Crawford tourism sinks right along with * approval

[babylonsister]

:nopity: :nopity:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4950647.html

As Bush goes, so goes Crawford
Everyone agrees 2004 was town's high-water mark for tourism trade

By THOMAS KOROSEC
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


CRAWFORD — From a wooden bench in front of a shop selling mementos of "The Western White House," tourist Chuck Yorde wondered aloud why he seemed to be the only visitor in town.

"If his poll numbers were up there above 50-60 percent, this place would probably be a little more jumping," said Yorde, surveying the empty parking spots up and down Lone Star Parkway.

The Youngstown, Ohio, resident was almost apologetic about his own presence in the town that hosts President George W. Bush's 1,600-acre ranch. He said he was visiting his sister in nearby Gatesville who's "a big Bush fan. ... She dragged me over here."

Shuttered storefronts and eroding retail sales figures show tourism and the Bush memorabilia business are slumping in this once-sleepy farm-and-ranch town of 732 residents.

A for-sale sign is the only thing in the smudged window of the turn-of-the-century, two-story brick building that once housed the Crawford Country Style store. "The numbers just weren't working," said Norma Nelson Crow, who closed the shop at the beginning of the year.

more...

[tanyev]

1. "The numbers just weren't working"

George Bush's administration in a nutshell.

[BOSSHOG]

2. In the not too distant future conservatives will be asking for federal

aid to keep the failed bush lie-brary open. Why would anyone go there? Certainly to not to learn anything.

[Atman]

3. A kick, and R and a big BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Although I don't really feel it is right to laugh at others' misfortune. Face it, many of these people were merely opportunists, waving the flag for their boy as long as he made them some money, without a thought to the morality of selling the chatkes of a hateful, hated, war mongering fool.

.

[Tesha]

4. Life sucks, and then you die. (NT)

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Awww. Base your business on a loser like Bush? Tough.

Get over it. You screwed up.

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. They just need to modify their business model a little

Instead of hawking portraits of Chucklenuts on black velvet, start selling "BushPoo" in little biodegradable packets with his picture on the front. "Just right for flinging at pResidential motorcades." They don't even have to import the ingredients from China.

A little modification, and the old "Whack-A-Mole" arcade game could be modified appropriately. Much hilarity will ensue.

Start serving "Impeachment Omelettes" at the local Mel's Diner.

Sell "memory books" with 100 or so blank pages, entitled "The Collected Wit and Wisdom of George W. Bush". And old joke, but appropriate.

C'mon people. When the times change, a good entrepreneur changes with them.

[malaise]

7. Brilliant n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. ...

:spray: Priceless! :evilgrin:

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Our idea - we presented to Bree, the new Camp Casey owner

Leave the porta potties on site and put a great big sign on top of them that says

GEORGE W BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

THAT would bring in tourism!!