Forget about the expenses - Eric Richardson at blogdowntown wonders why the Lakers parade route tomorrow will be a not-so-wonderful stretch of Figueroa between Staples Center and the Coliseum. (Whose bright idea was that?) "Are strip malls and car dealerships really the visuals Los Angeles wants to feature in its celebration?" he asks, pointing out that the celebrations in 2000, 2001 and 2002 were all held downtown.

Our city has made huge strides in its effort to grow up and act like a real, urban place. Why would we want to not highlight that progress? Logistics also make the Coliseum route questionable. Downtown is the center of the public transportation system. The immigration marches of 2006 showed off the way in which the rail lines can get a massive number of people into the heart of the city even when the roads are backed up. We should be using that system instead of traveling away from it.