What Greensboro wants for its 200th birthday
First off, I want to thank everybody for my 200th birthday. So far, it's been really good because you've given me nice things over the years, like a baseball stadium, a downtown park and a new-looking Southside. And I thought the downtown roundabout was so awesome, but I didn't know it came with a statue!
Now that I'm a big boy I've been thinking a lot ... like about the Dell factory I wanted so badly. It's OK I didn't get it.
Now I think I should ask for grown-up presents because that's what I want to be. I think I need an urban growth plan and better zoning laws. I think I need sidewalks and good public transportation and your help, 'cause when I try to do it myself, I make a big mess. I want a civil rights museum, too, because a really long time ago, when I was little, I thought stuff like slavery, segregation, disenfranchisement, ignorance and poverty were good because that's what all my other city friends were doing. When I was a baby I did baby stuff, but now that I'm a big boy you don't have to give me baby presents anymore.
Andrew Young
Greensboro
Comments (8)
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Now that you are 200 years old, a big boy as you say, you should be capable of going out into the world, getting your own job, and raising your own money to purchase a museum instead of relying on mommy and daddy to buy it for you.
One more suggestion: your uncles Skip and Earl, whom you relied upon to help you get your museum, are not looking out for your best interests. Dump them.
Posted on April 2, 2008 5:08 AM
As long as hyperbole rules the day...
Get your butt off the couch, clean your room and go find a job.
You've been living off the fat of the land for so long, you no longer have the will or ability to fend for yourself.
You keep growing and growing with no thought of how you are going to take care of yourself.
Posted on April 2, 2008 6:58 AM
Seems like just the other day I stood on Elm Street and watched the parade for your 150th Birthday.
I would think by now you would be old enough to get a job and buy your own musuem if you want it so bad.
I guess we must have spoiled you as you still expect unlimited presents forever.
We must practice tough love, sorry but it's for your own good.
Posted on April 2, 2008 9:27 AM
Does not this letter capture perfectly the infantile nature of governmental gimme-ism?
Posted on April 2, 2008 12:09 PM
"I want a civil rights museum"
And not just ANY civil rights museum but an INTERNATIONAL civil rights museum.
Cause you surely can't be satisifed by the NATIONAL civil rights museum in Memphis.
Not when somebody else is paying for it, anyway.
Posted on April 2, 2008 4:45 PM
Great responses, you all.
Posted on April 2, 2008 6:36 PM
"Tim Lawrence"...the newest creation of our old friend. You can whitewash the outhouse, but the stink's still in there.
Posted on April 3, 2008 1:51 PM
The easiest way out of hard decision-making is to "pass" when it comes time to do something. Greensboro citizens have found an even better way to avoid thinking -- have private citizens' groups or the business sector pay for its amenities.
Would they like a baseball stadium? Well then, have a private group fund it and figure it out. A downtown park? Let some businesses pay for it, or a citizen's group. Let those who agree with a project pay for it and those who do not be excused. Let those who have school age kids pay for local schools. Let those who drive cars pay for the roads and their maintenance. Let those who city parks, police, and water pay, and let those who don't use, want, or who disagree with these not pay.
Young people and professionals continue to leave the area at alarming rates since 1990. If we are not ready to pay for the things that make city life worth living other cities are, and they are happy to have our young people, too. As a homeowner and taxpayer looking after my own interests and private concerns, I hate paying city, county, and state taxes. As a citizen, though, I know my obligations extend beyond self-interest.
Posted on April 3, 2008 6:14 PM