Sports writers for the New Orleans Advocate and the Times Picayune who cover LSU baseball continue to be caught up in their stories of hype and cliches and just can't be objective in their evaluation of the team and its needs. But PolitiDose's commentary in March out lined the needs of the team in order for them to return to the College World Series.
And all of the observations on LSU's needs as outlined in PolitiDose were accomplished and once again the Tigers have an opportunity to compete for a national championship in Omaha. LSU did not put it all together during the early part of the season but that changed as the season progressed.
LSU's problem for the past several years, the need for a third starting pitcher, more timely hitting with runners on base, more home runs, use of the sacrifice bunt and better coaching have all been met this season and the Tigers go to Omaha as one of the hottest teams. It has been several years since LSU has been in this position and there should be no reason to think negative at this point. So good luck to LSU, the fans and to the state of Louisiana.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, June 12, 2017
Another Trump Temperament Flaw Exposed By The President Himself
Hillary Clinton exposed Trump's lack of Temperament to be President long ago and of course the President has demonstrated almost every day how right she was. The latest example was Trump's statement after he fired FBI director Comey when he said and tweeted, Comey better hope his comments with the President were not taped. Trump knew Comey would be a private citizen after being fired and might talk so he wanted to intimidate Comey with the tape threat.
But Comey did not blink and gave devastating testimony against the President in a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee under oath. He also expressed to the committee his hope Trump would make the tapes public if they do exist. He called Trump's bluff because Comey made notes of the conversation with the President. This writer has never known a President to threaten someone but Trump's lack of temperament allows him to strike back against anyone who crosses him.
It is this writers belief Trump has no tapes but if they do indeed exist, will never be made public because they would confirm Comey's notes. Since Comey's testimony, more people are coming forth concerning their distrust of the President and his often told lies. Donald Trump will be in office 5 months on June 20 and so far his administration has been one of regression and scandal. The White House is occupied by an Autocrat who believes he is above the law.
Our law enforcement agencies and the Congress need to make sure a final report is complete and the true story is told about the Trump-Russian affair and its related counter parts. Democracy demands that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
But Comey did not blink and gave devastating testimony against the President in a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee under oath. He also expressed to the committee his hope Trump would make the tapes public if they do exist. He called Trump's bluff because Comey made notes of the conversation with the President. This writer has never known a President to threaten someone but Trump's lack of temperament allows him to strike back against anyone who crosses him.
It is this writers belief Trump has no tapes but if they do indeed exist, will never be made public because they would confirm Comey's notes. Since Comey's testimony, more people are coming forth concerning their distrust of the President and his often told lies. Donald Trump will be in office 5 months on June 20 and so far his administration has been one of regression and scandal. The White House is occupied by an Autocrat who believes he is above the law.
Our law enforcement agencies and the Congress need to make sure a final report is complete and the true story is told about the Trump-Russian affair and its related counter parts. Democracy demands that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, June 11, 2017
A Dis-functional State Legislature Fails Louisiana and Its People Once Again
It is not like the republican controlled legislature does not know the problem and answer to the state's fiscal problems because they do. The problem stems from the fact that republicans are not very good at governing their own body politics. As a result the legislature ended its regular session with out a fiscal budget so the governor has called another special session (the third one he has called and he has been in office less than 18 months) to deal with the same old worn out problem of the last eight years.
Walt Leger, democrat from New Orleans wanted to make a motion that the House pass the senate budget but speaker of the house, republican representative Taylor Barras would not allow the motion and instead ended the regular session. The Times Picayune reported Leger had enough votes in the house to pass the senate budget. So once again, it became the usual obstruction by republicans to move forward on fiscal matters of importance.
The Times Picayune reported an anti tax group funded by conservative Charles and David Koch, help kill any tax bills in the session. Once again it is business that control the tax conversation and the republican controlled legislature that allow it to happen. The legislature pays more attention to the Koch brothers who live out of state than they do to governor Edwards who gave the legislature his plan to deal with Louisiana's fiscal problems and was rejected with little debate.
The republicans will not use the special session to solve the problems they have kicked down the road for the past eight years. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Walt Leger, democrat from New Orleans wanted to make a motion that the House pass the senate budget but speaker of the house, republican representative Taylor Barras would not allow the motion and instead ended the regular session. The Times Picayune reported Leger had enough votes in the house to pass the senate budget. So once again, it became the usual obstruction by republicans to move forward on fiscal matters of importance.
