If ever Winston Churchill’s quote about “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside and enigma,” could be applied to any individual today, that individual would almost certainly be new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
House Republicans, desperate to the point of outright panic, chose Johnson after the toppling of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and after being embarrassed by failures to install abrasive Gym Jordan of Ohio and House Whip Steve “KKK” Scalise, like Johnson, of Louisiana.
But Johnson could eventually become the biggest embarrassment of all because he brings to the Speaker’s chair an agenda that borders on religious fanaticism, a zealotry of Christian fervor that can be off-putting, if not downright dangerous should he attempt to impose his particular brand of Christianity on the nation.
Slide bar to the right to center picture
This diatribe is not to be considered as an attack on one man’s beliefs. After all, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion or, as a reader observed today, “I’m no attorney of any kind, but I believe the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all.”
The reader could not have been more succinct – or accurate.
Johnson’s evangelical passion is sure to prove more embarrassing to Louisiana than the buffoonery of his fellow Congressman, Clay Higgins. Not since Edward Edwards’s faux pas in the early 1970s has the state looked so bad in the glare of the public spotlight. That’s when Edwards, addressing a group of Italian-Americans on Long Island, told an ill-advised joke about twelve Italians who were going to rape a German woman until she cried out, “Nein, Nein.” “Three of them left,” the governor said. Predictably, no one laughed – nor should they have.
But there are other interesting nuggets about Johnson that, if not outright disturbing, at least are of legitimate concern.
In 2010, Johnson was named dean of a Christian law school that didn’t exist. Two years later, he resigned and the law school at Louisiana College, a Baptist school in Pineville, disappeared after the college spent $5 million to renovate the former federal courthouse in Shreveport which was to be the campus of the Paul Pressler School of Law that never was.
The school was even named in honor of former Texas Judge Paul Pressler, who was a leader of the Southern Baptist Convention. That may have been an unfortunate choice: Pressler, it later turned out, was named in a lawsuit in which multiple men claimed that he sexually assaulted them, some when they were defenseless children.
None of that deterred the active support of the law school planned to rival that of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., by such notables as former Gov. Bobby Jindal, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
In fact, the whole concept wound up resembling a script for a “B” movie. The feasibility plan for the school ended up gathering dust in the back of a file drawer. It turns out it was a mishmash of speculative – and useless – data aimed at supporting the vision of creating an army of Christian-thinking, right-wing “warrior-attorneys” to fan out across the country to spread the gospel of Biblical law. It’s curious to see the so-called believers in the one who advocated peace and love cloak themselves in the mantle of “warrior.” The warrior concept was the brainchild of former Louisiana College President Joe Auguillard.
Auguillard laid the blame for the law school’s failure squarely at Johnson’s feet, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. He said in a memo to a board member that Johnson’s resignation in 2012 was a selfish decision, made so that he could pursue a “dream job” with the then-named Alliance Defense Fund, now known as the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in Dallas. He said Johnson’s resignation was also to blame for delays in the law school’s opening.
Aguillard, however, had his own administrative problems at the school. In addition to the law school failure, questions arose about the allocation of funds for a school in Africa, unsuccessful efforts to start a medical school, million of dollars in repairs needed to the school’s physical plant, a student strike, theological disagreements, and conflicts with the school’s board, administrators, faculty and donors.
Aguillard was ousted as president in 2014 and sued the college, claiming mistreatment and discrimination under the federal Civil Rights Act. His suit was denied in 2021.
What bank account?
As if there were not enough questions about Johnson’s affiliation with a school that lost its accreditation while trying launch a failed law school, there is the question of his lacking a bank account.
The Washington Post reported that Johnson, on his financial disclosure forms reported neither a BANK ACCOUNT, nor any assets. Period.
Not to disparage one for possibly having financial difficulties, but gosh dang it all, it’s just unheard of for a lawyer cum US Representative cum Speaker of the House to function in today’s society without a bank account.
The WP report said there are “no retirement accounts, no money-market funds, no stocks, no crypto or even your basic, garden-variety checking or savings accounts” all the way back to 2016, the year he was elected to Congress.
His explanation, given in a Fox News interview? “I’m a man of modest means.” A member of Congress laying claim to being a man of “modest means” is rare in its own right, but even those of us of even more modest means have checking accounts and some of us even have savings and retirement accounts. I sincerely hope no one I know is stuck with any crypto currency.
But what really puzzles me is trying to figure out how he handles his tithes to Jesus. I mean, surely he keeps track for the purposes of tax deductions – and he’d likely need canceled checks for that. And his church is gonna want to be sure he’s giving his full 10 percent.
