The much maligned President George W. Bush visited the State of Louisiana fifteen times after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the state. Even though his administration badly handled the hurricane and the aftermath, the President at least gave some focus and attention to this issue. He appointed high profile recovery directors and was sure to recognize the region for every hurricane anniversary.
Since President Bush left office, there has been little or nothing from the Obama administration. Carlton Dufrechou of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation said that the new administration has basically delivered only lip service in regards to the most important issue facing Louisiana, coastal erosion. President Obama has not visited the state in the first seven months of his presidency. In fact, Obama has only traveled to 18 states, mostly ones that are solidly “blue” or Democratic. As we approach the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, inquiring minds want to know if President Obama will recognize the date in any way. He is currently scheduled to be on vacation at the liberal’s favorite haunt, Martha’s Vineyard.
Someone needs to remind Barack Obama that he is President of the entire United States, all 50 of them, even “red” Republican states. His travel schedule clearly indicates that he is still operating in campaign mode. For example, his healthcare forum today was pure Obama theatre. He handled a bunch of softball questions from plants in the audience. Not surprisingly, the liberal mind numbed robots even started chanting “yes, we can.” At the same time, most Americans are chanting “hell no” regarding his plan for socialized medicine. The latest poll shows only 42% support for the Obama plan, while 53% oppose this concept. The Rasmussen poll indicates that public support for the plan is at its lowest point and falling.
Part of the problem is that the plan is over 1,000 pages and many members of Congress have no idea what is contained in the legislation. In an interview on my Ringside radio program today (WGSO 990 AM 7-11 a.m. weekdays); U.S. Congressman Joseph Cao (R-New Orleans) admitted that while he read three versions of the health care bill, he still does not fully understand many of the concepts outlined. Cao is an attorney and former LoyolaUniversity professor and if he is confused by the complex legislation imagine how the average American feels about this bill. Small wonder that the administration hesitated to post the entirety of the bill online for Americans to read.
At least some members of Congress are meeting with their constituents to discuss relevant portions of the legislation.. Cao and his Republican colleagues U.S. Senator David Vitter and U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise (R-Metairie) are planning multiple town hall meetings throughout the region and state. In fact, Scalise is planning one in each of the six parishes represented in his congressional district.
In contrast, Louisiana’s two Democratic congressional members, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville) have no town hall meetings planned. One of my radio show callers tried this morning to reach the local offices of both Melancon and Landrieu. Incredibly, no one answered the phone even though there is more voter interest in this issue than in any other that has been debated in recent years. Maybe the Democrats do not want to hear the angry voices of their constituents, the voters who are rightfully outraged about the immense growth of government and this trillion dollar plan to insert the noxious hand of the federal bureaucracy into this system.
If Barack Obama continues to neglect Louisiana and the Democrats try to deploy the run and hide strategy, the state will continue to vote for Republican candidates, who seem to be responding to the voices of their constituents and at the very least listening to their concerns.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Ponder away Kj, and may grace be with you.......... Now go ahead and bestow some on someone else, you are quite stale my dear.................... Smells sort of like 4 day old fish............... Written by
on 8/25/2009
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My point is, don't condemn the entire forest due to one tree bearing rotten fruit. Written by kpf
on 8/22/2009
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THESE are the words that came out of your sick demented head, Mr Written By::::::
…. “that gal must not really be too career minded orientated or driven because if she were she wouldn’t have gotten knocked up in the first place”…..
AND THIS:::::, “if the unborn child is the product of rape chances are the woman allowed herself to be subjected to a situation where the possibility of rape became more than a possibility but rather more of a likelihood.” ……..
And of course- this:::
….“if the abortion is simply being performed so that a hater and user of men can avoid her body getting a little ‘out of shape’ as a result of a pregnancy making her a little less desirable to men so that she can constantly use those for money”…………………………
You are , my dear, are SATAN.
