Bloomberg has time to sit down and write a 1,000 word editorial praising Obama, and time to get the marathon up and running but what about the people that he and Obama claim to be on the side of?

Pathetic leadership all around us.

WWMGD- What would Mayor Guiliani do? Maybe somebody should ask him, but my guess is think 9/11. He'd call in all resources to NYC and get it back up and running, he'd appologize but cancel the marathon, he'd declare cerfews, get the utility companies in, and get things back on-line.

Mr. Bloomburg, you are no Mayor Guiliani.

To not delay the Marathon is both insensitive and incomprehensible. Why not take the 30,000 runners and have their happy asses run around picking up trash in the street and other debri ? Dear G-d almighty. I guess an abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation isn't abnormal after all. G-d help the People in the storm affected region, all states and all people. For those reading please do something anything to help. Don't have any money to give in this economy, that's OK write your congressman and ask that the Gov. speed up relief. Pray. Just please do something. These people are desperate and winter is rapidly approaching.

While New York has a problem with thugs called "Wolf Packs" preying on defenseless citizens trying to pick up after this disaster, New York has a Mayor with priorities thinking a marathon is more important than it's people. Why is Bloomberg redirecting resources needed to an event that should be put on hold? Liberal thinking @ it's finest. The people of New York deserve so much better!!!

If the city is expecting 30,000 participants...give them each a pair of gloves and put them to work...People are starving and freezing! Clean up the mess...get a rake and a shovel America!

Wow, really sad to see all of the negativity on here. I admit that I don't live in the affected area, but it seems to me that this is both a great way to bring revenue to the city when it needs it most and a way to let people know that NY is strong and resilient and can help unite and bring a small sense of normalcy for those who just want to get away from the destruction for a few hours. Sad to see so many who would politicize this and use it to divide an area already going through so much.

Well first off, I don't think this Marathon has anything to do with President Obama, like some of you are complaining, second, this is how the 1%ers live, they live to make money, not worry about you 47%ers who are going to vote for Romney. I remember 9/11, and when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, The Super Bowl and Mardi Gras took center stage, they had to show mother nature, and the terrorist who won, but in all essence, it's a group of mega-rich people determined to make MORE money.

help unite and bring a small sense of normalcy for those who just want to get away from the destruction for a few hours.

I had a politician tell me something like that once about poor people and professional football games, he said it was better for poor people to spend their last $20. on a football ticket, be happy for a while, than to sit with the $20. and live in pity.

How ignorant is that!!

OBAMA/BIDEN....2012!!!!

I agree that Bloomberg has priority issues. After all, what Mayor in their right mind thinks the size of pops that people drink is any business of the government.

But, I don't think this is a black and white issue. Certainly, the politically correct thing is to just postpone it to show that he "cares" about those who have been affected by the storm. But, that also ignores the reality of life in NYC. As Bloomberg points out, there is a lot of money involved is putting on a Marathon of this size. That is to say, a ton of money is being brought into the city. I doubt that everyone in the city has been spending all their time in the parts of the city that has been hit hardest. How adding further hurt on those businesses that have lost business as a result of the storm, but are now in a position to be open and make money would be helped by preventing them from making money is beyond me. Preventing businesses from going out of business, especially when it doesn't involve a government bailout, seems like a good idea to me. They obviously feel that the logistics is easily worked out, so why not help the city and go ahead with it.

I suppose there is a certain philosophical aspect to this too. How does hurting one person help another person who is already hurt? Obviously, a lot of people want this to take place. I've never been a zero sum person. I don't begrudge those who are successful, after all, their success usually enables other to be successful. I doubt that the cleanup effort will be adversely affected by holding the marathon. And with the additional money and donations that it will bring, it seems that it will actually help. JMHO.

Cancel this stupid marathon!! ... it's just the RUNNING Of The EGOS!!!

Put the runners to work delivering food & water.....

the idea of keeping the marathon going on as planned is a revenue agenda,

but they're not thinking about the policing that will be needed,

the police will be policing the marathon while the rest of the cities will be ripe for the pickings for the criminals.

the people themselves could get out and help themselves a little instead of waiting for the federal government to come to their rescue.

the cry for help has become common every time something happens.

With Bloomberg making this comment..."It's a great event for New York, and I think for those who were lost, you know, you've got to believe they would want us to have an economy and have a city go on for those that they left behind." ........What an inconsiderate and selfish comment by the Mayor.....SHAME ON YOU BLOOMBERG

News radio is comparing Major League Sports after 9/11 to this Marathon and they couldn't be more different. Baseball and Football are part of the American Fabric, its like Mail or Electricity people need it to feel normal and besides their not playing in destroyed areas. No one cares about this Marathon other then people who have trained for it and vendors who will benefit from the business. Running through ravaged Neighborhoods with people still missing is unacceptable and using public resources for anything other then Search and Rescue or Assistance to those displaced is a massive misuse of Government Personnel and a complete travesty!

He's a BILLIONAIRE and not affected by the ravage the storm has brought, talk about OUT OF TOUCH! Well NYC YOU voted for him (or more correctly he BOUGHT your votes) -- you reap what you sow. Some of you talk about Romney's wealth -- well here's another BO supporter and he's a lot richer than Romney. Guess you don't waste anytime thinking about where HIS money is or HIS taxes.

They could probably bail the water out much faster if Bloomberg allowed them to have cups larger than 16 ounces.

Seems to me if they do hold it this weekend a lot of small businesses will miss out on the revenue because they aren't up and running yet.

Here is a suggestion that Bloomberg should release to the press...

"For all of those who are planning on coming to NY to attend/participate in the marathon, please brings some provisions/donations with you for those affected by Sandy, and by all means if you can spare the time, feel free to stay a few extra days to help out where you can"

I'm sure that many of these loyal and compassionate countrymen/women are already planning on doing just that... something for everyone to consider before bashing those that are involved in the event.

Two days after the flash flood in my town I took alot of pride in going back to work as usual, and being as I worked in a hamburger place, we were able to feed alot of rescue workers. You must move on and keep on living, as much as possible. The rescue work will not stop. It will take time to put everything back together.

I'm a BIG fan of distance running/marathons; however, the race should have been postponed or cancelled.

GovHater - I agree with you. Hopefully those taking part in the race will give back.

JD - Sorry I disagree, you are diverting resources to clearing the runners path, bad idea.

New York needs only people who intend on helping to come to the area, not tourists, sight seer's or marathon runners. They have problems with locating missing people, those needing medical attention, food, water, heat and electicity. It also sounds like the lines just to buy gas is getting out of control.

Cancel the damn marathon and have it another day when everyone has the simple but badly needed things to survive. It sounds to me that those businesses that are fortunate to have power and items to sell already have a boost to their business.

Promoting and encouraging to add 30,000 extra people to the area is just stupid if they are not coming there to help period.

`I predict a new mayor for NYC when Bloomingidiotberg's term is up for re-election. Unfathomable logic in play here, though par for the course with liberals.

billymike: Give back? What does that mean? Personally, I've never liked the term and it is totally a false concept. To give back implies that they took something. And I doubt if any of the participants took anything, in that sense of the word. Heck, by just showing up and spending their money they are doing more than 99% of the people here who are complaining about how heartless it is to run the marathon.

Another fact is that if everyone here who is against the marathon being run and all of those who are running the marathon were to do what people here are saying is the "right" thing to do, and go down and help those in need, then there would be a bigger mess and the cleanup would probably slow down as there would be too many people there to do anything. Most would end up just sitting around. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against helping, but there is some help that isn't really help.

ozmosis

While New York has a problem with thugs called "Wolf Packs" preying on defenseless citizens trying to pick up after this disaster

Are you kidding me??? The only sources for this is Glen Beck and the Fascist Blog "The Blaze" along with Rush Limbaugh. Instead of providing helpful information you spread your vitriol through lies!

