Detroit|NNP and|CC the|DT Myth|NN of|IN the|DT $100|NN House|NN ||NN Uprooted|NNP ,|, an|DT eco|NN /|NN travel|NN blog|NN America|NNP 's|POS Rust|NNP Belt|NNP is|VBZ a|DT swath|NN of|IN cities|NNS and|CC towns|NNS that|WDT boomed|VBD during|IN the|DT Industrial|NNP Era|NNP and|CC now|RB lie|VBP --|: well|RB ,|, rusting|VBG --|: as|IN empty|JJ remainders|NNS of|IN glory|JJ days|NNS past|JJ .|. 

Chief|JJ among|IN these|DT is|VBZ Detroit|NNP ,|, Motor|NNP City|NNP .|. 
The|DT longtime|JJ center|NN of|IN American|JJ automotive|JJ manufacturing|VBG was|VBD gutted|VBN when|WRB the|DT Big|NNP Three|CD car|NN companies|NNS simultaneously|RB failed|VBD .|. 

Detroit|NNP ,|, already|RB plagued|VBN by|IN corruption|NN and|CC crime|NN ,|, saw|VBD its|PRP$ unemployment|NN rate|NN skyrocket|VB in|IN 2009|CD .|. 

What|WP 's|VBZ left|VBN behind|RB when|WRB an|DT economy|NN collapses|VBZ ?|. 
Cheap|JJ real|JJ estate|NN ,|, that|DT 's|VBZ what|WP .|. 

I|PRP 'd|MD read|VBD a|DT New|NNP York|NNP Times|NNP article|NN about|IN some|DT forward|RB -|: thinking|VBG artist|NN -|: types|NNS who|WP bought|VBD a|DT house|NN in|IN Detroit|NNP for|IN $1,900|NN .|. 
$1,900|NN !|. 
Some|DT of|IN us|PRP (|( and|CC lots|NNS of|IN New|NNP Yorkers|NNPS )|) pay|VBP that|IN much|JJ in|IN rent|NN every|DT month|NN !|. 

In|IN fact|NN ,|, the|DT article|NN went|VBD on|RP ,|, soon|RB a|DT nearby|JJ house|NN went|VBD on|IN the|DT market|NN for|IN $100|NN .|. 
The|DT artist|NN types|NNS notified|VBD their|PRP$ buddies|NNS ,|, who|WP moved|VBD in|IN post|JJ haste|NN .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD intrigued|JJ .|. 
Really|RB ?|. 
A|DT $100|NN house|NN ?|. 
Even|RB if|IN it|PRP was|VBD a|DT real|JJ fixer|NN -|: upper|NN ,|, even|RB if|IN you|PRP really|RB were|VBD better|JJR off|RP tearing|VBG it|PRP down|RB than|IN living|VBG in|IN it|PRP ,|, that|WDT 'd|MD still|RB be|VB a|DT hell|NN of|IN a|DT deal|NN .|. 
Why|WRB ,|, out|IN in|IN New|NNP Mexico|NNP ,|, where|WRB you|PRP can|MD still|RB buy|VB unincorporated|JJ land|NN with|IN no|DT water|NN or|CC roads|NNS ,|, you|PRP 'd|MD pay|VB at|IN least|JJS $1,000|NN for|IN a|DT house-sized|JJ plot|NN of|IN dust|NN .|. 
So|CC how|WRB can|MD you|PRP buy|VB an|DT actual|JJ home|NN for|IN $100|NN ?|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ literally|RB cheaper|JJR than|IN dirt|NN .|. 

The|DT possibilities|NNS of|IN this|DT were|VBD fascinating|JJ .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD visions|NNS of|IN hipsters|NNS from|IN coast|NN to|IN coast|NN converging|VBG in|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, building|VBG a|DT new|JJ city|NN on|IN rock|NN &|CC roll|NN .|. 
I|PRP pictured|VBD young|JJ artists|NNS owning|VBG homes|NNS ,|, fixing|VBG up|RP neighborhoods|NNS .|. 
I|PRP saw|VBD community|NN gardens|NNS ,|, art|NN parks|NNS ,|, a|DT grassroots|NNS transformation|NN of|IN a|DT city|NN .|. 
We|PRP could|MD take|VB that|IN oil|NN -|: stained|JJ soil|NN and|CC those|DT rusted|JJ factories|NNS ,|, and|CC create|VB something|NN new|JJ and|CC beautiful|JJ .|. 
With|IN houses|NNS going|VBG for|IN $100|NN ,|, I|PRP thought|VBD ,|, what|WP would|MD you|PRP have|VB to|TO lose|VB by|IN moving|VBG to|IN Detroit|NNP ?|. 

And|CC so|CC Quiet|NNP Earp|NNP and|CC I|PRP did|VBD some|DT research|NN ,|, and|CC came|VBD up|RP with|IN a|DT list|NN of|IN houses|NNS selling|VBG for|IN under|IN a|DT grand|NN .|. 
We|PRP had|VBD plenty|NN to|TO choose|VB from|IN :|: there|EX were|VBD more|RBR cheap|JJ houses|NNS than|IN we|PRP would|MD have|VB time|NN to|TO visit|VB .|. 
We|PRP picked|VBD two|CD neighborhoods|NNS to|TO cruise|VB ,|, and|CC dove|VBD in|IN .|. 

