Political one-upsmanship surely had nothing to do with it (wink, wink): Massachusetts' Republican Governor Mitt (no longer confused with a leather apparatus used to protect one's hand from a baseball) Romney "suggested" that Democrats coming to Boston may wish to use the brand new convention center instead of the Fleet Center due to security considerations, such as two subway lines, a commuter rail station and a major highway nearby. But, since we are winning the war on terror (bomb blasts in Baghdad and Madrid not witshstanding), these should not be concerns, I guess. Anyone familiar with Boston knows that the Convention Center is in the middle of nowhere (official Verbal Jazz pic included). The real reason the Democrats should consider a new venue is that the Fleet Center has not seen a champion since it opened. The building it replaced (Boston Garden) was a testament to gritty championship teams playing in an uncomfortable building.

What does Romney have to gain from his suggestion? Looks good to Republicans that he tries to embarrass Democrats; looks good to commuters who will not be able to commute all the way to North Station (right underneath the Fleet Center); and its plain ol' fun to get Boston Mayor Tom Menino riled up.


Boston Convention Center -- Side View (pic taken October 2003)


Boston Convention Center -- Front View (pic taken October 2003)

Verbal Jazz now sees the whole plot: the Convention Center is a secret alien docking station and Governor Romney was sent to deliver the Democrats to the Convention Center. The governor does look a bit creepy with those white temples...

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