Rick's Cafe Americain

OK, I admit it. I once publicly supported bringing the Nets to Brooklyn.  Even then, though, it was clear that I was just being selfish and knew in my heart that the development project was a bad idea.

I’ve decided to just come out and admit that I’d rather not ruin the neighborhood to line Bruce Ratner’s pockets. Even if it means I don’t get NBA basketball in my backyard.

You can help fight this giveaway in the best way possible: by eating at some great Brooklyn restaurants.  In the words of The Brooklyn Dodge, “5% OF YOUR RESTAURANT BILL raises money towards legal fees to support Develop Don’t Destroy and the community in our fight for a democratic process in the future development of our neighborhoods, and against Ratner’s land grab.”

I can personally recommend Tom’s Diner (particularly for breakfast), Bob Law’s Seafood Cafe, Prospect Perk, Keur N’Deye, A Table, Liquors and especially al di la, my favorite restaurant anywhere.

Hat tip to No Land Grab, and to Stay Free!, which led me to No Land Grab. 

Ummm...you have provided no reason as to why it is a bad idea.  I am not saying it is or is not (don’t care enough about Brooklyn to check it out on my own), but curious about the reasons for your conclusion.

And what do you think about the Jets on the West Side?

Mostly the tax and land giveaway to a developer with a spotty record of performance. He always does well, but the neighborhood doesn’t always get the promised rewards.

There are gentrification issues, displacement issues, economic impact issues and dishonest broker issues, but No Land Grab is a better source of information than I am.

I lean towards approving the Jets development deal, but that is because against my better judgment I tend to prefer projects that bring sports closer to me as a knee-jerk reaction. If I knew all of the facts, I’d probably oppose the West Side project also.

As an aside, neither the Olympics nor the Super Bowl should ever come to New York.

Why should neither the Olympics or Super Bowl come to NYC?  I think both should.

As for the Jets, having seen the plans (granted from the Developer’s perspective) and as one who owns property about 2 blocks away, I am in favor of it—though most of the neighborhood seems against it (but I think that is also mostly knee jerk).

No opinion on the Nets, other than that they are closer to me in Jersey so I hope they stay there.

The Super Bowl because an outdoor game in January in NYC is not a good idea. It favors cold-weather teams in a neutral site game. Otherwise, I’d love it in my backyard.

I don’t want the Olympics because it would be a security and logistical nightmare. Just having the RNC here was a big enough problem and that was just a weekend. The overbuilding of publicly-financed stadiums in the metro area is another reason to hope that some other city gets the Games.

Boston wants the Olympics - they can have it. It would be close enough to go to an event or two and I wouldn’t have to deal with it every day.

First, playing in perfect weather (usually on astroturf) is a disadvantage to cold weather, natural grass teams (Big Ten teams unite!).  There is no reason why the Super Bowl should not be played outside in January.  I think it would be AWESOME.  Less of a hollywood event and more about real football.

Second, even if you don’t agree, you are wrong because the Jets stadium will have retractable roof so they can have the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four and whatever other convention center crap is necessary.

Third, odds that Ugart flip-flops on being against the Super Bowl in NYC in light of his cold weather argument going away—65% (would be higher, excepting that I am point out the above to him).  NB—NJ is not NYC, so don’t pull no Meadowlands crap.  But I like NJ for reason #1.

Fourth, I think the Olympics in NYC would be great fun, but I hear you and don’t live in Brooklyn.

See, this is Kerry’s problem. Idiots think that responding to new information is considered a “flip-flop”.

I WOULD love a Super Bowl in NY if it were played under a dome; I still do not support a Meadowlands Super Bowl.

More importantly, I still don’t support the West Side stadium, particularly if more than 10% of it (for real, not the estimates of advocates for the project) is publicly financed.

Are you sure that you want to talk about Big 10 football?

First line would have been great, if I hadn’t been using flip-flop only because of your use of it in the title post—but still a good line.

BUT, then you do a real flip-flop...how do you get from supporting the West Side project in comment 2 (even with your probably not if more info) to “still don’t support” in item 7?  This is beginning to sound like Kerry’s infamous “I voted for it before voting against it” line.

And, Dante, that just shows how good the Big Ten is.