Have we become overly sensitive when it comes to judging patriotism?
A Facebook post about a U.S. soldier who was asked to take down his American flag has sparked a heated debate.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Weir and his wife Lauren of Huntsville, Alabama received a note from the owner of their condo complex requesting that they take down their American flag because it violates the condo rules. The post went viral and several veterans groups and concerned citizens went to the complex to protest in favor of the soldier. The Facebook had over 2,500 “likes” as of last night!
The manager of the property, Carol Coffey, said she has been bombarded with phone calls and emails supporting the U.S. soldier. Coffey said in comments to WHNT.com from an article at foxnews.com that the request is not intended to be criticism of America or the flag. She said, “I served in Afghanistan, I served in Iraq and I served in Kuwait. I am not anti-veteran and I am not a communist.”
I understand the initial reaction to any request to take down an American flag, especially a flag put up by a U.S. soldier, is outrage, but isn’t it also an indication that our judgment of patriotism can be misguided?
I don’t agree with many of the rules and codes that certain residential complexes or neighborhoods include in their bylaws, but the rules and codes are designed to protect the aesthetics of an area and prevent individuals from destroying the visual landscape with outrageous colors, items or architecture. Residents are usually made aware of the codes of the community and those codes are usually changed by a vote of the residents.
Carol Coffey said that the condo association is now considering changing the bylaws to allow a certain number of American flags to be flown outside of each unit. But until the bylaws are changed, is it really an attack on patriotism to request that the basic rules of a community are followed? Isn’t there something innately patriotic about abiding by rules established by a majority?
As a country, let’s focus on the things and actions that pose a real threat to our nation and our sense of patriotism. Requiring even a U.S. soldier to follow the rules of the community in which he resides is not un-American – even if the item in question is an American flag!
I love talking about the ‘feel-good’ laws that do nothing but make us feel that we have done something as a society to solve a problem, but in reality, that’s all the laws accomplish. Politicians praise themselves for taking action and proclaiming to have solved a problem for the purpose of enhancing their public image. But the laws are called ‘feel-good’ laws because the only purpose they serve is to make the public feel as if the right action has been taken.
I also love talking about laws that just don’t make sense. Again, the motivation comes from a desire to solve a problem, but the problem is not solved while leaders pat themselves on the back for ‘doing the right thing’.
In Lafourche Parish, the ‘saggy pants’ law is apparently seldom enforced. The law bans “indecent exposure” of a person’s “below-waist underpants.” In 5 years, only 45 individuals have been ticketed. Sheriff Craig Webre says that it is up to the discretion of his deputies to enforce the law. Sheriff Webre admits that the department does not have a “baggy-pants task force that spends its time looking for that particular violation.”
I disagree with the ‘baggy-pants’ law, but don’t pass a law if you’re not going to enforce it. Young people in Lafourche Parish are exposed to the same fashion trends as young people across the country. As the result of mass communications and now social media, young people around the world as exposed to the same fashion trends and those trends transcend boundaries. Young people in Lafourche Parish wear ‘saggy pants’.
It’s hard to image that more tickets could not have been written in Lafourche Parish over a 5-year period. This may be another case of responding to a complaint from the community with a law that makes everyone feel as if there will be change - when in reality there is no change.
Last year, in response to complaints about young people hanging out in the Quarter late at night, the City Council passed a strict curfew law banning anyone 16 and younger from being out in Quarter after 8:00 pm seven days a week unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The French Quarter is part of my neighborhood and I am in the Quarter every day. While I am not checking IDs, I can assure you that every weekend night and into the early morning hours there are numerous young teens on Bourbon Street without parental supervision. I don’t see them causing trouble and I’m not blaming NOPD for not doing more to enforce the law, but this is another case of a law being passed in response to a perceived problem without the law being strictly enforced.
It should be up to the citizens to stop accepting passage of ‘feel-good’ laws as if they will be enforced and actually solve a problem. Politicians often receive the support of the community and are applauded for having the courage to pass laws that do nothing to make the community better. The main reason laws like the ‘saggy pants’ law and the teen curfew law are not enforced is because law enforcement has more important things to focus their attention on. And if that’s the case – why pass the laws in the first place?
Just a brief comment about a law that qualifies as a ‘feel-good’ law – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on selling sugary sodas over 16 ounces. The intent of the law is to curb obesity, but this law is a ridiculous and ill-conceived attempt to do something about an actual problem.
The loopholes that expose this law as absurd continue to mount. You can’t purchase regular soft drinks larger than 16 ounces, but you can buy two 16 ounce drinks allowing you to consume 32 ounces of the very drink that has been banned in larger quantities!
And it has now been learned that Domino’s is no longer stocking 2-liter bottles of soft drinks because the company will not be allowed to deliver a large pizza with a 2-liter bottle of Coke because of the law that is designed to fight obesity. A 2-liter bottle of soda contains from 700 to 1,000 calories – Domino’s large Classic Hand-Tossed pizza contains 3,120 calories!
We only have ourselves to blame for supporting politicians who pass laws that do not make a difference in our world. But that’s convenient for us because we feel like our voice was heard on an issue and a problem was solved. So we move on with our lives as if we have something to be proud of!
