Dateline NBC Special on Detroit

lilpup · April-18-10, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Bella

You would really be surprised about how many people don't know about the situation of Detroit. I have made a thread on the main forum that I belong to, and it has already ballooned to twelve pages.
People just don't understand what Detroit is going through right now.

Are you willing to link so that we can read that thread?

**softailrider** · April-18-10, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

While nearly everything in the special was factually correct to one extent or another, Chris Hansen claimed there were no grocery stores in Detroit expect Aldi & Save-A-Lot. I guess he failed to hear about the numerous Arab-owned markets throughout the city.

He mentioned the 400 or so party stores in the city.

**Bella** · April-18-10, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by lilpup

Are you willing to link so that we can read that thread?

Absolutely. I just wasn't sure if that was allowed here.
I had been wanting to make a Detroit thread there for a while. I came across the Time magazine cover story, and used that to open with.

I worked in restoration in Detroit for years. The city totally has my heart. I ended up living in Madison Heights, and was the victim of a home invasion that was nothing short of horrific.
Because no arrest was made, I felt it was best to move out of state for a while.
At this point, having a background in restoration that is 20+ years, I figured I should go to school to find a way to help with the restoration in a different way.

If any of you would like to add to this, PLEASE feel free.

http://mydeathspace.com/smf/index.php?topic=24044.0

**313WX** · April-18-10, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

He mentioned the 400 or so party stores in the city.

True, but I'm specifically talking about the stores such as Honey Bee, Harbortown, Indian Village, University Foods, Glory and Mike's Fresh Market.

That's where majority of Detroiters shop for their groceries. Despite what people think, many of them do sell fresh food at relatively competitive prices [[but of course a few bad apples spoil the bunch). So I'm sure some do take offense when people say there are NO grocery stores [[instead of no CHAIN grocery stores) in Detroit.

**English** · April-18-10, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Retroit

If the national media have a special on Detroit, people complain that they are portraying the city in a bad light.
If the national media never mention Detroit, people complain that problems in Detroit are being ignored.

LOL.

How about "If the national media have a special on Detroit, people complain because they don't see their neighbors, friends, coworkers, or everyday existence acknowledged?"

Or "If the national media have a special on Detroit, people complain because it's a hatchet job?"

Where are the interviews from any handful of THOUSANDS of local activists, volunteers, and just regular residents on the ground who aren't just passively accepting their fate? The only heroes in that special were Kid Rock, a suburban mom who started a tutoring program [[very noble, but there are plenty of native Detroiters who have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt), and one of our wonderful urban gardeners. Why aren't any of the folks we mention here on DYes ever interviewed? Why aren't their efforts showcased?

**English** · April-18-10, 08:17 PM

There's some great discussion about the special in the Comments section of the Dateline NBC website:

http://dateline.newsvine.com/_news/2...break-and-hope

Shanti Das, the ex-Motown guy who is burying the bodies in the morgue of people who cannot afford funerals has posted, among others.

**Bella** · April-18-10, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by English

There's some great discussion about the special in the Comments section of the Dateline NBC website:

http://dateline.newsvine.com/_news/2...break-and-hope

Shanti Das, the ex-Motown guy who is burying the bodies in the morgue of people who cannot afford funerals has posted, among others.

Thanks for posting that. It's just coming on now where I am.

**detroitsgwenivere** · April-18-10, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

And one must admit we would need a entire week [[non-stop) of media air-time to discuss all of the problems Detroit has. They did load quite a bit into a one-hour documentary, so you have to give them credit for that...

That's what I was thinking too.

But I can't help but wonder why an acclaimed news program like Dateline only aired another depressing, one sided story instead of presenting both sides. They didn't include a single image of downtown during the day, the beautiful hospitals and college campuses, any of the neighborhoods that are working hard to hold it together, the numerous ethnicities, or home grown non-profits that are helping to rebuild one initiative at a time.

I wonder if this piece was designed to help garner support for more private and federal aid [[not that that's a bad idea).

Did anyone else notice that the narrator said the suburban woman who was gardening was the one who started the urban gardening thing here in the city? Or did I misunderstand what he said? Cuz I know a few people who would would beg to differ with that statement.

**Bella** · April-18-10, 08:29 PM

Does anyone know if this is going to be available to watch online?

**313WX** · April-18-10, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Bella

Does anyone know if this is going to be available to watch online?

NBC tends to post most of their material on their website [[or Hulu) after it airs on TV.

**Bella** · April-18-10, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

NBC tends to post most of their material on their website [[or Hulu) after it airs on TV.

Thank you SO much!! I will search for it. I would like to add it to the other thread for people that didn't see it.

**wilderness** · April-18-10, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by tallboy66

Hunting is not just a Michigan thing and the guy hunts outside the city limits then brings it back.

The statement about hunting outside the city was a "cover-your-ass" statement.

It's been against the law to hunt with guns in the ENTIRE county of Wayne for some years.

Not sure what hunting restrictions apply to Oakland County, however that leaves a trip to Macomb on the east and Monroe on the south. Washtenaw to the west [[perhaps Livingston).

