Katrina-themed Christmas display taken down at Lakeside Mall

Chat about anything and everything... (well almost anything) Whether it be the front porch or the pot belly stove or news of interest or a topic of your liking, this is the place to post it.

Moderator: S2k Moderators

Message
Author
User avatar
sunny
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 7031
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:11 pm
Location: New Orleans

Katrina-themed Christmas display taken down at Lakeside Mall

#1 Postby sunny » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:02 pm

I mean, it is creative.

wwltv.com



Image
Lakeside Mall management told Frank Evans to dismantle a Katrina-themed Christmas display.


Lakeside Mall demands 'blue roof' Christmas display be taken down

07:31 AM CST on Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Stacey Plaisance / Associated Press

METAIRIE -- Frank Evans thought the tiny blue-tarped roofs, little toppled fences and miniature piles of hurricane debris he included in the Christmas display he builds every year for a suburban New Orleans shopping mall struck just the right humorous tone.

Mall management decided otherwise and told Evans, a landscape architect from nearby Gretna, to dismantle it.

"Although most people did enjoy the decorations, a few customers found the display to be in poor taste," said a statement issued Tuesday night by Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie.

Evans videotaped the display before dismantling it. The creation had sat since mid-November among a grand, more traditional display of gleaming Christmas trees, colorful gifts wrapped in holiday paper and Santa's elves on carousel horses.

Situated in a large open plaza in the heart of the mall, the display was 60 feet long, circled by a miniature train that children rode after sitting on Santa's lap. Plush stuffed animals sat atop hills with model trains running on tracks and through tunnels -- and a rescue helicopter circling above.

Bob and Jill Patin of Gentilly liked the "You Loot, We Shoot" graffiti on one of the ruined refrigerators.

"It's priceless," Jill Patin said. The couple, who are rebuilding their home that had wind and flood damage, came to the mall just to see the display, she said. And they weren't alone.

Kim Koster heard about it and brought her camera. "It's like putting Christmas lights up on your FEMA trailer. It just makes you feel better," said the Uptown New Orleans resident, whose home was inundated.

As children rode by on the motorized train, Ray Smith and his wife, Marcia, chuckled at the "Caution -- Operates Only in Good Weather" sign next to a model of a Jefferson Parish pumping station. It was a wry reference to a decision by Jefferson Parish president Aaron Broussard to evacuate pump operators before Katrina hit on Aug. 29, inundating the area.

"At times like this, you need a little humor," Ray Smith said.

Evans has long thrown political humor into his displays. "It's fun for the adults," he said.

When former Gov. Edwin Edwards was facing racketeering charges in 2000 (he's now serving a 10-year sentence) Evans' Christmas scene included a model of a federal prison with a sign that read: "Louisiana Politicians' Retirement Home." It also featured sharks walking upright carrying briefcases.

Following the 2000 presidential race, Evans included two model trains representing each candidate. "The Bush train crossed the finish line, and the Gore train was derailed," Evans said.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
0 likes   

Rainband

#2 Postby Rainband » Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:10 pm

Very poor taste and Bad judgement
0 likes   

User avatar
Tstormwatcher
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 3086
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:31 pm
Location: New Bern, NC

#3 Postby Tstormwatcher » Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:49 pm

I like it. Humor is the best medicine.
0 likes   

User avatar
HurryKane
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1941
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:08 pm
Location: Diamondhead, Mississippi

#4 Postby HurryKane » Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:04 pm

I thought it was funny. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate my FEMA roof into my Christmas decorations, myself.
0 likes   

User avatar
sunny
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 7031
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:11 pm
Location: New Orleans

#5 Postby sunny » Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:07 pm

The reactions here have been mixed as well. Some people are completely appalled, and others think it's humorous.
0 likes   

User avatar
brunota2003
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 9476
Age: 34
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:56 pm
Location: Stanton, KY...formerly Havelock, NC
Contact:

#6 Postby brunota2003 » Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:47 pm

its pretty funny, i kame up with the "You Loot, We Shoot" saying the day after Katrina when people were looting like crazy, taking tv's, dvd players, etc... I told my mom, we should send in the Marine Recon Snipers and if they werent taking items needed for survival, well, just read the saying... :uarrow: lol it would of kept order... oh, but first, to make it "legal" fly a helicopter over warning the residents of the "new law in town"...
0 likes   

User avatar
brunota2003
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 9476
Age: 34
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:56 pm
Location: Stanton, KY...formerly Havelock, NC
Contact:

#7 Postby brunota2003 » Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:48 pm

oh, its a shame they took it down...sigh... :x :cry:
0 likes   

User avatar
Lindaloo
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 22658
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2003 10:06 am
Location: Pascagoula, MS

#8 Postby Lindaloo » Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:49 pm

sunny wrote:The reactions here have been mixed as well. Some people are completely appalled, and others think it's humorous.


Heck it describes how Christmas is going to be this year. I see nothing wrong with it. We all have FEMA trailers to decorate. :D
0 likes   

Vandora
Tropical Storm
Tropical Storm
Posts: 198
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:21 am
Location: Miami-Dade (Kendall), FL
Contact:

#9 Postby Vandora » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:06 pm

Well, it's real-life, and sometimes you just have to see the humor in it. Otherwise, it's not so easy to live. :)

I'm assuming this guy went through it just like everyone else... Sure he didn't mean any harm, just showing it the way it is.

