Changing Louisiana state government after cataclysmic events such as Katrina is no easy decision.The storms have impacted many of us in areas such as law enforcement, education, health care, race relationships and quite frankly, in really every aspect government.It has ruined many of our lives, made us collectively poorer, and made many of us question the very reasons for our remaining in this state.
All of us should be deciding how to best deal with the future and right now, that means voting for those with the best ideas and the best overall abilities to carry out the leadership plans.Along with the revamping state government, we will be voting on a new federal government and a new President next year.Thus, all issues should be on the table for discussion.
Tonight, WDSU will be hosting a gubernatorial debate and, of course, the leader of the pack, Bobby Jindal, also will be AWOL as he has been so often in the past.This means that he will have not allowed the people of the state to test his ideas on Fox Network, on NBC, on any of the mass television communication mediums so we can churn his ideas among others.Apparently, we will have a statewide debate days before the election which will not allow any of the candidates enough time to respond to assertions or political landmines.Jindal did give us the pleasure of his presence on lowly LPB which only the real politically-focused might have watched in what was the most stilted debate in modern times.
For those of you who feel that my public outrage is against Bobby Jindal, you can continue to think this way, but you are wrong.I would feel the same if a Democrat was leading the gubernatorial race and played hard to get.Katrina and Rita and its aftermath and the rebuild require real answers, not 32-point plans from any candidate.Those are blue prints, that’s all.Voters want more from their candidates.They want to see them discuss major issues “live” under fire, especially at a time when so much is on the line.
For months I have been urging open debates and the voters should at the minimum watch the candidates engage each other with questions and answers.
In the case of Jindal, while I recognize his talents, I am very concerned about his unwillingness to answer questions about his own campaign reporting, his religious views and its implications on government, and his unwillingness to engage the very type of open government he preaches.I am very concerned that he is snubbing the very people he says he wants to represent as if they matter very little.The whole idea that he is refusing to engage in debates tonight on NBC which forum could potentially reach hundreds of thousands throughout the state hit so hard by the storm is the height of insult.
It is incredible that he lacks the courage and backbone to test out his ideas against the other candidates so we can see him in real action, yet, come Election Day, it looks like we are going to act like sheep and elect him as governor, possibly in the first round.
Nobody is denying that Jindal is the most polished debate master.But speaking at one hundred-fifty-words per minute or so does not mean one will be a good governor.The bottom line is that Jindal owes it to the people of Louisiana the decency to air-out his views before he is elected to lead this state.I am growing weary of his ducking public forums and statewide forums.He is insulting the people of Louisiana.He is taking on the quack of a fowl politician unwilling to fly to the next level of openness.If he looks and smells like a duck, I am afraid, he is one and his raw cowardice is quacking with gall. It is a total shame that Louisiana voters do not demand more from the man who expects to be King.
Attorney General
Yesterday, WDSU did have a mini-debate with the candidates running for Attorney General which race has become that much more controversial due to the Dr. Anna Pou decision and the St. Rita case.Attorney General Foti was under attack from his opponents Royal Alexander and Buddy Caldwell.Alexander was questioned about a civil lawsuit against him for sexual harassment which he asserts is bogus.Caldwell was criticized about an investigation by Dan Kyle.Caldwell claims he and Dan Kyle have no differences right now, but last week, Dan Kyle refuted Caldwell’s assertion.
Louisiana Republican Party
On Friday, I attended a fundraiser for the Louisiana Republican Party.Last month, I attended a fundraiser for the Louisiana Democratic Party.I raise this issue because, I feel that after talking to many of the attendees, it is important to better understand the differences between the two major parties in Louisiana.Without doubt, the Louisiana Republican Party has come a long-way over the past-two decades and the late-Billy Nungesser and Roger Villere have done wonderful jobs in garnering good candidates and bringing more voters into the fold.Both parties have room for improvements.There are very religious Democrats and Republicans, gay Democrats and gay republicans, and government officials from both parties who have gone astray in their marital lives (from both parties), yet who preach family values.Unquestionably, the Iraq war has splintered the two parties locally and nationally.I do wish that the Louisiana GOP would reach out more to the African American community for the GOP’s general philosophy of "self-help" is sorely needed in a community that is deeply religious and has been impacted by the worse elements of the Great Society of the Sixties.However, I also hope the future generation of Democratic leaders would embrace the spirit that the private sector is the engine that makes our country different.I realize I am discussing generalities, and individual candidates (just as publisher expand the canyons that divide), but from what I can gather from the many party devotees, these are the areas separating the two political parties along with a related host of issues and the candidates will generally reflect those dichotomies.
