Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline

Remains of a City
On their website, the photographers write, "Ruins are the visible symbols and landmarks of our societies and their changes ... the volatile result of the change of eras and the fall of empires. This fragility leads us to watch them one very last time: to be dismayed, or to admire, it makes us wonder about the permanence of things."

• To see more work by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, visit their website, marchandmeffre.com

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1882089,00.html#ixzz2ZXnqjfYF

Chicago whistle-blower implicates top state Democrat

A former Chicago-area executive is blowing the whistle in the latest case to showcase what is derisively known as the "Illinois way" -- politicians' practice of doing business by dishing out favors to friends who contribute generously to their campaigns.
This time, a top-ranking Democrat has been implicated. The case involves Illinois' most powerful Democratic leader -- state House Speaker Michael Madigan -- and the former head of the Chicago area's commuter rail service, Metra. In a rare move earlier this week, Metra's ex-CEO Alex Clifford came forward publicly to reveal specific details about how he says he was forced out of his lucrative job after refusing to cave to political pressure.
Clifford, who was hired from California in 2001, testified during a recent Regional Transportation Authority board meeting in Chicago. For two hours he spoke openly about what he calls serious "ethical and moral character flaws" from people who practice the "Illinois way" of doing business, including Madigan.
Clifford claims Madigan specifically wanted a pay raise for a Metra employee, Patrick Ward, who has been a generous contributor to Madigan's campaign, according to state records. Clifford testified: "What is it that he (Ward) was doing so great and so different than other employees at Metra who have gone three years without a pay raise that would make this person special?"
Clifford ultimately rejected the request. In a statement, Madigan acknowledged sending a "recommendation to Metra senior staff that Mr. Ward be considered for a salary adjustment. ... When notified Mr. Clifford had concerns about the appearance of the recommendation coming from my office, I withdrew the request."
During a trip to the state Capitol in Springfield, Clifford says he was asked by Democratic state lawmaker Rep. Luis Arroyo to consider hiring somebody  the Latino caucus sends him. Clifford says he told Arroyo "we have a process. Times are different today at Metra than they were under my predecessor. Every applicant, every employee will come in through the front door."
Clifford went on to point fingers at those who intentionally "railroaded" him into a poor performance evaluation which led to the end of his contract -- specifically Metra Chairman Brad O'Hallaron and another Metra board member. When Clifford approached O'Hallaron about his upcoming contract he claims O'Hallaron responded, "but we're just dating." Then said, "I need to get a meeting with Mr. Madigan and I need to find out what kind of damage you've caused to our potential for future funding."
When it was his turn to testify, O'Hallaron denied Clifford's accusations. O'Hallaron told the RTA board: "If as alleged by Clifford I was seeking to protect Speaker Madigan, why would I take his allegations immediately over to the OEIG (Office of Executive Inspector General) if I thought there was pressure from Speaker Madigan? It just doesn't make sense."
Clifford did not get the necessary votes to renew his contract earlier this year, but he left Metra with a $700,000 severance deal that some have characterized as "hush money" to keep Clifford quiet after threatening a lawsuit. Clifford denies that claim and says the money was "100 percent about my ability to get a job and how I've been damaged."
Metra announced on Friday that it plans to hire a well-known former federal prosecutor in Chicago to perform an independent investigation into Clifford's allegations and make recommendations concerning Metra's hiring and contract policies. Metra's board of directors must approve the hiring at a special meeting on Monday.
The man who oversees Illinois' government watchdog group says even though there was no illegal activity involved with the Metra scandal, the case has lawmakers squirming a bit more than usual.
"This is a very big deal, this is the first time in anyone's memory that Speaker Madigan has been implicated so directly in the workings of a public agency," Better Government Association President Andy Shaw said. "Madigan and hundreds if not thousands (of politicians) do this every day. We just don't hear about it very often, because it happens behind closed doors."
Shaw admits any hope for changing this type of behavior has to come from voters. "This is only going to change in one of two ways. People coming out to vote and deciding who represents them. And secondly when a groundswell of public outrage forces public officials to impose higher ethics standards upon themselves."
Illinois' history with questionable political ethics is rich. The state practically became the poster child for corruption during the criminal trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich attempted to sell off Barack Obama's coveted U.S. Senate seat in return for hefty campaign donations referencing it in the now infamous phone call saying, "I've got this thing and it's f------ golden and I'm not giving it up for f------ nothing."
Blagojevich is currently serving out his 14-year sentence in federal prison in Colorado.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/19/chicago-whistle-blower-implicates-top-state-democrat/?test=latestnews#ixzz2ZXlSkaPi

