Meanwhile...up North...

[Dutch]

Nine Dead, 46 Wounded in Fourth of July Weekend Violence in Chicago | NBC Chicago (http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/fourth-of-july-weekend-violence-shootings-chicago-311639971.html)

Good Lord, Chicago...ya'll executed another 9 people and injured 41 this weekend. Note: The Illinois capitol building does not fly a Confederate flag...so that rules that out as a motive.

[jeff061]

Still a 50% reduction from last year I believe.

Having spent a good amount of time in Chicago I can honestly say that city is massively overrated.

[Kodos]

It's probably my favorite major city. Way better than NYC, for instance.

[Karlifornia]

Nine Dead, 46 Wounded in Fourth of July Weekend Violence in Chicago | NBC Chicago (http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/fourth-of-july-weekend-violence-shootings-chicago-311639971.html)

Good Lord, Chicago...ya'll executed another 9 people and injured 41 this weekend. Note: The Illinois capitol building does not fly a Confederate flag...so that rules that out as a motive.

Damn, you are such a waste of air. Are you seriously trying to use death as a little bully pulpit for your tiny mind talking points? Sit on a rusty nail.

[jeff061]

It's probably my favorite major city. Way better than NYC, for instance.

I keep hearing people say that. I don't get it.

[jeff061]

Damn, you are such a waste of air. Are you seriously trying to use death as a little bully pulpit for your tiny mind talking points? Sit on a rusty nail.

The whole confederate flag thing was a red herring and an irrelevant distraction in SC, let alone anywhere else in the country.

It's like when Obama dropped the N-Bomb and all anyone discussed was whether he should have said it or not.

Infuriating.

[BillJasper]

No one wants to talk about mental health or freely available guns, so all we have left are the red herrings.

[lighthousekeeper]

No one wants to talk about mental health or freely available guns

or race

[stevew]

Chicago is not the North, it's the Midwest

[Grover]

Meanwhile, even further north...

Man shoots off firework from top of his head, dies instantly - Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/police-man-shoots-off-firework-top-head-dies-135937499.html)

[nol]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6uUDknCAAAVnuK.png:large

[Dutch]

Damn, you are such a waste of air. Are you seriously trying to use death as a little bully pulpit for your tiny mind talking points? Sit on a rusty nail.

I cant be the judge of me so you might be right, but as uncomfortable (or as stupidly) as Ive put it, I'm not advocating for more death. I'm am advocating for more advocacy.

[whomario]

"violence" gets no love compared to "crime" ...

In all seriousness: Can you explain the other markings/letters on the chart and how they relate to each other ?

I cant be the judge of me so you might be right, but as uncomfortable (or as stupidly) as Ive put it, I'm not advocating for more death. I'm am advocating for more advocacy.

Then advocate, rather than provoke.

[Ben E Lou]

Chicago is not the North, it's the MidwestDepends on where you're from. In some places in the South, pretty much everything north of Tennessee and west of Texas is considered "The North." ;)

[Barkeep49]

I am in the Chicagoland area but Chicago is South for me. This proved a very difficult thing for me to grasp in 4th grade geography where I always wanted North/Up/Going to Chicago to be the same thing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Depends on where you're from. In some places in the South, pretty much everything north of Tennessee and west of Texas is considered "The North." ;)

This.

[Izulde]

I don't understand the Chicago love, either. I mean it's okay, but to me it's your standard Midwestern metropolis, with all the blandness such a designation indicates.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't understand the Chicago love, either. I mean it's okay, but to me it's your standard Midwestern metropolis, with all the blandness such a designation indicates.

Usually I find it's people from the Northeast that speak a lot about it. My parents LOVED Chicago, esp compared to New York City or Philly. They kept talking about how clean Chicago was.

[Grover]

Usually I find it's people from the Northeast that speak a lot about it. My parents LOVED Chicago, esp compared to New York City or Philly. They kept talking about how clean Chicago was.

Exactly this. It's much 'cleaner' than NYC, Philly or Boston. That's why us New Englanders enjoy Chicago.

[Subby]

The architecture is beautiful.

[jeff061]

Exactly this. It's much 'cleaner' than NYC, Philly or Boston. That's why us New Englanders enjoy Chicago.

I don't know. I didn't want to say it because I'll look like a pompous ass(probably because I likely very much am on this topic). I live a few miles outside Boston, Chicago just strikes me as a poor, violent clone of it. With a lake instead of an Ocean. And I've taking several leisure(not work) trips to Chicago.

[Grover]

I don't know. I didn't want to say it because I'll look like a pompous ass(probably because I likely very much am on this topic). I live a few miles outside Boston, Chicago just strikes me as a poor, violent clone of it. With a lake instead of an Ocean. And I've taking several leisure(not work) trips to Chicago.

We don't call you Massholes for nothin' ;)

I love Boston more than any city except maybe Seattle in this country. No matter how dirty it gets.

[Thomkal]

The whole confederate flag thing was a red herring and an irrelevant distraction in SC, let alone anywhere else in the country.

It's like when Obama dropped the N-Bomb and all anyone discussed was whether he should have said it or not.

