This is a new feature that I plan to do on a regular basis; hopefully, a weekly basis, once I purchase a new computer. For the first month of the 111th Congress, there were 46 roll call votes in the House,and there are 6 votes I am focusing on in the House:
There are some surprises here. The Presidential Records Act was to deny President Bush the power to seal his records forever, and allow the House to investigate the Bush Administration's malfeasance. So it was surprising to see Reps. Scalise and Alexander vote for it. Perhaps they were voting to ensure that the Clinton records would stay open or something.
Other than that, the only other surprise is Representative Cao. He did vote for the Presidential Records Act as well as the Paycheck Fairness Act, which posits that workers, regardless of gender, should be paid equally for the same work. But he didn't vote for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which supplied the remedy for when an employer pays a woman (or a man) less than his job counterparts. Rep. Cao also voted to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, and expand it to include an additional 10 million children.
Other than Rep. Cao, the rest of the Louisiana Republican delegation - Rep. Scalise, Rep. Fleming, Rep. Alexander, Rep. Cassidy and Rep. Boustany - voted against equal pay for women, and against ensuring that Louisiana's children have health insurance.
The entire Louisiana Republican delegation in the House voted against the shelling out the rest of the TARP funds to the nation's banks. Interestingly, Reps. Alexander and Scalise flipped their votes ... perhaps because they trusted President Bush more than they trust President Obama? It seems that the Louisiana Republican delegation is in the same boat as Rush Limbaugh - they want to see the economy fail.
Editor's Note: CenLamar has some background info on the activities of the Draft Stormy folks at DC Mardi Gras.
Washington Mardi Gras is being held this week, so the folks behind the Draft Stormy movement decided to make Draft Stormy beads to hand out amongst the political elite attending the event.
For those unaware of what Washington Mardi Gras is, here's The Advertiser's take on it:
For many of the more than 2,000 Louisianians who've come to Washington to participate in a swirl of parties and receptions, this Mardi Gras is all about business.
It's not known how many deals are cut over hors d'oeuvres at the hospitality suites that Louisiana cities like Lafayette and Shreveport operate in the Washington Hilton - the main site of the Mardi Gras.
Former Sen. Russell Long firmly established a tradition in 1957 by forming the Mystick Krewe.
During one of the festivities, presumably at the Washington Hilton, there were many, many beads handed out and worn quite proudly by patrons. Amongst the revelers in a Draft Stormy effort are:
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-LA-01: (although admittedly, he seems confused)
Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-LA-06:
Who knew even the Republican Members of the Louisiana House delegation are as eager to insert some good ol entertainment into next year's Republican primary?!
Last week, Chris Tidmore set the water cooler talk circuit of Louisiana ablaze with his article about how the porn star has been found ... now they are looking for staff. But the identity of the potential Senatorial candidate was unknown. Not anymore:
Ms. Daniels was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. The product of a single mother, Ms. Daniels epitomizes the up by the bootstraps story that our Sinator constantly invokes. She was the editor of her high school newspaper and president of the 4-H club.
She then chose to enter the adult film industry, where she worked her way up from being an actress to directing and producing adult films.
Her citizenship should not be an issue, as she owns a home in the state, and comes home to cheer on her beloved Tigers at Death Valley during football season.
The question is, will she run? If y'all want an entertaining Senate race next fall, especially since the scuttlebutt is that old retread Chris John is being courted to run against Vitter, I suggest y'all go on over to the website to sign the petition to convince Ms. Daniels to declare her candidacy.
Are they having a little spat? Is that why Jindal hasn't endorsed?
With fundraising in mind, Governor PBJ is going up to Washington, D.C. in late March to lend his "star power" to the Republican Party's 2010 House fundraising efforts. But before he heads to Washington, Governor PBJ will be headlining another fundraiser, this one in North Carolina for the John Locke Foundation, next week!
Governor, we are facing a $350-ish million dollar shortfall for the current fiscal year, and an estimated $2 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year, thanks in part to your signature on the Stelly Tax Repeal. Shouldn't you stay home, like you did during the Inauguration, and work on finding ways to cut the budget or raise revenues to close that shortfall, instead of leaving the state to increase your name recognition in advance of the 2012 Republican primaries?
Chris Tidmore, a well-known Republican activist in Louisiana has printed an article that is sure to set the water cooler talk circuit ablaze across the state:
"They finally found a porn star to run against David Vitter."
