OK, born and raised a Detroiter. Over 60, and here's my take on what happened.

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63. Detroit was damaged by its economic model.

I think it was more than the fact that the auto industry execs were stupid, as a community it didn't have the economic diversity to weather a downturn in auto demand. That's just my opinion as an outsider, I realize that I don't have the insight into it that you do.

Good history by the way. My wife and I vacationed in Detroit a couple of years ago and I was amazed at the nice houses that are available for dirt cheap. Beautiful empty schools sitting on as much as twenty acres that sit idle. It breaks the heart when we have such excusite structures and real estate sitting vacant because it is considered of no value.

I think Detroit would benefit from tearing down a lot of stuff and rebuild with a more diverse economy based on sustainable energy sources and locally produced food, but I think that about everywhere - so there's nothing surprising about that.

I hope it turns around and manages to preserve its rich history. Thanks for sharing your story. I remember when everyone had written off New York City in the '80's. New York recovered, I expect Detroit will pull through as well.

Whatever Detroit does going forward is bound to serve as a model for so many of these older cities hit by the manufacturing downturn of the past few decades.