I am wearing all of my Mardi Gras beads in support of NOLA.

[johnaries]

I've never actually been to Mardi Gras, although it is on my TO DO list.

But, somehow, I have accumulated a large amount of Mardi Gras beads. That just shows you how much the whole concept of Mardi Gras has become a part of American Culture. Mardi Gras is as American as Apple Pie, even if you've never been to NOLA.

I have beads everywhere, accumulated over the years. I have some that I got in business meetings!. I even use them as curtain decorations.

Well, Will Pitt's thread inspired me.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4509034#4510928

And as much as I love Will's writing, there was another post in that thread that REALLY inspired me, by Crisco:
"Consider the stereotypical NO brass band funeral and understand this city knows how to celebrate in part because it knows how to mourn." (emphasis added)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4509034#4510928

Knowing how to mourn, and knowing how to celebrate. The complete circle of life. What more do you need to know?

So, in honor of the indomitable spirit of the people of New Orleans, who will mourn, but who will REBUILD and who will CELEBRATE again one day, I will gather my beads from every nook and cranny and WEAR THEM PROUDLY in support of a culture of HOPE and CELEBRATION OF LIFE!

Who will join me?

[TerdlowSmedley]

1. What a wonderful idea. Festive, too.

I hope it catches on. Let's just not be yellow-ribbonish about it, though. Let's all make sure we do what we can, financially, voluntarily, and as activists to help those in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

[Coastie for Truth]

2. I changed back to my NOLA diet

Shrimp Remolaude (sp) and gumbo and "red beans/rice" and Dixie Beer.

I might even break down and have some chicory coffee.

(I used to live on St Charles - around the corner from Commander's Palace).

[TerdlowSmedley]

3. Remoulade, dawlin'.

[Coastie for Truth]

5. OK

How do you spell that water front street where "The T is silent in ... Street"

[Raster]

6. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Obamarama]

4. Oh, that will REALLY help!

This will be almost as helpful as magnetic yellow ribbons.

Will Pitt thinks people in New Orleans are going to have a party? God bless him, he's a wonderful guy, but I suspect he was out in the sun too long down in Crawford.

Rolling my eyes....

:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[johnaries]

10. Every party has a pooper that's why we invited you,

Party POOPER!

OK, nobody is forcing you to be hopeful or optimistic,
enjoy your pity party.

[walldude]

14. Pity party?

Yeah you keep partying while some of us actually try to do something helpful...

[johnaries]

16. And telling them they are DOOMED and there is no hope is helpful?

Yes, let's send donations. Yes, let's do everything physically possible to help them and support them.

But, the soul needs just as much nourishment as the body. Sometimes more.

If you don't have HOPE, you have nothing.

That's all I'm saying, let's remind all of these people that have been through a castrophe that most of us cannot even imagine...

That there is HOPE!

Encourage OPTIMISM! Defeat DEFEATISM!

Yes, this is a time of great sadness. Will you let the sadness control you and decide your destiny?

If yes, then you are doomede to be sad, and no one can help you.

If no, then you will be happy again.

Mourn, then rebuild!

I will wear my beads - not as a "party" item - but as a symbol of the resilience of a great culture.

As a symbol of HOPE!

[walldude]

12. Thank you again Kzoo

You know what I'm going to do to honor, mourn, celebrate, whatever? First thing tommorow I'm going to donate blood. Then I'm going to give any money I can afford. Then I'm going to check with the Red Cross and see if they can get me to NOLA to help out.
You know folks, I have been out of town for a few days. I come back and I hardly reconize DU. I see posts bitching about gas prices, about Bush, about Santorum, and about,of all things,missing pets. Fuck all that shit. In case you haven't noticed the Government does not give a shit about the American people. We are on our own here. we need to cough up the money, we need to do the work, we need to help our fellow Americans out here, the government is too busy lining their pockets to worry about us poor folks.

[phusion]

17. I agree completely...

Thanks for saying it.

:hi:

[johnaries]

19. Yes, amen!

Every little thing,
ANY little thing we can do
is better than doing nothing.

edit: not all of us can give blood or even money. There are still many different ways we can contribute.

[KamaAina]

7. I brought an Endymion doubloon with me to work today

a green one, caught by yours truly in 1990. The theme was "Saturday Night at the Movies".

It is one of only a few that I have left after so many moves. :(

Edit: greeen??

[GretchenRed]

8. Wow

That's a nice idea. But, let's not act like the real mardi gras, and flash them. :)

[GretchenRed]

9. on second thought...

maybe flashin would make them feel a little better. :)



J/K

[johnaries]

11. Hey, we're just looking for a little inspiration,

and a little flash can inspire a LOT of things!

Seriously, THOUGH, as Class Warrior always says:
NEVER GIVE UP!


For those all those 60's folks still out there:

KEEP ON TRUCKING!

[GretchenRed]

13. LOL

WE could inspire something....hehehe

[johnaries]

18. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

All inspiration is welcome!

[walldude]

15. ick.. I mean kick