Guitarman II

In the midst of misery in New Orleans, there were lingering signs of a fading vivacity. About two dozen people gathered in the French Quarter for an annual Labor Day gay celebration, the Decadence Parade. Matt Menold, 23, a street musician wearing a sombrero and a guitar, explained: "It's New Orleans, man. We're going to celebrate."

As a practical matter Mr Menold really should evacuate and celebrating amid such misery does seem, well, decadent. My emotional reaction was to applaud and say take that Michael Marcavage
Katrina can flood the city but it can't stop the Decadence Parade.