Remember Belle Isle, II

John Fund takes on Detroit's rejection of the Belle Isle deal.

Some council members seemed to be living in an alternate reality in which Belle Isle wasn’t in dire need of help. Council president Charles Pugh said he would be happy to have the state “beautify Belle Isle, but not the state as the one running it.” His council colleague, JoAnn Watson, said she was holding out hope for a federal or state bailout of the city’s finances. Council member Kenneth Cockrel Jr. insisted that “there are far more pressing issues than this that we ought to be dealing with.” But the council has consistently rejected sensible proposals to contract out its bus system and garbage collection or to sell its electric system to an investor-owned utility.

Henry Payne, a writer for the Detroit News, says the tenor of the council meeting depressed him. “It was a throwback to old conspiracy theories that have long prevented progress in Detroit,” he told me. “Several speakers raved on about the Belle Isle deal being a suburban plot to take over Detroit.”

With Coleman Young invoked in the Council's rejection of any consideration (just consideration!) of the deal, Detroit is beyond being a parody of itself. What next? 

Catholic Schools Week

As a product of 17 years of Catholic schooling, this article caught my interest. It's basically what the Catholic church, in its very mission, should do to dissuade bullying.

Catholic schools are charged with creating conditions and fostering values that lead to the full intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of every child.  This demands creating safe communities that protect girls from indirect, covert forms of aggression that prey on their insecurities (and make them more insecure) and teaching values that are currently countercultural, particularly among teenage girls.

One remedy:

A second step might be confronting the adolescent obsession with popularity.  Simmons notes that “popularity changes girls, causes a great many of them to lie and cheat and steal.  They lie to be accepted, cheat their friends by using them, steal people’s secrets to resell at a higher social price.”  This race for popularity is “as dangerous an issue for girls as weight, appearance, or sexuality.”  A key step is to build authentic community in the classroom, something for which Catholic schools should be particularly well-suited.  Catholic classrooms should seek to build a family-like environment where caring about others is a shared norm, even if students will not always be able to live up to that standard.  Not everyone will be best friends with everyone else, but in this type of environment, friendships will be more likely to have a foundation in compatibility rather than being the product of social ambitions.

There needs to be a constant emphasis that the only close friends worth having are ones around whom each girl can be herself and who share her inclination to keep it real.  By developing real relationships, instead of ones where they use others or are used instrumentally, girls can see the benefits of friendship and trust, instead of losing their ability to trust those close them. 

It should be stressed that Catholicism contains the important message that each person’s worth is innate, rooted in the fact that each person is made in the image of God, entirely unique and infinitely valuable.  This is a hard concept to grasp, but if this message is taught, constantly reinforced, and seen to shape the behavior of teachers, administrators, and others, girls will be able to increasingly disconnect their sense of self-worth from their popularity or coolness.  Given the type of behavior that is inspired by the quest to be cool or popular, this is a very worthy goal.

Now I applaud these concepts. I really do. But I don't think Catholic schools do an innately better job of addressing these issues. They can emphasize a commitment to dignity and love for others, but it all starts at home. If anything, parents need to be educated in this respect. Adolescent popularity contests extend to the generation beforehand, and values like respect, honor, and generosity aren't going to be extended to others if superficiality, cheating, lying, and disrespect are what is exhibited at home. And it is more than that-it is genuine concern about the day, genuine interest so parents know their children are not cheating  on homework, know who their children's friends are, and recognize when those friends disappear due to adolescent cruelty.

It is a tough subject, and angst of these years will exist regardless of what one attempts to remedy it. But the Catholic Church can only do so much, and really, not very much at all. At least it did not in my experience.

Remember Belle Isle?

The state of Michigan is reportedly withdrawing its lease offer of Belle Isle.  Apparently, the City Council won't vote on the offer.

Detroit has done nothing with the property in years. I remember going there as a child, to the gardens and the aquarium. It was this big, beautiful, somewhat urban park that now has largely been abandoned.  The city cannot maintain it and has left the island to deteriorate.  Leasing the park to the state was a no-brainer. It was basically a bailout. Now the state can walk away, just as Detroit wants it.

It's hard to keep reading about the idiocy governing the city. Any other rational local actor would have accepted the deal. But faux pride, and empty pockets, rule here.

From the Reagan Library

There's something special about the Reagan Library, and despite the less-fun aspects of working this weekend, I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit Simi Valley and this beautiful presidential library. There's been some despair, some bleakness, some desperation lately amongst conservatives. And I am not going to pretend that I was happy about the results of the election, or even that I've fully come to terms with four more years of moving backwards in this country. Some believe only our souls can be saved in times like these. But I am torn. I want to believe that hope will be restored. This country has seen its share of tough times...the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II. Sometimes this brings the best out of us.

This era is reminiscent of the 1970s, when conservatism was at its depths of despair. Out of four years of Jimmy Carter, we were given Ronald Reagan's presidency. 

