7 ms·

The current progressive politics is completely deranged and detached from the classic liberal politics. It is not at all what I know as a lifelong liberal. Port

The current progressive politics is completely deranged and detached from the classic liberal politics. It is not at all what I know as a lifelong liberal. Portland went from 3rd most desirable city to 66th in the nation after the continued self-destruction: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/06/12/portland-was-once-a-byword-for-tattooed-vegan-microbrewers https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/06/12/portland-...

astrange 5y ago
The destruction of Portland exists only in the mind of people who won't turn their TV off. I've had commenters on here tell me it's been burned down and they can't leave their houses. Although "a highly desirable city" isn't the most accurate description of Portland either. It's more like a theme park for white people with waxed mustaches.
- profile53 5y ago
  I wouldn’t say the media analysis is entirely overblown. The pearl district turned from a beautiful and fun place to visit to a place I can no longer safely walk through. Most shops are shuttered and people in clear psychosis are roaming the streets screaming at each other, threatening violence at passer-bys, etc. Even the 23rd avenue area is taking a turn for the worse in terms of being safe to walk through. I’m curious what you think of those areas specifically.
  - teachrdan 5y ago
    > Most shops are shuttered and people in clear psychosis are roaming the streets screaming at each other, threatening violence at passer-bys, etc. I have to think Covid exacerbated business closures and mental health issues for poor / homeless folks, due to fewer in-person services, etc. Can't think of any city in America that wasn't similarly affected.
    - esyir 5y ago
      To be honest though, I think the US really screwed itself here. One big issue is that the mentally ill can get to the point where they are no longer of sound mind and should be committed. But involuntary commitment draws flack as well, so the response becomes to do nothing. It's also interesting how much impact a single movie had on mental health treatment in the us.
  - astrange 5y ago
    Sounds like SF. All I mean to say is, my people there tell me it isn't literally on fire or being tear gassed. I'm not sure about the homeless issues there, though I do know some of their affordable housing laws are counterproductive: https://twitter.com/amyliztweets/status/1501645850707054593 https://twitter.com/amyliztweets/status/1501645850707054593 By shuttered do you mean fully closed? That happened to SF because it has so many office workers who don't live there, but it's worse because it takes years to get approval to open a replacement business there anyway. If it's either covid or safety it'll come back soon - bad neighborhoods attract first wave gentrifiers.
  - financetechbro 5y ago
    The Pearl is most definitely still a safe place to walk around. Like any other big city there will be instances where you encounter a houseless person or someone with mental problems but the neighborhood is still one of the nicest in the downtown area. Granted crime has gone up but this is something that is taking place all over the city (and country for that matter) Same thing can be said about 23rd street. Maybe you have your own personal fears but the two areas you called out are not nearly as shuttered as they were at the peak of pandemic / protests, or when compared to downtown. Also, people seem to be totally comfortable enjoying those two areas. Not sure if you’ve noticed but on sunny days you cannot keep people from congregating in the pearl and around 21st / 23rd ave.
- anonfornoreason 5y ago

astrange 5y ago

The destruction of Portland exists only in the mind of people who won't turn their TV off. I've had commenters on here tell me it's been burned down and they can't leave their houses. Although "a highly desirable city" isn't the most accurate description of Portland either. It's more like a theme park for white people with waxed mustaches.

profile53 5y ago
I wouldn’t say the media analysis is entirely overblown. The pearl district turned from a beautiful and fun place to visit to a place I can no longer safely walk through. Most shops are shuttered and people in clear psychosis are roaming the streets screaming at each other, threatening violence at passer-bys, etc. Even the 23rd avenue area is taking a turn for the worse in terms of being safe to walk through. I’m curious what you think of those areas specifically.
- teachrdan 5y ago
  > Most shops are shuttered and people in clear psychosis are roaming the streets screaming at each other, threatening violence at passer-bys, etc. I have to think Covid exacerbated business closures and mental health issues for poor / homeless folks, due to fewer in-person services, etc. Can't think of any city in America that wasn't similarly affected.
  - esyir 5y ago
    To be honest though, I think the US really screwed itself here. One big issue is that the mentally ill can get to the point where they are no longer of sound mind and should be committed. But involuntary commitment draws flack as well, so the response becomes to do nothing. It's also interesting how much impact a single movie had on mental health treatment in the us.
- astrange 5y ago
  Sounds like SF. All I mean to say is, my people there tell me it isn't literally on fire or being tear gassed. I'm not sure about the homeless issues there, though I do know some of their affordable housing laws are counterproductive: https://twitter.com/amyliztweets/status/1501645850707054593 https://twitter.com/amyliztweets/status/1501645850707054593 By shuttered do you mean fully closed? That happened to SF because it has so many office workers who don't live there, but it's worse because it takes years to get approval to open a replacement business there anyway. If it's either covid or safety it'll come back soon - bad neighborhoods attract first wave gentrifiers.
- financetechbro 5y ago
  The Pearl is most definitely still a safe place to walk around. Like any other big city there will be instances where you encounter a houseless person or someone with mental problems but the neighborhood is still one of the nicest in the downtown area. Granted crime has gone up but this is something that is taking place all over the city (and country for that matter) Same thing can be said about 23rd street. Maybe you have your own personal fears but the two areas you called out are not nearly as shuttered as they were at the peak of pandemic / protests, or when compared to downtown. Also, people seem to be totally comfortable enjoying those two areas. Not sure if you’ve noticed but on sunny days you cannot keep people from congregating in the pearl and around 21st / 23rd ave.
anonfornoreason 5y ago