Onward! Democrats pick a new generation of leadership!Stephen Handwerk3/18/2008 I am sure some will disagree with this but our new Executive Committee is made up with a great set of NEW and younger individuals who I am confident will move the party forward, and a few “seasoned” faces that I feel very happy to be greeting again.
It is time for Vitter to goChris Whittington3/17/2008 Baton Rouge: In light of the resignation of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Chris Whittington, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party called for the immediate resignation of Louisiana Senator David Vitter.
La. Democratic chairman elected to full termEd Anderson3/16/2008 Baton Rouge lawyer Chris Whittington, who has served as chairman of the state Democratic Party for more than two years, was elected to a full four-year term Saturday, defeating a major rival who had the backing of some of the party's biggest names.
A total of 15 delegates were allocated to Hillary Clinton, with 22 delegates and six alternates allocated to Barack Obama. The allocation of delegates was based on voting results from the Feb. 9 presidential preference primary.
The election of district-level delegates was open to any registered Democrat.
The delegates pledged to Hillary Clinton are:
Elsie Burkhalter of Slidell, Michael M. Davis of Metairie, Felicia Kahn of New Orleans, Cory Heitmeier of New Orleans, Madalyne Brown Hingle of Belle Chasse, Gary Smith Jr. of Montz, Mary Bonier of Chestnut, Alton Bailey of Leesville, Billye Goree-Burns of W. Monroe, Rodney McFarland Sr. of Monroe, Maurice Durbin of Denham Springs, Larry Bankston of Baton Rouge, Sheryl Abshire of Lake Charles, Mary Leach Werner of Lake Charles and Charles Bennett of Sulphur.
The delegates pledged to Barack Obama are:
Rachel Jones of Pearl River, James Harlan of Lacombe, Cheryl Gray of New Orleans, Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans, Jay Banks of New Orleans, Dr. Camalyn Gaines of LaPlace, Edmonia Lee-Jackson of St. Martinville, Matthew Block of Thibodaux, David Huynh of Morgan City, Dr. Dorothy Holt of Shreveport, Lydia Jackson of Shreveport, Richard Anderson of Keithville, Edith Douzart of Monroe, Betty Robinson of Columbia, Herbert Dixon of Alexandria, Dan McKay Jr. of Bunkie, Darlene Fields of Baton Rouge, Joseph Stone of Baker, W.T. Winfield of Baton Rouge, Marie Renaud of Opelousas, Brian Thomas of Opelousas and John Hadley Jr. of Opelousas.
Pledged Alternates to Barack Obama elected are:
John Thibodeaux of New Orleans, Dale Atkins of New Orleans, Sandra Chaisson of Destrehan, Matthew Allen of Shreveport, Jane Roberts of Columbia, and Julie Cherry of Baton Rouge.
The Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 25-29 in Denver.
# # #
LeftBlog: Vitter redux and FISA – Big Brother is HERE!Stephen Handwerk3/11/2008 With Governor Eliot Spitzer in a deep mess - All the news reports are back to reporting on David Vitter and his Follies - Also this week - FISA is being revisited after the House and Senate pass two separate Bills. Bush claims he will VETO if Immunity isn't included for the TelCo's - So much for this bill being vital to protect the American People.
LeBlanc denies bribery flap involving trip given to Texas sheriff
Patrick LeBlanc of Youngsville, a candidate for the state House of Representatives District 43 in Lafayette Parish, maintains he is innocent and ethical even though one of his companies has been caught up in a Texas investigation that led a sheriff to resign under a plea agreement.
"I'm not a bad guy. I operate from a position of ethics," LeBlanc said Friday. "I am the guy who is pushing reform. I'm the guy who says we need to create more transparency in public disclosure. I'm the guy who wants to bring change. The last thing I want is for the state to be embarrassed by people who are corrupt and unethical."
ADVERTISEMENT
The Daily Advertiser first reported on Aug. 28 about the Texas investigation, prior to LeBlanc qualifying as a candidate for the state House of Representatives in the Oct. 20 election.
As the campaign heats up, the involvement of LeBlanc's company - Premier Management Enterprises - in the Texas scandal is becoming a political issue, particularly as LeBlanc campaigns as a champion for improving Louisiana's tarnished image.
LeBlanc is a 50-percent stockholder with his brother, Mike, of PME, which contracts with jails to provide commissary service, selling items like soft drinks and candy, to inmates. One of their contracts was for the commissary at the Bexar County detention center.
