Frankenstorm Sandy

[alexri]

And the New York City Marathon is still on this Sunday.

And I have very mixed emotions about this. And ultimately I think it should have been postponed or cancelled.

My friends will be running a mile away from where bodies were just found. They will have food and water handed to them miles away from where people have no heat, electricity, food or water. There is a pasta party in a heated tent tomorrow night, powered by rented generators that could provide electricity to 400 homes.

I know many, many people who have deferred to next year and are not going. They heard how people who had no homes left were being asked to leave hotels because of marathon reservations and they couldn't fathom it. One friend was on the phone with her airline, who canceled and refunded her flight, and mentioned how many people had been stuck in DC or elsewhere and were just trying to get home.

But I also have friends who live in the area, who still today have no power in their homes, no water, no heat, even one that had a tree fall on her car. And she is running because it is for her own sanity. It is her way to tell this storm that it didn't get the best of her or her city. She has never missed her race and she said that going is the one thing that has kept her hopes up. Another friend fundraised in memory of her husband who was killed in Iraq, they were supposed to do the race together when he returned from duty.

Some friends are taking the race transportation to key points, taking the free water/food they get from their race fees, and are going to bail from the race and hand the food to people who need it.

Sadly there have been threats made against the runners; people threatening to throw rocks at them during the race.

I know the argument from the mayor's office and from some officials is that this would bring unity to NYC and inspire people; that it would show NYers are resilient, but... it seems foolish when there are so many people in need of shelter and food. Some also said this would raise the city's hopes like it did after 9/11. Only thing is, that was 7 weeks later, not in the same week.

The argument has also been raised about the amount of money this race brings into the city ever year-- 350 million dollars. While it would help the economy, I think it's a slap in the face to all those are waiting for help. I do have other friends who said they would still go to NYC, whether the race was held or not, so they could support the city financially and volunteer where they could.

There will always be another race. I wish all the energy people are spending online in fighting over this was spent helping those that need assistance. NYC needs to heal and this does not seem to be the appropriate way to do it.

[easygoingfemme]

Alexri,
I completely agree. I can't imagine how much money is going into just the things like security to close off streets, not to mention the blatant disregard for what is happening all around them. Kicking folks out of the hotels because runners have the rooms booked? Unreal. I know people train for years to get to the point of running the NYC marathon and it would be a disappointment to them if they called it off/postponed it but seriously? Like you said, there will always be another race. If they're all going to descend on NYC, descend on it to lend a hand. However, I'm going to be equally disappointed if rocks are thrown at runners or other forms of revolt against them. When does action like that ever improve a situation?

[easygoingfemme]

Here's a local news piece on those who are not evicting evacuees for runners:

http://statenisland.ny1.com/content/...--reservations

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

News is a Nor'easter will be there next week! I hope they get things stable and electricity and heat to these people soon.

Another one? Seriously? Better turn off The Wild Wild West, watch the news, and hold on to the hurricane food.

Its frustrating to watch what is happening in all affected areas. For all our supposed nationwide disaster readiness, we just really suck at providing people with the basics of what they need, when they need it.

[alexri]

Finally, they postponed/canceled the freggin marathon.

Now divert all the cops, volunteers and resources back to people who need help.

[easygoingfemme]

Yep. Good call.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/arti...ed-4004345.php

[Stitch]

Hoping everything gets worked out soon and the people who need help can get it as soon as they can. I am actually headed to NYC next weekend.

[girl_dee]

my thoughts are with everyone here who is experiencing the aftermath.

Being from New Orleans we know all to well what it's like.

Also lots of thoughts and pain are with those in Haitii and everywhere who had so little to begin with.

[Ginger]

Alex, Thank you for organizing the arguments around this. I posted on FB that maybe since the marathon brings over $300 million in revenue it is a good thing, but soon two friends got my ear and one was upset that I was supporting it and the other, just pissed off. Now I understand the issue a little more deeply. Scout

Originally Posted by alexri

And the New York City Marathon is still on this Sunday.

And I have very mixed emotions about this. And ultimately I think it should have been postponed or cancelled.

My friends will be running a mile away from where bodies were just found. They will have food and water handed to them miles away from where people have no heat, electricity, food or water. There is a pasta party in a heated tent tomorrow night, powered by rented generators that could provide electricity to 400 homes.

I know many, many people who have deferred to next year and are not going. They heard how people who had no homes left were being asked to leave hotels because of marathon reservations and they couldn't fathom it. One friend was on the phone with her airline, who canceled and refunded her flight, and mentioned how many people had been stuck in DC or elsewhere and were just trying to get home.

But I also have friends who live in the area, who still today have no power in their homes, no water, no heat, even one that had a tree fall on her car. And she is running because it is for her own sanity. It is her way to tell this storm that it didn't get the best of her or her city. She has never missed her race and she said that going is the one thing that has kept her hopes up. Another friend fundraised in memory of her husband who was killed in Iraq, they were supposed to do the race together when he returned from duty.

