Pork PlateNathan Stubbs7/2/2008 A great article exposing how Boustany is turning his back on the 7th Congressional District to curry favor with his far right Republican masters. This article also exposes John Kneely Kennedy's flip flopping and double talk on earmarks.
Cravins goes on offense in raceThe Advocate7/2/2008 ...Chides Boustany over pay raises ... At a time where Boustany has worked hard to prevent any raise in the minimum wage he has accepted several raises to his congressional salary.
Blue Monday News and CommentaryBlue Monday News4/14/2008 It's and all new Episode this week of Blue Mondays! This week we get updates on Mary Landrieu and we also find out that David Vitter is a REALLY bad driver along with all his other problems - and why are the veterans so upset with McCain - AND Senator Vitter... ALl this and more - Click PLAY!
LeftBlog: ONWARD! Democrats pick up New Generation of LeadershipStephen Handwerk3/19/2008 Greetings everyone – and what a week this was. On Saturday the Louisiana Democratic Central Committee held our first meeting and recognized all of the new members that were elected from across the state. I was very proud to be there and be sworn in.
While there were some dust ups, as normally happen with the Democratic Party, the mood was upbeat and there was change in the air.
Onward! Democrats pick a new generation of leadership!Stephen Handwerk3/18/2008 I am sure some will disagree with this but our new Executive Committee is made up with a great set of NEW and younger individuals who I am confident will move the party forward, and a few “seasoned” faces that I feel very happy to be greeting again.
It is time for Vitter to goChris Whittington3/17/2008 Baton Rouge: In light of the resignation of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Chris Whittington, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party called for the immediate resignation of Louisiana Senator David Vitter.
La. Democratic chairman elected to full termEd Anderson3/16/2008 Baton Rouge lawyer Chris Whittington, who has served as chairman of the state Democratic Party for more than two years, was elected to a full four-year term Saturday, defeating a major rival who had the backing of some of the party's biggest names.
LeftBlog: Vitter redux and FISA – Big Brother is HERE!Stephen Handwerk3/11/2008 With Governor Eliot Spitzer in a deep mess - All the news reports are back to reporting on David Vitter and his Follies - Also this week - FISA is being revisited after the House and Senate pass two separate Bills. Bush claims he will VETO if Immunity isn't included for the TelCo's - So much for this bill being vital to protect the American People.
LEFTBLOG: Saturday's results... Jindal's EthicsStephen Handwerk2/12/2008 The Results. No real surprises on the Democratic Side. Even with the visit from President Clinton to the state on Friday, that was not enough to compete with the momentum the Obama team had put together. As I drove around on Saturday checking the different precincts I was very happy to see all the folks out on the corners with Obama signs. I didn’t see any for Clinton. I can tell you that I was very excited to see all the high school and college kids. Definitely shows some change a coming.
Obama was definitely helped by the 10 full days of Media buys that they made throughout the state. You could hardly watch TV without catching his commercial. This definitely helped him a great deal. To my knowledge Clinton didn’t make any media buys, that obviously hurt her.
LeftBlog: Goodbye to John Edwards, Super Tuesday and Treasurer Kennedy folliesStephen Handwerk2/6/2008 John and Elizabeth Edwards are an amazing couple and I wish things could have been different for this race, but History is being made and people are moving on and many of us are forced to choice another candidate. This is a very hard process for me. I picked John because he most closely resembled the values and goals that I feel are most important for this country. The two candidates on the Democratic side that are left both have good points, and they both have some drawbacks....
We now know why – when the doors close you hear an ex-parte conversation between the “adjudicator” and Tony Tramel – Director of Traffic and Transportation and RedFlex employees. The Adjudicator joins in the laughter and mocking of the brothers and even advises RedFlex on how to prevent “citations” from being thrown out. This is a blatant disregard of our rights. Simply by making this a CIVIL violation we have, through no action of our own, given up our constitutional rights as the burden of proof is so much lower.
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Blue Mondays for 1/28/2008Stephen Handwerk1/28/2008 This week we sit down with the Democrat fighting for the Working Men and Women of Louisiana's 1st congressional district - Gilda Reed.
One article I found especially interesting was that by Marsha Sills entitled “Struggle marches on.” Interesting quotes by Ms. Je’nelle Chargois and Dr. Rick Swanson, they share a thesis I have long held and that is that basically Racism is alive and well, it just has a different name. The war on the Poor.
