Just in case you missed it...and don't forget to vote in the poll at the end of the article.
I'm going to tell you a secret about one of the political parties in Louisiana, although anyone who keeps up with state politics in Louisiana already knows what I'm going to divulge.
As you may know, progressive bloggers and activists gather once a year for a huge national convention called Netroots Nation:
Netroots Nation amplifies progressive voices by providing an online and in-person campus for exchanging ideas and learning how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. Through our annual convention and a series of regional salons held throughout the year, we strengthen our community, inspire action and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.
The fifth annual gathering of the Netroots (formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention) will be held July 22-25 at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Netroots Nation 2010 will include panels led by national and international experts; identity, issue and regional caucuses; prominent political, issue and policy-oriented speakers; a progressive film screening series; and the most concentrated gathering of progressive bloggers to date.
The Daily Kingfish will be represented! Keep reading below...
Senator Vitter has again dropped out of sight as yet another scandal breaks in his short tenure as Louisiana’s Junior Senator.
NOTE:As this story has been developing I shied away from reporting on it, as I didn’t think making this political was wise or was worth our readers time.However things have dramatically changed and it’s the Senator’s own actions (and that of his staff), that is making it political.
This week news broke via ABC New’s that Senator Vitter has had in his employ a man who had been arrested for attacking his ex-girlfriend with a knife and had an open warrant for his arrest in Baton Rouge for drunk driving.
The aide, Brent Furer, worked on the Republican senator's last campaign, and has spent the last five years posted in his Washington office to handle, among other things, women's issues.
An ABC News investigation out this morning revealed that Furer had repeated brushes with the law dating back to the 1990s. Those who have had encounters with Furer told ABC News that his presence on Vitter's payroll raised serious questions about the senator's judgment. Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said it concerns her that the senator has talked so forcefully as an advocate for women and an opponent of drunk driving, and yet kept someone with Furer's background on his staff.
From the political side of things, this is yet another serious blow to Senator Vitter’s attempt at reaching out to women.But the story doesn’t end there.Guess what Mr. Furer’s job was for Senator Vitter?You guessed it – in part he was responsible Women’s Issues.
Yet it seems the Senator’s office is trying as hard as they can to say that they were giving Mr. Furer a second chance because he is a Vet and suffering from PTSD.
The next edition of the Louisiana Progress Journal will be devoted to a review of the 2010 session from a progressive policy perspective. In this issue, we will provide analyses of positive steps forward made by the Legislature on progressive issues, discussions of setbacks to progressive goals, ideas for building upon gains, and reflections on lessons learned, all with an eye to advancing policies that will have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Louisiana.
We are seeking persuasive, relevant, and concisely written articles with a focus on this legislative session written from a progressive point of view. Articles may address a particular piece of legislation, a group of legislative initiatives, a particular policy issue, or any other topic relevant to this session.
It is by now obvious that even after we stop the gentle trickle of oil that's currently expressing itself into the Gulf of Mexico (thank you so much, BP) we are not going to be able to get that oil out of the water for some considerable length of time--and if you think it could take years, I wouldn't bet against you.
While BP is the legally responsible party, out on the water it will be up to the Coast Guard to manage the Federal response, and to determine that BP is running things in a way that gets the work done not only correctly and safely, but, in a world of limited resources, efficiently.
Which brings us to the obvious question: can the Coast Guard manage such a complex undertaking?
While we hope they can, you need to know that the Coast Guard has been trying to manage the replacement of their fleet of ships and aircraft for about a decade now...and the results have been so stunningly bad that you and I are now the proud owners of a small flotilla of ships that can never be used, because if they go to sea, they might literally break into pieces.
It's an awful story, and before we're done you'll understand why Deepwater was already an ugly word around Headquarters, years before that oil rig blew up.
We're now into day way too many of the BP oil spill, and the President has just yesterday been down on the Louisiana coast-again.
There have been suggestions that the Administration should take action to essentially push BP out of the way and take over the work itself, particularly as it relates to the cleanup.
It may have even occurred to you that an official declaration of some sort might be needed, in order to bring the full power of the Feds into play.
That's some good thinking, but before we go jumping right into declaring things we better understand the law, because if we don't, we could actually make things worse.
Senator Landrieu issued the following release for Memorial Day:
Landrieu Honors Louisiana's Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day
WASHINGTON - As our nation observes Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., honored the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have lost their lives serving their country. Since 2001, more than 5,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, including many brave Louisianians, have been killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Today is a day when we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives to defend our freedom," Sen. Landrieu said. "Throughout our nation's history, more than 650,000 Americans have lost their lives in battle fighting tyranny, oppression, fascism, communism and terrorism, and it is because of their selfless heroism that we stand today as the world's brightest beacon of democracy. We can never make up for the loss their families have suffered, but we can honor their memories by providing the best care to our troops and their loved ones."
