Bourbon Street erupts in celebration

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Coup de grâce

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SAINTS WIN! SAINTS WIN!

SAINTS WIN! SAINTS WIN!

Times-Picayune, “The New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl
by Kevin Spain

The New Orleans Saints have won Super Bowl XLIV.

They beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 here at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was 32-of-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was the big 75-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Tracy Porter that sealed the deal.

“I studied and knew their tendencies,” Porter said. “I just jumped around and the ball went right into my hands.”

Porter’s teammate Darren Sharper, who was on the Green Bay Packers as a rookie when they lost to Denver, said this was a game that nobody had faith in the team except for the team.

“Man this is unbelievable,” Sharper said. “I don’t know of anyone who gave us a chance, but when you get here, anyone can win.”

Times-Picayune article continues here.

Landrieu gets teary over criticism

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Hannity interviews O’Keefe

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O’Keefe’s statement: Not trying to wiretap Landrieu’s phone

O'Keefe's statement: Not trying to wiretap Landrieu's phone

Big Journalism, “Statement from James O’Keefe
by James O’Keefe

The government has now confirmed what has always been clear: No one tried to wiretap or bug Senator Landrieu’s office. Nor did we try to cut or shut down her phone lines. Reports to this effect over the past 48 hours are inaccurate and false.

As an investigative journalist, my goal is to expose corruption and lack of concern for citizens by government and other institutions, as I did last year when our investigations revealed the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN. For decades, investigative journalists have used a variety of tactics to try to dig out and reveal the truth.

I learned from a number of sources that many of Senator Landrieu’s constituents were having trouble getting through to her office to tell her that they didn’t want her taking millions of federal dollars in exchange for her vote on the healthcare bill. When asked about this, Senator Landrieu’s explanation was that, “Our lines have been jammed for weeks.” I decided to investigate why a representative of the people would be out of touch with her constituents for “weeks” because her phones were broken. In investigating this matter, we decided to visit Senator Landrieu’s district office – the people’s office – to ask the staff if their phones were working.

Big Journalism article continues here.

James O’Keefe arrested for trying to tamper with Mary Landrieu’s phone system

FOX News, “Filmmaker Who Targeted ACORN Arrested in Alleged Senate Phone Scheme

The independent filmmaker who brought ACORN to its knees last year with undercover exposes was arrested this week along with three others, including the son of a federal prosecutor, and accused of trying to interfere with the phones at Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office.

FOX News article continues here.

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LSU Law Professor John Baker on Congress’ Reading Problem

The Heritage Foundation, “Guest Blogger: LSU Law Professor John Baker on Congress’ Reading Problem
by John Baker

Just the other day, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) objected to Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) move to force the reading of Bernie Sander’s (I–VT) 767-page amendment (thankfully defeated) to create a single-payer, Medicare-for-all health care system. Republicans plan to force a reading of the final (as yet un-released) Reid health care legislation currently being debated in the Senate, a move Democrats will assuredly try to block.

When ordinary Americans sign their tax forms and thereby fund the federal government, they declare under penalties of perjury that they have read the document. Shouldn’t members of Congress at least have to read the bills they vote for to spend our money? On November 20, the Senate had a vote on cloture – the definitive vote on the health care bill– only 3 days after the bill was unveiled. Senators could not possibly have read the bill. Once again the Senate is preparing to vote on a new version of the bill the contents of which are being with-held from many, if not most, senators. In all likelihood, senators will soon be asked once again to vote on a bill that they will not have time to read. The process has shocked many Americans. Shocked Americans, however, are simply seeing the routine practice of Congress: voting, without reading. Frustrated, what can ordinary Americans do? States could define the crime of malfeasance in office to include the failure of a legislator – federal or state – to vote for legislation without reading it.

The Heritage Foundation article continues here.