The New Republic

I have lived in and around Baltimore for all of my adult life. Which means that for nearly 25 years I was politically active in one or another organization attempting to juggle the narratives that come out of this [rather typical] metropolitan dystopia.

So, yes, I spent more than my fair share of time refurbishing one or another vacant house or lot. And if others pursue this still today, it certainly can't make matters worse.

But this is the ancient bandaid put on the gaping wound bullshit. The "plight" like the "blight" of many urban communities can only be tackled systemically. The political [and the economic] will need to be coordinated so as to address all the major problems.

What is most needed are the sort of manufacturing jobs that used to be all around Baltimore. Before and after my stint in the Army I worked at Bethlehem Steel and at Maryland Ship Building and Drydock. There thousands upon thousands of jobs [union jobs] payed the sort of wages that helped to create and sustain a thriving middle class. Now most of that is all gone.

And unless this is addressed, it's just another song and dance routine...a dog and pony show tailor made for pols on the lookout for photo ops.

Oh, and The Wire does not have "fans". The Orioles and the Ravens do. In fact, The Wire had folks passionaitly committed to exposing the difference.

george walton

- iambiguous

March 22, 2009 at 11:32pm

Geoff Manaugh has done something similar over at Bldgblog (http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/)  from time to time...I might have missed this one on Baltimore, but then again, he might have missed it too.

- jet

March 23, 2009 at 3:18am

Make Richard Florida buy one and occupy it not less than 6 months per year.

- teplukhin2you

March 23, 2009 at 9:32am