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Harryk

On 1/2/11 2:19 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:30:46 -0500,
wrote:

On Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:05:58 -0800, wrote:

Wow... you're just a downer for everything. I guess creating 8000 jobs
and pumping $8B into the economy is the wrong thing. But, of course,
San Francisco is Pelosi country, so it must be a terrible idea.

Newport ran a huge loss for every American's Cup they ran for many
many years - that's why they only ran it every four years - fund
raising to keep the city and state solvent. The America's Cup just
isn't very interesting to the average sports fan - at least not the
way it is constituted now as far as tourism goes. It just isn't going
to attract the huge numbers needed to support the multi-million dollar
yachts. I was there when Australia II won over Liberty - we watched
most of the race off shore, then ran in to the pier to watch them come
in. The Mrs and I could walk around, no crowds other than sailors and
support staff - maybe 1,000 people total in the general area? Maybe.

And it was even worse in previous races - nobody other than the
sailing community cared. When Courageous took on Southern Cross, I bet
there weren't 500 people watching in total. Or at least it didn't
seem that way.

Having said that, if Ellison succeeds in downsizing the boats to
something more reasonable and races that can be viewed from shore,
then maybe, just maybe. As it is? No - ain't gonna happen. Other
than folks like you and me who might be interested in sailing races of
the size and scope of the current America's Cup, there isn't much
there - the average sports fan doesn't care about billionares building
half billion dollar boats to race in one race.

8 Billion to the economy? No way - just ain't gonna happen and I
highly doubt you will see 8,000 PERMANENT jobs out of this. Temp
maybe - a big maybe.

I really disagree. Firstly, it seems to me that watching some amazing
boats (72' catamarans) racing around and in/out of the bay would be
fantastic. Even Fleet Week draws 1000s of spectators, and the bay
itself is jammed. Ellison, if nothing else, is a pretty savvy
businessman.

Secondly, I really think this fantasy about permanent vs. temporary
jobs is totally stupid. Define permanent? Nobody can any more. It just
isn't reasonable to hold up the economy because of some strange notion
that if a job doesn't last forever it's no good. Total nonsense. All
jobs boost the economy and fuel more jobs and more economic growth.
This is BASIC economics.

I agree with your point about jobs; in today's corporate climate,
everyone is a temporary employee *until* the corporation can figure out
how to contract out the job and avoid all fringe benefits.

I'm absolutely opposed to the taxpayers fronting money or taking on debt
to support the leisure activities of billionaire sportsmen. Stadiums and
other big time pro venues should be built and paid for by the owners of
the teams, not the taxpayers.