I Hate You, Los Angeles
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 10:42 AM PST
in BFTB Editorials
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PrintA couple of things going on at BFTB.....
First off, Kevin Acee day has turned out to be a bust. Those with good stories don't feel comfortable sharing (he's put the fear of God into them, apparently), and those named Kevin Acee are out of town and busy. We're playing this one by ear, so don't be surprised if I randomly come through with a "My night of heavy drinking with the Silver Fox" post sometime in the next few weeks.
Secondly, I have survived the falling guillotine of my bosses and get to retain my position as your faithful leader and overlord (I doubt it was ever in jeopardy, but I like to be dramatic). However, they have asked me to try and post more frequently. What that means is that from time to time you'll get short off-the-cuff rants that are basically me venting about something that is almost Chargers-related. Like today, when I tell Los Angeles why they suck.
I've never liked L.A. Sure, there's the occasional decent place or area (I actually find Dodgers Stadium to be a nice place to watch a game, if it weren't for the people), but for the most part it's a ridiculous excuse for a city. This is coming from somebody that lived in Philadelphia for the last four years and spent a fair amount of time in New York City: I know cities, and L.A.: you're a poor excuse for a city.
L.A. is nothing but spread–out suburbs with some high-end restaurants and shopping districts, and tons of traffic. You know why they can say "Hey, we'll build a stadium downtown for the Chargers" and not think twice about it while San Diego has to scramble to find some space? Because there's nothing in downtown L.A. that's worth a damn, nothing that would be missed if it were imploded tomorrow, with the exception of the Staples Center.
Football has never worked in Los Angeles for a few reasons. Number one, the owners they have had for L.A. football teams have been psychotic money-grubbers. Number two, the city of L.A. has no interest in bringing in or helping out an NFL team. They'll leave that to the privately wealthy, who run the damn town anyways. Number three, football is not a sport that can be picked up quickly. It takes some time to learn all the rules and philosophies, not to mention the players and coaches and everything else. L.A. fans don't have time for that garbage, they only attend sporting events to be seen or spend time shmoozing with someone. Ever try to shmooze during a football game? It's impossible.
L.A. fans want a few things. They want a young, pretty-boy star that they can go around and claim is the greatest thing in the world. See: Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Matt Kemp, James Loney, etc. They want that star to go to fancy restaurants and date Rihanna. They want that star to make snide remarks about his coach, maybe have a reality TV show and generally carry himself like he's Kevin Smith directing a bad movie about a football team rather than actually playing on one. They want sexy headlines, Antonio Garay's hair and Shawne Merriman choking Tila Tequila. This is not what I want my football team to become.
So please, L.A., just stick to what you're good at. Get dressed up and go to Lakers and Dodger games, where the cameras can find you during the long timeouts or in between innings. See if you can spot James Cameron in the crowd so that he can get you a part on Avatar 2. Win your basketball championships, follow the dating lives of your favorite athletes and do whatever it takes to push Barack Obama to page 2 of the L.A. Times. Just keep your hands off of the Chargers, because I'd rather they stay focused on trying to win football games.
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As someone who was born and rasied in the Philly area...
and has lived in Boston, DC, NY, and now LA, I agree wholeheartedly with this post. I hate LA, it’s such a terrible, poor excuse for a city. And don’t get me started on some of the locals, and even worse, the people that move here and try to act like they’re from LA. I’ve never seen a more vapid and oblivious populace. Most people only think about themselves…and even worse, they’re proud of it!
I can’t wait until I finish my MBA…then I can finally move back east.
Writer for SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game
Twitter: @soundofphilly
by DanyS on Jan 26, 2011 10:54 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
P.S.
I hope the Chargers stay in SD.
Writer for SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game
Twitter: @soundofphilly
i have a feeling that the comments on this thread are going to be amusing
"I suggest more bike" ~KSK
"When the going gets tough... TheGrandHatching pops in later." -- WG
by TheGrandHatching on Jan 26, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 6 recs
For some reason
I have this incredible hatred for LA. Hated the Dodgers as long as I can remember. Hate going into the city. Sure I guess there are some nice points… but meh. I sorta like the Lakers by default, being raised up that way… it was sort of part of my up bringing, but I would love to have another Basketball team in SD.
I wish I had stupid amounts of money, I would do anything I could to keep the Chargers here and get a basketball team, and why not a hockey team and any other teams just so America’s finest city could have them. Too bad I don’t have stupid amounts of money.
I love San Diego, the San Diego Padres, and the San Diego Chargers. But fear that I could not love the L.A. Chargers… too much hate for L.A.
