Monday, October 5, 2015
The Times Picayune Editorial Board: Out Of Touch And A Disrespect For Facts.
In two recent "Our Opinion" columns titled, "Steve Scalise Would Make A Perfect Fit and "Hands Off Louisiana's Oil And Gas Money" was laughable. The paper's support for Scalise as majority leader of the republican controlled U.S. House touts Scalise's conservative credentials and says Scalise is skilled at building coalitions to get legislation passed but could not name any meaningful legislation passed and signed into law.
The opinion piece did mention that Scalise when campaigning for the number 3 spot (House Whip) he did play "Eye of the Tiger" on the loud speaker. I guess the TP believes that is a qualification. The fact is Steve Scalise is the republican whip of a dysfunctional U.S. House and it has taken place on his watch, the current majority's watch and John Boehner's watch. The TP failed to point out that Scalise voted to shut down the government the last time the issue came up. He voted for default and against the CR that would have kept the federal government up and running. Louisiana's David Vitter, Bill Cassidy and John Fleming also voted to shut down the federal government. Democrats Mary Landrieu and Cedric Richmond along with republican Charles Boustany voted for the CR to open the federal government. Scalise was also one of 80 republicans who signed a letter not to vote for anything that did not defund the ACA. If elected to majority leader Scalise will not change his unAmerican conservative ideology as practiced by today's republican party.
The Times Picayune's other opinion column was another attack of some members of congress who may propose to reduce oil and gas royalties from offshore drilling due to be shared by Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas beginning in 2017. That money is supposed to be used to restore Louisiana's coast. Then the TP article makes this astounding statement.THE CANALS THAT WERE CUT THROUGH THE STATE'S WETLANDS FOR OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION CONTRIBUTED TO EROSION THAT DESTROYED 1,900 SQUARE MILES OF LAND FROM 1932 TO 2000. AND OUR MARSHES ARE STILL WASHING AWAY.
That is exactly what the Levee Boards suit was all about. To make the oil companies pay for the damage they caused and the TP opposed that suit. Many of those oil companies who damaged Louisiana's land never drilled one offshore well but the TP wants those offshore royalties to pay for the damages that those companies caused. Offshore royalty payments to states should be separate from the oil industry's responsibility to pay for the environmental damage it is responsible for.
Supposed the Oil industry stopped drilling offshore tomorrow? Would the TP then support the Levee Boards suit if there are no royalties to be collected? Better yet, where has the TP been since 1932 concerning the industry's failure to protect Louisiana's environment and be held accountable for their destructive acts.
Drilling offshore was a late bloomer. During such prior time Louisiana drilling and production was regulated by the state, but the TP did not think restoration of the damaged environment was important to talk about. It is only the flood of money from the BP spill and offshore royalties that opened their closed eyes. BP and offshore royalties became the scapegoat. BP should be held responsible for the damage it caused and has been by the federal government, thanks to the Obama administration. But BP should not be responsible for damages caused by the many other oil and gas company operations.
The wolves are at the door and the oil industry has been laughing all the way to the bank since 1932. Why not? They knew the TP and elected officials would be their mouthpiece and defender of the violations of Louisiana's environment. Do the math, count how many years it has been going on since 1932. That should make any sane person sick.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Bobby Jindal's Latest Proposal Continues To Expose His Failed Leadership
Governor Bobby Jindal, the self proclaimed conservative would like to use some BP oil spill money to help pay to elevate Louisiana highway 1 near Port Fourchon. That BP fine money can only be used for coastal restoration. The America's Wetland Foundation opposes the move by Jindal and thinks the BP money should be used for the purpose it was intended for.
Jindal has a history of robbing peter to pay paul and using one time money to balance the state's budget. That is one of the major reasons his budgets never actually balance. States are supposed to produce enough revenue to cover the needs of its own highway system and state infrastructure and this republican administration has failed to live up to its responsibility.
