Well, it's really about what not to do, at least according to our
readers.
And based on a poll in the News section of our Web site, readers do
not want to keep going as it has been.
With nearly 200 responses, 42 percent want to "get out now," and 56
percent favor sending in "more troops to get the job done."
So it appears President Obama's policy will go with the majority.
However, only 3 people clicked "Keep going as we have done."
A decision had to be made, and the status quo was getting tiresome.
Let's hope it's the right decision.

Readers celebrated their memories of the Pontiac Silverdome, which is being sold to a Canadian company after the city conducted an auction this week.

The Pope drew a crowd. Wrestlemania ruled for a night. A Super Bowl brought the world, and then the world came with soccer. Rock 'n' roll and family fun.

Oh, and the Lions, who won their only playoff game since 1957 inside the Dome in January of 1992, my first trip of many to the superstructure. The memories are many.

While a judge will rule this week on an effort to stop the sale, readers were quick to recall their own personal highlights of visiting the one-time Eighth Wonder of the World that has sat mostly empty at Featherstone and Opdyke since 2002. They shared their memories — mostly good, some bad — by commenting on our stories.

Here is some of what you had to say:

— "I grew up two blocks from the Silverdome, and I have a Million memories!" said Tim. "I was very young and I remember my dad took me to a game and the roof wasn't even complete! Many concerts, including Victory tour, Kiss, U2's Zoo tour, Genesis, Pistons against Boston, then Pistons vs. Lakers . That series was the last played by the Pistons at the Dome. Also, Bill Sims, Barry Sanders Thanksgiving Day! I attended them all."

— "I believe it was 1976, went to the Thanksgiving game, Lions against the Rams," said George. "Sat there for three hours, soaked because roof was leaking."

— "I went to the first Monday night game in 1975, (Roger) Staubach, Ed (Too Tall) Jones, Garrison," said Randy. "Wow, what a place it was back then."n "Oct. 10, 1975, when my ex-husband was working for the city and we got a tour before the dome opened.," said one. "Then, going back and watching my son ride motorcycles in the motocross races." 

— "My fondest memory of the Silverdome was when Michael Jackson had a concert there," said one. "It was something I never could have imagined happening to me. I will never forget that concert."

— "Bigger is not always better," said Joe. "Way overbuilt. The golden days sure didn't help the sale price." 

— "What about World Cup Soccer?" recalled another. "I would say that was a pretty big deal. In fact, I had the World Cup in my car while I transported it to the Silverdome!"

— "I grew up in the area so I have lots of memories there, but I remember learning how to drive a stick (three on the tree)," recalled one Pontiac resident. "I was about 15 so it was in 1993."

— "Pink Floyd, 1990-something," said Rick. "I got drunk and rowdy and probably puked. It was great."

— "The day I adopted my son (in 2002), we went to the circus at the Silverdome that same night," said one reader. 

— "Lots of good times," said Jimbo, "a longtime and still Lions' season ticket holder, concerts (such as Paul) McCartney and Wings, closed-circuit TV (Thomas) Hearns and (Sugar Ray) Leonard fight, Michigan Panthers games, Mike Utley's 'Thumbs Up,' Barry (Sanders), I am going miss it. I still drive by it every day and remember the good old days."

— "The WHO," said one. "It was freezing in there!"

— "I saw my first concert there," said CH. "But my favorite is when I skipped school and stayed the night in the parking lot with friends to be the first in line to buy tickets to a Led Zeppelin concert. I got caught skipping school by being seen on the news, got in trouble, but I still talked my way into being able to go to the concert."

— "Remember it was called the Pon-Met Stadium at first, then they had to change the name because booking agents didn't know it was a dome," said Pon-Met Fan. "The Lions' playoff victory over Dallas, I had season tickets at that time, first row upper deck right above the Main Event, pounding on the Marlboro sign. Tailgating after the game because traffic was so bad. How about when the roof fell! That was amazing."

— "The field was wet and was not drying for the first event," recalled George. "Two helicopters flew back and forth to push the water aside. It was really loud and also very neat to see. Wish there was digital back then. The Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium was the first to be built on time and on budget. The Metrodome in Minn. was designed from it and is still in use. What a waste!"

— "I use to live across the street from the Silverdome from 1980 to 1985," wrote Sandy. "I lived in a trailer park where the Walmart is now. I remember every time they had an event there, the parking had to block our front entrance, because people would come in and park in someone's parking space instead of paying for parking."

— "I can remember when the Pontiac Youth Football had there playoff games in the Dome," said a youth football fan. "Each one of the player were so excited to be on the same field as the Lions, sometimes some of the players stayed to watch the kids. This was the best of times for the Dome."

— "I remember in the mid-to-late 1970s my dad worked for the Detroit Express soccer team," said Chris. "We attended many soccer games during those times. In the years thereafter, it was many monster truck rally's. Within the last few years it was 'roll in the dome'" Roller-blading around the concourse. And I can't forget Guns 'N Roses and Metallica concert in 1992."

n "Who could forget the World Cup in 1994, the only indoor venue to host the Cup?" said one fan. "But, the best was Springsteen in '85!"