Detroit Now, America Later.

Detroit filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history Thursday after steep population and tax base declines sent it tumbling toward insolvency.
The filing by a state-appointed emergency manager means that if the bankruptcy filing is approved, city assets could be liquidated to satisfy demands for payment.
Kevin Orr, a bankruptcy expert, was hired by the state in March to lead Detroit out of a fiscal free-fall, and made the filing Thursday in federal bankruptcy court.
"Only one feasible path offers a way out," Gov. Rick Snyder said in a letter to Orr and state Treasurer Andy Dillon approving the bankruptcy. The letter was attached to the bankruptcy filing.
"The citizens of Detroit need and deserve a clear road out of the cycle of ever-decreasing services," Snyder wrote. "The city's creditors, as well as its many dedicated public servants, deserve to know what promises the city can and will keep. The only way to do those things is to radically restructure the city and allow it to reinvent itself without the burden of impossible obligations."
Snyder had determined earlier this year that Detroit was in a financial emergency and without a plan to improve things. Snyder hired Orr in March, and he released a plan to restructure the city's debt and obligations that would leave many creditors with much less than they are owed.
Orr was unable to convince a host of creditors, including the city's union and pension boards, to take pennies on the dollar to help facilitate the city's massive financial restructuring.
Some creditors were asked to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owed them. Underfunded pension claims would have received less than 10 cents on the dollar under that plan.
A team of financial experts put together by Orr said that proposal was Detroit's one shot to permanently fix its fiscal problems.
The filing leads to a 30 to 90 day period that will determine whether or not the city of Detroit is eligible for Chapter 9 protection, and define the number of claimants who may compete for Detroit’s limited settlement resources. The petition seeks protection from unions and creditors who are renegotiating $18.5 billion in debt and liabilities, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“The President and members of the President’s senior team continue to closely monitor the situation in Detroit,” White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said in a statement Thursday.
“While leaders on the ground in Michigan and the city’s creditors understand that they must find a solution to Detroit’s serious financial challenge, we remain committed to continuing our strong partnership with Detroit as it works to recover and revitalize and maintain its status as one of America's great cities,” the statement read.
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., remained positive about Detroit’s outlook in spite of the major blow that bankruptcy delivered:
“I know firsthand, because I live in Detroit, that our city is on the rebound in some key ways, and I know deep in my heart that the people of Detroit will face this latest challenge with the same determination that we have always shown,” the Senator said in a statement released Thursday.
A number of factors -- most notably steep population and tax base falls -- have been blamed on Detroit's descent toward insolvency.
Detroit was once synonymous with U.S. manufacturing prowess. Its automotive giants switched production to planes, tanks and munitions during World War II, earning the city the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy.”
Detroit lost a quarter-million residents between 2000 and 2010. A population that in the 1950s reached 1.8 million is struggling to stay above 700,000. Much of the middle-class and scores of businesses also have fled Detroit, taking their tax dollars with them.
Detroit's budget deficit is believed to be more than $380 million. Orr has said long-term debt was more than $14 billion and could be between $17 billion and $20 billion. Bailey Comment: This is what is going to happen to all of America unless we kick Obama and all of the crooks out of the government.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/18/detroit-files-for-largest-municipal-bankruptcy-in-us-history/#ixzz2ZRSmvtYQ

Sharpton Cartoon

Fall of the Roman Empire (America?)

