President Obama's address to the nation Wednesday night concerning ISIS explained to the American People what his administration plans to do. The details were lacking but we know ISIS will no longer have a safe place in Syria or Iraq. The President has also kept his promise of no U.S. ground combat troops fighting in Iraq and that the Iraqi military will have to stand up and defend their country with the help of air support from the United States.
The President adopted the right course of action when he and his military advisers took the time required to develop a workable plan to deal with ISIS and to bring our allies inside and outside of the middle east along. It is not how quick you act but the quality of your judgement and your actions.
Fighting ISIS and terror is not conventional warfare. Terrorists melt in and out as they choose to do. In the middle east they are part of secular groups as well as religious groups and have the support of both. The middle east is the oldest part of the world and is where civilization began over 5 thousand years ago in what is now southern Iraq. Warfare has yet to settle their differences 5 thousand years later.
Those negative voices who have been calling for American combat troops to return to Iraq for combat operations have yet to learn any thing. The President has the courage and wisdom to correct the mistakes of the past. How many people remember that the surge that Bush ordered was supposed to buy time so that Iraq could come up with a government that represented all factions? That never happened and we are witnessing the results today. A united Iraq by Iraqi's is the only way to save Iraq.
The President's strategy and policy for fighting Al Queda has been a success and I believe he will also have success in the quest against ISIS. I believe the President's decision should be supported and his judgement that it is the people in the middle east themselves who have the responsibility to make and keep their own country safe. The last three sentence of a commentary I wrote on 12/26/07 titled, "About Face In The Iraq War" was as follows: Iraq will look nothing like Bush saw in his dream. But lucky for Bush, he wont have to deal with the mess he created much longer. Unfortunately, the next President will bear the burden of his reckless behavior.
Of course we know the next President was and is Barrack Obama and the negative voices out there are still trying to justify the war in Iraq over WMD that did not exist. The country needs to support the President's decision.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
The Ray Price/Ravens/NFL Story: What Else Is New?
Ray Price, pro footballer for the Baltimore Ravens has been the lead news story for the last few days, especially in the world of Television. The news media broke the story of Rice abusing his wife and then published a video showing Price's actions.
The time line of Baltimore and the NFL's response that was taken after the event has been a subject of debate. The Ravens released Rice from the team and the NFL suspended him indefinately. The news media who became outraged over the video show their hypocritical side.
The news media treat pro atheletes as idols and put them up on a pedestal. The players are overpaid and many think they can do any thing they want to do because they are given that status. They do not like to have to answer to anyone. The NFL does the same thing with its advertising in the news media and as a result the Super Bowl has become not a sports game but a game of celebrity.
The players themselves are the blame for their own actions and not the news media or the NFL but the news media and the NFL have set the wrong tone and sent the wrong message. The media never did tell the real story of the Saints bountygate but "Politidose" did. Bountygate was a different kind of story but showed how sports journalists in New Orleans could not bring themselves to report the real story.
Another story about how players think they can do anything they want to do happened only a few weeks ago when Saints tight end Jimmy Graham dunked the football over the goal post after a touchdown not once but twice. That was in violation of NFL rules which Graham was aware of and not only drew a fine from the NFL but his team was penalized on both occassions. Graham is one of a few Saint players that has been given idol status by the press.
Its the dollar sign that rules the NFL, its players, the news media and the franchise owners. Until that changes no one should be shocked when the next episode takes place. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The time line of Baltimore and the NFL's response that was taken after the event has been a subject of debate. The Ravens released Rice from the team and the NFL suspended him indefinately. The news media who became outraged over the video show their hypocritical side.
The news media treat pro atheletes as idols and put them up on a pedestal. The players are overpaid and many think they can do any thing they want to do because they are given that status. They do not like to have to answer to anyone. The NFL does the same thing with its advertising in the news media and as a result the Super Bowl has become not a sports game but a game of celebrity.
The players themselves are the blame for their own actions and not the news media or the NFL but the news media and the NFL have set the wrong tone and sent the wrong message. The media never did tell the real story of the Saints bountygate but "Politidose" did. Bountygate was a different kind of story but showed how sports journalists in New Orleans could not bring themselves to report the real story.
