In true Elbert Guillory fashion, the state senator from Opelousas has issued a response defending his recent behavior on The Jim Engster radio show in which he brought the interview to an abrupt close after likening one of his legislative colleagues to a yapping Chihuahua.
In true Elbert Guillory fashion, the state senator from District 24 has issued a response defending his recent behavior on The Jim Engster radio show in which he brought the interview to an abrupt close after likening one of his legislative colleagues to a yapping Chihuahua.
The interview (read more about it here) featured Guillory and state Rep. Ted James. They're both black lawmakers, but that's about the extent of their similarities as evidenced during their appearance together on the Nov. 7 broadcast.
Having semi-celebrity status among national Republicans for his disavowal of the Democratic party in Sept. 2014, Guillory has repeatedly denounced liberal policies as being destructive to African-Americans. But for Guillory, spouting off his anti-liberal convictions via Youtube proved a much easier task than the situation he walked into during his recent public radio appearance. Instead of preaching to the choir from the comforts of a digital pulpit, Guillory found himself in uncharted territory where he found himself the target of some tough questions. Making matters worse for Guillory was that the tough questions were now coming from Rep. Ted James, a black Dem from Baton Rouge who saw the politically aspiring senator's "liberalism is bad for blacks" spiel for what it is.
"I just don't believe that all of the young men in Opelousas are sitting there waiting on a handout from the government," said James during the live broadcast. In critiquing Guillory's politics, which as of late have been aimed at Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, James was ultimately saying he didn't agree with the Opelousas senator's claims that his black constituents aren't attempting to find work all because of Democratic policies, like universal health care and a fair minimum wage.
Guillory likened James to a Chihuahua nipping at his heels and then aborted the remainder of the interview by hanging up.
Perhaps needing a second chance at getting the final say after having failed to do so with James, the typically astute Guillory has since found all the words that had so evidently escaped him over a week ago.
Though he avoids naming names, Guillory's letter, in all its comical glory, is unmistakably an attempt at making a dig on James.
And for raising a series of what sounded like legitimate questions, James can now add "attack dog," "little poodle" and "boy" to the growing list of names he's been called by the good senator from Opelousas.
Here's Guillory's last word on the matter:
Dear Sir/Madam:
I was having fun on the Jim Engster show. Talking about how Mary Landrieu comes to my community every six years with a beer, a chicken sandwich and many promises. Then, we see nothing and hear nothing and receive nothing until next election when we got another beer, another sandwich and another mouthful of empty promises.
One of her attack dogs was also on the show! He refused to discuss the issues. Just wanted to attack me personally. Even though I spent most of my career designing, teaching and enforcing civil rights laws across this Nation, he attacked my service.
He doesn't even know about my service, much of which was taking place when his mother was a little girl.
Anyway he kept attacking like a little poodle or Chihuahua. I hung up on him and terminated the interview.
Boys should learn to respect men. Children should learn to respect elders.
Respectfully,
Senator Elbert Lee Guillory