Bexar County, Texas, Sheriff Ralph Lopez resigned in August and pled no contest to three misdemeanor charges for accepting a trip to Costa Rica from the LeBlancs, for not reporting the trip as a gift and for tampering with a governmental record, public documents show.
Lopez's campaign manager, John Wayne Reynolds, who was chairman of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Benevolent Fund Board, also confessed this week to using donations made by PME to the Optimist Club for personal expenses. It turns out Reynolds was not really associated with the real Optimist Club.
Representatives of the Bexar Country District Attorney's Office and FBI in San Antonio said little Friday about the case, but they did confirm that the FBI is continuing the investigation.
Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed did not charge the LeBlancs and is not pursing a case against PME, Adriana Biggs, chief of the white collar crime division, said Friday.
LeBlanc said his company fully cooperated with the investigation. Biggs would not confirm that on Friday.
The FBI is interviewing those who pled, specifically Reynolds, and looking into allegations, Biggs said. The allegations extend beyond the Bexar County sheriff, therefore are beyond the jurisdiction of the county district attorney's office, she said.
FBI-San Antonio spokes-man Erik Vasys said his office worked with the Bexar County district attorney's office and Texas Rangers.
"There are interstate aspects of this case which are still being investigated," Vasys said. "The investigation is ongoing and I am not able to comment further."
Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, who is challenging LeBlanc for the House District 43 seat, did not return a call for comment Friday.
At a candidate forum this week, LeBlanc said the state needs "to take the 'for sale' sign off the state capital. Each year the legislative process is bought and sold by special interests and PAC (political action committee) money."
Yet LeBlanc said Friday he sees nothing wrong with his company offering free trips to Texas sheriffs with whom the company does business.
The trip to Costa Rica was normal business practice, LeBlanc said.
"The only foul there, if there was a foul, is this sheriff did not report the trip as an in-kind contribution in accordance with state law in Texas," he said.
There is nothing unethical or inappropriate in taking clients on trips, LeBlanc said.
"Other people in politics ... tell me there's nothing unethical about taking trips as long as you report it," he said.
Asked if he would accept a free trip if he were elected to the state House of Representatives, LeBlanc said he would call the State Board of Ethics for an opinion.
"And if they gave a favorable opinion and signed off on it, I would do it," he said. "If it's reported and it's for a legitimate cause, yes, I think it would be OK."
The Lafayette Republican Party Executive Committee has remained silent on this race and on the controversy surrounding LeBlanc.
Chairman Mark Gremilion said it is interesting the controversy surfaced so close to the election.
"I hope the issues that are being whispered around - at this point is appears to be a whisper campaign with the potential to have a lot of fuel - comes to a head sooner rather than later," Gremilion said.
"If it's not true, voters need to know about it. If it's true, voters need to be protected," he said.
LeBlanc is politically well-connected. Outgoing District 43 state Rep. Ernie Alexander, R-Lafayette, endorsed LeBlanc as his successor and confirmed Friday evening that he still strongly supports LeBlanc.
Vice President Dick Cheney was a guest at LeBlanc's home in 2005 during a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette.
Patrick LeBlanc's wife, Jennifer Scialdone LeBlanc, is listed as a "lobbyist bundler" or fundraiser for U.S. presidential candidate Republican Rudy Giuliani.
Patrick LeBlanc contributed $4,600 to Giuliani's campaign and $4,600 to Boustany's congressional campaign in 2007, according to the Federal Election Commission. In the past 10 years, LeBlanc, an architect, has contributed more than $25,000 to federal campaigns, including $1,000 to the Build Political Action Committee of the National Association of Home Builders, the FEC reports.
Boustany, in an e-mail to The Daily Advertiser on Thursday through his press secretary, said he and LeBlanc have been good friends for more than 15 years, serving on leadership and service groups in Lafayette.
"He is a respected member of the Lafayette community and I think he would do a fine job as a member of the state Legislature," Boustany said.
Press secretary Rick Curtsinger said Boustany would not comment on the legal matters involving the LeBlancs.
A fight in Washington means Louisiana won't be able to make health insurance available to more children in working families.
And the program that serves some 109,000 children today could suffer, as well, because of a deadlock between President Bush and Congress.
Governor Kathleen Blanco criticized the Republican members of Louisiana's congressional delegation for turning their backs on the state's children and, instead, marching lock-step with Bush.
