SOTU address and Super Bowl are both National Special Security Events less than 1 week apart

[EffieBlack]

Even in normal times, two such events less than a week apart are an incredible strain on our security apparatus and resources. But in a government shutdown, it's a nightmare.

Although it's unlikely the Super Bowl would be cancelled except under the most critical circumstances, I suspect that, if the average America had to choose between cancelling the Super Bowl for security reasons and postponing the SOTU address over similar concerns, they would definitely choose the latter.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. My wife and daughter are travelling to Mexico Saturday.

I hate all this happening now.

Between the danger on the ground there, the danger purposely presented in the skies by putin and his puppet, I am not happy.

[CloudWatcher]

2. Super Bowl security

Does the NFL pay for this security? I'd hate for even more tax dollars to be used for it. Yeah, saying I'm no fan of football is putting it rather mildly.

And Pelosi should have told Trump to just tweet his SOTU.

[LanternWaste]

3. Security for Super Bowl is provided free of charge to NFL by the community.

When a city signs on to host the Super Bowl, it agrees to a stipulation from the NFL that security for both the game and pregame venues will be provided by the local community, regional governments, etc. at no cost to the NFL.

My best guess for security cost this years is (low-balling) $7 million to $12 million.

[EffieBlack]

4. They chip in, but don't pay for all or even most of it

I'm fine with that. Major events like this are far beyond the capability of a private entity to pay. And much of the cost - including salaries - are already being paid by the government whether they're working the event or doing something else and it would be impossible to do an accounting and bill for these kinds of fungible costs.

I want people to be safe and that's largely a responsibility of the government, so I don't mind, as a taxpayer, paying for security for large events like this - and I certainly feel much better about everyone's safety when security is coordinated by federal, state and local law enforcement rather than privately hired security.

[FSogol]

5. +1. Totally agree. n/t

[CloudWatcher]

6. NFL made $8 Billion in 2017

Given the profits the NFL is making, I find it difficult to believe they can't pay their fair share of security costs.

NFL made billions

For a non-profit function, I'm all for paying for security with taxes. But ... the NFL hardly needs our financial support.

[EffieBlack]

7. They pay a share and it ain't cheap

But all of the costs aren't theirs. For example, much of the security is for events connected to Super Bowl weekend but not hosted by the NFL.

But most of the costs can't easily be paid for or reimbursed by a private entity - for example, extra TSA and ATC personnel to handle the larger volume of travelers.

And I don't want security for large events to be determined by how much a private organization can pay. I'm glad that our government provides for the safety of the general population - that's a main part of the job and why we pay taxes in the first place. And not complaining about it as if it's coming out of my paycheck and thinking that if only someone else paid for it, I'd get to keep more of my money is one of the things that makes me not a Republican.

[Blue_true]

8. I agree completely. nt

[MineralMan]

9. Super Bowl, eh? Good time for a 4-day

Sick out by TSA and ATC workers, I think, if the shutdown doesn't end. Yeah...