Nice Headline: Jindal to take money he said was wasteful (but forget about the unemployed.)

Great work, Govnor!

Louisiana to seek New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger rail line from federal stimulus pot that Jindal called wasteful - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's transportation department plans to request federal dollars for a New Orleans to Baton Rouge passenger rail service from the same pot of railroad money in the president's economic stimulus package that Gov. Bobby Jindal criticized as unnecessary pork on national television Tuesday night.

The high-speed rail line, a topic of discussion for years, would require $110 million to upgrade existing freight lines and terminals to handle a passenger train operation, said Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

If you're gonna pick a pork barrel project, maybe monitoring volcanoes is not a good choice. Jindal drops the ball!

Hurricane Katrina: All Washington's Fault - The Plank

One more laff line from Jindal's speech:

Why Jindal won't get the GOP Nomination.

National Journal Online - Jindal Has To Reckon With 2011, Not 2012

To be sure, Jindal isn't the first politician to let his name be floated for an office he doesn't plan to seek. What's more curious is the apparent willingness of Republicans to help him raise his profile and solidify his image as a GOP savior, all the while knowing there's no chance he'll be their next nominee. Doing so diminishes other prospective luminaries and sets activists up for disappointment when Jindal doesn't run.

Les't unemploy Jindal and see how he likes it.

2theadvocate.com | News | Landrieu: Jindal wrong on funds — Baton Rouge, LA

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said in a telephone conference call that Jindal needs to choose whether to represent the state of Louisiana or be the spokesman for the national Republican Party, which has been critical of the spending package pushed by President Barack Obama and passed largely on the votes of Democrats in the U.S. Congress.

Jindal and Palin. The "...in" crowd.

Key Republican Governors Like Palin Oppose the Obama Stimulus Package - Robert Schlesinger (usnews.com)

In terms of presidential politics, the most notable name in the Times piece is Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned with Obama for the stimulus package last week. Glaringly absent from the Times piece were governors like South Carolina's Mark Sanford, Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, Mississippi's Haley Barbour and Alaska's Sarah Palin—all governors recently named in the Washington Post's excellent "The Fix" column as being among the five most influential and powerful voices in the Republican Party (the other person named was former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney). Palin and Jindal are often named as contenders in 2012, and Barbour gave 2008 a long look before passing on it. Sanford is chairman of the Republican Governor's Association.

None of these sitting governors liked the stimulus package.

Go ahead, Bobby, make my day.

Good article -- this is part of what Jindal is thinking of turning down.

ISS - KROMM REPORT: Will Jindal really turn down federal money for Louisiana?

The state's $3.8 billion share of the federal stimulus -- while a far cry from the full-scale Gulf Civic Works program many advocated -- would still be a welcome boost to many. It includes:

* $1.7 billion for the state's troubled Medicaid program

* $587 million for public education -- especially important in places like New Orleans, where school enrollment is still down 23% since Katrina [pdf]

* $455 million for road and bridge repair

* $130 million in flexible dollars to help offset budget cuts

Well, Darn it, he IS!

Katie Couric Paints Gov. Jindal, State of Louisiana As Foes of 'Scientific Community' | NewsBusters.org

Well, the saints might go marching into New Orleans, but the scientists are marching right on out. A group of more than two thousand biologists have decided NOT to hold their 2011 annual meeting in the Big Easy," "Evening News" anchor Katie Couric noted at the open of her February 18 video blog entry.

Couric proceeded to turn a biologists convention's PR stunt into evidence that Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) is an enemy of the "scientific community.":

The reason? Louisiana has a law that allows teachers to use supplemental materials in science class - things other than the state approved curriculum. Republican-up-and-comer Bobby Jindal signed it last summer after it passed the state legislature with overwhelming support.

The scientific community says the law is nothing more than a free pass for the teaching of creationism, and that religion has no place in a biology class.

The writer is a conservative, and call's Couric's piece "biased." But the biologists are staying away from N.O. because of Jindal. Thanks, governor. If you're going to run for President at Louisiana's expense, why not just resign? I for one would be glad to contribute to your foredoomed campaign if you did.