Written by KJ
on 8/21/2009
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Thank you for your kind concern, "written-by character"-- Will you pray for me?.. I could use all the grace I can get... And, I'll take you up on that Oprah call-- think she'll come out for Health Care Reform?... (Let's see-- you left me a cpl more goodies to ponder ....) Written by KJ
on 8/21/2009
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Look what I've been missing... "Father" KPF says, "This is the essence of prejudice, in all of its forms, and is unworthy of you." Oh spare me the righteous talk about prejudice... You judge a tree by the fruit it bares. Written by KJ
on 8/21/2009
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Oh, thank you 'friend' I hadn't had a chance to read your post before I returned a dialog for KJ. Written by
on 8/20/2009
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Uhhhhhh, KJ, I am not affiliated with no group, nor am I some kind of an Anti-abortion 'activist'.......... I merely understand that voodoo practice (abortion) to be an abortion to nature, and a defiler of human character or damage to the soul.... I am saddened for any gal that made sort of a decision to 'abort' a life and have seen the scars it left on many of them.... And for those that were unaffected or indifferent after having one of those procedures performed as in it having the same effect as taking a dose of Nyquil for a case of the 'sniffles' or a 'cold' there is a clinical definition for that type of a person: it is called a 'Sociopath'..... And for those that advocate such a thing, there is another clinical definition that applies; it is called being a 'Misanthrope'.... So do not attempt to Sully my integrity or or character with some kind of overt nuance that is meant to imply some kind of a radical........ KJ, you appear to be a bit tarnished or jaded? Perhaps you should seek out the Dali Lama because it is apparent you reject a rather important portion of Christian based principles or beliefs for some reason..... Nothing wrong with delving into philosophy as sooner or later if a person has been enriched by the exposure to such that person ultimately realizes and comes to a conclusion that there is a God..... Which one you choose to believe in is up to your own personal choice....... Now that is my idea of pro-choice..... The freedom to experience wisdom and knowledge as you see fit........ You have a right to your own mind, but not the right to terminate the life which in reality, really doesn't belong to you and is not yours for the taking or for the sacrafice....... But you do have the right to raise that life form to maturity nurtured and steeped in all the love, care, and compassion you care to bestow upon it...... Of course a Sociopath has no real perception of love, care, or compassion..... And without those qualities there is a definite lack of or respect for humanity........ My what a horribly wrong and slippery slope this supposedly 'evolved' society is sliding down..... You know something, if you don’t want to talk to a minister perhaps you may want to talk to another feminist… Her name is Oprah Winfrey… I don’t much care about her one way or another in as far as advocating goes but it seems apparent to me that you need to get out and talk to someone…….. Written by
on 8/20/2009
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Taxes, fines, garnishments, and government interference through quota, protocol, diplomatic action or consequences and the method or methods they are collected, imposed, levied, utilized or squandered are the #1 problem the nation is faced with.......... Corruption is merely one of the binary catalysts involved in the overall composition..... You get those under control and I will guarantee you that healthcare for all will be in as abundant and useful as the leaves on a tree... Without any calamity or derision involved.
Uhhhhhh, KJ, I am not affiliated with no group, nor am I some kind of an Anti-abortion 'activist'.......... I merely understand that voodoo practice (abortion) to be an abortion to nature, and a defiler of human character or damage to the soul.... I am saddened for any gal that made sort of a decision to 'abort' a life and have seen the scars it left on many of them.... And for those that were unaffected or indifferent after having one of those procedures performed as in it having the same effect as taking a dose of Nyquil for a case of the 'sniffles' or a 'cold' there is a clinical definition for that type of a person: it is called a 'Sociopath'..... And for those that advocate such a thing, there is another clinical definition that applies; it is called being a 'Misanthrope'.... So do not attempt to Sully my integrity or or character with some kind of overt nuance that is meant to imply some kind of a radical........ KJ, you appear to be a bit tarnished or jaded? Perhaps you should seek out the Dali Lama because it is apparent you reject a rather important portion of Christian based principles or beliefs for some reason..... Nothing wrong with delving into philosophy as sooner or later if a person has been enriched by the exposure to such that person ultimately realizes and comes to a conclusion that there is a God..... Which one you choose to believe in is up to your own personal choice....... Now that is my idea of pro-choice..... The freedom to experience wisdom and knowledge as you see fit........ You have a right to your own mind, but not the right to terminate the life which in reality, really doesn't belong to you and is not yours for the taking or for the sacrafice....... But you do have the right to raise that life form to maturity nurtured and steeped in all the love, care, and compassion you care to bestow upon it...... Of course a Sociopath has no real perception of love, care, or compassion..... And without those qualities there is a definite lack of or respect for humanity........ My what a horribly wrong and slippery slope this supposedly 'evolved' society is sliding down..... You know something, if you don’t want to talk to a minister perhaps you may want to talk to another feminist… Her name is Oprah Winfrey… I don’t much care about her one way or another in as far as advocating goes but it seems apparent to me that you need to get out and talk to someone……..
