Yesterday, I received a slick postal mailing from the Louisiana Republican Party--an “information” piece educating me on lack of virtues of John Georges and gambling.It was called “John Georges. Gambling With Our Future.”
This mailing accused Georges of stacking “the deck in his favor”, said he got “rich off gambling” and said that Georges plan is a “Bad Bet for Louisiana”
I am a person who has spent a grand total of five to ten dollars in the entire gambling industry which includes the lottery, video poker, any and all forms of casino gambling, so, without hedging, I can honestly say “I am not a gambling man”.
But, since the Louisiana Republican Party and Bobby Jindal have been painting Georges green with gambling dollars, it’s time to see exactly where they stand on the issues.
During the Shreveport debate last month, the questioner asked about the Shreveport Riverboat Casino which according to many in that area is important to the region.The citizens are concerned about the prospects of competing states taking away their dollars.Georges, Walter Boasso andFoster Campbell all answered the question directly about gambling in that area.Bobby Jindal did not.All of the other candidates said maintaining a viable riverboat gaming industry was important for that part of the economy.Jindal skirted the issue and talked about consistencies of government regulations.I raised the question then why did he not want to talk about gambling.Knowing what I now know how he does not answer questions that could hurt him, I could only speculate that he did not want to upset his base.
Last week, Jindal started running ads regarding Georges being involved in video poker.Then came the non-ending Republican emails about Georges and the industry.Finally, yesterday, I received the glossy green mailing emblazoned with casino chips.All of these questions now raise the much bigger and broader issue for Jindal and the Louisiana Republican and perhaps some Democrats to answer before election day:Are they against video poker, the Harrah’s casino, riverboat gambling, the lottery and the other forms of betting which the Louisiana legislature deemed legal although they entitle it “gaming”?
If so, they should tell the thousands of restaurants and bar owners and employees who meet their monthly notes due to the additional revenues generated by these endeavors.If so, they should tell Harrah’s New Orleans to hit the road.If so, they should close down the lottery.If so, they should Jindal get into power, he should immediately call a special session along with his session on ethics and return all of the ill-gotten gain Louisiana has received in gaming taxes (by giving it all to charity)-- which this state has received since the legislative decision to allow the industry.
Again, it is not the gaming I crave since all forms of gambling in Louisiana and elsewhere would go bankrupt by my dollars spent.Plus, I do believe that Georges should have more accurately have answered the question posed to him by saying he is in the process of giving up his gaming interests instead of saying he did.But, it is the incredible hypocrisy of the holier-than-thou crowd that will do anything to gain power that has gotten my ire.
Let us be honest for once and put our hands on the table:Jindal and now the Republican Party and Democrats who agree should tell us if they will shutter our windows and doors and just let Mississippi and soon Texas to rake in those revenues?Blaming one who benefited and talking in fast circles about an issue to prevent political fallout is not being honest with the people of Louisiana.Then, what can we expect from a person who refuses to face his critics or the good people of this state in an open and honest discussion.
On another matter, according to the Advocate, Richard Ieyoub yesterday said that Bobby Jindal and then Governor Foster attempted to block his lawsuit against the tobacco industry which resulted in over 4 billion dollar settlement with the state.For the life of me, I do not understand why Ieyoub did not raise this issue during his campaign for Governor in 2003, but he did not.Still, there are legal papers in forms of affidavits showing that Jindal and Foster claimed he lacked of authority to sue.The Courts disagreed with Jindal and Foster.For the record, tobacco is another vice which I do not partake.However, if Jindal was so against that lawsuit, he should also demand that Louisiana return the ill-gotten gain from the suit.
I have nothing against restricting gambling or tobacco if that is what the future Governor and legislature wants.But, when I hear straight questions completely circumvented, when I see commercials depicting that someone took legal advantage of an industry and when I read a “slam piece” that projects that John Georges is the king of the money hill of betting, I say to the Louisiana GOP and to their boy wonder to put their own mouths where their money is.Either shut down the industry or shut up.But don’t tell us that an industry is bad and when a man makes good, bash him for his luck and good fortune and make him look like he is the only one who has benefited from this industry.
If John Georges’ money is so dirty, I challenge all of the Republicans and Democrats who have one hand in their pockets and the other holding their noses to return his contributions and donations from his ill-gotten gains.The hypocrisy reeking from those who are complaining is sickening.Let all Republicans and Democrats running for office in 2007 speak the truth upon where they stand on the issue of gambling or “gaming” in Louisiana.The Louisiana Republicans with their emails and their postal mailings and now Jindal has made it a major campaign issue, and it is only fair to eliminate the jokers who want to be our leaders with the truth.But, don’t bet on it.
