Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[Tony G]

I have a suggestion for you Detroit bashers. I'm sitting in a B&B in downtown Detroit, one block from the Detroit Art Institute! The city is clean. Lots of shops are open. People are on the street. I can't believe it. This place is beautiful with all the classic architecture from the 1930s. The downtown is BACK! Can't say that for the rest of the city but it is a start. Come on down and see for yourselves.

If you're by the DIA you are in midtown. And it's cool too

[Rob F]

At the risk of crossing the line into politics, I'll say this much and stop there: most of those who constantly bash Detroit (rather than recognize the efforts that seem to be making some positive difference) come off as racists or fascists or both. Such as Rush, for example.

Take it for what its worth.

[lineygoblue]

I can sum up my feelings about the City of Detroit fairly simply.

I wish that those who have been elected as its leaders, truly had its best interests in mind when they took the jobs.

[hodgkal]

We're with a group of 12 who decided to come down and see the city for ourselves. Today Belle Isle, the waterfront, and the Fisher Building with lunch at the Ren Cen. Then the People Mover, Greek Town, etc, etc. Nice to be retired and have time to do this stuff. Watched the game last night from a nice restaurant near the Wayne campus. Lot's of cheering. If any of you are inclined to do something like this try "The Inn at Ferry Street". Restored beautiful old mansions just off Woodward.

[Chuck Mallory]

Sounds fun hodgkal. I think most people just think of 8 mile when they think of Detroit. I love going to Tigers games down there and going to The Old Shillelagh Irish Pup afterwards!!

[Rob F]

We're with a group of 12 who decided to come down and see the city for ourselves. Today Belle Isle, the waterfront, and the Fisher Building with lunch at the Ren Cen. Then the People Mover, Greek Town, etc, etc. Nice to be retired and have time to do this stuff. Watched the game last night from a nice restaurant near the Wayne campus. Lot's of cheering. If any of you are inclined to do something like this try "The Inn at Ferry Street". Restored beautiful old mansions just off Woodward.

Next group of 12 that goes there with you is a dozen of us from the forum, right, Doc?

:-)

[-Deborah-]

We're with a group of 12 who decided to come down and see the city for ourselves. Today Belle Isle, the waterfront, and the Fisher Building with lunch at the Ren Cen. Then the People Mover, Greek Town, etc, etc. Nice to be retired and have time to do this stuff. Watched the game last night from a nice restaurant near the Wayne campus. Lot's of cheering. If any of you are inclined to do something like this try "The Inn at Ferry Street". Restored beautiful old mansions just off Woodward.

I work at the RenCen and take the People Mover frequently to venture out for lunch. I've fallen in love with downtown Detroit. And you're so right about the architecture. The buildings there are just beautiful.

[Ghengis Jon]

From the "Too bad, asshole" department...

Guy disappears after falling 25 grand in arrears for child support. After no trace for seven years, he gets declared legally dead. Wife and kids get the social security benefits. Now, at age 61, Mr Dead discovers 'Wow, I'm a loser with nothing for retirement. Not even social security cuz I'm dead.' So he shows up and says re-establish my SSN so I can get benefits. Well, this would mean neglected wife and kids very likely would have to return the death benefit payments. Judge plays the letter of the law and says 'Sorry asshole, you're still dead.'

I can't find the original article from a Northern Kentucky paper (Plains Dealer?), but here's CNN's bit:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/us/ohio-legally-dead-man/index.html?hpt=us_c2

[Tony G]

Would that make him a zombie, since he is dead and still moving?

[Ghengis Jon]

Either the Lazarus Reflex (just bury him) or perhaps he's a vampire (in need of a stake through the heart). Let his abandoned kids decide.

[hack]

Oh, it happened in Ohio? Shocking.

[entropy]

A 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson is in critical condition in a Sioux Falls, S.D. hospital, the victim of alleged abuse.

Peterson's father Nelson confirmed Friday afternoon that the child is Adrian Peterson's. In a media briefing earlier Friday, Sioux Falls police declined to confirm if the child was the running back's son.

Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, has been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant in Lincoln County for harming a 2-year-old boy who was in his care.

The child was alone in Patterson's home at Platinum Valley Apartments, where he'd recently moved with his mother. Patterson called 911 to report a choking on Wednesday evening, but Lt. Blaine Larsen of the Sioux Falls Police Department said it became clear at the hospital that the boy's injuries were not accidental.

