Breaking: William Jefferson wins re-election
posted at 1:20 am on December 10, 2006 by Ian
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Here comes the Corruptocrat congress:
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson easily defeated his fellow Democratic opponent in Saturday’s runoff, despite an ongoing federal bribery investigation.
With 44 percent of the precincts reporting, Jefferson, Louisiana’s first black congressman since Reconstruction, led with 61 percent of the vote over state Rep. Karen Carter, who had 39 percent.
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Ropera on December 10, 2006 at 1:22 AM
It will make his pending indictment just that much sweeter..!
HadaAbeche on December 10, 2006 at 1:24 AM
didn’t Pelosi say that she wanted to run an ethical congress? hmm… looks like that’s not going to happen
Starblazer on December 10, 2006 at 1:25 AM
Look at the bright side,he is one that we can watch more closely because he got caught with his hand in the till.It’s the ones that are too slick to get caught ( cough,Hillary.cough) that we need to be more concerned with
bbz123 on December 10, 2006 at 1:27 AM
Only republicans resign in disgrace. Democrats are expected to be immoral, so no one is surprised, shocked or even concerned when they live up to it. Kind of like terrorists, only Israel is held accountable for a mistake, but Pali’s and Hizb’Allah can lob missiles at school children and the world community yawns.
JustTruth101 on December 10, 2006 at 1:32 AM
Alcee Hastings-Impeached
Marion Barry-Smoked crack with a hooke
r
William Jefferson-Caught redhanded with bribe money
The guy that actually had sex with a 17 year old page
Ted Kennedy-Flees a crime seen and leaves a girl to die
Patrick Kennedy-Gets tanked and runs into a car then enters rehab, I’m betting he gets reelected.
Congress womans son slashes tires and she praises his actions…
What exactly can a Democrat do to not get reelected? Seriously this is ridiculous…
Theworldisnotenough on December 10, 2006 at 1:33 AM
If Pelosi is really serious (ha!) she would refuse to seat him. I won’t hold my breath.
SouthernGent on December 10, 2006 at 1:33 AM
What is even more ridiculous is that I’m commenting at 10:34 on a Saturday night…
Theworldisnotenough on December 10, 2006 at 1:34 AM
Un Fu#*ing believable!
R D on December 10, 2006 at 1:42 AM
The majority of the American black culture does not hold their leaders to any sort of moral standard; we saw that with Mayor Barry in DC and now this crook Jefferson…money in the freezer for God’s sake…
What is worse is the future generation of blacks will look at these immoral guys as their role models and ignore the good role models like Mr. Cosby and Mr. Powell…
Sad to say but the future of black American looks very bleak…
IntheNet on December 10, 2006 at 1:43 AM
How is it that Democrats can whine about corruption within the Republican party and see those leaders thrown out, but when a Democrat is corrupt, he gets a return trip to D.C.?
CR UVa on December 10, 2006 at 1:56 AM
Well, another example of the Dims do what we say not as we do. I don’t understand why Republicans are always held to some higher level than the Dims. I guess the country is supposed to accept the fact that the Dims are crooks anyway and we know what we’re getting. It never ceases to amaze me.
Catie96706 on December 10, 2006 at 2:02 AM
I think you said it all right there Catie.
R D on December 10, 2006 at 2:13 AM
This is a major victory for the money-stuffed freezer industry.
ReubenJCogburn on December 10, 2006 at 2:29 AM
Una momento – Barry got reelected TWICE and arrested sevral times since- Ted (hiccup) Kennedy has been reelected too many times, the recently elected Congressman from NJ is all mobbed up and under investigation, the new mayor of Baltimore has been under investigation and as President of the City Council she has been accused of many ethical crimes, Clinton was reelected and his public definition of sex has rewritten the moral code for adolescent sexual or non sexual activities – (best thing that ever happened to middle school boys).– the Dems are not held to a lower moral standard – they rewrite morals as they go. (If Malveaux can do it so can I).
“Bitch made me do it”
“I did not have sexual relations..”
“:I have no idea how that money got in my freezer – must have been Rove.”
I bet Pelosi nominates Jefferson to Chair the House Appropriations Committee.
iam7545 on December 10, 2006 at 2:41 AM
Please remind me how imperative it is that we continue to helicopter in bales and pallets of $100 bills to rebuild a below-sea-level city which is situated in hurricane alley – from which anyone with a brain has departed.
Never mind. William Jefferson’s gonna Git ‘Er Done.
