The Power of Sports on a City a Community

[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.

[MetryCajun]

_ 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 get the hatred. New Orleans is poorly run city, who squanders its opportunites for advancement. That said, there are very few places in the US like it. Drop a person off on Ambassador Caffery and he could guess any number of US cites he was in. They all look the same! Target, Lowes, Chili's & Wallgreens on every corner. New Orleans is truly a unique American city. In my book,that make it a special place and something to be proud of.

[cajunhawk]

_ I get the hatred. New Orleans is poorly run city, who squanders its opportunites for advancement. That said, there are very few places in the US like it. Drop a person off on Ambassador Caffery and he could guess any number of US cites he was in. They all look the same! Target, Lowes, Chili's & Wallgreens on every corner. New Orleans is truly a unique American city. In my book,that make it a special place and something to be proud of. _

I agree that New Orleans is a truly unique american city. And yes it has its problems. But when you look at New Orleans its a microcosm of the entire state of Louisiana. There is no place like it in the world, people love to come here, but being a resident and watching everything that goes on, Im just sick and tired of the political machines ruining this state the way they ruined New Orleans. Super Bowl or better roads. You choose. Saints staying in New Orleans or better education including more funds for higher education. You choose. Maybe my anger over how the state wastes money on frivilous things when our entire infrastructure is equal to Florida and Texas in the 60's made me lash out at New Orleans, I dont hate the nolia that much, I just wish they would get their act together just like the state. New Orleans was my whipping boy, if I offended anyone Im sorry, my opinion of the Saints and the oil industry remain. Sorry I just dont have any give on those subjects.

[DestinCajun]

I get the hatred. New Orleans is poorly run city, who squanders its opportunites for advancement. That said, there are very few places in the US like it. Drop a person off on Ambassador Caffery and he could guess any number of US cites he was in. They all look the same! Target, Lowes, Chili's & Wallgreens on every corner. New Orleans is truly a unique American city. In my book,that make it a special place and something to be proud of. _

I cannot argue that but it is certainly not alone or terribly unusual.

I'm not a native but both my sons were born there and my years there were great fun. I got to see and do a lot. I have many relatives and old friends in NO.

Many of the best Cajun fans outside Lafayette are from NO (refer to this forum for examples).

A couple of months ago I played the newly renovated Lakewood Golf Course. The pricey renovation was funded by the local fire firefighters union. As we pulled up to the 18th tee box a fire truck just happened to be coming by on Gen DeGaulle. The driver blew the truck's horn several times and all on board gave us big "thumbs up's" in thanks for coming out and playing their course. They touched me.

If you are curious about the renovation - A FANTASTIC JOB!!!

Mardi Gras, the Jazz Festivals, Suger Bowls, the list is endless.

And then for NO to get the 2013 Super Bowl, well it just shows you what those out of state folks see.

[Cajunsmike]

_ I agree that New Orleans is a truly unique american city. And yes it has its problems. But when you look at New Orleans its a microcosm of the entire state of Louisiana. There is no place like it in the world, people love to come here, but being a resident and watching everything that goes on, Im just sick and tired of the political machines ruining this state the way they ruined New Orleans. Super Bowl or better roads. You choose. Saints staying in New Orleans or better education including more funds for higher education. You choose. Maybe my anger over how the state wastes money on frivilous things when our entire infrastructure is equal to Florida and Texas in the 60's made me lash out at New Orleans, I dont hate the nolia that much, I just wish they would get their act together just like the state. New Orleans was my whipping boy, if I offended anyone Im sorry, my opinion of the Saints and the oil industry remain. Sorry I just dont have any give on those subjects. _

Your opinion of the oil industry remains but you have no facts to back up your view, simply emotion.