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Jim Brown: Can Louisiana's election system be hacked?

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 7:55am
JIM BROWN

Election officials across the country are being besieged over allegations of election fraud. 

The major charge by those buying into the voter conspiracy is that voting machines can be and have been regularly hacked to manipulate state elections. 

The pinnacle of the hacking claims is that President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has infiltrated voting machine software to control election outcomes. 

I guess it does not matter that Chavez has been dead for many years.

And how about the MyPillow guy, Mike Lindell? 

He has formed a new “weed out the election fraud” group that charges: “Most secretaries of state are corrupt and should all be replaced. They let our country be taken through computers.”

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has had enough. He said he’s had his fill of “pervasive lies that have eroded trust in our elections, by using conspiracies so far-fetched that they belong in a work of fiction.” He then announced he would not be a candidate for re-election this fall.

So what’s going on, particularly here in Louisiana? Can state computers be hacked? Can the election process be manipulated? Is there widespread election fraud as many questioners like the MyPillow guy and others allege? I may be a pretty good source to give you an opinion. I did serve for eight years as Secretary of State, the chief elections officer. So let me go back a few years to tell you how elections were in my day.

Elections in the 1970s and 1980s generally took place without a hitch. When I first took office in 1980, there was so much public confidence in the elections process that the clerks of court shut down their offices when the polls closed.

The only way the news media could report the election results was by having a stringer reporter hang out at the clerk’s office and write down the results as the court workers hand-delivered the ballot totals.

I changed this procedure by meeting with the clerks, and getting their commitment that they would call me in Baton Rouge at the Secretary Of State’s Office to report the voting totals by telephone.

Life seemed so much simpler then. My, how our country has changed.  Unfortunately, manipulation of voting machines, widespread voter fraud, crooked elections officials and foreign hacking have all become a rallying point for those who see conspiracies as our current election cycle rolls around.

All right, so how about now. Are Louisiana elections rigged? Can voting machines be hacked, particularly the new Dominion machines the secretary of state is proposing that the state acquire?  According to every legitimate watchdog group and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office, the answer is no. And I would agree. I just have seen no evidence that anything improper is taking place in the state’s election process. The major criticism seems to be coming from candidates associated with former President Donald Trump. But Trump carried the state by one of the largest margins in the nation. And republicans picked up a number of new offices in Louisiana.

The most recent validation of the system comes from the Fox News lawsuit settlement. Commentators on Fox continued to allege voter fraud, and cited numerous problems in the use of Dominion voting machines that, according to these commentators, were easy to hack.

But internal Fox texts and emails showed that they actually believed there were no such irregularities. Just last week, Fox settled with Dominion for $787 million. Fox also acknowledged that the Dominion machines were not hacked. The new Dominion voting machines are under consideration now for possible use in Louisiana.

Personally, it’s hard for me to buy into such schemes of election manipulation.

But we are living in a different world today where claims of crooked elections have become a way for candidates to raise campaign money.

And like it or not, allegations of voting fraud will be a part of numerous elections across the country this fall, including right here in the Bayou State. So we better get used to it.

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also listen to his regular podcast at www.datelinelouisiana.com.

Jeremy Alford: La. governor race will be televised earlier than usual

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 7:49am
JEREMY ALFORD

A handful of the candidate campaigns and outside spending groups involved in this year’s race for governor have either already advertised on broadcast television and cable or they’re planning to jump onto traditional airwaves very soon. 

To have one camp venture onto TV early — like former Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle did in February 2015, during the last open race for governor — isn’t surprising.

But to see so much interest from different corners of the field during early spring is unique.

In fact, most gubernatorial candidates from yesteryear didn’t get serious about commercials until late summer or around Labor Day.

This cycle, however, may be exception.

Treasurer John Schroder was the first to get on screens this cycle with more than $400,000 in television, mostly in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

The move was bold and unmissable, and left many politicos wondering why Schroder was so eager to be first on television.

“This is purely a function of having a clear frontrunner on the Republican side in (Attorney General) Jeff Landry,” said media consultant Jared Arsement, who’s working for the campaign of former Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. 

Arsement added, “But this isn’t like 2015. The other Republican candidates are significantly less known than Scott Angelle and (former Lt. Gov.) Jay Dardenne were.

They had higher name ID and polled better. So you see Schroder and others and they have to build themselves out a bit more.

But there’s no way to sustain a significant level of spending if you want to reach statewide between now and Election Day. Maybe if you hopscotch back and forth between markets.” 

