The Rom Report

Corps opens Morganza Spillway

2011-05-14T16:52:00.001-05:00

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the first of what could be several bays of the Morganza spillway at 3 p.m. CST today.

The move is intended to spare southern Louisiana's major cities by redirecting floodwaters from the Mississippi river into the Atchafalaya Basin.

For streaming video of the opening of the first bay, check out this page offered by the USACE.

"Protecting lives is the No. 1 thing we are looking for," Gen. Michael Walsh, president of the Mississippi River Commission, told reporters less than an hour before opening the first bay.

The spillway winds through Morganza, La., about 115 miles northwest of New Orleans. The slow opening of several bays over the next several days is expected to temper the potential for severe flooding along the rising Mississippi River and divert water from Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

But at a cost. The flooding is expected to destroy some 2,500 homes and businesses in low-lying south-central Louisiana, such as Henderson and Butte la Rose.

One or two additional bays of the Morganza are expected to be opened Sunday, with more gates potentially opening over the next several weeks, according to Col. Ed Fleming, of the Corps of Engineers.

This afternoon, according to the Associated Press, the Mississippi was cresting near Helena, Arkansas, at 56.4 feet — about 12.4 feet above the flood stage.

On Friday, Gov. Bobby Jindal warned that some 2,600 structures and 4,000 people would be affected within the first 24 hours.

For more on this story, check out this Times-Picayune report.

In the Crosshairs of Insanity: Democrats and the Language of the Hunt

2011-01-11T13:16:00.006-06:00

Democrats were quick to jump and try to link the deadly Arizona shooting to Sarah Palin, whose PAC published a map months back that featured, some say, rifle crosshairs identifying Democratic Congressional districts it was targeting.

It was political rhetoric of the lowest order, trying to demonize a practice as common as Happy Hours for bars and clearance sales for retailers.

In campaigns, political or corporate, "language of the hunt" is everywhere. Nouns like (gun) sights, crosshairs and target abound. As do verbs like aim, attack, and wrest.

But Liberals and the so-called Liberal Media, as is often the case, apparently have a case of short-term memory when it comes to its own use of the "language of the hunt."

Let me refresh their collective memory.

In May 2008, on the Democratic National Committee's web site, a blogger writing about a recent visit to an Obama campaign office in Orlando, Fla., casually implored supporters of the presidential candidate to "take aim at John McCain as we rally under the banner of the Democratic Party." Not a word was spoken about the violent suggestion.

For a more literal example, the map below appeared on the website of the Democratic Leadership Committee back in 2004. It refers to Republicans as the "enemy" and refers to some congressmen as "ripe 'targets' for Democrats."

And if that's not bad enough, this map did not feature crosshairs, as you can see, it featured bulls-eyes.

To quote our President -- let me be clear -- yes, it featured bulls-eyes.

As in, the kind we use at the firing range in target practice. Bulls-eyes.

One last thing about this map -- notice the caption, which reads, pointedly: "Behind Enemy Lines" when explaining the states that President Bush won by only single digits.

I'm just saying ...

And, before I move to our Liberal media, one more concrete example of Democrats' use of the same language that apparently incited Jared Loughner to shoot up a crowd, killing 6 people and critically injuring his target, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

This map was first published on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Web site last year.

Once again, no vagaries here.

No, crosshairs that some say look just like surveyor's marks.

Nope, just a dozen more bulls-eyes.

And, of course, the phrase -- "targeting Republicans."

And, by the way, the man in charge of the DCCC when this map came out? Congressman Chris Van Hollen -- who just happened to appear on MSNBC this week to quickly condemn Palin for her PAC's map that clearly incited a murderous attack at Congresswoman Giffords' function.

But the story, and the "language of the hunt," don't end within Democrat's highest offices, rather it trickles down to mainstream media. Every day -- in headlines and captions and stories across the country, the media perpetuate this hateful, violent, murder-inciting mania.

I could do this for days, but I'll offer just a few examples to make my point here:

In 2009, a NY Daily News reporter wrote -- "Democrats have Pete King in the crosshairs."

No one decried columnist Elizabeth Benjamin's use of the phrase "in the crosshairs" in her piece on NY's 12th District Congressional campaign. It was just business as usual for the mainstream media, whose job it is to judge society's actions but dare not judge them or ask that we hold them accountable.

In 2008, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer published this article, which suggested that Northeast Ohio's crossover voters were clearly "in Democrats cross hairs."

And, in this 2009 story, published on military.com, the headline reads -- "Bush, Cheney in Democrats' Crosshairs."

The Houston Chronicle, in 2007, published this Robert Novak column with the headline -- Caught in the Democrats' crosshairs at payback time.'

Even Jerry Falwell is not immune to the language of the hunt, writing in 2005 that it was "not surprising that (Rep. Thom) DeLay is the man in the crosshairs" of Democrats as one of the GOP's most conservative leaders.

(Delay, by the way, was sentenced this week to three years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy charges), so perhaps Falwell should have directed his energy at a more honest GOPer.

But back to our point ...

Which is that the "language of the hunt" has been, dare I say it, fair game for both parties throughout our country's history.

Oh, and one final example.

In 2008, a Reuters story includes this phrase ...

"The Obama administration on Tuesday threw its weight behind a bid to repeal an anti-trust exemption protecting health insurers, keeping the industry in its crosshairs as it prepares to host a bipartisan summit on revamping U.S. healthcare."

Where was the Democratic outcry over that use?

Colin O'Donohoe of the Pangean Orchestra joins me on 850 KOA for a very atypical talk radio hour

2010-12-29T12:27:00.000-06:00

The Pangean Orchestra, based in Phoenix, Ariz., is the first orchestra of its kind -- bringing people and instruments from all over the world together in full scale, on one stage. From the ancient Babylonian oud to the modern turntable -- violins, ukuleles, French horns and much more.

"We speak the universal language of music, sounding with a unified voice, speaking for one planet," explains Colin O'Donohoe, director of the Pangean Orchestra, who I interviewed on 850 KOA, while filling in for Rick Barber this week.

Given the vitriolic anti-immigrant climate of Arizona, Colin's effort might be seen as blindly optimistic today.

But the fusion of sound created by the orchestra should intrigue anyone who loves music and affirms music's ability to unite people and, at least temporarily, put aside religious, political and regional differences.

Check out the full hour, complete with some great recordings of the full orchestra and some solo pieces, on 850 KOA.

The Jim Morrison Emails: Fla Governor's pardon drew more than 100 letters, for and against

2010-12-09T16:05:00.001-06:00

Jim Morrison has been pardoned.

A month or so after outgoing Florida Governor Charlie Crist suggested the possibility, the Florida Board of Clemency voted unanimously to pardon Jim Morrison today.

Morrison of the Doors, was convicted of exposing himself during a 1969 Miami concert.

The pardon was granted over the objection of a former Miami police officer who said it sent the wrong message to the nation's youth and that a pardon was tantamount to accusing officers involved in the incident of perjury.

But Crist said it was not about retrying the case but about forgiveness.

In 1970, a jury convicted Morrison of indecent exposure and open profanity, though he was cleared of a felony count of lewd and lascivious behavior and public drunkenness. He was sentenced to six months in jail, but died two years later at age 27 in Paris while the case was under appeal.

Click here for the full story

Below, are a sample of some of the 120-plus letters and emails sent to the Governor's office arguing both for and against Morrison's pardon, received in response to a Rom Report public records request filed earlier this week.

   From:     ClancydaCop@aol.com
    Subject:     Possible pardon for Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 3:14:45 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Dear Governor Crist:

I am a retired law enforcement officer, having served for 35 years in Pinellas County, initially with the St. Petersburg Police Department and then with the State Attorney's Office. Jim Morrison was fairly tried and convicted in Dade County in 1970 and that conviction should remain on his record. Your pardoning him would be an affront to the judicial system and law enforcement generally. You have a earned a great deal of respect during your term as Governor. Please, please, let that conviction stand!

Denis Quilligan
Seminole FL

_________________

    From:     Roxy Feldman
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 5:20:42 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Please pardon Jim. You don't need to ask the other cabinet members. Just do it!
Roxy Feldman
graduated High School 1969
PS. I'm a Democrate that voted for you for governor and the last election

It's the right thing to do!
_________________

    From:     Nmsmiami@aol.com
    Subject:     Check out Florida Gov. Charlie Crist May Pardon The Doors' Jim Morrison-why not?
    Date:     November 9, 2010 3:01:11 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist May Pardon The Doors' Jim Morrison

am still recovering from the election-can only imagine how you feel-why not if you have the power to
right an old wrong? does Morrison still have family in Florida? what else can you do to leave a
lasting presence for your time as leader of our state? Please come up with a couple great ones
to counter this loss. What next? please keep us informed.

Nancy M Smith in Miami
nmsmiami@aol.com
_____________________

    From:     Randy Richgruber
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:47:59 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Gov. Christ:

Please pardon the late Jim Morrison as I believe the trial was highly political, less than fair and without actual evidence. His untimely death, all but eliminated the opportunity for appeal. Didn’t Ken Lay’s Enron conviction dissolve when he died while the appeal was in progress? This would seem to be a parallel situation.

