Tuesday, we posted the FBI affidavit detailing why four suspects were arrested “for the purpose of interfering with the phone system” at U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu’s office. The details of their outfits caught my attention. “Flanagan and Basel entered the Hale Boggs Federal Building, each dressed in blue denim pants, a blue work shirt, a […]
Category: Government & Politics
Posted inGovernment & Politics
O'Keefe: Neither pimp nor journalist
Since four men were arrested by the FBI for illegally entering U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s New Orleans office, many news media outlets have been quick to identify one of them, James O’Keefe, as a journalist – often an “investigative journalist.” They’ve also identified O’Keefe as a guy who dressed as a pimp and entered ACORN […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Louisiana Liddys dial-a-felony
Tuesday’s news that four men have been charged with attempting to commit a felony after an attempt to tamper with the phones in U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office in New Orleans has become a big national story. Talking Points Memo has been out in front, reporting on the backgrounds of the four men involved with […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
What did I know, and when did I know it?
O’Keefe As a freshly minted purveyor of news over the Internet, I believe in spreading information far and wide and letting people draw conclusions and make comments as they may. I’m just not used to the conclusions and comments being made about me. The hot news of the moment is the irresistible story of the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
What’s so great about a national search?
Every candidate for mayor has pledged to conduct a national search for a new police superintendent. All but John Georges and Rob Couhig say on their Web sites that this pledge is integral to their program to reduce crime. The clear inference is that the police force here is so broken, the problems so endemic, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Martin Wine Cellar wants to demolish Uptown buildings
Martin Wine Cellar is asking the city for permission to demolish its old Uptown location on Baronne Street, along with five nearby structures. The Neighborhood Conservation District Committee will consider the demolition applications at its Feb. 1 meeting and make a recommendation to the city’s Safety and Permits Department. The request includes, four corner properties, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Affidavit for undercover film maker
The story seems to be everywhere, but few sites have posted the affidavit that led to the arrest of gonzo journalist James O’Keefe and three others. Working with a hidden camera, O’Keefe and Hannah Giles posed as a pimp and prostitute seeking advice from ACORN employees. Their videos led to tremendous outrage and a congressional […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
One voice: A man-in-the-office-building survey on the mayoral election
Mitch Landrieu wants us to vote for him. That was the message a Lens reporter got this morning from the New Orleans mayoral candidate. “He saw me there, shook my hand and said ‘Will you vote for me?’ ” the reporter told The Lens this morning, speaking from a cell phone as the reporter exited […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Who's more distracted?
Today in a front-page story, The Times-Picayune reported on a survey by pollster Dr. Silas Lee that found 63 percent of New Orleanians expect the Super Bowl and/or Mardi Gras to be a “major distraction” from that other February event, citywide elections. No freakin’ duh. That’s like asking whether you dress differently when it is […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City hasn't said what recovery projects are delayed by council's questions
Grandstanding is a tradition as old as politics itself. Knowing that, The Lens was not surprised to hear the city’s deputy chief administrative officer accuse inquisitive City Council members of holding up progress at Thursday’s City Council meeting. As we wrote Friday, deputy CAO Cynthia Sylvain-Lear wanted the council to roll over a list of […]