Babs Blog

Daily we read and hear law enforcement reports, and we’re constantly struck by one over-heated problem—not thefts, even in this dire economy, not traffic accidents which seem to be down, because nobody can afford the gas to drive, not fraud, which also should be a natural in hard times, not even shoplifting, which typically goes up as Christmas approaches.The problem is people out of control.And, most of the time they know each other.  In fact, quite often they’re boyfriend-girlfriend.If Mayor Jacques Roy could wave a magic wand and do away with all the battery investigations and arrests, aggravated and otherwise, there would be a lot of out-of-work police men and women.Not unlike the mothers and fathers who had to keep the peace among us when we were children, we have turned over to the police, to deputies and even state police the jobs of  teaching us good behavior.One can read the daily police reports and laugh or cry, whichever seems appropriate.We get mad at each other over the most trivial matters, and the more trivial, the madder we get.Usually, the issues revolve around money, love or drugs, or sometimes all three: someone is all messed up on drugs and demands money or drugs .And, if you think back to some of the most horrible crimes we’ve witnessed in our small city, they are all connected with anger out of control.We remember the first time we heard the phrases “time out” and “anger management.”There was no time out when we were children, so it was something we saw practiced on our now-grown nieces for the first time.We did not lose control, because it was not an option; and, this cuts across socio-economic barriers.So “time out” didn’t exist, because our parents and those of our friends didn’t really grasp the concept of children who behaved so badly they would be sidelined while all collected their thoughts—children and parents alike.(Let us interject here that “Ball” was an early reference for us in North Louisiana, even though we had no clue where it was; we were told, however, that ungovernable, delinquent girls could be sent there, perhaps to spend the rest of their natural lives, and so when the town was mentioned, it conjured up visions of hell on Earth.  It is just north of
Alexandria, and so we were amused as adults actually to see it for the first time as a rather bucolic place which even had a chapel; now, it is a home for the officers training program of the Louisiana National Guard.  Presumably, all those bad girls go some place else.)Now, there were imperfect children, to be sure, and we were among them.But, our parents, grandparents, family members and friends had no trouble seeing the Maginot Line between acceptable and unacceptable conduct.  It was never discussed, as we recall, nor did it ever create a lot of angst.  Rather, we were punished until and if we shaped up; and, in school and church, we learned what consequences would befall those of us who dared cross that line.That takes us to “anger management.”The Rapides Parish School Board a few years back actually taught a course in anger management.There were no such classes when we were young.  One learned to manage anger the same way one learned to manage all other emotions and without reading a book or a power-point presentation.Yet, here we are, run amok with children and adults who too often rely on fists, boards, plates, machinery, whatever is at hand, and God forbid, real weapons in dealing with our anger or frustrations.And, do not look to major leaders for help.We were listening to one of the many interviews after Ike attacked Galveston and heard a moron passing for a
U. S. Congressman advise his constituents to evacuate and grab their own “food, water and ammo.”Ammo?People weren’t evacuating to the Amazon.We read the narratives of police reports carefully to see if there are other common threads that could help.When four men were running for sheriff, we had three of them in a forum, and we asked all three about how they would curb people out of control, and not one really understood the question.  So common are these ways of dealing with anger that law enforcement officials can’t really comprehend a life without fighting after arguments.   But, there must be a way to teach children they can disagree without anger, without weapons and even without ill will, which usually escalates to the former.  These angry children do grow up to become angry adults, who must learn to manage that anger, or else.Next week we will again participate in a forum about domestic violence, a great national tragedy.  There’s something about domestic violence which makes one queasy. (A dear friend who never does this sort of thing, learned of a stranger  who had been killed in such an incident, and she felt compelled to leave a flower at her home.  She spoke of it with such sadness and helplessness.)We have no answers, but we recognize that “time out” and “anger management” are obviously not solutions unto themselves.  They were developed by a generation who somehow can identify the problem but also seem helpless when it comes to fighting that awful, out-of-control, over-the-top anger that results in pain, whether mental or physical, and even death.Maybe, a new generation needs to be threatened with Ball—or to wherever they sent the boys. 