Stephen M on December 10, 2006 at 3:00 AM
Don’t hold your breath. The House will do nothing to him unless he’s convicted of a crime and I’ve seen no willingness to prosecute Democrats by the Justice Department (wonder why?). Nancy Pelosi will keep this as low on the radar screen as possible and the compliant MSM will allow her to do so.
What will ultimately rectify the situation is the gradual inroads that the GOP is making in Louisiana.
Arnold
prairiemain on December 10, 2006 at 3:00 AM
Culture of corruption! George Bush doesn’t care about black people! Dogs and cats living together!
Complete anarchy!
quax1 on December 10, 2006 at 3:09 AM
I freaked out when I saw the headline. what just happened tells a lot
They can’t even elect qualified leaders like Michael Steele.
This might be a new model now. Mr Congressman, you took the bribe. Actually, it is in my freezer. Good one, you know the law.
Ouabam on December 10, 2006 at 3:28 AM
Martin Luther King Jr, 1963
Democrat Party, 2006
What’s that you say? You’ve got William Jefferson in your name and you’ve been accused of committing a crime? A thousand pardons sir, no waiting is necessary, proceed to the front of the line and we’ll have you seated right away.
What’s that Billy Jeff? You’re not black, but you were self-annointed our first black president? Hell man, that’s gold, just keep up the facade and move along.
Sigh.
fogw on December 10, 2006 at 3:56 AM
I agree with this quote, via CNN.com:
So true.
and then there’s this:
So crazy.
MayBee on December 10, 2006 at 4:08 AM
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
Somebody remind me why we’re in this handbasket and where we’re going?
And why Firefox’s spell checker doesn’t know what a handbasket is?
Merovign on December 10, 2006 at 4:32 AM
I’m not sure how many of you are from Nawlins, but both candidates are corrupt politicians. This vote was largely a vote to see if Jefferson gets convicted and booted out of congress. There were a number of well qualified candidates during the November elections, it’s just that there were too many of them on the ballot (no organization).
http://www.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=11070636
jrv2kgts on December 10, 2006 at 4:41 AM
I predict that the next two years will see corruption the scope of which will boggle the mind.
I also predict that the MSM won’t give it a tenth of the coverage they gave to the Foley mess.
Ellen on December 10, 2006 at 4:42 AM
Louisiana is nothing more than a corrupt banana republic. The Democrats idea of government there is he may be a scoundrel but he is my scoundrel.
Theseus on December 10, 2006 at 7:10 AM
I think (with the election of another overtly corrupt politician) the dhimmicrats have just handed the weak republicans the key to winning the 2008 elections. The question is whether or not the weak republicans have the strength to use the key. I won’t hold my breath.
Zorro on December 10, 2006 at 7:41 AM
PS – The Ghostbuster reference is great! Still laughing.
Zorro on December 10, 2006 at 7:44 AM
Sometimes I simply can’t believe this poor sick-ass society we live in.
rplat on December 10, 2006 at 8:04 AM
Dems are incapable of disgrace as both Billy Jeffs have now shown.
Valiant on December 10, 2006 at 8:07 AM
to quote the leader of the 101 airbourne at Bastogne
“”"”"”"”"”"NUTS”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"
robo on December 10, 2006 at 8:48 AM
The left stands behind anyone who can be bought. Who, again, was it with that “culture of corruption” thing, hmm?
Jefferson’s district is just one big OJ Simpson jury.
Nice to see diversity working so well.
The new America. The clock is ticking.
doingwhatican on December 10, 2006 at 8:50 AM
I guess now we can call Katrina what it really was…a good start.
James on December 10, 2006 at 8:58 AM
The cult of personality PREVAILS!
Ray Nagin, Marion Barry…
IGNORANT LIBERALISM IS A CANCER EATING THE BODY OF AMERICA.
seejanemom on December 10, 2006 at 9:31 AM
Scratching the surface:
The real thing people need to consider, outside of the fact that disgraced Democrats don’t resign, is that there are people reelecting them! It’s not just that they keep running, there are enough idiots in this country that reelect these people. Who reelects a guy with $90 effing thousand in his freezer!? Americans, that’s who. I just want to give up, who’s with me? I mean, how in the hell do you fight this crap?
RightWinged on December 10, 2006 at 9:42 AM
…too bad that this distinction belongs to an amoral hood.
Chocolate City strikes again. We have to sink money down a rat-hole to rebuild it, and what do we get in return? The return of a black Huey Long, complete with dee-duct box…er…dee-duct appliance.
