It was a sorrowful Bobby Jindal appearing on the tube last night after Congress acted in an unprecedented way by discharging an investigation into Bill Jefferson.Congressman Jindal told the audience on WDSU Channel 6 that he voted for the investigations and would vote to remove Jefferson if the bi-partisan Ethics committee made that recommendation which could come sooner rather than later.
Jindal then launched into Gubernatorial campaign mode talking about Ethics in Baton Rouge and that it was not just the ethical violations but the “appearances of impropriety” that need to change.
He also said that legislators and others should report their incomes and that the government officials should not partake in the Katrina recovery contracts.
The appearance was a nicely crafted maneuver by the front-runner to discuss what is needed in Louisiana so this state does not remain at the bottom of the ethics grid.
Jindal also said that he felt that the people of Louisiana and New Orleans should not be penalized for the transgressions of its elected officials since so many individuals are in need in Bill Jefferson’s district and in other parishes across Louisiana.In other words, Congress should not take it out on New Orleans or Louisiana for electing Bill Jefferson although in our heart of hearts we knew an indictment was around the bend.
In effect, Jindal hit a homerun on television and it shows how formidable of a foe he will be once the election cycle begins.He kept stressing the old saw that it should be “what you know rather than who you know” that should make a difference in government contracts.That saw might be old, but, the confluence of the Jefferson matter, Katrina and the nation’s perception makes it so much more relevant for Louisiana today.
However, the same principle should apply to WashingtonD.C. in which Jindal and Jefferson and others have legislated.Many of the post-Katrina government contracts were fait accompli just as they have been in Iraq.
Still, Jindal is correct in that Louisiana government needs reform which is what Ethics1.comand other organizations have been trying to do this legislative session.In fact, ethics is what term limits was all about and we are getting for which we prayed, for better or for worse.
The Louisiana legislature should take advantage of Jindal’s lead and the Jefferson matter and tighten up the loop holes so there is substantial transparency in government.Whether the nation or the world should punish Louisiana for the alleged acts committed by one William Bill Jefferson is one thing. That would be up to them and their own sense of fairness and morality.
However, it is another issue if Louisiana does not seize the opportunity and say to the big house on the Baton Rouge hill that “enough is enough”.The reluctance to open the books on our government officials is a bi-partisan effort.Their intransigence on this issue should stop now and let freedom of information ring across the state.Unfortunately, for many reasons, the stench of our areas’ ethics is permeating across the nation and penetrating many of those houses with those proverbial glass windows.
Sharon: The Tom Delay case and the Duke rape case have NOTHING to do with each other. Tom Delay founded ARMPAC. You think he did nothing wrong? Go look that up.
Written by Dan
on 6/7/2007
WOAH!! put the brakes on everyone!! STEP BACK AND STOP BEING NASTY FOR A MIN!!! Ok now that we are calm, lets look at the facts. IT DOESN'T matter about the d or the R after your name! if your dirty your dirty. Delay was in fact NOT "FORCED" out of office I have it on good authority froma friend that lives in Sugarland TX, (who knows Delay) that Delay pulled out of the race because he felt that going on would make the Republican party a bigger Target, so he DECIDED on his own to drop out and take some of the heat off his party. That Ronnie Earl has made the statement that there was no reason to prosecute Delay now that he is out of office, but if he drops the charges then it looks like a political HIT JOB (which it was) on Delay so they will drag it out. Rumors out of the Texas Atty Gen office is that Earl will be forced to drop the charges due to lack of evidence and that one of the charges that he makes against Delay was not a crime at the time that the time it was allgedly perpetrated. (there were a number he managed to get one of them back in for some reason) BUT WHY in the HECK are we talking about TEXAS? This isn't about those REDNECK COW LOVIN YAHOO'S its about LOUISIANA! You see this is what libs do we have a specific focus yet when it gets hot They like to change the subject! LOOK IF DELAY is DIRTY let TEXAS handle it WE HAVE ENOUGH DIRT IN OUR OWN YARD, WHY ARE WE SHOVELING IT IN? Ohh and Leave my bud TW alone about Katrina unless you lost everything you owned. IF you did I am sorry if you didn't shut your STINKING PIEHOLES! Sorry but it chaps my butt to see us picking at each others scabs.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/6/2007
Dan the Man - Tom Delay was "railroaded out of Congress, and you know it! The democrats have two levels of standards - one for themselves, and one for everyone else. Why don't you bash your boy - "Jeffie" Jefferson, instead of Mr. Jindal. Don't forget, the demos are running things (into the ground). Hoorah, PATRIOT WARRIOR
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 6/6/2007
Any one who supports Tom Delay is not a Patriot.