But|CC once|RB we|PRP entered|VBD Detroit|NNP ,|, the|DT truth|NN hit|VBD fast|RB :|: this|DT is|VBZ a|DT modern|JJ American|JJ ghost|NN town|NN .|. 
The|DT place|NN is|VBZ practically|RB deserted|JJ .|. 
Its|PRP$ streets|NNS ,|, built|VBN wide|JJ to|TO accommodate|VB heavy|JJ traffic|NN ,|, are|VBP mostly|RB empty|JJ .|. 
Houses|NNS and|CC businesses|NNS are|VBP boarded|JJ up|RP ,|, painted|JJ up|RP ,|, bombed|JJ out|RP and|CC falling|VBG down|RB .|. 
Even|RB in|IN the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT business|NN district|NN ,|, there|EX 's|VBZ no|DT traffic|NN and|CC hardly|RB any|DT people|NNS .|. 

Do|VBP n't|RB believe|VB me|PRP ?|. 
I|PRP videotaped|VBD it|PRP :|: 

It|PRP got|VBD worse|JJR as|IN we|PRP drove|VBD into|IN residential|JJ areas|NNS ,|, looking|VBG for|IN those|DT cheap|JJ houses|NNS .|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, I|PRP 've|VBP never|RB felt|VBN so|RB out|IN of|IN place|NN in|IN all|DT my|PRP$ life|NN .|. 
Even|RB in|IN Chicago|NNP 's|POS South|NNP Side|NNP ,|, where|WRB we|PRP counted|VBD five|CD white|JJ people|NNS in|IN an|DT hour|NN ,|, I|PRP felt|VBD fine|JJ just|RB driving|VBG around|RB ;|: not|RB so|RB in|IN Detroit|NNP .|. 
Truthfully|NNP ,|, it|PRP was|VBD n't|RB about|IN race|NN :|: it|PRP was|VBD about|IN being|VBG naive|JJ .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD about|IN driving|VBG down|IN streets|NNS where|WRB we|PRP truly|RB did|VBD not|RB belong|VB and|CC were|VBD not|RB welcome|JJ .|. 

Detroit|NNP is|VBZ a|DT ghost|NN town|NN ,|, and|CC it|PRP 's|VBZ inhabited|VBN by|IN ghosts|NNS :|: the|DT only|JJ people|NNS left|VBN here|RB are|VBP those|DT who|WP ca|MD n't|RB or|CC wo|MD n't|RB leave|VB .|. 
They|PRP live|VBP in|IN deserted|JJ neighborhoods|NNS ,|, in|IN houses|NNS with|IN collapsed|JJ front|JJ steps|NNS and|CC missing|JJ windows|NNS .|. 
They|PRP sit|VBP on|IN the|DT porch|NN and|CC watch|VBP the|DT cars|NNS go|VBP by|RB ,|, watch|VBP the|DT deals|NNS go|VBP down|RB ,|, watch|VBP their|PRP$ neighborhoods|NNS crumble|VB .|. 
And|CC we|PRP ,|, driving|VBG through|RB slowly|RB and|CC reading|VBG house|NN numbers|NNS in|IN a|DT late|JJ -|: model|NN Honda|NNP ,|, stuck|VBD out|RP like|IN a|DT couple|NN of|IN thumbs|NNS .|. 

So|CC we|PRP sped|VBD up|RP ,|, and|CC went|VBD straight|JJ to|IN the|DT houses|NNS .|. 
Sometimes|RB we|PRP stopped|VBD to|TO take|VB a|DT photo|NN ,|, but|CC mostly|RB we|PRP did|VBD n't|RB .|. 
Earp|NNP and|CC I|PRP have|VBP each|DT lived|VBN happily|RB in|IN the|DT wilds|NNS of|IN West|NNP Oakland|NNP ,|, but|CC the|DT danger|NN I|PRP felt|VBD in|IN Detroit|NNP was|VBD like|IN nothing|NN I|PRP 'd|MD experienced|VBN before|RB .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD actually|RB afraid|JJ for|IN my|PRP$ life|NN .|. 

The|DT New|NNP York|NNP Times|NNP correspondent|NN wrote|VBD that|IN his|PRP$ friend|NN Mitch|NNP 's|POS $1,900|NN home|NN "|'' had|VBD already|RB been|VBN stripped|VBN of|IN its|PRP$ appliances|NNS and|CC wiring|NN ...|. 
But|CC for|IN Mitch|NNP that|IN only|RB added|VBD to|IN its|PRP$ appeal|NN ,|, because|IN he|PRP now|RB had|VBD the|DT opportunity|NN to|TO renovate|VB it|PRP with|IN solar|JJ heating|NN ,|, solar|JJ electricity|NN and|CC low-cost|JJ ,|, high-efficiency|JJ appliances|NNS .|. 
"|'' 
As|IN for|IN the|DT $100|NN house|NN ?|. 
It|PRP "|'' needed|VBD some|DT work|NN ,|, a|DT hole|NN patched|VBN ,|, some|DT windows|NNS replaced|VBN .|. "|'' 

Well|UH ,|, I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB what|WP part|NN of|IN Detroit|NNP these|DT folks|NNS live|VBP in|IN ,|, but|CC the|DT $100|NN houses|NNS I|PRP saw|VBD looked|VBN more|RBR like|IN this|DT :|: 

You|PRP see|VBP ,|, abandoned|JJ houses|NNS in|IN this|DT town|NN get|VBP set|VBN on|IN fire|NN .|. 
No|DT exceptions|NNS .|. 
Wherever|NNP we|PRP went|VBD in|IN those|DT neighborhoods|NNS ,|, one|CD in|IN four|CD houses|NNS had|VBD been|VBN torched|VBN .|. 
On|IN one|CD corner|NN ,|, we|PRP saw|VBD a|DT giant|JJ banner|NN hung|VBN across|IN a|DT charred|JJ front|JJ porch|NN .|. 
We|PRP did|VBD n't|RB slow|VB down|RP to|TO take|VB a|DT photo|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP 'll|MD paraphrase|VB :|: DO|VBP N'T|RB BURN|VB HOUSES|NNS DOWN|RP !|. 
DETROIT|NNP POLICE|NN ARE|VBP WATCHING|VBG YOU|PRP !|. 

