Why Are They Playing Games?!?!?!?!?!?

[precious pixie]

I'm sorry but I have to vent; hurricane Katrina is such a huge catastrophic event devistating millions of lives across 4 states, affecting everyone nationwide so why the **** are their still baseball games, and football games being played like nothing happend. The New Orleans Saints are playing tonight for crying outloud. I think people need to step back and focus on this horrible time.
So many Americans are now "refugees". When 9-11 happened (yes that was too a very unforseen catastrophic event) things stopped briefly out of respect for what was going on and I am upset that the same respect is not being shown for this. I am not trying to belittle the events of 9-11 but not only are thousands of lives most likely lost due to Katrina, but millions are homeless and jobless; thousnads are still stranded wondering if anybody out there is going to get to them in time. I can't even imagine the horror that they are going thru right now. My heart goes out to everyone.

 

[wvjules]

So is the entire country supposed to sit around and do nothing? Life needs to go on. Can you imagine what would happen to our economy if everything just stopped? Just b/c sporting events and peoples lives go on, it doesn't mean that they're heartless, uncaring people.

 

[CheshireVal]

Why not?

Are we all supposed to sit in our homes and cry ourselves to sleep every night? I don't think anyone has forgotten about Katrina and the people in New Orleans and Mississippi, but I think it's healthy that people are allowed to have fun and de-stress right now.

 

[Aidensmom]

There is only so much "focusing" you can do. Everyone needs diversions. I personally still watch my fluff TV shows and post on fluff threads because I will just get depressed if I continually focus on the devestation. What good is that going to do? It doesn't mean I don't care or am not concerned, but I don't feel guilty that my life still is going on as usual.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Because "Playing Games" is someone's job.

 

[jgmklmhem]

From what i have read even the NEW ORLEANS Saints wanted to still play their pre-season game tonight. One player was saying that it could be seen as an inspiration to many of the displaced citizens of that city. All other games connected to teams in that area have been cancelled (LSU, Tulane, SoMiss, Nichols State etc). The country must go on. Heck many of these games are probably going to be doing relief drives at the games. I think I heard U of Utah was going to be collecting canned goods at their game.

 

[mudnuri]

.
When 9-11 happened (yes that was too a very unforseen catastrophic event) things stopped briefly out of respect for what was going on and I am upset that the same respect is not being shown for this.

um I thought they didnt have the games, shut down the stock market etc.. due to safety concerns. You wouldnt want 30-50K people in one place when your country is under terrorist attack right?

I'm in New England, should the Red Sox not play because of what happened in the south? When there is massive earthquakes in California, or wild fires in Montana, the country doesnt shut down.

Sorry to sound bitter, because I truly am not

Brandy

 

[andromedaslove]

As far as I remember college football only missed one game. I am not really sure about pro football or baseball. And the reason they stopped playing was because we were "ATTACKED". It wasn't a natural disaster. The entire country was terrified that we would be attacked again, and what better place to do so than a stadium filled with people and a televised event. The games were suspended for our safety. When they were started back up again, they were done so because everyone realized we needed something to take our minds off of the horrible event that had just occured and sports can do so.

This is a natural disaster, as horrible and sad as it is. This wasn't DONE to us, it HAPPENED to us. Everyone wants to do something to help, but we can't all sit there and see these horrible images all day. We need something to (momentarily) get our minds off of this horrible situation.

 

[lovetheparks]

It would have big economic impacts on the areas if those games were not played. Think hotels, stadium workers, etc. Should they pretend like nothing's happend? No, of course not but things do have to go on.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

life and people need to go on. I agree with other posters here. The world cannot stop. Yes it is a horrible situation but we all need to keep our minds on other things. As long as donations have been made, people are doing what they can when they can. No one has forgotten.

 

[jrydberg]

It is very comforting to a large number of people to know that sporting events go on. People stuck in the Superdome can talk about whether the Saints will be any good. They can argue about steroids in baseball. They can debate who's going to make the playoffs. If sporting events stop, what do they have to take their minds off the tragedy, if only for a few moments?

They are not being played like nothing happened. They are being played while recognizing the terrible events that took place.

 

[ophie]

Actually... the games weren't only cancelled out of respect at 9/11. They were cancelled because all flights were grounded for so long and because the sports arenas were huge targets for potential attacks. Honestly, the respect was secondary to logistics and safety.

 

[black562]

Its for the same reason we all shouldn't cancel our travel plans as some have mentioned. When we travel, we spend money, which supports the economy, which makes the country stronger. The worst thing to do in a recession is to save up all your money, spending money is the only way we improve the economy. I just heard Disney donated $2.5 million to the Katrina relief fund...so no need to punish them by cancelling trips.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I would hope because it's not in the average American's psyche to shut down, wring our hands, and cry too long over what we can't immediately change. Because we value our ability to keep going, even in the face of hardship? I very much doubt that there are many people out there that don't care about what happened in those states. I took my children to a location yesterday where we made donations to 2nd harvest food bank and the Red Cross for the victims of the hurricane. We will do what we can to help and we say prayers for those people. But we also go on because fretting about it won't help anything. I'm not putting the OP down at all. I do think we're a culture that generally will deal with this and carry on.

 

[Saphire]

I think people need to step back and focus on this horrible time.

If you mean they have to watch television coverage to focus, then no, I don't agree. I have watched all of five minutes and I cannot tolerate the reporting style of the "journalists". If you mean they need to stop going to games or doing fun type of things, I can't agree either. People can be touched by the tragedy and still enjoy a game for a few hours. I posted this before, but every day holds tragedy and misery, maybe not yours, but someones. Really, how can I enjoy any day when I know there are so many people suffering somewhere on my street or around the world? Just because we go on does not mean we aren't moved by this terrible event.

 

[precious pixie]

I think I may have not stated what I was thinking correctly. I do understand that life goes on and no I am not nor do I think other should sit around and cry all day. I guess alot of my venting was spurred from a comment made "this is horrible where will the saints play" like that was the most important thing going on.

 

[ophie]

Speaking of football...

Read this...

Warrick Dunn has been the best person in the NFL since he arrived. His generosity and sense of community responsibility never cease to amaze me.

 

[Shutterbug]

When 9-11 happened (yes that was too a very unforseen catastrophic event) things stopped briefly out of respect for what was going on

They also were stopped for safety reasons. No one knew if more attacks were planned. New safety precautions were needed for such large audience venues. This is not the case of the hurricane aftermath.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I have been through hurricane Ivan and Dennis and I would have gone to a game or watch a game if I could have. People need to relieve their stress and regroup so they can continue to go on.