Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Searching For Stories (And Vacation) In Cartagena, Colombia
The Gatekeepers Of Asia: Face To Face With The Border Guards Of The Far East
Cockpit Chronicles - Paragliding In Rio: Best Layover Ever! (Video)
An Interview With Paul Theroux, Author Of 'The Last Train To Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari'
Alcatraz torn down to make way for peace center?
If you still haven't made it to San Francisco's second-most-popular attraction (the first is cable cars), you might want to start planning that vacation before long. It's possible that Alcatraz, that formidable white structure hunkered out in San Francisco Bay, might be converted into an international peace center, if voters so choose.Reuters reports that a proposition (on ballots Tuesday) comes from the director of the California-based Global Peace Foundation, who gives his name as "Da Vid." Da Vid and his supporters would like to tear the prison down and in its place erect "a medicine wheel, a labyrinth and a conference center for non-violent conflict resolution."
Although the idea sounds pretty far-fetched, Da Vid and volunteers were able to collect the 10,350 signatures needed to put the proposition on the ballot.
Gallery: San Francisco
| Get rid of it | |
|---|---|
| No way | |
| Who cares? | |
| I'm hungry |
Filed under: North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 6)
hd Feb 7th 2008 2:37AM
It was a PRISON. It housed crooks that did less than Obama (taking illegal drugs and accepting political infuence money) and McCain (Smoking dope ... why do you think he (and the poor guys under him that died) got captured) ... Mr he married a stripper and when she couldnt support him he married Miss Money Bags McCain.
But back to Alcatraz, a movie was made about it, books written, photos completed ... Its underdeveloped Real Estate within a short boat, ferry ride to the most expensive Real Estate in the United States ... its a dirty old unasthetic public jail folks ... its not a Castle, its not the Golden Gate Bridge, its not even as attractive or historic as the Presidio (which is being commercially developed) I'm not that old but two classmates Dads went there (for lesser crimes than Obama and McCain did) and if "I"was that island, I'd want to rid myself of the cancre (Prison) and have a better future ... I don't like the concept of a Peace Center (unless they will pay California TOP DOLLAR for the Real Estate and create high paying jobs) however it would be a great business complex that would be an easy commute (SF has enough parks and the whole city is a Tourist center) Biotech, Stem Cell Research Center, etc. create high paying jobs not a Peace Center ... that should go to a more appropriate location where murder and crime is high ... like Watts, Harlem, Baltimore, or New Orleans ... SF is too peaceful for a peace center and we dont need nutcases from around the globe in SF.
mike Feb 7th 2008 2:39AM
re-open the rock
pelican Feb 7th 2008 2:43AM
i lived in twinkie-town for 10 years - with a direct view of alcatraz out my window - trust me when i say its an EYE-SORE! tear it down already! peace center - maybe not - but nothing would be better than that crappy old prison - that even in its heyday - didn't work. by the way - alcatraz means pelican - give it back to the natives who named it - and who REALLY OWN it... and all you bird-turd brains check your history.
MasterC Feb 7th 2008 2:51AM
WOW......everyone is getting along on this subject. I read about 50 replies and everyone was against tearing it down. I love Alcatraz, my parents took me to SF for one of my birthdays when I was a teen and we took a blue and gold bay cruise around Alcatraz and my father told me stories about some of the prisoners who attempted to escape and were never heard of again. I've always thought it would be a great spot for a hotel or resort, but wouldn't want it at the cost of tearing down the prison. I guess it was just fall apart like some of the people were saying would happen because of the salt water.
Tell David.... a.k.a. Da Vid to go jump off the rock and if he can make it back to SF we might think about it?
Catherine Feb 7th 2008 2:51AM
They should refurbish Alcatraz and turn it into a shelter for the homeless. Of course, the state should provide ferry transportation so that the residents can get back to San Fran to get to their jobs or job training. Maybe they could also provide housing for homeless and/or abused women and their children.
Karyn Ann Feb 7th 2008 3:03AM
It was voted down - probably only a few people even bothered to vote on this - it was kind of a nuisance proposition - nobody in San Francisco took it seriously, trust me.
KheSahn068 Feb 7th 2008 3:11AM
To destroy Alcatraz would be like destroying the Golden Gate Bridge. Many-a-history was made their and it would be ashame to keep that living history from our childre nand their children.
I remember visiting Alcatraz in the mid 1950's and staying in the lighthouse for the summer. My Great Uncle was the lighthouse keeper for many years and I and my siblings would go over and stay for several months. We would stand on the ring at the top of the lighthouse and look down into the exercise yard and the prisioners that were allowed to be there would actually wave at us.
