The Power of Sports on a City a Community

[Cajunsmike]

Wow... what a waste of Lousiana taxpayer money. Forced to spend money to ressurect a pit of a city. I wonder what kind of backdoor good ole boy Louisiana deals they made with the governor, the legislature, Benson, and the NFL to bring the super bowl back to the brand new "no slums left because they are all destroyed and we shipped out all the undesirables" city. I have written many letters to the governor, Blanco and Jindal about how this state wastes money on a sports franchise that does NO GOOD for this state. How much have the saints contributed to our poor,poor education system. How much have the aints contributed to the terrible road systems we have. How much have the Saints contributed to help the state of louisiana find another viable industry besides the god forsaken sin bin that is the oil industry. The saints are an embarrassment to the entire NFL, no other team gets subsidies fom their respective state, to my knowlege. Their owner is a awful man and everyone knows it but because they have a semi decent team its ok and we forgot all about him moving the team to San Antonio. And the most embarrassing part about the Saints organization is the city they play in and the pimple we call the Superdome. The state would be better off without a shadow of a doubt if the Saints packed up their bags and moved to Los Angeles. But everyone is just so blinded by how awesome Reggie Bush's commercials are, and how many yards Drew Brees has even though that lone playoff win is looking a little slim by today's standards. I personally, as a lifelong citizen of the state of Louisiana, would love, no be ecstatic if the Saints would be gone. Thats would be one less thing for the state to waste their money on instead of fixing this ass backwards state.

If you would spend one day at my company or one of it's offshore structures, you would realize you have insulted many of the finest people you will ever meet by your comment of the "sin tainted" oil industry. Most people have no concept of the technical skills needed to extract energy from the harsh places we need to in the current environment. The technology rivals that of the space industry. At my company it is required that every meeting begin with a safety or environmental moment. These are not just things which come out of a company campaign, but out of the ideas of the actual workers. Also, if you look at who the leading United Way contributors are in this community, you will find that it is the oil industry. This is simply not the company headquarters making these donations, but the actual employees. Were mistakes made in the past-yes. Are some still being made today-yes but not as many. Are we trying to learn from these-yes.

[Cajun90]

If you would spend one day at my company or one of it's offshore structures, you would realize you have insulted many of the finest people you will ever meet by your comment of the "sin tainted" oil industry. Most people have no concept of the technical skills needed to extract energy from the harsh places we need to in the current environment. The technology rivals that of the space industry. At my company it is required that every meeting begin with a safety or environmental moment. These are not just things which come out of a company campaign, but out of the ideas of the actual workers. Also, if you look at who the leading United Way contributors are in this community, you will find that it is the oil industry. This is simply not the company headquarters making these donations, but the actual employees. Were mistakes made in the past-yes. Are some still being made today-yes but not as many. Are we trying to learn from these-yes.

Thanks Mike. Not sure what CajunHawk mean't by his comment but the industry of today isn't the industry of old on any level. Extremely high levels of technology required and extremely low tolerance for unethical behavior across most of the industry.

[cajunhawk]

_ Thanks Mike. Not sure what CajunHawk mean't by his comment but the industry of today isn't the industry of old on any level. Extremely high levels of technology required and extremely low tolerance for unethical behavior across most of the industry. _

Not talking about the people that work in the industry or technology or hell even mistakes of the past. What I was referring to was the way in which the oil industry operates. The oil industry breaks the law on a daily basis, the corporations are profit mongers, the communities that depend on them are always hurt when the bottom line comes into question. I did a study once in college and found out that for every job lost in the La. Oil Industry seven other jobs are lost in other La. industries. Louisiana is too dependent on a dirty business and everyone knows it. But hey were Louisiana and thats our modus operandi, god made dirt and dirt dont hurt, as long as it pays well.

[Cajun90]

Not talking about the people that work in the industry or technology or hell even mistakes of the past. What I was referring to was the way in which the oil industry operates. The oil industry breaks the law on a daily basis, the corporations are profit mongers, the communities that depend on them are always hurt when the bottom line comes into question. I did a study once in college and found out that for every job lost in the La. Oil Industry seven other jobs are lost in other La. industries. Louisiana is too dependent on a dirty business and everyone knows it. But hey were Louisiana and thats our modus operandi, god made dirt and dirt dont hurt, as long as it pays well.

Sorry but myself and the thousands of others in the industry don't break the law on a daily basis. It might sound good to blame everything on the big bad oil companies but it has not factual basis. You state you aren't talking about the people or technology. Got news for you that is what a company is.

You have no understanding of macro economics. Of course every job lost in oil & gas will cause other job losses. Jeez that is true of any primary industry. Want to see how many jobs are lost because of the auto industry??