Except|IN that|IN they|PRP obviously|RB are|VBP n't|RB .|. 
People|NNS who|WP live|VBP in|IN this|DT part|NN of|IN town|NN are|VBP on|IN their|PRP$ own|NN .|. 
And|CC although|IN I|PRP and|CC many|JJ others|NNS would|MD love|VB to|TO own|VB even|RB a|DT fire|NN -|: scarred|JJ ,|, condemned|JJ building|NN ,|, the|DT fact|NN is|VBZ that|IN we|PRP would|MD n't|RB last|VB a|DT week|NN here|RB .|. 
Buy|VB a|DT $100|NN house|NN in|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, and|CC you|PRP get|VBP a|DT lifetime|NN supply|NN of|IN sleepless|JJ nights|NNS :|: you|PRP 'll|MD spend|VB the|DT next|JJ several|JJ years|NNS waiting|VBG for|IN burglars|NNS and|CC arsonists|NNS ,|, murderers|NNS and|CC crackheads|NNS to|TO break|VB in|IN the|DT windows|NNS .|. 

It|PRP 's|VBZ like|IN the|DT Wild|NNP West|NNP without|IN the|DT scenery|NN ,|, the|DT gold|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT hope|NN .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ the|DT Rust|NNP Belt|NNP .|. 

Ultimately|RB ,|, I|PRP do|VBP believe|VB that|DT change|NN will|MD come|VB to|IN Detroit|NNP .|. 
There|EX will|MD be|VB a|DT green|JJ movement|NN here|RB ;|: in|IN fact|NN it|PRP 's|VBZ already|RB being|VBG cultivated|VBN by|IN forward|RB -|: thinking|VBG groups|NNS and|CC intrepid|JJ locals|NNS .|. 
One|CD day|NN ,|, this|DT place|NN will|MD be|VB reborn|VBN .|. 

But|CC right|RB now|RB ,|, the|DT NYT|NNP 's|POS story|NN reeks|VBZ of|IN Shinola|NNP .|. 

Truth|NNP is|VBZ ,|, any|DT artist|NN -|: type|NN who|WP moves|VBZ into|IN this|DT part|NN of|IN Detroit|NNP is|VBZ probably|RB pretty|RB handy|JJ with|IN a|DT pistol|NN or|CC a|DT shotgun|NN .|. 
Anyone|NN who|WP takes|VBZ this|DT plunge|NN is|VBZ risking|VBG their|PRP$ life|NN every|DT day|NN ,|, betting|VBG on|IN a|DT future|NN that|WDT may|MD take|VB a|DT long|JJ time|NN to|TO arrive|VB .|. 

Long|JJ story|NN short|JJ :|: Yes|UH ,|, you|PRP can|MD buy|VB a|DT house|NN in|IN Detroit|NNP for|IN $100|NN .|. 
And|CC you|PRP will|MD get|VB what|WP you|PRP pay|VBP for|IN .|. 

Cheers|NNS to|IN Toby|NNP Barlow|NNP ,|, who|WP inspired|VBD my|PRP$ trek|NN to|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, and|CC who|WP believes|VBZ in|IN a|DT happier|JJR ,|, greener|JJR future|NN .|. 
May|MD your|PRP$ every|DT dream|NN come|VB true|JJ ,|, sir|NN ,|, and|CC your|PRP$ book|NN sell|VB fabulously|RB .|. 

16|CD Responses|NNS to|IN "|'' Detroit|NNP and|CC the|DT Myth|NN of|IN the|DT $100|NN House|NN "|'' bisnis|NNS 16|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 9:46|NN pm|NN 
Great|JJ post|NN .|. 
Thank|VB you|PRP for|IN this|DT info|NN .|. 
I|PRP need|VBP that|DT 

Myself|NNP 19|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 10:06|NN am|VBP 
Please|RB track|VB down|RP and|CC watch|VBP a|DT movie|NN called|VBN "|'' Detroit|NNP :|: A|DT City|NNP to|TO Yourself|NNP "|'' ,|, by|IN Nicole|NNP MacDonald|NNP .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ full|JJ of|IN this|DT imagery|NN ,|, and|CC talks|VBZ about|IN the|DT 1805|CD fire|NN and|CC rebuilding|VBG ,|, and|CC the|DT post|JJ -|: industrial|JJ devastation|NN that|WDT 's|VBZ ravaged|VBN the|DT city|NN since|IN .|. 

Most|JJS poignantly|RB ,|, it|PRP talks|VBZ about|IN Hurricane|NNP Katrina|NNP ,|, which|WDT focused|VBD attention|NN on|IN rebuilding|VBG another|DT city|NN with|IN this|DT level|NN of|IN devastation|NN ,|, and|CC how|WRB without|IN a|DT single|JJ catastrophic|JJ event|NN to|TO blame|VB for|IN it|PRP ,|, Detroit|NNP 's|POS decay|NN has|VBZ gone|VBN unsympathetically|RB ignored|VBN .|. 

The|DT movie|NN wraps|VBZ up|RP by|IN observing|VBG this|DT ,|, how|WRB abandoned|JJ buildings|NNS and|CC spaces|NNS are|VBP being|VBG reclaimed|VBN by|IN nature|NN .|. 
About|IN the|DT pop|NN fiction|NN which|WDT explores|VBZ the|DT concept|NN of|IN a|DT post|JJ -|: human|NN world|NN ,|, and|CC how|WRB it|PRP already|RB exists|VBZ now|RB .|. 
And|CC about|IN how|WRB ,|, if|IN you|PRP 're|VBP a|DT pheasant|NN ,|, that|DT 's|VBZ not|RB such|JJ a|DT bad|JJ thing|NN .|. 