**Eastside** · April-18-10, 08:57 PM

I thought the Dateline piece was fair. Although I would have liked to seen at least 10-minutes or so given to the positive things we have and what's going on . The stable, viable neighborhoods, mid-town clubs/restaurants, lofts, riverwalk, Southwest Detroit, Campus Martius, stadiums, Opera House/Fox Theater, DSO, DIA, bike lanes, just to name a few.

**Fnemecek** · April-18-10, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

True, but I'm specifically talking about the stores such as Honey Bee, Harbortown, Indian Village, University Foods, Glory and Mike's Fresh Market.

That's where majority of Detroiters shop for their groceries. Despite what people think, many of them do sell fresh food at relatively competitive prices [[but of course a few bad apples spoil the bunch). So I'm sure some do take offense when people say there are NO grocery stores [[instead of no CHAIN grocery stores) in Detroit.

On top of that, there's also Eastern Market and another smaller, farmer's market in Northwest Detroit. Both of which are better than many of your chain grocery stores, in my opinion. Their food is fresher and the prices are lower.

**terryh** · April-18-10, 09:31 PM

Much too often many of us including myself at time through out the years have focused on the negatives........I could probably list hundreds of positive individual encounters in some of the worst neighborhoods in the city [[doesnt mean I would want to raise a family there) there are many positive sincere idealistic individuals who want to make a difference for the better....doesnt take a degree in urban studies or sociology to look at the big picture and understand why a segment of the population in Detroit is apathetic and cynical.....

**lugotown** · April-18-10, 09:49 PM

@detroitsgwenivere

I thought the same thing. Like they were presenting their case for assistance.

Also, I cringed when the urban farming piece came up and saw who they decided to feature and interview.

**Ray1936** · April-18-10, 10:16 PM

Well, I watched it out here in my safe, comfortable home in Henderson, Nevada. And I had three gut reactions.

#1. Warren Evans looks like a crackerjack type of Police chief. I think the DPD has a real prize there. The guy hits the street like some of the old time chiefs used to do....Jim Bannon, John Nichols, etc.

#2. Dave Bing. I think Detroiters have taken a giant step towards recovery by electing [[and later re-electing) this guy as Mayor. I really felt good listening to his responses on the interviews. I'll give him a 9.5 on a 1 - 10 scale for excellent appearance.

#3. Sam Riddle. Well, I've been following his schtick on the Freep and News web sites, but until I watched him on the show, I didn't realize what a greasy weasel he really is.

That said, overall it was pretty much a re-hash of other articles and shows. Sorry to note that it made me very glad to be nearly 2K miles away.

**dove-7** · April-18-10, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Bella

You would really be surprised about how many people don't know about the situation of Detroit. I have made a thread on the main forum that I belong to, and it has already ballooned to twelve pages.
People just don't understand what Detroit is going through right now.

Transit concept and "what killed Detroit" thread.

neighbor · April-18-10, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

True, but I'm specifically talking about the stores such as Honey Bee, Harbortown, Indian Village, University Foods, Glory and Mike's Fresh Market.

That's where majority of Detroiters shop for their groceries. Despite what people think, many of them do sell fresh food at relatively competitive prices [[but of course a few bad apples spoil the bunch). So I'm sure some do take offense when people say there are NO grocery stores [[instead of no CHAIN grocery stores) in Detroit.

Actually, Honey Bee is the exception. The bad apples are the norm.

Lets just say there are way too many acceptable grocery stores in an area so large.

**wilderness** · April-18-10, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by wilderness

It's been against the law to hunt with guns in the ENTIRE county of Wayne for some years.

Not sure what hunting restrictions apply to Oakland County, however that leaves a trip to Macomb on the east and Monroe on the south. Washtenaw to the west [[perhaps Livingston).

DNR Small Game http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7...913---,00.html

Hunting Wayne County http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7...8910--,00.html

Township Hunting Restrictions http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7...1415--,00.html

**HarperNottingham** · April-18-10, 10:41 PM

Hansen's just such a weenie.

**goggomobil** · April-18-10, 10:47 PM

I missed it, darn it.

I am going by what I have read and if I understand correctly, we were in part depicted as a city of those who forage for raccoon dinners. Is that right? If so, it's typical emotional manipulation by NBC 'News'.

I was also a bit miffed by a few idiots on Dateline's comments webpage using Detroit's plight to exhibit their socialist-bashing and 'free enterprise' beliefs .

The Dude · April-18-10, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

While nearly everything in the special was factually correct to one extent or another, Chris Hansen claimed there were no grocery stores in Detroit expect Aldi & Save-A-Lot. I guess he failed to hear about the numerous Arab-owned markets throughout the city.

Arab, Chaldean, or mom and pop stores don't count. What Chris said was there are no chains, i.e., Kroger, Safeway, Meijer in Detroit.

**English** · April-18-10, 11:23 PM

Article about Glernie Dean "The Coon Man" Beasley from earlier this month-- not sure if it was posted here before:

http://detnews.com/article/20090402/...-scampering-by

**maxx** · April-19-10, 06:39 AM

"I am going by what I have read and if I understand correctly, we were in part depicted as a city of those who forage for raccoon dinners. Is that right? If so, it's typical emotional manipulation by NBC 'News'."

maxx: Is muskrat still sold at the Eastern Market? That would add a nice ethnic touch. And it would show that not everyone has to hunt their small game. lol