The issue may be 40 years old, but I’m sure his father would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Randy J. Richgruber
Arden Hills, MN
____________________

    From:    cowch728@comcast.net
    Subject:    Please do not get TRICKED into pardoning Jim Morrison posthumously
    Date:    November 10, 2010 12:48:28 PM CST
    To:    Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor Crist,

    Please do NOT pardon Jim Morrison Posthumously as there is NO REASON WHATSOEVER to believe that he died in 1971. Much to the contrary, I assure you that he is alive, having had a doctor sign a fake certificate. Pictures are available at the www.highmountainrogue.com website and discussion at the Museum of Hoaxes website. Please do not let this coalition embarass our government as one day the truth in this matter may become public to all. And what a blessed day that will be!
___________________________

From:     Shannon Marcum
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 8:06:00 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Governor Crist,

      First let me thank you for what you are doing for the memory of Jim Morrison. I think it is an amazing gesture on your part to remember in this manner what many believe to be a terrible injustice. Many even think the pressure of this case was the beginning of the end for him. Although I was not yet born when this occurred, the music of the Doors and Mr. Morrison have been a great part of my life. As a professional touring musician in my youth and the 38-year-old dad in sales I am today, the mystique of Jim Morrison lived on and off stage and I am sure many would agree with me in saying his pain made him a genius, like many tormented artists before him. It is my opinion that to right this wrong at this point would somehow erase the most important crossroads of his life. The rebel in that skin has transcended time and generations and has been passed on in his soul and his words. I would like to ask you to reconsider this issue and NOT grant this pardon. Thank you for your time.

Shannon Marcum
Westerville OH 43081
_________________________

    From:     Starr Piazza
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:06:48 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Hello my name is Barbara Starr Piazza. I am 35 years old. My earliest
memories as a child have to do with music.
I recently read on CNN that you were thinking of pardoning Jim
Morrison for the indecent exposure. First I would like to say that I
think that, that is a wonderful thing to do. I am very curious about
what made you think of him. I was really hoping you would pardon him.
I for one do not believe that he really did it. Also I have been to
some very big concerts in the past few years and the artist were
extremely sexual and vulgar. I think things have defiantly changed
over the years. Maybe for the worse but I don't think what he did was
any worse then what I see every weekend in Dc. I by no means think
that it's okay to show yourself to your audience but I really don't
think he did. I was hoping you would pardon him. If you think there
is anything we can do to convince you to pardon him. Please let me know.
                                                      Thank you for
your time, Barabara Starr
______________________

    From:     abigail
    Subject:     Pardon for Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 10, 2010 12:39:08 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Hello Governor Crist,

I read with great delight that you are considering a posthumous pardon for Jim Morrison.

As someone who is unemployed at the moment, I am fully aware of the serious problems our country faces. That being said, your pardoning Jim Morrison would be such a positive gesture.

I encourage you sincerely to offer this pardon.

Thank you for your consideration.

Abigail Reeves

"Silence is evil's greatest co-conspirator."

President Barack Obama, speaking at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
______________________________________________________________

    From:     Jean Newcomer-Lichtel
    Subject:     Pardon Jim Morrison are you kidding me?
    Date:     November 10, 2010 7:17:22 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
    Reply-To:     jeanjean@tampabay.rr.com

Governor Crist,

I heard on the news that you are thinking of pardoning Jim Morrison for his indecency charge. Charlie, really? he’s dead, what does wasting PRECIOUS time and resources of Florida for such frivolities do for our citizens, will it put anyone to work, improve our schools, feed a hungry family? What does pardoning Jim Morrison do for our state, more importantly what does wasting the precious little time you have left as our governor with such trivial issues.

These are tough times please focus on what you can do productively in the remaining days in office not dreams of some of saving a dead rock & roll heroes name and record. Again he is dead, what does this matter!

I voted for you for the senate I am sorry you lost , please do not make me question my vote.

Sincerely,

Jean Newcomer-Lichtel
________________________

    From:     Reid Stacey
    Subject:     Don't pardon Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 10, 2010 8:57:47 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

There's nothing redeeming about Jim Morrison's life after his conviction that deserves a pardon. He's dead. Only God and history will judge him now. Don't waste your breath. Do something productive with your remaining term.

Thank you.

Reid Stacey
__________________________

    From:     Helen Frigo
    Subject:     Jim Morrison's pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:52:24 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
_____________________________________

From:     stknthe80s@aol.com
    Subject:     Jim Morrison Pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:23:13 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist , Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp

Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
____________________________________________________________

From:    Ochoa
Subject:    Jim Morrison Pardon
Date:    November 10, 2010 8:49:13 AM CST
To:    Governor Charlie Crist
Honorable Governor Crist,

This morning I read in the news that you are considering issuing a pardon to the late Jim Morrison for his crime of indecent exposure. I wish to convey to you that there are more pressing last-minute issues to be addressed and that this is a waste of time, which in essence is wasted tax money that pays for your position.

More importantly, a pardon for Jim Morrison sends a myriad of other messages such as, indecency is acceptable, what we see does not impact our minds, our hearts, and our souls, and that there are no lasting consequences for our decisions (in his case to drink himself drunk and expose himself) because the alcohol is the culprit or his fame and inability to handle it was to blame.

If you pardon Jim Morrison, you are agreeing that it is totally acceptable for a man to pull out his private parts at any moment in time, to direct at anyone he pleases, and it is simply amusing. Governor, with all due respect, this is not acceptable.

May God bless your day as you seek to end your governorship well.

Sincerely,

Julie Ochoa
_____________________

    From:     Helen Frigo
    Subject:     Jim Morrison's pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:52:24 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
__________________________________

    From:     Stan Newsom
    Subject:     Pardon of Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 6:27:34 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Mr. Crist, I was reading about you possibly pardoning Jim Morrison. As we all know Mr. Morrison is deceased. I am a big fan of The Doors, but for the life of me I can't understand why you would consider wasting the governments money to even entertain this idea. It will have no impact on Mr. Morrison and will cost money for you to take any actions to grant such a pardon. A ridiculous idea, please quit spending the taxpayers money for this trivial stuff.

Stan Newsom
_____________________

Vitter, Dardenne win Lafayette, state; Keaty trounces Durio

2010-11-02T20:32:00.019-05:00

Longtime family court judge Phyllis Keaty easily defeated Lafayette attorney Steven "Buzz" Durio in the race for the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, 59 percent to 41 percent.

With 79 of 79 precincts reporting, Keaty earned 22,513 votes to Durio's 15,643. Keaty, reached at her campaign party moments after the final precinct results came in, said she was excited about her next opportunity and what the victory said about her years of public service.

"Twelve years ago when I ran I had never practiced law so it was a negative. I wanted to be a judge since I went to law school and working as a law clerk, that was a way of (learning the craft)," Keaty told The Rom Report.

She said her victory showed that her opponent's argument that she had no experience did not wash with voters. "I think in this campaign working in the judiciary wasn't given the respect it deserved and maybe from now on it will be. I have had many wonderful law clerks that I couldn't have done my job without. It's certainly a profession within the profession, and a good way to learn the law" she added.

Phone calls to Durio and his campaign staff were not immediately returned. A special election will be called to replace Judge Keaty in the 15th Judicial District family court.

In other Lafayette Parish races, incumbent U.S. Senator David Vitter dominated opponent Charlie Melancon, a Democrat, and several lesser challengers to retain his Senate seat with 57% of the vote to Melancon's 37%.

Lafayette's Mike Spears, who ran as an Independent, earned 1 percent of the vote.

In the only other local race, one-time school board member Kermit Bouillon defeated challenger Dean Landry for an open seat in District 5, by a 54 to 46 margin.

Additional 2010 Midterm Election results below.

U.S. SENATE

David Vitter (R) 41,666 65%
Charlie Melancon (D) 18,768 29%
Mike Spears (NP ) 1,257 2%
121 of 121 precincts reporting

Lt. GOVERNOR

Jay Dardenne (R) 40,189 63%
Caroline Fayard (D) 23,336 37%
121 of 121 precincts reporting

THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL

Phyllis Keaty (R) 22,513 59%
Steven "Buzz" Durio (R) 15,643 41%
79 of 79 precincts reporting

LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Kermit Bouilion (R) 3,636 54%
Dean Landry (NP) 3,088 46%
11 of 11 precincts reporting

Guide to Louisiana's 2010 Constitutional Amendments

2010-11-01T19:13:00.005-05:00

AMENDMENT 1, Delays Legislator Raises -- YES

What a YES vote would do: If approved, any increases in the salaries of statewide elected officials and legislators would not take effect until the beginning of the next term after the increases were approved.
Why it's an issue: This stems from the 2008 effort by lawmakers to increase their salary more than 130%, which after public outcry was vetoed by Bobby Jindal.
Lagniappe: This also prevents last-term lawmakers from padding their pension by increasing their salaries without regard to voter fallout.

AMENDMENT 2, Rewards Mineral-rich Parishes -- YES

What a YES vote would do: If approved, mineral-producing parishes would keep more of the severance tax revenue than they currently get from Baton Rouge. In addition, it would dedicate a portion of severance taxes collected on state lands to the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund.
Why it's an issue: Rural parishes want their "fair share" and the basin is our state's greatest natural resource.
Lagniappe -- If you support Louisiana getting more offshore royalties from the federal government, you should support this amendment.

