Ahmadinejad, Columbia University, And What Makes Me Proud To Be An American

mag·nan·i·mous (adjective) -

1.	generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.

2.	high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.

3.	proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.

Press accounts and commentary about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the United Nations and speaking engagement at Columbia University are plentiful. They range from the amusingly disapproving to downright disgusted. His comments were as insane as expected from the ironic, "Our people are the freest people in the world," to the utterly hilarious, "The freest women in the world are women in Iran."

However, it is not his philosophy, intelligence, or sanity, that I would like to expand upon, but to explore the level of civility and freedom extended by what is certainly the greatest country in the history of time. What nation over the course of time would have allowed, or even encouraged, a man who exhibits "all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator" opposed to every ideal it holds dear and even to its existence into its borders, much less to lecture at one of its most prestigious centers of learning? What nation would allow him to freely speak without even the threat of retribution or retaliation? What nation would humble itself to listen to his vitriolic and unfounded rantings?

The United States is not a leader because of it military or economic might. It is a beacon because it wants a better society not only for its own but even for those who smile at the thought of its extinction. Despite whatever our allies or enemies might say or believe, The United States of America has been and continues to be long suffering and just in its relationships and confrontations with the powerful and the weak.

Anger, disgust, and confusion are all legitimate feelings to harbor as we play host to a man who embraces hostility and abhors peace. However, I hope irony is not lost. A tyrant who criticizes the consequences of our open society has just enjoyed some of those freedoms we hold most close. I will not pretend that "understanding" and "compassion" will solve our problems with Iran, North Korea, or Al-Qaeda. We might very well need the sword and not the staff. What I do know is that these moments show ourselves and the world that carrying that sword is not a privilege but a burden. One that we bear with wisdom and patience.

We're Back!

We apologize for the absence. We have either been:

1. Out of the country
2. Awaken from a coma
   
3. Rescued by Jack Bauer
4. None of the above

Whatever reason we choose, it is too important to miss the next 30 days. Fear not, we are back just in time to guide you through the dark maze of Louisiana elections. Lock and load.

Your Second Cup

• High Court To Hear Cleo's Appeal (The Advocate) - The Louisiana Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider state Sen. Cleo Fields’ appeal of a lower court ruling prohibiting him from running for another term in the Legislature.
• Three Little Dwarves Don't Debate LRA and Stuff (The Advocate) - Three of the four leading candidates running for governor were noncommittal at a forum Monday on their plans for Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s Louisiana Recovery Authority.
• They Do However Complain That Bobby Won't Play With Them (Times-Pic) - Democrats Walter Boasso and Foster Campbell and John Georges, an independent, also took a few swipes at absentee front-runner Bobby Jindal during a debate hosted by the Press Club of Baton Rouge.
• Nevermind The Facts: Ahmmadinnejad Takes The Insanity On Tour (WaPost) -
  

  "For hundreds of years, we've lived in friendship and brotherhood with the people of Iraq," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the National Press Club yesterday.

  That's true -- as long as you don't count the little unpleasantness of the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, when a million people died, some by poison gas. And you'd also have to overlook 500 years of fighting during the Ottoman Empire.

  
  

Your Second Cup

• Jindal On Top (Times Pic) - A new statewide survey released yesterday points to a Jindal vistory in October. The poll released by Southern Media and Opinion Research, Inc. surveyed 600 likely voters statewide. The ballot test showed Congressman Jindal leading with 63 percent, followed by state Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi, with 14.3 percent, Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell with 4.4 percent, and Republican Metairie businessman John Georges with 1.3 percent.
• NOLA Councilman Pleads Guilty, Resigns (Times Pic) - New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a vendor looking to do business with the city.
• Blanco Can Be Called As Witness (The Advocate) - This is not good news for the Queen Bee. Despite Charlie Foti's best efforts, it appears as if Kathleen will have to give testimony about evacuation orders in light of 35 deaths at St. Rita's nursing home in St. Bernard Parish that flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Your Second Cup

