Day: February 4, 2010

Let’s talk Prisoner’s Dilemma and the unfolding Jefferson Parish Political Corruption Scandal: Who is Squealing and Dealing (Poll)

Those of our readers have been with us since the Dickie Scruggs prosecution will no doubt remember one of the worst of the bunch, former Hinds County DA turned Grand Isle resident Ed Peters immediately ran to the feds after the scandal broke and sang like a canary. He even gave up his long time friend and protégé, former Judge Bobby DeLaughter who now resides in the Greybar Hotel courtesy of good ol’ Ed. The MO of criminals squealing on each other to get off the hook is time honored and is actually explained by Game Theory in the concept of Prisoner’s Dilemma which we’ll explore courtesy of Wiki:

In its classical form, the prisoner’s dilemma (“PD”) is presented as follows:

Two suspects are arrested by the police. The police have insufficient evidence for a conviction, and, having separated both prisoners, visit each of them to offer the same deal. If one testifies (defects from the other) for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent (cooperates with the other), the betrayer goes free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10-year sentence. If both remain silent, both prisoners are sentenced to only six months in jail for a minor charge. If each betrays the other, each receives a five-year sentence. Each prisoner must choose to betray the other or to remain silent. Each one is assured that the other would not know about the betrayal before the end of the investigation. How should the prisoners act? Continue reading “Let’s talk Prisoner’s Dilemma and the unfolding Jefferson Parish Political Corruption Scandal: Who is Squealing and Dealing (Poll)”

Lets complete our morning with a cup of Jefferson Parish Political Corruption

Rusty Costanza/The Times-Picayune archive. Karen Parker, left, was photographed in January 2008 as Aaron Broussard, then her husband, was sworn in as Jefferson Parish president. Broussard, right, is shown embracing Lawrence Chehardy, who swore him in.

The Times-Picayune has re-entered the Jefferson Parish Political Corruption fray with more detail on a topic we’ve blogged a good bit on in Aaron Broussard’s family and friends that keep popping up on the Parish payroll being paid for work they did not perform. Let’s check in with reporter Paul Rioux’s and the latest installment of as the Broussards turn: Continue reading “Lets complete our morning with a cup of Jefferson Parish Political Corruption”

City Champ to the Hall of Fame

Lets divert from insurance and finance to football and one of my all time favorite players, Rickey Jackson aka City Champ. The Miami Herald has a story on Rickey today that is very good. Here is a snippet:

Standard issue football pants in the NFL come with pockets sewn inside the legs. That’s where the pads go. That’s where Rickey Jackson stuffed sponges.

Jackson played in the NFL for 15 years. He didn’t wear sponges the whole time. That would be crazy. No, usually, Jackson didn’t wear anything. The sponges just came in handy when he needed to trick the NFL in order to avoid a fine.

“Pads — I wasn’t about all that,” Jackson said. “The only time I wore pads was when the NFL made me.”

What were you about, Rickey?

“Hurting people,” Jackson said……..

Jackson wore shoulder pads designed for quarterbacks and receivers for most of his career. He never saw the point of wearing too many pads. They just slowed him. Pads were for the other people. The people Jackson hurt. Continue reading “City Champ to the Hall of Fame”

Jim Brown compares Oregon and Louisiana: The “Apple approach” works.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Portland, Oregon

THE SAINTS vs. STEVE JOBS AND THE iPAD

Two different parts of the country and two different issues dominate the news. For obvious and understandable reasons, the “Who Dat” nation has captivated Louisiana. Other news stories fade to the inside pages as the success of the New Orleans Saints dominate front pages of newspapers across the state. But some 2000 miles away in Portland, Oregon, the Saints command barely a mention. It’s Steve Jobs and his new Apple iPad Tablet that is sparking much more interest. So is there a way to blend the excitement stirred in both states to ameliorate what’s happening in Louisiana?

My destination was actually Hood River, Oregon, a resort community an hour south of Portland, to visit a new granddaughter. Oregon is similar in size to Louisiana, and the legislature has just begun their biannual session. They seem to get a lot done by meeting only every other year, like Texas. There is plenty to admire in Oregon public policy, and it’s worth taking a look at how this northwestern part of the country has dealt with a number of complex public issues.

There is a lot of talk in Portland about the “Apple approach” that could be adapted to running state government. The attitude seems to be that politics is permanently entrenched in the toxicity of divisive partisanship, but bright ideas always trump cynicism. The new sleek iPad tablet is loaded with impressive, sophisticated technology that Apple’s engineers have worked on for years. It’s the kind of “thinking ahead” philosophy and culture that Steve Jobs and Apple nurture and are known for. The Oregon approach seems to be what an interesting challenge it would be if they could corral an equivalent level of ingenuity and talent available to Steve Jobs to solve some of the complex issues facing their state. Continue reading “Jim Brown compares Oregon and Louisiana: The “Apple approach” works.”