Research Senate race carefully; exercise your right

There was never any doubt that Donald Trump would clinch Louisiana’s electoral votes, or that he would carry Terrebonne and Lafourche.

Futile recounts aside, the results are above dispute. We can now await the new president’s inauguration, and shall all be witnesses to how history unfolds in the years to come.

But our electoral duties as citizens of this state are not yet complete. Early voting continues through Dec. 3 in advance of the Dec. 10 general election. Voters will choose who will occupy one of Louisiana’s two U.S. Senate seats.

They will choose between John Kennedy, the state’s Republican treasurer, and Foster Campbell, a public service commissioner who now carries the Democratic standard.

The stakes are high for anyone who values representative democracy.

We do not endorse candidates for public office as a rule, and see no reason to deviate from that now.

But we do endorse voter participation, and wish to point out that for people on both sides of the political fence, participation in this election is crucial if the wheels of government are to turn in the manner the founders intended. Party labels are of little importance for good government to result from the vote. A careful examination of each candidate’s positions is. For those displeased by the presidential election’s outcome, an opportunity exists to be heard in a different branch of government should Campbell prevail. For those supporting the Republican ticket and the Trump agenda – however that finally defines itself — Kennedy is the obvious choice. Kennedy has made clear his affinity for things Trump. But for either side this all works less efficiently without the fullest possible participation.

Be informed. Know your candidates. And whether now during early voting or on Election Day itself, make your voices heard.

One of the biggest questions that voters should seek to have answered through their research is which of the two will most faithfully represent the needs of this state. And by needs we don’t mean the claptrap social engineering issues common to partisans of either side in all states.

The question is which candidate can aid Louisiana with deftly addressing needs like money for coastal erosion mitigation and similar projects. Which will be the best position to leverage his office and floor votes to get the best deals possible for our state.

We don’t pretend to know the answer to that and will continue studying the records and words of both Kennedy and Foster to reach our own conclusions. We urge our fellow Bayou Region residents to do the same.

Thoughts, prayers offered to our friends in Bourg, South Terrebonne High School

The entire staff at Rushing Media and the Houma Times would like to extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Louis Blanchard and to the entire South Terrebonne High School family.

We sincerely hope and pray that everyone affected by this tragedy will get the comforts they seek during their time of need.

In our experiences, Louis was a good person – a kind-hearted young man who was a gentle giant of the field.

Louis always made every effort to accomodate our many interview requests, even offering to return to campus during weekends or after practices so that our requests can be fulfilled.

On the field, Louis was a polished player unlike many that we’d had locally in the past few seasons.

His sheer size was one thing, but Louis was athletic enough to shed blockers.

But more important than anything the young man did on any playing field, Louis was also a loving, family man who cared for friends and family and who always did everything he could to make those around him laugh.

We pray that those affected find peace in the coming days and weeks.

We pray that South Terrebonne’s students can grieve the lost of a loved one – the second athlete at the school to pass away this year.

We’ll miss you, Louie. You were truly one of a kind.