Originally published on NOLA Defender. (Special thanks to them).
Make no mistake: Zack Kopplin, a 17-year-old high school senior from Baton Rouge Magnet who is leading the efforts to repeal the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, is not your stereotypical science geek. Last November, when he spoke before the LA Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)’s Textbook Advisory Council about the need to maintain science textbooks that teach actual science, Kopplin wore an orange hoodie and a pair of blue jeans, while he addressed a group of serious-looking adults in serious-looking suits. However, it would have been a mistake to judge the skinny, fresh-faced teenage kid in the blue jeans as anything less than serious. Kopplin, as it turns out, is preternaturally smart and knows a thing or two about doing his homework.
When he addressed the council, the soft-spoken student suddenly became the teacher. “Please stand tall and endorse life science textbooks that teach realscience rather than undermine it,” he urged.The council, and eventually the entire BESE Board, took Zack’s advice. The council voted 8-4 to keep science in science textbooks, and the BESE Board proceded to vote 6-1 and 8-2 in support of science in subsequent meetings. Zack describes this as “the largest victory for science that Louisiana has had in eight years. "Although Kopplin’s victory at the BESE Board generated state and national news, including a strong endorsement from his hometown newspaper, The Baton Rouge Advocate, which suggested he could be "the newest giant-killer in state education policy," he’s always had his sights on something much bigger: the repeal of the Science Education Act. He will have a shot at achieving that goal during the current legislative session. Sen. Karen Carter-Peterson (D-New Orleans) has introduced a bill to repeal the Act.
Kopplin launched his campaign on his own last summer. He explained that he always wanted to take on this law because it “hurts Louisiana student’s chances of getting good science-based jobs.” This year was his last chance as a high school student. He began by e-mailing Dr. Barbara Forrest, the nationally-renowned professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, who may be best known for her expert testimony during Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, a landmark case about the scientific merits of intelligent design education. The judge ruled that the textbook, Of Pandas and People, violated the Establishment clause of the First Amendment, and during her testimony, Dr. Forrest exhaustively demonstrated the ways in which the intelligent design “movement” was merely creationism repackaged and repurposed. Again, Kopplin knows how to do his homework. Since e-mailing Dr. Forrest, Kopplin has sent out hundreds, if not thousands, of e-mails to scientists, educators, clergy members, and world-renowned academics.
The answer is that Bobby is playing an old game, but doing it at a much more extravagant and obscene level. He is selling public goods in exchange for private ambition. In other words, he is engaging in an old game of politics: Elected official trades public favors for electoral support. He abandons the essence of public service in order to secure his future political ambition. It is not necessarily illegal (unless of course explicit promises were made), although it is, in the end, dishonorable and destructive to Louisiana.
Bobby's biggest problem is one of optics and scale. First, Jindal is supposed to be the ultimate reform governor, a total break from the Louisiana's past of sleazy patronage politics. This PR scandal is sealing Jindal's fate as "just another Louisiana politician." For someone with national ambitions, this is deadly.
Second, the scale to which Jindal is operating is immense. These are not small contributions, nor are they small favors. $250,000 for pollution regulation relaxation is large-scale bribery. But, again, Bobby doesn't benefit personally, so it's actually a grand bargain of magnanimous ends. Kids get digital whiteboards (which are nice, if not the top priority for poor schools) and corporations get some help from the Governor. Not a bad deal. Or is it?
The critical betrayal here is between Jindal and the Louisiana voter. He is literally sacrificing our health and our economic security on the altar of his political ambition. He is making decisions based on his ability to curry favor with big corporate donors in near-certain exchange for support for his later runs for national office. Most specifically, the 2014 Senate race. Is this surprising? No. Is it unique? No. But this dirty little game is the one that politicians like to practice in dark rooms, behind closed doors, and with as many shields, shells and shadows as possible.
Jindal's problem is that he is now exposed for what he truly is: Just another politician, slaving away for his corporate political masters, doing them favors, while paying rhetorical lip-service to the problems most real Louisianians face. Have $250,000 to donate? Your rules get changed. Planning on paying for your education? Get ready for a tuition increase.
Bobby once said:
Jindal said. "In America and here in Louisiana, the only barrier to success is your willingness to work hard and play by the rules."
Rules are easier to play by when you're making them for your friends. Government is not about friendships, donations, or favor-swapping, it's about making Louisiana a better place to live for all of its citizens. Jindal talks the big game about good government, but only does so to cover for his textbook application of politics as usual. All hat, no cattle indeed.
