Rich,
You are absolutely 100% correct.
This is going to be one of the hottest topics discussed in the weeks and months to come.
TT 2009. What a disaster for the island economy and its future.
The racing is always 1st class and spectacular but the TT is a lot more than just the racing.
It brings a lot of tourist money to the island and those tourists bring along with them a culture and expectations.
They have been sadly let down.
As other posts mention, no fair, no street entertainment and rip off prices at the Villa Marina.
I had a discussion with two senior Police Officers on Douglas Promenade the other day regarding their policy on drinking on the promenade.
They insisted that the rules would be enforced as they need to protect the promenade for visitors with young families.
What a joke. Why would any visitors with children really want to come to the promenade. The only thing for anyone to do is consume alcohol.
That point does not lie well with the whole Road Safety message either where visiting motorcyclists who will head towards Douglas have a beer tent for their entertainment and nothing much else.
I have just been along "The Street" on a Tuesday afternoon, which during this period of TT is usually packed. Just another day.
I'm sure Hoteliers , Restaurateurs and Retailers will have a lot to say on this downturn and we will surely see quite a few closing in the months to come as their financial lifeline has been destroyed by Government.

It has been a popular topic of conversation throughout the island that after the Centenary Celebrations there would be a deliberate attempt to wind down the whole TT Event.
It has obviously already begun with some crass decisions having been made by Dept of Tourism and no doubt this "Government Probe" is just a smokescreen for further policies being implemented to completely destroy the TT.
The Government should amend their motto to " A Freedom to Flounder". Far more appropriate
As an island resident - Tax Payer and Douglas Rate payer, I am totally disillusioned and disgusted