And if he didn't show because he was voting for something - like HEALTHCARE that affects residents of LA, YOU would have something else to complain about!
Written by concerned citizen of LA
on 10/18/2007
But, Tony, even as much as I like you; and as much as I know you are as qualified as any other candidate to be governor; the LA Republicans (and National ones too) have done nothhing during hte last four years except trash Governor Blanco and the Democratic; and now they have $10-Million with which to buy the governorship. And now that Louisiana Pubic Broadcasting, as state agency, paid for with Louisiana taxpayers' dollars, has refused all but four (4) candidates the right to participate in the debate and dialog, they have in effect elected Jindal themselves, for you know and I know that the insider millionaries like Campbell, Boasso and Georges can't beat Jindal; that it will take an outsider like you or me to do the job. Yet, you and I, and other qualified candidates, are being silenced by the State Government, through Louisiana Public Broadcasting; so the one of the four the L.P.B. has chosen to be in the race with the most money, and that being Jindal, will buy the governorship for the next four years. Good luck, and keep up the good work! If you get a chance, call me about the suit I plan to file against the State and L.P.B. no later than Wednesday of this week. My phone is (337) 478-6126; FAX (337) 478-9933. Would like to hear from you. Mary Volentine Smith wants to be named as a plaintff in the suit. Again, keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Hardy Parkerson, Atty.
The Democratic Candidate for Governor of LA - 2007
"Let's Clean Up Louisianira!"
Written by
on 10/1/2007
If the other three so called "Major Candidates" had any fortitude they would not show up for the debate Jindal agreed to. This is pathetic. In the aftermath of Louisiana's greatest disaster the press discriminates against candidates and candidates refuse to debate. This election is not about Bobby Jindal, it's about the betterment of our state. Jindal is slapping everyone in the face by not showing up. Anybody that approves of this is only kidding themselves by trying to stick up for this childish behavior. I have never seen a group of people so eagerly wanting to follow someone blindly. Written by Tony G
on 10/1/2007
Dignity, everyone should know by now where Bobby Jindal stands on the issues since he's run for governor before. So Bobby doesn't have to go to ALL these debates to explain himself or where he stands. If you don't know where Bobby stands on the issues by now, then the problem lies with you and not Bobby. Written by Louis La Guardia
on 10/1/2007
There is nothing wrong with wanting to know about the candidates when they are underfire in a debate. I read where one blogger below is blasting two of the candidates for not attending a debate in New Orleans. A single debate. Let's turn it around. How many debates have these men attended compared to Bobby Jindal. As far as this web site appearing to be an anti-Jindal site, you obviously have not been reading this site very long. If anything, Louisiana should appreciate Bayoubuzz for being one of the only media asking for all candidates with a legitimate chance of winning to debate. Only recently have other media picked up the song and they have been brutal, but right. Have you read the other publication's editorials? Brutal. People want to understand Mr. Jindal's ideas and his past. They want to know why he was running for governor and for Congress at the same time when the very general area where he lived was recovering from destruction. And, as an ardent reader of this site, I have read where this same writer has questioned and criticized Boasso, Georges and Campbell on a number of issues. Compare the number of times Boasso, Georges and Campbell have debated compared to Jindal (1x). It's not even a close comparison. Jindal must prove to Louisiana he deserves the job. That is not what he has done. Instead, he has shot the voters the bird. Is this the type of man who should be Governor? Written by Dignity
on 10/1/2007
Professor, dear, where did I say To quote Melanie (RhettsWife), "Me thinkest thou doth protest too much!" I must be missing something or perhaps someone misquoted me or used my name. Oh, dear, would someone actually do that and ruin my reputation. Please explain, dear. Has age gotten to me and I have forgotten what I said - oh my I better check with my doctor. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/1/2007
