Topic: Youngstown: "The Armpit of Ohio" "Murder Town" - Rolling Stone Magazine

[Florida Guy]

http://vindy.com/news/2008/oct/08/armpit-ohio-makes-cover-rolling-stone/

The "Armpit of Ohio" makes the cover of the Rolling Stone

Published:Wednesday, October 8, 2008

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s certainly not the first time the national media has described Youngstown in an unflattering way, but it may be the most stinging.

A recent article in Rolling Stone, a weekly magazine with a circulation of about 1.4 million, states the city, formerly called Steeltown, has “acquired a number of nicknames that better capture its present state. Struggle City. The Armpit of Ohio. Murdertown.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23088640/the_great_goth_armored_car_heist

Rollingstone.com

[cortlandgirl79]

He never made more than $6,000 dollars a year! Sounds like someone was too busy playing D&D instead of working. Shoot, i worked at a golf course part-time this year from April to October and made over $4,000. There are jobs here, you just have to be willing to work. I know minimum wage isn't that much, but you could surely make over 6K working a min. wage job. Shoot, there are enough call centers around here that pay $11/hr that he could have been making much more. Don't get me wrong, i don't think $11/hr is big money, but a single 20-something could get by in Y-town making that!

[Rob Jaques]

The guy obviously wasn't working full-time. He was clearly lazy. Even when min. wage was 5.15/hr quick math shows that working 40hrs/wk would be $10,712. That article is absurd. While there are nuggets of fact scattered throughout the article, the main objective was to exaggerate the situation, make a spectacle and sell magazines. Pathetic.

[C-Dawg]

Don't get me wrong, i don't think $11/hr is big money, but a single 20-something could get by in Y-town making that!

In Ohio nowadays, I think it is. But call centers are about as low as you go. And keep in mind someone claiming 6k a year may not be lazy at all. They just might be drug dealers.

So is "Armpit of Ohio" just meant to mean "Armpit of the state which is the armpit of America?"

[Cat Patrol]

Is 11.00 per hour a good wage in Ohio nowadays?

When I was in Akron a couple  years ago, one thing that struck me was how many pawn shops, check cashing stores, and corner video arcades there were.   Oh, and strip clubs. 

Growing up there, I didn't remember all those types of business' being so prevalent

Did everyone with any money get the heck out?

[GCrites80s]

Typical Rolling Stone. There's no true depth in their articles, just a bunch of emotional language.

[327]

Is 11.00 per hour a good wage in Ohio nowadays?

When I was in Akron a couple  years ago, one thing that struck me was how many pawn shops, check cashing stores, and corner video arcades there were.   Oh, and strip clubs. 

Growing up there, I didn't remember all those types of business' being so prevalent

Did everyone with any money get the heck out?

Not exactly, but to some degree.  We're working on it.  Check cashing places may be less prevalent soon.  Moves are being made to reposition this region in the economy.  If this election goes as expected, the rust belt could finally have some pull in Washington.  Don't discount the recent lack of it as a factor in what's happened here economically.  You have to go back to Gerald Ford to find a president from a Great Lakes state.  Note that Tim Ryan is on the rise too, and that's good for Youngstown. 

Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement. 

[MayDay]

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement."

I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

[MyTwoSense]

Did everyone with any money get the heck out?

No and I hope that was a joke.

[327]

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement."

I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

You're right, that makes more sense.  Those aren't legal anymore so they're gone too.

[Cat Patrol]

Did everyone with any money get the heck out?

No and I hope that was a joke.

Kinda, sorta.

Born and raised in Akron, living in California the last 25 years.  Went back a couple years ago to check out the old neighborhood. Now, this part of town was built by the tire companies, and the residents for generations worked in the factories, til they closed.  My casual observation (and opinion) is that many people who had the means to leave for other areas with better economies left a long time ago, leaving behind those without the means to move.  This includes people caring for elderly parents, or retired people unwilling to move.

[Cat Patrol]

If this election goes as expected, the rust belt could finally have some pull in Washington.  Don't discount the recent lack of it as a factor in what's happened here economically.  You have to go back to Gerald Ford to find a president from a Great Lakes state.

And who might that be?  Obama (is that his first or last name?) was born and raised in Hawaii.

[MyTwoSense]

If this election goes as expected, the rust belt could finally have some pull in Washington.  Don't discount the recent lack of it as a factor in what's happened here economically.  You have to go back to Gerald Ford to find a president from a Great Lakes state.

And who might that be?  Obama (is that his first or last name?) was born and raised in Hawaii.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of line.  There is no f$&kin' way anyone in this country does not know his last name is Obama.

We don't play the race card BS here.  You might not like him, but using "code" to post racist messages is not cool.

[SFSpike]

Rolling Stone engaging in hyperbole to sell copy? I can't believe it.  What next?  Actual reporting?  Using a couple with an annual income of $6,000, most of which is made from stripping is a stretch even for RS.  Youngstown has seen better days, and so apparently has Rolling Stone.  I just think it is an easy target.

[GCrites80s]

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement."

I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

You're right, that makes more sense.  Those aren't legal anymore so they're gone too.

Don't worry, Weirton is only an hour away!

[KJP]

If this election goes as expected, the rust belt could finally have some pull in Washington.  Don't discount the recent lack of it as a factor in what's happened here economically.  You have to go back to Gerald Ford to find a president from a Great Lakes state.

And who might that be?  Obama (is that his first or last name?) was born and raised in Hawaii.

One warning: Don't play that race/ethnicity game here. I can't tell you to not have problems with certain people, but you aren't going to display your problems here. Do it again and you're gone.

[David]

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement."

I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s.  I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all.  And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement."

I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

You're right, that makes more sense.  Those aren't legal anymore so they're gone too.

I was in Circleville last night (at the pumpkin show lol) and noticed an arcade downtown. I thought it was strange (I haven't seen arcades in a long time) but it did look like the machines have a cash payout; they were card games. Are these arcades pretty common now in small towns? I never knew they existed.

[GCrites80s]

^ Yeah, they have on in Ashville, (10 miles north of Circleville) too. They only give out prizes. According to the law, it's no different than Skee-Ball or the games they have at Chuck E. Cheese

[Daytonnatian]

So is "Armpit of Ohio" just meant to mean "Armpit of the state which is the armpit of America?"

Last time I checked, that was officially New Jersey, due to its "armpit" location. Ohio is the "heart", which at least seems a lot better to me.

[Clevelumbus]

And Florida is the...

[Sherman Cahal]

And Florida is the...

America's pen...

[David]

And Florida is the...

America's pen...

I think he meant shriveled penis.

[MyTwoSense]

So is "Armpit of Ohio" just meant to mean "Armpit of the state which is the armpit of America?"

Last time I checked, that was officially New Jersey, due to its "armpit" location. Ohio is the "heart", which at least seems a lot better to me.

The East PA. (Philly)/South Jersey (Camden) area has always been known as the "armpit of america" and jersey itself has always been critized for having a "state smell".

Florida and Arizona have been known as "Gods waiting rooms".

And Florida is the...

America's pen...

I think he meant shriveled penis.

Correction: I think you meant "u---t shriveled penis!"

[David]

Correction: I think you meant "u---t shriveled penis!"

I don't get it

[MayDay]

THAT'S a conversation that can be taken to PM, folks.

[KJP]

I sure do concur.