Mr. Tidmore is discussing this Craigslist ad that appeared back in November, mere days after the elections:
Reply to: job-909956144@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-11-07, 4:02PM CST
Seeking a female candidate to challenge David Vitter in the Republican primary for the United States Senate in 2010. Candidate must be over thirty years old and a registered Republican in the state of Louisiana. Beyond this, we are looking for a candidate with a history in some aspect of the adult entertainment industry who has taken the benefit of that experience both monetarily and otherwise and translated it into success in their later career.
Candidate will have the benefit of an experienced campaign staff including finance and media teams. Reasonable compensation as allowed by federal campaign finance rules will be offered. This is a serious offer for a serious candidate who cares about the direction of her state and community and who is willing to accept the serious commitment of a state wide political campaign.
Please forward a resume or CV with contact information along with a 200 word description telling us who you are and why you think you are the ideal candidate to challenge David Vitter.
Location: Louisiana
Compensation: Reasonable under FEC regulations
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
Well, Mr. Tidmore believes that there is a candidate based on the following Craigslist ad:
"Seeking Energetic Field Organizers for Senate Campaign (New Orleans)
After an exhaustive review process, we are announcing that we are no longer accepting applications for a female candidate with a history in the adult entertainment industry to challenge Senator Vitter. We want to thank all the talented candidates who applied and endured through our rigorous application process. We furthermore apologize for any inconveniences the applications or interviews may have caused. We are certain many of you will go on to achieve long and accomplished careers in public service, and wish you well in your future endeavors."
An announcement pertaining to the final results of our selection process is forthcoming. We are, however, now accepting applications for energetic and personable field organizers for our grassroots campaign. Past or current affiliation with a political party is unimportant, this is a bipartisan effort of civic minded citizens with a desire to change Louisiana and the nation."
Organizers should be at least 18 years old with two years of campaign experience, or put another way, WE HAVE FOUND OUR PORN STAR, AND SHE NEEDS A STAFF.
I am breathlessly awaiting whom it is ... but what we know is pretty exciting ... it's a woman, presumably with ties to Louisiana, and I assume it is a rather successful star in that sector of the film industry, as money is a necessary evil in modern-day politics.
Well, I knew my computer was on borrowed time after I had to replace the keyboard a couple of months ago. Today, the hard drive finally gave out.
I spent about 4 hours working with the super nice people at the Apple store and then at home trying to reinstall the Tiger operating system on my Macbook Pro. Unfortunately, it didn't take. So, my options are thus:
Send the computer to Apple, and they'll charge me $1100 to fix the problems, since the computer has been dropped in the past, so Apple Care won't cover the damage;
Or, use the $1100 to buy a new computer.
I'm leaning towards the latter, but it will be a few weeks before I can go make that purchase. This is my roundabout way of telling y'all that posting is going to be light for a few weeks.
The good news is the Senate confirmed Hillary Clinton as our next Secretary of State, by a vote of 94 to 2. The missing votes are those of Clinton, Kennedy, Colorado's junior Senator and Minnesota's junior Senator.
The bad news for Louisiana is that our junior Sinator's struggle against Clinton garnered exactly one more "nay" vote, that of Jim DeMint of South Carolina. So much for the influence Sinator Vitter wields within his own party.
What is so idiotic and short-sighted about Vitter's vote is that while he's pontificating about the so-called "minefield" of Bill Clinton's Foundation, Bill Clinton has raised more money for Louisiana than any other state in the Union through his charitable efforts ... here's a partial breakdown of the $130.6 million he raised for the Gulf Region in the aftermath of Katrina via the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund:
$30 million was awarded to 38 higher education institutions
$40 million went to non-profits working on reconstruction in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi
$25 million was awarded to 1,151 houses of worship and organizations assisting the faith community
$35.6 million was given to 42 other non-profits for various services
And Vitter just can't get over the GOP's Clinton-bashing excess of the 1990's. Amazing that he even thinks it is a winning strategy, especially given his own peccadilloes.
I've been listening to Barack Obama for a year-and-a-half. I know what his politics are. I know what his plans are, as he has stated them. I don't want them to succeed.
A local Louisiana newspaper, the Abbeville Meridionial, published a mea culpa to its readers for championing former President Bush in both of his presidential campaigns. While the apology is welcome, perhaps they ought to take a closer look at another of their "champions" ... Governor Bobby Jindal:
We now believe he will go down in history as the worst president ever and deservedly so due to his ineptness, incredible incompetence, and his lack of truthfulness, intelligence and compassion. Throw in arrogance and you run the gambit of what it takes to be the worst president in history.
