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"We can say cockfight, but we can't say that two girls fought over some guy's --" |
Posted on 06/09/2006 7:05:41 AM PDT by pkajj
‘Our culture’ argument sways House panel
A bid to ban cockfighting in Louisiana was crushed Thursday by the same House committee that has rejected similar bills for years.
“Please, this is our culture,” said A.F. Olivier, a store owner in Sunset, which is near Opelousas and is a stronghold of support for cockfighting. “It has been going on as long as we have been around,” Olivier told the House Agriculture Committee.
Backers of the ban labeled the pastime an outdated embarrassment to Louisiana, which is one of just two states where cockfighting is legal. Hilton Cole, director of the animal control center for East Baton Rouge Parish, told the panel he attended a cockfight that featured a 9-year-old boy yelling “kill him, kill him” at a rooster and the winning bird trying to peck the eye out of its victim.
“The animals were then thrown on a pile and, believe it or not, some of them were still quivering,” Cole said. The measure, Senate Bill 652, failed on a vote of four in favor and 10 opposed, which probably means the issue is finished for the 2006 legislative session.
The same panel has been the graveyard of similar measures for years. Rep. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi and chairman of the committee, allowed opponents of the bill to testify before all but one supporter testified, which is highly unusual in the Legislature.
Cockfighting pits two or more roosters, usually with razor-like spurs attached, against each other in a fight to the death as bettors and other enthusiasts look on.
It is only legal in Louisiana and New Mexico. Most states abolished cockfighting in the 19th century. The ban, which was sponsored by Sen. Art Lentini, R-Kenner, passed the Senate last week, 30-4. “What is the benefit of strapping razors upon birds and encouraging them to fight each other to the death?” Lentini asked the committee.
However, it was clear from the outset that the measure faced major problems in the House panel. “Who are you to tell St. Landry Parish … what is a redeeming value?” Rep. Don Cravins Jr., D-Opelousas, asked Lentini. Other committee members asked similar questions.
Dr. Maxwell Lee, state veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture, was described by Thompson as a witness strictly appearing to provide information. However, Lee echoed the view of state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom, who contends that keeping cockfighting legal allows the state to better test birds for diseases and reduce chances for the spread of bird flu.
“We are pretty comfortable with the way things are,” Lee said. But Lentini said that, by allowing cockfighting to continue, Louisiana risks providing an opening for bird flu into the state and elsewhere. “People are stepping in blood, blood is flying,” he said of cockfights. “That is how diseases are spread.”
Ana Zorrilla of New Orleans, development director for the state branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said polls show state residents want to ban the pastime. “I believe that our culture is too rich and too deep to be associated with cockfighting,” Zorrilla said.
Critics of the bill said cockfighting and spin-off industries account for about $850 million per year. Jay Sabatucci of Fort Worth, Texas, regional program manager for The Humane Society of the United States, disputed arguments that cockfighting is an economic boost.
“Please, please do not base your economy on cockfighting,” Sabatucci said. “This is a blight on the state.” Others dismissed arguments that cockfighting is barbaric. “This is a case of two animals being turned loose and doing what they want to do,” said Larry Mathews, a resident of St. Landry Parish and president of the United Game Fowl Breeders Association.
Rep. Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette, also downplayed arguments that cockfighting is cruel. Hebert showed the committee a live rat in a container, a breed which he noted is often the target of deadly injections in the name of science, and a silver hook used to nab alligators.
Voting for the bill were Reps. Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads; Hollis Downs, R-Ruston; Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro; and Francis Thompson, D-Delhi.
Voting against the measure were Reps. Don Cravins Jr., D-Opelousas; Mickey Frith, D-Kaplan; Mickey Guillory, D-Eunice; Herman Hill, D-Dry Creek; Lelon Kenney, D-Columbia; Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte; Dan Morrish, R-Jennings; Jack Smith, D-Stephensville; Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part; and Mike Strain, R-Covington.
Ahh, moral relativism. I wonder if the cognitive dissonance gets to him?
This Thread is going to get all kinds of nasty...
Maybe they should try to ban cockfighting in San Francisco...
This could be a job for Chickeeeen Man.
It reminds me of the old Cheech and Chong skit where Cheech talks about his job at the cock fights: "My shob is to enrrrage de cocks"
Let them have cock fighting. We have the Ultimate Fighting Championship who beat each other to a pulp.
Obviously so is inbreeding.
I have NEVER seen any manifestation of harm that this practice produces, other than an injured or dead rooster, which can be cooked up in a gumbo after it reached room temperature.
However, Louisiana has really big problems such as terrible schools, crumbling roads and bridges, corrupt politicians and an enabling voting populous.
Perhaps they should fix some levies first, before targeting people who are practicing century old traditions.
I'm thinking of launching a massive flame attack on your comment about my heritage. I'll give you a chance to take it back.
I'll grab the popcorn...I havn't seen a good north / south piss fight in months here on FR.
:)
Well, let's see here... Nagin, Blanco, Landrieu, Edwards, the Longs...
Embarrass Louisiana, you say? Evidently, it can't be done.
Too...Many...Jokes...
Folks who enjoy cock-fighting are not folks I want to be around, nor would I want anyone I cared about around them.
It's a pity that it hasn't been banned, but just another reason to avoid the heck out of LA and not give them one penny of my tourist revenue. ;)
Does that make them cock sackers?
Well usually legislation is defeated ny "Big" interests. Big Oil, Big Tobbacco, Big Sugar, Now we have Big................
From the Seinfeld episode about cockfighting....
New scene - Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer at the cockfight in back of Marcelino's store.
JERRY (to Elaine): So, you're actually considering it?
ELAINE: Well, it'll be a couple of years before he's completely bald. Those'll be good times.
JERRY: Marriage is a big step, Elaine. Your life'll totally change.
ELAINE: Jerry, it's three-thirty in the morning. I'm at a cockfight. What am I clinging to?
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"We can say cockfight, but we can't say that two girls fought over some guy's --" |
Nope, it makes them Cock Blockers.
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