What You Won't Hear About Alton Sterling Today

Photo source: KNOE

Today, Attorney General Jeff Landry declined prosecution of officers that were involved in the 2016 shooting of Alton Sterling outside of a business on the north side of the city.  Throughout the coming days, you'll hear the liberal mainstream media drone on and on regarding the shooting with excuses for Landry not pursuing prosecution, such as political motivation.  However, what you won't hear are some of the facts of this case.

First, Sterling had an obscene amount of drugs and alcohol in his system.  From the AG report, the following was found during the autopsy:

A toxicology test (Exhibit C) was conducted during the autopsy and the results indicated Sterling’s chest blood tested positive for the following substances:

-          Ethanol (29 mg/dL)

-          Blood Alcohol Concentrate (BAC 0.029 g/100mL)

-          Benzoylecgonine (130 ng/mL)

-          Cocaine (26 ng/mL)

-          Amphetamine (23 ng/mL)

-          Methamphetamine (280 ng/mL)

-          Delta-9 Carboxy THC (13ng/mL)

-          Delta 9 THC (3.8 ng/mL)

            Additionally, Sterling’s urine tested positive for Opioids, Cocaine, Cannabinoids (THC), Amphetamines, and Fentanyl. 

            The toxicology report indicated that blood levels of 200-600 ng/mL have been associated with methamphetamine abusers who exhibited violent and irrational behavior. Sterling’s blood level for Methamphetamine was (280 ng/mL) which placed him in this category.

            The toxicology of Alton Sterling clearly indicated that he was under the influence of a combination of illegal substances.

Secondly, the report highlights Sterling's extensive history of interactions with law enforcement and a criminal history.  In one particular case, the circumstances are very similar to the facts of the current investigation.

This incident was documented by the Baton Rouge Police Department under item number 09-00054712 and, other than a seven year difference, mirrors the exact incident that occurred on July 5, 2016 in all but the outcome.

On May 29, 2009, Baton Rouge Police Officer Timothy Daigre responded to a call for service at 999 Rosenwald Street, Baton Rouge, LA. The complainant, identified as Anthonia Anderson B/M, DOB: 04/12/1980, reported that earlier in the evening on May 29, 2009, he had been driving and was approached by Alton Sterling who produced a dark colored handgun and pointed it at him and his passenger.

After being given this information Officer Daigre was directed to where Alton Sterling was selling contraband CDs. This location was identified as 1375 Rosenwald Street, the Scotlandville Grocery Store. 

Officer Daigre relocated to this location and observed an individual who matched the description provided by the victim as Alton Sterling. Upon the officers approach Alton Sterling was carrying a milk crate full of music CDs.

The officer asked Alton Sterling if he had any weapons.

Alton Sterling did not answer the officer, and was instructed put the milk crate on the ground and place his hands on the officer’s marked patrol unit. Alton Sterling complied with the officer instructions.

Officer Daigre began to conduct a Terry frisk, a pat down, of Alton Sterling’s outer clothing for officer safety. As Officer Daigre began this frisk, he noticed Alton Sterling removed his left hand from the hood of the marked unit and moved his hand toward his left front pants pocket.

Officer Daigre stopped Sterling from going into the pocket, and told him (Alton Sterling) to keep his hands on the hood of the vehicle. 

At this time, Sterling ignored the officer’s instructions, spun away from where the officer was attempting to conduct his frisk, and tried to flee from the officer. Officer Daigre grabbed Sterling by the shirt and was able to push him to the ground. During this process, he was giving loud verbal instructions to Sterling to stop resisting.

Once on the ground, Officer Daigre attempted to gain positive control of Alton Sterling, giving him instructions to stop resisting.

During his attempt to restrain Sterling, the officer was able to use his radio and summon assistance.

As the struggle continued, a black semi-automatic 9mm handgun fell from Alton Sterling’s waistband.

East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Dain Lewis had heard the officers call for assistance and responded. Upon arrival, Deputy Lewis helped subdue Sterling and his resistance was brought to an end.

