The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 7

in In CONTACT CRAIG DURRETT 459-3281 or lettersshreveporttimes.com TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2003 a ft Michael Craft President and Publisher Ronnie Ramos Editor Fix or end affirmative action MORE bad. CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT tKf I WHAT'S I CHILD IS BEING" EXPOSED TO I I SODOMy? I THE US. SUPREME COURT: THE TIMES Founded from weekly newspapers published since 1839; published as The Shreveport Times and The Times, daily and Sunday, since 1871. Editorials reflect the views of The Times Editonal Board. Members are: Craig Durrett.

Michael Craft, Ronnie Ramos. Martha Fitzgerald. Dan Turner and Mary Sharon Thomas. 222 Lake Street Shreveport, Louisiana shreveporttlmes.com Alan English Managing Editor Craig Durrett Editorial Page Editor change charter Jonathan ToddSpecial to The Times Editorials ait to Come back to voters when substantive changes are needed. As far as making changes to the parish's charter is concerned, the Caddo Parish Commission may want to give serious consideration to sitting out the fall balloting.

There are few, if any, compelling reasons to tack on charier propositions. The panel charged with making recommendations for changes in the charter came up with a list of items, most of which are innocuous, housekeeping kinds of measures things like deleting some of the language in the charter that was necessary in the transition from a police jury to a coin-mission, but not needed now. There also is a recommendation to require affirmative action by the commission for reorganization. Under the current charter, the parish administrator could offer his recommended changes in writing, and if enough lime elapsed with no action by the commission the changes would go into effect. Such a scenario is unlikely to occur, and while, yes, it would be nice to have that cleared up, it's not the kind of thing that justifies the expense of being included on a ballot on its own accord.

The two most pressing items recommended by the charter panel, likewise, can wait. One of them is a political nonstarter; the other, like self and blows up innocent people, please don't include the deto-nater's life in the death toll. This policy, if adopted by the Times, might not only set the stamdard for other news media, but would discontinue the current trend of giving some moral equivalence to the demise of the deadly morons in the same body count that includes the innocent victims. The fate of these dangerous idiots falls into the same how-much-I-care range as the report of a fractured femur on a grasshopper in Utah. for one, would be severely disappointed to learn that the official death toll for 911 includes the 19 Osamakazes now theoretically enjoying their virgins.

Publicizing any details of the fate of these maniacal suicidalhomicidal murderers advances the preposterous notion that any segment of civilized society might actually emit an iota of concern about these miscreants. felony crimes. This would be a good place for all the people whose heroes liave been incarcerated to visit. We could have a speaker system playing all their old speeches of how much they have done for our area and state. To make them feel real good we could issue outlandish contracts for the upkeep of the property and kick back a percentage of that money to those honored or their families.

Hopefully this would satisfy those of us who could live without the new center and do not view everything that has been built on the riverfront as true progress. This would also encourage those who would like to keep Louisiana politics as usual and keep us on the bottom of every national quality of life list. Don't include suicide bombers in death toll Joe Cordill Shreveport The next time some imbecile straps a bomb to himself or her LETTER5 Downtown area should be used for sunflowers Gary T. Northen Shreveport I would like to offer my suggestion for another use of the convention center property, since it seems we will never get the new facility off the ground. I propose to divide the site into two sections.

On the Market Street side, we would hire a farmer from the Dixie, Belcher or Gilliam area to come down and plant sunflowers. We could then use it for a staging area for the sunflower trail. Signs could direct tourists over to Grimmett Diive, where some of the businesses would have sunflowers planted, and then signs would direct visitors and tourists on north up Highway 3049 to the original trail. This would be wholesome entertainment for young and old. On the back side of the property, I propose that we use it to erect monuments to all the Louisiana politicians who have been convicted of Make contact numbers, and are verified by The Times can be considered for publication.

Letters should be 200 words or less. Correspondence can be sent to us three different ways: We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, other topics in The Times or subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone the reorganization scenario, would be a fine fix, but it falls short of being urgent. Politicians in general the Caddo Commission uicluded haven't given voters a reason to eliminate term limits. Even though only a slight majority of the voters said they wanted to keep term limits in place in the 1999 charter proposals, it also is worth remembering that only 15 percent of the eligible voters participated in that election.

In general, the concept of term limits isn't a good idea. That said, having the parish commission, through the charter committee appointed by the commission, recommend the elimination of term limits makes the proposal look more titan a touch self-serving. Another clean-up proposal would remove the parish administrator and parish attorney as voting members of the committee that recommends changes to the charter. Both of the two officials currently serving in those jobs recognize the potential problems involved in having non-elected employees of the parish having a voting voice on the panel that could have policy-making impact. Still, there's nothing in the list of recommended charter changes that cannot wait.

And voters will face enough on the ballots this fall without the commission piling on with another swipe at removing term limits dressed in a pretty package of other little changes. reference point. Bossier City has no distinguishable "downtown," and the city passed up an earlier opportunity to have a recognizable hub when it placed its arena on the southern extreme of the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway. The Riverwalk should provide a notable starting point residents can point out. it's near the Riverwalk," or "It's at the Riverwalk" could become oft repealed phrases when giving directions on the east side of the Red River.

