I'll bet you a dollar that the next Mardi Gras will be a REAL party

[WilliamPitt]

Sounding a hopeful note here.

The city of New Orleans is in the midst of a horror. The injured must be cared for, the threatened must be saved, the dead must be buried, the damage must be repaired.

All of this will happen. Call me quirky, but I have enormous faith in the power of ordinary people to overcome horrid adversity. It has happened thousands of time in our human history.

I also know a bit about New Orleans, and I think when Mardi Gras comes around again, these people are going to THROW DOWN as a celebration of life in defiance of disaster.

Call it a hunch.

[tavalon]

1. It's a fair hunch, I'd say n/t

[Imagevision]

61. you can forget the next mardi gras, that's for sure...>

It has happened thousands of time in our human history. name one with this magnitude (if you've seen the pics of l;atest devastation)

[MuseRider]

2. If they are able

to recover some and rebuild some it will be a party not to miss.

I too have that faith, it is always the ordinary people who rise to the occasion.

[Cleita]

3. They will probably go through the pain of rebuilding their

city and their lives and yes a good party after all is done would be expected and welcome.

[fishwax]

4. That's a nice thought

And I bet your hunch is right :)

[NashVegas]

5. I Was Thinking the Same Thing

If you can find a hotel to take reservations, I bet you could get a good deal, too.

I've been to Carnival in NO once. The TV stories emphasize the debauchery, but if you go in person, you get a huge, HUGE, eye-opener. These people love their city, their history, and they love hosting a party for the whole world.

[jus_the_facts]

6. Heh....remains to be seen...

....if the recovery will be complete by Feb...doubt there'll be many in a party mood for a long time here....GODDAMMT!!! :eyes:

[jus_the_facts]

13. Did you ever consider THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS......

...and the repercussions of what's gonna happen with all that comes and goes through there??? The impact hasn't even begun and Mardi Gras is the LAST thing on anyone's mind around here. :rant:

[Imagevision]

64. It'll be more then a year to just get the water out if they do that!

[Beelzebud]

7. I was in New Orleans earlier this summer. And I'd have to agree.

I will be going there next year too. I imagine they will be needing the tourism dollar very bad.

New Orleans is a great city. The people are the most laid back people I've ever had the pleasure of being around.

It is truely horrific what has happend, but give it time. I do give us Americans credit for this: In times of disaster we really do set aside the bullshit, and rally around each other.

The people of New Orleans are going to have a difficult time ahead, but I agree. When it's all done, there is going to be a party in New Orleans that makes the regular Marty Graus look lame in comparison. :D


On a side note. I was in NYC for News Years in 2001. It was great standing in Times Square, fearless, showing the world that we can not be silenced.

For all the partisan bullshit that American politics has, when the shit hits the fan, the American people prevail. We always have. We always will.

[MuseRider]

9. I have never been

to Mardi Gras but someone in our family if not all of us are usually at the Jazz Festival. This year would be a terrific year for all of us to go when or if we can to spend our money and help them out.

I agree with you, some of the nicest people in the world and so proud of their city and their heritage.

[belle]

59. I truly regret I never did get down there to visit. As soon as it's open

for business again, I'm making it a point to do so.

[annabanana]

8. Dionysus will rule the day for sure...

Nobody parties like the soul weary.

[htuttle]

10. They might have to hold it in Baton Rouge this year, though

I'll be very impressed if the city is fully inhabitable again by next spring.

[proud patriot]

11. I hope I can be there for that party

I've not been to Mardi Gras before .

I have read so much Anne Rice that I've come
as close as one can to experiencing New Orleans
without actually being there .

people will persevere

[JanMichael]

12. Where will they hold it, Kansas City?

I imagine it'll be a while before large numbers of tourists can resume getting fat drunk and obnoxious.

It's an infrastructure problem now.

[pointblank]

14. I was in New Orleans for Hurricane Lili in '02

and I was there for Labor Day in '01...and although it wasn't Mardi Gras, it was sure one helluva party. The streets were packed and I cannot compare the atmosphere to anywhere else I have ever been...amazing!!! The people there are great.

Here's a big toast to the people of New Orleans, and the whole Gulf Coast for that matter...May you find the strength to come out of this stronger than before...I have a lot of of fond memories thanks to you, and I want nothing more to share good times with you again.

(holding back tears)


:toast: :beer:

[donsu]

15. that's a wishful dream - get a grip

nt

[faithfulcitizen]

16. who the hell can think about partying while people are still dying? nt

[WilliamPitt]

17. Me

There is always hope. Go find some.

[faithfulcitizen]

19. hope and inappropriate optimism are very different things

[NashVegas]

21. Pardon Me

But perhaps you should consider changing your nick to remove the 'faithful' part.

[faithfulcitizen]

22. I have faith & I have hope that many will be rescued before it's too

late. However, at THIS time, i'd be slow to join in on a rockin' party, k dude?

