NYC marathon

[sara76]

I just saw a status on Facebook from a NYC paramedic on the page Cancel the 2012 Marathon. It's about how exhausted all the workers are and how much the water and blankets used for the runners could be put to better use for all the people in need without power or resources. I can't imagine the marathon still taking place, seems bonkers to me. Is everything about money these days?

[mrsshawanab]

I've read a bunch of fb stuff about that today. I would have assumed the marathon would be postponed, I just thought the city was in no condition to even have the event. Weird.

[mrsjason]

It sucks that they waited 48 hours before the event to cancel it. My Aunt, who lives in San Fran, flew out on Thurs for the Marathon only to have it canceled once she was there. What a big effin' waste of money. If you're going to cancel the Marathon fine, do it. But do it in a timely manner. People are traveling all over the world for the event and 48 hours is not sufficient time IMO.

[mrsjason]

Nov 2, 2012 14:24:09 GMT -5 mrsshawanab said:

I've read a bunch of fb stuff about that today. I would have assumed the marathon would be postponed, I just thought the city was in no condition to even have the event. Weird.

From what I understand the course faired well. But yeah, it seems like NYC has other things to worry about.

[sara76]

Staten Island is where it was supposed to start and it is in complete shambles. Yesterday morning they found the bodies of a 2 and 4 year old that were taken from their mother in the flood waters.

mobile.twitter.com/sarahmseltzer/statuses/264521117581053952

I don't know if this link will work but that seemed to be the sentiment from residents of the island. The hotels are full of residents without power.

It's too bad that people traveled to NYC only to have the marathon canceled but its also too bad all these people are out of homes and in need of so much help. I think the death toll is over 100 last I knew.

I try not to judge much, but I flat out think that anyone who thought the marathon should take place sucks. Like you Kathy, I agree it was bad timing. But some guy who works for Vanity Fair was on CNN last night saying they are resilient NYers and the race should go on. Eff him.

[mrsjason]

Nov 3, 2012 13:00:16 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Staten Island is where it was supposed to start and it is in complete shambles. Yesterday morning they found the bodies of a 2 and 4 year old that were taken from their mother in the flood waters.

mobile.twitter.com/sarahmseltzer/statuses/264521117581053952

I don't know if this link will work but that seemed to be the sentiment from residents of the island. The hotels are full of residents without power.

It's too bad that people traveled to NYC only to have the marathon canceled but its also too bad all these people are out of homes and in need of so much help. I think the death toll is over 100 last I knew.

I try not to judge much, but I flat out think that anyone who thought the marathon should take place sucks. Like you Kathy, I agree it was bad timing. But some guy who works for Vanity Fair was on CNN last night saying they are resilient NYers and the race should go on. Eff him.

Honestly, I don't keep up too much with the news these days so I am not sure of the extend of the damage. Between the tv always being turned to Nick Jr, not being able to come up for air from editing, to the stupid never ending election, I haven't been able to keep up with too much of the national news scene these days.

My mom grew up in Staten Island (Tottenville) and she has filled me in on family and the area. Seems that everyone she knew is ok but she is depressed about her hometown. She moved from NY to FL when her house burned down in 1964. Another horrible day for Staten Island.......something around 60 houses burnt to the ground that day Including 9 houses that belonged to various aunts, uncles and cousins. They were the typical New York close knit family and all lived in the same neighborhood.

ETA: Oops, I just looked it up. Over 100 houses burned that day, there were over 450 fires, and it was in 1963. The fires are referred to as Black Saturday. My mom still talks about watching her house burn down as a 16 year old. There were fire fighters at her house, just there was no water pressure due to all the other fires requiring water. All they could do was watch everything they own go up in smoke. The only thing they were able to salvage was a cast iron pot and dog toenail clippers from the ash

Here is the article I found.....if you are totally bored and have nothing to do check out the photo. It's my Grandmother next to her burned car. I wonder if my mom knows about this photo?

www.silive.com/specialreports/index.ssf/2011/03/firefighters_watch_helplessly.html

Whoa, I totally got off subject. But yes, the marathon should have been cancelled. And cancelled before Thursday. Haha

[jen812]

Wow Kathy, that story is terrible. I can't imagine being in that situation.

I'm happy they cancelled the marathon. That would have been such a waste of valuable resources.

Side note... I'd like to AW my BIL. He recently moved to the lower east side of NYC. He got his power back yesterday, but no heat/hot water yet. I was proud to hear he was out volunteering today. NYers really do come together in tough times

[mrsmew]

No doubt it should've been cancelled. It's a huge loss for the city, but there really was no other option.

Bloomberg really messed up though by first saying "yes, it's happening" and then changing his mind later. That screwed people over pretty well. I agree that people should have assumed it would be cancelled, but he did say at first that it would go on. That was a bad call.