Scalise's Bill Will Weaken EPA's Ability To Regulate Air Quality Standards

Steve Scalise, Louisiana's little boy rep in the U.S. House saw that house pass his bill that would expidite the permitting process for new projects according to an article in the Times Picayune of 11/21/14.  Democratic rep Henry Waxman said the bill could give new facilities "amnesty" from new air quality standards.  The President said he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

The bill is all about gutting EPA regulations and allowing busineses to operate in their own selfish world without regulations.  Scalise uses job creation as the excuse for expediting the permitting process.  However,  Scalise and his party have no record of creating jobs to speak of and everyone knows the conservative attitude towaerd regulations.  As long as the democrats control the Senate the bill will not pass or advance to the President.

Scalise is the Whip of the majority House and is in a leadership position so one would think he would take up the immigration bill passed by the Senate or the minimum wage bill if he was serious about passing legislation that would move the country and its people forward.  Instead, he moves a bill that has no merit at this particular time.  The President continues to stand tall and be responsible while conservative republicans in congress continue to expose their lack of character and courage.  

Just think, if Scalise scheduled a vote on immigration and the minimum wage and it passed as this writer thinks it would, congress could have gone home on break and said they accomplished something positive.  What a shame.

This commentary written by John Lucia

Another Major Grant To Louisiana From The BP/Transocean's Deepwater Horizon Rig Sinking

Accoridng to a Times Picayune article dated 11/19/14 Louisiana will receive $13.2 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to rebuild barrier islands and to build sediment diversions for wetlands.  The money comes from a second dispersal from the Foundations Gulf Environmental Fund that holds the money from criminal settlements between the U.S. Department of Justice, BP and Transocean over their roles concerning the sinking of the rig.

And once again it is the big bad federal government that Jindal and his conservative ditto heads love to hate that has enforced federal regulations and have held BP/Transocean accountable for their negligent acts. And it has all happened under the Obama administration, the President who conservatives say is the enemy of the people of Louisiana and the state.  The real enemy of the people and Louisiana are Jindal and those elected officials who oppose the Levee Boards suit against the oil and gas industry for their destruction to Louisiana's environment by their operations.  The industry has been given a free ride for over 40 plus years.

The $13.2 million settlement is only a portion of the $1.2 billion that will be directed to the fund over a five year period for projects in Louisiana involving restoration of barrier islands and the construction of diversions.  The President's administration is working for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast and have answered the call to a disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.  jindal and the republican party in Louisiana continue to demonize the President and the federal government and shows how much character and courage the little boys lack.  Serious public officials?  You want find them in Louisiana's government.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

The U.S. House and Senate Vote On The Keystone XL Pipeline Can Best Be Described As Phony-Baloney

Mary Landrieu and Bill Cassidy could best occupy their time with more constructive actions than forcing a vote on congress to approve the building of the pipeline.  Everyone knows, especially those in Louisiana that Mary Landrieu has been a supporter of the oil and gas industry long before Cassidy was elected to congress.  Every one also knows that Cassidy and republicans in general want to let the industry do what ever they want to do.

So why vote now, especially since the President said he would veto the bill if passed by congress.  The answer is the Louisiana Senate race for congress.  The bill failed and if passed would actually have no value on the election because the issue is phony. It is just another piece of evidence why congess has been so unworkable.  If republicans wanted to be productive before going home they should have passed the Minimum Wage bill and the comprehensive Immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate in June of 2013.

The Nebraska Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on the pipeline before the end of the year.  Its possible their decision may contain facts that no one else has even thought about.  This writer still supports Mary Landrieu's reelection and will vote for her in the run off election because of her overall record  and the fact she has done more for Louisiana and the country than Cassidy or any other republican in congress.  This writer also opposes the pipeline as explained in commentary here in "PolitiDose" dated 3/15/14, titled, "TransCanada's Pipeline:  Another Polarizing Issue."  Landrieu, Cassidy and other members of congress who have become the mouth piece for the oil and gas industry is also opposed by this writer.  Let the industry justify their projects and actions themselves.  In this case let the Canadian Oil Company who want to build the pipeline justify its construction.  They have already testified before congress and failed to make their case.

