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.
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.