Some people need to have their franchise suspended until they grow up…either that, or Hastert and his cronies needed to rush this clown to prosecution…half a dozen of the other.
Puritan1648 on December 10, 2006 at 9:47 AM
C’mon, at least he is following through with the people who bought his votes .He obviously has more to fear from them than his Dem buddies.
bbz123 on December 10, 2006 at 9:49 AM
ouch.
pullingmyhairout on December 10, 2006 at 10:03 AM
Michael Richards was unavailable for comment
Wade on December 10, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Hey, we actually had a govonor Re-Elected here that ran on the platform of “Vote for the Crook” (Edwin Edwards)
Sigh
lsutiger on December 10, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Strange. I’m so used to hearing the tag “Democrat…Louisiana” after his name that these posts threw me off a bit.
Coronagold on December 10, 2006 at 10:17 AM
Ditto
Wade on December 10, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Does anyone remember that video of Jefferson in the immediate aftermath of Katrina? This would be a good time to dig that one out and start showing it again to remind people of what the Dems have re-elected.
If I remember right, the video showed Jefferson diverting a team of rescuers from saving people so he could get some papers out of his house.
He was under investigation at the time. I wonder what was so important about those papers.
How about it Allah and Ian? I’d like to see that video again.
juliesa on December 10, 2006 at 10:47 AM
First they re-elect Nagin, now Jefferson. If it were up to me, New Orleans wouldn’t receive another penny from the Feds.
student on December 10, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Sorry, but in my cynicism….
“You can fool all of the people, some of the time… and some of the people all of the time… but with election turnouts of 60% tops, all you need is 30% (or less) of the STUPIDEST people to vote for you, and you can be a proffesional politician.
And by DEFINITION, 50% of the human population is of below average intelligence.”
The downfall of Democracy… one our Founding Fathers recognized, and we legislated straight into existance.
Romeo13 on December 10, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Wow just Wow.
Republicans who become corrupt and get caught face jailtime and 24/7 news spotlight. Democrats who become corrupt and get caught get re-elected and their sins are totally forgotten.
wow. I’m sad for our country.
hoosierken on December 10, 2006 at 11:00 AM
I voted for the crook – since the alternative was David Duke – but really, Carter would not have been that much of an improvement over Jefferson. She just hasn’t been caught yet. Any many people voted for Nagin because they didn’t want Mary “Bring Out Your Dead” Landreiu’s little brother in the mayor’s seat. We’ve had about enough of the Cajun Kennedys. The root problem here is that we generally have really sucky choices to vote for – we need better candidates. (I live in Bobby Jindal’s district, so I couldn’t vote in the runoff. And Jindal is great, so far.)
Still, this way, the GOP can get more mileage out of the situation, so this is actually a pretty good development. Just my 2 cents…
Laura on December 10, 2006 at 11:01 AM
First line of the Reuters story on this:
I officially no longer feel sorry for the people of New Orleans. Reelecting Nagin was bad enough, but reelecting Jefferson is outrageous! If and when another Katrina happens there, they will be completely shocked and surprised again when their elected leaders act like a bunch of unqualified, corrupt, idiotic buffoons. Again. Won’t matter–they’ll get away with blaming the entire thing on the federal government again, I’m sure.
I can’t believe the Malkins of these people to even run again–they should have crawled into deep, dark caves in utter shame after what they allowed to happen there.
aero on December 10, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Except for McCain…but then again, he’s the Democrats’ favorite Republican.
Perchant on December 10, 2006 at 11:07 AM
I guess this means that O.J. could win a seat
if he ran for office in Louisiana. The bigger this
offense, the better the reward FOR THE CRIMINAL.
Texyank on December 10, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Until the people of Louisiana help themselves by electing responsible politicians, unlike Nagin, Blanco and Jefferson, there is no need for them to solicit me for a post Katrina donation.
When they start helping themselves, I see no reason to assist them either.
voiceofreason on December 10, 2006 at 11:34 AM
The democrats voted back in another corrupt leader? >>gasp
One Angry Christian on December 10, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Thank you. I agree entirely.
thegreatbeast on December 10, 2006 at 12:10 PM
I agree with you voiceofreason!! No more money or assistance!! But didn’t they bring in illegal immigrants to work because nobody there would actually work to help themselves??
ChrisIansNana on December 10, 2006 at 12:11 PM
Note to Louisiana:
Never ask me for anything again.
WisCon on December 10, 2006 at 12:13 PM
Ditto on that.
