Why isn't Cleveland going bankrupt?

[boulevardofdef]

Detroit has been a national punchline since at least 1977. Why do I date it to 1977? Ever see Kentucky Fried Movie? (You should!) The bulk of the movie -- the first feature film from the guys who later made Airplane! and The Naked Gun -- is a broad parody of a Bruce Lee kung-fu movie. There's a scene where the evil villain learns that three of his guards have allowed the good guy to infiltrate his island fortress and orders them lined up in front of all his minions. He chops the first guard's head off. "Now take him to be tortured!" he orders. Then it's time for the second guard's punishment. "Take him to Detroit!" he shouts. "No! No! Not Detroit!" screams the guard as he's dragged off.

(I know the "take him to be tortured" line isn't relevant to a discussion of Detroit vs. Cleveland, but I just had to get it in there.)

Whenever I watch this -- and Kentucky Fried Movie deserves a viewing every once in a while -- I think about the fact that this was 1977. 1977. Thirty-seven years ago. That's how long Detroit has been thought of as synonymous with hell on earth. Now, whether that's true or not is debatable, but that's been the reputation for nearly four decades now.

In contrast, Cleveland is an occasional punchline. When the river caught fire, when Major League came out, when LeBron decided to take his talents to South Beach. America thinks, "Ha ha, Cleveland," then promptly forgets until the next thing happens. Nobody ever forgets about Detroit. Detroit is where tourists come to shoot "ruin porn" in wrecked abandoned buildings -- not Cleveland.

This may or may not be an accurate reflection of the financial status of each city, but I suspect it's not a coincidence.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by boulevardofdef

Cleveland is an occasional punchline.

Can we get this printed onto bumper stickers? I think CLE+ (or whatever they call themselves now) has a new slogan.