Now Detroit is dissing us

Media types have portrayed Detroit and Pittsburgh as similar cities for the familiar unflattering reasons: industrial giant on the decline, Rust Belt city having trouble getting respect, etc. But Eric Cedo does not acknowledge the similarities. He's executive director of CreateDetroit, which promotes "creative" and knowledge-based businesses in the city. He's quoted in a Seattle Post-Intelligencer story that describes Detroit as a hip, happening cultural hot spot. "We're second to none when it comes to culture," Mr. Cedo said, rejecting the notion of Detroit as a blue-collar city. "We're a lot closer to the lattes and laptops of Seattle than to the Rust Belt of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is what we used to be."

It doesn't rank up there with "butt-ugly," but the "New Detroit" isn't exactly Chamber of Commerce material.

Lattes, laptops and layoffs

From the AP
• Man Buys Smoker, Finds Human Leg Inside • Coach Stops Runaway Horse by Biting Ear • Man Allegedly Tries to Use 'Blurry' $100 • Police Break Up Brawl at Chuck E. Cheese • Suggestive Card Ruffles Farmer's Feathers • Nerds to Auction Themselves to Women • Toilet to Tap? San Jose Probes Plan • Seattle to Allow Pygmy Goats As Pets • Yankees Rookies Dress Up in Oz Costumes

Drew Sharp, a Detroit Free Press columnist, sees a less pretentious Detroit-Seattle connection, one lost on the Motor City's decidedly pro-Steelers citizens. "In some ways, you would think Detroit could better identify with the Seahawks, a good team that nobody notices because it's stranded on some remote outpost, far removed from the attention of the big media centers. But a city that's constantly fighting for respect has little use for a football team in a similar predicament."

Cut off his latte

From a Seahawks fan, who, we fear, could soon contribute to Detroit's staggering murder rate: "If I hear the national media make one more coffee joke, another reference to grunge, a stupid comment about rain or the suicide rate, or one more damn 'Sleepless in Seattle' reference, I'm going to Detroit and clean out press row! For God's sake, people, can you at least come with something original?! Is that too much to ask? I know you're spending all of your time writing about Jerome Bettis, but can you find some time to learn something about the city and the team that the Steelers are playing?" Check thesportsjunky.blogspot.com, but be careful.

Seahawks hold rally here

From Justin Sullivan's Pittsburgh blog: "Many people don't know this, but while more than 30,000 black and gold fans were pouring into Heinz Field for the Steelers pep rally to worship Bob Pompeani and Ken Rice, there was a pep rally for all the displaced Seahawks fans forced to live in enemy territory. The rally took place on Ross Street, Downtown, and was attended by a single, solitary individual clad in his Seahawks blue and kelly green parka." Picture at sullysstuff.blogspot.com.

Seahawks' 12th man

The Seattle equivalent to the Terrible Towel is the "12th Man," and signs are all over the Pacific Northwest -- on the Space Needle, in the governor's office and on Mike Davis' head. Mr. Davis, a 44-year-old car salesman, had his wife shave in the symbol of Seahawks fans, The Associated Press reports. The 12th Man began in 1984. The Seahawks retired the jersey number 12 to honor their fans. Back then, the Kingdome was the loudest venue in the NFL, even though the team was woeful. Now, the 12th Man has become a civic rallying point. They even have "12th Man" towels, a pale imitation of the Terrible Towel. Before each home game, a presenter -- usually a past Seahawk -- raises the "12th Man" flag. Seattle has not won a major sports championship since 1979, when the SuperSonics won the NBA title.

Our secret weapon

After Katrina, a woman from Mississippi, Shay Lide, wrote The Morning File to thank an unknown Pittsburgh utility worker who helped restore her power. An update:

"I had a great e-mail response from your readers. I also made two new best friends, sisters named Heidi and Monica. They have written me almost daily to encourage me. A woman named Marion sent me a bobblehead, a T-shirt and Pirates cap. A gentleman named George is trying to teach me a bit of your city's history, but, more importantly, he says, about the Steelers. Remember I told you after the hurricane that I had become a Steelers Fan and a Pirates Fan and, as a result, they were sure to win? Well, you're welcome! (Ha-ha.) Our family is doing well, and I just wanted to thank all my new friends in Pittsburgh, whom I'm convinced have yellow and black wings hiding under their coats!"