SWLA's Badge of Shame

Southwest Louisianians bristle when others call us a backwash.  But that's exactly what we are as long as we tolerate one of the most barbaric practices imaginable.  Cockfighting is cruelty at its most unimaginable level. 

And it is actively sanctioned and protected by our Southwest Louisiana state senators, good people who frequently speak of morality and ethics in the course of their public and private lives.  On this issue, they mysteriously hide behind a shell game of committee assignments, effectively killing attempts to put an end to this unconscionable practice.  By doing so, they each give legal cockfighting their personal seal of approval.

This week's KPLC Hot Button Editorial calls on our entire local legislative delegation to stop acting like bureaucrats and start being leaders.  Who knows what sway the "cockfighting lobby" has over them?  Perhaps they will step forward and tell us all.

It's also long past time for our region's churches to put their morals where their mouths are.  They've been eerily silent on the subject of cockfighting, so we can only assume they believe keeping this bloody practice legal in their own backyard is in alignment with their relationship with God. 

How ironic that the same government-sanctioned Theatre of Torture and Death which took the lives of so many Christians back in the Roman Empire is now played out on a weekly basis right here in Southwest Louisiana.  Now the Christian churches look the other way.

"The Book of Daniel" is gone, so local "Conservative Christians" have plenty of time & experience to rise up in organized fashion and help put a stop to it. 

Just in case you are tempted to continue sitting idly by, let me quote from Jim Beam's column in the American Press this past Sunday:

"State Police Lt. Rhett Trahan said the birds are thrown into a pit where they peck and claw at each other with razor-sharp spurs attached to their legs.  He said they naturally fight each other and are sometimes drugged to increase their energy levels.

Lentine added, "There's a lot of blood and a lot of gore and a lot of excitement, and they call it a sport."

The birds don't always die, he said.  "Sometimes they're just blinded, so later they have a 'Blinker Derby' and put blinded birds back in to slash each other."

Veterinarians and animal control experts consider cockfighting to be cruel and barbaric.  And it also represents an illegal form of gambling.

Trahan said he witnessed one fight where $250,000 was paid out, and over the night more than $1 million changed hands.  He said he saw a boy about 8 betting and then yelling for one bird to kill the other.

The state trooper said about two thirds of the birds at some fights are brought in from other states, which is illegal.  And with the threat of bird flu, it also poses health hazards.

There are many other critical social issues we face here which you might say are more important.   Child and spousal abuse.  Drug abuse.  Crime.  But those are illegal, and we as a society are committed to finding solutions to them.

Cockfighting is the front-burner issue that it is because it is NOT illegal.  It is unconscionable, and in Louisiana it remains legal.  Every time good people in the legislature rise up to put an end to it, others find a way to derail those efforts and that specifically includes our own SWLA legislative delegation.

Make no mistake; cockfighting is legal everywhere in Louisiana, but it is very much a local problem.  Southwest Louisiana is the state's epicenter of this outrage.

Please, pick up the phone and call your state senator and representative today.  Begin routing a petition to everyone in your address book.  Insist that your elected officials commit to not just supporting, but LEADING the charge to end this legalized Theatre of Torture and Death.

Or, do nothing and put your own Seal of Approval on it.

Comments

[Ronnie]

we should also stop ranchers from branding live stock if a person wants to fight chickens he has paid for or raised its money not yours.there is more inportant things in life such as homeless,you should worry about then cock fights.maybe we should stop killing all animals and be veg.boiling crawfish and crabs while they are alive should be stop also.I am shore you can find somthing else to bitch about.

