Gov. Bobby Jindal and his advisers are clamoring for damage control in the wake of his idiotic speech in London on Monday but this one could be a tough hill to climb.
In case you’ve been in a cave the past few days, Jindal spoke to a conservative group, the Henry Jackson Society, claiming the existence of “no-go zones” throughout England and France into which non-Muslims are afraid to venture because of what are apparent roving gangs of Islamic thugs just itching to assault any non-believer.
The only problem with his histrionics is that they weren’t true and his source for the information, Faux News, had even retracted its original claim to that effect on four separate occasions prior to Jindal’s speech during what was billed as an industrial recruiting tour.
Never one to admit his error in the face of overwhelming evidence, Jindal repeated his claim to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer while standing outside Parliament.
A wave of public criticism quickly mounted here in Louisiana with much of the criticism pointing out that as governor of Louisiana, Jindal should be home tending the store instead of trying to interject himself into an international debate in which he is pitifully unqualified to participate. http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/11384992-123/our-views-bobby-jindal-shows
But now Jindal’s supporters, which are considerably thinner in ranks than a mere three years ago, have come to his rescue.
Timmy Teepell, Jindal’s personal political guru, came charging in on his white horse this morning in an email blast on which we somehow managed to get included. (We don’t dare give our email address lest they delete us from their mailing list. Besides, we’d rather imagine them going through that email list in a frantic attempt to determine which address is ours.)
“No matter how desperate the liberal press appears, their assaults on Conservative leaders rarely shock me,” he said in the opening paragraph of his little missive. (Yep, he lower-cased liberal and capitalized conservative. That GED of his is really kicking ass.)
“But even I was taken aback when CNN disregarded its own reporting in an attempt to smear Bobby Jindal.” (Apparently Teepell thinks so highly of himself, he considers Bobby as some sort of subordinate and refuses to use the title of Governor when speaking or writing about him; it’s just “Bobby.”)
“We both know many members of the press have their own agenda—but this is beyond the pale,” he said.
“This came about after Bobby Jindal (there he goes again with the “Bobby”) spoke out about so-called “no-go” zones throughout Europe. The locals use this designation because non-Muslims know not to go there, or else they will be subject to harassment by groups of hardline Muslim thugs.”
Teepell said a CNN reporter (that would be Wolf Blitzer, Timmy) “blasted” Jindal and claimed the zones didn’t exist.
Well, we watched that interview and at no time did Blitzer claim the non-existence of the “no-go” zones; he merely noted that the claim (by Faux News) had been retracted and even discredited by the British prime minister. But then Teepell said this: He should have taken the time to watch this CNN report that Red State was able to find – the reporters own network reported on this problem more than a year ago.
Well, Timmy, we did. And while the report did indeed allude to roving groups of Muslim “morality police” who would set upon drunks or women who were wearing dresses deemed by the groups as inappropriate, it could hardly be said anyone could have felt physically threatened.
What we saw were what the CNN report specifically referred to on more than one occasion as “small groups” of Muslims doing little more than preaching their beliefs in much the same manner in which we have witnessed street preachers in downtown Baton Rouge or even on a busy street corner (actually the intersection of the two business thoroughfares, LA. 16 and U.S. 190) berating sinners and fornicators and warning them to repent or face eternal damnation. Between the street preachers right here at home and what we saw on that CNN report, we could discern very little difference in tactics.
In fact, what we saw the Muslim “thugs” doing was far less offensive than what we’ve heard and seen of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, or that Baptist preacher up in Alabama a few years ago who actually compiled a list (really, we’re not making this up) of the individuals in his county who were going to hell.
But what really puzzles us is that Teepell, in addition to being Jindal’s one-time campaign manager and later his chief of staff, eventually became head of the Southern office of OnMessage, the outfit from the Washington, D.C., area to which Jindal has paid some $5 million in campaign expenses.
In paying all that money to Teepell and his organization, one would think that Jindal would expect a little more than just pulling up some obscure report by Red State http://www.redstate.com/ to support his claim.
But Timmy wasn’t through. Oh, no.
After he posted the link to the CNN story which did more for Blitzer’s credibility than Jindal’s, he had this to say:
“Do me a favor—show your support for the Conservative (there’s that capital “C” again) movement by standing with the Stand up to Washington PAC. Your donation of $5 will go a long way in the fight to reclaim America.”
“P.S. After you donate, forward this message to your conservative friends—they need to know what is really going on.
“Timmy Teepell
Senior Advisor, Stand up to Washington PAC
About that last comment, Timmy: We couldn’t agree more. They do need to know what is “really going on” about the denial of equal pay for women, about generous tax breaks for the wealthy while the rest of us are required to pay our taxes, about the lucrative defense contracts for campaign contributors, privatizing governmental agencies and services to the enrichment of contributors, about removing the restrictions on Wall Street banks, thus paving the way for another economic collapse possibly worse than 2008, about an out of control Supreme Court, about Republican’s blocking an increase in the minimum wage while corporate CEOs reap tens of millions in salary and perks.
We could go on, but you get the idea, Timmy. Or maybe you don’t. But yes, your “Conservative friends” really do need to know what is going on.
And, Timmy, since you are a “senior advisor” to the Stand up for America PAC, perhaps you could explain this for us:
How is it that the Stand up for America PAC web page has the disclaimer at the bottom that says, “Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee” when there is a photo (a very dominant one at that) of only one candidate—Gov. Bobby Jindal—smack dab in the middle of that page?
http://www.standuptowashington.com/
Could you explain that to us? Huh? Could you, please?
Louisiana Voice 
Tonight on MSNBC Chris Hayes showed viewers how absolutely silly and ineffective Jindal really is. It was withering.
