Wednesday, November 21, 2012 increase was only marginal. On the other hand, some and beverages of coffee and milk. items have decreased in price. Fresh cranberries, rolls, AgCenter Family Economist Jeanette Tucker said turkey will green peas, whipping cream and be the biggest contributor to the pie shells all decreased sightly. Though Loucost this year, in‘Getting the products isiana Thanksgivcreasing about 29 dinner prices cents per pound from the farm to the ing have increased, as compared to last year. consumer factors in cost.’ they are still below the naThere are tional average of three factors that Kurt Guidry may have con- LSU AgCenter agricultural economist $49.48, according tributed to the into the American crease in turkey prices, said Kurt Farm Bureau Federation. Guidry, AgCenter agricultural And Louisiana’s average is economist. still lower than 2011’s average of A 2012 drought in the Mid- $49.20. west drove up the price of corn “When you look at 2012, and grain, which is “certainly we weren’t impacted as much in reflected in the price for turkey,” terms of drought,” Guidry said. Guidry said. “Production has been more norHe also attributed the in- mal here. So our regional prices crease to fuel cost, which rose are different from the national average.” throughout 2012. To save money this Thanks“Getting the products from the farm to the consumer factors giving, the AgCenter suggests using coupons, shopping alone in cost,” Guidry said. And finally, he said turkey and not before a meal and taking production was basically un- advantage of in-store specials. changed while per capita turkey consumption is expected to inWhat’s your favorite crease. Thanksgiving dish? Vote at The increase in demand lsureveille.com. along with a stagnant supply is sure to cause prices to rise, Guidry said. Prices of other items such as Contact Chris Grillot at milk and sweet potatoes also increased in Louisiana, though the cgrillot@lsureveille.com
THANKSGIVING, from page 1
The Daily Reveille
page 11
POLITICS
Judges duke it out before runoff Political stances stir ethical debate
Megan Dunbar Staff Writer
Election season is still not over for two circuit judges in a judicial election for Louisiana’s Supreme Court. In an eight-contestant race for the judgeship, Democratic Circuit Judge John Michael Guidry and Republican Circuit Judge Jeff Hughes won out, and will continue to battle for votes in a runoff Dec. 8. Hughes ran many television spots stating his conservativeleaning views, a possible bone of contention among those who question the ethics of positiontaking judges. Hughes defended the ads by citing a 2002 Supreme Court ruling. The case, “Republican Party
of Minnesota v. White,” stated judicial election candidates have the First Amendment right to discuss their views. The practice of judges taking stances has been seen as a possible ethical complication. Political science professor James Garand said Hughes has been under fire for this decision from many who believe judges should be nonpartisan and make decisions about cases based on black-and-white facts. Garand disagrees with this idea. “I believe judges are political actors,” Garand said. He said it is no surprise when appointees of President Barack Obama rule on the liberal side of a case, and that is no different in the lower courts. This is not a negative truth, according to top scholars Melinda Gann-Hall and Chris Bonneau, who have conducted extensive research on the subject. The two believe voters should
be able to choose the interpretation different judges will affect on a district, Garand said. And he agreed, saying even though there is a general perception of judges as neutral entities, this is not the true manner by which voters elect. There were more Republicans running in the race than Democrats, and Garand said he was surprised Hughes was the one who pulled through for his party. He attributed the success to Hughes’ television spots. Guidry, on the other hand, campaigned by speaking to church groups and promoted his tradition of being a “fair and impartial judge,” he told news outlets. Garand said the turnout of the Dec. 8 election will depend on who is able to mobilize more voters, but he said he expects Hughes will win. Contact Megan Dunbar at mdunbar@lsureveille.com