Written by Dan
on 6/6/2007
Dan, yes Jindal is a hypocrite. Now tell me what politician in Congress or Louisiana Legislature who is not a hypocrite. I know that you are obsessed about Jindal, please be equally upset with Democrats. What party is the scumbag in the Legislature who voted to give his company a huge contrract about a movie studio contract as said he sees nothing wrong with what he is doing. In my opinion if you would post criticism against Louisiana Legislative Democrats who have done hypocritical things in this session I would have more respect for your political opinions. But I cannot blame you because the aim of Democrats and Republicans is to divide us and conquer us. I know that you are talking about a guy who is running for Governor, but we should all have an equal amount of venom. For example do you know which Democrat in the Louisiana has a son who worked in the used car office. $20,000 disappeared and was gambled and drank all of that money What penalty did the Democrats son get? Rhabilitation paid for by taxpayers. Was then transferred to Louisiana Homeland Security and got a big raise. Then what long time Democratic legislator whose son worked in one department and was accused of sexual harrasment. The women were paid off and told to be hush hush. Then the son of the legislator was transferred to another department. So it seems that if you are a Democrat or Republican in the legislature you can be illegal, unethical and slime and get rewarded for illegal or unethical things. So Dan what Democrats have you been critical of whether in Louisiana or Washington?
Written by Anonymous
on 6/6/2007
Thank you, Patriot Warrior. The Democrats are Hypocrites on ethics matters. Tom Delay was not convicted of anything except being a successful leader in Congress. Jindal is not guilty of any crime whatsoever. Jefferson was caught with "cold" cash (marked bills) in his freezer among other things. There is so much smoke here, we can still see the embers glowing. Intern scandals, Clinton, Condit, Foley, Gerry Studds. Only one was chased out of office. Only one was a Republican. Foley was the only one who so far has not been proven to have sex with an intern. Lying to a grand jury. Clinton did it. And Hillary just could not recall. Neither was tried in a court of law though Clinton lost his law license for a few years and was impeached. Libby is going to jail and the judge took into account the crime which was never proven (in fact we know that from the beginning Fitzgerald knew who leaked the name and Armbitrage was never even called as a witness) for purposes of sentencing. And the list goes on and on. There are crooks all around but those who pay the price are mostly Republicans. The Dems just say so what and nobody does anything.
Written by Sharon
on 6/6/2007
I am glad you agree that Jindal is a hypocrite. I am not obsessed with Jindal though. I just happend to be very well informed about him and I wish that others would be just as informed. I think this is the most important Governors race in Louisiana in years and will be for a while. I do not want Congressman Jindal to become our next governor for many reasons. That is why my main focus has been on the Governors race. And yes, both parties have their corrupt politician and just plain idiots. You want the short list of Democrats I was critical of? Well, after the storm I criticized Blanco, Landrieu and Jefferson (as well as Vitter and Jindal) for not making coastal restoration and hurricane protection their number one priority as elected officials. It was known that this was the number one issue facing our state and they really didn't do anything about it. I think Dennis Kucinich is stupid for wanting to pull out immediately. I support a timetable for withdrawl because that will give the Iraqi people a sense of urgency to take control of their own defense so we are not needed over there. But immediate withdrawl is dumb. I think Harry Reid's comment about Iraq being a war that is "lost" is also dumb. When we set up a timetable and get the iraqis to support themselves, that will be an afirmation of our victory. To say that the war is lost is just plain stupid.
Long enough of a list for you? Or do you need more to prove that I am just as willing to criticize those in my own party.
