🚀 go-pugleaf

In ed.general Jon Senior <jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote:
> M Holmes wrote:

>> You say that like it's a Good Thing. If you understood Edinburgh at all,
>> you'd realise that if the City Council is on one side of something, it's
>> time to start considering whether the other side might not be the one
>> that has it right.

> For a given point of view. I presume that you voted Nay to the 
> congestion charge

Nope, I voted for, though I thought the proposed scheme was far too
complex.

> and will be leading the whinge about the Princes St 
> closures? ;-)

Nope.  I'm for pedestrians and cyclists taking over as much of the
centre as possible.  Something I think is really wasted in Edinburgh is
the Grassmarket.  If we got the cars out of there and grassed it over,
it could provide a "town square" area where people could dine and drink
outside (maybe some cover and heating would be necessary at times) as in
other European city centres. It really could be a great tourist draw.

> The council does have a reasonable track record in bringing tourist 
> business into the city. They described the protests as "Protest Tourism".

If Edinburgh got nuked they'd advertise it as "Free heating for the elderly".

>> I don't think we're going to get rich on the backs of people who
>> figure that five quid for a week's camping is too much.

> Aside from the fact that you are apparently wrong in your valuation

I'm prepared to consider that: how about some numbers?

> you 
> are also wrong in you evaluation of the protesters. A significant 
> proportion of the marchers will be the righteous middle-classes. 

I'd assumed precisely that.

> Students who have formed political opinions at school and uni, and have 
> not yet endured enough of the real world to lose their fight. 

Who do you think has "lost their fight" then?

> They will probably be part / fully funded on their trip by their
> parents

Do you think these are the best people to advise on economic issues?

> and will almost certainly be buying things while they are
> here...  assuming any of the shops have remained open that is!

That's beginning to look doubtful. Seems that Marchmont shops are
closing too. Even my local's landlord says he's shutting the pub and
leaving Edinburgh.

FoFP