I love my city. But this year, the City Council & Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick have been embroiled in so much scandal that it makes it hard to defend. If you ask some citizens, they'll tell you everybody needs to step down, including the entire city council.

First Mayor Kilpatrick.

If you believe what traditional media reports say, Mayor Kilpatrick is an adulterous, corrupt man who recently assaulted an officer of the court and needs to be removed from office. That's one side of the story.

There are some that still support the Mayor, I'm one of them, and I know I'll take the heat for it, but oh well. Of course, there is always the possibility that these charges are true, yet they may not be as severe as news reports would have you believe. Many of the Mayor's supporters believe he should be given another chance, because of the progress being made in the City. The revitalized downtown is one of Kilpatrick's accomplishments.

Yet, they may not be enough. Citizens have grown tired of news reports that allege new misdoings from their leader. There is a growing grass roots following that even pickets wherever the Mayor appears asking for his resignation.

I can't imagine being in his position. Nor can I imagine making so many bad choices. It would seem lessons have not been learned. Now, as Malcolm X once said, "...the chickens have come home to roost."

Is there something wrong with our leaders today? Are they so reckless that they have forgotten how they got to where they are? And speaking of recklessness---

The FBI is investigating 5 out of the 9 City Council members for accepting cash for a thumbs up vote. One member got $2000. This is the same Council that is trying to remove the Mayor. To me, their credibility went out the window.

If the Mayor is corrupt, so is the Council. I believe the Detroit City Council should be restructured, and members should be required to live in the wards or districts in which they represent. A move that would encourage greater response and action from City Hall. Now, members will really get to see how their constituents live.

I also believe the City should be run like a business. Making it more cost effective and proactive. Privatizing should occur for buses and trash removal. The bus system is a poor excuse for public transportation. From nasty, unclean buses that run on major lines like the Woodward, where sometimes you can't stand to ride them. And on top of that, they are not on time often. This makes it hard for someone trying to get to work in the suburbs if the city buses are late.

Wasn't the mass infusion of money from the 3 casinos supposed to ease some of the service shortcomings in Detroit? I can't say I can see where those millions are going. Maybe someone can explain that to me because I honestly don't know.

Born and raised in Detroit, I feel an emotional connection to this grand dame. I've lived through 2 World Series Championship teams (thank you Detroit Tigers), 4 NBA championships, countless number of Red Wings Stanley Cups (sorry not a hockey fan), and many other worthy accomplishments.

I love the RiverWalk, Belle Isle, Hart Plaza & Campus Martius. The Grand Prix will be here August 29-31 and I am volunteering for that.

This city needs healing, it needs more accountability. Citizens are starting to believe they have been betrayed, once again by dishonest politicians. It's the main reason why people don't vote. Because they don't believe it matters, that their voices will not be heard. We've come so far, that these scandals are dividing the city. It's even affecting Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatricks' re-election bid.

Here is a woman with an impeccable congressional record now fighting for her political life. Her challengers, State Rep. Martha G. Scott & former senator Mary Waters are knawing at her heels like pit bulls. And you know they are attacking her on the credibility and accountability issues surrounding her son, the Mayor. Carolyn, no matter where she goes must address the Kwame situation. She has never had to fight so hard to get re-elected in the past. I'm not sure she deserves this. But, as they say, all is fair in love and politics.

Come on Kwame, City Council Members-I want to believe again. The citizens who put you all in office want this nightmare to go away. This is a historical moment for African Americans. Barack Obama may just become the President of these United States. Kwame can't even hold a rally in Barack's support because of the mess he's gotten himself into. Unfortunately, Kwame no longer has the magic touch, so Barack has steered clear of him on each of his visits to the Metropolitan area.

Well, I'm still going to enjoy the activities in the City of Detroit. And I won't react when I see people wearing t-shirts that scream, "Recall Kwame" & "Where Is Kwame?" People want answers, no one has time to deal with any political official who is corrupt. There are real problems out here, crime, unemployment, automobile plant layoffs and closings. Too much bad news makes for a depressed people--it also will make them leave a dying metropolis. Urban flight is not a myth.

This saga appears to have no ending, now there are reports of misdeeds by Kwame's dad, Bernard. Will it ever end?