Alexandria attorney Jay Luneau is running for the state senate.

How can that be?

Aren’t legislative elections a distance away?

Well, yeah, but we just learned that state Sen. Joe McPherson who now holds the seat which comprises most of Rapides Parish is seeking a vacancy on the Public Service Commission, left open by the departure of Dale Sittig.

The governor has appointed a temporary caretaker who has agreed not to run for the unexpired term.

And, Joe Mac is running he says.  In fact, he’s talking slogans a la Huey Long’s chicken in every pot.  Joe Mac waggishly says “A generator in every yard.”

Now, if elected (this would be his second run at that office, and he is termed out, as we now say in Louisiana), then, well, that’s a vacancy.

Who’s running for that?

Jay Luneau says, “definitely.” 

But, word comes to us, too, that Charlie DeWitt, former speaker of the house is also talking up his candidacy.

Those are all Democrats, and Republicans don’t want to be left out.

Some have mentioned Lance Maxwell, former aide to U. S. Sen. David Vitter, who lost a state representative’s race to Chris Roy Jr.

But, the list will probably grow.

When one domino falls, another must take its place.

Meanwhile, we still have judicial races to ponder, and it looks as if there will be run-offs in major races around Rapides Parish–the election to find a successor for retiring Judge Rae Swent and one for already retired Judge Glenn Gremillion.  In fact, there are a lot of legacies (an old fraternity/sorority term for children of members who seek membership) in these races.

Tristan Knoll’s mother is on the state Supreme Court; Mary Doggett’s father served on the Ninth District bench; Shannon Gremillion is son of the judge mentioned above; and, in LaSalle Parish, Chris Peters’ dad is on the Third Circuit.

It will be interesting to see if these relationships affect the races, one way or the other. 

Finally, we applaude Rapides judicial candidates for a thus far good race, but there are other judicial districts where this is not the case–where accusations and annonymous letters are sprinkled throughout the campaign.
If you have not early voted already, keep in mind the primary election is October 4th. 

Here’s one more Leslie Whitt story as we say good-bye to a wonderful zoo director.

Once we were there when he described an almost religious experience he had in connection with the zoo’s mission to save the species.  It’s a little known story that the Alexandria Zoo participates as much as possible in saving animals that are endangered.

 Many years ago we were at a small meeting when Les described a really great experience–sending a wolf back to the wild.  It was done in cooperation, if we remember correctly, with some people who are experts on this.  One just doesn’t  pick up a feral animal and offer it back to the jungle.

 Les almost had tears in his eyes as he described the exact moment the wolf was released from his cage, he turned back and gazed at his captors, and then Les said, “He ran away to freedom.”  This was, he told us, one of the most exciting moments he had ever had as a zoo director.  That’s because the real purpose of a zoo is to save the planet.  And, that’s a little known story, too, because it’s so much easier to think of zoos and aquaria as places to have fun.

We thought of that wolf today as we sent Les to freedom. 

What follows is a link or URL to a long but interesting memorandum developed by administration of Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy about the Hotel Bentley and the future of Downtown Alexandria.

It goes a long way to explaining why the mayor has urged caution, prudence and concern about the Bentley, the former Holiday Inn and the Riverfront Center.

Click here to read the memorandum in its entirety. 