Do President Obama and the First Family spend too much time and money traveling?
Following a weekend golf trip to Florida where the President played golf with Tiger Woods and the First Lady and First Daughters went skiing in the mountains, I did look into the president’s travel. In his first 31 months in office, President Obama spent 61 days on vacation. Over the same period of time, President George W. Bush spent 112 days on vacation. It’s argued that Obama is taking more expensive vacations, but specific numbers on exactly what is spent on presidential travel is not concise – and that may be on purpose!
Today, Senator Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, sent a letter to the White House budget office calling for a “hiring freeze” on non-essential positions, such as a staff assistant to answer phones at the Labor Department, which pays up to $81,204 annually…and to cut back on travel.
As the battle to change the fiscal course of the United States continues, both political parties have differing views on what is the best course of action – spending cuts or increasing taxes. Obviously, a combination of cutting spending and increasing some taxes is the right answer, but if this country doesn’t stop spending money in a wasteful manner, any increase in taxes will only be wasted by the government.
I have read different estimates on what it costs when the president uses Air Force One. The costs range from about $30,000 an hour to $50,000 an hour. And then there are all the expenses of security for the President and the first family, the traveling staff and accommodations. President Obama’s recent Hawaiian vacation cost about $4 million.
I’m not going to criticize presidents for taking time off, and I realize presidential vacations are also working vacations, but lavish vacations when Americans are forced to make difficult financial decisions does not set a good example.
This is a bi-partisan problem. Every president has taken trips and spent taxpayers’ dollars on trips that were not necessary. And members of Congress waste our money too. There are countless “fact-finding” trips to wonderful places around the world that could have been avoided with the use of today’s technology.
The President of the United States is primarily a figurehead. He is our leader. Leaders should lead by example. Even though every president has taken advantage of having Air Force One at their disposal - that is no excuse for a president to take trips that are designed to enhance the President’s political image and serve little or no purpose to enhance the United States of America. When I see this President or think about any president using Air Force One for the sole purpose of delivering a policy speech in person for public image, I get the impression that some presidential travel is non-essential and therefore, a waste of money.
When presidents/kings tell their citizens/subjects to sacrifice, but fail to make their own sacrifices then it’s easy to say that a president/king is out-of-touch with “the people.”
President Obama has an opportunity to do something I don’t recall any president ever doing – cut travel and be very public about it. Tell the American people what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Even though it would be mostly symbolic and in reality would do little to solve this nation’s fiscal problems, openly cutting travel is the responsible thing to do. It would also project a message that this President understands what so many Americans are dealing with during this long economic struggle.
The culture of a corporation or a country is formed from the top down. Businesses and individuals, cut back on travel and non-essential expenses when money is an issue. Why shouldn’t we expect the same from the President and all of our political leaders?
Through my radio career as a morning personality on music stations and now as a talk show host, I have seen many incredible concerts with some of the biggest and the best at the height of their careers – Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Rod Stewart, Brue Springsteen, Duran Duran, Sting, Bon Jovi are just a few.
Honestly, the Kid Rock concert last night at the New Orleans Arena was one of the BEST concerts I have ever seen! I became an instant Kid Rock fan when I first saw him perform at Jazz Fest. I was impressed by his energy on stage, his musical talent and even the depth of his songwriting. So I went to the concert last night with high expectations.
Kid Rock-ed! Jazz Fest is a fun daytime venue that does not allow performers to hide any lack of talent behind an elaborate light show or sage production. Too often the stage production of a concert distracts from the talent of the performer.
Last night, Kid Rock’s lighting and stage production were elaborate, but did not distract from his talent. I was impressed. There are not many performers who can be described as ‘unique’. Kid Rock is one who deserves that description. He is rock, country and rap and he has his own distinct moves that make his stage presence awesome.
In addition to his remarkable talent, the content of Kid Rock’s music and overall message are different. Kid Rock’s love of America and his recognition of God during the show are similar to what you expect from many country music performers.
Kid Rock is a Republican in a world dominated by Democrats. He supported Mitt Romney in the presidential campaign, but made a gesture that he has no hard feeling toward President Obama. His candidate simply did not win the election. That should make Kid Rock a role model for many Americans.
The show opened with a video and a Kid Rock voice over. He thanked the Lord for America and asked for a blessing that he does not disappoint the audience. During the show Kid Rock voiced over another video about how America is the BEST place to raise a flag – a son – a daughter and expectations.
Toward the end of the show red, white and blue balloons dropped from the ceiling in the style of a political convention and as the balloons descended to the audience they began to bat them around. During a patriotic moment in the show, a giant America flag unfurled and draped across the entire back of the stage. It was electrifying!
There was not a lot of time between the opening act – Buckcherry – and Kid Rock. It wasn’t long after Buckcherry left the stage when the stage backdrop was filled with video slides of fans and a countdown to the start of the concert.