Folks, President Obama (Lord, how good it feels just to type that) hit this speech outta the ballpark. My brother told me that former President Bush said essentially the same thing with respect to the characterization of America as a nation of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers, and that we would work with all nations to defeat the terrorists. This is true.
But then Mr. Bush began listening to Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rumsfeld, rather than Mr. Powell. How far we fell thanks to the advice given by those two men.
Our job, folks, over the next four years, is to hold Obama to the words he spoke today. But for the first time in at least 8 years, in the battle between a President's angels and demons, we finally have more than a fair fight.
For someone that's not a native to New Orleans, these folks sure made me feel welcome. From the moment I walked in the door, not knowing a soul, I was greeted with hearty hellos, given a champagne glass, and shown a spot where I could watch the festivities. I think I made some new friends today, and renewed acquaintances with some folks from the campaign trails of last year.
Throughout it all, folks were cheering, crying, dancing. The shot of folks saluting the TV's with champagne glasses in hand happened once Mr. Obama completed the Oath of Office. After his speech, the dancing began.
The funniest moment occurred when they showed former President Bush taking off in the helicopter. The crowd broke out into "Hey, hey, hey, na na na, GOODBYE!"
The crowd here is a panarama of America - old and young, black, white, Latino and asian, gay and straight - and all just cheered the entrance of Barack Obama! Pictures coming later, from here in New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
Today is the day we celebrate Dr. King's birthday. Across the nation, many Americans are involved in community service projects. Indeed, President-Elect Obama participated in a community service project himself this morning. But that's not what I want to talk about.
I've had many conversations with folks on what the election of Barack Obama means. Some of those folks believe that the election of Barack Obama signifies the culmination of Dr. King's dream. They couldn't be further from the truth.
An election, as President-Elect Obama told the Washington Post, is not democracy. Nor is it a dream fulfilled. Dr. King's dream went far beyond that of hoping a black man or woman would one day be elected to the Presidency. His dream was that one day, race would not matter.
Sadly, it still does, especially right here in Louisiana. The other night, I was at Popeye's, and there was a middle-aged black woman waiting for her food when I got in line. Turns out that we ordered the same thing. So I had to wait for the chicken to be cooked as well. Despite ordering after her, the young black woman served me first.
The same thing happens all the time when it comes to jobs, housing and other service industries. It is especially blatant in our education system, and our criminal justice system. To achieve Dr. King's dream, we've a long way to go, baby.
That being said, the election of Barack Obama to the presidency is an important step ... but there is work yet to be done. And it all starts tomorrow at high noon.
I recall reading something about Sinator Vitter bringing some school kids to DC for the inauguration, and showing them around Washington, D.C. What I don't recall is whether he will be attending the balls that will be scattered throughout downtown D.C. Tuesday evening.
If Sinator Vitter does attend one of the balls, he's got more testicular fortitude than I give him credit for, as downtown D.C. has been declared a "prostitution-free zone" ... which means that D.C. police will be on the lookout for such activities in the area until next Sunday.
(This diary is from an email sent by Matt McBride. I felt it was better to create a user name for Matt, rather post it in my name, that way, he gets all the credit for his work on keeping tabs on the Corps.
As far as I'm concerned, Matt is one of the unsung heroes of New Orleans. - promoted by ryan)
Dear New Orleanians,
As you know, the permanent pump station project has been dragging along for years now, with meeting after meeting and no seeming progress. The project is now three years behind the original schedule.
At the last public meeting in October, the Corps promised they would have a report on the project ready for public comment by December, and that it would be signed this month (pdf alert ... see page 13).
Obviously, that didn't happen. There have been no public meetings about the project scheduled since then.
However, the Corps feels comfortable enough to present up to date information to potential contractors this month.
Next Thursday, January 22nd, they will be holding an "Industry Day" at the airport Hilton at 1 PM. It is devoted exclusively to the permanent pumps and the Corps' plans for them. Contractors are invited to get the latest information. It's not clear the public is invited, but it's also not clear they're not.
Here's the meeting notice (which makes no mention of the permanent pump stations):
Here's more detailed contact info:
INDUSTRY DAY CONFERENCE INFORMATION UPDATE!
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled an Industry Day Conference for this requirement at 1:00 pm CST on 22 January 2009 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062. Please register by providing the following information via email to Ms. Avis Gaines at avis.h.gaines@usace.army.mil or Mr. Robert E. Watts at robert.e.watts@usace.army.mil, NLT 16 January 2009:
Company name, address, phone number, office POC, name and number of representatives attending the conference.
