by Sarah Whalen, who is a free-lance writer and contributor for Bayoubuzz.com
Sometimes, you just need to jump right in and say it.
"We're not going to spend a lot of time dwelling on personal problems or political problems unless…someone has a problem that is completely criminal," Roger Villere, Metairie, Louisiana's state Republican Party chairman, recently declared.
Villere referred to the marital problems of Louisiana State Senator Julie Quinn and Jefferson Parish Councilman John Young, who were both married—just not to each other. Not yet.
Quinn and Young have "a relationship," but do they have criminal problems? Well, were it not for Villere's remarks, we wouldn't even ask. But Villere's implication that Quinn and Young don't have "a problem that is completely criminal" makes us ask—Do Quinn and Young have "a problem that is," well, incompletely "criminal?"
Or do they just have messy, interrelated divorces that have nothing to do with their public personas?
One thing is certain—Quinn and Young's self-images are intact, if not intractable. Quinn and Young think so highly of themselves that they are both considering new political runs. Quinn may oppose Louisiana's senior senator, Mary Landrieu, in 2008. And Young might seek the 1st Congressional District seat if Bobby Jindal wins the governorship this fall.
And why not?
Quinn must be feeling absolutely emboldened by her success in ousting Patricia LeBlanc, a lawyer for her ex-husband's hotel company, from her seat on the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway Commission. Quinn also reportedly "championed a bill that requires anyone arrested for violating a restraining order to serve a mandatory 90 days in jail"—a purportedly public bill that Quinn's own advisor admits she proposed directly because she didn't like her ex-husband, wealthy hotelier Patrick Quinn, driving by "her" house in Old Metairie (in violation of a protective order) to knock on her new lover's door just blocks away to tell the new man "to stay away from [Quinn's] children."
In other words, Quinn has twice conveniently used her public office in a way that mostly helps herself.
But who cares? Since the Louisiana GOP now asserts that the sky's the limit in personal behavior as long as a Republican politician's not "completely criminal," why not start Quinn and Young on the road to the White House?
Clearly, the GOP and Quinn are clueless about real Republican working women. Ninety days of prison time for driving by one's former marital home in a car? What if you're just short-cutting to Dorignac's, the former marital grocery store? What if you're just picking up the latest certified mail at the former marital post office? Most women with restraining orders don't want their husbands imprisoned if it means that, for three months, the controlling, manipulative jerk won't be able to work and send in the child support payments.
Getting a three-month court-ordered reprieve from responsibility? A lot of men will cut veritable swathes through their former marital neighborhood underbrush.
The future will be interesting for Quinn and Young. Quinn's ex-husband reportedly fronted $20,000 for her School Board election and $126,000 for her Senate run. That's a hunka hunka burning love!
And that doesn't include fripperies like the leopard-skin (or is it..ocelot? Or cheetah?) blouse with its peek-a-boo buttons featured in the Times Picayune's photo of Quinn and Young taken three days before signs declaring Young to be a "liar and adulterer" appeared on Jefferson Parish roadsides. Who will front Quinn's campaign expenses for the far more expensive elections she aspires to?
Who are these new GOP sugar daddies who will support any arrangement "unless… someone has a problem that's completely criminal?"
While the Times Picayune recently excoriated Patrick Quinn, one has to feel some curiosity, if not sympathy, for a man who, after parting with almost $150,000 in campaign cash, entered a drug rehabilitation program at his wife's request to save his marriage and family life, only to be divorced by his wife less than a month later. Yeah, okay, his drug program was in Antigua, which is a whole lot nicer than detoxing at Oschner or University, but hey—he seems to have made an effort. And as for Patrick relieving Julie of her cell phone and car, well, one has to ask, since we are talking "criminal" here—who paid for them? A man feeling cuckolded will want his things—if not his dignity—back.
Most importantly, by promoting Quinn and Young's political careers, the Louisiana GOP is losing touch with the national Republican platform. The National GOP hardly considers itself as "The Party of Anything As Long As It's Not Completely Criminal." Clearly, the "moral majority" philosophy that steers the national party evaporates once one exits I-10 at Bonnabel.
Is it the heat, or the humidity?
Will the next Republican candidates for office in south Louisiana be incomplete criminals? As long as no "complete criminals" apply, it's almost a sure thing.
