Metro Times - News+Views: Coulda been me

2/4/2009

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Media > Politics & Prejudices

Coulda been me

By Jack Lessenberry

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Politics & Prejudices ARCHIVES

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What I thought, when I saw the now-famous picture in The Detroit News, was that, apart from the white socks, it could have been me. The feet appeared to be about my size, and wearing the same black classic Reeboks that I wear around the house.

Could have been me, except that he was frozen solid up to his ankles in a pool of dirty water and garbage, and I was eating oatmeal in a suburban house a few miles away, about to drive to work.

I had another jolt two days later, when they thawed him out enough to identify him. Johnnie Redding not only shared my taste in shoes, we were born the same year. He was thinner and better looking than me, according to the family pictures the newspapers printed. He had a family. We differed mainly in that, sadly, Redding had a bad jones for drugs and alcohol that I've managed to avoid.

So there Johnnie was, dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft, in an abandoned ruin owned by our local billionaire, Ambassador Bridge and Urban Blight King Matty Moroun. Evidently a bunch of people knew about the body, homeless people, who saw no need to make waves or trouble for themselves by reporting it.

Finally, Charlie LeDuff, one of our town's best and most energetic reporters, heard about the body and went to look at it. According to LeDuff, he made a number of calls to 911 and the cops without success, until he finally got the Fire Department to come and find the body, which was finally removed. (The cops dispute that they dragged their heels, but do say they showed up once and were unable to find the body, which sounds just as incompetent.)

Nobody yet knew, as I wrote this, whether he fell or was pushed; whether he was rubbed out for a nickel bag of dope or slipped into the darkness all by himself some night.

Nobody may ever know just when Johnnie died, or exactly how, or whether he knew that a fellow black man had just been elected president of the United States. Nobody knows if he cared.

What I do know is that it is very likely that he isn't alone. The day before LeDuff's story appeared in print, I was at a radio station news meeting. We were discussing the 93-year-old Bay City man who had frozen to death inside his house after the city turned off his electricity for nonpayment. "Haven't there also been a lot of 'bumsicles' this year?" one veteran reporter noted.

"Bumsicle," if it isn't obvious, is newsroom slang for frozen homeless person. I think it is a frozen lead pipe cinch that there are more frozen corpses in other buildings in the ruins of Detroit. This has been a terrible winter, and there are, according to one estimate LeDuff cited, something like 19,000 homeless in the city.

The definition of "homeless" is a little dicey. (Redding's family claimed he always had a place to stay with them.) But however many are actually homeless, there are thousands more down on their luck. Some, like Johnnie Redding, may have "chosen" this lifestyle, or made bad choices that got them there. But we don't do much to give them a chance to survive, or a place to stay when it is as cold as it has been lately. Such shelters as there are boot people out at dawn and tend to make many downtrodden prefer abandoned buildings.

What appalled me about this story was the public reaction. Most of the discussion I heard involved people complaining about "that picture," the one on the front page Thursday, Jan. 30, that showed what LeDuff saw: the man's legs protruding from the ice.

Running that picture was a public service, and the newspaper should get some kind of an award for it. This is reality, people; time to wake up and smell your society rotting. We've been living, most of us, in a world that has allowed us to mostly insulate ourselves from reality.

No money? Get another credit card. Borrow from the Chinese. Borrow from the future. Party like it was 1999, when Ford was throwing billions away buying companies like Land Rover and Jaguar, and General Motors actually was still making money.

By the way, they recently discovered another man you should know about, a man in a very different block of ice. His name is John Thain, and he is about three years younger than Johnnie Redding. Unfortunately, Thain is still sucking air. Here's what he did: He was the former chairman of Merrill Lynch, the financial firm that had to merge with Bank of America last fall when the Wall Street crisis hit.

Thain, who had been chairman less than a year before his firm went belly-up, hid billions in losses from his new employer. However, he did find more than a million bucks of the company's money to redecorate his office, decorations which included a $35,000 "toilet." Then, when the federal bailout money started pouring in, he dispensed billions — billions — in bonuses to his friends and cronies in December, even though his new employer was having financial troubles, and millions of ordinary humans were losing their jobs.

Thain could get away with that, because Merrill Lynch was still technically an independent company till January. Thain had aroused suspicion among his new bosses at Bank of America, however, by showing up on Dec. 8 and demanding a $10 million bonus. (Merrill Lynch paid him $83 million in 2007, by the way.) When B of A found out the truth last month, they made the extremely poor decision to allow the bastard to resign, instead of firing him and having security frog-march him out of there.

What everyone needs to do, when they think about the Wall Street bailouts, and those who defend them, is to think about John Thain. The day may be coming when a lot of people considerably more respectable than Johnnie Redding are going to be ready to take the John Thains of this country to an abandoned elevator shaft of their own. And if so, these scum will have only themselves to blame.

