Bettman should know better than to come into Calgary during these economic times and tell Calgarians what they "need" to do, especially when the suggestion is a large public subsidy for the most elite of the elite in society--- billionaire owners and millionaire players and NHL staff. Especially when most of the contributions come from the overwhelming majority of Calgarians who can not afford to go to games.
Still, I'd be prepared to support some public subsidy element, but certainly not as proposed. And there should be strings attached. The ownership has not been vocal enough about who would get the concert revenues etc. for this huge public subsidy. Would their tune change if all of the proceeds beyond a reasonable promoter fee for concerts goes to the taxpayer who funded this?
And again, Nenshi, whom I agree with more than I disagree on this issue, embarrasses himself again with over the top rhetoric. And he does that "googly" eye thing he does when he gets mad, more subtle here than other times. He opens his eyes up wide and rolls them around, then sometimes squints and looks at someone he is angry with. Pretty odd, I figure public office is getting the better of him.
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