State health chief Dr. Roxane Townsend says the stalemate means Louisiana won't be able to move forward with plans to add 10,000 more children to the government health insurance program.
The Senate and House of Representatives last week approved compromise legislation that would expand the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program.
But Bush said he would veto the legislation.
LEFTBLOG: Labor Day, Qualifying and Boustany not ready for Prime TimeStephen Handwerk9/4/2007 Appearing with Wolf Blitzer in “The Situation Room” Boustany goes to tell us how GREAT things are going in IRAQ. OH boy, Again I really thought that he would step up but he tries to tow the line for the Bush Administration and he gets called out on it.
Transcript available at the link above and here is the video:
Dr. Death speaks out for Bush's SurgeDavid Wilburn8/27/2007 Next Tuesday, the 28th MoveOn.org is having a nationwide Anti War Candle Vigil to coincide with President Bush's report on why the troop surge is "working." The surge is not working and we shouldn't allow him to spout his filthy lies at us with his stupid grin anymore. So join me and the McNeese College Democrats and Calcasieu Young Democrats next Tuesday, the 28th in the McNeese quad next to the student union at 8:00 pm.
Here is the link and please set yourself as attending so we will have an idea of how much promoting we have left to do.
LeftBlog: You get what you vote for… viva LA revolution?Stephen Handwerk6/26/2007 This week we take a further look into who is supporting Bobby Jindal - with friends like his... Who needs enemies! AND I look into the Lafayette Parish School Board's decision to "BUY OUT" Easton's Contract.
LeftBlog: Oh, Bobby Stephen Handwerk6/19/2007 This week I take a look at the ongoing "Bobby" Jindal problems, the RED LIGHT camera mess we find ourselves in here in Lafayette - AND Sammy Kershaw is OUT as fast as he was IN?
Kershaw Resident of TN, NOT LouisianaStephen Handwerk6/19/2007 In February of this year Sammy Kershaw filed for Bankruptcy Protection and he clearly states on these FEDERAL FORMS that his residence is in Tennessee. So surely HE can't run if John Breaux can't. Right?
Boustany at it again...Stephen Handwerk6/12/2007 Boustany introduces "HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS BILL" as if it were such a WONDERFUL THING - Wonderful for WHOM?
This is like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. HSA's are only good for RICH people who can afford to invest and shuttle money into different accounts to reap the benefits - how about the tens of thousands of working poor in this congressional district that are without healthcare insurance adequate to take care of a real emergency or provide for meaningful preventative treatments and exams? When is the good Doctor going to address this issue?
If we had an extra $200 a month to sock into a "RAINY DAY SICK FUND" we likely would... however this plan will only help those fortunate enough to have the money to invest in themselves it will do nothing for the seniors who are still being forced to decide between food in their refrigerators or medicine to keep them healthy and alive. When will THEY be given the respect THEY deserve by legislation supported by this congressman?
Conservative Cajun Gives PROPS to Lafayette Democrats!Nick Bouterie6/6/2007 Nick Bouterie, author of the Conservative Cajun Blog gives PROPS to Lafayette Democrats for keeping their folks updated. Though we find it very funny that he keeps bringing up this Article penned by Jindal where he participates in an Exorcism - when Jindal's people just want that to go away. Funny how they think TRUTH telling is MUDSLINGING...
Blue Monday NewsStephen Handwerk5/22/2007 All New Blue Monday News segment - we take on the republicans head first this week - The issue - The Republican Debates! Take a look:
LeftBlog: What the Great Communicator didn't tell usRuth Yeager5/22/2007 Ruth Yeager Pen's this week's LEFT BLOG - The Reagan myth is the centerpiece of today’s Republican party. It involves a great rewriting of history and redefining our national values, leaving out a lot of nasty actions and consequences that enriched and empowered the few at the expense of the American people. The failures of the Bush presidency are not because Bush turned away from conservatism, but rather because he embraced Reagan’s agenda to an extreme. Yes, the problem is with conservatism itself.
Mary and the MediaJeremy Alford5/9/2007 Senator Landrieu: As she readies for a tough re-election campaign, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is pushing two press-friendly bills through Congress.
LeftBlog: Supporting our Troops & Hate CrimesStephen Handwerk5/7/2007 So I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with some of our brave soldiers that have just returned from over seas; two from Iraq and one from Afghanistan. These guys are just amazing and I was happy to get to speak with them.
