By Carol Lucas
So, tell me. Do they offer a reward or maybe a plaque to the biggest cretin (I wanted to use another term, but it’s an insult to horses) in the United States Senate? I know, I know. There are plenty of candidates, but after seeing Louisiana’s Senator John Kennedy on New Year’s day making a complete fool of himself at a press conference in New Orleans, I am ready to render all other candidates not even a close second.
The reason for the conference was to provide an update regarding the horrific attack on Bourbon street that took 14 lives, with dozens wounded, some critically. The perpetrator drove his truck into a crowd, toting a rifle as well. My first thought when deciding to make this my topic ventured toward, “U.S. starts off the new year by maintaining its record for mass shootings.” Name that tune … fodder for another article.
Of course, an update was anticipated as well as mandated. And of course, all the politicians that could be squeezed into the small room already crowded with reporters were there to offer their “expertise.” Business as usual in that respect.
Only one, however, chose to make it a political sham, and that was John Kennedy. Just who is this buffoon?
I had seen him periodically, but knew little about him, so I hit the computer. I found John F. Kennedy first — I will not even address the contrast. But then I discovered some information I found enlightening.
The John Kennedy of this article has a varied history, much too lengthy to include here. Some of it I found to be interesting, especially the part where he chose to run on the Democratic ticket in his first bid to Louisiana politics, (which he lost) and then switched to the Republican ticket. A good overview can be found on Wikipedia if you are interested.
What I am focusing on right now is his obvious bid for the spotlight during the above-mentioned news conference. One would think this should be a time to put aside politics, pull up your big boy pants, and show a little bit of class. Not Louisiana’s good old boy, John.
For starters, Kennedy looked as though he had just crawled out of bed, disheveled and holding two red solo cups, insulated with paper towels. A really impressive way to represent your state on TV, Senator. At one point he edged his way (barge might better describe his action) toward the microphone, to deliver what was nothing more than political tirade.
It began with his flippant answer to a reporter from NBC. When recognized, the reporter told Kennedy that NBC News was “here on the right.” The remark was meant to help the 72-year-old identify each journalists’ affiliation as he geared up to answer a question.
That prompted the Republican to remark, “Oh, that’s [an] unusual position.” He moved his hands to the right, seemingly suggesting NBC is a left-leaning outlet.
This appeared to confuse the reporter who had just assisted Kennedy. She called out, “I don’t get it.” Kennedy responded, “You wouldn’t.” He then took over the podium. No shame on his part, given this was a conference regarding the loss of life and lingering danger in the state he represents.
The senator continued his arrogance with the braggadocious promise to “raise fresh hell” and to chase the federal government, which is responsible for telling us what happened, “like they stole Christmas” if he is not satisfied with the FBI’s findings. This despite there already being a trove of information released about the perpetrator before the conference.
Kennedy droned on about how he had contacted the Director of Homeland Security.
“I did talk to the Secretary of Homeland Security a little while ago, and I told him, with all the respect I could muster, that we expect to put the full force and resources of the federal government behind this investigation.”
Interesting how he is so ready to demand federal action, all the while damning the source from which it comes.
When Kennedy was finished, he managed to remain next to the podium. Interestingly enough, this provided a birds-eye view of his continued theatrics. He sighed, he wiped his brow, he rolled his eyes; finally he put down the red cups and put his head into his hands! Lay on, Macduff, and damned be he who cries, “Hold, Enough!”
Obviously it wasn’t … enough, that is. When LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, stepped to the podium to address reporters, Kennedy began talking to someone in the audience. Cantrell stopped and said, “Excuse me.” at which point Kennedy ceased.
Some have called this man “tone deaf.” Others have used more colorful descriptors. “Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana is a useless piece of s–t saying all the wrong things at the wrong time for all the wrong reasons,” wrote the political pundit Keith Olbermann on X.
Most admit Kennedy has a long history of bizarre comments, all for the purpose of getting attention. Even those in a right wing group wrote to its 780,000 followers that Kennedy was a “disgrace for making the tragedy about him.”
To conclude, this man used a press conference for all the wrong reasons, and he needs to be called out for it. Dozens of his constituents were mowed down on the street as they celebrated the new year. Where, sir, is your sense of what is appropriate? Perhaps in those red cups you finally set aside.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
