Cancel the Marathon

Forbes ^ | 11/2/12 | Greg McNeal

[jimbo123]

In an act of sheer idiocy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg decided that the New York City Marathon should still be held. His decision comes despite the fact that the city is still struggling to recover from “Superstomr Sandy.” We’re talking about a city where children are dumpster diving for food, yet the Mayor thinks an event where out of town runners trot through storm damaged boroughs while being handed free energy bars and water is a good idea?

The marathon will kick off in Staten Island where bodies are still being pulled from the rubble. The marathon is still a go, despite the fact that Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro is pleading for help from the Red Cross and other volunteer organizations. Where are the volunteers? Well, they are descending on New York City for a race that has been described in ordinary times as a “grueling feat of logistics.” It’s an event that requires dozens of medical volunteers to tend to runners and hundreds of police to close roads and direct traffic.

Aren’t medical volunteers and police the exact people we want focused on the victims of Sandy?

How can this sporting event possibly be the right thing for the people of New York?

[arasina]

Yeah, bring us jugs of gas.

;-)

[yldstrk]

I challenge you to prove this is not just some appeal to emotionalism. I have worked with children and the ones who have to eat out of the garbage are the ones whose parents are neglectful. Besides I have been through hell and back and I live a sacrificial life devoted to my children. So take your emotionalism out the back door and calm down.

Big whoop, on a farm everybody works, but you don’t ask your kids to do things you wouldn’t do, and dumpster diving is one of them.

You are obviously overwrought and I have nothing further to say to you.

[BitWielder1]

Let them have their damn Marathon.
If they can stage a Marathon in the midst of all this, then they also show there is absolutely no reason to postpone the election.
Bread and Circuses. Well, at least a Circus.

[dennisw]

(liberal) Insanity, thy name is Michael Bloomberg

[1_Rain_Drop]

Forgive me, I wasn’t aware I was conversing with a saint.

[xone]

I wasn’t aware I was conversing with a saint.

Just another Catholic.

[1_Rain_Drop]

figures

[discostu]

It’s a good idea for 2 reasons:
1 - a sense of normalcy is good for people in bad times, a reason to celebrate helps the brain
2 - It’ll put NYC on TV for 3 hours and recovery donations will flow in like crazy