OH, PLEASE Bobby. Please turn the money down.

GOP Governors Consider Turning Down Stimulus Money

.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the No. 3 House Democrat, said the governors _ some of whom are said to be eyeing White House bids in 2012 _ are putting their own interests first.

"No community or constituent should be denied recovery assistance due to their governor's political ideology or political aspirations," Clyburn said Wednesday.

In fact, governors who reject some of the stimulus aid may find themselves overridden by their own legislatures because of language Clyburn included in the bill that allows lawmakers to accept the federal money even if their governors object.

He inserted the provision based on the early and vocal opposition to the stimulus plan by South Carolina's Republican governor, Mark Sanford. But it also means governors like Sanford and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal _ a GOP up-and-comer often mentioned as a potential 2012 presidential candidate _ can burnish their conservative credentials, knowing all the while that their legislatures can accept the money anyway.

Jindal said he, like Perry and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, is concerned about strings attached to the money even though his state faces a $1.7 billion budget shortfall next year.

Woo hoo! High speed rail for Louisiana in $8 billion appropriation in stimulus bill.

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION : PASSENGER RAIL

Is Brownie still in charge?

$3.9B in hurricane aid still unspent - USATODAY.com

Nearly 3½ years after those storms hit, new FEMA accounting reports show two-thirds of the money to pay for permanent rebuilding work still has not been spent, the latest bottleneck in a recovery long beset by criticism that it has been too slow and inefficient. And despite a handful of high-profile successes, officials who had vowed to speed up the pace of repairs concede it is still going far more slowly than it should.

If the government spends the stimulus money at this rate, we'll all be dead before we see a dime.

Man, these fiscal conservatives free-marketers, and tax-cutters sure are good for Louisiana.

2theadvocate.com | News | Senate’s stimulus bill stripped of school money — Baton Rouge, LA

Whether public schools in Baton Rouge and elsewhere will land a windfall of federal construction dollars was unclear Tuesday after the U.S. Senate passed its own economic package minus any such funds.

Louisiana would get $297 million over two years for public school renovation under an $819 billion bill passed by the House on Jan. 28.

Well it's ABOUT time!!!

2theadvocate.com | News | Sen. Mount urges look at funding issues — Baton Rouge, LA

It’s time for the state to review a practice that routinely exposes health care and higher education to the budget ax, the chairwoman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee said Tuesday.

One billion cut from La. stimulus -- by . . . guess who? Would it be that man in diapers?

2theadvocate.com | News | Senate cuts $1 billion for La. from House stimulus version — Baton Rouge, LA

Money to help the state with its sagging budget was also cut in half. Louisiana, which faces $1.2 billion in reduced revenue beginning in July, will receive $465 million, down from the $945 million under the initial U.S. Senate version.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., voted in favor of the package while U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., opposed it. Landrieu joined a coalition of moderate Senate Democrats and Republicans last week in crafting the new $838 billion plan.

Jindal: Fiddling while Rome burns? Or just leaving town?

From the Ind


As an unprecedented $2 billion shortfall eats away at health care and higher education while state government braces for lockdown, Gov. Bobby Jindal has found a new way to address tough challenges — hitting the road. It’s a sad day when, as Rome burns, the only thing you see of the emperor is his derriere as he high-tails it out of town, but such is the case.

It's worth reading the whole thing. Jindal is traveling so much he has no time to govern.

When Crouere gets after Jindal, you know he's got trouble.

Some choice words for the Governor.

Finally, someone is beginning to point out that this emperor has no clothes. But, please, Jeff, go back and look at Bobby's previous record.  He has always been running for something, and never sitting still to do his job.

Jumping Jindal: Hops, Skips From Louisiana

Blanco was a stay at home mom compared to our current Governor. Bobby Jindal is a whirlwind of travel plans, a dream come true for his travel agent.
. . . . . .


He is constantly traveling, promoting the great job he is doing, while at the same time, positioning himself for a possible run for President.
. . . . . . .

