I grew up in Baltimore.

It wasn't long ago (right up to when Trump had his outburst) that people in Baltimore used to be "proud" of the rats because there were rat themed bumper stickers and even artwork at Artfest. It was self-depreciation humor, of course.

I'm wise enough to know the furor over Trump's outburst is because Trump said those words, not because of what Baltimore is really like. I know there are great areas of Baltimore because I grew up in Roland Park. I know one can have a great life in Baltimore because I know many people who do. But Trump is also right - outside those specific areas the city is a crime infested wasteland and run by dysfunctional politicians for the past 40 years and the state and feds have poured billions into Baltimore with little to show for it. All the wonderful redevelopment was done with private money and private initiatives. It's easy to understand why many people have wiped their hands of Baltimore and want little to do with it.

I don't like Trump badmouthing Baltimore, no more than Hillary's basket of deplorables or Obama's guns and bibles. But let's not make the mistake of using Trump to somehow excuse the deep problems of Baltimore and that it occurred predominately under the Democrats' watch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have lived in DC my entire life and travel all over the world. I have been robbed twice - both times in Baltimore. Trump is a POS and an awful human, but let's not pretend Baltimore doesn't have some serious issues to deal with....

I lived in Baltimore for 6 years and was robbed zero times. There, now we have two anecdotes.

Also, I haven't noticed anybody objecting to the tweets on grounds that Baltimore is a problem-free utopia.

I lived in Baltimore for 10 years in Charles Village and my house was never broken into. I worked at Hopkins Hospital in a bad neighborhood and wasn't robbed there. I did have my car broken into once and also was teed by someone running a red light.

My good friend has lived in DC for just over 15 years. He's had his car broken into three times. One of those times, the car was stolen and recovered about 2 weeks later trashed. And his house has been broken into.

Now we have three anecdotes. DC isn't looking so superior from anecdotal evidence.

Whether or not Baltimore has challenges (and it does), this polemic by the president was obviously political motivated, and our governor's refusal to defend the largest city in his state was also politically motivated.

In both cases, we deserve better from our elected officials.

Anonymous wrote:

I have lived in DC my entire life and travel all over the world. I have been robbed twice - both times in Baltimore. Trump is a POS and an awful human, but let's not pretend Baltimore doesn't have some serious issues to deal with....

I lived in Baltimore for 6 years and was robbed zero times. There, now we have two anecdotes.

Also, I haven't noticed anybody objecting to the tweets on grounds that Baltimore is a problem-free utopia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore is a scandalous mess, we all agree on that.

We also agree that Trump lashes out childishly, and often below the belt, at people who examine his supposed misdeeds or voice criticism of his incredibly incompetent and divisive presidency.

He does not have the poise and self-control of a President and the fact that some people like that is extremely disturbing.

I don't agree that Baltimore is a scandalous mess. It's in no worse shape than many red state areas--Trump just likes to attack people of color who would never vote for him.

Aren't you actually agreeing with the point, though? Many of those red state areas are scandalous messes, as well.

Your final point is absolutely incontrovertible, though.

Many many areas of the United States have a problem with gun violence, even some garlic festivals in the San Francisco area. That doesn't make Baltimore an outlier as a "scandalous mess." I personally like Baltimore a lot and go there regularly from DC for tourism, specialist medical care and good food.

A few years ago wife and I did a quick trip to Baltimore, stayed at a hotel that used to be a train station or something like that (Kimpton ?) and walked to Little Italy for dinner. About the scariest walk we've ever had - lots of young people just staring at us. We Ubered back home - just didn't feel safe and realized we didn't know the area we were walking thorough well enough.

I have lived in DC my entire life and travel all over the world. I have been robbed twice - both times in Baltimore. Trump is a POS and an awful human, but let's not pretend Baltimore doesn't have some serious issues to deal with....

There have been people robbed in DC. No one said Baltimore is perfect, but Trump has a habit of calling out cities where minorities are dominant--that's because he's a racist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore is a scandalous mess, we all agree on that.

We also agree that Trump lashes out childishly, and often below the belt, at people who examine his supposed misdeeds or voice criticism of his incredibly incompetent and divisive presidency.

He does not have the poise and self-control of a President and the fact that some people like that is extremely disturbing.