[jus_the_facts]

23. Just ignore the smarmy fucks....the repercussions of all this....

...haven't even begun to materialize...hopefully they'll remember these statements when the repercussions of this tragedy ala the Port of New Orleans being shut down...becomes a factor in their lives....HOPEFULLY! :(

[NashVegas]

39. Fair Enough

But have you ever been to Carnival?

Contrary to Good Morning America and whatever else you get to see on the tube, it's not all tits-for-beads and fucking in the street.

The biggest part of Mardi Gras, that you don't get from the TV is the civic heritage of this great city. Its pride in itself and its history. Its love of opening its arms for two weeks of hospitality to the world.

Consider the stereotypical NO brass band funeral and understand this city knows how to celebrate in part because it knows how to mourn.

If there is a Carnival in 2006, they'll want you there.

[jus_the_facts]

42. I've lived in Louisiana all my life....

....don't need any education on Mardi Gras..THANKS!

[belle]

60. That's the whole fucking point of a party, Sunny Jim. Life in the midst

of death.

[faithfulcitizen]

68. party on Rainy Bob!

:party:

[jus_the_facts]

20. I'm sure you'd sing a different tune if it was your beloved Boston.....

...in the same perdicament...damn. :(

[WilliamPitt]

26. I'm sure I would, too

And I think I'd like to hear a few words of hope from somewhere.

I meant no offense.

[jus_the_facts]

30. I took offense because the shit storm of repercussions.....

...hasn't even begun to be realized...martial law has been inacted and the entire city of New Orleans is polluted beyond comprehension and water is STILL pouring in from the breached levees..the Port of New Orleans is shut down and that's going to hurt in ways that nobody seems to be taking into consideration in light of the massive impact to the economy....sorry but I doubt there will be any celebrations goin' on down here for a long time...if there are it'll be to mask the depression that'll most assuredly befall the poor and wealthy alike...they're all in the same *boat* now so to speak.

S'difficult not to take offense...my nerves are shredded and hope is an illusion at this point...as it has been for the last 5 years ...now this piled on top of everything else...sigh...it crushes the soul on so many more levels. :cry:

[WilliamPitt]

32. I apologize

It occurred to me that we have lived so long under leadership that does nothing but ply our worst fears and emotions. I was attempting to inject a little hope. I'm sorry if I failed to do it properly, or was inappropriate in nay way.

[jus_the_facts]

36. Thanks Will....

....apology accepted. :hug:

[EVDebs]

52. Port of New Orleans ... all that activity in world's 3rd largest port

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans.htm

"New Orleans is the largest port in the United States and the third largest in the world. It is an extremely busy shipping terminal that handles vessels with drafts to 40 ft as well as a multitude of smaller vessels engaged in a variety of marine transportation and service activities. River barge traffic is particularly evident as New Orleans is the southern terminus of the Mississippi River navigation system."

that activity will have to be re-routed. So what appears to be happening to 'globalization' is that you'll have to wait to buy your imported Chinese-manufactured goods...or buy from more locally made sources. The port of Long Beach had fifty ships waiting in line awhile back according to the papers, our trade deficit is so bad.

[Beelzebud]

18. Because I needed a break from my tears................

[progmom]

24. You talking February 2006?

Have you seen the pictures, Will?

[theboss]

27. That's five months

They should be ready to go by then.

Frankly, Bourbon Street always looks like it was just underwater anyway.

[progmom]

38. yeah. right.

:eyes:

[GumboYaYa]

25. Let's hope you are correct.

New Orleanians have a fun loving spirit that is matched by no other. I hope some of that survives the storm, but all I see now is death, destruction and a worsening disaster.

Right now, I am worried about whether there will be any place left to hold Mardi Gras.

[Spider Jerusalem]

28. More like a wake.

Around eighty percent of the city under several feet of water; buildings still standing prone to subsidence and undermining of foundations; power gone, levees breached. no way to get the water out for probably months, because all the pumping stations are now submerged; city government evacuating; an untold number of dead and missing...and most of the city is probably going to be fit for condemnation if and when they finally reverse the flooding. These things do not inspire hopeful optimism.

I hope you're right, but if I were a betting man I wouldn't put money on it.

[jus_the_facts]

31. don't forget the Port of New Orleans being shut down as well......

....that will be felt globally...a depression will begin to become reality sooner rather than later. :(

[Spider Jerusalem]

34. That, too...

not to mention the fact that about ten percent of America's gasoline refining capacity is now out of commission, and dozens of offshore oil rigs are lost...major hit to the petroleum industry in LA (which might just be the proverbial straw that breaks the US economy's back)...

[tavalon]

40. New Orleans understands wakes like nobody else

Mardi Gras may well be a wake, but it will be a party of a wake. Unless the decision is made to not rebuild (won't likely happen) they will party at Mardi Gras because it is life affirming and these Nawlin's folk are a strong people.

