Today marks the 114th birthday of Louisiana’s most famous son, Huey P. Long. Across the state, Long’s reputation is celebrated in speech, recorded in textbooks and memorialized in the form of statues, bridges and our very own field house. On campus, Long is remembered as a champion of the University. He signed a bill creating the medical school in New Orleans. And his school spirit extended to the band, which he marched with at its head – and the football team – to whom he gave halftime speeches. The Journalism Building was moved in 1934 from the old downtown campus to its current spot, brick-by-brick, during Long’s stranglehold over the state, and the Music Building was built during his tenure as governor. So it only makes sense that Louisiana’s most celebrated politician would also be one of its most corrupt. In 1929, Long was impeached for charges of corruption, bribery and the misuse of state funds. Fortunately for Louisiana, a vote was never held to convict him, and he was allowed to continue serving. Around the nation, Lousiana is a political laughingstock. And it’s our own fault. We celebrate a corrupt politician from our past, but feign surprise when our senator makes bedfellows with prostitutes. We voted a man back into office despite being under federal investigation for hiding $90,000 in his freezer and then condemned him when he was indicted for accepting bribes from an overseas company. As Louisianans, we are far too tolerant and even more forgiving of our politicians. Instead we should be holding them accountable. If we continue to have a selective memory regarding our politicians, then what next? Will we knock down Coates Hall to make room for the David Vitter Memorial building? Or maybe we can knock down the bronze tiger in the stadium parking lot and erect a statue of William Jefferson? At some point Louisiana’s political corruption stops being a regional coincidence and becomes the fault of its voters. Often we are told it is best to forgive and forget. But when it comes to our state politics, maybe it’s time we hold a grudge.
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