Bayou Perspective

Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams May Leave for Rams If Jeff Fisher Gets His Way

2012-01-07T12:28:00.001-06:00

The Twitterverse rumor mill is hopping with rumors of Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams leaving for the Rams. According to the NFL Network Jason La Canfora and sources inside the St. Louis Rams organization Jeff Fisher is close to signing as the head coach of the franchise. Among his wants, Gregg Williams. This is developing and I am sure there is more to come once and if the deal goes through with Jeff Fisher.

Williams' contract will be coming to a close after this year but it is rumored the Saints want to ink him for a long term deal to keep him with the team.

The BR Beer Scene: "Bandit Blonde" Is Coming From LSU And Tin Roof Br...

2012-01-05T16:34:00.000-06:00

The BR Beer Scene: "Bandit Blonde" Is Coming From LSU And Tin Roof Br...: It looks like the partnership between LSU and Tin Roof Brewing is moving along quickly! The name of the collaboration brew, licensed by LS...

Top 5 Star QB Gunner Kiel commits to LSU

2012-01-02T17:49:00.005-06:00

ESPNU 150 Quarterback Gunner Kiel verbally commited to LSU today. After receiving a less than warm reception from Notre Dame fans and alums along with not being impressed with University of Indiana's record are rumored to be among reasons for Kiel's decision, according to reports.

Indiana had focused on Kiel as their number one recruit and had planned to rebuild their program around the quarterback.

Kiel is the 2nd ranked high school quarterback in the nation according to ESPNU top 150 recruits. According to ESPN, Kiel's visit to LSU the week of the Arkansas game made quite an impression on him, "When I went to Louisiana, it was just awesome," Kiel told the website MyIndianaFootball.com. "Friday I woke up and told my parents 'I'm ready to commit. I want to go to LSU and this is the best place for me."

It would appear that Gunner Kiel decided that winning was more important than staying close to home and attending Indiana or Notre Dame. I think I speak for the Tiger Nation when I say, Gunner Kiel, you have chosen wisely.

Geaux Tigers!

Endorsement: If It's Change You Really Want, Vote Buddy Roemer for President 2012

2011-12-08T17:39:00.004-06:00

Bayou Perspective formally endorses Buddy Roemer for President in 2012. Governor Roemer's 'Roemer Revolution' while he was Governor of Louisiana is evidence enough that he can implement reform, and means what he says. Roemer brought campaign finance limits to Louisiana where in the past elections could be bought and contributions could be virtually unlimited.

Money in politics is the underlying problem that affects all other aspects of our corrupt and incompetent government. The system as we know it has resulted in special interests running our country and receiving endless bailouts while the American people foot the bill. Governor Roemer is the only candidate speaking out to end the corruption.

Roemer puts his money where his mouth is and will only accept $100 donations from each individual donor and refuses to take money from the PACs and special interest that all other Democrat and Republican candidates are all to happy to take.

If you haven't seen Governor Roemer's website, please go there now and support Governor Roemer: www.buddyroemer.com

The other candidates are afraid of Roemer and won't even let him debate. The reason why, because he has not raised at least $500,000 in the last 90 days.

He is the only candidate with experience as a Congressman, a Governor, and the CEO of a billion dollar bank that took no federal bailout money

If you want real change, vote for Buddy Roemer for President in 2012.

Every Day Should Be Bank Transfer Day

2011-11-15T07:06:00.005-06:00

Every Day Should Be Bank Transfer Day
By: Joshua W. Delano
15NOV2011
Washington, DC

A few Fridays ago on November 4, 2011 a new movement known as, 'Bank Transfer Day' began in which every day Americans like you and me stepped out to change things. I am not talking about a bunch of presumptious yuppy liberals with money in the bank like the Occupy Wall Street movement, but regular people who were fed up with the every day policy of moral hazard of the largest banking institutions like Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

According to BC Politics nearly 20,000 new members a day were added to local credit unions through October and nearly double that amount thus far through November. Although I wouldn't totally disagree with the protest of Occupy Wall Street, I like so many others across this country have to go to work every day.

True protest is change, that is to not repeat the same idiocy over and over. Rather than protest in the financial districts and downtowns across America, I'd rather act and hit the big banks where it hurts most. Hence, the reason for Bank Transfer Day, many Americans feel the need to stop feeding the greed-infested parasite that is big banks.

I would encourage you to move your money to a local member-owned credit union as well and if you want to encourage this movement of economic freedom please check out the Move Your Money Project
( www.moveyourmoneyproject.org ).

Go out and do your best and be wise with all you have. If we are to be good stewards of all the money we are blessed with, then shouldn't we also keep our money with a financial institution that also exemplifies good stewardship? It is my hope that times will get better and we can put an end to engendering the moral hazard of the banks and their credit default swaps and other irresponsible investment of our money.

Be the change you want to see.

All the best and God bless.

LSU V ALABAMA: This Is The Real National Championship

2011-11-05T19:14:00.005-05:00

If you are from real football country, i.e. the South you know that this is the only real National

Championship we will see this year. The winner of this game will go on to destroy Stanford in all aspects. Likewise, they will give credence to former LSU now San Francisco 49ers D-lineman Ricky Jean Francois' statment this week that, "if Andrew Luck played in the SEC he wouldn't be the #1 draft pick."

So kick back and get ready for a great game tonight and then prepare to see Andrew Luck's first NFL experience, or initiation, however you want to look at it. It will be in this year's BCS title game that he will see plenty of turf that game and little of the end zone. So GEAUX TIGERS! I'm gonna say LSU 14 Alabama 14 in this one.

Senator Vitter and Billy Nungesser Both Like the New Orleans Madams' Prostitutes

2011-10-14T17:49:00.009-05:00

BILLY NUNGESSER THE POLITICIAN WHO GAVE THE MADAM BUTTERFLIES
By Jeff Crouere
October 14, 2011

Before the people of Louisiana and the nation knew him as a crusader against BP or a candidate for Lt. Governor, Billy Nungesser was a successful businessman and political operative in Plaquemines Parish. His father William Nungesser, Sr. was the Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party and a beloved figure among activists and elected officials.

The elder Nungesser opened many doors for Billy who was eventually encouraged to run for Plaquemines Parish President. In 2006, he won a very close election and was subsequently re-elected with over 70 percent of the vote in 2010.

As soon as he was elected, it was apparent that Billy Nungesser was not the typical Plaquemines Parish politician. He had much greater aspirations than Plaquemines Parish. Because of his father’s position and his many years as an activist and donor, Billy had plenty of national contacts. He used these national contacts to advocate for his parish and gain more exposure as a rising star in the Republican Party.

By 2008, Billy Nungesser had a reputation as a hard working Parish President who was colorful and animated, but not especially controversial. This reputation changed on March 18, 2008, when I interviewed the Canal Street Madam, Jeanette Maier, on my Ringside radio program (WGSO 990 AM). For the first time on the airwaves, Maier publicly named Billy Nungesser as one of her long time clients, something that she had mentioned privately many times. In fact, Maier claimed Nungesser was not only a client of almost two decades, but also a drug user and sexual deviant, who had an explosive temper.

Even though Maier feared for her safety in alleging Nungesser’s connection to her prostitution business, she made the following statement on the radio:

There’s an elected official that’s been a client of mine for probably almost 20 years. He’s one of my best spenders or was one of my best spenders. His proclivities can’t even be said on radio. I would say that there were women, men and an abundance of coke. Sometimes I don’t even want to think about some of the stuff that he did. He hid behind his famous Republican father who knew because he paid his son’s tab to me which came with a death threat. This is a man…who had sexual harassment at work brought to his attention and suddenly everything disappeared. This is a man out of control and yet was elected Plaquemines Parish President. Now you know who it is. You must all take responsibility for your actions. We must take responsibility for our actions, including you, Mr. William Nungesser, Jr. or as I know him or many sex workers, as Pinky or Billy Boy.” (Audio clip attached)

When confronted that same day about these scandalous accusations by then WGSO 990-AM News Director Terry Easley, Nungesser said, “That’s old news…my name was in the paper for that. You know what if I had known it was there I would have went, I didn’t know it was there and never been there. That’s ridiculous.” When Easley asked him what would motivate the Madam to make such explosive charges if they were not true, Nungesser said, “I don’t know. This is the third time, it’s been in the paper twice….I’m not even going to entertain it. It’s better for me not even to comment on it.”(Audio clip attached)

Nungesser was not the first politician to be named as a client by the Canal Street Madam. In July of 2007, Maier publicly called U.S. Senator David Vitter a customer and threatened to release more names from her “black book.” While no other names were released, it seems quite plausible that her brothel was financially successful and frequented by plenty of local politicians.

Interestingly, while Nungesser claimed that he had “never been” to the Canal Street brothel, he did not refute that he was one of the Madam’s clients. In his famous July 2007 press conference with his wife Wendy, Senator Vitter stated that the “New Orleans” stories were lies, but did not elaborate. He did confess to a “serious sin” but never explained the extent of his wrongful actions. It was verified that Vitter’s telephone number was listed in the call records of the D.C. Madam, Jeane Palfrey, but his exact involvement with her prostitution operation was never revealed. Several weeks before her sentencing and incarceration, the D.C. Madam committed suicide and many of her secrets went to the grave with her.

As is typical of such cases, the exact details can be hard to uncover. While the Canal Street Madam listed Vitter and Nungesser among her clients, the public has never been provided any definitive proof. As I noted in a March 25, 2008 column, “Of course there are many people who are very skeptical of Maier's comments. Critics note that Maier does not have any hard evidence linking Vitter or Nungesser to her brothel. In addition, she has a criminal record and is currently on probation. She was charged with prostitution and admitted to a career as a prostitute and a madam.”

While Maier is a convicted felon and an admitted prostitute, she does not have a reputation for lying. Now, one of the sensational accusations she made against Nungesser in her March 18, 2008 Ringside radio interview seems to have been proven true. Maier claimed that Nungesser had sexual harassment charges brought against him “at work.” Attached is a petition filed on November 7, 1997 by Ryck Soto against “William H. Nungesser” alleging sexual harassment, the exposure of genitalia as well as requests for oral sex. Soto alleged that this activity took place “on the job as well as off hours.” Soto worked as an employee of General Marine Leasing, while Nungesser was the President of the company. He claims that he had to endure a hostile work environment after he rebuffed Nungesser’s advances and was eventually wrongfully terminated from his position. (Attached PDF File)

Over the next week, the voters of Louisiana will have to determine whether these charges have merit or are relevant to the position of Lt. Governor. In 2010, Vitter won re-election to the U.S. Senate against Democratic congressman Charlie Melancon by focusing on his opposition to the unpopular agenda of President Barack Obama. A majority of Louisiana voters overlooked Vitter’s alleged sexual proclivities because of their displeasure with the national political scene.

In this election, there is no national political agenda, only statewide politics. Nungesser’s opponent is incumbent Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, a fellow Republican. Nungesser cannot tie Dardenne to Barack Obama. In fact, he has his own ties to Democrats to explain, specifically his contribution to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) among others.

In general, Louisiana has forgiving voters; remember this is the state that elected Edwin Edwards as Governor four times. Yet, Louisiana also has a large contingent of evangelical and social conservative voters who may frown upon Nungesser’s alleged connection to the Canal Street Madam.

After providing this information in 2008, Jeanette Maier has not been doing too many interviews. She has been mostly enjoying her life as a private citizen and selling candles to earn an income. After a television movie was produced, the Madam never did publish a book or star in a cable series. However, she was featured in a 2010 documentary that won awards at film festivals across the country.

In this election season, she seems to be uninterested to re-enter the rough and tumble arena of Louisiana politics, even though her alleged client Billy Nungesser is running for the prestigious position of Lt. Governor.

Louisiana voters should weigh the Canal Street Madam’s charges and Billy Nungesser’s response, as well as all of the available information about the candidates before making an informed decision on October 22.

The voters of Louisiana are the best ones to decide whether these accusations have merit or are irrelevant to the race. This decision process will determine who wins this race and may even impact the overall image of our politicians and the entire State of Louisiana.

The Mercedes Benz Superdome!?

2011-10-06T03:54:00.007-05:00

Of course like everyone else I gotta sound off regarding the newest development, and in the minds of some, the latest perversion in regard to our beloved Louisiana Superdome.

Mercedes Benz has bought 10 year naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome which will now be referred to as the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Many are up in arms and don't like it, and I must admit yesterday morning when i was listening to WWL Radio, I was among you. However, the idea(not the name) is growing on me.

My first reaction was a negative reaction, as is typical of most human beings with change. I texted in to WWL for the first time sounding off with my comments and thoughts regarding this horrible new change abreast in New Orleans.

It sounds kind of weird and I will say that Chris Rose is correct when he mentioned yesterday that this has more national and international implications and importance than local. I would've been all for one of my friends' recommendations, 'Rick's
Caberet Superdome.' Or in my opinion the Tipitina's, Palace Cafe, or Popeye's Superdome would've been more fitting from a local standpoint. At least we would've been keeping it local and keeping it about New Orleans, heck even if it would've been Pat O' Brien's Superdome it would be better for our city.

But at the end of the day, despite my wrangling and objections, it is good for the Saints and New Orleans. No longer does the Louisiana taxpayer have to foot the bill for the Dome.

The only solution I think would be better would be if we in Louisiana would do what the Green Bay Packers fans do out in Wisconsin and buy shares of the New Orleans Saints and make the team even more our own. That would be a great solution, one that would really instill pride and loyalty to our team, our community, and our boys (as if we could get any more loyal or prideful for our Saints)

That option unfortunately is not on the table because we all know Mr. Benson is not about sharing with the rest of us the profits of our team. So until then, let's get used to it and learn to love it. Hey, I guess change can come to a city and a state that refuses to change. As for me, I'm still gonna refer to it as the Louisiana Superdome regardless, ... or as my friend James reminded me yesterday, it will still be known as 'The Dome' to New Orleanians.

Se la vie. At the end of the day, I realize we have all gotten a little bourgeois when it comes to our Saints. Several years ago we would've given anything to get to the playoffs, or the Super Bowl...including selling the naming rights to the dome to Hanes Underwear. Now that we are world Champions we strut around and forget where this franchise was a few years ago after Katrina; in danger of being moved to San Antonio.

Now, more than ever the New Orleans Saints are here to stay. WHO DAT!

Bayou Perspective thanks you for your support! All the best and God bless.
(After all, the greatest nation in the world is do-nation)

Just Like Me Couples is Featuring My Wife and I This Week

2011-09-16T10:33:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to give some love to 'Just Like Us Couples' blog for featuring my wife and I's recent marriage this week on their site. I hope you will check it out and support their site as well.

http://justlikemecouples.blogspot.com/2011/09/tia-and-joshua.html

All the best and God bless

IRENE: Much Ado About Nothing and Disaster Politics

2011-08-30T07:21:00.004-05:00

Irene has finished sloshing through the region with little more than tropical storm-like tenacity. However the storm of political posturing and credit-claiming has just begun.

Like a teenager itching to take out his dad's Corvette, President Obama jumped at the opportunity to show that he would not only outshine President Bush's apathetic incompetence in his Administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina, but rake in political capital in the aftermath as a result

While we can never be too careful when it comes to Hurricane preparation and caution, this weekend in DC I was reminded of the title of Shakespeare's play, 'Much Ado About Nothing,' more than once.

Minutes after the President announced that Irene was on track to become an, 'Historic,' hurricane, a dozen media outlets echoed the 'Historic,' moniker. It was quite amusing.

Politicians of course take center stage in the handling of disasters and can either be deemed incompetent or proactive in their handling of the same. However in the past year I've seen such contradictory posturing by Governor Jindal in Louisiana in the aftermath of the BP Oil spill and now President Obama and Hurricane Irene.

Jindal raised hell and acted like Sheriff Vigilance while the oil spill was going on, making sure to get in front of as many cameras as possible between out-of-state fundraisers. Meanwhile, he did his best behind the scenes to stand in the way of Louisianans affected by the oil-spill from recouping their losses as a result.

Obama, in kind has hoped to stick out his chest and take credit for being vigilant over a storm/Hurricane that folks on the Gulf Coast would've breathed a sigh of relief because it was only a Category 2 storm.

To his credit, the President, with CNN and other media help stimulated spending for a few days in the Northeastern part of the country. Maybe that, along with some positive recognition in a dismal year politically for his Administration, was the motive all along: cause panic and stimulate the economy...then take credit for being so thoroughly prepared for the hurricane; unlike some other Presidents before him.

But if the President putting on his best Sheriff Vigilance hat and stirring up panic is what gets yankees to run scared and stock up at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's before a storm, then so be it. At least retail spending was artificially inflated for a weekend. And that along with the false negative plunge many stocks took simply at the news of the downgraded US credit rating, followed by the predicted recovery of many of those stocks several days later...well, it can all be credited to the hard work of the Administration.

One day we will realize that we are the economy, stupid, and politicians have little to do with its recovery.

For once, I actually agree with Rush Limbaugh when he said this week, "This was another media frenzy without results, just like the Obama Presidency."

Tropical Storm KATIA just formed in the Atlantic a few hours ago and will turn into a hurricane in the next 24-48 hours. So, let's get ready to do this all over again, I just pray that this one won't be a real hurricane that poses a threat to our country. It's too early to predict a well-defined track as to where it will hit.

To think, I actually voted for this bag of hot air Administration...guess i'll toss my vote away on Ron Paul or Buddy Roemer next year...or maybe I'll write in Bernie Sanders for President. Is it too much to ask for reasonable and responsible leadership from the White House?

--Joshua W. Delano is an Indpendent freelance writer, blogger, and political consultant and has appeared on the Jim Brown Radio Show, Jeff Crouere's Ringside Politics Radio Show and has been published in PoliticsLA.com, Human Events, Townhall.com, The Songhai News, From The Roots, and the Gamefowl News.

Bayou Perspective Appreciates your support.

An Earthquake Hits DC Metro?!

2011-08-23T13:51:00.002-05:00

Yes, actually the epicenter was in Mineral, VA reported 5.8 and 5.9 according to the Washington Post and NBC news respectively, not to far from my wife and I's home in Richmond. We are both in DC at the moment trying to make our way back home.

Very strange, I never thought I'd experience my first earthquake living here in DC/VA.

The quake was felt in MD, VA, NY, DC, and PA. We felt about 3.8 here in DC.

All is well so far I just hope our house is ok when we both get back home from our commute in from DC.

All the best and God bless, just weird.

Uncle Edwin is Free At Last!

2011-07-06T14:22:00.004-05:00

I wonder if Bobby Jindal is a little jealous that he isn't the most popular Governor in Louisiana right now-I doubt it, Bobby is always happier outside of Louisiana anyway, where he seems to spend most of his time.

Finally Edwin Washington Edwards, Louisiana's only four-time governor has been released from the confines of the state. No more probationary period of house-arrest for Uncle Edwin. It'll be fun to see how the Governor has things plans out for the not to far away future.

As it stands he is about to get married for the third time as well as the possibility of a reality TV show. Word spread through the Twitterverse today that Governor Edward's first stop was Cracker Barrel once he signed the papers alleviating him from his obligatory house arrest following his prison release a few months ago.

I can remember writing Governor Edwards while he was in Dallas at the Federal prison facility there and then in Oakdale, Louisiana while I was going to college. The great thing was that he always wrote back. A few times I sent him books I was reading or had read as well as a few books he had asked for during our correspondence.

Although some people thought it was ridiculous, I still kept him in my prayers along with family, friends, and other of our nation and State's leaders as well as putting him on the prayer list at church. While we all reap what we sow, the 10 year sentence given Edwards in his old age by Judge Frank Polazola was not only politically motivated but harsh. It always troubled me that Governor Edwards my die while in prison, despite all he has done for the state and the people of Louisiana.

We are glad you are back and glad you are free Uncle Edwin. God bless and keep you sir, cause you will always be une de nous autres!

Thought I would include a little homage to one of the great heroes in the history of the great State of Louisiana.

From the Big Easy to Richmond to DC

2011-06-20T15:54:00.005-05:00

I am just loving the fiasco I've seen develop over the past few weeks leading up to Congressman Weiner's resignation.

Since I've made my move from New Orleans to Richmond after getting married and changing jobs a few months ago it is clear that one thing is constant: some things change but most things stay the same. The change is clear, in that the scenery has changed and I am blissfully and happily married to my soulmate and of course living in Richmond now.

What has stayed the same is the hypocrisy and corruption that stinks to high heaven back home in Louisiana as well as here in DC, as always.

President Obama can't seem to get much done with the Republicans running the House and his fellow Dems who are woefully inept at the legislative process.

Meanwhile Senator Vitter has done his best to hide out as much as possible since the light has been shone once again on his "sins from the past," now that Congressman Weiner(yes it's pronounced WEE NUR..lol this is too good to be made up) has had some female problems of his own. Maybe these guys should try being loyal to their wives.

In my book they should both resign.

As some of you already know, my wife Tia and I got married back in April and have been living happily here in Richmond and working in DC for the past month. There have been some moments where I really missed New Orleans and Louisiana in general especially when it comes to food. Thank God she and I can both cook. So many things are quite similar when it comes to DC and New Orleans when it comes to politics, but the people are night and day.

Truly I have missed my fellow Louisianans and look forward to seeing them all again one day.

Just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have sent your well-wishings, gifts, prayers and love for my lovely bride and I, as we need and appreciate them all.

Mayor Landrieu is seemingly trying to navigate the bureaucratic maze and the mess left to him by Mayor Nagin. However I am afraid that only a small portion of progress will result as the NOPD looks like it will always be the same. Local politicians don't seem interested in change and of course the racial politics of New Orleans are as prevalent as ever.

New Orleans is as clean as I've ever seen it but the scum that makes New Orleans both beautiful and pungent will seemingly always lurk below the surface. Day by day and step by step I pray that New Orleans will not only survive but thrive as time goes on. Hopefully this beautiful city can keep intact the history that makes it so unique, while not being overtaken by yankees and other non-native forces that seem to be bringing new meaning to the old adage, 'Money talks."

It would be unfortunate to see New Orleans become another South Florida, though more and more I saw just that while I lived there.

Mayor Landrieu has his work cut out for him.

Back in DC politics is politics as usual. Perception is reality as the Democrats and Republicans sling falsehoods back and forth at each other daily. The government was almost shut down again as it was in the Clinton Administration as a result of partisan bickering.

Nobody on either side seems to want to step up to the plate regarding a real budget or a solvent answer to the hiring freeze currently affecting many jobs in the government from going unfilled.

Mitt Romney is poised as the wunderkid GOP nominee with all the right answers. Not really. This guy spoke to a group of unemployed workers last week noting that he too was unemployed. What a joke. Must be nice to be a millionaire feigning empathy as to the fate of the working class.

As always DC is gridlocked with partisan bickering which of course suits both sides. The blame game will continue and nothing will get done. My guess is that the GOP will gain some seats in both Houses of Congress while Obama edges out Romney in a close race.

The second term will be nastier than the first unless by some miracle President Obama can channel President Clinton and work on legislation with a Republican controlled congress. I doubt that cooler heads will prevail. Egos will rule the day and nothing will get done while another day passes with 1,000 people moving to Texas and DC chasing after private industry jobs in the Lone Star state and the increasing behemoth of public sector jobs in our nations capitol.

As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord and put little faith in this ridiculousness that has become the US Government.

Been on a Hiatus, But Now I'm Married!

2011-04-14T22:47:00.005-05:00

I have been otherwise engaged for the past few months working, working and then working some more. Also I met the woman of my dreams and last weekend we were married.

My past year or so living here in New Orleans has taught me a lot of things. One is that so many things are relative. Progress, politics, social norms, and people in general are all relative and subject to change from one perception to another. There is one surety, and that is that it takes hard work, money, and time to make anything work.

That being said I will soon be leaving New Orleans once I am able to secure a job and a place for my new wife and I in the VA/DC area. I've lived there before and am excited to be getting back there and starting a new life with my true love.< Of course I will be sad to leave my beloved Louisiana as there is nowhere else in the world like it and nowhere I'd rather live. Yet when faced with the decisions of life, especially when they affect my son and wife, ...well, Gordon Gekko said it best, "What's worth doing, is worth doing for money.

