Hypocrisy In Jindal's Ethics' Reform

One of Jindal's featured proposals in the current special session on ethics is a bill that would end the controversial provision in the ethics code that lets legislators accept free entrance to sporting and cultural events, golf games and other outings.


It appears, however, that nobody was listening:

Gov. Bobby Jindal's top aide and several legislators used free tickets from the governor's New Orleans Arena suite to treat their daughters and other relatives to the Hannah Montana recent live concert.

Four tickets each were given to House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers; Sen. John Alario, D-Westwego; Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-Algiers; Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans; and Superdome Commission board member Julio Malera. Teepell's brother Taylor Teepell used three tickets.

Or could it be, let's not practice what we preach.

Clinton Will Not Debate In Houston

While the Democratic presidential hopefuls won't be squaring off for a debate in Houston, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton still plans to attend an energy forum at the George R. Brown Convention Center Feb. 28.

The Greater Houston Partnership, which organized the forum, had hoped to lure the New York senator and rival Barack Obama to a potentially dramatic showdown just five days before the March 4 Texas primary.

But earlier this week, the two Democratic candidates agreed to debate next Thursday in Austin. Partnerships officials were still hoping the candidates would agree to participate in the forum.

Times Picayune Explains Nagin Photo

A photo in some Metro sections and on Nola.com on Wednesday showed a laughing Mayor Ray Nagin pointing an M-4 rifle at Chief of Police Warren Riley at a news conference to announce new crime fighting equipment purchased by the New Orleans Police Department.

A review of a video taken at the event shows that the mayor momentarily pointed the gun at the chief as he was lowering it but he did not deliberately point it at Riley.

Search suspended for missing Houston woman

Texas EquuSearch today suspended its search for a missing pregnant Houston woman.

Volunteers have searched for Tierra Adams, 25, for almost a week without success, said Tim Miller, the organization's founder. The group might renew its search should a promising lead surface, he added.

Adams, who is due to deliver her baby Thursday, was last seen on Jan. 29 near North Houston Rosslyn and Texas 249. The group has concentrated its search in that area.

Love Is Good For Your Health

According to a recent T-P article, love has its benefits:


Love has been measured in blood tests, stress levels and psychological responses as scientists seek to measure love's impact on wellness. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2004 study indicated that married adults are less likely to be smokers or heavy drinkers and less likely to have sexually transmitted diseases.

The same study concluded that a healthy marriage contains built-in stress reducers -- combined incomes translating to greater wealth over a lifetime, friends and family from both spouses serving as a ready support group, and a tendency toward more responsible behaviors.

Circuit City prototype comes to Houston

Circuit City is debuting a new store concept called "The City" at Deerbrook Mall on Valentine's Day.

The City will be an interactive store with a more selective inventory of electronics. Computers, cameras and video games will be available for testing on a new open floor plan.

The store is scheduled to open on Feb. 14 at Deerbrook Mall, which is located in Humble at the intersection of U.S. 59 and F.M. 1960.

Justin Roche, Deerbrook's general manager, says Circuit City is moving from a few miles away into the 24,000-square-foot top floor of what was a Mervyn's store. Circuit City's employees are being transferred to the new location and retrained, he says.

The City is making a local debut four months after the national retailer launched its interactive store prototype.

Reform In Louisiana

I read this editorial in today's T-P and it mentioned some interesting points regarding Jindal's reform package. Here is an excerpt:


The public ought to know the financial interests of officials who shape public policy and spend public resources. That includes local officials, who determine matters ranging from zoning issues to property tax rates and who spend billions of taxpayers' dollars. Judges also should be included, as the governor proposes, since the public should know if judges handle cases in which they have a financial interest.

Just as important is to prevent real or perceived conflicts of interest. Gov. Jindal is appropriately proposing that legislators, their families and businesses be banned from getting state contracts -- whether negotiated or bid -- while in office and for one year after. Not surprisingly, some legislators are grumbling, saying that would discourage some people from seeking public service.

But avoiding conflicts of interests is more important than preserving the livelihood of some current or potential public officials. After all, no one is obligated to run for office. Opponents of reform always claim change is going to scare away candidates -- and it just isn't true.

In order to attract new businesses and restore public trust, Louisiana has to clean up house.