I'm sure there are people that are taking advantage of this tragedy to harm others... but lets be honest.

I have no strong feelings on the matter. But to the person quoted in the article who said, "Things are not back to normal," the marathon is one way to help get back to normal. It will show support for NYC and leave a few million dollars behind in NYers pockets. That's a good thing. Is it worth the tradeoff in resources required? I don't know, but the decision is made. Make the best of it. Good luck.

They have no power for millions. No water to flush toilets. Can't cook. Food is rotting in fridges and needs to be thrown but no garbage PU is possible. Folks just a mile from the race are in this condition, and some dummie wants to run a race and have fun instead of grabbing a shovel and a chain saw and going to help the people who need it. Some time after FEMA cleans up the place by paying contractors 4 times normal rates for what they do, all the churches there will be putting teams of people on planes to Guatemala or (fill in a name ) to do mission work. What if they did mission work close to home and cut down some on the FEMA need to spend incredible amounts of money ? What if churches for all over America, instead of sending mission workers elsewhere were to send them to Ny, Jersey Maryland and Deleware, and Connecticutt ? The money these mission workers spend up there would help the econ a lot beeter than runners in a one day race. Postpone the race and ask the runners to help the people instead.

I just don't think any of the commenters here have any idea how much is involved in staging an event of this magnitude. You can't just postpone and tell people coming from across the country who have to arrange travel months in advance, come back in a month. When it's December in NYC. Great idea. So let's take postpone off the table. It's have it now or cancel it. Now, should it be canceled? Does holding it divert anyone away from rebuilding? Does holding it help local businesses generate revenue needed to rebuild these communities?

Traffic issues and allocation of city resources are very real problems that should be given high priority when deciding to continue the marathon. Those issues aside, I do believe that continuing with the race will turn out to be a good thing. I believe that most of the runners coming to the city are, as are most people, very concerned with the well being of the city, and that they will do everything in their power to volunteer their time and their money to getting the city back on its feet while they are there.

Sally Lu- While I am a race fan I see no reason to hold the race this weekend. They are going to clean up the perimeter of the race to make it look nice for tv, provide water stations and food stations while people in the same neighborhoods don't have any, and they are taking the police/national guard out of these areas to assist with the race. I know it's a money maker, but you've got to have priorities just after a disaster. On the Kitrina comments- Mardi Gras and the Superbowl didn't happen a week after the hurricane. Remember that the Superdome was being used as a shelter for months after it.

kimb54.- The "Wolfpacks" noted are actual gangs in southern Manhattan (check the FBI website for it), however I'm not aware of their actions. Typically these are ayrian gangs btw. The only reference to gang activity during the hurricane was that a guy was mugged by a gang on camera during the storm- ugly. The latest word is of people dressing up as utility workers to get inside of people's homes and loot them.

I know what Mayor Bloomberg is trying to do. "Moving on" is not a bad philosophy, but in this case I disagree with it.

The NYC Marathon takes resources: police, fire, rescue, etc. These resources can certainly be better spent (I would think) to help with the massive disaster recovery effort.

New Yorkers are resilient. Their triumph over tragedy is astounding and worthy of praise. But everyone needs a bit of time to get up off the mat when fate (or evil) knocks you to the canvas.

There will be time to celebrate the triumph over this particular tragedy. But with so many New Yorkers without power, gas and mass-transit, I submit that time isn't now.

Does the race go by any cemeteries? Because the runners might get to see some of the victims get lowered into the ground. That should create a real party atmosphere.

Bloomberg is in a lose/lose situation on this one. The race brings in 300-350 million to NYC in revenue for just 1 day. Just think of what that is in taxes. I'm sure most of the resources and work delegated for this was done so ahead of time. That’s why it’s not really diverting resources. If you cancel the race, that’s sponsors and sponsorships, charities, runners running for causes, small businesses, workers of those small businesses. It's already early November, postponing this moves it to a minimum of March. It's not like you can delay this kind of event for a day.

Could you divert more resources? Sure. But the cleaning and work done is best done by those trained to do so. As for donating services and free items, would you rather donate to the people closest to you or the neighbors? Hate to say it, but you can only give so much away for free. As for people “shouting” on the boards, have you donated money to the Red Cross? Would you have donated if Sandy didn’t happen?

they have crews cleaning the board walk mess,

but then the people without the power, homes, food, etc............

this goes to show where the priorities are.

they are worried about the rich and them being able to make more money.

the country has been screwed for years,

but it is only now becoming so evident because it is happening to larger communities.

personally i just had a phone call from an Elizabeth Warren supporter who couldn't tell me anything concerning the candidate she claimed to be supporting.

it goes to tell me that people don't know anything they support, they go with what they're told.

You don't conduct a major sport event in the midst of millions who are suffering and dying.

JoeNY

Joe you are absolutely right about that... but "OZMOSIS" description of "Wolfpacks" is just wrong. It is as always, the race baiters attempt to cause social unrest through outright lies in times of trouble. Instead of being part of American Resolve they are after American Dissolve.

.

its not people that matter its money and always has been...Mr. Bloomberg is out to lunch ... just like Katrina....totally useless people at the top and we are the suckers supporting their salaries with our tax dollars...so please spare me you democrat vs republican...they are the same and our fault for not holding them accountable with our votes...

Here is my conclusion. When a tropical storm meets a cold front coming from out of Canada and a low pressure storm coming from the west the mayor of New York loses his mind. The city is a mess and he wants to run a marathon or he is trying to show New Yorkers how they will be getting to and from work for the next month or so. He shows disdain for his party and endorses President with a failed economic plan because of global warming, polar bears, gay rights and abortions.

But what would you expect from a guy who thinks that he can control obesity by stopping people from eating salt and over sized drinks.

Makes me want to visit the city.....I don't think so.

What people do not understand is that postponing the race was not really a viable option. With people coming in from all over the country and all over the world for this race there were really two options, hold it as scheduled or cancel it entirely. The logistics involved made it pretty much impossible to postpone it. Runners set up their schedules well in advance to be in NYC for the marathon. Many of them can not simply reschedule their lives, vacations, travel, etc. to accommodate a delay in the race date. On top of that, the city and it's businesses need the revenue that the marathon brings in. With all the lost business from the storm to further deprive businesses of their share of the $340 million that the marathon brings to the city would only have made things worse. Also, delaying the marathon for a month or more would raise issues of the weather for the race. At this time of year it is already starting to get cold in NYC. In another month or so the weather would not really be conducive to conducting the race and there would be a chance of having to deal with snow/ice along the course which would present major dangers to the runner, race volunteers, and spectators. As much as it sound heartless to some people, I think going ahead with the race was the right thing for the city as a whole. The only other option would have been to cancel the race entirely and that would have cost the city and it's businesses a lot of money they really can not afford to lose at this point.

Postpone it till the spring, get the revenue then.

1000 police officers could be used to aid search and rescue, secure paths to bring in supplies, clear fields to set up mobile soup kitchens, be security for said locations. Medical personnel used on the route, paramedics, fire rescue could be used in a medical station along with the soup kitchen for first aid and dispensing certain medical supply's, prescription meds like asthma inhalers, blood pressure , cholesterol, heart meds, insulin etc. No narcotics. Band aids, antibiotic cream, alcohol swabs so that people can manage minor injuries on their own and avoid infection.

