In the Times Picayune of 1/2/15 both writers alluded to the defeat of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl by Ohio State and offered the following: Higgins reported Alabama's loss signals the end of SEC football domination. Jeff Duncan reported the SEC no longer rules the roost. The king is dead. If all that sounds familiar its because you read it here first in "PolitiDose" dated 8/14/14 in a commentary titled, "Will the SEC Continue its dominance?
I also wrote in another commentary that I thought the Saints and Alabama have already had their best years under Payton and Sabin. I said that because of the Saints poor performance the last few years and because the way Alabama lost several big games in the last few years was so unlike Alabama under Sabin. The magic is gone.
The decision to expand the SEC was a bad idea and will continue to dilute the talent and the teams. I also wrote about that in a previous commentary. Another factor is the new young coaches who are spreading out all over the land scape with new ideas on offense that are making the defense cover the full field of play. The defense has not made the necessary adjustments yet and the up tempo of the offense makes it that much worse.
The new BCS play off system took a hit in the Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl with the number 1 and 3 ranked teams loosing and the number 2 and 4 teams winning. The ranking order was a big mistake and the bowls proved that. It is obvious to this writer that the BCS system already needs an adjustment.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
TO THE READERS OF POLITIDOSE
I have been writing political commentary here in "PolitiDose" since its inception under the pen name of John Lucia. My grandson Patrick started "PolitiDose" during the Presidental campaign of 2008 because he thought there should be a venue for the average person to let his political feelings be know with out the usual filter of the news media.
Patrick, being aware of my interest in politics asked if I would like to contribute political commentary and I have been doing so ever since. After the 2008 election Patrick moved on to other endeavors while I continue to write commentary. I took an interest in politics as a teen ager and my father and grandfather were politically involved writing letters to elected officials, the newspaper, working at the polls and following politics in general.
As we all know, our political system has changed a great deal with money and the special interest people and in my opinion it has not changed for the better. I am a registered democrat and proud of it even though my state is not the strong hold for the party like it once was. I have no confidence in the leaders of the republican party who have taken control of the party since the Newt Gingrich era. In my judgement the party has nothing to offer the country and its people except personal attacks and division.
I try to use my commentary to break thru the myth of republican claims to being superior to democrats and the factual record proves they are not. Some of my commentary is redundant but some times that is what it takes to rebut the constant republican noise machine. I also write about the factual record of the democratic party and their accomplishments for the country and its people. The general news media has punted on that and seem to be satisfied to report non facts on important matters. My commentary covers opinions that I have on certain matters and I believe important such as opening up relations with Cuba, the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy and other issues.
It is my hope that the readers of "PolitiDose" enjoy my commentary and that they feel like they have gained knowledge and facts about the political parties they may not have realized before. I also hope my readers compare what they read here with other political commentary so they can be exposed to political views outside the regular news media and the cable news networks. Although "PolitiDose" is small compared to the majority of other commentary blogs, readers may comment if they so desire.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone who logs onto and reads "PolitiDose on a regular basis. The traffic has been healthy and growing and I hope to continue to earn your trust and respect. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. All future commentary will be written under my sur-name.
Yours truly and Happy New Years to All
Yours truly,
Joseph J. Lorio, Sr.
Louisiana's U.S. Representative Steve Scalise: An Apology, A Mistake and a Regret
Scalise, like many other elected officials who get caught, uttered those words 12 years after the fact of speaking at a conference of the European-American Unity and Rights organization known as EURO. David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan member led and was the founder of EURO that has been described as a white nationalists and hate organization.
Scalise said he had no knowledge of the nature of EURO and had not vetted the group. The question is how could any one in Louisiana, especially a politician not know about David Duke's organization? Also, when did Scalise find out the true nature of EURO? Was it just this week when the story broke. Was it some time before and he just remained silent? Those who know Scalise discribe him as a sharp politician.
