So I took a bit of a break this past month, and I figured by the time I came back y'all would have things sorted out: people would be surely by flying around with jet packs by now, God would have sent fires and floods to smite the unrighteous, and, if I really got lucky, Barack Obama would have "grown a pair".
And now that I'm back, debt negotiations are about to commence between that same Barack Obama and the Republican Congressional Leadership, things like Social Security and Medicare cuts are apparently on the table in order to protect tax cuts for the rich, and certain quarters of the Republican Party aren't even trying anymore to hide their racism.
All of which suggests that I shouldn't be looking for a jet pack anytime soon.
But there is some good news: God is apparently working hard, and states like Oklahoma and Arizona and Florida and Georgia and Texas have been alternately aflame or aflood, apparently as a result of their unrepentant behavior...and on the economic front, New York City's Stonewall Inn is going to make a ton of money this summer hosting weddings.
That gives us a lot to talk about...so let's get right to it.
Bobby Jindal obviously enjoys traveling. We've written several times about his love for touring the state via the state police helicopter. But his frequent trips criss-crossing America have spurred a growing chorus of dissent.
BATON ROUGE — LSU's student body president says Gov. Bobby Jindal spends more time out of state than in Louisiana — so he sent a New Hampshire newspaper a personal plea to Jindal asking him to come home and work on the state's budget problems. In his letter to The Keene Sentinel, J Hudson says Jindal's frequent campaign travel around the country makes it appear that Jindal wants to run for president, rather than run the state.
Governor Jindal spent several days out of state this week traveling to Florida, New Hampshire, and New York City to campaign for Republican candidates in those areas. LSU's student government president J. Ryan Hudson, a conservative, has sent letters to newspapers in four states that Governor Jindal has or will soon visit, according to his Facebook page. Here's the one published by The Keene Sentinel in New Hampshire:
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is spending more time in your state than the one he was elected to represent. I read almost daily about his trips to other states, which makes me believe that he is more interested in running for president than running the state of Louisiana.
As part of a group of students elected to serve the student body at Louisiana State University, we’ve tried to meet with him to ask why he’s imposing devastating budget cuts that will result in the firing of one-third of the university’s faculty and reduce enrollment by 8,000. Jindal did send his chief of staff, but he left one important question unanswered.
We want to know why he’s not devoting all his time to the future of his state and its young people.
So, I appreciate this opportunity to communicate with our governor, who may be more likely to read your paper than ours:
Governor Jindal, Louisiana higher education is about to be devastated. It will take a generation for our universities to recover. On behalf of the students whose hopes for a brighter future will soon be crushed, I beg you to return to Louisiana and fix your state’s serious problems. You’ve neglected your constituents long enough.
And if I may be so bold to offer some political advice: you’ll have a much better chance of becoming president if you save, instead of destroy, Louisiana’s universities.
Well done, sir.
There was also a great letter to the editor in the Baton Rouge Advocate from our good friend Melissa Flournoy, founder and former long-time director of the Louisiana Association of Non-profit Organizations. She said in part:
Louisiana needs leaders who put Louisiana first. We need a governor who wakes up every day and wants to solve our problems — improve the economy, improve education, improve health care. ... The short-sightedness of bad decisions is surely the consequence of Jindal policies in Baton Rouge. As our governor campaigns around the country for Republican candidates, including some of the farthest-right in his party, back in Louisiana the “A” grade isn’t what college students, parents, businesses and faculty and university leaders would give him. Higher education and health care are once again on the chopping block in the budget as Louisiana faces a financial cliff in the next state budget.
The Governor obviously thinks he is untouchable, but there will eventually be a "come to Jesus" moment when this chorus of criticism becomes too loud to bear. When that time comes, Bobby will probably be glad to have spent so much time in rural Baptist churches across the state.
Under no circumstances will I vote for Jay Dardenne for Lt. Governor... I can't look in the mirror if I vote for Jay Dardenne... We've got to get rid of the RINO's in the Republican party!
So says right-wing conservative talk show host Moon Griffon on his radio talk show today. You have to respect him for standing by his principles - we here at Daily Kingfish often feel the same about DINOs.
Since his election in 2007, Governor Bobby Jindal has found several creative ways to mix politics into his official duties. All elected officials do this to a certain extent - it comes with the territory. However, Jindal has taken this practice well beyond the norm, generating a fair amount of critical attention.
For example, Jindal's travels to small-town churches using a state police helicopter garnered substantial coverage around this time last year (articles here and here). Jindal touted these quick trips to far-flung towns as a chance to connect with his constituents and worship with them. Critics questioned whether using his official staff, security, and an expensive state helicopter was proper for such trips. Like many issues, the media tired of reporting on the subject after a short time but Jindal's trips to churches continue (August 2010, Lismore Baptist Church, Monterey, LA - pop. 1,756)
Another controversy surrounding Jindal's practices seems to be bubbling up, this time concerning the awarding of veterans's medals. In 2008, the legislature approved the creation of the "Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal" for which anyone in Louisiana who has served in the military and been honorably discharged is eligible. The Governor quickly set the policy that these medals could only be given out "during special ceremonies throughout Louisiana at appointed times." In other words, before any veteran can receive one of these medals, he or she must attend an event featuring patriotic music, remarks from local and state elected officials, and a speech from the Governor.
This doesn't sit well with several state legislators who are accusing the Governor of using these medal ceremonies to shore up good political will with an important constituency. From the Baton Rouge Advocate:
“They fought for freedom. They should have the freedom to decide how they’re going to receive their medal,” state Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Meaux, said.
In the last year and a half, Gov. Bobby Jindal has given out more than 13,000 medals recognizing veterans’ service. The medals, created by the Legislature in 2008, are handed out at ceremonies featuring patriotic music and a photo opportunity with the governor.
Some lawmakers are critical of the ceremonies. They accuse the governor of using the medals as a way to promote himself as part of his re-election campaign. The governor’s first term in office ends next year.
The ceremonies take him into small communities around the state and thrust him before thousands of possible voters.
Again, it seems like a genius political move on behalf of the Governor. Along with his rural church visits, these ceremonies are going to help make his reelection campaign much easier. Rural vote? Check! Now he drops thousands on television ads and mailers in the cities, and he's got it sewn up. Not to mention that, if history is any indication, there will be no viable competition.
But is it ethical for the Governor to do what he's doing? According to one web source, the definition of manipulation is "exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage." It looks a lot like this is exactly what Jindal is doing. He's forcing veterans and their families to come listen to him speak and shake his hand if they want to receive the medal to which they are duly entitled because of their service to our country. Doesn't seem right, does it?
But then again, with Jindal, does it really surprise you?
Another ad from one of the Democratic contenders for Louisiana Lieutenant Governor in anticipation of the October 2nd election. Meet political newcomer Caroline Fayard:
(This needs time to breathe ... so I'm bumping it up. - promoted by ryan)
I've been hearing rumors for a couple of weeks now that New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin is considering running for Governor. I finally found a news outlet that confirms this rumor, thanks to freelance journalist Jason Berry, who appeared on Informed Sources last night to predict that Nagin will run for Governor. Hat tip to Library Chronicles.
As an aside, is this Jason Berry the author of Amazing Grace, an account of Charles Evers' run for Governor in Mississippi back in 1972?
But back to the issue at hand - Ray Nagin running for Governor of Louisiana. This makes sense, as it highlights one of the few things that Nagin is good at - holding grudges.
Bobby Jindal obviously enjoys traveling. We've 
