The new Convention Center Hotel that developers would like to build next to and connected to the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans is in the news. The Times Picayune carried the story and a large ad and a picture of what the development would look like. Some information given in the TP story and ad about the development are as follows: Dallas based Matthews Southwest Hospitality are the developers of the $558 million addition. The 1200 room hotel would have a $282 million impact on the local economy, $18 million in new city taxes and $6 million in state taxes annually and 1900 new permanent jobs. The hotel would stimulate economic activity and be the center point of a fabulous new entertainment district that will include residential, retail, dining and entertainment venues, creating a dynamic destination.
The hotel would rely heavily on subsidies that would need state and city approval. The need for public support has been questioned by Mayor Cantrell and the Bureau of Governmental Research. With such a rosy picture painted in the TP this writer questions why the project needs public support. (Corporate Welfare) Should not the developers be responsible for the full cost of the project? An if public support is given by the state and the city how much a loss in city and state taxes will that cost? The Trump-GOP tax cuts gave the developers a 14% reduction in their corporate income tax. The business community always wants more at the expense of the cities and states and the people.
The state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans needs all the tax revenue it is due. We are at the bottom of the scale in many areas of need and it is time and good business for the state and city to obtain the proper financial return from business who want to move here and take advantage of what the state and city has to offer and that is much more than corporate welfare.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Louisiana's Republican Representation In Congress Continue To Be A Disaster
The National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire on November 30 unless extended by Congress. And Congress is on its Thanksgiving break and won't be back until next week. That leaves only a short time for Congress to act. It is typical of what takes place when republicans are in control. The same situation existed in 2017 and instead of passing legislation to solve the long term problem, an extension was passed in 2017 also.
Now we read in a Times Picayune article that Louisiana's senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy are pushing to get the extension passed so the new congress can take up the issue next year and pass a long term solution. The people of Louisiana should remember that the republican party has controlled both houses of Congress for the last 4 years and just kicked the flood insurance can down the road. And we all know how much Louisiana and its people depend on flood insurance.
The flood insurance program is another one of many examples how the republican party has failed to govern and then has to scramble at the last minute with extensions that do not take care of the long term problem. Louisiana's republican representation in Congress are a pitiful lot who try and act elite but it is the democrats and their party who has always done more for the state and its people. Some truths never change.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Now we read in a Times Picayune article that Louisiana's senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy are pushing to get the extension passed so the new congress can take up the issue next year and pass a long term solution. The people of Louisiana should remember that the republican party has controlled both houses of Congress for the last 4 years and just kicked the flood insurance can down the road. And we all know how much Louisiana and its people depend on flood insurance.
The flood insurance program is another one of many examples how the republican party has failed to govern and then has to scramble at the last minute with extensions that do not take care of the long term problem. Louisiana's republican representation in Congress are a pitiful lot who try and act elite but it is the democrats and their party who has always done more for the state and its people. Some truths never change.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 18, 2018
The Republican Controlled Everything Waits For The Last Minute
The President and the republican controlled congress controls everything, yet here we go again with unfinished business knocking at the door and the end of the year drawing rapidly to a close. And in between the holidays they will be away from Washington. A major spending bill has to be voted on along with federal judgeships, criminal justice reform and other measures not to mention Trump's demand for funding a border wall.
The funding bill contains much that was already agreed on and should have passed long ago but republicans promised Trump they would handle the border wall this time around with the funding bill so now we have Trump's threat to shut down the government. The criminal justice reform bill is a no brainer and it has bipartisan support and will pass if put to a vote. But republican senate majority leader McConnell has yet to bring the bill up. That provoked republicans Lindsay Graham and Ron Paul to ask McConnel to bring the bill up. Graham said the bill would get 80 votes and pass easily and that it was his party that was the problem and not the democratic party. That put the conservative news media in its place who blamed the lack of action on the democrats.
So the second year of Trump and the republican control will come to an end without any proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation that could have been debated and voted on despite Trumps so called tough immigration rhetoric. And for the republicans in congress, it is their fourth year since they controlled both houses of congress going back to President Obama's last two years in office. Waiting for the last minute to pass a funding bill is old hat for the republicans. It is their way of demonstrating how ideology has replaced policy and plans in governing.
The many judgeships they have scheduled to vote on before the years end is a farce. It is a way to try and force a democratic vote before the holidays or keep congress in session if they don't. Is it any wonder the November 6 elections broke up total control of congress by the Republican party?