Infuriating.

Infuriating or not, it may have some effect going forward. They may be voting today or tomorrow on removing the flag which has never been much of an issue with even the current governor 4 years ago saying it hasn't stop businesses from wanting to do business with her state. She is now calling for it to be taken down and has promised to sign any bill that calls for it. It certainly may be very relevant going forward.

[Schmidty]

Depends on where you're from. In some places in the South, pretty much everything north of Tennessee and west of Texas is considered "The North." ;)

What does that really mean?

I've lived EVERYWHERE. I went to a southern school for parts of 3 years. The south is racist and mean. Period.

Even though I live in the west now, I have never forgotten the mean, bitchy, bullying of those so-called "Southerners".

I don't like the politics of my current region on many things, but I have always felt like scum when I've lived in the south. Nothing to do with intellect or kindness - Simply region. I hate the Southeast now. Not the people, but the environment.

Shouldn't post this, but I'm going to.

[molson]

I think just about every major U.S. city (and geographic area) can be great once you know how to have fun there. Some cities are just more accessible in that way, and, and some take a little more time and insider expertise to get to know. It took me a long time to figure out Boston even though I grew up near there, but I got New York almost immediately.

I love having life excuses to go to random cities I would never otherwise visit and try to figure out what's uniquely fun about that city. I've loved my random trips to Louisville and Little Rock in the last year or so.

[PilotMan]

Depends on where you're from. In some places in the South, pretty much everything north of Tennessee and west of Texas is considered "The North." ;)

Kentucky is firmly in "the south". No question about it.

[RainMaker]

I don't know. I didn't want to say it because I'll look like a pompous ass(probably because I likely very much am on this topic). I live a few miles outside Boston, Chicago just strikes me as a poor, violent clone of it. With a lake instead of an Ocean. And I've taking several leisure(not work) trips to Chicago.

Where are you staying in Chicago?

I like Boston and all, but outside of a handful of bad neighborhoods, Chicago is a really nice city. The lakefront is amazing, the business district is great, and it has some great parks and other attractions.

I really hope people don't get their impression of Chicago from the media. The murders take place in a handful of neighborhoods and are mostly gang on gang. Anyone visiting the city will probably never go near those areas.

[RainMaker]

No one wants to talk about mental health or freely available guns, so all we have left are the red herrings.

There was a 7-year old killed this weekend. He was with his Father who was a long time gang member who was the intended target.

The police commissioner brought up a good point. The Father should never have been on the street. Why is someone with 45 arrests, many for violent and/or weapons charges out? The guy had been arrested just weeks earlier for a gun violation and was on the streets the next morning.

Chicago's biggest problem is that the laws don't matter. If you have a gun illegally (which is most of the criminals), there is almost not punishment for it. It's a catch and release. Heck, you have to rack up a few armed robberies before you see any real prison time.

[sabotai]

I don't know. I didn't want to say it because I'll look like a pompous ass(probably because I likely very much am on this topic). I live a few miles outside Boston, Chicago just strikes me as a poor, violent clone of it. With a lake instead of an Ocean. And I've taking several leisure(not work) trips to Chicago.

I've lived near Philadelphia most my life (so it's my standard for comparison), so it should come to no surprise that I really enjoy any time I get to spend in just about any other city in the world. :)

[jeff061]

Where are you staying in Chicago?

I like Boston and all, but outside of a handful of bad neighborhoods, Chicago is a really nice city. The lakefront is amazing, the business district is great, and it has some great parks and other attractions.

I really hope people don't get their impression of Chicago from the media. The murders take place in a handful of neighborhoods and are mostly gang on gang. Anyone visiting the city will probably never go near those areas.

Girlfriend had a place by Montrose Beach near the water. Though we went all over the city.

[JAG]

Girlfriend had a place by Montrose Beach near the water. Though we went all over the city.

Close to where I used to live, my brother and I did a little sailing from the beach there. I can sort of see your perspective as north of there in Uptown it used to be a little sketchy., though no idea how it is now. Like Rainmaker said though, I lived there for five years and there are tons of great places to see, things to do, restaurants, museums, you name it.

[RainMaker]

Girlfriend had a place by Montrose Beach near the water. Though we went all over the city.

Montrose is a dump compared to the other beaches. For some reason the city doesn't clean it and people treat it like shit. Plus Uptown is starting to get gang infested.

[Young Drachma]

I keep hearing people say that. I don't get it.

Same. City does nothing for me.

As for Chicago's gun problem, the city is the most segregated major city in the country. It's part of why I dislike it, but it's also what compounds this kind of violence.

Of course, that's not the kind of thing that would play well on blood red right wing talk radio.

As for taking down flags AND eliminating gun violence in Chicago.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/1363126452_taco-girl-meme-generator-why-not-both-6ec00b.jpg

[EagleFan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6uUDknCAAAVnuK.png:large

and this means?

