This week, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing had the opportunity to give the shortest-ever State of the City address, and everyone would’ve understood. Bing could’ve stepped up to the podium and simply said, “Hey, it’s Detroit. Period.” The city is broke and all the money from Mike Ilitch and Dan Gilbert won’t solve the problem. The city’s infrastructure is too spread out and unsustainable. There are too many residents who can’t work or don’t want to – y’know, like the Upper Peninsula. But Bing put on his best face and said he won’t give up the fight, even though hanging over his head is the Sword of Damocles (in this case, emergency managers making cuts with, naturally, swords). Bing doesn’t have many friends. Some city residents feel he hasn’t done enough. The city’s unions feel betrayed. Maybe the Detroit Pistons could find another job for Bing, one of the team’s best players ever. Actually, the Detroit Pistons aren’t doing too well right now. The best thing about the Pistons might be that they are no longer located in Detroit.

This week, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing had the opportunity to give the shortest-ever State of the City address, and everyone would’ve understood. Bing could’ve stepped up to the podium and simply said, “Hey, it’s Detroit. Period.” The city is broke and all the money from Mike Ilitch and Dan Gilbert won’t solve the problem. The city’s infrastructure is too spread out and unsustainable. There are too many residents who can’t work or don’t want to – y’know, like the Upper Peninsula. But Bing put on his best face and said he won’t give up the fight, even though hanging over his head is the Sword of Damocles (in this case, emergency managers making cuts with, naturally, swords). Bing doesn’t have many friends. Some city residents feel he hasn’t done enough. The city’s unions feel betrayed. Maybe the Detroit Pistons could find another job for Bing, one of the team’s best players ever. Actually, the Detroit Pistons aren’t doing too well right now. The best thing about the Pistons might be that they are no longer located in Detroit.