Another story about how players think they can do anything they want to do happened only a few weeks ago when Saints tight end Jimmy Graham dunked the football over the goal post after a touchdown not once but twice. That was in violation of NFL rules which Graham was aware of and not only drew a fine from the NFL but his team was penalized on both occassions. Graham is one of a few Saint players that has been given idol status by the press.
Its the dollar sign that rules the NFL, its players, the news media and the franchise owners. Until that changes no one should be shocked when the next episode takes place. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Monday, September 8, 2014
Falcons Defeat Saints 37-34 As Ryan Out Performs Brees
The dirty birds refused to break after being down by 10 points at half time and a late drive by the Saints that gave them the lead 34-31 with less than 2 minutes remaining in regular time. A long field goal by the Falcons with seconds remaining sent the game into overtime which the Falcons won on another long filed goal. History will be rewritten by the New Orleans Sports Writers for the Times Picayune.
The bottom line is Ryan out performed Brees in every category that counts. Brees interception in the end zone by Atlanta eliminated another opportunity for the Saints to score points. The Saints defense did not play well and allowed some big scores with poor tackling and execution. The Falcons were better prepared to play the game.
Sports writers for the TP are already stumbling over their predictions for the game using the Saints past record against the Falcons. (13-3 under Payton and Brees) and talking about the Saints defense that was ranked 4th in the NFL last season. One loss does not make a season in this writers opinion and one year ranking does not indicate consistency. Defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan does not have a consistent record of producing good defensive teams. New Orleans sports writers using only last years record to predict how the Saints will do on defense this year is simply apple polishing. Rob Ryan did not produce a consistent defensive teams with his previous employer, the Dallas Cowboys.
All 7 sports writers predicted a Saints win in Atlanta. Now lets see how many predict a Saints win in Cleveland next week. Will there be just one who picks the Browns? Counting Sunday's loss the Saints have now lost 5 or their last 8 games during the regular season. (Including the Play off last season) Atlanta outscored the Saints 27-14 in the second half and once again the Saints failed to finish strong like they always preach.
The Saints are a good football team. How good? That remains to be seen. When it comes to defense, forget about last years ranking, the dirty birds took care of that. Their consistency from here on in is the only thing that matters regardless what one reads in the Times Picayune.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The bottom line is Ryan out performed Brees in every category that counts. Brees interception in the end zone by Atlanta eliminated another opportunity for the Saints to score points. The Saints defense did not play well and allowed some big scores with poor tackling and execution. The Falcons were better prepared to play the game.
Sports writers for the TP are already stumbling over their predictions for the game using the Saints past record against the Falcons. (13-3 under Payton and Brees) and talking about the Saints defense that was ranked 4th in the NFL last season. One loss does not make a season in this writers opinion and one year ranking does not indicate consistency. Defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan does not have a consistent record of producing good defensive teams. New Orleans sports writers using only last years record to predict how the Saints will do on defense this year is simply apple polishing. Rob Ryan did not produce a consistent defensive teams with his previous employer, the Dallas Cowboys.
All 7 sports writers predicted a Saints win in Atlanta. Now lets see how many predict a Saints win in Cleveland next week. Will there be just one who picks the Browns? Counting Sunday's loss the Saints have now lost 5 or their last 8 games during the regular season. (Including the Play off last season) Atlanta outscored the Saints 27-14 in the second half and once again the Saints failed to finish strong like they always preach.
The Saints are a good football team. How good? That remains to be seen. When it comes to defense, forget about last years ranking, the dirty birds took care of that. Their consistency from here on in is the only thing that matters regardless what one reads in the Times Picayune.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Truths And Facts: Why Is It So Hard To Understand Those Two Words?
Some in politics and the news media have problems understanding those two words and many people who follow both are hard pressed to see the difference. There are two commentaries in the Times Picayune of Sept. 5 concerning Truths and Facts.
One was written by John S. Baker III, Professor Emeritus, LSU Law Center. In his "point of view" article he points out how Louisiana law does not apply to determine the status of where U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu lives, which has been the subject challenged by Louisiana's republican representative and Landrieu opponent Bill Cassidy and Rob Manes and also other state officials who asked the Louisiana Attorney General to investigatge the matter.