Wasn't Young going to run against Aaron Broussard? Did that little scandal hold him back? Arrons scandal was a little worse. John Young could have won. Now it might be Leone if no one else runs agains AB. We need two more people to qualify. Aaron may not run. If he does he can not win with all that baggage(three to five billion dollars worth). For more info: http://lenny-jaeger.com/WATERLOO.html
Written by Leonard Jaeger
on 8/21/2007
Might be true Miss Jennifer, I and I have no reason to doubt what you say, the fact is this article is nothing more than a hack job on a Republican. If Miss Q is divorced, I think its none of my business who she sleeps with.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/8/2007
As a woman in my forties and a conservative Republican, I am embarrassed by my district's representation in the State Senate. I find Ms. Quinn's behavior unbecoming of women in general, let alone one in such an influential position. Hardships are part of life. Years ago I was in an empty marriage to a man devoid of feelings and affection; however, during my separation and impending divorce I wasn't shouting to everyone what a farthest-to-the-right-wing conservative I was out of one side of my mouth while whispering sweet nothings in a lover's ear out of the other side. Ms. Quinn may represent my district, but she does not represent my ideals and morals. I hope we see a new face in her Senate seat next year.
Written by Jennifer
on 8/4/2007
I worked for Patrick Quinn in the late 90's. He is a ruthless man. When labor organizers were trying to unionize hotel workers, he acutually called for all employees to attend a mandatory meeting which just featured him reading from a script which basically said unions were bad because they take a part of your paycheck. What he was really doing, was trying to keep his labor costs down. Did he offer benefits? Yes, but you had to be there a year and had a very small window to join up.
Julie Quinn, on the other hand, is even worse. She used her husband to get herself elected to the JP School Board and then to the State Senate. She knew PQ was into blow. She had to. I knew it, and I was just a bullcrap who cares about you employee.
Excellent article.
Written by BT
on 8/4/2007
How many times have we read in the paper that an ex-husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend violated their restraining order and how many times have we read that they kill their ex and children? Since Julie Quinn and John Young are both dealing with spouses that abused drugs and alcholism, I don't blame JQ for putting a restraining order on PQ.
JQ is a lawyer/elected official in her own right and has also financially contributed to her family income. Please give her some credit.
I heard that JQ has sole custody of her children and just recently JY agreed to joint custody for the sake of his younger children. What does that tell you? As a mother, I would not want to endanger my children's lives with a drug user and an alcholic. Life is precious and until you lose a child you have no idea the pain that a mother goes through on a loss of child.
JQ is a very attractive woman and from what I can tell dressed appropriately for the occasion. By the way, animal prints are in along with wrap around dresses and peekaboo cutouts. Please find something else to critize her about besides her outfit.
Patricia LeBlanc was appointed to the CC by Blanco. I have nothing against PL, but doesn't JQ have the right to appoint her own CC?
As far as the GOP with the Sky is the Limited, what about John and Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank and President Clinton? The list could go on and on on both sides.
To me, as a woman, your article is very petty and I would be embarrassed as a journalist to write such an article.
Written by fwp
on 8/2/2007
Thank you for your astute editorial...If spousal Abuse is not criminal I don't know what is...
Written by Mary Lou McCall
on 8/2/2007
Thank you ms. whalen for exposing the filthy nasty politicians that get elected in jefferson parish, the vitters and the quinn's are nasty trash.
Written by anthony
on 8/1/2007
With every piece I read by this woman it becomes more and more apparent that her hatred of all Republicans overshadow any common sense. Sid, I agree. Ann Coulter does have a sense of humor and is brilliant. She uses sharp wit and humor to poke fun at injustice. I am often left wondering exactly what Whalen actually is saying. She is a perfect example of how the liberal left just attack. They have no real ideas or plans except to discredit.
Written by Sharon
on 8/1/2007
Sid, I agree but when you have only one side of the story, and you only hear one side because of POLITICAL reasons, then we must take action and tell people the REST OF the Story!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/1/2007
No one should feel sorry for Pat Quinn -- he has has treated people like crap for years. As a former vendor of his, I would never ever do business with him again.
Written by Former Vendor
on 8/1/2007
Ms. Whalen is not in the same class as Ann Coulter, at least Ms. Coulter has a decent sense of humor. Ms. Whalen just hates republicans? You can't legislate morality but you can vote them out it that's your perogative. Did the Quinn's split because of domestic abuse or infidelity? I don't care and don't really want to know. How about doing a piece on how politicians in general may be morally and ethically challenged. I'm tired of the childish crap of republican vs. democrats.
