Jindal: Stop!

Sad news. According to newsmax.com, Governor Bobby Jindal has asked that a campaign to draft him for a presidential run stop.

Dan Kyle, an officer in the "Jindal for President Draft Council," confirmed Tuesday that the governor's organization has asked that the draft efforts be halted. The letter from campaign organization treasurer Robert Yarborough _ and a later statement by Jindal communications director Melissa Sellers _ said the presidential draft effort would distract from the governor's work.

While I respect Governor Jindal's decision (not necessarily agree), I hope and pray he reconsiders. We really need someone like him right now.

Jindal PAC Formed for Possible Run

Image by The National Guard via Flickr

Now here's news that doesn't depress me. According to newsmax.com, a federal political action committee is being formed to support Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA) in a run for Barry's job.

Jindal himself is not directly involved in this effort.

"The governor has said that he has the job he wants, and he hopes to be re-elected (in 2011) to continue to move Louisiana forward," Jindal spokesman Kyle Plotkin told the New Orlean Times-Picayune Web site.

He added, "It's flattering, but the governor does not support this effort. This is a distraction from the critical issues that we face, and the governor will not be involved in any capacity."

Dan Kyle, a former legislative auditor and failed GOP candidate in several bids for office, has said that he believes Jindal will seek the presidency.

"We're not necessarily saying 2012, but we want to be ready," Kyle said. "But in 2016 we'll be ready ready. I know people feel he has a lot of unfinished business in Louisiana before he moves on. We would love to keep him here as long as possible, but if it turns out it's better for him to run in 2012, we'll support that."

Is that a choir of angels I hear?

Jindal Says He'll Veto

Bobby Jindal's press secretary, Kyle Plotkin, has said, in not so many words, that Governor Bobby Jindal (R) of Louisiana will veto a bill placing a tax on Internet access should it reach his desk. The tax would be intended to fund a program to target Internet crime, especially sex crimes against children. Most Republicans in the State Legislature supported the measure.

"While we absolutely support cracking down on sex offenders that prey on our children, we're opposed to raising taxes on the people of Louisiana." said Plotkin.

The issue has posed a problem for Jindal, who could very well be the front-runner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. His administration has vowed to crack down on sex crimes, but he has vehemently opposed taxes.

Supporters of the measure cite the ease with which these deviants can operate. Brian Jacob, a father of four from New Orleans, says he's worried about his children's safety. "We all know that there are a lot of sick people in the world and use the Internet as access to the kids," said Jacob. Hey Brian!!! How about monitoring where your kids are going to and what they're doing online?? BE A PARENT!

I, for one, am glad that Bobby has chosen not to dip into the pockets of the taxpayers yet again.

Louisiana House Wants 15-cent Internet Access Charge

Leave it to the bureaucrats to figure out how to get even more of your hard-earned money.

Rep. Mack "Bodi" White, R-Denham Springs, Louisiana, has sponsored a bill on behalf of the Attorney General for the great state of Louisiana to levy a 15-cent charge on Internet access in order to help fund a program to fight Internet crime, particularly sex crimes against children. While a noble idea, the road to hell is a slippery slope of good intentions.

The fee is being called a "usage fee" (don't you just love that one), but opponents of the measure call it a tax on Internet access. "Today it's Internet access. Tomorrow, what's it going to be? A subscription to DirecTV?" said Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans. There could be a court challenge in light of the fact that federal law prohibits states from taxing Internet access.

Governor Bobby Jindal (R) is in a pickle. He has pushed for tougher penalties against sex offenders, but has opposed anything that looks like a tax. Personally, I hope and pray that Jindal would have the stones to veto it. There are plenty of other measures to punish sickos. And, no, I'm not talking rehabilitating them. That doesn't seem to work. Chemical or physical castration? Yep. Letting the families of the victims they terrorize alone with them in a room full of baseball bats? Yep. Sitting down with them to try to understand why they do such hideous things? NO FRICKIN' WAY!!!

It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. Protecting our next generation from deviants is of the utmost importance, but taxing Internet access is not the way to fund it.