Do you WANT Detroit to fail? (Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor: middle-class, public schools, casinos)

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by TheProf

As a Clevelander, no way I WANT DETROIT TO FAIL. I pull for Detroit, in fact (except when it comes to the Pistons or Tigers, of course). If Detroit fails, in many ways, Cleveland and the entire 'Rust Belt' (I hate that term, but...) fails along with it... Sadly, I do find a lot of Michganders, particularly those outside Detroit, even in Detroit suburbs (maybe ESPECIALLY those in Detroit suburbs) that seem to take some sort of perverted glee in Detroit's struggles... and tend to downplay the many positive signs that, indeed, are happening in the city.

Which just blows my mind. It's these same people that are complaining about the encroachment of Detroit's troubles up on the suburbs...isn't it logical to want the city to do better so as to stop this?

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by zakian

Why would anyone want to hear a city they live in is dead?? You seem to be ignorant of the facts.

Huh? What facts...that Detroit has numerous problems and issues, to understate it? Yes, anyone who doesn't share a fatalistic opinion of Detroit has no knowledge of this, for you see we have all been deep within a cave upon Mars for the last 100 years, with our fingers in our ears, with our heads in the ground, yelling "LA LA LA LA LA LA LA" at the top of our lungs.

[and the]

Detroit is like a crackhead: You can't help it until it hits bottom.

[deslok]

To me, as Detroit goes, Michigan goes. It is the reason people from other states might actually want to come visit our little, declining state. ( one of the reasons at least) I am pulling for it for sure, and have thought of recently volunteering to help out in the downtown area when I get the chance. To whomever said why would they want to live in a city that people say are dead, you are the one ignorant of the history of the city that is Detroit. I think its motto or meaning for the city is " to rise from the ashes" . Just when you think it is down, that all hope is lost, something happens and it just starts a rebirth. All of those blighted buildings that are still standing, there is something magical about them really. Like a ghost town, that just isn't ready yet to pass to the other side, ever so surely coming back to life one ghost after another.

[Uppy33]

I do not want Detroit to fail!

[HeleenieWeenie]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

It seems that so many people are gleeful at any bad news concerning Detroit--of which there is usually plenty, unfortunately.

Yet sometimes there is positive news...which is immediately held in scorn and disdain by the same people so gleeful at all the bad news.

I realize there are many reasons for this attitude, some are somewhat valid, others definately not.

But my question is...why are you so gleeful upon hearing of more problems in Detroit? Shouldn't we all desire for this town to turn around? Even if you find it impossible to believe that it will, why be so happy upon hearing confirmation that it is not?

And please, no diatribes about why Detroit sucks. Answer the OP, or don't answer at all.

I didn't hate Detroit or wish them bad luck UNTIL I actually had lived there for 30 yrs. and they beat me down. I wasn't born this way; prejudiced, against the corruption, theivery of city councilmen, politicians, cops, etc. BUT THEY MADE ME CHANGE MY POINT OF VIEW. sorry, but thats the way it is. I am not supposed to be a jaded, pessimistic person; I"m not old enough to be the "codger, curmudgeon" but I have become that which I used to make fun.

[and the]

Are we "blown away" yet?

[jumpygh]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

It seems that so many people are gleeful at any bad news concerning Detroit--of which there is usually plenty, unfortunately.

Yet sometimes there is positive news...which is immediately held in scorn and disdain by the same people so gleeful at all the bad news.

I realize there are many reasons for this attitude, some are somewhat valid, others definately not.

But my question is...why are you so gleeful upon hearing of more problems in Detroit? Shouldn't we all desire for this town to turn around? Even if you find it impossible to believe that it will, why be so happy upon hearing confirmation that it is not?

And please, no diatribes about why Detroit sucks. Answer the OP, or don't answer at all.

You've gotta be kidding. Yeah, I live in the suburbs and want Detroit to fail.

Who wouldn't want to have a nice big city to live near? I'd gladly trade Detroit for Chicago right now, because living next to a good big city is much better than living next to the worst big city.

Your premise is absurd.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by jumpygh

You've gotta be kidding. Yeah, I live in the suburbs and want Detroit to fail.

Who wouldn't want to have a nice big city to live near? I'd gladly trade Detroit for Chicago right now, because living next to a good big city is much better than living next to the worst big city.

Your premise is absurd.

Well if the shoe doesn't fit, jumpygh, then don't wear it. There are many, many people who do have this absurd view...thus my starting this thread.

So of course any rational person who lives here should want Detroit to get better, but some people actually seem gleeful at any bad news about Detroit--of which there is plenty. And being gleeful at the city your suburb is next to going down even further IS absurd, and irrational.

[deslok]

Having a big city that you are near fail ( a historic one at that) or wanting it to rather, is really stupid. It is not like you can transport another one over by you, that is what you have. It can be great, or completely crappy whatever the people living in it, or near it decide to make it. Right now parts of it are bad, since it has been neglected, set on fire, beaten up, but it is still living, and breathing.