Written by Dan
on 6/6/2007
Sharon: The Democrats stripped Jefferson of his ways and means seat when the cash was found. REPUBLICANS, on the other hand, defended Jefferson and questioned the government's ability to search his office. Maybe that is because they dont want the feds coming into their own offices? You mention that Tom Delay was not found guilty, but so far neither has Jefferson and in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. There is no asterisk by that that says "unless you are a Democrat" or "unless you have 90K in your freezer". He has the right to due process, just as everyone else does. And if guilty, they should throw the book at him. Perhaps the reason that people make more of a stink over Republicans than Democrats because Republicans claim to be on such a high moral platform. And when you lift yourself higher than everyone else, dont be surprised when your falling causes a bigger thud than someone else who hasn't lifted themself as high.
Written by Dan
on 6/6/2007
Dan...Tom Delay was railroaded by the Travis County DA in Texas by having 6...count them 6 grand juries formed to look at these charges. When, on the last day, that charges could be filed, DA Ronnie Earl,presented the lame facts before a newly formed Grand Jury and they filed charges. When the case finally goes to court and Ronnie Earl is delaying doing that, DA Earl will have to drop those charges as he has admitted that there was no real facts to back these charges. Now...let's look at why Delay stepped down...when in 1994 the Republicans took control of the House, they passed a rule within their party that any leader charged with a felony who have to step down. When Nancy P, then minority leader-ette was asked if the dim-o-rats would have the same policy she refused to answer the question. So yes, Dan...there are people in both parties that would rotten. The only difference is that Republicans deal with ours, while the dim-o-rats vote them as Speaker-ette. So when attempt to show outrage and determine who and who not a patriot...then tap on the brakes and get your facts straight. I realize that logic to a liberal is like sunlight to a vampire but do the best you can.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
thanks dan...you finally admitted that dim-o-rats have no morals...you're half way to a cure.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
Exactly LT. Dan, no one here that I know is backing anyone on either side that claims that Legislative offices should be off limits to law enforcement. The people pay for those offices and if our offices and homes are subject to search and seizure than those who "work for us" should be subject to the same laws. And it was not just republicans who were screaming. Many were but there were those who did stand up and say that those offices and legislators should not be above the law. If I am not mistaken, one from Louisiana did. I have said many times here that all should follow the same rules. Republicans have insisted on stricter rules for themselves. I expected that when the Democrats ran on the "culture of Corruption" that they would take the lead when they took power. Well that turns out to be just another "bumper sticker" for sure. In fact they have just grilled Gonzales on firing states attorneys for political reasons. They did not (according to Schumer) bring cases against certain legislators before the election. He accuses Gonzales of meddling. Well, now we know and have copies of letters on Schumer's official letterhead keeping tabs on cases against republicans that he forced before the election. Hypocrits.
Written by
on 6/6/2007
Just one thing - the naïvité of those of you who think Tom DeLay wasn't a corrupt pig, and that he was wrongly accused, is actually very disturbing. The money trail from his PAC back to the Texas races has been clearly demonstrated (we'll see if it leads to a conviction) - Just what counts as evidence in conservative la-la land? It's starting to look like the following - if there's an (R) after your name, then you must have been falsely accused and are being railroaded by a hostile liberal media, but if there's a (D) after your name, well then, that's enough to establish your guilt. Now that's what I call "faith-based" justice, as in "faith" in Republicans, no matter what. And y'all accuse me of partisan blinders? Would you like a little "hypo" with your "crites"? And a big shout-out to Dan for reminding us all that Bobby Jindal is not the ethical hero who is going to rescue the state of Louisiana. Ça c'est tout pour asteur, vous-autres.
Written by TW
on 6/6/2007
If Congressman Jindal was so worried about ethics, why did he vote to weaken house ethics standards for Tom Delay when he first got to Congress. If Congressman Jindal was so worried about ethics, why did he accept campaign contributions from someone related to the Jack Abramoff scandal? The “appearances of impropriety” makes me doubt Congressman Jindal's sincerity about ethics. It seems that Congressman Jindal only supports stronger ethics standards for Democrats. That is the definition of hypocricy.
