Look behind the crime statistics in any major city in America, and you’re likely to find that a lot of young dropouts are committing a sizeable number of the offenses. That’s why we applaud the efforts of East Baton Rouge Parish officials in fighting truancy — the chronic absence of children from school. In … Continue reading →

Perhaps the most encouraging development in the recent arrest of two young men accused of shooting into a New Orleans Mother’s Day parade was the number of people willing to phone in anonymous tips about what they saw during the shooting. The shooting in the Crescent City’s 7th Ward left 19 shot and another trampled. Shawn … Continue reading →

Every April we hear grand political pronouncements about preventing genocide and to “Never Forget!” April, the month in 1945 when U.S. troops liberated Nazi concentration camps, is also the month when genocide broke out in Rwanda in 1994. To make such pronouncements in an obligatory and perfunctory manner mocks the horror that the victims … Continue reading →

Every day American workers face threats to the security of their jobs. The U.S. merchant marine knows this all too well. Today, less than 2 percent of imports and exports are carried on U.S.-flagged ships, while over 98 percent of cargoes travel on foreign-flagged vessels that do not employ U.S. citizens or pay taxes to the United … Continue reading →

Albert Einstein has been credited with stating that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This aptly describes the Republicans in Congress on their 37th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Unfortunately, my congressman, Dr. Bill Cassidy, is front and center in this exercise in … Continue reading →

It’s been just over three years since the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, killing 11 people and spilling millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf. An untold number of pelicans and other animals succumbed to the oil slick that polluted large swaths of coast … Continue reading →

In rejecting a bill to expand public access to the records of the Governor’s Office, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee early in this legislative session struck a blow against transparency in state government. The bill was defeated after opposition by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s executive counsel, Thomas Enright. That’s a sad development from a governor who entered his … Continue reading →

If the good people of South Carolina want to elect to Congress a philandering ex-governor who lied about being on the Appalachian Trail, that’s up to them. Yet as John Nichols reminded readers of The Nation magazine, the election of Mark Sanford was not as far-fetched as many thought. The reason: It was a GOP district, … Continue reading →

I have been teaching in the Louisiana public school system for seven years. Frankly, I am appalled that the Senate would even consider removing the Common Core State Standards from Louisiana schools and continue to use the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum. First of all, the LCC … Continue reading →

Providing vouchers to children who attend failing schools does not solve the problem of public education. Even if we assume that children are getting a better education at private schools, the vouchers are only helping a small number of students. What about the many other children who … Continue reading →

The Louisiana Science Education Act promotes a greater discussion of science, not religion, in public school classrooms. Unfortunately, The Advocate obscured that fact by initially titling its May 3 article on the law “Creation science repeal fails.” Contrary to the article’s initial title and those quoted in the … Continue reading →

In reference to the May 10 letter “Erroneous judgement on religion,” Wayne Pace conveniently used only Muslims to agree with Michael Polito that religion is and has been used to perpetuate ideologies that caused death and destruction to the masses. He conveniently left out the Spanish Inquisition and … Continue reading →

After years of fighting attempts to tweak or lessen the generosity of Louisiana’s film tax break program, industry leaders have come to the negotiating table. Apparently, they realize that lawmakers are feeling a lot less generous these days. The state’s continuing budget woes, stretching into a sixth year, have provoked new scrutiny for the billions of … Continue reading →

A major mobile phone corporation launched an attack on Sen. David Vitter, R-La., during the same week the senator used social media websites to ask people for pictures of “free cell phone” booths and signs. Earlier this month, Vitter filed legislation to end the GOP-maligned subsidies for low-income families to receive mobile phone services. Continue reading →

Oil City, home to just 1,000 souls, is in the middle of nowhere — Caddo Parish, to be precise — but life there is far from uneventful. As many as 25 wild hogs might show up at any time and start rooting around. It wouldn’t do much good … Continue reading →