• The 'Boy Genius' is jumping ship (AP) - Karl Rove plans to leave the White House at the end of August. Will he be joining another presidential team in time for next year's primaries? If so, which one?
• Romney wins 'empty' Iowa straw poll, Thompson withdraws (AP) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Sunday that low turnout and the absence of some notable opponents (McCain, Giuliani) shouldn't diminish his win in Iowa's Republican Party Straw Poll. Following a sixth place finish, former Wisconsin Governor, Tommy Thompson, announced Sunday he was withdrawing from the race.
• Democrats take part in 'gay' debate (AP) - Democrat presidential contenders faced pointed questions on gay marriage and the basis for sexual orientation in a forum sponsored by a gay-rights group and a gay-oriented cable TV channel. All of the Democratic candidates support a federal ban on anti-gay job discrimination, want to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gays from serving openly in the military and support civil unions that would extend marriage-like rights to same-sex couples.
• New Orleans councilman to enter plea on bribery charges (WWL) - City Council Vice-President Oliver Thomas was expected in federal court Monday to enter a plea on charges that he demanded payments from a parking lot vendor. Sources tell Eyewitness News that Thomas is expected to plead guilty and resign his council seat.
• Nursing home trial set to begin today (The Advocate) - The trial of Mabel and Salvador Mangano, owners of St. Rita’s nursing home, is expected to start today in St. Francisville with jury selection. The Manganos face 35 counts of negligent homicide and 24 counts of cruelty to the infirm.

Maria Landrieu Ama México

Mary Landrieu Votes Against Border Security
Democrat Senator Doesn't Believe Border Security Is Vital To Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night, Democrat Senator Mary Landrieu effectively told voters she doesn't think that our nation's border security is vital to our homeland security. Mary Landrieu voted to leave our borders unsecured by voting against an amendment that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to detain foreigners who overstay their visas, among other items.

The amendment, offered during debate on the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, would also have allowed state and local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws, a vital tool in the border security arsenal. (Roll Call Vote #277, HR 2638, 7/25/07)

"Instead of realizing that border security and homeland security are tied together to ensure the safety of our country, Mary Landrieu chose a dangerous position," NRSC Communications Director Rebecca Fisher said. "Louisiana voters should ask Mary Landrieu why she is taking an extreme position when it comes to the safety and security of our country."

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National Republican Senatorial Committee

The Air Wars Have Begun

Along with front runner Bobby Jindal, Gubernatorial hopeful John Georges has launched his television campaign. Georges has placed a $2 million dollar buy for statewide placement during the month of August. It has been reported that he has purchased upwards of 1800 points per week in certain markets. This is an extremely heavy buy especially this early in the race. Will the millionaire continue to burn this kind of gas?

For more on the ad blitzes check out John Hill's article.

Guiliani Seen As "Most Electable"

In a new ABC News-Washington Post poll, nearly half of the Republicans surveyed believed that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani presented their party's best chance of retaining the White House in 2008.

Giuliani also continues his lead in the nationwide poll as the choice of 37 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, followed by Arizona Sen. John McCain with 16 percent,and actor Fred Thompson with 15 percent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 8 percent.

Your Second Cup

• Odom Gets OK on Expo Proposal (The Advocate) - In yet another attempt to waste taxpayer dollars on a local boondoggle, embattled Ag Commissioner Bob Odom is looking to purchase the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Ascension Parish. A few of our favorite quotes:

It has never turned a profit, nor do the facility’s owners, the Lamar-Dixon Expo Foundation, expect the recreational area to make money, said Lori Brannon of Baton Rouge, a consultant with the foundation.

“Government is in the business of providing services not turning profits,” Hughes said.

“It’s a hell of a deal,” Odom said.

Oh yeah, this is only going to cost the taxpayers of Louisiana a paltry $8 million.

• Grand Jury Refuses to Indict Pou, Foti Angry, Defiant (Times-Pic) - Closing one of the most sensational chapters in post-Katrina New Orleans, Dr. Anna Pou said Tuesday that she fell to her knees and thanked God when she learned that a grand jury had refused to charge her with murdering patients in dark, fetid Memorial Medical Center in the nightmarish days after the hurricane struck on Aug. 29, 2005.
• Veto Session? Don't Count On It (Times-Pic) - Senate President Donald Hines, D-Bunkie, and House Speaker Joe Salter, D-Florien, said Tuesday they will be asking colleagues to vote against holding a legislative session to consider overriding Gov. Kathleen Blanco's veto of 14 bills and 10 items in the state's $30 billion operating budget. Both legislative leaders pointed out that many lawmakers will be out of town attending the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures, to be held this year in Boston Aug. 5-9, roughly the same week as the veto session.
• Choest Buys 25% Stake in NBA's Hornets (Business Week) - "I need somebody that has roots here, that has a business here, that has connections here, that's going to fight for it the same way I do, that's going to help me sell tickets," Shinn said of his new minority partner. "He's got a skin in the game now. He's going to do it. That's what we need to make this thing work. It's not just money." The deal is worth approximately $62 million.
  

