Big Time Positive Karma in New Orleans this weekend

[Keseys Ghost]

"The end of the beginning".

You can feel it in the air. The reopening of the Superdome is so much bigger than a mere football game. It is a huge statement...our biggest response to Katrina...down but not out.

Every conversation I've had in the past week has included some reference to Monday night's game; to a return to normalcy. It's not about football; it's about struggle.

From the Times-Picayune:

EDITORIAL: A community's victory
Sunday, September 24, 2006

Whether New Orleans Saints fans or not, almost everyone in the metro area has been giddily awaiting tomorrow night....

... So whether in the stadium, at home or at their favorite watering hole, metro residents will be joined by a common cheer Monday night: Go Saints!

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1159078268118920.xml&coll=1

[drthais]

1. The Superdome is haunted, don't you know?

hey
I teach at Southern University in Baton Rouge
and the Southern band will be doing the halftime on Monday night in the dome
the kids are a little spooked because it's creepy for them
they say 'it's full of ghosts'
what I say to them is that all of those ghosts
will be on our side, rooting for the saints...

I have mixed feelings about the dome and the game
it's hard to feel good about the millions that went to fix the dome
when half of New Orleans is still in tatters
more than half
and all of those people who cannot come home
becasue there are no homes
I know I know, economic stability and all of that
but it still doesn't make things clear for me

but here's hoping the saints beat the falcons
that is all we ever want every year anyway

[Keseys Ghost]

4. Well said. But the Dome generates huge tax dollars.

It's like a beach head. Now, more money can be raised for reconstruction.

I'm not a big New Orleans Saints fan by any means, but that may be changing post-Katrina...

GO SAINTS!

[RangerSmith]

2. Every little bit helps!

and help is what is needed there in many forms.

Congrats!!

[babylonsister]

3. This has stayed with me, expressed by DUer Hulsey13:

I have conflicting opinions about the dome. It's important to the city of New Orleans that visitors return, bringing much needed tourism money. It's also importantly symbolically, that residents of the city see that there is work being done and they have not been forgotten. And, perhaps most importantly, the Saints of New Orleans are an important part of the city and New Orleanians love them. Football is good for the team, the town and the whole area.

The other side of the coin, of course, is that perhaps there is a better immediate use for the $185 million that went in to the reconstruction. If I were living in the conditions many local residents are, with trash piled up for more than a year on my street, for example, I would have to wonder why the money was not spent on trash trucks instead of porcelain tile for luxury skyboxes.

And one last question. The folks in charge of fixing the dome were able to do it on budget and ahead of schedule? So why don't we put them in charge of fixing the rest of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast?

From here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2189342

[Keseys Ghost]

6. All good points...

Here on the ground, we consider all of these things.

We have bickered, argued, and fought over them for a year.

But, the emotional positives for a huge community outweigh other considerations this morning.

The Dome is ready. Whether we agreed with its priority status or not, and I did, it is a done deal.

I think we, as a community, have decided to put aside our disagreements for a day or two and just enjoy.

[RB TexLa]

5. Guess they are glad I'm not going to this game, money wise

I don't even spend the night when I go to a Saint's game. Fly in in the morning, fly out after the game.

[TankLV]

7. Yes - sweep the CURRENT ongoing CRISIS under the rug...

It sure is a "defining moment"...

Spend MILLIONS the city & state "doesn't have" on a RICH MAN'S PLEASUREDOME and fuck the POOR who STILL DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE or CAN'T EVEN RETURN HOME from being shipped all over the country, let alone be able to VOTE and REGISTER TO VOTE in their own home...

Oh, yeah, the "superdome" is so fucking important in the scheme of things...

[Keseys Ghost]

8. We certainly wouldn't anyone from here to feel good...

SAINTS HOMECOMING: Fans' perspectives

As a Saints fan living in Pennsylvania, I couldn't be more excited to see my team back where they belong. The people of New Orleans deserve a magical Monday night at the Dome and a magical season. While it won't repair the countless lives that were thrown into chaos last year, the Saints can play a vital role in helping raise the spirit of the Gulf Coast. I can't wait to come back and visit my favorite city and see my favorite team make us all proud.

Eric Karkovack
Carlisle, Pa


The return of a better-than-ever Superdome and a cohesive Saints team is almost as gratifying as the philanthropic outreach of the organization and individual players. It's a blessing in so many ways for residents as well as those of us who are still 'temporarily' exiled but still feel to be a part of the community. I so wish I could join in the celebration Monday night in town, but I'll be glued to the television and will continue to support 'da Saints' from Ohio until I can get back to New Orleans.

Joe Langenderfer
Toledo, Ohio


Monday night I will be watching a miracle of persistence, love and great spirit. There is still so much to be done in this great city, but the Saints have taken on the role of "The First Step" in bringing some normalcy back to New Orleans. It may sound to some as though this restoration of our team to their home in the Dome is trivial compared to the losses of life and homes, and the work that still needs to be done. But to them I say for those of us who could only watch from afar as our friends died or lost everything, the possibility of losing the city and giving up and losing our Saints, was overwhelming. The hope that we have now is growing, and as we watch our beloved Saints play where they belong and are loved the most will give a sense of comfort and pride and the knowledge that New Orleans is back and will endure despite the devastation of Katrina.

Liz Stone Sachs Piker
Walhalla, S.C.


http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-25/1159083449317680.xml&coll=1&thispage=1

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. The Dome also provides a fair number of jobs and business

for the local economy. It's very hard to get back on your feet if you can't find a job or if no one eats at the restaurants.

At least they finished the job and the place is ready for business. That's more then we can say for Bush's rebuilding Iraq.

[Rowdyboy]

10. I was just in that beautiful city a couple of weeks ago for Decadence....

It will never be the same, but the closer to "normal" the better. It will always have a special place in my heart(and stomach).