Pittsburghers Pity Sienna Miller

There's three things you just don't mess with in
Pittsburgh, PA.
The biggest being the city and the love its residents have for it. Actress Sienna Miller is learning that the hard way.

In a recent Rolling Stone article Miller asked the interviewer to pity her for being forced to tape a new film in what she called "Shitsburgh." The movie, "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh," is an adaptation of Michael Chabon's novel, but according to Miller she's destined for more glamorous gigs.

The 24 year-old British actress continued, "Can you believe this is my life? Will you pity me when you're back in your funky New York apartment and I'm still in
Pittsburgh
? I need to get more glamorous films and stop with my indie year."

Miller has since apologized suggesting her comments were taken out of context despite reports from other actors on the set who say Miller often complained about the city. But no matter how many times she "apologizes" Pittsburghers are pissed.

The steel city is often misrepresented as dirty or smelly. Perhaps when steel was the largest and most heavily relied on industry in town that was the case. But for anyone who's visited or lived in Pittsburgh in the last 20 years or so knows the city hasn't depended on steel mills as a source of income for quite some time and no longer suffers from a thick film of smoke.

In fact, the August edition of National Geographic named Pittsburgh 's most amazing adventure town citing a 15 year renewal program that has not only cleaned up the city but made it one of the most attractive places to visit and live because of its natural beauty. (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/relocating/pittsburgh-pennsylvania.html)

Businesses are also taking advantage of the turn around. Expansion Management Magazine, a publication focused on business location, this year ranked Pittsburgh the 9th best city in the to locate a business. Pittsburgh was just behind Pittsburgh 9th behind Austin, Minneapolis, Raleigh, Dallas, Houston, WashingtonD.C., Madison, and

Seattle
.

Most people who live in
Pittsburgh
were born there, raised there and will die there. But for those who are new on the scene, Pittsburghers are welcoming and gracious people.

And the population could start shifting toward twenty somethings thanks to the new mayor. 26 year-old Luke Ravenstahl says he's committed to encouraging college grads from the five main universities to stick around once their educational goals are achieved.

As Sienna Miller has learned, Pittsburghers take bashing the 'burgh seriously. Her production company has received hundreds of negative letters since the comments and the website www.sienna-online.org has been forced to disable discussion on the statements because of the number of hate emails. Also, in a recent Pittsburgh Post Gazette poll 41% of respondents said they wouldn't see Miller's film after hearing her comments.

While no one condones retaliation or put downs, Sienna Miller should be relieved she didn't criticize the other two prides of
Pittsburgh
; Primanti Brothers sandwiches and of course the current Super Bowl champs.