[Jim Serra]

Crawfish, crabs and livestock are consumed as food, Ronnie. Their deaths are quick and do not involve torture. Gamecocks on the other hand are put in a ring and their natural instincts exploited with razors and drugs to continue torturing each other to the death for the entertainment and wagering of a cheering, bloodthirsty crowd that includes young children. Homelessness is among the issues our society tries to resolve and has absolutely nothing to do with the subject of this blog. All these are red herring arguments frequently floated by those defending cockfighting, so I'm glad you posted them here. -jim

[rick]

sir...we in this state resent what outsiders like you and other that come here and try to impose their views on people whether they be cockfighters..rodeo fishing hunting or whatever...cockfighting has had a long heritage since alexander the great...american presidents such as george washing...thomas jefferson and abraham lincoln participated in this sport..unlike the pickup truck cowboy we have in office right now...people are dying in iraq and all for a lie....we will not waiver to you and your opinions..we will fight the good fight...people are homeless in this state fellow...we spend too much time on senseless issues...and cockfighting has nothing to do with the shame this state has..its the politicians in washington who turned their backs on the people of this state and in my mind this is ashame...do your homework man...several large european countrys are legal also...and their people are still free and not loosing rights everyday

[Jim Serra]

***"outsiders like you"***

Been here since 1975, Rick. My daughter's an LSU grad. But if I arrived here yesterday, my opinion on cockfighting wouldn't be any different. -jim

[rick]

my familys been here since the mid 1800s...my opinion on out of staters hasnt either jim

[Mary J. Strickland]

Cockfighting is barbaric. We are the "laughing stock" in many other states. We need to improve our national image by having more cultural events.Let's rise above where we are!

[rick]

ive never heard no one personally laugh at my state for cockfighting...but ive seen people move here because of it.

[Paul Delacroix]

Jim,

In La. we have so many more important issues to resolve. Political accountability,our ranking among other states in education,bloated welfare rolls etc. Shortage of skilled laborers, school dropouts.

I would urge our legislators to look at these more important issues.

Paul Delacroix

[Jim Serra]

Those are certainly important issues which must continue to be addressed, Paul. But they are not an excuse for our elected officials to continue pandering to those who drug animals, strap razors to them, and force them to tear each other apart until they are dead for the entertainment of a cheering bloodthirsty crowd that includes young children. -jim

[Doug]

Hey Jim,
Keep up the good FIGHT! As I've said in this morning's Sunrise Blog, I think Sen. Lentini has guts for standing up for doing the right thing...and I think you do, too! I will take you up on your urging us to contact our lawmakers!

Question: Why did you guys close the comments to this subject's Sunrise Blog??

[Lori D.]

I totally agree with you that cockfighting should be illegal in our state. It's just one more thing to be embarassed about. But, Mr. Serra, what I don't understand is why you continue to find a way to once again cast a negative light on "Conservative Christians", saying we "have the time and experience to rise up in organized fashion and help put a stop to it." (as we did for The Book of Daniel). "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:14. I would say that we "Conservative Christians" are a blessed people and for that I am eternally grateful.

[A]

Jim -
Thank you for posting the information for reaching our local leaders regarding this issue. Legal cockfighting is an ugly blemish for Louisiana, and both "outsiders" and those of us born and raised here are disgusted by this "sport." Rick's disdain for his so-called 'outsiders' - which I suppose by his definition extends to anyone who wasnt settled down and raising families (and birds for gristly sport)in Louisiana post 1800 - does not extend to the majority of Louisianians. Most of us welcome anyone moving into our state - it's my understanding that the majority of Louisiana's educated college grads have been migrating out-of-state at alarming rates for years. Our Welcome! mat is out for you, Jim!

[Jim Serra]

***"I would say that we "Conservative Christians" are a blessed people"***

Amen, Lori. But I once saw a sign outside a local church that said "Jesus took away our sins, not our brains." A number of people rose up in anger when NBC aired a show they didn't like. The first thing they told me when they contacted me is that they were "Conservative Christians." They were tenacious and didn't give up till they got what they wanted. Now I am challenging our entire community including area churches (and specifically those Conservative Christians who place a premium on moral behavior) to rise up against this ongoing atrocity in our midst. Pretend it's a TV show, if that helps. A bloodthirsty crowd including young children surrounds a ring wherein two animals bred to maximize their natural tendencies are drugged and strapped with razors, then allowed to fight until they are bloodied and dead. Blinded animals are removed and then put back in the ring to slash each other until they are dead as well. The cheering crowd bets millions of dollars. Birds are illegally brought in, even as the threat of deadly bird flu looms worldwide. Elected state officials from our community give this enterprise their blessing in the name of "personal freedom." What part of that weekly TV show do you consider "blessed" by God or for that matter any rational human?