I first noticed it at 15 minutes and when it hit 1 minute to ‘start of show’ the crowd applauded and cheered in anticipation of what was about to hit the stage! I have been in enough backstage situations to know that performers often take their time and don’t start their shows on time. Recently, Madonna has angered many of her fans with obnoxious delays and long waits for the ‘star’ to start the show are common in the world of rock. But Kid Rock is different. He respects his fans enough to not put on what fans perceive as an egocentric delay. That was another thing that impressed me about Kid Rock.
I don’t recall a concert where I saw fans stand for the entire show! From the moment Kid Rock was launched onto the stage, the crowd stood and would not sit down.
There are always a few performers who get the label of being ‘great in concert’. Kid Rock is now one of those performers. If you EVER get a chance to see Kid Rock LIVE – do not pass it up! Go! You will be impressed!
With all the obnoxious rock stars in the world and the lack of respect they show for their fans, it’s really nice to see someone who looks like one of those rockers with tattoos and a bad attitude prove that you can’t judge people by the way they look!
I would now classify Kid Rock as a ‘superstar’...Great show, Kid Rock!!!
Picture this: A mother says to teenager leaving for school: “Honey, do you have everything you need for school today – your homework, your lunch money, and oh - don’t forget your gun!”
Gunfire erupted in a crowd of students wearing school uniforms yesterday afternoon at the busy intersection of Esplanade and N. Broad. The NOPD has not yet said if they have a suspect in the shooting of a student.
An NOPD spokesman told WWL-TV that “it all began with an altercation between several students wearing school uniforms, and then gunfire erupted.” However, an eyewitness tells WWL First News that the young male shooter was not wearing a school uniform.
Another altercation and another brazen shooting in public in broad daylight again bring us face-to-face with the depth of a problem we have in New Orleans and throughout America. I just wonder which of President Obama’s newly proposed gun laws would have prevented the shooting yesterday afternoon that left one teen in critical condition with two gunshot wounds.
The sad reality is that this is not a problem that can be solved with legislation. Proposing an immediate tangible solution, like legislation, satisfies our human instinct to protect society, but fails to address the deeper, more complicated problem of requiring parents to raise their children to become contributing members of the community.
Every senseless shooting is alarming, but when a shooting occurs in a group of high school students after school we are reminded about the magnitude of the problem. We were all in high school and we all remember hanging out with friends after school and that’s why it’s difficult to comprehend how much society has changed.
Teens with guns and the wrong attitude about life are generally the product of households that provide little or no guidance to their children. The most unfortunate aspect of this is the reality that it will take generations to manifest significant change.
The teens that are ‘armed with attitudes’ change the world of being a teenager. The ripple effect is easy to understand. If parents are responsible for teaching their children to be safe in life, the list of warnings has grown – look both ways before you cross the street, don’t touch the stove when it’s hot, don’t talk to strangers and don’t get shot!
Saturday Night Live has always been known for comedy that can be offensive, inappropriate and irreverent – yet some will still wage a war of condemnation in obvious hopes of changing the show. But condemning SNL only serves to promote the show and remind America that it is still a relevant medium for social and political commentary.
The most recent criticism of SNL is focused on a spoof on the controversial movie “Django Unchained” – the spoof was “Djesus Uncrossed.” Presented as a trailer for an upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie, “Djesus Uncrossed” featured Jesus rising from the dead…but instead of ascending into Heaven, Jesus goes on a profanity-laced rampage and violently attacks and kills those who were responsible for His crucifixion. The announcer says in the typical movie announcer style, “He’s risen from the dead, and he’s preaching anything but forgiveness.”
I understand how that comedy skit would be offensive to many Christians, but chances are those who are offended were not even watching SNL. This group would not have been enjoying the show’s sarcastic and irreverent humor and then suddenly become offended when “Djesus Uncrossed” came on the show. The motivation to condemn comedy that did not initially invade the privacy of someone’s world must come from a desire to protect the masses from comedy considered offensive.
When Tim Tebow was a prominent figure in the news, SNL did a skit where Jesus visited Tebow and the Broncos in the locker room. Christ has always been the subject of comedy - the question is whether or not Christ is off limits.
Early in my radio career as a morning show disc jockey, comedy was the foundation of “The Scoot in the Morning Show” and I achieved great success. Now, as a radio talk show host I continue to occasionally inject my sarcastic, irreverent sense of humor when talking about the top social and political issues of the day. I also did stand-up at a local comedy club and once at open mic night at the Improv in Los Angeles. I mention this only to establish that I do have an understanding of the nature of comedy.
Comedy is based on real-life and the subjects of comedy are often popular figures from history and contemporary pop culture – from any president to Paris Hilton. What makes us laugh are things that are a spoof or twist on real-life people and situations and that often includes a comic spin on morality. Comedy actually forces us to think about moral and appropriate behavior toward others.
Laughing at a joke or comedy skit we know to be offensive does not mean we agree with the actions or that we are offensive people. We laugh at the absurdity of the twist on real-life and real people.
No one should take comedy too seriously or fear that comedy has the power to corrupt the world. Comedy is the commentary of an already corrupt world.
Jesus was contemporary in the context of the world in which He lived. It’s possible that if Jesus were alive as a mortal man today, He might use comedy in His parables to communicate His message:
Then Jesus said to His disciples – “Hey did you guys here the one about the prodigal son and this fat calf?”
