Tony Perkins has worn many hats throughout his life: television reporter, police officer, Louisiana state representative, head of a certified hate group. But the president of the viciously homophobic Family Research Council earned a new title this week when Gov. Bobby Jindal appointed him to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, which awards grants, trains officers, and regulates law enforcement throughout the state.
According to CenLamar:
Tellingly, although Perkins was appointed nearly three weeks ago, Governor Jindal’s office kept things quiet; the appointment was first revealed by Woody Jenkins,
a man who is best known in Louisiana for his three quixotic campaigns
for the United States Senate. Indeed, according to multiple sources,
Governor Jindal’s office had repeatedly denied or refused to acknowledge
Perkins’s appointment until only yesterday, when it became the subject
of national news.
Why the secrecy? Is Bobby Jindal ashamed of the appointment? If he's not, he should be.
Perkins hasn’t exactly mellowed out in recent years. While he’s no
longer courting white nationalists and white racists, Perkins now spends
a great deal of of time and energy lambasting gays and lesbians, or
scientists who believe in evolution and vaccines, or people who simply
strive toward ecumenical fairness and love.
Is there someone around carrying less negative baggage than Perkins for Jindal to appoint? I'm sure there's an angle here, something in it for Bobby, but if his goal is a position of power outside Louisiana when his term expires, then the appointment could be viewed as taking things too far. Perhaps Jindal and David Vitter will switch places, though I heard through the grapevine that the two are not the best of friends, so I'm not certain either would support the other if there was a Republican alternative.
What, Michael Brown wasn't available?
ReplyDeletePerhaps Michael Brown might be an improvement.
DeleteMa cherie grandmere,
ReplyDeleteI as a gay refugee from Louisiana to California, I wish I'd known more people like you when I lived there.
How long ago did you leave, Frank? Our numbers grow by the day, despite the evidence of our leaders. For the younger generations, LGTB persons are accepted as they are. Gay partnerhips and gay marriage are simple not issues for younger, straight Louisianians.
Delete