Local politicians with their heads in the sand, I mean, ice

This article and also this one are the latest from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the saga of the wrangling with the Pittsburgh Penguins to try and get a deal done for a new arena before they become the Kansas City Penguins.

Let me get this straight: the state and local folks trying to keep the Penguins here are asking the team to help pay for construction of a new arena, then pay rent on the arena, then still share revenues produced by the arena, and also wait at least two or three years before they can play in the arena, right?

Meanwhile, there is a 95% complete, brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Kansas City nearly ready and waiting, with 100% of the luxury suites already sold, that the team doesn't have to pay for, gets rent free, and gets the majority of revenues?

The locals then call their proposals either competitive or superior to KC's? Earth to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania powers-that-be: DUH!

Mike Lange is going to be quipping "Elvis has just left the building" for real at the end of this season. The Penguins, in the Steel City, are soon-to-be history.

UPDATE @ 13:42: just saw that the P-G has added to one of the stories that PA Gov. Ed Rendell (a.k.a "Less Red Ed" or "Pinky") is now saying that if the Penguins don't accept their offer, TPTB are going to go whine to the NHL and its Board of Governors to prevent the team from moving and make them accept the Pittsburgh deal. Hmmmm, let's see... Kansas City = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Houston = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Just about anywhere else that's been mentioned as a possible relocation city for the team = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Just about anywhere else = better facilities, better deal. Once more, Earth to them: DUH!