To Bojack, who asks, "are we going to employ cops to enforce this?" I respond, "Why not? we're already trying to employ cops to enforce the sit/lie ordinance."

Sit/Lie Ordinance, Sidewalk Tape Ordinance. Join the dots, people!

Why not pay the homeless to sit in spots for you on the parade route? That's win-win. Homeless get some money, suburbanites get to watch a parade.

adam

I heard some blurb on the TV 'news" last night that sounded like they were talking about this -I was in the other room and didn't catch it all but they said something like "people may be trying to steal your spot". or something really sensationalized like that. Instead of ripping up the tape completely, just change the names around or make up new ones. The 100th Rose Festival could turn out to be the bloodiest ever!

Won't the parade watchers be violating the sit/lie ordinance? What if it's just a big trap?

I love this idea? But I want to be with a gang, for fun and protection. Is there a "meet at this corner at this time" kind of thing?

Freddy, we're working on our own little so-called "flash mob," keep checking Blogtown for updates.

Cheesus—the sit/lie ordinance has an exemption for permitted events like the Rose Festival. It's due to start enforcement on Saturday, but by next Wednesday, enforcement may be delayed until the mayor's office fulfils its original promise to provide more restrooms, benches and adequate day access center for the homeless to go to, in exchange for having this law.

I wonder if the main stream news actually gets word out about this effort will there be throngs of fat law chair wielding troglodytes out on friday evening trying to protect their claim?

If so, this could turn out like a scene from The Warriors.

* Cackles

I'm so there. What if we left a present for the people as a calling card? Maybe hit Lippmans and pick up a box of kazoos. We could leave them at the cleaned up spaces with a nice note.

Wow, that would be a lot of kazoos. MLK is PLASTERED with tape. With the exception of a block in front of a hotel, a Courtyard by Marriot whose walls are adorned with *laminated* signs that say "Reserved for Courtyard by Marriot."

While all you lifeless losers are doing that I will be using bolt cutters to "liberate" that wad of garbage bikes.
After all they have been carelessly discarded by thoughtless, road tax dodging, unwashed Portlanders.

humm, do you still have broken glass in your vagina?

humm, you're so unoriginal. the zoobomb bikes have been liberated before. they reappeared the next day.

the tape, however, is NOT COMING BACK.

Amy, at least humm's "unoriginal" comment is consistent. What's wrong with getting upset at people's selfish treatment of public areas? Why does the Zoobomber sculpture fall under keeping Portland weird, but sidewalk tape is such a horrible public nuisance?

To me, it seems like the Mercury staff (or perhaps just your comment) is afflicted by classism -- it's cool to rag on suburbanites (indeed, it's the bread and butter of the Mercury), but not on our beloved bicyclists, whether or not they act like jerks.

no way, dude. the zoobomb bikes might be considered an eyesore- but they're not a claim to ownership like the tape is. the difference is that the bikes aren't getting in anybody's way, or prohibitting anyone from occupying a public space (at least as far as i know, correct me if i'm wrong).

Stop, stop, stop. We're getting off topic. Where do we meet for the tape removal? I want to join in the fun! Badly!

Stop, stop, stop. We're getting off topic. Where do we meet for the tape removal? I want to join in the fun! Badly!

Do it! Do it do it do it!

The sidewalk tape is an affront to civility, promptness and fairplay. Show up early or quite whining. If you can't handle the "hardship" of finding a parade spot the way people all over the world, throughout human history, have, then stay the hell in Beaverton. You and the sense of entitlement you rode in on.

If you follow through with this, you will become heroes for the ages, liberators in whose honor streets will be named and statues erected. Godspeed!

Humm's comment was fucking funny.

You stated in your screed that people should drag their fat ass out of bed and get there early. Some of us work graveyard and get off at 8 am in the morning, so can't get there until around 9 am. The only way we get a seat without walking for hours is to save one.
That said, if you do this tonight, there will be violence.
The 100th Rose Festival marred by your stupidity, how's that?
I am a faithful reader of the Mercury, but am considering not reading it anymore, thanks to this stupidity.

