Regardless of how you might feel about Common Core, Gov. Bobby Jindal has shown in no uncertain terms that he is either a liar willing to twist facts to his own political advantage or that he is just too dense to comprehend the English language.
As our friend Stephen Sabludowsky over at Bayou Buzz noted in his blog post today (Monday, Sept. 22), Jindal, having crashed and burned in state court (for what seems like the umpteenth time) has now filed a “frivolous” lawsuit in federal court challenging Common Core and by some extension as yet undefined, President Barak Obama. http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/item/748889-jindal-misleads-in-his-legislative-auditor-common-core-spin
Jindal, Sabludowsky noted, said in a press release following the release of an issue brief by Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s office that the report “declared that Common Core Standards are driving curriculum in the classroom.” http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4678
Jindal added that while the report says that standards are not synonymous with curricula, “the report clearly declares that standards drive curriculum.”
The report, however, says nothing of the sort.
That sent Sabludowsky into orbit. “The word ‘drive’ does not even appear in the report, nor does the word ‘drives’ or even ‘driving.’”
Jindal filed his lawsuit against the Obama administration, saying the federal government (read: Obama) “has hijacked and destroyed the Common Core initiative.”
That, of course is the only tact he could have taken, given the fact that he once was an ardent proponent of Common Core
Yet, blaming Obama for the Common Core standards is more than a little misleading. Our friend Gregory DuCote correctly pointed out that the standards were adopted by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. “I do not see Barak Obama’s name” in the report. “I do not see him credited with the standards.”
All of which got us to wondering what would happen should Jindal somehow, against all odds, be elected POTUS and attempt (either by misinterpreting or by manipulating) to skew the meeting of an international communique or a clause in a peace treaty or trade agreement?
With that in mind, we take you to the White House Oval Office sometime in say, 2018 or 2019:
President Jindal: I’ve just read the report on the Chinese economy and I don’t like what I see.
Press Secretary Mike Reed: Why is that, Mr. President?
Jindal: Well, it says here in black and white they want to initiate an “aggressive tirade mission aimed at exploding western markets. It’s obvious they’re planning to bomb Wall Street.”
Reed: No sir, it says “aggressive trade mission aimed at exploiting western markets.”
Jindal: Don’t correct me. I’m POTUS. Get me the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the NSC, Homeland Security and CIA Director Edmonson. Where’s my Budget Office director?
Kristy Kreme Nichols: I’m right here, Mr. President. I’ve been practicing my half-truths, distortions and denials.
Jindal: Kristy Kreme, where do we stand on Social Security and Medicare?
Kristy Kreme: It’s just Kristy, Sir. Some jerk in Louisiana hung that stupid name on me. Our program to cut Social Security and to offer less coverage under Medicare at higher premiums has resulted in 93 percent of senior citizens having to go back to work to supplement their retirement income. And eliminating the funding for unemployment certainly was effective. We have handicapped military veterans and homeless people cutting lawns and doing landscaping now. By the way, Susan West is doing a great job running Medicare under DHH Secretary Greenstein.
Jindal: Excellent. More people working. That’s what we wanted. Mike, put out a press release about our full employment program. How does Attorney General Faircloth feel about the legal issues involved?
Executive Counsel Thomas Enright: I spoke with him on this and he thinks it’s a slam dunk.
Jindal: Good. I knew I could rely on Jimmy. Always there when I need him. Oh, I need to talk to Secretary of State Teepell about that Russian threat to deploy its nuclear missiles.
Teepell: I’m here, Mr. President. That communique from Putin said he was offering to destroy his nuclear weapons, not deploy them.
Jindal: Destroy, deploy. Whatever happens, we know it’ll be Obama’s fault. Is the Secretary of the Interior here to give his report?”
Scott Angelle: Yes sir, Mr. President, I’m here. I’m happy to report that we have finalized contracts with Exxon/Mobil to open up oil and gas drilling in all the National Forests. Of course, we may have to cut down a few redwood and sequoia trees. Fracking in Yellowstone, however, could pose a problem with the geysers. Especially Old Faithful.
Jindal: Frack it. Those tree huggers probably believe in global warming, too. Do we have a report from Treasury?
Secretary of Treasury Tim Barfield: Everyone on Wall Street sends their best, Mr. President. The Dow set an all time record yesterday, thanks to our sweeping deregulation programs.
Jindal: You’re doing a heckuva job, Barfee. How’re we doing on our legislation to create a new cabinet position?
Chief of Staff Kyle Plotkin: It looks good, Mr. President. I believe we have the votes for the Secretary of Morality position.
Jindal: How does Gene Mills feel about his nomination to the post?
Plotkin: He’s warming up to it, sir. He’s taking a page from the Koran and informing senators and congressmen that if they adhere to a strict monogamous marriage, they will go to heaven where they will be rewarded with 70 virgins.
Jindal: How’s that working out?
Plotkin: We have complete bipartisanship in the House and Senate on this. And ALEC is seriously considering it for their model legislative package for state legislatures next year. We’ve never seen such enthusiasm. It’s a breakthrough of historic proportions.
Jindal: Well, I fail to see the hysterics in that but I’m glad they’re receptive.
Reed: Sir, it seems to me that you spent eight years as governor beating up on the federal government for trying to run our lives and now you’re trying to get it to monitor America’s bedrooms.
Jindal: But don’t you see, now I am the federal government. And you’re fired. This is great! I really do have the job I want.
So well written and so very funny (so long as it doesn’t really play out like that).
A scenario like the one described above could make an agnostic/athiest believe in God just to pray it doesn’t happen!
Love it! I would be laughing out loud if it wasn’t so scary!
It would be so true if jindal had his way. And he would probably put the Koch brothers over the treasury dept. along with White over economic develoent and Chas over education.
The Koch brothers are so greedy they couldn’t afford the cut in pay and they’re not about to do anything in the name of public service.
Submit this to Gridiron.
I’ll have nightmares for days I tell you – DAYS!
I spit my coffee out!
This is very funny, and Thank God it will never come to pass! Jindal continues to say that he is “considering” a run for the WH, but the Republican primary poll numbers continue to show that Republicans are not “considering” voting for him. Yes, Jindal would have a future in politics if it were not for the voters.
Worth reading. All of the people mentioned work now for Jindal in Louisiana and Weegie said that they are all “yes” people to anything the governor says. Kristy Kreme (her name is Kristy Nichols and she’s the top dog in finance) has bombarded the newspapers lately with what she calls a reasonable explanation for insurance problems with state and retired employees! She is also paid more than anyone that has ever held the position. Yuck.
I like it and it is sad at the same time because it is not too far from the truth. I wish that this Thursday’s meeting of the Appropriations Committee will raise some awareness of the sad state of the State. Jindal’s destruction of Louisiana’s ability to reasonably handle its day to day operations should be on everyone’s mind today.