News flash: Unemployed man gets job! Ken Hreha, a 51-year-old house painter from Dryden, went back to school later in life and got a degree in journalism from Oakland University. He then set out on a quest to get a job in his field. He got absolutely nowhere, though he did help the postal service by mailing hordes of applications. Finally, he gave that up, and for the last few years has been trying to get some kind, any kind of professional job.

He has applied everywhere, deluged everyone from Gov. Jennifer Granholm to me with letters, without success. Last year, he says he made a grand total of $12,000. "I haven't worked since early October," he wrote the governor Jan. 18. "I have no unemployment compensation, suspended by Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage because I cannot afford the premium. It's very difficult these days."

Then, last week, his luck changed. He got a job in one of Michigan's few growth industries. "I was offered the position of unemployment examiner, which I cheerfully accepted," he told me. "I'm just so happy that I will be able to put my Oakland University degree to its fullest and best use serving the public interest." Here's betting he won't run out of work anytime soon.

Jack Lessenberry opines weekly for Metro Times. Contact him at letters@metrotimes.com.

Comments

On 2/4/2009 8:44:04 AM, JLCGULL said:

Forget about Thain for a minute. What about our elected representatives who rolled over and voted for the bailout of financial institutions with virtually no stipulations as to how the bailout money would be spent? It's a ripoff of the American taxpayers of monumental proportions.

On 2/4/2009 9:49:13 AM, Thrasher said:

According to the ethics and morality of Jack it was a public service that the DN performed by publishing the photo of a human being frozen in ice. It must be nice being a white 2nd rate hack pundit eating oatmeal at your safe little home in suburbia validating the depravity and inhumanity of a has been newspaper reduced to a sales model of sleaze and voyeur teases to stay a float. It is also revaling how Jack gives another 2nd rate reporter( must be a dna connection)LeDuff a high five for his pulp fiction treatment of this tragic tale. I recall Leduff was the slug reporter during the Obama love fest in DC he went out of his way to write a story about a young black kid on the streets in Baltimore who was not interested in the Obama celebration LeDuff then when to demonize all young Black youth across the country.. Dehumanizing photos of human beings,pulp fiction 3rd rate reporting by hacks like Jack & Charlie please hurry up Sunshine the cold winters of Detroit are killing my spirit..

On 2/4/2009 1:43:30 PM, Mary said:

Please, people! If you don't like reality, then why on earth are you reading the newspaper?! I agree with Jack; printing that photo is the right thing to do. They're reporting the news. And everyone should know about the horrible things that happen in this world, and especially about the horrible things happening in our own neighborhood or state.

On 2/4/2009 2:01:22 PM, JG1958 said:

And once again, a couple of ignoramus comments prove Jack's point.

On 2/4/2009 2:37:18 PM, Thrasher said:

When people lack talent and skills to articulate in words the horrors of the world or the essence of what is beautiful in the world shallow 2nd rate folks like those working at the DN insert pictures and pulp commentary primarily because they lack the depth and skills to write about these truths..

On 2/5/2009 2:36:58 PM, Mr. Anonymous said:

The 93 year-old man in Bay City had, as I now understand it, an estate worth $600,000 and had his utility payment, in cash, siting at home on his kitchen table. So why did he not pay his utility bill? Was he just a crazy, angry old man? Are the utility companies supposed to be social workers? Are we regular rate-payers supposed to pay more for crazy old deadbeats? The "bumsickle" had a safe place to go with his family if he wanted. Is it our fault he didn't go there? These stories are odd; they are seemingly rare, and are unexplainable in terms of governmental function. But what the hell -- are we supposed to decide matters of important public policy based on the oddball behavior of a few people?

On 2/6/2009 9:13:33 AM, Thrasher said:

Journalism sucks here in the 'D" we get photos instead of well written discourse...We get photos of dead Black folks bumsicles none of old white bumsickles...

On 2/6/2009 3:29:29 PM, Doc d20 said:

Mr. A asks: "But what the hell -- are we supposed to decide matters of important public policy based on the oddball behavior of a few people?" Certainly! How do you think this whole "gay rights" thing got started?

On 2/6/2009 3:48:21 PM, Bill Holdship said:

>>>How do you think this whole "gay rights" thing got started? You're an idiot.

On 2/9/2009 11:15:46 AM, Doc d20 said:

**This comment was removed for violating our posting policy.**

On 2/9/2009 12:27:40 PM, Bill Holdship said:

Actually, Doc d20, I'm very heterosexual, as it turns out. But perhaps you should ask yourself this: "What is it about gay people that makes me feel so threatened and uncomfortable?" And then look up the word "latent."

