Wednesday February 19, 2003

With U.S. troops massing for a possible attack on Iraq, and the nation on alert for terrorism at home, how appropriate is it to pack the streets of a single city with more than a million people determined to take personal liberty to the limits of decadence?

If it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it's practically a civic duty.

This year's Carnival season may be unfolding amid a war buildup in the Middle East and threats of a dirty bomb attack at home, but local officials are encouraging citizens to party on and obtain all the proper paperwork.

"We will certainly do our part to protect the revelers" said Lieutenant John Snipe of the New Orleans Street Drinking Permit Squad. "If everyone does their part and gets their SDP (Street Drinking Permit), it would be extremely difficult for a terrorist to blend in." Snipe added "It also helps keep underage drinking in check

The SDP is not a new addition to Mardi Gras, but in these troubled times, Officer Snipe and his squad will be enforcing the permit laws with a bit more vigilance (See the Times Picayune Special Section on the Street Drinking Permit Controversy).

"We have nothing special planned for Mardi Gras at this time," said William Maestri, director of the Jefferson Parish Department of Emergency Management. "Whether we're at war or whether we're facing a terrorist threat, we always have a heightened state of alert during Carnival, so nothing specifically will change."

The show-must-go-on spirit appears to be shared by revelers. Rex official William Grace said members of Carnival's fourth-oldest krewe aren't exactly wilting in the face of global saber-rattling and grainy video threats from terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

"I find, if anything, it's just the opposite," Grace said, proudly displaying his special Rex Street Drinking Permit. "The members of the Rex organization want to show their colors, so to speak, and show that they aren't going to let anything deter them from celebrating."

Due diligence

That's not to say law enforcement officials won't be taking all possible precautions to avert disruptions to the world's largest block party. Using the security blueprint drawn up after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and used during last year's Super Bowl and Mardi Gras festivities, local police will be working closely with state and federal and SDP authorities to ensure that Carnival 2003 goes off without a hitch. "It will be business as usual" added Captain Susan Donhem of the 8th district, and head of the SDP division, "Just take the few minutes to get your SDP and continue with the party." She adds "Besides, they make great souvenirs."

Michael Merrelian can be reached at mmerrelian@timespic.com