By the way the oil & gas business has been shutting down substantially over the past two decades in Louisiana. If it weren't for exports my company would be in trouble. Don't worry though all this bad business is being handed over to the likes of Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Wait till that bunch decides to have a little fun with us. It will make the embargo of the early 70's look like childs play but at least we don't have that "dirty" industry in our back yard right?

[CajunZ1]

The oil industry breaks the law on a daily basis, the corporations are profit mongers, the communities that depend on them are always hurt when the bottom line comes into question.

So to recap your position, Louisiana's problems are:

1. The Oil Industry
2. LSU
3. Saints
4. New Orleans

I don't think I need to tell you, but if I showed this list to everyone in this state, 70% or more would say that list is what Louisiana has going for it.

I'm not saying your wrong... just that you're in the extreme minority.

Nevermind: You're wrong. :-)

[DestinCajun]

_ So to recap your position, Louisiana's problems are:

1. The Oil Industry
2. LSU
3. Saints
4. New Orleans

I don't think I need to tell you, but if I showed this list to everyone in this state, 70% or more would say that list is what Louisiana has going for it.

I'm not saying your wrong... just that you're in the extreme minority. _

It always amazes me to read the typical opinions "instate people" express towards New Orleans versus those I read from around the country and even the world. Truly sad stuff.

[4LSU]

I'm not saying your wrong...

Ok, then I will say it...he's wrong.

[MetryCajun]

_ Not talking about the people that work in the industry or technology or hell even mistakes of the past. What I was referring to was the way in which the oil industry operates. The oil industry breaks the law on a daily basis, the corporations are profit mongers, the communities that depend on them are always hurt when the bottom line comes into question. I did a study once in college and found out that for every job lost in the La. Oil Industry seven other jobs are lost in other La. industries. Louisiana is too dependent on a dirty business and everyone knows it. But hey were Louisiana and thats our modus operandi, god made dirt and dirt dont hurt, as long as it pays well. _

Where to start?
What laws are being broken? We have several watchdog groups who follow the industry...please alert them of these illegal practices.
Communities are always hurt? Have you been to Houston lately? Last time I checked Houston was a thriving city built mostly my Oil Companies. In fact if it wasn't for idiots like the Long's and Edward we would probably have a few more cities like Houston.
You are correct that Louisiana really squandered its chance to be a diversified employment hub, but it is the fault of our greedy politicians not the oil industry.

[Just1More]

_ It always amazes me to read the typical opinions "instate people" express towards New Orleans versus those I read from around the country and even the world. Truly sad stuff. _

I'm happy to see that most people do not share Hawk's opinion (and he has a right to his). Most people in New Orleans are just trying to make a living and raise their families. The oil industry is much the same. Where there is money and politicians, no matter where on this planet you go, there are some bad human behaviors. Those individuals are always going to be there. New Orleans can use a good political scrubbing, but I would hate to see the professional sports franchises leave our state. There is a bigger ecosystem at stake than meets the immediate field of view.

I chuckle when I think about a guy in Lafayette whose dad, and now he, made a fortune in Lafayette selling insurance. He despises the oil industry. Neither he nor his dad will acknowledge that they would have virtually nothing without it. It amazed me how he thought he was elite for selling insurance, but those in the "oil patch" were beneath him.

[MetryCajun]

_ If you would spend one day at my company or one of it's offshore structures, you would realize you have insulted many of the finest people you will ever meet by your comment of the "sin tainted" oil industry. Most people have no concept of the technical skills needed to extract energy from the harsh places we need to in the current environment. The technology rivals that of the space industry. At my company it is required that every meeting begin with a safety or environmental moment. These are not just things which come out of a company campaign, but out of the ideas of the actual workers. Also, if you look at who the leading United Way contributors are in this community, you will find that it is the oil industry. This is simply not the company headquarters making these donations, but the actual employees. Were mistakes made in the past-yes. Are some still being made today-yes but not as many. Are we trying to learn from these-yes. _

Mike, Well said. It is easy to forget that these companies are not run by a few wealthy people. It is made up off thousands of dedicated workers and touches almost every part of our live.s

One more comment about the Saints and the Dome. What is the alternative. Let them leave and spend the 85 mil somewhere else. The consequences would be upkeeping a useless, old, gigantic structure in you largest city. Forget Super Bowls, Within years the Sugar Bowl would be taken out of the BCS mix. No more Final 4's. No more NOLA Bowl or Bayou Classic. Like it or not, the Saints allow the Dome to host all of these other events. When looked at in a larger context, this deal is good for the state.