For the more prudish among us, the addition of Hooters, admittedly, may be a bit of a stretch to conform to the stated preference for family-friendly businesses in the project, but it's certainly not beyond the pale. There's more exposure going on at any given public swimming pool than at any of these restaurants. A total of 23 tenants have signed on to be a part of the project thus far, and the developers are negotiating with enough other potential tenants to give the Riverwalk in excess of 50 places to shop, eat and entertain. It translates to about 1,500 full-time jobs and about 1,000 part-time and seasonal jobs. The Riverwalk project appears to be on a roll.

Hopefully, the momentum will push the endeavor to meet its full potential. RitArwalk mav hnnct It is time for affirmative action to be either expanded or ended. Affirmative action resulted from the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is government-sanctioned discrimination as an adjustment for past racial prejudice. Periodically, the courts have reviewed it Most recently, the Supreme Court weakened affirmative action after re Ken Harris Columnist viewing the University of Michigan's admissions policy.

The courts also have broadened it to include women. The cumulative result is that, the courts have reduced the benefits while increasing the pool of eligible recipients. Some minorities score lower on standardized tests than whites. Some blame racial prejudice in education. Others say the tests are culturally biased.

Yet in some situations, minorities perform above average. Poor performance on standardized tests correlates with poverty. Black and hispanic children have lower average scores because a higher percentage of them are raised in poverty. Poverty is not limited to minorities. Whiles also are raised in poverty.

They face the same struggles other poor people face, including racial epithets such as, "redneck," "hillbilly," and "trailer trash." Affirmative Action is racial and sexual profiling and violates the 14th Amendment If it must continue, address tlie real problem by changing the basis to poverty. To be fair, affluent students (includ-ing minorities) shotdd compete on merit. Those who deserve a boost are tlie students growing up struggling against poverty and the "culture of poverty." The majority of tiiese students don't receive adequate support at home. Those who succeed, do so in spite of the obstacles. hi the workplace, affirmative action should never promote an unqualified person.

It is unfair lo qualified individuals and it can be catastrophic for tlie beneficiary. In 1992, after remedial training, a naval flight instructor identified a student as unqualified for carrier qualification. Superiors overruled tlie instructor and allowed the student to attempt qualification. The first attempt was short and the student was killed. The fact that tlie student was the first female fighter pilot to attempt carrier qualification is irrelevant.

The problem isn't putting a minority in tlie cockpit; it's putting an unqualified person in the cockpit. Everybody loses when affirmative action places anyone in a situation beyond liis or her ability. A great American summed it up. "A black applicant who pulled himself out of the ghetto and into a junior college may thereby demonstrate a level of motivation, perseverance, and ability that would lead a fair-minded admissions committee to conclude that he has more promise for law study than the son of a rich alumnus who achieved better grades at Harvard. "That applicant would be offered admissions not because lie is black, but because as an individual he has shown tlie potential.

Such a policy would not be limited to blacks, Chi-canos or American Indians. A poor Appalachian white, whose lineage is so diverse as to defy ethnic labels, may demonstrate similar potential and thus be accorded favorable consideration by tlie committee." Supreme Court Justice William. 0. Douglas. Ken Harris is a pharmacist who lives in Shreveport.

Write to him in care of The Times, P.O. Box 30022, Shreveport. LA 71130-0222. E-mail to: lettersshreveporttimes.com. that I won't have to listen to any more Wingon pronunciations of my name.

Frankly, that's worth paying a little more for local calls. NOTE: In a recent column on the overturning of Texas' sodomy law, I inadvertently quoted Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia out of context mischaracterizing his opinion. Tlie full quote was: "Let me be clear that I have nothing against homosexuals, or any other group, promoting their agenda through normal democratic means." I regret tlie error. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132.

W.1JI..JWII Letters to the Editor, The Times, P.O. Box 30222, Shreveport, LA 71 130-0222. Fax correspondence to 459-3301. Letters to the editor and articles submitted to The Times area's economy, image mm A a a ii a 1 swipe at American values E-mail to letters shreveporttimes.com may be published or distnbuted in pnnt. electronic The Times Make no mistake, the Lawrence decision opens the door to the undermining of many important laws and is ultimately a strategic first shot for the homosexual lobby's ultimate prize the redefinition of marriage.

In his scathing dissent. Justice Scalia pointed out that he has "notli-ing against homosexuals," but acknowledged that "the Court has largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda," and in unprecedented fashion, "taken sides in the culture war." Scalia is right Anti-sodomy laws are not motivated by hatred and bigotry. Lawrence was not about tlie persecution of a minority, but whether states have authority to regulate dan-gerous sexual conduct According to six judicial activists at our nation's highest court they no longer do. By closing these bedroom doors, they have oix'iied a Pandora's box. Mike Johnson is an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund.