One can be sure another republican administration will not answer the problem because conservatism as practiced today by the republican party is anti everything with the exception of big business. And guess what? It shows.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Volkswagen And Halliburton: Another Example Of Corporate Corruption.
Everyone knows big business does not like to be regulated. They say they can and do regulate themselves, yet everyone knows big business keeps exposing their own lies. The latest violation of regulations involves Volkswagon and Halliburton, two giant companies. The Times Picayune recently carried both stories which most news media outlets just winked at.
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn admitted his company installed stealth software on over 11 million diesel Volkswagen that the software switches its engines to a cleaner mode during OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING and then switches off again giving the cars more power while emitting as much as 40 times the legal pollution limit during actual driving according to the EPA. Volkswagen said they were dishonest with the EPA, the California Air Resources Board and all of you.
The EPA said Volkswagen could be fined $37,500 per vehicle and that any one found personally responsible is subject to a $3,750 fine per violation. This was a deliberate act by Volkswagen to by pass federal and state regulations concerning automotive emissions. Volkswagen's CEO resigned a few days after the public disclosure. This writer bets Volkswagen will give him millions in payout even though the deceit happened on his watch.
Halliburton reached an agreement with the U.S. Labor Department to pay 1,016 workers $18.3 million in back overtime pay. Halliburton routinely classified those workers incorrectly as not entitled to over time pay. Failure to pay overtime wages to qualified employees is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Labor Department has been investigating the energy sector for several years where federal officials suspect workers are classified incorrectly. The Labor Department said Halliburton also did not keep accurate records of the hours worked by employees. It should be noted that Halliburton is one of the largest service companies in the oil and gas industry and it certainly employs enough managers to make sure their employees are classified correctly.
Both companies are profitable companies who looked for ways to get around regulations and were caught by two agencies of the federal government. And conservatives think the federal government can not do any thing right and big business can do no wrong. Yes, my fellow Americans, our country and its people are protected from corporate wrong doing and deceit by Democratic administrations while republicans continue to give big business a pass and excuse for deregulation.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn admitted his company installed stealth software on over 11 million diesel Volkswagen that the software switches its engines to a cleaner mode during OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING and then switches off again giving the cars more power while emitting as much as 40 times the legal pollution limit during actual driving according to the EPA. Volkswagen said they were dishonest with the EPA, the California Air Resources Board and all of you.
The EPA said Volkswagen could be fined $37,500 per vehicle and that any one found personally responsible is subject to a $3,750 fine per violation. This was a deliberate act by Volkswagen to by pass federal and state regulations concerning automotive emissions. Volkswagen's CEO resigned a few days after the public disclosure. This writer bets Volkswagen will give him millions in payout even though the deceit happened on his watch.
Halliburton reached an agreement with the U.S. Labor Department to pay 1,016 workers $18.3 million in back overtime pay. Halliburton routinely classified those workers incorrectly as not entitled to over time pay. Failure to pay overtime wages to qualified employees is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Labor Department has been investigating the energy sector for several years where federal officials suspect workers are classified incorrectly. The Labor Department said Halliburton also did not keep accurate records of the hours worked by employees. It should be noted that Halliburton is one of the largest service companies in the oil and gas industry and it certainly employs enough managers to make sure their employees are classified correctly.
Both companies are profitable companies who looked for ways to get around regulations and were caught by two agencies of the federal government. And conservatives think the federal government can not do any thing right and big business can do no wrong. Yes, my fellow Americans, our country and its people are protected from corporate wrong doing and deceit by Democratic administrations while republicans continue to give big business a pass and excuse for deregulation.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
New York Yankee Yogi Berra: Hall of Famer and World Champion
Notice of Yogi Berra's passing was a sad day for baseball, baseball fans, this writer and those in the generations that were able to witness Yogi's baseball career. It was a magical time, especially for Yankee fans to see their team win so many World Championships. And it was even more magical to see Yogi's love for the game he played.
