Unfair play + a do-over = still sucks

A survey asked adults if a citizen were guilty of a crime without a smidgen of doubt, would they subject that person to be punished as lawfully appropriate? Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority answered yes.
The very same survey asked the same adults if that guilty citizen were themselves, would they want to get off on a technicality? Same number answered yes.
Which means what? If you aren't the one judged, it's easy to have morals? Or do we want the opportunity to beat the system?
I often think of those same survey answers when I confront a moral issue and I try to consider it as the person wronged and the person with the advantage but today I am having a tough time putting myself in the place of committee or leadership staffers that produced a loophole for themselves in the health care bill that would affect everyone but them. They wrote and influence the bills and laws but insured that they are not affected. That's one heck of an advantage. It is the very definition of hubris.
The Senate voted today to close the hidden loophole but it failed 43 - 56.
Here's a quote by Chuck Grassley (Republican of Iowa), “It’s only fair and logical that administration leaders and congressional staff, who fought so hard to overhaul of America’s health care system, experience it themselves. If the reforms are as good as promised, then they’ll know it first-hand. If there are problems, public officials will be in a position to really understand the problems, as they should.”

My still childlike sense of fair play is offended.

Good, good

That jack-hole racist Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell that I ranted about a couple weeks ago resigned today. Not quite as sweet as him getting booted but Governor Bobby Jindal commented that Bardwell's resignation is "long overdue".
See ya later, idgit.

A memory of a governor

Former Louisiana state governor Dave Treen died this week and I am reminded of meeting him at a function in the early 1980's. Louisiana was a Democrat stronghold and without a Republican governor since Reformation. Politically corrupt Democrat Edwin Edwards was limited to two consecutive terms thus forced to sit out one term before running again. Dave was the governor in the interim.

Dave Treen told this story

In his home parish (county to the rest of you people) Dave Treen and another man named Joe Boudreaux were the only two registered Republican voters. Joe Boudreaux was quite old, became ill and knew he would die soon. He summoned his last bit of energy and reported to the parish clerk of court to change his party affiliation to Democrat. Word soon got back to the last remaining Republican Dave Treen. Perplexed by the switch, Dave visited Joe Boudreaux at home, on his deathbed.

Dave asked if the party switch rumor was true. Boudreaux confirmed it.

"I don't just understand it, Joe. You have been a Republican since your very first vote. You believe in conservative government. And I know you worry about the future of Louisiana. And frankly, I wonder why. Have you had an epiphany? A change of heart? What has changed, Joe?"

"Aw, Dave, that's not it,"said Joe.

"But why? Tell me why you have been a staunch and outspoken Republican for over seventy years and now, for the last few days of your life here on earth, you want to be a Democrat?"

Joe took a labored breath and said, "Dave, it's simple. After I die, I still want to be able to vote."

The crowd laughed. We all had heard the stories of dead folks remaining on the voter register rolls and the signatures of deceased showing up on the election log books long after their funerals.

Dave served only one term as governor, continued to work for the Republican party but his greatest service to the Great State of Louisiana is when he urged all Republicans to vote for his nemesis "Slick Eddie" Edwin Edwards. White supremacist David Duke ran for governor against Edwards and was gaining ground. Voter discontent with the "Edwards machine", the state's backwards progress and just plain old racism allowed Duke to gain popularity. The polls showed a neck and neck race. National attention was focused on Louisiana. When Treen said that the state would be hurt more by Duke than Edwards, he was speaking volumes. Stickers soon appeared "Vote for the Crook", the crook was our former and future governor, Edwin Edwards. Duke lost the election.

Edwin finally got his just rewards. He was convicted of racketeering, sent to prison in 2002 and remains there today.

Rest in peace, Dave Treen.

New source of shame for Louisiana

Thank you, Tangipahoa Parish Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell, for perpetuating the Great State of Louisiana's tarnished image as idiots and bigots and fertile home for backward thinking. When you refused to marry an interracial couple, you revealed yourself to be the epitome of what is wrong of our state. And now, you announce "It's kind of hard to apologize for something that really and truly down in your heart you don't feel you've done wrong. I don't regret what I did and if it ever came up again, I'd have to do the same thing" and "I stand by my decision and it is my right not to marry an interracial couple."
Governor Jindal says it is a clear violation of constitutional rights and is calling for an investigation. Let's hope it is not politics as usual in this state and you are removed from your elected position, Mr. Bardwell.
Shame on you and anyone small enough to agree.

Negative ads? I love 'em!

Feeling ranty this week so am ready to slap the sunshine outta the next dolt that says they don't like "all those negative political ads". Me? I love 'em! The more negative, the better. If the opposing candidate sodomized 4 neighborhood children, cheated on his taxes or stole a pack of gum, I wanna hear about it. It's better than reality TV, it IS reality TV. MY candidate needs to have the cojones to call someone out and perform some trash talk. Call a spade a spade. I have no respect for an above the board election, in fact, those who do not "stoop" to street fight tactics make me think them weak and have something to hide.
Sling the shit, pal. I'm watching.