This commentary written buy Joe Lorio
The funding bill contains much that was already agreed on and should have passed long ago but republicans promised Trump they would handle the border wall this time around with the funding bill so now we have Trump's threat to shut down the government. The criminal justice reform bill is a no brainer and it has bipartisan support and will pass if put to a vote. But republican senate majority leader McConnell has yet to bring the bill up. That provoked republicans Lindsay Graham and Ron Paul to ask McConnel to bring the bill up. Graham said the bill would get 80 votes and pass easily and that it was his party that was the problem and not the democratic party. That put the conservative news media in its place who blamed the lack of action on the democrats.
So the second year of Trump and the republican control will come to an end without any proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation that could have been debated and voted on despite Trumps so called tough immigration rhetoric. And for the republicans in congress, it is their fourth year since they controlled both houses of congress going back to President Obama's last two years in office. Waiting for the last minute to pass a funding bill is old hat for the republicans. It is their way of demonstrating how ideology has replaced policy and plans in governing.
The many judgeships they have scheduled to vote on before the years end is a farce. It is a way to try and force a democratic vote before the holidays or keep congress in session if they don't. Is it any wonder the November 6 elections broke up total control of congress by the Republican party?
This commentary written buy Joe Lorio
Friday, November 16, 2018
The Non Competative National Football League
As of this writing the NFL has played 9 games (a few teams have played 10) and only 12 of the 32 teams have a winning record. Six teams in each conference have winning records while 10 in each conference have losing and or break even records. The lopsided numbers have been going on for years because the NFL has so many poor coaches and poor teams. How many fans really wonder why so many offensive records are broken and new ones set?
This writer said many times over, there are too many teams in the NFL and the playoff system is a joke. There are simply not enough good coaches and players to justify 32 teams in the NFL. And the record speaks for itself. In this writers judgement the NFL should have no more than 14 or 16 teams at most and the winners of each conference, NFC and AFC should face each other in the Super Bowl. No playoffs are necessary. That would make the NFL more competitive with more competitive players.
As far as the financial situation, it is a separate subject and could be handled properly. The clue is over paid players, corporate welfare for franchise owners and the hype that has become larger than the game itself. Thirty two teams, most of which are also rans will always be a stain on the record books. And players who played during the era of 10 and 12 games seasons (except Tom Brady) accomplished more for their teams than the players of today. A good example is Drew Brees. The Saints have had only 2 winning seasons in the last 6 years under Brees leadership.
Competition in the NFL? Its a fairy tail and as a result, individual records are inflated. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
This writer said many times over, there are too many teams in the NFL and the playoff system is a joke. There are simply not enough good coaches and players to justify 32 teams in the NFL. And the record speaks for itself. In this writers judgement the NFL should have no more than 14 or 16 teams at most and the winners of each conference, NFC and AFC should face each other in the Super Bowl. No playoffs are necessary. That would make the NFL more competitive with more competitive players.
As far as the financial situation, it is a separate subject and could be handled properly. The clue is over paid players, corporate welfare for franchise owners and the hype that has become larger than the game itself. Thirty two teams, most of which are also rans will always be a stain on the record books. And players who played during the era of 10 and 12 games seasons (except Tom Brady) accomplished more for their teams than the players of today. A good example is Drew Brees. The Saints have had only 2 winning seasons in the last 6 years under Brees leadership.
Competition in the NFL? Its a fairy tail and as a result, individual records are inflated. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, November 15, 2018
On November 6, The American Voters Turned Their Backs On The Scare Tactics and Lies of Trump and The GOP
Scare tactics and lies about any and everything framed Trump and the GOP's campaign to keep control of both houses of congress in the Nov. 6 elections. But the "blue wave" answered with a resounding vote at the polls to win back the House and in the process by a wide margin. Trump and the GOP's reply was the usual voting fraud charges being thrown around concerning the results in Georgia, Florida and Arizona. Overlooked was the character of the voters who had enough of the personal attacks, division and lack of any plans to deal with the issues at hand. Trump even tried to float a middle class tax cut before the election but could not articulate any particulars. It was just another ploy to get votes that did not work.
The results of the election will be a younger democratic House with new ideas toward progress. Come January when the new congress will be sworn in the democrats will work to pass their agenda and will lead. The republican controlled senate will have to react because they have no record of action on immigration, infrastructure, improving health care, reducing deficit spending, balancing the federal budget, protecting the environment and so many other issues important to the people.
