I'm sick of the people who want the residents of NOLA to be in gloom

[xultar]

and doom.

If you don't like the fact that the people in the French Quarter are having a parade today. TOO FUCKING BAD FOR YOU!

Those people have been through hell. Don't they deserve to laugh at least once? Must they stay in mourning for our benefit?

If I lived down there I'd be in the quarter laughin my damn-self.

The spirit of NOLA will carry it through. Why would you have them strangle that spirit. NOLA has been celebrating death with parties for 100's of years. Jazz funerals are part of the culture.

SO don't beat them up for it.

[KyndCulture]

1. link?

this is a great story! A jazz funeral!

I attended one in NOLA! It's a celebration of life from death it's EXACTLY what they need to do.

[xultar]

6. There is another thread in here some where about Decadence going

on ahead in the FQ today.

I'd so be there if I still lived there. I lived in the Marigny/Bywater a mile from the quarter. Bywater only got curb high water. I'd be down there hootin and a hollerin with my folk.

[Solly Mack]

2. As someone already said: "If you don't get this then you don't get NO

and you never will"

and that's true

[kweerwolf]

3. No one's saying they should be 'gloomy'

But you have to admit that throwing a party is a poor reflection on the LGBT community in NO and only serves to perpetuate the stereotype that we are hedonistic and only interested in partying.

Too bad the "revelers" coouldn't show a bit of compassion by pitching in to help with relief efforts.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

5. Oh please

spare me. A poor reflection? Have you ever been to NO? I'm guessing no.

And while you are scolding others for what they are or are not doing for the relief efforts maybe you would care to share just what it is you are doing to help the relief effort.

[kweerwolf]

7. I certainly have been to NO ... and to Southern Decadence

That was four years ago ... so I know what I'm talking about when I saw it's little more than a drunken fuck-fest that should be an embarrassment to every member of the LGBT community that cares about whether or not we are taken seriously as a political group.

[xultar]

12. I saw more straights fucking than gays in the French Quarter

Funny it is the stuffed shirt out-a-towners who are always downers.

You don't like it don't go back. Just remember it isn't about you.

[xultar]

9. Decadance isn't just for the LGBT community. The whole fuckin town

turned out for Decadance. People flew in for Decadance from other states and from other countries. IT is just as big as mardi gras.

So don't go hanging this on the LGBT community it is the NOLA
community.

Hell there was a parade in the FQ yesterday and people here were a bitchin about that. That had nothing to do with the LGBT community.

[kweerwolf]

14. For the whole community?

Do a search for "Southern Decadence" and check your facts. You'll find entries like this:

Sourthen Decadence--"Gay Mardi Gras"
From Sharon Keating,
Your Guide to New Orleans for Visitors.
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The Big Easy has been known throughout its history for its tolerant attitudes. Hence, it is no surprise that a group of friends, some gay and some straight, felt comfortable back in 1972 when they decided to throw a going-away party in New Orleans-style--with a costume party, and later, a parade with the friends dressed as their favorite "Southern Decadent.". The party has evolved into a primarily gay event, and grew into its current incarnation, today's Southern Decadence Festival.

The Southern Decadence Festival, held annually in New Orleans, has been called the "Gay Mardi Gras." Although there is no shortage of gay celebrants in the French Quarter during the real Mardi Gras season, Southern Decadence is an opportunity for gays and lesbians to celebrate their unique lives and lifestyles.

http://goneworleans.about.com/od/festivals/a/southdecadence.htm

Hmmm ... doesn't sound like it's being marketed as a "community event"

[xultar]

16. DUDE THE WHOLE FUCKIN TOWN TURNS OUT FOR DECADENCE!

What are you dense?

Just cuz it is a gay party doesn't mean that the straight folk stay @ home.

FOR GOD SAKE!!!!!!

EVERYONE IN NOLA PARTIES!!

I lived there for 5 years and went every fuckin year? AM I A LESBIAN?

WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!WTF!!!!

[stevedeshazer]

4. Right on, xultar.

What the hell are they supposed to do, curl up and die or keep living?

They are starting to live again, through death.

Deal with it, folks. We're all going to die, so why not live while you can?

[nonconformist]

8. Here here. The spirit of NOLA will live on.

You'd think people would appreciate that. Maybe they just wish THOSE people would have died too? :shrug:

[Tyranny_R_US]

10. Damn it those homeless hungry blacks should buck it up and smile DAMN IT!

...:sarcasm: :puke:

[sandnsea]

11. Who said that?

I must have missed it. What I saw complaints about was the blatant gap between the way the French Quarter people were treated while the rest of the city was dying. They haven't had a jazz funeral in memorium for those who have drowned, what's up with that? Does seem like a bit of a disconnect going on, and these people have generators and tv, so they know.

[xultar]

15. No I'm not saying they are having a jazz funeral for the ones who drowned.

They are having a decadence parade today.

Yesterday there was a parade in the quarter too. It looked like it was over on Frenchman St where the bohemians hang.

[Tatiana]

17. Exactly. It's the disconnect that is so grating. n/t

[Sgent]

13. Amen

I agree completely. If I were in NOLA today, I'd be on a balcony throwing them beads. I would have been at that bar, and I'd be supporting the spirit of NOLA. (BTW, I'm not gay)

"I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail." --Faulkner

If we die, our spirit will die first, and New Orleanians will become nothing more than cogs in the wheels of corporate suburbia with McMansions and strip malls. If this happens, then we have truley lost the Big Easy, and nothing will be capable of bringing back.

A flare in the darkness provides hope and lifts the spirits of the New Orleanians scattered to the four corners of this earth. The city may not be physically there, but the spirit will endure... and prevail.

[mongo]

18. I'm with you

Hope that I can make it down there one day.

Glad to see their spirit lives on. More power to 'em.

[leesa]

19. I agree...it's very much a 'Phoenix rising out of the ashes' tribute to

city of Mardi Gras. Their spirit is alive even in mourning.

[Sgent]

20. Bump

[tjdee]

21. Are they aware people are dying of cholera and dysentery because

of that water?

Are they aware they could get bitten by a mosquito carrying one of those diseases?

I don't begrudge them their parade, or their 'we're still here' spirit, but it does trouble me that they may be unaware of the significant health risks they face by staying there. Not to mention that it will be many months before NO is inhabitable--sending customers to their businesses, etc.

I think they don't quite understand, because they may not have tv or radio.

If they know all that, rock on.

[progressivebydesign]

24. Believe me. They are fully aware. They cheated death already. n/t

[Rowdyboy]

22. Considering the nightmare that they've been through they deserve

a 10 minute break from drudgery to act silly and have fun.

[progressivebydesign]

23. Who am I to judge the people that survived??

They are not harming anyone. I watched people here on DU ream anyone to criticized the thugs who attacked fellow victims, because of all they've been through. Well, it's pretty fucked up to see these same people criticizing these other survivors for celebrating life.. and carrying on in the spirit of New Orleans. They are showing that the spirit there is still alive... in a time of great tragedy. I would expect no less of them.

[Behind the Aegis]

25. Bravo!

I agree with you...if I could throw you some beads, I would! So...have some virtual ones! :)

This city will rise again because of the spirit of her people!