These conversations all took place individually, but I really feel that these guys were able to be completely honest. I promised them that I was not going to reveal their names as they are all still in the service.
All three of these guys were happy to serve wherever and whenever they were called by the President. They all began with a clear focus on protecting America for the reasons that we can all agree make this country so great. However, they feel betrayed.
This week in the NEWS - Bush Vetos the Troops, Edwards hits the airwaves - not for him - but for our Troops, Bobby Jindal gets SPANKED on the floor of the house by Chairman Barney Frank - and then by Governor Blanco and we have the video! - and our CLIP OF THE WEEK has Bill Maher diagnoses Bush.
Al Gore Wins an Oscardw2/27/2007 SWLA Democrats congrats Al Gore for winning an Oscar for his documentary an “Inconvenient Truth.” To find our how you can take action visit www.climatecrisis.net. You can watch the video of Al Gore at the Oscars by clicking on Read More.
NAACP calls for investigation of Washington's deathHECTOR SAN MIGUEL1/11/2007 The head of the state NAACP has asked the Justice Department to investigate the shooting death of Westlake Mayor-elect Gerald Washington and incidents involving two other black Louisiana mayors.
John Edwards Announces he is Running For PresidentJohn Edwards12/27/2006 John Edwards announces in New Orleans that he is running for President and officially kicking off his campaign TODAY. You can help. Watch the video and then click the above link and join his campaign.
Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act is LAW!Sen. Mary Landrieu12/22/2006 “Today is truly historic for the state of Louisiana,” said U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La. “Since I came to the Senate, I have been working to secure a dedicated revenue stream to rebuild Louisiana’s eroding coastline. Last year’s hurricanes rocked our state and made it more evident than ever that protecting coastal wetlands is a vital part of our national energy security. Today we took a big step forward to restoring our wetlands and protecting our many coastal communities.
Mission is to promote Democratic PartyFrank Flynn12/21/2006 The mission of the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee is to promote the Democratic Party, its principles and its candidates. The role of each party executive committee and its members - Democratic or Republican - is naturally partisan. more...
Congressman should serve people, not partyLayne St. Julien11/15/2006 Boustany voted with the Republican leadership 96 percent of the time. In 2006, he's voted with President Bush 94 percent of the time, but in his district, 54 percent of voters are Democrats and only 23 percent are Republicans. Who has he served with his votes? Have you agreed with the national Republicans on 96 percent of the issues?
Democrats favor oil revenue hikeThe Advertiser11/15/2006 Surprising "warm support" for Democrats from The Daily Advertiser. Two points - First by the title of this piece it gives the sense that Democrats are raising taxes on Oil, NOT the Case. And secondly - would it have killed them to illustrate that this is because Senator Landrieu has been working so hard on this?
I suppose I shouldn't "look a gift horse in the mouth..." but...
LeftBlog: ... Are you KIDDING me?Stephen Handwerk11/14/2006 In Sunday’s Editorial from the Daily Advertiser entitled “Boustany’s challenge: Democrat Spending”, at first I thought it was a JOKE. But after reading it again I found that the author was serious… and I have one question – “What color is the sky in your world?”
..."Boustany isn’t the solution; HE’S PART OF THE PROBLEM. When it comes to economic problems Boustany is totally and completely incompetent.”
Republicans Comfort the Comfortable and afflict the afflicted with their policies – ENOUGH!
FACT – Republican BORROW AND SPEND have gotten us into this mess – just as they did under REAGAN – and Democrats will get us out of it… AGAIN."
LeftBlog:Tax and spend... Republican?Stephen Handwerk10/31/2006 We need solid and bold leadership, of this I think we will all agree. Yet the people of Lafayette City and Parish deserve to have checks and balances in place to insure our will is being followed. It is not too much to ask of this administration, in fact, I believe it is the least they could do.
I strongly urge everyone to VOTE NO to the Sales Tax Increase until we have a better plan outlined.
LAFAYETTE DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VOTES NO ON SALES TAX INCREASEFrank Flynn10/30/2006 At its most recent meeting, the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee voted to oppose the 1 percent sales tax increase on the November 7, 2006 ballot because City-Parish Government has already experienced an increase in its sales and property tax collections to record levels in every year since the Durel Administration took office, and future collections are also expected to reach record levels. Not only has this administration collected a record amount of taxes but it has spent a record amount of taxpayer money, and the 2006-2007 budget already includes a record amount of money to be spent on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Blue Mondays SPECIAL - Senator Mary LandrieuStephen Handwerk10/30/2006 This week we are joined by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu where she makes the case for the Senate Version of the Offshore Revenue Sharing bill. In the second part we continue with the Stagg Town Hall meeting. See part two here.
