6 Comments
User's avatar
Caroline Smrstik's avatar

You've given me so much to think about with this one, Nancy. Thank you.

Expand full comment
W. Michael Johnson's avatar

“Just about all housing that’s more urban than sprawl is no longer subject to environmental review, no matter who builds it.”

Here in East Poisonspider it's still the other way around. If you try to put one apartment on top of another, they might let you build it as long as it's somewhere you can't see from a distance. But building hundreds of tiny houses maybe ten or twelve feet apart, each with its own (cinderblock) fenced yard (no grass) and driveway, is OK. That's the American dream: Levittown in the desert.

Expand full comment
Robin R Rome's avatar

Hey Nancy–wonderful research and insights. Thank you. Steve Fraser wrote an interesting book a few years ago, "Class Matters", (the enigma of class in America) and what struck me about "Warning Out" reflects a piece in the author's book about the Statue of Liberty: When France suggested (requested) that we Americans pony up to cover the costs of the gift from France, the project was delayed and delayed as the rich, the American barons, did not really want a symbol of welcome to all peoples to come to America. They could have easily covered all costs among themselves, but didn't. The concept of wretched refuse on their teeming shore was a turn-off.

Expand full comment
Nancy Friedman's avatar

Great story, Robin. I'll add that book to my reading list!

Expand full comment
Jess's avatar

This is a marvelous, original, erudite piece. Our library has STUCK! Thank you, Nancy, as always...

Expand full comment
Nancy Friedman's avatar

Thank you, Jess!

Expand full comment