We’ve been away, and we almost called Mayors Jacques Roy and especially Kip Holden in
Baton Rouge.      We were in St. Louis, which, during rush hour, makes
Houston look like Boyce and invites road rage by even the most peaceful of drivers.      This city that is the gateway to the West is upgrading by doing away with an entire Interstate through the city.      Okay, maybe you didn’t quite follow that.  They are upgrading by shutting down one whole Interstate.        They’re rebuilding it but not for more than a year.      Poor Mayor Holden who shakes his head about traffic in our capitol city should just chill.  And, Mayor Roy sometimes worries about Jackson Street Extension on Fridays.      It’s a piece of cake.  In fact, if we ever write again about traffic problems in this state, e-mail this blog back to us.      We were so enthralled with
St. Louis’ traffic problems, we couldn’t indulge in our usual pastime and check out the local political scene.      We did have an engaging conversation with a waiter about Obama (waiter is for him), and we couldn’t help but wonder if said waiter is even registered.       There’s so much sturm und drang out there, it’s oftentimes hard to tell who is really serious.                                                               ***     Please, please take the survey about Gov. Bobby Jindal’s trip west this weekend to meet with Cindy and John McCain (we’re a little tired of calling him the “presumptive” Republican nominee).  It’s supposed to be a social visit, according to the governor, but other V-P wannabes will also be around for bar-b-que.  These pilgrimages to meet the almost-nominees have become a political event unto themselves, not unlike the balloons that fall from the convention ceiling or the funny hats the women wear.      First, a list is leaked to the media, neither short nor long, but it’s an awfully good way of spreading some fairy dust on politicians you might need come fall.    Then, that list is pared, vetted and, nowadays, even subjected to focus groups.    It is an honor for our governor to be invited to
Arizona.    But, Woodworth State Sen. Joe McPherson’s stunt is almost too true among Democrats to joke about:  McPherson passed out Jindal for V.P. bumper stickers and dared anyone to question his sincerity.   

                                                              ***   This being Memorial Day Weekend, we have some sweet memories of veterans who always made our  professional lives a bit easier, particularly when it came to honoring the nation’s war dead.     One of them is Jack Boren.   The next time you hear someone refer to the

Purple
Heart
Bridge instead of the

one, smile and think of Jack.   He was the  main man behind that name change, and then when Philistines kept calling it the

Fulton
Street
Bridge, he complained to anybody who would listen.   Yes, Jack had a Purple Heart.   But, he also had a great heart for this country he helped to save, which he visited with his wife in their trusty RV (in fact, in a series of them).   He also had a fey sense of humor and the ability to craft jewelry out of, ahem, unusual animal droppings.     We’re glad Jack survived military service, because he taught us a lot about veterans, love of country and the importance of observances like Memorial Day.

It’s time for more speculation about judgeships, but now it’s a lot more fun. 

   Third Circuit Judge Glenn Gremillion of Division C of the First District, will not be running for re-election and is retiring as of June 6^th. 

   We learned today  that Chris Roy Senior will be appointed to the vacancy, which means he would not be able to run for that full term in the fall.  This would be
Roy’s second pinch hit, having previously served an an interim judge for his home town Marksville.  Interestingly enough, too, this would place that entire wing of the Roy family in public office, at least for a few months—the older son as state representative, the younger as
Alexandria mayor.   

   The list is growing of those who will seek that third circuit position, including the judge’s own son Shannon, Rapides Parish Prosecutor Loren Lampert,  Greg Beard (whose dad ran for the state house) and State District Judge Harry Randow of Rapides Parish, just to name a few. 

   Now, this is a short list at this point, though the talks are underway, and the list is sure to grow.. 

   Should Judge Randow (and many point out he’s the only sitting judge now talking about the race) decide to run, then that would, presto, open up another vacancy in Rapides Parish, and, yes, there’s a list for that seat, should it become vacant. 

   Every few years the movement of judges and attorneys reminds one of that school game, musical chairs, or, in this case, musical judges. 

   A short list of anyone chasing another vacancy in Rapides Parish would have to include Greg Upton, Gay Coleman, Greg Walker and Rick Farrar, who have run before, as well as a host of attorneys who have had this in the backs of their minds for years, including Brian Cespiva, for instance. 

   In an earlier column we listed many looking at the seat being vacated by Judge Rae Swent on the state district bench.  And, that list will grow, too.  Judicial vacancies are a little like rainbows; they don’t happen very often, so when they do, everybody wants a look-see.   

