Education

Apparently unaware that the dodo bird has a more active heartbeat than his political career, State Treasurer John Kennedy emerged from whatever rock or self help group he has sought refuge in since his latest humiliating defeat  in his latest failed bid for United States Senate.  According to the St. Tammany News, Kennedy spoke before the Northshore Kiwanis Club in Mandeville earlier this month. 

Although there has been no reporting of the crowd estimate, it is assumed that perennial candidate Kennedy, as usual, drew a packed house.  While there were, surprisingly, several interesting moments in his speech, apart from obligatory references to cowgirl halls of fame and brown tree snakes in Guam, the highlight was Treasurer Kennedy’s visionary solution to solving our nation’s education problems.

When discussing what to do with students who are resistant to learning, Kennedy argued that teachers should put them in another room and make them  “do push-ups or stare at the wall…”.  As of this reporting, it is unknown where the clearly still confused State Treasurer developed this advice from, as push-ups and wall staring appear nowhere on Wikipedia’s education reform page. 

Also of note during this speech was Treasurer Kennedy’s claim of inflation accounting for 27% of the increased budget of the State of Louisiana in the past decade, despite saying throughout his most recent senate campaign that “except for healthcare, inflation has been pretty tame over the last ten years.”  Even more confusing is Kennedy’s assertion less than 3 months ago that inflation has increased 37% over the last 10 years.

Never known to be good at math, a frightening thought for a state treasurer, clearly, John Kennedy still has a lot of learning to do.  But of course, it is nothing a few push ups won’t solve.

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From the Advocate: Fierce lobbying by creationists results in a new challenge for Louisiana schools.

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From the Independent: Jindal led initiative to dictate influence of creationalism in La. schools.

From the Times Picayune: “Work-ready certificates” at the heart of Governor’s new plan.

From the Monroe News Star: Budget crisis puts Louisiana Universities in a bind.

From the Monroe News Star:

From the Advocate and the Associated Press: After an ‘08 budget that increased spending and cut taxes, Governor Jindal faces the realities of a collapse in oil prices and the economy in general, setting up the first real test of his political career.

From the Associated Press: Jindal finds pen long enough to actually sign a bill.