While John Edwards is not doing as well as I would have hoped nationally, he has spent the last few years calling attention to the “two Americas” – the one for the super wealthy and the other one that the rest of us call home. We are seeing this all over the country – the rich can do almost whatever they want – they can kill their spouse (allegedly) like OJ Simpson. They can rob from thousands of their employees like the folks at WorldCom and ENRON.
LEFTBLOG: Labor Day, Qualifying and Boustany not ready for Prime TimeStephen Handwerk9/4/2007 Appearing with Wolf Blitzer in “The Situation Room” Boustany goes to tell us how GREAT things are going in IRAQ. OH boy, Again I really thought that he would step up but he tries to tow the line for the Bush Administration and he gets called out on it.
Transcript available at the link above and here is the video:
LeftBlog: National SceneStephen Handwerk8/14/2007 Red States and "Purple states" are growing concerned about who will lead the Democratic Ticket next year. Their fear - LOW TURNOUT.
LeftBlog: Joey Durel and Lafayette complacencyMike Stagg8/7/2007 Stephen Handwerk is traveling to DC this week, so Mike Stagg fills in. Mike previews what another 4 years of a DUREL administration would look like - that is if the past 3 years are any indicator.
LeftBlog: SickoStephen Handwerk7/31/2007 Just went and saw Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" this week. You still there? Good - check it out...
LeftBlog: Another big week in LouisianaStephen Handwerk7/24/2007 First off, we had the JINDAL announcement tour that was preempted by the Vitter “I haven’t said anything, and I am done talking about it” press conference. This set off a flurry of attacks against Vitter from Republicans, including The College Republicans who were very upset about Vitter’s timing with relation to “Bobby” Jindal’s announcement tour. (OK, so who really didn’t know he was running?)
LeftBlog: Ethics, poverty and prostitutes … all in a week in Louisiana.Stephen Handwerk7/17/2007 In perhaps the most historic ETHICS vote, Congressman Jindal voted AGAINST high ethical standards. One may question if this was in order to protect Tom Delay who has donated a great deal of money to Jindal’s previous campaigns – frankly this is a huge ethical issue, and illustrates when Jindal is given the opportunity to chose between his party and high ethical standards – he chose his party and cronyism.
LeftBlog: The TALKING JinDOLL and Walter BoassoStephen Handwerk7/10/2007 Alright, so the Governor’s race is now heating up and we have several folks running – and really the only contenders who are really still “IN” this race are – Foster Campbell who has a huge GRASS ROOTS following and has been in Lafayette a Great Deal. Congressman Bobby Jindal who’s support seems to be dropping DAILY. And then you have State Senator Walter Boasso who is running some great TV commercials to introduce him throughout the state.
It's the TALKING JinDOLL - You won't want to miss this! Click the above link to hear ALL ABOUT IT!
LeftBlog: LA House District 44 – meet the candidatesStephen Handwerk7/3/2007 Blogging LIVE from the CCGG candidate forum for District 44. District 44 is a really interesting district with a great deal of diversity. Currently the seat is being held by Wilfred Pierre who has held the seat for 3 terms, thus he is term limited from running for a fourth. This district is predominately the north eastern corner of the parish.
LeftBlog: You get what you vote for… viva LA revolution?Stephen Handwerk6/26/2007 This week we take a further look into who is supporting Bobby Jindal - with friends like his... Who needs enemies! AND I look into the Lafayette Parish School Board's decision to "BUY OUT" Easton's Contract.
LeftBlog: Oh, Bobby and Joey's new ATMStephen Handwerk6/19/2007 This week I take a look at the ongoing "Bobby" Jindal problems, the RED LIGHT camera mess we find ourselves in here in Lafayette - AND Sammy Kershaw is OUT as fast as he was IN?
Kershaw Resident of TN, NOT LouisianaStephen Handwerk6/19/2007 In February of this year Sammy Kershaw filed for Bankruptcy Protection and he clearly states on these FEDERAL FORMS that his residence is in Tennessee. So surely HE can't run if John Breaux can't. Right?
Boustany at it again...Stephen Handwerk6/12/2007 Boustany introduces "HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS BILL" as if it were such a WONDERFUL THING - Wonderful for WHOM?
