Jindal: A day late and a dollar short.
May 22nd, 2007 by Daniel Z.
Actually, it’s more like months late and billions short.
“TV 10 spoke with Congressman Jindal about reports of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers and what he hopes to do to remedy the problem.
Bloody noses, headaches, breathing problems are some of the health problems that Congressman Jindal says is the direct result of FEMA’s inaction to replace government trailers that have tested positive for formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.”
http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=6545519
However, in August, Congressman Melancon brought up the exact same issue.
“Reps. Waxman and Melancon request information from FEMA regarding hazardous levels of formaldehyde gas, a respiratory irritant and carcinogen, detected in FEMA-issued trailers used for housing Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Tests reveal that 94 percent of trailers tested had indoor levels of formaldehyde above EPA safety guidelines.”
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1093
This is old news, perhaps someone needs to do a little research at KLFY because they stated
“The story about formaldehyde in trailers first broke last week, when health experts said some trailers with floors and cabinets built with particle board could contain formaldehyde. Under hot, humid conditions, the chemical lets off toxic fumes, especially harmful to young lungs.
Jindal is taking his demands to congress, asking for congressional hearings on the issue. The solution, in his mind, is clear.”
It is pathetic how some people in the media act as a shill for Jindal. I mean, are they just that uninformed up there at KLFY? Or are they purposefully trying to mislead the public?
Something I find amusing is this little gem from Congressman Jindal. “And as for anyone exposed, Jindal says the government should provide healthcare and pick up the tab. ”
Say what? Jindal is now supporting the government paying for health care? Since when did he get compassionate about providing healthcare services? Has Bobby “im gonna run a surplus instead of providing people the healthcare they need” Jindal’s heart grown three sizes since the storm? Or is he just running for governor and wanting good soundbites to use as he campaigns during the legislative session (as he said he wouldnt do)?
(6 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)
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Nice job getting to the bottom of this one!
Thank you so much!
FP.
I have emailed the author of the KLFY article, showed him the link to the house oversight committee (showing him that this is not “breaking news”) and have asked him why it was reported as such. We shall see what he says.
To be fair, someone else has reported the Jindal being late story before as well. However, it was a very important example of why Jindal is bad and it needed to be included here.
Here is the story on the Daily Kingfish for all those who want to read it.
http://www.dailykingfish.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=91
Keep up the good work Dan. You finally found 2 people who agree with you.
When election day comes, we will see how many people actually agree with me.
So “dansafool”, instead of commenting on me, why don’t you take the time and deal with the issue at hand? Why don’t you comment on why Jindal is making this a big deal now instead of last year when the rest of the world realized the problem?
I am entertained by the response to your web poll, is Jindal bad for Louisiana? Apparently, 69% of your readers disagree with you; thank goodness! Louisiana needs leadership, support Jindal!
A Message From the Louisiana Democratic Party
It is time for voters to stop buying into Mr. Jindal’s declaration of ignorance involving the formaldehyde odors in FEMA trailers and call him into question as to why he didn’t do something sooner.
The fact that he is now calling for Congressional hearings into this issue is a reckless and wasteful use of taxpayers’ dollars and nothing more than another calculated episode of showboating by Jindal. For someone who sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the agency over FEMA, Jindal simply needed to request information on the complaints by evacuees forced to live in the FEMA trailers – complaints that have been documented for over a year, instead of using his “newfound knowledge” of the situation as another media opportunity to flaunt his pretentious power in Congress.
If Jindal has actually visited a mere handful of his constituents living in FEMA trailers he would have had first-hand knowledge of the toxic effect of these odors long ago. As the sole congressman from Louisiana sitting on the committee, wouldn’t treatment of hurricane victims by FEMA be his utmost concern?
It appears not. Congressman Charlie Melancon, along with Congressman Henry Waxman called public attention to this issue last year and immediately contacted FEMA Director David Paulison for documentation of formaldehyde complaints – all done without grandstanding on their part and for the sole purpose to serve their constituents.
The question is why didn’t Jindal do something sooner? Is it the lack of knowledge on his part or is Jindal so focused on running for governor he is failing to the do the job for which he was elected?
Unaware of the issue? For a sitting member of congress from a Katrina-ravaged district and a current gubernatorial candidate that answer doesn’t wash and shouldn’t be acceptable with voters. If Jindal has not been able to enact the positive changes he says Louisiana needs while serving in Congress, what would make voters believe he can accomplish these things as governor? Rather than dealing with the issues at hand, Jindal has consistently and historically focused on his next political aspiration.
Enough is enough. Mr. Jindal should be called into question for his lack of assertiveness during and after Hurricane Katrina. Why didn’t he use his supposed influence with the White House to call for an immediate response by the Bush Administration to rescue and relieve the thousands stranded in New Orleans? Why didn’t he use his influence and have food, water, transportation and communications immediately provided to these people?
Instead, Mr. Jindal found the time and resourcefulness to appear on not less than six national television news/talk programs complaining about the lack of adequate response to the storm victims. Voters must look beyond the façade Jindal presents to the public and see the man for what he truly is – an opportunist determined to manipulate and exploit every situation facing Louisiana voters today for his own personal political gain.
Julie Vezinot
Communications Director
Louisiana Democratic Party
Why don’t you comment on why Jindal is making this a big deal now instead of last year when the rest of the world realized the problem?
Becuase he is a Troll.