G-20 articles and discussion (Pittsburgh, Carnegie: marketplace, gardens, friendly) - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 7 - City-Data Forum

dugdogmaster · 09-21-2009, 09:03 PM

The Associated Press: Pittsburgh tackles intricacies of hosting leaders

Pittsburgh tackles intricacies of hosting leaders

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI (AP) – 9 hours ago

PITTSBURGH — The Prince of Wales slept here. So did Abe Lincoln. And Teddy Roosevelt and Ulysses S. Grant. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev during the Cold War. More recently: Bill Clinton and John McCain.
But never all at once.

Pittsburgh plays host this week to nearly two dozen world leaders and their entourages during the two-day Group of 20 summit. It's a challenge that requires everything from retraining hotel chefs to cater to different palates to creating suitable office space in luxury suites.
No simple task.

Presidents and world leaders can be finicky. They are accustomed to having their demands met before they ask — a trait instilled by staffs that operate like well-oiled machines.

Hopes · 09-21-2009, 09:13 PM

Just watched the movie "Battle in Seattle." It's about the 1999 WTO meeting and protests that caused the impoverished countries belonging to the WTO to stand up for themselves. Interesting stuff.

For a taste of what these demostrations can become, I highly recommend watching this movie. It's available on Comcast on demand for STARZ subscribers. Rent it if you don't have STARZ.

A police officer's wife was beat by a police officer while she was trying to get home from her job at a retail store. She lost her baby.

And the protests were peaceful before the police were sent in to use force. The mayor of the city didn't want to use violence or arrest anyone, but the CIA, Secret Service, and the state govenor pressured him.

dugdogmaster · 09-21-2009, 09:58 PM

Hopes, check out Youtube, search London G-20, it got pretty violent as well. The one death there was under the same circumstances as in Seattle, a worker got caught up in the melee just trying to get home.

I really do think it's for the best that most major companies are shutting down, no vehicular traffic in Downtown, and only mom and pops willing to stay open to serve some food and drink is very wise.

dugdogmaster · 09-21-2009, 10:00 PM

The Toronto Star

TheStar.com | World | How Pittsburgh got its green back

How Pittsburgh got its green back

Mitch Potter (http://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/94534 - broken link) (http://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/94534 - broken link)
Washington Bureau

"When I came to Pittsburgh 13 years ago the North Shore was old and broken down." But as so often happens in the backdraft of decline, the neighbourhood drew in young artists in search of affordable terrain to hone their talent. "It is a new kind of Florence," Sokolowski said, tempting the bounds of hyperbole. "Pittsburgh is a place that young artists can come, perhaps work part-time as a chef at a greasy spoon but spend most of their time making their art. That is not feasible in big capitals any more."

Stephen Pennington, 30, a third-generation autoworker, traded his native Detroit for Pittsburgh last year when he found work as a business development official with All-Clad Metalcrafters, the kitchenware manufacturer.

"Pittsburgh has a lot going on these days," he said. "I look back at my time at GM and everybody I knew is gone. My grandfather worked for GM. My dad worked for them. Now there's pretty much no hope. But, in Pittsburgh, there's energy at least. You can feel the place is back on its feet again."

groar · 09-22-2009, 07:12 AM

apparently any house in the east end where a lot of young, countercultural people live is now fair game for a middle of the night raid: Welcome to the Cyberpunk Apocalypse: Cyberpunk Apocalypse "on a list"

gg · 09-22-2009, 07:23 AM

What a great opportunity for the city of Pittsburgh. Sure has been an incredible run here with the Steelers winning the SB and Pens winning the SC and now the G20 is here putting Pittsburgh on the map of international cities. For those that are complaining now... I suspect you all would complain no matter what is going on and that is when you are happiest. I just want to let those types know there are many that are very happy and find this to be a great time to be alive and feel blessed that we can live in such a place that seems to be going in the right direction when the globe is not doing all that great.

Hope the weather is nice to showcase our beautiful city. Being someone who has travelled throughout the world I will leave you with this thought. If Pittsburgh was anywhere in Europe it would be a huge tourist destination. Maybe the g20 will help a little removing the stigma we still have since the smokey days of years gone by.

Enjoy!!

groar · 09-22-2009, 07:29 AM

i do think this is a great p.r. opportunity for pittsburgh, if everything's handled well.

the overzealousness of the police thusfar is making me nervous though.

greg42 · 09-22-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pghsteelersgirl

no help here. I dont understand why parkway center mall is closed but not foster plaza. i cld use a 4 day vaca.

Parkway Center Mall is barely open any day.

Where did you get Greentree Rd closure info? There's no reason that should be closed except on a "rolling" basis as people come into and leave from airport. These types of significant closures would be disclosed and reported if it were going to be closed continuously, but I haven't seen anything suggesting that.

West Mifflin and I guess now Munhall as well schools are closed because of proximity to Allegheny County Airport. Some of the leaders will be coming in there on smaller planes. They decided to shut down instead of trying to dodge that security with bus routes, etc.

fleetiebelle · 09-22-2009, 08:12 AM

There are Jersey barriers set up all around the CMU campus on the Schenley Park side. On my walk in this morning I think I passed a secret service dude "disguised" as a college student. He was wearing a ball hat and cargo pants, but he was built like a fireplug and walked like a cop. And he was taking a particular interest in garbage cans and mailboxes. Interesting.

greg42 · 09-22-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

There are Jersey barriers set up all around the CMU campus on the Schenley Park side. On my walk in this morning I think I passed a secret service dude "disguised" as a college student. He was wearing a ball hat and cargo pants, but he was built like a fireplug and walked like a cop. And he was taking a particular interest in garbage cans and mailboxes. Interesting.

There's an event at Phipps Thursday evening, I'm sure that's why. I thought there was actually a rally/march scheduled for there but if so it is not a permitted one. Can't remember where I saw that. It may only be the exhibit on Flagstaff Hill (which is mentioned).