AMENDMENT 3, Veterans Homestead Exemption -- NO

What a YES vote would do: If approved, military veterans who have become 100 percent disabled as a result of their active duty can receive an additional $7,500 homestead exemption.
Why It's an Issue: Don't really know, as it would affect only 2,000 or so Louisiana veterans.
Lagniappe: Louisiana has some of the lowest property taxes in the country -- and our school and roads suffer because of it. In addition, state law already allows veterans to freeze their homestead indefinitely if they make less than $60,000 a year.

AMENDMENT 4, Cap Millage Increases -- NO

What a YES vote would do: If approved, this would cap property tax increases (by non elected taxing authorities) to no more than 2.5 percent over a four-year period.
Why it's an issue: Proponents want to limit the taxing authority of such boards, and it is an argument that has merit. That being said, the cap is too low and we already have some of the lowest property taxes in the country.
Lagniappe: This amendment would not affect fire districts, port commissions and certain levee districts.

AMENDMENT 5, Katrina Homestead Exemptions -- YES

What a YES vote would do: If approved, homeowners unable to reoccupy their homes because of a pending appeal on damage claims would be granted a five to 10 year extension for special assessment levels and homestead exemptions.
Why it's an issue: There are still thousands of families who have not returned to their homes post Katrina.
Lagniappe: This is a very specific tool for a very specific group of people who are still waiting on the appeals process to wind its way through the system. They should not be punished because the government moves so slowly.

AMENDMENT 6, Public Raises Tougher -- YES

What a YES vote would do: If approved, it would take a two thirds vote by legislators to increase retirement benefits for public employees.
Why it's an issue: Public officials too often forget how to say "no" to public employees and this makes that knee-jerk "yes" vote a little harder to get.
Lagniappe: this would not affect COLAs, or cost-of-living-adjustments that public retirement systems can already grant without legislative approval.

AMENDMENT 7, Tax Sale Bidding -- NO (IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT VOTE 'NO')

What a YES vote would do: If approved, it would simplify tax sale bidding to make it easier for bidders to buy a property outright. It would also allow tax collectors to impose fees and collect penalties on property being auctioned for delinquent taxes.
Why it's an issue: Proponents rail that currently tax auctions are more about bidders securing "redemption payments" than actually purchasing a property. This is expected to change that to an extent, but even PAR of Louisiana say it is so complex no one really knows what it will do. My rule -- when in doubt, vote NO.
Lagniappe: Check out these two links if you want to learn more about it. The first is an Advocate opinion on Amendment 7, the second is PAR's review of all 10 amendments.

AMENDMENT 8, Broadens Taking Power -- NO

What a YES vote would do: If approved, it would make it easier for the government to take land for public safety reasons (which are unconstitutionally vague already) and it would remove language that requires the government to grant the original owner right-of-first-refusal when it is sold or leased.
Why it's an issue: The government wants more and more power to expropriate and this is yet another step in that direction.
Lagniappe: Louisiana keeps piling on more and more tools for unfettered taking of land -- but no checks and balances to prevent such land grabs from enriching developers with close ties to those same renegade agencies. My most adamant NO, NO, NO here.

AMENDMENT 9, Workers Comp Hearings -- PICK 'EM

What a YES vote would do: If approved, this would allow those who lose an appeal before the typical three-judge panel to take it to the full appeals court. This type of hearing is already part of nearly all civil proceedings and should be extended to workers' compensation cases.
Why it's an issue: Proponents say the full court appeal should be standard operating procedure. Opponents say adding another level to the process will bog down and further delay resolution of such cases.
Lagniappe: Sometimes due process takes longer than you want.

AMENDMENT 10, Jury Trial Waiver -- NO

What a YES vote would do: if approved, it would require a defendant to decide whether to have a jury trial 45 days prior to the trial date.
Why this is an issue: Proponents say last-second requests to waive a jury trial or demand one after initially waiving it tie up the system and cost money.
Lagniappe: This addresses a legitimate issue, but is not the solution. When it comes to one's right to a fair trial, always err on the side of the Constitution.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

Tyler Clementi didn't need to die

2010-10-02T21:35:00.003-05:00

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    This show is for Tyler Clementi, for the people who love him, and anyone else who has ever been bullied or was once the bully and learned how much they could hurt people. The honesty and introspection of the callers on this show, which aired Thursday, Sept. 30, was remarkable.

I could try to explain Thursday's experience for you here, but could not do it justice. When you have a chance, some day this week, over lunch or while you're doing the dishes or hanging out by the pool, give this a listen.

Thursday's show did for me what many listeners tell me it does for them -- it offered an outlet, to let me think out loud, to work out my feelings about this horrible tragedy.

I want to thank the callers, who helped me -- as much as I may have helped them -- vent about this national tragedy, and in the end, realize that there are plenty of decent people out there.

Pope's latest 'forgetfull' moment a lie

2010-09-17T07:53:00.000-05:00

Lou Rom Live Podcast, Sept. 16, 2010 -- Pope Benedict, gullible followers, just don't get it

Pope Benedict said Thursday in Scotland that he was "shocked and ... saddened" by the growing crisis of pedophile priests in Europe.

Interesting, since it was Benedict who, in the 1960s, helped draft the church's strategy on how to respond to complaints of priestly abuse.

Hard to believe much has changed in the Catholic Church since the Boston Massacre of 2002 and the notorious case of Acadiana's own Father Gilbert Gauthe.

I'll admit that the church, and this deep-rooted problem, is comprised of individual priests and individual bishops, and individual laity. And that the problem does not indict the whole of the church -- priests, laity or other.

But it is wholly disconcerting to hear the pope feign shock and dismay over a problem that was his to fix, yet he sought only to insulate the church from lawsuits and embarrassment.

Benedict does not get it, and as long as that's the case I will ask them to pass the collection plate -- past me, to the person to my right.

The World bids Adieu to Wally Romero

2010-09-08T15:04:00.019-05:00

by Lou Rom

Wally Romero, an Acadiana icon whose big personality and outlandish style were matched only by his generosity and benevolence, died Saturday, Sept. 4, broke and alone.

He was 53.

And while his house may have lacked power the day Romero died, he surely did not.

Friends and family remember him as the as the straw that stirred the drink, an unstoppable force of nature and a man who would give you the last dollar in his pocket if you needed a hand.

Romero loved to cook and loved to eat, passions that lead to his studying at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu Paris, where he honed his skills as a chef.

Eventually, those skills -- like just about anything else Romero could offer -- often benefited others as much, if not more, than himself.

Friends of the Junior League of Lafayette estimate that his elaborate meals, often bid on by people from across the country, netted the nonprofit more than six figures over the years.

"He was an incredible chef and when he donated an eight-course meal for 12 in his home, people that could care less about the charity showed up to bid on what they knew would be an incredible and memorable night," said Henry Mouton, who met Romero in the 4th grade at Our Lady of Fatima School and remained close with him throughout his life.

In addition to his work for Junior League, Romero donated time and money to several charities, including the American Cancer Society and Coastal Conservation Association. But for many it was his generosity behind the scenes that set Romero apart.

Carlos Russo, onetime director of The Well and an advocate for the poor, said Romero's altruism was not just for the cameras.

"In my 13 years of working with the poor, Wally was always there providing anything I needed -- from cash to personal time and a special touch for people in crisis," said Russo. "When I was down he was the first to call and help me personally overcome the economic crisis that came from being tossed to the curb. He told me the best thing to do is to succeed and not give them the satisfaction of knocking me down."

"I only wished he would have allowed me to help him," Russo added.

Old School Lafayette

Walter J. "Wally" Romero was born Feb. 1, 1957 to Walter J. Romero Sr. and Doris Higginbotham Romero. His father was in Insurance, his mother helped out with the family business when she could but mostly took care of Romero and his four sisters.

The family home, on Ronald Boulevard, was in the center of town back then. But a block or so from Fatima, the location proved a bit too convenient for Wally Romero's sake.

Wally Romero and his mother, Doris

"He would always bitch -- 'I'm the only one in this whole school who can't blame missing the bus for being late to school,'" said Mouton, who graduated a year ahead of Romero.

Romero, the pudgy kid whose quick wit and guttural laugh made people forget about his weight problems, always found a way to wiggle out of trouble at Fatima, said Mouton.

"How could you get mad at a kid who would make you laugh out loud as often as Wally did?" he asked.

Romero would graduate from Fatima in 1975 and go on to earn a business degree from the University of Southwest Louisiana (now ULL). Soon after he joined the family business, and within a few years his father had pulled some strings and helped secure Romero his own State Farm franchise.

It was in the insurance business where Romero achieved his greatest success, affording him an opulent lifestyle, collecting antiques and fine art, traveling abroad and hobnobbing with a "who's who" of Acadiana.

The late-night parties and card games at his house on the Vermilion River were legend, say friends, as was his appetite for life, food, friends and family.

A true Bon Vivant

Jason Peck, who spent a lot of time with Romero in the '80s, remembered his grand entrances into LaFonda around Christmastime when he would arrive flanked by his entourage, replete with the Sleigh Sluts.

"In the 80s he was a fun-spirited, good-time-loving, never-meet-a-stranger, generous guy I was happy to call a friend," said Peck.