HOWEVER|NNP ...|. 

There|EX 's|VBZ a|DT lot|NN more|JJR to|IN Detroit|NNP than|IN that|DT .|. 
There|EX are|VBP industrial|JJ spaces|NNS being|VBG turned|VBN into|IN low-rent|JJ artist|NN lofts|NNS and|CC business|NN incubators|NNS .|. 
(|( Look|VBP at|IN the|DT Russell|NNP Industrial|NNP Complex|JJ ,|, for|IN one|CD example|NN .|. )|) 
There|EX are|VBP neighborhoods|NNS that|WDT refuse|VBP to|TO cave|VB .|. 
(|( west|JJ of|IN Livernois|NNP around|IN McNichols|NNP )|) .|. 
There|EX 's|VBZ a|DT whole|JJ bunch|NN of|IN nice|JJ stuff|NN happening|VBG along|RB the|DT riverfront|NN ,|, from|IN downtown|NN up|RB towards|IN Stroh|NNP Place|NNP .|. 

And|CC there|EX 's|VBZ always|RB Belle|NNP Isle|NNP .|. 
When|WRB friends|NNS come|VBP to|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, I|PRP take|VBP them|PRP there|RB .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ our|PRP$ in|IN -|: the|DT -|: river|NN park|NN ,|, 982|CD acres|NNS of|IN green|JJ space|NN ,|, with|IN a|DT zoo|NN ,|, a|DT botanical|JJ garden|NN and|CC conservatory|NN ,|, rentable|JJ paddle|NN boats|NNS ,|, and|CC tons|NNS of|IN other|JJ neat|JJ stuff|NN .|. 
Next|JJ time|NN you|PRP 're|VBP in|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, please|RB head|VBP over|RB .|. 
Oh|UH ,|, and|CC entry|NN is|VBZ free|JJ ,|, so|IN it|PRP 's|VBZ available|JJ to|IN anyone|NN regardless|RB of|IN economic|JJ status|NN .|. 
You|PRP 're|VBP liable|JJ to|TO see|VB families|NNS picnicking|VBG ,|, bums|NNS gathering|NN bottles|NNS and|CC cans|NNS ,|, geese|NN foraging|VBG ,|, and|CC deer|NNS cautiously|RB wandering|VBG the|DT edge|NN of|IN the|DT woods|NNS .|. 
Within|IN a|DT hundred|CD yards|NNS of|IN each|DT other|JJ .|. 

Some|DT of|IN that|DT cheap|JJ real|NN estate|NN is|VBZ n't|RB too|RB horrible|JJ ,|, either|RB .|. 
There|EX 's|VBZ a|DT whole|JJ street|NN being|VBG taken|VBN over|RP by|IN artists|NNS ,|, Farnsworth|NNP between|IN Moran|NNP and|CC McDougall|NNP .|. 
Some|DT of|IN the|DT things|NNS they|PRP 've|VBP done|VBN down|RB there|RB are|VBP amazing|JJ ,|, and|CC the|DT community|NN garden|NN is|VBZ a|DT great|JJ bridge|NN to|IN the|DT surrounding|JJ neighborhood|NN .|. 
A|DT few|JJ weeks|NNS ago|RB ,|, someone|NN broke|VBD into|IN their|PRP$ shed|VB to|TO steal|VB their|PRP$ garden|NN tools|NNS .|. 
Think|VBP about|IN that|DT for|IN a|DT moment|NN ,|, hoes|NNS and|CC shovels|NNS do|VBP n't|RB have|VB enough|JJ pawn|NN value|NN to|TO be|VB worth|JJ carrying|VBG out|RB .|. 
Whoever|WP took|VBD that|DT stuff|NN is|VBZ probably|RB using|VBG it|PRP in|IN their|PRP$ own|JJ garden|NN .|. 

Yes|UH ,|, Detroit|NNP 's|VBZ got|VB more|JJR than|IN its|PRP$ share|NN of|IN bad|JJ spots|NNS ,|, you|PRP 're|VBP right|JJ .|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP lived|VBN in|IN the|DT metro|NN area|NN my|PRP$ whole|JJ life|NN ,|, and|CC there|EX are|VBP areas|NNS (|( I|NN ca|MD n't|RB call|VB them|PRP neighborhoods|NNS )|) down|RB there|EX where|WRB I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB feel|VB safe|JJ in|IN daytime|JJ ,|, much|RB less|JJR at|IN night|NN .|. 
But|CC there|EX are|VBP bright|JJ spots|NNS ,|, and|CC behind|IN every|DT one|CD of|IN them|PRP is|VBZ a|DT person|NN ,|, or|CC a|DT bunch|NN of|IN people|NNS ,|, who|WP refuse|VBP to|TO give|VB up|RP .|. 

Jessica|NNP 19|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 10:30|NN am|VBP 
Myself|PRP --|: Thanks|NNS for|IN the|DT comment|NN and|CC the|DT great|JJ information|NN .|. 
You|PRP are|VBP exactly|RB the|DT kind|NN of|IN person|NN who|WP gives|VBZ me|PRP back|RP the|DT hope|NN I|PRP lost|VBD on|IN my|PRP$ way|NN into|IN town|NN .|. 
Seems|VBZ there|EX 's|VBZ a|DT pretty|RB solid|JJ group|NN of|IN Detroit|NNP residents|NNS who|WP are|VBP truly|RB committed|JJ to|TO restoring|VBG the|DT city|NN ,|, and|CC that|DT 's|VBZ beautiful|JJ to|TO see|VB .|. 