Written by
on 8/20/2009
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Dear Lady, try not to "group" ALL individuals with a certain belief by the worst of them. Just as not all environmentalists are similar to the murderous environmentalist the Unabomber, so too not all (or even "most") anti-abortion foes violent due to the actions of a rare few. Judging individuals by their "group identity" is no different than what the Nazis did with the Jews, or Southern racists do with black people. Individuals are just that – “individuals” - their worth is determined by their individual choices as to how they treat others, not by what "someone like them" does or does not do. This is the essence of prejudice, in all of its forms, and is unworthy of you. It is the quintessential form of human evil, IMHO. Written by a friend
on 8/19/2009
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LOL... CN.. er, "mr written by"... you typed all that for me? Spare me your anti-abortion activist spiel..... Your group is violent and dangerous. Written by KJ
on 8/19/2009
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oh, by the way Kj, the "So keep your doors shut and locked and the instance for that kind of an occurence happening starts diminishing rapidly" quip can also be taken as a metaphore, it has several meanings actually.......... Written by
on 8/19/2009
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Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you misread or misunderstand there KJ…. I have no Bible in hand… The only reason why I am not clinging to that bible and clinging to the common sense or the proclamation of mans need to have faith that contained within is because instead it being the only source of common sense or faith there is also the mere fact that I am able to post an answer to your suspected PMS based rave…. I am able to do so BECAUSE MY MOMMA DIDN’T HAVE NO ABORTION when I was inside her belly…. And you are able to read it because your Momma didn’t have an abortion either…. Sad is the society that would consider it reasonable to euthanize the elderly or infirm, to abandon their children and decencies, or to cut them from the womb because of a perceived ‘inconvenience’ to the bearer of new life… I would consider a nation or a society that adopts such values to be hardly worth fighting for let alone caring for… Hell if I were to adopt your point of view I could also rationalize cannibalism because I was hungry and the Big Mac wasn’t filling or tasty enough…… 10,000 years of evolution so that man didn’t have to forage or hunt for sustenance and this is what we have become or are expected to become? And no, I do not want my tax dollars going towards the payment of an abortion procedure when the mother could have utilized birth control contraceptives instead……. Far less expensive, and from a cost analysis standpoint a lot more effective and efficient…….. Now if there is imminent danger of death to BOTH the unborn CHILD and the MOTHER I would have to say that there should be room for some allowance…. But if the abortion is simply being performed so that a hater and user of men can avoid her body getting a little ‘out of shape’ as a result of a pregnancy making her a little less desirable to men so that she can constantly use those for money I say not only no, but helllllllllllllllllllllll no… And if a gal is only concerned with the implications this may have on a ‘career’, well then all I can say about that is that gal must not really be too career minded orientated or driven because if she were she wouldn’t have gotten knocked up in the first place…. And if the unborn child is the product of rape chances are the woman allowed herself to be subjected to a situation where the possibility of rape became more than a possibility but rather more of a likelihood which is not something I want to sit over or preside over if a judgement is asked for.... Responsibility starts with the owner of the equipment... So keep your doors shut and locked and the instance for that kind of an occurence happening starts diminishing rapidly.... Written by
on 8/19/2009
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The older ladies at the TownHall meetings were screeching, "The government is not going to tell me what to do with my body!"... Amen, Sistuh!.... (Surely- they're all pro-choice.) That’s ALL I HEAR:::: "It's my body."...."It's my this-- it's MY that"… "You can't have any-- and you can't touch it"..... Ooookay...... I'll agree................now- back to the Anti-Abortion-Activist, (who doesn't sign his name again):::::The base of "your" hysteria, mr written-by, is frustration over a woman's right to choose. Put ya bible away, there will be no reversal of Roe vs. Wade- not in your lifetime- not ever..... And before you die, ole-timer, we'll have universal healthcare too. (Yeah- without the "Pull the plug on Grandpa" part... <snappin' finguhs> ) Written by KJ
on 8/18/2009