Phil Lank, who met Romero in grade school, described him as "one of the nicest and most creative people I ever knew."

"Friends remember his annual Christmas party, his popular Wednesday gatherings and his annual Tacky Parties. Some of the best good-time memories come from his Tacky Parties. They were a blast and soooooo tacky that even the hors d'oeuvres were things like pickled pigs lips," said Lank.

Many remember Romero for his boundless energy and his sometimes short attention span. But Romero's cousin, Perry Dautreuil, remembers a man who could focus like a laser when he wanted to learn something.

"One of my fondest memories of Wally was watching my grandmother, his Taunt Lule, trying to teach him to say the Hail Mary in French. I had never before, or since, seen him so quiet and deep in concentration," said Dautreuil.

"He learned the Sign of the Cross that day ... and he was glowing with his sense of accomplishment," Dautreuil added.

Friends say the many success stories, big and small, never went to his head and, perhaps, steeled him for the challenges that would come later in life.

If Romero's lifelong battle with his weight was a concern, friends say he rarely let on. Instead, he poked fun at himself, donning loud Hawaiian shirts that surely did not hide his belly. But eventually he grew concerned about the weight and chose to have gastric bypass surgery.

A few years later Romero, who at one point packed 400-plus pounds onto his 6-foot frame, explained his decision to The Independent.

"My Dad had had his first heart attack at 52, and I was only a couple of years away from that statistic. I wanted to at least have a chance at surviving," he said.

His friend, Phil Lank, remembers the day before Romero traveled to New Orleans for the surgery in August 2002.

"The day before he went into the hospital to get his stomach clipped, he and Bern and Kevin (Gossen) went to Soop's in Maurice and Wally ordered the menu. Poor baby probably thought he would never be able to eat again," joked Lank.

Svelte and styling, Carlos Russo said Romero felt liberated by the sudden weight loss.

"He abandoned the Hawaiian shirts and became very suave, and shopped mostly in Europe," said Russo, adding that "his obit' photo was the height of his fashion expression."

Lank said his friend was a good guy who made some bad choices.

"He had his struggles, as we all do, and it saddened me he was never able to overcome them. But that never deterred me from thinking fondly of him because he was such a good person ... and he was so, so much fun," said Lank.

After nearly 30 successful years with State Farm, Romero's fall from grace was as sudden as it was thorough.

He hit rock bottom in 2008, first when State Farm pulled his franchise after premiums came up missing, then when he was arrested for selling a friend's George Rodrigue painting for $25,000.

At first, his spirits remained high, as evidenced by a sign he hung in the old State Farm office on University Avenue in December of that year.

It read, simply: "Lafayette, I am what I am. Merry Christmas. -- Wally Romero."

But eventually, addiction problems and depression began to take their toll, and he never quite recovered. Romero died Saturday at his home on Smith Street, alone with his dog, in a house with no electricity. He sold the house on the river years ago.

"He fell down real hard. His family picked him up and he fell down again, this time harder. They got him up, he fell down twice as hard and they tried but the drugs were his down fall," said Henry Mouton.

Betsy Arabie, who lived down the street from Romero in the Arbolada subdivision, said through all the internal turmoil Romero was "a very loving, funny, and genuine" neighbor whose kindness never waned.

"It was my daughter's birthday ... and we had gone to his house to look at antiques. When he found out it was Kathryn's birthday -- she was about 7 or so -- he chose a special antique figurine of a tall slim woman in a blue dress and hat and he said, 'This is for you for your birthday.' I was really touched that he would do that for her," Arabie said.

Though in the end Romero had nothing left to give you could tell "in his heart" he wanted to help in any way possible, said his cousin, Dautreuil.

"He was a broken man," his cousin said. "The fall from grace is the most painful fall. It doesn't break bones, it breaks the spirit."

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

Shearer's Big Uneasy a solid, purposeful film

2010-09-01T22:47:00.003-05:00

Thirty minutes into Harry Shearer's film, the Big Uneasy, it is clear what Shearer sought to do with this film.

His goal in Uneasy? To cut through a pile of facts, lies and half-truths and get to the bottom of one of the biggest debates in our country's recent history.

Was the devastation of Hurricane Katrina the result of a monster storm no city could ever prepare for? Or was it the result of a rogue federal agency making up the rules as it went along and ignoring their own experts and their own science?

As you might have guessed the answer is the latter.

But before you get to the crux of the matter, told convincingly by respected engineers and a key whistle blower, you get the best yet video graphic explanation of just where and when the city began to flood.

The how and why comes later.

The first 15 minutes of this film should be part of any college course that studies why Katrina was so devastating. The balance of the film, sans a few odd editing decisions that actually distracted me from the message, builds point by point a case for the obliteration of the Corps of Engineers.

Shearer does to the Corps in this film what mainstream media did to FEMA, he paints the agency as a caricature, which is the only part of the film that reminds you of Shearer's true claim to fame -- being the voice of Smithers, Flanders, Otto and more on The Simpsons.

His humor, in a very Mr. Burns kind of way, is conveyed with a dry wit that leaves defenders of the Corps stuttering and stumbling, reaching for an explanation when clearly the one explanation there is they would be fired for uttering.

Shearer's film is a true journalistic effort, a documentary that gathered facts first, then drew conclusions later. In other words, this is no Bowling for Columbine.

While visually the film will not engage you in the same way that Spike Lee's If God Is Willing' does, it is every bit as journalistically sound, if not more so.

Shearer's film is a tell-all of the highest Hollywood order, only in this case those being called out aren't beautiful people with stars on the Walk of Fame, but heretofore no-names whose failures merit their own wall of shame.

It is a must see for anyone who loves New Orleans, who loves honesty and loves good journalism.

Obama takes another swipe at Bush, predecessors

2010-08-29T18:42:00.002-05:00

President Barack Obama, marking the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, visited Xavier University in New Orleans today, hailing the school and the city's comeback from the storm of the century.

"Because of you – all the advocates and organizers here today, folks who are leading the way toward a better future for this city ... because of you, New Orleans is coming back," Obama told the crowd.

Indeed, Xavier and the people whose collective effort helped return students to classrooms barely four months after several feet of water flooded the campus is a testament to the value of looking beyond the past and to the future, of putting differences aside and working together.

And Obama, flanked by cabinet members and most of Louisiana's congressional delegation, recognized that in his speech.

"There is no need to dwell on what you experienced and what the world witnessed," Obama said.

And I agree.

Yet, barely a minute after that statement Obama described Katrina as not just a natural disaster but as "a manmade catastrophe -- a shameful breakdown in government that left countless men, women, and children abandoned and alone."

While there's merit to that argument, in the spirit of moving forward and working together would not the president have been better served by using today's anniversary as an opportunity to bridge the ideological and racial divide? Not perpetuate that divide by once again casting blame on his predecessors, with a particular wink to the Bush Administration?

Housing Authority staffer had long criminal record

2010-08-28T08:11:00.001-05:00

A fired contract worker with the Lafayette Housing Authority, who earned $82,155 through a federal disaster assistance program, has a criminal record that includes drug charges, battery and theft.

Despite her criminal history, Beatrice Wilson of Lafayette also worked as an assistant to then-state Sen. Donald Cravins Sr., now mayor of Opelousas, and as a substitute teacher in Calcasieu Parish.

Wilson, who also is referred to in legal documents as Beatrice Porshe Evans and Beatrice Wilson Evans, is more widely known locally as radio personality Porsha Evans.

Wilson was among five case managers fired two weeks ago by the Lafayette Housing Authority board of commissioners after an independent audit that revealed numerous problems, some of them involving the work schedules and pay of the five case managers.

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100826/NEWS01/8260309/Ex-LHA-worker-has-record

2010-08-20T00:08:00.002-05:00

Look, I'll admit to wishing I worked for a major metro newspaper or a clear channel radio station when the BP Horizon disaster struck in April. Not because of the access some believe that gets you, but because of the ability to reach so many more people and really effect change with the work I've done over the last four months.

That being said, it is rewarding to read days, sometimes even weeks after some of my original reports, major magazines and newspaper accounts of what I've been preaching here for the last month or so.

That being, a muted Hallelujah and a cautionary Not So Fast for the Gulf of Mexico.

For the rest of this column and a special report on the Gulf Oil spill from Newsweek, click here.

Lafayette gets post-Oil Spill love in WSJ

2010-08-11T05:16:00.002-05:00

Those who do not read the Wall Street Journal expect it to be dry and boring. I learned that was a myth about 20 years ago, when I had to subscribe as an economics student in Atlanta. And this recent piece on Lafayette suggests that the Journal is still journalism's best-kept secret insofar as skilled and colorful storytelling.

This recent dispatch takes a look at Lafayette "After-The-Spill." While it hits a few major culinary highlights -- Don's, Prejeans, etc., the writer apparently stumbled upon Nash's -- my favorite place to eat in Lafayette.

He could have done a little more on our great restaurants here and it would have been nice had he tipped people off on what the greater Acadiana area had to offer.

But anytime your town is written up by the country's largest publication -- boasting a daily circulation of more than 4 million -- that, my friends, is a good thing.