— "I remember riding my bike around the Silverdome every day when I was little," said one neighbor. 

— "Elvis, Baby!" proclaimed a fan. "New Years Eve's 1975! So glad I went!" 

n "My fondest memories of the Silverdome are when it wasn't there at all," said Bill. "The land was called Motorcycle Hills and drew hundreds of people on weekends to enjoy the outdoors. It should never have been built!"

— "I heard The Who (working security," said Stella, who went on to work security during Piston games. "At that time, you had to form a guard line, holding hands, so fans couldn't hurt the basketball players. You got to know them. They were great. Oh, and my grandson's face after seeing Michael Jackson in concert. Thanks for the memories."

— "My wife and I had our wedding reception at the Silverdome on June 5, 1982," said JC. "It was a gala event and everyone who attended had a great time."

— "Seeing the 1992 Oxford Wildcats high school football team win their first championship in the dome," said Mike. "What a great time, old times I will hold dear to my heart." 

— "First two years it was open we had season tickets, $100 per person," said Louise. "The Lions actually won a few back then and it was affordable to go see them. The dome was like the Eighth Wonder of the World in '75." 

— "Definitely, the (Rolling) Stones in '81," said James. "The Stones concert in '89 was a drag; they should have retired by then."

— "My favorite memory of the Silverdome is the carnival!" recalled another. "Remember the pirate ship and the candy apples?"

— "Remembering the Lions winning a football game, and with Barry Sanders!" recalled a reader. 

— "The thing I remember most about the Silverdome is no matter where you go in the city, you could see it," said RH. "It just seemed so big driving by. At night, it took my breath away, sitting up on the hill against the dark sky with lights all the way around it. So sad to think it was so breathtaking and it sold for so little. Lots of blood, sweat and tears that belong to the people of Pontiac." 

Here is my favorite memory of the Silverdome, which is being sold following an auction.

"When Zeke (Isiah Thomas) hit the winning basket in a playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks in 1987," said one reader. "Unfortunately for me, as I winded down from the cheap seats and in an effort to get a better view (which was possible towards the end of the game when security is lax), I didn't see the shot but boy did I hear the roar and reacted as if it were me hitting the winning basketfrom the playgrounds of Yaktown (slang for Pontiac). But it was a true barn burner, and I was able to make it over to my lady's pad after the game and informed her of the excitement that I witnessed, with her reaction one in which she replied angrily that I went to the game without taking her. My feelings were distraught as a result of her response, but the memory of that game continues to this day bring back in my mind of what I remember most about the Dome."

Looking back, unless you're 60 or older, the Lions golden era for the
past 50 seasons will be their time at the Pontiac Silverdome.
They won a playoff game.
They had the best running back in the game.
They fought difficult battles to get into the playoffs under Wayne
Fontes, unfortunately, it was every other year and they typically
were blown out of the first playoff game. BUT THEY WON at least some
games.
The Ford Field years have been terrible, shameful and worthy of a
small rural private high school.
We'll look back at that concrete monstrosity and think, wow, those
were the seasons.
Unless, of course, you're over 60 and you remember the 1950s with
Bobby Layne and actual championships.

Readers were pleased to see some good news on the front page, highlighting a story about seniors falling in love, according to comments left online.

Dora Mayo, 78, moved from Holly into Abbey Park, a Grand Blanc senior apartment community, last November. She met Joe Ashley, formerly of Pontiac, when he moved in three weeks later. First finding friendship, they fell in love and were married earlier this month.

Here is some of what you had to say about this story:

— "And to think it all started with a hello and a smile," said one read. "Congratulations to you both. I introduced myself to a single neighbor and we have been married for 11 years now."

— "God bless you both," offered Sandy. 

n "Why can't we have more stories like this in the news?" asked Victoria. "I am very happy for them."

— "That's my grandpa and my new grandma," said Mary McGinnis. "It was a great wedding!"

— "I love stories like this," said Mari. "What a wonderful new chapter in their lives they can share together!"

But it was not all good news, as has been the case lately with the floundering economy and continued stories about cuts to jobs and services, unemployment and political anger.

— About reviewing life sentences for juveniles, one reader noted, "Certainly it must be realized that this proposition was made circling the idea that juveniles and adults are separate and that juveniles have a better chance of being reformed. Life sentences might not always be the best idea, seeing as juveniles may still yet have a chance of reformation. It's something to take into consideration."

— About the state's lieutenant governor traveling to the Middle East on a job creation research trip, one reader said, "If it'll get jobs here, I'm all for it. The naysayers are welcome to make their own trips on their own dime to get jobs here if they're complaining about (John) Cherry doing it."