Baker points out it is the U.S. Constitution and the rules of Congress that apply and that Senator Landrieu would win any challenge. One would think Cassidy and Manes would know the truth since Cassidy serves in congress and Manes wants to serve in congress. One should think they would know the qualifications. Instead both are trying to create an issue that does not exist. For them facts and truths take a back seat.
In a "letter to the editors" by Herbert Wilson, he points to a editorial by Times Picayune columnist James Varney concerning Common Core and rightly says truth should be about the good and bad so we can learn from our mistakes and repeat our successes. (thats very close to this writer's comments "understanding the past is the key to a successful future.") Then Wilson ends his "letter" by saying, "If the truth is getting in the way of Mr. Varney's version of history, he can always turn to Fox News, where truth is not an issue."
Both Baker and Wilson show they understand the value of truth and facts. And in fact one can gather from Baker's "point of view article" he is not a Landrieu supporter. That makes his commentary even more creditable Perhaps Cassidy and Manes could learn something from Mr. Baker and Mr. Wilson.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
One was written by John S. Baker III, Professor Emeritus, LSU Law Center. In his "point of view" article he points out how Louisiana law does not apply to determine the status of where U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu lives, which has been the subject challenged by Louisiana's republican representative and Landrieu opponent Bill Cassidy and Rob Manes and also other state officials who asked the Louisiana Attorney General to investigatge the matter.
Baker points out it is the U.S. Constitution and the rules of Congress that apply and that Senator Landrieu would win any challenge. One would think Cassidy and Manes would know the truth since Cassidy serves in congress and Manes wants to serve in congress. One should think they would know the qualifications. Instead both are trying to create an issue that does not exist. For them facts and truths take a back seat.
In a "letter to the editors" by Herbert Wilson, he points to a editorial by Times Picayune columnist James Varney concerning Common Core and rightly says truth should be about the good and bad so we can learn from our mistakes and repeat our successes. (thats very close to this writer's comments "understanding the past is the key to a successful future.") Then Wilson ends his "letter" by saying, "If the truth is getting in the way of Mr. Varney's version of history, he can always turn to Fox News, where truth is not an issue."
Both Baker and Wilson show they understand the value of truth and facts. And in fact one can gather from Baker's "point of view article" he is not a Landrieu supporter. That makes his commentary even more creditable Perhaps Cassidy and Manes could learn something from Mr. Baker and Mr. Wilson.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
FEMA Comes To The Rescue Of Louisiana One More Time
FEMA reported the federal government has forgiven $391 million in disaster loans for Louisiana concerning Hurricane Katrina. Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes are sharing in the loan cancellations. Senator Mary Landrieu was the sponsor of two bills that made the transaction possible.
This is another reason why the federal government has to spend money as most states can not afford to finance distasters themselves with out raising taxes or cutting spending. The federal government has always taken the lead role concerning disasters and is nothing new.
The reason it took a little longer for the federal government to forgive the $391 million was the republican controlled congress that approved the funding after Hurricane Katrina stipulated there would be no loan forgiveness for the very first time ever. That was in 2005 when the republican party also controlled the White House. Senator Landrieu thought that was unfair to go against precedent already established by congress.
Governors who complain about the federal government spending too much money can help when a disaster hits their states by paying for the damage from state funds. I don't look for that to happen because they would rather beat up on the federal government and because they promised not to raise taxes.
But is it too much to expect governors to have the character and courage to admit there are legitimant reasons why the federal government does spend a lot of money?
This commentary written by John Lucia
This is another reason why the federal government has to spend money as most states can not afford to finance distasters themselves with out raising taxes or cutting spending. The federal government has always taken the lead role concerning disasters and is nothing new.
The reason it took a little longer for the federal government to forgive the $391 million was the republican controlled congress that approved the funding after Hurricane Katrina stipulated there would be no loan forgiveness for the very first time ever. That was in 2005 when the republican party also controlled the White House. Senator Landrieu thought that was unfair to go against precedent already established by congress.
Governors who complain about the federal government spending too much money can help when a disaster hits their states by paying for the damage from state funds. I don't look for that to happen because they would rather beat up on the federal government and because they promised not to raise taxes.
