Smiley Anders for Sept. 6, 2008

• By SMILEY ANDERS
• Advocate columnist
• Published: Sep 6, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Dear Smiley: With all the hype given to the crab fishermen and truckers driving across the ice on reality television, I’d like to throw another group into the mix: the electrical linemen.

I’ve been in the utility business for the last 36 years, and have watched these men and women put their lives on hold to restore power to the public.

I’ve watched the honest desire by these folks to get the job done, no matter what circumstances are dealt to them.

The difference is the TV stars are out there to grab the golden ring.

They’re out there for a few weeks to find the pot of gold.

These linemen are out there doing the same job they do day in and day out.

When you see a crew in your neighborhood in the days to come, give them a tip of the hat.

They deserve it.

Robby Zeringue
Baton Rouge

Long-distance thanks

Dear Smiley: I just wanted to thank Channel 2 and The Advocate for broadcasting a live feed for coverage on Gustav.

I am in Singapore, but my heart is back home.

Not being a member of the “wealthy expats” who live here and have cable TV and all the goodies, it is more difficult to get information.
I was in China for 9/11, and it was such a helpless feeling to be so far away when my homeland was suffering.