Dhimmi This!

Response to Maginnis Article

The Shreveport Times carried the following letter to the editor:

Jason Waltman

Shreveport

John Maginnis' analysis regarding the lawsuit filed by Royal Alexander demonstrates a complete lack of legal acumen. Maginnis asserts Alexander filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to cease the broadcast of a television commercial that contained lies without a working knowledge of the First Amendment. On the contrary, Alexander knew the courts were hesitant to enjoin false or slanderous political advertisements; however, many of the cases contained strong dissenting opinions.

        In 1987, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Cole wrote: "It is my view that false publications are not constitutionally protected and injunctive relief as to future publication is proper." Justice Cole correctly asserted the use of a known lie as a tool is at odds with the premises of democratic government. Subsequently, former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Dennis wrote a concurring opinion which implied support for injunctive relief if a plaintiff could prove actual malice.

The law is not static. It evolves as courts recognize past precedents are no longer workable or, as in the case of school segregation, the courts determine that the existing law is in conflict with our constitutional democracy. To attack a person who argues for a change in the law by asserting that person does not have a working understanding of said law is overly simplistic and demonstrates an ignorance of the role of the courts in our democracy.

Louisiana Justice Fund Files Amended Form 8871

The IRS website shows that Louisiana Justice Fund has filed an Amended Form 8871. The new form states that the Treasurer and Custodian of Records is Katherine M. Buchanan (Dewey Square Group) and the Executive Director is Catherine Birdwell (Hilltop Public Solutions).  Still no physical address.

Michael Yon's Shout Out to The Brits

Michael Yon has a great dispatch from Iraq about the work of our British allies in Iraq.  The dispatch is titled Men of Valor: Part I of about VIII. Yon discusses the sacrifices, often unrecognized, by our British allies.  As usual his pictures are great as well. A couple of excerpts to wet your appetite:

American soldiers get care packages from people they do not even know, and those packages are morale boosters. American soldiers get cards from kindergartens from sea to sea, and the soldiers paste the cards all over the walls of their headquarters and hospitals. I don’t know what it is about those homemade cards, with their squiggly letters, stick figures and smiley-faced suns, but whenever I am in hospitals in Iraq, those cards from the kids greatly lift my spirits. I’ve seen the British get cards and packages like this, but nothing like the quantity, variety and frequency of what American soldiers get.

2 Rifles—photographed after the battle described in the dispatch “British Soldiers at War”—had fought well, sustained losses and inflicted much greater, but the enemy had only been warming up for the most serious battles to come. It was this combat-experienced enemy that would welcome 4 Rifles to Basra, intent on squeezing out every possible drop of British blood.

Caldwell wins AG Race

In what one "old timer" described as one of the dirtiest races in his memory, Democrat Candidate James D. "Buddy" Caldwell won the race for Louisiana Attorney General over the Republican, Royal Alexander. My opinion is that the race boiled down to two issues.  First, the voter turnout in areas that Alexander needed was low.  This was mostly due to the lack of down ballot races in Alexander's areas and several significant down ballot races in Cadlwell's strong areas.  Second, the influx of close to $1,000,000.00 in the race by the 527 organization, Louisiana Justice Fund. 

At some point in time Louisiana Justice Fund will have to report its source of funds and I am willing to bet that it is either Planned Parenthood, Democratic Attorneys General Association, or a group of Trial Lawyers.  At any rate, I doubt that it will be money from inside Louisiana.  Essentially, because of loopholes in campaign finance laws, an out of state organization was able to use unlimited funds to finance a negative campaign against a statewide candidate without ever having to reveal its identity. If you or I donated $250.00 or more it has to be reported within weeks.  This entity spent $100k's and the source of its funds remains a mystery.

The televised media could have made the airing of the advertisements contingent upon the disclosure of the source of funding for Louisiana Justice Fund, but in the end the smell of money was too much for them.  The print media in Louisiana just simply does not have the backbone for good investigative journalism and all but dropped the ball on the matter.  For the most part the stories run by the print media concerned the issues in the advertisements and never really addressed the fact that the source of the funding was never disclosed. Oh well, that is Louisiana politics for you.

Alexander will land on his feet.  He now has significant name ID around the state and most importantly, won Caddo and Bossier Parishes.  This was done despite the endorsement of Caldwell by several old time politicians, most notably the District Attorney Paul Carmouche.  Despite radio and television advertisements against Alexander, Carmouche was unable to produce for Caldwell.  This should be of concern to Carmouche since he is certain to face Shreveport Attorney Craig Smith in his re-election this fall.  Smith, a well- financed Democrat and Shreveport native, is already actively campaigning for the job. Carmouche, who has been District Attorney for 30 years has not had to run a race since his election. Carmouche's connections to the establishment cannot be discounted, but Smith may have a few surprises up his sleeve.  Smith has deep roots in the community and has significant support in the Shreveport legal community.

More Endorsements for Alexander

 

"Bobby Jindal is going to need an A.G. who can help him change our state"

LATEST ENDORSEMENTS OF ROYAL ALEXANDER

Baton Rouge—Royal Alexander announced the latest endorsements of his campaign for Louisiana Attorney General:

Former Governor Buddy Roemer

Agricultural Commissioner-elect Mike Strain 

State Senator Ken Hollis
State Senator Michael Michot
State Senator Max Malone

State Rep. Charlie Lancaster
State Rep Henry “Tank” Powell
State Rep. M.J. “Mert” Smiley, Jr.
State Rep. Gary Beard
State Rep. Donald Trahan
State Rep. Ernie Alexander
State Rep. Jim Tucker
State Rep. John LaBruzzo
State Rep. Shirley Bowler
State Rep. Tim BurnsState
Rep. Billy Montgomery
State Rep. Mike Powell
State Rep.-Elect Tony Ligi

Chairman, Roger Villere, Jr., LAGOP
Vice Chairwoman Polly Thomas, LAGOP

BESE Member-Elect James Garvey

Councilman John “Marty” Dean, St. Tammany Parish Council

Jefferson Alliance
Louisiana Medical Political Action Committee (LAMPAC)
The Monroe News Star
Central City News
South Baton Rouge Journal

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support from so many distinguished officials and organizations across Louisiana. Bobby Jindal is going to need an Attorney General who isn’t part of our political past and who can help him change our state. I will be that Attorney General.” said Alexander.

Defamatory Advertisement Against Royal Alexander

I guess when it comes to making money the television stations really are not all that concerned about ethics or truth or facts.  Just give them some cash and a blind eye is turned.  Responsibility and due diligence are evidently just words.

Email from Caldwell' Campaign Consultant Regarding Louisiana Justice Fund

Second Letter from Alexander Campaign to Television Stations

Letter from Alexander Campaign to Television Stations

Planned Parenthood and Louisiana Justice Fund

Here is the link to the cached Planned Parenthood site which links it to Louisiana Justice Fund - Link

Here is the cached text file only: Download planned_parenthood_of_houston.mht

Here is the text of the page:

A donation to the Justice Fund goes directly to fund abortion services provided through Planned Parenthood of Southeast Texas Surgical and Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. This is for anyone that feels strongly that women must have the right to determine what's best for their lives and want to ensure that essential reproductive healthcare is accessible for all women in our community. Give a Gift to the Houston Justice Fund --- Give to the Louisiana Justice Fund