The entire sporting world (well, except the LPGA, but they'll change their minds too) had cancelled their games for this weekend. Many think this is a no-brainer. Others argue that the sporting events could be useful in showing that life goes on in America, and could distract people from the carnage on the East Coast.

What do y'all think?

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Answers

I think that if there's even a remote possibility of danger, it's a no-brainer. A guy with a bomb in a packed stadium could do an immense amount of damage.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Considering all the bomb threats, the people arrested posing as flight crews, and the spotty attacks across the country, I think it would be foolish to make it any easier for anyone to kill a mass of Americans right now.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

OK, I posted that before the arrests at the NY airports, so the situation has changed somewhat.

I don't know. I'm glad they're not playing, because it made the athletes uncomfortable and it should be their call. But I wouldn't have thought the leagues selfish had they decided to play.

I found it interesting that even had the NFL decided to go ahead with this weekend's games, the Giants, Jets and Redskins -- the three teams at ground zero -- would not have played. That would have been idiotic. Not too many people here are talking about whether Jeff George whould be the starting quarterback right now.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

To clarify -- I mean making them play would have been idiotic.

Why I don't post at 2 a.m., Vol. I.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

For the professional teams there is also the issue of whether they could have reached the cities they needed to in order to play.

I understand the need for escapism but I'm glad these organizations are erring on the side of caution as well as making a statement of mourning and respect.

I do wonder what will happen with film grosses this weekend. With no sports and most of TV still covering the disaster, films are one of the few escape routes available. I think the grosses might be pretty high for films like American Pie 2 or Hardball, anything that is funny and not remotely related to violence or death or has a "feel good" message. (Although Hardball isn't half as feel good as the 'bad news bears meets the ghetto' ads would have you believe.) I think that movies like Rush Hour 2, Score, Musketeer, anything with violence and explosions will drop off because that doesn't really get you away from what is going on in the world.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

I think it's important to resume life, and soon, but I also think it's important to recognize that this is a more pervasive tragedy than others Americans have known - that is, so many people are suffering direct losses, rather than something like the indirect loss of President Kennedy (when Pete Rozelle was criticized for not cancelling the NFL's games).

The Atlanta networks interviewed Falcons coach Dan Reeves on Tuesday night. Coach Reeves was weeping, as he had lost a close friend in the tragedy. I can only imagine that NCAA and professional players and coaches across the country have suffered similar losses, and for that reason, I think it's wise to cancel all scheduled games.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

I don't know if anyone else heard this, but Mark McGwire (who has made some politically dicey comments in the past) ripped MLB for hesitating so long before cancelling the games. Because I stereotype jocks, I was impressed that he used the word "asinine."

I think there would be logistical issues anyway, especially with professional games. With college games there's at least a chance that the two schools are close enough to each other that air travel isn't needed.

I do hope they start again next week, and if they do, I guarantee you the hardest tickets in town will be the Yankees' and Mets' next home games. Especially the Yankees'.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

"I understand the need for escapism but I'm glad these organizations are erring on the side of caution as well as making a statement of mourning and respect"

This is the best way I have heard my feelings put into words.

It wasn't that I was so against play, it just seemed a bit soon until we are sure that we can handle any security risks that arise. Also, I do think that a mourning period is proper. I had a hard time reconciling the idea of a bunch of people cheering and eating popcorn, knowing that rescuers were still working, families were still searching and most of New York is still in a state of shock.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Maybe I just missed it, but any word when the NFL and MLB start up again?

Also - since the Ohio State vs. San Diego game was cancelled yesterday they held a telethon/memorial/service in Ohio Stadium. Any other universites/cities do this?

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

Anybody watch the Pirates/Mets game last night? I bet that was an emotional National Anthem.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Alabama is KICKING ASS for once. Wooo hoooo! Roll Tide.

Thank goodness. For at least the first half, I forgot our country could potentially go to war.

Ah, hell. Arkansas just scored. Siiiiiiiiiiiigh.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2001

We won by a million. I love it, love it, love it.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2001