Who can blame Congressman Jindal when he avoids soneone such as - "Big Foot/Big Mouthed", and mean spirited, Walter Boasso? The "slug" rolls out his "Big Headed" poster girl, in a wheel chair at the end of the last debate, and lined her up directly in front of Mr. Jindal, on state-wide television. This is the same pathetic woman that "Bobble Head" Boasso used to blatantly lie about what Congressman Jindal had done to her dying brother!! This is what low class democrats do when they are desperate. Can you imagine the media's outrage if a Republican had done something like this to one of them - democrats?? Come on liberals, is there even one decent human being among you? I seriously doubt it!! PATRIOT WARRIOR. Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 10/1/2007
I too think Jindal is probably the most talented, but I do not, you do not, know who Jindal is. A young man, who went to the Ivy Leauge came back ready to take on the Dept of Health. I don't care how talented you are, to recieve a postion such as this requires a lot more than talents and intellect. Jindal may be the best man, but I want to know who Bbobby Jindal is. I want to know a lot more about the years at Brown and the years at Oxford. I want to know who are the powers that have parlayed a very young man into such positions so quickly. It concerns me when I see so many people follow a man like the pied piper. Maybe he is what we need. I just want to know a lot more about Jindals earlier years. Maybe he is just that gifted. we will see. I hope my concerns are totally witout any merit. bobby Written by Bobby
on 10/1/2007
I agree, this site is slowly becoming an anti-Jindal site. All I read from these columnists is all negative anti-Jindal crap. Jindal doesn't have to attend ALL the debates. I bet if this were Governor Blanco doing this, none of you dems would have a problem with it. Why should Bobby debate these guys who are amateurs to begin with and have nothing but contempt for him and only want to waste his and everyone else's time by insulting him with cheap personal and political cheap shots. Plus, I think Bobby would rather meet with the people one on one than speak to them through a debate. Written by Louis La Guardia
on 10/1/2007
Steve- You're like broken record with your constant harping about Bobby Jindal not participating in the almost daily so-called debates. Yet you say nothing about the other candidates failure to issue detailed statements on the various important issues like Bobby has. This is much more important than performing on these meaningless debates. Bobby is going to participate in two more Debates. I think that is plenty enough. Your self-serving crusade as a member of the media that conduct these debates is getting to be tiresome. Why don't you start using your site to smoke out some details from the other candidates on the important campaign issues. Written by hermann
on 10/1/2007
So, Stephen - you say that you're not bashing Jindal? You say you'd be doing the same if another candidate missed a debate? Really? To quote Melanie (RhettsWife), "Me thinkest thou doth protest too much!" Seems that Georges is also missing a debate tomorrow night in New Orleans! I must've missed the headline on BayouBuzz for that one. I'm sure that you would have put it up there in neon lights, right? Or, perhaps is it that you really do just highlight when Jindal misses a debate? - - - (Story from The Advocate follows)
Half of candidates to miss N.O. forum
Two candidates running for governor will take part in a forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at New Zion Baptist Church, 2319 Third St., in New Orleans.
The church originally billed the forum as an opportunity to meet the four major candidates vying to succeed Gov. Kathleen Blanco in the Oct. 20 primary election.
State Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi, and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, a Bossier Parish Democrat, agreed to attend. U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, declined. New Orleans businessman John Georges, who has no party affiliation, had a scheduling conflict.