The political situation is in a state of flux with ignorant people on both sides of the aisle standing in the way of real reform. At the end of the day the only thing important to them is getting re-elected. That is why there was no government shut-down. Both sides were hedging their bets as to the political fallout and found that the risks were too great as to potential blame this close to an election year. I love Louisiana, yet sometimes decisions must be made so that we can take better care of our families. God-willing I will be back here one day and will be able to do more substantive good in the state where I was born and have come to love.

Still you can expect me to lend some commentary and a few tidbits of wit and sarcasm, and hopefully some real insight on the political situation as it affects Louisiana as well as us up in DC/VA. Thank you for all your prayers and to all the friends I've made here in New Orleans while I've lived here. I love you and cherish you all and New Orleans will always have a special place in my heart.

I will be in New Orleans til sometime in May when I will be making the move up to VA/DC to be with my wife in our new place. Looking forward to visiting with as many of you as possible before I make my way.

If you would like to gift my wife and I here are some registries where Tia and I are registered: Target

http://www.target.com/registry/wedding/13I23CXJR0JKM

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wedding&id=PUPHWIB97HSX

Bed Bath And Beyond: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=-750548868&

Also, of course if you would like to give the gift of paypal, we all know that that is always Kosher. You can gift either of us at our paypal accounts:
Joshua: JoshuaWDelano@yahoo.com
Tia: icetia2002@yahoo.com

or just gift us here:

Thank you for all your well-wishings and congratulations. We appreciate and love you all.

All the best and God bless you all and I look forward to hearing from you on my future posts and commentary, cause we all need a lil Bayou Perspective from time to time.

JINDAL ONE OF MANY NATIONAL WANNABES FROM THE SOUTH

2010-11-22T01:15:00.002-06:00

New Orleans, Louisiana

JINDAL ONE OF MANY NATIONAL WANNABES

FROM THE SOUTH

Last year, before the President’s State of the Union address, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was the fair haired boy of the national Republican Party. He had even been considered as a vice presidential candidate on the McCain ticket in 2008, and every pundit had him high up on the list of contenders for 2012. But like the old saying goes, “the south shall rise again.” Potential candidates for a Republican national ticket are emerging from all over the South. And while Jindal has to tend the home state brush fires with a huge budget crisis and a reelection ahead, a number of southern candidates are free to raise money and head for Iowa.

This, of course, presupposes that Jindal has any interest in being on a national ticket. He professes only a desire to be reelected so that he can have the honor and thrill of facing one budget crisis after another.

And who can doubt his word as he has, for months, been crisscrossing America raising campaign funds for a number of candidates in other states, raising money for his own purposes, and now conducting a national book tour, for no other reason than to run for re election in Louisiana. He’s sure convinced me.

Twelve months ago, he was the only candidate being talked about in the south, but what a difference a year makes. It seems that every week a new candidate comes out of the deep southern framework. Two old perennials are trying to keep there hopes alive. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee brought his conservative message that mirrors Jindal’s to Baton Rouge a few weeks ago. He’s raised money and is creating a Louisiana organization for his national campaign.

Former House speaker and Georgia native Newt Gingrich is also on the move with a new book about to come out. He was asked on Meet the Press this past Sunday if he is running. “I think Callista and I’ll make a decision probably in February; and probably, if we do run, we’ll announce, I suspect, in late March. But we’re still months away from that.” Coy yes, but he is definitely in the mix.

Then there are all the new guys on the national scene. Florida’s new senator, Marco Rubio, arrived in Washington this week and was received like a rock star. Rubio is Hispanic with a compelling story of his parents emigrating from Cuba. He and Jindal are both the same age. He is being tagged as “the Great Right Hope” and “the Republican Obama.” In the past few weeks alone, Rubio has graced the covers of National Review, The Weekly Standard, Time and The New York Times Magazine. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, an early ally of Rubio, has predicted that he will be president within the next five years, and Rubio’s Wikipedia page already has a “Presidential Election 2012” section.

Jindal is also no longer the only Indian American in the mix. New South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is both female and the second Indian American to became a state’s chief executive. . Like Jindal, Haley’s parents moved to the U.S. back in the 1960s. She is younger than Jindal at 38, had has invited a large contingent of Indians from her home town of Punjab to attend her swearing in ceremony. Haley has also promised to make an early trade mission trip to India, something that Jindal has not yet done.

Jindal is surrounded on both sides of Louisiana by formidable state governors who are giving the 2012 presidential election a close look. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Texas Governor Rick Perry both are expressing serious interest in making a run, or at least in stirring the pot enough to be considered for the second spot on a Republican ticket.

Barbour is a two term governor who presently serves as chairman of the National Governor’s Association. He is also past chairman of the National Republican Committee, where he raised millions for candidates all across the country. As one Republican insider told me, “Haley has more IOUs than any potential Republican looking at the race. He will be a formidable candidate if he runs.”

And then there is bigger than life Texas Governor, Rick Perry. He cruised to an easy reelection victory early this month, and he’s immediately begun hawking his new book, “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington.” The Perry book, like Jindal’s, is all about burnishing his image to ascend the national stage. Not to give Jindal any leeway, Perry is heading toward the national media circuit next week with appearances on Fox News, The Today Show, and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Perry is the state’s longest serving governor, and has a major base of funding for a national campaign right out of Texas. He peddled a “Morning in Texas” message in his appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

So it’s obvious that Republican candidates, particularly in the south, are crawling out of the woodwork and are more prolific than at any time in recent memory. And Jindal faces a special problem of governing a state that ranks dead last or near the bottom in numerous national rankings. What does he do? Continue to travel the country and rely on his staff to address a growing budget crisis back home? Or get back to Louisiana, and take a more aggressive hands on approach to what will require major crisis management?

So far, Jindal has not sought out help in addressing Louisiana’s growing budget problems from anyone beyond his staff. The good government groups, outside think tanks and many public officials have been left out of Jindal’s quest to balance the state budget. For example, the state treasurer, who is putting forth a number of cost saving ideas has not talked to the Governor in over 18 months. Jindal would be wise to reconsider his arms length approach and make it a “big tent” effort. When you are the governor, you get and can take all the credit. So why not seek out all the help you can get? For if Jindal fails to adequately face and solve the present budget mess, the blame falls entirely on him.

Timing is often everything in politics. Jindal does not have the luxury of merely making campaign promises like many other of the national party candidates can. In Louisiana, he is going to have to produce, or see his national aspirations fall by the wayside. It’s a huge uphill fight for him. But isn’t that what real leadership is all about?

*****

On Wales losing 28-9 against Australia: ‘No leadership, no ideas. Not even enough imagination to thump someone in the line-up when the ref wasn’t looking’
JPR Williams

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG IN POLITICS!

2010-11-11T13:11:00.004-06:00

Thursday, November 11th, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG IN POLITICS!

Abraham Lincoln was elected President 150 years ago this week. Civil War buffs are looking back to these war years for lessons learned in the current debate over the stagnation of the American political process today. Historians have written over 26, 000 books on this time in history with the premise that there were two Americas-a house divided-back then. Do we find the same two Americas today?

The Tea Party movement has engulfed a Republican Party that now has an agenda of low expectations centered on whatever it takes to beat Obama in 2012. The Democrats, from the President on down, have lost control of the narrative with little vision of passion being offered to the American public. Forty percent of American voters think it’s time for a third party alternative.

Historian Philip Kennicott tells us that “The Civil War taught us, as a nation, our patterns of argument, our impatience with hypocrisy, our sense that every election is an apocalypse. It taught us how to be stupid, how to provoke our enemies, how to resist modernity, how to fight on after logic an argument have failed.”

I’m not all that big a Lincoln fan. Lincoln was the guy who micromanaged a war that took the lives of almost 1,000,000 Americans. On one day alone, September 17, 1862, more American soldiers were killed in the Battle of Antietam than in all other wars fought by the United States in the 19th century put together. How did Lincoln, this supposedly great compromiser, allow such devastation to take place? And many Louisianans can never forgive Lincoln for his failure to stop notorious Union Gen. Benjamin Butler’s decree that any woman in New Orleans and surrounding areas who did not show respect for Union Troops should be considered and treated like a prostitute.
Having expressed this caveat, give Lincoln credit for believing that he had history on his side. His appreciation of history was not free will, but a belief that deterministic forces gave his view of America as an upward spiral of progress.

Perhaps he did not read 18th century philosophers like Kant and Hegel, but he adopted their premise that, as Kennicott suggests, “There is a pattern and a progress to history, rather than endless cycles of growth, violence and decay.” What Hegel viewed as a “grand process of the consciousness of Freedom.”

There is a special passion for those who want to be left alone, and in that effort, to resist progress in the world around us and the right to say “no, thank you” to modernity. Who would oppose the Quaker community in their belief of self subsistence and privacy? Retreating into private conviction is an important part of the American character.

If you listen to my radio shows, you know I use the “stay out of my face” mantra directed to our politicians not to impose their social views on me frequently. Don’t want to wear a motorcycle helmet? Fine, but don’t expect me to pay your health care expenses when your insurance payments run out (if you even bought insurance) because of your stupid decision. Want to smoke? Your choice, just don’t smoke anywhere around me, and don’t expect me to cover any of your medical costs in your final days of agony from your lung cancer. Do your thing, but leave me alone,
Having said all this, we come back to Lincoln’s vision of history for America as being a special place on a historical path that transcends politics, economics and morality. For Lincoln, History for America had a capital H. He felt it imperative that political leaders of his time pass on to the next generation just w hat it means to be an American. The weakness of both national parties is their failure to both grapple with and convey the premise that America cannot survive as the leader of the free world unless there is a “why “to survive.

Republicans and Democrats alike have not articulated what our country’s values are. Just what is it that makes this country exceptional with a system of government unparalleled in human history? I personally believe there is a uniqueness that gives or county a special place in the world today. And I would disagree with President Obama, who said recently that America is exceptional to Americans in the same way Greece is exceptional to Greeks, and Germany is exceptional to Germans.
Lincoln’s vision of American exceptionalism can be found on any coin in your pocket. Three basic concepts. And no other country has these three. In God we Trust, E Pluribus Unum, and Liberty.

In God we trust? America was founded on the notion the God is the source of our values. That’s why the Declaration of Independence says we have inalienable rights. Not man given, not from humanism, not from great thinkers, but these rights have come from God. No God, then rights can be taken away by government. God is a central part of this country’s foundation.

E Pluribus Unum. From the many, one. We don’t care where you come from, or your color, creed, race or religion. If you stand with us to build this country, then you are one of us. From the many, one.

And finally, Liberty. The French also endorse liberty as a basic right. (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). But notice in the French version, freedom is adopted as a part of equality. Equality when you are born, and the right for government to give you equality as you grow old. The difference in America is that we all agree we are born equal, but then we are on our own to make ourselves what we want. Where you end up is your business.

Does anyone really feel that either national party has articulated a vision that makes America special? The passion that drove the Obama election in 2008 has been bottled up and stored away over the past two years. The President has let his narrative slip away, and his party leaders have failed to pick up the mantle and offer any independent hope that our country is on the right path to economic recovery.

Republicans certainly have little to gloat about despite their recent election victories. The Republican leadership has missed the opportunity to offer any realistic diagnosis of where we are as a country and what it will take to reestablish sustainable growth. Doing no more than demanding tax cuts while we are still fighting two wars and mired in a recession seems to be a limp response from a dysfunctional political system.

Voters are hungry for leadership and someone or some party to define the “Why” of being an American. If this mantle of leadership is not seized upon, than as night follows day, disappointment, vexation, and anger are sure to follow.

*****
“America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality.” ~Adlai Stevenson

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

JIMMY CARTER, THE SEQUEL

2010-11-07T21:35:00.004-06:00

The Obama mania media and his sycophants in the Democratic Party love to boast that Barack Obama is a genius. In fact, in the aftermath of the 2008 election, one historian, Michael Beschloss, gushed that Obama is “the smartest guy ever to become President.” This historian is a joke and nothing but an Obama cheerleader, but his view of the President is prevalent among liberals in academia and the media.

Yet, if Obama is so smart, how come he can’t understand clear election results? On Tuesday, voters across the country sent an unmistakable message to Obama and the Democrats: we don’t like your liberal, socialist agenda. Republicans won more seats in this election than in the 1994 Republican revolution. It was the biggest Republican House victory in 72 years. Any objective observer should realize that the election was a massive repudiation of Obama and his team of leftist loonies.

Instead of acknowledging the mood of the country, our delusional President somehow believes that the American people want faster change and more liberal policies. Obama thinks that the people are asking for swifter liberalism, not moderation. Ladies and gentlemen, this is no genius.

While admitting to a “shellacking,” the President told reporter Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes that the election debacle was caused by a lack of effective communication with the American people. What is amazing is that this statement was made by a President who campaigned on almost every television station, even the Discovery Channel and Comedy Central. In fact, he has been campaigning non-stop since his election. One of the many problems with Obama is that he does not govern, he only campaigns.

President Obama never wants to move toward moderation and consensus with Republicans, just the opposite. Therefore, his landmark legislation, the stimulus, Obama care, the earmark laden budget and the financial reform package were passed with almost no Republican support. In his first twenty one months in office, the President never once met privately with the House Republican leader, John Boehner, the next Speaker of the House. He was never interested in working with the Republicans, only defeating them.

In the aftermath of historic losses, Obama remains adamant that his radical agenda is the best course for the American people. At this point, our country is on course for another major political collision in 2012. Obama’s tone deafness, his arrogance, and his liberalism are reminiscent of Jimmy Carter, the Democrat’s last one term President.

Like Jimmy Carter, Obama might be challenged in the Democratic presidential primaries. Like Jimmy Carter, Obama’s policies will continue to cause severe economic problems. Like Jimmy Carter, Obama is delusional about his poor standing among the public and the negative impact of his policies.

Unlike a successful two term Democratic President, Bill Clinton, Obama will not move to the political center. He will not accommodate Republicans to pass reform legislation. After his massive defeat in 1994, Clinton worked with the GOP Congress to pass welfare reform and capital gains tax cuts. He left office with a budget surplus and a strong economy.

In contrast, Obama has no appetite to moderate or work with Republicans. This is actually good news for the GOP and the country. It means his reign of error will end after only one term and the GOP can remain steadfast in their opposition to his entire liberal agenda.

The country and Republicans will benefit in 2012 when Obama, just like Jimmy Carter, is defeated after only one term in office. Let’s just hope and pray the Republicans can find another Ronald Reagan to clean up the mess. After four disastrous years of Obama, our country will need another President like Reagan to restore our pride, revive our economy and set our nation on the right course once again.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

DOES THE DEMOCRATIC COLLAPSE GIVE THE REPUBLICANS A MANDATE?

2010-11-07T21:11:00.004-06:00

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

DOES THE DEMOCRATIC COLLAPSE GIVE
THE REPUBLICANS A MANDATE?

The Republicans were big winners in last Tuesday’s national election, taking control of the House of Representatives, and coming close to a takeover of the Senate. But is it enough to say that you are winning solely because the other side blew its opportunity? The reality is that the same thing is happening now that happened in 2006 and 2008. Voters are simply voting against the party in power. Numerous polls show a majority of Americans view the Democrats as the party of big government and the Republicans as the party of big business. And frustrated voters are wondering just who represents them.

This was an election to fire, not an election to hire. Two messages came across loud and clear. First, “Throw the bums out,’ was the battle cry. The Democrats in charge were not doing their job. But secondly, there was a veiled threat to Republicans. It was not “we love you guys,” but rather “we are going to give you one more chance. Don’t blow it, or we will look for options again in 2012.”

A new Rasmussen poll finds that 59% of voters indicate they will be disappointed with Republicans in Congress before the next national election. Voters are saying that Republicans don’t have their trust, but they are going to have to earn it. Obama has not been a bargain for American taxpayers, but neither was Bush.

Has the President lost his mojo? Democrats are saying there was a failure to communicate. But it really was a fundamental disconnect in not understanding the priorities of many Americans. The healthcare debate crystallized this lack of understanding. A majority of Americans favor the new healthcare plan. But for those who are over 65, 56% oppose any new healthcare proposals. They have Medicare and they don’t want to rock their boat with the threat of cutting Medicare spending.
Obama, the great communicator, failed to communicate on healthcare, and the administration took on much more than was practical and doable. The economic meltdown created a fear factor for many Americans, and the current Medicare program was one of the few lifelines that older citizens could count on. A column I wrote a year ago suggested that the way to begin covering more Americans was to expand Medicare, lowering the eligibility age, and bringing 31 million more people into the existing system.

Such a plan would be much simpler to explain, with no reduction of benefits. But the President chose to undertake a complete restructuring of the healthcare delivery system, biting off way more than the public was able to accept. It would have been a tough sell in good economic times. But under the current economic doldrums, there was just no way to build a consensus of support. The new healthcare mandates passed with no votes to spare in the House of Representatives, thanks to the one Republican, Congressman Joseph Cao from New Orleans. He was overwhelming defeated for reelection this week.

Republicans, particularly in the House, now have the Tea Party to deal with. Tea Partiers overwhelming supported Republican candidates. They are demanding less federal spending, but they don’t want to cut Medicare, social security, or the military budget including the two billion dollars a week spent on the war in Afghanistan. Sorry folks. Just “cutting the waste and fraud” will not add up to any major reductions. New Majority Leader John Boehner and the House leadership know this, but they will open a can of worms trying to convince the newly elected Tea Party members.

Remember the Conservative Party Leader in England who, after losing three straight elections said of the voters: “What’s wrong with them?” Tea Partiers will have a long memory and they will hold Republicans on a shorter lease than the Democrats in the coming two years. Practical Republican leaders know that many of the countries’ problems will take years to fix, but that many conservatives may not be that charitable. When frustrations boil over and families are fearful of losing the American Dream, the toleration level drops dramatically.

Any chance for civility among the two major parties seems to have been diminished by the lack of civility throughout society in America today. It’s not just in politics where the likes of Congressman Joe Wilson feels compelled to shout at the President; “You lie!” We have watched Bill O’Reilly and the ladies on The View screaming at each other, and Serena Williams cursing out the umpire on Center Court at the US Open. We were stunned as we witnessed Kanye West barge onto the stage of the MTV Music Awards in a lame effort to try to upstage Taylor Swift. Yes folks, we live in a culture of aggression and bullying, and such despicable behavior is reflected in our politics.

In 2006, there was a public rejection of a bloodied and corrupt Republican Party. Then in 2008, the country rejected eight years of Bush Republicanism. The 2010 election will be remembered as a rejection of the Obama Administration’s failed attempt to continue and increase the spending spiral begun in the Bush years, and a further effort to move the country far to the left.

So in the past decade, we have witnessed a rejection of both parties. For the third election in a row, voters kicked a party out of power. Now we witness the Republicans moving to the right, and Democrats unsure of just what to do or which way to go. Since both parties have spent the country into massive debt during the past few years, many independent voters are wondering if the cure that ails us is just to elect more of the same. Forty percent of registered voters now identify themselves as independent. There are two independents now in the US Senate.

A presidential run by a well financed independent in 2012? Don’t rule it out. As this column mentioned last week, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is giving the race a close look. He’s a billionaire and he’s being encouraged by many disgruntled, but wealthy operatives who can raise big campaign bucks.

In the past two years, Obama and the Democrats have had control of both houses of Congress, and had the muscle to push through an ambitious legislative agenda. But no more. The President’s best hope is to make a concerted effort to convince Republicans that they now share with him the responsibility to govern. But whatever his legislative success, 2010 will prove to have been a cakewalk compared to the fire and brimstone that will be generated when the 2012 election comes around. Just think. Only 733 days to go.

*****
“The two real political parties in America are the Winners and the Losers. The people don’t acknowledge this. They claim membership in two imaginary parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, instead.” Kurt Vonnegut

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

Let's Call It, 'Vote for Anyone But Vitter Day'

2010-11-02T09:11:00.004-05:00

As you likely well know, it's time to get out and vote if you aren't among that especially fanatical group of voters who vote early(myself). So, I would like to ask you a favor today, vote for anyone of any party you like today as long as you think they would do the best for the great state of Louisiana....with one small exception. Please vote for anyone but Senator David Vitter.

Of course we know he loves hookers, both in DC and New Orleans. However I would like to ask you to recognize that he is the 85th least effective Senator out of 100. I don't know about you, but I don't want a Senator who's lining up his hookers for the weekend while he's on the Senate floor or in his office in DC supposedly working for us in Louisiana, and yes, on our taxpayer dime.

Old Davey boy likes to pose and act as though he's a family values conservative and act like he is so instrumental to the state of Louisiana. Did you know he has not passed any meaningful legislation bringing jobs, money, or resources of any sort to Louisiana. He wants to help poor rich BP with a bailout and thereby it would seem he cares more about some snobbish Brits who didn't care at all about safety in the Gulf on oil rigs.

Instead, I'm asking you to vote for one of the myriad of Independent candidates, or Democrat Charlie Melancon. Of course if you just can't bring yourself to vote for a moderate family values Democrat then vote for one of the Conservative Independent Candidates. While I voted for and endorse Mike Spears of Lafayette,(http://www.mikespears.com/) I cannot force you to vote for him.

I grew up in Broussard in Lafayette Parish, so I'm a bit biased...plus he challenged girly boy Vitter to a cage match and of course Vitter couldn't man up and meet him for the fight(maybe he had a 'date' that night).

In short, vote for anyone but Senator Vitter today. If you care about Louisiana, and turning things around for us as a state as far as us slowly walking away from being the standing joke in DC, please vote. Yes we must be forgiving and get past Vitter's "serious sin," but we must also be prudent and do what's best for us and our great state.

As it stands, it appears Senator Vitter will very likely win this election. Most pundits, The Hotline, Charlie Cook and many others, including myself have concluded that Vitter is favored to likely take re-election. Let's at least fight him and let our voices be heard by voting and protesting against this inefficient and morally reprehensible Senator.

God bless you and keep you and your family--and of course, God bless Louisiana. Most importantly, get out and vote and maybe even give em a little Bayou Perspective before you do and pass this on to everyone you know who votes in Louisiana today.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TUESDAY'S ELECTION

2010-10-28T08:24:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Linville, North Carolina

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TUESDAY’S ELECTION

Will the rolling tide of the Tea Party and a Republican onslaught really bring about major changes in Washington following this Tuesday’s election? Don’t count on it. Let’s just say we are in for some fine tuning that should have taken place two years ago, when the Obama Administration first took office. All the political pundits around the country are making their projections and predictions, so let me weigh in on some of the things to expect in 2011.

The US Senate will stay under Democratic control by a slim margin. But the GOP gains won’t make all that much difference -- since it takes a majority to rule, about all the Republicans can do is to continue their stalling efforts by threatening a filibuster. The House will see a Republican takeover. Which means a Republican controlled house can initiate and block about anything they so desire. But a Democratic Senate, and the threat of a Democratic presidential veto also means little, if anything, of substance will become law in the next two years.

So how is the President affected by his party losing control of one body of congress? Much less than many observers might think. In fact, it just might be a big boost for the Obama reelection effort. Here’s why. The time for blaming the Bush Administration for all the country’s woes has long passed. In the past two year cycle, Obama has had a democratically controlled congress to follow his lead.

And the public response has been far from favorable.
In politics, it helps to have an enemy. Look at my home state governor in Louisiana. The state is facing major budget cuts and there has been little progress in many areas begging reform – and yet, Jindal’s popularity stays high. He has built his national reputation on beating up on the federal government’s response to the Gulf oil spill, and the dolling out of federal stimulus spending. Yes, Jindal took all the dough form Washington, and effectively had it both ways. But he found the bad guy, and he has been relentless in making the feds a foil.

Under the leadership of next year’s new Republican speaker John Boehner, Obama will now have his bad guy. The President will have someone to blame for the lack of any congressional action over the next two years, leading right up to his reelection efforts in 2010. Divided government may not be all that pretty, but hey, we’re talking politics here.

Some political observers even make the argument that if the Republicans would capture both the House and the Senate, the reelection chances of the President go up even more. Harry Truman was able to prey on what he called “the Republican controlled Do Nothing Congress” back in 1948 to win re election.