On 2/9/2009 1:42:01 PM, Doc d20 said:

Ah... The tired, old hint-that-he-might-be-gay rebuttal. So, you agree on the use of homosexual labeling as perjoratives? Come on, Bill! Are you down for the cause or not?

On 2/9/2009 1:46:56 PM, Doc d20 said:

Moreover, I postulate that the existence of a "community" that harbors a statistically overwhelming incidence of communicable diseases (HIV, AIDS, the Hepatitis alphabet, syphilis, anal cancer, and intestinal parasites) is threatening and uncomfortable to America at-large.

On 2/9/2009 4:30:16 PM, Bill Holdship said:

Goodness. For someone who regularly comes on here to tell us all -- under a pseudonym yet -- what a great "critical thinker" he is, you have a hard time "getting it" sometimes. My suggestion wasn't a perjorative against being gay whatsoever. I've had gay friends my entire life; many of my mother's best friends were gay when I was growing up, since mom was director of theater and it went with the territory. Even though I'm not gay, I've never felt the least bit threatened by someone who is gay. So I repeat the question to you, quite seriously and without the slightest trace of irony: Why do you feel so threatened by gay people to the point that you have to equate bestiality with being gay? Something inside of your mind, unconscious or not, has to account for all that hate and fear, no?

On 2/9/2009 5:02:37 PM, Doc d20 said:

To all the people who are here regularly (according to Bill), indulge me in a teachable moment (a lesson from me, to you, free of charge). Ad hominem--literally, "at the man": Attack the person in an attempt to deflect attention from his argument ("--under a pseudonym yet--"). I called Bill out on the use of perjorative homosexual labeling ("latent"); he's been check-mated, and denial is now his lone recourse ("My suggestion wasn't..."). Moreover, Bill insults the intelligence of the reader, who only has to scroll up, read his words, apply context, and determine his intent (unless 'ol Billy can pull some strings and get this whole comment thread censored/deleted). The whole is dug deeper by pandering ("I have friends! I LOOOOOVE "). And lastly, a vain attempt to knock the ball back into my court when indeed the ball is firmly lodged within the fence behind him ("I repeat the question..."). Bill, you clearly have no response in the face of my answer above. I've already set your straw man on fire, and your cowardly "hate" and "fear" labels aren't sticking. In short, you're an intellectual midget with a blog. You (and Jack, for that matter) should be glad that I'm attracting any sort of audience to this electronic dirt-sheet.

On 2/9/2009 6:02:48 PM, Bill Holdship said:

You've never answered the question. Again, I ask: Why are you so threatned by gay people? Anwer it or don't.

On 2/10/2009 8:28:06 AM, Doc d20 said:

See the 2/9 13:46 comment, dummy.

On 2/10/2009 9:21:09 AM, Doc d20 said:

Your turn, counselor: Why do YOU have such a love for teh cawk?

On 2/10/2009 6:47:18 PM, Thrasher said:

WOW...Interesting for a change race is not the trigger point and white guys are mixing it up...Interesting..

On 2/11/2009 1:59:15 PM, zachtheguy said:

Doc d20: I just stumbled on your conversation with Bill. Indeed, communicable diseases have been a problem for the gay community (although I don't ever recall Hepatitis W in any "hepatitis alphabet," nor do I ever recall a problem with communicable intestinal parasites during the AIDS scare in the 80's) You stated that your only problem with gays was the fact that they "harbor" communicable diseases. Since I know they aren't "harboring" them on purpose it must just be that you don't like communicable diseases and therefore people that communicate them in above average numbers. That must mean you don't like children who spread the flu. It also must mean you don't like birds who spread avian flu. You probably don't like strawberries that are contaminated with E. Coli. Following this logic, it must be prudent to hate all smokers who spread second hand smoke and lung disease around bars. While not communicable like AIDS or HIV, the disease can be spread through communities that "harbor" smokers. We should shut down all restaurants, bars, parking lots, back rooms, and anywhere else smoking takes place. Lung disease "harborers" must be hated! Do you see where this logic is going? I understand your disdain for communicable diseases that kill, but if the gay community is not trying to communicate disease, nor do they want to communicate disease, how can you hate the people themselves? Secondly, and more to Bill's original point that you might have some latency issues, I am pretty sure that AIDS, HIV, the "Hepatitis alphabet", syphillis, and other diseases that plague the gay community are all transmitted via blood, semen, or other bodily fluid. How could that possibly effect a heterosexual male? The heterosexual male would not have sexual contact with a homosexual male, right? The heterosexual male would likely have a female sexual partner who would not be having homosexual relations with a homosexual, right? How could a disease such as AIDS possibly be spread from a homosexual male to a heterosexual male without sexual intercourse or exposure to bodily fluid? And, my friend, if you think that only gay people can give you AIDS from exposure to bodily fluid, you have some reading to do...AIDS exists EVERYWHERE and in EVERY type of person. I suggest you focus more on making this argument more humanized and less like the State finals of your esteemed debate career.