Documents show many of Gov. Bobby Jindal's appointees to the Louisiana Board of Regents personally donated to his campaign within a matter of weeks of being placed on the board.The 16-member Board of Regents oversees higher education in Louisiana. Nine of the current members of the board were appointed by Jindal. Records of Jindal's campaign contributions indicate eight of the nine members Jindal appointed to the Board of Regents gave sizeable donations to his campaign. Some made those donations within just a few weeks of being appointed and that has raised questions.
Civil and human rights advocates filed an emergency petition [pdf] this week with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in an effort to halt the imminent deportation of hundreds of Haitian nationals by the U.S. government, calling the move a "death sentence."
Within hours of the news, Alario was being attacked by a conservative blogger who urged his fellow Republicans to "throw this one back."
Meanwhile, the Louisiana Democratic Party was busy e-mailing reporters with reminders of all the mean things state GOP Chairman Roger Villere has said about Alario over the years, including a 2007 fundraising mailer in which Villere called Alario "one of the most corrupt politicians our state has ever seen."
Political opportunists and grafters like Alario are probably better suited to the Republican party anyway. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
A short while ago the US Senate tried to overcome the Republican lead Filibuster on extending the tax cuts for EVERYONE in the country on their FIRST $250,000 earned.Senator Landrieu sided with the Democrats on this and we didn’t get ONE Republican vote – instead they are holding tax cuts for EVERYONE hostage so that they can give BILLIONAIRES tax cuts.
Landrieu's Statement:
“For the Republicans to push for the permanent extension of tax cuts for the wealthy and reject the extension of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans and the more than 30,000 Louisianians out of work right now is the height of arrogance and irresponsibility, and downright mean-spirited as we approach the Christmas season,” Sen. Landrieu said.“When most Republicans’ stated goal is to defeat this president, how can these negotiations they claim to be having with Congressional Democrats and the White House be in good faith?I am going to stand up to Mitch McConnell and the Republicans, and I hope President Obama does not end up going along with their wishes.The election is over and it is time to put partisan politics aside and do what we were sent here to do, which is to get our economy moving again and put Americans back to work.”
There is likely to be a second vote today on the matter lead by Senator Schumer (D-NY) where it would compromise and give tax cuts for everyone on the first MILLION DOLLARS earned and for every dollar after that the higher tax rate would kick in.More on that this afternoon.
I have never seen such a blatant attempt by Republicans to only care about their rich benefactors and turn their backs on Millions of American Families at a time where American Families really need some good news.With the Republican Filibustering these tax cuts for more than 98% of Americans – they seem more than willing to continue this fight into next year where it appears they can then try to take credit for it.
Some Democrats are begging the President to engage more on this issue and state unequivocally that if he doesn’t get this bill he will VETO anything else that comes to his desk.Backbone from Democrats?I don’t know if I would go that far yet, but certainly some… well let’s just say intestinal fortitude.
David Vitter's ads remind me that Charlie Melancon is a Democrat and because of that (and the fact that Melancon is not Vitter) I will vote for Charlie on Tuesday.
David Vitter by his action and inaction has demonstrated that he is not fit to serve in public office. Hell, he's not fit to work in the private sector. Maybe one of his wealthy right-wing benefactors could find him a slot in a so-called 'think tank.' Of course, they'd have to keep a sharp eye on his expense accounts for, you know, extra curricular activities.
If Vitter and his wife have worked things out regarding his use of prostitutes, who are any of us to object. But, Vitter's refusal to account for those acts committed while a public service, using tax payer dollars and a government supplied phone make him unfit to represent this state anywhere, much less in the United States Senate.
In an earlier post, we asked if LA-4 Democratic congressional candidate David Melville would go negative on incumbent John Fleming. We also wrote about the candidate's overwhelmingly positive campaign. At this point, the answer is clear. Melville will not sling mud.
A review of Melville's website shows that he has run an entirely postive campaign, aside from the occasional pointing out of Fleming's vote on pieces of legislation. This is amazing, considering the repeated opportunities he has had to point out Fleming's foibles.
First, Fleming said that anyone who disagrees with his radical right-wing philosophy will lead the nation "down the socialist road" toward "a godless society, an atheist society." He also said that "there is no way that we can reach across the aisle." He staked out a very clear yet extremist position. We wrote about it here.
This story gained national attention but Louisiana news outlets wouldn't report on it, even though he made the remarks in Bossier City. Keith Olbermann devoted part of a show to it. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer covered it. And it was covered in Washington, DC. But not in Shreveport-Bossier or elsewhere in Louisiana. And Melville didn't say a peep.
