Video seems interesting, but literally a minute after I opened this article two black vans parked at the end of my driveway. Spooky, huh? Omigod now there's a bunch of guys rushing up my driveway BAMM!! There goes my front door NO!! I'M JUST READING BUFFALO RISING! NO!!! I'M NOT FROM LACKAWANNA!! HEY GET AWAY GET A
I just popped some popcorn so I can sit and watch this thread about Al Jazeera blow up before my eyes...
Actually it seems rather well rounded about the good the bad and the ugly of our economy.
I'd find it hard to argue with anything in this. Probably more informative than watching a years worth of local news coverage. The one thing that is missing, but it's missing from almost all coverage of our economic problems, is that we are still suffering the fallout of 9/11. We tinkered with interest rates to pull us through, which had the desired effect, but the unintended devaluning of our dollar, and the subsequent problems in the financial markets (due to the problems in housing).
Why would they address the fallout from 9/11? Seems inside usa is an outlet for them. Review the other videos from Aljazeera and the reporter.
I think the video was dead on. Would have been nice to have SOME positivity to it, but overall it was pretty accurate. Depressing, but accurate. lol I'm glad they took the mayor to task too...
These community activist types kill me....what we need is more unions for the DPW workers, and higher taxes so that we may provide for those less fortunate! After all, poverty is not an individual problem!
when will we learn?
The reporter mentioned once that Buffalo missed the U.S. economic boom of the 1990s, but otherwise time and again kept trying to express Buffalo's plight as being largely driven by the current national economic slowdown. That's very misleading, but fit the theme he apparently wanted.
Making a big deal about 17 million of demolition spending counting toward the supposed 4.5 billion of development was as lame this time as when Donn Esmonde first complained. I realize math is hard as the Barbie doll said, but can't people grasp that 17M is much less than even 1% of 4.5B ? The real b.s. aspects of the mayor $4.5B claim was how big a portion was government construction rather than private sector economic development. But implying private sector growth is in any way better than government spending might not fit this guy's agenda, so he chose to look at that one less than half of 1% to complain about, the $17M.
Another thing that would've added balance would be to include a couple interviews with people having more centrist pro-business perspectives about Buffalo's economic problems, rather than as he did to keep the focus on views from the left. Why did Buffalo miss out on so much of the U.S. economic growth in the 1990s, mid-2000s, even in the 1980s? Might have been worth a minute or two.
Ike,
The C.E.J. Campaign had nothing to do with unions, and much more to do with making sure that people with full time jobs can,
um,
I don't know, EAT, and PAY RENT.
(buffalo has had a living wage law on the books for years, they just wanted to make sure it was enforced)
Poverty isn't necessarily an individuals problem. If you did everything right and work for a company which leaves the area or shuts down because of some stupid trade deal, what is that person going to do; take a job for less money, relocate, or um.......hope and pray to find another one. Either way they are economically worse off. 0 income = poverty. Being from buffalo you should know that.
I'm glad your life has gone so well, but for every one else...
The 2nd poorest city in the nation title which buffalo owns is a bit skewed. that's because other cities around the country have incorporated their suburbs which has driven up the median family income which the study was based on. if buffalo incorporated the suburbs, we would be an average American city, not the 2nd poorest as the rest of the country believes.
No mention of the UB 2020 or the rapid development at the Medical Campus? That's our most promising economic development, not debt collections.
see i think theres a lot of truth to what was said...but at the same time i feel like its unfair to pin it on buffalo. Using buffalo as an example is classic bc we get so much crap from the whole country. But this is going on and has been going on all over the country. For the 1st time in as long as i can remember buffalo finally seems like it may be BEGINNING to get their stuff together and get a lot better, pretty quickly. There was no talk about new era coming in or labatts US headquarters moving to buffalo or any of the other new construction. Granted, this piece focused on the individial stuggles of people. But much liek they said, "poverty isnt an individual problem," thus the resolution to the poverty stricken buffalo icant be found by individual actions. Its gonna take community work and that is going to have to begin with businness that can bring in jobs and new people to buffalo. Maybe i get blinded by the development i hear about on BRO and i know that there is a lot of people still suffering. But can we say little to NOTHING has changed in buffalo or is going to change when we compare the buffalo of 1990 and the buffalo of today or 2015? i hope not, and i genuinely dont think we can
I was saddened the report didn't mention the successes mentioned in other posts as well as Ellicott Street (the IS lofts, etc.), the Dulski Bldg. the Babeville (although I hate that name), etc. etc. There is a good bit going on. Having said that - I agree the poverty in the area is a big issue. The report did nothing to BALANCE the economic crisis with growth in the area. It would have been nice to juxtapose the sanitation guy with an individual, family, and/or couple in the city who are doing WELL economically due to its neighborhoods and low cost of living.
