The Saints third straight loss Sunday at Houston against a team New Orleans sports writers described as a weak part of the schedule was a reminder just how far the Saint's football team has sank along with the coaching staff. This is the fourth season since Payton sat out because of bounty gate and there has been no progress.
Everyone should remember what the players and coaches said: We are professionals; we know our job; we know how to win; all we have to do is do our job. Yeah, right, it never happened and the coaches and players are still giving out the same excuses. The bottom line is the players and coaches are not earning their big salaries. And all are still in denial for the reasons why, bounty gate. New Orleans sports writers never saw it coming because they are too busy writing about hype and cliches and refused to be objective in their reporting.
Saint management, the coaching staff and the players have had enough time to make the right adjustments since bounty gate but failed big time. The outlandish salaries those people make for not producing and having a good product on the field is a disgrace to the game. But hey, fans still flock to the games and coaches and players are still given idol status. The game is larger than life and the dollar rules.
Payton and Loomis will move on to some other franchise and the process will repeat itself. No one will remember bounty gate and its effects except the readers of "PolitiDose." And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Louisiana: Is The State Both Republican and Conservative Like The News Media and The Pundits Have Been Preaching?
What is the basic tenet behind that rhetoric and can the rationale be supported. Does the state have to be controlled by a republican governor and republican legislature; does the majority of the state's voters have to be registered republicans; Is it just a political thing; does the political history have any thing to do with it.
When is a state a conservative state. Is it based on the political party running the state; Is there a difference between an elected conservative politician and the average conservative voter; Are elected office holders and voters really conservative just because they claim to be; Is cutting the state budget a conservative act if it hurts the state and the people; Are tax loopholes and special tax breaks for those who need them the least conservative.
Has the election of democrat John Bel Edwards turned the state democratic overnight. The news media has already picked up the election results and put Louisiana back as a democratic state in the deep south. This writer does not buy any of the news media hype of a republican state or conservative state. Voter turn out has been less than 50% for many years now so who knows the mind of the majority of voters who stay home on election day.
Conservatism has been dead since the Newt Gingrich era started in the early 80's. It has since been all right wing conservatism with extreme positions on every issue. Does any one really believe Bobby Jindal is a real conservative? If the people of Louisiana are real conservative why would they have voted for Jindal twice?
The state of Louisiana is what ever it is at the time. Ditto its people. Politically it will be democratic for the next four years. We do not know what the mind set of the voters will be four years from now. The first words out of a republican's mouth are usually, I'M A CONSERVATIVE. The first words flashed on the screen at the Fox News Network is, FAIR AND BALANCED. This writer believes you are what you are by your deeds and not by what you proclaim to be.
The same thing can be said about Louisiana and its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
When is a state a conservative state. Is it based on the political party running the state; Is there a difference between an elected conservative politician and the average conservative voter; Are elected office holders and voters really conservative just because they claim to be; Is cutting the state budget a conservative act if it hurts the state and the people; Are tax loopholes and special tax breaks for those who need them the least conservative.
Has the election of democrat John Bel Edwards turned the state democratic overnight. The news media has already picked up the election results and put Louisiana back as a democratic state in the deep south. This writer does not buy any of the news media hype of a republican state or conservative state. Voter turn out has been less than 50% for many years now so who knows the mind of the majority of voters who stay home on election day.
Conservatism has been dead since the Newt Gingrich era started in the early 80's. It has since been all right wing conservatism with extreme positions on every issue. Does any one really believe Bobby Jindal is a real conservative? If the people of Louisiana are real conservative why would they have voted for Jindal twice?
The state of Louisiana is what ever it is at the time. Ditto its people. Politically it will be democratic for the next four years. We do not know what the mind set of the voters will be four years from now. The first words out of a republican's mouth are usually, I'M A CONSERVATIVE. The first words flashed on the screen at the Fox News Network is, FAIR AND BALANCED. This writer believes you are what you are by your deeds and not by what you proclaim to be.
The same thing can be said about Louisiana and its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Democratic Louisiana Governor Elect John Bel Edwards Defeats Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter In Run Off Election
Louisiana state representative from Amite, John Bel Edwards became governor elect Saturday night with a smashing victory over David Vitter. The decisive win by Edwards will put Louisiana, a deep south state in the democratic column on January 11, 2016. The election of democrat Edwards proved the news media and the pundits all wrong in their predictions that Louisiana would remain a republican state like the rest of the south.
"PolitiDose" was one of the first, IF NOT THE FIRST news outlet to endorse Edwards and listed reasons why a democrat could win the state. The news media and the pundits kept up a steady drum beat that Louisiana was a REPUBLICAN STATE AND A CONSERVATIVE STATE. They were wrong on both counts and I will have a commentary on that matter coming soon, so stay tuned.
