Is Bobby Jindal -- Who May Be On McCain's Veep Shortlist -- An Exorcist?
Bobby Jindal, the 36-year old governor of Louisiana, is being taken seriously by the national press as a candidate on the shortlist to be John McCain's Vice President. No one doubts that he's a political prodigy -- his impressive resume includes stints as president of the state university system, a Congressman and now governor.
But one of Jindal's job titles hasn't gotten much attention -- and it just might prompt a few questions if his Veep candidacy gains steam: Exorcist.
As others noted during his 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial campaigns (see update), in an essay Jindal wrote in 1994 for the New Oxford Review, a serious right-wing Catholic journal, Jindal narrated a bizarre story of a personal encounter with a demon, in which he participated in an exorcism with a group of college friends. And not only did they cast out the supernatural spirit that had possessed his friend, Jindal wrote that he believes that their ritual may well have cured her cancer.
Reading the article leaves no doubt that Jindal -- who graduated from Brown University in 1991, was a Rhodes Scholar, and had been accepted at Yale Law School and Harvard Medical School when he wrote the essay -- was completely serious about the encounter. He even said the experience "reaffirmed" his faith.
Jindal's affection for battling demons never surfaced during Jindal's failed run for governor in 2003 or his successful one in 2007. The state Dems did make an issue in 2007 out of Jindal's extreme Catholicism and his view of Protestant tenets as heretical, but the effort provoked a backlash among voters who thought the assault was religious bigotry. So Dems didn't make an issue out of Jindal's experiment.
But Jindal's battle with the dark forces may become an issue should his Veep candidacy proceed. While it's hardly a blockbuster revelation, it could provide fodder for bloggers and late-night comics to turn his candidacy into a media sideshow.
If you're interested in the details about Jindal's spiritually experimental past, we have lots more for you after the jump. It's lively stuff.
In the essay (purchase required), Jindal describes an emotional friendship with a classmate, "Susan," recently diagnosed with skin cancer and reeling after the suicide of a close friend. Susan's behavior becomes stranger, and she is surrounded by "sulfuric" smells. Finally, one night at a prayer meeting, she collapses in a seizure -- and the exorcism begins:
The students, led by Susan's sister and Louise, a member of a charismatic church, engaged in loud and desperate prayers while holding Susan with one hand. Kneeling on the ground, my friends were chanting, "Satan, I command you to leave this woman." Others exhorted all "demons to leave in the name of Christ." It is no exaggeration to note the tears and sweat among those assembled. Susan lashed out at the assembled students with verbal assaults.
Jindal then describes how the whole situation made him physically uncomfortable, and he wondered if the same demon afflicting Susan was responsible for his state of nervousness:
Whenever I concentrated long enough to begin prayer, I felt some type of physical force distracting me. It was as if something was pushing down on my chest, making it very hard for me to breathe. . . Though I could find no cause for my chest pains, I was very scared of what was happening to me and Susan. I began to think that the demon would only attack me if I tried to pray or fight back; thus, I resigned myself to leaving it alone in an attempt to find peace for myself.
After a lull in the event -- it in fact lasted "a few hours" by Jindal's reckoning -- Susan attempted to run away, but was dutifully pinned back on the floor by her friends:
Maybe she sensed our weariness; whether by plan or coincidence, Susan chose the perfect opportunity to attempt an escape. She suddenly leapt up and ran for the door, despite the many hands holding her down. This burst of action served to revive the tired group of students and they soon had her restrained once again, this time half kneeling and half standing.
After what sounds like a number of hours, and a failed attempt at getting help from a preacher (he refused to assist), the exorcism finally concludes in dramatic fashion:
It appeared as if we were observing a tremendous battle between the Susan we knew and loved and some strange evil force. But the momentum had shifted and we now sensed that victory was at hand.While Alice and Louise held Susan, her sister continued holding the Bible to her face. Almost taunting the evil spirit that had almost beaten us minutes before, the students dared Susan to read biblical passages. She choked on certain passages and could not finish the sentence "Jesus is Lord." Over and over, she repeated "Jesus is L..L..LL," often ending in profanities. In between her futile attempts, Susan pleaded with us to continue trying and often smiled between the grimaces that accompanied her readings of Scripture. Just as suddenly as she went into the trance, Susan suddenly reappeared and claimed "Jesus is Lord."
