Detroit . . . What Else is New?
People talk about the criminal political machine that controls Chicago and also has very strong ties to Obama, but Detroit is every bit as corrupt. Detroit has, in my opinion, been under the control of criminals for years. Some say it goes back to Coleman Young but it could have gone back further. Political machines have been a problem in large cities for years, at least back to the days of Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, and knowing human nature, it probably goes back to the dawn of civilization.
(Boss Tweed is the fat one in an expensive suit, though Tammany Hall started years before he was born and actually had it's start as a civic organization!)
Detroit's City Council is embroiled in a scandal, which is almost its natural state of existence. Monica Conyers, the wife of Congressman John Conyers is in serious trouble for taking a bribe. The man who bribed her has already pleaded guilty and has named names.
A couple of things strike me though. First off, and most importantly, is her connection to her husband who is a congressman. It may not directly affect John Conyers but it certainly taints him. I would not be surprised to find him messed up in it somehow.
Secondly is the amount of the bribe. A billion dollar sludge contract affected by a $6000 bribe. She is considering a plea bargain. The trouble is that this is probably only the tip of the iceberg. What don't we know about?
Mayor Bing appears to be a good man, but when a criminal syndicate controls the city council it will take more than an honest mayor to clean it up.
(Boss Tweed is the fat one in an expensive suit, though Tammany Hall started years before he was born and actually had it's start as a civic organization!)
Detroit's City Council is embroiled in a scandal, which is almost its natural state of existence. Monica Conyers, the wife of Congressman John Conyers is in serious trouble for taking a bribe. The man who bribed her has already pleaded guilty and has named names.
A couple of things strike me though. First off, and most importantly, is her connection to her husband who is a congressman. It may not directly affect John Conyers but it certainly taints him. I would not be surprised to find him messed up in it somehow.
Secondly is the amount of the bribe. A billion dollar sludge contract affected by a $6000 bribe. She is considering a plea bargain. The trouble is that this is probably only the tip of the iceberg. What don't we know about?
Mayor Bing appears to be a good man, but when a criminal syndicate controls the city council it will take more than an honest mayor to clean it up.
posted by shoprat at 3:10 PM
9 Comments:
Let's see; all the current cities and states falling apart -- they'd be under mostly a Demorat spell, would they not?
Ayup.
BZ
Six large?
If a Boston politician stole that small a sum he'd be sainted.
Ducky That's what I don't understand. Risking a political career for such a petty amount.
So many political careers are risked on so little. Imagine if Clinton has resisted the urge to sexually harass Paula Jones. Imagine if Nixon had exposed and flushed the burglary mess right away.
"So are they all...all honorable men (ane women)."
She belongs in prison, she is nothing more than a thug. I read the Detroit News daily for years and have off and on for the last 30 years or so. I think Detroit is the most corrupt and inept city in the world. It is effectively the equivalant of a 3rd world country there. The busses don't run in half of the city, a good share of the street lights are out, half of the city doesn't get routine garbage pick-up, it's a joke.
funny you should use "tip of the ICEberg.." Whatever happened to William THE FREEZER Jefferson's case?
Conyers...Dem. NO PROBLEM, they'll get off.
Detroit- you used to be know as the 'Parlor City' ---then-socialist welfare-'victim-hood' took over ---
--55+++ years ago---
Now-a house may be had for $1.00---
Corruption=socialism=government control = ----I read it somewhere---OH --I KNOW---Orwell's 1984....
C-CS
BZ yeah but they'll blame it on Bush.
dmarks true.
Joe Not on the Detroit City Council
Chuck Yeah but probably won't happen.
Z sad but likely
CS Thank Coleman Young for that.
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