Landrieu: Revenue-sharing time shortPATRICK COURREGES10/24/2006 Senator Landrieu appears in Acadiana on Monday. Stay tuned as the Senator will be our featured Guest on MOnday night's BLUE MONDAYS at 9pm on AOC Channel 15!
Landrieu thanks locals for help during hurricanesJan Risher10/24/2006 Taking an opportunity to say thanks to Acadian Ambulance and the people of Lafayette for their response during hurricanes Katrina and Rita, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu made a Monday morning visit to Acadian Ambulance's command center to meet with medics and other staff.
Click Here to see our interview with Michael McHale, chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Democrats.
Or you can click here for our show notes from this week's show.
Local, State and National newsStephen Handwerk10/3/2006 Congrats to Brian Thomas, the youngest man ever elected to an Alderman seat in the City of Opelousas! We also look into the FoleyGate scandal and the key players of this unfolding cover up. And then we look at "State of Denial".
This problem is spiraling out of control, and I think the front line of this battle lands squarely at our front doorstep. The strike at PHI.
Stagg: "Republicans confuse loyalty to party with effective representation"Layne St. Julien9/26/2006 Boustany's role in recovery – or his lack of one – came to a head when the Katrina parishes, hit a month earlier by a weaker storm, were awarded federal support for 100 percent of their clean-up costs while Vermilion, Cameron, and Calcasieu Parishes were denied similar special consideration. It seems that Boustany's conspicuous party loyalty both on the floor of the House (where he voted the party line an astonishing 96 percent of the time) and after Katrina (when he didn't hesitate to lay blame on Louisiana's Democratic state and local governments run over by the season's first great storm) didn't buy him – or his district – much. The Katrina parishes represented by Democrats did better than Boustany's Rita-affected parishes.
LA Dems: BUSH REBUILDING CZAR WRONG FOR PLAYING PARTISAN GAMESJulie Vezinot9/25/2006 “It is completely inappropriate as an appointed public official for Powell to take a stand to support Boustany in his race for Congress. He needs to work with both parties in helping Louisiana’s people recover from these disasters. It’s clear he used this anniversary visit as another attempt to try and sell the Bush message. I take it as an insult, not just as a Democrat, but as a citizen of this state,” Whittington said.
Doublespeak causes fear, control, confusionBonnie Lamb9/17/2006 Fear is used to manipulate and control the masses to get whatever it wishes: fear (Orange alerts, "foiled attacks"- no names, dates, explanations). Check parallel times of them under scrutiny and those events ... coincidental?
Stagg Calls on Boustany to Renounce PAC Money in Wake of Ney Corruption PleaMike Stagg9/15/2006 Democratic congressional candidate Mike Stagg called on Republican Congressman Charles Boustany to return over half of his 2006 campaign war chest and to renounce money from political action committees (PACs) today following Republican Congressman Bob Ney’s guilty plea in a bribery scandal.
Stagg: Boustany ignoring jobPATRICK COURREGES9/14/2006 Mike Stagg, not one to mince words, is on the offense with Boustany. Stagg said that despite being a member of the majority party in Congress, and the same party as President Bush, Boustany could not bring U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert into the area until 10 months after the storm. Stagg also said Boustany’s claims of having been “blindsided” by a Bush administration decision to cut off full federal funding of debris cleanup in Rita-affected parishes indicate the incumbent was not looking out for his district.
Snake Oil: Charles Boustany in LebanonGreg Peters9/6/2006 Snake Oil does it again this is definitely a series you want to pay attention. This week in the Snake Oil cross hairs is Dr. Charles Boustany. While tens of thousands of his constituents are still trying to find normal after their government has forgotten them, Boustany flies off to Lebanon. (It is worth noting - The Freshman Congressman does not serve on any - ANY international committee where this trip would have been necessary.)
LeftBlog: Labor Day, or just a good day to have a BBQ?Stephen Handwerk9/5/2006 Per capita, Louisiana workers earn less than their counterparts in all of the other 49 states. It is a fact that our teachers, nurses, factory and even our fast food workers all earn less than their counterparts in every other state in this country... It seems clear, this administration has declared WAR on the Middle Class. More of us who grasp on to the last hopes that we will not be the next statistic to fall into the class of the working poor are watching our dreams melt away. At the same time our government is more concerned about IRAQ then they are about repairing our devastated coastal areas.