I'm fed up with the whole thing. I think I'll pull one of the EDWARDS FOR GOVERNOR signs out of the garage and put it in the front yard. Written by Gilbert E in Metairie
on 10/17/2007
I'm fed up with the whole thing. I think I'll pull one of the EDWARDS FOR GOVERNOR signs out of the garage and put it in the front yard. Written by Gilbert E in Metairie
on 10/17/2007
I likewise am concerned about where the money is coming from. Which is why I am confused why Jindal received 50 thousand dollars from a Colorado firm who is trying to do business in Louisiana putting up a racially-insensitive landfill bordering on discrimination against minorities. I would think that Jindal would be smarter than to just take the money. But, I am beginning to believe that like Hermann below, he is just a political hack who will do anything to win. As far as making a color picture look black and white, that is done by so many politicians to make a person look sinister. It is not a practice I like, but it certainly is not a racial or ethnic thing. As far as Bayoubuzz, I have read columns by this author I disagree but if anything, I have noticed he is extremely fair. He raised a very good set of questions here. Jindal needs to tell us how he feels about gambling. The GOP obviously believes it is ok to engage in whoremongering, but, when it comes to a legal business that impacts thousands across the state, the party is silent and so is the candidate. Sometimes Mr. Jindal and Mr. GOP, the truth hurts and it must be hurting or else you guys would not be so outraged when your own ox gets gored by a legitimate set of questions. Written by Righteous
on 10/16/2007
Jindal has side stepped any issue that will cost him, or he does not want to commit on the subject. . In the first debate, he tapped dance around the abortion issue. He put the question aside, and talked about something else. I wish the moderator would have made him answer the question. Will Jindal be as secretive if he is elected governor. Again, as I have stated the past sevral weeks, who is bobby Jindal. I was going to vote for him , but I have changed my mind. He is showing some characteristics that scare me. I hope I am wrong. I have trouble following Jindal he talks too fast. He speaks about 400 or 500 words a minute with gusts up to 800. Will the real Bobby Jindal stand up? Maybe I could still vote for him; or not. Written by Bobby
on 10/16/2007
Steve, I wasn't in anyway trying to "smear" you. I was only making an observation. It's bad enough we have paid pollsters trying to steer people in one direction because behind the scenes they're being paid by the candidates. A web site that has the appearance of being even handed yet while I'm reading an editorial written against one candidate an opposing candidate is staring me in the face with a paid advertisement made we wonder. In politics, as you know, you never really know where the money's going and how that impacts who is supporting whom. I'm glad that you cleared up the issue as I was not aware of your policies. Maybe you might give some consideration to not allowing political ads so as not to appear to be favoring one candidate over the other because the ads help to pay the bills. The appearance is one of a conflict even if in reality it is not.
As for Jindal, I don't know if he's the right guy for the job. For example, his position on "intelligent design" makes me cringe. How can somebody so smart be ignorant? On the other hand, Georges has a lot of baggage like video poker, ties to Edwin Edwards and some other less savory folk, that I could not in good conscience think he can lead the state without the flies landing on the dung heap as in the past. I don't want that at all. That's not progress that's regression. So at this point I guess I'm one of the 30% undecided.
Steve, thanks for having this forum and please don't be angry. Written by BINNOLA
on 10/16/2007
The actual issue here is character of the canditate. People expects better character from a leader than a businessman. It is same as whether you would like a business man running porn business as your leader. As businees man he may right. But as a political leader, he is not.
I found it you are trying to divert the attention from real question. Written by get it right
on 10/16/2007
Steve-- You're so biased against Jindal it's pathetic. This latest feverish attack blows any remaining cover you had. You strain at gnats trying to find a flaw in Jindal and swallow camels concerning the other candidates. Your candidate Georges is completely hypocritical concerning his stand on video poker and other "gaming." His transparent attempt to wash the sleaze off by allegedly selling his interests to a close associate on election eve is a joke, but you only slap his wrist gently on this. I guess you can't be too hard on someone who is paying you for advertising. You continually critize Jindal for avoiding talking to the people in the so-called "debates." You're angry that he prefers to crisscross the State and talk to real grassroot people rather than to a bunch of pompous, self-absorbed, liberal media types like you at the debates. You have absolutely no credibility with me or any other fair-minded person. You should stop taking advertising money from candidates or shut your website down. You're too compromised! Written by hermann
on 10/16/2007
Spell check? This web site is asking important questions and you are concerned about grammar and spellcheck? How about checking into Jindal's campaign records or his lunatic religious beliefs such as teaching creationism in public schools. How about asking him to explain his 50 thousand dollar contributions from a Colorado company who has wanted to open a controversial landfill? fifty thousand dollars from Colorado? Didn't Jindal think twice about that contribution? Spell check and grammar check are the least of our problems. It is Jindal's refusal to tell the truth and engaging in questionable campaign practices while telling us he is all about ethics. By the way, how do you spell H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E? Written by Bob
on 10/16/2007
Actually, I really like this web site. Talk about bias. Take the Baton Rouge Business Report. A newspaper published by the treasurer of Bobby Jindal campaign and who has been writing pro-Jindal articles all along. I also received that republican mailing and felt repulsed by it. Talk about desperate. To send out a mailing making it appear that only Georges has benefited from a legal industry was disgusting. Why would they have sent out that mailing unless they were desperate? At least on this web site you get all sides of the issues, not just one. Have you seen the other crap on the Internet? This writer gets my vote for being fair. He is raising important questions that were previously raised by Jindal and the GOP. They GOP seem like they just don't like to answer. They seem like they are too busy bashing. Written by Clarence
on 10/16/2007
YOU CONSISTENTLY HAVE GRAMATICAL ERRORS.