I, also, would like stupid amounts of money
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
I went to LA once
I ended up getting sick and had to drive back to sd throwing up in a doritos bag. Sure, I could’ve pulled over and thrown up on the side of the road, but it looked like somebody had already done so. I felt it was safer to get out of there as fast as possible.
by Its Mikey!! on Jan 26, 2011 11:22 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Ya know
L.A. is nothing but spread–out suburbs with some high-end restaurants and shopping districts, and tons of traffic.
San Diego is pretty much a collection of spread-out suburbs too.
I grew up in SD, but live in the SFV now. I like where I live, for the most part (can’t stand the summer heat, though). Luckily, I don’t have a commute anymore and I pretty much stay away from the vapid Hollywood scene. I love the way sports talk radio melts down whenever the Lakers drop two in a row. Still, it would be weird for me to handle the Chargers moving up here because I still mostly consider myself a San Diegan. I’d get used to it though.
yeah, but we don't sh1t on ourselves...
#feelinacertaintypeofway
A modest rebuttal
As a native Angeleno and Charger fan, I must protest ever so slightly to this rant.
L.A. is a spread out suburbs with some high-end restaurants and shopping districts, and tons of traffic
And San Diego isn’t? Having lived in both places, they are pretty similar. Its just a matter of scale.
You know why they can say “Hey, we’ll built a stadium downtown for the Chargers” and not think twice about it while San Diego has to scramble to find some space?
Because San Diego used its prime downtown stadium location on Petco?
Because there’s nothing in downtown L.A. that’s worth a damn, nothing that would be missed if it were imploded tomorrow, with the exception of the Staples Center.
I’m sure San Diego will really miss the bakery and bus depot that will have to be moved for the downtown stadium spot.
One group wants to build downtown. But the most concrete plans are for the stadium out in City of Industy, which is a cheaper option far, far away from downtown. When I was a kid there was a plan to build at Chavez Ravine. And keep in mind that LA already has 2 football stadiums, but neither is suitable in the mind of an NFL owner and neither can really be knocked and rebuilt or renovated.
Also, saying “downtown LA” is pretty vague. Downtown San Diego is a much smaller and defined area, bounded by the 5 and the ocean. “Downtown LA” is much more spread out, so its easy to see why finding a stadium site would be easier.
Football has never worked in Los Angeles for a few reasons
Am I mistaken, or did the Rams and Raiders not have pretty good runs in LA?
Number one, the owners they have had for L.A. football teams have been psychotic money-grubbers.
So very true, though the Rams were not always so bad. But this is LA’s fault… why?
Number two, the city of L.A. has no interest in bringing in or helping out an NFL team. They’ll leave that to the privately wealthy, who run the damn town anyways.
Amen, and isn’t this how it should be? Why should it just be accepted that the public coffers should be opened to pay for things which will enrich the private owners? But that’s a separate rant.
Number three, football is not a sport that can be picked up quickly. It takes some time to learn all the rules and philosophies, not to mention the players and coaches and everything else
Really? You don’t think we know how football is played? The biggest sport in America, with a 100+ year history (including significant time in LA), with college, pro and even high school games on multiple tv channels every weekend for half the year, and you don’t think we know what football is?
L.A. fans don’t have time for that garbage, they only attend sporting events to be seen or spend time shmoozing with someone. Ever try to shmooze during a football game? It’s impossible.
Apparently you never saw the sidelines at a USC game during the Carroll era.
But really, what a lazy stereotype. There are 4 million people in LA proper, and millions more in the surrounding area, and you think we don’t have real sports fans among us?
Even at Laker games, the height of sports based “shmoozing”, for every celebrity there to be seen there are 500 other fans who paid to sit and watch the game in person. And for every one of those who are at the game, there are thousands, or tens of thousands, watching at home.
L.A. fans want a few things. They want a young, pretty-boy star that they can go around and claim is the greatest thing in the world. See: Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Matt Kemp, James Loney, etc
No, I want good players on my team, and its a bonus if there are also good guys off the court/field. Just like all sports fans.
They want that star to go to fancy restaurants and date Rihanna. They want that star to make snide remarks about his coach, maybe have a reality TV show and generally carry himself like he’s Kevin Smith directing a bad movie about a football team rather than actually playing on one.
No, I want my team to win. I couldn’t care less about that other stuff, especially because it seems like a big distraction from winning.
They want sexy headlines, Antonio Garay’s hair and Shawne Merriman choking Tila Tequila. This is not what I want my football team to become.
So in order to illustrate something that you don’t want on your team, you pick 3 examples of things from your team.
So please, L.A., just stick to what you’re good at. Get dressed up and go to Lakers and Dodger games, where the cameras can find you during the long timeouts or in between innings.
I find this funny for a few reasons. First, the idea that everyone in LA is a celebrity or wanna be celebrity. Second, the idea that there are no commercials, timeouts, or breaks in the action at a football game. When was the last time you watched or attended a football game, exactly?