Julia O'Donoghue wrote an election article in the Times Picayune dated 11/22 concerning the election results. She must be a conservative because she said Edwards came out of no where to take down a republican in a red state. Really????? She must have forgotten Edwards received 40% of the vote in the first primary and over 646,000 votes Saturday in the run off. That does not sound like Edwards came out of no where. Julia also said in the article that Edwards surprisingly attracted a number of endorsements including the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and the Louisiana State Troopers Association. This writer was not surprised at all.
Mr. Edwards ran a positive campaign about the future of Louisiana and its people. The republicans ran a campaign against each other and President Obama and a negative one at that which is par for conservatives and their party. Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is leaving governor elect Edwards a fiscal disaster to deal with much like George W. Bush left President Obama to deal with. Don't look for the news media in Louisiana or the republican party to give Edwards the ample time needed to deal with the mess left to him. One can tell by the narrative in Julia's article she is not happy with Louisiana becoming a blue state in January.
Governor elect Edwards will have a lot of tough work to do once he takes office and even before as he has already acknowledged. But this writer feels Edwards will do what democrats do, that is take care of the people's business to move the state and its people forward. The days of negativity and division will be gone when Edwards steps into the state capitol and the past should be a reminder our politics should never go there again.
Good luck and best wishes to governor elect Edwards as he attempts to create policy that will benefit the state and all its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
"PolitiDose" was one of the first, IF NOT THE FIRST news outlet to endorse Edwards and listed reasons why a democrat could win the state. The news media and the pundits kept up a steady drum beat that Louisiana was a REPUBLICAN STATE AND A CONSERVATIVE STATE. They were wrong on both counts and I will have a commentary on that matter coming soon, so stay tuned.
Julia O'Donoghue wrote an election article in the Times Picayune dated 11/22 concerning the election results. She must be a conservative because she said Edwards came out of no where to take down a republican in a red state. Really????? She must have forgotten Edwards received 40% of the vote in the first primary and over 646,000 votes Saturday in the run off. That does not sound like Edwards came out of no where. Julia also said in the article that Edwards surprisingly attracted a number of endorsements including the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and the Louisiana State Troopers Association. This writer was not surprised at all.
Mr. Edwards ran a positive campaign about the future of Louisiana and its people. The republicans ran a campaign against each other and President Obama and a negative one at that which is par for conservatives and their party. Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is leaving governor elect Edwards a fiscal disaster to deal with much like George W. Bush left President Obama to deal with. Don't look for the news media in Louisiana or the republican party to give Edwards the ample time needed to deal with the mess left to him. One can tell by the narrative in Julia's article she is not happy with Louisiana becoming a blue state in January.
Governor elect Edwards will have a lot of tough work to do once he takes office and even before as he has already acknowledged. But this writer feels Edwards will do what democrats do, that is take care of the people's business to move the state and its people forward. The days of negativity and division will be gone when Edwards steps into the state capitol and the past should be a reminder our politics should never go there again.
Good luck and best wishes to governor elect Edwards as he attempts to create policy that will benefit the state and all its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, November 21, 2015
The Republican Party and Fox News Reaches A New Low.
If the republican party, several of their Presidential candidates and the Fox News network had their way one would think the terrorists attack on Paris actually took place in the United States and by Syrian immigrants. That is the seed they have tried to plant in the minds of the American people. It is the same concept taken by President Bush and VP Dick Cheney in blaming Saddam Hussein for the attack on America on 9/11/01. Bush and Cheney went even farther by saying Saddam trained Al Queda terrorists which was false.
It is the same old scare tactics to harm the President and frighten the American people. The leaders of France have done the opposite by telling the people to be vigilant but to go about their own lives. France's President Hallonde even repeated that France would accept refugees.
The establishment of America was founded on courage, not fear, character, not slander and the American spirit, not a disturbed ideology. The republican Presidential candidates, their party and Fox News have undermined America's spirit, courage and even the American Presidency with their inflammatory comments and right wing extreme pronouncements.
America is still the beautiful, the land of the free and the home of the brave. It will remain that way as long as the people elect serious public servants and tune out those who try to undermine what has made America a great nation, a great people and the leader of the world.
This comment written by Joe Lorio
It is the same old scare tactics to harm the President and frighten the American people. The leaders of France have done the opposite by telling the people to be vigilant but to go about their own lives. France's President Hallonde even repeated that France would accept refugees.