In his book “The Pact,” History Channel historian Steven Gillon analyzed how the Republican takeover of congress by the Republicans in 1994 actually helped Bill Clinton get re-elected. “The Republican victory in 1994 saved the Presidency,” writes Gillon, “because it freed him from the liberal wing of his party and allowed him to become nimble and flexible, which he’s brilliant at. And it forced the Republicans to develop a governing philosophy. A campaign slogan may get you through Election Day, but it doesn’t help you solve these very difficult problems.”

Can you believe the New York Times story last week reporting that it took Obama 18 months before he invited Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to the White House for a head to head visit? Unlike Bill Clinton, Obama is no schmoozer. But that’s all part of the process of getting things done. Former Republican Majority Leader Trent Lott once told me at a wedding reception for Louisiana Senator John Breaux that Clinton communicated regularly. “He’d call middle of the day or middle of the night. I’d go up to the family quarters and have coffee with him at 9:15 in the morning.”

Is there room for a third party to emerge as the 2012 presidential election draws near? Many voters think so. In last week’s national Rasmussen poll, 43% of likely voters believe that neither Democrats nor Republicans in Congress are the party of the American people, and a surprising 38% think both parties are so much alike hat an entirely new party is needed to represent the American People. And in the same poll, 38% of likely voters say they think it is at least somewhat likely that a third party candidate will be elected president of the United States within the next 10 years.

The majority of Tea Partiers will be sucked into the Republican Party, but many independents feel they have no options or political place to go. Neither party has much appeal to them. They see congressional Democrats cowering with the slogan “I didn’t do it.” As one pundit observed: “The story from many Democrats now is that they were all smoking in the boy’s room when Obama ran over to the capitol building and passed all these God-awful bills. And the Republicans? They all talk about Mom and apple pie, and they campaign in togas made out of American flags.”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who spent $102 million on his reelection campaign last year, seems genuinely interested in running. He would be an appealing candidate for many independents. I posed the question of a presidential run to Bloomberg at a conference in Washington a few weeks ago. He just smiled.

His candidacy could also be the deathblow to an Obama reelection effort. One scenario is that Bloomberg runs and carries a number of normally Democratic states like Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and possibly Florida. With no major candidate receiving a majority of electoral votes, the election is thrown to the House of Representatives. With a certain Republican takeover of the House, you can see the outcome. No wonder there is so much interest in who will get the Republican nomination. There is no secret here in Louisiana as to why our Governor, Bobby Jindal, is crisscrossing the country on behalf of Republican congressional and gubernatorial candidates.

Will a new political dynamism come out of Tuesday’s election results? Don’t count on it. Look for a few bipartisan stabs to at least jointly discuss some of the front burner issues that have stagnated any genuine effort to act boldly. Change has been little more than a slogan over the past 10 years. It’s going to take a 2012 national presidential referendum to redefine the goals of the country, and to get this huge contraption called democracy jump started again.

*****
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Sir Winston Churchill

Peace and Justice.
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES!

2010-10-25T00:02:00.002-05:00

Thursday, October 21st, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES!

Across the nation, colleges and universities are facing a major financial crisis. Federal stimulus funds are running out, and state legislatures are facing a deep decline in revenues. Are flagship universities so important to economic growth that they should maintain their present funding at the expense of other programs? Should taxes be raised to meet the projected deficits? These are front burning questions for lawmakers nationwide, but particularly here in my home state of Louisiana.

Louisiana educators are floating a doomsday scenario for higher education because of budgetary cuts by Governor Bobby Jindal. LSU’s Chancellor Michael Marin said the anticipated cuts represent a “devastating blow that will not be recovered from in our lifetimes, and probably not in the lifetimes of our grandchildren.” LSU System President John Lombardi says: “We are destroying capacity for higher education…for our citizens.”

But have universities like LSU made their case for what they are presently doing with the money that has been given to them up until now? We live in a results oriented society. But as is so often the case of government at all levels, once programs and agencies are created and funded at a certain level, they quickly become sacrosanct and absolved of accountability or show of performance.

If I were a legislator considering the budget for a university like LSU, here are some of the questions that I would ask:

[1] LSU has one of the lowest graduation rates of major colleges throughout the country, including southern schools in the Southeast Conference. Fewer than half the students graduate in six years. Why are we funding students to “hang around” year after year? Granted, the feeder system for high school is weak. But six years? What efforts are made to remediate in the first year, then weed out these students who are not capable of carrying the load?
[2] Endowments are critical for a university to excel, particularly in bad economic times. Many colleges derive as much as 20% of their income from the school’s endowment fund. Better funded schools have in place an all out effort to keep their alumni involved with regular fund drives to increase the endowment. LSU has the lowest endowment of any major university in the country. Every Southeast Conference university, with exception of Ole Miss and Mississippi State has a significantly greater endowment than does LSU. University of Arkansas is $700 million. According to Chancellor Martin, LSU’s present endowment is $300 million. Why the failure to build a strong endowment and what is being done now to encourage more private giving?

[3] Is LSU overrun with administrators? What is the percentage of faculty members to nonacademic jobs? I’ve been told the ratio is seven to one with way too many non teaching jobs. Is LSU a teaching college, or has it become a multiversity festooned with extraneous functions?

[4] Does LSU make undergraduate teaching its first priority? There are significantly more graduate students than undergraduates, so are the graduate students commanding most of the professor’s time and attention? And who is teaching the freshman? Ask any new student about the large lecture classes, with the discussion session often conducted by some fledgling graduate student. Why are not full professors carrying a greater teaching load?

[5] Why sabbaticals? 99% of us don’t get a year off to refresh or write a book. The mission should be to teach. A three month summer vacation should be ample time to travel and write. And what about all this “publish or perish” malarkey? I have a publishing company and I am all for more books being published. But, why, at the expense of the student and tax payer, should a professor be financially supported in the publication of a book, often on a light-weight theme, that few read, just to stay on tenure track? Teaching should be the primary mission of a major university like LSU. But is it?

[6] And what about tenure? There is a major push to abolish it in the elementary education system. Why is tenure so sacrosanct in our universities? Are we protecting professors who have lost the drive to teach and hide behind the mantra of research? Are universities like LSU spending too much money on research and not enough on the focus of the classroom?

There was a time when universities saw their mission as education. The present debate should be about much more than money. The mission of universities like LSU needs to be specifically articulated. Certainly academia should be well funded. But universities should also be “smart funded,” with clear priorities and predictable results to show for the effort. Right now, particularly in Louisiana, there are a number of unanswered questions that taxpayers need to have answered.

*****
“The secret in education is in respecting the student.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace and Justice.

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

DESPERATE DEMOCRATS PLAY SEX CARD

2010-10-02T15:59:00.001-05:00

DESPERATE DEMOCRATS PLAY SEX CARD

By Jeff Crouere

October 1, 2010…The polls look bad and time is running out, so Louisiana Democrats have now resorted to playing the sex card in the U.S. Senate race.

With only one month until the election, Republican incumbent, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is comfortably ahead of his Democratic opponent, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville). Most polls show Vitter leading by at least 15 points.

To close the gap, Melancon is now airing an unusual two minute television commercial linking Vitter to the late D.C. Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey and former New Orleans prostitute Wendy Cortez.

While Vitter’s phone number was listed in the call records of the Washington D.C. prostitution ring, he only admitted to a ‘serious sin.” None of the allegations have ever been proven in a court of law and Vitter has never been charged with a crime, yet, the title of the commercial is “Forgotten Crimes.” Since the ad included charges that have not been proven, even the liberal cable news network CNN called the commercial a “stretch.”

Even more disturbing is that the commercial contains racy video footage from a Hustler Magazine interview with Wendy Cortez, who posed nude for the publication.

This marks the first time that sleaze merchant Larry Flynt and his Hustler Magazine have been featured in a mainstream political commercial. An ex-prostitute’s nude photo shoot with a pornographic magazine is not exactly the standard fare in political commercials. It represents a new low even for Louisiana politics, which is quite an achievement considering our state’s sordid political history.

Melancon is trying his very best to change the subject from the poor economy and the ineffective leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama. Melancon gave Obama an “A” rating as President and voted for Pelosi to be Speaker of the House, so he is linked to both Democratic Party leaders, who remain very unpopular in Louisiana.

If this election is a referendum on the presidency of Barack Obama, David Vitter will win in a landslide. If the election is a referendum on David Vitter and his personal issues, Charlie Melancon has a chance to win. So, Melancon is dredging up this scandal from several years ago in an attempt to remind voters about the Vitter controversies.

Polls indicate that in this election season, Louisiana voters care about the poor economy and the unhealthy job market. They are also worried about high taxes, their deteriorating paychecks, the oil moratorium and the uncertain state of the healthcare industry. It will be very difficult to turn their attention to the sex life of David Vitter. When people are struggling to pay their bills and survive while the Obama administration targets the oil industry, one of the biggest industries in the state, it is hard to interest them in salacious allegations about a Senator that date back over three years. Most informed voters are well aware of the suspicions about Vitter; however, they are much more concerned about economic issues. This is why Vitter, despite the scandal, is well ahead of his Democratic challenger.

In 1998, Republicans were unsuccessful in their attempt to use the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton for political purposes. In fact, the major casualties of the Lewinsky scandal were Republicans such as Bob Livingston and Newt Gingrich and not “Slick Willie.”

In the “Great Recession” of 2010 it is highly unlikely that Melancon will be successful in playing the sex card against Vitter. The Democratic candidate has a real handicap that he must overcome, the unpopularity of his political party.

Unless new information is forthcoming that verifies some of the unsubstantiated charges against Vitter, this desperate attack will not work and may even backfire on the underdog Democrat.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

BATES-ANDERSON'S QUESTIONABLE ASSOCIATIONS CONTINUE TO ARISE

2010-10-01T13:07:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATES-ANDERSON'S QUESTIONABLE ASSOCIATIONS CONTINUE TO ARISE

Judicial candidate Candice Bates-Anderson, whose admitted lack of qualifications and marriage to a convicted felon alone should make her an unsavory candidate, has even more baggage. Connecting the dots between Bates-Anderson and public corruption is so simple, it's astonishing she has any support at all.

Former Deputy Mayor Gregory St. Etienne, who abruptly resigned last week after reports of financial improprieties by the non-profit organization he used to head, was responsible for improper loans. St. Etienne, who previously headed CUEE, Citizens United for Economic Equality, is said to have overseen the approval of CUEE funds by a company his brother owns and for which he also served as Chief Operating Officer. A civil judgment over a real estate debt included the court ordering his wages garnished, all before he became deputy mayor.

Barbara Major, who served as executive vice president of CUEE and who took over when St. Etienne became deputy mayor, received a $58,000 loan from CUEE while her sons received a $35,000 loan. Not only did Major contribute to Bates-Anderson's campaign, she hosted a fundraiser for the candidate.

Major recently took over as chair of the Regional Transit Authority. Bates-Anderson claims to have worked there, but didn't. In fact, she worked for a third-party contractor, TMSEL. TMSEL was owned by Glenn Haydel, who stole money from the RTA in an elaborate scam.

Haydel and Major are all supporters of Bates-Anderson's campaign, and it's all right there in her finance report. She also has support from Jacques Morial, indicted brother of the former mayor, and his mother, Sybil Morial.

"A candidate who is running as a person with 'values' and as a champion of the people is actively supported by leaders of a non-profit organization that cheated the people it claimed to serve," said Richard Exnicios, the leading candidate for Juvenile Court judge. "This candidate is also supported by someone who stole money from the RTA, fleecing the city in an elaborate public corruption scheme. This is no coincidental affiliation. When people with questionable or known criminal sources of income give money to a candidate, you have to wonder whose money it was to begin with - and how much you can trust the candidate herself."

The hits just keep on coming. Notwithstanding that Bates-Anderson herself has said she has no experience in Juvenile Court, but her husband is a felon who pled guilty to negligent homicide (plea-bargained down from first-degree murder of a 1-year-old child), and who only 18 months ago was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"The voters are not stupid," Exnicios said. "Connecting the dots between my opponent, the corrupt machine politics of New Orleans' past and the financial misconduct of non-profit leaders who helped themselves to constituent money tells the story. She's unfit for the bench, lacking in qualifications, and has highly questionable political and personal associations.

"I want to use my experience to solve real problems, helping keep our streets safe and reforming the juvenile offenders who need real help. I am the most qualified candidate in this race, and I look forward to serving the citizens of New Orleans with integrity."

For more information about Exnicios, visit www.RichardForJudge.com.

Sources:
http://www.justice.gov/usao/lae/press/2006/2006_09_06_haydel_sentenced.htm
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/09/new_orleans_deputy_mayor_greg.html
http://www.ethics.state.la.us/EthicsViewReports.aspx?Reports=CampaignFinance (Search term: Anderson, Candice Bates - View contributions from latest report, 20553)

Media contact: James Hartman, james@jameshartman.net or 504.458.4600.

EDUCATIONAL REFORM- ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE BUT IGNORED IN LOUISIANA AND OTHER STATE ELECTIONS

2010-09-30T12:32:00.004-05:00

Thursday, September 30, 2010
Linville, North Carolina

EDUCATONAL REFORM- ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE
BUT IGNORED IN LOUISIANA AND OTHER STATE ELECTIONS

With a major national election just a month away, the stakes continue to get higher. Will the republicans regain control of congress, and will the President have his hands tied on major policy decisions for the next two years? Every major spending issue, the cost of the war, the national debt and healthcare can trace a viable solution to educational reform. A well-educated workforce is the key to pulling the country out of the present economic doldrums. But in election contests nationwide, and particularly in my home state of Louisiana, improving public education is rarely, if ever, mentioned as a campaign issue.

Here in the Bayou State, the major race involves a Republican incumbent US Senator being challenged by a sitting Democratic congressman. The contest has become a major mud fight with no policy proposals. The idea of creative educational programs has not crossed the lips of either candidate, nor has it in any other federal race. In a special election in the deepest of the deep southern states to fill a vacancy for the office of Lt. Governor, a press forum was held this week where all major candidates attended. A little lip service was paid to increasing state funds to LSU, the flagship university -- but nary a word was spoken about reform at the elementary level, where the whole process begins.

Congress jumped into the economic fray and fixed the banks and Wall Street, but left creative ideas to upgrade public education on the sidelines. As New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote recently, “We need to understand that it is not only our financial system that needs a reboot and an upgrade, but also our public school system. Our educational failure is the largest contributing factor to the decline of the American worker’s global competitiveness.”

In every conference held, and every study conducted that reviews how to make the country more productive and competitive, emphasis on math and science tops the list. In national surveys, Louisiana math and science scores rank at the bottom. The state has lost a number of startup companies to other cities like Dallas and Atlanta because of the lack of potential employees with math and science skills.
Yet, math and science achievements are far from being buzzwords of the state’s educational and political leaders. Recent state economic grants of several hundred million dollars went to a sweet potato processing plant and a poultry plant that hires chicken pluckers. Now if we could just give state economic incentives for Louisiana farmers to grow “poke salad,” a traveler could buy a complete meal at a stand on the side of the road.

Golfer Phil Mickelson understands the importance of math and science, and is doing something about the nation’s lack luster teaching effort. He has formed the Mickelson Exxon Mobil teachers Academy, a summer camp for third and fourth grade teachers to improve their teaching skills in math and science. And he points out that he uses math and science in his golfing career. “It helps me know what I need to focus on,” says Phil. “On putting, for example, at three feet, the success rate is about 99%. At four feet it drops off to 88%, and at five feet to 75%, and so on.” Probability of success saves him exponential stokes on his game. A simplified example, but Michelson takes the effort to heart. He is convinced that waiting until high school for heavy concentration in math and science is way too late.

A bright spot of logic in Louisiana comes from Shreveport cardiologist, Dr. Philip Rozeman. He has been a guest on my radio show, and he thinks, with good reason, that educators and politicians spend far too much time on adult issues, like who runs the school boards, teachers unions, and how charters schools are licensed. “Often, adult issues dominate the debate and children’s issues are pushed to the side.”

I’m spending the next week in rural Western North Carolina where certain schools have pushed “children’s issues” to the front burner. Close by to my residence is Shanequa High School in Gaston, N.C., where most of the students are black, and many are from low-income families. The school hours go from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm, with two hours of mandatory homework, along with Saturday morning classes every other Saturday, and three weeks of summer school. There are no teachers unions here and teachers are attracted with high pay, and the freedom to be creative in raising the level of student interest. The results? All 48 graduating seniors were accepted to at least two colleges and all will be attending one next year.

In my home state of Louisiana, far from expanding the school day, some districts have gone to a four-day school week. When the New Orleans saints opened their season on a Thursday night a few weeks ago, schools in the New Orleans area shut down at noon. Got to get ready for the game, right?

In a number of progressive school districts around the country, computers track each student’s performance. If a kid gets a D or F on a test, the school’s computer generates an email to the parent. High tech strategies include seeing that every elementary student has a computer. India is now offering a $35 touch screen tablet computer, and many businesses are helping to fund such programs in local schools’ systems when there are innovative school leaders who set up such a program.

My family adopted several local children’s homes here in the Baton Rouge beginning last year. In talking to the kids, they expressed their frustration when they left school and came back to the group home where computers were not available. One thirteen year old told me: “We can’t get help for our homework and projects over the Internet like the rest of the kids have at their home.” We supplied six computers along with Wi Fi accessibility. Immediately, the student interest in studying improved and grades went up.

One Friday night, I dropped by the home to check on the kids who ranged in age from 11 to 14. One 13 year old was over in the corner reading. This was his fifth group home in six years with no family to support him. “What are you reading?” I asked. He held up the book for me to see. It was Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” I thought to myself, how many privileged kids with family support are home on a Friday night reading Shakespeare? If this kid doesn’t make it, we have only ourselves to blame for not giving him the tools and support he needs to be a productive citizen.
In a state like Louisiana, where abundant natural resources have been a disincentive to finding a good paying job, the basic qualifying education rate has been dismal for years. But with mineral production slowing down and under assault because of the recent Gulf oil spill, this should be a wakeup call. A well-educated work force will attract more advanced industries with high tech designs. The path to a future of prosperity in all states, but particularly in Louisiana, is knowledge. Someone needs to ring that bell.

*****
“In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less.” Lee Iacocca

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

Patrick Peterson Pulls a Desmond Howard, Strikes Heisman Pose

2010-09-26T00:36:00.005-05:00

Ok, maybe you are just as ready to vomit as I am because of LSU's ugly offensive play, if you can even call it offense. Shepherd can't seem to throw TDs or show any real leadership on the field.

LSU's offense is getting so bad people are actually talking about putting Jarrett Lee back in the starting role once again.

However, Patrick Peterson is worth the price of admission. The LSU defense and special teams are pretty much, single-handedly, winning all of the games for the team thus far this season. The Pompano Beach, FL Junior CB has taken over games on the defensive and special teams side of the ball and tonight, pulled a Desmond Howard by doing the Heisman pose after taking a 60-yard punt return to the house for a TD.

Although Les Miles is not a popular man in Louisiana these days for his seeming lack of brains and basic football IQ, Peterson could run for Governor right now and destroy all comers.

Patrick Peterson would be a refreshing pick for Heisman since defensive players aren't really thought of with serious consideration for winning the award. Most winners are quarterbacks and running backs.

Charles Woodson was the last defensive player to win the award back in 1997, though technically he played, Cornerback, Wide reciever, and punt returner.

Hopefully Peterson's resume as a prolific scorer as a punt returner will help him in the voting as a great all around football player in the Heisman voting at season's end.

Til then, we'll all have to sit on the edge of our seats in Louisiana while the 'Cardiac-Tigers' and their stoic weekly defensive stands keep hope alive for winning throughout the season.

Vitter's Ethics Problems Still Coming Home to Roost

2010-09-23T12:09:00.002-05:00

CREW is still doing it's thing in DC coming down hard on unethical politicians inside the beltway. Like most of their good-intentioned investigations, I am sure it'll be good PR against the bad guys for a few days to a week and then nothing will happen.

When did we all become so apathetic?

No surprise that Louisiana Senator David Vitter's ethics problems are coming home to roost once again. If it's not the DC or New Orleans prostitutes constantly haunting him on the campaign trail it's Brent Furer's actions while in the employ of the Senator constantly reminding us of Vitter's questionable character.

It's no doubt that many Louisianan's will vote for him anyway, but hopefully they will choose Milton Gordon, Mike Spears, Charlie Melancon or one of the other myriad of Independents lining up to retire Vitter from his plush DC lifestyle.

Senator Vitter seems to have become the 'Teflon Senator' since nothing seems to stick to him. We will see the extent of the average Louisiana voter's concern with Vitter's gradual but constant moral degradation since his days with New Orleans prostitutes while he was a lowly State Rep. and Congressman.

In the end, on Election day just over a month away, I still see Vitter pulling away with at least 51% of the vote simply because of the seeming lack of care or ability to shock Louisiana's supposed 'family values' voters.

As long as the GOP can miraculously align themselves with good church-going people in spite of candidates adulterous affairs, prostitution, flirtations with the same sex by married men, and the perpetual raping of main street by Wall Street....they will hold on to their values voters.

Yet another reason parties are the problem and certain blocs of voters supposedly belonging to this party or that because of branding ideas as a Republican or Democrat idea. Maybe one day an Independent or third party will wrestle away the poewer held by the Ds and Rs in collusion with the corporations -- but I doubt it.

IT MUST BE WITCHCRAFT - WHY ELSE ARE REPUBLICANS ALL OVER THE MAP?

2010-09-23T10:41:00.003-05:00

Thursday, September 22, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

IT MUST BE WITCHCRAFT-
WHY ELSE ARE REPUBLICANS ALL OVER THE MAP?

The new rising political star in the Republican Party “has dabbled in witchcraft.” So maybe tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell has cast a spell over her coverts. That’s about the only logical reason to explain the “off the wall” pinball effect of the GOP embracing a quagmire of diversionary issues that keep a responsible political agenda out of whack.

Now don’t think I’m jumping on the Wicca community here. Hey, I sit with my granddaughter and watch “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” several times a week. And who could not be a fan of the vampire/werewolf love story “True Blood,” or Stephanie Meyers in the “Twilight” series that dominates our movie theatres and book stores? Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m not sure there are enough “issue appeal” on a platform affecting witches to put the Republicans back in control come November 2nd.

If witch Christine is victorious, I guess she could start in the U.S. Senate by calling for a congressional apology for the Salem Witch trials, which would, of course, include reparations. Or like my friend Aaron Kheifets has suggested, Sen. O’Donnell could call “for public schools to begin teaching Wiccan alternatives to evolutionary theory, such as the possibility that the world was created from the dream of an omnipresent life-force that likes flute music.”

A bit facetious here? Not really. Simply put, Republicans are missing the boat on what’s ailing the majority of Americans. And Tea Partiers have picked up the mantle of too much federal spending. They are mad as hell and say they aren’t going to take it anymore. But outside of the spending issue, Tea Partiers are not quite sure just what “it” is. They just know they are not happy with the bills being rung up and the government borrowing that continues to take place.

Democrats have terrible poll numbers nationally with a favorability rating hovering around 30%. The good news for Democrats is that Republicans have an even worse favorability rating. But the bad news for Democrats is that they are in charge. A large number of Tea Partiers’ are not all that enamored with Republicans. They are just against the current power structure that presently is controlled by Democrats. Republicans would feel much of the backlash if they controlled both houses of congress.

Many tea party sympathizers and a cross section of other Americans feel that when it comes to out of control spending, you can put both parties in a sack, shake it up and it makes little difference which party comes out. There is a track record on both sides of the isle to spend, spend, and spend.

In 2000, the Republicans held control of both houses of congress as well as the presidency, similar to what the Democrats have right now. Federal spending when President Bush took office was $1.788 trillion. Eight years later, federal spending was $2.982 trillion; a 60% increase in federal spending under a Republican president.
Under present Democratic leadership, hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent to bail out Wall Street, big insurance and the auto industry.

The war in Afghanistan is costing the country $2 billion a week with virtually no progress to show for the massive spending. Republicans in congress have either played along with the bailout and spend mentality, or have thrown up diversionary smokescreens.