Keep Christ in comedy – that reinforces Christ in the real world.
‘Zero tolerance’ policies in America’s schools were originally applauded as a definitive approach to making schools safer for all young students, but the policies have led to the unnecessary suspension of innocent children doing innocent things.
•At a Maryland elementary school, a 6-year-old was suspended recently for making a gun gesture with his hand and aiming at a classmate and saying “POW!”
•A father was arrested after his 4-year-old daughter drew a picture of a gun at school.
•Shooting rubber bands in school have resulted in arrests.
•‘Zero tolerance’ drug policies in schools have led to the suspension of students caught with Advil or Midol on school grounds.
•In Portland, OR a high school expelled a student who ‘mooned’ a teammate at track practice after the act was defined as sexual harassment. On my show in Portland I was so critical of the school that the student was reinstated.
Following the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, America has again been plagued with an irrational fear that everyone is a potential threat. But the irrational fear that is running so rampant through our nation was growing long before that recent tragedy.
‘Zero tolerance’ policies have been robbing children of innocent activities that have been part of child’s play as long as any of us can remember.
A 3rd grader was suspended for drawing a picture of a soldier holding a canteen and a knife. Equating what was probably nothing more than innocent patriotism with some kind of potentially sinister plot against fellow students is an embarrassing function of a society that can no longer distinguish between fantasy and reality.
I remember drawing pictures of soldiers holding guns and knives in elementary school and making gun gestures with my hand as I simulated wiping out the entire school yard. But those actions were motivated by an innocent attempt at fantasy and were not interpreted as an actual threat. I’m sure you can recall countless things you did when you were young that, today, would be viewed as a threat that would lead to suspension.
‘Zero tolerance’ policies remove the human factor from judging human behavior, which can never be reduced to predictable mechanics. This ‘zero tolerance’ mentality that has spread throughout our society is further proof that Americans will desperately jump at ridiculous solutions to difficult problems and then develop a false sense of security that the problems have actually been solved.
Let’s work on solving the real problems rather than seeking ‘feel-good’ solutions that allow us to quickly move beyond tragic moments. America has lost something precious when kids can no longer be kids.
If you are a staunch Republican or a staunch Democrat, you may be brainwashed if you agree with your party’s position on every political and social issues.
All Democrats do not support the Democratic Party’s position on gun control and every Republican does not agree with the Republican Party’s stance on same-sex marriage.
A new FOX News poll shows that 14% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents do not support their party’s position on gun control and 14% disagree with the party’s stance on health care.
The same poll shows that 15% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents do not support the Republican Party’s position on abortion and 10% disagree with the party’s position on gay marriage, health care and taxes.
Overall, a majority of Democrats (51%) and a majority of Republicans (55%) say they agree with their party on “many” issues – but not all. Republicans were less likely than Democrats to agree with “all” of their party’s position on political and social issues.
Membership in the ‘club’ of either extreme conservatives or extreme liberals requires adherence to a myopic view of political and social issues. It should not be surprising that only a small percentage of republicans and democrats support all of their party’s ideology.
From my perspective as a radio talk show host, I have noticed, particularly over the past few years, that some listeners are desperate to define a radio host as liberal or conservative. Yet, most of America is not strictly liberal or conservative.
Since the nature of media forces the focus to be on society’s extremes, it is the ‘far right’ or ‘far left’ that consistently receive attention that is disproportionate to their actual percentage of the population. And there are many in the media who disregard the fact that America is not ruled by the ‘far right’ or the ‘far left’ in order to assume the path of least cerebral resistance.
Condemnation of any American who does not subscribe to the rigid ideology of either party can be traced to an insecure mind that survives by clinging to a group mentality.
In his book, “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion,” author Jonathan Haidt quotes political scientist Don Kinder, “In matters of public opinion, citizens seem to be asking themselves not ‘What’s in it for me?’ but rather ‘What’s in it for my group?’” Haidt writes, “People care about their groups, whether those be racial, regional, religious, or political.”
Opinions on political and social issues are formed more by alignment with a group or party than with the self-interest of an individual.
If you find yourself never deviating from a strict party line all the time – you are probably brainwashed and might consider cultivating a mind of your own! Dare to become a radical moderate!
Can two people who do not share the same political views fall in love?
Of course two people with differing political ideologies can fall in love, but could those two people maintain a successful relationship over time? Democratic political strategist James Carville and republican political strategist Mary Matalin are married and arguably one of the most interesting couples in America. So, it is possible to be with someone you don’t agree with politically, but would it work for you? Could you be with someone who did not share your political ideology?
If we, as human, have a passion for love, we also have a passion for politics. Many Americans define themselves through their political ideology. Since our political views are an integral part of who we are as people, how likely is the success of a long-term relationship if two people are defined by a different foundation of beliefs?
I grew up in a household with a dominant father who had strong political convictions. My mother always agreed with my dad and while I never went into the voting booth with her, I am certain she voted the way my father voted and wanted her to vote. Perhaps she really did believe what my father believed about candidates and issues, but I never thought my mother would have her own independent political views. I can’t image my parents disagreeing when it came to politics. I dearly loved my mother and this is my observation and not criticism of her.
