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.