Love|VBP the|DT fact|NN that|IN people|NNS are|VBP stealing|VBG garden|NN implements|VBZ (|( though|IN it|PRP 's|VBZ still|RB sad|JJ that|IN they|PRP need|VBP to|TO )|) .|. 

I|PRP will|MD absolutely|RB watch|VB A|DT City|NNP To|IN Yourself|NNP ,|, thank|VB you|PRP for|IN the|DT recommendation|NN .|. 
And|CC when|WRB I|PRP 'm|VBP in|IN the|DT area|NN again|RB ,|, I|PRP 'll|MD go|VB out|IN to|IN Belle|NNP Isle|NNP and|CC think|VBP long|RB &|CC hard|RB about|IN the|DT future|NN of|IN American|JJ cities|NNS --|: as|IN I|PRP 'm|VBP sure|JJ you|PRP do|VBP occasionally|RB too|RB .|. 

Reader|NN Not|RB Writer|NN 20|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 10:17|NN pm|NN 
Well|UH ,|, growing|VBG up|RP not|RB far|RB from|IN Detroit|NNP myself|PRP ,|, I|PRP would|MD point|VB out|RP a|DT few|JJ things|NNS :|: 

1|CD .|. Driving|VBG a|DT Honda|NNP in|IN Detroit|NNP right|RB now|RB probably|RB is|VBZ n't|RB really|RB going|VBG to|TO get|VB you|PRP welcomed|VBN with|IN open|JJ arms|NNS .|. 
See|VBP ,|, there|EX 's|VBZ a|DT wee|JJ bit|NN of|IN loyalty|NN to|IN the|DT Big|NNP 3|CD and|CC driving|VBG a|DT foreign|JJ car|NN does|VBZ n't|RB really|RB scream|VB "|'' solidarity|NN "|'' to|IN those|DT struggling|VBG to|TO survive|VB .|. 
Most|JJS of|IN the|DT funny|JJ looks|NNS you|PRP got|VBD were|VBD less|JJR about|IN your|PRP$ color|NN than|IN about|IN your|PRP$ ride|NN .|. 
You|PRP think|VBP I|PRP 'm|VBP kidding|VBG ,|, but|CC I|PRP could|MD n't|RB be|VB more|RBR serious|JJ --|: that|IN Honda|NNP is|VBZ a|DT visceral|JJ reminder|NN for|IN people|NNS of|IN how|WRB the|DT American|JJ consumer|NN has|VBZ left|VBN Detroit|NNP in|IN the|DT dust|NN .|. 

2|CD .|. Detroit|NNP (|( proper|JJ )|) has|VBZ been|VBN dying|VBG for|IN a|DT long|JJ time|NN --|: before|IN the|DT 1968|CD riots|NNS ,|, even|RB .|. 
It|PRP s|VBZ going|VBG to|TO take|VB some|DT pioneering|JJ individuals|NNS to|TO start|VB creating|VBG those|DT pockets|NNS of|IN innovation|NN ,|, creativity|NN ,|, and|CC vision|NN .|. 
But|CC it|PRP s|VBZ not|RB going|VBG to|TO happen|VB with|IN the|DT investment|NN of|IN $100|NN into|IN a|DT single|JJ house|NN .|. 
Someone|NN will|MD need|VB to|TO begin|VB by|IN creating|VBG an|DT urban|JJ "|'' oasis|NN "|'' that|IN mitigates|VBZ some|DT of|IN the|DT fears|NNS that|IN you|PRP had|VBD while|IN driving|VBG through|IN the|DT city|NN --|: where|WRB to|TO buy|VB groceries|NNS ,|, a|DT place|NN where|WRB you|PRP can|MD feel|VB safe|JJ on|IN your|PRP$ own|JJ front|JJ porch|NN ,|, the|DT freedom|NN to|TO sleep|VB soundly|RB without|IN worrying|VBG about|IN your|PRP$ copper|NN wiring|NN .|. 

3|CD .|. For|IN all|DT that|WDT is|VBZ wrong|JJ with|IN Detroit|NNP --|: and|CC that|DT 's|VBZ nearly|RB everything|NN --|: you|PRP 'd|MD be|VB astonished|JJ by|IN the|DT pride|NN that|IN Detroiters|NNPS have|VBP for|IN their|PRP$ city|NN .|. 
They|PRP lack|VBP the|DT means|NNS to|TO build|VB her|PRP$ back|RB to|IN her|PRP$ former|JJ glory|NN ,|, but|CC she|PRP wo|MD n't|RB be|VB abandoned|VBN .|. 
For|IN all|DT of|IN those|DT who|WP are|VBP trapped|JJ there|RB by|IN their|PRP$ circumstances|NNS ,|, there|EX are|VBP just|RB as|IN many|JJ who|WP insist|VBP that|IN they|PRP would|MD n't|RB live|VB anywhere|RB else|RB .|. 

Raggedy|NNP Anarchy|NNP 21|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 7:21|NN pm|NN 
Thank|VB you|PRP for|IN the|DT opportunity|NN to|TO see|VB post|JJ -|: BushCo|NNP era|NN Detroit|NNP through|IN the|DT prism|NN of|IN your|PRP$ vision|NN .|. 

