Turk,
You really made me reflect about cities, schools ect.
You wrote:
"As for the Schwinn, try riding it in the wrong part of town after sunset and see if my predictions of violence etc comes true or
not.
Not because it is Chinese made, it is because you are on a bike all alone in the dark.
That was not a concern 35 years ago when I rode my bike. That to me is a definite drop in the quality of standards in our lives."
That may be your experience. I grew up in New Jersey. I can without a doubt say I would be safer today riding my bike
through Newark than 35 years ago....without a doubt. You see, back in them good old days IT WAS ON FIRE FROM
RIOTS!
Back in the good old days late 60's, through the early 80's (when I grew up) We frequently went into N.Y.C. Whether it was
for Christmas shopping or going to Grandma's in Queens, or to see dad at work. I can tell you that without a doubt N.Y.C. has
made a miraculous Transformation from a filthy, sleazy, crime ridden $hit hole (Were talking graffiti all over the trains, bums
pissing on the subway platforms- the subways smelled of urine, garbage all over the place hookers and drug dealers doing
business totally out in the open, Seeing 4 or 5 burnt out hulks of cars on the side of the cross Bronx expressway on the way to
Grandma's, I could go on and on.) To a place I can actually enjoy with my kids.
Ask someone from Cleveland Ohio how much that city has improved. How about you guys from Boston? The trend of urban
renewal is countrywide from what I can see.
As far as violence in schools goes, My son's middle school is magnitudes safer and friendlier than the one I went to. (and I went
to one in an upper middle class area)
You wrote:
"Steel belt is full of more examples than I can list."
They used to call it the "rust belt" I haven't heard that in a while since it has adapted itself to the current economy.
"Similar things are happening to younger generation right here in the Silicon Belt. They have big BMW payments and large
mortgages, and no jobs."
That kind of thing has happened many time from the great depression till now. I guess it is the price of the capitalist system.
I just don't see the doom and gloom. I feel so fortunate to live in this country at this time.
Steve
Hybrid Mode