How important is political ideology when it comes to relationships? Political views guide our decisions about who we vote for, how we raise our children and what we choose as entertainment. Our politics is at the core of our inner self. So, could you be with someone who does not share your political views?
Since people do change throughout their lives, it is possible that you could fall in love with someone who shared your political beliefs, but over time either of you could change. Would that be a reason to end the relationship?
I was married to someone who did not share my political views on almost everything and we both, in our own ways, contributed to raising a child who we are both extremely proud of today. But I have changed and if we were together today we would share the same basic political ideology. I can also think of many occasions when the person I loved agreed with me on some issues and disagreed with me on other issues and that lead to lively debates and me usually sleeping on the sofa! (Actually, we always worked through it!)
If you have used politics as a criteria for selecting a husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner, perhaps you should consider that love can, and should, exist when there is no common political bond. We have become a nation divided along political battle lines, but politics should not define us as couples. Love should supersede the politics that divide us.
If we want the president and congress to work together – then shouldn’t we set the example by promoting bi-partisan love among all Americans?
Mardi Gras is over and the city of New Orleans and the people of New Orleans should be proud.
The buzz about this city has been at a fever pitch for several weeks now. First, New Orleans hosted a Super Bowl that will always be remembered as one of the best ever – not only the game, but also the flawless chorography of staging a compelling event on a national and international stage. As the curtain went down on the Super Bowl and the standing ovation for the city continued, New Orleans and its cast of citizens again took the stage and put on another award-winning Mardi Gras performance.
Yes, we should be proud of our city and ourselves, but we should learn from our back-to-back performances. We should be the city we have been for the past few weeks all the time and the commitment to excellence dedicated to welcoming and entertaining our visitors should transcend the hospitality industry and become part of the attitude of everyone year around.
It has been learned that when athletes study video of their excellent performances, they learn to recreate the physical and mental feelings they had during that moment of excellence. We can do that as a city. Let’s not look back on what a wonderful job we did at hosting the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in early 2013 and think our work is finished. Let’s study the feelings we had during this extraordinary time and work to repeat these peak performances on a daily basis throughout the city.
As a native of New Orleans I have often criticized the attitude of “that’s the way we do it in New Orleans, and everybody loves New Orleans, so it must be right.” When any performer excels at their craft they should not relax and think their work is done. Peak performers build on their best performances and that’s what we must do in New Orleans.
Rather than look back with satisfaction for a job well-done, let’s look back at what we did right and try to use our ability and talent in every aspect of our lives – even when it’s not a party. There is no doubt that we know who we can be – the question is will we commit to performing at a peak level all the time?
P.S. - This is the beginning of Lent – a time of sacrifice leading to Easter. In the news today there are reports that we will have a good crawfish season during Lent. Don’t you find something wrong with that? During Lent there is a tradition of not eating meat on Fridays. So in this part of the country we make the ultimate sacrifice by eating seafood – our seafood!
What sacrifice? Is it fair to say you are making a sacrifice by not eating meat on Fridays during Lent and having fresh, hot boiled crawfish or a big seafood platter in lieu of meat? Every Friday during Lent every seafood restaurant in Louisiana will be filled with those who are making a sacrifice by eating our delicious seafood and not eating meat. If instead of eating meat we were all dining on bland fish sticks, that would be a sacrifice, but the joy of indulging on our seafood hardly qualifies as a sacrifice!
Hey, I’m not lecturing you – I am also reminding myself of this seasonal phenomenon. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying our fresh, wonderful seafood during Lent – but be honest enough to realize that it’s really not much of a sacrifice!
The definition of one word helps explain Mardi Gras - debauchery - ‘a life of depraved self-indulgence’!
Those who are experiencing the Mardi Gras season for the first time are innocent souls who have no reason to ask themselves the question the rest of us should ask ourselves – why do we do it?
As a native of New Orleans and a veteran of Mardi Gras from every perspective – spectator, grand marshal and media – I occasionally search for a cerebral explanation of ‘why’.
Why…
…do we willingly place ourselves in horrific traffic that often leads to endless detours?
…do we leave the solitude of our vehicles or dwellings and enter on foot into the mass chaos of people drinking, bumping into one another and at times get caught in the midst of a crowd with nowhere to turn?
…do we stand for extended periods of time waiting for a parade that often looks like and sounds like the countless parades we have seen every year over time with the hope of begging for and then fighting for a worthless trinket that bears no meaning the moment after we take possession?
…do women lift their shirts in exchange for a brief moment of attention and a meaningless reward?
…do we spend an entire day wearing a costume that is uncomfortable or a mask that prevents us from having a clear view of the most colorful day of the year?
…do so many make the premeditated decision to start drinking early in the morning as they embark on a day that is known to be a marathon party?
Over the many years I have pondered a cerebral explanation for ‘why’ we do it – the best answer I have come up with is – because we can!!!
