diaspora

so, because we took a native plant and turned it into something else they committed genocide against Europeans? yeah, i can see that conversation: L&C: Hello Native Person. We're out surveying the land that the United States bought from France. Indian: Who bought what land from whom? L&C: well, the United States of course. We own everything here. Indian: Huh, see...that's weird. I'm pretty sure that my people have been here for a long time. L&C: well, that may be...but we paid France for the property. Indian: When did we give it to France? L&C: well, no...see, France claimed it. Indian: So, if i claimed your pocket watch it would be mine to give away? L&C: No. That's not how this works, you're being totally unreasonable.

I've spoken with a number of police over the years in college towns and it's basically always come down to the fact that the police really dislike the students. Now, it begs the question, why do these police take the job in these towns where the predominant population is made of college students? Especially when these towns are relatively crime free and those crimes that are committed are by college kids. It's a really vicious cycle. your logic allows for all sorts of profiling to occur. As far as i'm concerned, you shouldn't have contempt for the majority population that you serve. Unfortunately, that happens all too often in college towns and it does not create a cooperative environment with the police. hell, the same thing happens in major cities. the police shouldn't be a force of ass kickers, but instead a cooperative group that enforces the laws with the community.

I've spoken with a number of police over the years in college towns and it's basically always come down to the fact that the police really dislike the students. Now, it begs the question, why do these police take the job in these towns where the predominant population is made of college students? Especially when these towns are relatively crime free and those crimes that are committed are by college kids. It's a really vicious cycle.

^ the only context that i can understand that is that she was bullied and the school district didn't stop it. Now, that doesn't mean i agree with the lawsuit...but i can see where these parents are coming from. The sensational part of the story is the text messages...but the real issue is bullying.

Of course kids need to be more respectful. No one is arguing that burning a couch or throwing **** at the cops is good behavior. There are a number of things that could get us thrown in jail regardless of our BAC. Everyone has done stupid crap and basically everyone should be glad that we made it to adulthood. Now, how many kids are at OU? seems like 10,000 at a party would be basically the entire population.

No offense, but i don't really care what flies with you or your old man. College kids are allowed to assemble and drink legally if they are of age. It's not like underage drinking is the same as murder and many kids aren't taught responsible drinking at an earlier age because it's not legal until they're out on their own. Are these adults ultimately responsible for their actions? certainly. But it is quite possible that you could be at a party (legally) that could get broken up by the cops and get tossed in jail. It could happen now. There are plenty of things that could result in us getting thrown in jail by overbearing police. I never said the kids were blameless, just that the police must be careful what tactics they use or it could end up escalating the situation immediately or in the future.

Well, kids (and i have yet to meet a 21 year old i'd consider to be an adult...more like an adult in training) are going to do stupid things. They're going to follow each other and they're going to party when allowed. Would they do this at home? certainly not, but at home they're not surrounded by thousands of their peers. Giant parties happen peacefully all the time (tailgating) and it's unfortunate that some drunks ruin it for the rest. The issue becomes if the police actions are not in line with the expectations of the crowds. If they go and break up fights and make arrests in units where they are leaving most of the partiers alone they can be quite effective and even appreciated by the revelers. however, if they strongarm it can lead to very ill feelings. When they create an Orwellian atmosphere (as described by 327) you're basically asking for more trouble. These kids are going to party. They're going to blow off steam because of where they are and who they are with...or - kids are going to be kids. There are right and wrong strategies for dealing with it. The wrong way may be effective in the immediate aftermath, but can lead to animosity and more violence later on.

You don't agree with what? that kids are going to be kids? that the police have to step in sometimes to keep people from damaging property and hurting themselves and others? or that the police can go to extreme measures and escalate a situation? I was at Michigan State when there were riots. There's much too much to the story to go into here. I didn't participate and the first ones were bad. Then the police started breaking up regular parties and going into peaceful celebrations and causing some real problems. The cops needed to break up this party with 10,000 people. Yeah, i'm sure they did. But if that story about them busting in a kid's window and knocking down his stuff because he's playing a song that they don't like? well, that's going too far.

I've seen situations go from bad to worse. Most of the time i wouldn't blame the cops, but sometimes they really can push things along. I've seen some peaceful celebrations get broken up by cops and teargas and measures way beyond what was needed. Kids are going to be kids. That doesn't mean that they can cause property damage and that the police need to just let people get hurt.

