The Man Comes Around
A new day for Louisiana
By Ben Domenech Posted in Bobby Jindal | Republicans — Comments (14) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Surrounded by family and friends, Bobby Jindal was sworn in as governor of Louisiana today under a clear blue sky.
I really had to stop after I wrote that sentence. Stories like this aren’t supposed to happen in politics. They particularly aren’t supposed to happen in states like Louisiana. I was there when he won, and I still know it's not supposed to happen. But now, before our eyes, it’s happening. In spite of everything we thought we knew, it's happening.
"For reasons none of us can understand or fully appreciate, history has placed all of us -- every living Louisianian, those within her borders and without -- in a position previous generations could only envy," Jindal said, surrounded by his wife, Supriya, and three young children. "Under the spotlight of the world, with generosity from many and a clear call to common purpose, we have the opportunity to make lasting and positive change…"
Jindal made only passing reference to Katrina and Rita, and focused instead on his signature pledge to strengthen ethics laws and build "a Louisiana where incompetence is not a synonym for government."
"We will come to this Capitol to make a clean break with the past. To give Louisiana the highest standards for accountability anywhere in the nation," Jindal said. "To take our government 180 degrees from the darkest chapters of its past."
I’ve talked before about all the other, easier tasks Bobby Jindal could’ve undertaken. He is 36. Couldn’t he leave Louisiana to the older hands? Couldn’t he let others muddle through, while he waits for an opportune moment to launch onto the national stage? Couldn’t he avoid this politically daunting circumstance, and bide his time for an easier path to emerge?
But that was not his choice. Today, because Bobby Jindal chose this path, Louisiana has hope for a bright future. This is a singular moment, not just for a state, but for our country: to prove that conservatism can be the engine for change, that it can fix what others view impossible. We cannot underestimate the challenge of the days ahead, or the courage of this young politician in the face of amazing odds.
Jindal's speech today closed with his trademark call for change. If I had the honor of writing it, would’ve closed by echoing Vaclav Havel: “My people, your government has returned to you!”
We wish him Godspeed.
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The Man Comes Around 14 Comments (0 topical, 14 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
It's far too early to be sure, but he's certainly on my shortlist for '16
John Bolton for President
"FEAR THE 'STACH!!!"
He has to deal with some entrenched institutional corruption that has been built up since the time of Reconstruction. As capable as this man is, it will take some time to straighten things out.
Godspeed, Governor Jindal.
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
I was in New Orleans the last four days with some other students working with Habitat for Humanity. Godspeed to Jindal, as there is still much work to be done. I was located in St. Bernard Parish and the 9th Ward--even now, over two years after Katrina, many of the businesses are still boarded up and many residents still have not returned. Many of those who have returned live in FEMA trailers trying to get their house either rebuilt or sanitary enough to live in. I didn't really understand why these families couldn't recover quickly until I spoke with some of the locals--though the residents' houses could not be occupied for health reasons after the storm, or had to be demolished altogether, they still had mortgage liabilities on the homes. So if residents wanted a new house, that mortgage would be piled on top of their old mortgage. Many of the hardest hit areas, such as the 9th Ward, were low-income families who probably had difficulty getting approved for the first mortgage. There's no way they would be approved for another large loan, and many of these folks lost their jobs following Katrina as many businesses were shut down. Quite a conundrum. I know this is somewhat of a sidetrack from the post, but hopefully this sheds some light on the magnitude of the problems Jindal will face--in addition to the corruption he plans to fight, and all the other issues that arise when governing a state. Jindal needs our prayers as he fights to reform and improve LA.
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And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet
- Tennyson, _To the Queen_
I am a LA resident and have been to N.O. many times since Katrina, but I visited the Lower 9th Ward/St Bernard Ph for the first time the day after Christmas.
In some places, you would swear that the flood happened last month, not 2-1/2 years ago. Large piles of trash at curbside waiting to be hauled off, and burned out houses that need to be demolished.
In many ways, I think all levels of government pretty quickly returned to the normal rhythm of government, with permit approvals, commission meetings, etc. when what was needed was some bold executive decisions about demolition & rebuilding. The Road Home money was disastrously slow in making it into people's hands -- and that was a state responsibility.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
I was born, raised, and lived in St. Bernard before Kitrina ran us out. Thank you so much for coming down to help out our neighbors, it is truly appreciated. Kitrina and Rita changed the political landscape in La. forever. We can no longer turn a blind eye to political coruption. Bobby won all but 4 parishes in the state with a mandate for ethics and business tax reform. It will be tough because there are still some old guard cronies in the legislature who will try to stop him. We can not fail this time, it is a matter of life or death.
New Orleans......Proud to Swim Home!
I still continue to call her my second home and sincerely hope that some fresh thinking and blood (in a state rife with inherited power and wealth) will inspire the state to change direction and try new things. My family is down there and I can tell you first hand, even after Katrina, most of them still dont get it. Its hard and sad to watch. Good luck Bobby!
PS Related to an earlier comment of mine made to Erick's chuckling at the Dems fight over race and gender...this to me is something that every GOP candidate should be all over and a peice with which the RNC should beseige the press. It'll be interesting to see which candidates get next to Jindal first.
What you saw and witnessed is THE conundrum facing nola and Louisiana. The south will be reshaped by what has taken place there (as it has already in some ways). Pile the increasing amount of "temporary" laborers (dare I say illegals) move into the city every day to take the jobs left by former residents and you have quite a cocktail. Brandford Marsalis gave one of the best congressional testimonies on New Orleans that I have heard to this day. It was honest, articulate and straight shooting and did not excuse anyone in the blame (including even his own fellow native nolans). I can't find a link, but if I do, I'll be sure to post.
That wasn't a slight on all inherited wealth or the rich, if you are familiar with the cycle down there, its toxic with folks inheriting wealth and power and having no sense of responsibility to managing it effectively or innovation. I do recognize the fault lies spread over many economic brackets, agencies and industries.
I know this is an emotional reaction but I get chills. I just love this guy and everything I know and have heard about him. It's almost as though he were one of Reagan's decendants.
May his star rise all the way to the top. He'll absolutely get my vote!
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
I would like to thank the author for the title. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you refering to the song written and performed by the "Man In Black" himself?
Great song, Great Man, Johnny Cash.
Great Governor, Great Man, Bobby Jindal!
Maybe now folks will realize that Conservativism didn't ruin the Republican Party. It was the lack of Conservatism that ruined the Republican Party.
May his star continue to rise.