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Health care for 'every' American? It's a 'right'? Are unborn fetuses of American women 'American'? Or is there a 'one foot in' policy? Can a fetus only be American if it can touch its foot on the floor first before being tossed in a garbage can? Health care? What kind of health care? Boob jobs? Liposuction? Botox? Hair implants? What about dentistry? Where is the money going to come from? A right? Who's rights? The governments right to just reach into the pockets of everyone or smash everyones piggy bank because it wants money to what? Stage a special olympic somewhere at the cost of millions of dollars? Exactly what kind of health care, rights, cost, and availability and to what extent is it you are demanding these things? Do you even know what Health care is? Perhaps we as a nation should first be given some kind of a uniform website where health care etc., etc., etc. is clearly and plainly described... Imapacts of conducting versus impacts of ignoring..... Sure KJ, you want to blog about this? Maybe folks will understand a little better if it all just gets out into the open.... Without the sway and persuasion of media, politicians or private interests..... Written by
on 8/18/2009
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What kind of "reform" would you suggest there KJ? .... For starters::: Health Care for every adult in America... it's a right. Written by KJ
on 8/17/2009
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"Pass Health Insurance Reform now........ We have to."??????????????????? What kind of "reform" would you suggest there KJ? What all would it encompass? And who is the 'We' you are refering to? 'We' don't 'have' to do anything.................. I am sort of under the impression that 'We' are merely expected to 'endure' and to endure what is 'expected'.....
Written by
on 8/17/2009
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"Sometimes, it 'takes a train wreck' to help people see reality. The engine is picking up speed" .... .. Yes indeed, people- we must do something now.... HealthCare, the way it is, is going to run this train right off the cliff—UNLESS, we change its course. Steer this catastrophe into a different direction.... Prevent this train wreck ... Pass Health Insurance Reform now........ We have to. Written by KJ
on 8/16/2009
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We already have too many "... typical easily manipulated fool of a citizen" types electing officials and swooning over their appearances. The "dismal future" is here now, has been here a while and won't go away until - like an alcoholic - we "hit bottom." The "change" we need will come when we've spent enough on entitlements, have enough debt, and have caused enough inflation that even the most ignorant of those who "want" and "see needs" without regard to the "costs" will understand that we must prioritize and simply cannot do everything for everybody. Sometimes, it "takes a train wreck" to to help people see reality. The engine is picking up speed .... Written by speak truth to mindless tax and spenders
on 8/16/2009
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"If Barack Obama continues to neglect Louisiana and the Democrats try to deploy the run and hide strategy, the state will continue to vote for Republican candidates,"....what a bunch of rubbish, Jeff.....I wanted to pick apart every paragraph....starting with your calling HealthCare Reform "Obama's Plan"....it's not "Obama's Plan".... but--- WTF... let's proceed...... Oh, praise David Vitter for holding friendly townhall meetings....(Ahem.)... Speakers were pre-selected and screened in Pineville-- (WHICH, btw- is the home of LA.Christian College-- talk about "preaching to the choir")---- AND- the Jeff Parish meeting was filled with handicapped people FIRST...-- imagine what limited seating was left. ... Oh- and about Scalise's upcoming meeting on Aug.19 - The planned agenda is "Crime".. and Sheriff Normand is speaking -- [Have you ever listened to Newell Norman give a speech???- .......Zzzz..... Bring ya blackberries.]...........It warms my soul to hear you yearning for a visit from President Obama...Wouldn't that be wonderful? Written by KJ
on 8/14/2009
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Anyone who is impressed by a presidential visit is a moron. The only reasons that politicians visit is to create some sort of photo opportunity to support one of their already selected political positions. Anyone who falls for this cynical political showbiz is just a typical easily manipulated fool of a citizen. If Americans don't start watching what politicians do instead of what they say, we all face a dismal future. Written by
on 8/14/2009
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political debate?????? uHHHHHHHHHH,,,,, LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.... Poihaps that is political enough or poihaps it isn't... I suppose it all depends on what side of the pirogue your paddle is paddling and what you expect to find as a final destination?????? Por Que???? I dunno... Written by
on 8/13/2009
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In this electronic age, the President does not haveto visit our state, nor does Bobby Jindal need to e in our state, to govern. It's a non-issue, it detracts from what should be the topics of political debate. Written by my two cents
on 8/13/2009