I thought the video had some valid points, but overall it was a piece of sloppy, incoherent journalism. The reporter didn't seem to have a solid grasp of American economic trends nor did he interview people who would be a credible authority on this topic.
Those "social justice" activists are well meaning but tend to not understand basic economics very well, such issues to them are usually filtered through quasi-Marxist rhetoric and cliches. The activists were right in that poverty is more a byproduct of societal trends rather than mere individual defects, but they made a poor source for insight into Buffalo's deep-rooted economic problems.
On the subject of the national and global economy, Ironically Buffalo has gone largely unscathed by the recent mortgage debacle and resulting recession. Our problems have more to do with the rapid de-industrialization and globalization of the past 50 years rather than all the shit now hitting the fan across the nation's overgrown "bubble" regions.
With that said, the fundamentals of economics needs to be a mandatory course in all high schools and college degree programs. Journalists who don't understand economics are too prone to producing misleading stories on these topics.
I know that some of you think, thanks to the "War on Terror," that Al Jazeera is some US hating bunch of terrorists but it is actually a legitimate news organization like CNN, SkyNews or BBC.
It would have been nice to see a more positive spin but on the whole this seemed pretty balanced to me. I was most impressed that they used location shots that actually managed to make the downtown and waterfront look pretty nice and vibrant. There was no stock snow footage. I am sure that CNN, doing the same story, would have slipped some in. It is too bad that they didn't talk more about the medical campus or downtown housing but this didn't come off as some puff piece marketing effort.
I was least impressed by the local activists. The comments on collections jobs were off base. No matter how distatseful the collections business these are good paying jobs that provide opportunities for employment.
I found the video a bit one-sided in the interviews and comments, but it was right on none the less. The little bits of development is barely worthy of note when compared to the much larger problems that plague our area. The few commercial and residential developments that have gone up are akin to a cancer patient going through a week of remission after struggling with the disease for a decade. It is worthy of celebration and optimism, but it is far from a major turn for the better.
There are so many convenient and less obvious parties to blame for our downfall, but there is no single factor for our decline. There will be no single factor that brings us back either.
I know that some of you think, thanks to the "War on Terror," that Al Jazeera is some US hating bunch of terrorists but it is actually a legitimate news organization like CNN, SkyNews or BBC.
It would have been nice to see a more positive spin but on the whole this seemed pretty balanced to me. I was most impressed that they used location shots that actually managed to make the downtown and waterfront look pretty nice and vibrant. There was no stock snow footage. I am sure that CNN, doing the same story, would have slipped some in. It is too bad that they didn't talk more about the medical campus or downtown housing but this didn't come off as some puff piece marketing effort.
I was least impressed by the local activists. The comments on collections jobs were off base. No matter how distatseful the collections business these are good paying jobs that provide opportunities for employment.
I like how these poor East Siders supposedly can't even afford food but the garbageman is worried about his cable bill, and the woman moving in with her adult sons who have a Rock Band drum set in their corner....that's a $170 game. Give me a break! It is an individual problem!! Darwin needs to weed them out but we keep propping them up.
EXACTLY TIBURON1724!
I mean, those people deserve the dreariest existence possible! im glad somebody said it. they should take whatever crumbs fall to them and like it!
next thing you know, they turn their noses up at plates of beans and spoiled potatoes that untouchables should be having for dinner every nite. quickly, we must drive them back to their shanties! back, peasants, back!
Toni,
Your insight and use of statistics to make a clear and informed point regarding the budgeting practices of the poor in America demonstrates your thoughtful understanding of consumerism and its impact on the working poor.
bravo!
i just love the hypocrisy and ignorance of these kinds of comments.
at no time do any of the individuals mentioned state that they are on the dole. the guy works as a full time garbage man and as an ump with kids. im sure you would turn your snobby nose up at that work and salary. the man cant pay a little bit to get cable without asses here judging him?
or the lady moving in with her kids so SHE can save money. if her sons (not her) want to spend money on games over a bigger place, thats their choice.
if you blow $2.50 a day on a latte when that money could be spent paying down your mortgage - thats your business. maybe you should post it on BRO so we can put you before Pontias Pilate for your budgeting inadequacies.