Apparently the resources are available, they just need to be diverted. Yes this is going to be tough, physically, emotionally, and financially, wasting available resources on a marathon is unconscionable, specially this early in the event.

Hopefully they will learn all the lessons this brings, it seems the the whole eastern is becoming hurricane country. I imagine people will not take the warnings so lightly next time, and will prepare properly for the storm and its aftermath

Which has been the WORST decision by Mayor Bloomberg?

* Banning soda in cups the government deems to be too large

* Holding the marathon where 60 residents have died and millions are without power

* Endorsing Obama as 23 million Americans struggle to find work

They're ALL PRETTY D*MN BAD!

It's NYC, we move on. Most of the city is back at work already. I know I am. Unlike all the angry people posting here, new yorkers get hit with hardship, we work it out and keep moving with our lives. I saw the marathoners, they just run through our busy streets, no worse than any other tourist. Get over it.

it seems the the whole eastern seaboard is becoming hurricane country

Welcome to the world of coastal residents. Nothing new for the people of the south. Extended power outages, gas shortages, food, water, ice, work absence, another day in the life of the hurricane survivor.

don't you mean "TERRORISTS"?

;-}

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HEAD LINE NEWS! Five days before an election and not one word of what happened in Benghazi and why our embassador was left to fry. NBC news... more like liberal talking heads. Cover the need for the marathon but try a little sense of priority. This belongs on the back pages. Why has all the NBC outlets decided to look the other way when there is a tradgedy to investigate????

I've been without power all week. I just got power back this morning. It's cold here unlike in the South when there's a hurricane. People are sleeping with their coats on. Do we really need to have a marathon right now?

Children didn't get to go trick or treating this year where I live. Too many power lines along the ground.

Let me ask this: If Bloomberg cancels the race, would you be ok if he raises your taxes one time by $5 to pay for the race not happening to make up the shortfall in taxes?

Sorry New Gawker - it's not moving on with your life - it's selfish and uncaring for your neighbors. So, you're back at work and things are okay with you - that's all that counts right? For God's sake - they are still searching for bodies on Staten Island!

As for the fellow who commented saying this is the same as New Orleans, Katrina, and Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras was 5 months after Katrina, not 5 DAYS! Big difference!

I know a lot of you pro marathoners won't get this, but people need time to grieve. This was a tremendous loss and it's going to take time. Yes, they will get on with their lives, but the proper and respectful thing to do is to allow them more than a few days to take all of this in, process it, and deal with it. Most people can't do that in a matter of days.

SIASLwitness, so you're saying that 1 ambassador is more important than the 60 people that died during Sandy, plus millions still without power, and billions of dollars of damage?

Even if you compare to just the marathon, so the ambassador is worth more than $350 million bucks and the couple hundred thousands that have direct/indirect impact from the marathon? Pretty sure you are the one missing a sense of priority.

I know I'm not a New Yorker...BUT...it would seem to me, the priority needs to be electricity, heat, and food.....and transportation, along with pumping out the subways, etc. Marathon can wait!

Maybe they would have the help they need if they did not turn away non-union workers to help restore power. Pathetic

What the marathoners obviously do not comprehend is the following

1. Police ACADEMY trainee's will be responsible for the safety of the runners. NOT A GOOD SITUATION when there will be PROTESTS against the marathon.

2. People with NO RUNNING WATER OR FOOD are going to have a huge problem with the idea that they cannot get clean food and water, while the runners throw away half full bottles of water.

3. Hotels are KICKING OUT PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE STORM to make room for the runners in hotels. WTF?!

4. Staten Island is RAVAGED, looting is now common al over SI, good luck to the runners who think that the crowds will not be there to stop them and harass them.

5. Maybe its time we look BEYOND ourselves, and take a look at the DESTRUCTION that surrounds people.

I'm in NJ, we have NO POWER, NO GAS, and NO HEAT.

Bloomberg can go EFF himself, run at your own risk. And if you do partake then I hope you know that all will realize YOU HAVE NO SOUL.

After watching the video about the devastation in Staten Island I have to wonder why the American Red Cross just told 100's of volunteers from Washington state to stay home'

"We don't need you.' Seriously?

My Uncle Jerry served in WWII, he NEVER had anything good to say about them. Not when they were charging people money for coffee, doughnuts, and cigarettes that had been DONATED. I stopped giving them money when they lined their pockets off the goodwill of NYC'ers after 911.

The Red Cross is an effing joke.

My heart really goes out for that lady who lost everything and her home was washed a mile away from its foundation. But, there should not have been any deaths in this disaster. There was enough warning for people to get the hell out, and they warned the storm surge would be about ten to twenty feet above high tide. What more warning do you need? Didn't Katrina teach you anything? It's just pure STUPIDITY to stay there. Drive inland, hang out for 24 hours for the storm to pass. Sleep in your car if you cannot afford a hotel, then come back at least with your lives. What is it going to take for people to get a clue on these things? Mother Nature is nothing to mess with. Heed the damn warnings!

I think the thing to do about the marathon is postpone it at least a week until things get straightened out. Don't cancel it. It means too much to many businesses in the city.

This is the bonfires of the insanities! How can ANYONE in their right mind think that this race is SOOO important that the people who are dead and dying, that remain unfound are somehow less important than a race? And what about the living without food, shelter, water, utilities, anything that even remotely can be called "home"? Is taking care of them less important than running the race NOW???

Don't know if NY has term limits for mayors, but I suspect this is Bloomberg's last term.

mo: You apparently haven't been involved in these kind of operations. You and a number of other people seem to think that all you need to do is have people show up and everything will get done quicker. It doesn't work like that. Take the area where the buildings have been destroyed and will need to be torn down and rebuilt. Do you really want 10,000 people to just show up and help? What would they do? The reality is that all that has to be systematically and by people who are trained to do it. You don't line a thousand people up and have them pass from person to person a brick at a time to remove the building. You have bulldozers. You have to plan how you are going to bring down what remains standing so that no one gets hurt and no further damage is caused. If you have to distribute food, if you have too many people there you will probably slow down the process as the streets become jammed and supply trucks can't get through. The list goes on and on like this. And not one of these volunteers can do anything to bring the power back on any quicker.

Then, you get people like halo who think they are the center of the universe. He doesn't have power, so no one should do anything until he gets power. The fact that 40,000 people have paid to run the race and a number of them have committed themselves to airplane flights and hotel reservations doesn't seem to concern them. I doubt that he will reimburse these people the money that would go for naught, not to mention use of their vacation days at work. Well, the list goes on and on.... Plus, as I've said before, there are a lot of businesses that rely a lot on this race taking place. So, where's the compassion in telling them "screw you, you don't count!"

If the race can be put on then why not go forth with it? Just so they can say "hey, we sympathize with you so we are going to stop our lives too!" Then why not have the rest of the country do the same thing? Are they any more thoughtless because they've continued on with their lives?

I must admit, the more I read here, the more convinced I am that the correct decision has been made. The arguments against running it don't hold water.

Boo hoo, boo hoo, how dare life go on for anybody while I wait here for the govt to help me all the while I do nothing but feel sorry for myself and do absolutely nothing for myself. Wake up NY, you have just experienced what many other parts of the country go through time and time again. Don't worry, if you are truly in need of help, help will come. But don't piss and moan and complain just because the lives of others goes on also. What a bunch of cry babies. See what liberalism does to you?

