Young guns
To the editor:
Isn’t it great to see some of our young people getting into the business world at an early age and just working when all the surveys on young people these days show that the slackers still exist and most young people now want to reside with their parents until they are around 30 and still stay in college [“Young entrepreneurs,” June 30.]
As a mother of a daughter who changed her college major six times and finally had to be told that she was well-rounded enough and it was time to find her calling because mom would like to retire one day and not have stock in LSU, its important that we teach our children a good work ethic and not pay their way thru life.
I’ve worked in family court for years, and most of these children had everything handed to them due to divorce guilt. Now they are in their 30s and are still unemployed.
So Baton Rouge, help encourage our youth and instill a good work ethic in them. By all means, show them how to get started in the business world, take them to work with you. Companies are not beating down government’s door to locate in Louisiana, so we have to get our children trained in business as soon as possible.
Kudos to those in this edition. You are really going to make it in this world.
Cindy M. Denham, Baton Rouge
Hurricane warning
To the editor:
In recent decades, hurricanes Andrew, Ike, Katrina and Rita have taken the lives and ruined the property of hardworking Louisianans. On Thursday, June 25, at the State Capitol building, a new disaster devastated the Louisiana House of Representatives: Hurricane Chris [Daily Report, June 26]. Undoubtedly due to the influence of his godmother, Rep. Barbara Norton, Hurricane Chris was recognized with a commendation by the House and celebrated for his outstanding musical accomplishments.
Everything was going smoothly until disaster struck—Hurricane Chris was allowed to grace the House with a “taste of one of his new songs.” He introduced the song as one of a positive nature, promoting self-confidence about body image. As opposed to the empowering song that it was framed to be, the lyrics prove that the song was nothing more than misogynistic and degrading. The most shocking part was that no one protested this verbal defecation; some even tried to make light of the incontrovertibly controversial.
Many people would say that Hurricane Chris did not deserve the award based on his moderate success, which, though remarkable, has certainly been surpassed by other Louisiana rappers. But this is irrelevant. Others, speaking in his defense, might argue that this is a First Amendment issue; however, the federal government has long been permitted to restrict obscenity, as the storm of media and public criticism ensuing after Dick Cheney’s indecent language on the Senate floor reminds us.
The real issue is one of priorities. By permitting Hurricane Chris to wax inappropriate, the Louisiana Legislature has implicitly suggested that it has nothing better to do than to present awards to regionally renowned rappers. Forget the people who are still suffering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina; we need to focus on Hurricane Chris. Do not worry about our unstable roads and pathetic educational system; we have to spend our tax dollars to recognize someone famous: a cynosure for the youth of our state. Much like the aftermath of Katrina, most of the damage could have been avoided had the government officials involved done their jobs properly.
In August 2007 at a Hurricane Katrina conference, Sen. John Edwards proposed what he called “Brownie’s Law,” requiring that qualified people, not political hacks, lead key federal agencies. Although Edwards has since lost much of his credibility, I believe that there is wisdom in his proposition. It should extend not only to key federal agencies, but to any elected position.
I think, as a state, we can learn from this debacle. Louisiana is worth fighting for, and there is too much at stake to give up now. The only way to bring about change is to question the powers that be. Do not just sit idly by while our tax dollars are wasted, our State Capitol is verbally ravaged and our children perform below national standards. While natural disasters like those that have ravaged our coast may be beyond our control, holding our legislators accountable is not.
Michael Barron, Lafayette
Waste not, want not
To the editor:
Trash is an absolute problem and blight on our community and state, but at least two other litter items must also be addressed [“Random Thoughts,” June 30].
First are those “temporary” signs that grow like weeds and must be illegal, but apparently are ignored by authorities and anyone running for political office. Why bother to have sign ordinances. Second is street debris left behind by the Department of Public Works, including construction barriers, fencing and cones.
The Acadian Thruway median at Perkins Road, and the Acadian railroad underpass are examples of litter by government agency.
Dan Zito, Baton Rouge