Hate is expressed in different ways other than through a group or organization. The conservative right wing of the republic party in congress has said many hateful things about President Obama and his policies since the first day he took office and continue to do so. Their personal attacks against the President saying the ACA contained "Death Panels" was a hateful thing to do. Other conservatives even said hateful things towards the President's daughters.
The conservative right wing of the republican party in congress said hateful things about President Clinton and his wife. They even hatefully impeached the President when there was no cause. They even knew the Senate led by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time could not convict the President because he committed no impeachable offense. The President was also called a "slimeball" and other hateful names. Is there any one out there that remembers that? The so called moderates in the republican party were silent and let the right wingers have their way.
The Fox News Network attacks President Obama in a hateful way almost every day. Conservative journalists are known to do the same thing. Doing and saying hateful things divide the country and its people and division is a trade mark of the republican party. Those organizaions and groups who were responsible for the hateful signs and hand outs put up in Dallas on November 22,1963 concerning President Kennedy's visit have been described as conservative right wingers. One hand out containing a picture of the President had the caption, "Wanted for Treason." Can it get any more hateful than that?
Hate and hateful talk does not only originate with organizations and groups out side of our political system. It also takes place in our political system by those who think of themselves as elite and superior. And sadly there is a long record of proof.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Scalise said he had no knowledge of the nature of EURO and had not vetted the group. The question is how could any one in Louisiana, especially a politician not know about David Duke's organization? Also, when did Scalise find out the true nature of EURO? Was it just this week when the story broke. Was it some time before and he just remained silent? Those who know Scalise discribe him as a sharp politician.
Hate is expressed in different ways other than through a group or organization. The conservative right wing of the republic party in congress has said many hateful things about President Obama and his policies since the first day he took office and continue to do so. Their personal attacks against the President saying the ACA contained "Death Panels" was a hateful thing to do. Other conservatives even said hateful things towards the President's daughters.
The conservative right wing of the republican party in congress said hateful things about President Clinton and his wife. They even hatefully impeached the President when there was no cause. They even knew the Senate led by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time could not convict the President because he committed no impeachable offense. The President was also called a "slimeball" and other hateful names. Is there any one out there that remembers that? The so called moderates in the republican party were silent and let the right wingers have their way.
The Fox News Network attacks President Obama in a hateful way almost every day. Conservative journalists are known to do the same thing. Doing and saying hateful things divide the country and its people and division is a trade mark of the republican party. Those organizaions and groups who were responsible for the hateful signs and hand outs put up in Dallas on November 22,1963 concerning President Kennedy's visit have been described as conservative right wingers. One hand out containing a picture of the President had the caption, "Wanted for Treason." Can it get any more hateful than that?
Hate and hateful talk does not only originate with organizations and groups out side of our political system. It also takes place in our political system by those who think of themselves as elite and superior. And sadly there is a long record of proof.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
A Perspective On The Coming New Year
President Obama will be starting his seventh year in office January 2015 and the country and its people have much to be thankful for dispite all the distractions. Our nation has come a long way from the worst recession in our history and the out look for the next two years is the most positive since that great recession.
The economy and job creation has reached a level that is self repeating; unemployment continues to go down; consumer confidence is rising; consumer spending is up and fueling economic expansion and job creation; consumer debt is down; the stock market at record levels; the war in Afghanistan has come to an end; gas prices are falling at the pump; America is still the world's best economy; the President has kept our nation out of unnecessary wars and kept our home land safe; median income is starting to increase; the federal deficit continues to go down; federal spending has been under control. The positives outweigh the negatives for the coming years.
The President's approval ratings are going up and will continue to do so. The manufactured scandal of Benghazi, the IRS and the ACA fizzled like 7up and lost its taste. The President's policies worked dispite the noise machine and the country and its people are now in position to enjoy the benefits that will take place in the coming year. The United States leads the international community to move forward on many fronts and America's leadership is still unchallenged in world affairs.
Barack Obama was one of the Presidential candidates who was elected President in 2008.