   All this means that the real action around Central Louisiana this summer will be on the bench, not in
Washington.  

   Rapides Parish Prosecutor Loren Lampert is featured in a recent issue (March 31st, the one with the Dalai Lama on the cover, and see Inbox) of Time magazine.  He wrote a letter to the editor, taking issue with the final edition of the HBO series “The Wire,” which seems to suggest the U. S. would be better off legalizing drugs, as is the case in many European countries.

   Lampert knows whereof he speaks.

   If you ever have a morning to give up, check out his massage of a jury panel before a drug case.  Lampert methodically describes himself, his family, his personal feelings about drugs and, of course, the law. 

   He uses a skilled power point explanation and breaks up the tedium with descriptions of his life as a father of four girls who help him feed the cows in the evening, or at least they once did so.

   He hates drugs with a passion, and he’s careful about condemning the addicts.  It’s the pushers he wants to ship away to Angola or parts unknown.

   His letter is thoughtful, well written and gives a perspective that was lacking in the original Time magazine report on “The Wire.”

   That’s probably why the editor selected it, and it’s a featured letter–meaning it’s easier to find than the others. 

   His letter though does raise an issue we hear debated very, very little, even in this election year–addiction and how to treat it.

   But, the debate is among a few, it seems.  Last night, our reporter attended a state-sponsored program on underage drinking, and he was shocked at the “handfull” of people who attended.

   We’ve heard presidential candidates debate Iraq and more recently the economy, and, yet, very little has been said about addiction, drugs, alcohol.

   Keep in mind that we ship people away to prison for drugs and alcohol with such regularity that housing state prisoners has become a cottage industry for most sheriffs in Louisiana, and some have even accepted them from as far away as Alabama.

   And, we’re no closer to any solutions. 

   If you visit Loren Lampert’s presentation, you’ll be shocked also, when he asks each panel, “Have any of you ever had any direct contact with someone who has been arrested for drugs?”

   We remember one time that more than half the hands went up.  The judge then usually intervenes and offers to discuss this individually and privately with the person on the panel.  After all, who wants to confess that he or she has a child, friend or other loved one with such a problem?

   It’s the number of hands that would make you gasp.

   Who doesn’t know someone who has run into or brushed against addiction?

   That’s another reason Loren Lampert’s letter got such play in a national magazine.  This is a problem that needs more discussion by people who know whereof the speak.

   We just learned of the untimely death of a great friend to journalism, former Town Talk Publisher Joe D. Smith Jr. 

   Our friendship with him was via someone very close to us, and we  have asked him, a retired employee, to write our blog this week to offer some remembrances of him.

   Alexandria is such a small town; we all went to the same church, and he was there Sunday in his usual pew, though he looked frailer than we had remembered.

   Herewith, then, is a guest blog from Jim Leggett:

I had known Joe D. Smith for almost 27 years, and although through the years I got to a point where I called practically everyone by their first names, I always called him Mr. Smith.In my association with him through The Town Talk I first thought of him as being gruff and aloof.