The Times Picayune reported an anti tax group funded by conservative Charles and David Koch, help kill any tax bills in the session. Once again it is business that control the tax conversation and the republican controlled legislature that allow it to happen. The legislature pays more attention to the Koch brothers who live out of state than they do to governor Edwards who gave the legislature his plan to deal with Louisiana's fiscal problems and was rejected with little debate.
The republicans will not use the special session to solve the problems they have kicked down the road for the past eight years. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, June 9, 2017
The Republican Swamp Becomes A Cess-Pool
Former FBI director James Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee concerning President Trump continues to bring out the worse from republicans in congress. They and conservative journalists have defended the President's lies from day one and now the republicans sorry excuse for defending the President after Comey's explosive testimony, was Trump's inexperience at being a public official, he does not understand government or how government works, every thing is new to him, etc, etc, and etc.
The swamp that Trump said he would drain has become a cess-pool aided and abeted by the republicans in congress. And just on Thursday this week the republican controlled House passed legislation eliminating all the safe guards put in place that brought the wall street banks under control by the Dodd-Franks legislation after the big banks failures of 2008. Trump supported the Thursday bill and has placed wall street bankers in key positions in his cabinet and administration. Hopefully, the democrats in the U.S. Senate can defeat this bill.
I doubt seriously if there is any living person today who has witnessed a more corrupt administration than the Trump administration or a more corrupted party than the republican party.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The swamp that Trump said he would drain has become a cess-pool aided and abeted by the republicans in congress. And just on Thursday this week the republican controlled House passed legislation eliminating all the safe guards put in place that brought the wall street banks under control by the Dodd-Franks legislation after the big banks failures of 2008. Trump supported the Thursday bill and has placed wall street bankers in key positions in his cabinet and administration. Hopefully, the democrats in the U.S. Senate can defeat this bill.
I doubt seriously if there is any living person today who has witnessed a more corrupt administration than the Trump administration or a more corrupted party than the republican party.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Former FBI Director James Comey Confirms President Trump Is A Liar
In testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, former FBI director Comey said UNDER OATH President Trump lied and gave out FAKE NEWS concerning morale at the FBI workplace and who originated the phone call to arrange a dinner meeting between Trump and Comey. Comey's comment is creditable as he was under oath and there is a public record of Trump saying Comey set up the dinner meeting. The lies just keep coming from the President, one after another, no matter the subject matter.
It is a very sad time for the country, our people, the Presidency and our democratic form of government. To make matters worse, the President tried to influence the FBI investigation into the Russia-Trump thing by asking then director Comey to let go of the Flynn investigation. Flynn was Trump's choice for his national security adviser who met with Russian officials before Trump took office and discussed the removal of sanctions placed on Russia by the Obama administration for Russia's hacking the 2016 Presidential election. That act undermined the Obama administration who was still serving as President and Commander in Chief. Coupled with Trump's son in law's attempt to set up a secret back channel link with Russia using Russian facilities to avoid U.S. detection was a treacherous act. And make no mistake, Trump knew what was taking place.
Donald Trump has brought his autocrat governing to the federal government. But a democratic government has a President and a structure where no one is above the law and the President does not have the final word. Trying to obstruct a federal investigation is an impeachable offense and congress needs to keep that in mind as more evidence comes to light. This writer believes there will be more impeachment offenses by the President that will come into view as more information surfaces. It is only a matter of time.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
It is a very sad time for the country, our people, the Presidency and our democratic form of government. To make matters worse, the President tried to influence the FBI investigation into the Russia-Trump thing by asking then director Comey to let go of the Flynn investigation. Flynn was Trump's choice for his national security adviser who met with Russian officials before Trump took office and discussed the removal of sanctions placed on Russia by the Obama administration for Russia's hacking the 2016 Presidential election. That act undermined the Obama administration who was still serving as President and Commander in Chief. Coupled with Trump's son in law's attempt to set up a secret back channel link with Russia using Russian facilities to avoid U.S. detection was a treacherous act. And make no mistake, Trump knew what was taking place.
Donald Trump has brought his autocrat governing to the federal government. But a democratic government has a President and a structure where no one is above the law and the President does not have the final word. Trying to obstruct a federal investigation is an impeachable offense and congress needs to keep that in mind as more evidence comes to light. This writer believes there will be more impeachment offenses by the President that will come into view as more information surfaces. It is only a matter of time.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Another Piece Of Propaganda By Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise
In his opinion column of 6/7 in the Times Picayune titled, "Defending the coast is top priority", Louisiana's representative Steve Scalise gave this writer a good laugh. The column started out to be about Hurricane season but was really about federal revenue to rebuild Louisiana's coast and land loss. Scalise states, THAT THIS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE AND ONE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
That statement by Scalise has already proven false by his own actions. Like other republicans, Scalise opposes holding the oil industry responsible for the damage their operations have done to Louisiana's coast, wet lands and marshes. He also opposed several suits brought against the industry for their failure to pay for the damage they caused. He also opposed the moratorium on Gulf drilling that President Obama placed on the industry after the BP explosion that killed 11 rig workers and the record oil spill.