So now Trump is once again talking about shutting the government down before the end of the year if congress does not approve funding for his border wall that he said Mexico would pay for. Another threat by the President and the GOP because they govern by ideology. The American people have heard that threat before from Trump and any shutdown will land the ball in his court.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The results of the election will be a younger democratic House with new ideas toward progress. Come January when the new congress will be sworn in the democrats will work to pass their agenda and will lead. The republican controlled senate will have to react because they have no record of action on immigration, infrastructure, improving health care, reducing deficit spending, balancing the federal budget, protecting the environment and so many other issues important to the people.
So now Trump is once again talking about shutting the government down before the end of the year if congress does not approve funding for his border wall that he said Mexico would pay for. Another threat by the President and the GOP because they govern by ideology. The American people have heard that threat before from Trump and any shutdown will land the ball in his court.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
The President and Commander In Chief Was AWOL On Veterans Day
America's President and Commander in Chiefs have a long history of paying tribute, honor and respect to our veterans every year on veterans day at Arlington National Cemetery just across the river, a short distance from the White House. It is a very somber event to acknowledge the sacrifice of our veterans with a wreath laying ceremony and Arlington is also the home of the tomb of the unknown solder.
But this veterans day was different this year as Donald Trump, President and Commander in Chief was AWOL and did not show up. He stayed in the White House all day and tweeted about fraud in Florida's election a judge said did not exist. On Saturday Trump also failed to show up at a cemetery in France on the 100 anniversary of WWI. Allied troops are buried there including American troops who served during that war. But the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany were there to pay tribute and respect to their falling troops and allied troops.
What happened at those two events speak loud and clear Trump's lack of respect for our veterans and their honorable service to the U.S. It confirmed Trump's failure as Commander in Chief and once again reminded all of his dislike of American POW's who were captured while in combat. And in Trumps almost two years in office he has yet to visit our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The President and Commander in Chief continues his malignant behavior and traitorous acts. The White House and the Presidency itself has never been exposed to such shame. This is the same person who skipped out during his generations war and the same person who does not want the written ballots of our military people counted in the Florida elections of November 6.
America needs to impeach this shameful and disrespectful President and Commander in Chief, and it should be done soon.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
But this veterans day was different this year as Donald Trump, President and Commander in Chief was AWOL and did not show up. He stayed in the White House all day and tweeted about fraud in Florida's election a judge said did not exist. On Saturday Trump also failed to show up at a cemetery in France on the 100 anniversary of WWI. Allied troops are buried there including American troops who served during that war. But the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany were there to pay tribute and respect to their falling troops and allied troops.
What happened at those two events speak loud and clear Trump's lack of respect for our veterans and their honorable service to the U.S. It confirmed Trump's failure as Commander in Chief and once again reminded all of his dislike of American POW's who were captured while in combat. And in Trumps almost two years in office he has yet to visit our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The President and Commander in Chief continues his malignant behavior and traitorous acts. The White House and the Presidency itself has never been exposed to such shame. This is the same person who skipped out during his generations war and the same person who does not want the written ballots of our military people counted in the Florida elections of November 6.
America needs to impeach this shameful and disrespectful President and Commander in Chief, and it should be done soon.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Another Mass Shooting That Killed 12 People Including One Police Officer
This time in Thousand Oaks, California at a college gathering. The shooter was a Marine veteran using an illegal magazine on a firearm. The shooting comes less than two weeks after the mass shooting at a Jewish Synagogue in New York that killed 11 innocent people. And unfortunately, the NRA and Trump are still trying to sell the same falsehood that mass shootings can be prevented if some one with a gun was present at the time.
The police officer who answered the call at the shooting had a gun and was killed by the shooter. The excuses given for doing nothing to reverse the mass killings is hopeless. Only recognizing the problem and working towards real solutions will the answer be found. Trump's rhetoric that it would all stop when he became President has proven tough talk has no teeth and a major problem block to take care of a serious issue that claims the lives of innocent people.
The serious problem of mass shootings and killings in America require a serious response from serious people. The lack of serious people in Washington to find common ground is appalling and innocent life is still at risk. What a shame.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The police officer who answered the call at the shooting had a gun and was killed by the shooter. The excuses given for doing nothing to reverse the mass killings is hopeless. Only recognizing the problem and working towards real solutions will the answer be found. Trump's rhetoric that it would all stop when he became President has proven tough talk has no teeth and a major problem block to take care of a serious issue that claims the lives of innocent people.