Written by Sid
on 8/1/2007
Of course not WOW, she wouldn't let facts get in the way of a political hack job on Republicans!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/1/2007
What amazes me is that Ms. Whalen doesn't care that Patrick Quinn was found to have committed domestic abuse - several times against his wife/mother of his 2 kids. She is raising 2 kids alone now, and apprently continues to stalk her. and Ms. Whalen thinks any woman deserves that because Mr. Quinn gave her money for her campaign? wow..... not the compassionate liberal she claims to me.
Written by wow
on 8/1/2007
Written by test
on 8/1/2007
Please keep up the good work, Ms. Whalen. I was not aware of this, and would love to know who will bank-roll such people in the future. Transparency, in huge doses, is what this forgotten U.S. Imperial Territory (we do not receive the treatment of a Sovereign State) needs more than anything else currently.
Written by Boudreaux
on 8/1/2007
I agree with VLM, if he was driving by her house (In VIOLATION of the law) then why is it wrong to pass a law that creates a stiffer penalty for violating a protective order? Miss Whalen, gives a lot of "what ifs" the what if senarios she creates are at best silly! The point of a restraining order is to "RESTRAIN" one person from harassing the other that means that YOU DON"T GO to that store YOU DON"T GO to that POST OFFICE (Mail can be delivered) and you CERTAINLY DON"T DRIVE BY THEIR HOUSE!! (A clear violation of a protective order) Oh and you CERTAINLY don't drive by the house and go to the other persons house they are involved with and threaten them! Miss Whalen says "Most women with restraining orders don't want their husbands imprisoned if it means that, for three months, the controlling, manipulative jerk won't be able to work and send in the child support payments. WOW so its ok to send them to jail IF they can still pay child support? So she then goes into a tirade about how jail is a relief from responsibility? Obviously she has never been in jail. Most of the men I know would NEVER do anything to go to jail, this is Miss Whalen on her Man hating soapbox. The fact is, that for whatever reason, she strengthened the law to protect people with restraining orders, it seems that the only reason Miss Whalen thinks thats wrong is because she (Miss Quinn) is a Republican, I have seen this before, she HATES Republicans, and will do anything to make them look bad. I hope that while she goes on this screed against Sen Quinn that this new restriction might save some womans (or Mans) life. Just think what Miss Whalen would say if someone was saved? would she admit she is wrong? I highly doubt it.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/1/2007
Adultery...I'm not sure we can say that and be certain. I was appalled by the article on the front page of the Picayune. Don't we have other issues that are more important, and more importantly our concern? I feel these are personal issues that need to be dealt with privately not on the front page of the local paper. Must have been a slow news day.
As for the bill that was passed I think it's great that she took her personal experience and passed a bill that would land someone in jail for breaking a law that they (the offender) know clearly well has been set upon them. There have been too many beatings, kidnappings and yes killings with "ex-spouses" with restraining orders that they have disregarded. This was clearly a case of his harassment towards his ex-wife.
Let's move onto something that is important and relevant to all of us.
Written by VLM
on 8/1/2007
Sounds like more Soap Opera crap to me. Have you ever thought about writing for the National Enquierer?
Written by Readinglamesht.
on 8/1/2007
One of the reasons family law changes so often is that the personal experiences of legislators tend to result in changes to the law. I drafted a bill while still in law school that changed a small part of family law; the treatment of professional goodwill in divorces. The legislator concerned (BTW, a Democrat) got my suggested text into the next amendment of that part of family law. So, as far as Quinn offering an amendment from her personal experiences, that's pretty well the way of it in family law. Of course you still have to make a case on the merits to get a bill passed and signed, especially if there is some strong opposition to the text. At the hearing on my text there were one or two determined folks on the committee who objected on doctrinal grounds. However, since I had gone all the way back to Crutwell v. Lye in 1810, I could speak to the foundations of goodwill and its proper place. The prof who had briefly mentioned this situation in class one day was particularly unhappy the revised goodwill bill passed but you can't please everyone. Funny how a small item/loose thread can catch someone's attention and lead to a somewhat significant change a year later.
Written by Kelly Haggar
on 7/31/2007
BOY!!! I would pay good money to see a debate (cat fight) between Sarah Whalen and Ann Coulter. You go girl!!! Please write more often! I can't wait for the Julie Quinn / Mary Landrieu catfight, too!
Sometimes, you just need to jump right in and say it.
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