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Bass Pro is No Go
Thank god we can all be put out of our misery. Am I the only one who got sick of hearing about how Bass Pro was coming yet no progress was ever made on this deal all along. We were lied to, flat out lied to. Before the Aud even came down we were told this was a slam dunk by our politicians, Bass Pro officials and everyone involved in the steaming pile of shit.
Instead we are left with squat. Brian Higgins who generally I have liked all along says there are several back up plans, well, I and many of us will believe it when we see the first shovel of dirt come out of the ground.
We now have nothing going up at the old Aud site, a skeleton of steel where the supposed new Seneca Casino was supposed to go up which has been on hold for close to 2 years now due to the "economy" and we have a bridge that has been talked about for close to 20 years now that no one has the balls to take leadership on and say this is the damn bridge that we are building and all those opposed can jump off it when its done.
This region is so swamped in red tape, obstructionist groups who can't stand change and crooked vultures looking to swoop in and get theirs it will be amazing if this area ever gets any major project done. What this area needs is a leader, a true leader who will step up and say this is what we are doing and all those opposed can swing from my ass as I turn around to moon you all.
You go up to Toronto and there are new buildings going up all the time, people are working there building shit, Its called progress people. There are not a dozen politicians in the way, obstructionist groups saying they are opposed to the project as with the casino or people squabbling over the design of the buildings they just build the damn things, and you know what? People go there, tourists go there to see Toronto because its growing, its big and it has tons of shit to do.
Down here in Buffalo we bitch, we complain, we present projects with all sorts of red tape and therefore the opportunities offered to our community sink because the interested party usually gets sick of dealing with the people of this area because we are so picky.
Just build the shit. No one project is ever going to have 100% support and if thats what we are waiting for then we aren't going to get a water front that is going to attract anymore than the water front lake Erie.
The casino....first of all gambling should just be made legal in this state, why are we letting these things be built and saying well its okay in this building but not okay outside of these doors. Just make it legal already. As far as the obstrucitonist to the casino, if I were the Senecas I would say fine you don't want us to build it you guys can clean up what we started at your cost. Get out of there. Its not going up right now, not because of the economy, its because the Anti Casino group has this thing tied up in court and the Senecas can't build. Another $350 million project down the tubes. Its okay to be against it but don't stop it from going up, its a job creator for a city in desparate need of jobs. If you are against the casino just don't go but don't ruin it for the rest of those who would.
I'd love to see the list of alternate projects for Bass Pro. Who would come here and deal with this region. Both sides bullshitted and dragged their feet, everyone is to blame. if they wanted it here they would have had that Aud site cleaned up in a matter of weeks, not months and Bass Pro would have been in there 7 years ago. Instead it dragged on and on because the city and state kept asking for more and more and Bass Pro kept asking for more and more until both sides said screw off.
Get rid of the red tape, get rid of corrupt politics and get rid of ultra conservative activists who can't stand change will stop anything significant from being build for the mere fact it might ....gasp.....change something and then maybe something might get done in this hole in the ground city we call Buffalo.
Top 5 Pro Athletes in Buffalo History
Yesterday I was listening to Bulldog on WGR 550 and he was talking about putting Dominik Hasek's jersey up in the rafters at HSBC Arena and I completely agree. What I didn't agree with was the Dominator being though of as one of our top two pro atheletes in Buffalo history. The other brought up was OJ Simpson which may be considered but I have a major disagreement with both of them being top two.