Just keep your hands off of the Chargers, because I’d rather they stay focused on trying to win football games.
Because lord knows, no one ever tries to win in LA, and certainly no one ever succeeds. Not the Lakers. Or the Dodgers. Or Angels or Ducks. Or the Bruins or Trojans. Nope, no one cares about winning in LA.
All this said, however, I don’t want the Chargers to move to LA, and I’m really hoping a billion dollars can magically fall from the sky so we can build them a new stadium downtown. I’m just not holding my breath.
by CABurrito on Jan 26, 2011 11:35 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Someone should tell the Angels that
I know I’ve tried.
But yes, while they are not technically in LA, they are in the area and subject to all the same evils mentioned in the article, and the sports fan bases come from both areas. Any football team in LA would certainly not care if it drew fans from LA county or Orange county.
while i too detest LA and agree with everything John said
i have to respect the way you rebutted him. well played sir.
/inb4 “CABurrito lover”
"I suggest more bike" ~KSK
So in order to illustrate something that you don’t want on your team, you pick 3 examples of things from your team.
That actually cracked me up.
"When the going gets tough... TheGrandHatching pops in later." -- WG
by TheGrandHatching on Jan 26, 2011 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
Ugh
He rebutted me in a way that would require me to not be lazy to rebut his points.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 1:17 PM PST up reply actions
And San Diego isn’t? Having lived in both places, they are pretty similar. Its just a matter of scale.
If you notice, I never said San Diego wasn’t. I agree that San Diego is, my point is that most people in L.A. view their “city” as a metropolis on the scale of Chicago or New York and then view San Diego as a sleepy little seaside town. It’s a double-standard.
Also, saying "downtown LA" is pretty vague. Downtown San Diego is a much smaller and defined area, bounded by the 5 and the ocean. "Downtown LA" is much more spread out, so its easy to see why finding a stadium site would be easier.
This is in addition to my point above. At least San Diego has a “downtown” area. L.A. has such a vague interpretation of that word.
So very true, though the Rams were not always so bad. But this is LA’s fault… why?
See, again….I didn’t say the owner’s were L.A.’s fault. Just pointing out this fact before anyone could claim I left it out on purpose.
Really? You don’t think we know how football is played? The biggest sport in America, with a 100+ year history (including significant time in LA), with college, pro and even high school games on multiple tv channels every weekend for half the year, and you don’t think we know what football is?
I think a higher percentage of the population in L.A. knows very little about football than the population in S.D. that knows very little about football (and still goes to games), yes.
Apparently you never saw the sidelines at a USC game during the Carroll era.
But really, what a lazy stereotype. There are 4 million people in LA proper, and millions more in the surrounding area, and you think we don’t have real sports fans among us?
A college crowd does not define a cities professional sports fanbase. If it did, the Carolina Bobcats fans would be insane.
I think it would end up with a situation similar to the Lakers, where the tickets are so expensive that the only people that can afford to go are the people that are going for all the wrong reasons. That’s not to say there aren’t real sports fans, I just think the local media (which i should’ve touched on more) and the people actually attending the games would turn the team into something more like the Jets (Sanchez! LT! Cromartie! Hard Knocks! Wrestling Interviews! Foot Fetish Videos!) or Cowboys (Romo and Jessica Simpson! Jason Witten with his shirt off! TO suicide attempts! Miles Austin and Kim Kardashian!) than the Chargers. I’d be annoyed by that.
No, I want my team to win. I couldn’t care less about that other stuff, especially because it seems like a big distraction from winning.
My viewpoint, and it probably differs from your own, is that that statement puts you in the minority in L.A. Whether or not the “fans” would admit it.
So in order to illustrate something that you don’t want on your team, you pick 3 examples of things from your team.
Well, I actually picked two, but I get your point. I was making the point that “These are not the things that currently define the Chargers.” They’re defined more by Rivers the family man, Tolbert the freak, Antonio Gates the greatest TE ever. The only time the L.A. media has ever contacted me is to talk about Cromartie, Kevin Ellison getting arrested, Garay’s hair and the Merriman/Tequila stuff…..and we’re the closest NFL team they got.
Because lord knows, no one ever tries to win in LA, and certainly no one ever succeeds. Not the Lakers. Or the Dodgers. Or Angels or Ducks. Or the Bruins or Trojans. Nope, no one cares about winning in LA.
I should’ve pointed out the Cowboys analogy more. There’s a reason the Cowboys always did their training camp in the L.A. area, and it’s only partly because Texas is insanely hot during the month of August. They are a team that is concerned with grabbing the headlines just as much as they are winning football games, and it’s why they’re always ending up with contracts like the one they gave to Roy Williams (after trading away a TON to get him, just to make the headlines).