For example, Gov. John Bel Edwards went up on television on July 8 during the 2019 election cycle and stayed on the airwaves through the primary.

“We spent more than $9 million statewide for that,” said Arsement. “And it’s more expensive now.”

While Schroder, who doesn’t have money to waste, may have gone up on television to move the needle on his polling, Landry joined him on the tube last week for entirely different reasons.

Landry, who has a field-leading $6 million in the bank and can afford to be aggressive with his media, opened with a commercial that focused on crime prevention. 

“The ad we have up right now is a multi-market ad,” said Landry spokesperson Kate Kelly.

“It’s starting in Baton Rouge, but will go throughout the state. It will run on every medium.”

It’s not clear which camp will be on television next, but attorney Hunter Lundy, an independent from Lake Charles, has lent his campaign nearly $2 million and is expected to place his first ad buy within the next six weeks or so.

Lundy consultant Pres Robinson sees some of the same storylines as Arsement.

“Name ID is low for most of the candidates and voters’ allegiances are soft across the board,” said Robinson. “Everybody has an opportunity to move. Nobody is
over 40 in combined first and second choice ballots, so this thing is still fluid. It’s anybody’s ballgame.”

As for outside spending groups, Lionel Rainey III said TV is in the cards for his Reboot Louisiana PAC, which has $1.7 million in the bank to support former LABI President Stephen Waguespack.

“I suspect you’ll see something from us in the very near future,” said Rainey.

Could all of these early entries force media budgets to climb for the cycle? Rainey said it could go either way. “It could turn into an arms race,” he said.

Asked about Waguespack’s media timeline, a campaign spokesperson said, “Our campaign is committed to taking our message directly to Louisiana voters through many channels including TV ads. We have the resources and momentum on our side. We will continue to make our case to voters every day on the ground and on the air.”

Another candidate, state Rep. Richard Nelson, said, “We’re planning an unconventional campaign focused on earned and social media, likely involving dinosaurs. Legacy media will be part of the mix, but we have to make every dollar count.”

For her part, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt said she’s focused on the session, but keeping tabs on all of the political action. “I will let the boys fight over TV ads on the sidelines while I get things done in the state Legislature for the families of Louisiana,” she said.

As for the Democratic side, Arsement rightly noted that Wilson, the lone marketable Dem in the race at this hour, isn’t faced with the same kind of media timeline as the Republican contenders. “I have nothing to report at the moment,” Arsement said when asked about Wilson’s plans.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

Zornman, LeBato named to M C Bank board

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 4:49pm

Don Zornman and Christopher LeBato were appointed to the Board of Directors for M C Bank & Trust Company and MC Bancshares during the 2023 annual shareholders’ meeting.

Zornman has served as the chairman of the New Orleans Advisory Board for M C Bank. He has over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, previously working at Hancock Whitney and Iberiabank. Most recently he has been an independent business consultant.

Zornman lives in Covington.

Christopher LeBato is president and CEO of M C Bank. He has serve as CEO since 2021.

"We had a great Annual Shareholders’ meeting in Morgan City and are excited about the bank’s future,” said Kenny Nelkin, chairman of the board. “I’m joined by the entire
board in welcoming Don and Chris to serve as directors with us and look forward to continuing to work with them on the success of M C Bank.”

Morgan City police radio logs for April 26-27

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 1:48pm

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, April 26
7:26 a.m. Egle Street/Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7:40 a.m. 1200 block of Greenwood Street; Silent alarm.
10:25 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
10:36 a.m. Victor II Boulevard/Kenneth Street; Complaint.
10:53 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Burglary.
12:40 p.m. 900 block of Chestnut Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
12:51 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Animal complaint.
2:18 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Disturbance.
2:58 p.m. 300 block of Brashear Avenue; Remove person.
3:05 p.m. La. 70/Veterans Boulevard; Complaint.
3:42 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Mental patient.
3:59 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
4:39 p.m. 2300 block of Cypress Street; Animal complaint.
4:51 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
5:28 p.m. U.S. 90 Bridge Westbound; Traffic incident.
7:30 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
8:16 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Medical.
11:24 p.m. 500 block of First Street; Subject removal.
Thursday, April 27
Midnight 1700 block of Elk Street; Noise complaint.
12:20 a.m. 1700 block of Elk Street; Noise complaint.
1:47 a.m. 2600 block of Hemlock Street; Vehicle burglary.
1:55 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person

Five arrests reported by local authorities

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 1:40pm

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

St. Mary and Franklin authorities reported five arrests Wednesday and Thursday on charges that included theft and a sex offender registration violation.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 28 complaints and made these arrests:

--Tydrick Chevalier, 27, New Iberia, was arrested at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of duty of offender to notify law enforcement of change of address. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Deamren Jamal Joseph, 22, Thibodaux, was arrested at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging theft and monetary instrument abuse. Joseph is being held for another agency.