He lives in Shreveport. just spurned a cure for cancer. "You don't have five minutes to hear how we can save you money?" she asks. I finally get her off the phone, but two days later, another woman calls from the same company, gets the same answer and goes through the same flabbergasted routine. Like, what kind of idiot are you that you'd pass up a chance to hear my spiel? Answer.

I'm the kind of idiot ho's going to www.donotcall.gov as fast as his little hands can type. It has been suggested this will lead to massive layoffs in the telemarketing industry, the thought of which I am sure leaves you prostrate with grief. Me, I'm consoled by the thought Lettois are edited lor length, accuracy and clanty. or other forms. Justices take The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Lawrence v.

Texas to strike down the Texas homosexual sodomy law, and thereby the similar sodomy laws of 12 other states, including Louisiana. The ruling has huge implication in the battle for the culture, and has dealt a devastating blow to fundamental American values and millcn- nia of moral teach Mike Johnson Guest Columnist ing. More than a dozen pro-family and legal advocacy groups, including my own, filed amicus briefs to assist the court in tliis important case. Most of the briefs shared two common, essential themes: Slates have many lo gitimate grounds to proscribe same-sex deviate sexual intercourse, including concerns for public health (the exponential spread of STDs and HIV), safety, morals and the promotion of healthy marriages; and the unelected Supreme Court should not pleased tlie Federal Trade Commission has made it possible to add one's name to a list of people who telemarketers are legally forbidden to pester? Hey, does a bear stomp in the woods? Nor am I tlie only one celebrating. Tlie Associated Press reports 635,000 Americans went online (www.donotcall.gov) to sign on to the register last week in tlie first 14 HOURS alone.

The federal government hasn't done anything this popular since tlie G.I. Bill. Tlie list takes effect Oct. 1 for those who register by Aug. 31 later if you register after.

It will prohibit most types of telephone solicitations, on penalty of an $11,000 fine. Some companies arc exempt, including airlines, charities, nonprofit groups and $150 million project adds jobs, centerpiece to Bossier City. Bossier City's Rjverwalk project is on a roll with the kind of momentum that, hopefully, will continue long beyond its scheduled opening next summer. The announcement of 14 new tenants, plus the under-construction Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World slated to open in the fall, is good news for the area in a number of ways. For starters, it may be some indication and a contributing factor that the local economy is improving.

A recent national report showed the Shreveport-Bossier City economy had grown worse, hi The Milken Institute's Best Performing Cities Index, the Shreveport-Bossier City area was the only city in the state that dropped in the ranking, falling from 154th to lG5th. The expansion of jobs by way of GM suppliers has been the major bright spot in the local economy that has felt the loss of more than 6,600 jobs since 1999. Besides jobs, the Riverwalk finally may give Bossier City something it has sorely lacked, namely, a central Finally, a Let us consider tlie word no. It's an easily defined term used, according to my dictionary, "to ex press refusal, denial, disbelief, emphasis or disagreement" Acceptable substitutes include "No way." "Not a chance," "Not interested," "Not going to happen." There is nothing difficult about no. Ii is raiiable of be Leonard Pitts Jr.

Columnist ing understood by human beings of all strijx'S. Everybody in the world except apparently, telemarketers. Not that this is surprising. I mean, we're talking about people override the judgment of elected state officials, who have proscribed conduct that has been outlawed for hundreds of years. Proscriptions against sodomy have deep roots in religion, politics and law.

Slates have always maintained the right to discourage the evils of sexual conduct outside marriage, and the state is right to discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual conduct since the latter cannot occur witliin the confines of marriage. Homosexuals do not meet the criteria for a susect class under the equal protection clause because they are neither disadvantaged nor identified on the basis of immutable characteristics, as all are capable of changing their abnormal lifestyles. The Texas law punished conduct, not status. There is clearly no "right to sodomy" in the Constitution, and the right of "privacy of the home" has never placed all activity witliin the home outside the bounds of the criminal law. What about drugs, prostitution and counterfeiting? opinion pollsters.

As you might expect, telemarketers are less than pleased. Some have predicted this will spark the revival of an annoyance from an earlier era: the door-to-door salesperson. But on the upside, it also will create new business for moat builders and people who sell oil by the cauldron. OK. so I'm a little testy.

I recently had a run-in with a telemarketer from a certain large telecommunications company I will not identify, except to say it goes by three letters, none of which is or I. This woman calls, wanting to tell me about all the money she can save me on my local phone bill. When I tell her I'm not interested, she takes this tone like I've 'no' telemarketers can actually understand who also are unable to understand such common expressions as. "I'm having dinner right now and don't care to be bothered," "I have absolutely no interest in what you are selling" and "Please eat gravel and choke," And as long as I'm unburdening here, let me say a word in defense of my name. It's a fairly common one; I share it with an actor (Ni-moy), a conductor (Bernstein) and a boxer (Sugar Ray).

The pronunciation could not be simpler it's LIH-nard. Again, nobody seems to have trouble with this, except telemarketers, who always ask for LEE-oh-narr. Which is, I suppose, how it might be pronounced if I were, oh, I don't know KLfNGON, maybe. So is your humble correspondent.