PoliticsLA -- The Latest News and Views on Politics in Louisiana

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Consolidated BP Oil Spill Lawsuits Will Be Adjudicated in New Orleans

BP will face hundreds of lawsuits over the Deepwater Horizon disaster in federal court in New Orleans, a panel of judges ordered, a victory for plaintiffs seeking billions of dollars in damages for the largest oil spill in U.S. history. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will preside over more than 300 suits, including wrongful-death claims by families of workers killed in the April explosion. Claims also cover revenue lost by Gulf Coast businesses and environmental damage. BP investors’ suits over losses tied to the spill will go to federal court in Houston.

Sunday, 13 June 2010

Battle of the Big City Mayors: Big Easy vs. Big Ben

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu took aim Friday at London's mayor for his comments about the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Mayor Boris Johnson told BBC that the constant tongue-lashing of BP could have dire repercussions for investments in his country. Landrieu said that while Johnson is worried about investment portfolios, Gulf Coast officials are trying to protect a way of life.

Thursday, 10 June 2010

Feds: BP Agrees To Expedite Oil Spill Payments

The Obama administration says BP has agreed to expedite the payment of claims to businesses and individuals whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Tracy Wareing, with the National Incident Command office, told reporters in Washington that the understanding on payment of claims came in a meeting Wednesday with BP executives, including CEO Tony Hayward.

Friday, 04 June 2010

Oil Hits Gulf Shores Beaches -- Resorts Cut Rates to Attract Visitors

Oil hit the beaches in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with tourists reporting gobs of oil washing up in the surf and the smell of oil heavy in the air. As resorts cut rates to attract tourists, some reported that restaurants and resorts were not hiring and were operating on their winter staff rates because tourists were afraid to visit. Cleanup crews were nowhere to be seen.

Friday, 04 June 2010

Legislature Passes Resolution Against Moratorium

The Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to cancel its six-month moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, saying the ban would kill the state's struggling economy. "Don't shut down Louisiana," said the sponsor, Rep. Gordon Dove of Houma. Rep. Ernest Wooton of Belle Chasse said the moratorium could push the state's $2 billion budget deficit to $10 billion. The Advocate's Arthur Lauck caught this photo of legislators posturing at the microphone during debate.

Wednesday, 02 June 2010

White House approves Louisiana berm plan

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen told BP to pay for the five berms approved by the White House, in addition to one he and the Army Corps of Engineers approved last week. The British energy company later said it supported the six projects and would pay the estimated $360 million cost to build them.

Wednesday, 02 June 2010

Former Saint Scott Fujita Urges Text "isupport wetlands" to 20222 to Help Save Coastal Louisiana

After former New Orleans Saint Scott Fujita donated half of his Super Bowl earnings to help save Louisiana's coastal wetlands, he is now urging supporters to text "isupport wetlands" to 20222 to help fund volunteer efforts to plant marsh grasses and restore Louisiana's coast after the oil cleanup. It's clear that while Fujita may be a Cleveland Brown, his heart remains in Louisiana as the state fights to save "America's Wetland."

Tuesday, 01 June 2010

Chalmette Residents Have Little Faith in BP, Feds -- They were Oiled in Katrina

It's easy to understand why the residents of Chalmette, Louisiana have little faith in BP and the federal government. After Hurricane Katrina devastated this small St. Bernard Parish community, a refinery oil tank burst and flooded their homes with crude oil. With hurricane season opening today, residents fear they will be oiled again just as they are beginning to get on their feet five years after Katrina.

Tuesday, 01 June 2010

BP CLASHES WITH CRITICS OVER FACTS SURROUNDING OIL SPILL

With no progress to report on Memorial Day, BP continued to stir up controversy with comments by BP chief executive Tony Hayward that contradicts scientists and some of his company's previous statements. First was Hayward's statement to the Associated Press that the oil is on the surface and that there aren't any oil plumes under the surface of the water, a fact disputed by scientists. Then came BP's response to clean-up workers who became sick and were hospitalized, but only after being stripped of their clothing and forced to take showers by BP outside the hospital before being allowed to enter. This would presumably affect any future litigation against the company by the workers.

