KPLC Hot Topic

Gun Control Laws

        Will the Tucson shootings lead to new gun control laws?  The fingerpointing is intensifying over what to do after the attack on Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  We're hearing more debate over the old issue of toughening gun control laws.  But gun rights advocates say the real issue is mental illness, and that we shouldn't take away the rights of law abiding citizens to bear arms.  What do you think?  Does the Tucson massacre point to the need for tougher gun control laws?  

Millennium Park fire

     More than 48 hours later, and authorities are still no closer to finding out who set Millennium Park on fire in downtown Lake Charles.  Much of the park was destroyed by a fire early Sunday morning. Officials believe it was arson.  But unfortunately there were no surveillance cameras near the vicinity of the blaze.  The park's insurance should pay for debris removal and at least some of the rebuilding.  City police does have a high presence around the park, patrolling the area... but what's your reaction to the fact that there were no surveillance cameras near the vicinity of the fire?

Revising Mark Twain

    A new edition of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer" plans to replace the N-word with "slave" in an effort not to offend readers.  Twain scholar Alan Gribben is working with New South Books in Alabama to publish a combined volume of the books in February.  He says the N-word appears 219 times in "Huck Finn" and four times in "Tom Sawyer."  Gribben says he has used "slave" instead of the N-word at public readings and found audiences to be more accepting.  But other Twain scholars blasted his decision and Gribben has received a flood of hateful e-mail accusing him of desecrating the novels.   What do you think?  Is it acceptable to change any wording in these literary classics or should the writing be left as is?

Seventh District Future

     The new congress officially opened Wednesday.  And this is the last time we'll see seven members of congress being sworn in to represent Louisiana in Washington.  That's because due to the recent census numbers, Louisiana is losing a representative.  The state, in two years, will only have six representatives in congress.  Southwest Louisiana has a lot at stake in how those new lines will be drawn.  In just a few months, state lawmakers will meet in Baton Rouge to haggle over the redrawing of district maps which could mean the lake area is put in the Shreveport district.  Local state Representative Mike Dahahay is on the House committee and last night he went before the Lake Charles City council explaining why it's so important for Lake Charles and Lafayette to be in the same district.  But Danahay admits that will be a challenge.  The City Council approved a resolution, urging that Lake Charles and Lafayette remain in the same congressional district.  And you will get to have your say at a hearing coming up in late February.  Are you concerned about the redrawing of the district lines, and what it will mean for Southwest Louisiana's representation in Washington?

Edwards' future?

    He's still in jail.  But family members of former Governor Edwin Edwards say he could be released from the federal prison in Oakdale any day now.  His impending release has many of you talking about Edwards' political past, and speculating about any chance of a political future for the once popular governor.  So today in our "Hot Topic" we ask, "If Edwin Edwards could run for public office again, would you vote for him?

Navy video

     "Rough seas," so to speak, for the U.S. Navy.   A storm of controversy has erupted over some questionable videos shot on board the U.S. aircraft carrier, "The Enterprise."  The videos were made during 2006 and 2007, during combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and were broadcast on the ship's closed circuit television channel during movie nights.  The video spoofs were risque and laced with profanity. They included suggestive scenes, and derogatory comments about gays and lesbians.  And they featured a senior officer, Captain O.N. Honors.  And that's where the alleged problems come in.  Some sailors complained that the senior officer was not setting a good example by taking part in the videos.   But others were quite supportive of the senior officer, saying the skits were wildly popular with a majority of the crew.  The Navy is currently investigating the videos and will make a decision as to what, if any actions, need to be taken.  Some crew members aboard the Enterprise say the videos, though profane in many respects, were just a way for service members to ease tensions and let off pressure from being in a war zone.  What do you think?  Is this an overreaction to these videos... or do they, in fact, warrant an investigation?