[Atlas Mugged]

29. That's already hit me

The best Mardis Gras - EVER - was the one during the police strike back in the early 80's.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

33. Unless they get rid of the water, they'll be celebrating from rafts.

[tavalon]

41. And they would do that

The only thing that will stop them is if the city is permanently closed which is something I doubt.

But between here and there is an awful lot of watery hell.

[enigmatic]

35. A fucking party?

There's not going to be any fucking party if they are still trying to rebuild the levees and and the city.

Thier are people dying in the city right now; I'd rather they get rescuced and those who have lost everything et some help to try to at least have their lives put back together before there are any "parties".

The water is still rising. NOLA is not going to be functional for weeks, probably months. Let's think about that first.

[tavalon]

43. It isn't about the party

It's a reaffirmation and a wake and the folks of NOLA understand that intimately.

But yes, we do need to focus on the now.

I really don't think Will was advocating not focusing on the now but was commenting on the resilience of these people. And he is right.

[Booster]

37. I have a powerful belief in the people of New Orleans, one of my

very favorite cities. I just might decide to join them this year in Mardi Gras and spend some money there - a lot of money.

[pointblank]

44. Thats what I'm sayin...

and everyone on this thread who is bad mouthing the thread starter needs to chill out...he was just trying to inject some optimism into a horrible tragedy...I...We are all grieving with The victims of this and I dont think some hopeful thoughts about all of the good times had in these areas and the hope of more in the future is going to hurt to be TALKED about..You people sound like the 'religious' right Janet Jackson's titty censor police for crying out loud.

Everyone is aware of the death and the destruction and the need to rescue people...We are just helpless to do anything about it except give money and blood....Threads like these are needed more IMO.

[darkism]

45. Thank you, Will Pitt.

I have no doubt that the people of NOLA will recover in plenty of time to have a hell of a party in Februrary.

To the naysayers...you underestimate the human spirit that has allowed us to prosper as a civilization for millenia.

The damage will be repaired. The lost will be mourned...and life will go on.

[expatriate]

46. I understand what you're trying to do

but as someone who is frantic about a mentally ill relative who is stranded in New Orleans, and who has no ability to contact them and precious little news about them, I find speculating about what a kick ass Mardi gras will follow this disaster just far too painful.

If you want to interject hope, why not give information about how people can help? As a journalist, you should have the connections and information available to do that.

[Swamp Rat]

47. Yeah you rite! ... Laissez le bon temps roule!

My beautiful city... the soul of the USA. :cry:

[elare]

48. We're split here

My husband thinks they'll do Mardi Gras; I keep watching the TV and expressing doubt. I do hope they can pull it off though ... Mardi Gras in NO is a wonderful experience.

[HadItUpToHere]

49. i didn't think that they buried the dead in new orleans-

aren't they mostly above-ground crypts?

[Tallison]

55. A friend mentioned this tradition

What's up with it, do you know?

[HadItUpToHere]

56. it has to do with the height of the water table-

i've been to several carribean islands where they do the same thing.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

50. I'm with you on this one, Mr. Pitt.

There is an abundance of strong willed, wonderful people down that way. In a year or so, I can hear my bud Mr. Clouatre from Red Stick saying, "Katrina? Ohhh. I tot you talking 'bout who I wid las nigh."

Those people down there come from what my mother called "good stock" meaning hard workers, good earthy people. This storm won't keep them down.

A little bit of hell ain't gonna stop no Cajun spirit.

Peace at you.

[Donailin]

51. It's generally considered bad form to be optimistic about a future party

when the dead haven't been counted yet, let alone buried. The chances that the worst is yet to come are high.

[SharonRB]

53. I think it will take a few years before they're in any shape to have

Mardi Gras.

[marions ghost]

57. I have to agree

with your more pessimistic scenario. This is a mind-blowing disaster that will take years to recover from. The people of NO may be resilient, but I don't think they'll be hosting Mardi Gras this year.

[peacebuzzard]

54. I don't think it will be cleaned up... However Mardi Gras will happen,

there will be a Mardi Gras, somewhere.

[belle]

62. Right. I'm putting faith in the peoples' spirits. I think that's all

that was meant.

[hootinholler]

58. SHO YO Tits, Baby. n/t

[Imagevision]

63. by the time if they rebuild new Orleans you'll be too old to join the

show me your tits crowd!

[anarchy1999]

65. Love you lots Will. I need to put you in touch with my friend in NO.

It's not just a hunch, you are 100% correct.

Love you lots~!

Sherry

[Blue_Roses]

66. I've been to several Mardi Gras

and whether it be on the roof of somebody's house or in the streets, the people of New Orleans will perservere. As a lifelong resident of Louisiana, I can honestly say this is the worst disaster to ever hit the state, but I agree with several posters, NO will find it's way back and we are always ready for that next party!

[3girlsma]

67. I said this same thing to my emotionally traumatized daughter today.

She felt better. ::sigh::

Mankind has an incredible instinct for survival.

There BETTER be a party. I have not had a chance to get my beads yet.