Jindal, Teepell Take On The Guard

Yet another example of arrogance from the Administration, as Gov. Jindal and his chief of staff, Timmy Teepell, engage in a name-calling debate with a board of retired generals appointed to review the state’s National Guard. Since it was the governor himself who appointed these generals to the panel, one wonders exactly what is going on over there on the fourth floor.

The generals, apparently upset that Jindal had ignored their input on certain military issues after selecting them to review those same issues, protested the reappointment of Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau as the state’s adjutant general.

Never one to shy away from going to any lengths to protect his boss, Teepell responded by attacking the reputation and integrity of the panel’s chairman, former Louisiana Adjutant Gen. Ansel “Buddy” Stroud.

Teepell’s answer to the criticism was to launch a not-so-veiled accusation of corruption at the Desert Storm veteran, accusing him of having an “association” with certain contractors doing business with the Guard.

Whether or not this is true, one wonders why Teepell waited until now to make this known - particularly since Jindal created the panel and should have been aware of any such conflicts. Unfortunately, when it comes to ethics and corruption, Jindal has shown his hypocrisy time and again.

Retired Brig. Gen. Kenneth Ross, a member of the panel, had this to say about the whole situation:

I’m actually mystified. I thought Bobby Jindal was smarter than this.

Expect to hear that comment more often in the coming years, if Jindal and his flunkies continue to act in such a heavy-handed fashion.

Also: Speaking of heavy-handed, executive director of the Highway Safety Commission Col. Jim Champagne gets the boot because of his long standing opposition to repealing the motorcycle helmet law. Anyone who works in their field of highway safety is familiar with Champagne’s reputation, as he is well known and highly respected by advocates and officials from all across the country. Louisiana has lost out with Champagne’s departure.

Read General Stroud’s letter and Teepell’s response in full.