[Ditto]

It basically shut down Downtown Pittsburgh for 3 days, grinding commerce to a halt, and making life very difficult just for those who had business anywhere near town or had to use public transport.

Correct. They guys I know who worked downtown just worked from home on their PCs for a couple of days. But the bars and restaurants and other service industries took a hell of a hit over that nonsense. Their business dropped like a rock because all their regular customers stayed home and few if any of the attendees of media followers showed up. They all got free food and drinks in the hotels.

The only place outside of the hotels I heard of that made some cash from it was a nuddie bar about 2 blocks from the convention center. I heard they were full from noon until closing time.

[Little Bill]

Sounds similar to the Rat convention in Boston in 2004. I still have my Boston Commuters for Bush tee shirt. I don't know how much money the working girls on Kneeland St. made rats are horrible tippers.