In disussions over the best TV series of all time, The Wire, seen on HBO, is always part of the debate. The show weaved together the underbelly of drug culture, hard-working if sometimes corrupt police, Baltimore City politics and more. At the root is simply the urge for success in America, seen through the eyes of Baltimore , from the “corner boys” plying their drug trade, the local crime bosses, trying to honor their code, the police fighting them as well as City Hall, and the City leaders themselves, and their struggles between making the City a better place vs their own personal advancements. No doubt this is an oversimplification, but the pursuit of the American Dream, whatever that means, is at the heart of so many great stories.

The series begins at the scene of a street murder of a local young man known as “Snot Boogie”, with a Detective trying to have a conversation with a potential witness. At first the witness makes it clear he’s no snitch. Feeling bad for the victim, he reveals to the Detective what happened. Basically the victim regularly caused havoc with a friendly street game of craps. The witness suggests that the victim brought it on himself. Listen along as the Detective asks why the players let “Snot” in the game. At first the witness looks at the Detective with scorn and asks the Detective to repeat the question. He then answers the question with what is the general theme, not only for the entire series, but perhaps the theme for everyone trying to get ahead in life. It’s a very powerful statement that explains so much of what’s good and bad in this Country.