Here is my top 5 pro athletes in Buffalo Sports:
1. Gilbert Perreault: He played from 1970 to 1987 in a Buffalo Sabre jersey, number 11 and leader of the French Connection and never played anywhere else while he was in the NHL, He is ranked first all time in goals, assists and points as a Buffalo Sabre and all time in NHL history ranks 37th in goals, 25th in assists and 31st in points. His totals were 512 goals, 814 assists for a total of 1326 points. No Sabre current or past has bettered those numbers in a Sabre uniform and I'm tempted to say that in the era of free agency no one ever will. Gilbert Perreault "The Tap Dancer for the Buffalo Sabres"
2. Bruce Smith: How easy is this pick? Bruce was the most gifted athlete the Bills have ever seen and to me that includes OJ. When Bruce was here wearing a Buffalo uniform he was the most dominating force on the Super Bowl defenses and you'd be hard pressed to say that they go to four Super Bowls without Bruce. He had 171 sacks in Buffalo, a stat that may never be broken. He made the defense around him better just by being there. 3. Dominik Hasek: He had a slinky for a spine. The Sabre teams of the 1990s were average teams with the greatest goalie in the world. Nothing sums up Hasek better than RJ: 4. Jim Kelly: Before Jim Kelly set foot in Buffalo they were a 2-14 mess, Kelly brought leadership to a team that desparately needed a leader and he would start as a Bill and retire a Bill and to this day we are still looking for his replacement as the franchise quarterback. Watch Kelly pick apart the Dolphins in the last two minutes with no timeouts. 5. Pat LaFontaine and Alexander Mogilny; They weren't together here very long and had injury problems but when they was here and was healthy they may have been the best players the Sabres ever saw. They had instant chemistry especially in the Mogilny 76 goal season that is and will probably always be a franchise record.What's Up With The Downtown Casino?
I don't drive past it too much but the last time I did about a month ago there is still that initial steel skeleton sitting downtown with no progress being made.
What is going on with this project? The Seneca's were being sued by the anti-casino (casino funded) group but said that they were stopping construction due to the economy...
Well here we are, the DOW has recovered and there hasn't been a whiff of news from The Senecas or anyone about what is happening.
What is going on with this? Is Buffalo getting screwed again on another $300 million dollar project? (the last being the Adelphia building). And while we are on the subject is Bass Pro still coming?
To any business or coorporation looking to set up shop in Buffalo, listen, don't make promises you cant keep. Im going to shoot an email out to Seneca Gaming and see what they say....stay tuned.
Category: Buffalo
Congressman Higgins is on Board
Congressman Brian Higgins is already decided on his vote for healthcare reform and honestly he should be. He has decided to vote for a comprehensive healthcare reform bill (assuming hopefully it meets his standards and the standards that the majority who voted for him want). Yesterday on Seneca Street featured this: Higgins should support the majority in his district which does happen to be...DEMOCRAT! Democrats want healthcare reform. We are the ones who voted Mr. Higgins in. Maybe if republlcans/conservatives who go out there and demonstrate could come up with one reasonably talking point, one alternative to the ideas on healthcare reform that are out there right now other than the status quo, maybe it would be worth holding a town hall meeting. I don't blame Higgins. He could probably see what was coming based on what is going on around the country with the fake out bursts from these coorporately organized disruptions at other democratically run town hall meetings. I do think however, he should hold something, just have more security present and inform people at the door, if you scream out of turn you are being dismissed, no questions. Don't give them the satisfaction of being able to say that as the representative of our district that you refused to hear the other side, if you hold the town hall with your mind already made up (as it should be) and you go ahead and vote for it, then they have nothing to bitch about because you heard them out. However, its got to be a civil, productive discussion and nothing of what these conservative lunatics have to discuss is productive, they are all empty points with no real solutions for a healthcare problem. Most conservatives don't think there is a problem and that to me is the real shame about them coming to the town halls and acting the way they do, acknowledge there is a problem.Category: Buffalo | News | Politics | healthcare
TO Thing Was Set Up
For all of you who are in an uproar over TO getting the "Key to the City" from Mayor Byron Brown I think you are all making a big deal of nothing.
First off, he is on a reality show and anyone who still thinks that reality shows are real needs to get their head examined. They are just as scripted as any other show. They are called "reality" because they look real and puts people into real life situations but in the end its all a big hoax.
Terrell Owens did not really get the key to the city and really, the people at the airport as he arrived were extras. Come one, the guy is famous but I don't think anyone is waiting that anxiously as to meet the guy at the airport and scream at the top of their lungs like he is the friggin Beatles. I think we would be more willing to do that for Jim Kelly or Pat LaFontaine before we make that big of a thing over Terrell Owens.
Second, why would he get the key to the city already? Seriously? The guy has done nothing yet. He has shown up at a few workouts. Thats it. Nothing more. Until he catches his first touchdown pass he means nothing to this city and he will soon find that out.
