AR-News: LA Political Columnist Embarrassed By Legal Cockfights in His State

[Political Animal]

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=1595


In Louisiana, The Cock Fight Still Rules Roost 
Politics
 
 
Author: Jeff Crouere  |  5/6/2004
 Home : Politics 


 In Louisiana, The Cock Fight Still Rules Roost
 

Despite strong evidence that an overwhelming
majorityof Louisiana voters want to ban cockfighting,
yesterday the Agriculture Committee voted 9-5 not to
ban this barbaric "sport." In a poll by the U.S.
Humane Society, 82% of people voiced support for a ban
on cockfighting, but, obviously, the Agriculture
Committee doesn´t care about what the voters want.

Instead they listened to advocates such as the
Louisiana Gamefowl Breeders Association, who represent
this inhumane industry. These advocates continue to
claim that this is part of our culture and that
cockfighting is good for economic development. In my
opinion, even though the state needs more economic
development, this is one area of economic development
that we should pass on.

Most other southern states, like Mississippi and
Alabama, banned this activity more than 100 years
ago.If Mississippi saw the light more than 100 years
agowhy can´t Louisiana? State Representative Karen
Carter (D-New Orleans) who sponsored the legislation
to ban cockfighting lamented, "I believe it´s cruel, I
believe it´s barbaric, and I believe we should follow

the lead of 48 other states." But, no, we stand alone
with New Mexico with the welcome mat out for those who
enjoy seeing birds hacked to death with razors. We
could have taken a step forward to improve our image
by banning this activity, but we didn´t. Any wonder
why businesses don´t want to come to Louisiana?

It certainly verifies my support for term limits. 
Maybe after the next election with a bunch of new
legislators, we can finally have the political courage
to address this issue with legislators not worried
about such special interest groups as the Louisiana
Gamefowl Breeders Association. 

 
 
 
 



	
		
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