Jindal's Latest Attack on Louisiana's Families

[Political Tiger]

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is often cited as a rising star in Republican politics. One of the party's most visible state executives, he has worked hard to endear himself to the GOP faithful, and has been widely mentioned as a possible White House candidate in 2012. And, true to form for some of those who seek to carry the Republican mantle on a national ticket, he is already beginning to pander to the most extreme factions of his party and his state.

In December, Jindal announced the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Marriage and Family, billed as "an entity within the executive department that serves to propose programs, policies, incentives and curriculum regarding marriage and family by collecting and analyzing data on the social and personal effects of marriage and child-bearing within the state of Louisiana."

In other words, Jindal's Commission is going to be looking at - and making recommendations regarding - marriage and family issues within the state. And a quick look at some of those appointed by the Governor to serve on the panel leaves no doubt that, in the end, the line-up will do nothing more than promote an extreme, anti-gay agenda that sets back, blocks and battles any attempts to recognize or respect Louisiana's same-sex families.

Among those who have been appointed by Jindal to serve on the Commission are Tony Perkins (who hails from Baton Rouge), the president of the anti-gay advocacy group known as The Family Research Council . . . Gene Mills, executive director of the far-right Louisiana Family Forum . . . Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund . . . and numerous members of the clergy. All, Jindal has said, "have significant academic and/or professional expertise" on issues of marriage and family.

And each has a long history of spouting anti-gay rhetoric, too.

Perkins and Mills, especially, are vociferous anti-gay advocates, and have been the driving forces behind attempts to ban legal protections for same-sex couples. And on his website, Mills promotes publications with titles such as Morally Straight, Protect Your Children, and Three Myths About Homosexuality. All are inflammatory, inaccurate and outrageously biased papers that demean and degrade lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. (The Family Research Council's list of similarly harmful publications is too long to list in a single blog entry.)

MORE:
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/01/jindals_latest_attack_on_louisianas_fami.php

[MountainLaurel]

1. Meanwhile, the state is cutting budgets for

Higher ed and who knows what else.

[samplegirl]

2. Rising star to nowhere

had he used his real name Piyush....he would just been another towel head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TlalocW]

3. Possible 2012 candidate... feh

It doesn't matter what he does to endear himself to the GOP - he has one thing working against him: he's not white. The racism - both overt and subtle - of the GOP is going to skyrocket during Obama's presidency, especially in whatever is spewed out of the likes of Limbaugh, etc. One of McCain's disadvantages was that the bigwigs of the religious right were badmouthing him up until it was almost too late to be of any help when they did a 180 and started supporting him. Four years of conservative voters listening to increased racism is going to take its toll on the "armchair racists" of the republican voting bloc, and it will just be preaching to the choir of the hardcore racists in the party. Having to switch gears late in the game to throw support behind a hypothetical Jindal candidacy means republicans having to first dig themselves out of the deep, deep hole they've put themselves into. The GOP is still the party of white, old men.

TlalocW

[samplegirl]

4. They still that is enough to swing and election

all they need is the Billo fan club. They are not done ruining their party!!!