Comments on: Four Years

By: mW

mW — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:17:42 +0000

The really sad thing is that before the Civil War New Orleans was one of the biggest cities in the country and even today is one of the oldest cities in the country. Personally, I think America at large resents that New Orleans is older than it and less Anglo than it. Culturally, it remains one of the most vibrant and important cities in the world. But alas, those things don’t equate to finance, stock options, or dollar signs. So now we’re a “small market.” Sad. Sad.

By: on hiatus | nba musings

on hiatus | nba musings — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:18:48 +0000

[...] This post from Sarah (@ticktock6) at HornetsHype.com made me teary. If it doesn’t make you verklempt, you have a cinder block for a heart. [...]

By: Courtside

Courtside — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:52:10 +0000

I just read this post, your post from last year, and your post from 4 years ago. I reacted the same way I did when I watched “When the Levees Broke” – shock (how much was left out of the news), anger (how many people were left to suffer/die), and utter mortification (how quickly non-New Orleans people “got over it”). Not only should YOU be angry, we ALL should. I think you or mW wrote about it in the other post, but the “get over it” attitude?? Callous and cavalier beyond words.

I keep saying how I want to visit New Orleans, but now I will make every effort to get down there, particularly when the season starts so I can fill one of your “many empty seats.” Riiiight.

Also, some of my friends went to New Orleans right after the levees broke to volunteer with the Red Cross. They expected to be sleeping in sleeping bags or tents, much like the residents they were going to help. Wrong. They were put up in hotels or motels (can’t remember) and found themselves with lots of off-time. This isn’t to knock the volunteer effort down there, just the way it was coordinated. No hotel rooms for suddenly homeless residents who then had to sleep on whatever ground they could find, but available rooms for out-of-town volunteers? Uh, southern hospitality?

By: Tina

Tina — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:58:02 +0000

I think any residual anger that you have, you are entitled to. It was a completely cocked up situation (perhaps, to a degree remains so). Its important, no, VITAL to remember–to never forget. I’ve never been to New Orleans, but hope one day to visit and maybe even live there. And, like Sadie, this is due to what you have to say about your city. Through your eyes it has become apparent to me–and many others–how amazing and resilient of a city New Orleans is. Thank you for sharing.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:33:11 +0000

Nice post. Great to read your personal experiences especially since the Media has downplayed NO coverage quite a bit. I wish nothing but the best for New Orleans and it’s citizens. I’ve been very fortunate to not have anything that tragic that affect me directly. Although these tragedies have happened during important times in my life.

9/11 I was a freshman in high school
Katrina I was a freshman in college

As for the Hornets, I’d love to have CP3 retire a Hornet. Trading/Signing franchise players is for fantasy league/video games. Always been a guy that respects players that stay with the team they get drafted.

By: ticktock6

ticktock6 — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:11:13 +0000

I am afraid I came off as an angry person in this. I’m not, really. I just think it’s very… entitled… of people in other cities who have never been through something like this to offer criticism. For my part, I remember the names of every journalist/player/blogger who mocked us two seasons ago. And we all know how I feel about supporting small market teams. For me the two things go together.

If I learned one thing from Katrina it’s that we are entitled to nothing. Nature does not have to do what you want. Being an American will not protect you from some things. Living in a large urban area does not entitle you to certain things. “Right” and “wrong” don’t even apply in a huge enough disaster.

By: Niall Doherty

Niall Doherty — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:29:46 +0000

Agreed, great post. I wasn’t here for Katrina, but I’ve come to love this city in the short time I’ve been here. It’s changed me a lot, for the better I believe. I remember watching on TV four years ago from Ireland. Man, it seems longer than that.

By: Mo

Mo — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:58:47 +0000

Great stuff ticktock6. Thanks so much for all you do.

By: Sadie

Sadie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:52:33 +0000

I have read everything that you posted about Katrina on your personal blog– I was hungry for information because as a Memphian I’d always felt that Memphis and New Orleans had much in common… And after Katrina I felt that if something similar had happened in Memphis the country’s reaction would have been much the same. Also, I’ve always been stricken by your love for your adopted city. I actually took a trip to New Orleans to spend my vacation money once because you told me to (and the Memphis Tigers were in the NCAA tournament there, but also because you told me to).

Anyway. Thank you for reminding us. It’s important.