Here's my take on the "Bow River Flow". Is it a silly festival that really doesn't have a lot of people going to it? Yes. Does it make sense to close down that road for a festival in it's infancy when there is a huge park right beside it? No. Is it really a big deal to people driving down that road? No. Does it really cost much, both in time and in money? No.
The big deal regarding this festival is the fact that people are making it a big deal. Both the attackers and defenders. I find it hard to believe how much time, energy, political capital, and discussion is being taken up by something relatively minor. It reveals a much larger issue that I have. It's an issue I have with this culture in general, but with this city in particular. People seem to lose track of what's really important. This city is bleeding red ink, and aldermen are sniping at each other about absolutely trivial things. And the aldermen are doing it because the public does it, too. Do I care about if Memorial Drive is only half closed on a Sunday in August? No. Do I care if the roads behind Memorial don't get plowed in winter, because city hall can't spend their time and energy figuring out that budget properly, because they spend too much time worrying about what a community association is doing and how that affects them politically? Yes, I care about that. It's absurd. I mean it's one thing if McIver opposes it and doesn't show up, but for him to "Boycott" it makes it seem far, far more important than it really is. It's the bridge discussion all over again - a sideshow that seems to "matter" far more than the real issues.
Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting discussion, just not that important.
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