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Dear America
09/09/05

Posted on 09/09/2005 6:39:13 PM PDT by Ellesu

Dear America, I suppose we should introduce ourselves: we're South Louisiana.

We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.

And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.

First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.

We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it.

Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.

We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.

You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.

We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.

But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town. Everybody loves their home, we know that.

But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.

Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?

We can't really explain that. It is what it is.

You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.

The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.

We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.

When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.

But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something.

OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.

But what the hell.

And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.

So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.

That is our promise. That is our faith.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: louisianans

1 posted on 09/09/2005 6:39:17 PM PDT by Ellesu
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To: Ellesu
My Dear,

You're not neighbors, you're family. Those of you in Texas welcome and enjoy your stay. OH and I don't think you talk funny or eat strange things. Then again one part of my family is named Mouton, Hebert, Rousseau and DuPre
2 posted on 09/09/2005 6:47:24 PM PDT by HoustonCurmudgeon (Houston Astrodome - Compassionate Conservatism at work!)
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To: Ellesu
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.

If you come to Missouri, we'll probably tell you anyway, figuring it'd be a shame to see you have to go home without getting to lay into at least one good handful.

3 posted on 09/09/2005 6:47:38 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: HoustonCurmudgeon

LOl. Thank You.


4 posted on 09/09/2005 6:59:16 PM PDT by Ellesu (www.thedeadpelican.com)
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To: Ellesu

Wonderful post, Ellesu!
BTTT!


5 posted on 09/09/2005 7:01:09 PM PDT by LA Woman3 (On election day, they were driven to the polls...On evacuation day, they had to fend for themselves)
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To: Ellesu
maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times

One of my waybacks musta taken a raft trip down your way at some point and had that part rub off on 'em cuz I'm afflicted too !

Fine post, E - and much thanks for all your updates during this mess !    :-)

6 posted on 09/09/2005 7:12:57 PM PDT by tomkat
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To: Ellesu

Welcome to Texas; Just don't put ketchup on your steak, and we'll all get along fine. ;-)


7 posted on 09/09/2005 7:13:31 PM PDT by LongElegantLegs ("Nuthin' ain't worth nuthin', but it's free.")
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To: Ellesu

Since my family comes from La, Mother and grandmother born there, and I still have family there, I don't think anything you say or eat is strange! I was raised with it! :-)


8 posted on 09/09/2005 7:15:11 PM PDT by ladyinred (It is all my fault okay?)
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To: Ellesu

Well, we Texans are pretty laid back...so extra plates on the table are just fine with us...we don't mind adding a steak or burger on the grill...and brisket feeds a lot of people...

I think that a lot of Texans have spent a portion of time in NO...so we are just returning the visit...my son has gone to Mardi Gras twice, and his best friends family lives in NO...they are here in Dallas right now...they evacuated.

Please just know that what those snotty dems from the NE may say about the redneck riviera and other southern jokes..

have all been told ABOUT us...so in that respect, we can emphathize with YA'LL!

BTW, you should either start a paper, or write a book, you are a great writer, and post some terrific articles...


9 posted on 09/09/2005 7:25:40 PM PDT by Txsleuth
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To: LA Woman3

Thanks, but I can't take credit for it, it was emailed to me, don't know who wrote it.


10 posted on 09/09/2005 7:28:57 PM PDT by Ellesu (www.thedeadpelican.com)
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To: Ellesu
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Louisiana folks are very simply - marvelous. :o)

11 posted on 09/09/2005 7:43:20 PM PDT by NautiNurse (The task before us is enormous, but so is the heart of America.)
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To: Ellesu

We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.



Isn't that the only way to live?


12 posted on 09/09/2005 7:47:39 PM PDT by donovyns_mom
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To: donovyns_mom
Certainly not, but unfortunately in Louisiana a lot of folks do just that. Some people are highly educated, go to work, pay attention to the news and politics yet know how to party when the time is right. Then there are those that can't tell you who they voted for or name their local reps. The let the good times roll mentality is not prevalent in all here, it's not a blanket statement for all of us, but in enough that several of us have began voting with our feet. Myself included.
13 posted on 09/09/2005 7:56:10 PM PDT by Ellesu (www.thedeadpelican.com)
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To: Ellesu
What I meant is about it being the only way to live is laughing too loudly, dancing when there is no music, pretty much everything (except for the drinking at funerals) is the only way to live life because some people take themselves too seriously. Everyone I've met from LA since Hurricane Katrina have been highly educated and lovely to talk with. What I took out of that quote is don't take yourself too seriously, act goofy, and cherish every minute of your life. Like you said, party when the time is right.
14 posted on 09/10/2005 7:11:54 AM PDT by donovyns_mom
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