The serious problem of mass shootings and killings in America require a serious response from serious people. The lack of serious people in Washington to find common ground is appalling and innocent life is still at risk. What a shame.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The LSU - Alabama Game: After The Dust Has Settled
With a week off for both teams before THE GAME, Louisiana sports journalists had a field day promoting the game and especially LSU's chances of beating Alabama this time around. The usual hype took center stage in place of objectivity and the hype ended up being larger than the game itself. Sports journalists and those commenting on behalf of LSU completely ignored LSU's previous games against Alabama with Orgeron and Ensminger at the controls and the teams dismal offensive play calling and game plan.
But now, this year and this LSU team was a different story they said. They were going to spread Alabama's defense, be aggressive and take the game to Alabama. Yeah Right. It was pure hype as LSU has not played an aggressive offense against Alabama since the Miles/Orgeron era began. And once again LSU was out coached, out played and Alabama is so far ahead in executing the fundamentals of the game its like college playing against a high school team. Every offensive player on Alabama's team was a blocker and LSU's defense did not know how to shed those blocks. And Alabama used mostly stand up blocking.
The shame of it all after more than 12 plus years at LSU, Miles and Orgeron have learned nothing about coaching against Alabama and Nick Saban. It has always puzzled this writer why some coaches never seem to learn how to better themselves by adopting the successful teachings of other successful coaches. That leads to the answer as to why there are so few top coaches in college football. The same can be said of the NFL.
This writer is not a fan of Saban because he was untruthful as to why he left LSU. Saban planted the seed when LSU hired him that he may want to return to the NFL one day. That was his cover and LSU accepted it. But Saban wanted out at LSU for reasons never made public and he used the NFL trump card for his exit at LSU. After three years at Miami, Saban found what he was looking for, head coach at Alabama. Saban knew what the NFL was all about because he coached in the NFL before going to Miami and he knew he could never control professional players like he could college players.
As an LSU fan for over 50 years, this writer still believes LSU football should have a proven winning head coach and an offensive co-ordinator who is in tune with the changes of the sport. This writer was stunned when sports journalists never picked up on Les Miles statement some time after he was fired when he said, "he would now spend time learning about the changes taking place in football." He should have done that while he was still coaching and preparing his LSU teams. That was a remarkable statement.
Will the Alabama loss be a game that turns things around in a positive way for LSU or will it be the game that gave a clue to the future of head coach Orgeron? Time will tell.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio
But now, this year and this LSU team was a different story they said. They were going to spread Alabama's defense, be aggressive and take the game to Alabama. Yeah Right. It was pure hype as LSU has not played an aggressive offense against Alabama since the Miles/Orgeron era began. And once again LSU was out coached, out played and Alabama is so far ahead in executing the fundamentals of the game its like college playing against a high school team. Every offensive player on Alabama's team was a blocker and LSU's defense did not know how to shed those blocks. And Alabama used mostly stand up blocking.
The shame of it all after more than 12 plus years at LSU, Miles and Orgeron have learned nothing about coaching against Alabama and Nick Saban. It has always puzzled this writer why some coaches never seem to learn how to better themselves by adopting the successful teachings of other successful coaches. That leads to the answer as to why there are so few top coaches in college football. The same can be said of the NFL.
This writer is not a fan of Saban because he was untruthful as to why he left LSU. Saban planted the seed when LSU hired him that he may want to return to the NFL one day. That was his cover and LSU accepted it. But Saban wanted out at LSU for reasons never made public and he used the NFL trump card for his exit at LSU. After three years at Miami, Saban found what he was looking for, head coach at Alabama. Saban knew what the NFL was all about because he coached in the NFL before going to Miami and he knew he could never control professional players like he could college players.
As an LSU fan for over 50 years, this writer still believes LSU football should have a proven winning head coach and an offensive co-ordinator who is in tune with the changes of the sport. This writer was stunned when sports journalists never picked up on Les Miles statement some time after he was fired when he said, "he would now spend time learning about the changes taking place in football." He should have done that while he was still coaching and preparing his LSU teams. That was a remarkable statement.
Will the Alabama loss be a game that turns things around in a positive way for LSU or will it be the game that gave a clue to the future of head coach Orgeron? Time will tell.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio
Happy 243rd. Birthday To The United States Marine Corps
And to all Marines who ever wore the eagle, globe and anchor where ever they may be and especially to all those who are now serving in harms way, a wish for a speedy and safe return home to family. It is a proud day for my fellow Marines who are the Few, the Proud, the Marines.
Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful, the motto that binds all Marines together and makes us all brothers will live on forever in the spirit of Duty, Honor and Commitment that we were taught in boot camp. Once a Marine, Always a Marine, the bond that is unbreakable has served our beloved Corps from generation to generation and continues to do so today.
So Happy Birthday fellow Marines and we ask the Supreme Commandant to continue to watch over our Corps, our Marines and protect the traditions the Marine Corps is so proud of.
Happy Birthday Marines
Sgt. Joseph Lorio, Sr.
Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful, the motto that binds all Marines together and makes us all brothers will live on forever in the spirit of Duty, Honor and Commitment that we were taught in boot camp. Once a Marine, Always a Marine, the bond that is unbreakable has served our beloved Corps from generation to generation and continues to do so today.
So Happy Birthday fellow Marines and we ask the Supreme Commandant to continue to watch over our Corps, our Marines and protect the traditions the Marine Corps is so proud of.
Happy Birthday Marines
Sgt. Joseph Lorio, Sr.
Friday, November 9, 2018
America, Democracy and The Democratic Party Won Big On Tuesday November 6.
The voters who went to the polls made it clear they wanted the democratic party to bring their ideas and experience to congress as a check on President Trump and the GOP who have demonstrated their disrespect for the democratic process. And come January 2019, the democratic party will take over control of the U.S. House of Representatives and govern as Americans. Unlike Trump and the GOP, democrats will have an agenda that is progressive for all Americans and the issues that Trump and the GOP just kicked down the road.
Democrats also defeated a number of republican governors, ran strong and won in a number of republican strongholds and over came republican voter suppression and gerrymandering in several states. It was a huge victory for democracy, some thing republicans hate. Voter turn out was deemed to be heavy and the final numbers will be known next week.
Trump and the GOP in their campaign advertising emails to voters looking for campaign contributions were claiming they were running against Nancy Pelosi, Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the usual scare tactics and it failed big time. Louisiana's little boy Steve Scalise did the same type email advertising (this writer received several) with basically the same language. They attempted to run against Obama and Clinton and it backfired on them as the voters understood who was really on the ballot.
A record number of women candidates won their race and will now serve in congress. This writer believes that is good for the country and its people and that they will do well and promote respect, unity and integrity in our politics. And because of their accomplishments, there will be more women in the future who will run and win. The democratic party opened that door for better representation for all the people and women responded.
It will be interesting when the final popular vote comes in to see just how many votes were cast for each party and the difference. Chances are the democratic popular vote advantage will be significant like Clintons was in the Presidential election of 2016. The latest count shows democrats won 30 House seats from republican control and there are still several seats where the vote count is still being reviewed. The vote that gave the democrats control represented a large cross section of what America and democracy is all about.
The democratic party will be ready to accept their responsibility to lead and govern the U.S. House of Representatives because the grown ups will now take charge of the HOUSE.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Democrats also defeated a number of republican governors, ran strong and won in a number of republican strongholds and over came republican voter suppression and gerrymandering in several states. It was a huge victory for democracy, some thing republicans hate. Voter turn out was deemed to be heavy and the final numbers will be known next week.
Trump and the GOP in their campaign advertising emails to voters looking for campaign contributions were claiming they were running against Nancy Pelosi, Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the usual scare tactics and it failed big time. Louisiana's little boy Steve Scalise did the same type email advertising (this writer received several) with basically the same language. They attempted to run against Obama and Clinton and it backfired on them as the voters understood who was really on the ballot.
A record number of women candidates won their race and will now serve in congress. This writer believes that is good for the country and its people and that they will do well and promote respect, unity and integrity in our politics. And because of their accomplishments, there will be more women in the future who will run and win. The democratic party opened that door for better representation for all the people and women responded.
It will be interesting when the final popular vote comes in to see just how many votes were cast for each party and the difference. Chances are the democratic popular vote advantage will be significant like Clintons was in the Presidential election of 2016. The latest count shows democrats won 30 House seats from republican control and there are still several seats where the vote count is still being reviewed. The vote that gave the democrats control represented a large cross section of what America and democracy is all about.
The democratic party will be ready to accept their responsibility to lead and govern the U.S. House of Representatives because the grown ups will now take charge of the HOUSE.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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