What Scalise and the republican party wants is to make the federal government foot the bill through revenue sharing so as to keep their commitment to protect the oil industry and their rape of Louisiana's environment. Scalise's voting record and his actions tell the story of a Louisiana congressman who is committed to special interest and not Louisiana or its people. He and others can continue their talk about the federal government coming up with the money, but until they demand the oil industry pay for their share of the damage, the conversation is hypocritical.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
That statement by Scalise has already proven false by his own actions. Like other republicans, Scalise opposes holding the oil industry responsible for the damage their operations have done to Louisiana's coast, wet lands and marshes. He also opposed several suits brought against the industry for their failure to pay for the damage they caused. He also opposed the moratorium on Gulf drilling that President Obama placed on the industry after the BP explosion that killed 11 rig workers and the record oil spill.
What Scalise and the republican party wants is to make the federal government foot the bill through revenue sharing so as to keep their commitment to protect the oil industry and their rape of Louisiana's environment. Scalise's voting record and his actions tell the story of a Louisiana congressman who is committed to special interest and not Louisiana or its people. He and others can continue their talk about the federal government coming up with the money, but until they demand the oil industry pay for their share of the damage, the conversation is hypocritical.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Another Huge First For PolitiDose
The Times Picayune editorial of 6/4/17 titled, "Lawmakers lack the will for fiscal reform" comes about seven years too late. The article talks about: (1) the failure of the state legislature to reform the state's unfair, unstable and convoluted tax system: (2) Ignoring the fiscal cliff of the $1 billion deficit projected for fiscal 2018: (3) The need for predictable revenue and (4) Tax proposals that were ruled out of the current session of the legislature.
And if all that sounds familiar, its because you read it here first in PolitiDose many times during the last eight years. And during that same time span the Times Picayune's editorial writers praised republican governor Jindal and the republican controlled legislature for cutting the budget and at the same time handing out tax breaks to the business community. During that same period every state budget that Jindal and the legislature proclaimed balanced, ended up being out of balance before the fiscal year ended.
The eight years of Jindal and the republican controlled legislature was a time of praise by the Picayune and the business community even though they were in a position to see and understand what was happening to Louisiana's economy and fiscal house. The national economy and jobs were growing but Louisiana was lagging. Unemployment was dropping on the national level but Louisiana was not keeping pace. The unemployment rate in Louisiana when Jindal took office was 3.8%. It was over 6% when he left office. Democratic governor Kathleen Blanco left the Jindal administration a $800 million surplus when she left office and Jindal blew it big time.
Yes, Louisiana had many people who were and still are a large influence who remained silent while the do nothing republican controlled legislature and Jindal were wrecking havoc with the Louisiana economy and its fiscal house. The corporate welfare cycle of the business world is a corrupting influence whose appetite will never be satisfied because its all about them and never about us as a society and community. And even worse, the business community has been allowed to control the conversation on taxes.
The people of Louisiana deserve better from our elected officials, the news media and the business community. The states's future has been a repeat of its past failures. Will the year 2017 be the year Louisiana can say the required steps were taken so that the future for our citizens will not look like the failed past? Stay tuned because time will tell.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
And if all that sounds familiar, its because you read it here first in PolitiDose many times during the last eight years. And during that same time span the Times Picayune's editorial writers praised republican governor Jindal and the republican controlled legislature for cutting the budget and at the same time handing out tax breaks to the business community. During that same period every state budget that Jindal and the legislature proclaimed balanced, ended up being out of balance before the fiscal year ended.
The eight years of Jindal and the republican controlled legislature was a time of praise by the Picayune and the business community even though they were in a position to see and understand what was happening to Louisiana's economy and fiscal house. The national economy and jobs were growing but Louisiana was lagging. Unemployment was dropping on the national level but Louisiana was not keeping pace. The unemployment rate in Louisiana when Jindal took office was 3.8%. It was over 6% when he left office. Democratic governor Kathleen Blanco left the Jindal administration a $800 million surplus when she left office and Jindal blew it big time.
Yes, Louisiana had many people who were and still are a large influence who remained silent while the do nothing republican controlled legislature and Jindal were wrecking havoc with the Louisiana economy and its fiscal house. The corporate welfare cycle of the business world is a corrupting influence whose appetite will never be satisfied because its all about them and never about us as a society and community. And even worse, the business community has been allowed to control the conversation on taxes.