This suburbanite fully endorses ripping up the tape.

If you can't get your ass down there early Saturday morning, don't go at all.

I've been going to the Rose parade since 1949 My aunt was a Rose Festival princess in the 1920's. I have always felt it was wrong to tape a place for your use! We always went early to get a spot I hate it when you get there at 6am and all the spots have tape but no people. TARE UP the tape and make it a crime to put the tape down!

Dylan, if you're threatening violence, you should be aware of the legal statutes that cover such a statement. Beyond that, the "stupidity" that will "mar" the festival will come from those being violent, no matter what ridiculously childish reason they cite for why "that guy deserved it".

Are you really going to assault someone because wah life's not fair and I totally saved that spot and I said no tagbacks and you can't talk after I said "jinx"! Please.

Also, in no way can you be considered a "faithful" reader of the Mercury if you're going to stop reading it over this. I actually have to doubt you even read it occasionally, because they've been a lot more offensive than this (and I'm saying this as one who only reads Blogtown, not the actual Mercury). I think you threw in your "threat" there just to give your comment more heft, as if it would have an economic influence on the Mercury. Right.

Once again, tapers are pig humpers.

the tape is idiotic
is there going to be a group of people and if so where are they meeting because i wouldn't want to do this all on my lonesome

SORRY FOR THE STUPIDY THAT THIS PAPER BRINGS TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. IT FIGURES YOU LIFELESS PEOPLE DON,T ANYTHING TO BETTER TO DO. PEOPLE LIKE YOU NEED TO GROW -UP . THATS WHY WE HAVE ALL THE HATE IN THIS WORLD. BETTER WATCH YOUR BACKS . YOU NEVER KNOW WHATS LURKING OUT THERE BEHIND YOU.

I'm excited. Where's the party after to celebrate the tape liberation?

Great, some stupid paper with less readership than the east county news wants to steal things. Talk about low-life. What right does some fresh-from-England asswhole have physically destroy PDX traditions on our 100th anniversary. I hope someone punches you all in the face.

Carolyn, remind me again how it's "stealing" to remove trash that was discarded on the public street or sidewalk? Do you think that smokers retain a right to say how their cigarette butts are dealt with after they leave them on the street, too?

And, hey, is face-punching part of that 100-year-old Portland spirit you make sound so fun?

Haha, i used to live in Gresham when I first moved to "the area". Never again, that place is the biggest shithole I've ever come across, and the absolute physical manifestation of "settling for less than you deserve".

That being said, my roommates and I marveled at the canvassing of MLK last year by idiots. Who tapes their name in a spot? Who? I might be down there later if there is a set spot to begin the tape ripping. Fuck 'em. Watch it standing up.

Has anyone thought about the reason people tape? Mabye they are bringing children or elderly?
Does the area you live in really define who we are? Are poor, working, or middle class families who live in Beaverton or Gresham, or further SE or NE for that matter less entitled to Portland family events?

Has anyone thought about the reason people tape? Mabye they are bringing children or elderly?
Does the area you live in really define who we are? Are poor, working, or middle class families who live in Beaverton or Gresham, or further SE or NE for that matter less entitled to Portland family events?

I hope you all put just as much effort into electing our next president.

"Has anyone thought about the reason people tape? Mabye they are bringing children or elderly?"

Did you ever think that the rest of us have children and elderly parents that want to watch the parade, too? People put down tape because they are lazy selfish rude assholes.

"Does the area you live in really define who we are? Are poor, working, or middle class families who live in Beaverton or Gresham, or further SE or NE for that matter less entitled to Portland family events?"

Yes. Get back in your SUV and drive your fat ass back to your subdivision. I don't go to your shithole town and trash it. Stay the hell out of mine until you develop some manners and sense of fairness.