C’EST BON Forget what they say about trial lawyers — they ain’t all bad.Last year attorney Glenn Armentor, who clawed his way out of poverty and juvenile delinquency and put himself through law school by working offshore — it’s true; it’s in his commercial — launched a scholarship program that awarded $10,000 to an underprivileged Carencro High senior. She’s now attending UL with designs on med school. On Friday, according to an article in The Daily Advertiser, Armentor announced that this year his firm will double the scholarships, choosing from among more than 150 applicants, and will double the number of scholarships awarded in each of the next two years. Call it what you will — giving back, paying it forward — Armentor is putting his money where his heart is.
PAS BON Corporal punishment: the intentional infliction of pain as punishment for misbehavior and/or as a deterrent to bad behavior. The intentional infliction of pain. Unbelievably, 20 U.S. states including Louisiana still allow school systems to employ it, Lafayette Parish being a noteworthy exception. There’s a reason it’s illegal in schools in 30 states and most of Europe and is opposed by the American Psychological Association: violence begets violence and, according to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, students with disabilities are disproportionately the recipients of corporal punishment. The public school district that serves the city of Monroe, according to The News-Star, had an opportunity to join the late 20th century recently when Superintendent Kathleen Harris objected to corporal punishment during a policy review with the school board. Unfortunately Harris acquiesced when the district’s principals, itching to swat some adolescent buttocks, overwhelmingly supported the policy.
COUILLON State Rep. Rickey Hardy, D-Dumbfounding, is again making a name for himself for the wrong reasons. Last year it was a silly bill to prohibit saggy pants. This year it’s wedding himself to the egregiously unfair, implicitly racist, perennially disgusting legislation by fellow Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, that would require recipients of state welfare to take random drug tests. LaBruzzo is just doing what scores points with his racist constituents in northeast Jefferson Parish, especially Bucktown, David Duke’s former stomping ground. Hardy’s support for the bill has us scratching our heads, especially considering his constituency in north Lafayette’s most impoverished neighborhoods. The people affected by the bill’s intentions are among the poorest of us all. Are their lives not filled enough with difficulties and indignities that we must add another pointless layer to it? To humiliate them further, as this would do, is outrageous. How about random drug tests for the CEOs of the corporations that siphon off more than $7 billion annually from the Louisiana treasury through tax exemptions? We’ve supported Hardy and endorsed many of his positions. Not this one.
... written by Pragmacrat , March 23, 2011 - 10:41 am
Funny- you scream racism when Mr. Hardy agrees with the need for a drug testing program for welfare recipients but doesn't your assumption that welfare recipients are non-white constitute racism as well?
... written by SBD , March 23, 2011 - 12:21 pm
"Armentor" ---------------
A PR move to cover up his oily nature.
... written by Julie Worley , March 23, 2011 - 12:37 pm
Please add your voice to End School Paddling/Pain as Punishment of schoolchildren in the U.S. at Unlimited Justice dot com.
If the very same act, hitting a person (or even an animal) with a wooden board were done in public, it would be assault and result in arrest and imprisonment for the paddler. Corporal Punishment is already illegal in schools in 30 states, over half our nation, and Prohibited for use against convicted Felons in U.S. Prisons.
... written by holeinthedonut8 , March 23, 2011 - 01:48 pm
Hardy knows his people need help. Strangely he thinks stopping drug abuse in return for public help isn't too much to inflict on his peeps. Taking a handout is where the humiliation comes in, not proving you're trying to help yourself but cutting out the dope.
... written by lawyer , March 23, 2011 - 05:08 pm
Worker's have to take random drug test everyday! Why doesn't theind have a problem with that? I totally agree that if the citizens have to pay for your stuff and least they should know you're drug free. And guess what? we all know that they're not. So they don't have money to pay their own rent (they get HUD) - but they do have money for drugs. They don't have money for food (they get food stamps) but, they have money for pot. They don't have money for their own healthcare (Charity system) but, they have money to illegal drugs. They caused their own difficulties and indignities. We're tired of paying the bill. The government is the biggest enabler (next to theind) that there is. It's time for tough love. Good job Ricky.