This video is sooo depressing.If this video doesn't make you want to move than what will? I now feel like I live loser town with a bunch of losers. We have a terrible national image. Change the marketing program here Brown, get with the times.
I know the economy is bad here, but its nowhere near this bad.
Mayor Brown needs to stop telling everyone that Buffalo is "booming" ; it is not and he ruins his credibility as mayor.
Yes we have some projects in the works that were planted years ago, but we are far from booming.
There is no city in the world where you couldn't have story just like this. It's a snippet of what any city is all about. We should hold the mayor accountable, but don't be so harsh as to try to break his spirit. I know he does love this city. You only have to observe him with children to see that. He is committed to trying to make a city they can feel proud of. It's a huge overwhelming job and any mayor is only going to be able to get as much done as one person can do within the constraints of the local, state, and federal governments. I think people expect too much of individuals in office. Our focus, I believe, should be on getting together as one very loud voice and pressure to get them all to work together to accomplish specific goals we put together as a community. Seems to me we should put our own agendas in our own hands to solve, as the community of the Elmwood Village so splendidly did. Just cause you're poor, doesn't mean you can't clean up your neighborhood, motivate others to help and turn the consciousness of it's people into one of a more positive, productive, contributing nature. There are plenty trying to do just that. This all takes time and hearts that just won't give up and minds that refuse to look down or back.
Take it for what it’s worth, and I’m sure many will attack the source as being al Jazeera, and a glance at the show’s website reveals that it’s generally a very critical show that selects topics that reveal America at its ugliest.
they make it seem as if poverty is somthing unique to buffalo. this could be any other city in north america. where is this broadcasted anyways? i've never even heard of this network
Al Jazeera is a cable news network broadcast heavily in the Middle East though I have also found it in European hotels and on some US satellite and cable networks.
>>ChazBrown Yesterday, 12:02Take it for what it’s worth, and I’m sure many will attack the source as being al Jazeera, and a glance at the show’s website reveals that it’s generally a very critical show that selects topics that reveal America at its ugliest.
//ChazBrown Yesterday, 12:02Take it for what it’s worth, and I’m sure many will attack the source as being al Jazeera, and a glance at the show’s website reveals that it’s generally a very critical show that selects topics that reveal America at its ugliest.//
America must frustrate the heck out of Al Jazeera by disarming their shock value with our own self deprecating free press.
It is interesting how Al Jezzera's anti-American reporting is almost indistinguishable from our major media's "unbiased" jounalism.
I also find it interesting that so many bloggers (that I know on other sites) constantly announce proudly that they won't watch a FOX News story (unless it is suggested by Media Matters), are open minded and not at all self-conscious about watching Al Jazeera.
Social Activist Types? If you couldn't tell by looking at this video, our public officials are failing us. They lack the foresight, the courage, and the independence to do what is necessary to turn out city around. These activists are educating people from the ground up...recognizing that enough is enough and we cannot keep putting our trust in certain elected officials year after year only to be disappointed. They are talking to the folks that electeds should be talking to-their constituents.
I don't understand why there is an automatic shift to Marxism when individuals are dedicating their professional life to eradicating poverty byt dealing with the systemic issues, rather than pouring public money into temporary band aids.
And as for the individuals that had more expensive games or cable....I don't know, try living in poverty, try seeing the world through the eyes of someone that can barely make ends meet, and see if maybe you need a release, or a way to lose yourself...
As for not knowing anything about economics...that's crap. Just because you view activist work to be on the left or subversive or whatever does not mean that the folks that are doing it are uneducated. These individuals helped write city policy, worked closely with electeds, community members, faith leaders etc. They studied the citys budget and realized that in fact there is money that can be invested in some of our lowest paying jobs...and while it costs the city money, it would either way....remember that just because you are not paying individuals a wage that lifts them out of poverty, doesn't mean you don't end up paying for it... welfare, medicaid....our tax dollars pay for that. A lot of the folks in the video and their affiliates have done more than city officials have been able to do and are shaking things up...giving people hope, and literally having a deep impact on the city and its direction.
It's not about labor....I love that immediately when there is demand to alter the systems that perpetuate poverty, labor is brought into it....it's about people struggling every single day to make it....and it's not a sob story and we shouldn't feel sorry for them...but these social activisty types have figured out ways to change that....
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