Senator Landrieu has received many awards for her leadership on military and veterans issues. In February 2006, the Reserve Officers Association gave her the Minuteman of the Year Award, which recognizes recipients for their leadership on national security issues. Landrieu has also been awarded the Military Officers Association of America's (MOAA) Legislator of the Year Award, the National Military Family Association's Award for Service to Military Families, and the G.V. ''Sonny'' Montgomery Eagle Award for congressional service by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.
(We're proud to have Michael as a Guest Contributor, and we're always looking for more. Let us know if you want to write! - promoted by Matt B)
How Dare They!!! I say it again, how dare they!!!
I just clicked on an internet advertisement paid for by the Republican Party of Louisiana, and they are trying to drive a political wedge by saying that Charlie Melancon doesn't care about the oil spill! All one has to do is look at the work Charlie has done since the disaster, and you know it's a bald face lie. Is this really the time to be trying to score cheap political points?
We are facing the greatest environmental disaster in the history of this country - a disaster that could very well be the death knell for several communities in South Louisiana and that will affect us all for generations to come, and they want to play politics. Shame on them! Don't get me wrong, I'm a good Democrat, and I can throw punches with the best of them in a good political fight. But there is a time and place for politics, and this is not it.
Whatever happened to putting Louisiana First? Whatever happened to common decency and common sense? Hell, whatever happened to plain old, simple manners? This is a time for all of us who love the Great State of Louisiana to put politics aside and work together to fix this mess.
Shame on the Republican Party for trying to drive us apart when we should be pulling together! Even more, shame on us if we let them!
Michael McHale (Daily Kingfish Guest Contributor) is an attorney in Lake Charles and First Vice Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party.
Wow. This site is now 3 years old, with more than 1500 posts, and over 300 users. I never imagined that it would grow by so much, and that more than 215,000 readers would take the time to read my rants, analysis, and critiques of Louisiana politics when I started this site.
I learned a lot about politics and Louisiana during the past three years. I've met quite a few memorable folks in Louisiana politics, and I've made some lifelong friends while I was at it. Y'all know who you are. I traveled the Gret Stet, and I fell in love with it ... its beauty, its culture, her people, and the food. My god, the food.
But in life, all good things must come to an end ... and it won't be the Daily Kingfish that comes to end, but my participation in running it.
Since I graduated from LSU Law last May, I actually moved to NY, and sat for the NY Bar exam this past February. (I passed). I am now applying for admittance to the NY Bar, and will be running a State Senate race in New York this cycle.
With all dat said, let me introduce Matt B, who will be taking over the site. I trust that y'all will stop in from time to time to check out what's happening in Louisiana politics here. I know I will.
In honor of the late Ashley Morris, I am using his FYYFF rant to nail Beyond Petroleum British Petroleum and their sweetheart David Vitter. Yeah, dat's right, Louisiana, BP does not stand for Beyond Petroleum, it stands for BRITISH Petroleum. And yet some of our nation's illustrious conservatives seem to think it's "un-American" to criticize BP for its efforts in responding to the disaster in the Gulf that they wrought because they didn't want to follow proper safety procedures prior to drilling some 18,000 feet under the sea, all in the name of saving a few bucks.
Don't believe me? Then watch this video, and you'll be outraged at British Petroleum:
So ... British Petroleum, FYYFF.
But far worse than calling folks un-American for criticizing British Petroleum is carrying their water up in on Capitol Hill. And guess who is doing dat?
Yeah, dat's right, the Sinning Senator himself.
The bill he asked the Senate to give unanimous consent to - the BP Bailout Bill - caps the economic liability of British Petroleum to $150 million OR it's last 4 quarters of profits, whichever is higher. To be fair, BP's last four quarter's of profits were $20 billion. But the bill doesn't designate any company as the "responsible" party, it simply relates back to the Oil Pollution Action of 1990, which makes the companies holding the lease responsible for any environmental disaster.
Why is this relevant? Because BP doesn't own the entirety of the lease, it only owns 65% of it. Another company, Anadarko, owns 25% of the lease. In the last 4 quarters, Anadarko has lost $135 million, so they would face no more than $150 million in liability, despite the fact that they hold an estimated $50 billion in assets. And take a wild guess at how much money Anadarko has given the Sinning Senator since his campaign for the Senate in 2004?
At least $14,000. That's just the PAC that Anadarko has. It doesn't include their employees' individual giving, but my money is on a lot more cash being given to the Sinning Senator from Anadarko, as he is the #2 recipient of oil & gas campaign cash in the United States Senate for the last five years, to the tune of $389,000.
Thankfully, y'all have the opportunity to kick the Sinning Senator to the curb by voting him out of office this fall. Don't squander the opportunity to do so, Louisiana.