The establishment of America was founded on courage, not fear, character, not slander and the American spirit, not a disturbed ideology. The republican Presidential candidates, their party and Fox News have undermined America's spirit, courage and even the American Presidency with their inflammatory comments and right wing extreme pronouncements.
America is still the beautiful, the land of the free and the home of the brave. It will remain that way as long as the people elect serious public servants and tune out those who try to undermine what has made America a great nation, a great people and the leader of the world.
This comment written by Joe Lorio
Friday, November 20, 2015
New Orleans Sports Writers Ron Higgins and Jeff Duncan: Out Of The Loop On LSU and Coach Les Miles
Ron Higgins comment in a Times Picayune article dated 11/20/15 concerning LSU's Loss to Notre Dame in last seasons Music City Bowl was a self serving statement. Higgins is just now finding out that Miles' offensive play calling and selection is not good enough to compete with the top teams in the SEC and that Miles is from the old school. Well lets see, Miles has been at LSU for 11 seasons and Higgins is just now understanding Miles problem. This is the same Higgins who said LSU would beat Alabama this year and early on predicted LSU would throw to its tight ends more and have them more involved in the offense. Yeah right, it did not happen.
Jeff Duncan in a Times Picayune article dated 7/31/15 took issue with a USA today Amway coaches pre season poll that ranked LSU 13. Duncan took issue with the poll and said LSU was a prime candidate to be in the playoff position and that the poll did not give LSU enough respect. This writer wrote a commentary here in "PolitiDose" dated 8/1/15 titled, LSU, Jeff Duncan and the preseason football poll and explained why ( 3 reasons) the coaches poll may have ranked LSU 13.
As of this date the coaches poll has been accurate. The third reason this writer gave in the commentary should have been realized by sports writers long ago and all three reasons played a role in why LSU fell out of the top 10. One has to remember, it is not how you start the season, its how you end it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Jeff Duncan in a Times Picayune article dated 7/31/15 took issue with a USA today Amway coaches pre season poll that ranked LSU 13. Duncan took issue with the poll and said LSU was a prime candidate to be in the playoff position and that the poll did not give LSU enough respect. This writer wrote a commentary here in "PolitiDose" dated 8/1/15 titled, LSU, Jeff Duncan and the preseason football poll and explained why ( 3 reasons) the coaches poll may have ranked LSU 13.
As of this date the coaches poll has been accurate. The third reason this writer gave in the commentary should have been realized by sports writers long ago and all three reasons played a role in why LSU fell out of the top 10. One has to remember, it is not how you start the season, its how you end it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Bobby Jindal Did Not Suspend His Campaign For The Republican Presidential Nomination: The People Did.
It took the people of Louisiana 7 years to wise up to governor Bobby Jindal but the people out side of Louisiana where Jindal campaigned for the republican Presidential nomination, realized Jindal's lack of political understanding in just a few months and tuned his campaign out. His poll numbers nationally are much worse then his poll numbers in Louisiana.
Jindal now has to stay in Louisiana and tell the people how he is going to deal with the $500 million deficit for this fiscal years budget which began on July 1 that Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature said was balanced. Of course, everyone who reads "PolitiDose" should have known the budget was not balanced. On the state level, Jindal's budgets mimic the federal budgets under republican administrations as no republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960. Yes, that is right 1960.
The Times Picayune who is backing David Vitter for governor has supported Jindal in the past and his budget cuts that have hurt higher education, health care and other services for the people. Another republican governor is not the answer. Jindal, Vitter and the Times Picayune deserve each other but the state and the people will do better with a democrat in the governor's office by the name of John Bel Edwards.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Jindal now has to stay in Louisiana and tell the people how he is going to deal with the $500 million deficit for this fiscal years budget which began on July 1 that Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature said was balanced. Of course, everyone who reads "PolitiDose" should have known the budget was not balanced. On the state level, Jindal's budgets mimic the federal budgets under republican administrations as no republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960. Yes, that is right 1960.
The Times Picayune who is backing David Vitter for governor has supported Jindal in the past and his budget cuts that have hurt higher education, health care and other services for the people. Another republican governor is not the answer. Jindal, Vitter and the Times Picayune deserve each other but the state and the people will do better with a democrat in the governor's office by the name of John Bel Edwards.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, November 19, 2015
The Terrorist Attacks On Paris and The Bombing Of A Russian Air Liner Brings A New Phase To The War Against ISIS
ISIS claimed responsibility for both the attacks on Paris and the bombing of a Russian air liner and both France and Russia responded with attacks on ISIS targets in Syria. The United States supplied France with the intelligence on ISIS positions in Syria so those targets could be hit. France said they are now at war with ISIS. Russia's Putin said ISIS needs to be destroyed.
