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Backers of the ban labeled the pastime an outdated embarrassment to Louisiana, which is one of just two states where cockfighting is legal.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.
Every time I hear the words "Cock Fighting" I have these bizarre visions of two gay men . . . Never mind. You don't want to know.
Alright, you asked for it!
Do you know what an inbred is?
Do you know any inbreds?
Do you know any inbreds from Louisiana?
Are people who promote Cockfighting inbreds? Is that even the right word, or has your emotion limited your rebuttle of something you legitimately oppose, to slander a whole race of people?
Oh, I see, you now say, "those who promote this sport"
You are doing what we say in Louisiana as "a crawfish"
Crawfish backup when they go into their hole, just like you are doing.
In the story, a Louisiana congressman says...
"this is our culture"
mtbopfuyn says...
"Obviously so is inbreeding."
This implies that an entire ethnic group, of which I was born into, are inbreds. I could have been as much a "whine to the Admin" bed-wetter as you are when it comes to a chicken, and your the Freedom of your fellow American.
I prefer to embarass you with your own ignorance instead, since you are dead set on standing by your ignoramous comment.
At least I have the humility to admit here on FreeRepublic when I am wrong.
I escaped Lousyana (as I call it) and came to Texas as soon as I could.
I will however, counterattack 24/7 if someone wrongfully slanders my Cajun brothers.
FreeRepublic is not unique when it comes to having a few members who need polishing I guess.
....I guess I'm guilty of being a friday afternoon crawfish then....
LOL
Have a nice weekend.
;)
Oh, you coon-asses can do whatever you want, but I am also free to criticize, lampoon, poke fun at, and deride things like cockfighting.
At this point in history, my guess is that those who hold out for this bloodsport in Louisiana and Oklahoma are doing it because others tell them they shouldn't be doing it. Childish, but it's a reason.
I'm looking forward to it being over.
Have a nice weekend.
Agreed
"At this point in history, my guess is that those who hold out for this bloodsport in Louisiana and Oklahoma are doing it because others tell them they shouldn't be doing it. Childish, but it's a reason."
Actually, money has just about everything to do with it.
You're 100% correct. I can't think of many dumber sports than cockfighting. I just don't like to see others criticizing when it's not their problem. I can't think of anybody outside of South Louisiana that could be affected by this.
But like I said earlier, you can still make gumbo when it's over.
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