Sen. Landrieu delivers Democratic Radio Address8/27/2006 This link is a direct link to the MP3 Audio File. Senator Landrieu does an outstanding job for pointing out the issues and how Democrats will fix them!
LeftBlog: A year later and what do we have to show?8/22/2006 Charles Boustany should have been just as hawkish (if not more) as Congressman Melancon has been for his district. Instead, the week that FEMA ruled that Cameron Parish could no longer be given debris removal aid, Boustany claimed to have been “BLIND SIDED” by the FEMA decision. How could this be when his ONLY JOB should have been trying to make his district WHOLE again?
How you ask? Because Congressman Boustany was spending the week campaigning for Student Loan forgiveness. For college students hit by Rita and Katrina? Nope – For Heart Surgeons! That is right, while his constituents are struggling to find normal again after having lost EVERYTHING, Boustany spends a week of his time while Congress is in session campaigning to forgive loans to heart surgeons!
LeftBlog: The New John Breaux8/15/2006 Through Senator Landrieu’s leadership and fully stepping into the masterful leadership role that Breaux forged, we are indeed lucky to have Senator Landrieu working so hard for us. I may not always agree with Senator Landrieu in the positions she takes, but I think that can be said of all statesmen. In order for progress to be made, dialog, debate and ultimately statesmanship must prevail and deals must be struck. No one side can be shut out, and compromises must be made. Senator Landrieu is leading the way on the national stage for Louisiana to fully recover, rebuild and improve and she deserves our respect and support.
LeftBlog: Republicans hold minimum wage hostage for the ‘Paris Hilton estate tax cut’8/8/2006 In my opinion, this last round of votes on this issue takes their distain for the working poor of this country to new heights. Since Boustany is proudly on the record at a town hall meeting here in Lafayette where he stated “I won’t support an increase in minimum wage…” , it is obvious that he didn’t vote YES for this bill for the minimum wage increase – instead he voted to repeal the tax cuts to the Paris Hiltons of the country.
Blanco: 1,000 jobs coming to Lafayette8/7/2006 As early as Wednesday, NuComm International, a Canada-based call center company, hopes to start hiring the 1,000 employees it needs for its new call center in the Northgate Mall. "It's going to produce a shot of adrenaline that north Lafayette has been trying so hard to get," said Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
LeftBlog: Stem Cells: Hypocrisy reaches a new heights8/1/2006 So which is it? Destroying Human Life is wrong, thus in vitro fertilization is wrong and should be stopped. OR We should serve the greater good by using science to improve and preserve life.
Landrieu: Senate Advances Offshore Oil and Gas Revenue Sharing Bill7/31/2006 Senator Landrieu leads the way in helping Louisiana recover from last years devistation and prepare for the future. “The vote today signals the Senate’s strong endorsement of a bill that would offer Louisiana a significant share of revenue from the energy production off its shores,” Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., said. “With the revenue this bill would provide, we can put into place a long-term strategy to protect our people and our coastline.”
LeftBlog: Gov. Blanco Stands Up for the Little Guy... And News Roundup7/18/2006 This past week Governor Blanco stood up to the LARGE (and ever growing) Telco industry and said “not on my watch” with her VETO of the so called “Cable Franchise Bill.” Make NO mistake, this bill hurts all of the cities in this state (arguably not Lafayette, as it was exempted out) but sets terrible policy.
Also - Cowboy Diplomacy and First Presidential Veto
Sen Landrieu on Stem Cell Research Bills7/18/2006 “There is no doubt that embryonic stem cell research holds the promise of curing diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Even President Bush stressed in 2001 that federal dollars help attract the best and brightest scientists and help ensure that new discoveries are widely shared at the largest number of research facilities. He’s right. Federal funding not only allows us to encourage and financially support this research, it allows us to use the power of the purse to be sure it is done in the safest and most ethical way possible."
Governor vetoes cable bill, few appropriations7/12/2006 Governor Blanco's Veto sends CLEAR MESSAGE that she is standing up for "the little guy". With vertually all of the mayors from throughout the state as well as the Police Juries against this bill, this was a clear win for the people of Louisiana.
LeftBlog: Vote This Saturday... And Another thing!7/11/2006 Remember to vote this Saturday! We also take a look into the recent Supreme Court Ruling against the Bush Administration and new revelations by the Congress of yet another Intel Program the Bush Administration has hidden from Congress.
