House moves forward to the past

Representative "Chuckle" Kleckley is clearly the worst Speaker of the House in Louisiana history.

This summer I noted Kleckley’s numerous short-comings as Speaker.

Friday, even Kleckley’s hometown newspaper hammered him. From the editorial in the American Press:

 

Loyal as a puppy, Kleckley at every turn defends the administration that sometimes seems to barely acknowledge him. Surely he knows the Jindal administration values his compliance, not his independence. He told the Associated Press last week that he thinks lawmakers ought to have some say in how the state operates, but he defended the administration’s final say in outcomes.

 

If a majority of the members of the House weren’t such timid Jindal lapdogs themselves, they would replace Kleckley with someone who at least gives the appearance that the House is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the governor’s office.

What we are witnessing is the fallout from term-limits.

Due to their lack of institutional knowledge, the members of the House think they are moving in a "new direction" while they actually revert to the past. The leges have taken themselves back to the days of Huey P. Long.

There were warnings that the lobbyists and lege staff would control the lege when term limits went into effect. That would be a blessing compared to the current gubernatorial dictatorship.

As was so appropriately stated by George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

For those who wonder; no, I have never supported term limits.

Kudos to the American Press for telling it like it is.

 

He’s back

Award-winning investigative reporter, author and good friend Tyler Bridges is returning to live and work in New Orleans.

Many will remember Tyler as a take-no-prisoners, investigative, reporter for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans from 1989 to 1996. Since then, Tyler has reported from around the world including a stint with the Miami Herald where he won two Pulitzer Prizes.

During his time in Louisiana, Tyler brought a unique perspective and fearless style of reporting to the media. As I have followed his career around the world, to say that Tyler is fearless is an understatement.

The first time I met Tyler I knew he was unlike any reporter that I have ever met. He grilled me during my lecture at the Loyola Institute of Politics like nobody ever had.

I was so interested in finding out more about him, I asked a friend of mine in Tyler’s IOP class to arrange a lunch for us. We’ve been close friends since that day.

Beginning today, Tyler will bring his own style of hard-hitting reporting to The Lens covering public policy in New Orleans and statewide.

During his time away from Louisiana Tyler never lost contact with those he worked with and covered here. As such, he will hit the ground running.

Tyler spent the last year as a Nieman Fellow and lecturer at Harvard University. His chosen focus at Harvard was the "new media."

Like me, I’m sure everyone (other than politicians) will welcome another knowledgeable, skilled, investigative reporter looking closely at our state.