OK Witchrunner, what if the big storm had hit this weekend? Say on Saturday night? Would they have still run the race? Bloomberg is a moron and he's looking at the incoming revenue. Outdoor events are postponed all of the time. With so many people suffering, no power, heat, or water and people still missing, this is not the time to have an extra 40,000 people flooding into the city. Some of the displaced New Yorkers are being kicked out of the hotels to make room for the marathon folks coming in. Tell me how that is a good thing. Sure it's hard to reschedule big events, however having it in a storm ravaged area is just plain dumb. 1000 police plus three big generators and they say no resources were diverted from the clean up??? How about diverting them to the clean up area?

It's all about the money!!!

?

Has anyone else thought about the claimed economic benefit?

340,000,000 dollars divided by 40,000 runners equals $8,500 per runner. I find it pretty hard to believe that for every runner, that much money is spent in NYC. Runners don't spend money. That's why they're runners. The only money they will spend is for a hotel, bottled water, and a couple of salads.

The $340mil number is inflated so New Yorkers will be more willing to put up with it.

So the mayor is doing it in the name of symbolism. Symbolism doesn't put food in your stomach, electricity to your refrigerator, or cause your toilet to flush. In my opinion shutting down parts of your citiy's infrastructure for a recreational event while you are trying to recover from the worst disaster in its history is grounds for impeachment. People athletic enough to participate in a marathon can't think of something better to do with their energy right now?

MN, hmmm, usually I'm one to come up with that sort of calculation.... but it got by me this time., so thanks. That does sound high. They may be factoring in that money doesn't just get spent once. Economists call it the velocity of money. The hot-dog vendor takes the money and buys.... more hot-dogs and such, but that's not quite fair accounting IMO. A few hundred bucks a head sounds about right to me. Keep up your skepticism!

MN Engineer. Have you also included all the donation, sponsorships, advertising, marketing, etc? It's never that simple.

Diamond, of course it's about money. But 350 million for 1 day is alot. BTW, have you donated?

Bloomberg has time to sit down and write a 1,000 word editorial praising Obama, and time to get the marathon up and running but what about the people that he and Obama claim to be on the side of

Do you really think that he wrote it? Of course not. He has personal speechwriters and aides. He probably spent 10 minutes on the whole project.

After watching the video about the devastation in Staten Island I have to wonder why the American Red Cross just told 100's of volunteers from Washington state to stay home'

"We don't need you.' Seriously?

I can understand why. Good intentions are not enough. Just like after Katrina. Volunteers have to be fed, housed, supervised, possibly trained, etc.... If they don't have the right skills sets, they're just another burden at a time when the professionals are already busy. I'm sure that if the volunteers had been EMTs or other trained rescue professionals, they would've been welcomed. A guy taking time off from his office job? No thanks. Send a check instead. Its a bit like people in other areas of the country donating food and other supplies. It is a nice thought, but transporting that stuff is expensive. It is much better to buy the supplies closer to where they're needed. There is NO shortage of anything in this country -- just a temporary shortage of transport into the damaged areas. Send a check, instead.

"Send a check"

And like 9/11 the RED CROSS will line their pockets with the money while people are freezing, without heat, food, gas, clean water etc.

Me, I am lucky enough to have a 25 KW natural gas generator, I have been running a makeshift shelter for my neighbors and their kids. This week, I have had anywhere from 10-25 people here to spend the night, take a shower, charge up cell phones etc.

The ONLY PEOPLE HERE ACTING LIKE THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THEM ARE BLOOMBERG CULT MEMBERS, AND THE IDIOTS WHO DECIDED LIKE MORONS TO RUN PAST DEATH, DESTRUCTION, AND DEVASTATION AROUND THEM.

Have your damn marathon, and when you hit the Bronx and people start shooting at you cause it's day 6 for them with no power, just remember your cavalier "HOW DARE I BE INCONVIENCED THAT THE MARATHON IS POSTPONED" you will have certainly earned it.

PS The next time you have a natural disaster, don't look to us to make it right. NY and NJ always does. NO MORE. The posters here (or posers) have confirmed they don't give a flying rats touckis about NY/NJ/SI.

PPS AREN'T LIBERALS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CORNER MARKET ON "HEART AND HELPING OUT FELLOW MAN"??? Rather than running past them during a marathon???

MN Engineer clearly you arent a runner. Every marathon I have run its the hotel, meals ( frequent and good ), wine, beer, trinkets ( ie boston marathon jacket etc ) cabs/ car services. Also, lets not forget that runners bring friends and family members when they run. I have a group of 15 going to me with my next marathon in December. Do the math on that times the 40000 runners.

HELL YEAH! LET'S HAVE A MARATHON!!!!!

While we're at it let's have a concert.

Oh wait, they are. The "Hurrican Sandy: Coming Together" concert at Rockefeller Plaza. Which of course NBC, the main political arm of the lamestream media for Barrack Hussein, has decided to televise.

No sense helping the millions affected by the hurricane when we can have a bunch of gayla events. It seems that the Liberal leadership has jumped ship from the S.S. Common Sense, once again.

Of course they're setting up the starting line on Staten island complete with nice tents, Porta-Potties, food, water and other essentials while the residents of the island haven't gotten any relief since the hurricane hit.

The concert is no more than a propaganda event for Barrack Hussein as Bruce Stringbean, Bon Jokey, Kanye Racest and Jimmy Falloverme will sing the praises of Barrack Husseins presidency.

Why doesn't Bloomberg just donate a few million dollars and tell all the people who want to go to the concert, go to Staten Island and really help.

This whole thing is just political pandering at its most obscene.

ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©

NOTE: Liberals/Progressives remember to vote on November 7th.

Oh my word, who cares what happens to or what is going on in that ridiculous city?

For the guy who says that those of us who have our jobs so everything is ok so we think people should move on: The rescue work and clean up will go on regardless. I can assure you that when I went back to work 2 days after our flash flood, I did not think everything was ok. I had spent the night of the flood fighting to get out of the water, listening to screams of victims, and I was still in shock when I went back to work 2 mornings later. Then I found out that several of my friends had been killed. Now looking back I realize as hard as it is to swallow- life absolutely has to go on. If you want more to be done for the victims- that is understandable, but the race should go on.

Ya'll come back now hear!!! And no, you will not get a refund on your hotel bill from FEMA!

Why didn't Gloomberg wait until the runners were at the starting line to cancel? Heck, half the people running have already boarded their flights to get into NYC. Yesterday would have save people a LOT of money. Idiot.

Then there's even bigger idiots here commenting that the 16oz Soda / No Smoking Nazi is a Liberal. Clueless to the meaning of the term.

Imagine being the person still trapped in their home waiting for rescue (could be a senior on the top floor of a building with the elevator out) and that person who should be rescuing you is too busy working the race. Would you be in favor of the race then? I'm using that example to intentionally stay away from the which idiot deserves more services argument.

How do they plan to get 600,000 extra people into New York if each runner brings 15 friends and family? They can't get people from Jersey in who work there. Lives and basic infrastructure should be the first priority. Making money is not as vital at this point in the recovery.

All the other events that have been noted occurred at least a month after the disaster in the area they were held in. If you haven't been rescued or provided with resources by that time, you are already dead. Five days in people still have a chance of surviving if you concentrate your resources on the appropriate priorities and not on a race. If you are a runner, let me ask you this. If a member of your family was missing right now due to a disaster, would you be running this race?

For the record, I do not live in NY, my power has now been restored and my only concern is for fellow human beings who may be suffering.

put bloomberg in a tent on staten island so he can experience reality for the first time

Can anybody from NYC tell me why they elected this bizarre little weenie to run your city? I mean, this dude has made some of the weirdest decisions.....no fat, no slurpies, and now this marathon bs? What kind of an idiot would use city resources for a foot race, when literally millions of residents are seriously hurting?