I’m not saying the team would not try and win. I’m saying the perception and possibly the attitude of and around the Chargers would change. Blame it on the LA media, or the people of that city that seem to continue to push the media in that direction (Imagine a team of 50+ rich, young guys living in Hollywood? They’d be on TMZ nightly, especially after games. It’d be more trouble than it is now). Either way, things wouldn’t stay the same.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
If you notice, I never said San Diego wasn’t. I agree that San Diego is, my point is that most people in L.A. view their "city" as a metropolis on the scale of Chicago or New York and then view San Diego as a sleepy little seaside town. It’s a double-standard.
Eh, maybe, but I don’t see why its worth getting worked up about. LA is the second largest city in America. San Diego is still a big city, top 10 nationally.
I think a higher percentage of the population in L.A. knows very little about football than the population in S.D. that knows very little about football (and still goes to games), yes.
Possibly true as a percentage, but I think that’s largely meaningless. Give their relative sizes, I’d bet there are more football fans in the LA area than people total in San Diego.
A college crowd does not define a cities professional sports fanbase. If it did, the Carolina Bobcats fans would be insane.
That’s not what I was saying. I was saying that the whole “celebrity schmoozing” thing can and does work at a football game. I’m not saying this is a good thing or that it represents anything but the tiniest minority of LA fans, but it can happen. Nothing about the sport of football prevents it.
They’re defined more by Rivers the family man, Tolbert the freak, Antonio Gates the greatest TE ever.
To us who follow them, maybe, but sadly I don’t think that’s the national perception of our team. And I don’t think that if they did move to LA that Rivers would be any less of a family man or Gates any less of a TE.
I’m saying the perception and possibly the attitude of and around the Chargers would change. Blame it on the LA media, or the people of that city that seem to continue to push the media in that direction (Imagine a team of 50+ rich, young guys living in Hollywood? They’d be on TMZ nightly, especially after games. It’d be more trouble than it is now). Either way, things wouldn’t stay the same.
All fair points. Things would probably be different, and I certainly don’t want to Chargers to turn into what the Cowboys were/are. Except of course in winning. And we have to admit, for all their blustering and flash, they did win 3 out of 4, including one which was a Super Bowl in LA.
This was fun.
And I don’t think that if they did move to LA that Rivers would be any less of a family man or Gates any less of a TE.
I didn’t say they would be. That’s ridiculous. I just implied that these would no longer be the things that defined the team because they’re not “exciting” and don’t end up in the newspapers.
That’s not what I was saying. I was saying that the whole "celebrity schmoozing" thing can and does work at a football game. I’m not saying this is a good thing or that it represents anything but the tiniest minority of LA fans, but it can happen. Nothing about the sport of football prevents it.
This is the opposite of my experience. Football games are louder, drunker and require more attention than MLB or NBA games. In MLB games, there are usually about 300 pitches thrown. You can miss a play and not even know it. Not usually the case with the NFL. With the NBA, everyone knows it’s almost pointless to get excited before the last 5 minutes of the game. I’ve had person experience attempting to shmooze at all three (and NHL games), football was by far the most difficult.
I’d bet there are more football fans in the LA area than people total in San Diego.
You missed my point. At no time did I claim that there are more football fans in SD and that’s why the team shouldn’t go to LA. My points is that because there is a much larger population of non-football fans and people that will show up to the game with no interest in the team, things will change in a negative direction (IMO). The sports media would appease to the masses (whereas Acee appeases guys like us), the stadium would be more concerned with what was going on with the scoreboard, GOD…..THE WAVE WOULD BE EVERYWHERE. The horror.
I’m not saying SD sports fans > LA sports fans. I’m saying SD > LA. Period.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 7:08 AM PST up reply actions
I just implied that these would no longer be the things that defined the team because they’re not "exciting" and don’t end up in the newspapers.
Eh, I don’t really think those things define them now, except to fans like us who follow the team. Most football fans think of Rivers as an arrogant, mouthy hothead. Its not fair or correct, but that is the perception nationally.
My points is that because there is a much larger population of non-football fans and people that will show up to the game with no interest in the team, things will change in a negative direction (IMO).
Eh, again I don’t see how or why so many “non fans” would show up at the games at all or why this would impact things. I suppose we could get into the whole stereotype of Laker or Dodger fans who just show up as a social event and not to follow the game, but I think that overlooks the fact that the vast majority are there to watch and cheer. I also think its odd that you say that schmoozing/socializing is harder at a football game but then worry that too many people will show up just to do that. If its hard to do, I suspect that people will avoid it. Even if there was some desire to show up simply to socialize, given that there are 1/10th to 1/5th as many football games compared to baseball and basketball specifically, I suspect you will get a greater distillation of actual fans compared to socialites.