Alton Sterling was subsequently arrested for the following charges: 40:966C Possession of a firearm while in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, to wit: Marijuana; 14:37 Aggravated Assault; 14:108 resisting arrest; and 14:69.1 Possession of a stolen firearm.

The full report regarding this incident can be found here.

What is The Reasoning Behind Jack Montoucet Moving the LDWF Offices???

Photo source: LDWF

Earlier in the month of March, a story started gaining traction that Sec. Jack Montoucet, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries secretary, was planning to consolidate the offices of the LDWF in New Iberia and Opelousas into a location that was being purchased in Lafayette.  The reason?  Sec. Montoucet has stated that he is unable to expand the location in New Iberia, repairs that are necessary for both locations and the need for a centralized location outside of Baton Rouge. 

As a result of the decision to close both locations, parish and city leaders from both areas met with Sec. Montoucet to discuss their concerns.  Among those in attendance was Port of Iberia Director and former State Senator, Craig Romero.  Romero offered property within the Port of Iberia to the LDWF in order to keep the department within Iberia Parish, which was done free of charge. This was offered as a result of the assistance the State of Louisiana has given the Port of Iberia with development costs for many years in the past. The Port felt it was time to repay for all favors in the past. Sec. Montoucet did not respond to that offer.  Additionally, the state owns vacant property in New Iberia that was being used for vocational training.  The campus is large enough to house the operations that are needed in Iberia Parish and can easily meet the needs that Montoucet has stated he requires.

The problem with this whole issue is that, on an almost daily basis, we are reminded by Gov. "Honor Code" that the state is broke.  The property in Lafayette is valued at $7 million dollars and is located in the heart of the city.  Does anyone with a modicum of intelligence think that this is a good idea?  How is it efficient to send boats from Lafayette to respond to calls in Loreauville, Jeanerette or areas in the eastern part of Iberia Parish.  How is it safe to be pulling boats through Lafayette to Dulles Drive?  Some of these boats are over 40 feet long and require a permit to be moved.  How are we going to pay for this location?  Oh, I think I know how.  Raise "fees".

Montoucet has floated the time honored tradition here in Louisiana of raising fees, this time on the backs of hunters and fishermen in the Sportsman's Paradise.  Per this piece from The Advocate, the following is being proposed:

License fees for basic fishing would rise by 42 percent and 33 percent for hunters under a proposal outlined Monday by the secretary for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Jack Montoucet, a former state legislator who leads the agency, said the increases are needed to offset a wide range of financial problems, including the loss of $65 million since 2009 because of state budget problems.

This seems like nothing more than another attempt to spend money on the backs of the taxpayers of the State of Louisiana.  When are we going to stop letting these "public servants" shove it to us on a consistent basis. 

Similar to the "Drain the Swamp" campaign that is trending regarding Washington, D.C., we need to "Drain the Stick" here in Louisiana.

Farrakhan and His Democratic Friends, Including Obama

Photo source: Jewish Press

Why is it that only conservative news outlets are pointing out the relationship between several prominent Democrat congressmen and Louis Farrakhan?  If any Republican was caught being in the same room with the likes of David Duke, who spouts similar crap as Farrakhan, this would be plastered over every means of media in America.

Higgins Signs Letter of Support for the Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644)

Photo source: Catholic League

Congressman Clay Higgins - LA 03, has signed off on a letter of support for the Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644), which would allow unwilling medical professionals to not participate in abortions and forcing them to choose between violating their consciences or being driven from the healing professions. 

A copy of the letter can be found here.

OPINION: U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, AG Jeff Landry column: Criminal justice reform actually hurting public safety

Photo source: The Advocate  

We’ve got to be smarter about this. We can’t let prisoners go simply to cut down on the cost of bologna sandwiches. Public safety needs to come first.

Read more:  U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, AG Jeff Landry column: Criminal justice reform actually hurting public safety

I Can't Wait Until This "Honorable" Clown is Out of Office

Photo source: YouTube

If you work in the oil and gas industry and continue to support both JBE and the Democrat Party, then you need to have your head examined.  I give you the latest from the "Honorable One".  It wasn't enough to go after the oil and gas industry last year regarding coastal erosion.  He's now determined it's time to extort them even more.