On another front, U.S. air power assisted Kurdish and Yazidi ground troops retake the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq from ISIS who had occupied the city for over a year. They also cut off the main road ISIS used to travel between Iraq and Syria for moving their military supplies. It was a major defeat for ISIS in a strategic location.
At home the attack on Paris woke up the republican chicken hawks to demand President Obama do more to fight ISIS and once again some want to see the President commit American ground troops in an active combat role. And once again the President has ruled that out and rightly holds the position that the best solution on the ground is middle east countries to do the combat on the ground with American and coalition air support and special operations supervision.
If France, Russia and other military powers in Europe stay tuned with U.S. air power ISIS can be defeated and the key to keeping ISIS and Al Queda out falls to the middle east countries and their people's determination to stay with the fight. Iraq and Syria are the big prize for ISIS and their success because both of those countries were destabilized. Iraq by the war and occupation over WMD that did not exist and Syria by their own civil war. A country that is destabilized is raw meat for terrorists.
President Obama kept America safe with out putting large numbers of American troops in harms way on the ground in the middle east and his policies should be supported by his opponents and the American people. He has made a commitment to fight terrorists and his administration has brought many of them to justice.
Some of the republican Presidential candidates are going off their rocker because of the terror attack in Paris. They are using that tragic act to spread fear again in America and attack the President. Their self proclaimed protector of America's national security has proved to be a fairy tale. Jeb Bush wants American combat troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria in an active combat role. That would ape what his brother George did in Iraq. Elections bring out the worse in republicans. Poor Jeb, he would do or say anything to get his poll numbers up. After all, he was once thought of as the favorite for the republican nomination.
Hang in there Mr. President and give the republicans hell like President Truman did so effectively.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
On another front, U.S. air power assisted Kurdish and Yazidi ground troops retake the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq from ISIS who had occupied the city for over a year. They also cut off the main road ISIS used to travel between Iraq and Syria for moving their military supplies. It was a major defeat for ISIS in a strategic location.
At home the attack on Paris woke up the republican chicken hawks to demand President Obama do more to fight ISIS and once again some want to see the President commit American ground troops in an active combat role. And once again the President has ruled that out and rightly holds the position that the best solution on the ground is middle east countries to do the combat on the ground with American and coalition air support and special operations supervision.
If France, Russia and other military powers in Europe stay tuned with U.S. air power ISIS can be defeated and the key to keeping ISIS and Al Queda out falls to the middle east countries and their people's determination to stay with the fight. Iraq and Syria are the big prize for ISIS and their success because both of those countries were destabilized. Iraq by the war and occupation over WMD that did not exist and Syria by their own civil war. A country that is destabilized is raw meat for terrorists.
President Obama kept America safe with out putting large numbers of American troops in harms way on the ground in the middle east and his policies should be supported by his opponents and the American people. He has made a commitment to fight terrorists and his administration has brought many of them to justice.
Some of the republican Presidential candidates are going off their rocker because of the terror attack in Paris. They are using that tragic act to spread fear again in America and attack the President. Their self proclaimed protector of America's national security has proved to be a fairy tale. Jeb Bush wants American combat troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria in an active combat role. That would ape what his brother George did in Iraq. Elections bring out the worse in republicans. Poor Jeb, he would do or say anything to get his poll numbers up. After all, he was once thought of as the favorite for the republican nomination.
Hang in there Mr. President and give the republicans hell like President Truman did so effectively.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
The Washington Redskins 47 ------- The New Orleans Saints 14
The Saints loss to Washington on Sunday by 33 points was just another example how bounty gate is still the albatross around the Saints neck. It was the fourth road loss out of the five road games they played so far. The Redskins were dominate and shut the Saints out in the second half.
Some New Orleans sports writers said after the Saints won three straight games they could turn the corner and be above .500 because the weakest part of their schedule was coming up with the Titans, Redskins and Houston. Well, instead, they loss the first two and will face Houston in two weeks. It turns out that the Saints are the weak link.
To top the week end off Payton announced that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was released. Payton made a mistake when he hired Spangnuolo as defensive coordinator for the 2012 season and then fired him and by releasing Ryan he made his second mistake when he hired Ryan in the first place. Payton now says the person he hired this season to work with Ryan, Dennis Allen will take over Ryan's responsibilities. Evidently Allen was not much help to Ryan and Payton certainly was no help looking over Ryan's shoulder all year.
This writer has written several past commentary concerning "bounty gate" and how it has affected the team and the coaches. The problems are still there and the players and coaches are having problems with each other. It shows on the sidelines. The Saints regular season record since the "bounty gate" season of 2012 including the first 10 games this year is 29-29. That is over three full seasons and there has been little progress.