Some friends are taking the race transportation to key points, taking the free water/food they get from their race fees, and are going to bail from the race and hand the food to people who need it.

Sadly there have been threats made against the runners; people threatening to throw rocks at them during the race.

I know the argument from the mayor's office and from some officials is that this would bring unity to NYC and inspire people; that it would show NYers are resilient, but... it seems foolish when there are so many people in need of shelter and food. Some also said this would raise the city's hopes like it did after 9/11. Only thing is, that was 7 weeks later, not in the same week.

The argument has also been raised about the amount of money this race brings into the city ever year-- 350 million dollars. While it would help the economy, I think it's a slap in the face to all those are waiting for help. I do have other friends who said they would still go to NYC, whether the race was held or not, so they could support the city financially and volunteer where they could.

There will always be another race. I wish all the energy people are spending online in fighting over this was spent helping those that need assistance. NYC needs to heal and this does not seem to be the appropriate way to do it.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by alexri

Finally, they postponed/canceled the freggin marathon.

Now divert all the cops, volunteers and resources back to people who need help.

I am relieved.

[alexri]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

I am relieved.

So am I. And I can feel a little for the people who are on flights right now from the west coast and around the world to find it canceled and they came for nothing. But it is way worse for those who don't have homes to go back to anymore, or who lost family members.

I hope you are doing okay tonight Scout.

And I'm hoping that storm on Tuesday/Wednesday turns out to be much of nothing...

[kittygrrl]

a Brother and a Sister-Donate during the Telethon

1-800-HELP NOW

or at

www.redcross.org

[Martina]

I heard the last half an hour of the telethon on the radio. They all played so well. I hope there were a lot of donations.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Jess

HAs anyone heard from CherylNYC or maryoosa?

Originally Posted by Tommi

or feminineallure? or AbbyCrabby, MissEntycing, ?

FeminineAllure was in the dark and cold and has relocated temporarily.

I know Abby and Miss E are okay as they have posted, so, the lights are on. and I think Cheryl and maryoosa are noted as present in the rollcall.
and now my 2 cents....
Yes, I am all for canceling the NYC Marathon. Had they said the Marathon would be postponed versus canceled the rile and vile may have been less.

Some say it's time to rally and recover. The time for coming together for athletes to race or to help those who are suffering.47,000 athletes running, foot traffic while people are wet, cold, suffering and mourning is not going to help them get back to normal. The neighborhoods hit so hard close to the starting line and handing out bottled water to runners. Absurd, to heat the marathoners tents in Central Park while Staten Island shivers and is thirsty.

Wondering if anyone has a new project in the wings?. If one is in the clouds, in the dreams and the near future Verrazano bridge , where rescuers are still going door to door, when the police and generators are needed for rescue to those without heat and water.

[dykeumentary]

Originally Posted by maryoosa

I feel bad for these people too. But here's the thing, if the asshole mayor had taken on look at damage on Tuesday, like the rest of us did when we awoke from the storm, he'd have cancelled it then. It was politics and greed that kept him from making an appropriate decision. He continually harkened back to Giuliani's decision to run the marathon after 9/11 but that was seven weeks after that horrid event. This wasn't even a week later. King Bloomberg is an asshole.

It's about capitalism, not personality.
If someone believes that "the market" is the solution, the decision to have the race makes sense.

The problem is that people only reconsider "resource distribution" during times of crisis. I hate capitalism every day.

[aishah]

nick and aleja's power is back on!

was reading an article about folks who use ebt not being able to buy food because of the lack of power in many areas...saying a prayer for them and everyone in shelters and elsewhere who are unable to buy or cook food during the aftermath of the storm. and for all our queer/trans* family who may not be able to find safe space in shelters.

[LeftWriteFemme]

Thanks to this huge storm, I was able to vote today! So there it is the only up side to this whole nightmare.....

[stargazingboi]

My thoughts go out to everyone still effected by the power outages. As New England prepares to get hit again with another storm, which promises to set delays on the recovery efforts because of the expected snow and ice.

Stay safe

[NJFemmie]

JUST got my power back after 6 days.
Our area was hit with a lot of wind damage, downed trees and power lines.
We drove around the day after and found that just about every block around us sustained some sort of damage. We were lucky. No flooding, no house damage - just lost our power.

We were fortunate than most - we had gas and hot water, and our gas lines are not as outrageous as it is up north. Anyone needing gas for their cars and generators should consider driving south if they can.

http://bit.ly/U1XsuO

The above link is for anyone needing to know PSE&G's work schedule for their town.

I hope everyone affected is okay and safe.

[*Anya*]

Please, if you can, donate to the Red Cross to help the victims of the devastation of Hurricaine Sandy.

It is so simple: either Tweet #SandyHelp; text Redcross 90999; 800-435-7669 or go to www.RedCross.org.

Any amount, no matter how small, helps.

Your money provides water, hot meals and shelter for those that have lost everything.

My tweet to donate took less than one minute.