Here’s what Republicans should be talking about. First, it should be time to seriously consider cutting back on our involvement abroad. Maybe the neocons want to push forward and continue to advocate a substantial presence in the Middle East, but conservatives ought to say enough is enough. We’ve spent a trillion dollars in the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq. Six thousand soldiers killed and forty thousand soldiers wounded.

Even mainline conservative extremist Ann Coulter says it’s time to bring this sorry chapter to an end. More and more Americans are wondering why we are continuing to fight a war in Afghanistan when few can explain why we are there in the first place, with a price tag of $2 billion a week. Isn’t there a better use for $100 billion back here at home?

Cut out all the conspiracy theories. This is a year when Republicans ought to be making the coming congressional election a referendum on the President’s spending and economic policies. But instead, there seems to be a daily misdirected revelation that is often off the wall and irrelevant to the concerns of the average voter. Obama is not a vampire and he was not the second guy on the grassy knoll. But he has been at the helm of a country that has structural economic problems. In the minds of millions of Americans, the country, economically, is heading for a recession and they, physically, are going through depression.

The average citizen out there will readily admit that the country’s financial problems are beyond their understanding. They have genuine doubts that life is going to be better for their kids than it has been for them. They are looking for someone to set out a clear agenda of how we get out of the financial mess that’s been created that is affecting their future.

A good campaigner in this election should argue that the President made a choice a year ago, and it was healthcare, not jobs. We now have to find a way to expand the economy and “grow the pie.” Politics is theatre, and a smart leader would ask every American to re-read the economic history of 1942-1944. The America was at war, but the country got up off its back, and millions of people went to work. We are in a huge economic war today. That’s the message that’s being left off the table by both parties. A large number of voters are looking for a way out, and want to know what party is going to lead by offering convincing and sensible economic alternatives.

Witches got burned at the stake a few centuries ago. There is going to be some roasting come November 2nd. Both parties ought to be worried. Too many candidates seem to be under a spell and don’t seem to have any idea of witch way to go. Christine O’Donnell may be on to something. “A hex on both your houses” might be a pretty good wakeup call from the tea partiers and the average Joes alike. Can it get much worse?
*****
“She says she’s a common-sense conservative who is part of the real America. She promises to make government smaller, not raise taxes and bring values back to Washington. That would require magic. If she says she can deliver on that promise, then — witch!” Alexandra Petri

Peace and Justice.
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

In 2000, the Republicans held control of both houses of congress as well as the presidency. Similar to what the Democrats have right now. Federal s

The Truth About Candice Bates-Anderson

2010-09-22T08:06:00.003-05:00

Wow, Check out this hard hitting website: http://electcandice.com/

No Experience, her husband was charged with 1st degree murder and later pled to negligent homocide. The list goes on.

The Times Picayune is even getting in on Candice's shady history. Read more about her in Gwen Filosa's article:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/09/orleans_juvenile_court_candida.html

GOOD RIDDANCE TO ROVE AND THE RINO'S

2010-09-18T20:46:00.002-05:00

GOOD RIDDANCE TO ROVE AND THE RINO’S

By Jeff Crouere

September 17, 2010…The election results on Tuesday night might prove to be the final nail in the political coffin of that insidious group, the RINO’s (Republicans in name only).

Despite a media onslaught against her, Tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell easily defeated RINO Mike Castle in the Delaware Republican primary. Her win follows other Tea Party victories in Kentucky, Nevada, Alaska and a host of other states.

The grass roots in the Republican Party now totally identify with the Tea Party movement and are sick and tired of the country club, establishment Republicans who offer watered down liberalism.

When RINO’s have power, they produce legislation that is horrific, but not quite as bad as liberal Democrats. When they are in the minority, they support nightmare pieces of legislation like Obama care, cap and trade and amnesty for illegal aliens.

What is especially refreshing is that O’Donnell won despite dire warnings from supposed conservatives like Karl Rove, former Bush White House political adviser, who predicted a Democratic victory if she prevailed. In an interview Tuesday night, Rove said that with O’Donnell as the GOP nominee, the Republican Party in Delaware is not “going to be able to win.” Rove’s analysis is hogwash.

Rove was the architect of the policies of the RINO George W. Bush administration. Rove and company grew government, produced massive deficits, created the TARP monstrosity, and refused to enforce border security. Under Rove and Bush, new government departments were created, new entitlements were established, massive earmark laden bills were passed and the anger of the American public rose accordingly.

It is time the Republican Party stopped listening to Karl Rove, since his administration was responsible for the electoral debacles of 2006 and 2008. Republicans need a fresh start in 2010, which is why the Tea Party movement is so exciting.

The Tea Parties represent this country’s most consequential political movement in decades. Previously uninvolved citizens have been mobilized to take action and fight back against the establishment in both political parties.

If Republicans do not capitalize on this movement, they are doomed to failure. Luckily, GOP voters in Kentucky, Alaska, Nevada and now Delaware are not listening to the country club Republicans who created the high deficits and massive government programs. They are listening to their hearts and voting their pocketbooks.

The Tea Party is the only salvation of the Republican Party. Otherwise, the Republican Party has no reason to exist. If it is not going to offer a stark alternative to the Democratic Party, the GOP should fold its tent. Conservatives should encourage RINO’s to leave the Republican Party to become Democrats and join their ideological brethren in deficit spending and the erosion of constitutional rights.

Recent political history teaches us that Republicans are victorious only when they offer a stark alternative to the liberal policies of the Democratic Party. For example, when Ronald Reagan was nominated in 1980, so called experts predicted a massive defeat for the GOP. Instead, Reagan won in a landslide and followed it with an even bigger landslide in 1984. Ten years later, the Contract with America was created and skeptics claimed that it was too conservative. Instead of losing seats, Republicans won control of Congress for the first time in four decades.

Unfortunately, once the Republican Party gained complete power in Washington D.C. they turned their back on their principles and became part of the problem. It is one of the reasons why the United States is on the brink of financial collapse today. Obviously, a major course correction is needed and only the Tea Party can deliver the necessary change.

The Tea Party takeover of the GOP must be total and complete; otherwise conservatives should find another political home.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

SO REGGIE BUSH GIVES THE HEISMAN BACK? BIG DEAL!

2010-09-16T20:50:00.004-05:00

Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

SO REGGIE BUSH GIVES THE HEISMAN BACK?
BIG DEAL!

Reggie Bush gave up his Heisman trophy this week. If you don’t know anything about him, Bush is the star running back for the NFL’s Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints. His press release, obviously written by the PR folks with the Saints, made Bush sound almost like he was accepting the award for the first time. He praised the Heisman, his coach, his team, the fans, and everyone else, including an endorsement of the American way. But someone needs to tell Reggie he is doing us no favors. He repeatedly broke the rules. And he is a terrible example for kids all over the country who aspire to play college sports.

Bush, in his college days, was an All American at the University of Southern California, and he and his family are accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from sports agents in direct violation of NCAA rules. One particular agent, Mike Ornstein, funneled money to Bush’s family for a number of trips, all which were illegal. So what’s he doing now? He is still gainfully employed as the agent for New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who is Bush’s current coach. At least they keep it all in the family.

Certainly, winning the Heisman is a big honor. Just ask any LSU fan, particularly here in my hometown of Baton Rouge. LSU All American Billy Cannon won the Heisman back in 1958, and despite a federal conviction for counterfeiting, Cannon has kept his trophy that stays on display at local restaurant where die hard LSU fans go to genuflect and eat ribs.

To show you the feelings towards Cannon down in LSU country, he was introduced two years ago at a game in Tiger Stadium on the 50th anniversary of his team’s national championship. The second half kickoff had to be delayed as the crowd continued to give Cannon a standing ovation.

(May I digress for a good story? Ole’ Miss has always been a major rival for LSU. Cannon was convicted of making fake hundred dollar bills back in the mid eighties during the time that I served as Louisiana’s Secretary of State. Federal treasury officials showed up at my office one day to question me about the receipt of a fake bill in payment for a business filing at my office. It was the first counterfeit bill that was found in circulation. For years thereafter, I told the anecdote in numerous speeches that I became suspicious when I saw the bill. Down in the corner where normally is printed “In God We Trust,” appeared the words; “Go to Hell Ole’ Miss.”)

So Reggie Bush gives the Heisman trophy back, but who really suffers? Reggie? Why, he makes $12.1 million per year, with incentives that could give him $ 1.5 million more, and he is the pride of New Orleans. The Southern California coach? His name is Pete Carroll, and he was accused by the NCAA of allowing “systematic violations in the USC athletic department, including lack of institutional control.” He received no sanctions from the school, and has now moved on receiving a multimillion dollar contract to coach the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.

The school itself does suffer some. USC is banned from post-season play for the next two years and forfeits 30 scholarships over three years. So if you figure that an athletic scholarship is worth $50,000, that’s $1.5 million. That’s chicken feed compared to the multimillion dollar payouts USC has been receiving for playing in major bowl games year after year. There is a lot of temptation for a coach to look the other way when grades are changed and illicit contracts with an agent are allowed to take place. Simply put, the penalties are often nothing more than a slap on the wrist, and worth taking chances by some schools because of the huge payouts.
One of the reasons that many young college athletes are tempted to take illegal payments and gifts from agents in the first place is the greed by major college athletic departments. Big time college programs like USC and LSU bank income approaching $100 million a year. The athletes who generate this income are given tuition, fees, room, and board. That’s it. And with training commitments that are now year-round and the academic schedules required to stay eligible, it’s a rare college athlete that has the time to work part-time.

Actually, the rules are much more restrictive today than in years past. I had a full college athletic scholarship back in the early 1960s at the University of North Carolina. Along with the basic room and board, all athletes on scholarship were given a laundry and book allowance. It amounted to around $100 a month. I had no problem washing my own clothes and buying used books. The difference allowed me to keep gas in my car, take a date to a movie, and enjoy a few basic amenities of college life. Four hundred dollars a month today would go a long way in helping young athletes live a bit more comfortably and not be tempted by agents who lurk around college campuses.

The young athletes who aspire to be college stars are not the problem. There is a culture of corruption that has been allowed to build up, where the message is conveyed that there are big bucks to be made if you can just side step the rules. Many college athletic departments follow the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” rule. It’s a slippery slope with a failure to follow the ethical course by those who should be setting the example. The problem lies with coaches, athletic directors, agents, college presidents, and even parents, who in many cases don’t set the example.

If Reggie Bush had not given back his Heisman trophy, the Heisman trophy Trust would have taken it away from him. You can’t blame them for being a bit irked at all the perks he illegally received. When Bush was given his award back in 2005 in New York, sports agents illegally paid for the limousine that chauffeured him to the awards presentation.

So the Saints grind out a limp “mea culpa” where Reggie still says he did nothing wrong, but gave the trophy back to stop “the persistent media attention” which has become “distracting.” There’s an empty shelf on Reggie’s bookcase at home where the Heisman sets no more. But for $13.6 million a year, he will certainly find some easy way to fill the void.
*****
"I think, in all honesty, one of the most exploited groups of people in this country is college athletes. We basically have a job that generates millions and millions of dollars and at the end of the day we don't see any of it."
-Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez

Peace and Justice
Jim brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BOBBY

2010-09-11T23:32:00.004-05:00

IT’S ALL ABOUT BOBBY

By Jeff Crouere

September 10, 2010…This week, Governor Bobby Jindal was given multiple opportunities to make an endorsement in the race for U.S. Senate. In each instance, he refused to support fellow Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter. According to Jindal, “The bottom line is we haven't made any endorsements in the federal races in this cycle, in this state yet."

Of course, Jindal has been endorsing Republicans from all over the nation as he goes from one fundraiser to the next. In fact, he will soon be traveling to Minnesota to lend his support to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Why does the Governor feel comfortable endorsing Republicans in other states, but not Louisiana? Even though he does not spend much time in the state, it would seem that Jindal would be more familiar with Louisiana Republicans than out of state Republicans.

The sad reality is that Jindal is making these out of state endorsements to build up his own political IOU’s not to help build the party. He has his sights set on national office and he wants Republicans throughout the country to feel indebted to him. For example, Pawlenty is a possible GOP presidential candidate and Jindal would jump at the chance of serving on a national ticket. In contrast, he is not endorsing Republicans in Louisiana because it does not benefit him politically.

Vitter has a solid conservative voting record and has been endorsed by a variety of groups from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association to the Alliance for Good Government. He is leading in the polls and won the Republican primary with an astounding 88 percent of the vote. His major opponent, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville) is a supporter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama.

Even though he is trying to position himself as another Democrat centrist like John Breaux, Melancon is clearly more liberal than the average Louisiana voter. Theoretically, he is also more liberal than the supposedly “conservative” Governor Bobby Jindal. In most states, a “conservative” Republican Governor would enthusiastically endorse a conservative incumbent Republican U.S. Senator.

Once again, Louisiana is different and for our Governor his political future is his primary concern. Obviously, he is looking intently at his national options, whether it is on the GOP presidential ticket or a cabinet position in the next Republican administration. Another option is that he may run against incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu in 2014. Whatever happens, the odds are pretty good that Jindal will not finish two terms as Governor of Louisiana.

One indication of Jindal’s selfishness is the fact that he almost never returns the phone calls of the man most responsible for his political career, former Governor Mike Foster, who plucked Jindal out of obscurity for a cabinet position. At the end of his term, Foster strongly supported Jindal’s first campaign for Governor, which laid the groundwork for his entire political career. Without Foster, it is doubtful that Jindal would be Governor today. In visiting with a small group of political friends recently, Foster admitted that he has very limited access to his former political protégé. Talk about a lack of gratitude!

Senator Vitter will probably receive a last minute endorsement from the Governor. Back in 2008, Jindal gave Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy a tepid, tardy endorsement in his uphill fight against Landrieu.

If Jindal had been involved in the race earlier and aggressively helped Kennedy raise money and support, it may have made a big difference for Kennedy and helped him win the election. It would have helped the GOP take a Democratic U.S. Senate seat. However, back in 2008, building the Republican Party was not a concern for Bobby Jindal and it is no different today.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

LISTEN TO THE RAGIN' CAJUN!

2010-09-09T06:30:00.003-05:00

September 9th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

LISTEN TO THE RAGIN’ CAJUN!
Don’t be stupid!

When Bill Clinton was on the defensive, back in his first presidential run in 1992, the Democratic message was all over the map. At a time when the country was stuck with staggering economic woes, Louisiana’s own national political commentator James Carville stated the obvious: “It’s the Economy stupid!”

The Carville admonition has been lost in the maze of bobbling diversions that have gotten both Democrats and Republicans off the stage of what the single focus should be. The Ragin’ Cajun got the nation on point then, and the Democrats and Republicans need to stop bobbing and weaving and get on the point now. the overwhelming issue, hands down is the economy.

Issues like mosques, oil spills, birthers, and Martha’s Vineyard vacations stir up controversy over a short span of time. But in the coming two months before the midterm election, it’s all going to come down to who can manage the economy better. And up until now, neither party has much to crow about.

As those of you who listen to my nationally syndicated radio show know, I have little regard for either party on the national scene. When it comes to responsible debate on how to get the economy out of the doldrums, both parties get a failing grade. It’s the battle of the democrat-don’ts vs. the republican-can’ts. The Democrats don’t dare and the Republicans don’t care. In the movie “Justice for All,” Al Pacino summed up our nationals dilemma well. When the judge tells Pacino, who plays a lawyer, that he is out of order, he responds: “We’re all out of order. The whole system is out of order.”

When it comes to spending beyond the country’s means, both parties share the blame. In the past two years, the Democrats have increased the national debt by almost $ 3 trillion dollars. And what do taxpayers have to show for this huge increase in debt? Cash for clunkers? A bigger TV? Maybe. But certainly not economic growth.
The new stimulus package, costing the taxpayers $785 billion is focused on infrastructure needs. These needs are indisputably huge as any observer can see by driving our dilapidated roads and crossing our poorly maintained bridges. Most of the nation’s airports look like they were built when the Beatles first arrived in the U.S., fifty years ago. So the decaying infrastructure is a real issue.

But with unemployment figures approaching 15 %, there has to be much more on the table than just brick and mortar. The average middle class American is just scraping by and pleading for a better game plan. More and more Americans are asking: “Is that all there is?”

Republicans don’t score too well on credibility, either. This week’s NBC-Wall Street Journal poll shows Democrats receiving an abysmal 33 % approval rating, while Republicans have plunged to just 24%. And when it comes to spending, a Republican congress has had no problem with doling out the money, either. In 2000, the Republicans held control of both houses of congress as well as the presidency.

Similar to what the Democrats have right now. Federal spending when President Bush took office was $1.788 trillion. Eight years later, federal spending was $2.982, a 60% increase in federal spending under a Republican president. A fair question is whether Republicans will behave any differently if they gain control in November?
The bottom line is that spending is out of control and both parties share a large part of the blame. When it comes to being fiscally responsible, you can put members of both parties in a sack, shake them up, and it would make little difference which one you pulled out. Despite the talk, the political mantra Washington over the last 10 years has been “Spend Baby Spend.”

Some key Obama advisers are now saying they “get it” and the President will focus on jobs. But last week, the President addressed the nation on Iraq, waded into the mosque controversy, marked the fifth anniversary of Katrina, and talked to NBC’s Brian Williams about his religious faith and Glen Beck’s rally in Washington. “Oh, and by the way, we need to do more on the economy.” Whoever is in charge of his public message needs wake up, smell the coffee, and go vback to square one.

Whatever the political rhetoric, two things are going on across the country today. Economically, there is a growing perception by the average American that the country is moving into a severe recession. And psychologically, there is widespread depression. Many doubt that life is going to be better for their children. That was always the American dream, wasn’t it? But now there is a growing realization that the country faces fundamental economic structural problems with few options in sight. The President made a choice a year and a half ago. The emphasis was healthcare, not jobs.

Tom Friedman with The New York Times writes that the Obama challenge is to “grow the pie.” We spend enormous sums making things up (derivatives, CDO’s and numerous other exotic financial instruments that are not based on physical reality) rather than making things. In my home state of Louisiana, we spend millions on keeping jobs for chicken pluckers and sweet potato farms, while high tech companies leave the state for lack of well-trained employees.

Afghanistan continues to be an albatross that is draining $2 billion of our tax dollars every week. That’s one hundred billion dollars a year we’re pouring down the rat hole of a corrupt, debt ridden, collapsing economy – and nobody seem to be able to explain how we got into this quagmire in the first place. A good beginning for economic recovery would be to end this no win, no purpose, very costly – in dollars AND in lives -- military exercise in futility.

Throw into the mix a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts that the President’s former budget director called for this week, and you have a real beginning for a turnaround. There would be significantly more dollars available for both debt reduction and job related tax saving incentives.

We are in a war all right – an economic war that could well get worse before it gets better. But it will take a creative and well-designed game plan and a much more substantial commitment to win this war. It would be a wise exercise for all of us to re read the economic history of World War II from 1942 until 1944. America got off its back with millions of people being put to work. The same “call for commitment” is certainly needed now.

The question is whether partisan politics can be put aside to implement a major response to our current economic war. Our country needs such a plan. The public is demanding it. It is overwhelming in the public interest. But don’t count on it, at least before the election. After all, both parties have their priorities. Remember, shake em’ up in a sack! Unfortunately, it makes little difference which party you pull out.

*****
“When we talk about settling the country’s problems, we’re barking up the wrong tree. It’s a mess. It’s always been a mess. We are not going to change it.” Joseph Campbell
Peace and Justice

Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

Shinyribs performs "Poor People's Store"

2010-09-05T23:08:00.000-05:00

Ran Across this gentleman's music while listening to the Michael Berry Radio Show podcast. Definitely recommend him. I know you will love this song, as so many of us can relate to it during this rough economic time in history...however I hope it will give us a moment of levity to laugh and realize that God provides and we are still here.

Looking forward to your comments and thoughts on this artist and his song.

SENATOR VITTER AND HIS WOMEN

2010-09-03T14:04:00.004-05:00

SENATOR VITTER AND HIS WOMEN

By: JOSHUA W DELANO
03SEPT10
NEW ORLEANS(BYWATER), LOUISIANA

After last weekend's GOP Primary I don't know if there is any hope of Louisianan's being delivered from the tyranny of David Vitter.

However it is my hope that the actions of the DNC, DCCC, Louisiana Democratic Party as well as the slew of candidates; Democratic, Libertarian, and a few million Independents running will force Vitter into a run-off.

The hope is the same as always in a Louisiana election, have so many candidates that you fracture the vote enough to force a runoff. However, throughout history few have been successful in pulling enough votes from well-financed candidates.

Vitter has far more money than any other candidate. Gaugeing the lack of care of the GOP faithful who handed Vitter 9 out of 10 Republican votes last week, moderates and conservatives disheartened by the Junior Senator's actions aren't significant enough to dent his voting bloc.

However, there are many candidates to choose from and plenty of mud to sling in the forum of political discourse to hopefully sway some voters in time for the general election in a couple of months. Kevin Frank, spokesman for the Louisiana Democratic Party reported that over 10,000 viewers have seen this video detailing Vitter's escapades as an elected official.

It is my hope that we can make sure that number goes into the hundreds of thousands, hopefully of Louisiana viewers and not just DC political junkies who so enjoy making Vitter the butt of their jokes.

So please, no matter what party you are a member of be sure to retweet, share on Facebook, email and Digg this blog post and this video to everyone you have time to share it with.

Hopefully the Audacity of Values of Louisiana voters will overcome the 'Audacity of Lies' Vitter seems to embody as a code for his way of life.

God help us all in the Great state of Louisiana. I don't advocate voting for any particular candidate specifically, however I do hope, pray, and adjure you to join me in my campaign to elect 'Anyone But Vitter for US Senate!"

If you enjoy Bayou Perspective any and all support via donations are welcome and appreciated.

God bless and la chaches pas la patate mes amis!

FIVE YEARS AFTER KATRINA -- IS ANYTHING DIFFERENT?

2010-09-02T12:42:00.003-05:00

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

FIVE YEARS AFTER KATRINA -- IS ANYTHING DIFFERENT?

With the five year anniversary of Katrina being commemorated this week, and a major hurricane moving up the east coast, the focus of the national news media has been how government at all levels fails to respond. Levees collapsing, inadequate evacuation efforts and political bickering have been reviewed on the news nightly, and highlighted by the new Spike Lee film "If God Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise."

If you live in my part of the country, particularly in Deep South Louisiana or the Mississippi gulf coast, everyone has his or her own personal Katrina story. These poignant personal odysseys of survival are a vital part of the Katrina legacy for those who endured this life changing experience directly, and hopefully, for those who did not.

Katrina hit in the early hours on a Monday morning, August 29, 2005. As early as the Friday afternoon before, the national weather service was predicting a direct hit on New Orleans with a minimum of Hurricane Four intensity. In other words, it was time to get out of Dodge. But no call to evacuate came at any governmental level until Sunday morning, only 12 hours before the raging winds hit the Gulf coast. With only four routes out of New Orleans, traffic was at a crawl.

I was working in New Orleans at the time but I was back at my home in Baton Rouge for the weekend. Heavy Sunday afternoon winds knocked out the neighborhood electricity, but some how, our house kept the power. With temperatures in the high 90s, our home became the hangout for both neighbors who wanted to cool off, and a continuous flow of New Orleans arrivals, both family and friends, looking for somewhere to ride out the storm. A freezer full of gumbo, crawfish etouffee and spaghetti sauce was thawed to feed the growing crowd of evacuees.

The late nighters stayed awake to watch the unfolding chain of events on television, and listen to the howling winds and falling limbs throughout the early morning until a little past dawn. Then it was over. New Orleans had apparently seen the worst with surprising little damage. Or so we thought.

A brother-in-law staying with us called home to have a caretaker tell him there was only minor roof damage, and to come on home. “Oh, by the way,” he said. “A water line must have burst. I see some water in the street. No big problem.” Thirty minutes later, the fellow called back. “Big problems here now. The levee has broken. There’s water everywhere and rising fast.” The same scenario was being played out all over the metropolitan area. The water was rising rapidly with no way to get out.

Old timers may remember that back in the 1930s, when a WPA loan was closed, the loan recipient was often given a two-bladed ax, to hack his way out of the house in case of emergency -- a quaint old custom that was abandoned a few years later. What a shame.