Peterson is expected to talk this afternoon after the Vikings practice in Minneapolis.

Court records show that Patterson has a son with another Sioux Falls woman, and also show that the mother had asked for protection orders twice, claiming he'd choked and punched her, threatened her with a knife and held her in the bedroom against her will.

The mother chose not to pursue permanent protection orders were ultimately were dropped voluntarily in 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, Patterson was charged with simple assault against the mother, however, and was ordered to undergo family violence training and to stay away from her until completing it.

Patterson's child lives with his mother, who declined to comment Friday morning when reached by The Argus Leader.

Another woman applied for a protection order against Patterson in 2004 in Jackson County, where he attended high school.

Patterson is scheduled to appear in court at 11:30 a.m. in Lincoln County.

[Tony G]

deadspin has him as dead

[Tony G]

Report: Adrian Peterson's young son dies after alleged assault

By Greg Botelho and Jason Hanna, CNN
updated 8:40 PM EDT, Fri October 11, 2013


Adrian Peterson's young son dies




STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Athletes voice support, with LeBron James saying the death "makes no sense at all"
• The boyfriend of the toddler's mother is accused of assaulting the child
• St. Paul Pioneer Press: Grandfather says the child is Adrian Peterson's son
• Adrian Peterson tweets his thanks for the support he's received

(CNN) -- A 2-year-old boy who was reportedly the son of Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson died Friday of injuries he suffered after allegedly being abused, police said.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, police said Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, has been charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. If convicted on the charges, both felonies, Patterson could face up to 40 years in prison and an $80,000 fine.
Prosecutors are considering filing additional charges against Patterson in light of the boy's death, according to police.
Soon after the news came out of the boy's death, Adrian Peterson took to Twitter to express his gratitude to his family, fans and the "fraternity of brothers" in the NFL for their support.
"God Bless everyone and thank u so much," [ame="https://twitter.com/AdrianPeterson/status/388785220079464448"]he wrote[/ame].
Patterson called authorities about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday to a report that a 2-year-old was choking in his Sioux Falls apartment, police spokesman Sam Clemens said. Officers arrived to find that the toddler was unresponsive, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Authorities determined that the child had suffered injuries to his head consistent with abuse, according to Clemens. Police said Patterson, whom they described as the boyfriend of the injured child's mother, was the only other person in the residence at the time.
The suspect -- who was given suspended sentences a year ago for simple domestic assault and violation of a domestic abuse bond, both misdemeanors -- was arrested Thursday night, said Lincoln County, South Dakota, State's Attorney Tom Wollman. A judge set his bail at $750,000 cash during his initial court appearance Friday, according to Clemens.
The 2-year-old's mother is not under investigation, Clemens added.
"This is an absolute tragedy," Wollman said Friday, "and the parents and the extended family are suffering greatly."
Authorities have declined to name the child, with police saying that information is "being withheld out of respect forthe family and to give them time to make notification."
Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the injured toddler is his grandsonand Adrian's son. Nelson Peterson did not identify the boy by name except to say he was not Adrian Peterson Jr.
The 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player himself did not elaborate on what happened when addressing reporters earlier Friday, at which time the child was in critical condition.But he did acknowledge that he was dealing with "a private matter," adding that he still plans to play in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
"I will ask you all to please just respect my privacy," Peterson said.
Even if he wasn't talking, many athletes were. The Washington Redskins' [ame="https://twitter.com/RGIII/status/388741356031836160"]Robert Griffin III [/ame]and Houston Texans' defense lineman [ame="https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/388785465844711424"]J.J. Watt [/ame]were among Peterson's competitors who expressed condolences online, as well as their shock at what happened.
Among the most vocal was LeBron James, who has won the NBA's MVP award four of the past five seasons. Declaring "ol buddy will get what's coming to him!!" -- an apparent reference to the suspect -- James expressed the sorrow he felt, as a young father himself, while offering support to his friend.
"So Damn sad man!" [ame="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/388794932653080576"]the Miami Heat star tweeted[/ame]. "Makes no sense at all. Innocent kid with dreams gets taking away by a coward with no dreams at all! Smh #SickForAP."

[entropy]

Damn..