Bloomberg is the Ultimate Selfish Man---He is no Leader.

He does not care about his New York citizens whatsoever. He is also a huge Narcissist; anything to please himself, who does not care about the people who have no homes, (including the worst, Staten Island) no power, no Red Cross entry, no clean water, no generators.

Beyond Belief!--Most of Staten Island are the Middle Class Segment of New York---he needs to go!!! He can count his billions of dollars that he has saved or put in Banks in other countries--What a phony!

I say let them run! The runners can imagine the whole time they are running from a twelve foot tall wall of water coming after them. It would be done in record time. There use to be a time when people ran for their lives. How times and priorities have changed.

Bloomberg Are you going to help Staten Island or just let them rot? Are you going to cut the sale of gas from 30 gallons down to 16, are you going to save the gays first ? Maybe you and Obama need to ask for help. New Yonkers when it comes time to vote remember who left you hanging out to dry a Germany Socialist Mayor and a Muslim President.

? Ar

I didn't see anything on msnbc telling the story how Con-Ed sent the Alabama Electric Utility worker home, they didn't want any non union help. Let the unions do the clean-up and what ever, IF you are not a member of some union, STAY AWAY.

Obama is the one that stopped the marathon not Dumberg. Obama has been taking the heat all day.

STAND DOWN, AMERICA!

NObama 2012!!!

Obamanos!!

Why did this even require a decision to cancel? It was so obvious that having a single cop or firefighter or ambulance unit tied up in the race instead of dealing with the disaster would be foolish. My bet is that none of them would even consider doing that. I get the mayor trying to get some semblance of normalcy back, but I am sure those without their homes would rather have that normalcy back first.......

So basically Bloomberg is saying "Eff you" to all those who have no power, no clothes, no food, and no homes.

As for the runners, I hope they enjoy the lovely views and scents of dead fish, dead rats, and dead people.

"The city of New York right now is talking about getting water out of the Battery Tunnel and preparing for a marathon," U.S. Rep. Rep. Michael Grimm said. "We're pulling bodies out of the water. You see the disconnect here?"

It's hard for me to believe that the Marathon is still being run, given the deaths, damage, shortages, and horrible misery of so many people without water, power, gas, and in many cases, even their homes!

Those marathon runners should all volunteer with the Red Cross and run supplies to the homeless, instead of running some race for a medal and fame! Where's their humanity?

I understand being sensitive to those in need, they deserve our help. But cmon... are you planning on traveling to NY and volunteering for the Red Cross?

Uhhh eph521, I think Robin was talking about the NYC Marathon runners who are in NYC to run in what is now a contriversial issue with the folks who are suffering as a result of Sandy. It is those atheletes she suggested join the Red Cross and help others. She wasn't suggesting anything else! Hope this is helpful to you, lol!

Uhhhh SteveH USA, do you know that the majority of the runners in the NYC marathon don't even live in the US or in NYC??? They travel to NYC for the marathon. You think that top runners from around the world and the country should drop everything, forget their training, the plans and cost that have gone into their travel plans and go to NYC and volunteer to help? LMAO!! Just goes to show that not only New Yorkers think that NYC is the center of the universe (or maybe you are a NYCer).

My heart goes out to those who have been affected by this storm (and heads up, there are more devastated areas than just NYC, folks)! I've done what I can financially to help out, but the idea that life should stop is absolutely ridiculous. We're talking about an international event that takes a lot of planning, not some community-organized 5K. The city has been explicit in stating that resources needed in the storm-torn areas will not be used for this marathon. What more do you want? Sorry, but these whining (yes, I said whining) NYCers get on my nerves, as do the majority of the posters on this thread (especially those who want to politicize this storm!). The world does not revolve around NYC, nor does it revolve around this incident as a whole. I'm truly sorry that people lost their homes, and that entire neighborhoods are destroyed, and people are mourning friends and loved ones. It's a trying time, I'm sure, but I'm also sure that all resources that can be diverted to help these people are being used. For these people to expect everything to come to a screeching halt for them is ridiculous, in my opinion. Blast me for that all you want, but it's reality!

Tar & Feathers?

No.

The cold and of hungry of Staten Island should gather at the location of the starting line [on Staten Island] and block it, stop it, disrupt it and dismantle it.

The world is watching, give them something to watch.

Those marathon runners should all volunteer with the Red Cross and run supplies to the homeless, instead of running some race for a medal and fame! Where's their humanity?

A lot of people who run in these marathons are not professional athletes, and a lot of them raise money for charity while doing it.

The runners should boycott this event.

The utility companies of New Jersey turning away trucks, electricians and supplies from the South due to the fact they were not union. I have never heard of qualified help being turned away before. Are the unions that scared? Why would they send the assistance away?

Maybe they should check the marathon runners for union cards and turn back any that do not belong to a union.....

Unions are a cancer that's why. They thrive on being parasites. Can't let them be shown up by non union workers coming in and actually working harder than these lazy maggots.

mmr_bzn:

Uhhhh SteveH USA, do you know that the majority of the runners in the NYC marathon don't even live in the US or in NYC??? They travel to NYC for the marathon. You think that top runners from around the world and the country should drop everything, forget their training, the plans and cost that have gone into their travel plans and go to NYC and volunteer to help?

That would be the compassionate thing to do. But even if they don't want to help, and only want to come for the marathon, postpone it. Push it out a few weeks until the area is cleaned up, and power has been restored to the millions that are still waiting for it. I don't think the runners will lose all of their training if it's pushed out 2 or 3 weeks.

LMAO!! Just goes to show that not only New Yorkers think that NYC is the center of the universe (or maybe you are a NYCer).

This isn't just about NYC. It's about NYC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and all of the other areas that have been affected by this storm. There are people across 15 states that have lost power, water, gas, heat, etc because of this.

My heart goes out to those who have been affected by this storm (and heads up, there are more devastated areas than just NYC, folks)!

True, but there's no New Jersey marathon planned go to through Atlantic City, which would be equally ridiculous.

I've done what I can financially to help out, but the idea that life should stop is absolutely ridiculous. We're talking about an international event that takes a lot of planning, not some community-organized 5K.

No one's saying that life should stop. Many have returned to work, their jobs, etc. But for many, returning to normal is not an option at the moment. Loved ones are missing, people are unaccounted for, homes are completely destroyed, including areas of NYC, where this marathon is happening. Yes, life goes on, but why pretend that life is just hunky dory in NYC when we all know it's not? Postpone this for a few weeks, let the cleanup continue without jamming 30,000 additional people into the city. Let rescue and clean up crews work over this weekend without having to worry about clearing a path for the marathon.

The city has been explicit in stating that resources needed in the storm-torn areas will not be used for this marathon.

So the resources used aren't capable of helping? It just seems ridiculous to bring in people to help with the marathon (even if that's what they're specifically there for), while ignoring the rest of the destruction around them.

What more do you want?

Power, heat, water and food for everyone stuck in the city in highrise buildings without power, and for those that are flooded out in New Jersey would be a good start.

Sorry, but these whining (yes, I said whining) NYCers get on my nerves, as do the majority of the posters on this thread (especially those who want to politicize this storm!).

If you were stuck in a high rise on the 20th floor without power, food, or water, I'm sure you would be upset too with your mayor organizing an event without seeming to care about the state of his constituents. The fact that people have to wait in line for hours just to get gas for their generators or cars is ridiculous, and THAT should be a priority. Getting the city back to a running state should be first. Events like this should be second.

The world does not revolve around NYC, nor does it revolve around this incident as a whole.