But is it too much to expect governors to have the character and courage to admit there are legitimant reasons why the federal government does spend a lot of money?
This commentary written by John Lucia
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
The Affordable Care Act Continues To Work Even For Republican Governors
Republican governor Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania has accepted Medicaid Expansion covered by the ACA and has become the 28th state to do so. Nine of those states have republican governors and reports indicate three more republican governors are leaning to do the same. The Huffington Post reports Pennsylvania will cover 500,000 of its citizens under the expansion.
Under the ACA governors who accept the Medicaid expansion can come up with their own insurance plan to best serve their state and governor Corbett has done that. Waivers are approved by the President as long as it meets the objectives of the ACA. The democratic controlled congress that passed the ACA was wise to put that provision in concerning the Medicaid expansion. It gives governors the flexability they think they need to deal with their states problems concerning the uninsured. It also demonstrates how democrats write legislation based on sound principals and not ideology. It also reflects the democratic partys willingness to work with governors regardless which political party they belong to.
This writer believes governor Corbett made the right decision for his state and that other governors will do the same little by little. Governors always complain about the federal government telling them what to do and now they have an opportunity to help the uninsured in their state with their own designed health plan under the ACA.
PresidentTruman said he favored big plans because you can always ammend a big plan to fit changing situations. President Obama and the democratic controlled congress did just that when they passed the ACA.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Under the ACA governors who accept the Medicaid expansion can come up with their own insurance plan to best serve their state and governor Corbett has done that. Waivers are approved by the President as long as it meets the objectives of the ACA. The democratic controlled congress that passed the ACA was wise to put that provision in concerning the Medicaid expansion. It gives governors the flexability they think they need to deal with their states problems concerning the uninsured. It also demonstrates how democrats write legislation based on sound principals and not ideology. It also reflects the democratic partys willingness to work with governors regardless which political party they belong to.
This writer believes governor Corbett made the right decision for his state and that other governors will do the same little by little. Governors always complain about the federal government telling them what to do and now they have an opportunity to help the uninsured in their state with their own designed health plan under the ACA.
PresidentTruman said he favored big plans because you can always ammend a big plan to fit changing situations. President Obama and the democratic controlled congress did just that when they passed the ACA.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, September 1, 2014
More Confirmation Of Gov. Bobby Jindal's Bad Management Of Louisiana's Budget
Louisiana's government employees and retirees will face higher deductibles, out of pocket cost and new health care limitations in order to keep the state's health care program from financial disaster according to a report in the Times Picayune of 8/27/14. The health care coverage is for more than 230,000 public employees, retired workers and their dependents.
A 5% premium hike has already taken place this year and the Jindal administration says $132 million in the current budget year will be saved due to benefit cuts and price hikes. Louisiana's Secretary of the Treasury, republican John Kennedy said the Jindal administration worsened the financial problem in the insurance program using money that people paid for health claims to balance the state budget.
And if manipulating the state budget sounds familiar its because you read it here first in "PolitiDose" many times over in the past. Jindal, as every one knows opposes the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid under the Act and talks a good game about being able to do a better job than the federal government when it comes to health insurance. Well Kennedy spilled the beans about how Jindal operates. Of course those who follow Louisiana politics know the Jindal administration has been a disaster for the state's fiscal health. Louisiana's next governor will pay the price.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
A 5% premium hike has already taken place this year and the Jindal administration says $132 million in the current budget year will be saved due to benefit cuts and price hikes. Louisiana's Secretary of the Treasury, republican John Kennedy said the Jindal administration worsened the financial problem in the insurance program using money that people paid for health claims to balance the state budget.
And if manipulating the state budget sounds familiar its because you read it here first in "PolitiDose" many times over in the past. Jindal, as every one knows opposes the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid under the Act and talks a good game about being able to do a better job than the federal government when it comes to health insurance. Well Kennedy spilled the beans about how Jindal operates. Of course those who follow Louisiana politics know the Jindal administration has been a disaster for the state's fiscal health. Louisiana's next governor will pay the price.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Conservative Columnist Cal Thomas: Out Of Control And In Need Of An Education.
