Republican Convention Notes

- You're not surprised and neither is Gothamist about news that the city's estimate of what the convention could bring revenue wise is much higher than a third party's estimate, because it seems that was the only way to really sell in the idea of a convention here. The Beacon Hill Institute says the convention will reap $160 million (not counting $19 million in security costs), versus the city's estimate of $250 million. While that sounds disappointing, we're rolling in the money compared with what Beacon Hill found for Boston. Check out their cool report on the impact of the two conventions (PDF).

- Milton Glaser, the designer of the "I Love NY" logo, is asking New Yorkers to "light up the sky" by holding flashlights, candles, lights in the air, from dusk till dawn on the opening night of the convention, to protest President Bush in a silent protest. There is something elegant about that, but of course Gothamist is worried about the logistics, like, aren't our arms going to get tired? Glaser told the Post, "The campaign will allow people to express their feelings, in a way that is almost benign. It's more positive and less sanctimonious than marching the streets." Which is probably why the Post reported it - they also report that cops, firefighters, and teachers are planning a "round-the-block" protest during the convention, to express their frustration over wage negotiations and to let Republicans know that "the heroes of September 11" haven't had a contract for the past year or so. Gothamist is curious to see how many different interest groups end up protesting at the convention.

- And someone stole a list of email addresses from prospective volunteers to the convention. The volunteers received an email purporting to be from the volunteer committee and telling them to visit various Internet hate sites. That's real classy. We can't imagine why someone who is protesting the Republican Convention would do something as assy as that, so Gothamist assumes it's some random idiot, versus a partisan one, though you never know.