HOW CAN WE TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY WHEN YOU WON'T EVEN SPELL CHECK YOUR WRITING FOR GRAMTICAL ERRORS? Written by GET SPELL CHECK
on 10/16/2007
Steve---YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED ! All along I felt you were biased against Jindal and secretly for Georges. NOW you are losing it.
EWE and The AdvocATE STATED said that Georges waS AT ONE TIME LARGEST VIDEO POKER DISTRUBTOR IN STATE.
The reason Ieyoub did not bring this up before is --THERE IS NOTHING TO IT ! 10 year old rumor. For you to even memtion a last minute attack to give it credence shows you are status quo 100%%
I'm really ashamed that I have recommmenede this website to others as being fair. no longer. Written by Ken
on 10/16/2007
binola,
Since you raise the question, I am first not anti-Jindal but have found him not to be the wonderboy people think he is. He is a politician who won't talk about his record nor talk about his contributions or his campaign expenditures. I have also praised him, but, I am not swooned by him at all. Sorry. as far as your comments about paying, as all politicians know, they can advertise on Bayoubuzz. They also know they get no free ride as Georges knows from this and other columns. So, thanks for trying to smear me, but, all politicians are free to advertise and in fact, the past three advertisers have been Republicans. By the way, I have allowed many republicans write for Bayoubuzz and many of them I agree with on their issues and many of them I disagree with--same as many democrats. So, payment is the very last thing I look at and in this writing and other writings. I have questioned Geeorges rrgarding why he says he sold his company when the sale is still pending. So, thanks for your curiosity which comes across as a smear job, but, the small amount of money I get from this advertising is not going to sway my opinion in any respect. Nor, by the way would large amounts of money from advertising going to prejudice me. My record of questioning all sides speaks for itself. If I don't get questions answered, I will continue asking. You obviously won't like the answers until I say things you like. In this case, I am asking people to stop being hypocritical, answer the questions and tell us where they stand on gambling. I am also saying Georges is being painted by the GOP and Jindal as the gambling candidate, so I am asking then to tell us where they stand on this issue so we know when we vote. Written by Stephen Sabludowsky, Publisher of Bayoubuzz.com
on 10/16/2007
It is simply amazing how many of you on here are truly scared of a Jindal Governorship after the incompetence we just went through with Blanco! Are you kidding me I am stunned. By the way anyone that Nagin wants to endorse I will gladly run from especially someone who can not decide what party he really is! Written by Audra
on 10/16/2007
Right on, Righteous, dear!!!!!! Written by RhettsWife
on 10/16/2007
Steve - thanks for taking the mask off. You have become incoherent and unhinged. It must finally be sinking in what is going to happen Saturday - and what has been happening over the last three years. I guess y'all can try the commercials darkening Jindal's skin again - probably won't work but hey - it's the ends not means - right? who cares about "hypocrisy"? right? Steve-O?? Written by Steve - out of the closet
on 10/16/2007
Bravo. Finally someone is asking very good questions and trying to get answers. We should know what type of government we are getting and what type of politician we are electing. For those who think Steve is angry, how about his being passionate for standing up for what he believes? He seems to be pointing out the hypocricies. What is wrong with that? Also, I think he is being quite fair. He did criticized Mr. Georges for not being straight-forward and Ieyoub for not coming forward earlier. If Jindal and his buddies are going to make this state into a holier than thou state, we need to know that. Come to think about it, what exactly does the general public know about Jindal? Again, Bravo. Written by Righteous
on 10/16/2007
Sorry, but even though it's legal, the video poker business stinks of sleazy. Also, unlike most businesses, it's regulated by the state government so Georges running for state leader and having a business regulated by the state IS something to take a look at even if he transfers ownership. It's all smelly to me.