This is like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. HSA's are only good for RICH people who can afford to invest and shuttle money into different accounts to reap the benefits - how about the tens of thousands of working poor in this congressional district that are without healthcare insurance adequate to take care of a real emergency or provide for meaningful preventative treatments and exams? When is the good Doctor going to address this issue?
If we had an extra $200 a month to sock into a "RAINY DAY SICK FUND" we likely would... however this plan will only help those fortunate enough to have the money to invest in themselves it will do nothing for the seniors who are still being forced to decide between food in their refrigerators or medicine to keep them healthy and alive. When will THEY be given the respect THEY deserve by legislation supported by this congressman?
Conservative Cajun Gives PROPS to Lafayette Democrats!Nick Bouterie6/6/2007 Nick Bouterie, author of the Conservative Cajun Blog gives PROPS to Lafayette Democrats for keeping their folks updated. Though we find it very funny that he keeps bringing up this Article penned by Jindal where he participates in an Exorcism - when Jindal's people just want that to go away. Funny how they think TRUTH telling is MUDSLINGING...
Blue Monday NewsStephen Handwerk6/4/2007 SICKO hits theatres soon, get an advance look here, More of the same in Iraq reports Laura Logan from CBS News and Fox News Chimes in with Willam "The Bloody" Kristol, and a preview of SICKO the new film by Michael Moore who even REPUBLICANS are loving - is this a sign of the end?
Blue Monday NewsStephen Handwerk5/28/2007 John Edwards and Danny Glover in New Orleans, Governor Bill Richardson releases NEW TV ads, Mother's Day Call to action and Impeach Alberto Gonzales - PART ONE - all this and more in THIS WEEK's BLUE MONDAYS!
Blue Monday NewsStephen Handwerk5/22/2007 All New Blue Monday News segment - we take on the republicans head first this week - The issue - The Republican Debates! Take a look:
LeftBlog: What the Great Communicator didn't tell usRuth Yeager5/22/2007 Ruth Yeager Pen's this week's LEFT BLOG - The Reagan myth is the centerpiece of today’s Republican party. It involves a great rewriting of history and redefining our national values, leaving out a lot of nasty actions and consequences that enriched and empowered the few at the expense of the American people. The failures of the Bush presidency are not because Bush turned away from conservatism, but rather because he embraced Reagan’s agenda to an extreme. Yes, the problem is with conservatism itself.
Bobby Jindal MIA - AgainThe Times Picayune5/17/2007 It is being reported by The Times Picayune that "Bobby" Jindal missed a very important meeting where FEMA Officials were testifying on their readiness for the upcoming Hurricane Season - Jindal is the ONLY Louisiana Member on this committee - and he missed this meeting. What was he doing during this time? Campaigning?
Mary and the Media Jeremy Alford5/9/2007 Senator Landrieu: As she readies for a tough re-election campaign, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is pushing two press-friendly bills through Congress.
LeftBlog: Supporting our Troops & Hate CrimesStephen Handwerk5/7/2007 So I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with some of our brave soldiers that have just returned from over seas; two from Iraq and one from Afghanistan. These guys are just amazing and I was happy to get to speak with them.
These conversations all took place individually, but I really feel that these guys were able to be completely honest. I promised them that I was not going to reveal their names as they are all still in the service.
All three of these guys were happy to serve wherever and whenever they were called by the President. They all began with a clear focus on protecting America for the reasons that we can all agree make this country so great. However, they feel betrayed.
This week in the NEWS - Bush Vetos the Troops, Edwards hits the airwaves - not for him - but for our Troops, Bobby Jindal gets SPANKED on the floor of the house by Chairman Barney Frank - and then by Governor Blanco and we have the video! - and our CLIP OF THE WEEK has Bill Maher diagnoses Bush.
LeftBlog: It's we the people, not the corporationsStephen Handwerk4/3/2007 60 Minutes took a look inside how this bill was passed in the wee hours of the morning after leaving the vote open for a previously unheard of 3-plus hours. You see, votes are set at only 15 minutes, but not this one.
This bill was lead by former congressman from Louisiana, Billy Tauzin. The initial intension of this bill was good: to add a prescription drug care program to Medicare so that our seniors could stop choosing between life saving medication and putting food on the table. Yet what we got was nothing short of a boondoggle for the pharmaceutical industry.
