Napoleon Bonaparte sold the Louisiana Territory to Thomas Jefferson.
This is a Mardi Gras float which will lead a parade tonight. We have been criticized for holding a Mardi Gras celebration. Bay St. Louis and Mobile are also holding celebrations.
To all the critics I say, "Did New York shut down Broadway forever after 9/11? Did San Francisco cease to exist after the earthquakes."
Many of us have come back and cleaned out our houses, thrown away our ruined furniture and our family treasures, spent money on sheetrock, flooring etc. We have not waited for the federal government to open up a house for us or to clean our yards. And, to those people who are waiting I say, "No one is coming, no one is coming, so you'd better get back here and do it yourself."
And, while you're at it, have a Happy Mardi Gras.