[Jim Serra]

***"I will take you up on your urging us to contact our lawmakers!

Question: Why did you guys close the comments to this subject's Sunrise Blog??"***

Thanks Doug...contacting our local state delegation (particularly Senators Mount, Theunissen, and Cain) is the best way to see to it that this legalized atrocity is addressed. We close the "Hot Topic Blog" to replies each morning after the Sunrise newscast so that we can better police the replies which are posted and remove any personal attacks, etc. (If we left each one open forever, it would be difficult if not impossible to monitor all replies.) We do the same with out Hot Button Editorial blogpage; the reply switch is closed when the next week's editorial airs. I generally keep the reply switch to my own blogs open in perpetuity since I am advised by @mail when a new reply is received and I can personally monitor the replies for any personal attacks, etc.

[Hot Topic Replies]

Note...following are the Sunrise Hot Topic replies posted to the topic of cockfighting.
--------------------------------------------

Heck if Chicken isnt considered an animal according to the state of Louisiana then I must be a vegitarian.

Posted by: Erik | May 09, 2006 at 09:19 PM

I believe it is cruel and barbaric for the state of Louisiana to allow this to happen. It doesnt make any sence to allow this to take place. Louisiana,lately has so many negative things goung against the state,and this another low blow for us. I am becomming embarrassed for the state of Louisiana. Our so called lawmakers ought to all be replaced. I believe chickens or roosters are also a part of Gods creations.There is a difference in being killed for food and just for sport. Lets all make some noise about this problem.

Posted by: Don | May 10, 2006 at 03:20 AM

With J.D. Cain trying to buy votes with the flag and now the Ten Commandments.. (And in my opinion he is loyal to neither..) Then we have the school board lording over the kids again by ignoring the parents wishes on the phone issue. Yet we have a topic on chickens... If cockfighting is regulated by the gaming commission as are the casino's then these good ol boys would probably rather sell their birds to the Colonel.. Thanks Pete

Posted by: Pete | May 10, 2006 at 03:30 AM

I think we left out one other alternative sport ,savagery,or money.People come from all over to bet on these chickens.I bet the last one is what keeps it legal.Come on people how long has it been scence these politician do what the people vote and want.I also think we have alot more major problems like Illegal imagration we are being invaded ,gas ,a loonatic trying to get a nuke and securing our borders.Cock fighting is the least of my worries

Posted by: kyle | May 10, 2006 at 03:44 AM

It is time Louisiana joined the rest of civilized America and ban blood for fun. Of course we eat chickens but do we need to feature the creatures being torn to peices bit by bit? It is more than a little scary to think there actually are grown(?) men who get their peverted jollies from being part of this 'entertainment'. What else might they do for entertainment?

Posted by: carla simson | May 10, 2006 at 03:44 AM

To quote Mrs. Mount: Just because we "have many people who enjoy and participate in that issue" (that of cockfightting), just doesn't make me feel warm 'n fuzzy inside about this "issue" being the right thing to do. Sounds like Mrs. Mount, amongst many other of our state's politicians, is simply not wanting to "ruffle the feathers" of her voters versus supporting the right thing to do. I think Senator Lentini has guts because I think he's doing his job, but good luck to him trying to get this passed in a state that's ranked 2nd highest in drunk driving deaths (....oh, but drinking alcohol and driving evidently is something that us many Louisianians enjoy and participate in!....)

Posted by: Doug | May 10, 2006 at 03:55 AM

I think Cock Fighting is great, But the blades they put on the birds are wrong. We do not send boxers in the ring with knifes, even with the Extream fighters.

Posted by: Jimmy Colley | May 10, 2006 at 04:04 AM

If Senator Willie Mount and the Southwest Louisiana Delegation believe that cock fighting is "just part of the state culture", let's strap razors to their wrists, and put them in a ring. The last one standing can go back into the ring with the owners that supply the roosters for fighting. Again, the last one standing can go back into the ring with the true "backers" of this "sport". The people that hide in the background and pay officials to vote their way so that they can profit from the true reason of the "sport"... money from the betting on the winners... I wonder when they're going to find a way to payoff the roosters to "throw" the fight...

