en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/608177 Comments by topgeardel http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/homeless-man-shot-with-paintball-gun#IDComment72144311 My exact thoughts. What are kids doing out on a school night at 1:30 AM? Somebody is not watching their kiddies. Of course, to put it in some other perspective, it could have been worse. How about those 5 Detroit cops shot yesterday as they approached a house after a 911 call. One of the police officers was pronounced dead. This homeless guy needs to be "homeless" somewhere else. He could have easily been shot by a real bullet. Mon, 3 May 2010 20:21:30 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/homeless-man-shot-with-paintball-gun#IDComment72144311 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65954669 The MI State Fair has been in Detroit for a very long time. If it was a money loser, something would have been done long ago. It had at least 2-3 million people surrounding it to make it accessible to a lot of people. I, for one, would never ride across the state to go to a state fair. There's not that much to it. If you attend the Ionia Free Fair, you aren't losing out on a "Fair" experience. If it's a money loser today in Detroit, then it is simply a sign of the times. It's not that big of a deal. Sun, 4 Apr 2010 21:50:53 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65954669 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65923867 To be fair to the poster who disrespectfully calls my hometown "Detroilet", since you castrated him for his viewpoint on the situation of Detroit, what is your theory for the extreme downfall of such a great American city? And please...don't blame it on the demise of the auto industry and the Big 3. Sun, 4 Apr 2010 15:46:07 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65923867 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65923045 I stated I grew up in Detroit, and went to the Fair annually. But I have to admit, I always wondered why an agriculturally based event..with some cheap rides... was in a major urban area, like Detroit itself. But it was a good, close idea for a date at the end of the summer. Sun, 4 Apr 2010 15:37:27 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65923045 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65834048 For your info, Ojibajo, the Fair Grounds is on the outskirts of Detroit, on the 8 Mile Road that seperates northern Detroit from the suburbs. To say it's in the "middle of the ghetto of Detroit" is kind of generalistic. Your comment reflects the distorted image of people who have rarely been there, but know everything. On the other hand, the surrounding suburbs immediately outside of Detroit could be viewed as a 'ghetto' as well. A big part of the Detroit metropolitan area needs a serious 'make-over, not just Detroit proper. Sun, 4 Apr 2010 01:02:58 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65834048 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65832011 First of all, it's called Detroit. And that name still needs to be respected. I grew up there and it was a decent fair to go to...if you really think fairs are decent. I have a great memory as a kid going to see the original Supremes play there...obviously when they were still rising stars, not an international sensation they eventually became. It was a homecoming for them. I have no problem of them moving it out of Detroit. If a State Fair is really wanted by Michiganders, then put it somewhere in the middle of the State. That will allow all you West MI cowards to feel free to support it. :-) Sun, 4 Apr 2010 00:41:39 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/Mich-State-Fair-unlikely-to-return#IDComment65832011 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/George-W-Bush-coming-to-Grand-Rapids#IDComment60507289 Nice, positive thinking...but I can not put my head in the ground like an ostrich. It does hurt to be a lifelong Republican who voted for Bush and the rest of the Party...and have to face him again. I actually long for the days of Clinton and the bi-partisan work that made serious progress on our financial well-being as a nation. Bush's 8 years ended up being a bad trip. I just want the man to retire quietly and let history judge him. But leave it to good 'ole Grand Rapids to be a safe haven for him, as it was during his Presidency. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 20:27:45 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/George-W-Bush-coming-to-Grand-Rapids#IDComment60507289 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/George-W-Bush-coming-to-Grand-Rapids#IDComment60495831 Well, I voted for GWB twice. And I can say, I've had enough of him too. If the Economic Club gave me a ticket I would probably pass it to someone else (if I could find someone). Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:43:13 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/George-W-Bush-coming-to-Grand-Rapids#IDComment60495831 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60137479 The 'ghetto' is a state of mind much more than it is a physical situation. As far as I am concerned, a "remnant" might survive, the rest are lost. But all we know how to do in this country is throw money at a problem and hope it works. Sun, 7 Mar 2010 03:08:54 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60137479 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60137434 Look Bots, this is my hometown we are talking about. Do you think it is easy for me to throw stones at a distance? It's a lost cause. The DPS reflects the morals and values of the community and leadership it's in. There is no excuse for the level of deterioration that has been allowed to happen. What is the answer, if there is an answer? I believe that anyone who really wants a useful education can still attain one in the present system. The answer is in the individual student and their home. The problem is the enormous pressure of the Detroit environment. Either a student makes an active decision, hopefully with supportive parents, to get the best education attainable in the system, or they don't. They can't put the blame on the school system, the federal government etc.etc. You either take charge and control of your life