Stephen Colbert ideas!

Laurie

You’re probably right about people being here if at all possible. This is proven by Centralia, PA where people still live in spite of a scary-ass underground mine fire. But really, how Twilight Zone-esc is that?!?

I wonder if those people are overheard telling each other they’ll never leave? that things are getting better? that the city will make a comeback?

I know its a totally different situation, if for no other reasons than pure numbers, but it sure gives me pause. At some point there was a threshold in Centralia where people were facing the decision to stay or go….holding onto hope…not wanting to give up. And in that little microcosm, much like I’ve seen in myself being in nola after the storm, you can lose perspective and without something to jolt you out of it, it sure is possible to make rotten decisions.

We’re no where near the circumstance of being down to triple or double digit populations but that line is out there somewhere. I guess I like the idea of being aware of that as a point of reference. Because as much as I don’t want to believe it could happen here…a couple of back to back seasons like 2005, however unlikely, is still all it would take to really put us right on that line.

I don’t like the idea of looking back and saying, ‘I want things to be like they were’ because it’s a moving target depending on the issue at hand. But there’s a stark line in the sand where things can go that there will be no coming back. I feel a lot better the more we move away from that. It’s kind of a uncomfortable, but it may just be a healthier perspective – at least it gives you a place to measure from – somewhere to hook that little metal tab on the end of the measuring tape that won’t ever move.

lol…an imaginary red stick in the ground (Baton Rouge) might serve as a good marker. HA!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo%2C_Louisiana

“Often a ghost town will still have significant art and architecture…Some ghost towns are tourist attractions…This is especially true of those that preserve interesting architecture. Visiting, writing about, and photographing them is a minor industry.”

I’m not saying it could realistically happen here in the foreseeable future really. And I’m certainly not suggesting it should ever happen here. I guess I’m just saying, for such a strange little thought, I sure found out some shit I would have never guessed. Maybe I’m the Pollyanna…lol

And don’t let the assholes get you down.

:)