Candidate to shun cash from PACs7/6/2006 LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Democrat Mike Stagg said Wednesday that he intends to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-Lafayette, in the Nov. 7 election for Louisiana’s 7th District Congressional seat, and does not need or want political action committee money to do it.
Democrat Stagg to challenge Boustany7/3/2006 A Democratic candidate has stepped up to challenge freshman congressman Charles Boustany - the first Republican voters in District 7 have ever elected for office.
Women Democrats for Change6/26/2006 The “Dean” of the Women Senators, Senator Barbara Mikulski, led this group of incredible women in their common purpose to set out to effect change on REAL issues facing Americans today; a stark departure from the divisive “Non-Issues” the Republican administration has been working on.
Current climate of Politics.6/20/2006 I am reminded of a brightly lit Jackson Square approximately two weeks after Katrina hit New Orleans where President “Uniter not a Divider” Bush stated in part that this recovery will be one the likes that “we have never seen before.” Yet partisan tricks and games have cost the people of Louisiana dearly.
Senator Landrieu continues to lead the way to insuring Louisiana can and will rebuild from the devistation we faced last year. We are very proud of your work senator, keep it up!
Is it a sin to vote for Republican candidates?Ron Bodin5/30/2006 It is not a sin to be Republican, but in light of wars of choice, in light of a know-nothing president, in views of this administration's indifference to the victims of Rita and Katrina, in view of Republican unwillingness to enact a ban on abortions, in view of Republican apathy toward the poor and the working class, in view of Republican secrecy and out-and-out lies, perhaps my former pastor's words ring true.
Privacy not protected by president's projectRay W. Culter5/22/2006 Now that the outrageous "phone record" project is out from under cover, President Bush avers that "the people's privacy is zealously protected." Hogwash. It would be hilarious if it weren't so serious - and insulting that they think we buy their story.
Limited infrastructure, tax base hinder progressBarbara J. Conner5/15/2006 More public participation in the planning process will help speed designing a parish-wide comprehensive plan for development. In the meantime, public and governmental action can set interim guidelines until a completed plan is approved.
Gasoline offer ridiculous and insultingRay W. Culter5/14/2006 So, the U.S. Senate (Repubs, at that!) wants to send each of us $100 to ease our pain at the gas pump. How ridiculous! How disgusting! How insulting!
Ominous crises are facing our nationVic Hummert4/26/2006 Years ago, we were warned about the troubles to follow in Iraq by then Secretary of State Colin Powell. He wisely said to President Bush: "If you break it, you own it." Powell meant that any intrusion into Iraq's territory, besides being a violation of international law, would embroil this nation in a war that will not be won, even by Pentagon admission. Our waging war in Iraq would drop a match into the pool of gasoline that describes politics of the Gulf region. Against all wise advice, Bush made his decision, reminiscent of Henry Kissinger's comment about an earlier fallen president, "If the president does it, then it is legal!" Mr. Nixon was brought down for a simple burglary.
Republican legislators should be firedRichard Warren4/12/2006 The Democratic plan is simple - hire the best and brightest Americans we can find to manage our government agencies (instead of unqualified cronies), create an agenda that emphasizes real security for our nation, work for strong economic growth, provide affordable health care for all Americans and legislate for retirement security. If Republicans have amnesia, let me remind them that good Democratic programs created the largest middle class in the history of the world.
ATTENTION: Displaced New Orleans Voters4/10/2006 For information on how to vote, where to vote and other information for Displaced New Orleans voters, click this link.
Republican embarrassed by actions within partyKevin Duck4/8/2006 I am a registered Republican and have been for 21 years. Recent events have greatly disturbed me and caused me to question my affiliation. I am embarrassed by those who have represented our party.
LANDRIEU TO HOLD ACTION ON PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES4/4/2006 Senator Landrieu has had enough "lip service" from this President. If words could rebuild New Orleans (and I would add Cameron Parish) then it would have been rebuilt before the Staged Lights were removed from Jackson Square. It's time this President Stands up for Louisiana.
What makes a person a loyal conservative?Edward Hidalgo3/27/2006 In the next election, people need to remember those accomplishments and vote in more from that party. The nation is not totally wasted yet. Help them complete the job. Oh, yes, we need a higher deficit.