Who ever won that election would be dealt a horrific hand to manage. It happened to be Obama, a democrat who was not this writers first choice for the democratic nomination. However, he won that nomination and the general election to become President. Having a limited amount of political experience he learned and grew on the job and has gained this writers respect for bringing the country to where it is today. His policies have worked and he has never personally attacked his opposition like they did him.
There is no doubt in my mind that America elected the best Presidential candidate in 2008 and 2012. I look forward to seeing the nation reach full employment on his watch and a continuing economic expansion and advancement for the middle class.
Note: I often refer to the recession as a depression because there has never been a worse recession prior to the 2008 one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The economy and job creation has reached a level that is self repeating; unemployment continues to go down; consumer confidence is rising; consumer spending is up and fueling economic expansion and job creation; consumer debt is down; the stock market at record levels; the war in Afghanistan has come to an end; gas prices are falling at the pump; America is still the world's best economy; the President has kept our nation out of unnecessary wars and kept our home land safe; median income is starting to increase; the federal deficit continues to go down; federal spending has been under control. The positives outweigh the negatives for the coming years.
The President's approval ratings are going up and will continue to do so. The manufactured scandal of Benghazi, the IRS and the ACA fizzled like 7up and lost its taste. The President's policies worked dispite the noise machine and the country and its people are now in position to enjoy the benefits that will take place in the coming year. The United States leads the international community to move forward on many fronts and America's leadership is still unchallenged in world affairs.
Barack Obama was one of the Presidential candidates who was elected President in 2008.
Who ever won that election would be dealt a horrific hand to manage. It happened to be Obama, a democrat who was not this writers first choice for the democratic nomination. However, he won that nomination and the general election to become President. Having a limited amount of political experience he learned and grew on the job and has gained this writers respect for bringing the country to where it is today. His policies have worked and he has never personally attacked his opposition like they did him.
There is no doubt in my mind that America elected the best Presidential candidate in 2008 and 2012. I look forward to seeing the nation reach full employment on his watch and a continuing economic expansion and advancement for the middle class.
Note: I often refer to the recession as a depression because there has never been a worse recession prior to the 2008 one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
The New Orleans Saints 23 Tampa Bay 20; Season's Recap and Critique Part I of II
The Saints won their final game of the season in Tampa. It was a victory over a team who only won two games this entire season and will not be a model for what the future holds for the Saints. For the third straight year the Saints finished weak instead of strong loosing 5 of their last 8 games. Last season they lost 4 of their last 7 games. The Saints beat only two teams with a winning record this season, Pittsburgh and Green Bay.
The 7-9 loosing record was the Saints second loosing season in the past three years. The worst part of those three seasons is that the Saints showed no improvement and this season showed a marked decline from last season. Sports writers in New Orleans never saw it coming even though the evidence was there and pointed out on several occasions in "PolitiDose." As this writer mentioned before, the writers lack the objectivity to properly evaluate the Saints because of their relationship with the team, their apple polishing stories and the hype they perpetuate.
All was not well with the Saints before the 2014 season started but sports writer Larry Holder said in a Times Picayune article of 7/23/14, "The expectation of Super Bowl Glory is warranted." Holder and Jeff Duncan were so wrong on their predictions this year concerning the Saints, they finally saw the light later in the season and instead of apologizing to the fans and readers and saying I was wrong used the words WE WERE ALL WRONG. Well WE were not all wrong but they were.
What hapened the last 3 seasons was there for all to see. There were no positive signs of improvement. They were not ready to play and win the games that counted the most. Carolina showed how important that factor was by winning their final 4 games defeating the Saints and Atlanta on the road to win the division title. The Saints had the same opportunity but lost to both Carolina and the Falcons at home in the Superdome. Carolina finished strong and on the road. The Saints finished weak and of all places, finished weak at home.