Posted by: Lainey | May 10, 2006 at 04:05 AM

This is a topic that keeps coming up and voters need to find out what politicians voted for this and contact them. Let them know how you feel and remember how they voted when you cast your next vote. I just don't understand how this can be considered a "sport". When the poll was done the people of Louisiana spoke and said they were against cockfighting. If politicians aren't listening, let's make a change. Come on Louisiana let's take a stand. If you go to the local cockfighting club, you'll see that over ninety percent of the license plates are from out of state. It' illegal to transport these birds over the state line. Do you really think pepole are driving here just to be a spectator? What about the the bird flu these birds can bring into our state? Find out what's going on right here in our own backyard,at the state line from Texas, right off I-10. What an embaressment!

Posted by: Diana Morales | May 10, 2006 at 04:21 AM

I don't have an opinion either way on cockfighting because I don't know enough about it . I do wish however that Education and Healthcare lobbyist were as important/ powerful as cockfighting lobbyist are. Maybe if the legislatures applied more productive, ethical efforts towards these areas our state could attract more businesses/jobs.

Posted by: Malcolm Tietje | May 10, 2006 at 04:23 AM

Does it make any sense that these politicians of ours that support cock-fighting are the very ones that won't support, say, dog fighting? Why is that?

Know what happens to those dead roosters after they've lost their battle of death? They're simply THROWN AWAY! I know, I've been to a few as a youngster, and it's very very cruel. Those dead roosters should be cooked up in a big gumbo and then let those politicians who support that EAT IT! Now that's what I call "eatin' crow, or , rooster"!!

One more thing: Wanna know why those dead roosters are not consumed as meat for a gumbo? Because of all the drugs pumped into them for their death fights.

One last thing: Wanna know how our politicians can stomach the supporting of two animals (roosters) fighting to the death while not supporting, say, dogs, cats, cows,etc. doing the same thing?? Simple!! Just make a ruling saying that roosters are not "animals"!! It's true. They did just that.

Posted by: RD | May 10, 2006 at 04:41 AM

i think cockfighting is wrong cause it kills
living innocent animals.

Posted by: Roger | May 10, 2006 at 04:57 AM

[Doug]

Jim,
Just an update to let you know that I have contacted my representatives, senators, etc. from earlier today. I asked them all the same question: "What are your views on the issue of cock fighting in our state. Specifically, are you for it or against it?"

Out of the 5 that represent me (Chuck Kleckley, Gerald Theunissen, Charles Boustany, Mary Landrieu, and David Vitter), only one, Chuck Kleckley, has replied back so far. However, Mr. Kleckley has yet to give me HIS opinion, and instead, has asked me a "question with a question" (politics 101) with first wanting to know what I thought. But hopefully, with my reiterating on wanting HIS views, perhaps he'll give me an answer. Will keep you up-dated if you'd like. Thanks.

[Jim Serra]

Thanks Doug. I'm told tonight (Wednesday) that the bill will once again come before the Senate next Tuesday. We'll see how our local delegation deals with it. I would suspect that some of our lawmakers (and ALL of the cockfighters of our area) would like to just see this thing "taken out of the ring" this session with the hope that it will be safely out of sight and out of mind until next year. We will not let that happen. -jim

[Marylee]

I agree with every point your editorial makes. especially the barbaric nature of the practice. Is this really the sort of cruel and violent legacy we should be handing down to our children? If, as experts tell us, early exposure to violence on TV, in movies & video games, desensitizes young minds to such behavior in real life, the "legalized blood sport" of cock-fighting should be abolished.

It is ranked near the top of my list of animal cruelty issues, right beside other predictors of future violent, antisocial behavior, as in setting cats or dogs on fire just to watch them burn.

Would you please tackle next another Louisiana legal business which visitors to the state joke about while here and after they return home as well?? I am referring to the drive-thru daiquiri shops. I cringed when Jay Leno tossed out zingers about it in his monologue one night. It stunned me so badly that I don't now remember the context nor even when he introduced the topic, but I know that he did.

I'm surprised that anti-drunk driving associations haven't gone after their lawmakers on this issue, hammer & tongs. Or perhaps they have, and have been outspent by the liquor lobbyists in buying votes?