On 2/11/2009 2:50:21 PM, Doc d20 said:

zachtheguy, you started off well, but ultimately, your "logic" stinks. If there is a greater incidence of a given disease among a population, then there is almost certainly a greater chance of ANYBODY contracting the same disease. True, AIDS, HIV, Hep, et al are most commonly transfered by sexual behavior. If it stopped there, then I'd have no problem; I can control my own actions. But, there's plenty of history with contaminated blood supply, accidental needle sticks, etc. Thus, the threat extends beyond their deviant sexual perversions, and into my world. Interestingly, behavorial control works wonders against the flu (personal hygiene), bacterial infection (sanitary food preparation techniques), and chronic illness (not patronizing the smoke-filled bar). At one point, Bill had his finger on the subject (a threat), but the two of you just can't drop the liberal dogma playbook, can you? (A simple Ctrl-F string search shows who brought "hate" into this. If anything, I'd be literally correct in saying that you and Bill are full of "hate"--at least, your comments are.) Again, I direct the ever-dwindling MT readership's attention to the tired, old strategy that zach & Bill are hoping the Supreme Court will one day sanction: 1. Identify dissent. 2. Label it "hate speech." 3. Get it censored. You leftist, commie heap of pig offal. Lastly, doofus, Bill didn't have a point about latency. He was talking out of both sides of his mouth: Fighting the good, honorable fight for "gay rights" while simultaneously suggesting latent homosexuality as some kind of grade-school perjorative dig (like "cooties").

On 2/11/2009 3:39:05 PM, Bill Holdship said:

It's obvious to anyone with a brain that I did no such thing, you educated "man of science," you. But despite your numerous protestations to the contrary (that is, "I had better critical thinking than my liberal profs at Wayne State did"), your logic and critical thinking are extremely flawed and lacking. That should be apparent to anyone who reads your numerous rants on this site.

On 2/11/2009 3:57:23 PM, Doc d20 said:

Bill, rather than take your word that "it's obvious," all MT readers have to do is SCROLL UP, and read your previous comments. You've potentially insulted anybody who would rather read and decide for themselves (and perchance--gasp!--AGREE with me) as not having a brain. You've been reduced to talking in circles ("I'm right, you're wrong. I'm right, you're wrong.") without strengthening any of your arguments. Though, it is good to see that you've taken the initiative of preserving my comments for personal study material ("man of science" I must've written that, what?, before Christmas?). That, or you're frantically wishing for Obama to create a Thought Police branch of the FBI, so you'll have plenty of evidence to turn me in, citizen. Either way, it's a redeeming quality that you recognize the value of what I provide (gratis) to the electronic wing of this pseudo-journalistic tripe (except for Detroitblogger John--that guy writes some really good human interest pieces!).

On 2/11/2009 4:16:03 PM, Bill Holdship said:

>>>the value of what I provide<<< I've always been a big fan of absurdist comedy, intentional or not.

On 2/11/2009 8:58:24 PM, Thrasher said:

I think I am at a point the only reason to log onto this site is to read Doc's posts..I find them most interesting and I enjoy them his politics are his own but I do enjoy his banter..he should like me be writing for MT..lol,lol,lol

On 2/12/2009 10:26:06 AM, zachtheguy said:

Doc: Let me get this straight...you are worried that because the gay community "harbors" communicable diseases that you are going to get AIDS from a blood transfusion? or some gay guy, crazy because he's rabid with hepatitis Q is going to stick you with a needle in the park? I mean, that is a legitimate concern. There is history of it happening. But, you seriously are going to live your life based on the fractional chance that tragedy may strike? If you fear or dislike the gay community because there is the rare chance that you will get AIDS from a blood transfusion, then you must live in daily fear that a meteor will crash on earth and destroy all living things. You probably also go out of the house in the morning cowering in fear that you will be stolen from your home and made into a zombie, sold into slavery, and live the rest of your life laboring with other zombies in some camp. I mean, "there's plenty of history" to support those possibilities. I really wonder how many blood donors were AIDS infected gays versus blood donors who were IV drug addicts who donated their plasma for $40 and another day of getting high. Hmmm...which makes more sense to you? Also, I know you aren't a hypocrite so let's try and keep the argument to the point and less ad hominem attacks. I mean, all a reader has to do is "SCROLL UP" and see your wonderful definition and your disdain for anyone who engages in such desperate tactics.