With an almost comical smile, Susan then looked up as if awakening from a deep sleep and asked, "Has something happened?" She did not remember any of the past few hours and was startled to find her friends breaking out in cheers and laughter, overwhelmed by sudden joy and relief.
Jindal writes proudly about the experiment's conclusion: "When the operation occurred, the surgeons found no traces of cancerous cells. Susan claimed she had felt healed after the group prayer and can remember the sensation of being 'purified.'"
Jindal's office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Late update: This post originally asserted that we "discovered" Jindal's essay, but several readers have brought to our attention that we are not the first to blog on this subject. Daily Kingfish and DailyKos discussed Jindal's exorcism experience during his gubernatorial campaigns in 2003 and 2007, and Jezebel parodied it as recently as last month. The topic has renewed relevance now that Jindal is being discussed as a possible vice presidential candidate. But credit where credit is due for these earlier reports.
Uh....I'm Catholic, and that sounds flat-out fucking crazy.
June 11, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too.
Jindal = Kook
June 11, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
What do you want to bet that both "cancer" and "satan" are code words for gay and that Susan, having suffered through this process, was cured of her homosexuality?
I'm only half joking. I have nothing against religious people, but wackos are wackos no matter what they worship.
I'll stick to the Flying Spagetti Monster, thank you very much. At least us Pastafarians know how to have a good time!
June 11, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps it sounds crazy, but within the ranks of the neoPentecostal movement, which flies under the name of the Charismatic Renewal in Catholic circles, such things are far from rare or unusual.
Among Catholic leaders in LA is Bishop Sam Jacobs. From 1989 to 2003 he was bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana. Since October 10, 2003 he's been the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Bishop Jacobs is a former chairman of the U.S. National Service Committee of Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Chairman of the U.S. and Chairman of the U.S Bishops Committee on Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Here's a sample of Bishop Jacobs' writing: "Since God wills all to be saved, so the grace of Baptism is meant for all, even though not all will accept this grace or, if accepted, not all will respond fully to it. In the same way the grace of Pentecost is meant for all, though not all will receive it, or, if received, may not understand the scope of it."
Those in the Pentecostal churches have practiced "binding and casting out demons" for many years. The standard text on this so-called deliverance ministry is the late Rev. Don Basham's "Deliver Us From Evil," still available in paperback. Basham, who was the longstanding editor of Charisma magazine, was also one of the main proponents of the "shepherding" or "discipling" movement.
These guys are serious. And they really believe it.
June 11, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Edit: not Charisma magazine (that's Jamie Buckingham), but rather New Wine magazine. My bad.
June 11, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
My ex-wife is a lapsed Catholic, and a native New Orleanian. I lived there as well for a couple years back in the '80's, and can certainly attest to the prevalence and profound influence of the Church in that state.
I myself have witnessed too many things in my years which defy ready explanation. That said, I don't buy this story as told; sounds like the feverished product of a youthful mind.
From a strictly political perspective, however, I'd consider this a non-starter. Perhaps not quite third rail calibre -- but, in the deep South -particularly in Louisiana- attacking or mocking him for this would engender sympathy for the dude.
June 11, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
We know a guy in New Orleans who swears that Popeyes chicken is lacking an apostrophe because it's subliminal -- "Pope Yes!"
June 12, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll let you in on why "Popeyes" is missing the apostrophe. It's no mystical or subliminal thing at all. Al Copeland, Sr., the owner of Popeyes Chicken, just passed away a few months ago, by the way.
The reason Popeyes has no apostrophe is because when he first started the business, he was short on funds and got the least expensive lettering available at the time. It's that simple.
After the "Chicken King" built his fast food empire, he could have afforded a name that stretched from California to Florida - ha !
Have a nice day!
June 14, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Coral Sea,
I grew up in the New Orleans area as well, and I'll have you know that the Catholic Charasmatic Church is alive and well!! It is HIGHLY believable that an exorcism can take place, by those who have the faith and courage to do it, that is. Don't you know that the Vatican has a whole team of exorcists? A lay person that has spiritual knowlege of how to confront a demon CAN successfully coach one out of a spiritually possessed person, although a priest is recommended. Bet you'd change your mind in a hurry if you ever get in the position of having a demon inside of YOU! Here's something for you to think about: The devil has not retired!