[dawgfan]

I greatly enjoyed Chicago because:

- Great architecture
- Quite a few cool attractions such as the Art Institute, the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium
- Wrigley Field
- Millenium Park (and really all of the lakefront parks)
- Pretty good club scene and bar scene
- I'm a sucker for stuffed/deep-dish pizza
- Some really cool neighborhoods in terms of food & bars

I spent May through August there a decade ago and never ran out of things to do and see, and in fact didn't hit quite a few things I should have.

[RainMaker]

Same. City does nothing for me.

As for Chicago's gun problem, the city is the most segregated major city in the country. It's part of why I dislike it, but it's also what compounds this kind of violence.

Of course, that's not the kind of thing that would play well on blood red right wing talk radio.

As for taking down flags AND eliminating gun violence in Chicago.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/1363126452_taco-girl-meme-generator-why-not-both-6ec00b.jpg

How does it compound the violence?

[Chief Rum]

I have never been to Chicago but I want to go. It would be interesting to me to compare it to New York. I only visited NYC for five days a few years ago, but I loved it. Fantastic city filled with life and diversity. Well, what I saw of it (mostly Manhattan and Queens, along with the bit of the Bronx around Yankee Stadium and the Brooklyn Heights area of Brooklyn).

I have friends who have visited Chicago and they love it, but they also only were there for conventions in the downtown area. I'm not sure how much they were able to get around.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I love Chicago. I've been there many times. It's a great city. Yes, there are very violent and dangerous parts of the city, but I've never been anywhere near them and I've never felt like I was in danger ever while visiting.

It's a good place.

I can't compare it to Boston. I've never been to Boston. I have little interest in it. It seems too insular and kind of irritating with the faux Irish nonsense and general Bostoness.

[dawgfan]

I love Chicago. I've been there many times. It's a great city. Yes, there are very violent and dangerous parts of the city, but I've never been anywhere near them and I've never felt like I was in danger ever while visiting.

It's a good place.

I can't compare it to Boston. I've never been to Boston. I have little interest in it. It seems too insular and kind of irritating with the faux Irish nonsense and general Bostoness.
Boston is cool too, but a different, older vibe. I really enjoyed all of the colonial era history there, and it's a city that feels like it has a smaller, more walkable core. Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, the Common, the Paul Revere trail, walking through the Back Bay area, Fenway Park - lots of interesting stuff to see. Cross the Charles River and tour the USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Memorial and the campus of Harvard.

[RainMaker]

I have never been to Chicago but I want to go. It would be interesting to me to compare it to New York. I only visited NYC for five days a few years ago, but I loved it. Fantastic city filled with life and diversity. Well, what I saw of it (mostly Manhattan and Queens, along with the bit of the Bronx around Yankee Stadium and the Brooklyn Heights area of Brooklyn).

I have friends who have visited Chicago and they love it, but they also only were there for conventions in the downtown area. I'm not sure how much they were able to get around.

For anyone thinking of going, stay in River North during the Summer. You can walk to about a hundred great restaurants, walk to great stores, walk to the parks, go to the new riverwalk, and you're even a short cab ride away from a bunch of great museums. It's the perfect place to stay for a weekend getaway.

[tarcone]

St. Louis is a city i dont like visiting. I stay out of it as much as possible. Some great neighborhoods, but on a whole, scary.

And I will disagree on the comment that Chicago is the most segregated city. I think St. Louis takes that honor. If you look back at voter history, the city is split North and South. Black int he North and White int he South. Usually, candidates win by getting the middle of the city.

[ISiddiqui]

I stayed in St. Louis while doing a 2 week training class. I chose a hotel right next to Busch Stadium - man that downtown was depressingly empty.

[dawgfan]

For anyone thinking of going, stay in River North during the Summer. You can walk to about a hundred great restaurants, walk to great stores, walk to the parks, go to the new riverwalk, and you're even a short cab ride away from a bunch of great museums. It's the perfect place to stay for a weekend getaway.
Seconded. You're also close to the CTA and can easily get to most places by train and then walk or hop a bus. I would usually take the Red Line down into the city loop and then walk from there to Millennium Park and on down to the museums, or take it north up to Wrigleyville, or transfer over to the Blue Line and up to the Wicker Park area.

[dawgfan]

I stayed in St. Louis while doing a 2 week training class. I chose a hotel right next to Busch Stadium - man that downtown was depressingly empty.
Yeah, not a whole lot. However, if you're ever in St. Louis a must-see is the City Museum. It's basically a playground for adults. It's hard to do it justice with words, but if you like climbing stuff and exploring around like a kid, this place is super-cool.

I'd also suggest heading west into the Central West End, Forest Park and into the Delmar neighborhood.

[Fidatelo]

You should all come to Winnipeg. We're even further north than Chicago, and the most racist city in Canada (http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/welcome-to-winnipeg-where-canadas-racism-problem-is-at-its-worst/). We've got it all!

[Fidatelo]

Oh yeah and our downtown is a hole, too. Come check it out!

[ISiddiqui]

But you can advertise hosting some Women's World Cup games! ;)

[britrock88]

Oh yeah and our downtown is a hole, too. Come check it out!

I've been three times in less than 3 years in ND. You have the WAM, St. Boniface, the Forks, the provincial capital, and some great food if you look in the right places (French, Caribbean, dim sum...)