Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

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Editorial: Louisiana Politicians Want to Use Coastal Restoration Funding for Golf Course

July 8th, 2006

While Louisiana politicians scream they need billions of dollars to restore Louisiana's rapidly fading coastal zone they also scheme to ‘funnel state taxpayer money’ in meetings behind closed doors.

At the same time Senator Mary Landrieu, U.S. Rep Jindall and the whole bunch of oil-gas-greasy Louisiana-Washington puppets want billions to restore the Louisiana coast they also push to lift the twenty-five year moratorium of drilling off America's coast whether it be the fragile Artic, Pensacola Beach or Santa Barbara. As long as Louisiana politicians get their share here at home they have no problem promoting destruction on another coast.

Sure the state of Louisiana and it’s citizens deserve to get more oil revenues from drilling off its own coast, equal to what other states receive. But the citizens also have the right to protect their heritage, way of life, property and wild life habitat by speaking out against taxpayer money being used to do the opposite of what it is supposed to be used for.

It is Save Our Wetlands (SOWL) position that using taxpayer monies for this private, pork barrel, wetland destroying, golf course project is in direct contrast to wetland restoration and, will promote future development in this low lying area that is extremely susceptible to hurricane tidal surges. Shouldn't the politicians be supporting alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and bio-diesel instead of promoting dirty global warming petroleum and radioactive nuclear power?

In 2001, SOWL desperately tried to stop a golf course that was built in the same area that destroyed 246 acres of wetlands.

Unfortunately, the state ended up funding the 13 million dollar project under Governor Mike Foster. This golf course was finished being built in 2004 and now after hurricane Katrina the taxpayers owe this golf course $1,000,000 due to lost rounds of golf. It seems there was a clause that stated if the golf course didn't meet its quota in revenue the state of Louisiana and it's taxpayers must pay them the difference.

Now once again Rep. John Alario, D-Westwego is back to his old tricks trying to destroy more wetlands with wetland restoration taxpayer money, and Sen. Mary Landrieu wonders why other Washington Congresspersons have been weary to fund coastal restoration and subsidize federal flood insurance for a sinking Louisiana post-Katrina. The record shows that then and now wetland restoration and conservation has been put on the back burner in favor of big business by Louisiana politicos.