Monday, 31 May 2010

Anger Rises Over Latest BP Failure -- Hundreds Take to Streets of New Orleans in Protest

Anger and despair intensified on Sunday as the White House announced the latest effort by BP to stop the oil from gushing into the Gulf had failed. The next effort BP will attempt -- to cut off the broken riser pipe at the top of the well and cap the new opening -- could potentially increase the oil flow by 20 percent. BP officials painted a different picture on morning talk shows, saying they were careful not to do anything that would make the situation worse. Meanwhile, protestors in New Orleans showed how angry the public has become over BP's lack of candor and a plan for dealing with the disaster.

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The Pelican Republic debuts as a compilation of diverse viewpoints from different places and ideologies. You may find that The Boiling Frog frets over societal values while The Purple Veil delves into personalities; Politique Deux Centimes digs around Acadiana while Anonymous Rex keeps Louisiana in the DC picture and The Lively Pelican weighs in with more blabber from the Crescent City region.

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BIO Written by The Boiling Frog
"NOBODY HAS EVER DENIED THAT NEW ORLEANS IS A VIOLENT TOWN. IT IS. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT." Mayor Mitch Landrieu

Come on Man! The New Orleans Times Picayune called it tough talk from the Mayor but is sounds like suspended reality for everyone who finds…

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BIO Written by The Boiling Frog
WAR, UHH, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I read a really disappointing USA TODAY front page story, "A Decade of War," that missed the point that we have been at war for…

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BIO Written by The Boiling Frog
BANDITS OF A BAD ECONOMY

As we share compassion for our fellow man being mugged in a bad economy, save your tears for one profession cashing in at the bank…

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BIO Written by Man on the Street
Is the Debt Limit the Real Issue?

In observing the fight over the national debt limit (which I am not convinced is such a big deal), my feelings about the political process…

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BIO Written by Politique Deux Centimes
The Killer Bill - Making It Legal

THE KILLER BILL....MAKING IT LEGAL In which Louisiana parish were the lives of two innocent, bright siblings with brilliant futures destroyed in an accident…

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BIO Written by Man on the Street
Family Forum: Bad for Louisiana

I believe the biggest danger of organized religion is that it can be used as a tool of hatred. Radical Muslim ideology uses the Koran…

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BIO Written by The Purple Veil
Who Killed the LA Democratic Party?

The Louisiana Democratic Party is dead. Let’s don’t waste time arguing that point. Let’s just admit it and talk about the mystery of how it happened. After all,…

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BIO Written by Politique Deux Centimes
A Real Race

Well isn’t this just becoming a rare event: A Louisiana State Senate race between only one well-educated Democrat and only one well-educated Republican…

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BIO Written by The Boiling Frog
DEMOCRACY’S DEMOLITION DERBY

From film's celluloid closet, the often spoofed scene where windows are thrown open and common folk scream, "I'm mad as he'll and I'm not gonna…

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BIO Written by The Lively Pelican
Finally Some Good News for New Orleans

New Orleanians are very happy with their new mayor and city council. Very happy.For a while, Mayor Mitch Landrieu looked a little star-crossed. First, his…

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Consolidated BP Oil Spill Lawsuits Will Be Adjudicated in New Orleans

Battle of the Big City Mayors: Big Easy vs. Big Ben

Feds: BP Agrees To Expedite Oil Spill Payments

Oil Hits Gulf Shores Beaches -- Resorts Cut Rates to Attract Visitors

Legislature Passes Resolution Against Moratorium

White House approves Louisiana berm plan

Former Saint Scott Fujita Urges Text "isupport wetlands" to 20222 to Help Save Coastal Louisiana

Chalmette Residents Have Little Faith in BP, Feds -- They were Oiled in Katrina

BP CLASHES WITH CRITICS OVER FACTS SURROUNDING OIL SPILL

Anger Rises Over Latest BP Failure -- Hundreds Take to Streets of New Orleans in Protest

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