Everyone in and outside baseball knew Yogi because he talked to everyone, even the umpires. As a hitter Yogi had no strike zone. No matter where the pitcher threw the ball Yogi would hit it and many of those hits were home runs. He was a catcher most of his playing days but played the outfield also in his last few years. Who can forget the 1956 World Series when Yankee pitcher Don Larson threw a perfect game and after his last pitch Yogi running up the the mound and leaped in Larson's arms with a bear hug. That was Yogi Berra and his love for baseball.
This writer was fortunate to live through all of Yogi's baseball career. Having played all three sports (none on a professional level) baseball was my favorite. I can still remember the thrill going to Pelican stadium to see the New Orleans Pels play. In the late 1940"s the Yankees played an preseason game in Pelican stadium and yours truly was in the stands. That team had Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and many of the great Yankees that preceded Yogi's era. DiMaggio hit a home run in that ball game. For a teenager who loved to play baseball, it was a game I will never forget.
Yogi Berra was a WWII veteran who served overseas in the European theater. Many baseball players served their country during WWII and the Korean War. Some of them served in both wars. It was a time of patriotic duty that cut short years from a players career.
Yogi Berra will be greatly missed by this writer who still gets chills when I think about the years I played the game and the great players like Yogi who gave so much to baseball. Besides being a Hall of Famer, a World Champion multiple times, Yogi was a world class human being. Baseball's song, Take Me Out To The Ball Game will forever live because of players like Yogi, and yes, I still get chocked up whenever I hear it played.
Thanks for the memories Yogi, I know you will continue to play baseball with your team mates in those Field of Dreams.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Everyone in and outside baseball knew Yogi because he talked to everyone, even the umpires. As a hitter Yogi had no strike zone. No matter where the pitcher threw the ball Yogi would hit it and many of those hits were home runs. He was a catcher most of his playing days but played the outfield also in his last few years. Who can forget the 1956 World Series when Yankee pitcher Don Larson threw a perfect game and after his last pitch Yogi running up the the mound and leaped in Larson's arms with a bear hug. That was Yogi Berra and his love for baseball.
This writer was fortunate to live through all of Yogi's baseball career. Having played all three sports (none on a professional level) baseball was my favorite. I can still remember the thrill going to Pelican stadium to see the New Orleans Pels play. In the late 1940"s the Yankees played an preseason game in Pelican stadium and yours truly was in the stands. That team had Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and many of the great Yankees that preceded Yogi's era. DiMaggio hit a home run in that ball game. For a teenager who loved to play baseball, it was a game I will never forget.
Yogi Berra was a WWII veteran who served overseas in the European theater. Many baseball players served their country during WWII and the Korean War. Some of them served in both wars. It was a time of patriotic duty that cut short years from a players career.
Yogi Berra will be greatly missed by this writer who still gets chills when I think about the years I played the game and the great players like Yogi who gave so much to baseball. Besides being a Hall of Famer, a World Champion multiple times, Yogi was a world class human being. Baseball's song, Take Me Out To The Ball Game will forever live because of players like Yogi, and yes, I still get chocked up whenever I hear it played.
Thanks for the memories Yogi, I know you will continue to play baseball with your team mates in those Field of Dreams.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Pope Francis: The Holy Father Comes To America.
It is not often that the American people have a chance to see the Pope in person and up close but Pope Francis gave America and its people that opportunity four days last week and the people turned out and responded with great appreciation, enthusiasm and admiration. Pope Francis was energetic, at ease and made sure his visit would include meeting with the disadvantage, the poor and even those in prison.
There was much speculation about what the Pope would talk about, especially when he addressed congress. Would it be about the issues that divide the people such as abortion, same sex marriage, sexual orientation, religious freedom or religion itself. Would it be just a religious speech for all to understand? Pope Francis surely thought about all those things before hand and before his speech was written because the issues he discussed were not religious or political in nature, nor was it divisive.