I|PRP 've|VBP never|RB been|VBN there|RB ,|, but|CC ever|RB since|IN that|DT mad|JJ ,|, possessed|JJ American|JJ History|NN Professor|NNP I|PRP had|VBD ,|, I|PRP 've|VBP been|VBN haunted|VBN by|IN Detroit|NNP .|. 
No|UH ,|, even|RB before|IN that|DT --|: The|DT Dollmaker|NNP has|VBZ often|RB been|VBN called|VBN '|POS America|NNP 's|POS least|RBS pretentious|JJ masterpiece|NN '|'' .|. 
(|( Joyce|NNP Carol|NNP Oates|NNP in|IN the|DT NYTBR|NNP )|) 
When|WRB folks|NNS like|IN Gertie|NNP Nevels|NNP ,|, and|CC Levon|NNP Helm|NNP and|CC John|NNP Hiatt|NNP and|CC my|PRP$ favorite|NN ,|, John|NNP Henry|NNP ,|, left|VBD the|DT mountains|NNS to|TO go|VB wrestle|VB with|IN the|DT Industrial|JJ leviathan|NN in|IN Detroit|NNP ,|, they|PRP were|VBD in|IN it|PRP to|IN the|DT death|NN .|. 
Detroit|NNP wo|MD n't|RB be|VB the|DT death|NN of|IN the|DT courage|NN of|IN those|DT early|JJ Detroit|NNP pioneers|NNS ;|: it|PRP looks|VBZ like|IN Nature|NN will|MD prevail|VB after|IN all|DT .|. 
Everybody|NN wins|NNS .|. 

I|PRP love|VBP what|WP you|PRP are|VBP doing|VBG .|. 

Uncle|NNP B|NNP 18|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 7:53|NN am|VBP 
Is|VBZ this|DT the|DT monument|NN left|VBN behind|RB for|IN the|DT world|NN to|TO witness|NN ,|, by|IN Corporatism|NN ,|, Capitalism|NN ?|. 
Is|VBZ this|DT the|DT greatness|NN they|PRP built|VBD on|IN earth|NN ?|. 
Is|VBZ this|DT the|DT proof|NN that|IN all|DT countries|NNS deserve|VBP democracy|NN and|CC its|PRP$ inevitable|JJ cancers|NNS ,|, corporatism|NN and|CC capitalism|NN ?|. 
We|PRP die|VBP in|IN war|NN to|TO bring|VB this|DT to|IN other|JJ countries|NNS ?|. 
This|DT ,|, American|NNP Glory|NN ?|. 
In|IN a|DT class|NN -|: less|JJ society|NN ?|. 
This|DT is|VBZ the|DT final|JJ phase|NN ,|, the|DT crowning|JJ glory|NN of|IN America|NNP 's|POS greatness|NN ?|. 
Does|VBZ this|DT show|VB our|PRP$ system|NN 's|POS superiority|NN over|IN the|DT commies|NNS in|IN China|NNP ?|. 
The|DT old|JJ Soviet|NNP Guard|NNP ?|. 
Europe|NNP 's|POS follies|NNS ?|. 
Have|VBP we|PRP really|RB built|VBD a|DT "|'' Great|JJ Society|NN "|'' or|CC is|VBZ that|DT all|DT propaganda|NN --|: Bull|NN Shiite|NN to|TO hush|VB free|JJ thought|NN ,|, eyes|NNS to|IN the|DT flag|NN ,|, while|IN our|PRP$ pockets|NNS and|CC resources|NNS were|VBD raided|VBN by|IN shysters|NNS ,|, spin|JJ -|: meisters|NNS ,|, schmucks|NNS and|CC banksters|NNS ?|. 
Did|VBD we|PRP build|VB sane|JJ ,|, sustainable|JJ ,|, survival|NN shelter|NN homes|NNS ?|. 
Do|VBP we|PRP still|RB have|VB fertile|JJ backyard|NN gardens|NNS ,|, filled|VBN with|IN the|DT composting|NN of|IN the|DT age|NN ?|. 
Can|MD any|DT of|IN what|WP we|PRP built|VBD be|VB recovered|VBN ,|, restored|VBN ,|, renovated|VBN ,|, into|IN useful|JJ shelter|NN ?|. 
Did|VBD the|DT tools|NNS of|IN production|NN really|RB get|VB sold|VBN ,|, to|IN the|DT shareholders|NNS benefit|NN ,|, leaving|VBG the|DT worker|NN without|IN means|NNS to|TO defend|VB himself|PRP ?|. 
Have|VBP the|DT great|JJ fortunes|NNS earned|VBD in|IN trust|NN as|IN "|'' American|NNP "|'' for|IN American|JJ investment|NN here|RB in|IN America|NNP ,|, really|RB migrated|VBN to|IN the|DT Beijing|NNP ,|, Shanghai|NNP ,|, and|CC Hang|NNP -|: Seng|NNP markets|NNS ,|, converted|VBN to|TO safer|JJR "|'' Yuan|FW "|'' and|CC invested|VBN in|IN China|NNP 's|POS wealth|NN ?|. 
Did|VBD this|DT really|RB happen|VB to|IN American|JJ patriots|NNS ?|. 
Do|VBP you|PRP still|RB love|VB democracy|NN ,|, corporatism|NN ,|, capitalism|NN and|CC all|DT it|PRP has|VBZ done|VBN for|IN you|PRP ?|. 
Are|VBP you|PRP really|RB "|'' Free|JJ "|'' ?|. 
Is|VBZ Conscription|NN just|RB around|IN the|DT corner|NN ,|, to|TO serve|VB Halliburton|NN (|( Dubai|NNP )|) in|IN attaining|VBG pipeline|NN clearance|NN through|IN Afghanistan|NNP ,|, to|IN Turkmenistan|NNP and|CC the|DT oil|NN field|NN there|RB ?|. 
Are|VBP American|JJ lives|NNS well|RB spent|VBD in|IN thei|DT "|'' Middle|NNP East|NNP "|'' endevor|NN ?|. 
Are|VBP we|PRP just|RB mercenaries|NNS for|IN big|JJ oil|NN ,|, not|RB liberators|NNS spreading|VBG "|'' Freedom|NN "|'' ?|. 
Is|VBZ this|DT really|RB just|RB flag|NN -|: waving|VBG propaganda|NN ?|. 
What|WP ,|, exactly|RB did|VBD we|PRP win|VB in|IN Iraq|NNP ?|. 
Cheaper|JJR Oil|NN ?|. 
I|PRP think|VBP not|RB !|. 
Gratitude|NN of|IN a|DT Free|JJ nation|NN ?|. 
I|PRP think|VBP not|RB !|. 
Why|WRB has|VBZ the|DT "|'' Rust|NNP Belt|NNP "|'' come|VBN into|IN being|VBG ?|. 
What|WP were|VBD we|PRP doing|VBG ?|. 
Where|WRB did|VBD the|DT great|JJ society|NN for|IN all|DT ,|, the|DT one|CD we|PRP were|VBD told|VBN we|PRP were|VBD building|VBG go|VB ?|. 
Japan|NNP ?|. 
China|NNP ?|. 
To|IN the|DT Uber-Rich|NN ?|. 
As|IN we|PRP sink|VBP into|IN our|PRP$ own|JJ ruins|NNS ,|, the|DT dark|JJ horse|NN rides|VBZ on|RB America|NNP !|. 
The|DT dark|JJ horse|NN rides|VBZ on|RB !|. 
Sad|JJ .|. 