New Orleans has a well-established tradition of ‘partying’ which is one of the reasons we do such a great job of hosting events like the Super Bowl. Life for most people is a challenge and we face problems, both big and small. Mardi Gras is one of those moments when our culture celebrates the human need to escape reality as to rejuvenate our minds and our spirits.
Many only see the negative aspects of Mardi Gras and will be quick to criticize the city and the citizens for behavior deemed inappropriate and outrageous. But there are many positive aspects of Mardi Gras we should all recognize.
As people join the massive crowds along parade routes in the suburbs and downtown, we show a strong sense of community. Those standing near us in the crowd often bond over the shared experience and in the moment we make temporary friends. That simple phenomenon reminds us that most people are good and we really do care about each other – even complete strangers.
The act of catching ‘worthless’ beads and trinkets from passing floats gives us a sense of recognition – the hierarchy from the floats chose us among the masses to present us with a prize and in the context of the crowd we have that moment of recognition among our peers. But we also witness the generosity in people when someone catches beads or a trinket and turns and gives them to a child who is lost in the forest of people.
As for the ‘sinful’ aspect of Mardi Gras – let’s remember that the tradition of this season is founded on the solemn religious season of Lent – a time for reconciliation and sacrifice leading to the joyous day on the religious calendar – Easter. Prior to the beginning of Lent, it was customary to sin and frolic in anticipation of an extended period of sacrifice. And while many people enjoy the ‘sinful’ aspect of Mardi Gras and have no intent to make any serious sacrifices during Lent, the tradition continues.
No other city can do what we do during the Mardi Gras season. The police, the city and all those who work to make Mardi Gras fun and safe certainly deserve credit, but the people of New Orleans and the all the people who participate in this seasonal event deserve the most credit.
The atmosphere and collective togetherness that is part of a massive unrehearsed event is only possible because of the unique tradition that was established here many years ago – a tradition you and I continue this weekend and through Fat Tuesday.
It is not only the responsibility of the parades and the artists to maintain the tradition of Mardi Gras, but it is also our responsibility to carry on this amazing tradition that is the envy of the nation!
The definition of one word helps explain Mardi Gras - debauchery - ‘a life of depraved self-indulgence’!
Those who are experiencing the Mardi Gras season for the first time are innocent souls who have no reason to ask themselves the question the rest of us should ask ourselves – why do we do it?
As a native of New Orleans and a veteran of Mardi Gras from every perspective – spectator, grand marshal and media – I occasionally search for a cerebral explanation of ‘why’.
Why…
…do we willingly place ourselves in horrific traffic that often leads to endless detours?
…do we leave the solitude of our vehicles or dwellings and enter on foot into the mass chaos of people drinking, bumping into one another and at times get caught in the midst of a crowd with nowhere to turn?
…do we stand for extended periods of time waiting for a parade that often looks like and sounds like the countless parades we have seen every year over time with the hope of begging for and then fighting for a worthless trinket that bears no meaning the moment after we take possession?
…do women lift their shirts in exchange for a brief moment of attention and a meaningless reward?
…do we spend an entire day wearing a costume that is uncomfortable or a mask that prevents us from having a clear view of the most colorful day of the year?
…do so many make the premeditated decision to start drinking early in the morning as they embark on a day that is known to be a marathon party?
Over the many years I have pondered a cerebral explanation for ‘why’ we do it – the best answer I have come up with is – because we can!!!
New Orleans has a well-established tradition of ‘partying’ which is one of the reasons we do such a great job of hosting events like the Super Bowl. Life for most people is a challenge and we face problems, both big and small. Mardi Gras is one of those moments when our culture celebrates the human need to escape reality as to rejuvenate our minds and our spirits.
Many only see the negative aspects of Mardi Gras and will be quick to criticize the city and the citizens for behavior deemed inappropriate and outrageous. But there are many positive aspects of Mardi Gras we should all recognize.
As people join the massive crowds along parade routes in the suburbs and downtown, we show a strong sense of community. Those standing near us in the crowd often bond over the shared experience and in the moment we make temporary friends. That simple phenomenon reminds us that most people are good and we really do care about each other – even complete strangers.
The act of catching ‘worthless’ beads and trinkets from passing floats gives us a sense of recognition – the hierarchy from the floats chose us among the masses to present us with a prize and in the context of the crowd we have that moment of recognition among our peers. But we also witness the generosity in people when someone catches beads or a trinket and turns and gives them to a child who is lost in the forest of people.
As for the ‘sinful’ aspect of Mardi Gras – let’s remember that the tradition of this season is founded on the solemn religious season of Lent – a time for reconciliation and sacrifice leading to the joyous day on the religious calendar – Easter. Prior to the beginning of Lent, it was customary to sin and frolic in anticipation of an extended period of sacrifice. And while many people enjoy the ‘sinful’ aspect of Mardi Gras and have no intent to make any serious sacrifices during Lent, the tradition continues.
No other city can do what we do during the Mardi Gras season. The police, the city and all those who work to make Mardi Gras fun and safe certainly deserve credit, but the people of New Orleans and the all the people who participate in this seasonal event deserve the most credit.
The atmosphere and collective togetherness that is part of a massive unrehearsed event is only possible because of the unique tradition that was established here many years ago – a tradition you and I continue this weekend and through Fat Tuesday.
