Yes, life has to go on. But, IMO, we need to think about how actions are going to effect the displaced. A lot of these people are mentally and emotionally hanging on by a thread. That thread could easily break. It's (again, IMO) called compassion.
How about not getting a refund and allow our school to rebound from the economic blow? Or better yet sell tickets for a game in Shreveport and give all the proceeds to the recovery.
Or give your tickets to someone in Big Brother's or Big Sisters to take some kid to see their favorite team play.
Just saying is all. At some point, maybe not now, we must get back on track. We cannot let this unfortuante event derail everyone else in the state. That isn't good for us or for them. Again, if not now, then soon. Getting on with getting on is how the healing process is going to start. Letting this thing completely rule our lives is counter productive. After an event like the one our state has experienced, we need something uplifting and positive to, if only for a day, lift our spirits. By playing a game in BR, if possible, we will not be taking for granted or disrespecting the people displaced or killed. I believe we will be showing the rest of the country that, YOU CAN KNOCK US DOWN, BUT BY GOD, WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAY DOWN. The well being of the people comes first. Let them make their observations, and decide on if we can do this. If the game is played, then let us beat the living crap out of Arizona State.
Reguardless of how much any of us feel that "hey, I guess I didn't give it THAT much tought", the bottom line is that it still doesn't pay for any of us to debate this decision because it's not ours--not Carl Dubois' choice. It's Skip, the Chancellor and coach Miles' choice.... I think no matter what side of the fence you stand on with reguards to this decision to play or not to play; to play in Tiger Stadium/ or not to play in Tiger Stadium, I feel that we've all exhausted enough efforts on this topic already. Those that want the game to be played aren't going to all of a sudden change their views...ditto for those that don't think it's a good idea at this point. I think further discussions of this is like beating the dead horse, and does nothing more but open up additional arguements.
I agree, Salty. My argument is just to wait until the appropriate time. We probably mean the same thing.
Dubois has a good point, but a lot of those circumstances will be somewhat different by gametime...... With the now 30,000 troops with more coming in new orleans, and the police stating two days ago that the city is under their control, it will be a matter of a day or two before everyone still left in new orleans is contacted; some that are there are still choosing to stay, per the news. This means the stream of triage patients will trickle up in the next couple of days as well, which will eventually mean the ambulances outside the pmac will stop in about the same time. The temporary morgue underneath is only to expeditiously process and store the dead, it will be empty soon as well. So when it comes down to gametime most of the things he speaks of will be gone or on their way to closing...... The shelter will of course be there for a while but that will probably be months. I know I am bucking the trend here and you may not agree, but when you look at the people in the shelters in baton rouge they tend to look tired, but have turned their outlooks away from the past and towards mending families and lives. Children slide in boxes down the hill of the river center and actors come to visit. I know New Orleans looks awful, but that isn't going to change anytime soon. By saturday it will have been two weeks minus a day when it hit, after 911 New York teams were playing before that time, and the search for survivors was still ongoing, the search will be all but done by then if not complete(with exceptions of course) and the stream of those freash injuries found in a week will be dry(lets face it, you cant stay injured with no food and water in those conditions and live that long(two weeks)). All that means that the actual physical suffering accross the street will be done, though the mental anguish will continue for years. Arizona St. is giving up tickets to evacuees and it will help the now struggling economy of a state already in bad shape, while offering a distraction for those left behind. You may not agree, and I am in no way downplaying the loss and the suffering, but in my mind if the the helicopters and ambulances are gone from across the street it should go on for the benefit of the state and its people. Likewise if they are still coming in it should be moved. Just my two cents, I am just a big advocate of showing respect for those gone and those suffering, while keeping in mind that they are gone and happier than us now, so now maybe its better for those of us still down here to move on. Just me, Please dont flame me for an opinion. :usaflagwa
I'm sure we do. I think we may just disagree on when the right time may be. Either way, like BB said, it isn't our call.
I agree with Carl Dubois. They should move the game to Shreveport. BR has an influx of people probably around 200K more than normal. Hotel rooms are scarce and/or nonexistent in BR. Adding even more people with a game at TS will strain the already insufficient infrastructure of BR with all the people causing potential safety issues and just make traffic problems that are typical on gamedays even worse. Honestly, I would have a hard time cheering and tailgating in TS knowing that people are sick and injured at the PMAC. If we wait until Sept. 24 for our first TS game it will give LA and LSU leaders more time to stabilize all the challenges due to the catastrophic events of this past week. My two cents....