One Angry Christian on December 10, 2006 at 12:16 PM
I’ll chime in third. Nothing for Louisiana from me till they clean up the corruption.
Ellen on December 10, 2006 at 12:21 PM
They get the “leadership” they deserve.
Too bad.
Lonevoice on December 10, 2006 at 12:29 PM
It really irked me that a lot of people in louisanna yelled for help but didn’t get off thier butt themselves. I was going to say “The Lord helps those who help themsevlves” but I don’t think that taking $90,000 was what God meant by that.
ChrisIansNana on December 10, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Even Kanye West was unavailable too.
Ouabam on December 10, 2006 at 12:40 PM
“Whites, who overwhelmingly voted for Carter in the primary and have been her most enthusiastic financial backers, believed a Jefferson win would confirm this city’s image as corrupt and untrustworthy as it asks the nation to fund its recovery from Katrina.” – AP article.
Now, where the hell did they get that idea?
“We cannot afford to differ on the question of honesty if we expect our republic permanently to endure. Honesty is not so much a credit as an absolute prerequisite to efficient service to the public. Unless a man is honest, we have no right to keep him in public life; it matters not how brilliant his capacity.” -
Theodore Roosevelt.
The voters didn’t care about electing someone honest. They only want someone who can deliver welfare.
doingwhatican on December 10, 2006 at 12:44 PM
What is it with Louisiana? Nola re-elects Nagin, now this. I guess if you’re black it doesn’t matter how blatantly incompetent and/or corrupt you are.
infidel4life on December 10, 2006 at 12:49 PM
I feel so sad for the honest, hardworking people in New Orleans and Louisiana (I’m sure there are a few)–the dishonest and lazy ones are making them look so bad, and making it so that people in other parts of the country are less likely to help them the next time this happens.
A Katrina evacuee from New Orleans got a job working for the Texas nursing home in which my mother was living. One day, Mom’s wedding ring disappeared off her finger (she had an advanced Alzheimers-like dementia, so she wouldn’t have realized what was happening). Guess who stole it? Luckily, they recovered it from this horrible woman and got it back to my father, but that really shocked me. My father’s city offered this woman safe haven after Katrina, and she steals from helpless old people in return. She must have had to work hard to steal that ring, too, because it was on tight! Hadn’t come off in years because Mom’s fingers had gotten thicker. This woman came to represent most New Orleans evacuees to me, especially after all those reports about the sharply rising crime rates in Houston and other refuge cities, directly attributable to Katrina evacuees who never went home. Doesn’t make the people of Texas all that eager to extend a helping hand next time it happens, does it?
aero on December 10, 2006 at 12:50 PM
No, aero, it doesn’t. After digging so deeply into our pockets and opening our homes to them,; to have the people of NO spit in our faces and say things like “It’s just not enough.” (direct quote I saw on TV), and then re-electing nagin and jefferson… Well, I can’t speak for other Texans, but neither Louisiana nor NO will never get another dime from me. Ever.
And I was born in Louisiana.
techno_barbarian on December 10, 2006 at 1:25 PM
Ditto. I belong to a church that is sending $200,000 down there to help rebuild a church that was destroyed. Hope they keep close tabs on the project…
The vote is just the latest reminder that black Americans represent the single most racist, corrupt voter segment in America. Liberals will say congratulations, white America; look what you created. Hope that’s not true.
Jaibones on December 10, 2006 at 1:31 PM
The people of Louisiana need to learn that there are consequnces for actions.
It’d be nice if someone also mentioned that to the Justice Department.
Iblis on December 10, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Laura, who lives in Louisiana has some good thoughts that are more accurate than most. As for some other comments…Lemmings I tell you.
She has already decided to take him off the appropriations committee. Until there is a formal indictment there is not much more she can do. She didn’t appoint him to power or campaign for him.
Wonderful… more sage rhetoric that helps convince the voters who are black that the Republicans really are serious about inclusiveness…
Has your husband told you that there is a pretty fair representation of liberal democrats in the military? Are they cancers?
Pretty clear which part of the population you consider yourself in. But if you can’t spell… hmmm
“And Jesus said to the masses, yea I say unto you don’t expect charity unless you register with the republican party” (I must have missed this in the Bible I read)
Bradky on December 10, 2006 at 1:44 PM
I know this will be taken as racist comments, but honestly it’s not what’s intended. So here goes…….
People want to know why racial tensions still permiate across our nation after all these years.
As a white man, I have my opinions and some of them, I believe are caused by biggoted people who will never accept racial equality. So, there’s one strike against the white man!