The Pope spoke about the issues that occupy the present time but in a way that could be understood by all without putting those issues in a political, religious or divisive content. In fact he never used divisive words instead said we must, take care of the earth, our fellow man, even those with different views and immigrants. The Pope also said excluding people not like us is wrong and alluded to the fact that people in positions of authority have to lead the way for needed change. Pope Francis also spoke about the abuses within the Catholic Church.
Congress responded in a positive way to the Pope's message but will it change things for the better or will congress just forget since the Pope has departed. Will the division continue by those in congress whose ideology will not allow them to change. Time will provide the answer to that question soon enough.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
There was much speculation about what the Pope would talk about, especially when he addressed congress. Would it be about the issues that divide the people such as abortion, same sex marriage, sexual orientation, religious freedom or religion itself. Would it be just a religious speech for all to understand? Pope Francis surely thought about all those things before hand and before his speech was written because the issues he discussed were not religious or political in nature, nor was it divisive.
The Pope spoke about the issues that occupy the present time but in a way that could be understood by all without putting those issues in a political, religious or divisive content. In fact he never used divisive words instead said we must, take care of the earth, our fellow man, even those with different views and immigrants. The Pope also said excluding people not like us is wrong and alluded to the fact that people in positions of authority have to lead the way for needed change. Pope Francis also spoke about the abuses within the Catholic Church.
Congress responded in a positive way to the Pope's message but will it change things for the better or will congress just forget since the Pope has departed. Will the division continue by those in congress whose ideology will not allow them to change. Time will provide the answer to that question soon enough.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, September 27, 2015
John Boehner, Speaker Of The U.S. House Of Representatives Resigns From Congress
Boehner's resignation caught the news media by surprise and launched a guessing game about why and why now. Every one on cable news seemed to have a variety of reasons why it happened. The why really does not matter for a number of reasons, that started soon after Obama was elected President in 2008 when Boehner proclaimed he and his party would do nothing to help the new President.
Boehner was leader of the U.S. House in name only and could not control his own members, especially the tea party right wing radicals. He allowed the House to shut the government down for 16 days just a few short years ago and the House was unable to function as an arm of congress. They voted over 50 times to defund the ACA which died in their own House.
Does Boehner's resignation and the election of a new Speaker indicate a more productive House? Don't count on it, the right wing conservative who have taken over the party hate the President and will continue the party's obstruction. They will also continue to try and divide the country. It is part of their conservative ideology.
With the election of a new President next year the republicans in both houses of congress will do its best to prevent President Obama to achieve any of his remaining goals. John Boehner was in a position of power where he could have achieved much for the country and its people. He choose instead to use his position to obstruct. It is a sad reminder how many leaders fail the test of leadership when given the opportunity to make a difference.
But strange as it seems he can still leave on a positive note by teaming up with the democrats in the House and enough republicans to prevent another government shutdown that the tea party said it will do over Planned Parenthood.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Boehner was leader of the U.S. House in name only and could not control his own members, especially the tea party right wing radicals. He allowed the House to shut the government down for 16 days just a few short years ago and the House was unable to function as an arm of congress. They voted over 50 times to defund the ACA which died in their own House.
Does Boehner's resignation and the election of a new Speaker indicate a more productive House? Don't count on it, the right wing conservative who have taken over the party hate the President and will continue the party's obstruction. They will also continue to try and divide the country. It is part of their conservative ideology.
With the election of a new President next year the republicans in both houses of congress will do its best to prevent President Obama to achieve any of his remaining goals. John Boehner was in a position of power where he could have achieved much for the country and its people. He choose instead to use his position to obstruct. It is a sad reminder how many leaders fail the test of leadership when given the opportunity to make a difference.
