Where mother nature, sports, and politics collide

[CtCardinals78]

You guys think we have problems with our QB.....

New Orleans is once again threatened by a major hurricane. I don't know if any of you have seen the latest forecast from the NWS, but they forecast Gustav to be a major hurricane and so far the forecast track has it pretty much taking a direct hit on New Orleans (accuweather says it could be Category 4, NWS says still a 3 by Monday night). It looks like landfall could be sometime Tuesday.

This is a sports forum so I want to discuss in the context of sports, not to downplay the other aspects though (after all not a political or meterological board). After Katrina the New Orleans Saints is what really brought that city together, not the President, not the Mayor, or Governor. The Saints gave those people so much hope and inspiration by beating Carolina week one. I know it sounds corny and cliche, and I was not there, but I remember the calls into Sirius NFL channel and all the stories.

That city was further unified by the drafting of Reggie Bush who quickly became the face of the Franchise and city. If he truns out to be a collossal bust, or HOF player I personally will remember him more for what he did for that city. It's a shame that after all the hard work, they could be getting slammed again almost three years to the day after Katrina (Aug 29).

I hope and pray that this thing fizzles out or misses that area altogether. The people of New Orleans need something to cheer for. They almost lost the Hornets???? (right sorry not up on the NBA thought they might have left) to Katrina, and ironically it was Katrina that saved the Saints from leaving. Bottom line is that this is not the 2005 Saints, it is a contender. It would be a shame if they had a year full of distractions not because of injury or crap bag attitudes, but because of mother nature who could possibly force the Saints to play home games in San Antonio, or Oklahoma City once again.

The people of New Orleans need to be helped back up and the Saints can contine to do it. I'd just hate to see this city get kicked once more to the ground after they worked so hard to get back up (still a lot of work to do). Plus the Saints are a bunch of good guys it seems. Other than Shockey not a bad guy in the group.

Their first home game is Sunday Sep 7 against TB. I just hope it is played in New Orleans and everything works out........

 

[Shane]

Rebuilding New Orleans was a clolossal waste of time and $. The team should have left permanently!

 

[O]

Rebuilding New Orleans was a clolossal waste of time and $. The team should have left permanently!

Wow, your compassion is overwhelming.

 

[RedRob]

Rebuilding New Orleans was a clolossal waste of time and $. The team should have left permanently!

This statement loses some of it's value when you consider the source resides in Las Vegas. I'm not from the south by I have an affinity for the culture and history. Stating they should not have rebuilt is easy for you to say...

 

[jefftheshark]

Rebuilding New Orleans was a clolossal waste of time and $. The team should have left permanently!

Still ticked off about that preseason vBookie loss?

JTS

 

[Shane]

This statement loses some of it's value when you consider the source resides in Las Vegas. I'm not from the south by I have an affinity for the culture and history. Stating they should not have rebuilt is easy for you to say...

Culture and affinity isnt going to keep it from being devasated again when mother nature shows her ugly side again. I feel for what the people went through. But rebuilding it was just plain dumb. Your asking for trouble.

 

[Shane]

Wow, your compassion is overwhelming.

Why do I need compassion in my opinion?

 

[O]

Why do I need compassion in my opinion?

With all due respect Shane; I'm sorry, but I shouldn't have to explain that.

 

[Shane]

With all due respect Shane; I'm sorry, but I shouldn't have to explain that.

No you really should. I have given all the compassion I need to give in referance to what occured to them. I dont need to dole it out every single time it is mentioned or brought up. I merely stated my opinion that it shouldnt have been rebuilt. Why is it necessary to add compassion in there with it?

 

[O]

No you really should. I have given all the compassion I need to give in referance to what occured to them. I dont need to dole it out every single time it is mentioned or brought up. I merely stated my opinion that it shouldnt have been rebuilt. Why is it necessary to add compassion in there with it?

Like it or not New Orleans is one of the great cities of this nation.
The fact is N.O. has not been rebuilt. What happened there after Katrina is a travesity. Thousands upon thousands of peoples lives were destroyed. Some never recovered from it.
Yet we can spend a Trillion dollars on Iraq and ignore New Orleans.
It is not my intention to get into an argument with you.
If you can't feel compassion for that city and the people in it, so be it.
That's just a fundamental difference between you and I.

 

[Shane]

Like it or not New Orleans is one of the great cities of this nation.
The fact is N.O. has not been rebuilt. What happened there after Katrina is a travesity. Thousands upon thousands of peoples lives were destroyed. Some never recovered from it.
Yet we can spend a Trillion dollars on Iraq and ignore New Orleans.
It is not my intention to get into an argument with you.
If you can't feel compassion for that city and the people in it, so be it.
That's just a fundamental difference between you and I.