However, if minorities (especially blacks) want to better race relations, then they have to be much more involved with an effort to engage themselves with white folks. “Why does he feel that blacks need to do ‘anything’ to gain acceptance,” you may ask. Simply because blacks are the minority, it’s that basic.
The idea that Rosa Parks, a lone minority, caused the advent of social acceptance of the black race, is ludicrous. What she brought to light was simply that the black race are god made humans, no less nor any better, than his white brother. Social acceptance, and thus parity, comes only after interaction between people (races)
and positive outcomes are the end result. Pushing one’s agenda down someone else’s throat won’t get it, and that is what many whites feel is happening in todays’s society.
Everyone of us has the freedom to pick and choose who they wish to become friendly with, and that includes people of different races. I have many black friends that I respect, some more than my white friends, but I don’t include in that circle those who think they can push their way to acceptance, in your face, like it or not. Kind of like what people in the gay community are attempting to do. Do your part, row your oar and all those other idioms and acceptance will come a lot easier.
Enough of this rant….I just wanted to explain where I’m coming from.
On to William Jefferson and his re-election. I find it unfathomable that this corruptible person could get a pass by his constituency and bring him back to Congress. I’m thinking, “What’s wrong with these people, why would they vote for a crook like this to represent them?” Knowing that his district is heavily populated by blacks, I assumed it was because he is one of them…a black man. But, his opponent is also black and a woman as well! So what could cause the populace to accept him and reject her? The only rationale I can come up with is that she is not black enough for them. Yes, that’s right, she is light skin and he is more in keeping with natural black tones.
I know this sounds ridiculous and racist, but how else do you explain it?
This goes back to my previous rant about in your face acceptance. “We’re re-electing this TRUE black man, even if it’s at the cost to one of our own, because he looks more like the majority of us.” Now if this is true, it’s not only a shame, but true ignorance, and it does nothing to help the cause of the black minority gain social acceptance with their white counter-part.
You may say, “Boy, this guy is out in left field with these kind of thoughts,” but I bet you there are millions of other folks, who also think along these lines as well.
gunter on December 10, 2006 at 2:00 PM
You also missed this. Do not use God’s name in Vain. I bet you did not graduate from college with this stupid logic. All republicans are christians.
When you take a statement out of context, it is not useful arguing it. The commenter said that the presence of Jefferson diminishes the uncorrupted image that Pelosi wants to portray. He did not say that Pelosi is responsible.
As an African American, I joined the republic not for acceptance, but for the good policies. If somebody would pay me millions of dollars to call me dumbass nigger, I would accept the money. The problem in this country is Blacks are angry because the civil movement is over. You can’t blame the police. We have black police chiefs. The first person who shot the guy in new york was a black officers. In the republican party, we are not interested in socializing our lives. We want the basic stuff: freedom from government.
This is a not place for you if you are concerned about spellings. We are not in kindergarten. We evaluate the ideas, not crap. I make spelling errors, too. And I will not tell you my education level.
I support the commenter’s statement except if you think Jean Francois Kerry was wrong.
Ouabam on December 10, 2006 at 2:20 PM
“
And Jesus said to the masses, yea I say unto you don’t expect charity unless you register with the republican party” (I must have missed this in the Bible I read)
Bradky on December 10, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Self-righteous and condescending much? Missed the part where we dug deep with charity and opened our homes, huh?
You’re welcome, btw.
techno_barbarian on December 10, 2006 at 2:38 PM
Also notice that I was speaking entirely for myself. Not anyone else. Am I not entitled to my own opinion?
techno_barbarian on December 10, 2006 at 2:45 PM
No more than I missed your righteous indignation that they didn’t vote the way you felt they should…
Bradky on December 10, 2006 at 2:46 PM
You missed the part where Jesus said to Jefferson “Don’t stuff your freezer with $90,000 of ill gotten money”. Righteous indignation is you trying to preach the bible to defend a thief.
Wade on December 10, 2006 at 2:56 PM
It wasn’t righteous indignation. They re-elected a total bumbling incompetent for mayor, and a criminal with a freezer full of ill-gotten gain as a representative.
But that’s ok with you because they voted dem, right? That’s all that matters with you, isn’t it? Power at any cost. Personally, I don’t care who they vote for. Not my state.