But strange as it seems he can still leave on a positive note by teaming up with the democrats in the House and enough republicans to prevent another government shutdown that the tea party said it will do over Planned Parenthood.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Louisiana's Budget Woes Continue To Pile Up
Readers of "PolitiDose" were warned that last years state budget ending June 30 would not be balanced as Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature said it was. The Times Picayune carried a story dated 9/23 that warned that the budget ended in deficit. The article quoted state treasurer John Kennedy saying the deficit would exceed $100 million. The story also indicated the Jindal administration was quietly informing legislators of the deficit and would give out the deficit exact number in October.
Republican Senator Fred Mills said, I'm worried, I'm really worried. He sits on the Senate's Finance Committee. He and the republican controlled legislature were not worried enough to make the hard choices and do what was required to balance the budget in the right way for the last several years. They just rubber stamped Jindal's corrupt process. Of course, the present fiscal year budget will not be in balance either and a special session with the new governor will have to address the problem. Mills said he expects funding for medicaid and Louisiana universities and college will be slashed to reduce last years deficit. That should sound familiar to every one.
The loss of state revenue because of falling oil prices and the tax loop holes and give aways to business will continue to make the state's budget problems worse if the state fails to adopt a pay as you go budget instead of the gimmicks used in the past as one time revenue and the movement of numbers. The state needs to get real in the forecast of state revenue.
The Jindal administration and the republican controlled legislature has been a dismal failure on the state's budget and the budget process for eight years and now it is fourth down. "PolitiDose" has been far out in front on the budget issue while the Times Picayune is satisfied by reporting the status quo. Democratic candidate John Bel Edwards is the only candidate who can turn things around for the better for the state and its people. He is also the only candidate without a super PAC raising money on his behalf so he is not beholden to any special interest group.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Republican Senator Fred Mills said, I'm worried, I'm really worried. He sits on the Senate's Finance Committee. He and the republican controlled legislature were not worried enough to make the hard choices and do what was required to balance the budget in the right way for the last several years. They just rubber stamped Jindal's corrupt process. Of course, the present fiscal year budget will not be in balance either and a special session with the new governor will have to address the problem. Mills said he expects funding for medicaid and Louisiana universities and college will be slashed to reduce last years deficit. That should sound familiar to every one.
The loss of state revenue because of falling oil prices and the tax loop holes and give aways to business will continue to make the state's budget problems worse if the state fails to adopt a pay as you go budget instead of the gimmicks used in the past as one time revenue and the movement of numbers. The state needs to get real in the forecast of state revenue.
The Jindal administration and the republican controlled legislature has been a dismal failure on the state's budget and the budget process for eight years and now it is fourth down. "PolitiDose" has been far out in front on the budget issue while the Times Picayune is satisfied by reporting the status quo. Democratic candidate John Bel Edwards is the only candidate who can turn things around for the better for the state and its people. He is also the only candidate without a super PAC raising money on his behalf so he is not beholden to any special interest group.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Fox News Joins The GOP's Republican Circus.
Today's GOP and the Fox News Network has always been a mirror image and has now become a circus for everyone to understand, even those with closed vision. And Donald Trump brought it all out in the open. Fox news is noted for their personal attacks on other people, especially democrats. But during the republican Presidential campaign they also turned their attack against Trump. But Trump is not a person to sit back and just take it so he has returned the favor to Fox.
The news media in general call it a feud between the two but it really is not. The public has turned off the republican Presidential candidates and Fox's favorite, Jeb Bush has been so Ho Hum the GOP and Fox have become the clowns of the circus. They have turned a Presidential campaign that should be about issues into a campaign against American values. The clowns posing as candidates and the Fox news have no respect for any one, not even the President of the United States.
This writer can not remember any Presidential campaign being as divisive as this republican campaign or any news media outlet that reflected the actions of the republican campaign. The GOP of today and the Fox news pose the largest threat to democracy and are a embarrassment to American ideals. Next time the circus comes to your town, watch a movie or play bridge. It will be better for your health.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The news media in general call it a feud between the two but it really is not. The public has turned off the republican Presidential candidates and Fox's favorite, Jeb Bush has been so Ho Hum the GOP and Fox have become the clowns of the circus. They have turned a Presidential campaign that should be about issues into a campaign against American values. The clowns posing as candidates and the Fox news have no respect for any one, not even the President of the United States.
