Dept. of Phenomenally Bad Ideas
Facing one of it's worst fiscal crises, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is considering legislation that would allow the sale of naming rights to parks and forests (full story). Apparently it's not enough for corporations to have their names emblazoned on ballparks and preceding whatever bowl game they sponsor, now they want to have the Coca Cola Walden Woods. Is it too much to ask that corporations be public minded and simply donate money to help pay the costs of maintaining public properties during these tough fiscal times? Isn't the PR generated by footing the bill for a place such as Walden Woods enough of an incentive? I can see maybe a plaque, a small sign, or something in the brochure/map acknowledging corporate supporters, but naming rights is just ridiculous.