I visited the Library, and re-read that letter President Reagan wrote when he announced his diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease.  He concluded it with words that I can almost recite by heart: "In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Even in the depths of his despair, of a diagnosis that he would never recover from, he still held on to hope. And those words, like so many he uttered, reflected an innate belief in this country of ours, that there is always a shining city on a hill.  America is stronger, different, exceptional.  And for a moment, as tears welled in my eyes, I felt the strength of his conviction, and I could feel his own hope now, 18 years after he wrote those words. And I needed that. 

Perks

The other day, we watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It's a sweet movie that takes you back twenty years ago, to when we were in high school and navigating all of the frustrations and disappointments and thrills that age presents. And with the subtexts of depression, abuse, drug use, loneliness, suicide, and homosexuality, it's not always a happy go lucky kind of movie.

The acting, from Logan Lerman to Emma Watson to Ezra Miller, is top-notch. Three outstanding young actors.  The soundtrack is also top notch--The Samples, The Smiths, to XTC and David Bowie--is representative of that era, though it also skews a bit more to the late 1980s. 

The high school is a bit timeless, until you remember today that cell phones and laptops and ipads would be ubiquitous in those halls. And long telephone conversations with a first girlfriend have been replaced by texting. How different is it today, when communication and bullying are so easily found electronically, in forging complicated teenage relationships?

I was very impressed by the movie, and it certainly deserved more awards show recognition. It was outstanding.

New Nephew

Becoming an aunt is so sweet, again. Both of my little brothers are daddies, and I can't be happier. Just before you know who was re-inaugurated again, Little C.C. entered the world. All 9 pounds and 3 ounces of him.

He was in the back of my mind yesterday, at the gym and watching the Perks of Being a Wallflower. I kept wondering what he'd be like in high school, what his friends would be like, what he would like to study, what color his hair would be and how he'd be as a big brother. I wonder if he'll be happy, or athletic, or like to read or travel.  So much amazing potential.

It's a little bittersweet, sure. And I know why. But maybe someday he'll have more cousins...

Traveling Begins

The first trip of the year was an overnight work trip to Boston. I really don't mind middle-of-the-week travel, I really do not. The weekend stuff...not so much. Losing the personal time to shop, clean, buy groceries, work out, go to church, etc. is a true loss. I'd much rather be at home. I'd much rather have control over my own schedule, my own diet. I get exhausted from the constant small talk and socializing, and then I drink too much, skip meals, and then that's all bad. But starting next week, travel season is in full force. Plus there are trips to Atlanta and Miami and probably Cincinnati, too. But that's life and why I get paid those "big bucks", right?

But I'll savor three days here, and I'm sure I will value the time, the personal time and the home time and the friend time. And I'll remember there was a time I never had traveled anywhere. It's been valuable and fulfilling to see LA, San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philly, Milwaukee, Denver, Jackson, Birmingham, Louisville, Tallahassee, Baltimore, Columbus, Indianapolis, Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita, Phoenix, San Diego, and probably many others, for free, really. And still more yet to see...St. Louis, Cleveland, Madison, Pittsburgh, and others.

Best Scam Ever?

Well, not quite. Though I suspect I know what Mike and Mike will be talking about tomorrow.

And major kudos to deadspin.com for their amazing investigative journalism work. And Notre Dame? Why cover it up? So many unanswered questions. Specifically, what did he know and when did he know? And what will happen in the NFL draft? Are there serious character questions here? I think so...

Part II of Favorite TV of 2012

So I realize I left out a few series while doing my recap. One is Fringe, which is ending and I am woefully behind on (thanks to the husband). I predict we'll be picking up the DVDs soon to catch and watch the finale. It's a beautiful crafted show, in the tradition of Lost and the X-Files and the Twilight Zone. Yet it had romance, some of the best acting on television (how does John Noble NOT have an Emmy?!). All I can say is that while the show ran its beautiful course, it will be missed on TV.

I also missed listing Modern Family, which I've gotten more into. Yes, half of the reason why is that I just love Ed O'Neill, ever since the days of Married With Children. The show can be silly at times, but I can see why it's such a popular family comedy.

Most of the time, we're just watching old Big Bangs, old Frasiers, even old Friends when I can find them on. And lots and lots of football. I did pick up the first season of Breaking Bad, which I've heard friends from Ann to Bill rave about. So perhaps that will be on my list next year.

Office Move

So for the first time in a decade, I've moved to a new work space. Granted, it's right next door, but I have a third window and lots more white space.  It's a little weird to get accustomed to. I am ordering a credenza and two new tall bookshelves, and that will enable me to have more of my conservative/legal books here. But I don't have any firm ideas on other things to order. I need artwork or photographs, and I've thought about printing some of our Uganda prints. I'm also thinking of some big maps or Michigan-related artwork. I should head to the National Gallery or National Geographic one day to check out the gift shops.

It's hard to decorate, and I think I am over-thinking things. But I spend 8-10+ hours a day here, and it should be a more comfortable place. I don't necessarily want a lamp, because I don't want it too comfortable here. But changes need to be made, and I need to be brash enough to make them!