There's a lot to be said for Melville's insistence on running a positive campaign. One might say it is noble and honorable. But if Fleming wins by a small margin, you'll have to wonder if it was partially because the voters were never informed about his bad traits and radical stances.
In 2008, Carmouche didn't hesitate going after him. Two of the commercials are posted below.
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.
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE MAY BECOME
UNAFFORDABLE ALONG THE GULF COAST!
Just when you thought the insurance crisis along the gulf coast, particularly in Louisiana, could not get any worse, along comes congress to really muck up the problems faced by property owners who are trying to protect the value of their property. If congress and the Obama Administration have their way, look for already sky-high insurance coverage costs to leap even higher. And not one discouraging word is being heard from state officials on behalf of the property owner.
Here's the clinker that will cause these big premium increases. Right when congress goes back to work after the November election, the first order of business will be the administration's $3.8 billion spending plan for the coming year. Included is a new income provision with a dull, but important title that few will understand. It's called deduction disallowance for excel non-taxed reinsurance premiums paid to affiliates (yawn). But a little explanation will enlighten us on the negative impact this provision will have on property owners in Louisiana and other states throughout the Gulf South.
The key word here is "reinsurance." You and I don't buy it, but most insurance companies do. When an insurance company insures property, they often find another company to take part of their risk. Something like the bookie that lays off part of the bet he takes. A company like State Farm, Allstate and most other insurers selling property insurance will shop around for someone to partner up with in case there is a major disaster. The majority of insurance companies looking for reinsurance go to Europe and work with reinsurers like Lloyds of London, Swiss Re, Munich Re and numerous other companies that operate worldwide.
These reinsurers can make money, for they are insuring a wide variety of risks all over the world. A disaster in Japan may cost such a company a bundle in one year, but profits are being made elsewhere. Just like an American company operating in my home state of Louisiana who "spreads the risk" across the country, reinsurers "spread the risk" worldwide.
And yes, these foreign companies do pay U.S. taxes. Off shore companies pay an excise tax that is roughly equivalent to the corporate income tax paid by American insurance companies. But if this "disallowance "provision is passed into law, guess who ends up paying? The increased tax will be passed along to the American insurance companies who then will pass it on to the property owner. And your property insurance costs will take a big leap.
On my radio show recently, I was joined by several representatives from The Brattle group, a Washington, D.C. research firm. They estimate that the new reinsurance tax proposal will cost American property owners some $10 to 12 billion in higher premiums and drive away some one fifth of presently available reinsurance. Louisiana and the gulf south will see the biggest increases, with the likelihood that many homeowners' will be priced out of the property insurance market.
And what about trade sanctions? If the U.S. sticks foreign insurers, look for countries where these reinsurers are located to retaliate in kind. Numerous American companies that have a strong presence in Louisiana for instance, also operate in a number of other countries worldwide. AIG and Pan American are two such companies. British giant Lloyds of London sells more insurance in Louisiana than any other state. So here is what will happen. More taxes at home, retaliation abroad, and the property rates go even higher.
This, unfortunately, is not the only bad news. Two percent deductibles have become the norm, adding thousands of dollars of exposure without adequate insurance coverage for most homeowners along the coast. So the owner of a $600,000 house has to come out of his or her pocket for the first $1200.00.
If your rates go up and you are stuck with high mandatory deductibles, just be glad if you don't live in Louisiana. What if you were to consider moving to The Bayou State, 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.
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. 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.
Reasons for high rates in Louisiana are varied and numerous. At the top of the list is the unfathomable creation of a hybrid state run insurance company called Citizens. It has been called Louisiana's biggest financial disaster, and reeks with corruption and ineptitude. The financial records are so bad that the state auditor refused to issue an opinion of the company's financial condition. The cost to the taxpayers has now topped $2 billion.
Many other states are facing increasing rates, though few of Louisiana's magnitude. But with congress dabbling in potential tax increases on reinsurers outside the U.S, the outlook for more affordable rates on homes and commercial property, particularly along the Gulf Coast, becomes increasingly grim.
*****
"It's not hurricanes that are causing high insurance rates, but bad public policy."