I suppose it’s not unprecedented. After all, a Plaquemine attorney purchased a life insurance plan a few years ago and when asked for a voided check for the purpose of setting up a monthly withdrawal of the premium, she informed the stunned insurance rep that she didn’t have a checking account, that she operated her office on a cash basis.
But a member of Congress? That’s a jaw-dropper. Of course, it could be that he simply was not entirely forthcoming in his financial report – also cause for concern. But then he did have the foresight to have apps installed on his and his son’s cell phones so that they could monitor each other’s porn video activity. The apps are ostensibly a safeguard against either yielding to the temptation to check out online porn. But it’s still weird and more than a little creepy. The very thought of the son growing into manhood and marrying before he discovers he’s got a thumb drive while his wife is port-equipped. The poor kid probably doesn’t know the difference between pointers and setters, between outboards and inboards. And it’ll be game on when he discovers boobs.
Somehow, though, you just knew in your heart of hearts that when someone from Louisiana would finally claim center-stage in that Washington soap opera, it would bring down more embarrassment to the state than even Edwin Edwards ever could have with an inappropriate joke.
Hmm. I’m 58 years old and have had a bank account since I was 15. I don’t have a guaranteed lifetime income nor do I make $174k a year like our esteemed members of congress, but I do have investments not only for me, but also my three grandchildren. How does one operate in modern society without any evidence of savings, investments, or even modest debt associated with a mortgage or a car payment? I think Credit Karma would assign him a zero credit score – bankers call those without any discernible credit history “ghosts”.
What I don’t have or even need is one of my children monitoring my usage of the internet to prevent or correct me from accessing pornographic content. If one is that weak or so paranoid about such, how can we afford for them to be third in line to access the codes to launch nuclear weapons?
Edwin Edwards and others like Higgins might be an embarrassment for those of us who call Louisiana home, but neither has or had the ability to negatively impact an entire nation. This experiment is shaping up to be much more than embarrassing to the state. It has all the makings of a disaster for the country as a whole.
You don’t have to be embarrassed Tom! You could leave Louisiana and that would save embarrassment for both sides. We would no longer have to be embarrassed by having you around claiming to have journalists skills!!
Yeah, Johnny, you’re probably right. But at 80, I’m just too old to start over so, I guess you’re stuck with me.
If the winner of the Governors race would happen to be a Democrat, Mr. Tom would have no problem going along as instructed. Landry wins, and here he arrives. Pissed and utterly disgusted that a Republican can have such a dominant performance in a primary election. It caused him to crawl from his shell and sling the minute amount of garage he still has. Mr Tom. Man go retire, finally. Get over yourself!
I don’t recall ever challenging the obvious results of an election (unlike some), including the recent governor’s race. Nor do I wish Landry to fail – unlike Rush Limbaugh who proclaimed in 2008 that he hoped Obama would be a total failure (I was listening and heard him when he said it, so don’t bother denying it).
But as for your wish that I retire again, that certainly was my intent but you know, that pesky First Amendment still gives me the right to say my mind – just as you have the unbridled right not to read what I offer here. That same First Amendment, of which I am a passionate supporter, also allows you to vent in my comments section.
The exit door is always open for you too, Johnny. No one expects you to live in embarrassment from anyone’s “journalists skills”.
Ever since the estimable John Hays ran The Morning Paper it has been a running question as to whether New York or the great state of Louisiana had the more notorious elected public officials. While the colossus of Queens-New York City-may still rule the roost in the Republican party he is now merely a candidate. And the man without “account” and who wears a digital chastity belt is 3rd in line to the Oval Office. I hereby acknowledge with a sweep of my cavaliers feathered stetson and a nod to Hays that Louisiana with
the depth of its political bench has once more taken the lead.
Johnson doesn’t have the chops to be Speaker of the House and under anything resembling normal conditions wouldn’t have even been in the running. But to be fair he has an impossible task. His represents a minority party, unpopular with normal Americans, full of fascist extremists willing to shred the Constitution, in thrall to an irredeemably corrupt world class liar, and on the wrong side of history on virtually every issue. The only way his party can be competitive is by creating an alternate reality through their propaganda media ecosystem which affirms the prejudices of voters they hope to woo. Among such people just holding on to the job would be a major accomplishment. But considering the alternatives Johnson is unlikely to be any worse than any other “Republican” would be. He’s also just as unlikely to be any better.
Dems are failing on the border- 8 million new aliens since Hospice Joe took office, 2 wars dragging us to WW3, inflation raging… Dems are indefensible on everything that is important.
The silver lining is Repubs fleeing blue states will flock to Louisiana and dilute the votes of you and your ilk. Enjoy obsolescence!
