Posted on 07/17/2004 9:50:26 PM PDT by Jenya
The High Cost of Pomp and Circumstance
WASHINGTON – Back when the Democratic National Committee first awarded its 2004 convention to Boston nearly two years ago, local pundits gushed about how the event would showcase Boston’s new image as a city that works.
There were lots of lofty predictions about boosting tourism and luring more conventions – recasting Boston’s old image of anti-busing violence from the 1970s and its reputation for petty, parochial political backfighting. There was a lot of self-congratulatory hugging and puffing about the “new Boston.”
One prominent Hub ad executive boldly predicted the city could “relaunch” its national profile as a cutting edge research-and-development center.
Instead of projecting a bold new national profile, the latest headlines make Boston look more like a third-world city on the verge of veering out of control.
With the July 26-29 Democatic National Convention fast approaching, the city seems to be lurching from one crisis to another – imperiling what should be a golden moment in the national spotlight.
Angry police picketers ringed the FleetCenter in their bitter fight with Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino – a simmering contract dispute that could still mar the convention.
Sen. John F. Kerry’s brief flirtation with the idea of not accepting his party’s nomination in Boston was a snub to the city, pure and simple, that underscored the hollow nature of party nominating conventions.
Already there are budget overrruns and alarming reports the city may lose money, debunking rosy predictions by Menino and others that the event would be a shot-in-the-arm for the city’s economy.
The traffic and transportation nightmare seems to grow worse by the week. There will be major roadway and train station shutdowns, frustrating commuters and conventioneers alike.
Cambridge and Somerville are even threatening road closings.
New York, by comparison, seems to be handling its convention planning with aplomb. Major commuter arteries and train stations are not shutting down, the city seems to be taking the elaborate security precautions in characteristic stride.
A few months ago on his campaign plane, an upbeat Kerry mused about how the convention could be a tremendous showcase for Boston, highlighting both its rich history and its vibrant role in the new American century.
Today, the most pressing question in the Kerry camp is whether traffic chaos, red ink and labor unrest will mar the four-day party gathering or else fade to black as the celebration begins.
My heart bleeds~/sarcasm
I think the convention in Boston will showcase the effects of DemocRAT rule.
Bleed that city dry! They raped federal taxpayers for the big dig - this will be sweet payback.
My first thought exactly. However, on rethinking this, I don't think that Teddy and Tip left this money lying around in large easy-to-access piles.
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