Holder continued his apple polishing stories the day after the Tampa game in the Times Picayune of 12/29/14 by bragging about Brees personal stats along with the same comments by other Saint players in order to deflect any negative talk about Brees. Well, individual stats do not win championships, playing as a team does that. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady once again did more for their teams than Brees did for his team.
"PolitiDose" in several commentaries after boundy gate was exposed, explored what was going on and even questioned the Saint's future under Payton and Brees and even predicted what the 2011 season would look like without Sean Payton on the sidelines. That same season Saint players said everything would be fine because the players were professionals, they knew their jobs, they had the players and of course the sports writers ran with that hype.
This writer published a commentary in "PolitiDose" dated 7/24/14, months before the season started titled,"Times Picayune Sports Writer Larry Holder and The New Orleans Saints." The last sentence of my commentary was as follows and I quote. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF LAST YEARS FINISH BY THE SAINTS LOOSING 4 OF THEIR LAST 7 GAMES IS A PRELUDE TO HOW THE SAINTS PERFORM THIS SEASON.
And you read it here first in "PolitiDose"
Stay tuned for Part II and read why Bountygate was a prelude to what has taken place with the Saints.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The 7-9 loosing record was the Saints second loosing season in the past three years. The worst part of those three seasons is that the Saints showed no improvement and this season showed a marked decline from last season. Sports writers in New Orleans never saw it coming even though the evidence was there and pointed out on several occasions in "PolitiDose." As this writer mentioned before, the writers lack the objectivity to properly evaluate the Saints because of their relationship with the team, their apple polishing stories and the hype they perpetuate.
All was not well with the Saints before the 2014 season started but sports writer Larry Holder said in a Times Picayune article of 7/23/14, "The expectation of Super Bowl Glory is warranted." Holder and Jeff Duncan were so wrong on their predictions this year concerning the Saints, they finally saw the light later in the season and instead of apologizing to the fans and readers and saying I was wrong used the words WE WERE ALL WRONG. Well WE were not all wrong but they were.
What hapened the last 3 seasons was there for all to see. There were no positive signs of improvement. They were not ready to play and win the games that counted the most. Carolina showed how important that factor was by winning their final 4 games defeating the Saints and Atlanta on the road to win the division title. The Saints had the same opportunity but lost to both Carolina and the Falcons at home in the Superdome. Carolina finished strong and on the road. The Saints finished weak and of all places, finished weak at home.
Holder continued his apple polishing stories the day after the Tampa game in the Times Picayune of 12/29/14 by bragging about Brees personal stats along with the same comments by other Saint players in order to deflect any negative talk about Brees. Well, individual stats do not win championships, playing as a team does that. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady once again did more for their teams than Brees did for his team.
"PolitiDose" in several commentaries after boundy gate was exposed, explored what was going on and even questioned the Saint's future under Payton and Brees and even predicted what the 2011 season would look like without Sean Payton on the sidelines. That same season Saint players said everything would be fine because the players were professionals, they knew their jobs, they had the players and of course the sports writers ran with that hype.
This writer published a commentary in "PolitiDose" dated 7/24/14, months before the season started titled,"Times Picayune Sports Writer Larry Holder and The New Orleans Saints." The last sentence of my commentary was as follows and I quote. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF LAST YEARS FINISH BY THE SAINTS LOOSING 4 OF THEIR LAST 7 GAMES IS A PRELUDE TO HOW THE SAINTS PERFORM THIS SEASON.
And you read it here first in "PolitiDose"
Stay tuned for Part II and read why Bountygate was a prelude to what has taken place with the Saints.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, December 26, 2014
The Good News Continues On The U.S. Economy At Years End.
The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew at a 5% annual rate in the third quarter ending September 30. The stock market hit an all time high closing above 18,000. It has been pointed out many times in PolitiDose that the good economic news would happen on the watch of President Obama because democratic administrations always perform better for the country and its people. It is a precedent that has held true for many, many years especially since Ronald Reagan took office because that is when the republican party started its "blame big government" for everything ideology.
