Poor Little Rich, Arabic-American, Old Mogul

**Gannon** · May-01-10, 06:53 AM

It seems Matty feels slighted over the Canadian government's eager desire to build a bridge where one of their key border crossing cities can finally achieve status above semi-truck parking lot.

http://www.freep.com/article/2010050...arge-at-Canada

I wonder...although they DID mention something about his heritage...Arabic-American...what exactly they are going to accuse the Canadian government of?!

Because it may NOT be his ancestry one whit!

It could be his gender...

...or orientation...

...or religion...

...or economic standing [[or in this case plodding and trodding)...

...or even AGE!

But when it comes down to the fact that they are merely trying to move the trucks and other Homeland Insecurity-delayed traffic from their inner-town area...and the government on BOTH sides is able to lay down a RICO-style countersuit of their own against the tactics Matty's team has performed over the decades...

...perhaps this silly-ass fucking dregs-of-the-earth lawsuit will go away, and then maybe even the man will return to his homeland for security.

Because he DOESN'T fly any American flag outside his tony Grosse Pointe home...as far as I know.

Only the Lebanese one.

Screw this guy and his antics. I am so sick of him. Fly away, Matty. Fly away.

**davewindsor** · May-01-10, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Gannon

I wonder...although they DID mention something about his heritage...Arabic-American...what exactly they are going to accuse the Canadian government of?!

I didn't even know Matty was Lebanese until I read a similar article this morning in the Star. Most of the problems with the bridge were started, led, and perpetuated by Windsor's Lebanese Mayor and then the Canadian gov't jumped on the bandwagon. Sheeez.

**unclefrank** · May-01-10, 10:01 AM

How old is he now? Perhaps we won't have to put up with him much longer.

Buy American · May-01-10, 10:01 AM

He accused the Canadian Government of racism...because he is of Arab decent. He's throwing out the "Arab" race card, just like his buddy, thug KK. Give me a break! This guy has made millions upon millions of dollars and now his feelings are hurt and he lowers himself and throws the race card out there. Go back to your friggin' country where you were born Matty, you certainly wouldn't have lived the "American Dream" there!

**Patrick** · May-01-10, 10:04 AM

Screw him. He's an American NOT an Arab-American. People need to stop this hyphenating bullshit. He was born here. I have Lebanese ancestry and I call myself an American and nothing else. Sure, I respect where my ancestors came from but I have nothing to do with those nations now. I have a few well-known relatives on that side of the family and they say the same thing. They take a hell of a lot more pride in being American than where their parents came from.

Retroit · May-01-10, 10:06 AM

The government is not discriminating against him because he's Arab; they're discriminating against him because he's not a Socialist.

**Whitehouse** · May-01-10, 01:44 PM

He's 82 years old.

The guy is a billionaire. [[A one with nine zeros...) And this cheap skate is not willing to invest in the MCS?

**unclefrank** · May-01-10, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick

Screw him. He's an American NOT an Arab-American. People need to stop this hyphenating bullshit. He was born here. I have Lebanese ancestry and I call myself an American and nothing else. Sure, I respect where my ancestors came from but I have nothing to do with those nations now. I have a few well-known relatives on that side of the family and they say the same thing. They take a hell of a lot more pride in being American than where their parents came from.

There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Americanism, only for those who are Americans and nothing else.
Theodore Roosevelt

**Patrick** · May-01-10, 02:58 PM

There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Americanism, only for those who are Americans and nothing else.

I agree with that. It is a great thing to know and understand your roots, but lets not place loyalties elsewhere.

ferntruth · May-01-10, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick

I agree with that. It is a great thing to know and understand your roots, but lets not place loyalties elsewhere.

Sometimes "elsewhere" deserves the loyalty.

**Patrick** · May-01-10, 06:17 PM

Sometimes "elsewhere" deserves the loyalty.