The writer ignores some of Acadiana's best treats -- including Bed & Breakfasts from throughout Acadiana -- and somehow does not plug the Blue Moon Saloon and Guest House. But, again, 4 million people is 4 million people.

For the whole story, click here.

Hayward will resign with no Golden Parachute

2010-07-26T10:26:00.000-05:00

Sources within BP tell Beyond Horizon that CEO Tony Hayward's resignation is all but official and that he will barely get a year's severance pay, about $1.6 million, modest compared to many of today's Golden Parachute deals.

But the source says that Hayward and his representatives are pushing to boost the deal, citing his 28 years with the company, and hope to secure a package worth at least $10 million when he exits and up to $20 million over time.

"The board is trying to finalize the package today and expects to do so," said the source, via email earlier today.
Click here for the complete story

Too Good to Ignore: WKRG in 'Bama 'testing the water'

2010-07-21T23:18:00.000-05:00

Several stories have been published lately claiming that skimmers can't pick up any oil. Could it be the dispersant being used? Out of sight, out of mind? Don't rely on me alone, check out this lights-out report on Alabama's WKRG News.

Hitler, Lenin ... and Obama?

2010-07-14T16:15:00.001-05:00

A billboard erected by the North Iowa Tea Party that compared President Barack Obama with Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin was replaced this morning after generating a political firestorm and a backlash against the group.The billboard, paid for by local Tea Partiers, was erected last week in Mason City. It lumped the three leaders under the banner of "socialism" and proclaimed, "Radical leaders prey on the fearful & naive."
The founder of the 200-member group, Bob Johnson, said yesterday that the billboard would remain up for a month, the Des Moines Register reports. But last night the billboard company was told to remove the message, which was papered over today with a public-service announcement.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/07/tea-party-billboard-comparing-obama-with-hitler-lenin-removed-in-iowa/1

Islam, the final frontier for NASA?

2010-07-05T17:01:00.000-05:00

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his "foremost" mission as the head of America's space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world.

Though international diplomacy would seem well outside NASA's orbit, Bolden said in an interview with Al Jazeera that strengthening those ties was among the top tasks President Obama assigned him. He said better interaction with the Muslim world would ultimately advance space travel.

Read the full story here

Broke, jobless guy wins SC Democrat Primary

2010-06-09T08:13:00.000-05:00

Alvin Greene's surprise victory in South Carolina's Democratic Senate primary has left much of the state asking: "Who?"

The 32-year-old unemployed Army veteran had no campaign funds and no website but still managed to defeat former judge Vic Rawl, and will now be running against incumbent Republican Sen. Jim DeMint this fall, the AP reports.

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said voters unfamiliar with either candidate may have voted alphabetically for Greene over Rawl.

"As far as I know, he never showed up at anything. Vic Rawl has been campaigning everywhere from the time he filed," she said.

No word on whether Greene planned to take the Sherman approach from hereon out -- "I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected."

One thing is clear, Democrats may have a new strategy -- mimick Barack Obama's oil spill response plan -- sit back and do nothing -- and see what happens.

Click here for the full story.

Soldiers reunite with their families

2010-06-01T15:00:00.001-05:00

OK, I don't usually post random videos here, but this is why people should remember what Memorial Day is about. I wish I had found this a few days ago.

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser calls bullshit on 'secret' oil spill talks

2010-05-25T10:45:00.005-05:00

Courtesy of Bayou Buzz at bayoubuzz.com

2010-05-23T02:42:00.002-05:00

Jean-Michel Cousteau joins Lou Rom Live
this Monday to talk about Gulf of Mexico spill

For more than four decades, Jean-Michel Cousteau has dedicated himself to protecting the world's oceans.

On Monday, Cousteau will join KVOL 1330's Lou Rom Live to talk about the environmental and economic impact of the Horizon tragedy, and offer his insight into how BP and the federal government failed before the Horizon tragedy – and what can be done now to ensure that they don't fail again in stopping the leak and protecting the Gulf of Mexico.

For more, read the full story on Beyond Horizon: Holding BP and Obama Accountable

Speak no evil: Reporters turned away at oily beaches by BP contractors

2010-05-20T14:36:00.002-05:00

Not to beat a dead horse, but you know how I've been telling you folks that the BP Horizon spill is the most government controlled media event since, well, Vietnam?

Well, here's one more ounce of proof in that pudding.

CBS has footage, provided below, of their reporters being turned away from a public beach in Louisiana where they were filming oil washing up on shore.

"This is BP's rules, it's not ours," said someone aboard the boat, adding that the reporters risked arrest if they remained.

Coast Guard officials, aka BP employees, told CBS that they'll look into it. Yes, that and Sasquatch. They're gonna get right on that.

Oh, wait, I forgot, Sasquatch is supposed to be banding together a team of, well, sasquatches, to cruise the shoreline and absorb as much oil as they can.

For more, check out this link: http://www.energyboom.com/policy/bp-and-coast-gaurd-blocking-media-public-beaches

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

Take that Los Angeles ...

2010-05-19T17:48:00.001-05:00

MMS not only federal watchdogs guilty of cozying up to those they're supposed to regulate

2010-05-15T13:38:00.000-05:00

When I was a reporter for Gannett Louisiana I suggested several times since I joined the group in 1998 that we take a critical look at rig safety in the Gulf of Mexico.

I was tired of pumping out the typical Gannett puffery on rig counts, local promotions within the business, and new profit milestones year by year. (See Screenshot below from yesterday's paper)

"Why?" I was asked. "There have been no major accidents, no major spills, no news peg? What's the point?"

Well, I guess they get that point today.

It didn't take a rocket scientist familiar with the incestuous relationship between Minerals Management Service and the Oil & Gas industry to realize it was a time bomb waiting to explode -- figuratively, and, unfortunately, literally.

But, because it means so much to our economy, no one wanted to touch it.

I won't lie to you here, and claim this was my personal mission or that I was relentless in my pursuit of the story -- but it was an issue I brought up several times over the years, as a business and investigative reporter.

And I regret not having pushed for it more.

It's clear now that Obama is going to push to split up the MMS, as outlined in this NY Times article. He wants to separate the royalty-collecting arm of the department from the regulatory one.

Twelve years after I first brought this to an editor's attention I have one word for Clinton, Bush, Obama and countless media outlets who cover the industry yet ignored the obvious conflict:

Duh.

And, more importantly, I hope that the ridiculous lack of oversight evident within MMS serves as a clarion call for the federal government to review similar conflicts (and cozy relationships) within other federal agencies, such as the FDA, HUD and the Department of Labor.

Let's hope it doesn't take more fatalities and billions in damages or fines to turn the microscope to those departments.

Here are the three best stories on the BP Horizon spill published today, May 15, 2010:

Top Hat plan history, narrow tube up next -- The Huffington Post

Oil composition changing, breaking up -- Mobile Press-Register

Transocean seeks to mitigate financial responsibility -- Seattle Times

Feds' failure heightens Gulfcoasts' risk

2010-05-07T15:40:00.000-05:00

The federal government likely could have contained the Deepwater Horizon oil spill had it followed its own guidelines drafted in 1994, according to a response expert who helped draft the documents 16 years ago.

Ron Gouguet, former NOAA oil spill response coordinator, said today that official guidelines called for fire booms (used for burns) to be on hand along the Gulf Coast to respond to a major oil spill.

Unfortunately, the government, on April 20 – the day the Deepwater Horizon exploded – had none on hand.

"I was disappointed when I read that (the federal government) didn't have the booms available, since they are particularly well suited for getting the oil right at the source," said Gouguet, a New Orleans native.

To read the entire blog, visit Beyond Horizon: Holding BP and Obama Accountable

Horizon spill spells devastating news for Louisiana's oyster, seafood distributors

2010-04-30T13:08:00.003-05:00

Human error and an unlucky confluence of events surely played a role in the explosion that killed 11 people on the Deep Water Horizon.

But we know now that the rig did not have a remote-control shut-off switch, a feature that would have stemmed the tide of the 5,000 barrels of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico each day.

A week ago, the spill seemed utterly manageable and few seemed overly concerned. What a difference a week makes.

Today, we know that the spill is pouring up to five times the oil into the gulf as BP originally claimed -- or thought was the case -- depending on who you believe. And it will surely wreak havoc on Louisiana's seafood industry, worth $1.8 billion to our economy.

Now, the federal government has stepped up its involvement, today sending in two C-31s, airplanes specially modified to spray oil-dispersing chemicals into the gulf. Efforts over the weekend, though, will be hampered by high winds and rough seas. Already, a burn that was scheduled for Wednesday has been delayed.

As it stands, this spill -- if not reigned in soon -- could well surpass the damage of the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989.

And, it's just another nail in the coffin for Louisiana's seafood industry.

I talked to Al Sunseri, of P&J Oysters -- the country's oldest oyster company, established in 1876, and could hear the resignation in his voice.

"Well, Lou, if it's not one thing it's another. We dealt with the (proposed Gulf Coast oyster) ban earlier this year, now this ... it's looking pretty bad," said Sunseri, whose company supplies oysters to ACME Oyster House in the French Quarter.

The spill made landfall earlier today, and is slowly seeping into fragile estuaries and nature preserves, not to mention oyster beds, fishing areas, et. al.

