Posted on 09/04/2005 8:43:27 AM PDT by gr8eman
Can anyone help with finding the statistics for how much money the city of New Orleans spends on Mardi Gras as opposed to disaster preparedness. I have been a freeper for some years now and this is my first vanity post. Please be kind!
That's an excellent question and welcome to Free Republic.
Someone will come along who knows the answer to your question.
And...how much do they gain? There should be quite a bit of wealth in that city, and where does it go?
I was pondering this and cannot find anything on an internet search. I have never been to Mardi Gras, but from what I heard it is a big celebration of freakdom masked as a religious ceremony. I am sure some freepers can enlighten me
The officials in New Orleans have also spent money on building a casino and improving the Convention Center. They haven't spent a cent on improving the levee system in years.
They keep saying it's Bush's fault, but they wouldn't take money THEY had and ask for matching federal grants...they wanted the feds to pay for the entire deal. That's not how it works.
As Gov. Edwin Edwards. I believe he is still rotting in jail for Federal charges of corruption.
I'll bet they spend as much as they can, including federal money earmarked for levee projects.
The money spent on parades and Mardi Gras parties, is private money. The city will cough up law enforcement, limited to the Quarter most of the time, street cleaning and trash disposal.
It's a two week party that culminates on Fat Tuesday which comes just before Ash Wendesday (and Lent, when the Catholics in the reigon give up something).
I tried to bring up the Cilil/Sheriff's budget but it won't load.
My guess is that tourism makes the Mardi Gras and anything else the city puts on self-funding.
Civil
Does the crime rate increase during Mardi Gras?
Looking from the outside in, it always appears to me to be a bit of "controlled anarchy" in it's own rite, so I was wondering if the crime rate increases at that time of year.
Well, there's an investment well made... Somehow I've got a feeling 5 days of urine (not to mention Geraldo hanging around) probably offset any improvements those funds would have yielded.
I don't know the answer to your question but...I would guess it is a BUNCH. Anyway, that said...welcome to Free Republic where knowledge is power. :)
I think the city makes money on Mardi gras in the form of taxes on hotels, liquor, etc.
Dems aren't to blame for the money spent to party. Dems aren't to be blamed for anything. Even to ask a question that might put dems in a bad light is wrong. Remember, it's Bush's fault. /Sarcasm off
LOL!!! Lent is when Catholics are supposed to fast, and no meat on Friday. We used to eat fish.
Lent based on the 40 days JESUS fasted in the desert .
The feast before fast is an old tradition in
various countries. Fat Tuesday Feast, Ash Wednesday (From old testament "sack cloth and ashes to repent")
is a "black fast day ,no meat ". Black fast doesn't mean blacks fast ,every catholic fasts.
The word carnival means "farewell to meat ".
Catholics are the only ones who keep lent as a commeration
of Christs suffering and death .
Mardi Gras has no corporate sponsors and is paid for by the city of New Orleans. There is a city ordinance that prohibits the use of the same float more than twice during the parade season. Mardi Gras parades have a standard order; although, not all parades follow that order. The standard order is: the parade lead by the captain (either on a float, on a horse, or in a convertible). The captain is followed by the officers, kings, queens, other royalty. Last, comes the title float and the float carriers. City officials toast the krewe royalty in front of Gallier Hall.
Mardi Gras also is celebrated in Rio de Janeiro; Cologne, Germany; and Venice, Italy.
Every float is sponsored by a club of sorts ,
the floats all have a Krew to operate it and display their motif It has evolved into a number of strange events and challenges .The various Krew's compete for best at stops along the way .people from balconies along the way cheer throw cheap gifts, beads and favors to the people on the floats and to the crowds .It is a serious affair to those competing for prizes and recognition .
New Orleans has always been an iffie place to live totally at the mercy of the major storms .
The city is like a bowl with its levies turned up like a bowl to be filled with water at any time .
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