--Christopher Lee Lacaze, 44, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Thursday on three MCPD warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of license expired, expired or no inspection sticker, and no insurance. Lacaze is being held for another agency.

--Tyron Lamar Charles, 22, Baldwin, was arrested at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday on five warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of illegal carrying of weapon; possession of marijuana; improper lane usage; possession of drug paraphernalia; flight from an officer; possession of stolen things; possession of hydrocodone; reckless operation; aggravated obstruction of a highway of commerce; driving under suspension; flight from an officer; possession of dealing in firearms with obliterated serial numbers; illegal use, possession, or control of weapons (crime of violence); illegal possession of stolen firearms; criminal trespassing; operating a vehicle with an inadequate windshield; and obstruction of driver’s view.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to seven complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:

--Ray Granger, 35, Caffery Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:53 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated April 24 alleging remaining where forbidden. Granger was booked, processed and held on a $500 bond.

MABLE HENSLEY WATSON

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 7:32am

Mable Hensley Watson, a native and resident of Jeanerette, died Wednesday, April 20, 2023, at her residence.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Methodist Church in Jeanerette. Burial will follow in Heavenly Rest Cemetery.

She is survived by one son, Earl Lewis Jr. of Morgan City; her daughter, Katherine Stamp of Hou-ston; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, three brothers and two sisters.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marijuana, battery charges among arrests by Morgan City police

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 12:33pm
Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.

Morgan City police reported arrests Tuesday and Wednesday on charges that include battery and marijuana possession.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams <>/b>reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 43 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Kenneth R. Crosson Jr., 37, La. 182 East, Destrehan, was arrested at 5:39 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

--Tabitha S. Nevels, 33, Poncio Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:07 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Michael Scook, 20, Chestnut Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:56 p.m. Tuesday on charges of criminal trespass, resisting an officer and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

--Johntae T. Meads, 24, Hill Court, Houma, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Tuesday as a fugitive from Lafourche Parish.

Feast on traditional Mexican cuisine on Cinco de Mayo

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 8:32am

Cinco de Mayo is a festive occasion that celebrates Mexican culture and food. Cinco de Mayo commemorates a minor Mexican victory over France that took place on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
While it has never been a big deal in Mexico — especially in comparison to celebrations of Mexico’s independence — Cinco de Mayo has become a festive phenomenon north of the border.
When it comes to food and beverage, many people see Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to indulge in a few margaritas and dine on tacos.
Those who prefer more authentic fare may want to explore further. Pork loin is a quintessential Mexican dish. It can be prepared in many ways with rich spices.
This recipe for “Stuffed Loin of Pork” from “The Complete Mexican, South American & Caribbean Cookbook” (Metro Books) by Jane Milton, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippelli, is stuffed with a ground pork mixture to make it even more savory.

STUFFED LOIN OF PORK
3 to 3½ pounds boneless pork loin, butterflied and ready for stuffing
For the stuffing
1/3 cup raisins
½ cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1¼ lbs. ground pork
2/3 cup vegetable stock
2 tomatoes
½ cup chopped almonds
½ tsp. each salt and ground black pepper
1. Make the stuffing. Put raisins and wine in a bowl. Set aside. Heat oil in a large pan, add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes over low heat.
2. Add cloves and cinnamon, then the ground pork. Cook, stirring, until the pork has browned. Add the stock. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes.
3. While the pork is simmering, peel the tomatoes.
Cut a cross in the bottom of each tomato, then put them both in a heatproof bowl. Pour in boiling water to cover.
Leave the tomatoes in this water for 3 minutes, then lift them out on a slotted spoon and plunge them into a bowl of cold water. Drain.
The skins will have begun to peel back from the crosses.
4. Remove the skins completely, then chop the flesh.
5. Stir the tomatoes and almonds into the pork mixture, add the raisins and wine. Cook until the mixture is reduced to a thick sauce. Let cool.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F. Open out the pork loin and trim it neatly. Season the pork stuffing with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the stuffing on the surface of the meat in a neat layer, taking it right to the edges and keeping it as even as possible.
7. Roll up the pork loin carefully and tie it at intervals with kitchen string. Weigh the pork and calculate the cooking time at 30 minutes per pound, plus another 30 minutes.
8. Put the stuffed pork loin in a roasting pan, season with salt and pepper, and roast for the calculated time.
9.When the loin is cooked, transfer it to a meat platter, place a tent of aluminum foil over it, and let it stand for 10 minutes before carving and serving with the roasted vegetables of your choice.
Serves 6