Jindal Launches Television Campaign

Bobby Jindal's first television ad will begin its run tomorrow, July 25th. The commercial will air statewide in all markets.

War On Corruption

Bobby Jindal: “We’ve got a government that’s out of control. We’ve got a government that spends our money without any regard. We’re in the top five in having the most crooked politicians in America.

“We’re gonna change that.

“We can’t tolerate corruption. We can’t tolerate incompetence. The people that benefit from corruption, they’re going to fight change every step of the way.

“We can do better; we must do better; we will do better.”

Announcer: “Bobby Jindal.”

Cohen On Thompson: "He Just Plays A Straight Shooter"

Richard Cohen of the Washington Post has published an interesting read on the Presidential candidacies of Fred Thompson and John Edwards. He criticizes both for their willingness to, at best, sidestep the truth or, at worst, outright lie. He takes Thompson to task for lying (through a spokesperson) about his employment as a lobbyist for a family-planning organization and Edwards for his selective memory concerning his high dollar haircuts.

Edwards and Thompson have something in common: They both are all image. Neither has accomplished very much in public life. They are both ex-senators whose names are attached to no famous pieces of legislation. They have built no constituencies on the basis of their legislative records, and so they apparently feel they cannot afford to admit an inconsistency -- pro-choice lobbying by a proclaimed pro-lifer, or Euro-trashy indulgence by the proclaimed avatar of the poor.

The idea of Fred Dalton Thompson is far from the reality that seems to exist. As the launch of a Thompson candidacy seems imminent, the scrutiny will only increase. Will the record and character of this actor stand the spotlight, or is Thompson just not ready for prime-time?

Strain, Foti Lead Cash Race For Other Statewides

• Commissioner of Agriculture:

Michael Strain - 2Q Raised $220, 625; CoH $788,286
Wayne "Spider" Carter - 2Q Raised $25,475; CoH $682,526
Bob Odom - 2Q Raised $ 308,975; CoH $ 589,934

• Attorney General

Charles Foti - 2Q Raised $76,025; CoH $1,163,397
Royal Alexander - 2Q Raised $328,505; CoH $389,638

• Lt. Governor

Mitch Landrieu - 2Q Raised $98,595; CoH $417,068

• Secretary of State

Jay Dardenne - 2Q Raised $155,650; CoH $334,504

• Commissioner of Insurance

Jim Donelon - 2Q Raised $116,300; CoH $328,441

• State Treasurer

John Kennedy - 2Q Raised $227,800; CoH $2,001,397

Your Second Cup

• Jindal Holds Lead In Donor Dollars (Times-Pic) - For the second consecutive reporting period, Republican Bobby Jindal has proved himself the most prodigious money magnet among Louisiana's gubernatorial candidates.
• Jay Dardenne's Son Is A Slacker (WAFB) -
  Secretary of State Dardenne says, "He's an aspiring comedian, so he's living in Hollywood and doing standup comedy. So, it didn't surprise me that he was going to come up with something off the wall. I hope he gets the job."
• From the "If A Tree Falls In The Woods" Department (The Advocate) - Former Gov. Buddy Roemer endorsed John McCain for president Monday, saying the Republican U.S. senator is the candidate with the best leadership skills to oppose terrorism.

Journalism 101: Checking Your Sources

LANewslink.com and Louisiana Political News Service Exposed

Controversy has surrounded two websites posing as legitimate online news sources for Louisiana politics. Smalltime political hack and state government subsidy, Pat Bergeron, has been operating both "independent, non-partisan" websites while on the payroll for several candidates. Operation Red November has uncovered numerous occasions where Bergeron has taken campaign cash in order to present one-sided propaganda, promote unfounded rumors, or falsely attack politicians opposed to his benefactors. Since the inception of these websites, Bergeron has received cash from Mike Francis for Secretary of State ($60,000), Peggy Wilson for New Orleans Mayor ($20,000), and Wayne "Spider" Carter for Commissioner of Agriculture ($8,000 and counting...). What do they get for their cash? Bergeron has used his websites to stretch and distort the news in their favor (and secure a 3rd place finish for Francis and 8th place for Wilson).