— About Oakland Schools cutting jobs, LadyBug wrote: "What I don't understand is why they are cutting every single vocational program these schools have. I realize kids need the basic academics, but the Board of Education also needs to realize that not every single person in the world is going to go to college. We need people to fix our cars or our houses, and kids deserve to be artists or actors if they want to. I think there should be at least one school in every district that offers (lessons for) auto mechanics and art classes. I just don't see how that is expendable."

— And more on the school cuts: "I am so tired of hearing everyone complain that the schools do not have enough money," Batman wrote. "Too bad no one has money because no one has jobs. Close down all the schools or let those who are parents pay more for their school districts. Have a bake sale or do something to raise funds for your child's school. Just stop complaining. Do something proactive. Stop living off the backs of those who have jobs and go do something innovative and make money for your child's school on your own."

— About a legendary 1970s band considering changes, one wrote: "I wonder how Aerosmith will work their walkers into their routine."

— About the plan to stop housing work release prisoners in Oakland County, one wrote: "Hey (Oakland County Sheriff Michael )Bouchard, give them some snow shovels so they can make up for the reduced number of snow plow drivers!"

Readers were split about a Troy father who called police on his 16-year-old daughter after allegedly finding a single marijuana plant locked inside the closet in her room.

Many people commented on the story about her facing possible juvenile charges related to the incident. Many were angry at the father; others said it is his house and he has the right to enforce the rules and the law.

Here is some of what you have to say about this story:

— "This guy calls the police and reports his own child for drug possession?" said one angry reader. "Why didn't he just throw the plant away? Why would a parent call the police for such an incident? I don't want any child doing drugs illegally, but I think parents like this are probably the reason the child is smoking dope."

— "Although you may want to legalize pot, it is still illegal," said one woman. "Let's say the cops come to the house under different circumstances and find the plant. Who is the one in trouble? Daddy is in trouble."

— "I'm a firm believer that children develop a sense of right and wrong from their parents," said Shawn. "How well our children do in life is based primarily on how well we teach them to deal with the temptations that this world has to offer. If we fail as parents, so do our children. I think this father has the right to do as he wishes. But I think it's unfair that his daughter is suffering consequences at HIS hands, because of his inability to do his job. Just my opinion."

— "What's the big deal?" asked TweedleDee. "Why is pot illegal? It's a plant! Just because someone smokes or grows a little pot does not make them a hard-core criminal or does it mean they are on the track to becoming one. Why not just legalize the stuff already and make some money on it for the state rather than putting people in an already overcrowded jail system with people who most likely deserve to be there in the first place?"

— "I'm sure the father did what he thought he was best," said Concerned, who believes marijuana is a gateway drug. "We don't know any of the underlying circumstances regarding this case, and therefore are not in a position to judge."

— "For those who are sending shout-outs to the father for doing a job well done, shame on you," said Wow, who would have preferred months of the teen being grounded and counseling. "It would have cost the taxpayers nothing for him to destroy the plant."

— "My dad would have just started swinging and after the stars quit circling he might have had a small discussion with me," said one reader. "He merely would have informed me that if I wanted to grow some weed it would have to be someplace other than his house."

— "I can't believe these people judging the father for teaching the bratty teenager a lesson," said another. "Teenagers these days think they can run their parents (and some do)."

Here is some more of what you had to say this week:

— About efforts to help parolees: "I'm sure the 5-year-old (girl) from Oxford (who was allegedly) shot in the face by one of these early-release inmates is happy about how 'safe' the public is from these early parolees."

"Let's keep emptying our prisons," said Ed. "Regardless of the 'rehabilitation' these guys have been through, dumping them back on the streets when even law-abiding citizens can't find jobs is idiotic."

— About Lions center Dominic Raiola apologizing to fans after yelling at them when they taunted the team: "No one cares if Raiola was yelling or what any of the other Lions were doing," said one reader. "These guys (are not good). The attitude in the Lions' locker room has to be comical when they talk about any commitment to doing their jobs. What a joke."

"That was a bad game, but I am a Lions fan and will be there next game. I can only imagine how frustrated Raiola was, based on how I felt. All that I can say is, Dominic, next time, give me the $15,000 you will be fined and I will cuss out the (jerks)."

Readers can comment on our stories online at www.theoaklandpress.com. Also check out our bloggers; we have more than 20 sharing their thoughts and insights. Contact Online Editor Stephen Frye at steve.frye@oakpress.com.

So Detroit has a former news anchorman as top city council member,
with Charles Pugh surviving a foreclosure revelation to emerge as top
vote getter.
And, of course, the city has a Hall of Fame basketball player leading
it as mayor with Dave Bing easily being re-elected.
I guess the career politician thing has not worked out so well with
Kwame Kilpatrick still dominating the headlines with his "I-don't-
know-what-my-wife-does" or "I'm-sure-someone-is-paying-the-house-
lease-bills" claims in court.
But can these leaders still fix a broken city?