Maybe I Was Wrong...

I have to admit when I first heard that the Saints were going to play in the Superdome tonight, I didn't really know how to react. OK, I admit it - I was annoyed. There are so many bigger problems to deal with yet we can figure out how to continue with the football??? Many people can not find housing and the suicide rate is up 300% in New Orleans. And further east, in Mississippi, the progress is even slower.

I remember (barely) when the superdome was built. Growing up, I went to several Saints games and went to the Super Bowl there in 1981. As a kid, I think I saw the circus there. I remember how funny it was that the trapeze was flying below some of the seats. One summer in college, I worked downtown and my carpool parked in the dome everyday.

A year ago, with a house full of family members that evacuated, I watched all the horrors unfold at the Superdome. I could not imagine it ever being the "Superdome" again. So when I heard the game was going to be played there tonight, I had mixed feelings.

Don't get me wrong - I love to see the progress. I want the nation to know how strong the people of New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast region are - trust me, they would not be there right now if they weren't strong. I want people to travel to New Orleans and spend loads and loads of money. However, people need to know that there is still a lot to be done. The people checking you in at your hotel and the person serving you that hot steamy cup of Gumbo may be struggling to find a place to live. Yes, the French Quarter and uptown may be open for business. However, people that work in that part of the city do not necessarily live in that part of the city. They may be going home to a FEMA trailer or worse.

So, I sat down tonight to watch the first professional football game that I have watched in YEARS (sorry, just not a fan). And it felt good. I was very curious (and skeptical) on how it was going to be portrayed. I did not watch the entire game but from what I saw, I think the message was good. Yes world, the spirit of New Orleans lives. There are parts of New Orleans that are open for business. We are able to have a football game and we would love for you to come and visit (and did I mention to spend money?). But life there is still difficult at best and we can't forget that. I don't have the answers. I do think two things that New Orleans will need for years to come are
1- the continued support of the nation and
2 - for the people of New Orleans to come together and work together.

So, hey if a football game can help with those two things then I say GO SAINTS!!!!

OH, and Bono was HOT!!!