Greeting Carnival

     No, not carnival as in Mardi Gras, but Carnival as in the huge cruise ship Triumph that is headed for Mobile and should arrive on Thursday. The passengers have gone without the most basic amenities, showers, hot food, a place to sleep.
     There is a great opportunity here for Alabama and Mobile. Greet these 4,000+ passengers and crew with open arms, make them thank Alabama for turning their vacation on the ship from hell into a vacation in heavenly Alabama.
     Free lodging for a night or two at area hotels....discounts to area restaurants and free souvenirs...free transportation to the great Gulf Shores beaches....free transit to area airports.....they won't be hard to please after what they've gone through on the ship, after all.
     Let them go home wishing they had chosen Alabama as a vacation spot.
     The publicity it would get can't be bought.
     The good will it would buy would be invaluable.
     And then make a call to Carnival Cruise Lines about returning a ship to the empty cruise terminal permanently.. make this disaster a Triumph for Alabama!