Please explain

**3WC** · May-01-10, 08:27 PM

Patrick and unclefrank, you articulate the reasoned view on all this ethnic hyphenation nonsense. Gannon the racist should consider the wisdom of your views.

Manny has made a huge investment in Detroit through the Ambassador Bridge. He's paid his dues. Now the government wants to go in competition with him...actually both governments do.

Maroun makes a good case that there certainly is not now and may never be sufficient business to justify 2 bridges. What's he supposed to do? Just sit around and watch a bunch of idiot politicians screw up his life with taxpayer dollars?

Canada says it will sell revenue bonds to raise the $500 million it intends to invest in a new bridge [[because MI is too broke to handle it's end of the deal. If I were Manny I'd make it clear that if a new bridge is built he will reduce his fees to a point where the new bridge won't have sufficient revenue to compete, its bonds will default, and Manny can buy the bonds at a huge discount and end up owning both bridges. With a credible threat like that it would probably be very difficult for Canada to sell the bonds in the first place and the second bridge will never be built.

If Manny were to demolish the MCS, or renovate it [[yeah, right), half the people on this forum wouldn't have anything to worry about, fret over, or waste their lives fixating on the damn thing.

DetroitPole · May-01-10, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by 3WC

Patrick and unclefrank, you articulate the reasoned view on all this ethnic hyphenation nonsense. Gannon the racist should consider the wisdom of your views.

Manny has made a huge investment in Detroit through the Ambassador Bridge. He's paid his dues. Now the government wants to go in competition with him...actually both governments do.

Maroun makes a good case that there certainly is not now and may never be sufficient business to justify 2 bridges. What's he supposed to do? Just sit around and watch a bunch of idiot politicians screw up his life with taxpayer dollars?

Canada says it will sell revenue bonds to raise the $500 million it intends to invest in a new bridge [[because MI is too broke to handle it's end of the deal. If I were Manny I'd make it clear that if a new bridge is built he will reduce his fees to a point where the new bridge won't have sufficient revenue to compete, its bonds will default, and Manny can buy the bonds at a huge discount and end up owning both bridges. With a credible threat like that it would probably be very difficult for Canada to sell the bonds in the first place and the second bridge will never be built.

If Manny were to demolish the MCS, or renovate it [[yeah, right), half the people on this forum wouldn't have anything to worry about, fret over, or waste their lives fixating on the damn thing.

What makes this project different from other "competition" is that the government isn't advocating opening a trucking company, for example - it is advocating building infrastructure. This is a primary function of our government. Even in our extremely free market society, we generally let the government handle infrastructure projects.

So Matty and his stooge Stamper have been screaming lately about how saintly they are for paying their taxes since Creation. What is forever lost on their exasperating hubris is that businesses are also, again, even in this country, expected to show some goodwill towards the community they occupy.

Maroun has generally been above such frivolity, buying up parcels and vacant homes and properties in Detroit as if it were monopoly and then letting them rot and people die in them, and his PR has been confined to throwing money at politicians so they leave him alone.

Then he took things a step further and started building over, fencing off, and closing down public property. You made no mention of this. Matty may have a few cheap politicians in his pocket but his illegal land grab pissed off the government and the coast guard, along with further alienating the general public. His[[ mostly Stamper's) inflammatory and bizarre accusations and claims have not helped him win any friends and attest to the weird an insular world of Maroun and his companies.

Economically prudent or not, the government and the people have no trust or desire in having Maroun own and operate another bridge. His own arrogance came back to bite him in the ass.

Even Wal-Mart had the good sense to embark on a PR campaign. Despite endless public outcry, Matty has always acted like he was invincible.

Screw up his life?!? Yes, billionaires have rights just like everyone else, but for the love of God, I think he'll probably be okay regardless of the outcome. I don't think his life is going to be "screwed up" anytime soon and I doubt his Grosse Pointe mansion is going to fall into foreclosure.