LeftBlog: The state of health careStephen Handwerk3/27/2007 Now many of you will start yelling SOCIALISM, COMMUNISM and all that crap, but that is really hogwash. America has BY FAR the most expensive healthcare system in the WORLD… and yet we do not live longer, in fact by my last check we have a lower life expectancy than 14 other countries (all of those have a single payer type system) and we keep falling. Something is completely wrong here and must be dealt with swiftly. So I ask you, what should we do?
LeftBlog: Who will be our next governor?Stephen Handwerk3/20/2007 One not to be counted out – Foster Campbell. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is touring the state both Yesterday and today announcing his candidacy for Governor. And he has some very attractive ideas to show the citizens of this state. Campbell has wide appeal north of Alexandria and has quite a base in Lake Charles as well. With $1 Million in the bank and plenty of time, he is definitely one we should keep our eyes on to see what happens in the coming months. One thing for sure is, Campbell thinks “out of the box” and we definitely need someone at the helm that is going to tackle the problems we are facing and hit them head on.
Campbell announces for governorThe Times Picayune3/19/2007 True to the populist mantle he has wielded as a state senator and Public Service Commissioner, Campbell's campaign anchor is a proposal to impose new oil and gas processing taxes in Louisiana and eliminate the state's personal and corporate income taxes.
Campbell said the changes would strengthen the economy by boosting residents' buying power, while also helping businesses and creating a net gain for state coffers. He said it also would force an industry he describes as coddled to pay its fair share.
LeftBlog: A clear, discernable pattern, Part 2Stephen Handwerk3/13/2007 Case in Point – U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was fired from his job as the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico after rebuffing Republican pressure to speed his investigation of Democratic officials in the state. Now we learn in reports that came out over the weekend that none other than Karl Rove was acting as a “conduit” for these complaints and that he met with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about them.
LeftBlog: A clear, discernable patternStephen Handwerk3/6/2007 You may remember last year when a series of cuts were being made to programs and funding for services and we pointed out that only a small “incremental raise” was given to the VA system. We covered this on our show “BLUE MONDAYS” (On AOC Channel 15 every Monday night at 9pm) and I also made mention of it here in “The Left Blog” that we were very concerned as we had already had reports coming in from members of our own 256th who were reporting returning home with injuries received while in Iraq and that they were being stonewalled at getting the services they needed to make them whole again. We feared that this was the proverbial “tip of the iceburg”, now it appears that our suspicions were correct.
Al Gore Wins OscarStephen Handwerk2/27/2007 SWLA Democrats congrats Al Gore for winning an Oscar for his documentary an “Inconvenient Truth.” To find our how you can take action visit www.climatecrisis.net. You can watch the video of Al Gore at the Oscars by clicking on Read More.
Boustany makes Floor Speach - "America, Sweet America..."Morons.org2/15/2007 Charles Boustany (R-LA7) - "What would happen if we had a failed policy in Iraq?" Well Charles, I expect we'd see something like an uncontrollable insurgency, an ineffective central government, and an intractable civil war between the multiple sectarian groups present in Iraq. Oh.... wait....
Blue Monday NewsStephen Handwerk1/9/2007 This week we have a great interview with Susan Hamilton of the Lafayette Parish Library Board of Controls where she discusses with Ruth Yeager the plans for the coming years – two new locations and one major renovation. You will definitely want to “check this out.” But first, as always – Progressive News and Commentary by Stephen Handwerk
Here is Part ONE - Click the Link Above for PART TWO.
LeftBlog: A new year, some light at the end of the tunnel?Stephen Handwerk1/9/2007 I can’t tell you the amount of pride and optimism I have for our country with breaking down yet another barrier for Women, as I saw Speaker of the House; Nancy Pelosi sworn in and take the gavel for the first time. I was basically raised by a single mother in a time where it was extremely difficult for women who have been divorced. Times have definitely changed for the better and I think that the breaking of this glass (actually Speaker Pelosi calls it Marble) ceiling MUST be seen as a good thing no matter what your political views of Representative Pelosi.
John Edwards Announces he is Running For PresidentJohn Edwards12/27/2006 John Edwards announces in New Orleans that he is running for President and officially kicking off his campaign TODAY. You can help. Watch the video and then click the above link and join his campaign.
Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act is LAW!Sen. Mary Landrieu12/22/2006 “Today is truly historic for the state of Louisiana,” said U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La. “Since I came to the Senate, I have been working to secure a dedicated revenue stream to rebuild Louisiana’s eroding coastline. Last year’s hurricanes rocked our state and made it more evident than ever that protecting coastal wetlands is a vital part of our national energy security. Today we took a big step forward to restoring our wetlands and protecting our many coastal communities.
Mission is to promote Democratic PartyFrank Flynn12/21/2006 The mission of the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee is to promote the Democratic Party, its principles and its candidates. The role of each party executive committee and its members - Democratic or Republican - is naturally partisan. more...
Congressman should serve people, not partyLayne St. Julien11/15/2006 Boustany voted with the Republican leadership 96 percent of the time. In 2006, he's voted with President Bush 94 percent of the time, but in his district, 54 percent of voters are Democrats and only 23 percent are Republicans. Who has he served with his votes? Have you agreed with the national Republicans on 96 percent of the issues?
Democrats favor oil revenue hikeThe Advertiser11/15/2006 Surprising "warm support" for Democrats from The Daily Advertiser. Two points - First by the title of this piece it gives the sense that Democrats are raising taxes on Oil, NOT the Case. And secondly - would it have killed them to illustrate that this is because Senator Landrieu has been working so hard on this?
I suppose I shouldn't "look a gift horse in the mouth..." but...
LeftBlog: ... Are you KIDDING me?Stephen Handwerk11/14/2006 In Sunday’s Editorial from the Daily Advertiser entitled “Boustany’s challenge: Democrat Spending”, at first I thought it was a JOKE. But after reading it again I found that the author was serious… and I have one question – “What color is the sky in your world?”
..."Boustany isn’t the solution; HE’S PART OF THE PROBLEM. When it comes to economic problems Boustany is totally and completely incompetent.”
Republicans Comfort the Comfortable and afflict the afflicted with their policies – ENOUGH!
FACT – Republican BORROW AND SPEND have gotten us into this mess – just as they did under REAGAN – and Democrats will get us out of it… AGAIN."
LeftBlog:Tax and spend... Republican?Stephen Handwerk10/31/2006 We need solid and bold leadership, of this I think we will all agree. Yet the people of Lafayette City and Parish deserve to have checks and balances in place to insure our will is being followed. It is not too much to ask of this administration, in fact, I believe it is the least they could do.
I strongly urge everyone to VOTE NO to the Sales Tax Increase until we have a better plan outlined.
Blue Mondays SPECIAL - Senator Mary LandrieuStephen Handwerk10/30/2006 This week we are joined by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu where she makes the case for the Senate Version of the Offshore Revenue Sharing bill. In the second part we continue with the Stagg Town Hall meeting. See part two here.
LAFAYETTE DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VOTES NO ON SALES TAX INCREASEFrank Flynn10/30/2006 At its most recent meeting, the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee voted to oppose the 1 percent sales tax increase on the November 7, 2006 ballot because City-Parish Government has already experienced an increase in its sales and property tax collections to record levels in every year since the Durel Administration took office, and future collections are also expected to reach record levels. Not only has this administration collected a record amount of taxes but it has spent a record amount of taxpayer money, and the 2006-2007 budget already includes a record amount of money to be spent on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Landrieu: Revenue-sharing time shortPATRICK COURREGES10/24/2006 Senator Landrieu appears in Acadiana on Monday. Stay tuned as the Senator will be our featured Guest on MOnday night's BLUE MONDAYS at 9pm on AOC Channel 15!
Landrieu thanks locals for help during hurricanesJan Risher10/24/2006 Taking an opportunity to say thanks to Acadian Ambulance and the people of Lafayette for their response during hurricanes Katrina and Rita, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu made a Monday morning visit to Acadian Ambulance's command center to meet with medics and other staff.
Click Here to see our interview with Michael McHale, chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Democrats.
Or you can click here for our show notes from this week's show.
Local, State and National newsStephen Handwerk10/3/2006 Congrats to Brian Thomas, the youngest man ever elected to an Alderman seat in the City of Opelousas! We also look into the FoleyGate scandal and the key players of this unfolding cover up. And then we look at "State of Denial".