And really, what’s the worst that could happen if all these people decide to buy tickets? The Chargers might be in danger of not being blacked out every week?
by CABurrito on Jan 27, 2011 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Me too
But if they had to move why not Orange County? I live there now ( and miss SD). they could be the next Los Angeles Chargers of Anaheim Via San Diego. Just saying.
by Nutz bout Boltz on Jan 26, 2011 11:47 AM PST reply actions
That's what I had been thinking
There is a ton of open space and multiple ways to get there. They should build it in Irvine or something then it will be (more or less) halfway between SD and LA.
Why not move them to NJ
What’s one more team in the new Meadolands?
6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.
That was fast.
That's what I'm sayin
Get off the Parkway and onto Route 3, and BAM I’m there for some pass records being shattered hahaha
This idea had been tossed around
The “Southern California Chargers” was the name being used. I’m not as opposed to this idea, but not ecstatic either. Considering it’s never really been mentioned, I’m gonna assume it’s not an option.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
I like the alliterative value, even if it's only slanty.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 1, 2011 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
For me, its the Lakers
I hate the Lakers so much. Part of it is just haterade, I think they are the best franchise in all of sports and I hate them for that. Everyone is a Laker fan. I was in Philipines and all I saw where Laker jerseys and I wanted to throw up.
LA Raider fans are bad because it seems that its more of a look than actual fandom. Oakland fans are actually pretty aware of there team and I have had a number of great discussions about the team.
Dodgers fans are bad too but I don’t think their worse than Red Sox or Yankee fans.
But LA Live and the Staples Center are legit places to go. I was at the Clipper-Magic game and was impressed by the whole look of the place. It seemed that they finally realized to put everything close by instead of 1/2 hour away which would make it 2 hours away because of traffic. Putting a stadium there would probably do to their downtown what Petco did to ours. And I hate that. Yup, big time hater.
"A man has got to have a code." -Bunk, Season 1; Omar, Season 4.
by L Magico on Jan 26, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
i bet if they played in LA they would run more
(ya know, due to people doin crimes in their vicinity and stuff)
"I suggest more bike" ~KSK
Dont poke fun at her.
She is clearly The Dodger’s #1 fan. She must know her stuff.
Self anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.
by CaDuck on Jan 26, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Now if she would just introduce me
to her stuff…
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 26, 2011 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
The only reason that I dislike LA,
Is because all of the people coming down from LA to SD for the weekend make traffic god awful Friday nights southbound on the 5 and bad Sunday evenings northbound on the 5. If LA was so awesome why wouldn’t you just stay there!!?? /end likely misinformed rant
Self anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.
ease up on Kevin Smith
he’s my boy!!!
that being said, LA SUX!
"i'm not inclined to resign to maturity"...PSYCH theme
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Jan 26, 2011 1:36 PM PST reply actions
Your boy has lost his mind
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 26, 2011 1:44 PM PST up reply actions
Can't believe no one has dealt with the truly substantive matter of this post
The king didn’t die – Long live the king :)
queen of the rec fairies (http://spunc.com.au/members/hunter/product/9780980517965/)
by Aussie fan on Jan 26, 2011 2:23 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I can't believe
you included a little jab at Blake Griffin in this John. Come on man…if the Chargers had a team full of guys with just his work ethic (not counting his freakish athletic ability), the Bolts would be in the Super Bowl every year….Not to mention the fact that he plays for the Clippers, and if you are going to see their games, then you are truly a fan of the game, and not there for some celebrity sighting…..trust me, I AM a clipper fan and have been a season ticket holder for almost a decade (let the jokes begin)…
And by the way, Blake IS the greatest thing since sliced bread…so it’s not so much a claim, but reality. (tongue in cheek of course)
I hate LA as much as the next guy (especially the Lakers and Dodgers and their fans)….just don’t tarnish the image of Blake just yet…let him do that himself.
Do or do not. There is no try.
Woah woah woah
That wasn’t a jab. I was simply pointing out that it’s a little ridiculous the way the LA media and fans are treating him like he’s MVP of the World Forever.
Personally, I think the dude is awesome. My favorite player to come along in years.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 7:11 AM PST up reply actions
John, I’ve always had a nervous tick every time you use the word “anyways.” There is no such word; you should use “anyway.”
anywayz whateverzzzz!
"If you wanna crown em, then crown their asses"
by Natrone Means Business on Jan 26, 2011 4:15 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
post
I am a Chargers fan. I am also a Los Angeles Kings (NHL) fan. I travel to Qualcomm for games, (I live in the North County), and I also travel to the Staples Center for hockey games. With that being said, I hope the Chargers stay in San Diego. Do I have a real point here? Probably not. Just showing that you can enjoy both places for sports. But yes, I’d prefer if the Chargers stayed in SAN DIEGO!