Decline in Morals and Values
Even during PaxRomana (A long period from Augstus to Marcus Aurelius when the Roman empire was stable and relativly peaceful) there were 32,000 prostitutes in Rome. Emperors like Caligula and Nero became infamous for wasting money on lavish parties (or 100 million dollar trips) where guests drank and ate until they became sick. The most popular amusement was watching the gladiatorial combats in the Colosseum.(Smack down)

Political Corruption
One of the most difficult problems was choosing a new emperor. (or Presidents) Unlike Greece where transition may not have been smooth but was at least consistent, the Romans never created an effective system to determine how new emperors would be selected. The choice was always open to debate between the old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's's private army), and the army. Gradually, the Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose the new emperor, who rewarded the guard who then became more influential, perpetuating the cycle. Then in 186 A. D. the army strangled the new emperor, the practice began of selling the throne to the highest bidder. During the next 100 years, Rome had 37 different emperors - 25 of whom were removed from office by assassination. This contributed to the overall weaknesses, decline and fall of the empire.

 Unemployment
During the latter years of the empire farming was done on large estates called latifundia that were owned by wealthy men who used slave labor. (like illegals) A farmer who had to pay workmen could not produce goods as cheaply. (like China) Many farmers could not compete with these low prices and lost or sold their farms. This not only undermined the citizen farmer who passed his values to his family, but also filled the cities with unemployed people. At one time, the emperor was importing grain to feed more than 100,000 people in Rome alone. These people were not only a burden but also had little to do but cause trouble and contribute to an ever increasing crime rate.


Inflation
The roman economy suffered from inflation (an increase in prices) beginning after the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Once the Romans stopped conquering new lands, the flow of gold into the Roman economy decreased. Yet much gold was being spent by the romans to pay for luxury items. This meant that there was less gold to use in coins. (the amount of silver in a quarter or dime) As the amount of gold used in coins decreased, the coins became less valuable. To make up for this loss in value, merchants raised the prices on the goods they sold. Many people stopped using coins and began to barter to get what they needed. Eventually, salaries had to be paid in food and clothing, and taxes were collected in fruits and vegetables.

 Urban decay
Wealthy Romans lived in a domus, or house, with marble walls, floors with intricate colored tiles, and windows made of small panes of glass. Most Romans, however, were not rich, They lived in small smelly rooms in apartment houses with six or more stories called islands. Each island covered an entire block. At one time there were 44,000 apartment houses within the city walls of Rome. First-floor apartments were not occupied by the poor since these living quarters rented for about $00 a year. The more shaky wooden stairs a family had to climb, the cheaper the rent became. The upper apartments that the poor rented for $40 a year were hot, dirty, crowed, and dangerous. (low cost housing)Anyone who could not pay the rent was forced to move out and live on the crime-infested streets. Because of this cities began to decay.

And on and on and on!

This is for Trayvon.

For the last two nights, riots have occurred in Oakland and Los Angeles.  In those areas, people have been injured, concrete blocks thrown at the police and property damaged or destroyed.
 
In other parts of the country, there were isolated incidents of violence.  In Baltimore, a man was beaten by a group of “black youths” shouting, “This is for Trayvon.”

The Trayvon Martin memorial riots are in full swing.

Why are we having riots now and what can we do about it?

The riots should be a wakeup call for America. 

While we are seeing the worst of the riots in California, the violence is not confined there.  In a Memphis suburb, Senatobia Mississippi, three black men in a car stopped a white jogger and beat him, saying, “This is for Trayvon.”

In Oakland, where the police were reportedly told to stand down, members of the media were attacked, as were drivers on the Interstate.

This should be a wakeup call for America because liberalisms’ chickens are coming home to roost in America.

For decades liberalism has worked against the one underpinning that made America a great nation.  One hundred years ago, we were told that America was the great melting pot.  It did not matter where you came from, when you got to America, you became an American.