No one is saying that it does. But NYC has been damaged, there are thousands of people in the city alone without power, yet they're going to have a large event in the city, including in the area that was hit the worst. It's not like they're stopping the Boston marathon because of the damage in NYC. People want to postpone the NYC marathon that goes through damaged areas of the city. Clean up first, get people their power, water and heat back, THEN have a marathon.

I'm truly sorry that people lost their homes, and that entire neighborhoods are destroyed, and people are mourning friends and loved ones. It's a trying time, I'm sure, but I'm also sure that all resources that can be diverted to help these people are being used. For these people to expect everything to come to a screeching halt for them is ridiculous, in my opinion. Blast me for that all you want, but it's reality!

It's not reality. It's insensitive. If you can bring in resources to run the marathon, you can spare more resources to help those in need. That's reality. People, their homes, and their lives, should come first. The reason Bloomberg wants to go ahead with the marathon is because it will help the city economically. And it will. If this event was postponed a few weeks, that revenue will still be coming into the city when it needs it. But how many businesses are still without power, or are still flood damaged and won't be able to open to bring in that revenue? If they can't even provide for the people in the city, why are more being encouraged to come in to run a marathon?

Bloomberg could very easily make a statement via OB's networks and cancel or postpone the run,and or the people that do show up,ask for their help,if they are good people they will with love and pride,lets hope they do.

i'm not in nyc, so i've only seen the destruction from the news reports. but i don't think some of you realize what is involved to run this marathon. it is a global event - people come from all over the world to participate. they've been registered for months. they've been training for months. and seriously its not going to take people all day to complete it. we're only talking 4-5 hours for a majority of the participants. i'm sure a lot of runners would happily donate or help out once they've finished. for anyone who plans on protesting the race, your time could probably be better spent helping out.

Tricia, if the event gets cancelled then I'm sorry for the people around the world who have been preparing for this event, but people HERE are dying and homeless.

It's a global event? What, we're supposed to feel sorry for the people who trained to be in this event? Are you telling me that these people are gonna get so screwed up about this race being cancelled that it could adversely affect these competitiors?

Look, I'm not unsympathetic to people who paid to participate/attend this event, but this is a slightly different situation, from 9/11. More people died but destruction was fairly localized. Immediate need was not as great. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, were affected with 9/11, but millions are affected with Sandy. People had their homes in tact and could retreat to their privacy, but that can't happen as readily here. The hurt and pain between the two is about the same and that's to say off the charts high.

Then there's resource management. Three generators people. Three generators could have been powering homes, it even says it in this article, but the media tent was apparently more important than homes. And there were people, entire families, being turned away from hotels because of prior reservations by the marathoners. These are not the traits of compassion people

It certainly confirms that Bloomberg is part of the mind-numbed PC crowd. I certainly hope that he stands up and declares that since the city is responsible for cancelling the marathon, even though there is no real reason to do so, that the city will reimburse all those who are out money by having traveled to NYC or by cancelling their flights, hotel rooms, etc. that they have committed to. As Bloomberg has admitted, logistically, there is no reason to cancel the marathon. As I've posted before, I've never been impressed with Bloomberg... and this is just another reason why. He's a coward and a disgrace. Of course, the poor suckers, such as the council rep James Oddo from Staten Island said cancel the marathon so we can show solidarity with those who have suffered by suffering ourselves, think having to raise taxes on those who have suffered the loses is a great idea, I suspect that most people don't see it that way. Do they really think that all those people who shelled out all that money to attend will just as easily cough up that amount of money again to attend? Some will, but most won't. And the result will be that a large number of people will end up with a bad taste in their mouths about NYC. Of course I'm critical of the decision, especially since the Mayor has indicated that it is really not necessary and doesn't really accomplish anything for those who have been hit by the storm. But, being PC seems to be the order of the day. Don't worry whether you are actually accomplishing anything, just worry about whether you appear to be caring. I guarantee you that NYC is not appearing compassionate to those who are out a ton of money as a result of this decision, especially after having been told it is really unnecessary.

Witchrunner,

Most people who train for the Run do it on city streets a roads where they live. No great expense.

You lose a plane ticket to the U S of A. No money spent on room or food. No drinks or night clubbing.

No buying trinkets that has NYC on them. Reinburse my ass! You are out a plane ticket nothing more.

You are one COLD HEARTED SON OF A BITCH! I take you lost renting a room to runner for aprox. $2000.00 a week. Case Closed

I don't think they should have cancelled the marathon. It could have been handled better than a complete cancellation.

Cancelling the marathon does not directly translate into re-assigning resources. Most likely the cancellation will just be more costly for the city while at the same time it's asking for charity.

John yes it sure does translate into re-assigning, on Anderson Cooper they showed several large trailer generators and dozens of porta potties being moved directly from the marathon event to Staten Island.

usmc201: Why am I cold hearted? And I can't be a son of a bitch! Did you even read the article. The marathon wasn't cancelled because of any logistics. There is no indication that holding the marathon would adversely affect those who have been hurt by the storm. However, it takes no brains at all to figure out that not holding it will adversely affect those who lose income because the marathon is not held. I never said you should hold it if it adversely affects those who are suffering from the storm. The only reason that Bloomberg called it was because of complaints about having it. I don't know where you work, but has your business shut down to show "solidarity" with those affected by the storm? If it did, do you feel better losing pay that you could otherwise be earning when your working didn't affect anyone affected by the storm? Are you upset that the Brooklyn Nets played a home game today? Or that Columbia played Harvard in Cambridge (well, maybe that one since they got walloped 69-0)? Sounds like the rest of the world is cold and heartless and consists of a bunch of sons of bitches, eh? Is the local deli that was able to open up because they worked to clean up the mess and had a backup generator cold-hearted? Yes, I don't understand why the marathon is cancelled when there is no logistical reason to do so. I guess I must be cold-hearted because I'm not willing to hurt thousands of innocent people, even though cancelling it helps absolutely no one.

I think they should make the runners stand in line to buy 5 gallons of gas first and then run and give it to the people who need it.

Sounds good but then no one would finish the race because they'd all be beaten and robbed.

Numb3r..I have seen that before today on the internet. Do you honestly think that non union electricians were not allowed to work? I bet if they went to Gov christy he would put them to work. I only heard of this happening in NY and I was stunned!!

Anybody in the area where the hurricane caused damaged should be able to eat and drink FREE at the marathon...no questions asked. Eat and drink BEFORE THE RUNNERS and take as much as they need with them.

It was another right wing rumor already debunked.

How much gasoline alone is going to be wasted on this marathon? Folks are sitting in lines for hours at the pumps already!

Whatever resources are being donated to the Marathon, should go to help the folks made homeless by Sandy.

Well, why stop there? Why not state that all resources, everywhere should be redirected to help folks recover from this storm. Let's close the stock exchanges. Look, nothing can get things back to normal in just a few days. There is such a concept as the optimum amount of resources to devote to this. And the optimum amount is not the same thing as "as much as possible." We don't want to waste resources, nor do we want them to get in each other's way. I'm not there, so I don't know if enough is being done.

The largest contribution to disaster recovery is, and has always been, and always will be, by the people themselves who are affected, and their neighbors, friends, and relatives. They're very highly motivated.... oddly enough by selfish reasons: their own well-being and that of their friends, neighbors, and relatives. It's called community and it sounds like NY has strong communities. I realize that you cannot rebuild a bridge with the proceeds from a bake sale, so there's a job for your local govt to do too. But the world will continue to turn. Regardless, good luck.