The Corps wants contractors to register by this Friday, January 15th. You can choose to play by their rules, or perhaps just show up, which could be interesting if there's press there.
The Louisiana Democratic Party continues its makeover from the organization that was a shell prior to Hurricane Katrina. Building on the momentum generated by the enthusiasm for President-elect Barack Obama, the LDP has started two state political action committees to help Democratic candidates throughout the state - a Mayor's PAC and a Parish Executive's PAC.
On top of that, Party spokesman Scott Jordan has started a new blog on the LDP website - Blue Notes.
You can find it at the moment in the left corner. Here's hoping that they move it to a more prominent location soon.
Welcome to the 'net, LDP.
Today's Advocate Opinion page ran a syndicated column by the conservative Cal Thomas, which makes the following claim:
Jindal claims to be saving $341 million in the state's fiscal '09 budget. "We will continue to pursue policies to move Louisiana forward while we tighten our belts in government and ensure we are living within our means," said Jindal, which, he criticizes, is something Washington is not doing.
First of all, Jindal ain't saving the state shit. He created this mess by signing the rollback of the Stelly Tax Plan last summer. So Jindal cost some hard working Louisianans social services the state once provided.
He's also hurting LSU, which is cutting some $109 million from its' expenses. Education and health care are the most important things a state can spend money on, as they are investments in our future. And what are we doing? Cutting them.
____________
* I don't agree with Jindal's comment, as I would listen to Nobel Prize winning economists on what should be done, rather a conservative, right wing politician who has his eye on placating the conservative wing of the Republican party in the hopes of running for the White House one day.
Well, the Foreign Relations Committee voted to endorse the nomination of Hillary Clinton to be next Secretary of State. The lone no vote? Well, that would belong to our embarassment of a Senator, David Vitter.
The good Sinator ought not to be giving folks advice on ethics ... as he spent some time impugning his own inside the brothels of New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Yet, he believes it is his duty to admonish those who have gone above and beyond what the current ethics rules require in terms of financial disclosure, in regards to the Clintons and Mr. Clinton's foundation.
"Over the recess, Sen. Vitter has had his staff investigate some of the potential conflicts of interest between the secretary of state and her husband's enterprises. He's going to ask her to provide a more substantial explanation."
I wonder how Sinator Vitter would like to have his wife questioned about his enterprises on live television by a partisan as unscrupulous as him. Perhaps we ought to ask Mrs. Vitter for a more "substantial explanation" regarding his extracurricular activities on Bourbon Street and DC brothels.
During last year's legislative session, I highlighted SB 651, which was written by the Louisiana Family Forum, and offered by Democratic State Senator Ben Nevers. It later morphed into SB 733, which passed the Legislature overwhelmingly, garnering only 3 "no" votes in the House, and passing unanimously in the Senate.
The language of the bill (pdf alert) allows for religious ideas of the earth's creation to be taught by public school teachers, specifically, creationism, all behind the guise that everything in science is a "theory."
The issue that many scientists have with this bill is that the meaning of theory in science is vastly different than that of the common, every day meaning we ascribe to theory. In science, a theory is a "a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena." In the field of biology, scientists have tested the "theory" of evolution in experiments, and it has not yet been disproven.
The religious right is twisting the common, every day meaning of theory - an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances - to bolster their argument that creationism - the idea that God created the world in seven days or that the Earth is thousands of years old - is also a logical interpretation of the facts we have before us.
Anyhow, all this will come to a head here in Louisiana over the next few days. Today, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Student/School Performance and Support (SPSS) Committee meets. One of the items on their agenda is Science Education (pdf alert), which means that they will take up what to do about SB 733 by considering revising Bulletin 741, which is the school administrator handbook that all school boards in Louisiana must follow.
And on Thursday, at 9 AM in Room 1-100 of the Claiborne Building at 1201 N. Third Street in Baton Rouge, the full Board of Education will meet to review the SSPS Committee Report (pdf alert) on the Louisiana Science Education Act.
Already, some of the earlier wording - "religious thinking shall not be advanced under the guise of critical thinking" - has been removed. And the proposed changes to Bulletin 741 will expose Louisiana's children to religious beliefs during their science class than ever before. For a state trying to diversify its economy by building up its biomedical research sector, such an changes may be the death knell.
Washington Mardi Gras is being held this week, so the folks behind the 
