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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This is unacceptable. This is a classic example of goverment looking at dollars and the inconvenience to the commuter has been brushed to the side. The state has spent over $14 billion on the Big Dig and other construction projects over the past years and in essence the heart of the city will be closed for traffic.

Mike, Rockland

I think the blame for the mess that this will create should fall squarely on the shoulders of the mayor who knew in advance what kind of mess this would create.

Jim, Lowell

It makes more sense than ever to move the DNC to the new convention center. There would be fewer security concerns and the city won't be paralyzed as is the current plan. It is beginning to seem that having the DNC here is not going to be as wonderful as we have been led to believe.

Tracy , Dedham

How does this help me? My taxes are paying for inconveniance created by a party I don't support.

Ryan, Boston

This seems extremely excessive! A determined terrorist action will not be deterred by being unable to drive to the center or take the train. I am sure that the Secret Service is trying to take the best precautions available, but let’s face facts; someone who wants to get a bomb into the convention is not going to put it on a commuter train. Further, since North Station is a transportation nexus for NH and ME travel, is shutting it down constitutional?

Vincent , Roslindale

I don't work in Boston(thought I am not to far away in Lynn) so this will not affect me much(I hope, I do take 95 south to 93 north, but I have alternate routes home). Unfortunately, since 9/11, travel all over the country has become a hassle. Security situations like this have become a way of life(I fly once a year and I don't even want to do that, its horrible). A necessary way of life, yes to an extent (my personal opinion is this is going overboard). Yes it was a bad decision to have this at the Fleet center,but its the Secret Service who made the decision, they are only doing what they feel they need to do(though Menino could have and should have moved it when he found the problems it was going to cause, a true indication that he does not have the best interest of the people who voted him into office in mind.). Do they care if it is going to inconvenience hundreds of thousands of people. NO. These are the same people who would probably arrest you for looking at them funny. And when it comes down to it, its not the regular peoples afety and convenience that is their concern, its the politians cause they are so much more important that the average joe(we are second class citizens compared to them, don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise). Unfortunately with all the extra security and hassle we endure, I do not believe we are significantly safer than we were before 9/11 and unfortunately there is not a damn thing we can do about it.

Brian, Derry NH

Doesn't bother me. Anything to get that failure Bush out of office is worthwhile.

Harvey, Allston

i figure i'll just bring a sleeping bag and an air mattress, sleep in my cube at work and shower at the gym. i love how they make it seem like we have a choice..."you could just take a vacation"....maybe some of the budget for the DNC should be allocated to the thousands of commuters who will not be able to work for a week. this is going to SUCK.

Matt, Somerville

What a surprise. Took them 6 months of know ing what the setup was to say the same thing, just to make it look like they were working with the city. Worker gets screwed again, and mostly those who can't afford to lose the hours and pay that they will. The people who can't get to work don't benefit from the convention spending, but ought to be given something for compensation. The govenor should be ashamed for not doing anything to promote the South Boston convention center...it is also his responsibility to not shut down workers lives and impact the productivity of Boston business. This is nothing compared to emergency vehicles that can't help but be delayed from the situation, whether it's not going on 93 or getting bogged down in the side street traffic. If someone dies in an ambulance going from the North end to the hospitals, it'll be a bit late for someone to take responsability.

Tina, Braintree

This attitue seems appropriate given that the theme of the Democratic party is "we know better than you how to spend your money and make your decisions for you". Besides, these folks who drive cars are the "super rich". They can afford a few days of inconvenience when 93 is closed. The state just spent $14 billion on the Big Dig for these same rich saps. Let them go play golf or something while the middle class -- you know, the ones who have to WALK from their cardboard box to the soup kitchen -- can have a few days without worrying about getting run over.

Jim, Charlestown