$11,000 average home prices. Not a single chain grocery store in the city. $259 million deficit. 58% high school graduation rate. 100 vacant schools. Metro Detroit area unemployment highest in the nation at 15% in June, City proper unemployment 25% in May, both stats gathered prior to GM bankruptcy. (h/t Carpe Diem)
Detroit is a suppurating cancer epidemiologically traceable to the twin toxins of racism and statism. When it metastasizes, you had better be prepared. Why do I say “when,” since it would seem that it already should have? Because the national entitlement mentality has had its expectations expanded vastly and the gap between reality and promises will affect Detroit more than anywhere else. Remember the woman swooning over not having to pay her mortgage or to fill her gas tank after a pre-election Obama rally? Multiply her disappointment by 3/4 of Detroit residents.
To those outside it would already seem like a version of Road Warrior-style apocalypse to live there. It will get worse if the yet unrealized predations of our national government are stymied. And worse yet if they are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Detroit Police have time and money to assist in the funeral of some stuffed animals memorializing a twisted “man.” Police officials are upset. (h/t James Taranto)
2 cruisers lead Jackson mementos to cemetery
Detroit — Two hearses jammed with stuffed animals left in memory of Michael Jackson were given a two-car police escort Friday to the toys’ burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, leaving police officials highly critical of the decision afterward.
…At the cemetery, the toys were unloaded from the tops of the hearses and from boxes inside the vehicles. They were then placed into clear plastic bags and then inside donated vaults.
The cemetery donated the equivalent of three graves for the vaults. A donated gravestone also detailed the singer’s impact on the music industry and the world.
Jackson’s songs played over speakers as a service was held. “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” played as the hearses arrived …
Well, I’ve had more than enough, thank you very much. Couldn’t they have at least cremated the stuffed animals so they’d fit in a single vault?