**Gannon** · May-01-10, 11:30 PM

3WC,

How do you justify you accusation against me?!

Please be clear. This could be misconstrued as name-calling.

I was merely making commentary after Maroun himself brought it into the public conversation. I could not care any less of anyone's heritage and how they maintain it.

I've known for years, through a source that has had direct contact with the family, that only ONE flag flies outside this fellow's house. My understanding is that his loyalties continue to lie in Lebanon...taxes or none.

If I am wrong, and in his latter years the old guy has become a patriot, all the power to him! It'd be a laugh if all of a sudden both flags started flying out front his home.

So, please substantiate your claims regarding my so-called racism, or retract your accusation.

Sincerely,
John

**barnesfoto** · May-02-10, 12:42 AM

ummm, a couple things from one of those biased people who used to have Maroun's empire as a neighbor. . Maroun the vampire is not the self made man. His father was responsible for the creation of the family fortune. This is not to say MM is a slouch or a slacker or a wastrel son. But his father put the family on the road to prosperity by moving to Detroit from Argentina [[surprised that he is not claiming double victimhood by wearing his Hispanic Heritage on his sleeve) and buying a gas station. M Sr gave credit to a client who owned a trucking co. Trucking co. could not pay the bills and M Sr ended up owing the trucking co. Shares in the Ambassador Bridge were purchased. After MM got his father to rewrite a will on his deathbed, MMs sisters were mysteriously deprived of most of their share of the inheritance and filed a lawsuit against their brother.

Another case of an "entrepreneur" whose boots are licked by right wingers being a scammer born into his wealth [[but managing it rather masterfully).

**reddog289** · May-02-10, 01:38 AM

The only good thing I can say about the slow economy is less traffic on the bridge.But when times are booming the 2nd span seems like a good deal. But as things seem to go around here, Stuff always turns into one big old mess.
While I attended a convention of the New York Central RailRoad Historical Society, The subject turned to the MCS, My Uncle from Chicago was saddend by the condition of the place.I knew how bad it became and told him that it was a wreck.Nothing like seeing it in person and as far as I know he didn't step foot inside.
There are no easy answers for everything, The Bridge, MCS, and other things around here owned by Matty have been the topic for years.Seems like Matty likes to do things the way I do, Buy IT and let it sit. His bridge gets the attention yet everything else is sorta back burner material.
I have never met the man so I reilly can't pass judgement on him , Yet this new deal with the race card thrown in, Well that sounds like B.S. in my book.

DetroitDad · May-02-10, 03:07 AM

This Daddy-o has no respect for a man who goes around slingin' the race card.

**R8RBOB** · May-02-10, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by barnesfoto

ummm, a couple things from one of those biased people who used to have Maroun's empire as a neighbor. . Maroun the vampire is not the self made man. His father was responsible for the creation of the family fortune. This is not to say MM is a slouch or a slacker or a wastrel son. But his father put the family on the road to prosperity by moving to Detroit from Argentina [[surprised that he is not claiming double victimhood by wearing his Hispanic Heritage on his sleeve) and buying a gas station. M Sr gave credit to a client who owned a trucking co. Trucking co. could not pay the bills and M Sr ended up owing the trucking co. Shares in the Ambassador Bridge were purchased. After MM got his father to rewrite a will on his deathbed, MMs sisters were mysteriously deprived of most of their share of the inheritance and filed a lawsuit against their brother.

Another case of an "entrepreneur" whose boots are licked by right wingers being a scammer born into his wealth [[but managing it rather masterfully).

I was surprised when the Free Press stated that Moroun was of Lebanese origin. I read a story about him and I thought he was of Latin origin. I remember the story pointing out that Moroun's fortune is due to his father [[just like Donald Trump) and that he lived in Windsor.

