03 Blue 07

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 PM ^

BCSBlue: This comment is just all kinds of asinine/over-generalized/irrelevant. Should we rip on stereotypical douchebags from NYC or Detroit in response? And re: the expressway, are you referring to...? 290? The one with Cabrini Green NORTH of it? and Bridgeport SOUTH of it? Or....90/94, the one with Bucktown, the West Loop, Bridgeport, Wicker Park, etc WEST of it? Just curious.

And the kinds of guys you just mentioned that "go up and down Lincoln Avenue" are, uhh, the same kind of guys that went to the bars on South U, Main Street, et al at U of M, just a year or two older. To act like they aren't traipsing about Manhattan as well is humorous.

It's fine you don't like Chicago. But the stereotypical stuff is just strawman-type stuff. I am assuming you're better than that, man.

bcsblue

October 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

From: American Pharaoh: Mayor Mayor Richard J. Daley - His Battle for Chicago and the Nation By Adam Cohen, Elizabeth Taylor

"Daley's modern Chicago was built, however on an unstated foundation: commitment to racial segregation. He preserved the city's white neighborhoods and business district by builing racial separation into the very concrete of the city. New developments-housing,highways, and schools- were built where they would serve as a barrier between white nieghborhoods and the black ghetto. ...Daley was also responsible for the final touch: routing the Dan Ryan Expressway to follow the neighborhood's traditional racial boudry."

Good read, check it out, the author goes on to say how this basically saved Chicago. Still I don't think its the right thing to do.

http://books.google.com/books?id=zcTXikCFIgwC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=dan+r…

CPS

October 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^

Dear bcsblue,

Thank you for your most thoughtful suggestion regarding our fair city of Chicago. You're idea of a "neg bang" is most intriguing.

While we have given much consideration as to how our city may be "fucked", you are no doubt aware that Chicago is operating under a very strained budget. Accordingly, despite our best efforts and attempts to brainstorm different cost-effective methods of being fucked, it does not appear to be financially feasible at this time. Union support was also very difficult to come by. Perhaps if the city had won it's Olympic bid, we would be having a very different discussion about all the many ways that Chicago could be fucked.

Longingly yours,

The City of Chicago Department of Recreation

Flying Dutchman

October 2nd, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^

As another former Chicagoan of 10 years, disappointed for the excitement that won't follow. But seriously, that town is so, so, so corrupt, I have a sense that this is some sort of karma coming back. The Obamas and Oprah failing in their plea is kind of funny.

Mattinboots

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^

It was very surprising to finish dead last of the four cities. Especially given all of good press and general optimism of those working on the bid who have constant communication with the IOC.

The bid process is extremely political and the IOC is made up 40% of Europeans, so I won't be surprised if Madrid gets it. Personally, I'd like to see Rio.

*A number of client service firms, including mine, loaned staff pro bono to Chicago 2016. I worked on many of the finance models, including ticketing. I had started saving for my opening ceremony tickets, but maybe now I'll buy a house (yes, they are that expensive).

Mattinboots

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^

$800 - $1600 each. Was going to take my family (wife, both sets of parents, any kids old enough at that point). So let's say cheap seats for 8 = $6400. The good seats would have been $12800. Figured it would be a once in a lifetime experience.

Mattinboots

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^

Most Olympic only events (e.g. archery, track and field) were very reasonable. Some even as cheap as $25. Average ticket price for non-premium (premium = baskteball, soccer, swimming, other medal rounds) events were $55. Premium events started around $75 (this was preliminary swimming events). Men's basketball finals were the most expensive event ticket (no surprise) at around $450 each.

RagingBean

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^

I'm a new resident of Chicago so I was really looking forward to this as a confirmation that I moved to the right city. Guess I'll just have to uproot myself and move to Rio!

BlueVoix

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^

Hmm, thought this might happen...but now without Chicago, the options are kind of funny. Madrid? Really, right after London? That seems totally fair. Tokyo? Only one game after Beijing? I wouldn't actually mind Tokyo, only because it's an amazing city and it would be endlessly entertaining watching them try to find more space in that city.

As for Rio, yes they probably do deserve it, but have a fun time with crime and infrastructure. And also making sure the media doesn't explore all those really dark spots they'll try to sweep under the rug. They don't quite have the experience the Chinese do in controlling the media.

DesHow21

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^

it is FAR safer to walk alone in Mumbai than in Chicago. Please refrain from commenting on things you don't know a damn thing about.

Having said that, I fervently hope Mumbai nver actually gets the Olympics...the politicians there are about 1000 times more corrupt than in Chicago.

bouje

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 PM ^

and depends on where you are. There are some places in Chicago I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around with an armed escort during the day and I'm sure that the same could be said of any major metropolitan city.

But with that being said I feel completely safe walking around downtown, in Lincoln Park, etc by myself at night.

DesHow21

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 PM ^

There were 2,238,480 assaults in the US as compared to 236,313 in India in the last year.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_ass-crime-assaults

Now being a serious statistician, unlike you I won't quote numbers without context and run. These numbers only reflect the *reported* crimes. Given the fact that the police here in the US are infinitely more likely to take complaints more seriously, its obvious why the US is the worst rank here.

bouje

October 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 PM ^

Um here is the one for Murder per Capita:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capi…

USA is #24

India is #24

And also just assaults is a horrible measure because larger countries will obviously have more assaults than smaller countries hence why you should do per capita:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_ass_percap-crime-assaults-per-cap…

Where the US is still not very good @#6 (UK is #8)

You could also look at kidnappings or rapes per capita but no you chose to go with a personal attack on me which I'm sure will get you positive points.

The point is you looked at one statistic instead of looking at crime overall.

bouje

October 2nd, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^

Murder Statistics PER CAPITA (which is a normalized statistic)

I screwed up and posted that they were both #24 but alas India is @26

# 24 United States: 0.042802 per 1,000 people
# 25 Armenia: 0.0425746 per 1,000 people
# 26 India: 0.0344083 per 1,000 people

jamiemac

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^

I never had any safety issues in the sic years i lived in Chicago. Hell, I even closed down both Jimbo's and the BullPen Bar during Sox games and felt safe.

In any major city, just stay alert and know where not to go. In Chicago, the vast majority of neighborhoods are safe. And when those 'hoods aren't like the Lincoln Park example below, those are more an isolated era than indicative of daily life in L.P.

Just E-pinion.

Also: Chicago is an amazing city.

bouje

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:30 PM ^

I think that Chicago is the best big city in the whole USofA.

We have something for everyone. With all of the parks and Lake Michigan on it's Eastern shore there really is something for everyone in the Windy City.

aenima0311

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 PM ^

I really wanted the games in Chicago, but I would have bet large amounts of money on Rio because the games have never been held in S. America.

Oh, and Chicago is clearly an Olympic-caliber city. The capital of the Midwest.

chitownblue2

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^

When the world champion 100 meter sprinter wakes up in Rio in a strange hotel-room in a bathtub full of ice, missing a kidney, it will be too late to re-think this.

dbalrod

October 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^

Wow, as someone who was born and raised in Rio, this really offends me. Yes, the crime rate in Rio is very high. But you don't think that the city will place the security of the athletes and the tourists as the highest priority?

Rio will do a great job with the World Cup in 2014 and with the Olympics in 2016.