The self righteous that couldn't bring themselves to vote for a true conservative in Vitter, congrats.  This crap is all your fault and when he's done in another year or two, this state will be poorer yet.

Honor Code my ass..............................

#IVotedForVitter

Read more: The Governor and Louisiana Lawyers Plot an Energy Shakedown

What Do the Democrats Stand For?

Nothing, that’s what. Nothing. 

Now About that Memo, We Present This...........

Photo source: YouTube

Remember when President Obama "guaranteed" there's no political influence in any investigation conducted by FBI?

It's way past time to clean the damn swamp...................

Check Out Ashleigh Banfield's Takedown of Gregory Salcido

Photo source: Stars and Stripes

Did you see the video of the douchebag that went on a rant that downgraded the US military and the folks that serve?  This assclown has the audacity to spout that the soldiers and sailors in the world's finest military are basically dumbasses and that we shouldn't be proud of their service.  And this was done by a school teacher and a councilman from, of all places, California.

Well, Ashleigh Banfield went on an epic takedown of this clown and it was priceless.  Check this out:

"Honor Code" Is Bragging About This?????

After doing all he can to kill the oil and gas industry here in the State of Louisiana, our own "Honor Code" and the Louisiana version of Barack Obama, John Bel Edwards, has come out with a statement touting the creation of a whopping 150 new jobs in the Monroe area with CenturyLink.  

I would be more likely to believe that this deal was done in response to the recent changes in the tax system implemented by the Republicans in Congress and pushed by President Trump rather that the "business climate" within this state.  "Honor Code" has done nothing in his two years as governor, other than raise taxes on both the citizens of the state and the companies that do business here.  

If there is anything more apparent that this clown tripped into his office, then I don't know any.  The sanctimonious Vitter critics should be proud of the circus being run in Louisiana.  But don't blame it on us that supported the Republican candidate in the last governor's election.  We all voted for Vitter.

Attorney General Jeff Landry Joins Family Research Council's Washington Watch Radio to Discuss a Guidance on Religious Expression in Public Schools

"We want students to know that they have a right to express their religious beliefs and that their first amendment rights are not surrendered at the schoolhouse door." Landry went on, "Both Congressman Mike Johnson and I worked collectively over a number of months to put together a student rights handbook so that students have a guidance, under which they know they can express their religious beliefs, of what they can do in the public school system."

Read more: Attorney General Jeff Landry Joins Family Research Council's Washington Watch Radio to Discuss a Guidance on Religious Expression in Public Schools

Congressman Higgins Applauds Expansion of Offshore Drilling

Photo source: Rep. Clay Higgins

“We are working together with President Trump and his administration to deliver an energy policy that places American families and American industry first. Expanding offshore drilling access in the Gulf of Mexico means more jobs and economic growth for South Louisiana. I am committed to unleashing American energy potential and will continue to fight for Louisiana oil and gas jobs.”

Read more: Congressman Higgins Applauds Expansion of Offshore Drilling

John Bel Edwards' Criminal Release Program Isn't Working Out That Well

Photo source: WWL

As per a recent WWL report, another one of our esteemed governor's early released prisoners has ended up right back in jail not long after his release.

Alton Brooks Jr. was most recently arrested Friday after Kenner Police said he was shoplifting at a Winn Dixie on Williams Boulevard.

The 49-year-old man was released Nov. 1, along with hundreds of other inmates who got another shot at life due to a new set of state laws that overhauled the criminal justice system.

This, along with a string of other early released prisoners, have recidivated since release from the state prison system.

Source: Man arrested four times since early release from prison

Graves & Abraham to Tax Bill Negotiators: Don’t forget about Louisiana flood victims

Photo source: ULLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2017
Contact: Kevin Roig, 202-225-3901

WASHINGTON, DC – Louisiana Congressmen Garret Graves (R-Capital Region) and Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-Alto) sent a letter today urging Senator Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and Congressman Kevin Brady, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means to retain disaster tax relief language in the final product of negotiations currently underway in Washington to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of major tax reform legislation.  The disaster tax relief, which was included by Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy in the Senate’s version of the bill, accomplishes the goals of separate legislation Graves introduced earlier this year - H.R. 2849, the Louisiana Flood and Storm Devastation Act of 2017, which would grant homeowners and individuals emergency tax relief, the ability to withdraw from retirement accounts without incurring penalties, casualty loss provisions, work opportunity tax credits for employers, and relief for certain charitable giving. The bipartisan bill was cosponsored by Congressmen Richmond (D-LA), Abraham and Higgins.

