Slog - Comments on The Sonics' 6th Man: The Screwed Taxpayer

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 11:48:00 -0800

I have written to my state senator and both representatives expressing my opposition to this plan. I suggest you all do the same.
Please keep it short, pithy, on-message, and polite, if you want them to pay attention to you. If you're tempted to cuss them (or the Sonics, or anyone) out, do so in the knowledge that you're hurting your cause.

Comment by Joshthelapdog

Joshthelapdog — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 13:17:12 -0800

Here's a scandal: Josh Feit won't say who from Team Nickels is meeting with him every Thursday.

Come clean, Josh. Don't keep secrets. How can we tell whether you are holding back when you won't square with your readers?

Comment by Mr. X

Mr. X — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:52:40 -0800

And they'll be all confused when RTID (and possible phase 2 of Sound Transit) goes down in flames, too.

This proposal means that, no matter what they say/promise/cajole to get voter approval for project (in this case in a narrowly won special election bought and paid for by Paul Allen), they will turn around and extend the taxes without a vote indefinitely.

And they wonder why even moderate people don't trust government anymore. I guess two brand new stadiums built across the fucking street from each other wasn't enough.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:48:38 -0800

Oh my, it is indeed scandalous that Josh, who writes on city government, would meet with city officials, in an attempt to inform himself before he writes, rather than just spout off inane fact-free rubbish like JOSHTHELAPDOG and his army of sock puppets does.

Comment by Explorer

Explorer — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:50:24 -0800

I wrote to my Senator & Reps as well. My Senator happens to be Erik Poulsen, and while I was polite (and didn't cuss him out) I let him know that his "big deal" comment was not taken lightly.

Comment by Seth

Seth — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:07:06 -0800

I like how Margarita Prentice uses this as an example of the economic impact of sports teams: "Just think of how many restaurants and taverns were filled -- all the way up to Alaska."

Had the Seahawks not been in the Super Bowl, all these people would have been--what--at home? No, probably at the zoo, or at a non-sports-bar, or at a movie. They would have spent their money, just not in connection with the Seahawks.

I'm a big, big, big sports fan, but sports shouldn't have some special exalted status as an entertainment option. If the Sonics think they will be better off in the wealthy, growing community of Oklahoma City, they should go try it out. We'll get another team.

Comment by Meinert

Meinert — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:53:30 -0800

Seth, You are totally correct, at least acording to all of the independent economists who have studied this. In fact, more than just your point, they have found that because of the high cost of sports tickets, people going to pro sporting events go out less to other cultural events, and so cumulatively support non-sport businesses less.

But the Sonics have a top dollar lobbyist working full time to convince our politicians that they need $260 million. We need to work extra hard to counter their efforts by emailing and calling the polticians and asking them to do the right thing and stand up to pro-sports. I am all for the Sonics staying in town, and would even suport giving them a better lease deal on the Key, just not handing them millions in cash. That is just bullshit.

The City, County and State all need to vote on this so write them all

Write to Seattle City Council At: Jan Drago (jan.drago@cseattle.gov); Richard Conlin (Richard.Conlin@seattle.gov); Richard McIver (richard.mciver@seatle.gov); Peter Steinbrueck (peter.steinbrueck@seattle.gov); Nick Licata (Nick.Licata@Seattle.gov); David Della (David.Della@Seattle.gov); Tom Rasmussen (tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov); Jean Godden (Jean.Godden@Seattle.gov)

Write to the King County Council at: Bob.ferguson@metrokc.gov; Kathy.lambert@metrokc.gov; Larry.phillips@metrokc.gov; Reagan.dunn@metrokc.gov; Pete.vonreichbauer@metrokc.gov; Dow.constantine@metrokc.gov; Larry.gosett@metrokc.gov; Jane.haque@metrokc.gov; Julia.patterson@metrokc.gov

For your State Representatives go this link or see the end of the email for a full list:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Comment by Phil

Phil — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 11:51:30 -0800

Re: Meinert's e-mail list

missing: Sally Clark sally.clark@seattle.gov

misspelled: Larry Gossett larry.gossett@metrokc.gov, Jane Hague jane.hague@metrokc.gov

Comment by Phil Mocek

Phil Mocek — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 11:58:43 -0800

also misspelled: Jan Drago jan.drago@seattle.gov, Richard McIver richard.mciver@seattle.gov

Ugh. That'll teach me to cut-n-paste from someone else's list.