The Kiss of Death

As if anyone needed another reason to oppose the West Side stadium, along come reports of the Bush administration's hearty endorsement of the project.

Even for New Yorkers who voted for the president and support the stadium, a presidential benediction should give pause. The last time the Bush White House endorsed a controversial project in which public money was handed over to the private sector, we ended up paying $200 for a gallon of Kuwaiti gas in Iraq. And just like the stadium and convention center, Iraq was to be a "showcase" that would lead to a "transformation" and "revitalization" of the surrounding area.

The Bushies-encouraged by Chelsea Piers owner, presidential frat brother and LMDC board member Roland Betts-want the stadium built because they want the Olympics, and they want the Olympics because they want to show off the new downtown, which they expect to be nice and shiny just in time for the torch in 2012.

"Seven years from now, Ground Zero will take shape and will look spectacular. To have a moment to celebrate that would be fantastic," Betts said last week, regarding the city's 2012 bid.

Right. Let's greenlight the biggest, most corrupt, most insane development project in Manhattan history-just so we can have a "moment." In 2012.

The only other "moments" we can think of that come with that kind of price tag are the "moments" we're now having in Iraq, care of Betts' good buddy George. That little project is currently costing U.S. taxpayers $10 million every hour. You do the math.