That's right darnthatdream,I don't live there either but I gave to a non gov relief fund,and guess what,the people that got these resources still haven't seen FEMA or the RC.Comunity neighbors churches allways get it done better.

Worse? Bloomingidiotberg wants New York hotels to throw displaced New Yorkers out on the street so foreign Marathoners can have rooms. No wonder he supports Obama. It's the Lowlife Club.

Far more believable is the idea that God has lifted His hand of protection off the East coast, than the idea that this is global warming. God is not mocked.

How much better would this situation be if we had a strong economy? FEMA has $3 Billion and this disaster is going to cost in excess of $20 Billion. Have 3, subtract 20 from it??????Obama's kind of favorite math. $17 Billion in the hole of no return.

Americans who really want to help? Give to Operation Blessing and/or Billy Graham's out reach and they will see that it goes directly to the people who need it.

Where are the 1200 new trained FEMA Corps workers between 18 & 24 that finished disaster training in August 2012? They are called Obama's Army. I have not heard a word about them and the hundreds of vehicles and equipment that we the people paid for with tax $. They are supposedly full time federal FEMA employees on ready alert 27/7. They may be out there quietly doing their job but I have not heard of them They also have guns and ammo for looters.

Also, FEMA Corps is suppose to have hundreds of generators. Where are they?

Let's say the Sandy storm never happened... what about all the other problems in our country and around the world? Did you care about them while you were sipping your iced tea, watching TV, going to the ball games, etc...? Why all of a sudden should everything else shut down due to Sandy? Help the areas that need help, but life must go on in other areas.

By other areas, does that mean anything more than the 5 mile radius around your home?

As long as it's not affecting you, screw 'em?

Not diverting resources maybe, but that also means all the available resources are not brought to bear on the more immediate situations. Maybe the resources SHOULD be diverted, from race duty to be better used where it's really needed.

Postponement of the race means the money you so desperately seek will come later, so it's money that will come at the later time that you wouldn't be getting right now. Think long term and it all will even out.

A mass influx of incoming people and spectators such as yourself would not be here to help, but instead expect to be waited upon, and it would certainly be a hindrance.

You have till Sunday; resolve everything going on and fix it all first, and then you can have your party.

In simpler language easier to understand, clean up your room and then you can go out and play.

mushuluu, why don't you go tell that to the utility company from Alabama that was turned away becuase thye weren't unionized?

moshuluu... keep drinking the koolaide... there are plenty of reports about this. This is the issue with unions.. what the hell are they protecting? People need help and the unions need to back off

Honestly, I expected more from New Yorkers. Since 9/11, I have really admired NYC as a community of resilient, open-minded people who can withstand hard times and pull together when needed. I am runner and I know first-hand the work and planning that goes into preparing for a marathon on an individual level - hours and hours and hours of training, travel arrangements, time off work arrangements, childcare arrangements. I am not running the NYC marathon, but I can tell you that if I were, I certainly wouldn't have the financial means to simply postpone my trip. That said, given the harsh responses to race going on, I wouldn't run it this year, as I would be afraid for my safety! I live in the midwest and have survived several tornadoes (one of which destroyed my family's business) and also a big ice storm that had us without power for 9 days in the dead of winter. I know that is not the same as losing one's home and certainly not the same as the loss of life, but it does make me wonder if any of the whining New Yorkers on here ever give a second thought to the natural disasters that other regions across the country endure. The runners aren't coming to NYC to gawk and be nusciance (sp). They are coming because they've been preparing the race for months and are financially comitted to it. I'm certain they will be as respectful as possible and the money they spend in NYC on accomodations, food, shopping, etc. will certainly benefit the city. Why not use this as an opportunity to show the world what a great a place NYC is?

This is absolutely true, unions don't let non-unions work.

Do you realize the negative impact of postponing the race? The businesses that will lose $$$, the tax revenues that would be lost that could help pay for the services that will restore hard hit areas... what about all the runners, their flights, their hotel reservations, their scheduled time off work, etc... Yes people need help and we should do everything possible to help them, but that doesn't mean you stop everything else. Life goes on all over the rest of the US... I mean, have you stopped your normal daily routine, left your job, etc so you can help people who have been affected by Sandy?

It cannot be postponed. People have made their travel plans months in advance, they cannot simply cancel those nonrefundable reservations and come back in a few weeks. And it will also probably be freezing in NYC by the end of the month. Postponement is not an option. If you cancel you hurt local businesses desperate for revenue to rebuild, if you don't cancel maybe someone might be negatively affected. It's a tough choice, but objectively it was probably the best of a bad situation.

Your a gem eph521! Are you serious? How about Negative impact on the unlucky families that lost everything and the ones that are not accounted for? Maybe you'd like to give them your house or condo- thought not. This just shows the selfish agenda that you live by. Very Pathetic !

To the RACERS: PLEASE boycott this Marathon. Give us all hope for humanity! Then demand the promoters donate the funds to the NY/NJ RECOVERY FUND

To the Mayors Office: You WILL REGRET your decision to take away the 1000 police & support staff needed to run this marathon. Where are your PRIORITIES -are you families safe and warm in a cozy dry home? Shame on you!

What negative impact? Exactly how do you see this race as making things any worse? The city is filled with first responders from around the country right now, so this is NOT an either/or situation! The city is capable of continuing rescue efforts AND conducting the race. For everyone shouting that this is about the "rich" benefiting from the race ...BS!!! This race brings millions of dollars into the city's GENERAL economy, meaning everyone from bell hops to hot dog venders benefit from the infusion of capital. The LAST thing this city needs right now is yet another economic hit on the very people who need those funds to recover! The bell hop who depends on tips from guests is possibly the SAME person who now needs to replace his/her possessions after the storm. So now we should also take away a critical infusion of income from him/her? Please, people, think with your brains instead of your gut here! The world did not stop and the needs of the community have not been somehow suspended while recovery goes on! Depriving workers of their income will in no way speed that recovery process, but rather hinder it.

I'm sure any travail arrangements can be re-directed due to Sandy,as well as they could still go help,and BTW they are kicking homeless people out of some Hotels due to the marathon.Just sad and sick,Anyone still planning to go to the marathon they should be ashamed unless they stay to help,to which I would applaud.

Hey Spirit!

If there aren't any places how are you gonna feed these people? Hot Dog vendors gotta buy there stuff somewhere. Turning out people so a runner can stay in a hotel?? Generators that can help people? Like I told one person already,You are "ONE COLD HEARTED SON OF A BITCH" Money is all you think about. Did you also lose $2000.00 a week rent to a runner? Go $#@^ yourself. People need help not a race through wiped out areas and no place to live.

Yes. They could spend their time and energy helping rather than stroking their egos. Showing up to run in a race while people are suffering is unconscionable.

What are you doing different in your daily routine since Sandy happened? Have you stopped doing everything normal in your life? Are you cutting back on purchases and dontating the $$$ to Sandy victims? Have you asked for time off work to help Sandy victims? I doubt it.

Really? Why all the hatred for the runners? They didn't cause Sandy. They didn't make the decision to keep the race date. If the race goes on, of course they're going to show up for it. They trained for it, they planned their days off and booked their flights. Why is everyone acting like they are evil and callous for running - a very healthy and inspirational activity.

If you're angry about the marathon, be angry at Bloomberg, but not the runners. That's ridiculous.

eph521 - YES I DID! As a member of my local volunteer Emergency Response Team (in Illinois), I was involved in deployment planning before Sandy hit the region and have coordinated large amounts of supplies as well as mobilized several assets to the region to support relief efforts. Unfortunately, due to a medical condition, I cannot go personally or I would drop everything and go as I did for Katrina. My employer actively reached out to ME and asked if I would be going and if there was anything they could do to help. SO...take your questions and point them back at yourself. What have you done, besides troll posts and make accusations?