This problem is spiraling out of control, and I think the front line of this battle lands squarely at our front doorstep. The strike at PHI.
Stagg: "Republicans confuse loyalty to party with effective representation"Layne St. Julien9/26/2006 Boustany's role in recovery – or his lack of one – came to a head when the Katrina parishes, hit a month earlier by a weaker storm, were awarded federal support for 100 percent of their clean-up costs while Vermilion, Cameron, and Calcasieu Parishes were denied similar special consideration. It seems that Boustany's conspicuous party loyalty both on the floor of the House (where he voted the party line an astonishing 96 percent of the time) and after Katrina (when he didn't hesitate to lay blame on Louisiana's Democratic state and local governments run over by the season's first great storm) didn't buy him – or his district – much. The Katrina parishes represented by Democrats did better than Boustany's Rita-affected parishes.
LA Dems: BUSH REBUILDING CZAR WRONG FOR PLAYING PARTISAN GAMESJulie Vezinot9/25/2006 “It is completely inappropriate as an appointed public official for Powell to take a stand to support Boustany in his race for Congress. He needs to work with both parties in helping Louisiana’s people recover from these disasters. It’s clear he used this anniversary visit as another attempt to try and sell the Bush message. I take it as an insult, not just as a Democrat, but as a citizen of this state,” Whittington said.
Doublespeak causes fear, control, confusionBonnie Lamb9/17/2006 Fear is used to manipulate and control the masses to get whatever it wishes: fear (Orange alerts, "foiled attacks"- no names, dates, explanations). Check parallel times of them under scrutiny and those events ... coincidental?
Stagg Calls on Boustany to Renounce PAC Money in Wake of Ney Corruption PleaMike Stagg9/15/2006 Democratic congressional candidate Mike Stagg called on Republican Congressman Charles Boustany to return over half of his 2006 campaign war chest and to renounce money from political action committees (PACs) today following Republican Congressman Bob Ney’s guilty plea in a bribery scandal.
Stagg: Boustany ignoring jobPATRICK COURREGES9/14/2006 Mike Stagg, not one to mince words, is on the offense with Boustany. Stagg said that despite being a member of the majority party in Congress, and the same party as President Bush, Boustany could not bring U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert into the area until 10 months after the storm. Stagg also said Boustany’s claims of having been “blindsided” by a Bush administration decision to cut off full federal funding of debris cleanup in Rita-affected parishes indicate the incumbent was not looking out for his district.
Snake Oil: Charles Boustany in LebanonGreg Peters9/6/2006 Snake Oil does it again this is definitely a series you want to pay attention. This week in the Snake Oil cross hairs is Dr. Charles Boustany. While tens of thousands of his constituents are still trying to find normal after their government has forgotten them, Boustany flies off to Lebanon. (It is worth noting - The Freshman Congressman does not serve on any - ANY international committee where this trip would have been necessary.)
LeftBlog: Labor Day, or just a good day to have a BBQ?Stephen Handwerk9/5/2006 Per capita, Louisiana workers earn less than their counterparts in all of the other 49 states. It is a fact that our teachers, nurses, factory and even our fast food workers all earn less than their counterparts in every other state in this country... It seems clear, this administration has declared WAR on the Middle Class. More of us who grasp on to the last hopes that we will not be the next statistic to fall into the class of the working poor are watching our dreams melt away. At the same time our government is more concerned about IRAQ then they are about repairing our devastated coastal areas.
Sen. Landrieu delivers Democratic Radio Address8/27/2006 This link is a direct link to the MP3 Audio File. Senator Landrieu does an outstanding job for pointing out the issues and how Democrats will fix them!
LeftBlog: A year later and what do we have to show?8/22/2006 Charles Boustany should have been just as hawkish (if not more) as Congressman Melancon has been for his district. Instead, the week that FEMA ruled that Cameron Parish could no longer be given debris removal aid, Boustany claimed to have been “BLIND SIDED” by the FEMA decision. How could this be when his ONLY JOB should have been trying to make his district WHOLE again?
How you ask? Because Congressman Boustany was spending the week campaigning for Student Loan forgiveness. For college students hit by Rita and Katrina? Nope – For Heart Surgeons! That is right, while his constituents are struggling to find normal again after having lost EVERYTHING, Boustany spends a week of his time while Congress is in session campaigning to forgive loans to heart surgeons!