The people of Louisiana deserve better from our elected officials, the news media and the business community. The states's future has been a repeat of its past failures. Will the year 2017 be the year Louisiana can say the required steps were taken so that the future for our citizens will not look like the failed past? Stay tuned because time will tell.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, June 5, 2017
Jobs Report and Unemployment for May
The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy created 138,100 new jobs in May and that the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%. It was the 80th straight month of positive job creation in the economy that ended the great recession of 2008. Several economist expressed their disappointment in May's job numbers because earlier predictions talked about 180,000 jobs being created for May.
The Labor Department also reported that job creation for March and April was lower than reported for those two months. This writer does not believe the job numbers tell a definitive story yet but the time is slowly approaching a point that will provide information as to where the economy is going. The negative so far after over 4 months in office by the Trump administration is that no real legislation has passed congress concerning the economy, job creation or fiscal matters and most of Trump's executive orders have been regressive.
Over all, the economy has continued to grow steady since the end of the great recession with no wild swings in either direction. The real question to be answered is the one this writer raised in a "PolitiDose" commentary concerning Trump's policies and legislation. Will it be one of progress that improves on the economy and make it better or will it all be a policy of regression. So far the Trump administration actions has been dormant on the economy and its plan to move the country and its people forward.
And the President's reported statement that he will create 20,000,000 new jobs without any indications how he will do that rings hollow. Coupled with the fact that past republican administrations are just not good at governing or creating good economic times and are not good at job creation or balancing the federal budget tells this writer not to get his hope up.
One thing is for sure, time will be the final judge.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio
The Labor Department also reported that job creation for March and April was lower than reported for those two months. This writer does not believe the job numbers tell a definitive story yet but the time is slowly approaching a point that will provide information as to where the economy is going. The negative so far after over 4 months in office by the Trump administration is that no real legislation has passed congress concerning the economy, job creation or fiscal matters and most of Trump's executive orders have been regressive.
Over all, the economy has continued to grow steady since the end of the great recession with no wild swings in either direction. The real question to be answered is the one this writer raised in a "PolitiDose" commentary concerning Trump's policies and legislation. Will it be one of progress that improves on the economy and make it better or will it all be a policy of regression. So far the Trump administration actions has been dormant on the economy and its plan to move the country and its people forward.
And the President's reported statement that he will create 20,000,000 new jobs without any indications how he will do that rings hollow. Coupled with the fact that past republican administrations are just not good at governing or creating good economic times and are not good at job creation or balancing the federal budget tells this writer not to get his hope up.
One thing is for sure, time will be the final judge.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Russia's Putin Knows U.S. Intelligence Has The Information On The Trump - Russia Affair.
Vladimir Putin knows the truth will be told concerning the Trump - Russian affair by U.S. Intelligence and that is why Putin made the statement that "patriotic Russians" could have done the hacking that interfered with the 2016 Presidential election. The statement did involve Russia but people know that nothing happens in Russia on this scale with out Putin's authority or knowledge.
Putin's background is intelligence with the KGB and he and Trump have a number of things in common. Trump could care less about NATO and Putin wants to see the break up of NATO. Trump does not like American intelligence and Russia benefits from that. Trump's son in law Jared Kushner tried to set up a secret back channel with Russia using their facilities to avoid American detection. Trump has no respect for America's institutions or the democratic process and its value which brings America close to dis-function. And of course Putin adopted one of Trumps favorite saying using the words "fake news."
Putin's article praised Trump and is a piece of propaganda to put doubt in the mind of the American people. But one can read between the lines and feel the Trump - Russian collusion. Putin's article also makes it easy to understand why Trump asked Russia to hack Clinton's email. Can one imagine a American Presidential candidate asking America's major adversary to affect a Presidential election. The connection was never made at the time by the major news media, but "PolitiDose" did and published a commentary dated 7/31/16 titled, "Traitor among us: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Russia.
Yes, there was a crooked candidate in the 2016 Presidential race, but it was not Hillary Clinton.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Putin's background is intelligence with the KGB and he and Trump have a number of things in common. Trump could care less about NATO and Putin wants to see the break up of NATO. Trump does not like American intelligence and Russia benefits from that. Trump's son in law Jared Kushner tried to set up a secret back channel with Russia using their facilities to avoid American detection. Trump has no respect for America's institutions or the democratic process and its value which brings America close to dis-function. And of course Putin adopted one of Trumps favorite saying using the words "fake news."