The Commerce Department also reported: Strong consumer spending and business investment: That the quartly growth was the fastest growth since the summer of 2003. (Thats 13 years ago) Income posted the best gains in five months; November consumer spending grew at its fastest pace in 3 months. We also know from other reports that U.S. economic out put is at an all time high and so are corporate profits.
The good economic news should be followed up by President Obama with policies and or executive action that will continue the economic expansion, job creation and increase in wages for the average workers. The republican party continues to sit on the side lines and play no role in correcting the mistakes of the previous republican administration that presided over the second great republican depression. In fact the ending of this year will mark their 6th straight year of opposing the President's policies that have worked for the country and its people.
We will know soon enough if the new congress, controlled by the republican party has the courage or character to stand up and join the human race.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The Commerce Department also reported: Strong consumer spending and business investment: That the quartly growth was the fastest growth since the summer of 2003. (Thats 13 years ago) Income posted the best gains in five months; November consumer spending grew at its fastest pace in 3 months. We also know from other reports that U.S. economic out put is at an all time high and so are corporate profits.
The good economic news should be followed up by President Obama with policies and or executive action that will continue the economic expansion, job creation and increase in wages for the average workers. The republican party continues to sit on the side lines and play no role in correcting the mistakes of the previous republican administration that presided over the second great republican depression. In fact the ending of this year will mark their 6th straight year of opposing the President's policies that have worked for the country and its people.
We will know soon enough if the new congress, controlled by the republican party has the courage or character to stand up and join the human race.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
I would like to wish everyone and their family a very, very Merry Christmas. May your day be full of fond memories this Christmas season, joy, friendship and a true understanding of what the spirit of Christmas is all about. May your day be merry, warm, safe, peacefull and may you and your family have many, many more to come.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Yours truly,
John Lucia
The News Media's Presidential Preference For The 2016 Election.
And its Jeb Bush vs. Hillary Clinton. In the last two weeks they made that clear in their statements. Both have the contacts and ability to raise one billion dollars each for the campaign. That would be a record the news media points out. It would also mean a record amount of money spent for campaign ads for the news media.
So the public can look for and expect to see the media give those two much exposure in the near future and cable TV will lead the way. The exposure will drown out the other hopefuls in each party. The voting public have become pawns to the news media and the special interest groups.
This writer would like to see a new generation of leaders emerge for the 2016 election. Candidates who have vision and knowledge about government and how it functions best: Candidates who are willing and able to dismiss the status quo and recognize that understanding the mistakes of the past is the key to a better future; Candidates who understand that the middle class should participate more fully in the success their companies achieve; Candidates that have the understanding of foreign policy like Roosevelt, Truman, Ike and Kennedy; Candidates who are willing to reverse the influence of the special interest groups and put America and its people first.
President Kennedy captured the hearts and imagination of the American people like no other in my lifetime. There has to be some one out there in this great country who can once again make us all feel young. After all, we are still a country where dreams come true.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
So the public can look for and expect to see the media give those two much exposure in the near future and cable TV will lead the way. The exposure will drown out the other hopefuls in each party. The voting public have become pawns to the news media and the special interest groups.
This writer would like to see a new generation of leaders emerge for the 2016 election. Candidates who have vision and knowledge about government and how it functions best: Candidates who are willing and able to dismiss the status quo and recognize that understanding the mistakes of the past is the key to a better future; Candidates who understand that the middle class should participate more fully in the success their companies achieve; Candidates that have the understanding of foreign policy like Roosevelt, Truman, Ike and Kennedy; Candidates who are willing to reverse the influence of the special interest groups and put America and its people first.
President Kennedy captured the hearts and imagination of the American people like no other in my lifetime. There has to be some one out there in this great country who can once again make us all feel young. After all, we are still a country where dreams come true.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Conservative Journalist Cal Thomas And His Cowardly Opinion.