This is not the first time Bergeron has been involved in alleged unethical or possibly illegal behavior. As a ward of the state during the Suzanne Haik Terrell administration, Bergeron was in charge of the overtime scandal in which her staff rang up more than 2,270 hours in overtime with 1,000 of those hours coming in the final 120 days of her tenure. As Terrell's Chief of Staff, he was directly responsible for a payroll that doled out an extra $87,000 in tax payer dollars during those final four months with almost $14,000 going into his own pocket. The Secretary of State Fox McKeithen said at the time, "The majority of [overtime pay] developed when they knew they were leaving," he said. "The appearance is horrible."

What's our axe to grind? OrN has recently discovered that various members of the news media have begun to, in our opinion, irresponsibly rely on these and like sites for story ideas, background, or information. Whether stemming from curiosity or sloth, the disturbing trend of relying on paid political hacks as "independent" sources for unbiased news must be exposed.

In the interest of full disclosure, OrN has an agenda - to investigate, expose, and eliminate pundits, posers, and political scumbags. We are neither bought, nor paid.

Flip-Flop Landrieu Strikes Again

Mary Landrieu Flip-Flops on Social Security for Illegal Aliens

Liberal Senator Tries to Cover Up Previous Vote with Election on the Horizon

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Democrat Senator Mary Landrieu is playing election year politics already. The latest? A flip-flop on banning Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants for work done while in the country illegally. Which vote should voters believe?

"Mary Landrieu tried to cover up her true position on this issue with her vote last night," NRSC Communications Director Rebecca Fisher said. "Voters must ask Landrieu why she supports giving Social Security benefits for work done while in the country illegally and why she felt it necessary to change her vote now. Is it a coincidence that it's an election year?"

Last night, Landrieu cast a vote that is in direct contrast to a vote she cast on the same issue last year:Landrieu voted FOR an amendment that would deny illegal immigrants the ability to claim Social Security benefits for work they completed while in the United States illegally. (CQ Senate Vote 263; HR 2669; 7/19/07)

But last year, she wouldn't even allow debate on outlawing social security benefits for work done while in this country illegally:Landrieu voted AGAINST bringing the SAME amendment to the floor for consideration. (CQ Senate Vote 130; S 2611; 5/18/06)

Does winning re-election come before doing what's right for our country for Mary Landrieu?

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National Republican Senatorial Committee

Poser of the Week, Part Deux

While normally we would name only one Poser of the Week, it just so happens that Brendan McCarthy of the Times-Picayune had a sidekick while writing his excuse for an article in last Friday’s paper. So, just as Batman had Robin and Tom Cruise had Rain Man, we present Kate Moran of the Times-Picayune as our other Poser of the Week. Kate also deserves a share of the title because she, along with most of her peers in the industry, poses as an unbiased journalist.

Kate hails from Short Hills, NJ. For those of you not familiar with Short Hills, it’s a swanky New York City suburb with a cool $200,000 a year average household income. Be that as it may, this trust-fund baby, like a typical journalist, would like you to believe she doesn’t have any political viewpoints and writes as a straight-shooter. To prove that, Kate has proclaimed to the world that she is a friend of Hillary Clinton and that she doesn’t believe in God. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with loving Hillary more than God, other than the fact that she’s probably going to Hell, it’s hardly surprising she would co-author an attack piece on a Republican Senator who has a strong faith, taking the word of two hookers with contradicting stories over U.S. Attorney Jim Letten and defense attorney Vinnie Mosca, both of whom have said David Vitter never visited the Canal Street Brothel. Two pieces of advice, Kate:

1. When the prosecution and the defense in a case agree on something, it’s probably true.
2. Don’t put your political views out on the internet if you want people to believe you have no agenda.

So Kate, why don’t you take I-95 back up to Jersey and if you really care about this state, quit your job and have daddy write a check to charity. Don’t forget ya toll-tag for da Turnpike.

Jindal Remains In Control

Citing an internal poll released from his campaign, State Sen. Walter Boasso said "people know that there’s going to be a governor’s race." So, you spent $1.3 million in television ads to let people know that there will be an election this fall? Boasso boasted that his message was beginning to resonate with voters and pointed to his rise from 6 points in May to 21 points in July. At a little under $100,000 per point, another $3 million should be able to buy this thing, right?