As the water continued to rise, home dwellers went up to the second floor or to the attic. The water kept coming, but there was no way out.

A police dispatcher told me of numerous calls begging for help. One woman screamed she was holding her baby on her shoulders, and the water was up to her chest. A few minutes later, the phone went dead.

Makeshift bedding was in every corner of my home as flood victims continued to arrive into the evening following the storm. On the third night, I went by boat to check on a family home in New Orleans. When I made it back to Baton Rouge around 2:00 am, I opened my clothes closet door and found two little girls asleep on the floor. They had made a pallet with several of my suits. I grabbed several more to cover them up for the night.

A few weeks before Katrina hit, I attended a local boxing match and happened to sit next to a young New Orleans police officer, who worked in public relations for the department. He was newly married and excited about making law enforcement his career. The night of the storm, he was on duty and worked taking calls throughout the night. He asked for permission to take a break and go home to check on his new wife, since the phone lines were down. He was needed at work, he was told, and had to stay at headquarters. He made several more similar requests. A day later, he was given permission to check on his new bride. When he got home, he discovered that she had drowned in the attic. Completely devastated, he made his way to the levee, took his service revolver, and committed suicide.

On day five, my brother in law, who is the high sheriff of Plaquemines Parish, called. His deputies had not had a change of clothes the whole week, and they had all lost all their belongings from the flooding. Could I help?

The Baton Rouge Wal-Mart had been re stocked. Socks, tennis shoes, underwear, shorts, T Shirts -- whatever I could find. I just cleaned off the racks and loaded up the shopping carts. The Sheriff had some twenty-five female deputies. I had a local female clerk help me “size up” bras, panties, shorts, and any other items I could find for the ladies.

“A load for the Sheriff! Let me pass!” It took me seven hours to make the normally two-hour trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, working my way through the destruction all along the roadway and the roadblocks. When I arrived at the Plaquemines sheriff’s office in Belle Chase, the Canadian Mounted Police had arrived. So get this. The Canadian Mounted Police got to this disaster area before any federal officials arrived. No FEMA, no National Guard, no Red Cross. Just some help from a foreign country.

There are thousands of similar remembrances from five years ago. And even after these many years have passed, the aftereffects of the cataclysmic storm still are troubling to so many who suffered in so many ways. Have lessons been learned? And are public agencies -- federal, state, and local, better prepared for another “big hit” that we know one day will come?

Protecting our home and loved ones was up to individual and family initiatives then, and no doubt will be again. Someone once wrote that the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. But Government rarely learns. It seems to make the same mistakes over and over again. There will be other Katrinas. Will you be ready?
*****

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

Louisiana GOP Senate Primary Vitter v. Traylor: Turd Sandwich or Giant Douche?

2010-08-28T17:06:00.005-05:00

South Park - Turd Sandwich vs. Giant Douche

Blake MySpace Video

Louisiana GOP Senate Primary Vitter v. Traylor: Turd Sandwich or Giant Douche?
Neither, Vote for the Doctor

By: Joshua W. Delano
28August2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

So what do you do when both of the leading candidates in the GOP US Senate primary can easily be likened to a turd sandwich and a giant douche? Well, there is a third option.

Ok, maybe the South Park example is a little extreme but hopefully I’ve got your attention. I don’t know if Senator Vitter is the Douche or the Turd Sandwich, or if Former Supreme Court Justice Traylor is more deserving of the title of one or the other…let’s just say I’ll let you decide.

Now, back to the point of our third option. What DO you do when you have to choose between to adulterous professional politicians? Simple-- you choose the non politician and in our case, he is just what the Dr. ordered. Actually, he is a doctor. Dr. Nick Accardo to be precise.

http://www.nickaccardo.com/index.html

Dr. Accardo jumped into the primary at the behest of leaders in the community as well as his own desire to hopefully, “send some adults to Washington who know what they are doing” as Dr. Accardo so succinctly put it.

Unlike Vitter and Traylor, who both have tons of baggage, or expertise, in the arena of extramarital affairs Dr. Accardo remains faithful to his wife of nearly 30 years. He attends mass weekly and unlike the other two candidates is for the most part, self-financing his campaign.
Another area where Dr. Accardo outshines Vitter and Traylor, would be that of actually answering questions about policy, moral stances, and what exactly he believes we need to do as to jobs, deficits, and energy policy.

Senator Vitter seems full of policies that are sure to get him on television, 24 hour news, and talk radio to incite his Republican base to anger, but if you look at his record he has sponsored zero meaningful legislation that actually amounts to any jobs or money coming to Louisiana. Traylor appears to be the choice of the Louisiana Democratic Party since he has no real substantive platform to run on other than, “I’m not David Vitter” and maybe the fact that his adulterous affairs don’t involve hookers.

Dr. Nick Accardo is a supporter of clean coal and natural gas policies that will streamline our sluggish economy and bring about more jobs. "Trust me, I'm a doctor," quips the amiable Accardo as he speaks passionately and freely about his beliefs and platform for office, all of which seem reasonable and Reaganesque in comparison to the deficit liberal elected officials who run DC. Actually, he sounds a lot like Ron Paul and a few other fiscal conservatives who are frequently thrown aside as fanatics or looked upon with disdain by modern advocates of deficit spending on both sides of the aisle.

Accardo wants to get rid of the state income tax as well as all other taxes and have a simple 25% consumption tax. Steve Forbes had an idea like this when he ran for office. Unfortunately, it is very likely that Accardo’s fate will mirror that of Forbes. Great ideas that will be ignored while the party faithful get all the money and votes.

The candidates with name recognition and respective lifestyles that could only air on HBO if they were a reality show. So there we have it, Traylor and Vitter will argue about who is the bigger adulterer while the candidate with great ideas, principles, and passion is virtually ignored.

God, please bless Louisiana , because I don’t think we want to have sound wise government even as bad as this economy is…still we seem content with the entertainment content which seems to only be found on daytime soap operas.

The Hotline, CQ politics, and the rest of the DC handicappers know what the rest of us know here in Louisiana; it’s going to be Vitter again for the GOP. Let the jokes about Louisiana politicians continue—at the end of the day, Senator Vitter will likely still be the GOP’s candidate of choice in Louisiana.

Although we know the outcome of the war in most cases before it starts, still we must fight for what we know is right and vote for the candidates who best reflect our values.

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour

If you enjoy Bayou Perspective any and all support via donations are welcome and appreciated.

God bless and la chaches pas la patate mes amis!

BLOWHARD PROSECUTORS VS BLOWHARD BLAGOJEVICH

2010-08-26T08:55:00.004-05:00

Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

BLOWHARD PROSECUTORS V.S. BLOWHARD BLAGOJEVICH
WHO’S GUILTY?

The score right now stands at former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich 23, federal prosecutors 1. The feds charged Blagojevich with everything but the kitchen sink, including shaking down a children’s hospital and selling the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Obama. With twenty-four felony counts against him, and after all the melodrama and hype by the prosecutors, he was convicted of the least serious change, and that could well be thrown out on appeal. So what do we have here -- prosecutors gone wild?

A number of newspapers are sharply criticizing lead prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, editorializing that this grandstanding justice department lawyer was on a personal vendetta to bolster his own overblown ego. From day one, Fitzgerald has been “over the top” with his prejudicial pubic statements about the case.

When Blagojevich was first charged, Fitzgerald arranged to have the sitting governor arrested before dawn, like some thug accused of violent crimes, ready to blow town at a moment’s notice. At his grandstanding press conference, the U.S. Attorney spoke of “what we can only describe as a political corruption crime spree,” accusing Blagojevich “of the most appalling conduct” that would have “Lincoln rollover in his grave… It was a truly new low,” Fitzgerald told the nation.

Blagojevich’s single conviction was based on a statement that he made to the FBI about everyone who contributed to him, and how much was given. Blagojevich said he tried “to keep a firewall between politics and government.” Basically, he gave a stock denial to any crime. So federal agents asked him if he broke the law -- and just like any child who is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he said “no.” By saying ” I’m innocent; I didn’t do it,” an accused becomes guilty of making a false statement. What happened to one’s Fifth Amendment right to protest one’s innocence?
You could do so in good faith before Supreme Court Justice Scalia took dead aim at the issue. He challenged a defendant’s right to declare that the charges are false, which most assumed was a basic presumption under the constitution. Before 1998, saying “I didn’t do it” was a denial under the Fifth Amendment that prohibited prosecutors from piling on charge after change of false statements, regardless of whether a crime even took place. Then Scalia turned loose in the case of Brogan v. United States, tongue lashing the defendant’s attorney by saying in effect: “Either answer the FBI agent’s question or say absolutely nothing.”

So now, without the “exculpatory no,” prosecutors routinely pile on charges that, in effect, add five years to every sentence. Simply by saying “no” to the question of whether you did it can send you to jail even if it is proven that you are innocent of the crimes themselves. Sounds absurd? It happens all the time. So without Scalia’s decision in the Brogan case, the Governor would not have been convicted of the one false statement charge.

Respected New Orleans columnist and television commenter Clancy Dubois summed up one’s option this way. “If you are a public official in Louisiana, do not talk to the FBI. Not under any circumstances. Not even if you are innocent and have nothing to hide. Especially if you are innocent and have nothing to hide.” Many share his conclusion. Being innocent is irrelevant when answering questions from the FBI. Simply being questioned by the FBI puts the suspect or even the innocent witness in peril. Even if you know nothing of, never heard of the alleged crime, and honestly tell them so, the FBI can say you are lying, you can get sent jail -- and the citizen has no recourse!

Let’s be clear. Governor Blagojevich is far from being a saintly victim of a prosecutor’s wrath. In my opinion, Blagojevich is an egotistical, narcissistic, blowhard who doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut. The day after his one count conviction, Blagojevich compared himself to a superhero at the Chicago Comic Book Convention, and sold his autograph and photo for $80.

The guy has no shame. And he shoots his mouth off a lot, lacing his private conversations with numerous expletives. He is certainly not alone among politicians in being profane. But nothing specific was laid out, no bribe offers, no plans; the guy was simply talking. Is there a crime here? Even so, is it a federal crime? If being a blowhard politician who exaggerates, and make false promises is a crime, we’d better loosen parole requirements and let thousands of convicts go free to empty up cell space to accommodate blowhards. Hmm, should that include blowhard Fitzgerald?

As the federal government continues its propensity to make any number of acts on the local level federal crimes, it diminishes its role as a model of fairness and justice. In this sense, it has become a travesty of the principles on which this country was founded.

More specifically, blowhard Fitzgerald’s self-serving shoot first and think later tactics have diminished his effectiveness at serving the people, which, of course, is what he took an oath to do.

Does he retry Blagojevich? A number of national newspapers are saying no. The Washington Post editorialized: “Fitzgerald brought unlimited resources and the power of the federal government to the case. He is entitled to drag the ex-governor back into court. But the prosecutor took his shot and lost. He should stand down before crossing another fine line -- the one that separates prosecution from persecution.”

The Wall Street Journal went even farther calling for Fitzgerald to be fired. “Fitzgerald is a willful prosecutor who throws an exaggerated book at unpopular defendants and hopes at least one of the charges will stick, even as he flouts due process and the presumption of innocence when the political winds are high. If Mr. Fitzgerald doesn’t resign of his own accord, the Justice Department should remove him -- especially after such other recent examples of prosecutorial bad faith.”

Fitzgerald purposely violated prosecutorial ethics by making inflammatory statements, and by selectively releasing material that made Blagojevich look bad without presenting the whole picture. Just as Michael Nifong, the infamous prosecutor in the Duke Lacrosse Case was disbarred by the North Carolina State Bar because of his inflammatory remarks, Fitzgerald’s actions, and those of his Chicago staff should face the same scrutiny and the same possible sanctions.

The former Illinois governor is far from being a sympatric figure or one who engenders much public compassion. But perhaps the verdict in his case is a sign that jurors, for good reason, are becoming more willing and able to distinguish unbecoming and even venal politics from official corruption, fraud and obstruction. And here’s the good news. We are guaranteed at least another year of Blagojevich-o-rama. We get the hair, the goofy Elvis imitation, the defiance, the whole shebang. If the sequel is as dramatic as the original, I can hardly wait.

*****
“Therein is the most dangerous power of the prosecutor; that he will pick people that he thinks he should get, rather than cases that need to be prosecuted.” Justice Robert Jackson
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

PANDERING AND HYPOCRISY OVER A MOSQUE

2010-08-19T15:51:00.002-05:00

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
New York City, New York

PANDERING AND HYPOCRISY
OVER A MOSQUE

The political pyromaniacs are on the loose in the nation’s capitol, with both parties pandering to their respective bases. Neither democrats nor republicans could be accused of being “bathed in courage” on a litany of important national issues. Political demography is the sound bite of the day as shrill election rhetoric continues to mount.

Being a republican candidate this election season certainly is exhausting. These defenders of our American way of life are consumed by enemies galore, around the clock. As if Gays, socialists, Muslims, Arabs, and illegal immigrants were not enough, now they have to attend to the fear mongering over the Ground Zero mosque.
Except the proposed mosque and community center is not at ground Zero – it’s several blocks away and a few hundred feet from an existing mosque. Yes, there will be a place of worship, but also a swimming pool, basketball court, bookstore, fitness center, performing arts center, and a food court. Heaven help us, now our way of life is to be threatened by lamb kabobs and hummus!

There was no real concern expressed over the proposed Islamic cultural center when it was first proposed back in December of 2009. The New York Times published a story at that time quoting the project’s developer. "We want to push back against the extremists," said Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. Jewish leaders and a number of city officials, including the mayor's office, said they supported the idea, as did the mother of a man killed on 9/11. An FBI spokesman said the Imam, (the leader of the mosque), worked for the bureau for years.

Shortly after the Times story ran, conservative media personality Laura Ingraham interviewed Abdul Rauf's wife, Daisy Khan, while guest-hosting "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox. In hindsight, the segment is remarkable for its cordiality. "I can't find many people who really have a problem with it," Ingraham says of the mosque project, adding at the end of the interview, "I like what you're trying to do." This is the same Laura Ingraham who presently has a book listed as number two on the New York Times best sellers list called, “The Obama Diaries,” a blistering attack on the current administration.

Muslims have been praying inside the Pentagon since Sept. 11, but those opposing the Ground Zero mosque have been strangely silent. That’s right. Muslims have infiltrated the Pentagon for their nefarious, prayerful purposes – daring to practice their religion inside the building where 184 people died on Sept. 11, 2001. They haven't even had the sensitivity to move two blocks, let alone a mile, away from that sacred site.

As reported in the Washington Times, “Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon. God is most great, sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, as iftar — the end of the daily fast – began. Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah.

“In a ceremony following 9/11, Army Chaplain Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, the first Muslim chaplain to serve in the military, read a verse from the Koran at the memorial service at the Pentagon on a Thursday, exactly one month after the attack. Muhammad, who became a chaplain eight years ago and works at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, ministered to rescuers in front of the smoldering Pentagon after the attack.”

So Muslims can pray at the Pentagon, but not several blocks away from Ground Zero? Maybe it’s because most Americans, including virtually all of our politicians, see the Islamic world as a single confusing and troubling monolith. In the Christian world, we have no problem making distinctions. Just because someone is an Irish catholic living in New Orleans doesn’t mean he’s sympathetic to Irish Republican Army terrorists. Southern Baptists do not condone the murderers of abortion doctors.
But in America, we remain blind to the divisions and distinctions within Islam. There are 1.57 billion adherents to the Muslim faith around the globe, making up 23% of the world population. In the U.S., there are estimates of some 5 million Muslims. Yet American education rarely mentions this vast unknown population that many say is the fastest growing religion in the world as well as in the U.S. Without any basic knowledge, how can we determine friend or foe?

As far as the Ground Zero mosque, our politicians are falling all over themselves postulating that there should be no Muslim presence anywhere near this hallowed ground. In Louisiana’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race, Incumbent David Vitter is demanding that the President reverse his support for building the mosque, while his opponent, Democrat Charlie Melancon, says that such a building “near Ground Zero isn’t appropriate.” Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich one ups both of them by declaring that building the mosque would be like putting a Nazi sign by a holocaust museum.

On one hand, there is a good audience for pandering as some two thirds of Americans are against the mosque. But we all have to deal with trifles like the 1st and 14th amendments. Legally, there is little wiggle room for the opposition. But does building such a center make good sense? Probably not. There is a difference between what any organization legally could do as compared to what they should do.
On the other, far from engendering good will and better understanding, Abdul Rauf and his fellow mosque supporters have started a firestorm that has rekindled animosity and distrust. While there may not be a logical foundation for such vehemence -- justified or not, it exists. To be tolerated, both sides, including mosque supporters must be sensitive to the wounds of 9/11 that have yet to heal.
In the current election season, one would think that the campaigns would focus on the economy, healthcare, Iraq, Afghanistan and who is best qualified to lead us. Instead, those who hope to lead are spending too much time exploiting the anger, self-righteous indignation and arrogance concerning the mosque placement at the expense of other very pressing issues.

British economist Josiah Stamp wrote: “It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.”
Too many elected officials are dodging the major issues facing this country today. Unfortunately, it is the rest of us who will suffer the consequences.

Peace and Justice.
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

Islam Under Obama: 'Bitter clingers' revisited

2010-08-18T08:45:00.002-05:00

Islam under Obama: 'Bitter clingers' revisited

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=191973

By Michael Berry
© 2010

President Obama endorsing the building of a mosque near Ground Zero last week came as no surprise to anyone who has watched his opinions and actions regarding religion – make that, his opinion and action regarding one religion: Islam.

Barack Obama's views on freedom of religion appear to depend on which religion is under attack. Americans were shocked when, during his first and very symbolic foreign trip as president, he told an overseas audience of Muslims: "I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." A review of his famously lengthy list of political promises yields no such promise when he was on the campaign trail, and there was no precedent from prior presidents to make such a claim. That he first chose to visit not nations, but followers of a religion, is telling. He frequently refers to outreach, tolerance and commitment to people based on their religion, rather than their nationality. There is no such thing as a "Muslim world," but rather a world made up of nations. Singling out followers of a religion as some sort of international coalition is odd, and troubling.

NASA administrator Charles Bolden, on a trip to the Middle East to mark the first anniversary of Obama's pledge above, was asked why he was visiting the Middle East. He coughed up a guard-down gem, which embarrassed the administration terribly, by saying, "When I became the NASA administrator, or before I became the NASA administrator, [Obama] charged me with three things: ... [T]hird and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science and math and engineering." Nations are thereby identified by Obama as important based on having Muslim majorities, and space exploration has been supplanted by Muslim confidence-building. America, we have a problem.

A jaw-dropping expose on the six-month undercover operation that revealed the true terror-supporting nature of CAIR: "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America." It's also available in electronic form at reduced price through Scribd.

Contrast that with his views toward Christians. During his presidential campaign, a hidden microphone captured candidate Obama deriding heartland voters who didn't embrace his hope and change message as bitter Christians clinging to "guns and God." Might that have been an apt description of many of the Muslims worldwide to whom he spent so much time apologizing? In recent memory, terrorism around the world seems to have been conducted in the name of Islam more than any other religion. That Muslim fatwas are still issued, that cartoonists cannot ply their stock in trade, humor, regarding Muhammad or Islam, that Israel and America are threatened daily in the name of Islam, these are not even surprising any longer. Any religion that uses such uncivil methods to quiet criticism doesn't win much sympathy. Calling for an end to such aggressive measures would go far to "fight against negative stereotypes wherever they appear."

News that mosques have been used as staging grounds for al-Qaida and prep courses for violent fundamentalists calls into question whether guns and religion aren't mixing in some places of worship here in America. Americans shuddered when, on American soil, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan killed 13 and wounded 32 more, having become a radicalized Muslim in the months prior to the attack. He was in continuous contact with Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, whose sermons were also attended by three of the 9/11 hijackers. The Christmas Day bomber met with al-Awlaki and later told the FBI under questioning that the imam was one of his al-Qaida trainers. An imam. Operating out of a mosque. In the name of Islam. Instigating terrorism. On American soil. Negative stereotype toward Islam, no?

In November of last year, four mosques were raided, along with a Muslim "charity," for serving as fronts for the Iranian government.

On May 7, 2009, the first National Day of Prayer of his administration, President Obama broke with tradition by failing to hold a White House ceremony to honor the day. Earlier this year he marked the second National Day of Prayer of his administration with the same inaction. The president did, though, hold an Iftar dinner for Muslims, the feast breaking the daily fast during Ramadan, the holy month of Islam. He invited ambassadors from Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia to celebrate the Muslim event.

It was at this event that he expressed his support for the mosque near the site of where the Twin Towers were taken down by Muslim terrorists. While his press secretary declined to state the president's position on the issue earlier last week, calling it a question for "local decision-making," for some reason the president broke his silence during Ramadan observance and spoke out. Such off-teleprompter bombs have caused his press team headaches in the past, but they suggest Obama's unscripted, core beliefs and expose a rare – if ugly – honesty in his calculated public positions.

Referring to rather reasonable police behavior as "acting stupidly" without knowledge of what exactly happened, he showed his true colors on issues of race and law enforcement. A beer summit won't likely soothe feelings on his mosque comments, nor boost his failing ratings.

The bigger issue remains President Obama's apparent antipathy toward Christians and their traditions and his steadfast defense of all things Islamic. To quote President Obama: "It's not surprising, then, that they get bitter, and they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant." Truer words were never spoken, but not about Americans. Perhaps President Obama should take this message to the parts of the world where they apply by revisiting the site of his Muslim world speeches. Ramadan might be a perfect time to do so.

Obama's supposed standing among Muslims of the world and his title as the president of the nation hurt by the Muslim terrorist attacks give him a unique platform to call on Muslim leaders to abandon the mosque. It would be a moment of real leadership for Obama. Accepting his call would be a strong statement to Americans that Muslims have considered the feelings of the families of 9/11 victims and seek peace, understanding and healing. Such a gesture would go a long way toward that. If the $100 million slated for the mosque were donated by Muslims to the victims of 9/11, a Nobel Prize for Peace might be in order for the president. This one would have been earned.

One Republican congressman dismissed Obama's support for the mosque as simply "caving to political correctness." With 68 percent of Americans opposed to building the mosque, and the families of victims growing more vocal in their opposition, such a move may cost more Democrats their seats in November, when a political election decides who gets to make policies. Expect many Democrats to be booted out of office over this issue alone. Maybe then we can stop calling moves that are opposed by a majority of Americans "politically correct," because they are not.

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Michael Berry is the host of the "Michael Berry Show," a daily radio talk show in Houston. You can read his blog or his Facebook fan page.

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SEAN O’KEEFE, SEN. TED STEVENS AND PERVERTED JUSTICE

2010-08-11T23:54:00.005-05:00

Thursday, August 11th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

SEAN O’KEEFE, SEN. TED STEVENS
AND PERVERTED JUSTICE

Former Senator Ted Stevens was able to weather a number of difficult challenges in his life, but the clock finally ran out on the 86 year old Alaskan. He had survived an earlier plane crash in his home state that caused the death of his wife back in 1972. And the federal government did its best (or maybe it’s worst) in trying to destroy his political career in a most unsavory way. But the southwestern Alaska wilderness took its toll, and a second plane crash took his life on a rocky mountainside this week.

Four of the nine passengers on the plane survived. One of those who made it is the former Chancellor of LSU here in my hometown of Baton Rouge. I have known Sean O’Keefe and his family for more than 40 years, and it was a miracle that both he and his son Kevin survived the disaster. He is in critical condition in an Anchorage hospital, and you can imagine the deep interest and concern being expressed throughout my community.

Stevens was a giant in the U.S. Senate, having served in that body for some 40 years. His pre-senate service was exemptlatory, having graduated from Harvard law school, and he was awarded two distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals for his valiant service during World War II. Few members of congress today have any military background and make up what those who have served call the “chicken hawk caucus.” He became a federal prosecutor and was active in the effort to make Alaska the 50th state back in 1953.