Hemingway in Paris (repost)

After reading The Paris Wife, I knew I had to read more Hemingway. That's part of my NY's resolution (if I must have one): read more, serious literature and substantive law, both. So I've already completed The Sun Also Rises and I'm currently reading A Moveable Feast. How can you not fall a little bit in love with the 1920s, the "lost generation," the one with secondary characters like Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, and other "characters" from ninety years ago? And of course I have a crush on Hadley, who is every bit as fascinating as her more famous first husband.

I might need to rent Midnight in Paris to fully visualize one set of images from those years, but I can see the Seine, the bookstores and coffee shops, the bars and the old walk-up apartments with 19th century plumbing. I can visualize the fashion, the coziness of a fire, the trips to Spain and the beach and fishing. It was an idealized time, of course, for a generation that saw the horrors of 20th century war. But it's hard not to fall a little bit in love with the era, and the literary stars of the century in one city, in one decade, so very long ago.

I'm enjoying Hemingway and I hope, I really hope, I can read like this. I waste too much time on silly websites, and this is far more enjoyable.

Liberals are Hypocrites

But does that really surprise you? Blacks are "black" and women are "women" only if they espouse certain viewpoints. Stereotypically liberal ones. Otherwise, well, that is not real diversity.

MSNBC host and commentator Melissa Harris Perry surprisingly defended the lack of diversity in President Obama's second term cabinet in an appearance on the network this morning. Harris Perry says just because someone is of one gender and not the other or has a certain skin color doesn't mean they are representative of that specific group. Harris Perry cites Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as an example, who she says doesn't represent "the vast majority" of African-Americans.

MSNBC host and commentator Melissa Harris Perry says we should "be careful" when it comes to calling out the hypocrisy of President Obama for having a not so diverse cabinet. Perry says we don't want to "assume that any given physical body carries with it a set of political ideas."

Harris Perry names Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as an example. Harris Perry says just because he is black it "does not mean Justice Thomas is representing necessarily the positions, the issues, even the Constitutional interpretation that is shared by the vast majority of civil rights organizations, by the vast majority of African-Americans."

So when we're considering "diversity" in the workplace, does that really mean diversity of ideas? Or diversity=liberal views? Someone please explain it to me. So before every "minority" applicant is accepted to grad school or offered a job as a firefighter, should we first ask them what their particular set of political ideas is? Because surely we cannot just assume.

Favorite TV of 2012

I no longer watch much television, but there are certainly shows I'm a fan of and watch on a regular basis. Last year, I really became enamored with Mad Men, and I am eagerly awaiting Don Draper and Sterling Cooper Draper's return this Spring. What else? I do like Nashville, and its soapy deliciousness, singing, and great acting makes it the only new show I've gotten into. And I've also been re-engaged with Grey's Anatomy. Yes, I am excited for Meredith & Derek's baby and I hope those characters find some happiness after all of the shootings, family deaths, doctors deaths, plane crashes, amputations, etc. they've had to endure.

Of course, both How I Met Your Mother and the Big Bang Theory are up there, too.  The Barney/Robin engagement should breathe some life into this show, which has at least one more full season remaining. And BBT...fun and funny, and peaking, right now.

Other than that, there is not too much I'm watching right now. I need to pick something to watch during the upcoming MLK/inauguration weekend, since I don't intend to leave home then!

Detroit Horror Show

This story, about a nearly 9 year old girl allegedly murdered by her own mother, is one of the most horrific stories I recall reading in the last few months. The state tried for two years to remove these children, who were abused and likely starved by their drug-abusing, prostitute mother, though a judge prevented it. Allegedly, of course.

She is among the first victims of murder in Detroit in 2013.  Last year, 386 murders were committed. Dave Bing says "We've lost respect for life." It's the highest rate in a quarter of a century, It's the highest rate amongst the 20 largest city, and only falls behind New Orleans for cities with more than 200,000 residents. By contrast, New York City had 418 murders last year; if it had the same rate as Detroit, it would have 4,400 victims. Chicago had 506, though it had a population of 2.7 million. Detroit has only about 700,000. At that rate, Chicago would have had over 2,000 victims.

Nothing more can be said. But this tragedy--and I subscribe to the definition that these many murders are tragedies--should be averted. But not until things hit rock bottom. And no, they have not yet.

Happy 2013

The last two weeks away have been good, and needed, yet they've gone by much too quickly. The time in the Bahamas, the time with family and the nephew, the time at home and lazying around on the couch. The time reading The Sun Also Rises and the Paris Wife and re-discovering Ernest Hemingway. The time watching a four year old discover "wine," playing with his police car, playing Apples to Apples and anticipating a new little brother or sister.  The time in church, the time laying on a beach and reading and eating and singing with Pianoman Leo Jones and singing along to the Elton John and the Billy Joel and the Journey and the other songs you just sing (badly) at a piano bar. Time moves much too quickly, doesn't it? We also had a great NYE, with good friends and a delicious filet of beef and copious amounts of wine.

I guess I will have more to say, but today we heard that this kid that S grew up, whom he graduated high school with, killed himself after posting a suicide note on Facebook...and that his son will grow up without a parent now. And that's tragic, no matter what.