July 01, 2004

Left Behind

I've avoided posting about this so far, because I'm at that age where I have to start watching my blood pressure, but now it's time.

For those of you who don't live in the Boston area, a little background. The Democratic National Convention is coming to town late this month, and we're preparing in a way that only Boston can. For "security", they're closing all the highways in and out of the city (and banning traffic copters from helping people figure out which side streets aren't completely impassable), shutting off commuter trains from the north, and installing police-state security on the MBTA for the week of the convention (implicit message to terrorists: wait a week; you'll kill only locals but at least our distinguished guests will be home safe by then!).

And this was all pitched as an economic boon to the city, since all these delegates will certainly be out wandering around and shopping the whole time they're in town, and definitely not staying in the convention compund and going to swank parties hosted by corporate lobbyists. Did that sound sarcastic?

In its wisdom, the powers-that-be gave some sage advice to locals: leave town. Don't go to work that week. Take your vacations then and go to your beach houses. Maybe escape to Bimini on your hydrofoil. Just so long as you're not being silly and trying to get in and out of Boston that week. The problem, of course, is that I know NOBODY who has a hydrofoil, or a beach house, or (for that matter) much vacation time. Furthermore, lots of people work in hotels and restaurants and bookstores and are expected to be around that week, dusting tables and twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the promised rush of business.

So this is for them. I've designed a shirt that conveys a sense of "those losers all fled town" contempt, mixed with a dash of "why didn't I flee?" martyrdom. It's 20 bucks, you can order it here. And when they all come home from Bimini, you can wear it with a sense of self-righteous pride. Please buy one.

Comments

I would, but I spent all my disposable income on this Howard Dean shirt:

http://nataliedee.com/howarddeanshirt.jpg

Posted by: shannon at July 1, 2004 11:38 PM

Post a comment