He survived his first plane crash in 1978 in a twin-engine Leer jet when it crashed on a flight from the Capital, Juneau, to the Anchorage Airport. Alaska has by far more air crashes than any other state. Many of us here in Louisiana still remember the loss of Louisiana Congressman and House Majority leader Hale Boggs, who died in a 1972 plane crash along with Alaska Congressman Nick Begich. Ironically, Begich’s son defeated Stevens in a 2008 election that took place just days after Stevens was convicted of filing false financial reports with the Senate.

It was obvious to close observers of the case that the trail date was pushed by prosecutors so as to tip the balance of the close election. Stevens was defeated, but a few months later, guess what? The conviction was thrown out by the trial judge, who ordered an investigation of the handling of the case by the Justice Department. The judge summed up his conclusions of the Justice’s Department’s actions by saying: In nearly 25 years on the bench, I have never seen anything approaching the mishandling and misconduct I have seen in this case.”

After Stevens was convicted, an FBI whistle blower came forward and charged that prosecutors intentionally presented false and misleading testimony and evidence, and withheld critical and exculpatory information from the defense. The key witness against Stevens gave a completely different statement to the FBI before the case went to trial that contradicted his trial testimony. But the prosecutors failed to turn over the statement, even though they were required to do so by law.

Steven’s conviction was thrown out, but the Feds got what they wanted in destroying his career. The Stevens case is one of many examples of why there should be no legal immunity for obvious acts of contempt and criminal abuse of the judicial process by federal prosecutors. If there is any doubt in your mind as to whether this kind of prosecutorial misconduct takes place regularly in the federal court system, I would urge you to read my book, “Justice Denied,” published by the Lisburn Press.

On a much happier note, it would seem to be a miracle that Sean O’Keefe and his son survived such a catastrophe. The floatplane involved in the crash was flying in heavy rain and unnoticed by radar. The plane hit the side of a mountain with such force that a 300 foot gash was torn into the rock wall, crushing the nose of the plane. The few like O’Keefe who survived sat severely injured inside the fuselage along with the dead for 12 hours until help arrived.

O’Keefe was a likeable but controversial chancellor at LSU during his tenure from 2005 until 2008. The O’Keefe family was a political dynasty in New Orleans for over 50 years dating back to his great-grandfather and former New Orleans Mayor Arthur O'Keefe. He had served as the Secretary of the Navy as well as the head of NASA. I thought he was an excellent choice when he was picked to head Louisiana’s flagship as Chancellor. LSU was massively underfunded, and still has one of the lowest endowments of any major university in America. He told me his mission was to make a dramatic push for more private sector funding, and he was well suited for such a job.

Fundraising requires a lot of travel, and he received parochial criticism from within the university community for not being more hands-on in the university’s daily operations. His goal was to raise money and he was well on the way until the criticism mounted from within. He was convinced that a major endowment effort would attract better students and professors. But the internal politics and legislative medaling, always a yoke around the university, worn him down. He continues to profess his love for LSU, and the state is the loser for the loss of his presence.

As of now, it looks like Sean O’Keefe and son will survive. Here’s hoping he eventually comes back to Louisiana. Sen. Ted Stevens was not so fortunate. If the Justice Department had played fair and followed the rules of disclosure, Stevens would no doubt have been re-elected and back in congress that is meeting in Washington all this week. If the rules had been followed, if there had been no prosecutorial misconduct, if fairness had prevailed, if justice had not been denied, Ted Stevens could well be alive today.

*****
“It is just as well that justice is blind; she might not like some of the things done in her names if she could see them.” -Anonymous
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.

DON'T TELL ME TO SPEAK ENGLISH OR LEAVE!

2010-08-05T00:07:00.004-05:00

Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Redneck Country, Louisiana

DON’T TELL ME TO SPEAK ENGLISH
OR LEAVE!

I was at a book fair recently hawking some of my Lisburn Press publications, and was asked to comment on the nation’s immigration problem. One fellow apparently didn’t like my response. “Oh, I know all about you writers out there with your fancy English degrees. You think you have a lot more common sense then us rednecks.”

All right, I’ll admit it. I do live in a semi cosmopolitan city of Baton Rouge, received part of my education outside the U.S. and have traveled the world a good bit. But you can’t take the Ferriday redneck out of city folks like me. I have a pick up as well as an old SUV with 180,000 miles on it. They both have driven the back roads of north Louisiana on many occasions. I laugh at, and mostly agree with all the “you must be a redneck” jokes. (You must be a redneck if you know instinctively that red wine goes with possum.) And by the way, I have a great possum recipe coming out in my updated version of “Jim Brown’s World Famous Squirrel Stew and other Country Recipes.”

Anyone who came from the same southern country town that raised Jerry Lee Lewis and Rev. Jimmy Swaggart certainly qualifies as a card-carrying redneck. So assuming you accept my credentials, you might be surprised at my reaction to a bumper sticker I saw driving down a gravel road just past Frogmore, Louisiana. (That’s right. Frogmore -- about 15 minutes west of Ferriday if you check your map.) A truck ahead of me on the back windshield displayed the driver’s feelings in no uncertain terms: “You’re in America Now; Speak English or Get Out!”

Now I know it’s the political rage throughout the country to demand that English should be the official language. And quite frankly, I agree. That is, from the public perspective. I occasionally get a bit irritated when I’m told to “press one for English, two for Spanish” etc. If a U.S. governmental body insists on printing forms, giving tests, and processing governmental applications only in English, then that is how the process works.

Here is where states’ rights come in. If any state feels the need to offer services in another language, that should be their prerogative. In some areas of my home state of Louisiana, French is the only language spoken by older Cajuns. Grocery stores in some small south Louisiana communities put up daily specials in French, and the southern part of the state has a number of radio stations that carry French Cajun music. In the southeast corner of the state, a number of publications appear in Vietnamese to service the growing Asia community of immigrating fisherman.

But a strong “English Only” backlash is growing. In the current Alabama governor’s race, Republican candidate Tim James makes no bones about his pandering. His TV commercials cry out: “We speak English, so if you cannot speak English or refuse to speak English, get out of Alabama and our country.”

Here’s what widely circulated blogger Michael Murphy has to say about our language. “I find myself becoming more and more indigent over how some neighborhoods in this country look more like neighborhoods in other countrys. You want to go to a place that looks like China, I say go to China. This is America. Is it right that I can't go into a resturant on American soil without an encyclopedia? I mean, what the heck is rigatoni? I ordered it because their wasnt spagetty on the menu and they said it was like spagetty, but it wasnt. It was these strange tubes, so there liars too.

That’s right. This guy’s comments circulate the worldwide web. (The multiple spelling errors are his, not mine.) And hey, Michael, you don’t have to go to the orient to see what the world’s largest country looks like. Just check out the Chinatown sections of most major east and west coast cities in the U.S.

So what’s up with this sudden assault on the multicultural speak in the U.S? Take a look at Washington. The American job market has been annihilated, and unemployment still hangs today around 10%. We hear a lot about “trickle down.” The disastrous economic policies put in place by the Washington gang of congress and regulators that bailed out Wall Street, but dumped on Main Street, have now trickled down to the average Joe, who is fighting economically to keep his head above water.

So it is easy to understand why this same Joe blames his economic woes on the so-called “illegal” immigrants he sees working all around him. As columnist Mark Crovelli writes: “He sees foreigners mowing lawns all over town, cooking meals in virtually every restaurant he patronizes, and installing every roof in the neighborhood, and he reasons that his current plight is due primarily to the fact that these foreigners “steal” jobs that otherwise would be his for the taking. However, the biggest insult of all, to his mind, is the fact that these foreigners don’t have the courtesy to speak his language, and yet they still manage to find and steal jobs from English-speaking Americans like him!”

This opens a whole new can of worms as to why so many “legals” cannot compete, or will not compete against half literate immigrants who don’t speak English. When I drive around my home town of Baton Rouge, I see Latinos on their way to work cleaning my neighborhood houses, installing new roofs all over town, mowing yards, busing at many local restaurants, and maintaining local golf courses. Employers say they would rather hire American workers, but just cannot find willing labor. Many of these same employers are taking Spanish lessons so as to better communicate with their growing workforce.

The problem is not in my neighborhood, or my city, but in the nation’s capitol. Both Republicans and Democrats have continually dodged the challenge to find a comprehensive solution to the whole immigration mess that these same lawmakers allowed to take place. Congress (both parties) created a housing bubble that attracted millions of Latinos to enter the U.S. illegally, and go to work on the overheated and unsustainable housing market that was desperate for new workers. Paraphrasing Pogo, “We have found the problem, and the problem was created by those we sent to Washington.”

So, until congress finds the courage to have some backbone and face this immigration mess head on, the rest of the country has little choice but to stand by and wait, with the occasional quixotic jousting that we are observing in Arizona.
But what about “Speak English or Get Out?” Look, I’ll stay out of your face and you stay out of mine. Don’t tell me what language I can or cannot speak. I don’t need big brother telling me what to do. If I want to go around speaking any foreign language, that’s my right as an American. I will not voluntarily stand by and let my redneck friend or Big Brother set the parameters as to how I can or cannot communicate. When you tell me what language to speak, then you start down the path of telling me what I can speak, or whether I can even speak at all.

So to all my friends, redneck like me or otherwise, pick and choose your fights wisely. The problem is the overspending, money wasting, high taxing, and freedom limiting bureaucrats in Washington who lack the courage to set this country in the right direction with a little common sense. You up there! Take care of the economic chaos you created. And for goodness sake, leave me and poor Pedro alone.
*****

“English? Who needs that? I’m never going to England!” Homer Simpson
*****

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

EXNICIOS: NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME IS A VITAL STEP IN RECLAIMING NEW ORLEANS

2010-08-04T01:25:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010

EXNICIOS: NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME IS A VITAL STEP IN RECLAIMING NEW ORLEANS

Leading candidate for Juvenile Court judge Richard Exnicios tonight made the rounds of National Night Out Against Crime parties throughout the city, sharing his message and belief that the city can be reclaimed from the criminal element.

"Our city came alive tonight with communities and neighborhoods showing their commitment to fighting crime," Exnicios said. "Everywhere I went, hundreds of people were showing their support for good law enforcement and a strong judiciary, and I told everyone I met that I will not let them down."

Exnicios is running for judge in the division of Juvenile Court that handles criminal offenders under age 17.

"Working as an assistant district attorney under Harry Connick, I prosecuted some of the most violent offenders in Juvenile Court," Exnicios said. "The challenge of a Juvenile Court judge is to discern which offenders pose a long term threat to our society and which are in need of stronger guidance. My work as a prosecutor and as a private attorney representing families has given me the wisdom to recognize the difference and to act accordingly."

Exnicios, a Tulane graduate who serves on the Committee on the Profession of the Louisiana Bar Association, was honored for his legal work before he had even finished Law School.

"I am committed to restoring our city to all it can be," Exnicios said. "I'm dedicated to the administration of justice, with respect for both the accused and the victim. I'm resolved that New Orleans can and must be made safe again."

Exnicios is also a member of the Ethics Advisory Service Subcommittee of the Louisiana Bar and served on Mayor Mitch Landrieu's Transition Team. He has been endorsed by former D.A. Harry Connick.

For more information about Exnicios and his campaign, visit www.RichardForJudge.com or find him on Facebook.

Media contact: James Hartman, james@jameshartman.net or 504.458.4600.

CONNICK ENDORSES EXNICIOS FOR JUVENILE COURT JUDGE

2010-08-03T14:01:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2010

CONNICK ENDORSES EXNICIOS FOR JUVENILE COURT JUDGE

Longtime District Attorney Harry Connick has endorsed Richard Exnicios in the race for Juvenile Court Judge.

Citing Exnicios' experience as a prosecutor in the office Connick led from 1973 to 2003, the former District Attorney said Exnicios is the best candidate for the position.

"Prosecuting juvenile offenders during my tenure as District Attorney, Richard was extremely knowledgeable and capable," Connick said. "I'm pleased he is running for this judgeship, and I know his experience and qualifications will make him a good, competent jurist in the Juvenile Court."

"I'm very honored to receive Mr. Connick's endorsement," Exnicios said. "He is a leader every New Orleanian recognizes for his devotion to public safety and ethical public service. As a young prosecutor in his office I admired him greatly, and it is truly humbling to have his support as I seek this Juvenile Court judgeship."

The seat Exnicios is seeking handles criminal offenses committed by minors.

"I have more experience than all of my opponents combined," Exnicios said. "Having worked as an assistant District Attorney under Harry Connick, I have seen and handled cases with the most violent of criminals. I've also seen juvenile offenders who needed a softer hand to correct their behavior. Through those experiences, I have the wisdom to know the difference between hardened criminals who need to be locked up for public safety and troubled kids who need stronger guidance."

Exnicios has also worked in private practice, representing families who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina. He serves on the Committee on the Profession for the Louisiana Bar, and on the Ethics Advisory Service Subcommittee, and was a member of Mayor Mitch Landrieu's Transition Team. A graduate of Tulane University, Richard and his wife Nancy live Uptown with their 5-year-old son, Rex.

Media contact: James Hartman, james@jameshartman.net or 504.458.4600

Open Season on Red States

2010-08-03T13:56:00.006-05:00

OPEN SEASON ON RED STATES

By Jeff Crouere

August 3, 2010...For most politicians, campaign season comes and goes, but in the Obama White House, it is permanent. As we approach mid-term elections and get ready for the next presidential election, team Obama is working on the swing states, solidifying their support in blue states and ignoring or opposing the interests of voters in conservative red states. Two perfect examples are the states of Louisiana and Arizona .

Ever since the oil started leaking in the Gulf, the Obama administration has been delaying local efforts to attack the problem by creating unnecessary bureaucratic roadblocks. The spill has been an environmental and economic disaster for Louisiana . The state has been severely impacted by this catastrophe, but, instead of working with Louisiana officials to lessen the pain, the Obama administration has made it much worse by issuing a moratorium on deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

This measure was not supported by the President’s own scientific advisers, his oil spill commission or any member of the state’s congressional delegation. It has already led to several rigs leaving the Gulf and many more may follow in the days ahead. Prior to the spill, 56 rigs were operating in the Gulf, but today only 14 remain. Louisiana could lose 140,000 high paying jobs if drilling does not resume soon. Despite near universal opposition in Louisiana and opposition from 73 percent of Americans, according to a recent Bloomberg poll, the President refuses to reconsider his moratorium.

Not only does it lack public approval, but the moratorium lacks court approval as well. The moratorium was struck down by U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman, who ruled that it was both arbitrary and capricious. Disregarding the wishes of the federal court and the court of public opinion, the Obama administration issued a second moratorium and the legal battles continue. With new permitting hurdles for shallow wells and the deep water moratorium, drilling is essentially shutdown in the Gulf of Mexico, delivering a major economic blow to the people of Louisiana . Thus, it is mission accomplished for the administration.

Louisiana is not the only red state to receive the wrath of team Obama as Arizona is also being targeted. In a bid to win support from a growing bloc of Hispanic voters, President Obama viciously attacked a law in Arizona designed to deal with the growing problem of illegal immigration. In fact, the administration went further than just demagoguery; it actually filed a lawsuit attempting to block the implementation of the Arizona law.

Arizona had to act because of an increasing crime problem and more intrusions from dangerous Mexican drug cartels. One painful result is that the city of Phoenix is now the kidnapping capital of the nation. It is obvious that the borders are not secure, as there are at least 500,000 illegal aliens in the state. The state is suffering because the federal government refuses to effectively address the problem. Illegal immigration is encouraged by employers who want cheap labor and Democrats who want cheap votes.

After decades of inaction, the people of Arizona reached their limit and overwhelmingly supported the new law. They are clearly sick and tired of the lawlessness. The common sense law only enforces existing federal law. Incredibly, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton, a Clinton appointee, ruled last week that the Arizona law would “impermissibly burden federal resources,” so she blocked many of the law’s key provisions. As the Governor appeals, the border chaos will continue and the people of Arizona are the losers. Once again, mission accomplished for the Obama administration.

So, Louisiana cannot drill offshore and provide jobs for their people and Arizona cannot deal with an invasion of illegal aliens that the federal government refuses to stop.

Is it any wonder that many people in both of these red states consider the federal government to be their enemy?

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

A-Rod Sitting on 599: The Thrill is Gone

2010-07-29T11:53:00.003-05:00

A-Rod Sitting on 599: The Thrill is Gone
By Joshua W. Delano

As Alex Rodriguez sits on the precipice of joining an elite few players in baseball history with 599 home runs there is only one word to describe the feeling among fans—apathy.

Incredible romance and nostalgia used to be associated with any player who joined the 600+ homerun club. For years only 3 players were members of this club: Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays in that order. Over the last decade, 3 more players have joined that club in the steroid, or post steroid era if you will.

Two of these three have been among the poster boys of the steroid era(Sosa and Bonds) with only Ken Griffey Jr. being the only legitimate member of this elite class.

Baseball has been a game of numbers and few numbers are as well known in baseball as 714, Aaron’s career total, 60 Ruth’s single season total, and 61 in Maris’s single season total. All of these have been surpassed during the steroid era, typically with the obligatory asterisk assigned next to the name of those would be new record holders.

So as Alex Rodriguez of my beloved New York Yankees sits just one homerun away from joining this elite class, I of course have mixed feelings. Yet another Yankee great who will perhaps not be great by the estimation of many baseball purists for the simple fact that he used performance enhancing drugs at one point in his career.

Although I will be excited for a player on a team I’ve rooted for since the days of Ron Guidry and Don Mattingly, like so many others who played and follow baseball it will not be the same elation felt with Kirk Gibson’s world series winning pinch hit home run coming in injured off the bench.

Perhaps the stars of today with names like Mauer and Heyward will bring back the nostalgia of America’s game for a new generation to fall in love with America’s past time. Or perhaps the steroid era has done irreparable damage to America’s game and jaded fans for years to come.

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING IN LOUISIANA AFTER OIL SPILL!

2010-07-28T23:38:00.006-05:00

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING
IN LOUISIANA AFTER OIL SPILL!

The “Rally for Economic Survival,” organized and orchestrated by the oil industry drew thousands to the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana last week. “No Moratorium” and “Drill baby Drill” were the T-shirt slogans of the day. State officials made no bones about their willingness to have an open slugfest with the federal government. As the Lt. Governor ranted: “We are not going down without a fight.” All well and good, and there are certainly logical arguments against a long-term moratorium in the Gulf.

But perception is critical when any state is trying to take on the feds. Sure you can go to court. And Louisiana has had initial success with federal judges in New Orleans. No real surprise here, since all four federal judges in the process were loaded down with oil company investments. But the office of Minerals Management, the federal regulator in charge, can bring the permitting procedure to a slow crawl by holding hearings and requesting reams of detailed data extending the process so that it takes months, or even years to complete.

Current polls show a majority of Americans are in favor of a temporary moratorium, and major newspapers throughout the country have overwhelmingly supported a temporary halt in gulf drilling. If Louisiana is perceived as being too greedy and trying to bully the Feds into caving in on the current moratorium, will the rest of the country be supportive? The special needs of Louisiana in the wake of The Katrina and The BP disasters have made the state, rightfully or wrongfully, particularly vulnerable to the “perception factor.”

Louisiana officials continue to argue that there have been thousands of wells drilled in the Gulf of Mexico with only the one current spill. As one Louisiana congressman argued at a recent Washington hearing: “It’s almost an astonishing safe, clean history that we have there in the gulf.”

But the Washington Post reported just this week that federal records tell a different story. “They show a steady stream of oil spills dumping 517,848 barrels of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico between 1964 and 2009. “The spills killed thousands of birds and soiled beaches as far away as Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Altogether, they poured twice as much oil into U.S. waters as the Exxon Valdez tanker did when it ran aground in 1989,” said the Post.

Robert Bea is a University of California professor who has done extensive environmental studies throughout the Gulf. He has been a guest on my radio shows on a number of occasions. Professor Bea says that the issue of safety in the Gulf offshore drilling is similar to safety issues for airplanes or aspirin. There is a line or acceptability balancing risk and consequences. “The thing that is concerning is that we continue to work close to that line. Because of airline regulation, we get in an airliner with a level of comfort. I don’t have that same level of comfort when I go out to these offshore rigs.”

The state of Louisiana still has a case to make for lifting the moratorium, but it’s not one of “we’re completely right, and the feds are dead wrong.’” A logical argument could be made that whatever the past problems, the petroleum industries’ record was improving before the BP spill. It could further be argued that BP is unique in their bad safety record, and that other companies drilling in the Gulf have used advanced technology to greatly improve environmental protection. On balance, with the need for petroleum, and the significant economic harm that will take place with any long-term moratorium, the argument is in favor of continued drilling.

But how about the argument constantly made by Louisiana officials that all the deepwater rigs are in the process of picking up and moving elsewhere in a mass flight that would cause more economic havoc? And once gone, they will likely not come back to the Gulf. This type of exaggeration won’t help win allies.
It’s been over eight weeks since the announced moratorium, and 31 of the 33 rigs initially operating in the gulf before the BP spills are still there. The Wall Street Journal, certainly a pro drilling proponent, wrote this week that a continuing rig exodus is unlikely.

“Oil companies have found few other promising reservoirs where they could immediately transfer their rigs. Moreover, an expected surplus of newly built rigs next year will make it easier to replace rigs that do leave. Most other industry observers agree. “The dire predictions will not come to pass,” said Amy Myers Jaffe, head of the baker Institute Energy Forum at Rice University.

“There is no reason rigs won’t migrate back,” said Tom Kellock, a consultant for ODS-Petrodata, a company providing market intelligence to the oil and gas industry. “Rigs come and go. Four rigs have actually arrived in the gulf since the May 27th moratorium announcement.”

There is a case to be made in favor of scuttling the existing moratorium, and it needs to be presented with a logical and fact based approach. Rallies instigated and paid for by the oil industry will not bring any meaningful results. And elected officials inflaming the locals with the threats of a doomsday moratorium scenario is counterproductive. With the federal government holding most of the good cards, some calmer heads in and about the state capitol in Baton Rouge need to take control of the dialogue.

This is not Louisiana’s first rodeo in taking on the federal government over oil issues. In the 1950s, then Louisiana Governor Earl Long was trying to reach an accommodation over state-federal boundaries with millions of dollars of oil ownership at stake. South Louisiana political boss Judge Leander Perez demanded that Long not give an inch to the feds, and argued that Louisiana should fight the case for as long as it might take. Long’s response became part of Louisiana political lore. “Hell Leander, you can’t fight the feds. They got the bomb!”

*****

“If you want to understand how big the federal government is, read selected portions of the Washington telephone directory containing listings for all the organizations with titles beginning with the word National.” ~George Will

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

BP's History of Negligence Gives a Black Eye to Big Oil

2010-07-26T16:02:00.013-05:00

BP'S HISTORY OF NEGLIGENCE GIVES A BLACK EYE TO BIG OIL

By: Joshua W. Delano
Monday July 26, 2010
New Orleans, LA

BP's incomeptence has been well documented from the Piper Alpha explosion in the North Sea leaving 167 dead in 1988. Then there was the Texas City explosion in 2005 killing 17 and leaving 170 injured.

Reports have since come out showing millions being shelled out in fines and penalties for BP's lack of adherence to safety standards year in and year out. Before the Deepwater Horizon explosion just a few short months ago leaving millions of gallons of oil in the gulf, BP was worth £123bn according to the Daily Telegraph.

Now, there have been rumors that Royal Dutch Shell, among other possible suitors, could purchas BP for as little as £88bn. This of course has been just that, rumor. However Texas based Apache oil has of late purchased $7 billion in assets and equipment in New Mexico, Egypt and Texas.

These monies will be part of the 20 billion BP will set aside to pay for the cleanup and lawsuits, the latter of which will likely skyrocket the fund indefinitely.

With Ceo Tony Heyward stepping down as the head of BP and rumors of an American taking the helm, maybe things are beginning to look up for BP. At least they are good for Tony Heyward who is reportedly receiving his $18 million golden parachute as a parting gift. Meanwhile thousands are out of work as a result of the president's anti-job program, also known as the moratorium.

The well is capped for the most part, with some oil still leaking into the Gulf. In the end, the damage has been done to the fishing, restaurant, and tourism industry in Louisiana and neighboring Gulf states.

