What is your reaction to DNC road and rail closures?

3/31/2004

In a move that is certain to create major headaches for Boston commuters, security officials have announced that Interstate 93 will be shut down in both directions for all four evenings of the Democratic National Convention in July, and North Station will be closed to all commuter rail and subway service. What is your reaction? Are these security precautions justified, or is the Secret Service going overboard? Do the benefits the convention will bring to the city make the inconveniences worthwhile?

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If you're going to disrupt our lives like this, take your convention elsewhere. We don't want you here if you're going to shut down our city for your convenience.

Brendan, Medford

All this is unnecessary for the simple fact that Bsoton HAS a convention center that we, the overtaxed people in this city paid half billion dollars for!! Menino once again has let his ego get in the way and refuses to do the right thing for the people of Boston! The convention center is the perfect place. Romney knows this, the people of Boston know this and menino knows this but because its his way only he is putting this city in jeopardy of a terrorist attack. Its ok of course to allow bars to stay open til 4am that week only because he says so. But when the Red Sox want to have beer sold to the fans in their seats like every ballpark in this country, its no good because Hizzonah didn't get asked first!!! This city will continue to be a 2nd class city as long as menino is running the side show.

TONY, BOSTON

Why did Boston build a convention center in South Boston? MITT ROMNEY PLEASE overule Mumbles and show us the WAY!!!

Matt D, North Andover

You have got to be kidding!!! This is not my conversion, I did not vote for it and could care less as long as it doesn't bother me. 4 days of fools jumping around and outdoing each other with silliness while all the while trying to sound righteous and purer than pure I can simply turn off and not rerad about in print. What right do these clowns have to inconvience me, the answer is none. Can I deduct from my Mass 2004 taxes the extra cost to me in time and money to work around this problem or should I simply stay home and go on welfare. As a suggestion for the convension theme song, Send in the clowns by Judy Collins that ends with don't bother the're here. Since everything else is being outsourced why don't they have it in India?

Bob, Chelmsford

As a communter from the Fitchburg area, this is yet another blow to the transportation problem getting to and out of Boston. I'm an independent voter and will definately not give my vote to those who want to disrupt my workweek for a party at my expense. Poor site planning Mr. Mayor Menino! All you saw was greed and not the needs.

David, Hubbardtson

This is absolutely ridiculous. If you can't handle holding the convention in a city without disrupting a MAJOR highway and a MAJOR commuter/T station then why have it at all. I can understand some streets being closed down due to the convention and more traffic congestion but to shut down a whole highway is totally unacceptable and disrespectful.

Paul, Brookline

This is outrageous. I realize that hosting the convention is a great thing for the city, but using a building that is clearly not suited for it when there are other options available AND making the already brutal commute worse for millions of people is completely absurd. But hey, what else would we expect from our mayor? And don't even get me started on the plan to extend last call and allow smoking in bars again while this charade is going on...

Greg , Belmont, MA

This is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. Most likely nothing will occur, because of the measures that are being taken (at the expense of the local community). But how loud will we all be screaming if something does occur, and we hadn't taken the proper precautions. If safety is the primary concern, than the prudent thing to do is move the convention to the new Convention Center. (Probably have to compenstate the Fleet Center for their loss of revenue though) Finally, where are the Business Community leaders in all this? It seem to me they also should be voicing thier concerns about these issues for thier employees and lost revenues they will experience. As for me, I have had vacition plans for that week for the last year, because no matter where you go, it is just going to be damned difficult to get around town that week.

Scott, Blackstone

We know the problem in advance and why live through the problem while it can be solved by moving that dem thing to another location. It is ridiculous. Are you expecting your boss to tell you to leave early or you just work extra for nothing?

David, Boston

Instead of just complaining on this site. Do something. Politicians dont run us, we run them. Gov Romney Contact info: http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=gov2utility&sid=Agov2&U=contactus Menino Contact info: http://www.cityofboston.gov/contact/default.asp?id=55

Dave, Watertown