[Doug]

Hey Jim,
Here's something of interest: Back in the late '70's, a certain 14th judicial district judge actually made a ruling (pertaining to that of cock fighting) stating that roosters were not "animals", that they were considered "fowl"!--------hmmm? Hence, another way to get around the cruelty of fighting "animals" to the death? You may want to research this further.

[Concerned]

Cockfighting is indeed barbaric and should be stopped. The following words of Gandhi speak volumes: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Animals cannot stand up for themselves and fight (no pun intended) against the cruelty to which they are subjected. It is up to citizens to fight this injustice.
Yes, there are other issues in society which need to be adressed as well (homelessness and the high school dropout rate have been mentioned here), but for the most part, the people who these problems affect can stand up for themselves. Yes, they need support from the rest of us, but part of their fate is in their own hands. The roosters used in cockfighting cannot do this- they need our help and the help of our state legislators.

[Bonnie Lass]

Jim, I'm glad to see you have brought to our attention the subject of Cockfighting. This is indeed a barbaric "sport" and should certainly be banned as soon as possible. How anyone can call it is a sport is beyond me. In the UK, cockfighting was introduced by the Romans, so no surprise there then, when you think of what they did to the gladiators in pursuing their "sport". Cockfighting was eventually banned here in 1840. Unfortunately it does still go on in secret venues from time to time, and the Police are very active in the arrest and prosecution of people involved. I would reiterate the quote by Gandhi mentioned by "Concerned" - "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." How very true this is.

[mark]

I guess the key word here, is 'legal'. It is legal. How about our authorities concentrate on the 'illegal' things! Like, 'letting' drug offenders back onto the streets, saying, "there is no room in jail"? How about getting me, MY CHILD SUPPORT, that hasn't been paid to me, in FIVE YEARS?? (edited for language) cock-fighting.....I want to see the officials work on something worthy!!!

[mark]

...and people don't eat the 'cocks', because they eat the 'hen'.....we don't 'not eat the cocks', due to the drugs they've been fed. Oh, and just so you know, I have never seen a cock fight...never betted on one...it's just never been any of my business, nor has it ever been important to me...more beautiful creatures are killed, almost daily! ducks, geese...gators, deer...need I go on?

[James]

The combination of an incompetent Bush administration and a rubber stamp Congress has led to an utter failure of our government. From skyrocketing gas prices, to the lack of body armor for our troops - Bush has consistently led our country astray. And we here in Louisiana are worried about cockfighting. I guess we have our priorities straight. Animals before Humans.

Osama bin Laden remains at large, despite tough rhetoric from the White House. The failed response to Hurricane Katrina - a natural disaster we knew was coming - raises serious concerns over how we would deal with another surprise terrorist attack. And we here in Louisiana are worried about cockfighting. I guess we have our priorities straight. Animals before Humans.

The problem is that George Bush doesn't have a plan for keeping us safe. Instead, his administration has offered nothing more than stubborn ideology, rank incompetence, and outright failure. And we here in Louisiana are worried about cockfighting. I guess we have our priorities straight. Animals before Humans.

George Bush says he makes decisions based on his instincts. Too many times, we've seen that his instincts are subliminal. The facts bear witness to 5 years of failed leadership. And we here in Louisiana are worried about cockfighting. I guess we have our priorities straight. Animals before Humans.

[critter lover]

Jim...You must be a pretty good soul to "stick your neck out" for what you KNOW is a VERY sinful practice. Good on YOU!

I do everything in my power to try and stop the barbaric treatment of God's creation. The roosters, dogs, hogs, and any other critter that gets "used/exploited" for "entertainment". How very sad.

I've written your legislators, along with other state's legislators, Attorney General's, etc.

It is my Christian belief to stand up for those that don't have a voice...be it human or beast.

It is also my Christian belief that when this country bans ALL cruelty to God's creatures, and makes the penalties VERY stiff..this country will return to being the God fearing place it USED to be. HEATHEN countries allow animal cruelty. God put us in charge of His creatures to shepherd, love and care for.

Thank you for being you. God bless!