But I would like to think that Americans everywhere want good, competent leadership, regardless of party. Do you seriously consider nagin and jefferson to be good leadership? And I’ll add that airhead blanco to the list as well. In my opinion they have all gotten off scott-free.
techno_barbarian on December 10, 2006 at 3:16 PM
Righteous indignation is right to voice an opinion and stand by it. I bet you think that stealing is okay.
Ouabam on December 10, 2006 at 3:28 PM
iam7545, you’re right but I fixed it a little to highlight the guy’s multiple talents…
Entelechy on December 10, 2006 at 3:38 PM
Roger! Alpha Bravo of India(s)
Entelechy on December 10, 2006 at 3:50 PM
The name of the game is: Stick it the MAN.
That was the primary reason the Black Caucus was formed.
And, for their voters, they do it by continuing to live in the past, even though many of them are millionaires.
pocomoco on December 10, 2006 at 3:52 PM
(redo)
The name of the game is: Stick it to the MAN.
That was the primary reason the Black Caucus was formed.
And, for their voters, they do it by continuing to live in the past, even though many of them are millionaires.
pocomoco on December 10, 2006 at 3:55 PM
Hey Laura – try to get some perspective from the right side. That Jefferson was reelected is bad enough. The idea that the Dems did not force him to resign is proof that the Dems expect a higher level ethics on others – or a lower level of ethics on themselves.
Earlier in my professional career I had an experience that helped me understand this form of racism. I was working for a large printing company that did a tremendous amount of business with the federal gov’t. Naturally we were required to meet EEOC quotas for minority employee’s. Since not too many minorities were interested in the printing industry we had to dig deep. The minorities that were working for us knew that they were tokens as they were usually not qualified for their position – everyone else knew that they were tokens too. So naturally they would get away with substandard performance and flaunted it. Typical situation- we knew – they knew – we knew that they knew – we knew that they knew that we knew – on and on. The minorities were stuck and rarely advanced at a fast growing company. They resented management- management resented them – it was just a lovely example of brotherhood – What was accomplished???
We met our quotas – that was it!
Allowing criminals to run for election is the responsibility of the party. The excuse that his opponent was also a crook is pathetic. Who wins when people like Jefferson get reelected? NO ONE.
iam7545 on December 10, 2006 at 4:01 PM
Jefferson’s disctrict re-elected him for whatever reason. Not my call to judge him or Nagin or the people in NO. I just know in the overall bigpicture that this has got to stop not only in Louisiana but all across the country. This isn’t a black and white issue. To me it is a moral decay that seems to be on the increace and more and more people think it is acceptable. Results…voting like they have in the districts where a lot of the politicians are under scuntiny. WE all need to take a stand and speak out all across this country or we will be going right down in the same direction if we allow this kind of corruption to be allowed without and recourse for the decent people of this country who work hard, teach morality, teach good ethic’s, and all that our forefathers and relatives of our previous generations taught us. WE can make a difference, it is only a small percentage that is making the whole system to look like it is heading down the toilet. I know for one, I’ll not let it happen. Starting in my home, my town and my state. “Live Free or Die” is my state motto and I belive it covers a lot of ground and I for one am proud to take a stand. I hope there are many more out there across this great land of ours who are willing to do the same.
bones47 on December 10, 2006 at 4:19 PM
Ah, it’s good to see the dems I’ve come to know coming back to reality. Yes, Nancy, this is the most ethical congress I’ve ever seen…………..
ritethinker on December 10, 2006 at 4:19 PM
iam – hey, I’m not coming at this from the left; politically I’m pretty far right, actually. Just trying to make the best of a bad situation, and the truth is that almost everyone posting here doesn’t understand what just happened or why. I think it sucks that no one better made it to the runoff. But of the two that made it to the runoff, Jefferson wasn’t really much worse than Carter. And a big part of the reason Jefferson got re-elected was the support of my sheriff, Harry Lee (a Chinese guy), who is outspoken, conservative, and on the right side of most issues. Carter pissed off Harry Lee with her comments on Spike Lee’s documentary, basically saying that Lee’s deputies were racist for not letting people cross the bridge to the West Bank after Katrina. Lee defends his deputies – and his decision – and that got Jefferson back in office. The people in my parish, Jefferson Parish, got William Jefferson back in office, because they support their sheriff, who is ordinarily a good guy. Get it? This is way more complicated than y’all are getting. That’s all I’m saying I’m not saying I’m happy about Jefferson getting re-elected. Just that he’s only marginally worse than his competition, and I think all this vitriol is over the top. Nobody won here. New Orleans is corrupt. I don’t know how to fix it anymore. I keep voting the right way, and my side almost always loses. Jindal and Vitter are bright spots in otherwise bleak election cycles. I wish the Dems would clean house, but they’re not going to – why should they? So I hope the GOP rakes them over the coals for it.