Moroun is complaining not about a second bridge killing his bridge. He is complaining the Canadian government and the city of Windsor does not want him to build a second span by the Ambassador. Everyone including Moroun wants a second bridge. The question is where do they built it. The US and the state of Michigan hands are tied. We can't build a bridge to another country unless the other country is aboard. Canada is not going to tear up another neighborhood like Moroun is willing to tear up Delmar to build his second span.

**kraig** · May-02-10, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

I was surprised when the Free Press stated that Moroun was of Lebanese origin. I read a story about him and I thought he was of Latin origin. I remember the story pointing out that Moroun's fortune is due to his father [[just like Donald Trump) and that he lived in Windsor.

Moroun is complaining not about a second bridge killing his bridge. He is complaining the Canadian government and the city of Windsor does not want him to build a second span by the Ambassador. Everyone including Moroun wants a second bridge. The question is where do they built it. The US and the state of Michigan hands are tied. We can't build a bridge to another country unless the other country is aboard. Canada is not going to tear up another neighborhood like Moroun is willing to tear up Delmar to build his second span.

Delmar or Delray? If you're referring to Delray, that's not where Moroun is looking to build. Delray is where the DRIC is going to "tear up another neighborhood", as you put it, when they build their Bridge with the 550 million dollars being supplied by the Canadian Government. Apparently, the Canadian Government could care less about what neighborhoods are torn up in the U.S.

Now that you know the truth. Are you still in support of the DRIC? Are you one of those people on this site that constantly preaches for preservation and the protection of neighborhoods and buildings, that ironically, hasn't had any problem with an entire neighborhood being torn up, as long as, Morun is being spited?

**R8RBOB** · May-02-10, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by kraig

Delmar or Delray? If you're referring to Delray, that's not where Moroun is looking to build. Delray is where the DRIC is going to "tear up another neighborhood", as you put it, when they build their Bridge with the 550 million dollars being supplied by the Canadian Government. Apparently, the Canadian Government could care less about what neighborhoods are torn up in the U.S.

Now that you know the truth. Are you still in support of the DRIC? Are you one of those people on this site that constantly preaches for preservation and the protection of neighborhoods and buildings, that ironically, hasn't had any problem with an entire neighborhood being torn up, as long as, Morun is being spited?

Thanks for the correction and as far as the bridge, I could care less if they build it or not. I'm happy with the Ambassador or the tunnel. If they do build whenever or whereever so be it.

**fastcarsandfreedom** · May-02-10, 10:52 AM

kraig--your point about Delray is a good one--nonetheless, before you preach on their behalf, you might want to gauge public opinion there...my understanding is that there is not a lot of organized opposition to the project in Delray where it's being sold as a job creator--even the pastor of the church that's in the path of the project said so much on the local news last week.

In relation to Windsor, the project has already consumed somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 homes and about 200 commercial properties--and recent design changes to the 401 extension will require the demoltion of several more homes.

DetroitDad · May-02-10, 12:21 PM

The opposition is in Corktown and Southwest Detroit for a second span on the Ambassador Bridge because of the pollution and addded traffic it brings to Corktown and Southwest Detroit. The bridge proposed by the DRIC downriver is a solution, but something that will hurt current profits by the current bridge owners, and the current Ambassador Bridge owner has been trying to drum up support in Delray to block it's construction. From going to meetings first hand, he has supposedly been paying people to care about something they do not, and even with that, his money is dwarfed by the people of Corktown and Soutwest Detroit who want the Ambassador Bridge traffic and pollution to be eased.

So this isn't an issue with his heritage or racist Canadians, so much as a blunder on his end of not considering local citizen's support in his business plans. They don't want it built, and now he's stuck.

I think that's about where we stand, right?

The new bridge span is something we might want to support, jeese folks, pay attention!

