There was a commercial for the HBO series "HUNG" the other day. Prostitution is a step up from the official corruption problems we've been having for the last few years, I guess. Is it a good thing that LA can stand in for Detroit?

HBO series 'Hung' gives Detroit a starring role by Jessica Nunez | MLive.com | Monday June 29, 2009, 8:49 AM
"The pilot was shot entirely in Detroit, Birmingham, Livonia, Clarkston and West Bloomfield Township, as was part of the rest of the season (the rest was filmed in L.A.).

The opening sequence is jam-packed with familiar Motor City signposts, from the first shot of a barge gliding over the Detroit River, to Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker walking through Hart Plaza, below the People Mover and in front of the Joe Louis fist, Lafayette Coney Island and the abandoned Packard plant."

12 criminal counts against Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick...including several perjury charges carrying a maximum 15 year sentence.

I'm not sad that these charges are being brought, my poorly informed opinion is that he is probably guilty. The extent that he's going to keep the whole thing covered up, his unwillingness to tell his side of the story (while complaining that the public is getting a distorted one sided view) leads me to think that there is more than just smoke there.

I am sad that there are many who are going to take great glee that Mayor Kilpatrick and the city now have to go through this next step. They will point and say "Detroiters are stupid and deserve what they get."

For someone who supposedly "loves Detroit" I really don't understand how he can reconile taking the city through the grinder with him as he fight these criminal charges.

Time to be a man, Kwame. Time to step down and let the city get on with it's business while you take care of yours. If he's aquitted, he could run again and probably be elected.

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MSNBC:Detroit mayor charged with perjury: Conviction could bring up to 15 years' imprisonment for Kilpatrick

In all, Kilpatrick faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, misconduct in office, perjury in a court proceeding and two counts of perjury other than in a court proceeding.

Feds pull funding from local youth program: Ruth Ellis Center calls on community to help bridge 'cash flow crunch' / By Jason A. Michael
Originally printed 12/20/2007 (Issue 1551 - Between The Lines News)

Facing drastic funding cuts by the federal government, the Ruth Ellis Center, one of the nations premier service programs for lgbt youth, is now scrambling to adjust accordingly without losing clients or staff.

"We're in a cash-flow crunch," said Grace McClelland, REC's executive director. "But things will level out."

So far this year the center has lost 80 percent of its federal money, including funding for its emergency shelter.

"We think we may lose all of it," said McClelland of the federal funds, which represent nearly half of the center's operating budget. "We were expecting $100,000 to come into the bank for the shelter on Sept. 1. Now, none of that has come through."

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Follow the link at the top of the page for the full story.

Ruth Ellis Center Home Page For more information on their services.