Landrieu and Cassidy's actions before congress on the matter did nothing to distinguish either one in this writers judgement and the President has been a steady voice from the very beginning concerning the pipeline.  Both would have been better off by supporting the President's position.


This commentary written by John Lucia

Cincinnati 27 New Orleans 10

The Bengals gave the Saints their second straight loss at home and out played the Saints
in the process.  Cincinnati played like a team that wanted to play and win and the Saints continue to play uninspired football with a losing record.  They have now been defeated in 10 of  their last 17 games including last years playoffs.  They and Atlanta are now both 4-6 for the season.

All seven sports writers for the Times Picayune picked the Saints to win in Sunday's paper.  They simply went with the line once again that had the Saints favored by seven points.  Their reporting on what is wrong with the Saints has been all over the lot.  One of the latest jingles is they have to finish the game.  A problem this writer wrote about both last year and this year.  Remember the call, "We have to finish strong?"

Part of the Saints problems are obvious.  When they play the teams that are well coached on defense, Brees and Payton are not prolific or a genius like sports writers want to brag about.  The players and coaches have problems and all is not well.  This is the third straight year the Saints offensive and defensive play is not consistent.  And to top it off, the players are not ready to play despite their huge salaries.

Any objective observer of the game must have noticed the difference in the two teams on the field the way each played the game.  Cincinnati's all around play and execution was not only better than the Saints, they also stopped the Saints bread and butter offensive plays with a strong defense.  They were better prepared.  Paton needs to get a life on the sidelines and take the chip off his shoulders.

Allowing bounty gate to happen and hiring Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator were huge mistakes by Payton.  School is still out on Rob Ryan but it is a fact that his defensive teams in the past before Payton hired him were not consistent.  Sports writers tried to rate Ryan's performance  based on last years results and now have second thoughts.  That is unfortunately and so are their apple polishing stories.

The NFL is a weak league overall with only 30-35% of the teams end the season with a winning record.  Records are not so hard to set against those teams that are losers and not well coached.  Sports writers should be objective and take that into consideration instead of being carried away in their reporting.

The after affects of bountygate shows how arrogance can come back and take its toll.  This writer still believes that is one factor of what is happening with the Saints.  Payton received a big raise after bounty gate.  So did Brees and Graham.  NFL owners have deep pockets of wealth and the Saints organization failed to hold Payton accountable for allowing bounty gate to happen.  And Brees and Graham still have not earned their salary.  In the NFL, one can still be paid big bucks and still not produce.  And sports writers who cover the Saints still lack objectivity.

The most satisfying part of the game was the young lady who belatedly was given the football.  She was also nice looking.


Note:  As of this writing the Saints have beaten only one team with a winning record, Green Bay.  The other three teams they beat, Carolina, Minnesota and Tampa Bay have a combined won-loss record of 9 wins, 21 losses and 1 tie.


This commentry written by John Lucia.

Two Wrongs Do Not Make Political Ads Right.

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy are running political ads bragging how they opposed the moratorium in the Gulf after the BP disaster and spill.  There was good reasons why President Obama took the actions he did and put the moratorium in place.  BP, the rig owner, the supppliers and the oil industry said they had no answers even though 11 rig workers were killed.  BP and the industry did not have any equipment available to shut the flow of oil off timely or the equipment necessary to clean up any spilled oil before it reached shore. 

Yet, Landrieu and Cassidy wear their opposition to the moratorium as a badge of courage.  It is actually a badge of shame.  They were not the only elected officials from Louisiana to oppose the moratorium.  Steve Scalise and others also opposed.  Those same folks also predicted the moratorium would cause an exodus of rigs from the Gulf and the industry would lay off up to 20,000 rig workers.  Well it never happened.  In fact more rigs left the Gul of Mexico during the George W. Bush administration.  (see my commentary on the subject matter dated, 7/22/11 titled, "Drilling Offshore Louisiana in The Gulf of Mexico:  Facts and Nothing But The Facts."