God Bless You!
June 14, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
When you describe yourself as "Catholic", do you mean that you were baptized Catholic, attend Sunday Mass, and subscribe to the deposit of faith which is the basis of Roman Catholicism Tradition? If that's the case, the better description would be "Practicing Catholic"... Given your gratuitous, inappropriate use of the "F-bomb" in your post, I'm assuming you are more accurately described as a Lapsed Catholic, Former Catholic, or Marginal Catholic.
Being "Catholic" is like saying that you are a "Guy", or an "American", or even a "Saggitarius" for that matter... In the broadest sense, it refers to all who have been Baptized by the Catholic Church. The next step up are the "Hatch 'em, Batch 'em, and Dispatch 'em" Catholics, followed by the Christmas and Easter Catholics, the Lapsed Catholics, the Ex-Catholics, and then the Radically Anti-Catholic ex-Catholics.
Apparently, Mr. Jindal is "Catholic" in a much deeper sense. He expereinced the opposite side of the Catholic Faith Spectrum, a small group of the Faithful who have been blessed with an extraordinary infusion of the Holy Spirit, eminating from a retreat at Duquense University. At that event, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the students in a very special way, and from it grew the modern Charismatic Catholic Movement - sanctioned by Rome and very active today.
Jesus promised that He would send His Holy Spirit as a 'Paraclete' and His people would work great wonders... the Catholic Charismatic Movement takes Jesus at His word. And by the way, Devils DO severely and negatively impact people... they are very real.. the biblical 'fallen angels'... Lucifer... the one who tempted Christ Himself. Jesus assures us that we who are infused by this Holy Spirit do have power over demons, as well as sicknesses and emotional bonds.
So don't be too quick to judge those who take Christ at his word... much less curse and criticize them. Jesus is just as real and just as present today as he was 2000 years ago.. "When two or more are gathered in My Name, I am there with them". We as Catholics believe since conscience reigns supreme, no one who follows his informed conscience will be misled.
Don't take my word for it, though... find a Charismatic Mass in your community, if you still attend. If you don't attend, please just divulge some other attribute of your identity as an indicator of who you are, like your Zodiac sign, your favorite Star Wars character, of if you prefer boxers or briefs... that would be a more meaningful and accurate picture of where your heart lies.
June 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You superstitious fool. How would you know what this Jesus character promised? Did he write it down? Do you really believe there is some deity some place that gives a rat's ass about you or this place? There is no heaven, no god, going to come down to save you or anyone else.
June 12, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
And just as I can't 'prove' to you there is a God or a Heaven, neither can you prove there is not. Faith is a gift... we don't earn it, and it's a mystery why some have it and others apparetly don't have it, or choose to supress it.
Christians have Christ living in them - He is a very real presence... the center of our lives. We have Him there 24/7.. in our sufferings, in our joys, in our tribulations. He is a river of hope when we are hurting; a comforter to the mourning, and a merciful Brother. He is a trusted friend whom we walk with, an inner being we are constantly aware of... He brings Joy, and we communicate with him much more intimately than we are doing here in the Blogosphere... Only difference is that Jesus knows his flock, and you don't know me from Adam.
And I'm not going to call you names or otherwise insult you for your comments... Call it the Jesus Factor.
Sorry you must endure your trials and tribulations without the aid of a loving Father in Heaven.
Seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened for you. I pray you might be 'opened minded' enough to give it a try... He's listening...
June 12, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
yes sir, I agree that you are not only a fool but also an idiot if you 'believe' you have 'Christ' living inside of you...no amount of intellectual/ theological, self-righteous, mental masturbatory exercise you displayed here will 'prove' your crackpot religious delusions...as an escaped catholic, I can teel you that the Jesuits and other Catholic 'intellectuals' have been spouting this garbage for years and all it proves is that you all are overeducated religious zealots in the doctrinal and dogmatic nuances and arcane languege of your religious delusions. NO ONE has (or will) ever proved that Christ even existed and your Bible has so many contradictions (not to mention the many books left out due to early church leader's political beliefs) as to make any argument such as yours ridiculous to begin with...soooo take your mythological creatures and rum along now, or maybe pick another deity that's more fun (and less lethal) than your Jeebus, like maybe Zeus or Thor...now there's a cool god for ya! (or try Mithraius...he was the 'Sun God' before Jeebus ever thought of it?!)