Senator Landrieu out in Front "Fighting for Middle Class Americans"3/14/2006 "The American people expect a budget that reflects their priorities and values," said Senator Landrieu. "Unfortunately, the Administration's budget proposal misplaces America's priorities, ignores our values, bypasses victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and squeezes the middle-class."
Weakening Guard would leave states highly vulnerableEditorial3/4/2006 If Louisiana is facing the second half of a hurricane cycle that could add to the death and destruction of previous storms - and we have no reason to doubt the opinions of experts - we need the strongest National Guard possible. We believe the president is sincere in his reassurances to the states. Budget issues already in motion, however, must not be allowed to weaken the Guard. The nation's governors have made it clear that they will fight any reduction in Guard strength. It is important that our congressional delegation join in such a bipartisan effort. It should be a top priority.
Tort reform doesn't benefit you, meRobert Bourne3/4/2006 Don't blame lawyers; blame insurance companies. They claim that premiums are high because of frivolous lawsuits and huge settlements, but the American Insurance Association stated, "The Insurance industry never promised that tort reform would achieve specific premium savings. ..."
Secret energy meetings public recordAnthony Fazzio3/3/2006 There's no right-wing conspiracy here, as one of your contributors suggests. Nah, corruption in the Bush administration is blatant. All you have to do is look.
Drug import laws protect companies, not the U.S. publicGene Flyte 3/3/2006 In what is perhaps the best outline we have seen detailing the out of control perscription drug policy of this administration, this guest editorial shares his views and issues that are shared by Millions of American Citizens.
It is time to raise the minimum wage nowCharles R. King3/2/2006 I challenge anyone to write to this forum and defend the present amount. Fat cats and executives with exorbitant salaries, bonuses and pensions need not respond.
Your opposition to an immediate increase in the minimum wage is inhumane and cannot be justified, but I dare you to try it anyway!
Senator Landrieu to hold administration Accountable on Disaster Loan Program3/1/2006 On the heels of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program nearly shutting down twice last month, Senators Mary Landrieu, D-La., and John Kerry, D-Mass., called on the Bush Administration to report to Congress on the program’s financial status daily. More than six months since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, it is time to focus on the long-term recovery of the area, including getting money lent to families and businesses that need it.
Halliburton to Get Paid Most of Disputed Funds2/28/2006 The Army has decided to reimburse a Halliburton subsidiary for nearly all of its disputed costs on a $2.41 billion no-bid contract to deliver fuel and repair oil equipment in Iraq, even though the Pentagon's own auditors had identified more than $250 million in charges as potentially excessive or unjustified.
Professionalism, not privatization, needed for school bus safetyFrank Flynn2/22/2006 The Lafayette Parish Democrats come out in support of the School Bus Drivers and urge School Board members to side with Professionalism. By Privatizing the system after the issues we have had in the last year and a half "would be like a doctor seeing a cut on your finger and then amputating your arm" these issues can be fixed without "Wal*Mart-tizing" our children's transportation, stated Stephen Handwerk.
Addiction is caused by big oil companiesAnthony Fazzio2/20/2006 Heck, common sense tells you if you were going to blame the addict, don't have secret meetings with the neighborhood dealer to figure out a way to make greater profits from the addiction.
37 million poor hidden in the land of plenty 2/19/2006 "A shocking 37 million Americans live in poverty. That is 12.7 per cent of the population - the highest percentage in the developed world." ... "Under President George W Bush an extra 5.4 million have slipped below the poverty line. Yet they are not a story of the unemployed or the destitute. Most have jobs. Many have two."
Bush Approval Ratings Sinking... FURTHER2/19/2006 In this state by state polling you will see the Bush numbers lower everywhere in our country. It is especially interesting to note the "RED" states and how low their numbers are going as well.
BREAKING NEWS: GAO reports Bush Admin spends over $1.6 BILLION in PR and Advertising2/13/2006 Shortly after revelations that this administration was paying pundants to report on issues they wanted to push - clearly propaganda - the GAO reports that in just over 2 years the Bush administration has spent over $1.6 BILLION dollars in YOUR TAX PAYER MONEY in ADVERTISING! All the while we can't afford to take care of the sick, feed school children... SHAME ON YOU President Bush! Read the story HERE.
Bills would ease evacuee voting2/9/2006 Outstanding work put together by State Senator Charles Jones, D-Monroe, to help insure that eligible voters are still afforded their right to vote... no matter where they find themselves after Rita and Katrina.
