L’Observateur / November 22, 2000

Thanksgiving is upon us and as we look around us, we see much for which wemay be thankful. Certainly, there is strife, horro, disappointment anddisgrace abounding world-wide. Yet, in the face of it all, there is muchaccomplishment, safety, charity, brotherhood and love.

While in the world, warfare continues to engulf places such as the Holy Land,with even the innocents a casualty of war. Yet, children are saved on a dailybasis from the horrors of starvation through efforts of organizationsdedicated to that end.

Our nation is currently reeling from the debacle of Election 2000, with bothsides showing their worst sides under the stress of post-campaign blues.

The candidates themselves are attempting to distance themselves from theheart of the fray, yet it is apparent the emotional toll is harsh.

Certainly, anyone who pays the dues and develops the commitments to runfor and win the Presidency has lost much. One can only hope their integrityhas not suffered unduly and both remain with good grace.

On the other hand, an election such as this, conducted in many countries wecould name, would have resulted in riots, tanks in the major cities, water-cannons into crowds and possibly a few assassinations. Here, our lawyersfight our battles for us in court, not with bullets but with words.

Ultimately, it will be the informed and care taken by a judge or judges whichwill make the final decision.

One remembers the world-wide concern after the assassination of John F.

Kennedy. Some nations feared the worst, and half-expected either the nationto crumble into anarchy or that the nuclear switch would be thrown intoArmageddon. It is a reflection on the unique government we have, togetherwith the dedication of the American people, that those feared events did nothappen.

Closer to home, Louisiana has had more than its share of scamps, charlatansand criminals in high places. Yet, when disaster strikes in the form of ahurricane in Central America, it is Louisiana which spearheads rescue andrelief efforts. We have literally millions of good, hard-working, honest andadmirable people in Louisiana. Once in a while, one of these gets elected.

Louisiana is also special in many other ways. It’s easy to point to our food,music, dance and festivals. However, what makes Louisiana a standoutamong the 50 states is unquestionably our people.

Nowhere else can such an amazing melting-pot of cultures blend into a gumbocalled “Louisiana” and produce such a people. We cheer on a football teamwhich has never won a playoff game. We treat politics like a spectator sportand laugh at our political scoundrels. We are friendly to a fault. We love ourchildren like nowhere else and revere our old folks to an extent long-forgotten elsewhere.

And it’s in the River Parishes that this gumbo simmers to an appetizingperfection. Certainly, we have faults. Yet, we maintain an unboundedoptimism for the future and enthusiasm for our lifestyle unheard-ofelsewhere.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we can all thank our Maker for Louisiana. Forbetter or worse, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

L’Observateur

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