Actually EPH521 yes I donated a $100 to a non gov disaster relief and Im unemployed and a Republican,guess that blows your and some other Libz accusations against us heartless Republicans,I'd love Togo help but I have 6 kids( yes I'm also a breeder) and have 2 still at home,as well as I live on the other side of the country,what have you done? I hope you have been able to donate your time or money

I think it's terrible how people are suffering. We need to give them all the help they need. But before Sandy and after Sandy people are hurting everywhere, all over the US, all over the country. So why all of a sudden should we now stop everything we normally do? Did we not care before Sandy?

Mabe you didn't care before Sandy ,I've donated toSandy and Israel due to our President ignoring our Friends in the Middle East surrounded by TERRORIST.

MB you have inspired me ! I have canned soda (Sprite no caffeine) but the size is only 12 ounces. So I will have to drink 3 cans to get into the 16 ounce range. Wow, that will be a challneg. But by gosh I

Iintend to show dumberg or whatever the fools name is tah

This page sucks beyond anything I have ever encountered.

The comment above has been TAMPERED with, shortened and within seconds of my original post..

So folks that tells me there is an enormous effort by the 'media' to stop logical, constructive critiques of the socialist government we have bestowed upon ourselves.

Perhaps sanity will reappear the day after the landslide victory of Romney Ryan and WE THE PEOPLE ?

I have an idea for all of those people that have came in for the race why don't they still come together and help the residents in place of the race. There is definalty alot that needs to be done!

That would be a beautiful gesture ! I sure hope they show Bloomberg what a real disaster relief looks like! Come on runners make America proud ! Show big Gov what we can do by pulling together! I plan to donate more ASAP ! Lest show the world that as on 911 (the first one) that we can all work to gather no matter our personal devides,we are Americans FIRST!

So, if you don't care about something, it shouldn't happen? Seriously, it's all about motivation. The 30,000 runners have trained for months or years, bought nonrefundable airline tickets, and plan to spend a lot of money in NYC. If the city can pull this off, it probably should. It's called normal and NYC needs normal right about now. Good luck to everyone.

I bet the airlines would make an exception,it would be great publicity for them to show their support for NY,mabe they could donate the money they would have spent to get the businesses that still cannot open due to this disaster.

DarnThatDream I don't know that many people that are interested in it, its not like marathons are the talk of the town or talk of the sports bar.

yes we did still run a marathon but it was 2 months later and one of the boroughs wasnt a disaster area at the time.... open your eyes....

I think the race being "vital" to the economy is over stating things a bit.

You have resources like generators being put into Central Park while people in Staten Is still haven't seen a FEMA person yet. I think its being pretty callous to have a party in Central Park while there are so many dislocated people.

Im in no position to compare Sandy to 9/11 and particularly its emotional impact on the city. However, if the Marathon were three weeks from now, like it was after 9/11 I would tend to agree with you.

The marathon is not vital to the economy. Any perceived loss will be made up for in Christmas.

If the stores aren't open and the cabs have no gas and the restaurants aren't all up to speed, this isn't going to make the city anything but a negative impression – where will they spend money? At the hotels which could be housing homeless?

Remember that before the President talked to Gov. Christie of NJ the President talked with the mayor of NYC and the mayor told him they didn't need the help. So blame Bloomberg for putting politics into the cleanup mess.

tucsand
Actually Bloomberg said he didn't think having the President visit right now would be productive and would actually be counter-productive because of all the security issues surrounding a presindential visit. And he was probably correct considering the state of the roads etc at the time. The President visiting NJ was easier due to access.

Bloomberg didn't say he didn't want any federal help.

Stephanie, I hope the NY media is all over this. If one evacuee is displaced to make room for a runner, I hope the story is all over the news. Bloomie has lost his mind. Can you imagine Chris Christie making a race a priority right now?

Val, NYC can -- and must -- do more than one thing at a time. It will recover from Sandy. I wish you well.

Emotions are running high. I understand that, but anyone who has been in Manhattan around the thousands of runners who have come into the city from all over the world would know that a lot of runners have been sleeping in hallways after giving up their rooms for displaced storm victims. On top of that, some of you who are in or near the city should try shutting your mouths, getting out from in front of the computer and trying to volunteer. Try it. If you did and you weren't such hypocrites, you would realize that volunteer organizations have have been turning thousands of people away. The city is saturated with help and relief efforts. Only mindless reactionaries with no sense of the realities or logistical scope of a recovery effort like this would express the angry drivel that's exhibited all over these comment threads.

"Saturated with help and relief efforts" WHAT EFFING PLANET ARE YOU ON? Half of NYC is in the dark. SI HAS NO HELP AT ALL.

Good God you are an idiot. YOU CANNOT GET IN OR OUT OF NYC FROM NJ OR SI. HELP HAD TO FLY HERE.

Other than the Red CROSS THE SHAM THAT IS IS, NAME ME ONE 1 volunteer service turning away help. THAT IS A HUGE LIE. But I'm guessing you work for the Mayor's office. IN which case NYC TAXPAYERS WANT THOSE GENERATORS THEY PAID FOR BACK AND USED TO POWER GAS STATIONS.

This is a risk you take with joining an event. Being a participant and visitor doesn't elevate your value over those without a home, electricity, etc.

Local businesses certainly benefit, but are not going to go out of business if the event is postpone or cancelled.

Put yourself in the shoes of people truly important at this moment. It is neither the participants or local businesses at this time.

You people don't get it. They don't need millions of dollars down the road. They need, cleanup, food, fuel, water, electricity NOW. I also don't give a rats a$% aboUS the logistics of the participants and I'm sure the people without electricity, food water, don't either.

"plan for a year to go to this race" They'll get over it with no damage done. You don't think the people in NY had plans that got disrupted.

Pull your head out of your lower extremities and get your priorities straight.

Look, by nature I'm not a gambler but here'$ one bet I'd take to any ca$ino in Atlantic City. Attendance at this year$ NYC Marathon will be the lowe$t on record. Odd$ anyone?

yes, yes, yes and Obama can be the leader!

What the hell does Romney or FEMA have to do with whether it is morally or ethically appropriate to hold this event?

Get over yourself.

you forgot to bad mouth the majority of independents who support romney. liberals refuse to recognize reality , it doesn't fit in their fantasy world. bloomberg you have proven my point. go ahead with the marathon just watch out for the looters, snipers, and generally angry frustrated people. run fast hope you all can swim and ignore the pollution and disease. i'm sure the marathon is all new yorkers are talking about. good luck and if they can pull it off cudos to bloomberg but i still don't like you.

One of the most troubling things about this crop of lefties is their undying, chauvinistic loyalty to the democrat party and it's far left principles; reminds one of the old Soviet supporters.

And we still do,it's the people and Non Gov entities that are really making the difference,Statin Island would probley agree that the Red Cross and FEMA are concentrated where the cameras are.

Score one for THE PEOPLE!!!

We've been heard!!!

YIPPIE!!!
...remember Abbie Hoffman

I'm sure the same people who grumble about government in their biz will, as always, be the first to complain they aren't receiving assistance fast enough. These are the same people who bitch about the "Middle East" and drive a huge SUV. When I remember the stories of my great-grandma from WWII and the sacrifices Americans made I realize our time is done. $14 trillion in debt, crimes against women and children skyrocketing, an overall sense of entitlement and greed. But, hey, Bruce Sprinsteen is singing! USA......we're @!$%#ed :)