Yep. Dems are indefensible in all things important: things like millions of new jobs added, a reduction in the national deficit (in fact, ol’ Bill Clinton pretty much zeroed out the national debt before W. sent it back up and then Trump, who promised to eliminate the debt, instead sent it through the stratosphere), the 8-hour work day, worker protection, child labor laws, social security, Medicare, VA hospitals, far fewer indictments, union strength which in turn raised the standard of living for America’s workers and gave them benefits like vacation time and pensions. For additional Dem. destruction, you might wish to check this out: heathercoxrichardson@substack.com
Republicans, on the other hand, have certainly done their part in protecting the wealthy, the military-industrial complex, getting us into first Vietnam (Eisenhower – you can look it up, as Casey Stengel used to say) and then that 20-year Mideast war that appears as if it got us nowhere. Trump, before leaving office, convinced OPEC to cut production in order to boost the price of oil for the benefit of Exxon-Mobil, BP, and the rest of big oil and he released the Taliban leader who now leads Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Republican economic policies have only served to widen the gap between the 1 percent at the top and the working stiffs that support them.
So yeah, you really know your history Mark. You just keep chunking in there. You’re at least good for low-brow, gallows humor.
I only commented on dem failures. I agree on the Iraq folly (I’m an Iraq War Vet). Republicans are aiding the wealth gap through lobbyists. Clinton was a better president than every president since. I don’t vote for Republicans because there is a blind love affair with them. Nationally both parties are ruled by a puppet master. Congressmen/women of both parties all somehow become wealthy through their “service.” Look at Biden. He is worth millions and he’s been a “servant” the last 50 years. The left’s savior, Bernie the dud, has had the same wealth building path.
These dem “accomplishments” are being funded by trillion dollar deficits.
BTW, no president increased the VA budget and hbcu funding more than Trump.
Throw in the anti-semitism and grooming and I’m not sure how anyone can vote for the dems.
I agree on most of your points except the grooming claim. The Republicans are every bit the groomers that the dems. are. That’s a point no one could argue honestly.
I think I pretty much agreed on the Louisiana Dem. party in an earlier response. And you could not be more accurate in saying our roads are deplorable. They are awful!
Forest Martin is also my friend. After all, I edited his book. and EWE accomplished so very much for he state in spite of his character flaws. He was a great governor.
Here is my reply to everyone: I don’t care what you think about Biden, the Democratic party, any other specific Democrat, liberalism or any of its associated social/economic/political systems. Donald Trump cannot be handed any kind of power ever again. It’s not just what he has already done in attempting to overturn an election before walking away like a spoiled child, nor is it any of the crimes for which he has been indicted. It’s the things he says he’ll do if given the chance; the retribution he’ll seek; the vengeance against everyone who has ever tried to hold him accountable – all of which he has publicly stated, without shame, his intent to do. Nothing about that is American. Nothing about that is Constitutional. Nothing about that should ever be desirable for anyone. And the “Republican” party is utterly sold out to him. The willingness to engage in every form of intellectual dishonesty in order to excuse it and in the name of “saving our country” (Make America Great Again) is fascism in its purest form. I will never support that. I will not remain silent in the face of it. I damn sure have no respect for it. Period. Finis. End of story.
All true. However, at least 1/3 of our population would accuse you of TDS and pass all your well-reasoned points off as libtardism with no possible value. I guess those of us who agree with you can and should continue preaching to the choir (all we are really doing) and hope DJT supporters can eventually see what we see, but I have become convinced they can’t now and that it will take some utter breakdown/destruction of our society in the future for them to do so – and then it will be too late. Am I cynical? Pessimistic? You bet, and for damn good reasons. Fortunately, I am not yet nihilistic, but it won’t take much more for me to get there.
Stephen, I agree. Your comments on the Higgins story were appropriate – we must rise up against the freedom to lie and it is shameful that we have to. It might be instructive for some to trace the right wing propaganda media ecosystem back to Spiro Agnew whining about the “liberal, Jew media” in Maryland bailing on him after he was implicated taking bribes but for most it wouldn’t matter. Like Pavlov’s dogs they have become conditioned to the affirmation of their prejudices as “truth” and everything else as fake news. Worse, they’re addicted. They can no more stop tuning in than they can stop breathing. The best we can hope for, in my opinion, is that Trump is defeated at the polls taking the energy out of the fascist mob and causing many to go back into hiding and the rest back to the fringe. Then the “Republican” party can pretend it didn’t sell out to fascism and really does believe in a constitutional republic and the ideals of democracy. That won’t eliminate the fascists but it might make them politically impotent. Failing that it will inevitably come to violence. Because I assure you I will never parrot or accept the alternate reality narratives that consume the fascist mob calling itself the “Republican” party. I’ll die first.