LeftBlog: The New John Breaux8/15/2006 Through Senator Landrieu’s leadership and fully stepping into the masterful leadership role that Breaux forged, we are indeed lucky to have Senator Landrieu working so hard for us. I may not always agree with Senator Landrieu in the positions she takes, but I think that can be said of all statesmen. In order for progress to be made, dialog, debate and ultimately statesmanship must prevail and deals must be struck. No one side can be shut out, and compromises must be made. Senator Landrieu is leading the way on the national stage for Louisiana to fully recover, rebuild and improve and she deserves our respect and support.
LeftBlog: Republicans hold minimum wage hostage for the ‘Paris Hilton estate tax cut’8/8/2006 In my opinion, this last round of votes on this issue takes their distain for the working poor of this country to new heights. Since Boustany is proudly on the record at a town hall meeting here in Lafayette where he stated “I won’t support an increase in minimum wage…” , it is obvious that he didn’t vote YES for this bill for the minimum wage increase – instead he voted to repeal the tax cuts to the Paris Hiltons of the country.
Blanco: 1,000 jobs coming to Lafayette8/7/2006 As early as Wednesday, NuComm International, a Canada-based call center company, hopes to start hiring the 1,000 employees it needs for its new call center in the Northgate Mall. "It's going to produce a shot of adrenaline that north Lafayette has been trying so hard to get," said Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
LeftBlog: Stem Cells: Hypocrisy reaches a new heights8/1/2006 So which is it? Destroying Human Life is wrong, thus in vitro fertilization is wrong and should be stopped. OR We should serve the greater good by using science to improve and preserve life.
Landrieu: Senate Advances Offshore Oil and Gas Revenue Sharing Bill7/31/2006 Senator Landrieu leads the way in helping Louisiana recover from last years devistation and prepare for the future. “The vote today signals the Senate’s strong endorsement of a bill that would offer Louisiana a significant share of revenue from the energy production off its shores,” Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., said. “With the revenue this bill would provide, we can put into place a long-term strategy to protect our people and our coastline.”
Sen Landrieu on Stem Cell Research Bills7/18/2006 “There is no doubt that embryonic stem cell research holds the promise of curing diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Even President Bush stressed in 2001 that federal dollars help attract the best and brightest scientists and help ensure that new discoveries are widely shared at the largest number of research facilities. He’s right. Federal funding not only allows us to encourage and financially support this research, it allows us to use the power of the purse to be sure it is done in the safest and most ethical way possible."
LeftBlog: Gov. Blanco Stands Up for the Little Guy... And News Roundup7/18/2006 This past week Governor Blanco stood up to the LARGE (and ever growing) Telco industry and said “not on my watch” with her VETO of the so called “Cable Franchise Bill.” Make NO mistake, this bill hurts all of the cities in this state (arguably not Lafayette, as it was exempted out) but sets terrible policy.
Also - Cowboy Diplomacy and First Presidential Veto
Governor vetoes cable bill, few appropriations7/12/2006 Governor Blanco's Veto sends CLEAR MESSAGE that she is standing up for "the little guy". With vertually all of the mayors from throughout the state as well as the Police Juries against this bill, this was a clear win for the people of Louisiana.
LeftBlog: Vote This Saturday... And Another thing!7/11/2006 Remember to vote this Saturday! We also take a look into the recent Supreme Court Ruling against the Bush Administration and new revelations by the Congress of yet another Intel Program the Bush Administration has hidden from Congress.
Candidate to shun cash from PACs7/6/2006 LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Democrat Mike Stagg said Wednesday that he intends to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-Lafayette, in the Nov. 7 election for Louisiana’s 7th District Congressional seat, and does not need or want political action committee money to do it.
Democrat Stagg to challenge Boustany7/3/2006 A Democratic candidate has stepped up to challenge freshman congressman Charles Boustany - the first Republican voters in District 7 have ever elected for office.
Women Democrats for Change6/26/2006 The “Dean” of the Women Senators, Senator Barbara Mikulski, led this group of incredible women in their common purpose to set out to effect change on REAL issues facing Americans today; a stark departure from the divisive “Non-Issues” the Republican administration has been working on.
