Should U.S. cancel New Year's celebrations this year re: tsunami ?

[itzamirakul]

I heard on the news that Sweden, China and several other countries are cancelling the major celebrations that were planned to bring in the New Year out of respect to the thousands whod died in the terrible tragedy resulting from the tsunami.

I know that to suggest that we in the U.S. should do the same is a moot point. There is nothing other than a repeat of 911 that will stop the celebration in Times Square. It is a major tourist draw and big money-maker. Colin Powell is scheduled to pull the switch and I am wondering if he will still show up to this gala event where nearly 1 million people will gather to party together.

I live within blocks of Times Square...I won't be there...

What do you think?

[rooboy]

1. No.

the fact is that most of the money has already been spent in the planning of the thing. There's plenty of money in the world economy to look after 5 million people and have a fireworks show too.

[itzamirakul]

9. I guess it wasn't so much the money...

that I was really thinking about, but more, the loss of over 100,000lives so suddenly and tragically. From what I understand, nearly 1000 of those still missing are Americans.

Couple that with the 100,000 innocent Iraqis killed in Bush's war and that's a BUNCH of dead people to end the year with.

Maybe Powell will mention the tsunami victims just before he pulls the switch tonight. But, maybe not...after all, Murkans don't like to have their holidays interrupted with sad thoughts.

Should be a huge crowd...the weather in NYC is beautiful and there is only a slight chill in the air.

This is the 100th Anniversary of the Times Square celebration, so they are making a real big deal out of it.

[Skittles]

2. no

after this cruddy year we really need to celebrate the beginning of a new one. I know nothing will change overnight but symbolically I really need to see the end of this year with the usual fanfare. I don't go out but I enjoy watching those crazy people in Times Square on TV.

[Elise]

4. agreed

n/t

[Elise]

3. I don't know, but

Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany (so far) plan to fly flags at half-mast to start 2005 as a mark of respect for the tsunami tragedy.

We could certainly do that w/o disrupting Wall Street. (good grief, such priorities! :puke:)

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Good question...

Given the scale of the destruction and the unbelieveable loss of life, I personally think they should scale back the celebration.

[ktowntennesseedem]

6. I agree. Celebrations will go on anyway,

but it would be a powerful symbolic gesture to ask everyone to remember the tragedy in some way and voluntarily cut back on the partying.

[ClintonTyree]

7. No...........

they'll go ahead with it. Americans are too shallow to really care what happens half a world away, they won't let anything spoil their fun.
On a connected issue........we haven't heard any obligatory "terra" warnings about the celebration in Times Square! Must be with "*" "winning" re-election, the "terrists" have completely backed off from fear of the Cowboy. Either that or it's no longer necessary to have "terra" warnings since the election's over. The "*" fear factor isn't needed anymore. There has been a dearth of "terra" warnings since the election has passed. Wonder why? :shrug:

[itzamirakul]

8. On local news the only warnings are

to not wear backpacks to the Times Square celebration Cops will be posted everywhere and they will have electronic surveillance. Evidently they haven't had any "chatter" about pending attacks. Still...I always keep my fingers crossed that nothing happens.

[bklyncowgirl]

10. A somewhat more subdued celebration would be appropriate.

That's probably not going to happen although I don't think it will be as raucous as usual.

I think that trimming back Shrubs $40 million coronation might be an appropriate gesture, however.

[NJCher]

11. yes, it should be cancelled

Think about what is actually being celebrated: the beginning of a new year. We're here to celebrate and they're not. It seems incredibly insensitive to be rah-rah'ing when there is so much misery in the world. Everyone should take the money they intended to spend and send it to relief efforts.

We are talking about the probable loss of 100,000 people here and just as bad are all those still alive and suffering terribly from injuries.

What might be OK is private New Year's gatherings where we would hope that at least people get to talk about it.

I don't even see how anyone could feel like celebrating.


Cher

[itzamirakul]

12. Right...I know that I don't feel

much like celebrating after both the war and tsunami taken together. It just seems GROSS!

Oh, well...what do I know?

[Kahuna]

13. A "truly" Christian nation would. Afterall, things like

new years celebrations and even inauguration balls are vanity. And all good Christians know that God frowns upon vanity in a big way. Maybe Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson will remind their Christian flocks.--- Yeah, sher babe. What's the chance that THAT will happen. :puke:

[Truman01]

14. LIFE goes on. Even when something horrible has happened. nt

[itzamirakul]

15. It didn't "go on" after 911 happened. In fact...

it seemed to me that the whole world came to a complete halt.

[Truman01]

16. Then you sit at home and don't celebrate. nt

[itzamirakul]

17. Exactly! and you can...

do whatever you please.

I didn't post this to thought to encourage anyone to do anything they don't choose to do. Only to think about WHAT has happened in the world and how they FEEL about it.

I appreciate your thoughts. It takes all kinds.....

[Cherie59]

18. Yes, I do. What a nice gesture that would be.

[NJCher]

19. Looks like others are canceling

Prayers Replace Parties to Mark 2004's End

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041231/ap_on_re_as/world_new_year&cid=516&ncid=2337

By MARK BAKER, Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY, Australia - Prayers replaced parties to mark New Year's in much of Asia, and in Europe black cloth draped the Champs Elysees, as sorrow over the death and destruction from this week's quake and tsunamis overshadowed celebration.

In Sydney, Australia, fireworks lit up the glittering harbor at midnight — authorities had said it was too late to cancel the elaborate festivities — but the thoughts of many were with the victims around the Indian Ocean.

Many of the estimated 1 million revelers in Sydney marked a moment of silence for the victims before the fireworks began. There were appeals for contributions to a massive relief effort, and aid agency Oxfam said donations had surpassed its expectations.

"(The tsunami) is on the back of everyone's minds," British tourist Mark Stiles said. "You could tell people were a little more reverent tonight; it was kept in people's thoughts."


Cher