Here is a quick story related to insane Louisiana politics for you all. If you followed the case of the Canal Street Madam, you know that our fine AG was busy getting warrants to tap the phone lines at the brothel in the months prior to 9-11. The first bug was installed on 9-10. Well, the Canal Street Madam has offically announced her intentions to enter politics by running for a City Council spot in New Orleans.
I have met the Jeanette Maier, the Canal Street Madam, through a mutual friend. Suffice it say that I spent a rather reckless youth in the Big Easy and have retained a number of colorful friends. The details of the trial that followed the indictments of Jeanette, Monica and Tommy are right out of a Grisham novel. Jeanette still has a copy of "the List" of names of her prominent customers and there was widespread fear of massive political fallout. Jeanette made it known that she would publish the list from prison if she did time. If you believe the stories floating around at the time, an emergency meeting of politicians was held in Baton Rouge and Jeanette ended up getting a fine and 6 months in a half-way house. She is now out.
Some of the other madams convicted in the case (there was a nationwide ring of madams shipping girls from brothel to brothel to give their clients "variety") have reopened their brothels. Jeanette, however, recieved most of the publicity in the case because both her mother (Tommy) and daughter (Monica) worked at the brothel and she has no intentions of reopening. I have also met Monica. There are conflicting stories about how she came to work in the brothel so I reserve judgement at this time. Jeanette is currently working on a book and a movie about her life - apparently Shirley Mclaine is in the running for the part of Tommy. She is also working on a children's book dealing with themes of child abuse. Monica is working in a medical office and raising her daughter and Tommy if off being Tommy.
Now Jeanette is considering a run for the New Orleans City Council. She has appeared on newscasts stating her intention to run. Recently she was invited to appear at a conservative forum, of all things, with Gennifer Flowers, of all people. Gennifer Flowers does a bit at conservative gatherings where she makes fun of the size of Big Dog's member. It is a real crowd pleaser.
I heard the story of the forum from our mutual friend. She went along to support Jeanette and helped her prepare her remarks. One of my favorites - I am writing from memory here, re: the city having to spend money to retain the Saints "Foster and those boys in Baton Rouge negotiated this lousy deal. They should be the ones picking up the tab." Also, "We are spending too much money putting young men in prison. Instead of guards, we should be providing them with teachers so they can do something with themselves when they get out."
Anyway, she was given a very positive reception by the group even though she was spouting all sorts of liberal positions. On more than one occasion, the crowd erupted in hoots and thunderous applause. Jeanette is a very charming woman. You don't become one of the premier prostitutes in New Orleans if you are coarse idiot.
Now it is looking like she is going to make the run. The kicker in this whole drama is that some of the current City Council members are rumored to be on the list. There is speculation that some may even drop out of the race rather than face Jeanette in public forums. Who knows? She may even pull it off. Stranger things have happened in LA politics.