June 13, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Indypain, there's no need to call someone a fool or an idiot because you don't share that person's views on religion. It is widely accepted, by religious scholars and historians, that Jesus lived on this earth some 2000 years ago. By the way, in case you don't know, the Gregorian calendar (used in the US and most of the world) is based on (our estimate of) the time of birth of Jesus (Anno Domini - in the year of our Lord).
June 14, 2008 7:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I feel sorry for you that you have no connection to the love that is freely offered to you by Jesus. Your screen name "indypain" may be a reflection of your inner self -- in pain? Are you a happy person?
You seem to be intelligent, only "intelligence" can't connect you automatically with Jesus. He is supreme intelligence. What He's looking for is your heart. Open it and give Him a chance and you will be wonderfully surprised. I did.
God Bless You and have a nice day.
June 14, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, many individuals wrote down what 'this Jesus character' promised. In fact they wrote also of his birth, life, ministry, and death. These works are referred to as 'the Gospels'. And yes, we (Christians, Muslims and other believers) believe that God loves and cares for all of us.
June 14, 2008 8:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
You poor, poor thing. Lucky for us, God doesn't think and act the same way that you do. I will pray for you to see the truth.
God Bless You !
June 14, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen to Destrehandave!!!
You go, Dave. You're right on the money.
The Catholic Charismatic Church is alive and well, and those who are involved are blessed by the day and night.
Besides, that guy wouldn't be using such profanity, regardless of what kind of "Catholic" he is....it's disgraceful.
God Bless You !!
June 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Flufferwink -- bet you won't feel the same way if it was YOU who had the cancer and was told that a demon may be the cause of it!!!! It happens. Period. Been Catholic all of my life and instead of knocking exorcists, you should be thanking God that there are people out there who have the COURAGE AND SPIRITUAL WISDOM to help people. Here's something for you to think about: Do you honestly believe that Satan has retired?? Have a nice day, my friend.
P.S.: The Vatican has a whole team of exorcists. They aren't sitting around playing with Elmo - ha.
June 14, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bobby Jindal is a certifiable whack job. What kind of educated person believes in things for which there is no evidence (demons) and refuses to accept a theory for which there is overwhelming scientific evidence (evolution)? If I had a ten year old who believed this nonsense, I'd be concerned, but I'd be apoplectic if I had a GOVERNOR who believed in demonic possession. This is the 21st century, yet there are people like Jindal who are still living in the 13th century, at least when it comes to devils, demons, angels and things that go bump in the night.
June 27, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please, let's make this man one very weak heartbeat away from the Presidency.
June 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I once subscribed to the Oxford Review...shoulda kept it active
June 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not the Oxford Review, the New Oxford Review. They are different publications.
June 11, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hands down best headline in a while....
June 11, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's good for the goose...
June 11, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it really?
June 11, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's also not forget Jindal's unorthodox position on the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
June 11, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, there are several theories for how inorganic matter could give rise to organic matter - and life. He's just cherry picking what he wants to see.
June 12, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bobby Jindal has scared me since I first heard about him. This not only confirms my suspicions, but makes him much, much scarier than I could have ever imagined. Thanks TPM!
June 11, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the Obama camp response to the McCain slam about Jim Johnson:
June 11, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fluff, who's on the McCain VeepVet team? I know McCain said he's doing it himself, but that seems pretty impossible, given his schedule, and his obviously faulty memory.
Using The Google, I couldn't find anything. Do you know of anything?
June 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, I don't know who's heading the VP team. Dick Cheney? Carly Fiora?
June 11, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Arthur Culvahouse
http://mccainsource.com/corruption?id=0012
June 11, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Robert Redford! So McCain has a very recently former lobbyist running his VeepVet. Hmmmm.
June 11, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Between this and the whole "the Congressional Democrats won't agree to the same donation restrictions Obama does!" complaint, it appears that the McCain camp's new message is something like "Obama is bad because he's too similar to us". Aside from whether or not it's accurate, it doesn't seem like this is an angle that's really going to succeed in making McCain look any better to voters...
June 11, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hate that bitch Fiorina!