 Louisiana's elected officials who become the mouth pieces for the oil industry have betrayed the people and the environment and show their lack of regard for safety regulations.  They also show their lack of compassion for the families of the 11 rig workers whose lives were taken by the blowout. 

This writer is unaware of any stories in the news media that has reported on this situation and challenged those who opposed the moratorium.  The news media never told the real story about the BP explosion but "PolitiDose" did in a commentary dated 5/8/10 titled, "The Untold Story Of BP's Oil Spill In The Gulf of Mexico."

Landrieu and Cassidy were wrong to oppose the moratorium before answers were even found and the President was right in his decision.  The ads show how elected officials will say anything to help in their election bid.  President Obama displayed his character and courage with the moratorium after a disaster, both in human life, the environment and the damage to property.  Landrieu and Cassidy lacked character and courage and instead tried to protect an industry who contributes to their political campaigns.  The same industry who has a terrible record when it comes to protecting the states environment.  And that really says it all. 


This commentary written by John Lucia.

Has Anyone Noticed That !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fear mongering has subsided with the November 4 elections?  Ebola, Terror attacks on U.S. soil, ISIS, amnesty, the border and a host of other fear related issues promoted by the republican party and the conservative news media.  Fear is part of their ideology to mask their unAmerican form of governing.

Iraq, Saddam and their WMD that did not exist was used as a fear tactic to go to war there when it was not necessary.  (which the war proved)  But it was not Iraq, Saddam or WMD that took the lives of the majority of the 4400 plus U.S. troops who served their country's call.  Now it is republicans McCain and Graham who are using the ISIS fear to try and move President Obama to send combat troops to Iraq once again to fight a ground war against ISIS.

No parents in America wants to see their children raised in fear of the known or the unknown and they should not be exposed to the fear propaganda of the republican party and the conservative news media.  No matter what the subject matter, democratic leaders have the character and courage to stand up and be counted when it comes to protecting the country and its people when our way of life is threatened with out resorting to fear.

President Obama has measured up and answered the call to both the external and internal threat of fear that is used by those who want to see the President fail.  America and its people have been safe on his watch and we should take to heart what a great past democratic President said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."


This commentary written by John Lucia.

The Latest State Budget Woes Under Republican Governor Bobby Jindal

It was reported in a recent Times Picayune article that Governor Jindal has ordered a partial freeze on state agency spending that covers several areas.  The order covers the balance of the states fiscal year that ends June 30.  The state has been borrowing hundreds of millions dollars to pay state expenses because the states general fund revenues has been slow to arrive the article points out. 

And here is the other kicker reported by the TP.  "In addition a $1.2 billion budget gap is projected for next year, and lawmakers have yet to decide whether the state finished the last fiscal year with a surplus or a deficit."   What is happening with this years budget is just a repeat of previous state budgets of the Jindal administration as out lined in "PolitiDose" many times over the last few years.  Jindal and the legislature has never really balanced one state budget except by gimmicks.  Its the same con game over and over.

Can the people of this state really understand why the Jindal administration still can not tell the pleople if last years budget that ended June 30, 2013 ended in a deficit or surplus?  How long does it take?  President Obama has reduced the federal deficit and the unemployment numbers since he took office while Jindal continues to cut the state budget and still not able to balance it.  And the unemployment rate in Louisiana is still higher than it was when he took office.

Is there any wonder why Jindal and the republicans in Louisiana are always on the attack against the President?  This writer does not have to wonder, its because they have no positive record to run on or talk about.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by John Lucia.   

San Francisco 27 New Orleans 24

The Saints started off the second half of their season like they did the first half of the season with an overtime loss.  This time to the 49ers when the niners converted a Brees turnover into a winning field goal.  It was the third turnover for Brees who also threw two interceptions.

The loss dropped the Saints recored to 4-5.  New Orleans fell behind 14-0 early in the ball game and both Frisco and the Saints mirrowed one another at times being "hot and cold."  Frisco was able to make the big play when it counted to tie the Saints at 24-24 and then won in overtime.