Even as a bipartisan majority in the state House celebrates its renovation to the budget proposal of Gov. Bobby Jindal, the spotlight moves to the Senate, where a new phase of budget deliberations begins. If history is any guide, the Senate will consult with the governor on changes to the House-passed product. But the significance of … Continue reading →

In a state with high levels of illiteracy, promoting reading is especially important. That’s why we welcome the approach of summer reading programs in public libraries across south Louisiana, thanks to the support of the State Library of Louisiana. The State Library, which sets the theme for each year’s program and provides support to library systems … Continue reading →

In politics, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That is a lesson both for Gov. Bobby Jindal, and for those who push him to expand Medicaid insurance for people in need in Louisiana. The Legislative Fiscal Office suggested that taking the federal aid that would expand health care would be a … Continue reading →

Did you know that Sheree Harris won a red 2013 Chevy Camaro on Wednesday? Probably not. You probably don’t know Sheree Harris. But, I wanted to know more about Harris because she is one of the bazillion people who win stuff — and I never do. … Continue reading →

Legislators have repeatedly approached the Louisiana Hospital Association and member hospitals with requests to generate creative solutions to help with the Medicaid crisis. To that end, the association, which represents hospitals across the state, has been examining what other states are doing successfully in this area. After much … Continue reading →

I’m jumping on the ferry on the way to Algiers. Why? Well, I ride a bike and, without using a cab or bus (expensive and unreliable), I can’t get across the Great Mississippi River. It’s a matter of equal access to provide to all people … Continue reading →

Having failed twice before, Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, is promoting another stealth creationist bill, House Bill 116, which “provides relative to textbooks and other instructional materials for [public] elementary and secondary schools.”When Rep. Gene Reynolds, D-Dubberly, expressed concern that HB116 could permit adoption of … Continue reading →

On May 10, as members of the Louisiana House of Representatives worked to pass a nearly $25 billion compromise plan for funding health care, higher education and other public services, Gov. Bobby Jindal was spending part of the day in New Hampshire raising money to elect Republican candidates to the New Hampshire state Senate. Perhaps not … Continue reading →

We welcome the visit to New Orleans by the Dalai Lama, the revered religious leader of many Buddhists around the world.
He is perhaps the most high-profile religious leader to visit Louisiana since the late John Paul II visited New Orleans in 1987. The Dalai Lama’s visit, like the visit by the legendary pontiff … Continue reading →

The best thing that opponents of a new school district in southeast Baton Rouge have going for them is that backers still have hurdles to clear. First and foremost is the requirement that part of the package has to gain two-thirds support in both chambers of the Legislature, which is 70 votes in the House. Continue reading →

Edward Pratt’s column “Scary drift ends texting on highway,” May 9 was a great lesson for those who think texting while driving is safe or, as Pratt wrote, “It won’t happen to me.” Each year, hundreds of people are injured in accidents caused by … Continue reading →

I just could not believe Tuesday’s headlines in the New Orleans edition, James Gill hired by The Advocate. We have a Benghazi crisis, an IRS crisis, The Associated Press being spied upon by the Justice Department, and Kermit Gosnell, the abortion doctor, found guilty of murder, and you choose to ignore all of this as … Continue reading →

Upon opening my paper Tuesday, I was genuinely astonished that the front-page article covering the House committee hearing on gestational surrogacy (SB 162) failed to report anything about the medical testimony presented. Anyone not at the hearing would not even know that there are medical issues in surrogacy important both to the woman … Continue reading →

Democrats were cock-a-hoop because U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s chances of re-election got a boost when she came out against putting deadly weapons in the hand of criminals and lunatics. Polls showed that the vast majority of Louisiana voters applauded her common sense. But wait. The Republicans are celebrating because pinkos who try to emasculate … Continue reading →

As a newspaper, we have an obvious and direct interest in freedom of expression, and that makes us especially concerned about the federal government’s recent overreach on two fronts. The Internal Revenue Service, which is responsible for ensuring that nonprofits don’t violate their tax-exempt status by sponsoring political advertising, has admitted that it singled out … Continue reading →