Policy analyst Michelle Minton
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 what is rumored to be a sign of things to come, the field director from the Cao campaign, Brandt Lewis, has resigned effective Tuesday, 10/5/10. The word on the street is that there are serious and growing problems with the campaign's top leadership. Here's his letter of resignation:
Subject: Letter of Resignation
To whom it may concern:
It has been an honor to serve on this reelection campaign for A.J. Cao, there are many friends I have met and many people who I have grown to respect for their craft and profession. Needless to say there have been many days of agony and desperation on my part and on the part of the folks who are working to this effort. Moving New Orleans and the people of the 2nd Congressional district forward, we must proceed with a certain sense of intelligence and dignity for the people and their best interest. It is my belief that this campaign embodies a vision for the future that can help in the revitalization of this city heritage now and for so many years to come. Unfortunately my style and work ethic is not best suited for this campaign or the decision makers who control it. It is with deep regret that I offer my resignation to the Cao campaign effective Wednesday October 5, 2010 at 3:30 P.M. I would like to wish Congressman Cao and his wife Kate and his 2 daughters all the best going forward. I would like to especially thank Rosalind Peychaud for her teachings and lessons over the course of this campaign. I would like to thank Cheron Brylski, my idol, role model and teacher for her ever lasting confidence and respect for as long as I have known her. I would like to thank David Hugeuenel, my dear friend, for his leadership and wisdom, which has sustained even the darkest days of this campaign. David's optimism and "Don't Give Up" attitude will sustain the Cao campaign moving forward, my best wishes to he and his wife Jodie for their commitment to this very important cause. I would like to thank Steve and Andrea for there drive and their ability to get the important work of this campaign done. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank Congressman Cao for this opportunity, he is a man of great wisdom and understanding, he will make a great Congressman for the next two years in our cities history.
Thank You and may Gods blessings be with all of you moving forward.
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?
As you've no doubt heard, the Republicans have offered a "new" Pledge to America that they call "a new governing agenda focused on addressing the American people’s top priorities." Congressman "Millionaire" John Fleming issued a comment including the following:
The Pledge to America represents an agenda set by the American people, not by tone-deaf leaders in Washington. From creating jobs to reining in spending to fixing a dysfunctional Congress, this pledge embraces bold solutions, a commitment to our founding principles, and a dismantling of ‘business as usual’ in Washington.
There is plenty to say about how ridiculous this is. Thank goodness we have Jon Stewart to do it for us.
Jay Dardenne has yet another problem with the law.
As reported in today's Baton Rouge Advocate, an elections watchdog group released a report yesterday criticizing Dardenne's department for not enforcing federal law as mandated by the National Voting Rights Act. Common Cause, the non-profit organization that conducted the study, ranked Louisiana near the bottom of the ten states with competitive elections this November. From the press release:
“When the stakes are this high, the rules of the game—and whether or not they are enforced—make all the difference” said Susannah Goodman, director of election reform for Common Cause and co-author of the report. “This report shows where we need better rules in Louisiana —and better referees.” [emphasis ours]
Continue reading for more on this and Dardenne's poor record...
The Louisiana Democratic Party has created yet another smart web ad hitting David Vitter for some comments he made recently to an audience in small-town Crowley, Louisiana. He basically told them that they were all wealthy - and said it in such a way as to indicate his belief that the average Louisiana resident is wealthy as well. The video sends a message to the Senator that, unlike folks he usually hangs out with, the average Louisiana resident makes only $43,000 a year.
This talk was part of Vitter's defense of the George Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans - the very small group making more than $250,000 annually. Congress has to decide this fall whether to let those tax cuts expire or to extend them. Read more in these articles from the Christian Science Monitor and the Washington Post.
Finally, watch the video from DoingAVitter.com for yourself and then leave a comment with your thoughts on this question -- Is David Vitter really this out of touch with everyday folks in Louisiana?
You can bid on all sorts of items that have been donated from people around the country who support Netroots Nation. This year my firm and I were asked to put together a basket of goods from Louisiana. Not that the folks at The Daily Kingfish can't get their own goods from Louisiana but you may find another item from somewhere else to bid on. It is for a great cause and an even greater convention.
Happy bidding and keep up the great work here on The DK.
We're continuing to watch all of the races this year in Louisiana, especially the scrappy challenge by a political newcomer in the 4th congressional district.
In 2008, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ran several negative ads against John Fleming, one of which is posted below. Will Democratic challenger David Melville go negative? It seems that it would be difficult for an underdog campaign to gain a lot a traction if not. So far, Melville has run a mostly positive campaign.
Another ad from one of the Democratic contenders for Louisiana Lieutenant Governor in anticipation of the October 2nd election. Meet political newcomer Caroline Fayard:
Since 
First, Fleming said that anyone who disagrees with his radical right-wing philosophy will lead the nation "down the socialist road" toward "a godless society, an atheist society." He also said that "there is no way that we can reach across the aisle." He staked out a very clear yet extremist position. 
Bobby Jindal obviously enjoys traveling. We've 
Jay Dardenne has yet another problem with the law. 