I'd wonder, if it were just a normal display, if people would be upset too, since some are about those celebrating Christmas?
0 likes   

User avatar
zoeyann
Category 2
Category 2
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 9:27 am
Location: Houma, Louisiana
Contact:

#10 Postby zoeyann » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:37 am

I think it is kind of neat. Really thats what it looks like all over the gulf south right now, no sense in trying to pretend everything is perfect when it isn't. I think it simply reflects the reality of the situation, and that everyone is doing there best to move on and celebrate within that new reality.
0 likes   

f5
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1550
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:29 pm
Location: Waco,tx

#11 Postby f5 » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:24 pm

Christmas is a time to be happy :D not to look back at destroyed homes by Katrina :cry:
0 likes   

User avatar
sunny
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 7031
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:11 pm
Location: New Orleans

#12 Postby sunny » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:26 pm

f5 wrote:Christmas is a time to be happy :D not to look back at destroyed homes by Katrina :cry:


lol - I look out of the window here on the 43rd floor - and it looks like a bunch of friggin IHOPS out there, nothing but blue-roofs. It a reality.
0 likes   

CajunMama
Retired Staff
Retired Staff
Posts: 10791
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2003 9:57 pm
Location: 30.22N, 92.05W Lafayette, LA

#13 Postby CajunMama » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:33 pm

You can thank the "few" that complained for having the display removed. I guess it doesn't matter if the majority didn't mind it...we have to cater to the "few".

Merry Christmas New Orleans...may the new year bring you much more happiness.
0 likes   

User avatar
zoeyann
Category 2
Category 2
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 9:27 am
Location: Houma, Louisiana
Contact:

#14 Postby zoeyann » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:02 pm

Christmas is a time to be happy not to look back at destroyed homes by Katrina


If things were normal I would agree, no use looking back. But blue roofs, debris on the curb, and nameless other problems are still the norm in most areas. You are right though Christmas is a time to be happy and most people I know are in the spirit in spite of the new normal. I think that is why I like the display. It shows that you do not have to forget how bad things are (that is impossible), to enjoy the good things that come along.
0 likes   

Brent
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 38117
Age: 37
Joined: Sun May 16, 2004 10:30 pm
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Contact:

#15 Postby Brent » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:18 pm

When I first heard about this, I thought "What the heck is the creator thinking" but seeing pictures... it's pretty funny. :lol:
0 likes   
#neversummer

f5
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1550
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:29 pm
Location: Waco,tx

#16 Postby f5 » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:21 pm

what counts is the victims of Katrina don't like it they were there so there must be reason why the don't like it compared to someone far away
0 likes   

Brent
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 38117
Age: 37
Joined: Sun May 16, 2004 10:30 pm
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Contact:

#17 Postby Brent » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:27 pm

f5 wrote:what counts is the victims of Katrina don't like it they were there so there must be reason why the don't like it compared to someone far away


Please read the article. There are people who lost everything in Katrina who find it funny.

"It's priceless," Jill Patin said. The couple, who are rebuilding their home that had wind and flood damage, came to the mall just to see the display, she said. And they weren't alone.

Kim Koster heard about it and brought her camera. "It's like putting Christmas lights up on your FEMA trailer. It just makes you feel better," said the Uptown New Orleans resident, whose home was inundated.
0 likes   
#neversummer

User avatar
zoeyann
Category 2
Category 2
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 9:27 am
Location: Houma, Louisiana
Contact:

#18 Postby zoeyann » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:34 pm

I don't know if your referring to me f5, I am sorry for the reeply if not, but I am not far away. Granted i was not as hard hit as NO, but trust me I have wind damage from Katrina, and had water in my house and buisness for Rita. I was not trying to offend anyone, I was just pointing out that many people are living with the aftermath everyday. No point in pretending your not just because it is Chistmas, and very proud of those people who are celebrating the holidays and finding the joy of the season when it has been a rough year.
0 likes   

User avatar
sunny
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 7031
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:11 pm
Location: New Orleans

#19 Postby sunny » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:44 pm

The person who called and told me about it while she was laughing, lost everything. Her house was under 15 feet of water for weeks. She thought the display was hysterical
0 likes   

f5
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1550
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:29 pm
Location: Waco,tx

#20 Postby f5 » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:21 pm

Brent wrote:
f5 wrote:what counts is the victims of Katrina don't like it they were there so there must be reason why the don't like it compared to someone far away


Please read the article. There are people who lost everything in Katrina who find it funny.

"It's priceless," Jill Patin said. The couple, who are rebuilding their home that had wind and flood damage, came to the mall just to see the display, she said. And they weren't alone.

Kim Koster heard about it and brought her camera. "It's like putting Christmas lights up on your FEMA trailer. It just makes you feel better," said the Uptown New Orleans resident, whose home was inundated.


talk about lost everything the folks in mississippi have nothing but a white slab i wonder what they would think of it.i can't believe some people who find lost funny.I don't think homestead residents were laughing after Andrew demolished their homes
0 likes   


Return to “Off Topic”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests