For what it's worth, The Stranger isn't taking quite the same position as the Facebook group "Anybody But Chihuly at the Needle." Which isn't to say we like the idea of a Chihuly museum under the needle—we've been kicking and screaming about it from the outset. And we applaud any grassroots movement on Facebook to oppose the project.

But we're fine with a Chihuly museum, somewhere in Seattle, if someone wants to pay for it. Maybe it would be smashing for tourism. We just think the city should respect the plan, established by a lengthy public process, that calls for the area near the Space Needle to be open for public use (not a $14-a-head museum). So it doesn't really matter if it's a Chihuly museum or a sushi bar or a nightclub—that's public space and the public wants it to be free to hang out there. So if folks want to build a Chihuly museum, just build it somewhere else. Goldy at Horse'sAss suggests some good locations.

Maybe there should be a Facebook group called "Chihuly Anywhere But the Needle."