Thomas in a Times Picayune column of 12/21/14 says terrorists will surely attack America and wonders what Obama will do when the attack occurs. He then goes on to wonder if Obama would issue the predictable denunciations and apologies for Islam. Thomas is a coward for making that statement and shows his contempt for American values. He also shows how much he hates the President.
Thomas wants to see America's homeland hit because Obama has been more protective of our country than Thomas's hero, President George W. Bush. He is even willing to lie about Obama being an apologist for Islam. It shows how extreme Thomas's views are and how unAmerican his ideology really plays out.
Its the same old conservative republican story. When your party has no accomplishments, strike back at the guy in the other party. Thomas knows that Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist created Al Queda in Iraq and ISIS. His mentallity is such that he wants to see America attacked again, especially on Obama's watch. American casualties means nothing to this guy.
Cal Thomas belongs to the same group of conservatives who tried to blame President Clinton for the tragic attack on 9/11. Its unfortunate when men can not act like men and have no character or courage to boot.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Thomas wants to see America's homeland hit because Obama has been more protective of our country than Thomas's hero, President George W. Bush. He is even willing to lie about Obama being an apologist for Islam. It shows how extreme Thomas's views are and how unAmerican his ideology really plays out.
Its the same old conservative republican story. When your party has no accomplishments, strike back at the guy in the other party. Thomas knows that Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist created Al Queda in Iraq and ISIS. His mentallity is such that he wants to see America attacked again, especially on Obama's watch. American casualties means nothing to this guy.
Cal Thomas belongs to the same group of conservatives who tried to blame President Clinton for the tragic attack on 9/11. Its unfortunate when men can not act like men and have no character or courage to boot.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
The Unemployment Rate Is Up Again In Louisiana
The unemployment rate in Louisiana for November ws 6.5%, the seventh straight monthly increase according to the U.S. Labor Department. It was 5.6% in November of 2013. The unemployment trend in Louisiana has been up while the trend nationally has been down. The unemployment rate in November fell in 41 states, rose in 3 states and were flat in 6 states. There was more bad news for Louisiana.
According to the Pew Research, 29 states increased spending for mental health while Louisiana decreased spending on mental health the last two budget cycles. It also ranked Louisiana as one of the worse states for mental health services and access.
And the latest information from Jindal's office is that the budget deficit for this fiscal year ending June 30 will be $170 million plus. That is the same budget Jindal and the state legislature announced as balanced at the start of the fiscal year. State revenues are not meeting projections. And if that sounds familiar its because it is a repeat story. Budget cuts will be coming once again.
The $25 billion state budget contains $8 billion of tax breaks and exemptions for bussiness. That is about 30% of the budget in loss revenue to the state and Jindal and the republican controlled legislature continues to sign off on those tax give aways. Republicans on the state level are no better than those on the federal level. But hey, Louisiana is a republican state with bragging rights.
It will take another democratic administration and legislature to turn this mess around. In the mean time Jindal will continue to try and sell himself as a republican Presidential candidate. What a sad chapter in Louisiana history.
This commentary written by John Lucia
According to the Pew Research, 29 states increased spending for mental health while Louisiana decreased spending on mental health the last two budget cycles. It also ranked Louisiana as one of the worse states for mental health services and access.
And the latest information from Jindal's office is that the budget deficit for this fiscal year ending June 30 will be $170 million plus. That is the same budget Jindal and the state legislature announced as balanced at the start of the fiscal year. State revenues are not meeting projections. And if that sounds familiar its because it is a repeat story. Budget cuts will be coming once again.
The $25 billion state budget contains $8 billion of tax breaks and exemptions for bussiness. That is about 30% of the budget in loss revenue to the state and Jindal and the republican controlled legislature continues to sign off on those tax give aways. Republicans on the state level are no better than those on the federal level. But hey, Louisiana is a republican state with bragging rights.
It will take another democratic administration and legislature to turn this mess around. In the mean time Jindal will continue to try and sell himself as a republican Presidential candidate. What a sad chapter in Louisiana history.
This commentary written by John Lucia
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