Gov. Bobby Jindal’s memoir, Leadership and Crisis, will be released Nov. 15, but The Washington Post’s Stephen Lowman got an early copy of the book, which was originally set to be released in July under the title Real Hope, Real Change: New Conservative Solutions to Rescue America.
The title wasn’t the only change. The original cover (which may or may not have been finalized) featured a large American flag with a small inset photo of the guv, along with the co-byline of Peter Schweizer, who has written books about the Reagan and Bush presidential families. Schweizer’s name (and the flag) are absent from the cover of Leadership and Crisis, which features a photo of Jindal striding purposefully in a sport jacket and khakis, surrounded by a Louisiana state policeman and a member of the National Guard. It also features a front-cover blurb by Miss. Gov. Haley Barbour (“Anyone who thinks that the Republican Party doesn’t have new and innovative ideas has never met Bobby Jindal”). And, for those unfamiliar with the author, he is identified on the new cover as “Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana.”
According to Lowman, the book includes the expected swipes at President Barack Obama and his administration for their handling of the BP oil disaster, as well as a chapter titled “Do We Really Want to Be Like Europe?” (Answer: no.) Of particular interest to Louisiana political watchers will be a section called “Men Behaving Badly,” which limns wayward politicos of both parties, including John Ensign, Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, John Edwards and Bill Clinton — though one obvious addition to the list, Sen. David Vitter, seems to have slipped Jindal’s mind. Another omission from that list: former Speaker of the House and Republican resurgent Newt Gingrich, who provided a nice back-cover blurb for Jindal, calling him “one of the most talented, reform-minded governors in the nation.”
Other back-cover backscratchers include Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush and Democratic strategist James Carville (“I don’t agree with the guy on everything, but Governor Jindal has provided competent, honest, and personable leadership throughout some of Louisiana’s toughest times”). But one blurber comes out of left field (or perhaps the backfield): New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who says, “If you are looking for a take-charge guy, a leader who understands the need for quick, strong, and decisive action, look no further than Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.”
Leadership and Crisis hits bookstores Tuesday.
JUNE 16 This story in the Advocate tells us that the state Department of Education is taking a look at the Course Choice program. They're doing that because the legislature (probably responding to reporting by Tom Aswell, who does not work for the Advocate) ordered them to make sure that these private companies aren't signing six-year-olds up for high school Latin classes without their parents' knowledge or consent.
JUNE 17 Columnist James Gill writes about the recent complaint of death row inmates at Angola: it's hot as you-know-what in their cells, with the heat index topping 120 for months. Since we're not executing people anymore (Gill opines) then we should probably officially end the practice of putting people on death row. The prisoners, by the way, are not asking for cool breezes: they only ask for clean water and a temp that doesn't top 88.
JUNE 17 Here's blogger Ian McGibboney's take on the Baton Rouge plan to give bus tickets to homeless people who have a home with family who live far away. Taken from one point of view, it could be a good solution for some people. But McGibboney raises some good points here, including this one: Why not improve opportunities for everybody in Baton Rouge so these people can find the jobs they came to BR for?
JUNE 17 Picayune columnist Jarvis DeBerry talks here about the Zimmerman trial, but the real topic is the concept of a black man being more dangerous, somehow, than a white man in a fight. It is an interesting discussion, and one that may enlighten people who think that racism doesn't exist because nobody's keeping black folks from eating at the Woolworth lunch counter.
JUNE 17 Here's an interesting column from Baton Rouge Business Report's publisher, Rolfe McCollister, about anger against the government. It's brewing because of recent revelations about the IRS and the GSA, he says. It's readable, not just for the subject, but because of McCollister's collection of sources: Huffington Post, National Review and Wikipedia. That's a combo you don't see every day.
JUNE 17 In this American Press post, Jim Beam talks about the high school diploma track that lets kids who aren't interested in university get what they want and need out of high school. The diplomas get kids ready for technical school, Beam explains, and then he goes on to give some of the numbers. Some of these numbers might really surprise people who think technical school is second best. And, Beam adds, a college diploma does not guarantee anybody a job.
JUNE 17 The Washington Post reports here that OSHA is going to investigate the explosion that occurred last week in Donaldsonville, shortly after the other fatal accident in Geismar. As soon as the site is safe, State Police will be pulling out of the Donaldsonville plant to make way for OSHA investigators, the story reports. (Hey, here's an idea: why don't they go a couple miles down the road and figure out what happened when that massive sinkhole started sucking up land.)
JUNE 17 Robert Mann writes about the LSU Board of Supervisors in this post, taking a look at the many ways board members have served Gov. Jindal and not their university or their students. The board members are esteemed members of their fields, but can't seem to do anything but say "yes" to Jindal, regardless of the cost to LSU, Mann opines.
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