I wonder how a web site like bayoubuzz.com can be impartial when it selling ads to a candidate. Steve talks bad about Jindal and praises Georges when Georges picture is right next to the editorial. There are plenty of things I maybe don't like about Jindal, but I'm not getting paid by another's campaign to say them to an audience. The more I read bayoubuzz.com the more I wonder what the agenda is. Written by binnola
on 10/16/2007
Thank you Steve. There are many of us who agree with you on this. We will not fall for what Jindal and "the Professor" are shovelling out. Written by OA
on 10/16/2007
Your pgh about Georges donations made me wonder--Has Bobby taken his contributions in previous races for gov and house? I know there are lists, but I don't have the time at the moment to check.
LL Written by Larry Lorenz
on 10/16/2007
Bravo, well said Stephen Sabludowsky. On this we agree. Written by T. Lee Horne, III
on 10/16/2007
Thanks-my first reply. This is good, accurate information---keep it coming Written by John K
on 10/16/2007
Thanks-my first reply. This is good, accurate information---keep it coming Written by John K
on 10/16/2007
My grandfather was a lifelong Republican who was often heard saying, "what's good for GM is good for the country". In his mind big business made money that trickled down to the little people, and he retired on his pension. Lot's of luck finding that situation now. We have one Democratic canidate in this race who has a history of demonstrating his support of the interests of the middle class and the poor: Foster Campbell. Think about who has been willing to take on industry. So many people will not vote because they feel powerless over coporate America. Do we really believe that only the self-financed or industry-financed can be elected? Are we really looking at only Jindal or George? In that case, in the general election who would we expect to be elected, the best Republican, Bobby Jindal. Let's send someone from the runoff who really is different from Bobby Jindal and not recently changed from the Republican Party. Send Foster Campbell into the runoff, and then let's see what he can do against Bobby with some of financial backing that would follow into the general election.
Written by shoofly
on 10/16/2007
I wonder why no one has asked the question:
Is Bobby Jindal Indian enough?
Written by George R. Blow
on 10/16/2007
Wait a second! John Georges made money in an industry that is legal!??!?! OH NO!!! THE HORROR!!!!! Written by Dan
on 10/16/2007
Stevie: You seem upset that the Republican Party sent you a piece about Georges and his gambling money. I guess the GOP had to do what the drive by media wouldn't do in all of those forums you wanted. Don't cry too much on Saturday when there's no runoff and no more forums. By the way, I haven't seem Little Moon debate any of his opponents or Bob Odom. I guess we criticize only Republicans when they don't show up for the drive by media dog and pony show. I wonder if Katrina Mary will debate next year. Perhaps she'll explain why she continues to do Dingy Harry's dirty work. Written by Bill
on 10/16/2007
Amen! Doesn't his stand against gambling and for tobacco make Jendal inconsistently corrupt? Inconsistent seems to define him more than corrupt. The only thing that he consistently does is hide from the voter. His skipped votes on war funding and healthcare for children reveal his avoidance of contention. Now he has become a Boasso convert and will make one of his rare trips to Washington to vote to override Bush's veto of the CHIPS legislation. The Jendalla bird has pulled his head from the sand to take a stand! His consistent skipping of the many forums where most of the state's outstanding public figures gathered,gives rise to the fear that he must only be associating with religious assemblies who will supply him with the seven percent of the electorate that he needs! Written by Cholly b
on 10/16/2007
Hahahahah - you're getting madder and madder the closer we get to a Jindal win in 4 days. I'm picturing this little boy sitting in the middle of his room, holding his breath because Mommy won't let him have a popsicle. A majority of Louisianians has figured out that Jindal is the best person to lead us. You keep saying that you need "more information, more debates, more disclosure, more, more, more" to make your decision. Well, you're not going to get any more. All the information is out there. I've talked with the major candidates. I've asked the questions that matter to me. I've gotten the answers I asked for. I've made my decision. I realize that you and the other 30% undecided people in the state just can't make up your minds - but don't go blue in the face about it! Written by Professor
on 10/16/2007
Stephen, dear, the stench from the GOP and its candidate for governor is covering this state. Some people will consider it the perfume of change but we consider it the stench of continued disarray of this state and the Republican party. As far as we are concerned, the failure of Mr. Jindal to speak and to rely on this last minute routine is evidence of his inability to truly lead. One who is afraid to speak and address publicly his claims is an individual that does not deserve a vote. Jindal and his co-horts are suddenly afraid of Mr. Georges. Why dears? Simply put they are more fearful of Georges than the other candidates. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/16/2007
Yesterday, I received a slick postal mailing from the Louisiana Republican Party--an “information” piece educating me on lack of virtues of John Georges and gambling.
