As If……….
The Lions 0-16 season can’t make the cover of SI, then at least one of our local writers can, Mitch Albom. Albom wrote a great story about Detroit in the current issue and used his famous writing style to engage the reader. His devious method this time was
As if
He was angry about the way the media, politicians and folks outside the Midwest treat Michigan and its residents. He wrote about the Southern senators lambasting the Big 3; Detroit inventing the auto but now autos are poison; Detroit sports that have done well and Detroit sports that have disappointed; the homeless who still have hope and still have hope the Lions will win; and that Michigan is not gum underneath the shoe.
As if
No one knew these things about Detroit and Michigan. I was working out this morning when one of the members stated that he was in Vancouver over the weekend and the weather was -25F. He went on to say how could anyone live in Vancouver with it being so cold in the winter. I replied back that’s how people in Florida think about us here in Michigan. Fact is, we are one country in which Obama will take over next week. But each region is unique and most regions really don’t care about one another.
As if
Michigan is going to truly re-innovate itself, it’s going to take more than talking about the past-it’s over, it’s done, we’ve been there-now where are we going? One of things Albom forgot to mention was all the retailers that have gone bust in Michigan. I remember Crowley’s, Harmony House, Highland Appliance, Fretter’s, Sanders, Jacobson’s, Korvette’s, Arbor (OK, they were bought out), Hudson’s, Arlan’s, Gantos, F&M, and the list goes on. With Border’s near extinction, what’s the answer for retail?
As if
2009 is going to be any better. Listen, we all want 2009 to be better but it’s going to take a seismic shift to make it happen. Last night we held our annual Celebration of Life dinner for our Kemon Owner Circle members. I spoke with salon owners who know the gritty part of running a business and being responsive to their clients needs. They are optimistic because they know something most others don’t: Working smarter, not harder, brings results. These salon owners some in the business for more than 25 years learned that Kemon and tng worldwide are responsible for their success in the fact that they were given the tools to move forward. They already had the will, the resolve and the determination.
As if
We don’t know the answer. The answer lies in leadership. I’ve said it time and time again. Mitch, I love your writing and love what you do. Perhaps it’s time for your to run for public office. Forget sports, politics is where the action is. And you will no longer have to cover the Detroit Lions.
Happy Monday!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am
People really don’t treat Michigan residents or sports teams or anything very good. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, and I was at one of my favorite bars and I was wearing a red wings t-shirt, and one of my guy friends was wearing a lions hat.. God knows I’m a huge sports fan, especially wings and lions. We made a couple friends at the bar and they did nothing but knock on Michigans economy and how Detroit sports suck.. Well, first off, Lions coach and defensive line coach sucked, we all know this. Also, if the Wings suck so bad, why did we win the stanley cup? And a week later why did we destroy the Blackhawks in the winter classic? Ugh!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am
**I meant a week later as in, a week after I met this people at the bar, not a week after winning the cup.. ha!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Way to represent, Jane!
January 13th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I think this is a must read article for everyone in Michigan. It’s was great to hear him defend my home and all the people in it. Plus he had some great words about Ford’s leadership
January 13th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I spent most of my life living in or around the Detroit area. I was raised there, graduated high school from Fowlerville High. I also have lived in Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado and California. It doesnt matter where you live. People from other regions are going to say they are better than any where else. Personally I love living in California but I dont rag on Michigan or the people in it. Detroit is taking a bunch of heat right now because of the situation with the Big 3, your ex-mayor, and oh yes…The Lions! But, dont feel like you are the only ones taking crap. I get it all the time everytime I go back to visit in Michigan. For some reason people think that every person in California walks around saying things like “Dude” or “Narley” and that we all spend our days on the beach surfing. Or that everytime you walk down the street you see Britney Spears or Mel Gibson or any other famous person. Southern California is like anyother region people wake up in the morning go to work, go home, eat dinner just like everyone else. We just get to do it in shorts and t-shirts most of the year. And just to make you folks feel a little better…in less than 2 weeks our state government is going to be completly out of money and are going to start sending I.O.U.’s to there vendors because they cant pay them ( thanks Arnold! ). Our unemployment rate is at a 25 year high just like everyone elses, foreclosures are the same as Michigan. I have always been a Michigander at heart and always will be. Pretty soon all the attention Michigan is getting will be gone because thats how todays world is. News today…forgotten tomorrow. So hang in there folks soon it will be someone elses turn to be the bad guy……And yes, I do believe the Lions will one day be in a Superbowl and not just as a host city.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I see the Lions getting there too.. hopefully we get Ron Rivera!