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida have all issued State of Emergency advisories as the spill makes landfall. And, today, a coterie of Obama cabinet members, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, and other high-ranking leaders descended on Robert, La., to see the hands-on cleanup effort.

As of noon today, about 75 boats, 200 feet of boom, and most recently, the C-31 aircraft, have been deployed to the area.

Only time will tell just how effective these tools prove to be, and exactly who is to blame.

One thing appears certain -- BP, with its "green" logo, will surely take a financial and PR hit and Louisiana's seafood industry, justifiably, will surely be throwing a few of those punches.

More bad news for Louisiana's economy.

What a difference a word makes

2010-04-20T13:01:00.002-05:00

How changing one word could undermine

a longstanding principle of Louisiana family law

Louisiana prides itself on being a pro-family state.

But during the 2010 legislative session several laws are being considered that would seriously hurt Louisiana families, single fathers in particular.

I'd like to focus on one of those laws today, SB 236, which is being pushed by Sen. Julie Quinn. This bill requires your immediate attention if you are a single parent.

SB 236 seeks to remove the word "should" from the following sentence and replace it with "may" -- "physical custody of children should be shared equally in a joint custody decree."

This sentence is the foundation of our court's approach to joint custody in Louisiana law, and has been for about 20 years. By stating that physical custody should be shared equally, the law recommends that unless dire circumstances exist to suggest otherwise, shared physical custody should be granted.

Changing should to may alters years of precedent in the state and hurts Louisiana families.

Quinn's argument for the bill is that because should is not in Black's Law Dictionary, nor in Louisiana law, the use of it in this sentence leaves for broad discrepancies in judges' interpretation of the law.

I, for one, believe that our judges are perfectly capable of applying the common sense definition of should in the context of this sentence.

And, frankly, if Quinn really wanted to pass a simple "housekeeping" bill to clarify the law -- rather than significantly alter the law -- then she should have (there's that word again) introduced a bill to add a legal definition for should to Louisiana's civil code.

And, by the way, she would not have to look far to find it.

Three states have defined should in their civil code: Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Pennsylvania law states that, "'should indicates that an action is advisable but not required."

Rhode Island law's definition reads, "should indicates a recommendation, not a requirement."

And, finally, Vermont law dictates that, "should means that an activity is encouraged but not mandated.

I learned that in a few hours.

I wonder how many hours Sen. Quinn spent drafting legislation masked as housekeeping that clearly changes the intent of the law?

I wonder, also, if Sen. Quinn has ever taken the time to look up the word "devious?"

I'm thinking not, so I'll define it here and save her some time:

Devious -- misleading, oblique, characterized by insincerity or deceit.

I'll even use it in a sentence -- the Senator's characterization of the bill was misinformed at best, devious at worst.

Top 10 bills that make sense but would never pass

2010-04-08T02:01:00.005-05:00

These bills aren't as ridiculous as Rickey Hardy's bill that bans anyone 70 or over from running for office, or Sharon Broome's bill that would require anyone seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound done, or, better yet, Walker Hines' bill that would create a pet offender registry for those convicted of animal cruelty.

But they do tackle some really annoying stuff -- yes, I said stuff -- that, at the very least, irritates many of us on a regular basis, and, in a worst case scenario, destroys society. After great debate, and consulting with the team of marketing gurus that gave us the Quarter Pounder, I decided to call these brilliant ideas, Lou's Bills.

LB 1 -- Requires vending machines to have a phone number posted, at eye level for average people, in a minimum 36-point font, to call when said machine takes your money but screws you out of your goodies. Fine: Four continuous hours playing that impossible "hook the stuffed animal" game.

LB 2 -- Bans kids from teasing a fenced-in dog. Fine: offenders would spend eight hours in an appropriate-sized doggy kennel.

LB 3 -- Requires utility companies to schedule connections in no more than 2-hour windows. Fine -- two hours with Joan Rivers, which, inevitably would turn into 10 hours with Joan Rivers."Am I smiling? I can't feel my face."

LB 4 -- Triples the fine for people who do not use their turn signals. Fine: I don't know what the fine would be, but by tripling the fine we can use fun terms like, "I triple dog dare you to turn without using your signal."

LB 5 -- Bans retailers from placing stuff on thin metal sticks hanging at toddler eye level. Fine: Two hours, after midnight, watching the new Chatroulette 3d.

LB 6 -- Requires telephone solicitors to ask for people by their full name, not the typical, "Hey, is Louie home?" Fine: I'll let you folks suggest that fine.

LB 7 -- Requires cable companies to offer an a la carte menu that allows people to pick and choose their channels creating a "custom" tier. Fine: One million dollars, or an afternoon with Dr. Evil.

LB 8 -- Bans politicians from changing parties less than one year away from an election. Fine: Listening to the Jeff Crouere show for more than 10 minutes.

LB 9 -- Require plumbers to wear suspenders. Fine: I don't know that any fine, in this matter of national security, could be too harsh.

LB 10 -- Requires newborn girls to have their tubes tied at birth, thus forcing them to spend a few bucks and go under the knife before having a baby. If they can't rustle up the cash or are afraid of a small incision, they're not ready to have kids. Fine: An afternoon with any pro-abstinence Joan Crawford clone.

That's all I got today folks. More serious stuff coming next.

Bills to Watch at this Year's Legislative Session

2010-03-29T21:50:00.002-05:00

Gov. Bobby Jindal, in what is expected to be a somewhat grim address, will lay out his priorities for 2010 at the legislative session, which begins at noon today.

Nearly 2,000 bills -- running the gamut from thoughtful to much-needed to just plain goofy -- have been filed. Among some of the highlights -- bills to eliminate red light cameras, that call for a life sentence for twice-convicted child molesters, impose zero tolerance for school bus drivers convicted of a DWI, and nullify the recently-passed federal health care reform.

Because this is an even year, leges cannot address taxation issues, but that does not mean that finances won't weigh heavily during this session as the house and senate try to cut and paste together a $24.2 billion budget with the state facing a projected $1 billion shortfall.

Acadiana legislators have filed some worthwhile bills, and a few that make some ask, "if this is the circus, then where are my peanuts?"

One of the session's most talked about bills comes from Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell. He has filed a bill that seeks to nullify health care reform passed by Congress, claiming it is unconstitutional.

And, though I am doubtful, perhaps this is the year that Rep. Wayne Waddell succeeds at garnering support for his bills that would open the governor's office to the same Sunshine Laws that Jindal sought for legislators.

At least two bills by Acadiana leges address the safety of children on public school buses. One just happens to throw away that annoying little phrase, "innocent until proven guilty," while another one actually tackles the problem head on without much fanfare.

The first, HB 104 by Rep. Rickey Hardy, requires any driver who is arrested for a DWI to remain in jail 48 hours after their arrest. Hardy's bill is a response to the recent DWI arrest of Lafayette Parish school bus driver, Kenny Joseph Mire, who hopped on a bus and drove our children around barely two hours after he was released from jail. Mire has been charged with three DWIs over the last 10 years, but is yet to be convicted.

A more direct bill introduced by Rep. Nancy Landry, HB 1170, would prohibit commercial driver's license holders from operating school buses after a single DWI conviction. In other words, one and you're done. Landry told The Rom Report on Saturday that, "when it comes to our kids' safety ... there should be no second chances."

While Hardy's DWI bill is somewhat convoluted, many of his bills make so much sense they stand next to no chance of passing (sarcasm intended). Among Hardy's better efforts:

HB 988 would end benefits to welfare recipients who do not vote.
HB 431 would require twice-convicted child molesters to serve a life sentence.
HB 101 would, with voter approval on a Constitutional amendment, impose term limits on District Attorneys, Judges and Sheriffs.

But Hardy's DWI bill is not the only one he's authored that strikes at our Constitutional rights. In addition to holding those charged with DWI for 48 hours, he also wants to prohibit anyone charged with a felony from being released on their own recognizance -- a bill that, interestingly enough, would hurt those not flush with cash, i.e., many of his constituents.

Rep. Joel Robideaux's agenda is quite modest this year -- he has introduced a handful of bills looking to tweak the State Employees' Retirement System and limit insurance payouts to some judicial retirees.

Rep. Jeff Arnold of New Orleans is hot on the tail of those behind the proliferation of red light cameras in Louisiana. Arnold, via HB 160 and three other bills, urges fellow leges to turn out the lights on red light cameras and speed van companies like RedFlex.

Of the four bills Arnold proposes, I strongly support HB 159, which would return "due process" to a system that currently forces people to pay their tickets before they can appeal.

Rep. Landry has some other worthwhile, if not earth-shattering bills, on the agenda as well, including:

HB 315 criminalizes the act of giving false information to law enforcement officers trying to serve a protective order.
HB 1025 requires school boards to provide written notification to parents one year prior to implementing new or changing existing school dress codes.
HB 1146 eliminates a ridiculous guarantee to free civil counsel for deadbeat parents engaged in an intra-family adoption squabble.

