Political Satire

Mardi Gras is, without a doubt, one of my favorite times of the year and one of the times that I am most greatful I go to school in New Orleans. It's not just the parades, the floats, the throws, the beer (okay, maybe it is the beer to an extent), but its also because of the new orleanians ability to make fun of themselves. Even in the wake of Katrina and all the political inaction and scandals that came during the aftermath, the people of New Orleans take pride in theircapacity to score just one point against the mayor, the governor, the president, Fema, etc. I'm sure a lot of you went to Krewe de Vieux, so you know exactly what I'm talking about. Well, it appears that we're not the only ones who take delight in such little victories over the powers that be. In Rio, Carinval is in full swing and, like New Orleanians, cariocas have taken the time to vent their frustration with politicians and the scandals that have swept the country throughout the last year. In fact, over 100,000 carnival masks of Lula have been bought so far this year and in the streets revelers sing and dance sambas making fun of bald-headed corrupt politicians samuggling out thousands of dollars in their briefs. It seems some things are more universal: corruption, and peoples need to vent their frustrations with such corruption in any (little) way they can.