I don't agree that Baltimore is a scandalous mess. It's in no worse shape than many red state areas--Trump just likes to attack people of color who would never vote for him.

Aren't you actually agreeing with the point, though? Many of those red state areas are scandalous messes, as well.

Your final point is absolutely incontrovertible, though.

Many many areas of the United States have a problem with gun violence, even some garlic festivals in the San Francisco area. That doesn't make Baltimore an outlier as a "scandalous mess." I personally like Baltimore a lot and go there regularly from DC for tourism, specialist medical care and good food.

A few years ago wife and I did a quick trip to Baltimore, stayed at a hotel that used to be a train station or something like that (Kimpton ?) and walked to Little Italy for dinner. About the scariest walk we've ever had - lots of young people just staring at us. We Ubered back home - just didn't feel safe and realized we didn't know the area we were walking thorough well enough.

I have lived in DC my entire life and travel all over the world. I have been robbed twice - both times in Baltimore. Trump is a POS and an awful human, but let's not pretend Baltimore doesn't have some serious issues to deal with....

Anonymous wrote:This is my favorite Baltimore story. The inmate running the prison and fathering children with 4 different guards. The only reason it ended is because the female guards had a cat fight over this amazing father of their children!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.baltimoresun.com/news/investigations/bs-md-sun-investigates-jail-20150711-story.html%3foutputType=amp

How very off topic of you. Should we bring up that Trump has fathered children with 3 different women and that two of his wives had a cat fight documented by the press on an Aspen ski slope. Or is that ok because he's white?

I think everyone can agree that Trump didn't call Baltimore out for selfless reasons... it's obvious his issue is personal, about Cummings. HOWEVER, I wish more people who truly did want Baltimore to improve would do a better job of how our officials have done nothing to help the city.

And this isn't an attack on the people of Baltimore. They are the ones a lot of people want to help. But the people in power are not attempting to actually help them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone notice Cummings did not say "there are no rats"?

Why not?

Psst. There are rats in all urban areas: DC, NYC. There are even rats, *gasp* where I live amongst million dollar homes in Chevy Chase MD.

+1 We've got rats in Fairfax VA too (someone tell Trump!)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What defense is there? Do you know people who WANT to live there?

Of course I do.

I guess the new official defense is "It's not offensive, racist, or bigoted, because it's true!!!!" No, it's not true, and yes, it is offensive, racist, and bigoted.

+1 I live in DC but I like Baltimore and would happily live there. I have many professional friends who live there happily (doctors, lawyers, professors etc.). It's a beautiful city. Trump's calling out Baltimore because it's a primarily black city, but it's infinitely nicely than may red state places where Trump support is high.

Anonymous wrote:What defense is there? Do you know people who WANT to live there?

Of course I do.

I guess the new official defense is "It's not offensive, racist, or bigoted, because it's true!!!!" No, it's not true, and yes, it is offensive, racist, and bigoted.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone notice Cummings did not say "there are no rats"?

Why not?

Psst. There are rats in all urban areas: DC, NYC. There are even rats, *gasp* where I live amongst million dollar homes in Chevy Chase MD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only took him 3 days. What a jerk. He's governor of the state and can't be bothered to defend it from attack.

How do you defend Baltimore?

Seriously? How?

+1. The truth hurts, but until we are all ready to speak about it and acknowledge it, nothing will change there. Of course, ultimately, that is what those in control want.

Agreed. I think it is funny that people in Maryland can actually defend Baltimore. Have you been there? Anywhere outside the Inner Harbor? He is absolutely right that decades of one-party rule and tons of cash have effected little change. He is not the first to raise the issue.

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2017/06/29/crime-and-despair-in-baltimore

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone notice Cummings did not say "there are no rats"?

Why not?

Because he doesn’t spend any time in that s hole so he doesn’t know. Probably asked an aide to check on it for him. Or he’s busy helping to hide his wife’s corrupt business dealings. Pick one. Either way he is an A. ! Hasn’t attended one child’s funeral. Not one I hate him on so many levels. You show up for gun shot victims in your district. You show up.

There are so many gunshot victims in Baltimore that he wouldn't have time to worry about conditions on the border because he would be attending funerals weekly if not every other day. Ironically with that murder rate people in Baltimore could probably receive asylum in Canada. So why is he more worried about the border and not conditions in his own district?

What defense is there? Do you know people who WANT to live there?