The Krewe d'Etat

The Krewe d'Etat's members consist of many of the families who make up the "old-line" Carnival krewes of the Mistick Krewe of Comus and the Knights of Momus. Neither of those krewes have paraded since 1991, when the New Orleans City Council passed an ordinance requiring Carnival organizations to open up their membership rolls to inspection, so the city could validate that they didn't discriminate. In spite of a successful civil rights lawsuit against the city, the parades have not returned to the streets. Several krewes formed by younger members of these families began parading in the 1990s, d'Etat among them.

Political satire is the main feature of this parade, as well as keeping alive some old traditions. Before photojournalism, the newspapers would print illustrations of a parade's floats in the next day's paper. In keeping with that custom, d'Etat passes out flyers that show the float drawings.

d'Etat doesn't have a king, they have a Dictator:

Here's the Title Float:

Here's one that's sure to warm the hearts of many a Democrat:

The title is "Left Wing Chicken" The flyer's description of the float:

Guess Who's measuring the drapes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Here's a hint: think plump thighs, no breasts and a cackle only a rooster can love. That's right, it's the left-wing special herself, Hillary Clinton.

It goes on from there, as you might expect. The Bush float was entitled "Blame Duck Gumbo" and featured Karl Rove as a pink elephant, seen in the current pResident's drunken fantasies.

I didn't get a good shot of Vitter's float, but here's the drawing:

The title is "Whore D'Oevures" and here's the blurb:

Passing important federal legislation can sure work up an appetite, especially if you like spicy appetizers. Fortunately for Senator David "Family Values" Vitter, the D. C. Madam delivers her own unique brand of whore d'oevures. Just phone in your order and -- voila! -- a "side dish" appears within minutes. Ah, so many delectable, tasty treats...and so little time! But beware, Diaper Dave, these tit-bits come with a warning: they are known to cause massive political heartburn -- and the new delivery boy, Larry Flynt, has been known to spill the contents of even the Madam's best customers' trays!

The other floats skewered Mayor Nagin, the Louisiana Recovery Authority, Governors Blanco and Jindal, the cast of "The View," and the various crooks from the Markey-Marc Morial administration, as well as a few others.

Happy Mardi Gras!