Ex is still a negative influence on man’s life

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 8:30am
By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I were married 21 years ago. Since then, she has admitted to cheating with 10 different men.
Each time, I stayed with her, hoping she’d change. I finally left 3½ years ago because I couldn’t take it anymore.
She became homeless, but for the past year and a half she has been living with my daughter and me because I saw her on the street one day and she looked terrible.
We are now moving, and my daughter wants her mother to get a job (she’s capable of getting one). My ex refused to get one to help pay the bills.
Now I’m faced with another dilemma: Should I let her go on her own or fight for her to stay with us? My daughter is completely against her living with us.
My income is limited. I’m on disability for a bad heart. My ex is 43, and I’m 58.
Can you please advise?
NOT LOOKING BACK IN COLORADO

DEAR NOT LOOKING BACK: Your daughter is right. You are disabled and on a limited income, and your ex-wife is able-bodied. With her out of there, your expenses will be lower.
Nowhere in your letter did you mention that you still love this parasite, nor did you mention whether she has changed her ways. Your responsibility for her ended when the marriage did.
Encourage her to reach out to her relatives for a place to stay, or guide her to a shelter. But not only should you let her go, you must find the strength to insist upon it.

DEAR ABBY: I consider myself a modest woman in today’s world. I have a new granddaughter that my daughter-in-law nurses anywhere, at any time, regardless of who she is around.
I told my son she should cover herself in restaurants and other public places. I get embarrassed when she just pulls out a breast for anyone to see.
She’s European, and I understand it is more common there, but not so much in America.
Am I overreacting?
LOOKING AWAY IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR LOOKING AWAY: I think so. Nursing mothers are no longer relegated to feeding their infants in bathrooms as they were years ago.
However, because you are embarrassed at the sight of your daughter-in-law nursing, consider leaving the table until she is finished to preserve your modesty.

DEAR ABBY: Often I find myself seated near people who either speak too loudly or talk constantly without stopping, both of which annoy me.
This usually happens in restaurants, when I’m trying to enjoy a nice meal, although it also happened recently on a train. My seatmate was talking to the passenger across the aisle.
What can be done in such situations, hopefully in a polite way?
TRYING TO RELAX

DEAR TRYING: A restaurant patron can quietly ask to move his or her seat to a quieter location.
On public transportation, you should have offered to give your seat to the person across the aisle so your seat partner could continue the conversation without shouting across.
***
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Morgan City sales tax proposition draws 541 early votes

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 5:24am
Staff Report

More than 500 Morgan City people cast early votes on a proposed sales tax to raise money for police and firefighter pay.

Election day for the half-cent sales tax proposition is Saturday. Polling places in Morgan City will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Bring a photo ID to the polls.

In St. Mary, only Morgan City voters will take part in this election.

The St. Mary Registrar of Voters Office said 454 people voted early in person during the April 15-22 early voting period.

Another 87 absentee ballots have been received.

The tax is expected to bring in $1.3 million a year, according to the ballot language. The proceeds are dedicated to pay for police officers and firefighters and to their training.

The tax is the solution the city government developed to deal with the loss of personnel to higher-paying departments across the region.

The process began last year when, as he was set to retire, former Police Chief James F. Blair warned the City Council that low pay — $4 less per hour than the average for departments from Franklin to Houma — was leading to an unsustainable rate of turnover. Blair put the number of personnel losses at 40 in the previous three years.

Mayor Lee Dragna has pointed to the cost of training new officers. Hiring an officer means paying for academy tuition, pay for the officer during training, and assigning the officer to a supervisor can run to $60,000.

The Morgan City Police Department handles about 14,000 calls for service each year.

The problem isn’t limited to the Police Department.

Fire Chief Alvin Cockerham said his department has 26 line firefighters. Vacations or sick days sometimes force him to close one of the city’s four fire stations because the department can’t meet the staffing levels the state requires for operating fire equipment.

Meanwhile, the Fire Department is taking on more responsibility for first-responder care by training firefighters as emergency medical technicians.

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