Cal Thomas's editorial published in the Times Picayune of 8/27/14 titled, "How Would President Obama Respond To An Attack On Homeland" makes a good case that he himself is desperate to wound the President he hates. What chaps Thomas and the conservatives is the fact that the President has kept the country and its people safe and has kept our men and women in uniform out of unnecessary wars unlike the previous administration.
President Obama's record as to what he would do if our homeland was attacked has already been established and is public knowledge. The homeland was attacked on 9/11/01on Bush's watch. When Obama took office he made it his top priority for the CIA to bring Bin Laden to justice and he did just that so he has a record. Our drone strikes against top AlQueda leaders have brought many of them to justice also on Obama"s watch.
When our homeland was attacked on 9/11 Bush spent our resources on invading Iraq who had nothing to do with the tragic events of 9/11. To make matters worse a few years later Bush said publically he did not know where Bin Laden was hiding and did not think much about him at all. Paul O'Niell, Bush's Secretary of the Treasury said in his book, The Price of Loyalty that 10 days inn and it was all about getting Iraq.
Thomas talks in the article that the public and vigilantes could rise up and take matters into their own hands if government fails to act. That is his unAmerican way of trying to plant the seed of division that the President would not discharge his responsibilities.
Thomas has a big problem as a human beign. Something must have gone wrong in his life and as a result has a hard time coping. Wanting to see the President and the country fail must some how make him feel redeemed. To make matters worse he says and I quote, "What will the current President do when the next attack comes? Will the public take matters into their own hands and fight back?
That is a very disturbing statement for an American journalist to make concerning the President of the United States, expecially when it comes from a journalist with hatred in his heart. The President safety record speaks for itself on defending the homeland. Thomas, like the conservatives in congress failed in their attempt to make Obama a one term President so they are doing what ever it takes to discredit his two terms in office. They have nothing positive they can point to concerning the Bush 43 administration so they have to take it out on the President. Cal Thomas lacks the courage to be a serious journalist. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
President Obama's record as to what he would do if our homeland was attacked has already been established and is public knowledge. The homeland was attacked on 9/11/01on Bush's watch. When Obama took office he made it his top priority for the CIA to bring Bin Laden to justice and he did just that so he has a record. Our drone strikes against top AlQueda leaders have brought many of them to justice also on Obama"s watch.
When our homeland was attacked on 9/11 Bush spent our resources on invading Iraq who had nothing to do with the tragic events of 9/11. To make matters worse a few years later Bush said publically he did not know where Bin Laden was hiding and did not think much about him at all. Paul O'Niell, Bush's Secretary of the Treasury said in his book, The Price of Loyalty that 10 days inn and it was all about getting Iraq.
Thomas talks in the article that the public and vigilantes could rise up and take matters into their own hands if government fails to act. That is his unAmerican way of trying to plant the seed of division that the President would not discharge his responsibilities.
Thomas has a big problem as a human beign. Something must have gone wrong in his life and as a result has a hard time coping. Wanting to see the President and the country fail must some how make him feel redeemed. To make matters worse he says and I quote, "What will the current President do when the next attack comes? Will the public take matters into their own hands and fight back?
That is a very disturbing statement for an American journalist to make concerning the President of the United States, expecially when it comes from a journalist with hatred in his heart. The President safety record speaks for itself on defending the homeland. Thomas, like the conservatives in congress failed in their attempt to make Obama a one term President so they are doing what ever it takes to discredit his two terms in office. They have nothing positive they can point to concerning the Bush 43 administration so they have to take it out on the President. Cal Thomas lacks the courage to be a serious journalist. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Another Preventable Gun Death
This time it was a gun range instructor in Arizona who was shot and killed by a 9 year old girl he was giving instructions to for operating a UZI, a military weapon that does not belong in the hands of civilians. The young girl was taking lessons how to fire the UZI.
How could adult parents allow a daughter so young to handle such a weapon even on a gun range under supervision? And how could a gun range operator allow such a young girl to handle such a weapon? What is going on here? Are we becoming a Macho society that thinks guns identify who we are. Does the second ammendant rights triumph over people's responsibility to society?
The NRA is on record as saying, guns don't kill people, people kill people. I wonder if they now believe their favorite statement is valid. Because of the reckless behavior of the parents, the range operator and the NRA's attitude toward guns, I wonder how this incident will affect this 9 year old girl's future.