I was working the night shift out of Narcotics when the call comes in. It’s the chief, calling about a 966. A “966” is cop lingo for illegal drugs — the bad stuff. “At OPP,” the chief says. “So the guy’s already in custody,” I reply. “You could say that,” he answers. Continue reading →

Gov. Bobby Jindal proclaiming May 8 as Employee Recognition Day is like Americans proclaiming Thanksgiving as “Turkey Day.” In appreciation, both state employees and turkeys get the ax. Jindal repeatedly rationalizes the LSU Hospital System employee layoffs with the notion that the laid-off employees will be absorbed into the private sector. He clearly chooses to … Continue reading →

The Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club community is deeply saddened by the mass shooting that took place during our annual Mother’s Day Parade. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the victims of this tragedy and their families. We are with you in your struggle for health, wellness and justice. … Continue reading →

Although Benjamin Clapper (director of Louisiana Right to Life) succeeded in making sensationalist claims in his May 7 letter to the editor, he failed to disprove that Planned Parenthood is good for women, good for families and good for New Orleans, So, let’s address his arguments: The thesis of his letter seems … Continue reading →

If lawmakers are weary of the five years of budget crises under Gov. Bobby Jindal,there is a danger in overreacting to them. A faction of House Republicans dubbed the “fiscal hawks” is pushing a set of bills that would make significant changes in the budget process. Other members are also chipping in with proposals to add … Continue reading →

Regrettably, a legislative committee has shelved a sensible and progressive measure that would have prohibited discrimination against gay and lesbian state workers. The bill by Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, was shelved by a 6-3 vote of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. As Badon and gay-rights activists told the committee, discrimination is alive … Continue reading →

Given the risks police officers face each day, would you be willing to patrol the streets of the Capital City for no pay? Dozens of volunteers did just this for many years — serving for several hours a month and standing by for special events and emergencies — before the Baton Rouge … Continue reading →

Stymied for years by a tight federal budget, Congress is poised to pass a new water resources development bill with big money for favored projects and, for the first time, some very odd provisions as well. Sold by our delegation that these projects have been stymied by environmental delays the bill places the Army Corps … Continue reading →

Friday night, thousands of LSU baseball fans will be reaching for hankies and sniveling as we will witness a most-historic event: the naming of Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. As we all anticipate the significance of the occasion of the dedication of the baseball field on that night, in honor of this quite … Continue reading →

Right now, the Louisiana Legislature is considering legislation to force Gov. Bobby Jindal to accept the Medicaid expansion portion of Obamacare — and some Republican legislators are supporting it. While I may not agree with our governor 100 percent of the time, Gov. Jindal is 100 percent right in rejecting the expansion. Over time, … Continue reading →

In firing shots into a New Orleans parade on Mother’s Day, gunmen attacked the city’s soul. There is no more abiding tradition in the Crescent City than a parade. Those who sent bullets into a second-line parade in the city’s 7th Ward assaulted not only those who were directly injured and terrorized by … Continue reading →

One of the hardest things to get across in government is the necessity of following the rules. It does not help when veterans of the political process express contempt for the rules, the latest case involving constitutional rules intended to limit state borrowing. “Every time someone tries to do something that is good, they get afraid,” … Continue reading →

“Cassidy opens new clinic” blares the headline (Advocate May 5), by Jordan Blum, atop Page 1B; but does he really? Read on. Scrutinizing this press release masquerading as news suggests (but never actually tells us) that Dr. Cassidy is continuing to serve the same former Earl K. Long clinic population, now in a … Continue reading →

I’m a fan of LSU baseball and have been for years. When I can’t attend or the game is away, I always try to view it on the Internet or TV if it is televised, and for that reason, I subscribe to several different services, and usually I consider the money well-spent. This placid pleasure has … Continue reading →

I would like to comment on Sen.Conrad Appel’s legislation on “getting young children ready for for kindergarten” There is a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) that has been setting such standards for over 50 years and we, as a society, should look to them and their standards before we begin … Continue reading →