“We aren’t asking for special treatment,” reiterated Graves. “We’re asking for our flood victims to be given the same, common sense relief that disaster victims in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico were granted after disaster struck those communities.  Too often after disasters, government ends up getting in the way of recovery – this is a chance to actually help recovery and remove nonsensical penalties currently imposed on victims for wanting to take care of themselves.”

Dr. Abraham added, “Louisiana flood victims deserve equal access to disaster tax benefits that have been afforded to other states. Our people are still recovering from two historic floods we suffered last year, and this tax relief will go a long way toward facilitating that recovery.”

Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson also signed the letter, which can be readhere. You can read more about H.R. 2849 here.

Louisiana Ranks High in "Judicial Hellhole" Report

“Rounding out the latest Hellholes list is #8 Louisiana,” Joyce reported, “where a former trial lawyer turned governor cheerleads litigation against the Pelican State’s critical energy industry and has hired rich political donors to run it. Ethically challenged judges and seemingly bogus ADA lawsuits make things worse.” 

Read more:  Louisiana Ranks High in "Judicial Hellhole" Report

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: Video details Fraud, LA Tax dollars shipped to other states

Photo source: Facebook  

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators put out the following regarding rampant waste within the Louisiana DHS and "Honor Code" wanting more of the Louisiana taxoayer's money. 

• Louisiana saw over $40 million in Medicaid fraud in 2016.
  • Check it out here.
• $2.5 Million of OUR Louisiana tax dollars were sent to folks living in other states.
• All of this while the Louisiana Department of Hospitals budget skyrocketed up 60%!

And now the Louisiana Department of Hospitals wants another $2 Billion of our tax dollars?!?

What did the Louisiana legislature say about all of this? Governor Edwards bypassed them and awarded a $15 BILLION contract without their approval.

See the breaking video for all the facts.

Op-Ed: 340B Drug Discount Program 25th Anniversary

Photo source: Louisiana House of Representatives

While Congress remains deadlocked on health care reform, there is good news for some of Louisiana’s seniors who are in the Medicare program. Recently the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS), a federal agency that sets Medicare policy made some important change to the 340B Drug Discount Program which will result in Seniors and the Medicare Trust Fund paying less for prescription drugs.

Most people have never heard of the 340B Drug Discount Program although it is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Designed to help low income and uninsured patients to afford their prescription medicines, the program allows certain clinics and hospitals that serve large populations of such patients to buy drugs at a steep discount. The intention was that these discounts would be passed along to the patients.

Like so many well-meaning government programs, over time the purpose of the program has been lost and some hospitals have taken advantage of it to pad their bottom lines rather than help patients pay for drugs. Because the legislation that created the program, and the rules promulgated to implement it, are vague, clever consultants have found loopholes to help some hospitals exploit the program.

For example, while clinics such as the Ryan White AIDs Clinics, must document how they use the savings from the discounts, large corporate hospital chains who make tens of millions from the program have no reporting requirement at all. In fact, many hospitals run fully insured patients through the program, not just those in need. They take drugs they bought at a steep discount and sell them to fully insured patients at full price and pocket the difference. In the case of some very expensive cancer drugs, this profit could amount to thousands of dollars from just one patient. This overcharging not only impacts the Medicare Trust Fund but also the out of pocket amount that Medicare patients must pay.

In its recent ruling CMS has rightly said that hospitals must charge Medicare, and the Medicare patient, a price that is much close to what the hospital actually paid for the drug under the 340B Drug Discount Program. No longer are excessive profits acceptable. 

