[MrMetropolitan]

I was looking through the "New Living Expo" catalog last night and found an interesting ad on the back page. http://www.globalpeacefoundation.org/ is trying to get 10,000 signatures for the ballot to turn Alcatraz Island into a new "peace Park". I was curious what you thought of it, as this is the place where developments are discussed.

I added a link so you can view the picture:

http://www.globalpeacefoundation.org/

Alcatraz, a former Federal penitentiary and a sacred site for First Nation people, is currently administered by the Department of the Interior. Through a political process, be it an initiative, an act of Congress or direct purchase of the island, we have the means and opportunity to transform Alcatraz island into The Global Peace Center.

The Global Peace Center, based on the geometry of THE HEXAGRAM will feature the Harmonium, an Artainment multi-media center, and The One Earth One People World Cultures and Conference Center will serve as a dramatic and dynamic international showcase...

The Global Peace Centerwill be magnificently landscaped with botanical gardens, providing a man-made habitat which is peaceful and serene. Sanctuary and ceremonial spaces will be provided. The island will be energy self-sufficient, employing state-of-the-art sustainable solar and wind generated energy systems.

From the signing of The United Nations charter to the present day peace movement, San Francisco, the City of St. Francis, has a storied history as a progressive center for spiritual enlightenment, and an engaged socially conscience populace and business community. In light of these realizations, San Francisco, the "Geneva of the West" and a major center for the rapidly emerging Pacific Rim community of nations, is ideally suited for this majestic and noble project.

The Global Peace Center, a prophetic and sacred vision, will be magnificently landscaped with botanical gardens, providing a man-made habitat which is peaceful and serene. Sanctuary and ceremonial spaces will be provided. The island will be energy self-sufficient, employing state-of-the-art sustainable solar and wind generated energy systems.

The Alcatraz Conversion Project will activate the creative intelligence of the business community, the engineer and the artist. The outcome being a living Peace Mandala whose function will be to "Inspire, Delight, Heal and Enlighten"...

IN SUMMARY: The Global Peace Center signals the completion and beginning of a grand cycle of evolution within our multidimensional universe, and ushers in the long-awaited Golden Age. We look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of this sacred and majestic project and to the time when we all collectively acknowledge ourselves for a job extraordinarily well done... Ah-Ommm

[BigKidD]

It's still going to be called "the rock" right?;)

[BTinSF]

I want it turned into an "anything goes" pleasure dome. I think Willie Brown was on the right track when he suggested a giant casino.

Think about it: "What happens on Alcatraz stays on Alcatraz."

Consider the drama and mystery--the lights of the ships gliding across the Bay taking the licentious out there 24 hrs a day. Giant klieg lights shooting up through the fog at night. Flashing neon. Skyrockets on special nights. The occasional scream of delight (or raucous laugh) echoing all the way to the city. Sometimes a scream that sounds more like one of pain. Rumours of all sorts of debauchery. Mothers covering their childrens' eyes when passing on the ferry to Marin.

Just consider it.

[CHapp]

Sorry, but I find that "Global Peace Park" proposal for Alcatraz a bit of a kooky idea.

[dimondpark]

I like the anything goes idea. Alcatraz as it is now, is a colossal eyesore and rather hokey as a tourist attraction imo. As if wed let the feds build a high security penitentery there now-thered be rioting in the streets. l mean, it served its purpose, but lets move on and make that billion dollar island into something more relevent to today.

[Reminiscence]

I dont know, but when I first heard this plan, I got a negative image from it. Alcatraz in itself is a historic site that I think should be preserved for as long as time permits. Its not that I dont want these guys to do what they want to, its just that I think they should search elsewhere, say Angel Island or so. Depending on how much change will be involved, moving forward with this plan might get a 'no' in my collumn.

[CHapp]

I got a negative image as well, Reminiscence. One look at the sponsoring organizations (http://www.globalpeacefoundation.org/ACPCoalition.html) convinces me that it's a fairly local (SF, US) rather than a truly global effort to make this happen.

Alcatraz, if it's to be changed, deserves better.

[BigKidD]

I got a negative image as well, Reminiscence. One look at the sponsoring organizations (http://www.globalpeacefoundation.org/ACPCoalition.html) convinces me that it's a fairly local (SF, US) rather than a truly global effort to make this happen.

Alcatraz, if it's to be changed, deserves better.
A lot of those sponsoring organizations have the most idealist goals I have ever read.

[CHapp]

Then go join them if you feel like it. I won't.

[Reminiscence]

Judging by the picture provided above, it looks like a nice plan. However, it fails to convince me that Alcatraz is the correct place to do it. I dont see why they would want to transform Alcatraz, among the country's most popular tourists attractions, if its already a positive force for the city. Like I said, Angel Island (although I cant recall any suffering thats taken place there), would be a much better alternative in my opinion.

[MrMetropolitan]

I mainly posted this as it will probably be on the ballot soon. I would be shocked to see it pass and would vote no on it. Seriously, do these folks think that they can change Alcatraz, can you imagine the backlash this would have? Personally I think they have a better chance of making a new island and doing it on that.