I guess like a little brother always having to look up at his big brother and then try to fill his shoes and feel horrible when you can’t reach the same accolades that big bro did then you begin to have bad feelings for this brother and it keeps getting worse and worse, so i can see how someone living SD would geralize all of LA and then say it sux and they hate it, after all SD is like an out of his league little brother compared to LA and especially in the sports world, college or pro doesn’t matter all of you down south have never and i mean never been able to compete with the city of angels,lol
If practice makes perfect....
Yet nobodies perfect.....
Then why practice ???
by peteyweestro on Jan 26, 2011 7:19 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
And you’ve never been able to keep a football team.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 7:12 AM PST up reply actions
San Diego looks like its about to lose theirs
not the best argument to be making.
I must not fear .Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
by nolander on Jan 27, 2011 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
And for such a short stay though, teams were pretty successful in LA.
Much more so than the Chargers in SD.
The RaiderLaker
by JaggerJaw on Jan 27, 2011 11:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
and your city smells like trash and used diapers and other things that smell bad
whereas SD smells like fish tacos and bacon and other things that smell good.
"I suggest more bike" ~KSK
They don't have a very good English department at USC do they?
Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. -- Vince Lombardi
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Jan 30, 2011 12:53 AM PST up reply actions
Not really an accurate image of LA
The people aren’t really that vapid, it’s just the ones who draw attention to themselves. And out of millions, you see them a lot.
And the sports fans? We manage to sell out Clippers games. And those games are full of REAL fans, unlike Faker fans… You don’t go to Clips games to be seen, for obvious reasons.
EJ BG
Agreed
but, as I mentioned in a comment above, one of the reasons for that is that Clippers tickets are reasonably priced (at least next to Lakers tickets). What are the chances a new L.A. football team has reasonably priced tickets?
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jan 27, 2011 7:13 AM PST up reply actions
Eff Los Angeles
First, it’s the only major city in the U.S. that has no legitimate reason for it’s existence (i.e. natural resources, major river, fertile soil, natural harbor). It’s a city built on the refuse of every other part of the American West.
Second, it’s a city that has repeatedly built itself up by stealing from others – the San Fernando Valley land grab from ranchers (there’s a reason the basin was so easy to settle – Indians didn’t even live there), stealing the Owens River, stealing the Cleveland Rams, the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Minneapolis Lakers, the Oakland Raiders, the San Diego Clippers, and so forth.
The only thing that is native to Los Angeles is the film industry, which is the perfect metaphor for a city that is big on style and illusion, and low and depth and reality.
Furthermore, I absolutely hate the concrete lined ditches they call rivers, I absolutely hate how they turn my 4½ hour drive to/from Vegas into an 8 hour marathon, I hate the mazes of freeways, and above all else, I hate the smog that somehow always wafts down the coast to San Diego.
Eff you Los Angeles!!!
"Egad!" Wile E. Coyote.
by Jeff (sliderockmpc) on Jan 26, 2011 9:21 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Please dont go to LA.
i don’t think i would be able to cheer for a team with the same first name as the Lakers…..
So. Cal Chargers
I grew up in San Diego, went to UCLA, then came back after 12 years. I have the same biases against LA due to my roots. Traffic is hell, the Dodger/Raider/SC type fans are ghetto, and fakeness is endemic. I hated the city itself outside of Westwood for the first 6 years, but it actually grew on me after that. You really need to live in the city for awhile to appreciate the different neighborhoods. Otherwise, it looks like a bunch of smog, powerlines, and concrete from your car window while sitting in grueling traffic. Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Melrose area, Venice, Pasadena, Hollywood, Hermosa, Abbott Kinney, Silver Lake are all pretty awesome places to visit. If you live in LA, then you pick your neighborhood of choice and mostly stay local.
Pros of LA: Restaurants are top notch, Diversity of cultures, foods, and people, educated and cultured friends and people, Clubs/Lounges/Bars, hot chicks of all types
Cons of LA: Traffic, Fakeness, Traffic, Scum of the Earth Raider/Laker/SC Dodger Fans, Traffic, arrogant/rich/flashy people, not kid friendly
Pros of SD: Beach, laid back culture, lower cost of living, clean and nice suburbs, good schools, hot blond chicks abound, more down to earth people
Cons of SD: Too suburby unless you live downtown, lack of diversity and culture, People are nice but a little simple and mostly the same, No Major League Championships, Padres suck, College Sports usually suck bad except for Coryell, Marshall Faulk, and current SDSU. Union-Trib is a joke of a newspaper
Ultimately, the city and people of S.D. need to put up or lose the NFL forever. If the entire County could vote, then there might be more support. But, the city itself is corrupt, incompetent, and bankrupt. I think that SD would support an Orange County team more, but I cant see many fighting the traffic and making the hike to LA Live. LA Live/Staples Center are actually pretty awesome but a totally different culture than the Tailgating Chargers fanbase. You cant really tailgate in Downtown La. I can’t see SD getting it’s act together anytime soon, but I will still support them in LA. The train does go from SD to LA Live though.