Baton Rouge (FNS)-Facing both a massive oil slick from a sunken offshore drilling platform and a second year of declining tourism revenues along the Louisiana Gulf Coast caused by high gas prices, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal today introduced a new tourism promotion that he reports is going to "...make lemons into lemonade".
Jindal, flanked by British Petroleum's Director of Marketing Dick Timoneous and the Executive Director of the Louisiana State Tourism Board, Jenna Talia, announced that the "All The Oil You Can Carry Festival" would officially commence today just east of New Orleans, and last at least through the month of May.
Teddy Roosevelt said that “a great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy.”What does it mean to be progressive though?The word has oft been used by politicians to frame a certain political party or social group . . .but such attempts are really misnomers.What’s the real truth about progressives?A progressive is someone who shares the same belief of Teddy Roosevelt; someone who loves our democracy so much that they understand that we, as a country, must constantly move forward as well as change and grow for the positive in order to keep democracy alive.
How do we ignite progressive cities, progressive states, a progressive America? It’s a difficult question, and at times, public perception indicates that America is failing to retain its progressive foundation.This is certainly true for Louisiana, as well.To combat this, a grassroots movement was created, the New Leaders Council.Its mission: the find the torchbearers of democracy and to provide them the tools to spread a wildfire of progressivism across our cities, our states, and our country.
In 2009, this grassroots effort led to the creation of a Louisiana chapter of the New Leaders Council.This statewide chapter is the first of its kind, and its first class of Fellows is equally unique.From youth outreach, to recovery, to education, to law and politics, each Fellow is a true progressive working to move Louisiana forward.Simply, these Fellows are committed to making Louisiana’s democracy great.
But, they need your help.Louisiana’s chapter is still in its infancy; to find future progressive leaders, they need support from those that believe, like Teddy Roosevelt, our great democracy must be progressive.
One way Louisiana NLC is raising money is through a First Annual Fellows Fundraiser, to be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the M Bar in Baton Rouge.
The Fellows are working hard to make this one of the best progressive events in Louisiana, and they would love for you to attend, or simply to show your support through a donation for the cause.
Your support for a progressive Louisiana is needed today.Please consider buying a ticket or donating now, by clicking here.
If you’d like to make a bigger commitment to Louisiana NLC, please contact Ashley Koch, the Fellows fundraiser chair at 317-652-700, or at askoch@gmail.com. You can also make larger donations, by clicking here.
Where do you want Louisiana to be in 5, or 10 years?If you believe, like Roosevelt, that Louisiana must move forward, please consider attending or donating today.
Just moments ago, Governor PBJ issued a hastily hand-written press release after reading about the Federal government's plans to cut the wasteful Senate program in the name of fiscal responsibility.
Here's his statement:
My Fellow Louisianians:
It has recently come to my attention that President Obama is seeking to one-up me in cutting waste from government by cutting the U.S. Senate out of the federal government, saving all Americans some $300 billion a year. While I applaud such a move, as it will bring our Sinning Senator Vitter and our whoring for Louisiana Senator Landrieu home, I am now announcing a new constitutional amendment that I'd like for the State Legislature to consider:
Abolish the Governor's office after I win the 2012 Presidential Election.
I mean, let's face it ... I'm in the midst of privatizing the Louisiana government to the point that we will not need the Charity Hospital system any longer, nor a Lt. Governor, whose Tourism responsibilities can be better done by, you know, real marketing professionals. Both of these privatizing moves will enable the State of Louisiana to get out of the hospital business, as well as the tourism business.
But I have come to the realization that since most of the governmental functions are going to be privatized under my leadership, it makes sense to simply abolish the Governor's office once I leave Louisiana for the White House. After all, I spend quite a bit of my time out-of-state raising my name ID amongst the conservative faithful and scrounging up cash for my "re-election" bid next year. It's not like anything major happens while I'm gone, so why should that change once I'm elected to be your President?
The Sinning Senator is asked a serious question by a Louisiana voter:
Here's the transcript:
Senator Vitter: Hey! How are you doing?
Concerned Voters: Hi, I have a question for you.
Senator Vitter: Sure!
Concerned Voter: Are you campaigning on family values this year?
Senator Vitter: I'm sorry?
Concerned Voter: This time around are you campaigning on family values again?
Staffer: I'm sorry I've ---
Senator Vitter: I'm campaigning....on all the... things I've...... fought for in the US Senate.
Concerned Voter: You lied to us in '04 what makes us think we can believe you now!
Awww ... the poor Sinning Senator can't even produce a coherent answer, other than what he's fought for in the Senate. Hmmm ... let's see ... damn, I can't even tell you what he's actually gotten passed in the Senate that eventually became law either.
But seriously, he fooled us in 2004 about being the "family values" candidate. Is he lying to us now, and if so, what about?