That unified America and erased old divisions that had caused wars in other nations.  In America, people of differing religions lived in peace as neighbors.  People from different nations, often nations that had been at war, would live in peace as Americans.

The left’s constant chants about diversity have nothing to do with us celebrating our differences.  It is a mantra to keep us divided.  Twenty years ago, it became popular to call blacks, “African Americans.” 

That is garbage.  Either you are an American or you are not. 

There is no qualifying of your American heritage.

Unfortunately, the Racial Grievance Industry thrives on this type of division and that is what we see in America today.

In 2004, then Democrat Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards gave his famous “Two Americas” speech.  Edwards was wrong about how he described the two Americas but he was right, there are two Americas.

We have an America that is divided by race.  And we can thank the hucksters for it.

Where would Jesse Jackson be today without the Racial Grievance Industry?  He never wants America to get over its racial problems.  If America suddenly had not more racial problems, how would Jesse make his living?  If America no longer had racial issues, the NAACP would have to disband.  They wouldn’t want Ben Jealous unemployed would they?

As we watch the riots in California and violence in other places, it is time we place the blame for the violence where it belongs.  It is racism.  It is the racism of the Racial Grievance Industry.  It is time we called out the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world and made them take the blame for what they have done.

And it is time we change the way we do things in America.  We are all Americans.  There are not subsets of Americas.  For too long we have let the left divide us along racial lines for their power and profit.

What is the result of what the left has done?

It is the Trayvon Martin memorial riots.

Holder wades deeper into Zimmerman battle, calls for review of ‘stand-your-ground’

Attorney General Eric Holder waded deeper into the controversy over the George Zimmerman case and verdict on Tuesday, suggesting a national review of "stand-your-ground" laws during a speech before the annual NAACP convention in Orlando.
The NAACP is at the forefront of the effort to pressure the Justice Department to bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. Holder confirmed on Monday that his department is reviewing that possibility, citing his personal concerns about the case.
He went a step further on Tuesday, weighing in for the first time on controversial state-level laws on self-defense.
"Separate and apart from the case that has drawn the nation's attention, it's time to question laws that senselessly expand the concept of self-defense and sow dangerous conflict in our neighborhoods," Holder said.
The comments were a reference to so-called "stand-your-ground" laws, which in Florida and other states allow people to use deadly force if they think their life is being threatened.
The role that law played in the Zimmerman shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is a matter of dispute.
But Holder suggested the laws encourage confrontation, saying there "has always been" a legal defense for using deadly force when retreat is not an option.    
"But we must examine laws that take this further by eliminating the common sense and age-old requirement that people who feel threatened have a duty to retreat, outside their home, if they can do so safely," Holder said. "By allowing -- and perhaps encouraging -- violent situations to escalate in public, such laws undermine public safety."
He called for a "hard look" at the laws. The crowd applauded as he said "we must stand our ground."
The "stand-your-ground" laws have been a popular target ever since the Martin shooting, and the pressure has intensified after Zimmerman was acquitted on Saturday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, though, told Fox News that officials should not politicize the case.
"We shouldn't turn this into politics. This was a tragedy," he told Fox News on Monday.
Scott noted that he already put together a bipartisan commission to examine Florida's "stand-your-ground" law.
"Their recommendation is we not make any changes, that it is working the way it was intended," Scott said.
A confluence of pressure campaigns, though, are weighing on Congress and the Obama administration.
Despite warnings from analysts and attorneys that the Justice Department would face an uphill climb in prosecuting Zimmerman on civil rights charges, an NAACP-led petition demanding such a case has apparently hit one million signatures.
Singer Stevie Wonder is also the latest celebrity to criticize Florida's self-defense law.
He declared that he would not perform in Florida until the law is abolished. Bailey Comment: Holder is Black, now whose side do you think he is going to be on when he addresses the NAACP??

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/16/holder-wades-deeper-into-zimmerman-battle-calls-for-review-stand-your-ground/#ixzz2ZFI4ihpj