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Posted on August 29 at 1:08 p.m.

Yes LiberatedTiger, we do in fact have it great in this country. I love it and thank God that I was arbitrarily lucky enough to be born here. But that doesn't mean I don't always want it to improve. That is the real American Way. Read your history. This nation was founded by "Whiners" as Rolfey would call them.

The Declaration of Independence reads: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

The principle laid out here is that it is our "DUTY" to take action when government goes awry. Not sit back in inaction. So to your point, this comment goes DIRECTLY to what he is stating. This is the profound problem in this nation. It has so catered to the wealthy that this group - of which Rolfe is entrenched - has no need, and actually is frightened of the prospect of change. They are there to keep us entrenched. And the fact that 95 out of 100 Americans could not tell you what I just quoted above is why were are too complacent. But Rolfe would have us even more complacent so that we don't threaten the structure of wealth that he holds.

Sincerely, Major Whiner.

On Don’t drink the whine

Posted on August 28 at 1:07 p.m.

Wow, yet again Rolfe knows better than us and the Founding Fathers all put together. Thank God that Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams and the rest didn't think like Rolfe. "Quit complaining about Mother England - we have it great. If you don't like living in the Colonies, go to Russia!" Yes, that would have been great.

And don't think that we don't catch the subtle racism of your choice of Swaziland (in Africa) as opposed to some other country facing difficulties. Can't let everyone forget that Obama 'doesn't look like us!'

On Don’t drink the whine

Posted on April 11 at 1:17 p.m.

JR, JR, JR -

As a Baton Rouge native for 30 years, I moved to the New Orleans area with the intent of moving back to my beloved BR as soon as possible. But something happened. I was able to see Baton Rouge for what it truly is. A nice southern suburban type city with a lot of sprawl, a nice mall or two, and good collegiate sports. So that's quaint and nice.

But unfortunately it got a bit worse - I've found it to be often small minded and parochial. Many leaders (elected and not) are so incredibly small minded it is actually humorous. Sometimes - I'll even say - Baton Rouge representatives (small r) behave like petulant children. But really, that is not surprising, nor a fatal flaw - just what one would expect from a small southern town.

Then the final nail in the coffin occurred. It got really bad for me when I evacuated to my parents' house for the storm. That small mindedness had people all over town telling their children not to go outside because "New Orleans people might be walking the streets and are dangerous." That small mindedness shut down downtown after two "New Orleans" - read "Black" people got into a fight on near the governmental complex. That small mindedness caused me to realize I no longer was welcome, because I was causing "horrible traffic." That small mindedness made friends of mine whose homes were still underwater cry because the BR kind people wanted to know "When are Y'ALL going home?" After those three weeks 'back home' I vowed I would NEVER live in Baton Rouge again.

And you know, New Orleans isn't perfect, but it is a great city. Baton Rouge can't ever be New Orleans - nowhere can. At best, it can hope to be a small Houston.

Oh and to your point about the danger down here - amazingly enough I've never been shot or shot at. Nor do I know anyone who has been shot at. Hmmmm. Come to think of it no one I know knows anyone who was shot at. However, in Baton Rouge I did know one of the victims of Dereck Todd Lee, as well I know a Baton Rouge man that I grew up with who is in prison for murder. And, now that I think about it, I knew Yoshi Hattori, who was shot by a Central white guy who was acquitted of killing Yoshi - because the jury understood that this man shot someone because "Someone darker than me was standing at my door."

So let's just say neither place is perfect, but your attitude is very reflective of what I'd expect from a small suburban southern town with smaller child syndrome. The good news is that the attitude you exhibit while trying to bring forth potentially valid issue only validated my decision never to return.

Lastly - reading the very cold hearted replies to your editorial from your BR citizens makes me wonder if there is any decency left there??

On The New Orleans reality