Putin's article praised Trump and is a piece of propaganda to put doubt in the mind of the American people. But one can read between the lines and feel the Trump - Russian collusion. Putin's article also makes it easy to understand why Trump asked Russia to hack Clinton's email. Can one imagine a American Presidential candidate asking America's major adversary to affect a Presidential election. The connection was never made at the time by the major news media, but "PolitiDose" did and published a commentary dated 7/31/16 titled, "Traitor among us: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Russia.
Yes, there was a crooked candidate in the 2016 Presidential race, but it was not Hillary Clinton.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Tim Morris: Times Picayune Columnist Tries Again To Find Cover For U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy
Morris is forever trying to find cover and excuses for the republican party and once again for Louisiana's Senator Bill Cassidy. In a opinion column dated 6/2/17 of the Times Picayune Morris covers Cassidy's town hall meeting in Covington to talk about health care with the people he represents. The gist of Morris column is that Cassidy is not afraid to hold town hall meetings on the subject matter.
All who follow the news know that the republicans in congress have been catching flak all over the country at their town hall meetings concerning health care because of their lies about the subject matter. Some republicans have cancelled their town hall meetings and some have used the telephone style meetings to dodge face to face contact with their supporters.
Like Cassidy's town hall in Metairie in February that failed to have enough seating and left people out side the hall, so did his meeting in Covington. Of course Cassidy knew those town halls concerning health care were drawing large crowds all over the country and in Louisiana but still failed to find a hall that was large enough to hold the people who were willing to make their voices known. Surely a U.S. Senator has the means to provide adequate space for his own meetings with the people he represents.
The opinion column was void of any position that Cassidy has on health care and repeal and replacing the ACA. It was mostly a rehash of his earlier column of Cassidy's town hall in Metairie. Although a Doctor, Cassidy fits the republican mold on health car and keeps repeating the same lie. They do not have a workable plan to repeal and replace the ACA and that was confirmed by the CBO report on the House passed AHCA.
Cassidy and his Senate colleges still do not have a plan to vote on and have held no public hearings on health care to obtain comments by the public and other interested in the subject matter. They are just trying to convince 50 republican senators to vote for any plan with concessions. This writer wonders if Cassidy told his supports at the town hall that his position on "pre existing conditions" was to turn that over to the states to implement. Ohio's republican governor John Kasich said that idea was laughable and would not work. Kasich implemented the ACA in his state under the Medicaid provisions that he said has insured over 800,000 people.
If Cassidy and the republican party were serious about health care they would work to improve the ACA and make it better. That would be the thing to do and provide the country with a workable and sound health care system. Stop the lies of the last seven years that the republican party has a ready and workable plan
And let the people never forget that it was the republicans in congress that urged republican governors not to implement health care exchanges in their states because they wanted the ACA to fail..
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
All who follow the news know that the republicans in congress have been catching flak all over the country at their town hall meetings concerning health care because of their lies about the subject matter. Some republicans have cancelled their town hall meetings and some have used the telephone style meetings to dodge face to face contact with their supporters.
Like Cassidy's town hall in Metairie in February that failed to have enough seating and left people out side the hall, so did his meeting in Covington. Of course Cassidy knew those town halls concerning health care were drawing large crowds all over the country and in Louisiana but still failed to find a hall that was large enough to hold the people who were willing to make their voices known. Surely a U.S. Senator has the means to provide adequate space for his own meetings with the people he represents.
The opinion column was void of any position that Cassidy has on health care and repeal and replacing the ACA. It was mostly a rehash of his earlier column of Cassidy's town hall in Metairie. Although a Doctor, Cassidy fits the republican mold on health car and keeps repeating the same lie. They do not have a workable plan to repeal and replace the ACA and that was confirmed by the CBO report on the House passed AHCA.
Cassidy and his Senate colleges still do not have a plan to vote on and have held no public hearings on health care to obtain comments by the public and other interested in the subject matter. They are just trying to convince 50 republican senators to vote for any plan with concessions. This writer wonders if Cassidy told his supports at the town hall that his position on "pre existing conditions" was to turn that over to the states to implement. Ohio's republican governor John Kasich said that idea was laughable and would not work. Kasich implemented the ACA in his state under the Medicaid provisions that he said has insured over 800,000 people.
If Cassidy and the republican party were serious about health care they would work to improve the ACA and make it better. That would be the thing to do and provide the country with a workable and sound health care system. Stop the lies of the last seven years that the republican party has a ready and workable plan
And let the people never forget that it was the republicans in congress that urged republican governors not to implement health care exchanges in their states because they wanted the ACA to fail..
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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