. . . . . .
Governor Jindal, what about worrying more about fixing the state before fixing the nation and the world?. . . For one, the state could be facing a budget deficit of $2 billion next year. In a budget that has tripled in the last 12 years, there are plenty of areas to cut, but hard decisions need to be made and it will take leadership to follow through on these difficult decisions.



The last time I checked, our healthcare, education, and infrastructure ratings were at the bottom of the list. In a recent ranking, Louisiana led the nation in outward migration, being one of only two states to show a net decline in population. . . . Our eroding coastline has not been repaired and the flood protection upgrades are still not completed to protect our citizens from a hurricane catastrophe.
. . . .

Governor Jindal likes to accept invitations from out of state groups, but is not so willing to accept local invitations. In fact, a Northshore GOP group, the largest in the area, tried for weeks to schedule Governor Jindal for their Lincoln/Reagan Banquet. His staff said he was unavailable, yet he found time to speak at a similar banquet in Arkansas.

Jindal: Yeah, right. Won't take all the money.

WDAM.com Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS The Pinebelt's Choice For News, Sports and Weather | Jindal concerned about stimulus plan in Congress

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal continues to express concerns about the economic stimulus package moving through Congress.

He also says he's not sure Louisiana will take all the money it could get from the proposal.

Fineman comes out for New Orleans

Fineman: New Orleans is Exhibit A for Stimulus | Newsweek Voices - Howard Fineman | Newsweek.com

Still, if President Obama wants a vivid place in which to dramatize American economic plight as he sells his recovery package, he should come here, to this still-struggling city, and to the Lower Ninth. The president is on the road, visiting hard-hit towns in traditionally Red States. It's a dramatic way to sell his plan—and to remind congressional Republicans that they oppose him at their peril. Well, Louisiana is such a Red state, where Obama had hoped to win last year.

And even though New Orleans is a special case, it is a case that must not be forgotten. Indeed, in the campaign, Obama promised he'd remember. Let's see how well he upholds that vow. And Obama should not forget that George Bush's glaring failure of leadership in the aftermath of Katrina is a chief reason why Obama, who sought to embody calm competence and attention to detail, is president.

More popcorn please.

2theadvocate.com | News | Porn star, BR native, plans political tour — Baton Rouge, LA

Porn star and Baton Rouge native Stormy Daniels said Monday that she wants to give voters a voice by starting a “listening tour” in Louisiana.
......
Daniels is critical of Vitter’s response to his phone number being found on a Washington prostitution ring’s client list.

“I might be a slut and a whore,” Daniels said. “… but I’m not a criminal, and I’ve never been a hypocrite.”

Pass the popcorn.

Draft Stormy for US Senate

Jindal: vote against the bill, but take the money and run (for president).

Herbert Hoover's revenge: Killing the economy again - Capitol Chronicles - Susan Demas - MLive.com

But for all the high-voltage rhetoric on cable news, there is conservative confusion on the economy. Take Bobby Jindal. The Louisiana governor is dying for federal money, but said he would have voted no back when he was in Congress. Jindal's not really arguing the state is worthy of the money, but not his district. He's trying to walk that Republican tightrope where he doesn't take the hit for signing off on spending, but he'll sure as hell cash the check.

That's precisely what GOP lawmakers did in Michigan two years ago when they railed against the $1.4 billion tax hike, but gleefully (and almost unanimously) voted to spend the revenue.

Talk about hypocrisy.

Internet, hollywood, music cause deterioration of culture says Jindal.

Jindal: We must stop the decline of U.S. culture - Local & State - News & Observer

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a potential GOP presidential candidate, called Wednesday night for an effort to reverse the coarsening of American culture.

In a dinner speech, Jindal said the U.S. must do more to restore its core cultural values, which he said had been under assault by television, Hollywood, the Internet, music, the arts and even cell phones.

"For all the advances in our society ... in many ways our culture in recent years has been in a state of deterioration, not improvement," Jindal told about 475 people at a packed dinner held by the John Locke Foundation, a Raleigh-based conservative think tank.

CELL PHONES????? CELL PHONES are the cause of the so-called deterioration of our culture???!!! Can there be any doubt that this Rebublican is running for president.  He would really do well as Sarah Palin's VP.

