Wow! Just watched a lady interviewed on MSNBC from Staten Island

[Sugarcoated]

She was extremely upset about the lack of any help for her neighborhood, bodies still being found, yet Manhattan is spending so much time and resources getting ready for the marathon.

Way to go Bloomberg

[maxsolomon]

1. Obama's fault

obs.

[Sugarcoated]

2. I didn't see the whole thing

Did she blame the President?

[dmr]

4. No n/t

[maxsolomon]

8. Oh, it's coming

Not from her, but "anger is rising", according to the Liberal Media.

Obama's been demonstrating that he cares, but any opportunity, ANY opportunity, to project onto Obama what Bush was rightly criticized for during Katrina, will be taken.

There's only 5 days left.

[Sugarcoated]

15. But here's the rub

Bloomberg rejected the President's offer to come there and assess the damage. I know it's symbolic, but that symbolisim matters. I mean, it really is Mayor Bloomberg who's making the decisions on how to allocate help and where. The MSM, and I'm sure, Rep. King and FAUX will pound it, that's a given, but as we've seen with the Bengazi "scandal", bullshit will only fly so far.

[stillcool]

19. It matters a a lot...

that Bloomberg denied FEMA access before the storm. I have no idea what bearing that had on access to other areas surrounding Bloomberg's kingdom, but it seems that preparations, and logistics are pretty important. I think you're right about dissing the President too. Look at all the exposure New Jersey got, and New York City is kind of like an also-ran.

[Sugarcoated]

20. Really?

I didn't know that! This is what happens when ego trumps common sense, I guess.

[stillcool]

26. yeah...I thought it was weird..

I'm not sure if it means anything, as far as FEMA navigating around the city. Cuomo did accept FEMA assistance, so I guess those areas outside the city limits got some preparations.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/27/1151343/-Bloomberg-Turns-Down-Offer-of-FEMA-Assistance-for-NYC



http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/node/133841

“President Obama asked Craig Fugate from FEMA to call me earlier in the day and offer any help. I assured him that we had, we think, everything under control but we appreciate the effort. What FEMA really can do is to help those parts of the country that don’t have all of the extensive facilities and agencies and practice that New York City does. But I did want to thank them for their offer.

[oswaldactedalone]

3. I think holding the marathon

is a mistake. Those folks on Staten Island need help and I don't like the fact that there will be the usual carnival atmosphere at the start of the marathon on that hard hit island.

[Sugarcoated]

5. I think the blame should be on whoever is making that decision

This is on Bloomberg.

[renate]

9. I think he said it was to help out businesses that had been hurt

The NYC marathon brings something like $300 million into the city, which needs it. He didn't say why it couldn't be postponed--it would still bring in roughly the same amount, I would think.

[adigal]

18. They are literally still finding bodies on Staten Island

Two men, friends of my husband's family, father and son, were found yesterday. Yet the show must go on!!

[Grammy23]

6. I heard her and empathize with her plight, but.....

I kept asking myself, "What part of BE PREPARED TO BE ON YOUR OWN FOR THREE DAYS" did she not understand? She was asking for help and begging for the focus to come to her part of town. This is a massive nightmare for millions of people. It takes time to mobilize the help she is asking for. They have to do triage and make assessments of where to put the resources to work. That is the primary reason they tell you to prepare AHEAD of time to have food, water and fuel. (Fill your tank if you have a car because you probably won't be able to get it after the disaster.) Same with food and water.

It happens every time there is a disaster. People go on TV and cry and beg for help usually within a day or two of the event. In my experience this is the time when neighbors need to help neighbors. Food can be shared, especially if you have freezer full of food that is only going to spoil if you don't eat it. Tools and other supplies can be shared, too. It is a time for co-operation and patience and creativity. Electricity was not restored in my neighborhood after Hurricane Ivan for 8 days and we considered ourselves lucky to get it then. After Hurricane Frederick we went about the same amount of time without electricity. Without co-operation among neighbors and friends, it would have been intolerable. As it was, we got by, had enough to eat and drink and tried to maintain our sense of humor. It was hard but we did it.

The people of NJ and NY and CT can get through this, too. Hang on, help is on the way. In the meantime, help each other, share and stop expecting miracles. And the next time they tell you to be prepared to be on your own for three days or possibly more, listen to them and prepare. Because they are telling you the hard truth.

P.S. I understand the need for them to try to carry on as usual....by holding the marathon. But in light of what is happening all around them, I am not sure that holding it is the right thing to do.

[NotThisTime]

7. It's not all peachy in Manhattan, my friend has no power AND no water AND doesn't own a car.... they

aren't complaining, they were prepared.... what can my friend do other than try to survive on her own with her family, it's not like people aren't trying. The devastation is massive everywhere.

[Sugarcoated]

10. I know people who live there and what you say is true, but...

deciding to hold the marathon looks bad, it's taking relief workers away from areas like Staten Island that are still without any help.

[Grammy23]

14. Yes and I applaud those who got prepared and know this is not all just about them....

You have to be able to understand that this is huge and affected millions of people. It requires a lot of patience and the ability to remain calm in the face of tremendous adversity. It also helps a lot to have some perspective so that if you have food, water and shelter, you can reasonably say to yourself, I am OK for now. The resources must go to those who are not so fortunate and know that YOUR turn is coming.

[cynatnite]

11. Postponing it seems more appropriate given the suffering that's going on right now. n/t

[nolabear]

12. Of course they're going to find the ones who're angry. Better copy.

I feel terribly for those people but if she even knows they're spending a bunch of time on the marathon she's connected and might reach out a hand herself. But there are people like that everywhere.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Why not postpone the marathon? Why divert energy and resources away

from the cleanup?

[adigal]

21. $$$ - Bloomberg's bottom line - as it is Romney's nt

[TwilightGardener]

24. I suppose.

[closeupready]

16. Very much like the blizzard when

Bloomberg infamously stated that snow truck drivers were doing a great job clearing the streets - when people like me on main streets hadn't seen any trucks for days on end.

[NYC Liberal]

17. Holding the marathon is really fucking stupid.

The marathon disrupts the city enough on a normal day. In the middle of a cleanup after one of the worst storms in a very long time? Idiotic.

The Halloween Parade was cancelled, but the marathon goes on?

[obamanut2012]

22. I think the marathon should go on

If it can be done safely.

[Sunlei]

23. My heart goes out to that woman, its terrible to live in a hardhit area.

Here is the Marathon website, people have arrived from around the world,
including my friends from Holland. The airports are up again and about 40,000 hotel rooms are reserved and ready.

"Following Wednesday's announcement by Mayor Bloomberg, the ING New York City Marathon will proceed on Sunday, November 4. This year's marathon is dedicated to the City of New York, the victims of the hurricane, and their families. We're adjusting Marathon Day plans as a result of the storm's impact on our operations and resources. At every turn, we will be working to ensure that our planning doesn't affect any recovery efforts"

http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/

[justiceischeap]

25. The real reason Bloomberg didn't want President Obama there?

HE may have wanted to talk to real people and hear real complaints and maybe get them some help.