It is not only the responsibility of the parades and the artists to maintain the tradition of Mardi Gras, but it is also our responsibility to carry on this amazing tradition that is the envy of the nation!
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been selected to give the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address next Tuesday night. (I wonder how big the audience will be in New Orleans - that’s Mardi Gras night!)
Rubio is one of the rising young stars in the Republican Party and possesses the political characteristics to attract groups the republicans failed to attract in the presidential election – younger voters, female voters and Hispanic voters. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called Rubio “one of our party’s most dynamic and inspiring leaders.” Rubio is already considered a potent candidate for 2016.
It was announced that Rubio will deliver the Republican response in both English and Spanish. Details are still being worked out to present the response in English and in Spanish on the Spanish-speaking networks. Are you okay with that?
Many conservatives in the Republican Party have denounced catering to the Hispanic community by speaking Spanish and the mantra of this group of republicans has been, “this is America - speak English.” But since Rubio projects a new light on the party, will there be criticism of Rubio for ‘catering’ to Hispanics? Imagine how President Obama would be criticized if he planned to deliver an important speech in Spanish?
I applaud the party for selecting Senator Rubio to deliver the republican response and for supporting the response in English and Spanish. The post-mortem on the Republican Party following the devastating loss to Obama in November continues to manifest clear changes in the party’s direction. High-profile republicans like La. Gov. Bobby Jindal begun a quest for a new image for the party. Jindal recently said at a republican gathering in North Carolina, “We have to stop being the stupid party.”
It’s fair to wonder if the changes in the party’s direction come from the heart of the party or from a mathematical desire to attract more voters. If I were a democratic strategist I would promote the idea that if the Republican Party thought this new direction was motivated by ‘doing the right thing’ for people, then why wasn’t this the attitude of the party before the last election?
American voters tend to have amnesia, and if the Republican Party continues to morph into a party of inclusion, voters will forget why and embrace the fact that the party has changed. A lot can happen between now and the 2016 election, but if the Republican Party puts together a young, energetic ticket, Hillary Clinton could be perceived as an older and long-time member of the Washington establishment – an easy negative to prey on during a campaign.
I challenge those who will not criticize Rubio for giving the Republican response to the State of the Union address in Spanish on Spanish-speaking networks. Honestly, ask yourself, if you would be calling radio talk shows declaring that President Obama is ‘un-American’ and catering to Hispanic voters by giving a speech in Spanish.
Let’s work together - and within ourselves to rid America of the blatant political hypocrisy that has become entrenched in today’s political debates.
Are you pro-life…even when it comes to capital punishment? Some struggle with a pro-life position that stops at capital punishment, but others are comfortable with being pro-life and pro-death penalty. Is that being hypocritical?
The question of the Catholic Church’s position on the death penalty is once again in the news because the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops asked LA. Gov. Bobby Jindal to halt an execution scheduled for February 13 – Ash Wednesday. The bishops group says that having an execution on the first day of the somber Christian season of Lent “would be inconsistent with the Lenten call for reconciliation and redemption and an unnecessary tragic irony.”
Do you agree? Should Gov. Jindal have agreed to halt the execution scheduled for an important day in the Church? And if you support capital punishment do you care if a person is executed on Ash Wednesday?
The Catholic Church remains somewhat ambiguous on the death penalty. The new Catechism of the Catholic Church includes opposition to the death penalty, but in such a way that one could interpret it as the Church allows executions. In his 26 years as leader of the Catholic Church, the late Pope John Paul II spoke frequently about his views on abolishing the death penalty around the world.
With the many social issues discussed on “The Scoot Show,” I often hear callers espouse the concept that “it’s written in the Bible.” A lot of things are written in the Bible and there are far too many people who pick and choose what parts they take literally. In the book of Exodus there is a passage about ‘an eye for an eye’, but then there is Ezekiel 33:11 “As I live, says the Lord God, I swear I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, but rather in the wicked man’s conversion, that he may live.”
When talking about the issue of women in combat positions recently, a few callers sited that the Bible says men should protect women. I have long argued that as our humankind evolves and becomes more civilized it is important to remember that the Bible reflects the political and social landscape at the time it was written.
On the website, www.americancatholic.org this idea is addressed: “Scripture scholars teach us to understand the Bible (and its individual books) in historical context: when it was written and why. Thus considered, there is an ambivalence about capital punishment in the Scriptures.”
While the ‘word of God’ can always be respected, it is important to understand that many of the stories in the Bible mirror society at the time it was written - and not the world we live in today. As life is revealed to us we change - and some change can be in symphony with God’s plan.
Sunday night after the Ravens beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 47 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Ravens QB Joe Flacco was caught up in the excitement and said to a teammate, “This is F_ _ _ _ _ _ awesome!” That was certainly a correct use of the phrase! Flacco’s profanity was easily picked up by the nearby microphones and broadcast live during the post-game moments on the field.
The Parents Television Council, a watchdog group that monitors questionable content on television, immediately criticized CBS for allowing the f-bomb to be broadcast live during programming that included a young audience. CBS and the other networks usually have live programming in a delay during the pregame, halftime and post-game, but reportedly not immediately following the game while the teams are still on the field.