... written by jared s , March 23, 2011 - 07:00 pm
if i have to pass a drug test to earn a living and pay taxes so the "impoverished" can be a parasite to society, then so should they. pass a drug test that is... if the ind would come a little towards the center, they might see things a little clearer, or are they getting high with said impoverished... what a disgrace.
... written by Client , March 23, 2011 - 08:23 pm
SBD - Glenn is one of the finest human beings on this earth. Grew up poor, worked his way through undergrad and lawschool, raised a wonderful family. He and his partners employ your friends and neighbors and represent your children.
I would invite you to pick up the phone and ask for an appointment to see him. Once you sit with him over a cup of coffee, you will ask him to forgive you. And he will.
... written by life time lafayette resident , March 23, 2011 - 10:45 pm
After working for 38 years, (started at 18, now 48) I found myself unemloyed a year ago,I had to go through hoops to get umemployment for the first time, I got unemployment benefits. I would see the same people at the unemployment office , going the video poker places, while I was pumping gas I was fortunate enough to get a part time job, and I HAD to take a drug test, seems to me that every body that gets some type of government money should be tested for drugs, also. the indy does get revenue from tax paying businesses, that hire people that require drug tests for new employment. get with the program Independent, you're biting the hand that feeds you.
... written by Knowledge is Power , March 24, 2011 - 12:25 am
"Couillon" piece is such bull! The writer's statement is what is racist! I do believe that people on welfare should have to take random drug tests. If you are on welfare and getting our hard earned tax dollars then I believe we have every right to demand random drug tests from you and I don't care what color your skin is! I honestly don't see what the big deal is with taking the drug test. Hey, if you want to run a drug test on me...name the time and the place. Come to my work and announce it to everyone I work with....don't care....REALLY....I DON'T CARE!
And as far as not wanting to "further humiliate" the people on welfare...give me a break! Yes, I know there are some decent people who are going through a hard time and are embarrassed because they are on welfare, they are typically not the ones on drugs. BUT, I also know that there are many people on welfare who would rather sit on their butts rather than get a job because the hard cold truth is that they are LAZY! Why should my tax dollars go to someone who refuses to work and instead spends their time and my tax dollars buying and using drugs?
Thank you Rickey! Please keep fighting for the hard working citizens of Lafayette Parish!!!
... written by Gaius Cilnius Maecenas , March 24, 2011 - 05:12 pm
This blog deals with the 'corporal punishment' article. It is a sad comment on the regressive nature of Louisiana that we still have corporal punishment practiced in our schools.
Children who have been deprived of nurturing (normal parental caring & affection) develop the effects of emotional deprivation. There is a lowering of oxytocin and vasopressin in their measured blood concentrations. These children fail to show a normal surge of oxytocin and vasopressin in response to physical contact.
So when we beat children to discipline them we are actually crippling their emotional, social and moral development. In short, we are creaing psychopaths!
The reason schools were founded in the first place is to give a child a second chance from an abusive home structure, so that they do have a chance at living a reasonable life---that is, a well-purposed life!
Few realize how absolutely horrible corporal punishment is. It malforms the psychological and social development of children. It should be outlawed by enlightened legislation. But our citizens are too poorly educated to demand this sort of law from our legislators.
... written by Parish , March 24, 2011 - 05:13 pm
The only Couillion in this weeks Ind is the person who wrote this piece. Stereotyping welfare recipients, comparing Ricky Hardy to David Duke, and saying that taking a drug test adds to the indignities of being on welfare, couldn't possibly be any more couillion than going to the moon in a go-cart. This paper has truly lost touch with its readers if it thinks readers in Lafayette will agree with this.