This writer can not remember any Presidential campaign being as divisive as this republican campaign or any news media outlet that reflected the actions of the republican campaign. The GOP of today and the Fox news pose the largest threat to democracy and are a embarrassment to American ideals. Next time the circus comes to your town, watch a movie or play bridge. It will be better for your health.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Its A Little Early For Sports Writers To Be Talking About LSU's Leonard Fournette And The Heisman Trophy
There has been very few Heisman winners who achieved long and or successful years in the NFL. So what is the rush this early in the season to push Fournette for the Heisman? First of all is that a fair thing to do to Fournette? It only puts more pressure on him and his team mates which they do not need.
Fournette will not play out his four years at LSU because of his talent and will turn to the NFL soon enough. Sports writers should focus on that problem more than the Heisman. If Fournette does indeed turn out to be one of the finalist for the trophy it will happen naturally, so be satisfied in letting it unfold that way.
A lot of things can happen (both positive and negative) on the way to the Heisman trophy so during the football season Fournette's mind should be on the team and not the hype.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Fournette will not play out his four years at LSU because of his talent and will turn to the NFL soon enough. Sports writers should focus on that problem more than the Heisman. If Fournette does indeed turn out to be one of the finalist for the trophy it will happen naturally, so be satisfied in letting it unfold that way.
A lot of things can happen (both positive and negative) on the way to the Heisman trophy so during the football season Fournette's mind should be on the team and not the hype.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, September 20, 2015
More Reasons Why The Voters Should Elect Democrat John Bel Edwards As Louisiana's Next Governor.
Louisiana's three republican candidates for governor, David Vitter, Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne are attacking each other with their TV and radio ads and each say the other is not qualified to be governor because of this or that. They are playing like the republicans who are running for their party's Presidential nomination and in the process exposing their own lack of leadership and accomplishments.
Those three would be governors after seven and half years finally spoke out about the reckless agenda of the Jindal administration and confirms what democrats have been saying all along about the failed ideology of republican candidates and their party. When the democrats point out those failures, the republicans say it is partisan politics. But now the republicans themselves are confirming the democratic position with their own personal attacks against their fellow republican opponents.
Louisiana's democratic representative John Bel Edwards is the only candidate that can turn the state around with sound policies that relate to the real needs of the people and the state. The state will have tried the republican gimmicks and ideology for 16 of the past 20 years when Jindal leaves office so we know how they failed. Democratic governor Kathleen Blanco interrupted their party for four years (thank goodness) and her administration accomplished more for Louisiana than Mike Foster or Bobby Jindal.
There is no secret to the success of democratic administrations and its called policy. Policy that recognize what needs to be done to move the state and its people forward. John Bel Edwards has the political understanding to make that happen for Louisiana and its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Those three would be governors after seven and half years finally spoke out about the reckless agenda of the Jindal administration and confirms what democrats have been saying all along about the failed ideology of republican candidates and their party. When the democrats point out those failures, the republicans say it is partisan politics. But now the republicans themselves are confirming the democratic position with their own personal attacks against their fellow republican opponents.
Louisiana's democratic representative John Bel Edwards is the only candidate that can turn the state around with sound policies that relate to the real needs of the people and the state. The state will have tried the republican gimmicks and ideology for 16 of the past 20 years when Jindal leaves office so we know how they failed. Democratic governor Kathleen Blanco interrupted their party for four years (thank goodness) and her administration accomplished more for Louisiana than Mike Foster or Bobby Jindal.
There is no secret to the success of democratic administrations and its called policy. Policy that recognize what needs to be done to move the state and its people forward. John Bel Edwards has the political understanding to make that happen for Louisiana and its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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