I know this story is a week old, but this one sort of surprised me, being just a block from my house. I am mostly surprised that the Sunoco is open that late. Pleasant Ridge gas station robbed The Enquirer, May 6, 2009 PLEASANT RIDGE – Cincinnati police searched overnight for two gunmen who robbed the Sunoco gas station, 6224 Montgomery Rd., according to emergency communication reports.

well, Cedarfest hasn't existed since the 1980's but the point does remain. When a party like this one gets a reputation for being a huge blow out then people come from all sorts of places and do a lot more damage than the kids at the school. I witnessed this happen at MSU in the late 90's early 00's. I can't imagine a party of 10,000, although i suppose this is actually small potatoes when compared to the tailgating Saturdays at many Big 10 schools.

i've lived in a detatched two story single family (built in the 20's) in PRidge for the past 18 months. We chose the house and the area because it gave us a nice yard, a lot of space for the two of us, and it's an easy commute. The craftsman style is really great and we're trying to take it back to what it was where we can. Some owner went and did some stupid things to the house that we'll undo if we can.

Yeah, i'd agree with all of this and it's not something unique to this area. Growing up in Detroit people were always comparing the downtown to what it was in the 50's. Well, times changed. And now, Downtown Detroit is a pretty great (and safe) place, but you wouldn't know it to talk to the people that live in the exurbs.

This can't be true, the other day i mentioned to my coworkers that i thought downtown was doing well and they told me that it's a ghost town. Now, i'm certain that i've spent more time downtown in the last year or so than they have, but they insisted that it's a shell of it's former self compared to when they were growing up. I can't speak to that, I've only been in this city two years, but i've been impressed with downtown.

I'd like to see people abandoning the exurbs for the City. I'd like to see the City be able to take care of the core needs of the citizens before worrying about streetscapes (they're nice, but this next year is going to be ugly) I'd like the county to accept a revision on the value of my house.

You're right that Cincinnati compares very favorably. I'm impressed with the number of businesses that have their HQs here. The city does pretty well in that regard. The CBD is also much more compact than in Detroit. The entire city of Detroit is twice the size of Cincinnati. The neighborhoods are much more split apart and are not as easily walkable as here in Cincy. Campus Martius/Foxtown is easily walkable and it's not far to the RenCen (10-15 min). The last decade really hasn't been that bad for the city. Dennis Archer started the city back and it didn't do so bad under Kilpatrick (regardless of his other issues). Anyway, this isn't the DetroitYes forum (an interesting read, fyi)...mostly i was wondering what was up with the comparisons between Cincinnati, Detroit and Portland (although i constantly hear the Cincy/Portland comparison)

I don't know where you were or when, or what you mean by the size of Detroit, but it is a very widely spaced city (if that makes sense). Downtown has GM, Compuware, many law firms, accounting firms, etc. Comerica recently moved their headquarters from there, but i believe they still have a large group in the downtown area. Many of the suburbs are also more self-sufficient than other cities i know. Southfield has developed into a pretty big financial area and many other suburbs exist around the auto plants. as for bars and restaurants, well, i know of quite a few. might have to go down to mexican town or cork town for some of them, campus martius has a bit of stuff (which is near the stadiums and Foxtown) Yep, i'm a transplant from Detroit-metro and still spend significant amounts of time there.

This really depends for me. i can do any of the following: bus, single car occupancy, multiple car occupancy. It really all depends on if my wife is working downtown or not. the bus takes 30+ minutes, the drive takes 25. It's only 8 miles.

I really hope that you don't go around telling everyone your name is REK, MA. Sorry, practically everyone i know has some form of advanced degree. It really isn't that impressive. As far as Smitherman goes, i don't understand why he doesn't want to help out Over The Rhine. Is it because he is afraid that rich white kids will move into the hundreds of vacant buildings and it may become a vibrant part of the community? Will this drive out the poor folk that are there right now? Won't mass transit help out all of these people? or the disabled? or whomever lives downtown?

There are some decent areas of Norwood that have some really interesting houses. Off of Williams there are a few really nice blocks. At least, the potential is there...and they were nice at one point.

Detroit has quite a bit of business downtown. the only thing that is really lacking is any sort of residential area. All that is there is apartments and the lofts for the young professionals. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, 8-5 businesses, etc that keep people busy. I'm not sure where you're going with this. Cincinnati doesn't need more sports teams? or Cincinnati has too many based on the population?

Detroit is twice the size of Cincinnati (both the city proper and the metro area) and Portland as a city is really just on the upswing in the last couple decades. It's not a historically huge city and it's MSA is right about the same as Cincinnati.

Yeah, i know why they are doing it. I just feel that the voters are getting screwed by having a non-elected official sitting in for half of the term. If we got a hockey team (NHL), i'd buy season tickets.

I'd like to see people that are actually interested in being on City Council for their entire term elected this year. Even if they are term limited.

I don't mean to imply i hear it every day, but i hear it at least once a week. Thank god someone warned me about it before i moved here or else i would have just looked at people confused about what they were asking. As it is, I always pause after someone says "please?" because i'm not used to it.