Jindal and higher ed II. Ideology trumps reason.

2theadvocate.com | Opinion | Looming cuts send a bad message — Baton Rouge, LA

Unfortunately, like Edwards before him, Gov. Bobby Jindal is projecting massive higher education cuts as part of his response to a looming state government budget shortfall.

Jindal and his top advisers are quick to note that the state constitution and various laws force them to turn first to higher education and health care for budget cuts. Most other areas of state spending have some sort of nearly iron-clad protection from cuts.

But Jindal had a choice.

One didn’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar earlier this year to figure out the booming state surpluses that resulted from post-Katrina spending and high oil prices simply wouldn’t last. And when those revenue gushers played out, state government would be left with lots of needs but anemic resources.

Remember last years surpluses and tax cuts?  Those were Jindal-approved.

Jindal's education cuts.

Prentiss Smith: No time to cut higher ed, health care | ShreveportTimes | The Times

Jindal has a world-class education. His wife, who is an accomplished woman in her own right, has a world-class education. His children by virtue of his standing and his position will get the best education that money can buy. And that is why he of all people should be the last person talking about cutting millions — 18-30 percent budget reductions — from higher education. He should be talking about adding resources rather than taking them away.

Jindal misdirects attention from real problems.

Louisiana Governor Jindal On Sex Offender Campaign Trail Again

So, based upon his agenda and visits to different cities and towns, the most urgent issue facing Louisiana today appears to be these sex offenders who are preying on our kids.

Never mind that we have a chance to lose the biggest economic plum in Louisiana, the Nucor pig iron plant. Forget about the fact that Nucor needs something to grow the world economy or else they might have to rethink their plans about building their facility.

Forget about all of our other needs such as hurricane protection, education, the budget, Louisiana rebuild from prior storms.

The Governor, fresh from some fundraising in North Carolina is back on the campaign trail, this time seeking more support to subvert the perverts.

Look! Over there!! Something shiny!!! OOOOOOHHH!!!!

Tee-hee.

Daily Reveille - Louisianimal: Vitter faces hot seat, but won’t unseat, with newcomer

Could the next junior senator from Louisiana be a former porn star?

After a curious ad — seeking an energized adult entertainer to challenge Sen. David Vitter, R-La; in the 2010 Congressional elections — appeared on Craigslist, another ad was posted recently confirming the bid was not a joke.

Vitter likes Guantanamo.

2theadvocate.com | News | Sen. Vitter: Don’t close Guantanamo — Baton Rouge, LA

“There is absolutely no abuse and these are very dangerous people.”

Advocacy groups claim some detainees, many of whom have not been charged with a crime, suffered abuses ranging from sleep deprivation to beatings to electric shock, as the Physicians for Human Rights did in its June report.

Vitter, courting the anti-Obama vote.

Vitter: GOP colleagues 'scared to death' - Andy Barr - Politico.com

The Louisiana Republican has voted against each of Obama’s appointments that was not confirmed by a voice vote.

What am I missing here?

Glad to see Louisiana well represented in the Stimulus Bill, but are Alexandria
• Baton Rouge
• Bossier City
• Monroe
• New Iberia
• New Orleans
• Shreveport the only cities represented? Where's Lafayette?


Update: I should have read the faq.

9. Why is my city not listed?

The data on this site comes from the U.S. Conference of Mayors' MainStreet Economic Recovery Report. If a city did not include its "shovel-ready" projects on that list, you won't find it here. However, this does not mean that cities that are not included here do not have projects they'd like to see funded. Once the stimulus bill passes, cites will make requests for federal grants, and we will likely see grants to projects not listed on this site.

So this site is somewhat informative, I guess, but has nothing to do with what the bill will eventually fund. Anyway, it's interesting to see that no one likes any of the programs, at least not those that are somewhere else.





Stimulus Watch: Keeping an Eye on Economic Recovery Spending

But of course, this is NOT terrorism.

FOXNews.com - ATF: Explosive Device Found in Arkansas Doctor's Car After Blast - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News