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All we can do is send the letters and speak our mind when given the opportunity. Our elected public servants in Washington are not good "lobbyists" for the people that they supposedly represent. And the president won't be heading down here anytime soon because he doesn't need us. Written by CN
on 8/13/2009
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So I suppose what you are saying there CN is that there is no realistic probablility of the meeting of the minds occuring to solve realistic problems that citizens may have? I wrote President Obama a letter, it probably didn't do much good, but I at least did my civic duty to at least attempt contact with him or his staff... What they do with it from there is their doings, not mine... I offered the feds the same deal as is on my website, which on their part would be several billion in savings which of course can be amplified may times fold if I were allowed to take care of some of the pressing urgencies that will become manifest sooner or later in other states or regions of the United States where flooding is a high potential, and economic disaster as a result of such floods is a real potential, and those regions or states don't have all the dough to spread around and a more inexpensive yet highly effective flood protection program coupled with the same in systems are needed.......... Hey, you can lead a pig to water but you just can't make it bathe I would guess... Written by
on 8/13/2009
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"A moving target is harder to hit" so a president that never stays in one place for more than 3 days is harder to pin down with real questions from real people. Written by CN
on 8/13/2009
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"cut government spending, reduce the deficit (eliminate it and use the surplus to pay down the debt is better) and increase interest rates" you say? Absolutely what is needed. "We the people" should save as much as possible and NOT spend money needlessly. All this false "stimulus" will just be another bubble to burst - and we'll be in worse shape then we are now. Written by kpf, but, we're pi _ _ing in the wind I'm afraid
on 8/12/2009
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I don't know about all that there CN, I once heard a wise man say; "If you're not a part of the solution, there's good money to be made in prolonging the problem." Written by
on 8/12/2009
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Good point Quidd, Obama does travel alot but just hasn't made it here yet. Written by CN
on 8/12/2009
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In an immediste contradiction of Jeff's claims, Obama's Secretary of Veterans Affairs was in New Orleans to commit to building the new VA Hospital here in New Orleans yesterday. Jeff is a hypocrite when it comes to Obama's travel. If Obama were to spend more time traveling to Louisiana and other states, Jeff would be criticizing him for not spending enough time on the job in Washington. Jeff has already criticized Jindal for all his trips around the country. Written by David Quidd
on 8/12/2009
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And if our politicians are not going to "cut government spending" then perhaps our politicans should allow individuals who can bring down initial and direct costs to the government for goods and services the opportunity and advocation to do so................... Written by
on 8/12/2009
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As the dollar begins to collapse, government workers and soldiers will demand higher wages just like what happened in Zimbabwe, and the rate at which we print money will increase. Interest rates will have to go much higher and we will be burdened with massive interest payments on our national debt, which will have to be monetized. There is no good outcome of this situation, but the best way out is to cut government spending and the budget deficit now while increasing interest rates immediately.
Written by
on 8/12/2009
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In fact, you bang on that Katrina subject in the same mannerism that someone kicks an old cardboard box around..... It solves nothing, and it is not JUST the democrats that are ignoring what is good for Louisiana, it is REPUBLICANS too believe it or knot.... Written by
on 8/12/2009
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Not an Obama supporter, but then again I am not a Jindal supporter either.... Aren't a bunch of the recent (and seemingly on and on and ongoing) complaints about our fair Guv Booby Jindal centered around his perpensity to fly all over the place instead of staying in Baton Rouge where he belongs and tend to business? So Obama stays in D.C.? What's wrong with the man sitting behind the desk he was elected to sit behind while taking care of 'business'? Perhaps our wonderful munchkin guv can take a couple of pointers from Obama hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......? Written by
on 8/12/2009
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I am not sure if I full agree, this administration is very new and needs time to adjust Written by mark
on 8/12/2009
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