Jai –
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for that. My church, Lakeview Christian Center, has been the recipient of a great deal of money, and if your church was part of that, then I promise the money is well spent – and my church is very accountable for it if anyone asks.
Laura on December 10, 2006 at 4:24 PM
Actually I was not happy to see either reelected and I’ve cast votes for Republicans much more than Democrats so your basic premise about me is incorrect. As Laura pointed out the choice between Nagin and Landreaux were not very optimal choices.
It is an undisputable fact that an overwhelming majority of blacks vote largely a straight democratic ticket. It is also true that at the local and state level many offices are being filled by representatives who happen to be black. In my mind this is a really good thing because it means there is an active interest in the political process among this community. It is not surprising that many still stay loyal to the ticket but over time this can change.
But ONLY if those encouraging them to consider conservative viewpoints can avoid the hurtful rhetoric and stick to civil dialogue and reasoning. You based your opinion on the comments of a handful of people you saw interviewed.
Fair or not many democrats (of any color/gender) will say “see there is that intolerance and broadbrush stroke we keep pointing out”.
You are arguing with me on an ideology we probably have similar basic opinions on – I’m arguing about tactics.
Bradky on December 10, 2006 at 4:46 PM
As far as I’m concerned the Dems can keep the black vote!
sonnyspats1 on December 10, 2006 at 4:52 PM
Michael Richards was unavailable for comment
Wade on December 10, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Now you crazy! LOL
sonnyspats1 on December 10, 2006 at 4:59 PM
Laura is right: this is more complicated than just the result of a single bad decision. Just as the levee failures required 35 to 40 years of mismanagement, so the toxic political culture in Orleans Parish and much of southern Louisiana has taken decades to produce. Trace it all the way back to Governor Leche, if you like, eighty years ago, for the first obvious symptom.
Orleans runs on Mediterranean-style patronage. People expect government to hold the answers to the big questions and to “take care of people.” People in office believe that “taking care” of people is their first obligation. If there is any hope of reforming that culture, it lies maybe in the effects of Katrina, which will keep shrinking the Orleans Parish tax base until the money to grease the patronage system runs too thin to support it. Maybe. That, and the better example of Jefferson, the Florida parishes, and the river parishes, where there seems to be a stand-up ethic these days, for the most part, and where people are making some money and getting on with their lives.
It will take more than money to change the patronage culture, and I hope that the revulsion that the rest of the country feels will turn off the big federal spigot, so that Orleans will have to sort itself out.
I’m disappointed in Harry Lee for supporting Dollar Bill, but he sometimes doesn’t act wisely with his political influence. He still runs a hell of a sheriff’s department, though, and God bless him for it. What a nightmare Jefferson Parish would be without him.
WanderinCam on December 10, 2006 at 5:02 PM
It should not be an inherent interest of any political party to favor a particular group. The question is not getting them into the party. The question is, “Do they ignore alternative choices in favor of a psychological problem–distrust for all republicans?” It might be like attending AA meetings when one does not accept the fact that one has a drinking problems.
We can’t give up our values just to prove that we are not racist. To restate what sonnyspats1 said, “As far as I’m concerned the Dems can keep the black vote!”
Ouabam on December 10, 2006 at 5:07 PM
WanderinCam – agreed. I think Harry Lee a) didn’t care he was handing the race to Jefferson because he is that mad at Carter or b) knew he was handing the race to Jefferson but also figures Jefferson will be indicted and convicted before too long – as soon as the Feds can get the rest of the info from Jefferson’s office out from under seal – and that somebody new will be appointed by Governor Blanco. Mitch Landrieu, maybe?
Either way, Harry Lee succeeded at screwing up Carter’s political career, in retaliation for her race-baiting over Katrina. And I’m not going to say he was wrong – it’s not like either candidate was great or really deserved the office. But I think it’s amusing as hell that largely white Jefferson Parish, at the behest of a Chinese guy, just managed to get the black folks in New Orleans blamed by the entire nation for supporting corruption on one of the rare occasions that they actually didn’t.
Laura on December 10, 2006 at 5:25 PM
Chalk it up as more proof that the majority of those who vote for Democrats are fools and Tools who don’t care about any issue just as long as they can feel good about themselves. Pass that crack pipe!