... written by Neutral party , March 25, 2011 - 01:37 pm
The Ind got it right on this one.Another crazy bill attached to Hardy that has no chance of passing.This man continues to muddy the waters so as not to show his incompetence to be and effective legislator.How soon before there not only laughing at Hardy but at the people who elected him as well.If this was to pass how would we fund the treatment centers. That would surely be needed to treat all these people.Better yet take the benefits and leave them to there own devices.Then lets see the crime rate soar,along with homelessness.Foster care ,mental health so many social agencies would have to be improved as a result if we can find the money for these services then id be fore it.But to cut these people off with no plan would be total devestation.
... written by ragin_cajun , March 25, 2011 - 02:14 pm
"The reason schools were founded in the first place is to give a child a second chance from an abusive home structure"
No, the reason schools were founded was to give kids a basic education and some narrow vocational training. In the 1920's, bleeding hearts like YOU started turning public schools into ideological boot camps for "new social order" and "respect for diversity", and other such leftist drivel. This progressive education movement was led by infamous collectivist/statist/pragmatist John Dewey.
That is why schools, colleges, and liberal arts are so obsessed with utopian ideals and collectivist thought. It's been drummed into people's heads for 100 years in schools. Modern education has become an ideological package deal, where people are not taught HOW to think but WHAT to think.
As for whether principals can whip kids in school--I think it's irrelavent. I've been to good schools that DO whip kids, bad schools that DON'T whip kids, and vice versa. It's a very small detail.
... written by jeanne , March 26, 2011 - 12:40 pm
when employers require a drug test - they pay for it...when the state requires a drug test...we pay for it. Are we not running a deficit at the moment in the budget?
... written by BoFred , March 28, 2011 - 09:44 am
I have no problem requiring drug testing. I don't much like the thought of publin monies financing drug or alcohol addiction.
Now, are teachers, bus drivers & school employees drug tested? Are school board members drug tested? I sure hope so, cause I think they all should be. AND THEY MUST BE USING IF THEY'RE EVEN CONSIDERING A PROPERTY TAX FOR SCHOOL CONCSTRUCTION!!! This IS the issue I'll fight, I'll carry a sign if I have to, but the school board can find other ways to fix what they've ignored for 20 yrs.
... written by Willie B. Free , March 28, 2011 - 04:36 pm
POOYIE... Surely you j'est! How could ANYBODY be opposed to welfare recipients having to take drug test! I have no problem with this at all. Thanks Ricky Hardy for seeing through the 'thin vail' of concern that 'liberals' hide behind!
... written by The truth is, , March 29, 2011 - 12:05 pm
Armentor leaves a trail of slime behind him when he walks. He made his fortune on the backs of cases for minorities, registered as a Democrat (because his African American clients are), yet supports Republican causes. Armentor gave over $4000 to Chris Williams for state representative and has been overheard stating, "Can you believe I'm a registered Democrat?" Armentor only gives when he knows he'll get it back many times over.
... written by realitychecks , March 29, 2011 - 04:01 pm
Thank you , Ricky Hardy!! It is racist for this writer to suggest that all of North Lafayette is all black and all poor!
I am particularly fed up with media people using one great big broad brush of "north Lafayette" to discuss issues; way too lazy to actually analyze the many different neighborhoods which, SURPRISE, actually have LEGAL NAMES other than the generalized "northside". Certain neighborhoods have serious problems; a number of neighborhoods have some minor problems that the administration refuses to address; the majority of the miles & miles of "NS" are just fine!!
... written by bovinewaste , March 29, 2011 - 06:59 pm
The drug testing sounds like a great way to enforce the entitlement rules, on the surface; but suppose a person does get turned down because of drug use. Wouldn't we (the government) still have to support that person through some other program. There are loopholes for every program.
... written by tchew , March 30, 2011 - 08:08 pm
I am ALL for people having to be drug tested to be on welfare!! do you know how many of those ppl sell their food stamps for drug money?!? I personally do not work all day long for someone to sit on their couch and do drugs with MY hard earned money. If you cant take the consequences don't do the crime, plain and simple! I personally don't think thats to much to ask! & for the people who are just having a hard time, well I am sure that they will appreciate it once they get on their feet and have to start getting welfare money taken out of their checks!!
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