I have a problem with this – not the profanity heard live on TV, but with the condemnation of CBS for not preventing it from happening. The network did not encourage the use of profanity - the profanity was used where live microphones inadvertently picked it up.
I’m not promoting the use of profanity as much as I am recognizing the reality that ‘life happens’ and no one can shield their children from everything they deem inappropriate. If you leave your house with your children and go to the store, a movie or to a Mardi Gras parade, there is always the possibility that you and your kids will hear profanity. Parents should always be prepared to turn life’s unexpected moments into opportunities to teach their kids about appropriate behavior.
Quite often groups like The Parents Television Council draw attention to content that, otherwise, children would not pay attention to. Overly-sensitive groups and parents make issues out of things that really aren’t issues if left alone.
The controversy over the quick exposure of Janet Jackson’s breast during a Super Bowl halftime show would not have been a controversy had it not been for the outrage. Similarly, at one time, Halloween was an innocent night for kids. It was adults that gave Halloween an “evil” meaning.
Unless a child or young teen watching the Super Bowl Sunday night noticed what Joe Flacco said and commented, “Daddy/mommy, that man said a bad word,” then chances are a child wouldn’t even notice what was said. If a child calls attention to something that is inappropriate, use that moment to reinforce what is appropriate and simply explain that the man made a mistake.
Sheltering children from the realities of life is far more detrimental than your children being exposed to an occasional ‘mistake’.
For the past week we have all witnessed our city perform like a champion!
Without intending to criticize other cities, how can anyone not believe that New Orleans is the BEST place to host a Super Bowl? Or, any big event for that matter.
As a downtown resident, I watched the changes as the city got ready for the Super Bowl and when the weekend started I saw our city ramp up with excitement and become a world-class city performing at a peak level.
This was a perfect moment for New Orleans. While work still remains to be done from Katrina, this city is back and the bright national and international media spotlight that was on us for Super Bowl Week reminded us that the gradual changes over the years have led to a point in time when the world would see that we are not only back, but even better.
CBS and all the networks, the big sponsors, and the NFL spent the money and took the time to make New Orleans the epicenter of the sports and entertainment world. But it was the coordination and dedication of city workers, law enforcement from throughout the area and the many volunteers on the streets and at events that made the Super Bowl so memorable for everyone.
Walking through the CBD and French Quarter every day I noticed that people made eye contact and greeted me even before I could greet them. As a city, our collective attitude and manners during Super Bowl 2013 set the bar for every city in America. We are blessed with an authentic backdrop that provides the perfect set for a Super Bowl or any major event. Our city cannot claim to be #1 in every category, but we are the undisputed champ when it comes to hosting a major event.
As sports teams learn how to be champions through the experience of playing in big games, the city of New Orleans has proven that it has learned how to be a championship city. Like any city, we have problems that must be addressed, but we once again have proven that the content and style of our character cannot be matched.
New Orleans cleaned up and presented itself as a perfect host. We demonstrated the kind of city we can be all the time. You shouldn’t clean up your home and act a certain way only when company comes over – you should be that way all the time. So, New Orleans – let’s all work at treating our city, and each other, the way we do when we have company, but let’s start doing it all the time!
We are living in the Super Bowl City and I hope you have taken time or will take time to enjoy this special moment in New Orleans!
The all major networks are here along with over 5,000 people with the national and international media. And the city is filling up with celebrities! Oh, by the way, the teams are here, too! As I watched the Ravens’ team busses led by police escorts leave downtown earlier today and I saw people on the street stop and wave as the busses passed, I couldn’t help but be reminded about the great distraction for the players, who are here not to party, but to work.
Super Bowl history is littered with games that were boring. When you experience all the pomp and circumstance in the city as Super Bowl Weekend ramps up, you almost have to remind yourself that there’s a game Sunday. One of the talents a championship team must possess is the ability to mentally focus while surrounded by the biggest sports party in America. The distractions are part of the game, but the team that can best focus their attention on preparing for the game Sunday will be the Super Bowl Champs for 2013.
I am so proud of New Orleans and how the city has once again risen to the occasion and performed like a champion. The city is performing at a peak level right now. The coordination of city services, law enforcement, the many volunteers and the people of New Orleans proves what kind of city we can be all the time.
Let’s learn from our performance during this Super Bowl Weekend. As I walk the streets of the CBD and the French Quarter, those working for the city or in hospitality make eye contact and greet me before I greet them. We should be this way all the time! If we can make the extra effort to be outstanding for our visitors, then why can’t we be that way to each other?
The mission statement for New Orleans during the Super Bowl for 2013 has been received and put into action. As a city, we can only be as great as the collective effort of each of us who live here and are part of this city every day.
If great teams learn how to perform at peak levels through the experience of big games, then New Orleans is showing it knows how to perform at a peak level for special events. We are the champions! Let’s be champions every day.
You shouldn’t clean up your home and act a certain way only when company comes over – you should be like that all the time. So, New Orleans – let’s work harder at treating our city and each other the way we do when we have company!