New Chargers Stadium and Convention Center Expansion on the Waterfront.
Hi Chargers Fans,
Please see our proposal for a new NFL Chargers stadium on the waterfront in downtown San Diego, which will be built as part of the Convention Center Expansion. The plan could happen without the use of Redevelopment Money. Then CCDC would not have to destroy the Historic Wonder Bread building, and Eminent Domain of the existing Print Shop and Liquor Store.
by LaPlayaHeritage on Jan 27, 2011 10:50 AM PST reply actions
u gonna be mad when they move to LA
aren’t you?
I must not fear .Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
by nolander on Jan 27, 2011 12:29 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
This is really terribly written.
L.A is a massive and amazingly diverse place. It’s layout makes it difficult to get to know, and it takes time to connect with such a layered and complex city. Many people who move to L.A to be a part of the entertainment industry get fatigued and put off by the industry hopefuls they find themselves around. It is off putting for sure. Anyone from L.A knows that it is also a very unique and culturally prolific city. As for it’s sports fans, like every city, there are the good, the bad, and the ugly. I will never deny the criminal element that exists at Dodger games, and once existed at Raider games, and I will also point out that you may not find a more knowledgeable fan base than those who blog and subsequently post about the Dodgers and Lakers.
It’s fine to rif on a set of stereotypes about a city, and it can be funny…but this was poorly done and unfunny. We got the un-true part covered thanks to some eloquent responses already posted.
by Lex in Brooklyn on Jan 27, 2011 12:33 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Let me just interrupt you there for a second
I will never deny the criminal element that exists at Dodger games, and once existed at Raider games
Yup. Ok, carry on…
"When the going gets tough... TheGrandHatching pops in later." -- WG
by TheGrandHatching on Jan 27, 2011 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
Dude
The fact that it’s even worth mentioning is both funny and sad. The criminal element of the Raiders’ and Dodgers’ fan base is as much a part those teams’ personalities as Qwest Field’s 12th Man or Lambeau Field’s frozen tundra.
"When the going gets tough... TheGrandHatching pops in later." -- WG
by TheGrandHatching on Jan 28, 2011 10:38 AM PST up reply actions
LA has more to offer than San Diego
Good, bad, and VERY bad. I hate the traffic and it’s ghetto ranking is off the charts. A good friend of mine who worked at a an investment firm in Beverly Hills said everyone in his office was trying to make their money and then move to San Diego. He lived 7 miles from his work and it took him 50 minutes to commute each way. But as far as culture and diversity, San Diego pales in comparison, and that’s a fact. LA is a major city and SD is still only a group of suburbs that ended up being a big city. I was born in San Diego, but mostly the weather and layout of the city is what make it’s a world class place. The people can be pretty simple and the culture in the vast suburbs is generally homogeneous. The Costco/mini mall factor is quite nauseating to me. SF is a much more interesting place to live than either city. But I would live in SD over LA any day of the week. The Hollywood culture has permeated much of the city and I think it infects the mentality of many who live there. I’ve had issues with friends that moved there and I’ve seen LA change people whom I used to be close with. It’s as if people think they’re perpetually in a reality TV show.
Also, San Diego was built on the premise that is wasn’t going to be like LA and we like to keep our smokestacks and junkyards away from our elementary schools. Zoning restrictions have kept San Diego as one of the most beautiful places in the Country, if not the single most. We also have kept natural preserves throughout the City. And it’s nice to be able to walk on our beaches without legitimately worrying about stepping on a used syringe. SD might be a smaller version of LA, but it’s a version that LA would be more like if it could do it all over again.
I love that people hate on LA, because if you didn’t then it would be because we were like say SD in other words we didn’t matter and thats why no one bothered about us but from all the hate from you guys i have seen here you must be really jealous oh yeah don’t forget " GO SD STATE " ROFLMAO
If practice makes perfect....
Yet nobodies perfect.....
Then why practice ???
Why would we care about south dakota state?
Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. -- Vince Lombardi
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Jan 30, 2011 12:45 AM PST up reply actions
u wouild think a city
of 2 million peopie like San Digeo couild find a area to build but the ecomany played a role S D might need to get or win a super bowl in the next 5 years i dont get why they cant renvoate jack murshy staudim make SDSU play on a on campms stauidm and keep SD i know its old but the field is in great shape
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
Future Chargers Fan
I have nothing against Bland Diego. In my mind it’s a pretty boutique town populated largely by Republicans and people who couldn’t make it in L.A. if they tried. Where does someone from the East Coast head to when they can’t even cut it in Philadelphia? San Diego.
