Mardi Gras

The celebration of Mardi Gras this year is a topic that's causing misplaced controversy. Proponents of Mardis Gras say that people need something to celebrate. Opponents say that it's inappropriate to celebrate so soon after such a tragedy.

If this were purely an emotional issue, I might agree with the opponents. To be honest, I grew tired of Mardi Gras celebrations within an hour or two of my first exposure to it. I tend to prefer quieter people with a little more self control. :-)

However, emotions should not be the deciding factor in this issue. It's irrelevant.

If we want to rebuild New Orleans, the city needs to generate revenue. If a city can't support itself, it can't exist. Do we really think the Federal Government would be eager to throw billions of dollars into an area that can't support itself?

So in my humble opinion, we need to whoop it up and do everything we can to draw record crowds to the Mardi Gras celebrations this year. We need to help the local businesses attract a clientele. Hotels need bookings (what do we think they'll do when FEMA pulls out?), shops needs buyers, restaurants need patrons. The city's coffers to have cashflow.

If we can prove to the Federal Government that New Orleans can rebuild a tourism industry, I think we'd get more funding. We need to prove that this is a place people would want to come. If we can make this year's Mardi Gras celebration a success, I think New Orleans would be taking the first steps toward self sufficiency again.

People are scared to come back right now, whether to live or to vacation. They're worried about health issues, safety, accomodations, etc. This might be a chance to show people that the parts of the city that survived are still worthy of visiting. Perhaps more residents would be willing to come home if the celebrations this year are a success.

For anyone who insists that Mardi Gras celebrations this year should be cancelled ... I say you're asking for a death sentence for the city you say you're supporting. Yes, we need to heal emotionally. Our losses were extreme and we'll carry our sadness with us for the rest of our lives. But we can't sit down in the mud and give up, we need to take the action that will heal our lives.

If you don't feel like celebrating, that's understandable. But let others come into our city and help us get back on our feet. Let's allow the one aspect of New Orleans that can really generate much-needed revenue to heal as quickly as possible. If we can do that, it'll be a healthier environment for us to get past our own pain.