......Old growth forests...? According to this website, you're not likely to find such areas near Chicago OR Dallas:.........

Actually, you're mistaken. Dallas has something called the "Old Trinity Forest" a few miles southeast of its downtown. The city is embarking on a multiBillion dollar river project that will, among other things, develop the forest into a major recreational resource.



Chicago is a world-class center of finance, international commerce and culture, and has been for many, many generations. It is indeed on a par with New York and Boston and Washington.

Boston, maybe, but I'd hardly equate Chicago to New York. The big Apple is so far ahead of Chicago culturally and financially, the Illinois city is like a pimple on the butt of Kink Kong.

It does not have the national clout of a city like Washington, nor the cultural reach of a city like Los Angeles. Museums, for example. I wouldn't expect something like the Smithsonian collection of museums in a place like Chicago... or Dallas, for that matter...

Chicago may have economic and financial relationships in other countries, but so does Dallas. Its industries are heavily invested in Europe and Asia, and it is extending its commercial influence heavily into Mexico, Central and South America.

CD, Dallas and Chicago are different in the case of water access. Dallas has a multitude of yachts on its dozen or so inland-sea lakes, and the local people enjoy it immensely. As to which is inherently "better", that's a matter of taste.

"Dallas has a multitude of yachts on its dozen or so inland-sea lakes, and the local people enjoy it immensely."
I think the operative word here is "local". I'm talking "visitor", being able to sail in from another state and enjoy the weekend.

Think of what could be accomplished if all of this energy was put towards the common good?!

This has been going on for days!!

"and also, they do not seem particularly articulate when they try to defend their city against a smaller one. They have an enormous self-image of their city, more a matter of civic pride than statistics." Excuse me, did someone say something about the pot and the kettle? Seems to me the Chicago defenders, many of whom are not residents but former visitors, have done a much better, more logical job of describing Chicago's many attractions than has the one lone Dallas supporter.

CD,

People who visit Chicago or Dallas are going to fly in, drive, Greyhound it, take a train, etc. The number of people who boat in is insignificant. Just as the number of people who visit Dallas on horseback or canoe is insignificant. And meaningless.

Although, it is certainly possible to sail a small yacht up the Trinity River to Dallas.

CAPH52,

This thread is composed of me, a critic of Chicago's hubris, and Chicago lovers and natives who want to express their love of the place. People who are indifferent to the supposed charms of Chicago don't bother with it. And they comprise 99.99999% of the population. Since you're one of the Chicago faithful, your opinion might be construed as self-delusion.