KPLC Hot Topic

Born in the USA?

Wednesday morning President Obama attempted to put to rest a controversy that has dogged him for more than two years. Was he really born in the USA, and therefore eligible to be president? Wednesday, the White House released a more detailed version of the president's birth certificate.

Does this end the "birther" debate?

Ending oil industry tax breaks?

President Obama repeated his call Tuesday for an end to $4 billion in oil industry tax breaks as gas prices approach $4 a gallon.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the president said the oil industry is profitable enough without the tax incentives and that the money should be spent on alternative energy sources, and conservation.

What's your reaction to the President's proposal?

 

The Donald, the President?

He has not that he's running, but real estate tycoon turned reality TV star Donald Trump is currently the most talked about possible presidential hopeful. "The Donald's" media buzz has even eclipsed Sarah Palin.

What do you think, will Trump run, if so, will he get your vote?

Teen Suicide Pact

     A small Minnesota community is mourning the loss of two teenage girls... the apparent victims of a teen suicide pact.  Authorities say last weekend, the 14 year olds took their own lives at a sleep-over.  That after one of the girls had been the victim of school bullying.  The Centers for Disease Control released results of a 2009 health survey, and it found that 30 to 40 percent of middle school students admitted to being involved in or affected by bullying. Experts say schools, students, and families need to work together to recognize warning signs and also implement anti-bullying education programs.  Have you or a child you know been the victim of bullying?      

Good Friday National Holiday?

    There's a campaign on the horizon to make Good Friday a National Holiday in the United States.  The group will officially launch its national campaign on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. with the movie screening of "Passion of the Christ" and the collection of one million signatures.  Do you agree or disagree with commemorating Good Friday as a national holiday?

Coastal Crisis... One Year Later

     Today marks the one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.  The accident, which claimed 11 lives, would trigger the worst oil spill disaster in the nation's history.  Even though a lot has been done to restore the Gulf Coast, many residents and fishermen who depend on these waters say problems remain.  Looking back, do you feel enough has been done to save Louisiana's coastline since the disaster?  Are you satisfied with Gulf Coast restoration efforts? 

Elderly inmates

     Some 841 new pieces of legislation are on the docket for the start of the regular legislative session next Monday.  Among them is a measure that would give prison inmates over the age of 60 a shot at freedom.  Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith is filing the bill.  It is highly restrictive however.  It does provide that inmates who have served more than 10 years of their sentence be given a hearing before the parole board.  They must be at least 60 years old.  The theory is that elderly inmates who are not a danger to society be taken off the prison rolls. Smith says, "The most important thing is that it just makes them eligible to go before the parole board.  It doesn't open the door and say you can just walk out.  It says you'll have an opportunity to have a hearing."  What do you think of the "60 year old"  early release bill?   Do you think it has a chance of passage?  Similar bills have been shot down in the past.  But Representative Smith says this year, she has the blessing of the Bishops Conference and The American Civil Liberties Union.

The Ten Commandments

     The Special Session of the legislature just wrapped up with the redrawing of congressional district lines.  But the upcoming regular session which convenes in about a week, is sure to have its own fireworks.  Especially because of a proposal that may ignite controversy over separation of church and state.  A Shreveport senator is planning a bill that would have a Ten Commandments monument placed at the State Capitol.  The bill would require the governor's commissioner of administration to arrange for the monument... but it doesn't stipulate who will pay for it.  Similar monuments have drawn legal challenges around the country.  We'll see what happens with this one once the session gets underway.  What do you think about the idea of a Ten Commandments monument at the State Capitol?

Obama's deficit cut plan

 

The target is $4 trillion in deficit reductions over a dozen years. President Barack Obama is proposing cuts in the growth of Medicare spending, cuts in defense, and an end to some tax loopholes -- along with an end to tax cuts for wealthier Americans. His speech today put the blame for the nation's rising debt on the spending increases and tax cuts enacted during the presidency of George W. Bush.

 Republicans say the cuts are not deep enough and that raising taxes will hurt the economy and cost jobs. What's your opinion on the plan?

Harrah's Property

     It's been in the works for nearly two years.  Now the City of Lake Charles has outright ownership of the old Harrah's property.  But what to do with the four acres?  That's the question before the city council as they consider the property's long term development potential.  Now that the city has official ownership of the property, they have 180 days to decide whether to lease, sell, or demolish the structures on the property.  If they decide to tear it down within the six months, Pinnacle will tear it down with no cost to the city.  What do you hope to see the city do with the old Harrah's property?