area and demanded his toll.” Now a nervous Bradley avoids certain downtown areas, locks her car when fueling up at local gas stations,... City Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067373/posts#comment Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:57:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055932/posts Mayors from across the country are in Madison this week for the Mayors Innovation Project summer conference. They'll be sharing ideas about how to run progressive communities in tight economic times. But they will, as well, be wondering whether they are going to have a partner in the federal government. That's something cities have lacked for the past eight years.This week in an interview with MayorTV, an initiative of the Drum Major Institute think tank to focus on urban leaders and issues, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss argues that the Bush/Cheney administration's response has been characterized by "ignorance" as opposed... Madistan.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055932/posts#comment Sun, 3 Aug 2008 22:58:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055386/posts <p>California should be conservatives' exhibit A of Liberals Gone Wild. This is what happens when clueless liberals (Yes, including Arnie) let the animals run the zoo.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - One man got stabbed. Another got shot in the chest. A 6-year-old boy was temporarily blinded when he was spray-painted in the face.</p> Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055386/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 16:13:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052172/posts My Excerpt from multiple sources 200-300 teenagers were involved in a gang fight at Triangle Town Center mall in Raleigh last night. Multiple arrests, one kid stabbed in the butt. Thug culture invades mainstream USA. WRAL http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052172/posts#comment Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:19:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051547/posts Eugene, OR (AHN) - Eugene city officials fed up with crime are mulling an ordinance that will keep convicts and would-be criminals out of the downtown area for up to one year. Under the proposal, which is awaiting the council's vote pending the conclusion of a public hearing, a person charged with a crime such as robbery or assault would be banned from downtown Eugene for 90 days. Convicted criminals will not be allowed downtown for one year.The proposal from councilors Andrea Ortiz and Mike Clark drew mixed reactions from the police and merchants supporting the ban and human rights... All Headline News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051547/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:44:49 GMT