so wild to see the protests and police responses to -G20 - in Pittsburgh

[tigereye]

we aren't used to this here.

Downtown and certain sections of town have boarded -up businesses like the Gap and Banana Republic, and police are forcing back small groups of protestors in the Lawrenceville section. There seem to be more police and media than protestors at this point. A lot of folks are massed in Friendship Park, near where I used to live.

[dropkickpa]

1. A lot of people I see everyday

Aren't going to be able to collect an adequate paycheck because of those assholes. I know a lot of the people who work in the shadyside businesses who had their windows busted out by those fuckwads, poor people, and they won't be working tomorrow because of these overprivileged white kids thinking they're sticking it to "the man" by busting out a couple windows. God I fucking hate hippies.

[tigereye]

well, they really aren't hippies - the ones who did this were more the

black- clad pseudo anarchy crowd. The older folks and most of the other protestors were peaceful.


I agree with you in that I really don't see how busting out windows makes any statement except about the lack of insight of those doing the busting. :(

[dropkickpa]

5. Yeah, we actually call these guys crusties

Hippies I like, I should have called them by what we call them, not by what they refer to themselves as.

[tigereye]

4. whoops, dupe

[whyverne]

2. And now we have to hear the interminable hyperbole.

Politicians saying that we should have never agreed to do this.

Rants about the horrendous costs.

Hey, big event = big problems.

Some people will make more money, some will make less.

I know a lot of people in the food service industry who are quite happy with this event. They're working their butts off and raking in the moolah.

I'd like to see someone compare the costs of having the G20 to the costs of hosting a year of Steeler home games. Maybe I'll do that when the final tally comes in. I'd be willing to bet right now that the G20 will be responsible for less deaths than a year of drunken Stiller fans.

My hat is off to Pittsburgh officials for having the balls to say, "Yeah we can do this."

I like my home town but I often wonder if "NO" is our favorite word.

[tigereye]

3. good point- there are a lot of good things about this summit for the city

I agree about the Steelers and the fact that we typically do tend to lack vision here.



I was able to get to work yesterday, the roads were clear, but I have to say though, that I was very glad the schools were closed, as I would have hated my child to be exposed to tear gas, etc.

[dropkickpa]

6. It's a mixed bag

I know (and am related to 2) a LOT of small business owners in Oakland. This hasn't been good for them at all, this week has been a total bust. Downtown has taken a BIG hit also with the exception of the hotels, 3 days of no business hurts.

Having the national and international spotlight on the city is a big bonus, though. Having first the AFL-CIO convention here then the G-20 right after will highlight the convention center, and has brought more attention to our attractiveness.

I really, really, really hope the media sticks around for a couple days so they can see non-lockdown Pittsburgh in all of it true vibrancy. We are such a surprise to people when they come here and see us. This town is so awesome.

I disagree with the Steeler game downerism, Steeler games bring *BIG* money to town and the costs don't even come close to comparing. I know a lot of businesses that made a KILLING last year during the play-offs and after we won the superbowl, and not just restaurants and bars.