Well said
The “fascism” reference to Republicans is curious. What is fascism? Right wing and nationalististic, yes. But it’s also authoritarian, censoring adversaries, tyranny.
Don’t dems label anything g they don’t like “misinformation” and censor it? Hunter laptop, vaccines end pandemics, global warming is a scientific fact, Biden is coherent, etc… and didn’t the Biden admin collude with social media to censor? Both parties are fascist.
Don’t get me started on the Trump/hitler comparisons. Completely irrational like most of the left’s stances.
“Misinformation”….”Fake news.” Hmmm.
mbornstein74, I wouldn’t dream of trying to argue your alternate reality with you. I have repeatedly and accurately described people like you in my comments and for all I can tell it’s a permanent condition. Believe whatever you like.
Empirical evidence doesn’t lie.
“People like me?”
Point out one thing in my post that isn’t true. There aren’t two new wars since Joe took office? Our government reports 8 million new illegal aliens. Facts don’t care about feelings. Don’t confuse your indoctrination for education like libs do.
I think we’ve reached the usual point of stalemate when alternate realities are presented. Those of us on my side of reality cannot believe the things those on the other side present as facts and we believe they refuse to face them – obviously, they have the same beliefs about us. So, let’s just stop this meaningless and unproductive debate.
To be fair, if his only income is his Congressional salary, he does not have to report it nor does he have to report his spouse’s income, just its source. I also don’t think he has to report non-income producing assets. An expert can correct me if I’m wrong.
Things like this, on the other hand, are certainly worthy of scrutiny: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/10/mike-johnson-rewrite-constitution-00126157
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/10/mike-johnson-rewrite-constitution-00126157
Great points. I don’t get why anything about this article triggers the troll losers.
One of our rescue kittens was killed by an intruder, so I am a little down and reading Tom’s column cheered me up. I will give Savanah a Christian burial before Church at 1030. I know where “dark money” comes from, maybe I can ask my Congressman/person to chip in for a memorial. Keep Learning and Keep Loving . ron thompson
Do your liberal leaning, Louisiana readers feel the suffocation of Conservative politics? The dem party in Louisiana is on life support and right leaning voters fleeing blue states will be the death knell. Just like Florida went from purple to red, Louisiana will be the California antithesis. You’ll have to rely on out of state readers as a straw to keep your site breathing.
I enjoy your writing style but your content is filled with a 20 something’s tirade against imaginary injustices, I.e., global warming, assault rifle murder epidemics, etc.
I guess some men take longer to be the conservative, mature person that keeps America grounded. I’ll keep reading so I can laugh at the dem desperation that will only grow In Louisiana’s political future.
Mark, I have to agree with you on one major point: the Dem. Party in Louisiana is indeed on life support. I attribute much of that condition, however, to the former head of the Louisiana Dem. Party, Karen Carter Peterson. Not only did she damage the party fiscally, but she did nothing to build the party while stealing it blind. She in fact virtually single-handedly destroyed the party.
But hey, those Jindal years were top shelf! Talk about breaking the state. Nobody ever did it better. Even Edwin Edwards couldn’t steal in four terms what Jindal drove from the state in terms of the best and brightest in just two terms.
Mike Foster? Now there was a Republican I truly could vote for. Except for his promotion of Jindal as the wunderkind, I give him high marks.
If I ever had any positive inclinations toward him, this removed them: https://www.nola.com/news/politics/national_politics/new-speaker-mike-johnson-formally-endorses-donald-trump-a-step-beyond-predecessor-kevin-mccarthy/article_1f6b5694-830d-11ee-a8df-634501211055.html?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqKggAIhBORMKGQvyrQAQuxOtPU1SOKhQICiIQTkTChkL8q0AELsTrT1NUjjCPluYB&utm_content=rundown
Credibility as a good person is now gone:
New Speaker Mike Johnson formally endorses Donald Trump, a step beyond predecessor Kevin McCarthy [AP]
TOM
Jindal sucked. I am no Republican. They are wrong on the death penalty, abortion, prison reform, etc…. I’d vote for a dem (RFK Jr. Comes to mind), but your rising star was Shawn Wilson? Do you drive on our roads? WW2 was fought in 6 years. Our capitol building was built in 19 months. Shawn couldn’t fix every road in 8?
I liked Edwin Edwards. He accomplished a lot even if he was crooked. He pardoned my good friend Forest Martin so that makes him a saint in my book.
Governor Bel Edwards. The status quo Governor. More spending. Less results. Population decline. No vision. Gullible enough to fall for the covid lockdowns.
I’ve lived here over 20 years and I haven’t been impressed by either party but dems are off the rails.