I do and have felt compassion for that city. Doesnt make my opinion any less valid. Or make me any less a human being because I dont say how sorry I feel for them every time its brought up. Thats the difference. There was no need to interject with "I feel so sorry for what they have been through, however it was a colossal waste of $ and resources to rebuild that city"

What I said doesnt mean I have no compassion. You shouldnt assume.

 

[NMCard]

Yet we can spend a Trillion dollars on Iraq and ignore New Orleans.

That's just a fundamental difference between you and I.

Plenty of charities out there for folks to show there compassion if they are inclined. Not sure why the political stuff is on the football forum?

 

[Sandan]

I understand what Shane meant even if he didn't phrases it very delicately.

Why rebuild in a flood plain when we know it will happen again, maybe soon

 

[Duckjake]

I understand what Shane meant even if he didn't phrases it very delicately.

Why rebuild in a flood plain when we know it will happen again, maybe soon

They couldn't find another city that would take the Saints.

 

[cardsfanmd]

They couldn't find another city that would take the Saints.

BTW, I am with Shane on this one.

 

[Zeno]

I understand what Shane meant even if he didn't phrases it very delicately.

Why rebuild in a flood plain when we know it will happen again, maybe soon

Its not even technically a flood plain, its below sea level and the only thing holding the water back is a series of levy's that aren't exactly keeping people brimming with confidence.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to rebuild unless they can come up with a definitive way to guarantee the sea won't reclaim the land.

I'm with Shane on this one too...it has nothing to do with compassion, its reality, it was a poorly planned city to begin with.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Its not even technically a flood plain, its below sea level and the only thing holding the water back is a series of levy's that aren't exactly keeping people brimming with confidence.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to rebuild unless they can come up with a definitive way to guarantee the sea won't reclaim the land.

I'm with Shane on this one too...it has nothing to do with compassion, its reality, it was a poorly planned city to begin with.

I agree Zeno, but on the other hand it is what it is. There are millions of people in that general area still. It sucks, and IF it does hit there and IF it is big and the levy's don't hold I agree with most of you and think the city should be relocated.

On the bright side at least they won't have to wait six months for FEMA aid this time!

 

[Shane]

On the bright side at least they won't have to wait six months for FEMA aid this time!

You hope.

 

[conraddobler]

RIP Sam Kinison, warning crude language, but funny and it's the same concept.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MEhb5FF844&feature=related

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Wow, your compassion is overwhelming.

Katrina was a horrible situation, and my heart goes out to all those who lost everything in those floods.

But I agree with Shane.

On a smaller scale, but with the same devistation the houses on the banks of the Delaware get flooded out every 3 years or so.

Yet, people still live, and move there.

I cannot understand why.

Hopefully this time through and in the future people will be building there houses off the groud on pillars to prevent losing their second house to the floods and storms.

As I said it is a horrible situation, and I hate hearing it might repeat itself.

 

[Garthshort]

CtCardinal, any chance you drive a Toyota Sequoia (Sp)? I was driving behind one the other evening and it had Ct. licence plates, with an Arizona Cardinals frame.

 

[CtCardinals78]

CtCardinal, any chance you drive a Toyota Sequoia (Sp)? I was driving behind one the other evening and it had Ct. licence plates, with an Arizona Cardinals frame.

No, but it's nice to know there is at least two smart people in CT!

 

[Redheart]

As an engineer, I got to go with Shane on this one; same for the mobile home plantations in S. Florida.

You must respect Mother Nature; move to where you can survive or don't expect much sympathy from me, either.

 

[CtCardinals78]

The Indianapolis Saints?

The lastest news is that this storm will come ashore as a Category 4, right now the forecasted track by the Hurricane Center is said to be a "Doomsday Scenario" (per news up here) for New Orleans and if the intensity and track hold to the predictions they say this will have a greater impact than Katrina. News as it pertains to the Saints. They will be playing inspired ball this season.....wow talk about being snake bit.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20080831/ca_pr_on_fo/nfl_saints_gustav_2

BTW the Associated Press needs spell checker! Practise?

 

[Jersey Girl]

I understand what Shane meant even if he didn't phrases it very delicately.

Why rebuild in a flood plain when we know it will happen again, maybe soon

When I visited NO a few years before Katrina, I took a swamp tour given by a guy who has a doctorate degree in, I think, biology. He said during our tour that, if a cat 4 or 5 hurricane hit the city, it would be wiped out and that building a town in that area was not a wise move. Still, they built it. And this country has built towns in other not-so-safe areas. Should we not help those who live on a fault line in California? Those on the Florida coasts? There are few places on this planet that are totally "safe."

But back to the topic. I think the Saints did a great deal to uplift the community in New Orleans. Yes, sports help to unite a city, but I think there is enough spirit there that, should the Saints leave (or suck), that things will still be okay.