But even this welcome change by CMS is very limited. It only applies to drugs administered by hospitals to Medicare patients in their outpatient facilities. Drugs prescribed to Medicare patients which are taken at home and which seniors purchase from for-profit chain drugs stores with contract arrangements with the hospital, can continue to yield massive profits for both hospital and pharmacy.

So, while there is limited good news for some on Medicare, there is no good news for younger patients. The reality for non-Medicare patients is that those who are in need have no guarantee of receiving the 340B discount and those who are fully insured continue to be run through the system and charged full price, generating windfall profits for hospitals.

Since CMS has less authority to deal with non-Medicare patients, Congress needs to step in and modernize and reform 340B. Until they do the massive and unsustainable expansion of the program which has taken place in recent years will continue. Expansion would be fine if it were driven by the needs of patients. But it is not. It is drive by the desire of corporate hospitals and the for-profit drugstore chains which whom they have partnered, to pad their bottom line.

The purpose of the 340B Drug Discount Program is as valid today as it was 25 years ago. Arguably it is more important because prescription drugs play an ever-increasing role in modern medical care. But if it is going to survive another 25 years it need to be fixed. CMS has taken a good first step to protect some Medicare patients. But other Medicare patients, patients served by other government programs and those patients who have private health insurance or health insurance provided by their employers are not protected. Congress needs to follow the lead of CMS and reform 340B for everyone. I can think of no better 25th birthday present to this worthy program than for Congress to take action to stop those who are abusing it.

State Representative Tanner Magee

Louisiana - District 53

AG Jeff Landry Stumps for Kyle Duncan

Photo source: YouTube

AG Landry and the Judicial Crisis Network have put out a video supporting Louisiana's Kyle Duncan, the President's pick for an open seat on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Citizens for Louisiana Job Creators: Released Prisoner Arrested for Armed Robbery

Photo source: WWL

Just a week after the Department of Corrections released 1900 criminals,WWL TV reports a habitual offender -- who was supposed to be in jail for 12 years but got out in 3 years -- robbed a man at gunpoint.

Governor Edwards' staffer, James Leblanc, indicated we needed to give the "reforms" time to work. Perhaps we could suggest that anyone who has SIXTY FOUR counts of burglary NOT be set free when Governor Edwards and the Department of Corrections decides to let the next batch of 1500+ criminals out of jail on December 1. 

As we said last week, lock your doors and as U.S. Senator Kennedy has suggested "you ought to own a handgun just in case."

Paper: Filing lawsuits not a solution to coastal erosion

Photo source: The Advocate

Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states need to find constructive ways to mitigate the coastal erosion problems, but a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court indicates that filing lawsuits against the oil and gas industry may not be a viable way to solve this problem.

On Oct. 30, the Supreme Court refused to revive a Louisiana flood protection board’s lawsuit seeking to make oil, gas and pipeline companies pay for decades of damage to coastal wetlands.

The suit was filed by the Southwest Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. The suit claimed that the industry’s dredging of canals in coastal drilling areas contributed to the loss of wetlands that form a hurricane buffer for New Orleans.

Federal courts, however, blocked the suit. A federal district judge in New Orleans in 2015 ruled that federal and state law provided no avenue by which the board could bring the suit. Then the appeals court in New Orleans agreed with the lower court, which led to the Supreme Court ruling.

Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, had this response to the ruling: “It’s three strikes and you’re out! The SLFPA-E lawsuit was dismissed in a U.S. District Court, refused by a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and denied by the U.S. Supreme Court. These and similar frivolous lawsuits against oil and gas companies are destroying Louisiana’s competitiveness to attract future investment. We are thankful for the Supreme Court’s ruling and will continue to hold true to our convictions, fighting to ensure that the oil and gas industry remains a cornerstone of Louisiana’s culture.”

The oil and gas industry has been a bedrock part of the Louisiana economy for over a century, and has brought prosperity to many Louisiana families. Oil and gas production is also vital to the whole nation.

But Louisiana and other coastal states also need help with mitigating the coastal erosion problem, and since the U.S. Supreme Court has blocked this avenue of funding, it should be up to the federal government to live up its responsibility to provide the funding needed to restore the coastal parishes.

Source: The American Press