What's the pulse?

I am beginning to grow tired of the endless advertisements posed by both sides over the recent weeks. I feel every time I turn the television on or listen to ESPN radio at work, there is a constant blitzkrieg from both sides regarding the West Side stadium. The first campaigns were started by the Dolan family, which own Madison Square Garden. Mayor Bloomberg, who is a firm supporter of building the new stadium, countered with his own advertisements.

This has turned into a continuous, drawn out display of public service announcements. The problem is that both sides are making unfair accusations. The opposition is probably gaining ground, because most NYC citizens that I have spoken to are beginning to grow weary of the stadium. At first many felt that the Jets deserved a new stadium, but now many of my fellow colleagues feel that this stadium will be more of a burden rather than a great addition.

What is creating this great change in the tide? Is it the advertisement? Does it really work? The negative ads have taken aim at issues that matter to the public; money, safety, and children. The consensus is that this stadium will cost the tax payers all the dollars, and the last thing New Yorkers want hear is tax raise. Secondly, the amount of money to go to the stadium will have to come from somewhere. Thus, education and safety are going to be greatly affected.

Is the stadium going to be built? In time we will see, but in the November election in Texas, a new stadium was voted on by the public. An overwhelming decision was made in favor of building, and so construction will begin in 2006. Why is there such support in Texas? Maybe the Bloomberg administration should change their game plan. If the current campaign continues, it looks like my beloved Jets will once again be short changed out of a new stadium.