Posted on 02/13/2006 8:40:05 AM PST by presidio9
New Orleans' first parade since Hurricane Katrina rolled through chilly French Quarter streets Saturday night, greeted warmly by cheering crowds embracing the spirit of Carnival in a flood-damaged city.
Powered by brass bands and mule-drawn floats, costumed members of the Krewe du Vieux parade organization tossed beads and toys to spectators, drinking cold beer or hot coffee.
Locally renown for its adult humour and biting satire, the "krewe's" brightly lighted floats poked fun at the government's handling of the worst natural disaster in US history.
"Buy us back, Chirac!" begged the sign on one float, which featured a man costumed as a French artist trying to "escape" from a tall plastic case.
Some spectators missed the historical reference to France's sale of New Orleans to the United States, in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Others laughed and clamoured for "Buy Us Back, Chirac!" bumper stickers.
"Since the federal government isn't taking care of us, our best strategy may be to sell Louisiana back to France and hope that President (Jacques) Chirac and the French Government can do a better job," joked Keith Twitched, a spokesman for the Krewe du Vieux.
The parade's overall theme "C'est Levee" took aim at the US Army Corps of Engineers. The federal agency has admitted failing to adequately maintain the city's protective levee system, which Katrina punctured on August 29, flooding most of the city.
Hundreds drowned; thousands were rescued and tens of thousands were displaced. Looting, fires and deprivation followed. An acute lack of housing and healthcare persist. The city is still less than half of its pre-Katrina population of 460,000.
At the parade, however, the shivering crowds seemed to enjoy the respite of the krewe's dark humour. One float titled "The 'Corpse' of Engineers presents: 'A Day at the Breach'" showed water cascading over a levee with two beach chairs in front of it.
Another float 'LEWDers Gone Wild!' suggested a city happily consumed by sexual appetites, rather than by post-Katrina looters.
Jimmy Roberts, 50, a native New Orleanian smiled widely as spectators and revellers danced to the pulsating music of the brass bands. Roberts, a vending machine service operator, wore a necklace of silver stars he caught from a krewe member. "Life is good," he said. "I feel sorry for the people who can't come back."
The Krewe du Vieux is the only one of the 34 Carnival parade organizations in New Orleans that still uses mule-drawn floats.
Because of its small size, the krewe also is the only Carnival parade allowed to march through the French Quarter, says Carnival historian Errol Laborde. "I love this parade," Laborde said. "This is what the early Mardi Gras parades must have been like in the early 1800s, when small bands of people marched in the streets."
Krewe du Vieux parades a week before the beginning of the Carnival season as defined by city ordinances, Laborde said. "Technically, it's not a 'Carnival' parade. But it's one of the greatest parades in terms of capturing the true spirit of Carnival."
Maybe New Orleans could be bought by Mugabe. Nagin wants a Chocolate city.
"Yeah, New Orleans - keep on endearing yourselves to the rest of America."
Heh, I only live 200 miles from New Orleans, and I'm never going back. Early on, I came out in the city defense as far as rebuilding, etc. Now I say screw 'em. After all I've heard coming from that city, post-Katrina, they can keep that French-mocha hell-hole.
Why not to sell New Orleans to Dutch? They know well how to build dams and levees as their own country is below the sea level.
France buying back New Orleans would raise the quality of both.
Another thing that would happen: It would probably repopulate with people from former French colonies, the kind that are causing all the problems in the ghettos in France, with riots, the burning of cars, etc.
I wonder what the cost of NO would be? If I had the money, II'd buy it and kick all of them out.
So New Orleans surrendered to the French?
Yes indeedy - and we would tell them from the current inhabitants...how?
For outraged Cajuns, I'm only joking...
Canada needs a warm province and a little more diversity and multiculturism.
For such a multiculti country Canada is way too bland and way too cold.
I didnt know the government was supposed to be your nanny forever going forward?
""Since the federal government isn't taking care of us, our best strategy may be to sell Louisiana back to France and hope that President (Jacques) Chirac and the French Government can do a better job," joked Keith Twitched, a spokesman for the Krewe du Vieux."
Why? We will be more than happy to let the french take you back for free.
Nay! Do you really want the Frogs controlling the mouth of the Mississippi?
They would have to have both the military might and determination to control it. Unless immigrants have improved the gene pool I don't think that is much of an eventuality.
I see that Mardi Gras, its history of satire and political humor are lost on some.
Hate to spoil the hatred for NOLA, but the US already spilled tons of blood to keep NOLA and its Southern brethren in the fold. They aren't going anywhere. And nor should they. They are Americans, and have more than contributed their fair share of arts, culture and natural resources to this great nation. The US would not have won WWII without NOLA resident Andrew J, Higgins, for example. And that's according to Ike Eisenhower himself in his memoirs.
Like you, much of NOLA is sick of the corruption and laziness. I should know... I was born and raised there. The city has seen better days, but forced integration (thanks Uncle Sam) and federal handouts to and quotas for minorities have not helped. I would also note, the majority of the city itself (not the total metro area, where rebuilding is underway and where you don't hear about from the media) is black and democrat. The rational working class conservative folks like us left decades ago for Mandeville, other suburbs or, like me, to other Southern states.
But how quickly you suggest cutting loose NOLA is troubling to me. My family has been there since the mid 1800s. And my family has shed blood for this country, as recently as Vietnam. We have as much a right to be proud Americans as you do, and I love my hometown AND my cuontry. Suggesting we New Orleanians are not even worth selling to France -- despicable talk. You should be ashamed of yourselves by generalizing an entire population based on the small bunch of whining Dems and blacks in NOLA.
No you must definitely are NOT the only one. Almost everyone is sick of New Orleans.
You start your lengthy rant proclaiming NOLA's history of satire and political humor, then read one or two sentences posts on this ridiculous thread and take them so seriously. And you wonder why people suggest we give you back to France.
Take Nagin and Blanco along with the Ville de Chocolat
I second it.
"Suggesting we New Orleanians are not even worth selling to France -- despicable talk."
Whether you are worth selling to France or not, would depend on the selling price - i.e. on how much the US will have to pay to close the deal...
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