The Flip Side to Success
…is taking up Jackson Square, the area across Decatur Street from the square, the Jax Brewery parking lot, Decatur Street from St Louis Street to Dumaine, and Woldenberg Park. Yep, it’s the NFL Kickoff stage and its accompanying sideshows, which are spreading themselves wider than Larry Craig’s stance in a men’s room. And the best the NFL can do to help affected merchants in the area – folks who are already suffering from the recession – after they’ve walled off the square to set up for their cameras and first-come, first-served free ticketholders to the concert, is this:
Thanks a bundle. And especial no thanks to the city for allowing the ugliest takeover of the square and its environs since George W. Bush made his empty promises in front of Andrew Jackson’s statue shortly after 8/29/2005.
The icing on this crap cake? Well, speaking of Dubya, here’s a tweet for you:
EdgeofSports It makes me ill that we live in a world where there is more accountability for Reggie Bush than George Bush.
Yep, Reggie’s getting penalized for USC’s sins, and Dave Zirin, authority on moments when sports and social justice collide as well as a past keynote speaker for the Rising Tide Conference, has lots more to say about it here. Seriously, if O.J. didn’t have to return his trophy, why should Reggie?
Makes me glad Thursday’s Rosh Hashanah. I can spend the day praying to God, thanking God for at least not sending the Olympics to New Orleans, and imploring God to make this a good, sweet new year for all…
…but to at least let the Saints put a little hurt on the Vikings.
Update: If you’re still in a funk after having read this, head for Grandmaster Wang’s prediction. We’ve still got a silver football on a pedestal with a famous coach’s name on it and that ain’t bad.
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I liked your post, but isn’t the Reggie/George point something of a straw man?
Well, that’s why I linked to Zirin’s appearance on MSNBC, because that puts the Heisman revocation into a bit more perspective and context. But either way, we live in a twisted world.
This is why I’m not interested in the NFL’s pathetic carpetbagging freak show. Has-been pop stars and plastic actors for the cameras. Bullshit. I’ll be watching the game at home with friends & family, then celebrating by giving my money to LOCAL bartenders!
Haven’t you heard? The NFL just announced they now own the copyright to “PARADE”, now we have to get permission from the NFL to have second lines and Mardi Gras.
I live and work in the quarter and I can’t wait for them to get out. They break magnolia’s and if they got in the way more then just a limb I’m sure they would cut them down….The city sure has given them the key and screw all the locals.
I’m with Stybie on this one.
Once again, a huge outside agency is celebrating New Orleans by sequestering locals outside the ‘compound’ and bringing in an array of white bread east coast talent.
And yes, I realize a great influx of money accompanies this invasion.
Although not enough to justify the NFL treating the residents of New Orleans like employees or worse, again (Remember the ‘you-can’t-use-the- fluer-di-lis fiasco?).
Yeah, we LOVE the Saints.
And we could certainly use the positive press AND the money.
So, dear NFL, just tell all your friends how good we were to ya, and leave the money on the bed.
My Latest Unpopular Opinion: (like I really care…)
I thought I’d put a finer point on this, cuz that’s how I roll, yall….
I, too, am a huge Saints Fan (WHO DAT!).
I am not, however, a fan of the NFL, who tried to ‘own’ the Fluer di Lis last winter, deciding which locals can, or cannot, get into Jackson Sq. I know the city needs the income, too, …but do we have to be obedient, bent over whores to another giant corporation?
BP, NFL, Cox & Entergy can all go fuck a barbed wire donut hole as far as I’m concerned.
Take Mitch & his Barney Fife Top Cop with ya.
Tell ‘em I said thanks for handing out tickets for everything from jay walking to playing music to thinking for one’s self, all while selling us out like a cheap rental costume.
You must be so proud.
It did not escape me that during the big NFL presentation on TV, Trombone Shorty & Grandpa Elliot were featured “Live” playing on Royal Street.
At 9:30 at night.
Of course, as Ronnie “Barney Fife” Sepas loves to point out, this is
ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF NEW OLREANS.
So, either the NFL is above the law, or Mitch & Ronnie chose to selectively enforce these laws according to how much money is involved.
In either case, this shit stinks like bodies 5 days in flood water.
And it’s crooked as hell.
Surprise, surprise.
It was hard to swallow, after seeing that the NFL, had made an announcement, that they would be “offering” parades to all superbowl winners, from here on out. Since we showed our pride, by NOT rioting, when many cities do, after winning a superbowl.
seeing the corporate floats, the compromise of our beloved tradition of parading, friends who had to fold up their art, their buggies, and more, to move for the NFL. One can only wonder what they will do, if we become 2dat… I can only imagine.
I was upset as well, that they didn’t showcase a local, even though kermit and shorty got to be onstage with dave matthews. I still think a local headliner would’ve been FAR better. Afterall, we are the birthplace of jazz.
but alas, the NFL, is no different than those who come here to “profit”. I know… its a business. but so are those who sell art, and drive buggies in the quarter.
why didn’t they do this in armstrong park? why didn’t they do it in woldenburg park… I know.
the parade, and the fly over picture of the square, seemed more important to show america.
I felt sorry for Dave Matthews, as the NOPD raced that parade right through the middle of his set. that was about the ONLY thing nola about the entire event. that, and those who got to be on the floats…
I recall the arguement about mardigras after katrina, and the fight to keep out corporate sponsers…. was has the NFL brought us. certainly nothing titled “who dat”… and certainly not the idea of parading.
dang.
I guess when we Fleur-De-Lis-peat© next year we’ll just have to flashmob them and cause all sorts of non-violent problems!