Other nonsensical bills include:

A bill filed by state Senate President Pro-tem Sharon Broome, SB 528, is designed to shame women into not having an abortion. The bill would require anyone seeking to have an abortion -- do they still provide abortions in Louisiana? -- to have an ultrasound prior to terminating the pregnancy.
Rep. Walker Hines' HB 201 would create what I call a new "pet offender registry," that is, it would require people convicted of animal cruelty to register with law enforcement for 10 years or face jail time.
Rep. Hardy's HB 470 would prohibit anyone over 70 from running for elective office. It's at least worth a laugh over the next couple of months, and we'll need a few of those as leges try to pare $1 billion of the budget.

Now, you will notice that I left out some biggies here -- such as Jindal's effort to eliminate the Lieutenant Governor's position and the debate over Higher Education funding. Well, I'll leave that to the so-called big boys to debate for now. I will, in time, tackle those issues when I have more room to afford them.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

The Bill of Rights: And then there were 3

2010-03-25T23:30:00.000-05:00

You ever wake up one morning, look in the mirror and go, "Who the hell is that guy? How did I grow so old so quickly without noticing until now?"

Well, I imagine that's how the Bill of Rights would feel today, if, indeed, it were the living, breathing document its framers believed it to be.

You see, the Bill of Rights has taken a beating lately. Not just in this monster of a health care bill, but over the last 30 years, and most notably, since that fateful day of September 11th, 2001.

By my account, the Bill of Rights is currently comprised of three amendments, not the famous 10 we wax poetically about. At least, that's the number that I would say remain unscathed by both Republican and Democrat attacks.

Let's go down the list ...

The 1st Amendment -- Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion

I direct you to Exhibit A, otherwise known as federal Hate Crimes Legislation. Need I say more? Now, for Exhibit B. Well, too many to list, but for example, how about the Stafford, Va., reverend who was told he could not hold an outdoor baptism at a public park because some might find it offensive?

The 2nd Amendment -- The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

How about the Brady Bill, legislation that prevents those with conceal carry permits from carrying a gun on college campuses. The right for responsible citizens to bear arms has been so abridged that a year after Hurricane Katrina one U.S. Senator introduced a bill guaranteeing that police could not take guns from Americans during federal emergencies -- just in case people needed reminding about the 2nd Amendment.

The 3rd Amendment -- No Quartering of Troops

We are officially one for three now.

The 4th Amendment -- Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

So, does the paradoxically-named Patriot Act ring a bell? Let's see here -- unwarranted wire taps? unwarranted searches? bills passed under W that allow the government to eavesdrop on private emails, texts, IMs between an American and someone in another country? And let's not forget the so-called Sneak-n-Peak warrants, which let authorities search a property without immediately notifying the target of a probe. I could go on here, but you get the picture.

The 5th Amendment -- the right to due process (shall not be deprived of life, liberty, property ... without due process)

How about Red Light cameras and those cute little Redflex vans down the street? or the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act, which allows the government to seize your assets because they think they might have been used in the commission of a crime.

The 6th Amendment -- trial by jury, speedy trial

I point you to the case of hacker extraordinaire Kevin Mitnick, who was held without an indictment, without bail, without a trial for more than four years. Mitnick, such a threat to society, is now one of the highest-paid security consultants in the country.

The 7th Amendment -- the right of trial by civil jury

We're almost hitting .300 now, though some would argue with my take that the protections derived from this amendment remain relatively in tact.

The 8th Amendment -- prohibition of excessive bail

While there are countless examples to choose from here, I need only turn to a recent one involving former high school teacher Larry Callier Jr., who faces three child pornography charges. Callier has not been charged with murder or rape, or any act of violence, and is being held without bail because prosecutors told a judge that "based on the technology today ... there's nothing we can do to truly protect children..." from Callier.

The 9th Amendment -- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

This is kind of a grab bag of Constitutional compromises, but for the sake of brevity I'll offer few examples -- the right to do as you please with your land, the right to travel where you want when you want (think Cuba), the right to spend or invest your money where you want when you want (trade embargoes, etc.), and, finally, the right to buy whatever health care plan you want.

The 10th Amendment -- States Rights

Where do I begin? Well, I'll start with something an old political science professor used to tell me about States Rights -- Assistance, Encumbrance, Extortion. In English, it means -- the federal government offers states money, say, for highways; the federal government then allows the states to come to depend on this money; then, the federal government threatens to take said money away unless states comply with the federal mandates.

So, while it's easy to get carried away with our frustration and anger over Obamacare, the truth is that every day for the last 30 or so years politicians and our courts have been chipping away at the edifice of our Constitution -- most notably, the Bill of Rights -- until what is left is a broken down rock pile. No one party, nor one president is to blame. We, the citizens, who let it happen, are part and parcel to the assault on our freedoms.

Now, typically, this is where I end the column with something uplifting, thoughtful, or, oh so witty. Well, after writing this sobering piece of journalism, I got nothing folks. Maybe your responses will inspire me.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

At least 5 changes that will take place in 2010 following passage of the Health Care bill

2010-03-21T23:32:00.000-05:00

Now that Congress has passed the Senate's health care bill, the big question for many is what will it mean to me today, next month, this year?

That's what I wanted to know and that's what I''ll try to offer to you here.

Though the bulk of the reforms won't take place for three or four years, some significant changes will take place by year's end. Some within a month or so. Here are some of the highlights:

Within three months of the law taking effect, those who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing condition could buy subsidized coverage in so-called high-risk insurance pools.

Six months after the legislation is enacted, many healthcare providers would be prohibited from placing lifetime limits on medical coverage, and could not cancel policies of people who become ill.

Six months after the legislation is enacted, no children with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage.

Dependent children up to age 26 would be eligible for coverage under their parents’ plans — instead of the current rules, applied from state to state, that typically stops at 18 or 19, within six months of the president signing the bill.

By year's end, the so-called health care exchanges – which would require insurers to sell their policies to individuals and small businesses under much tighter government scrutiny – should be up and running.

It is expected that by 2014 half of the 32 million covered by the reform would buy their policies from private firms, the other half would eventually be covered by expanded Medicare/Medicaid coverage.

Now, I could write for hours about my opinion, but I thought — for this subject for the next few days anyhow, I would offer just the facts.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

Pope Benedict's pedophile cover-up nothing new to Acadiana Catholics

2010-03-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

Twenty-five years after the saga of serial molester Rev. Gilbert Gauthe rocked Acadiana, Pope Benedict finds himself the focus of growing criticism over his shuffling of a pedophile priest while serving as an Archbishop in Germany.

It appears that Pope Benedict, the former Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, made many of the same mistakes in his leadership position that he is charged with preventing today.

In 1980, Ratzinger reviewed the case of Father Peter Hullermann, who stood accused of sexually abusing boys in the Diocese of Essen.

After finding the accusations against Hullerman to be legitimate, the future pope then approved Hullerman's transfer to Munich and the priest resumed his pastoral duties soon afterward.

Six years later, Father Hullermann was convicted of sexually abusing children in the Bavarian town of Grafing. Catholic leaders continued to move Hullerman throughout his career, empowering him to feed on more children. In fact, he served as a priest in a German diocese up until Monday.

Now, other than the fact that this case involved the Pope, there's very little that differentiates this from the countless stories of bishops and archbishops shuttling pedophile priests from parish to parish.

Some, including the New York Times, have suggested that this is more noteworthy because the priest continued to serve after being convicted of molesting boys.

Well, that is not exactly precedent setting.

Eight years ago, as a writer for the Times of Acadiana, I broke national news with my report that the Rev. Norman Rogge, a priest at St. Charles Borromeo in Grand Coteau, was still serving mass -- despite two prior child sexual abuse convictions. At the time, and to this day, I believe Rogge is the only twice-convicted pedophile (that we know of) to still serve mass.

The one difference between Rogge and Hullerman is that Rogge was quietly nudged into retirement days before my expose on the church was published on April 24, 2002. Hullerman served mass a few days after his name was released to the media.

Now, while it's typical for many to criticize the Vatican and ignore the local problem, I implore you to assess your local diocese with a healthy skepticism -- even if we haven't heard much about new sexual abuse allegations in recent years.

Because, while Lafayette has been through several bishops since the horrendous acts of Gauthe, one constant that has remained is Monsignor Alex Larroque, who has served to protect pedophile priests and marginalize those who bring allegations against the diocese.

Until Larroque is gone, and only then, will I have any faith that this diocese truly cares about protecting the most vulnerable of its flock from those who abuse the power of the collar.

For more on the Catholic Church, see my archives, also known as, Stuff I Once Wrote.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

The 'Knowns' of Consolidation are scary

2010-03-08T14:38:00.000-06:00

For those of you who read The Daily Advertiser's alleged attempts at journalism this weekend I offer you something rarely found in their coverage of Lafayette Consolidated Government – Facts.

It amazes me that someone could write FOUR stories about deConsolidation and have nary a fact per story. But, lo and behold, it happened this Sunday, with a package of stories wrought with he-said she-said yet nada empirical data.

Three days before the city-parish council is supposed to vote on whether to let us vote on deConsolidation, did the Advertiser bother to tell us, oh, let me think here – what LCG's annual budget is?
Or, um, let me think about it – how many people LCG employs?
Or, now let's not get crazy, about, uh – if LCG has in fact succeeded at streamlining the cost of governing?

Well, that would be just silly now, wouldn't it?

Ok, well, here comes silly …

The 2009-10 LCG budget, adopted in October, is $587 million. Ten years ago the 1999-00 budget was $374 million, or $213 million less. In other words, a 57% increase over 10 years.