I’m looking forward to the Los Angeles Chargers returning to the City of Angels, where they were born. They’re returning to a vast city-empire, incredibly rich in culture, diversity, people, and economic vitality. It’s a city which has experienced a renaissance across the board for the last 15 years. It has a rapidly expanding mass transit which is serving and encouraging the growth of the most even high-density in America and which will serve the new DTLA stadium very well. The stadium will be located in one of the most evolving downtowns in the United States.
Don’t worry Bland Diego. You’ll still have the Padres, beach volleyball, and your cute trolley. Thanks for taking care of our team these past several years. Now the most passionate, knowledgeable fans in the country will man the fan ship.
by SCboi67 on Jan 27, 2011 8:49 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Let me correct that for you.
LA is so great, a SB has been won there, much more so than SD has won with all those years with the San Diego Chargers.
Plus the Rams made it to the SB too in LA.
It’s a no brainer, you want what’s best for your franchise?
I actually want the Raiders back in LA so I can finally watch them on local TV instead of whack internet feeds.
The RaiderLaker
by JaggerJaw on Jan 28, 2011 12:05 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh please
Stop clinging to your past glory and come taunt us once your team wins the AFC West. We don’t care about your alleged past glory. The recent suckitude overshadows it.
Well played going undefeated in the division in 2010. Let’s see how 2011 shakes out…
What? This is about LA. I never said anything about the Raiders. LOL.
Never tried to taunt anyone. Once you don’t like what is said I love how you bring up the Raiders and their recent suckitude. 8-8 last year baby. Watch out.
You guys just got weaker. Rivera was a great Charger D coordinator.
The RaiderLaker
I actually did, now looking back, but me wanting to see the Raiders in local LA TV-
has nothing to do with what you just said about me clinging to past glory lol. It looks to me like you taunted your own self.
The RaiderLaker
I Love L.A.!
There’s only 1 thing i love more than the Chargers and that is the Lakers!
I don’t want the Bolts to move to L.A, but it doesn’t matter who does move there because it’ll still be Laker Town
This is a pointless discussion. Entertaining, yes? Pointless nonetheless.
LA and San Diego are so incredibly similar, yet no one will admit it because each city’s denizens deem themselves superior. San Diego is a smaller version of LA. For every crappy community in LA I will cite an equally crappy part of San Diego and vice versa. Try me.
La Jolla/Malibu
East LA/El Cajon
Golden Triange/San Fernando Valley
etc.
by RiversMVP on Jan 28, 2011 5:19 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
This used to be my sig for a while
Los Angeles is like San Diego’s older, uglier sister that has herpes.
I'm from the San Fer Valley. Way ghetto. I'm now down in Rancho Cucamonga lol. Nice peaceful place.
The RaiderLaker
Rancho Cucamonga = Alpine (for the San Diegans)
I’m from the Conejo Valley originally- San Diego transplant many years ago. I drive through Rancho Cucamonga each time I head out to the desert/mountains. Can’t beat the access you have there.
Go Chargers.
Typical San Diegans....
Ok, now, I was born in SD. Lived there for 18 years. Went to college elsewhere. Ended up in LA, where I’ve been for the past five years.
I have to say that the SD hatred of LA is very ridiculous. The kinds of criticisms San Diegans always voice – I’ve been there, done that – are overly dramatized and stereotypical. The kind of thing a new yorker in a movie might say.
I don’t love LA particularly. LA has its bad points, but it has its good points. My comparison:
-Urban Sprawl? Sure. But its really just SD on steroids. SD is really not that far behind. In fact, most of actual LA is more urban, by my account.
- Traffic. Yeah, the traffic sucks.
- Food. LA wins, hands down. It’s not cheap, but there is a seemingly endless supply of excellent restaurants. SD has good mexican, but so does LA. Everything else seems to be better in LA.
- Culture. Yeah, there’s the “hollywood” schlock. But there’s an actual artist culture here. Classical Music. Theater. Visual Arts. SD is, by comparison, a wasteland. Thats sad for me to say, as I am one of those artists.
- Hollywood/Beverly hills lifestyle/people. Fine, but, again, this is like a stereotype from a movie. What percent of the population do you think live like this? The type who go to lakers games just to be seen. 1%? 0.5%? Less? Growing up in the part of SD I grew up, there were equally disgusting stereotypes walking the streets, that seemed rammed down my throat every day. I’ve met some of my best friends in LA, so to say that the people are lame is nonsense – people are assholes, everywhere.
I think, sadly, in some way I think SD folks are a bit “jealous” of LA. Yeah, the traffic says, but it offer a lot that little ol’ SD can’t really compete with.
I’m sure I’ll get flamed for this. Bring it on. Go Chargers.
by counterpoint on Jan 30, 2011 8:43 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
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