Clay Thomas: TV show just another kick at Modesto

“Modesto ‘Crime’ goes primetime” is just swell! What’re you doing to us civilian Modestans? As if we aren’t already considered a backwoods, cultural wasteland, due largely to poverty, tagging (gang and wannabe), crime (sensational, organized, national-record holder, et al), artistic and educational dearth, and, of course, the political conservatism as heralded from the mountain tops by local media … hint hint, wink wink.

Screenwriter John Ridley rudely stated he has no interest here, but felt he wanted a real town. He picked Modesto, then shot the show in Texas due to tax breaks. Like “Sons of Anarchy,” it could have been imaginary. His plausible deniability lay in Valley ignorance. A real town name implies truth. It’s all a ruse, carefully planned obfuscation … a lie.

Now, Google “Modesto” all you locals trying to sell your homes. If the show gets popular, oh what will come of property values, as if we haven’t been beat up enough already.

Ponder this: perceived low values equals lower property taxes, equals less support for infrastructure and public services, equals less police, equals more crime, equals lower property values. Thanks, for nothin’, Ridley!

I intend to vote the only we we get – with my TV remote.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 1:07 PM with the headline "Clay Thomas: TV show just another kick at Modesto."