**R8RBOB** · May-02-10, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

The opposition is in Corktown and Southwest Detroit for a second span on the Ambassador Bridge because of the pollution and addded traffic it brings to Corktown and Southwest Detroit. The bridge proposed by the DRIC downriver is a solution, but something that will hurt current profits by the current bridge owners, and the current Ambassador Bridge owner has been trying to drum up support in Delray to block it's construction. From going to meetings first hand, he has supposedly been paying people to care about something they do not, and even with that, his money is dwarfed by the people of Corktown and Soutwest Detroit who want the Ambassador Bridge traffic and pollution to be eased.

So this isn't an issue with his heritage or racist Canadians, so much as a blunder on his end of not considering local citizen's support in his business plans. They don't want it built, and now he's stuck.

I think that's about where we stand, right?

The new bridge span is something we might want to support, jeese folks, pay attention!

Thanks for the update. I bet Moroun cried the day Kwame Kilpatrick resigned from office. If Kilpatrick was still the mayor, this second span would be built next the current bridge come hell or high water.

**kraig** · May-02-10, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by fastcarsandfreedom

kraig--your point about Delray is a good one--nonetheless, before you preach on their behalf, you might want to gauge public opinion there...my understanding is that there is not a lot of organized opposition to the project in Delray where it's being sold as a job creator--even the pastor of the church that's in the path of the project said so much on the local news last week.

In relation to Windsor, the project has already consumed somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 homes and about 200 commercial properties--and recent design changes to the 401 extension will require the demoltion of several more homes.

As it's been pointed out, most of the opposition for Moroun has come from the Mexicantown and Corktown neighborhoods. With good reason, I might add. That's also where the bulk of support for the DRIC has come from as well. One of the reason's being is that the majority of the meetings on the DRIC had been held there. Now, it's understandable that meetings regarding the Ambassador Bridge would be held there, because that's the neighborhood that would be effected the most. Now using the same logic. Wouldn't it make sense that the majority of the meetings for the DRIC would take place in the Delray area, since that's the neighborhood that would be effected the most? And yet, the majority of the DRIC meetings were held in the Mexicantown area.

The DRIC took full advantage of the neighborhood's animosity towards Moroun and got approval for a project that's going to have a lot of the same effect on Delray that everyone has claimed that the Ambassador Bridge has had on the Mexicantown/Corktown area.

DetroitDad · May-02-10, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by kraig

As it's been pointed out, most of the opposition for Moroun has come from the Mexicantown and Corktown neighborhoods. With good reason, I might add. That's also where the bulk of support for the DRIC has come from as well. One of the reason's being is that the majority of the meetings on the DRIC had been held there. Now, it's understandable that meetings regarding the Ambassador Bridge would be held there, because that's the neighborhood that would be effected the most. Now using the same logic. Wouldn't it make sense that the majority of the meetings for the DRIC would take place in the Delray area, since that's the neighborhood that would be effected the most? And yet, the majority of the DRIC meetings were held in the Mexicantown area.

The DRIC took full advantage of the neighborhood's animosity towards Moroun and got approval for a project that's going to have a lot of the same effect on Delray that everyone has claimed that the Ambassador Bridge has had on the Mexicantown/Corktown area.

The problem with Delray is it is heavily polluted already, and like the Uniroyal site, no one wants to foot the bill. This has basically meant the current land owners are stuck unable to sell, with polluted land. As I understand [[I am not connected with either side, I just have been paying attention on here and in the news) the new bridge would offer them some compensation for land owners who have been stuck with polluted land. I agree that attention and meetings should be held in Delray to make sure this plays out fairly on their behalf.

It is unfortunate what Delray has become, but the popular consensus has been leaning towards the fact that not all of Detroit can go back in time to what it was, and needs to be downsized. We have homes in Delray that have been basically turned into militia type fortifications to keep out crime, with people who have no way out. Before defending the nice people down river, I would suggest maybe going down there yourself, and hearing what those individuals have to say, as well as seeing the way things are for yourself, and then come back and offer solutions. I think it's noble that you are taking a stand for the neighborhoods of Delray and wish they could be saved, but you really might want to look into what you are defending.