Ah, Louisiana Politicians

Here are some tidbits from articles in the Sunday edition of the New Orleans Times-Picayune concerning that bunch 'representing' us in Washington:

Sen. John Breaux said he is deciding this weekend whether he will retire after his term is up in 2004 or run again.  A public announcement will come soon, he said.

Breaux said the Medicare bill was without question the most significant piece of legislation he has worked on during three decades in Congress.  Its passage has fueled speculation that he might step down when his term expires at the end of 2004.

But he also said he is ready for a new legislative crusade.  He has long talked about the need for universal health insurance coverage and proposes mandating that everyone own a policy, just as they are required to have car insurance.

Two members of the Louisiana congressional delegation, Reps Chris John, D-Lafayette, and David Vitter, R-Metairie, probably would run for the job, leaving open seats.

And this:

Cockfighters nationwide can breathe a sigh of relief because they won't face jail time for shuttling birds across state lines.  The worst they would face is a fine.  Purveyors of the bloody sport in Louisiana and New Mexico never had to worry because they live in the only two states where cockfighting is still legal.  In an attempt to stamp out the practice last year, Congress made it a misdemeanor to transport the fighting birds.  The bill passed over the objections of Rep. Chris John, D-Lafayette, cockfighters' best friend in Congress.  This year, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., a veterinarian, tried to raise the stakes.  His legislation would have made it a felony to transport animals for fighting and even the implements, such as the spiked and razor-sharp gaffs cockfighters tie to roosters' legs during matches.  Ensign attached the provision to a bill aimed at reducing fires in national forests.  It was stripped from the bill in a conference committee by negotiators who said it wasn't relevant.

And this:

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be noteworthy that Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-Chackbay, who is immensely proud of his French-Canadian roots, had joined the congressional French Caucus.  But earlier this year, Tauzin added to the anti-French rhetoric after President Jacques Chirac's refusal to support the US-led war in Iraq. Tauzin had some tough words for the French and defiantly yanked his French-language web site. . . . Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who ordered the House cafeterias to serve "freedom fries" and "freedom toast," is also a new member of the caucus.

And this:

Energy businesses have poured $136 million into federal campaigns since 1999 . . . Louisiana's nine congressional members, all of whom backed the recent $31 billion energy bill, were major beneficiaries.  Sen. Mary Landrieu received $538,191 from energy interests between 1999 and 2003, second only to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.  Sen. John Breaux received $74,170.  Rep. Billy Tauzin, one achitect of the energy bill, received $553,582, second among the 435 House members. Rep. Chris John received $296,062 and Rep. David Vitter received $190,789.

These people make me sick.

•  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

  Cockfighting is still legal in Louisiana and New Mexico?

  WTF?!!!!!!

  by Asak on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 09:43:43 AM PDT

  •  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

    Yep.  Until 1998, there'd been 5 states without a ban.  Missouri and Arizona went in that year, and then Oklahoma just last year.

    Here's a chronological list of states with cockfighting bans. (Massachusetts was the first in 1836)

    by Finrod on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 12:03:38 PM PDT

•  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

  Yes, and these examples are just scratching the surface.  I am not surprised all nine of our congressional delegation supported the energy bill, since La. is like the number #2 petrochemical state in the union.  That bill was just a bunch of handouts for that industry.

  I lost a lot of respect for Breaux when he (one of only two democrats) "crafted" the Medicare bill in the Senate.  I don't care if he thought it was the beginning of the Great Society II.  Any self-respecting legislator who allows the majority party to lock the other side out of the negotiations while writing bills into law like this should be impeached!

  That being said, I'm not sure what to think about his potential retirement.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but La. hasn't had a republican Senator since Reconstruction, but anyone who followed the Governor's race here knows, this state likes conservatives, both D and R.  That seat won't be a Dem. lock.

  I would like to add a little snippet to your examples above, Cory.  Unfortunately I don't know where to link to for the articles, but Tauzin has a large hunting camp somewhere down here where he treats his lobbyist "friends" to hunting trips.  And if that's not enough, he's buying another one in Texas.

  by pauldean on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 10:45:40 AM PDT

  •  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

    i don't know if Louisianans like "conservative" politicians or that they just aren't being offered a choice. if there was a true populist class warrior type Dem promising to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and create jobs, wouldn't he/she have a chance? instead, you just get GOP-lite. i doubt ordinary louisiana citizens benefit much from the energy bill or the Medicare bill...Tuazin is a corporate whore masquerading as a human being, as Nader would say. the man disgusts me. i'm sure there's a reason why the state likes him. i have no idea why.

    by ihlin on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 11:40:04 AM PDT

  •  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

    Tauzin has a large hunting camp somewhere down here where he treats his lobbyist "friends" to hunting trips.  And if that's not enough, he's buying another one in Texas.

    I read about the one in South Texas a few months ago.  Lobbyists pay $2,000 each to hunt with Tauzin.  Tauzin said he didn't think there was anything inappropriate about this because at no time during the trips did they discuss anything having to do with legislation or business.  Sure, wink, wink.

    I fully expect him to take the MPAA job next year and all I can say is 'Good riddance!  One asshole money-whore down, only a few hundred more to go.'

    by Cory on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 12:08:20 PM PDT

•  Re: Ah, Louisiana Politicians

  /But he also said he is ready for a new legislative crusade. He has long talked about the need for universal health insurance coverage and proposes mandating that everyone own a policy, just as they are required to have car insurance./ That way, we can actually make it illegal to be too poor to afford the expensive policies of our pals the insurance industry! ... you're right. That's sickening.

  by April Follies on Mon Dec 01, 2003 at 01:22:56 PM PDT