A few quick random thoughts

If there is one idea that I’ve tried to carry with me every day since Katrina it is the notion of the true extent of the transitory nature of our existence. Now this notion could indeed be viewed as a bummer because everything is destined to end the only question is when. My reaction is to attempt to recognize the blessings we also receive each day and simply appreciate the people that matter most in everyday life. I mention this because I’ve been mostly away from the blog this week as I have to pull double duty in the day job as a member of the business family deals with  such a transition I spoke of above. We all get hit with such realities at points in time on the road of life and in a small shop the business family gets to share both the triumphs and the tragedies that way. One blessing I have is the fact that Slabbed has kept humming right along without me via the open thread among other recent posts kept stocked with material via our great commenters. Thanks to all.

That said there are a few things still happening in the world one of which is Mississippi’s Neshoba County Fair which is a favorite among the political class here in Mississippi, especially in an election year. I tuned into twitter yesterday finding out such great factoids such as no one really paid attention to what Commish Mike Chaney had to say in his speech, that Billy Hewes isn’t afraid to scapegoat welfare recipients and Mexicans to satisfy his lust for lite Gov and that his opponent Tate Reeves has become an expert in making Hewes look exactly like the fool he is. Twitter is a wonderful thing folks and I enjoyed seeing a diverse group of tweeple such as Patsy Brumfield, Alan Lange and Frank Corder covering the speeches.

We have a primary election next week in Mississippi and to the extent the local democrat party does not have a pulse 5 of the 8 statewide offices will be decided next Tuesday in the GOP primary. If you are bright enough to read Slabbed then you don’t need me telling you how to vote but I will disclose that I’ll be supporting Tate Reeves for Lite Gov because he is 1. Not a fluffer like Hewes, 2. Is not a Nationwide Agent representing Team Insurance like Hewes in the legislature and 3. Is clearly the better candidate. If you believe the polling Hewes is on his way to a first class ass kicking and that warms the cockles of my heart.

And it goes without saying that I’d never pull the lever for an idiot like Lawn Mower Fumes Phil “Phildo” Bryant. The man is a religious right wing nut and that doesn’t count the fact he is not very bright and possessive of a very poor sense of smell. I’ll add the GOP establishment is scared of Phil for several good reasons not counting the Miss America gaffe and luckily for us we have a quality alternative in Dave Dennis who is clearly the better candidate. Dave’s highly successful career in business and public service is unrivaled and to the extent he is a political outsider he will not be beholding to more crooked elements in his own party.

I’m not much on politics as it reminds me too much of a bunch of out of control kids fighting over toys, especially in DC these days but I’ll make it a point to do something similar before the general election mainly for shits and giggles.

Finally a few things for the reading pleasure of our readers in greater NOLA. This whole Jefferson Parish volunteer fire department credit card mess has yet to yield us a complete picture of the stench in the first responder political industrial complex that is Jefferson Parish. While I think it is great WWL’s Mike Hoss uncovered the spending problems in Harvey I’ll add it represents a fraction of the story there which in turn makes me laugh when I see gang there and at the Times Picayune patting themselves on the back that the publicity forced the Parish Council to do something. Of note is the fact that Mini-Me Chris Roberts lashed out at Parish Prez John Young calling him an opportunist in this matter. The snake pit that is the “Volunteer” fire departments on the West Bank has thus far been a story too far for Slabbed but maybe I’ll shake the tree and see if my sources can come through with info that will enable me to tell a more complete story.

With the comments on the Brownfield cleanup process on our open thread coupled with the recent release of the list of Parish employees and their pay rates I’d be remiss if I did not point out Peggy Barton’s daughter Lauren is well placed in the Parish’s environmental department. I’d also like to put to rest rumors that Lauren did not show up for work yet collected her pay as I have confirmed that the young Miss Barton does indeed show up for work. I think the confusion there stems from the fact that Maw Barton had direct line authority over all the ghosts employed as paralegals under the Broussard Administration and certainly knew of but did not report the associated crime of payroll fraud. Given the nepotistic nature of gaining employment with the Parish I do wonder about the circumstances of how the younger Barton hooked on to the taxpayer teat.

I chuckled when I saw my name come up over at American Zombie in comments though in a good context. I do not think there is any question that Jason was 100% correct in dispelling the rumor involving Chief Serpas and Mayor Mitchmo though it looks as if he took some grief for doing so. Jason is a first class blogger who is motivated by all the right reasons and I appreciate the mention and hat tips. The blogosphere hasn’t seen the best of either of us either.

Finally folks we’re at last rid of the scourge known as Vaggie Bush. Hindsight reveals he was a draft bust that never lived up to the hype and self promotion. Maybe he’ll have better luck with the fish but somehow I think not.

I’ll be back when I get a chance.

sop