Over the last few days, there has been some rather idiotic blathering coming from the Republicans and their allies that the Health Insurance Reforms are going to bankrupt some of the nation's top companies and render them unable to compete internationally, such as Prudential, AT&T, Caterpillar, 3M, Verizon, and others. Indeed, The Hayride harps on this in a post, stating that:
" ... we see the fantasies and delusions of Waxman and his left-wing ideologues in Congress running up against the cold, hard wall of the reality-based community."
Fantasies and delusions? Seriously? Let's find out exactly what has got the Republicans and their conservative allies so concerned, from a blog part of the Wall Street Journal's network:
As explained in plain English in today's Wall Street journal, "companies that provide this [Medicare Part D] benefit, as AT&T [and Prudential, Caterpillar, 3M, etc.] does, receive a federal subsidy, plus they can deduct the value of this subsidy from their taxes. The health overhaul cancels the deductibility of the subsidy."
Let me ask a question of readers here in even plainer English: Can anybody actually be upset about the fact that giant corporations have to stop taking tax deductions for welfare checks they get for providing health care to their employees and retirees?
Imagine if you will, the government sending you a check to pay for your prescription drugs and then you getting to deduct that amount from your income tax statement.
Seriously, Republicans? You and your allies like The Hayride support corporate welfare? I wonder where the Louisiana GOP stands on this ...
Now that the Risque Republican National Committee has identified who they reimbursed for the bill, folks really want to know who the guests of Mr. Erik Brown were. Since one of the guests wasn't, according to the RNC, their own Chairman, Michael Steele, might one of them have been a certain Sinning Senator from Louisiana?
Indeed, a Louisiana Democratic official dropped this little gem:
"We are investigating whether this event was a fundraiser for Vitter's campaign or whether Vitter attended the event. Given his past, you never know where David Vitter is going to show up."
So the floor is yours, Senator Vitter ... were you at the Voyeur West Hollywood club with Erik Brown on that February night?
The following list is a summary of the changes folks will see because of the passage of Health Insurance Reform: (hat tip to Crooks and Liars)
Calendar year 2010
Tax credit assistanceSmall businesses are eligible for a 35% tax credit; non-profits may receive up to a 25% credit.
Medicare Part D "donut hole" begins to close. Seniors receive a $250 rebate for prescription expenses in excess of $2,830.00.
Adoption Credit Increases adoption credit by $1,000, makes it refundable, and extends the credit through the 2011 tax year
Health students' assistance - Expands student loan programs, scholarships and loan repayments for medical services students, also allows exclusions from gross incomes for health professionals serving in underserved areas.
March 23, 2010
Federal grants to states to implement consumer assistance for complaints
April 1, 2010
Medicaid - Allows states to opt to cover parents and childless adults up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level and receive federal funds under the current (strengthened) formulas.
June 21, 2010
High Risk Pools open for uninsured people. It's my understanding that unlike current state high risk pools, the costs on these will be subsidized and calculated as a national pool, spreading costs and risks across a wider group.
Federal assistance for early retirees - helps companies continue insurance for employees age 55-64
July 1, 2010
The John Boehner Tanning Tax - 10% tax on amounts paid for indoor tanning services
September 23, 2010
Rescissions - Policies may not be rescinded when people get sick. This applies to all new and existing policies, whether through an employer or individual.
Lifetime Limits - All lifetime limits on policies are eliminated.
Annual Limits - All group and individual plans will have tight restrictions on annual benefit limits. There will be no annual benefit limits once the exchange comes online 1/1/2014.
Preventative - 100% coverage for preventative health services.
Improved claims appeal process.
October 1, 2010
Community Health Centers Funding to strengthen existing community health centers and begin new ones in all 50 states.
Primary Care Workforce expansion via additional funding for scholarships and student loans.
The above changes affect all of us. There are more changes this year that apply to those in specific situations. You can find them here.
The day after the House passed health insurance reform by a vote of 219-212, we've heard from the GOP and their conservative allies about how they're gonna repeal the bill next year, (which gave me a good belly laugh, because that would require them to get veto-proof majorities in the Congress, and that's not possible, as there are not 26 Democrats running for re-election in the Senate this fall). Browsing the internet tubes at this late hour, I came across this speech given by the President this past January in remembrance of Dr. King:
The speech resonates ... as there is still work yet to be done. The battle has not yet been won. As a history professor of mine always said, "America is meant to be unfinished. We are meant to keep striving for that more perfect Union."
The transcript is below the fold for those of y'all at work or on dial-up. And a note to the writers of The Hayride ... y'all should take a good hard look at the language below the fold that is in bold. I did that just for y'all.
As you may know, progressive bloggers and activists gather once a year for a huge national convention called 
The aide, Brent Furer, worked on the 