Lumpy|NNP 22|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 3:14|NN pm|NN 
Green|JJ movement|NN ?|. 
You|PRP gotta|VBP be|VB kidding|VBG me|PRP !|. 
Earth|NN to|IN Jessica|NNP :|: Democrats|NNPS caused|VBD this|DT .|. 
They|PRP have|VBP the|DT unmidas|JJ touch|NN .|. 
Every|DT decaying|JJ city|NN in|IN America|NNP has|VBZ D|NNP 's|POS firmly|RB in|IN control|NN ,|, and|CC has|VBZ forever|RB .|. 

When|WRB you|PRP said|VBD you|PRP were|VBD naive|JJ ,|, you|PRP were|VBD n't|RB kidding|VBG .|. 

Jessica|NNP Reeder|NNP 22|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 3:36|NN pm|NN 
Nope|UH ,|, I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB kidding|VBG .|. 
Put|VBD it|PRP in|IN writing|NN ,|, did|VBD n't|RB I|PRP ?|. 

Lumpy|NNP ,|, I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB a|DT Democrat|NNP and|CC I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB much|JJ approve|VB of|IN the|DT Democratic|NNP Party|NNP .|. 
Just|RB so|IN we|PRP 're|VBP clear|JJ on|IN that|DT .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB think|VB you|PRP present|VB a|DT fully|RB -|: informed|JJ argument|NN on|IN the|DT causes|NNS of|IN urban|JJ decay|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB disagree|VB with|IN you|PRP .|. 

I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB particularly|RB interested|JJ in|IN whose|WP$ fault|NN this|DT mess|NN is|VBZ ;|: rather|RB ,|, I|PRP choose|VBP to|TO focus|VB on|IN how|WRB we|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO clean|VB it|PRP up|RP .|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ where|WRB the|DT green|JJ movement|NN comes|VBZ in|RP ,|, and|CC when|WRB I|PRP say|VBP "|'' green|JJ "|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP talking|VBG plants|NNS not|RB politics|NNS .|. 

If|IN you|PRP 've|VBP got|VBN some|DT fancy|JJ new|JJ technology|NN at|IN Boeing|NNP that|WDT can|MD do|VB more|RBR for|IN people|NNS 's|POS health|NN and|CC happiness|NN (|( and|CC for|IN less|JJR cost|NN )|) than|IN a|DT victory|NN garden|NN can|MD do|VB ,|, please|RB let|VBP me|PRP know|VB .|. 

Raggedy|NNP Anarchy|NNP 24|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 6:17|NN pm|NN 
Last|JJ I|PRP checked|VBD ,|, greed|NN ,|, sloth|NN ,|, hubris|NN and|CC waste|NN were|VBD all|DT pretty|RB universally|RB human|JJ traits|NNS ,|, and|CC I|PRP see|VBP no|DT halos|NNS around|IN either|DT Libertarians|NNPS ,|, Dems|NNPS or|CC even|RB anarchically|RB green-at-heart|JJ .|. 

I|PRP agree|VBP --|: Democrats|NNPS ,|, like|IN country|NN music|NN ,|, have|VBP disappointed|VBN me|PRP too|RB many|JJ times|NNS in|IN the|DT past|NN for|IN me|PRP to|TO keep|VB on|RP listening|VBG .|. 
But|CC here|RB 's|VBZ the|DT thing|NN --|: frogs|NNS are|VBP mutating|VBG due|JJ to|IN the|DT planet|NN trying|VBG to|TO kill|VB itself|PRP .|. 
Salmon|NNS have|VBP forgot|VBN how|WRB to|TO screw|VB .|. 
Otters|NNS in|IN post-Valdez|JJ Alaska|NNP are|VBP clawing|VBG their|PRP$ own|JJ petro|JJ -|: chemical|NN -|: burned|JJ eyes|NNS out|RP in|IN pain|NN .|. 

