Perceptions of Louisville

I have some perceptions, good and bad, of Louisville to offer as a newcomer. They are as follows:

Pro:

1. Emerging downtown. Without a vibrant core, a city is lacking. The east and west wings of Main and Market speak to great potential.

2. Reasonable friendly people. Enough said.

3. Good arts/cultural scene. One of the main attractors in moving here, was the strong and varied arts and enough interest to support them. May groups like the Louisville Film Society increase and flourish.

4. Interesting architecture affordable for first-time homebuyers/newcomers. There are very few cities in the U.S. in which this is the case any more.

5. An increasingly diverse population. Louisville is #3 (after Nashville and Atlanta) in the biggest increase in legal immigrants. West Buechel alone has just under 25% of population who were born in Europe.


Con:

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

2. Old Louisville's boredom. Great historic architecture, an adjacent college campus, and less going on there than at my grandmother's rest home.

3. No left turn arrows. Not even at Bardstown and Eastern Parkway?!

4. Fourth Street Live. A neon monstrosity of manufactured "party."

5. The Courier-Journal basically serving as a dictation rag for Yum/Yuck Brands CEO David Novak.

[Robin Garr]

I have some perceptions, good and bad, of Louisville to offer as a newcomer.

I don't see much to disagree with there. Welcome to Louisville, Michael!

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

What the heck does that mean?

How about great, locally owned restaurants to a level seen in few similar sized places?

Great, diverse neighborhoods - really the heart of the city.

Derby Day does live up to the hype.

O traffic congestion and sky high real estate prices, where art thou?

Interesting mix of a mostly down-home Southern culture with a strong streak of international class artistic ambition.

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

What the heck does that mean?

Corporate cheerleaders (or the hyperpatriotic) do tend to be blind to this reality.

1 and 4 of the Cons might be considered positives by many outside the city, so don't sell 'em short.

And in my opinion, Old Louisville is far more alive than it used to be, with a growing number of interesting establishments within it. But don't forget that we should want it to be somewhat quiet, so that the Bed & Breakfasteseses can succeed.

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

What the heck does that mean?

Corporate cheerleaders (or the hyperpatriotic) do tend to be blind to this reality.

Being the literalist that I am I'm going to back up TP here and ask:

No, really, what does this mean?

"to increase market share for bankers and corporations"

and, pardon me here Steve, but can anyone answer it without being snide?

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

What the heck does that mean?

Corporate cheerleaders (or the hyperpatriotic) do tend to be blind to this reality.

Being the literalist that I am I'm going to back up TP here and ask:

No, really, what does this mean?

"to increase market share for bankers and corporations"

and, pardon me here Steve, but can anyone answer it without being snide?

It's one of those "if you don't know already then nobody can really inform you" sort of things.

[Robin Garr]

1. Thunder Over Louisville. Downright embarrassing, this is a steroid-ish flying ad for a U.S. military that primarily exists to increase international market share for bankers and corporations.

What the heck does that mean?

He's putting it a bit simplistically, but there's more support for this point of view around town that you might think by reading the CJ.

This current book might help explain ...

The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein

I'm with you on this Ed.
I went, had a corn dog, saw some fireworks, did some people watching, so explain to me exactly HOW did I "increase market shares for bankers and corporations"? Even if you multiply those actions by several thousand unless we're talking about market shares in pork or corn I don't see it. I seriously doubt that anyone watched the show and went out and bought stock in Lockheed.
It was a big, overblown party which may or may not be criticized on several levels but I don't think this was one of them.

Robin you posted just as I did so I checked out the link you provided.
Ms Klein has a fascinating theory, one that bears further attention. I tend to agree with her 'larger machinations' idea; I just don't think Thunder qualifies as an example. I'd be more inclined to gripe about the sulfur left in the air.

[Robin Garr]

I just don't think Thunder qualifies as an example. I'd be more inclined to gripe about the sulfur left in the air.

Well, this isn't really my thread ... maybe Michael can jump in. I really can see the point, though: By glorifying military aircraft and a powerful military presence with bangs and roars and noise, it does tend to create a climate of opinion that's unskeptically pro-military and pro-US policy. I've got to tell you that I don't see the joy in the Thunder air show during the current administration's adventures in Iraq.

Added: And it's really not much of a stretch to see the ties between the Administration and what Ike called "the military-industrial complex" during this highly privatized war, with billions and billions going direct from the treasury to corporate coffers.

I would pretty much agree with all that was posted here. I would only question the fireworks for thunder. I know the air show is weird given our messopotamia. But fireworks? Fireworks make people happy. I rarely see that many people smiling all at once. I dont think they care about the corporate sponsor at that point.I dont think they are comparing it to a military bombing raid either,at least I never did. What about the fireworks at Light Up Louisville,did you consider that show to be hyperpatriotic? I think the original poster was refering more to the air show side of thunder I just wanted to make the distinction.

[Robin Garr]

I would pretty much agree with all that was posted here. I would only question the fireworks for thunder. I know the air show is weird given our messopotamia. But fireworks? Fireworks make people happy. I rarely see that many people smiling all at once. I dont think they care about the corporate sponsor at that point.I dont think they are comparing it to a military bombing raid either,at least I never did.

Point well taken. The look of joy in a kid's face when fireworks go off is a treasure. That said, a strong pacifist might observe that American fireworks have a war-related history from the beginning, with Francis Scott Key watching "The rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air" in the battle at Fort McHenry. And, again in modern context, the metaphorical connection between the B1 bombers and the immediately following shock and awe of the fireworks show is hard to ignore.

But yeah, people love fireworks just because they're bright and noisy, and it's not really necessary to over-analyze.

What about the fireworks at Light Up Louisville,did you consider that show to be hyperpatriotic? I think the original poster was refering more to the air show side of thunder I just wanted to make the distinction.

Bad choice for a debate on corporations and corporate influence, though. Long sponsored by Brown and Williamson Tobacco, the name "Light Up Louisville" was originally consciously chosen for its double meaning.

There's also the fact that they shut this city down for a freakin, bunch of flashing lights in the sky.

If that's your thing fine, but how about doing it somewhere that doesnt require shutting down the main traffic arteries and an entire bridge?