You mean just like South Lake Union Park, right here in our very own community *AHEM* I mean, city?

The fact is (and which the Stranger willfully ignores), the city of Seattle, due to the Pro Parks Levy, has funds to purchase land for 18 NEW neighborhood parks and also to preserve green space. In fact, according to the city website, by 2007 the city had acquired 42 acres of land for parks and green space. 42! (Say it with me... 42!)

Also according to the city web site, Seattle has 400 parks and open areas, and over 6200 acres of park land. Again... say it with me... 6200 ACRES OF PARK LAND. 6200! Say it again. 6200!

We have oodles of open space, including a brand-spanking-new park being built RIGHT NOW on the northern edge of downtown. And yet, if you walk through most of these parks on any given day, they are empty. I guess that is the meaning of "open space".

If you want to fight this project, at least please do it honestly. Just come out and say: "1. We hate Dale Chihuly and 2. We hate Republicans, and these are the reason we are against this". Stop trying to couch it in "but the people want open space!!!!" and "public process!!!!" and "The Master Plan". None of you at the Stranger gave two shits about the Master Plan when it was being written, and I'd wager money that hardly any of you have even BEEN to Seattle Center this calendar year.

In summary: 1. We have open space. Lots of it. We are getting more. The space we have is often empty. 2. Stop the populist rhetoric. It's tired and meaningless. Be honest about your opposition to this project. COMPLETELY honest. Stop using "the people" and "the Master Plan". It's cynical and makes no you better than Sarah Palin touting "The Real America".

Also, if you actually read that NYTimes article, there will be COMMERCIAL space on Governors Island. Imagine the horrors!