Written by Dan
on 6/6/2007
TW...in this situation, you haven't a clue what you're talking about. You're usually witty and entertaining...but to continue to comment regarding the Delay situation makes you look like a mind-numbed useful idiot for the left. You are too smart for that. It has nothing to do with media...or the "R" or "D"...don't allow your blind hatred for conservatives or republicans allow you to have leave of your senses. I realize the post-Katrina/Rita situation has you stressed...but in this situation you are just plain wrong. Feel free to use the usual liberal catch phrases and talking points, and of course call me the usual names. It seems to give you peace.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
Sorry Jarhead...but when I read a lack of facts...I just go nuts. All of rightards have that gene in their DNA.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
I have been in a hurricane where I have lost everything...so I know what is needed to have in place before and what to do after you lose it all.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
Uh, LT, thanks for the props. You said some nice things about me, and I appreciate it. I know I haven't always been nice to you. But I think your blind allegiance to the right is blinding you to the facts of the case: here it is in a nutshell: "September 28, 2005 Bloomberg
U.S. Representative Tom DeLay, the No. 2 Republican in the House, was indicted by a Texas grand jury for criminal conspiracy in connection with illegal corporate political donations, prompting him to give up his leadership post. Two former campaign aides, John Colyandro and Jim Ellis, were also charged with conspiracy by the state grand jury in Travis County, according to the single-count indictment. The charge stems from an investigation into alleged use of illegal corporate contributions by DeLay's political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, in the 2002 races for the state House of Representatives. The four-page indictment charges that DeLay conspired with Ellis and Colyandro to use donations from companies including Williams Companies Inc. and Sears, Roebuck and Co., now Sears Holdings Corp., to help finance the election campaigns of seven members of the Texas House in 2002. Under Texas law, corporations aren't permitted to donate to candidates." Here's the most salient point of the whole affair, as written up in Salon awhile back: "Just as interesting: On Sept. 20, 2002, the 527 arm of Texans for a Republican Majority sent a check for $190,000 to the Republican National Committee's state arm (RNSEC). That was legal. But exactly two weeks later, on Oct. 4, the RNSEC sent out precisely $190,000 divvied up among seven candidates supported by Texans for Republican Majority, and all received money from it or DeLay's national PAC, Americans for a Republican Majority, at different points, according to filings with the Texas Ethics Commission. This raises the question of whether TRM, which couldn't give the money directly to candidates, simply passed the money to the RNSEC. That would certainly be circumventing the law, if not breaking it." And I like what the late Molly Ivans had to say about Ronnie Earl, too, who was vilified by people on this page: "It's really fascinating to watch the Republican slime machine at work on Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. Earle is one of the longest-serving district attorneys in the entire country. His constituents have been re-electing him since 1976. He was one of the first prosecutors in Texas to create a victim assistance program and helped start the Austin Children's Advocacy Center to help abused kids.
He's pretty much a local hero around here, and no D.A. gets that way by being 'soft on crime.' Earle is death penalty advocate. He is also noted for going after corrupt Democratic politicians in this state, even though he's a Democrat himself. He was willing not only to take on the slam-dunk cases, but also some tough ones just to remind everybody that the law is to be obeyed.
Earle is such a careful craftsman of prosecution that Time magazine selected him as their main example for a major 2003 article to explain how DAs like Earle might bring some resolution to the death penalty debate. Earle has experienced both the good and bad of the death penalty – consequently, he has a special review procedure for cases on which his office seeks capital punishment.
He is widely admired among his peers, and his innovations are often copied. This is the guy the Republicans are blithely dismissing as a 'crackpot.' Since Earle has been in office almost 30 years and has a fine national reputation, it's ludicrous to dismiss him as a 'runaway district attorney.' Does anyone at Fox News ever do any research?"
Written by TW
on 6/6/2007
Thanks "Ole Jarhead" - and sorry I added to the growing Texas pile just now. You're right - we should be focused on Louisiana - we certainly have enough fish to fry there!
Written by TW
on 6/6/2007
TW...nice try...all of that happened before that law was passed...do your homework.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
Everyone in here...give me 5 things that is needed to help Louisiana recover from the storm. I mean think carefully and be sincere. I am interested.
Written by LT
on 6/6/2007
Thanks Dan, that is enough for just today, because tomorrow is another day for hypocrites. By the way do you know the names of the Louisiana Legislators who have gutted the ethics bill? Elliott Stoneceipher mentioned how the bill was gutted by legislator who say they did what they did to help the bill, but it is a lie, because it hurt the ethics bill. I know that you are computer smart so could you find it on the WWW.Legis.us.la. I am happy that the old man Donald Hines is term limited, that's one less and many more to go.