The|DT patient|NN is|VBZ earth|NN ,|, and|CC it|PRP 's|VBZ not|RB getting|VBG better|JJR .|. 
You|PRP want|VBP to|TO yell|VB at|IN which|WDT insurance|NN company|NN fucked|VBD up|RP ,|, or|CC change|VB a|DT bedpan|NN ,|, so|RB to|TO speak|VB ?|. 
During|IN times|NNS of|IN crisis|NN (|( which|WDT this|DT is|VBZ )|) ,|, the|DT ones|PRP who|WP will|MD create|VB positive|JJ change|NN are|VBP those|DT who|WP accept|VBP the|DT hand|NN they|PRP are|VBP dealt|VBN and|CC act|VBP .|. 
The|DT ones|NNS who|WP are|VBP educated|JJ and|CC informed|JJ and|CC attached|JJ to|IN delegating|VBG moral|JJ judgements|NNS will|MD be|VB perfectly|RB equipped|JJ to|TO deal|VB with|IN a|DT world|NN that|IN no|RB longer|RB exists|VBZ .|. 
Just|RB ask|VBP the|DT Palestinians|NNPS who|WP left|VBD after|IN the|DT first|JJ war|NN to|TO cry|VB over|IN the|DT past|NN .|. 
Or|CC ask|VBP my|PRP$ Paiute|JJ grandfather|NN .|. 
*|NN Or|CC even|RB Friend|NNP Salmon|NNP ,|, who|WP still|RB haunts|VBZ my|PRP$ dreams|NNS and|CC tells|VBZ me|PRP not|RB to|TO let|VB us|PRP blow|VB each|DT other|NN 's|POS asses|NNS off|IN the|DT earth|NN until|IN we|PRP clean|VBP up|RP the|DT mess|NN we|PRP have|VBP made|VBN .|. 

*|NN That|DT was|VBD for|IN Lumpy|NNP .|. 
Nobody|NN gets|VBZ laughed|VBN at|IN alone|RB in|IN my|PRP$ presence|NN .|. 

Raggedy|NNP Anarchy|NNP 24|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 6:21|NN pm|NN 
"|'' ...|. when|WRB I|PRP say|VBP “|NN green|JJ ”|NN I|PRP ’|NN m|NN talking|VBG plants|NNS not|RB politics|NNS .|. "|'' 

Wall-|NNP E.|NN 

Eric|NNP 01|CD .|. Nov|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 10:33|NN pm|NN 
There|EX is|VBZ now|RB a|DT house|NN for|IN $10|NN listed|VBN on|IN realtor|NN .|. com|NN 

Helena|NNP 19|CD .|. Nov|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 1:06|NN pm|NN 
You|PRP told|VBD me|PRP about|IN this|DT ,|, but|CC it|PRP has|VBZ to|TO be|VB seen|VBN to|TO be|VB believed|VBN (|( not|RB that|IN I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB believe|VB you|PRP !|. )|) .|. 
The|DT richest|JJS country|NN in|IN the|DT world|NN ...|. ?|. !|. 

Fred|NNP E.|NN 18|CD .|. Jan|NNP ,|, 2010|CD at|IN 8:09|NN pm|NN 
Do|VBP n't|RB forget|VB about|IN the|DT back|JJ taxes|NNS !|. 

Parker|NNP 15|CD .|. May|NNP ,|, 2010|CD at|IN 6:56|NN am|VBP 
I|PRP find|VBP this|DT topic|NN fascinating|JJ .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD born|VBN in|IN a|DT suburb|NN of|IN Detroit|NNP and|CC most|JJS of|IN family|NN still|RB lives|VBZ there|RB .|. 
I|PRP will|MD be|VB going|VBG back|RB to|TO visit|VB in|IN June|NNP .|. 
I|PRP plan|VBP to|TO take|VB a|DT (|( Daytime|JJ )|) tour|NN of|IN these|DT decaying|JJ areas|NNS especially|RB the|DT old|JJ factories|NNS .|. 
I|PRP have|VBP the|DT urban|JJ explorer|NN fascination|NN .|. 
However|RB ,|, the|DT main|JJ reason|NN I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO post|VB was|VBD to|TO say|VB to|IN "|'' Lumpy|NNP "|'' ,|, "|'' the|DT democrats|NNPS have|VBP the|DT unmidas|JJ touch|NN "|'' ,|, LMAO|NNP ,|, that|WDT is|VBZ classic|JJ .|. 
and|CC I|PRP must|MD agree|VB with|IN Lumpy|NNP .|. 
Freaking|JJ hillarious|JJ and|CC so|RB true|JJ .|. 
Thanks|NNS Lump|NNP -|: man|NN .|. 
BTW|NN ,|, great|JJ blog|NN and|CC great|JJ info|NN .|. 
Peace|NN .|. 

Brad|NNP 14|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2010|CD at|IN 7:02|NN pm|NN 
I|PRP ,|, too|RB checked|VBD out|RP a|DT few|JJ listings|NNS for|IN under|IN $1,000|NN and|CC was|VBD absolutely|RB shocked|JJ at|IN the|DT property|NN taxes|NNS .|. 
A|DT $1,000|NN house|NN ,|, which|WDT could|MD be|VB fixed|VBN up|RP into|IN maybe|RB a|DT $|$ 30|CD -|: 40,000|CD house|NN comes|VBZ with|IN a|DT tax|NN bill|NN of|IN $|$ 4|CD -|: 6|CD K|NNP per|IN year|NN !|. 
The|DT taxes|NNS on|IN my|PRP$ $140K|NN house|NN in|IN an|DT urban|JJ area|NN of|IN Mississippi|NNP are|VBP only|RB $|$ 1500|CD /|NN year|NN .|. 
Additionally|RB ,|, even|RB if|IN you|PRP paid|VBD cash|NN for|IN the|DT house|NN ,|, you|PRP 'd|MD probably|RB want|VB to|TO carry|VB some|DT homeowner|NN 's|POS insurance|NN with|IN all|PDT the|DT inherent|JJ risks|NNS to|IN the|DT property|NN (|( arson|NN ,|, vandalism|NN )|) ,|, and|CC I|PRP 'm|VBP sure|JJ it|PRP 's|VBZ sky|NN -|: high|JJ ,|, given|VBN those|DT risks|NNS .|. 