Saint fans need to remember, Payton presided over "bounty gate" and what has happened since. The sports writers in New Orleans can't seem to comprehend that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Some New Orleans sports writers said after the Saints won three straight games they could turn the corner and be above .500 because the weakest part of their schedule was coming up with the Titans, Redskins and Houston. Well, instead, they loss the first two and will face Houston in two weeks. It turns out that the Saints are the weak link.
To top the week end off Payton announced that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was released. Payton made a mistake when he hired Spangnuolo as defensive coordinator for the 2012 season and then fired him and by releasing Ryan he made his second mistake when he hired Ryan in the first place. Payton now says the person he hired this season to work with Ryan, Dennis Allen will take over Ryan's responsibilities. Evidently Allen was not much help to Ryan and Payton certainly was no help looking over Ryan's shoulder all year.
This writer has written several past commentary concerning "bounty gate" and how it has affected the team and the coaches. The problems are still there and the players and coaches are having problems with each other. It shows on the sidelines. The Saints regular season record since the "bounty gate" season of 2012 including the first 10 games this year is 29-29. That is over three full seasons and there has been little progress.
Saint fans need to remember, Payton presided over "bounty gate" and what has happened since. The sports writers in New Orleans can't seem to comprehend that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Plaquemine Parish Council Reverses Its Stand On Wetlands Lawsuit Against The Oil Industry.
The Plaquemine Parish council voted to drop the 21 law suits it authorized against the oil, natural gas and pipeline companies over the destruction of wetlands and other environmental damage caused by their exploration and production. The law suits were previously authorized by the council in 2012. The Times Picayune carried the story in an article dated 11/13/15.
Chris John, President of the Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association said he was proud of the council's vote to drop the suit. "PolitiDose" has made commentary on John's position in the past. He is a mouthpiece for the oil and gas industry and thinks the industry can destroy the environment all it wants too because they pay taxes. John and his group also opposed the moratorium on Gulf drilling after the BP blow out and explosion that killed 11 rig workers.
The council's vote indicates they want the BP fines to pay for the environmental damage done by the oil companies named in the suit. That is also John's position. President Obama stood tall and made sure BP was held accountable for their actions. He put the people and the environment first. The council put the oil and gas industry first with their vote and told the state and its people to go to hell. And Chris John praised their decision. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, November 14, 2015
More Reasons To Elect Democrat John Bel Edwards Louisiana's Next Governor
U.S. Senator David Vitter by his ads and pronouncements is running a campaign for governor against President Obama, not candidate Edwards. So in reality Edwards is unopposed and by Vitter's own choice. Vitter sticks to the republican script of being void of policy and is betting that Louisiana's voters will fall for his failure to articulate any knowledge of the problems Louisiana faces when Jindal departs.
Vitter's many years in congress is not an asset to run Louisiana's government nor does he have the everyday knowledge that Edwards has to understand just how bad Jindal has managed the state. The best examples are Louisiana's huge fiscal problem with the state budget, health care, education and diminished state revenue.
It is known that Vitter wants to finish his political career as governor of Louisiana, but that is really not a reason for being a serious public servant. That quality has already escaped him while serving in congress. Skipping most of the debates that took place before the first primary vote indicates an arrogance toward the people's right to know where he stands on the issues. Vitter really just wants a place to hang his hat until he retires.
Democratic representative John Bel Edwards is well aware of the challenges facing the next governor and has articulated his position on policy that he would pursue if elected. His time is spent in Louisiana and in the state legislature, the best way to really know what is taking place in state government. Electing Edwards Louisiana's next governor on November 21 is the best way to move Louisiana and its people forward for a better future.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Vitter's many years in congress is not an asset to run Louisiana's government nor does he have the everyday knowledge that Edwards has to understand just how bad Jindal has managed the state. The best examples are Louisiana's huge fiscal problem with the state budget, health care, education and diminished state revenue.
It is known that Vitter wants to finish his political career as governor of Louisiana, but that is really not a reason for being a serious public servant. That quality has already escaped him while serving in congress. Skipping most of the debates that took place before the first primary vote indicates an arrogance toward the people's right to know where he stands on the issues. Vitter really just wants a place to hang his hat until he retires.
Democratic representative John Bel Edwards is well aware of the challenges facing the next governor and has articulated his position on policy that he would pursue if elected. His time is spent in Louisiana and in the state legislature, the best way to really know what is taking place in state government. Electing Edwards Louisiana's next governor on November 21 is the best way to move Louisiana and its people forward for a better future.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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