Well, the cost of doing business continues to rise, right?

Correct, that's why I adjusted the 1999-00 budget for inflation to see how streamlined LCG has become. When you adjust the $374 million for inflation, using the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation tool, it comes to $481 million in today's dollars – still about $100 million less than what LCG is actually spending today.

Now, Lou, why are you using 1999-00 budget figures and not 1996-97, the year consolidation took place?

To be fair, I wanted to give the good folks at city-parish hall a few years to get their act together. They were still figuring out this whole consolidation thingy-ma-jiggy those first few years.

OK, here is more of me being silly again …

Let's look at the claim that LCG has streamlined government services, saving taxpayers money. Now, according to Consolidated Chamber feelgood guru Bruce Conque, payroll/staffing is where the savings of consolidation comes into play, so let's tackle manpower.

Today, LCG employs 2,300 people roughly. In 1999-00, our local government employed about 2050 people – about a 12 percent increase in a decade. Adding 250 employees in 10 years is not exactly streamlining no matter how you cut it. I thought consolidation was supposed to eliminate jobs?

Here I go again (think Ronald Reagan), more silliness still …

Ok, Lou, but did you account for population growth? My answer – Yes.

According to the Census Bureau, Lafayette Parish was home to 190,000 people in 2000. The Census Bureau's 2008 Community Survey estimated the population at 207,000, a nine-percent increase, and one that reflects the Katrina-Rita boom.

In 10 years our “streamlined” budget under deConsolidation increased 57% outright and 25% if you adjust for inflation. Again – population growth, 9%; budget growth, 57%.

And, finally, a decade ago LCG spent $1,968 per capita to deliver services to the population it represents. This year, that number is projected at $2,835 per capita, or 44% more. If you go back and adjust the 2000 number, adjusting for inflation, the increase is a more modest 15%, but a double-digit increase nonetheless.

Either way you cut it, consolidation has not saved taxpayers money. Just a fact that the folks at The Daily Advertiser and the Consolidated Chamber can't ignore.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

Breaking down Brandon: Was the Ind's story a hit job or responsible reporting?

2010-03-03T13:11:00.000-06:00

blogger's note -- if you haven't already read it, I suggest you read The Independent's article before reading my response.

When I first read The Independent's report on City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin I wasn't sure what to think of it.

I had so many questions that were not answered.

Not, mind you, because of Leslie Turk's reporting, which was exhaustive. Turk's article was accurate and reliable from a purely factual standpoint. I have my issues with the conclusions drawn in the article, but more on that later.

In my mind, the big question was -- is Brandon Shelvin a con artist, a Madoff wannabe? Or is he a young, ambitious guy who got caught counting his chickens before they hatched.

My second question was -- did Leslie Turk point her critical eye at the entire City-Parish Council, or did she cherry-pick Brandon because he made one of the easiest and biggest mistakes a public official can make -- ignore a reporter's phone calls?

To address the first question, here is what I learned about Shelvin in about two hours visiting courthouses and chatting with in-the-know people today:

In City Court, he settled an eviction/small claims lawsuit within 30 days, and he settled a small claims lawsuit within four months.
In District Court, he resolved all but one claim against him, including a foreclosure filing.
Regarding the extended warranties that customers paid for but were never turned in to the warranty company -- the company has been paid and the customers are covered.

So, in my book I'm not ready to brand Brandon as a con artist who took the money and ran. I see more an aggressive and occasionally irresponsible entrepreneur who sat on some accounts receivable for far too long.

To address the second question, here is what I learned about Leslie Turk's reporting:

Turk, according to more than one reliable source, did review the civil and criminal records of all nine councilmen. Kudos to her for that.
Turk and The Independent followed Shelvin's legal problems for about six months before publishing today's story. Again, Kudos for showing some patience and due diligence.
Turk was, however, characterized by more than one reliable source as "having it in for ... (or) having an axe to grind" with Shelvin.

So, while I compliment Turk for her thorough researching on the facts in this case, I have some issues with the way the story was ultimately reported.

Turk did what many journalists do when an elected official ignores them -- she went after them, she attacked them, she said, essentially, "Oh, yeah, ignore me? Well, fuck you, we'll see what you have to say after I'm through with you."

And that anger comes spewing forth in Turk's assassination of Shelvin, in her questioning his fitness for office.

Let's be honest people. Just about anyone who owns a business has been sued for not paying a just debt.

Several councilman past and present, and even C-P President Joey Durel -- during his much more peaceful life as a pet store owner -- have had judgments filed against them. Many of the most successful businessmen of our generation have been sued, foreclosed on or have filed bankruptcy.

And they've managed to rebound, to recover, and do their family, friends, stakeholders, constituents proud.

Shelvin may or may not have that chance. My sources say his problems could get worse before they get better.

I don't know Brandon Shelvin. The first time I spoke to him was about four hours ago today. I don't know him, I have no vested interest, I don't really much care.

But my hunch is that he is more a somewhat reckless entrepreneur than an unrepentant con artist.

And if being a bad judge of that whole risk-v-reward conundrum makes him unfit for office, well, then we're going to have a hard time getting a quorum together for the next council meeting.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

No Deal on the Repeal, Council Tables DeConsolidation Vote

2010-02-27T08:37:00.000-06:00

The Lafayette City-Parish Council will not vote on deconsolidation, which was set for March 9, according to sources close to the council. Really close.

The vote will be formally tabled at the next council meeting, but word from the council is that the decision has already been made. Once tabled, an ordinance can be pushed back for up to 90 days, but no word yet on if and when it will come before the council.

Former councilman Bruce Conque, now a liaison for the Lafayette Chamber, told me this week that should the vote be delayed the full 90 days, it would be virtually impossible to take the steps necessary to bring the deconsolidation vote to the people in November.

He said a special election could be held in March or April of 2011.

I suspect, however, that if the vote does not take place this year it will not happen -- at least not under the Durel regime.

It's amazing to me that five members of this council -- all in office for barely a year -- now believe they know better than you about what's best for Lafayette Parish. And, more offensive yet, is that they believe you can't possibly learn enough about the pros and cons of deconsolidation in nine months.

Millions for LUS Fiber, nothing for City-Parish Charter review

2010-02-26T03:38:00.000-06:00

Six years ago, Lafayette Utilities System -- otherwise known as You, the Taxpayers of the city of Lafayette, spent more than a million dollars "educating" the public about the advantages of bridging the digital divide and bringing fiber to all of Lafayette.

Today, barely a week away from a vote that opponents are now trying to quash, Lafayette Consolidated Government has done next to nothing to educate its leaders about what You, the Taxpayers of Lafayette, think about the possibility of repealing the City-Parish Charter.

Could that be because they know what you think -- and don't want irrefutable, scientific confirmation of that to get in the way of deciding for you?

Hmhh???

Well, I don't plan to let that get in the way of you finding out.

Here's the plan, folks. For a few hundred dollars I can conduct a scientific poll, of at least 400 registered voters (with a +4/-4 margin of error) that will tell you, your councilman and all of Lafayette Parish what our community thinks. The poll will be conducted by politicalpolling.com.

Donate $10 and I will rotate your banner ad for a month, or just donate because you want to know the truth. I will publish the poll results here and will bring them to the city-parish council meeting on March 9th. Simply click the button below to donate

Doctor claims Autism can be cured sans drugs

2010-02-24T21:46:00.000-06:00

Today, on the show, I was joined by Dr. Robert Melillo, author of the somewhat controversial Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, who talked at length about his drug-free approach to treating children within the Autism spectrum and the struggle for funding.

Dr. Melillo also shared his thoughts on three recent developments on Autism:

1.) the announcement that Asperger's syndrome will officially be placed under the umbrella of Autism in the next DSM III, due out in 2013.

2.) the debunking of Dr. Andrew Wakefield's claim that the measles vaccine was to blame for autism in many kids who were diagnosed.

3.) a study released about 10 days ago that women in their 20s are more likely to have a child with autism if the father is over 40.

I will post the entire interview tomorrow for those of you who missed it and, of course, welcome comments from those of you who heard the interview.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL 1330.

Police officer went too far, assaulted a child

2010-02-24T21:29:00.000-06:00

So, the Lafayette Police Department finds itself under the gun again, huh? This time for a lieutenant's violent shaking -- some call it assault -- of a teenage girl who for the most part was doing as she was told, sitting on the ground with her hands behind her back.

Of course, while suspects have the right to remain silent they are under no obligation to do so. But on Mardi Gras day this girl's rant compelled the police officer to violently shake her in such a way that if a parent had done that to their child they likely would have been jailed and charged with assault.

I can sum up what's wrong with this in fewer than 20 words -- We should hold an adult police officer to a higher standard than a minor child.

But don't take my word for it, see the video for yourself.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL 1330.

2009-08-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, thanks for checking out this aircheck from yesterday's show. It's about the Town Hall Blue Hairs -- who happen to be on Medicare -- who are railing against the government option health insurance program. But why narrate, when you can just listen .... it's only 60 seconds.

I apologize in advance

2009-04-06T19:10:00.000-05:00

Coming soon to a radio station near you ...

... just in time for the end of Lent.