MARDI GRAS ENDS FOR 2006

Today is Ash Wednesday, which officially ends the Mardi Gras season. Now comes the cleaning from all the celebrations across the Gulf Coast region.

While there were some people who felt that it was inappropriate to celebrate the Carnival season less than six months after the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, my feeling is that it was a good way for the Gulf Coast to truly begin the recovery process. One cannot simply continue looking back and mourn at what they had previously. One has to begin looking forward and thinking of the future. Cities and towns throughout the region have to let the nation and the world know that they are in the recovery mode; that is what New Orleans is doing.