I wrote a previous commentary that some one will one day challenge the second ammendment in court. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Reasonable people could make a difference concerning this issue and minor children's safety should be the first rule of raising them.
Perhaps this sad preventable accident will change the Macho culture that has taken an awful toll on innocent people's lives. Do parents and the gun lobby really believe a pre teen ager must learn how to use a UZI to protect herself when she grows up to be a young lady? If so, that is reason to believe that the manufacturer's of such weapons should only be sold to the military. Just think, a pre teen ager is not allowed to go into a bar and order an alcoholic drink, but can use a killing weapon on a gun range.
Understanding the past is still the key to a better future and when it comes to guns in the wrong hands we have yet to learn from the past.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
How could adult parents allow a daughter so young to handle such a weapon even on a gun range under supervision? And how could a gun range operator allow such a young girl to handle such a weapon? What is going on here? Are we becoming a Macho society that thinks guns identify who we are. Does the second ammendant rights triumph over people's responsibility to society?
The NRA is on record as saying, guns don't kill people, people kill people. I wonder if they now believe their favorite statement is valid. Because of the reckless behavior of the parents, the range operator and the NRA's attitude toward guns, I wonder how this incident will affect this 9 year old girl's future.
I wrote a previous commentary that some one will one day challenge the second ammendment in court. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Reasonable people could make a difference concerning this issue and minor children's safety should be the first rule of raising them.
Perhaps this sad preventable accident will change the Macho culture that has taken an awful toll on innocent people's lives. Do parents and the gun lobby really believe a pre teen ager must learn how to use a UZI to protect herself when she grows up to be a young lady? If so, that is reason to believe that the manufacturer's of such weapons should only be sold to the military. Just think, a pre teen ager is not allowed to go into a bar and order an alcoholic drink, but can use a killing weapon on a gun range.
Understanding the past is still the key to a better future and when it comes to guns in the wrong hands we have yet to learn from the past.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Exxon Mobil's Impact Study
According to a Times Picayune article dated 8/27/14 Exxon Mobil commissions an economic impact study from LSU's economist Loren Scott every three years. The latest study illustrate the effect Exxon Mobil has made on the Louisiana economy in 2013.
The self serving study reveals Exxon Mobil paid $144 million in taxes to the state and $84.4 million in sales and property taxes to East Baton Rouge Parish. Employed 5938 plant workers and contractors and made $46.3 million in payroll for the year. The study included all 4 plants in the Bator Rouge area and the Port Allen lubricants plant.
The study is incomplete because it fails to tell the people how much damage Exxon Mobil's operations have cost the state with the environmental damage from their drilling, production, pipe line and other operations over the years they have operated in the state.
Exxon Mobil seems to have the attitude we pay all those state taxes so why should we clean up our own mess? The people of Louisiana won't see Exxon Mobil or any other oil company in Louisiana step up to the plate, admit their guilt and start the process of taking responsibility for the damage they caused.
Louisiana companies who are smaller than Exxon Mobil who pay less taxes and keep our environment safe contribute more to the state and its people. Self serving studies such as this one is designed to influence the people of Louisiana to look the other way while the environmental damage continues.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The self serving study reveals Exxon Mobil paid $144 million in taxes to the state and $84.4 million in sales and property taxes to East Baton Rouge Parish. Employed 5938 plant workers and contractors and made $46.3 million in payroll for the year. The study included all 4 plants in the Bator Rouge area and the Port Allen lubricants plant.
The study is incomplete because it fails to tell the people how much damage Exxon Mobil's operations have cost the state with the environmental damage from their drilling, production, pipe line and other operations over the years they have operated in the state.
Exxon Mobil seems to have the attitude we pay all those state taxes so why should we clean up our own mess? The people of Louisiana won't see Exxon Mobil or any other oil company in Louisiana step up to the plate, admit their guilt and start the process of taking responsibility for the damage they caused.
Louisiana companies who are smaller than Exxon Mobil who pay less taxes and keep our environment safe contribute more to the state and its people. Self serving studies such as this one is designed to influence the people of Louisiana to look the other way while the environmental damage continues.
This commentary written by John Lucia
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