The only question released was, "If the October election for governor were held today and the candidates were — Walter Boasso, a Democrat, Foster Campbell, a Democrat, Bobby Jindal, a Republican, and John Georges, a Republican, for whom would you vote?"

Boasso 21%
Campbell 6%
Jindal 52%
Georges 1%
Undecided 21%

Although we do trust the end result (Anzalone-Liszt is a reputable Dem operation), the question above is actually the least important in what was probably a 30-question survey. At this stage, it is more important to know things like name saturation, image (positive vs. negative), and voter intensity (lean, likely, definite).

Our educated guess is that Boasso's newfound support puts his name recognition at no more than 60% statewide with a very low intensity. Because he has chosen to end his early media buy, the support shown in this survey will soon evaporate. He has shown that he is willing to pour whatever it takes into a solid second place finish.

Jindal, on the other hand, is a known commodity. With a statewide name recognition that hovers in the 95% range and a intense base (41% definite Jindal when polled against Breaux this spring), Bobby is positioned well to win outright in October. Although two other self-financed candidates have promised to break the bank, Jindal has matched them with a 2Q total that "has reached their goals" and is rumored to be in the $10 million range. A war chest of that size will launch a campaign the likes Louisiana has never seen (Vitter only raised $7.8 million in 2004).

The race begins after Labor Day, however for all intents and purposes, this one is already over. OrN makes the bold July prediction - Professor Plum in the Kitchen with the Rope, make that Jindal in the Primary with 54%.

Poser of the Week: Brendan McCarthy, Times-Picayune

McCarthy’s gossip column in Friday’s Times-Picayune attempting to connect Senator Vitter with Wendy “If That Even Is My Real Name” Cortez was praised by the journalism community.

“Brendan makes fiction come alive as if it were reality,” commented David Perel, editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer.

“The Times-Picayune is fortunate to have Brendan on staff. I strive to incorporate his style into my writing more and more each day,” said Jayson Blair, formerly of the New York Times.

Of course, like most of McCarthy’s writings, a few of the above quotes are a tad on the ridiculous side. Even more ridiculous is the Times-Picayune’s decision to print a convicted criminal’s allegations as front-page fact on a Wednesday and then on Friday bury her contradictory statement in one line at the end of another piece. What was so conveniently buried in McCarthy’s gossip rag?

“Meier, the madam, said the photo was not the woman she knew as Wendy Cortez.”

Do what?! So, this is the woman that Meier is certain was involved in a relationship with Vitter but can’t pick her from a known photograph much less a line-up? Cortez’s “boyfriend” also confesses that he, in fact, saw pictures of Cortez with a “dark-haired, city slicker” which must have been Vitter, right? What proof does he hold? Oh, that's right, the pictures were burned. Questionable sources. Questionable reporting. Questionable editing. I wipe better journalism on my toilet paper every morning.

Brendan, we suggest spending a little less time in the bottle at the bowling alley and a little more time interviewing people with one last name. In time, you might churn out something newsworthy.

Landrieu: Iraq War Policy "Misguided"

From Poltico.com,

Landrieu introduces amendment to find Osama

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) introduced an amendment to the defense authorization bill today to the "foremost objective of the U.S. government...is to capture or kill Osama bin Laden" and to dismantle the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

The amendment would move troops from Iraq to Afghanistan to hunt for Bin Laden, authorize $3.6 billion for counter-terrorism programs in the region and re-activate a CIA unit dedicated solely to hunting down Bin Laden.

The move comes on the same day a new National Intelligence Estimate said that Al Qaeda is intensifying its efforts to place operatives inside the United States.

Landrieu said "misguided" Iraq war policy has distracted the military from catching Bin Laden, who should be the top priority.

"It has been 2,136 days since [Sept. 11] and Osama bin Laden is still at large," Landrieu said.

"A fish rots from the head, and we have been spending the last five years or more chasing the tail," she said of the fight against Al Qaeda.

Pollster: "Wendy Vitter Hit A Home Run"

From Fox Radio News 99.5:

Reviewing the performances of Senator David Vitter and his wife, Wendy, as they emerged from seclusion one week after Vitter acknowledged that his phone number appeared on the billing records of a Washington D.C. escort service, Pinsonat says Mrs. Vitter "hit a home run" for her husband and that she was "a great help to him."