While I admit I worked as a contractor on Shell rigs in the past, news reports and testimonials of other hands in the oil patch plainly show that BP, and occasionally a few other oil companies are typically given ill-regard when it comes to worker treatment, safety, and the way injuries are handled. One of my fellow rig-hands regarded BP as the "white trash" of the Gulf.

That aside, a purchase of BP by Shell would be a good bet in that it would put some competent people in charge of BP and a company better known for safety at the helm. As for the cleanup, it became obvious that none of the oil companies have a real plan in place for cleanup or research and development for the same.

The moratorium is bad for Louisiana families and businesses in that it has put the squeeze on multiple industries and the people in states across the southeast. I will not be so naive to say that big oil companies are saints. However, I will not go to the extreme the Administration has taken in that big oil is bad and we must now push our alternative energy agenda while American families suffer.

If President Obama wants what is best for this nation, he will lift the moratorium and put people back to work. BP has a record of gross negligence that has given the rest of the industry a bad name.

While the oil industry does need to allocate a portion of its R&D to a cleanup plan, American jobs shouldn't have to suffer. Some government regulation is good, as we can see from BP...the industry isn't going to regulate itself. Politicians need to step in and make sure that safety and protecting our environment is first so that work can continue with new drilling in the Gulf.

In reality, we need to revert back to the clean natural gas being used during the Carter Administration, but that's a whole other conversation. After all, we all know big banks and the Auto Workers Union wouldn't want to have cars that didn't break down all the time and ran better and cleaner on natural gas.

Instead of pushing ideas that inflate the deficit, giving way to unprecedented spending maybe it's time the administration worked on legislation that actually benefits Americans. People need jobs to make an economy flourish Mr. President...and to quote a fellow Louisianan, James Carville, "It's the economy stupid."

A LOUISIANA DISASTER MORE COSTLY THAN THE GULF OIL SPILL!

2010-07-22T23:59:00.004-05:00

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

A LOUISIANA DISASTER MORE COSTLY
THAN THE GULF OIL SPILL!

The present financial disaster in Louisiana has cost the Louisiana economy almost three billion dollars. Check this figure again. Not three million, or 300 million, but three billion dollars. And the timing could not be worse. The Bayou state’s economy is on a plunging downward spiral. Education will experience major cutbacks, new construction projects are on the verge of grinding to a halt, and basic government services may come to an abrupt end. So why the huge financial hole? It’s the oil spill, right? Read on.

Sure, the oil castrophe all along the Louisiana coast will have a damaging economic effect on the state’s already dwindling economy. But if the new capping procedure put in place last week holds up, cleanup efforts can quickly become more effective with projections of relative normalcy along the Gulf coast within a year. So the oil spill damage to the economy will hopefully be mitigated, with the continuing financial help from BP and the federal government.

However, there is a different cause of a $3 billion loss to Louisiana citizens that continues year after year with little apparent concern being expressed from a host of responsible public officials.

What if you were to consider moving to Louisiana, but were told there is a mandatory surcharge that applies in no other state, requiring you to pay the sum of $1100 or more, just for the privilege of living there? And every other Louisiana citizen who buys a home and owns a car has to pay the same surcharge. Would you move there?

That is exactly what is happening in Louisiana now. The surcharges are from the cost of insurance, and if you live in Louisiana, you now have to pay the highest premium costs in the nation. And not just by a small amount when compared to other states. Louisiana exists in its own world of escalating insurance costs that are completely out of line with the rest of the nation.

Consider auto insurance. The southern average of states surrounding Louisiana is significantly below the national average. The U.S. national average rate is $1,812 as of April 2010. Mississippi comes in much cheaper at $1,537 (15.2% less expensive than national figures). Alabama is even cheaper at $1,457 (19.6% less expensive). Texas has an average of $1,767 (2.5% less). The Louisiana average rate is $2,245 -- a whopping 23.9% above the national average.

When you add up the extra amount of money it takes for a car owner to live in Louisiana compared to the national average, the extra sums paid total $1000. And for the most part, these extra premium costs are sucked away to out of state banks for the benefit of national insurance companies.

What about property insurance? The latest figures show that Louisiana is also at the top of the list for having the highest premium rates. The average national premium for home insurance is $690.62. The south has a higher rate because of the hurricane threat. The average homeowner premium for southern states is $801.75, which is 16.1 % above the national average.

Mississippi, Louisiana’s neighbor right on the Gulf, comes in at $964 (down 5.1% from last year). Texas, which also shares a coast with Louisiana, has an average rate of $932 (down 0.9%). Alabama has a rate of $790, and Florida, with the greatest hurricane exposure in the country, has a higher rate a $980. Florida is regularly chastised by Louisiana insurance officials and legislators as being too reckless with their regulatory approach.

Florida’s rate actually dropped last year, and considering their hurricane risk, the Florida rate is, on average, surprisingly only $980 (down 0.1%).

So how did Louisiana do? The average cost for a Louisiana homeowner continued to be the highest in the country at $1392. This is an increase of 0.2% from last year. No surprise, since Louisiana officials pay scant attention to insurance rates and make little effort to lower them.

Rates in the health and workmen’s compensation fields show the same trends. In the auto and property areas alone, Louisiana property owners are paying some $1100 more than the average of all other states throughout the country.

Are Louisiana public officials, including legislators and insurance bureaucrats, up in arms demanding accountability and confecting a litany of ways to get insurance rates to come down? There’s been nary a peep or a whimper. Insurance issues were hardly mentioned in the most recent session of the legislature.

The cost of insurance is the biggest single drawback to business development in Louisiana. $5 Billion dollars that could be used to fill huge and continuing budget holes is being wasted away. But Nero fiddles while Rome burns. And when the oil debacle is old news, a much greater burden of high and unfair insurance costs will continue to hold back struggling Louisiana for decades to come.
******

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Walt Disney –
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

TEA PARTY TRIUMPHS OVER NAACP LIES

2010-07-20T23:37:00.002-05:00

TEA PARTY TRIUMPHS OVER NAACP LIES

By Jeff Crouere

July 20, 2010

Despite a total blackout from the liberal media in the New Orleans area, the Northshore Tea Party attracted 2,000 people to the Fleur de Lis Center in Mandeville on Saturday. This was the group’s largest crowd in their 18 month history as part of the incredible tea party movement, the most substantial political force to hit this country in decades.

Unfortunately, hundreds of people were turned away as only 1,100 people were allowed in the building. The seating capacity was reached well before the event started. It was an enthusiastic crowd of patriotic, flag waving, God fearing Americans who are upset about the direction of this nation. There was no racism or hatred toward any individual or group of people. At the event, there were no crazy signs or nasty slurs being uttered. Instead, there were patriotic songs, recognition for our heroic veterans, and a deep appreciation that the nation we love so much is in serious trouble.

People flocked to the rally to hear from former Louisiana House Speaker Hunt Downer, candidate for Congress in the 3rd District, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and Brigitte Gabriel, recognized expert on global Islamic terrorism.

The crowd was enthralled by the speakers and the only complaint was that the venue was too small. The rally occurred only a few days after the NAACP charged the tea party movement with being a racist organization. These unfounded and scurrilous charges only motivated more people to attend the event. In fact, people came from all over the area—Washington Parish, Baton Rouge , the south shore and Mississippi .

Fortunately, no one was scared away by the unfair and untrue NAACP attacks. For the past two rallies, the Northshore Tea Party has invited an African American minister to lead the opening prayer. For this rally, the featured speaker with an American of Lebanese descent, Brigitte Gabriel, who became a citizen of the United States because she loves the freedom and values that this country represents. Ms. Gabriel rejects any hyphenated label and considers herself only one thing, an American.

In her riveting speech, she spoke about her harrowing experiences surviving Islamic terrorism and warned the crowd about the real motivation of the Middle Eastern radicals who hate this nation. She noted the growing problems of Islamic radicalism in Europe and the lax border security in this country that is allowing dangerous terrorists to enter America . Ms. Gabriel highlighted the terrorist sleeper cells that operate in communities throughout this nation. She also alerted the audience about the efforts to promote Sharia law in America .

In her powerful speech, Ms. Gabriel made an impact not only because of her compelling life story, but also because she is speaking the truth about a situation that our nation is ignoring at our own peril. As the Obama administration turns NASA into a Muslim outreach operation and New York City considers building a Mosque on the sacred site of the 9-11 attacks, there can be only one conclusion, there is something seriously wrong with the direction of this nation. In the critical weeks and months ahead, hopefully more people will listen to the wise advice of Brigitte Gabriel as she cautions America about the dangerous nature of radical Islamic terrorism.

The Northshore Tea Party was proud to sponsor Ms. Gabriel and the other speakers. It was the type of event that will hopefully make a long lasting impact and motivate people to take action as we try to save our nation.

The rally was promoted on my Ringside radio program (WGSO 990-AM, M-F, 7-11 a.m.), WSHO Radio 800-AM and on the Internet, but the mainstream news media chose to ignore the event. Of course, liberal reporters will flock to cover the protests of the NAACP, but they will not cover the truth of the tea party movement. The media is in constant tizzy reporting about some outrageous signs or statements by purported tea party “leaders,” but refuse to interview the real strength of the movement, the concerned citizens who attend the events. This movement is grassroots in nature, there are no real leaders, and the people are leading this campaign for change and not taking direction from any politicians.

After six events, the Northshore Tea Party is stronger than ever, just like the national movement. Despite serious attacks and premature reports about the death of the tea party, the movement is having an ever greater impact on the national political scene.

The secret of their success is that the tea party movement rests on the constitutional principles that have stood the test of time for over 200 years. For this country to survive, we must reverse course and return to those principles before it is too late.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

Senator Vitter Comes To Louisiana Camp Meeting

2010-07-16T15:26:00.002-05:00

Senator Vitter Comes to Louisiana Camp Meeting

By: Joshua W. Delano

09July2010
Tioga, Louisiana

Governor Edwin Edwards was known to make Louisiana District’s Pentecostal camp meeting in Tioga, Louisiana… especially in re-election years. That made sense given his Seventh Day Adventist and Pentecostal upbringing. However, I was so surprised to have seen Senator Vitter at camp meeting tonight, especially since Senator Vitter likes the hookers and seems to have no qualms with committing adultery.

Heck, even former President Bill Clinton came to 'Because of the Times' In Alexandria, as well as a Pentecostal camp meeting or two, and cried at the altar from the convicting message he heard. However, I think President Clinton is deeply flawed yet still has a heart. Not sure if Senator Vitter still has a heart, though I hope for his soul's sake he does.

Now we all know Governor Edwards was no saint and was well-known for his philandering. However, he was never known to hide it or be a hypocrite about it, and from all that I’ve seen, heard, and read Edwards never had to pay for it.

Nevertheless Senator Vitter strode confidently to the pulpit tonight and made sure to hit all the talking points to get the crowd to agree that he was ‘their guy’. The crowd gave the Senator the seeming obligatory standing ovation when he walked up to take the mic(although I noticed that along with myself and my son, there were a noticeable minority of the 3-4,000 in attendance who were sprinkled throughout the congregation who decided not to stand for the Sinator)

He gave the usual short and sweet oratory making sure to speak on the evils of homosexuality, placing God and guns in the same sentence, and of course making sure to align his own life with that of the attendees in that he knows without a spiritual connection he could not do his job. I tried not to gag on the hypocritical lying of his every word. However, I also had to pray for him and that he would hopefully get something out of Bro. Huntley’s message that night. However, the realist in me knew he was there trying to harvest a few Pentecostal votes and would likely not sow a single word of what was preached in his tiny little heart.

I do not wish the Senator any ill will, except that he lose his re-election bid, but instead I hoped that the man would enjoy the preaching and maybe even get the Holy Ghost. However, he of course ducked out as soon as the altar call was made, seemingly hoping to avoid anyone wanting to pray for or with him regarding ….hmm…maybe a “sin from his past.”

Well, at the end of the day, I hope he was blessed as I could tell many were from what I can remember as one of the greatest summer camp meetings I’ve attended of either Texas or Louisiana. Pastor T.F. Tenney spoke on ‘Core Principles’ and spoke about many of the issues facing the church in our day. Pastor Mangun from Alexandria gave us a great dose from his endless list of great sermons as well as leading a song or two on the last night.

If only our statesmen and elected officials governed their lives and political decisions by core principles given from the Word of God. Instead, we have the system we have; corrupted by lobbyists, diluted and cheapened by the DNC and GOP, and large group of unregistered voters so apathetic they don’t realize the power they could wield if only they became more involved in the process.

God help us and our nation to somehow step back from the quick fixes and scheming, ambiguous, and loophole-filled language which inundates every new law that our elected officials pass so their friends can still get around the law because they have the money and access to do so. God help me, and the other few idealists out there who hope and pray for truth to prevail in all that we say and do, to be encouraged to know that no matter what evil men do daily with great earnestness that God is still in control.

And maybe the fact that He is in control is why Senator Vitter now has another candidate to take away conservative votes from his base in former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor. “A lot of people that I talk to are just dissatisfied [with Vitter] when they can’t even get a phone call returned, so it’s across the board. It’s not just any one thing,” Traylor told The Hill on Tuesday.

“Great peace have they that love my law, and nothing shall offend them.” --Psalm 119:165

LOST IN SPACE: OBAMA'S NASA PROGRAM

2010-07-11T10:12:00.003-05:00

LOST IN SPACE: OBAMA’S NASA PROGRAM

The idiocy of the Obama administration continues to amaze us, even after eighteen months of leftist policies. After becoming President, Obama sent federal spending into the stratosphere, increasing the burden on future generations of Americans. However, one of the few agencies that he has grounded is involved in one of our most vital national missions, space exploration. Sadly, the President has reduced spending for NASA, while boosting spending for almost everything else in the federal government.

The result is that facilities like Michoud in New Orleans East are in danger of closing, resulting in the loss of thousands of high paying jobs. Instead of reaching for the stars, the President wants NASA to become more focused on earthbound challenges like the politically charged issue of global warming. This is a ludicrous departure for the once proud agency, which is now led by staunch Obama supporter Charles Bolden. In a recent speech delivered in Egypt to mark the one year anniversary of Obama’s Cairo address, Bolden said that NASA is not just interested in space exploration, but is also “an Earth improvement agency.” With this mission, there is no need for astronauts, only geologists.

As chief NASA administrator, Bolden has cancelled the Constellation program and eliminated plans to return to the moon. In making this controversial move, Bolden also cancelled the production of new rockets and spaceships that were involved in the Constellation program.

The leader of NASA should be focused on expanding our space mission and returning the agency to its glory days. Instead, he is assisting the state department in promoting diplomacy in the Islamic world. Incredibly, during his Middle East trip, Bolden appeared on the Al Jazeera television network and claimed that expanding international relations was among his top goals. He said that the President told him his foremost mission was to “find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering.”

When did it become the NASA administrator’s top job to “reach out” to the Muslim world and make them “feel good?” In the past, NASA administrators were busy managing their agencies, but not Mr. Bolden. He is our ambassador to the Muslim world, speaking for President Obama. In the interview, Bolden sounded more like a politician or a diplomat than a NASA administrator.

The whole episode paints another disturbing picture of an administration with a curious and frightening agenda. Bolden should be focused on how this country will explore space in a time of tight budgets and an international recession. Instead, Bolden, under the direction of Obama, is playing politics in the Middle East.

This initiative will not advance space travel because none of these Muslim nations have a legitimate space program and none of them have ever sent men or women into space. This is just another example of the President currying favor with the Muslim world at the expense of a vital national security interest, in this case, our space program.

Bolden claims that the United States needs international help to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. He said we “can’t do it” alone anymore. So, the United States, the country that designed the fabulously successful Apollo program and won the space race in the 1960’s is now unable to leave low orbit without the assistance of the Muslim world? It is a sad commentary on the condition of NASA and the plight of the United States of America.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

A NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: WHO CARES?

2010-07-11T09:34:00.005-05:00

Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

A NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE:
WHO CARES?

About the last thing on anyone’s mind right now, particularly in my home state of Louisiana, is whether or not Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan will be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. It’s pretty much a “done deal,” right? Whoever the President wants, the president gets, regardless of political party. Oh, in the Kagan case, the republicans will throw up some half-hearted concerns about Kagan being too liberal and not enough of a “strict constructionist,” whatever that is supposed to mean. So why should the average American care?

In recent polling data, two-thirds of the 1,000 American adults polled couldn't name a single current justice, and just 1 percent was able to name all nine sitting justices. Less than one-third of voters have any view of Kagan at all. This lack of governmental knowledge really is not all that big of a surprise when you look at other historical events that have most Americans perplexed.

• More Americans could identify Michael Jackson as the composer of "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" than could identify the Bill of Rights as a body of amendments to the Constitution.

• More than 50 percent of respondents attributed the quote "From each according to his ability to each according to his needs" to either Thomas Paine, George Washington or President Obama. The quote is from Karl Marx, author of "The Communist Manifesto."

• More than a third did not know the century in which the American Revolution took place, and half of respondents believed that either the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation or the War of 1812 occurred before the American Revolution.

So it’s of little surprise that nominee Kagan registers so low on the national recognition scale. If you were one of the few that sat glued to C-Span through the Senate Judiciary Hearings last week, here is what you would have found out:
On TV cameras in the court room, that are presently prohibited, Kagan is for them.

Good for her on this issue. Her colleagues have for years thrown up the hoary arguments the television would undermine the high court’s “ethos” and bring forth the justices’ faces to C-Span-watching terrorists. Bunk. TV court room coverage works well in many state judicial systems including Louisiana’s. In fact, I argued the first televised case before the Louisiana Supreme Court back in the mid 1990s. The issue involved the right of law enforcement officers to seize cars that were uninsured. I won the case, by the way, and the television broadcast was no big deal. So mark one for the nominee.

But her score takes a justified hit on a whole host of other issues including her decision as dean of Harvard Law to bar recruiters from the school's career services office over the Pentagon's policy against openly gay soldiers. Kagan said she was trying to balance Harvard's nondiscrimination policy, which she believed "don't ask, don't tell" violated, with a federal law that required schools to give military recruiters equal access as a condition of eligibility for federal funds. But that was the law, later upheld in a legal challenge unanimously by the Supreme Court. With two wars going on at the time, Kagan would have seemed to have substituted her personal view rather than what the law required.

There are a number of positions Kagan argued before the Supreme Court as Solicitor General that undermine and impede basic freedoms, and that should concern those asked to promote her to the nation’s highest court. One such troubling case involves former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, convicted of bribery in 2006. The Supreme Court last week unanimously vacated Siegelman’s conviction, after ninety-one state attorneys general urged that the conviction was unjust and should be overturned.

Kagan filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to deny hearing Siegelman’s appeal. The facts showed that an Alabama business man made a large donation to support the creation of a lottery with the profits to go to public schools. The governor appointed the contributor to a spot on Alabama’s hospital oversight board. A tit for tat? Not even close. If governors were indicted for appointing a campaign contributor to a board or commission, there would not be one chief executive still serving anywhere in the country. Kagan supported a conviction where there was no crime.

The list of similar questionable actions by Kagan is long. Her positions are often detrimental to individual rights and freedoms. If she is the best the country has to serve on the nation’s highest court, then the cream is far from rising to the top, and it’s mediocrity that is on the assent.

So is there a chance she will not be confirmed? Absolutely not. The lady’s a cinch, for as even some republicans are saying: “Elections have consequences.” Though mediocre in qualifications, Kagan is the President’s choice, and the democrats will offer support in lock step. The same scenario would be playing out if the unqualified nominee were a republican under a republican administration.

In the meantime, enough about these trivial concerns. Who cares who interprets our laws and protects our basic freedoms? After all, the new season of American Idol is not all that far off. And that’s when the voting really matters.
*****
“So what if he is mediocre? There are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they?”
Senator Roman L. Hruska of Nebraska

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

BIDEN'S VISIT TO GULF COAST: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

2010-07-02T19:21:00.002-05:00

BIDEN’S VISIT TO GULF COAST: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

This week marked another visit from an Obama administration official. This time, Vice President Joe Biden brought his usual mix of foolish bravado and inappropriate humor to the region. His visit amounted to nothing of substance for the people of Louisiana. His trip required the diversion of resources from vital clean-up efforts. Biden used his short visit to appear on camera with other politicians and eat seafood. Amazingly, Biden refused to meet with Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and only gave this local leader thirty seconds of his time. Biden used the visit for politics and public relations, instead of an opportunity to address the mess created by the federal government. .

Biden discussed the array of tremendous problems impacting our area, but he provided no solutions or hope of relief. The Vice President refused to acknowledge that this crisis has been exacerbated by the incompetence of the federal government.

For example, there are 1,600 skimmers in the country, yet only a fraction is being deployed in the Gulf. President Obama told U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL) that resources could not be diverted from other areas that might face future problems. Yet, we are at war here, this is an EMERGENCY!! There is no sense of urgency from Obama.

The President continues to abide by the Jones Act which prevents foreign ships from being used in the clean-up effort. This act was designed to promote domestic labor unions, but it is hampering our clean up effort. After Hurricane Katrina, President Bush waived this act to allow foreign countries to offer assistance. In this crisis, over thirty countries offered to send resources. In fact, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France and other countries have ships that can clean-up the oil, but those requests have been denied. Finally, this week, the State Department announced that offers of help from twelve nations were accepted, but this is too little, much too late.

While the government thwarts the clean-up by preventing foreign assistance, it also prevents local leaders from taking action. Key parts of a Louisiana dredging project have been stopped by the federal government because of environmental concerns. Yet, if this dredging is not allowed to continue, there may not be a coastal environment to save. In addition, the federal government has stopped a rock dam project near Grand Isle designed to protect valuable fisheries. According to Governor Bobby Jindal, “We need a greater sense of urgency, especially when it comes to the red tape, permits and bureaucracy,”

Based on 74 days of inaction, there seems to be a complete disregard for the plight of this area. If the administration truly cared about the economic well being of Louisiana, there would not be a six month moratorium on deep water drilling. In a conversation with Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph, President Obama claimed that laid off workers can collect unemployment benefits. Other administration officials claim that these workers can get a check from the BP escrow fund, but there is confusion about how that fund will be administered and who is eligible. More importantly, the hard working people of Louisiana do not want to rely on unemployment benefits or BP checks, they want to provide a good living for their families.

Many Louisiana workers will undoubtedly have to leave the area and follow the rigs to foreign countries. Brazil, the home of Petrobras, a state owned oil company financed by Democrat benefactor George Soros, will benefit handsomely from this moratorium. It is a shame that Brazil will profit at the expense of Americans. In Brazil, the environmental restrictions are less intense and there is no moratorium on deep water drilling. The country is open for business and is welcoming our departing oil industry.

The utopian views of the Obama administration are downright dangerous. The horrific problem will be made worse by the cap and trade legislation that the President is pushing in the U.S. Senate. By making fossil fuels the enemy, the President is making the state of Louisiana the enemy. In this ecological disaster his administration is not treating the people of Louisiana so poorly that it will be impossible to forget the insult. He is making President Bush’s Hurricane Katrina response seem downright Herculean.

Supposedly this is a war, but if we fought WWII this way, we would be speaking German today. The United States was a country that defeated the Axis powers, rebuilt Japan and Europe and saved the world from fascism. Today, we are a nation that is incapable of dealing with an oil spill in the Gulf and is unable to find methods of providing help to citizens in need. It is a sad testament to the decline of the United States of America and the pathetic leadership emanating from the White House today.

If Obama and Biden are going to play politics instead of helping, it is better if they stay away from the Gulf Coast so we will not have to divert resources to provide security and take responders away from critical missions. Let’s hope we see no more trips like Biden’s visit. It was not only a complete waste of time; it was also a perfect example of the administration’s response to this crisis: long on window dressing, short on results

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

LOUISIANA TAKES MEDIA HITS OVER OIL SPILL ISSUES!

2010-07-02T10:21:00.001-05:00

Thursday, July 1st, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana
LOUISIANA TAKES MEDIA HITS
OVER OIL SPILL ISSUES!

