Who Dat Nation may secede
They're not going to take it anymore
By Anna Morgan
The Levee trademark writer
http://www.nolevee.com/images/phpThumb.phpsrc=articles/ALWhoDatNation38WEB300.jp...Secessionist spokesmen, sporting black-and-gold face and body paint, do not allow their opposition a moment to speak, thereby winning the psychological edge, they say.
Flush with confidence after a record-shattering football season, Saints fans across the nation are rising up and demanding independence for the Who Dat Nation, causing consternation and alarm in the State Capitol.
“At first, this whole ‘Who Dat Nation’ thing was very endearing,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said during a news conference. “But what started out as solidarity among fans has become a real threat to the state of Louisiana – indeed, the United States of America.”
The nascent breakaway faction is being driven by a strengthening group of Saints fans who intend to secede from Louisiana and form their own ‘Saints Country,’ an idea that took shape after the Saints’ NFC Championship victory over the Vikings on Jan. 24.
New Orleans native Dan Livaudais, a Who Dat Nation spokesperson, traced the movement to the excitement fans felt watching the historic game at a local bar.
“I’d just watched Favre get clobbered by our defense,” Livaudais recalled. “In overtime I watched everyone rally together by the TV – some held hands, everyone prayed. When Hartley made the winning kick I was swept out into the street in what seemed like chaos. But it wasn’t chaos. It was our moment of independence.”
Livaudais admits he never intended to cause trouble, but that night, according to thousands of witnesses, thousands of witnesses became empowered.
“I heard someone holler out, ‘WHO DAT NATION!’ and it suddenly seemed so simple,” he explained. “It was bigger than any of us. I said, ‘Let’s f—-ing do this!’ I don’t remember much after that, but I know vodka was involved.”
Sources say the rebel movement has grown much bigger since the Saints won the Super Bowl, with pockets of support emerging in several states. That 25 percent of the nation’s oil is processed in the Who Dat Nation reportedly is troubling government and big-business interests.
Despite its growing popularity, however, the group has remained unorganized. None of the members seem able to give any information on the group’s platform, leadership, or style of government.
One member, for example, teared up when asked why the secession was necessary. “So many years being called the ’Aints,” he explained. “So many broken hearts in this city each year and we always bore that weight without complaint. This time we were underestimated. Well, never again.”
Others also noted the National Football League’s attempt before the Super Bowl to claim trademark of the phrase “Who Dat!” a 100-year-old phrase of New Orleans and Louisiana.
“We’re not going to take it anymore! Just look around!” another supporter screamed while enjoying the Saints homecoming parade, beer in hand. “We got this, man. Who dat!”
Other responses were incoherent and distorted as supporters were only able to slur a few “Who Dats” and stumble away, laughing and giggling as if they knew something no one else did.
Gov. Jindal is, nevertheless, taking the rebellion seriously.
“They’re disjointed and playful now. But what if a leader emerges? Can you imagine what would happen if Deuce McAllister or Bobby Hebert started issuing orders?” asked Louisiana State Police Col. Michael D. Edmonson. Lowering his voice, he whispered, “What would happen if Drew told them to mobilize?”
“Even though we have not yet determined the movement’s strategy for leadership, government, or even a military plan for victory,” the governor’s office said in a news release, “the inexplicable confidence, the lack of inhibitions, this unexpected euphoria and empowerment is enough to cause alarm.”
When asked how he would handle defeat, Livaudais replied, “If at first you don’t secede, try try again.”
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