Is it possible that Bobby Jindal is missing the point? This is what is stated above: “…claiming the existence of “no-go zones” throughout England and France into which non-Muslims are afraid to venture because of what are apparent roving gangs of Islamic thugs just itching to assault any non-believer.” The roving gangs are directing their ire at MUSLIMS who are, in their minds, violating Muslim tenets. Non-Muslims are not being hassled or confronted; just Muslims. I think this is why when Bobby Jindal said there were no-go zones, he was in error. But this is certainly not the first time that Bobby has twisted and misstated facts and just lied in order to churn the hate fires that burn within the souls of his ardent followers. The British Prime Minister just dismissed Jindal and his ilk as “Complete Idiots.” Sounds fair to me.
Timmy – first among third rate political operatives…..
The last thing America needs is a President causing a frosty relationship to form with our ally and friend, Great Britan. Game over, Governor. Try to exit the stage with at least a modicum of class!
Excellent piece! One thing this fiasco will reveal about Jindal on the world stage: He is a man who is unconcerned with facts. Another thing they’ll learn: He says “absolutely” way too much, absolutely too much.
Toastmasters could absolutely teach him to speak.
Absolutely
He also says “The reality is…” too much. I get prepared for the opposite whenever I hear that one.
Perhaps we need to cease spending so much energy and time revealing the truth about our Governor and, instead, encourage him to continue and even increase what he is doing, while we just sit back and watch him shoot himself in both legs and every other parts of his body.
He has become, I believe, his own worst enemy.
Senator Henry Jackson was a supporter of a strong defense policy for America and was a strong supporter of unions so working families could earn high wages with strong benefits and pensions.
Since Governor Jindal addressed the Henry Jackson society, does this mean he is now a strong supporter of union rights? Maybe Governor Jindal will lead a fight to repeal the alleged right to work law in Louisiana. Go Governor Bobby.
Stan Hurder
Baton Rouge
Immediately following Romney losing to Obama, Governor Jindal spoke out to the Republican Party to, ” Stop Being the Stupid Party!” I guess he forgot to include himself of being the ultimate example of what he calls Stupid!!
He reminds me of the tale of The Emperor when he realizes he has no clothes.
Soon the realization that No One in Washington or his consultant friends will want to have anything to do with him because he has shown he is an embarrassment to have around and most of all, he doesn’t have a clue how to lead and certainly not govern!! Someone should tell him to skip the rally and go to a hunting camp with his camo and guns and try to return with some sense. If that fails, seek treatment.
I dislike Mr. J as much as anybody who posts here, but there is some truth in what he said about “no go zones.” I have nephews in the military and everywhere they are stationed there are areas that they are to stay away from, etc. It’s been that way for ever for military stationed oversees. However, there are now areas in Europe that are Muslim enclaves that they are forbidden to go into. They also are told to not wear the uniform off post in many areas. They have told me that the locals have told them of areas that they do not go into either. Granted Mr. J is grandstanding for his soon to be feeble attempt to run for President, but there is some truth to what he said. And understand that the politicians in these European countries don’t care to air their dirty laundry. Their failed policies of political correctness don’t work.
There are areas for the military like this all over, as you said. This applies more to anti-american sentiment than religion. I have a son in the Navy who has experienced this in several South American countries. He has been to the Middle East as well and no leaves were granted in some of these areas. Some areas they are told not to wear uniforms, travel only in groups, and other areas do not go into at all. These rules apply throughout the world. Obviously in some middle eastern countries this does apply due not only to religion but a general dislike of Americans due to our government’s intervention. Many times the cause of these feelings result from our country’s actions, however well intentioned (I hope), and not religion. It’s easier to blame a religion because of the terrorists groups in these areas that have spawned from their bastardized version of Islam. Islam, like all major religions wish the same for all people, which is happiness and freedom from suffering. Jindal, supposedly an intelligent man, would do well to recognize this fact, rather than marginalize himself by aligning with Christian hate groups such as the AFA. However his transparency is apparent. His house of worship is money and power, not Hindu, Catholic, or presently Christian Fundamentalist. Any way the wind blows.
Jindal has some pressing problems right here in the State he is supposed to govern, we have serious budget issues, we have a serious environmental issue at Camp Minden… the no go zone comment was stupid with intent to drum up more paranoia about Islam, it bodes well for him to keep the masses scared witless, they are easier to manipulate…he is one of the most blindly ambitious politicians I have witnessed….now, he has borrowed a tactic from GWB,and latched on to the Evangelicals, hoping they will lead him to the promised land…..1600 Pennsylvania Ave… what a phony!!!
Jindal embarrassed himself and us but I am a bit surprised at the brouhaha over his statements. He has done far worse to the state of Louisiana.
The difference is the size of the stage. Down here we are numb to jindal’s inanities and although we rail against his abuses, most of our complaints are only heard here at home. Few people outside Louisiana have paid attention to the devastation we have endured. If they have heard anything at all, it’s generally jindal’s bluster and lies. But now he’s stepped out on the world stage, and grabbed the spotlight. People are paying attention. And a majority do not like what they see. Exit, stage left.
Any two-term governor should strive to be able to say how his or her administration brought about positive economic impacts and made the citizenry feel more upbeat about the future and that the transition to a new governor should go smoothly. Jindal cannot say any of those things and, instead, his tenure draws to a close with history showing him to be someone just short of a complete lunatic who literally concluded his administration with the state in chaos.
Basically, the chickens have all come home to roost for Gov. Jindal
Make no mistake – the reality is, he’s an absolutely pitiful excuse for a governor or presidential candidate.
He is pitiful excuse for a human being.