When the deep water Horizon well first began spurring thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf, sympathy from around the nation poured into Louisiana. The country and the world watched in horror as the Bayou State once again wrestled with the elements of nature and the manmade disaster that followed. “First Katrina, now the oil. How many hits can the state take?” was a common expression of concern. But as more states become directly affected by the polluted waters, and the Louisiana political and business leadership continues to call for more drilling, national sympathies are beginning to wane. Is Louisiana pushing the envelope, and trying to have it both ways?

With a few exceptions, Louisianans are in lock step, demanding that the BP well be capped, that a monumental cleanup effort be undertaken and paid for by BP and the Feds, and that deep drilling in the Gulf be allowed to continue. It’s hard for many onlookers throughout the rest of the country to comprehend why a state undulated in an oil spill hat could well destroy marshlands and the fishing industry for decades, still is demanding the right to continue drilling.

Even as the ecological damage to the Louisiana marsh increases daily, a number of recent polls reflect that some 75% of Bayou State residents favor continuing deepwater offshore drilling. `But across the nation, support for such drilling is dropping as sharply as BP’s stock. The most recent Pew research center nationwide poll showed that a majority of Americans surveyed (52 per cent) oppose increased offshore drilling.

Florida residents, who just two months ago strongly favored drilling in the Gulf (66 % favorable-27% unfavorable), now oppose such drilling by 51-42 percent. And Florida governor Charlie Crist said this week he may call for a special legislative session to put a drilling ban on the November ballot. A Florida candidate for Attorney general reflected the feelings of a cross section of Florida residents, saying: “I believe there are millions of Floridians who, as they watch in the horror unfolding…want the state government to say, ‘Stop it, we don’t want it here, we don’t want it anymore.’”

The spill, and whether or not to drill, has become election year fodder far beyond the Gulf. Candidates in a number of states are waging emotional campaigns in what looks like a frantic effort to turn the oil spill into referendums of who is a fault, and whether or not to continue production efforts in the Gulf.

In several of Michigan’s congressional races set for this fall, republican and democratic candidates alike are campaigning for a permanent state ban on drilling in the Great Lakes. Canada alone has drilled 513 natural gas wells in Lake Erie. In the Pennsylvania Senate race, Democrat Joe Sestak is accusing his Republican opponent, Pat Toomey, of putting “Big oil ahead of the American people” by not supporting the moratorium while accepting $96,000 from the oil and gas industry. The rallies against Big Oil and for a moratorium, with some TV ads using sound effects from horror-movies, set the campaign tone in a host of other states including Missouri, California, Illinois and even Kentucky.

New Orleans federal Judge Martin Feldman sure didn’t do Louisiana any favors in his ruling last week rejecting the federal government’s imposition of six-month moratorium. It wasn’t the ruling that heaped more criticism on deep water drilling in the Gulf as much as the perception that the judge was financially involved in the oil companies that his ruling helped. Feldman, according to numerous press reports, filed disclosure reports, required by all federal judges, showing that he held investments in a wide range of oil related companies doing extensive business in the Gulf. In fact, on the same day that his ruling was issued overturning the drilling moratorium, Feldman sold his stock in Exxon Mobil Corporation.

According to federal law, federal judges are required to step aside from cases that present financial conflicts or cases in which the judge’s impartially might be questioned. His “impartially” is being “questioned” in editorials and other news commentary nationwide. Feldman is also receiving criticism from conservatives who are not as concerned over the moratorium as much as Feldman’s “judicial activism,” a no no to those on the right. Still others feel that Feldman reached the right result, but with questionable and even sloppy reasoning in his written opinion, that may give leeway for the federal government in its coming appeal.

Another New Orleans judge, with no ties or financial investments in the oil industry would probably have reached the same result and overturned the moratorium. A judge with no conflicts and who might issue a much better researched and reasoned opinion, would be less open to attack when the appeal reaches the Fifth Circuit Court Appeals next week in New Orleans. The perception of many across the country is that it’s just one more example of judicial impropriety, and typical of “the Louisiana Way.”

Louisiana is also taking its share of national hits for not doing more to anticipate and protect its marshes. The New York Time wrote a front page article this week concluding that the state’s response plan was inadequate largely because the state failed to fully develop a plan. Included in the lack of an adequate response were:
The state’s oil spill coordinator’s office has had its budget slashed by 50% over the last decade.

Last year, the legislature cut funding from the state’s oil spill research program.
The state’s oil spill contingency plan included “pages of blank pages and charts that are supposed to detail available supplies of equipment like oil-skimming vessels.” A plan for a worst-case scenario was labeled “to be developed.”
Louisiana officials attacked the federal response plan, after having approved and signed off on the same Coast guard response plan just a few weeks before.

CBS News also raised questions about why Louisiana was not putting to use help that had been authorized by the President. Six thousand National Guard troops had been approved and funded by the Feds, but the troops needed to be called up by the Louisiana Governor. After weeks, only 1600 guardsmen had been activated by Louisiana officials.

Maybe political analyst James Carville is correct in suggesting that that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who headed up the war effort in Afghanistan until being fired last week by the President, be hired to take command of the entire Gulf oil spill response. I’m a big McChrystal supporter, and would endorse such an idea. McChrystal has a reputation for “kicking some butt.” Perhaps his boot could include some Louisiana officials as well as the whole federal response team.
*****
“A little less conversation, a little more action please. All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me. A little more bite and a little less bark.”
Elvis Presley
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

Vitter Protected Violent Predator, But Won't Say Why

2010-06-30T11:11:00.005-05:00

701 Government Street

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

(225)336-4155

(225)336-0046 – fax

communications@lademo.org

For Immediate Release CONTACT: Kevin Franck

June 29, 2010 (443) 254-0164

DAY 6 – Vitter Protected Violent Predator, But Won’t Say Why

Vitter was no-show in Senate yesterday, continues to dodge questions about why he protected a staffer who stabbed, threatened girlfriend

(Baton Rouge) Six days after an ABC news report revealed that U.S. Senator David Vitter protected Brent Furer for more than two years after he learned the congressional aide stabbed, beat and threatened his girlfriend, Vitter has refused to explain why he kept Furer on his staff.

Vitter has refused to answer questions since Furer’s extensive criminal history, including at least four convictions for Driving While Intoxicated, charges for cocaine and marijuana possession, an open arrest warrant in Baton Rouge as well as his guilty plea in the 2008 stabbing case, was revealed by ABC news.

Yesterday, Vitter was missing from the Senate’s only vote of the day. Last week, Vitter hid from the press and neglected much of his duties as Senator. Vitter missed most of the Senate’s votes, two Armed Services Committee hearings, a Commerce Committee hearing and he skipped a tea party protest at which he was scheduled to speak.

Six days ago the Louisiana Democratic Party released a list of questions for Senator Vitter. He has yet to answer them:

Why did you continue to employ Furer for more than two years after he pleaded guilty to charges related to threatening and stabbing a woman?

Has Brett Furer provided any services for you above and beyond his official duties?

Your office says that Brent Furer received ‘significant disciplinary action,’ yet public records indicate he received his salary while his domestic violence case was pending. Why did you allow Furer to have a taxpayer-funded vacation with such serious charges pending?

Did you give Brent Furer an annual bonus after learning of his 2008 domestic violence incident?

Why would you allow Brent Furer to serve as an advisor on women’s issues after knowing about this incident?

Did you, any member of your staff or anyone working on your behalf, contact Thomas J. Kelly or anyone else at Venable LLC in regards to Furer’s domestic violence charges?

Was Furer asked if he had ever been convicted of a crime before he was hired in your Senate office? If so, will you please release his original employment application?

###

SHOULD THE FEDS MAKE LOUISIANA A PROTECTORATE? HELL YES!

2010-06-25T14:41:00.003-05:00

Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

SHOULD THE FEDS MAKE LOUISIANA A PROTECTORATE?
HELL YES!

Roseanne Roseannadanna summed it up pretty well in trying to make sense out of the trials and tribulations of Louisiana. "Well, it just goes to show you, it's always something.” Now we are hearing cries that Louisiana is unable to take care of all its problems, and should be treated differently than other states in the U.S. Make it a protectorate of the federal government. And you know what? Maybe that ain’t too bad of an idea.

The proposal took legs early this week when nationally syndicated columnist Froma Harrop, who is an editor for the Providence Journal, broached the idea in print. “Louisiana has had more than its share of tragedies in recent years, and some, such as hurricane Katrina, could be deemed an act of nature. But whatever the cause, every calamity that befalls Louisiana is made worse by a corrupt civic nature. A protectorate could provide the structure of government people need.”
England, Scotland, and Ireland were all protectorates at one time. There is a major move on in Europe today to take Greece under a European protectorate. In Great Britain, a debate is taking place as to whether the Falkland Islands, presently under the wing of the British, should be cut loose as a protectorate and join up with neighboring Argentina.

But in most of these past and present instances, the so called protectorate was receiving much more in financial aid from their respective overseers than the country or state being protected was contributing. Not so in Louisiana. Yes, you will read about all the federal dollars that has been flowing into the Bayou State, particularly post Katrina. But whatever federal sums have been allocated is a drop in the bucket when you add up the massive mineral resources that have been drained from the state.

When it comes to receiving federal dollars in other areas, Louisiana often gets the short end of the stick. Louisiana taxpayers subsidize numerous programs that proportionately benefit other parts of the country significantly more. Here are a few examples:

1) Federal highway funds. A federal gas tax is charged on every gallon of gasoline that goes into a national highway fund to build highways. For years, a formula has been used to distribute the money that has worked against Louisiana. For every dollar we send to Washington, Louisiana taxpayers are getting a little more that ninety cents back. California receives $1.30 back for every dollar they send in, as is the same for most of the states along the east coast. Louisiana taxpayers are subsidizing roads and bicycle trails throughout California, New York and many other states. A report released last week pointing out the Louisiana is tremendously underfunded in its effort to improve the quality of our roads. One big reason is that the state is paying substantially more into the federal pot that it is getting out.

Louisiana receives federal reimbursement to nursing homes that take care of the poor under the Medicaid program. But the formula works dramatically against Louisiana nursing homes. Where patients in New York nursing homes receive reimbursement of $175.00 a day, the same patient in Louisiana only receives $79.00 a day. Some states are receiving four times what Louisiana gets. Alaska, for example, receives $317.00 per day for Medicaid patient reimbursement. Louisiana has the lowest reimbursement amount in the country.

So maybe the east coast columnist is right. Louisiana might be much better off if it did become a protectorate. There is ample support throughout the country for states considering the option of becoming independent. Just this week, a national Rasmussen poll found that 28% of Americans believe it is at least somewhat likely that some states will try to leave the United States and form an independent country over the next 25 years or so.

How about this! Louisiana becomes an independent protectorate of the U.S., with Washington providing all the international protection like they do for Canada and Mexico. Sure the U.S. can continue to use the port of New Orleans (largest port in the nation), as well as Baton Rouge (third largest in tonnage) and Lake Charles (5th largest in tonnage), but of course there would be fees similar to those charged in other international ports. The oil and gas would continue to flow to the rest of the country, but with adequate severance and processing fees for the quite reasonable sum of five to seven billion dollars (much less than the importation charges the country is paying OPEC countries now.) No more groveling for a small share of offshore oil payouts.

Mississippi might also want to join in the protectorate effort. The two states might even agree to create a “coastal nation of Louisissippi.” The French would be appalled, but who cares.

So who is going to run this new protectorate? The test , knows how to get results? Walking the walk rather than talking the talk. There really are only two candidates for the job. One is former Army General Russell Honore.’ He’s the “John Wayne dude” who blew into New Orleans post Katrina and took charge of the disastrous recovery efforts. He lives in Baton Rouge and seems to be well rested and ready. And right in contention is New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton. Now he does know how to get the job done.

The Ambassador to Washington? The “Ragin Cajun,” James Carville is the man to demand fair respect for the Bayou State in the nation’s capitol. Also an easy choice is the treasury secretary. New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson is, hands down, the best guy to go after the foreign aid. He is Louisiana’s greatest robber baron, having talked the Louisiana Legislature out of over $500 million dollars. Remember that no other NFL team has received a penny from their respective states. He’s definitely the man to go after and handle the money.

The state flag would be a combination of black, purple and gold. And of course native born Randy Newman should write the national anthem. Froma Harrop’s column called Louisiana the best run state in the Caribbean. Maybe she’s right, and we should give it a try. Protect Louisiana’s borders and let it keep all its minerals. If you look at the numbers, I have a hunch that any redneck or Cajun would jump at such a deal.
*****

"There is growing sentiment throughout the North in favor of letting the Gulf States go.”
The New York Times (March 21, 1861)

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

RISK TAKERS STICK IT TO THE TAXPAYERS!

2010-06-18T12:56:00.004-05:00

Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
RISK TAKERS STICK IT TO THE TAXPAYERS!

And if thou stare long enough into an abyss,
The abyss will also gaze into thee.”
Nietzsche

Melville’s Moby Dick is a popular semblance right now for our unquenchable search for oil, and, like Captain Ahab, the consequences that often lead to self destruction. In days of old, whalers ventured further and further into unchartered waters to become excavators of oceanic whale oil that stroked the furnaces of the Industrial Revolution. The same unchartered path has been followed by oil companies pushing technology to new limits. But are they responsibility assessing the risk involved?

The BP gang has continually told us that such a spill never happened before, and therefore they had not anticipated such bleak scenario. That’s the same argument we heard during the financial meltdown from Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan when they argued that the housing market would not plummet because “it had never happened before.” But stuff happens. Part of the process is to assess the risk. Time and time again, both industry and government have minimized risk and, in a highly irresponsible way, just played the odds. And much too often, it has turned out to be a bad bet.

Lay the blame for BP’s irresponsible risk taking right at the feet of the United States Congress. Our representatives in Washington passed a little known 1990 law that capped an oil company’s liability, after cleanup costs, at $75 million. For now at least BP has agreed to waive the cap. But who knows for how long? BP stockholders, many of whom have retired on BP dividends, may well feel full justification to challenge disbursement of BP assets when the law says the company is not required to do so.

The federal law limiting BPs liability actually distorts the company’s decision making, so they can ignore the potential damage beyond cleanup costs. It is low probability, high cost, and with legal limits that have been put in to place, you and I are the real losers. How ironic that government policy encourages BP and the financial industry to underestimate the odds of a catastrophe.

In the financial sector, no single example better serves to show how the dice are rolled against the public interest than A.I.G. This insurance giant, which happens to be the single largest insurance conglomerate operating in my home state of Louisiana, ran amok forcing taxpayers to come to its rescue at a price of some $185 billion. This massive insurance bailout was fueled by U.S. Treasurer Tim Geithner’s testimony that the failure of A.I.G would threaten to bring down the entire financial system.

The company was playing “Wall Street Casino” by insuring financial instruments that were, in the warped opinion of the companies’ officers, “sure winners.” And as long as state insurance commissioners failed to examine the company’s books and turned a blind eye to pervasive faulty accounting, A.I.G had free reign to lend and spend, running up massive financial debt that was significantly beyond its ability to pay in case of defaults. Just last week, a new study released by McClatchy Newspapers found that insurance commissioners had “broken all the rules” by allowing A.I.G to continually defy regulatory oversight and become a “corporate Frankenstein.”

Former Louisiana chief insurance examiner W.O. Myrick, who has extensively studied the A.I.G. debacle, criticized state insurance commissioners for allowing companies like A.I.G. to cook their books and “falsify” their balance sheets by continuing to list bonds as assets while they were loaned to banks. Had something been done by insurance regulators at the time of A.I.G.s shenanigans, according to Myrick: “There would have been people that would have been speaking up to avoid long prison terms, leading to action that could have prevented the massive securities losses.”

In each of these cases, neither the regulators, nor those being regulated did anywhere close to an adequate job of estimating the risks involved. Many companies ended up incurring enormous costs both in money, and, in the case of BP, environmental destruction. The odds normally would not justify such a risk. But with the government backing up these calamities with bailouts and laws that gave perpetrators limited liability, why not go for broke? Companies like BP and A.I.G. did just that, and we as tax payers are the real losers.

With BP’s financial picture looking more precarious as each day goes by, how can those damaged be assured that losses will be recovered? Waiting around for payment, or possible bankruptcy, raises the possibility that, just like the Exxon Valdez disaster, the reimbursement process could go on for years. So what can be done to assure adequate recompense?

Simply seize the gushing oil well. It will eventually be capped, and there is a projected $70 billion of oil yet to come from this crippled hole in the ocean floor. Remember that BP is only leasing the drilling rights, and they have certainly and repeatedly violated the terms of the lease. The Minerals Management Service has the legal authority to terminate the lease due to the numerous safety and environmental violations incurred by the lessor, BP. Sure litigation will take place. But the value is there, and a number of legal scholars have concluded that the federal government has strong legal standing to take the well back.

Two things lulled BP into ignoring the possibility of a major catastrophic spill. First, these disasters rarely happen. It’s the proverbial “black swan” theory. In ancient literature, a black swan was a proverbial phrase for something extremely rare or non-existent. Certainly a good metaphor for the mindset of both BP and federal regulators. But this ignores the basic premise we all know as Murphy’s Law. "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". Then knowing full well their liabilities were limited by federal law, why not just go for broke?
The envelope has being pushed by Wall Street and now Big Oil. They rolled the dice and lost. But under our dysfunctional federal and state regulatory systems, it’s the taxpayers who are the losers.
*****
"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down."
— Ray Bradbury
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE GOVERNMENT WE CAN TRUST?

2010-06-10T17:16:00.005-05:00

Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Grand Isle, Louisiana

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE GOVERNMENT
WE CAN TRUST?

If one lesson can be learned from both the Gulf Oil spill and the Wall Street financial bailout debacle, it’s that oversight by competent regulators is critical to protect the public. At every level of the governmental process, elected officials and both state and federal agencies either stood by and took no action at all, or worse, turned the regulatory process over to those private companies that caused all the damage.

The current and ongoing oil spill disaster points once again to the fact that there is a wretched epic of “regulatory” failure and our knowledge of the fact that literally nothing has changed in the attitude or actions of these governmental derelicts is the most graphic proof yet of the absolute, irrecoverable failure of this political system.

So where does the fault lie? There is plenty of blame to aim at both major political parties. The Demodon’ts and the Republican’ts have both shown, time and time again, an inability to put teeth into a system of public protection. Their mantra has been “free enterprise” and “get the government off our backs.”

We all want a “leave us alone” mentality, that is, until Katrina, Wall Street rip-offs, insurance fraud, 9/11 and Gulf oil spills. Just like there are no atheists in foxholes, we turn from free enterprise capitalists to socialists when disaster strikes. But then we presume that the government can put things right because it is so big and powerful. Yeah, right! Like FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, the dysfunctional Office of Homeland Security, and the SEC regulators that let Wall Street run wild.

In the current oil spill crisis, our politicos along the Gulf Coast can’t seem to get enough face time as they pontificate over the importance of the coastal wetlands, and how the economy, culture and the future of this vast area are at stake. Yet congressional oversight panels in Washington, charged with seeing that strong environmental protections are in place, have failed to both properly monitor and establish strong regulations to limit the risk of such a catastrophic spill.

And here is the sad note. These same oversight panels include a number of Gulf Coast congressman and senators, who now are screaming for BP blood, but who for years turned a blind eye to strong regulation and readily accepted campaign contributions from BP and other national and international conglomerates these elected officials were supposed to be regulating.

We have read the numerous lurid reports about how Department of Interior employees, working in the Minerals Management service, turned the whole regulatory effort over to the oil companies in the Gulf. And all the while, these federal employees were accepting gifts, trips, and carrying on “personal relationships” with oil company executives that undermined any credible effort to fairly regulate these companies that were regularly compromising on numerous safely standards. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has been quoted time and time again that he is ‘keeping his foot on BP to perform.” He needs to start using the same foot to kick out and clean house in his own backyard.

There are the environmental groups that are busy protecting us against BP’s shenanigans, right? Well, maybe not. The largest environmental group acting throughout the Gulf Coast is the Nature Conservancy. This national organization has long positioned itself as the leader of a nonconfrontational arm of the environmental movement, and raised millions of dollars annually. So who is one of its business partners? Who else but BP! As the Washington Post points out: “The Conservancy has given BP a seat on its International Leadership Council, and has accepted nearly $10 million in cash and land contributions from BP and affiliated corporations.”

So it would seem that the only recourse for public protection from BP’s antics is the federal courts. Since the damages took place in numerous gulf Coast states, the legal confrontations and demand for compensation will take place at federal courthouses with in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that includes Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fair federal judges doing their thing to protect the public, right? Hold on there for a moment.

More than half of all federal judges in this district that will hear these spill-related lawsuits have (I kid you not) financial connections to BP and the other related oil companies involved in the rig spill disaster. Thirty seven of the 64 federal judges have a variety of financial interests in the oil industry. Many have a direct economic interest through ownership of stocks and bonds, as well as relatives who are on oil company payrolls. Others are wined and dined along with receiving full expenses for being “distinguished lecturers” at conferences regularly hosted by the oil industry. BP and other companies involved in the spill are large contributors to such conferences.

So it’s you and me baby, against the elected officials, the regulators, the environmentalists, and the judges. Driven by campaign contributions, gifts, and hush money, the system, some might say, just sucks. And like balladeer Leonard Cohen poignantly sings in his hit song, “Everybody knows:”

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownla.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am central time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

OBAMA DELIVERS KNOCKOUT PUNCH TO LA ECONOMY

2010-06-05T12:49:00.004-05:00

OBAMA DELIVERS KNOCKOUT PUNCH TO LA ECONOMY

Since the Deepwater Horizon well explosion on April 20, the long suffering people of Louisiana have had to deal with the worst environmental disaster in our nation’s history. The massive oil gusher has continued unabated for 46 days, while various attempts to stop the flow have failed. Common sense solutions to this crisis have been rejected and bureaucrats from the federal government and British Petroleum have made matters much worse.

Simple ideas such as building island barriers next to our coast have become embroiled in red tape and decisions have been delayed for weeks. Today, no barriers have been constructed and no effective mechanism is being deployed to stop the onslaught of oil. Instead of using oil tankers or even barges to siphon the oil from the Gulf, the two headed monster of British Petroleum and the federal government is relying on booms, toxic dispersants and skimmer ships.

As usual, there is confusion and mixed signals as this disaster unfolds. According to Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser there is no chain of command in dealing with this disaster. The real losers are the people of South Louisiana. The CEO of British Petroleum, Tony Hayward, complained in an interview that he wants “his life back,” but what about the families of the eleven rig workers who died and the thousands of fisherman in South Louisiana who are now unemployed? They are being impacted much more than any spoiled corporate executive.

Our seafood industry is now destroyed and many other jobs are threatened. This week the popular Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo was cancelled. There is no guarantee the event will return next year, especially with the long term impact of the of the oil spill a big question mark. Many small businesses in Grand Isle and throughout South Louisiana have been forced out of business because of this disaster.

At this point, the emphasis should be on how to help the state of Louisiana, not inflict further damage. Unfortunately, President Obama is declaring war on our economy by his short sighted decision to ban all offshore drilling for the next six months. This misguided effort will please radical environmentalists who hate our oil industry, but it will cost the hard working people of Louisiana dearly. At least 20,000 jobs will be lost because of this ban and many of them will never return to the state. The State of Louisiana will lose millions of dollars in revenue, thus making our budget crisis even worse.

The President wants to stop drilling until his blue ribbon commission presents their findings about the accident. However, as we wait for the investigation to conclude, Louisiana will suffer even more.

Governor Bobby Jindal was not pleased by the decision noting that it is coming at “one of the most challenging economic periods in decades.” The moratorium is in place for at least six months, but it may extend for a longer period. This will not only harm Louisiana’s economy, but it will lead to higher energy costs across the nation and further diminish our nation’s efforts to become energy self sufficient. According to Jindal, “The last thing we need is to enact public policies that will certainly destroy thousands of existing jobs while preventing the creation of thousands more.” Even Louisiana U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, a staunch Obama supporter, is opposed to an offshore drilling ban and is asking the President to “adjust this moratorium.”

Once again, a state that has provided so much to our nation is being unfairly targeted by the federal government. Our state does not deserve this type of treatment and we should not stand for it any longer. This disaster was at first greeted with indifference, then inaction and now inept decisions threaten our economy, our way of life and our future.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.