Written by Anonymous
on 6/6/2007
5. A GOOD HOSING OUT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE! (STAFFS
INCLUDED)
4. A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON THE STATE BUDGET
3. A CONSOLIDATION OF STATE OFFICES (IF 2 OR MORE OFFICES DO
THE SAME JOB FIND THE ONE THAT WORKS THE BEST AND GET RID
OF THE REST!
2. A STATEWIDE EMERGECY PLAN THAT WORKS! NOT PIE IN THE SKY,
BUT ONE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS.
1. ELECT A NEW GOVERNOR!!!!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/6/2007
Sorry Jarhead but it is hard not to set the record straight when an opportunity presents it self. Besides, it is TW that has insulted me perhaps once too often. His name calling and insults are personal and uncalled for in any conversation. He singled me out the other day as "stupid". He has called me a racist among other things. I will not be silent when he compares POTUS to a chimp. Your description of our friends from Texas is not very flattering and should be corrected. It was the good people of that state that took in a whole bunch of Katrina evacuees who still consider themselves "guests" of the state. One person made a very astute observation the other day. He said that TW presents himself as an expert on everything but that required the stupidity of everyone else. I think that is when TW said that he did not mean that everyone was stupid unless you are Sharon and then you are stupid. WE were not the ones who brought up Tom Delay but once it was brought up we felt the need to set the record straight. My sister-in-law lives in Sugarland. Tom Delay was being forced out, did decide in the end for the good of the party he would step aside, and many of us believe that is what Jefferson should do but we are not holding our breath.
Written by Sharon
on 6/6/2007
Now T.W. YOU KNOW that the late Molly Ivans was nothing more than a MOUTHPIECE of the d party in Texas! She wrote an article when the late Ann "Ma" Richards was Governor on how all Texans should give up their guns when Richards tried to pass a anti handgun law (that her own party would not support) She hated GW Bush when he was governor of Texas, and NEVER had ANY THING nice to say, SHE SUPPORTED your party no matter what. YOU TALK about FOX not doing its research seems to me YOU took her word without researching anyone else or what any other opinon is. The makeup of Travis County (where the city of Austin is AND the Capital is d Stronghold (have a brother that lives north of there in Williamson County) It has ALWAYS been a democrat stronghold they vote at least 60-80% dem even today! Is it no wonder then that a d would get elected there since 1976? I mean DUH!!! Ronnie Earl went after ONE DEM and the only reason he did was because he had to ( I was told it was a d State rep that got caught red handed giving a bribe) He has gone after more than 20 Republicans and gotten guess how many well not counting the 2 plea bargins in the Delay case NONE! He went after Kay Baiely Hutchenson, it was during an election year, after she TROUNCED the d she faced in the senate race he dropped all the charges because he had NO PROOF OF A CRIME BEING COMMITED! SO did you intentionally, misrepresent Molly Ivans was it your intention to show Molly Ivans to be a BALANCED JOURNALIST? beacuse she WAS NOT!!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/6/2007
Cannot... stop myself... ugh. I am a weak, weak, man, Ole Jarhead. Sorry. Now LT, no need to patronize me - the ban against corporate contributions was already in effect in 2002, and the new 2003 law you cite is not necessarily relevant: "University of Texas law Professor George Dix said he wasn't sure why a new indictment was necessary because the Penal Code in 2002 made it a crime to conspire to commit any felony.
Dix said it was a felony in 2002 to use corporate money to try to influence the outcome of an election.
He said the fact the law was changed in 2003 to specifically include the election code under conspiracy should be irrelevant. 'I don't see the necessity for the 2003 law,' he said."
Written by TW
on 6/6/2007
Yes TW it is not the crime or the guilt, it is the "seriousness of the Charge". LT gave you all the facts. The Tom Delay case was a political witchhunt by a rogue DA just like the Duke Lacrosse case. The DA did not even give all the evidence to the Grand Jury. The laws regarding PACs etc were changed after the incident quoted. There really was no there there. Just "get Delay" out of Congress. He is too tough. The Dems won the way they always do by hook or crook. Well Jefferson is charged with crimes that would net him some 200 + years in jail. I would say that enough of them will be proved to warrant him "manning up" and letting the people of his district have someone who can be effective in representing them.
It was a sorrowful Bobby Jindal appearing on the tube last night after Congress acted in an unprecedented way by discharging an investigation into Bill Jefferson.
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