Many outsiders take shots at Baltimore City. I usually defend it. But I'm not blind to our issues.
For the record, here are things I can’t stand about Baltimore city:
1. Crime and murder. Yeah, it’s out of control. With the new police commissioner, much like with the Orioles, I hope the rebuild is successful, as we are still an outlier in the overall crime trend that is down in this country.
2. Jury Duty. Combination of high crime and low population, plus the fact that the city is an island unto itself, and not connected to any county that would offer up its population to form a jury pool, we as city residents are called upon like clockwork every year or two for this odious task.
3. There is no good way to get anywhere. Our roads are crap and not equipped to handle the level of traffic we get. Public transit is primitive…my foray into trying to ride the light rail to my job in the county was instructive. Basically, no person who could afford to own and drive a vehicle would give it up for a system that goes down as easily as it does around here.
4. People look down on us and we fight with people and often don’t have good arguments to refute them. I like to quote my favorite Baltimore slogan (which never caught on) Baltimore: either you get it, or you don’t. Yeah.
5. I really wish people here would vote. This could be a solid block of Democratic votes and could wield real power, if only, if only…
6. Meter maids and parking enforcement in general is a predator/prey dynamic that makes life miserable.
And another thing…why the hell are people who don’t live here so damn comfortable in condemning it? I don’t come out with broadsides against Peoria Illinois or Topeka Kansas or Knoxville. I mean, I’ve never been to any of those places. Hell, even places I’ve been to don’t get the ire that other people direct to the place where I live. Live and let live, to each his own, whatever, ya know?
Anyway, that’s what I got.
Next: In conclusion, and…what I love about this stupid place.
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