and future...or someone else will. You got to want something bad enough. If you are on a dead-end street, you will do anything it takes to get off of it...whether the right way or the wrong way. Sun, 7 Mar 2010 03:08:35 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60137434 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60123082 So that's what it's going to take to solve Detroit's problems. As a graduate of the Detroit Public Schools, I say 'good luck'. The article is not clear to me if they are talking about re-opening closed schools, or building new ones. But it is clear, $200 million will not go a long way to build new buildings. I attended the DPS in the 60's, most of those school buildings were dinosaurs back then, save a few. They can build all new schools throughout the city. If they can't check the 'ghetto' at the school doors, they are wasting their time and money. Also, if they don't have exceptional support from the home and community, it's a total waste. The truth is, Detroit has the worst graduation rate in the country. The responsibility for that not only reflects the kind of students they serve, but more importantly the kind of values the Detroit community has. Any community of parents and families that have tolerated such a disaster in the past and present, are not going to rise up to make a good school system, no matter how much money is thrown at them. Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:49:18 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/200M-plan-70-new-schools-for-Detroit#IDComment60123082 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/target_8/The-pastor-the-co-signer-and-the-bills#IDComment56989814 What kind of pastor and his wife seek out a member of the church to co-sign anything? But of course, there are always well-meaning "sheep" that are there to be sheared, and then hurt. The lady is the other side of this sad story, and makes it possible. Think people, think! Your pastor isn't going to lead you anywhere but down a BS road. Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:53:40 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/target_8/The-pastor-the-co-signer-and-the-bills#IDComment56989814 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55958355 No, I give you 50:1 odds that they were. I was attempting to avoid the negative side of Muskegon and it's youth culture. Tue, 9 Feb 2010 02:51:48 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55958355 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55957214 I've lived in Kentwood for 21 years. It was already called "Rentwood" when I moved here. And the "Brothers" you are referring to were a very small minority, compared to today. So I don't get your apparent connection. Tue, 9 Feb 2010 02:47:56 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55957214 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55940158 Well, my last teen graduated from EK almost 5 years ago. Both of my kids graduated there. It was a very positive experience for them, and for us as parents. Both went on to graduate from U of M. Unless everything has gone to #^*! , I haven't heard it. And let's not rule out the fact that the gun toting person(s) could have easily been from Muskegon. Tue, 9 Feb 2010 01:20:42 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55940158 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55912986 So what has changed at EK over the years. It wasn't like this 5 years ago? Mon, 8 Feb 2010 23:16:39 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Security-at-EK-High-after-shots-fired#IDComment55912986 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55662679 It is leadership to highlight companies and future industries that will help MI recover. She should use her office and position to do it. It gives the company earned exposure. However, I thought Granholm and Lansing got together to give this company some incentives. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 23:06:27 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55662679 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55563155 I agree. It isn't about Granholm, but most of the posters want someone to burn on a stake for the situation MI is in. This company has gotten a lot of news, and they deserve it. MI has to develop a sophisticated 'green' industrial base. That includes engineering, design and manufacturing. MI has the potential to take a major lead in these areas. We can still be leaders in the automotive world...but it has to be a green automotive world. Then there is the alternative energy industry, like wind turbines. There is battery manufacturing. GM has the Volt..made in MI. A lot of good things are taking hold in MI, but it needs to be continued. Energetx is an example of what is good and needed in MI. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 02:48:43 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55563155 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55538281 Nothing wrong with this photo-op. She should highlight MI business that are reinventing themselves to deal with the new economy that has to emerge. No one business or industry is going to restore MI. It's going to take time..and if MI doesn't do it right, MI may never recover fully and be the state it used to be. MI put too many of its eggs in an old manufacturing industry with global competitors who can do just as well, or better. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:45:27 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55538281 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55536632 Yea, that's right Komrade, 8 years is "almost" a decade. And the Republicans controlled the House for 6 years, as you said. So what part did they play in our overall financial demise the last decade, Komrade? Or are you prone to propaganda yourself? If the Republicans, who had control of the Presidency and Congress would have been doing things right, they shouldn't have lost that control. Today, we have a Dem President, and a Dem House and Senate. The American public didn't vote in that direction for no reason. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:32:42 +0000 http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Granholm-to-tour-Holland-factory#IDComment55536632