Keep Alcatraz......Screw "Da Vid" (Note: Peoplke need to read about who "Da Vid" really is)
Tjc5003 Feb 7th 2008 3:40AM
If Da Vid wants to build a peace center he should find a nice plot of land in Humboldt where all the other hippies are hanging out. Alcatraz is an important part of history. It is a museum and should stay that way. I went there as a child and would love to go back now, as an adult. I lived in Humboldt for some years at college and it would be perfect for a peace center.
anthony Feb 7th 2008 4:02AM
WHY NOT TEAR IT DOWN AND BUILD A NEW PRISON? IT WOULD HELP OVERCROWDED PRISONS A LITTLE BIT.
wyldsyde53 Feb 7th 2008 5:26AM
They should leave it there simply because I have not had the chance to visit. Actually at the very least turn it into a place for teaching the English language to people who post on these message boards!
Huck Feb 7th 2008 5:01AM
Why do the people of SF think they are the only one's that have a say in this. Taxpayers across the country pay for the National Parks Service which owns Alcatraz. It's also on the registree of National Historic Places.
tod meuir Feb 7th 2008 5:31AM
I have a better solution as to what should be done with all of the most violent offenders: Rapists, child killers,pedophile, home invaders, car jackers,etc: simply have them executed in middle of street as soon as they are caught! Saves every one a lot of tax dollars, and other grief if we but put bullet in their useless brain pans and call it a day lol Vote Republican!!!!!!!!! Piss on liberals!
CORINNE Feb 7th 2008 5:58AM
IS THAT WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT TODAY, JUST DESTROY ALL OF OUR HISTORY!!!!
rm9847 Feb 7th 2008 6:03AM
I thought they had proposed turning it into a little gambling mecca (like Monte Carlo) on the bay, with casino's , a beautiful hotel & even maintaining a small portion of the prison as a museum attraction. A glittering showplace, to compliment a beautiful city.
Otherwise, it just sits there as sad reminder of it's violent ugly past, a lifeless, glum, even depressing little piece of (rock) valuable real estate.
Prince of Paradise Feb 7th 2008 6:22AM
a San Franciscan said...
I live in San Francisco and I think that Alcatrez
................ I feel sorry for the person who lives in SAN FRAN and can not even spell ALCATRAZ correctly. I think it is a neat place. Been there three times and it really gives you the CHILLS !!!! KEEP IT !!!
rach Feb 7th 2008 12:26PM
Someone said voters wouldnt stand for it b/c they love their history, does that person know we're talking about the gay bay? All about peace loving hippies? icck, we should bomb the whole place. If they had our way they'd wear pink in the military!
Debbie Reyes Feb 7th 2008 2:40PM
Demolish, bulldoze, Its time to replace the sick relics of old white rulings. Its a symbolic attack against equality, peace and justice for all. It amazes me how many people would rather keep memories of slavery and violence rather than symbols to peace and healing.
slbushway Feb 8th 2008 8:18AM
If you want to remind yourself of where we've come from - read a book. It's not necessary to keep every single thing that has some historical value to it. Tearing down a dump for something new is what we are supposed to be about - pioneers - moving forward - why do people insist on living in the crappy past? The island had a history before it became a prison - someone had to wipe away that history to build the prison - they got it - why can't we? This is a dump - it's not something to be proud of - it poses an environmental hazzard and it's time to let it go. If someone wants to clean up the island, replace the crappy buildings, fix the sewage disposal etc., etc., it seems far better and far more American to do that than to keep crap around so middle to low income people who can't afford to take a vacation in Paris have a dump they can visit.
Shirley Feb 8th 2008 1:42PM
I'm a native San Franciscan and I find it outrageous these people that come to my city and decide whats best. Tell this guy to go back to where he came from. Every dingdong wants to come into a city and tear things down for the good of WHAT. This is a landmark and should stay a landmark. People all over the world know about Alcatraz and the history behind it. Leave our buildings alone. Leave our city alone. Thats the problem with others. We are a young country with not many old structures left to show our history. LEAVE THEM ALONE.
xev Feb 9th 2008 10:05AM
heres a thought turn it into a juvinial detention center and wake the lil so n so,s up so theyll smarten up before they go on to commit even more crimes !!and charge anyone who wants to visit the lil gangsters money for the boat trip over so less people will visit them ( and visits limited to once a month so itll cost the tax payers less)and theyll understand the reality of prison!!( and for those wholl complain about the lil gangsters rights you need to rememebr they took someone elses rights away thats why their there)this crap of turning it into some place where dignitarys can go is stupid its the perfect place to hold them hostage (uuuuuh duhhhh)