The Saints defense does show improvement and plays well over a few series then falls down and give up big plays that hurt.  Defensive players are still missing tackles and are caught out of position.  Being consistent has still escaped Rob Ryan's defensive unit.  Payton seems to be involved with the defense on the side lines more than this writer remembers in the past.  Could there be some resentment there?

The loss ended the Saints winning streak at home and their last two wins against Green Bay and Carolina were not defining moments to make a judgement how the season will end.  This writer does not like the "hot dog" attitude of a few players and Jimmy Graham's Tarzan act after he catches a pass.  ( I often wonder what is in the gator aid)  Payton has adopted an intimidation approach on the sidelines with the officials.  Don Shula, Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi and other coaches who were more successful over a longer period of time than Payton were gracious on the sidelines.

After 9 games the Saint players and coach are still singing the same song.  WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BALL.  WE HAVE TO FINISH THE GAME.  ITS TOUGH TO WIN IN THIS LEAGUE.  WE STILL CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY and a host of other pronouncements.  This writer believes the Saints still have serious problems and one is an attitude problem.  The Saints swagger, if they ever had one is no more.  What seems to be visable is their arrogance.  That is not related to confidence. 

The Saints division is in shambles at the present time and no team seems to be capable of stepping up to the plate and make a positive move.  The NFL needs to reduce the number of teams, as expansion and the silly play off system is beginning to erode what once was a quality league.  But the wealth factor and the greed over shadows everything else.

At this point in the season nothing has changes my mind concerning the fugture of the Saints under Payton and Brees.  The effects of Bounty gate is still taking a toll on the team.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES

Happy 239th birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps and to all who ever wore the Eagle, Globe and Anchor where ever you may be and especially those serving in harms way and away from family.  The Marine Corps birthday is a special occasion that reminds us of the sacrifice of so many of our brother Marines and the spirit instilled in Marines the very first day we hit "Boot Camp."  That spirit lives on in the Marines motto, Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful and Once a Marine Always a Marine. 

Marines serving on active duty, or in the reserves and or in civilian life still share the same common virtue, commitment, honor, courage and duty.  That is a disipline that binds all Marines together for life.  So to my brother Marines on this 239th birthday it is my hope and prayer that the Supreme Commandant continues to watch over you and your family and keep you safe where ever you may be.

Happy Birthday Marines and Semper Fi

John Lucia

October's Job Numbers and Unemployment Continue To Be Positive While Republicans Continue To Go Negative

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 214,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 5.8%.  For the last 10 months the economy created on average of over 200,000 jobs per month.  The department also said 31,000 more jobs were added for August and September than was previously reported.

The President's policies continue to work, and slowly but surely are returning the country to full employment.  The business community are even on board and predicting a great Christmas shopping season and continued expansion of the economy.  And where are the republican's in congress and the conservative media?  Well, they are still in denial, preaching fear and still have no record of accomplishments in congress or in the previous republican administration.

The republican non participation in the economy is nothing new, it happened during the Clinton administration also.  The democratic controlled congress passed Clinton's economic and budget plans in 1993 and every republican in congress voted against it.  Clinton's policies were so successful the republicans in the U.S. House impeached him.  They are now on the same path with Obama talking about impeachment.

In the first part of next year wages for middle class Americans will start to grow again.  They were down approximately $2500 on Bush 43 watch and are still down on Obama's watch so it is important that the President not let the republicans mess with the economy on their own terms.

The Obama administration is keeping with previous democratic traditions concerning job creation and the economy.  That is, every democratic administration that succeeded a republican administration created more jobs than the republican administration it replaced.  This writer outlined the reasons why in my three part
series with conclusion titled,  "The U.S. Economy:  Which Party Performs Best." dated 1/27/08.

Yes, another economic recovery is in progress on the democratic watch and yes, the republican party is still AWOL.

Also see my previous commentary titled, "Job Creation For Presidential Terms:  1929-2008" dated 11/5/2010


This commentary written by John Lucia.