West Side Stadium

NY is going nuts, divided among itself, over plans for the new West Side Stadium. Now, they've gotten a few firefighters to promote the project, acting like that's God's seal of approval.

I'm not a big fan of these city, state, and other taxpayer funded sports programs. Sports attendance is declining, they practically had to pay people to attend the Summer Olympics (lots of Athens businesses during the Olympics and NYC businesses during the Republican National Convention closed because there was NO business), and there is no reason why a team of multi-millionaire players and billionaire owners need taxpayers to foot the bill.

But the whole firefighter thing bothers me. Since 9/11, everyone has solicited firefighters to appear for this, that, or the other. Granted. But lots of New York City firefighters aren't magically made into wise divine beings by 9/11. Many were heroes that day, no question. But whoring is whoring. I don't think much of firefighters whoring, and I think even less of those who eagerly sign them as whores.

The building of the West Side Stadium will help some with the construction, but the rest of it is questionable. Wanting to hold the Olympics in your city to me is the height of stupidity (and the stadium is tied to plans to redo part of the city to host an upcoming Olympics - they're hoping maybe 2012, not sure).

Teachers in NY make shitty salaries. So do firefighters and police BEFORE overtime (and more than a few hit the six-figure mark with it - so excuse me if I don't tear up). Money should go to priorities first. Let the million/billionaires pay for their own stadiums and Olympic venues.