NYPost: Cancel the marathon, Mayor Bloomberg!

[pnwmom]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/cancel_the_marathon_y0MwRNmfEW6PvT3pEgyk3J?fb_action_ids=10151124386776483&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151124386776483%22%3A279663622154626%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151124386776483%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers huddle in the dark each night after the most devastating storm in city history — while two massive generators chug away in Central Park and a third sits idle waiting to power a media center during Sunday’s NYC Marathon.

SNIP

There are people still trapped. Yet we’re talking about marathons.

Look, we understand the race really matters. It’s a money pump for the economy, and contributes to the city’s image as a world-class municipality. And Bloomberg claims it won’t divert resources from storm relief.

Fact is, too many folks have already been denied basics, thanks to race preparations.

Fact is, at least 40 people died in New York City during the storm. It’s time to hang black crepe on the municipal seal and mourn for a decent interval. Certainly every last New Yorker who was displaced by Sandy needs to be restored — to the extent possible — before the games begin again.

SNIP

[Mr.Turnip]

1. The bastion of tabloid sensationalism know as the NY Post is against the marathon going on?

Well then i think that tips me toward leaning for it to go on as planned. And as cold as it may sound the fact is we need the revenue that the marathon brings in, especially now.

[pnwmom]

2. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. I think this revenue could have been postponed.

To send the marathon through this part of NY is pretty heartless.

[Drahthaardogs]

13. I agree. This is no time for a Marathon.

Glad to see that they used a bit of common sense.

[HockeyMom]

3. One hotel is refusing to kick out homeless victims

of Sandy for Marathon runners with reservations. "The victims of Sandy need housing more than out of town runners". Good for them.

Some runners are also saying they will not participate but volunteer to help with relief efforts. Good for them.

SOME people get it.

[pnwmom]

14. Glad to hear about this kind of consideration for others. Thanks. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

4. The participants of the race should withdraw.

If they don't then their name should be blacken.

[DURHAM D]

5. Done. It has been canceled.

[pnwmom]

10. Good. Thanks for the update. n/t

[barnabas63]

6. Tweety says it's cancelled just now on his show. nt

[nycbiscuit]

7. No

You had to hear Bloomberg's press conference this afternoon. He gave a very compelling reason why we need the marathon. We need something to cheer about. And he gave very valid reasons that, to me, struck a fair balance. Believe me, I live here, my power went out 8:40 Monday night. I live in downtown Manhattan and thankfully have friends in Brooklyn who never lost power who have taken me in. I need to find a video, but he had a line about being able to mourn and cheer and laugh and cry all at the same time, just human nature, and now they're asking each runner to donate $26.20 (a dollar for every mile) to help raise money. And hoping it can serve as an event where we, as a community, come together to help and get back to normal and work together and feel good about. It's good for business, to show that we're New Yorkers and we are resilient. We keep getting hit over and over, whether it's an Act Of God or In The Name OF God, but we come back. That kind of stuff is just as important, too. We need a change of spirit. I agree with Bloomberg on this.

[LisaL]

8. I understand trying to keep a sense of normalcy.

But there was a major disaster.

[pnwmom]

11. You might need something to cheer about, but you don't do your cheering

in the middle of someone else's funeral procession.

You lost your power in Manhattan, but did you lose your home? Do you have friends or relatives who lost their lives in the storm? The people of Staten Island didn't just lose their power. They're still in the first throes of terrible grief. This marathon was just rubbing salt into their wounds.

[Faith9326]

9. Welp, there it is. They canceled it

I understand why they wanted to keep it going, but people are just hurting too bad. And to those people who are hurting, it seems like not canceling the marathon means the local officials don't care about hem.

[pnwmom]

12. Right. They felt like the marathon was more important than getting help to them. nt