[Richard Kimball]

I don't know the details, but some of this does need to happen. Properties that have been abandoned and are creating a public hazard need to be destroyed. If they can persuade people to move into more viable areas, there's nothing wrong with bulldozing abandoned neighborhoods.

I don't believe 0bama when they say they won't force people to move, but IF they mean it, and I lived in the only livable house on a street, and the rest were being occupied by transients and rats, I think I'd like it if the city bulldozed those houses and planted trees, etc. Now, I have a choice of selling a house that may have some value because it's not in a demilitarized zone, or living in a country location.

The idea isn't bad. It all depends on how it's done.

[Alberta's Child]

I'm not a big fan of the Weekly Standard, but this is one of the best articles I've ever read about the decline of American civilization:

The City Where the Sirens Never Sleep

It should be required reading for every American who is involved in government at any level.

[21twelve]

Here in Seattle at the turn of the last century they bought all the houses on the hills and water-jetted the hills to erode them to fill in the lowlands where the city is.

Old photos show nice mansions stuck on a pedestal of sand 80-foot tall. Must have waited too long to get their price! While I think the idea has merit, I would imagine the buyouts, lawyers, etc. would be pretty costly to these cities, that are already so in debt. (Seattle at the time I think was flush with Gold Rush money).

[JasonC]

Yeah like, Iran could do it very rapidly using its new nuclear weapons.

Or something...