[ProtectOurFreedom]

I know when I see certain things I think about what that means," said [Gino]] Bush.

Well, I certainly know what I think about when I see your name. I'm surprised Mr. Bush hasn't changed his name because of all the bad connotations it has.

[L98Fiero]

Such exercises are inane at best. "MLK Street" is synonymous with "the part of town you stay away from" in most cities. It actually tarnishes the man's reputation, IMO.

[D.P.Roberts]

AhaHAhaHA! State Street is the main drag. What a hoot!

[Republicus2001]

As a rule I tend to avoid any big US city street named after MLK - too dangerous

[BenLurkin]

"Changing the name of the street is ... a lot of bother for businesses and homeowners..."

Possible translation: "But we are a white liberals ... "

[Blue State Insurgent]

Nothing wrong with renaming a street after a good republican like MLK.

[Bonaparte]

Years ago, Berkeley re-named Grove Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. I still refer to it as Grove Street and always will. When somebody points out that it's got a new name, I ask them, "Which is easier to say? "Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Way" or "Grove Street"?

[chit*chat]

"We need something to be proud of and especially young people, because they feel very, they feel a great sense of hopelessness,"

Then change it to Sex & Children After Marriage Street.

[Cicero]

How many of these youths live on State Street?

[NativeNewYorker]

They could probably get a street in the "diverse" South Side of town renamed if they wanted to choose a goal that was within reason. Renaming the heart of downtown is silly.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

"We need something to be proud of and especially young people, because they feel very, they feel a great sense of hopelessness," said Gino Bush, Circle of Recovery facilitator.

Well, that's just too bad, ain't it?

[Realism]

Despite the outcome many say the debate has opened the door for much needed conversations about race relations in the city.

LOL, opened the door or for much needed conversations accusations.

[wideminded]

I grew up in Ithaca. State St. is the main street in downtown Ithaca and also extends quite far in both directions away from downtown. This would be like naming Fifth Avenue in NYC after MLK. Downtown Ithaca does not have that many major streets and as far as I can recall, there is no close connection between MLK and Ithaca.

[MplsSteve]

Are there actually any blacks in Ithaca - other than the occasional student or faculty member?

I've never been there - but the town strikes me as chockful of guilt-ridden white liberals.

[Skooz]

"Changing the name of the street is a big expense and a lot of bother for businesses and homeowners and in some cases very, very expensive and we don't see what it accomplishes," said State Street resident, Margaret Hobbie.

RACIST!!!!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Why not?

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican.

[JoeGar]

We've already got a Martin Luther King Boulevard. Now, blacks want a street named for his widow. What did she ever do that was noteworthy?

[Chode]

i will NEVER, EVER call StateStreet ANYTHING else.