Written by Professor
on 10/1/2007
Why do so many people put stock into what a person says during a debate? Here's why I ask. When a candidate writes a policy, it is there for all the world to see and cannot ever be changed. It is in black and white, and is not subject to much interpretation (if written well). But, when a person says something one time on live TV, they can always say, "That's not what I meant" or "Let me explain what I meant" or "I misspoke; I should have said..." If a legislator tells me that they will support me, I am thankful. But, until I see something in writing (a bill, a vote, anything), I'm not going to be certain that they really mean it. We have the plans of each of these candidates (well, except for Boasso - I've been looking all day long and can't find his plan written online) in our hands. We can point to those plans tomorrow or next year and say, "You wrote that you were going to do this; now show me that you've done it." We will not be in nearly as strong a position if we try to hold them to something that they mentioned one time during a debate. - - - Let me put it another way. When you go to a bank for a loan, you are asking that they trust you enough to give you their money. Most of the time, all that you can give them in return is your promise that you will pay them in monthly installments. But, when you promise, do they ask you to give them a verbal answer? Or do they make you put it on paper, with every nuance and situation accounted for? Duh - they make you put it on paper and sign it! - - - Let me use another, more pertinent, example. How are laws made? They are written down on paper and posted for all to see and debate. They are debated publicly, but the written word is the only thing that matters in the end. What the author says about the bill is inconsequential, and not even recorded in history. Only the written document matters. - - - So, I ask again, why are the debates so important? Written by Professor
on 10/1/2007
Tough times call for tough leaders. Ducking debates is pusillanimous. Thus, the best interest of Louisiana require that the next Governor get into the debates and tell us what he will do. Only then will "we the people" be able to hold him accountable. Right now, the only person Pi is accountable to, is those well-heeled gentlemen (refinery owners, etc.) who have lavishly funded his campaign coffers! Reveillez-vous la Louisianne! Written by Boudreaux
on 10/1/2007
Steve: By being objective in criticizing Bobby Jindal for hiding under his desk and running like a chicken from debates, you risk the ire, denigration and angst of the blind ideologues who do nothing but spin, spin, spin 24/7/365. For the spinmeisters, no issue is ever about what is good for the community, state, nation and world, but it is always about petty, partisan, party politics. With enemies like intolerant ideologues, you must be doing something right---keep it up! Mr. Jindal needs to answer to "we the people." It is we who pay his salary---it is not he who pays our salary. It is he who works for us---it is not we who work for him. Step up to the plate Mr. Jindal and answer the questions. Written by Randy
on 10/1/2007
Closet, We don't know enough about Jindal to hate him. He hasn't stood up in front of us like a man and explained his views and goals. We simply can't get enough from the sound bites and commercial ads that his advisors have cleverly devised. We're not in the market for a used car or a bucket of chicken. We need a Governor. I have a next door neighbor who moved here recently from Los Angeles and he has put up a large Jindal signs in his front yard, so Jindal apparently has said enough to sway that kind of crowd...not enough for the voters of Louisiana...not enough for me. OA Written by OA
on 10/1/2007
Steve, you know the exact debates that will include Jindal, so every single time a debate or forum comes around that doesn't include Jindal - which you also know - you're going to write a Jindal hit piece. Explain again why you keep trying to claim this isn't a hate-Jindal web site? Written by Closet
on 10/1/2007
Stephen, dear, your comments are clearly on point in this article. On our own personal forum we stated:
Well, Pi, did not show up yesterday for another debate and why? Fear, dears, simple fear. He fears that addressing the issues in public like a leader, he might make a mistake and lose the election that so many believe he will win. However, last night as we were dining out with friends, we were suprised by several who indicated that they felt the same way we did. Minds according to many apparently are being changed. The man with the possibility according to them and to others is the man who is fresh blood, dears, fresh blood. You can smell it in the air and you do not need to be a vampire to do so.
Oh yes, one other thing, dears, and this entails Mr. Letten and Mr. Jordan. Give the public the Canal Street Madame's list and to hell with the repercussions. It is time to light up the sky with fireworks. Do the two of you have someting to hide, dears? Do some of your politcal friends and connections have something to hide, dears? TIME TO OPEN THE PROVERBIAL CLOSET DOOR, MR. LETTEN AND MR. JORDAN. However, it appears that you two chickens are evenly matched in this respect at least. Do you dare to take on this challenge of ours? Do you now, gentlemen? Do you????????????????????????
Written by RhettsWife
on 10/1/2007
Changing 
