ReAL Sandy? Make Me Sick!!!!

[aosthed]

Originally Posted by Section 37

I don't see this as a divisiveness issue. We disagree on everything. Keep Mathis/ Don't keep Mathis. Start Jamie/ Don't start Jamie. Play this formation/ Don't play this formation.

None of those things are "divisive". I think we have to steer clear of making personal attacks and generalizations. But I don't think this whole debate has been divisive.

On the contrary, I think it has brought us together because we can see and understand that we are all very different yet cheer for the same team for the same reasons. I think there is a profound lesson to be learned here. It would be lost if we all just stayed quiet.

See above post. My point isn't that we all should agree - it's when it leaves the discussion point and people go to their county/city leaders to oppose the idea... this HURTS the team, the franchise, the stadium chances.

[the cup]

Has this thread really gone on for 16 pages now? Good Godfrey.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by the cup

Has this thread really gone on for 16 pages now? Good Godfrey.

🕺

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Aerick

Exactly!!! We need to fight the bad PR with good PR. That's what I was alluding to in my earlier post.

I wasn't referring to fighting the bad PR with good PR, however.

I'm saying that RSL has gotten itself involved in a possible big fat quagmire with the County Council because Mayor McWalMart thought it would be awesome to distract everyone from the gravel pit fiasco he got himself into by essentially pulling one over on pretty much everyone in the county.

It sounds like the County Council is pretty irate, and I don't think they're going to let it die. Writing into the newspapers with "yay for Sandy" or whatever isn't going to make that go away.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by clarette

I wasn't referring to fighting the bad PR with good PR, however.

I'm saying that RSL has gotten itself involved in a possible big fat quagmire with the County Council because Mayor McWalMart thought it would be awesome to distract everyone from the gravel pit fiasco he got himself into by essentially pulling one over on pretty much everyone in the county.

It sounds like the County Council is pretty irate, and I don't think they're going to let it die. Writing into the newspapers with "yay for Sandy" or whatever isn't going to make that go away.

I'm not sure that the county council has the power to do anything about it. They can pull their money out of the parking lot, but county funds aren't going toward the stadium.

Also, has anyone checked the political affiliation of the council members grumbling about the stadium deal?

[Section 37]

Originally Posted by Stucki

I'm not sure that the county council has the power to do anything about it. They can pull their money out of the parking lot, but county funds aren't going toward the stadium.

A Tribune editorial outlined this situation the other day. They pointed out the difference between promising to not use public funds and actually not using public funds.

Personally, I approve the use of public funds to build a stadium. I think it's a good use of money.

But I'm in the minority. The Tribune made a good point that things will get bad if RSL is just waiting to ask for public funds until the project is further along. They think it might be the "it's easier to apologize than to ask permission" thing.

That's what the county is really worried about. They want to see actual numbers to back up the committment. They don't want to get stuck with the bill once it's too late to turn back. Plus, they are particularly suspicious and careful because of the way the whole deal went down in the first place. Once bitten...

Personally I think it's a good use of public funds.

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Stucki

Also, has anyone checked the political affiliation of the council members grumbling about the stadium deal?

I've seen quotes from both Democrats and Republicans in the Trib.

What really made me think that something shady might have gone down was reading Dean Howes's comments on Mayor McWalMart's re-election and that Howes attended McWally's re-election thingy.

I HATE POLITICIANS. They ruin everything.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by clarette

I wasn't referring to fighting the bad PR with good PR, however.

I'm saying that RSL has gotten itself involved in a possible big fat quagmire with the County Council because Mayor McWalMart thought it would be awesome to distract everyone from the gravel pit fiasco he got himself into by essentially pulling one over on pretty much everyone in the county.

It sounds like the County Council is pretty irate, and I don't think they're going to let it die. Writing into the newspapers with "yay for Sandy" or whatever isn't going to make that go away.

With all due respect, they're all politicians. And for politicians, public opinion is king! It's very rare to have an altruistic politician that scoffs at public opinion to do what they think is right. If RSL and its fans create a positive PR campaign that affects public opinion, this issue will all but die. It's the nature of the beast.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by Section 37

...The Tribune made a good point that things will get bad if RSL is just waiting to ask for public funds until the project is further along. They think it might be the "it's easier to apologize than to ask permission" thing.

That's what the county is really worried about. They want to see actual numbers to back up the committment. They don't want to get stuck with the bill once it's too late to turn back. ...

Sounds like someone knows how to work the system - and I'm glad they're on "our" team. 🙂

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Aerick

With all due respect, they're all politicians. And for politicians, public opinion is king! It's very rare to have an altruistic politician that scoffs at public opinion to do what they think is right. If RSL and its fans create a positive PR campaign that affects public opinion, this issue will all but die. It's the nature of the beast.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

I just don't think that the vast majority of taxpayers are going to have as favorable opinion of the situation as RSL fans do, and until RSL comes out and says, "this is exactly how we're going to pay for the stadium", I think it will remain that way.