If its that easy to get the key to the city then we should all go barge in on Byron Brown right now because compared to Terrell Owens, every single resident of Buffalo and really Western New York has done more than TO to get a key themselves. Are we that media starved and desparate for the spotlight that just the mere sign of anyone of significance outside of WNY that comes here is going to get a key? I find that sad if that is the case.
Im sticking to my guns though, it was a hoax, acted out for his "reality show" and nothing more. Don't read anything into it.
Category: Buffalo | Buffalo Bills | Miscellaneous | News
Kenmore is one of the higher taxed municipalities in Western New York so when something needs to be done you would hope the Village of Kenmore would get on their horse and do the work in a timely fashion.
Well, in this case, there has been a small sinkhole in the middle northbound lane of Elmwood Avenue on the Kenmore side of Kenmore Avenue. It has been there now for at least 3 weeks now. Everyday I drive by wondering why the hell no one has gotten off their ass with a truck and a few men to fill in the damn thing.
Instead the northbound lanes of Elmwood Ave. at a relatively busy intersection is down to one lane and they have this sinkhole surrounded by orange cones, barrels and wooden blockades. No work yet.
You would think a sinkhole in the middle of Elmwood would be something that would take on a high priority. 3 weeks. Its probably a couple hour job if that. Whats the delay?
Category: Buffalo | Miscellaneous
Jack Kemp Passes at 73
Jack Kemp despite being a bleeding heart conservative was still one of those figures that came to bat for WNY over the years. He was a former Buffalo Bill quarterback and represented our area in the political forum with pride.
He was a former vice-presidential candidate and served as congressman for nine terms. He was a 17th round, yes 17th round draft pick by the Detroit Lions. I don't mean to get off target here but imagine if todays drafts went 17 rounds? Some of the players would be dead before the draft was over.
Mr. Kemp will be missed. Despite his political agenda, he was one of the few who you knew stuck up for this area in the larger scheme of the US political system. He ranks up there with Jimmy Griffin and Tim Russert in terms of WNY politicians.
Category: Buffalo
How Is This a Fair Sentence?
Cara Dickey today got away with a perverbial slap on the wrist in my book. The judge must have been smoking some mighty fine dope before sentencing her in her case. The relationship she had with a 14 year old boy nearly had them both committing suicide, not to mention the emotional scars that this boy faces after having sex with her on more than one occasion.
The statements made today by Dickey were those of a sick and emotionally damaged woman who shouldn't see the light of day for a lot longer than the four years the judge handed down. Also she will not be allowed to teach in NY State again but what about the other 49?
Why are judges so lenient in cases like this? Its a problem that continually comes up where judges let child molesters/abusers get away with minimal prison sentences. Granted after they get out there life is a living nightmare should they even attempt to re-enter society in any sort of functional way, but really can we trust someone like Dickey ever again?
Having any sympathy for her just because she is female is totally sexist, this is no better than a male in the same situation with a girl or boy. If it were a guy to be fair, the judge would have probably been just as lenient though and that to me is a mystery, but for some reason I detect a bit of "I feel sorry for her" coming eventually whether its from the media or from some other outlet.
She deserves no remorse in this, she deserves no sympathy what so ever. She did this to herself, she did this to her family and most importantly, she ruined some other kid and his family and put them through hell for selfish reasons. The judge in this case should be ashamed for not slapping her with a longer sentence. The judge called her acts dispicable and she deserved a sentence to match her actions....four years hardly matches what she did.
Flight 3407
You never think something like this will happen around your area until it happens. Last night, flight 3407 crashed in Clarence and my first thought was where in Clarence and how big. We have had small private planes go down but nothing like this.
It turned out to be the first commercial plane to crash in the history of the Buffalo-Niagara airport. Our hearts go out to all who were lost. There were 49 people who died in the crash, including one man who died on the ground in the home that was struck.
Rob Ray's ESPN Commercial
I never knew that Rob Ray had an ESPN commercial. I stumbled across this earlier today, some of you may remember this one, I however, never caught it:
Category: Buffalo | Sports | Television