DannoJyd on December 10, 2006 at 5:25 PM
AP- it’s funny how my comments either take a year to post or don’t post at all, when I point out the hypocrisy or lies of whites but comments like this,
Are just fine with you…
For the record SONNY you’re a racist piece of shit.
Soothsayer on December 10, 2006 at 5:26 PM
There’s nothing funny about it, Soothsayer. Your comments keep landing in our moderation queue because you insist on using profanity and other “hot” words that fool our spam filter into thinking your messages are porn. We’ve been inundated with spam lately to the point where literally hundreds of comments are piled up and I don’t have time to pick through them to find out which are “real” comments and which are porn advertisements. So I zap them all. That’s why your comments are getting lost.
Stop using profanity and your comments won’t end up there. Simple as that.
I don’t care for the insinuation of racism, either. Your constant, relentless, shrieking belligerence is really working my nerves.
Allahpundit on December 10, 2006 at 5:41 PM
First of all MY nerves are worked by the racists on this site! SO get in line. Secondly what sweeping condemnations have you issued to the authors of such BLATANTLY RACIST POSTS LIKE THIS ONE?
Boy, there’s a patriot! OR THIS GEM where the death of thousands is heralded as a “BEGINNING”….
….
Maybe you should check what the people on your site are SAYING to find out if it’s RACIST before you dismiss someone for calling a Spade a SPADE. Did you threaten their future postings? Did such sentiments expressed on your site draw a swift rebuke from you? I think not. Every condemnation of me is made public even though you have my e-mail so I must assume that if you rebuked the racists I would have read it. The math is not that difficult, you know. I’m Shreiking and belligerant because I call a man a racist who says that blacks are stupid and voted for Jefferson because he’s DARK SKINNED? Not because, like those who elected Kennedy time and again, he’s brought home a lotta pork, but because he has dark skin? In a place where light skinned blacks have enjoyed favor for years? The man says that the whole black race is basically DOOMED because of Marion Barry and William Jefferson and I’M YOUR PROBLEM? I point out that RACE has NOTHING to do with this case except in the perceptions of a racist because no one bemoaned the Fall of White America when this country re-elected Ted Kennedy all those times or Bill Clinton, the second time? I point out that Oprah does shows on B.J. parties with twelve year old White girls, who derive permission for their filth from their parents support of Clinton and the assertion that “it isn’t sex, anyway” and how that never brought pronouncements of the Fall of White America and I’M THE PROBLEM? I realize that you don’t like my tone. Who cares? Speech is either free or it isn’t. But why is it that you fail to address the substance of what I’m saying. Like the time you ignored all of the posters who were in support of Mark Furhman, genocide wishing racist, and instead chose to chastise me for calling them what they were?
Thanks for the explanation though. Profanity while not necessary does sometimes make the point IMO, however I will refrain if this is the problem.
Soothsayer on December 10, 2006 at 6:22 PM
Y’know, exit polls after the midterms showed that the perceived Katrina debacle was still a factor in many voters’ minds all across the country. So, ironically, other Republican members of Congress in states nowhere near the gulf probably lost their seats at least in part due to the Katrina mess, while Louisiana politicians all seem to have been given their voters’ blessings and sent right back into office to make messes again another day. Disgraceful. Whoever said the federal spigot needs to be cut off in order to force Louisiana to clean up its act was right. If we keep feeding that monster money, it won’t change. The corrupt leaders are being rewarded for their bad behavior–why should they change?
aero on December 10, 2006 at 6:26 PM
The leaking of water in NO is nothing compared to the leaking of federal money into that cesspool of corruption and criminal behavior. If the state (La) and city of NO want to keep their useless leaders, let them do it without federal money and/or help. They are not grateful to the rest of the nation and are only critical of the very people who tried and continue to try to help. Hell with La. and NO. You are now free to fix the problems yourself.
Wade on December 10, 2006 at 6:42 PM
Calm down, Soothsayer.
Speaking for myself, I agree that idiocy is idiocy, regardless of race. It was idiotic of the voters of New Orleans to return Nagin and Jefferson to office, and it would have been idiotic regardless of the race of the voters or candidates involved. If there were no better candidates, then they should have figured out a way to boycott the election and demand new candidates. I don’t know how, but surely there’s a way for a constituency to just say no to unacceptable candidates. I have never been able to understand voters who can go out and keep voting for lawbreakers, incompetents, and sickos like William Jefferson, Teddy Kennedy, and Gerry Studds.
aero on December 10, 2006 at 6:44 PM
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