Back From
Galveston….Okay, you were supposed to get this from there.  However, we are awaiting a wi-fi tutorial, and we are not longer ashamed to admit that we are among the millions of older Americans who cannot navigate our computers.    So, herewith are observations you should have received last week.  However, after the
Texas primary, they seem, somehow, still very relevant.   
Texas was awash with signs, though few of them were presidential in nature.  We were staying in Ron Paul’s district, and he has a lot—for president and for Congress.  But, we drove about in search of buttons for friends who are fans and for those who collect (mostly judges around this town).     Obama’s headquarters were on Broadway and were in the predominantly African-American part of town, but the gaggle of volunteers were virtually all white and seemed to be from everywhere but Texas.  They were headed out to register people to vote.  And, they wanted us to join them, but we demurred, of course, explaining journalism, etc.  They were short on buttons and could only sell us two.  Yes, sell—they cost $2 apiece.     Then, we pursued Hillary and found her headquarters in a tonier part of town—nearer the action; they were larger, had more volunteers, and there was more diversity.  They had a yard-sign operation underway that would have made Henry Ford proud—a well-oiled assembly line.     Well, they had plenty of buttons (though not in different colors), and they cost $2 each as well.  Perhaps our judicial friends aren’t the only ones who are building collections.  They offered us yard signs and were a bit more curious about why we couldn’t vote, twice, in
Texas.        We were curious why one could vote twice in Texas, especially since that’s a long-time joke in
Louisiana.  Okay.  There’s a primary, and then there are caucuses.  The primary is first—though everybody we talked to had early voted.  And, quite frankly, the Hillary-ites did a better job of explaining this Lone Star quirk.      But, Obama’s people had the better swag—including a $20 poster of the candidate looking dreamily off into the future.      That evening the opponents were across the street from each other as visitors participated in an Art Walk, so we got to hear each spiel.  Our favorites were a Hillary-ite from California who kept talking about compassion and an Obama-ite from
England who can’t vote but is on board for the ride.       Nowhere to be seen were any McCain-ites, unless you count many of the people we spoke to at the B&B and the restaurants.         We left
Texas a little bit jealous.  Nobody set up offices here, nobody offered pins at any price for collectors or voters, and nobody here seemed excited, urgent or thrilled that we have the right, the privilege even, to choose who occupies the office which controls the most powerful nation on Earth.      

   The latest contretemps in the Presidential Race focuses on a New York Times story about an old, perhaps, friendship between GOP candidate John McCain and a lobbyist.   This brings to mind the debates in
Baton Rouge over lobbyists, spending limits and who can be entertained for how much.   Lobbyists have become a dirty word, and that’s too bad.                                Many legitimate activities and information are transferred from lobbyists to legislators, both here and in Washington, D. C.     In fact, lobbyists serve two very needy functions:  they actually read bills, which means they’re more likely to catch the slime than are lawmakers, especially those still wet behind the ears, like many of ours in
Baton Rouge right now; and, they are the last of the policy wonks.  They are actually willing to do the research to answer questions about how proposed laws will affect real people and businesses.   Now, one always must keep in mind that they have a dog in the hunt; but, once you know their predilections, then it becomes easy to separate fact from fiction.   Besides,  many of the lawmakers here and in D. C. got there because lobbyists went to bat for them in some way or another.   It’s sheer hypocrisy to suggest they are the root of all evil in government.   Few citizen activists have the time or money to go to
Baton Rouge and plead their cases.  And, when they do, they usually have been summoned there by—well, you guessed it, lobbyists.   It is not a bad idea to regular how lobbyists conduct their business.   We’ve come a long way from the old days when the head of the state AFL-CIO, arguable the tallest man in the state capitol, would walk around the chamber with his little book which kept a precise history of how lawmakers voted, so they could be rewarded or not every three years, when campaigns geared up.  It still happens, of course, but the current lobbyists are a tad more discreet.   So,  back to John McCain.  It seems to us that it’s entirely plausible staffers may have resented a lobbyist of all people bragging about access to the senator.  If so, then that’s their job to let her or him know that it’s a problem, whether a campaign is underway or not.   If, and only if, that’s all it is, then it’s much ado about practically nothing.  Those pretty young things have been a part of governing halls just about as long as anybody can remember, and all the ethics reform in the world and New York Times stories will not make them go away.   And, if the senator did let a pretty blonde turn his head, then he’s not the first, nor will he be the last.  The Times can fire a warning across his bow, but it will be up to his wife as well as his staffers to rein in unacceptable conduct.  It does not make him a bad choice for a nominee or for President of the
United States.   Moreover, once Baton Rouge has reined in the lobbyists, it’s time for the 144 legislators to focus on more important, substantive matters—like re-building New Orleans and
Southwest Louisiana.