Damn her to hell for driving HP into the ground and turning it into a soulless corporate entity.
June 11, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
hi everyone. I've been a reader here for a while, but just decided to make an account so that I could comment. My first comment is this:
THIS MAN FREAKS ME OUT!
June 11, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome....
June 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about this freak out?
I picture the meeting: Prez McSame with Angela Merkel, but he thinks (said it too!) that Putin is the president of Germany. Cut to his VP Jindal... who, presented with the possession of Putin by Merkel, begins an exorcism
June 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
he's harmless.
he's our governor.
he hasn't done anything stupid (other than endorse mccain and be present for the jello night). and since he has not caused any major catastrophes since taking office a few months ago, he is adored in Louisiana.
the only minor burp is that today the louisiana legislature voted themselves a raise and he said he was outraged (!), but that he wouldn't veto.
June 11, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your governor is a nut case, pure and simple. Anyone who believes in exorcism in the 21st century has a screw loose and I wouldn't let him near my children if he was behind bars.
June 27, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, put a minority candidate on the Republican ticket, lol. He won't grab any new voters with that, but he will sure as hell lose quite a few who will see McCain as one heart attack or stroke away from handing the country over to an A-rab. (Republican's view, not mine)
June 11, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lux,
Just to clarify, Jindal is not an "A-rab" but a Punjabi Indian. Born a Hindu he converted to Catholicism during high school.
Over the past few years I have had the experience of getting to know several South Asians who happen to be Christian. The Christian churches in India all trace their origins to the Apostle Thomas and just like the Western Chirstian church has experienced schisms and reformations causing a variety of Christian churches that have a unique variety of Christianity.
While Jindal acquired his Christianity here in the US, it may be reasonable to conclude that his Christianity reflects, at least in part, the Indian Christian tradition. My experience is that this tradition is very conservative in general and is highly intolerant of other religions in India (Hindu, Islam, etc) but also similarly intolerant of each other even to the point of overtly ridiculing each others traditions.
These are my general observations and I do not claim to be an expert. As a Liberal, my experience has made me suspicious of my understanding of Christianity as a loving community when compared to these various religions from the Indian Sub-continent.
June 11, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm an American born to Indian parents raised as a Christian - and while what you say about the intolerance of Christianity in India is partially true - it is really a truism of Christianity in most non-western countries. I think most of it has more to do with the relatively rigid cultures than Christianity itself. That being said, the way Christianity is practiced is about as wide a spectrum as you can imagine in this country alone, and when made to include the rest of the world it widens it much further.
June 12, 2008 2:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that McCain won't put a person of color on his ticket, nor a woman. He has enough problem with the ultra-conservative branch of the GOP as it is. He'll pick an uptight white guy. Mitt Romney anyone?
June 11, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I kinda doubt he'll put a pencil-necked geek who parts his hair in the middle on the ticket either. Even if he has a nice shit-eating grin to go with his own.
June 11, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Finally a female blogger! Welcome aboard, Kate!
It's about time.
June 11, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's funny how the blogging world seems to be like 50 years behind the real world. Or maybe it's just TPM. Still waiting on nonwhite blogger.
June 11, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
While he is not a TPM blogger; I recommend The Rogue Columnist (http://roguecolumnist.typepad.com/rogue_columnist/) to satisfy your non-white blogger craving.
June 11, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, in our culture women have real friends in real life to talk to. Men, however, need a machine as a mediator.
And you are surprised that there are few women on the blogs?
That's A reason, not THE reason, of course. But it is a significant one.
June 11, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a female blogger! A lurking female blogger. :-)
I was raised Catholic and my parents are in the Latin mass, Mel Gibson version of the church. The people who refused the Vatican II changes. I remember my mom telling me that there were multiple exorcisms of the attendees of Vatican II. hmmm, I thought, at the ripe old age of 12, that sounds pretty strange. I thought everybody in there was sworn to secrecy. How'd that story get started?
Anyway, this particular story doesn't surprise me, but doesn't thrill me either. All organized religion is a bunch of hoo-ha as far as I'm concerned. And religion should be kicked OUT of the governance of our country.
June 12, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fair enough, but he wrote this as a Rhodes scholar while at Oxford. I don't see what his views or beliefs on exorcism have to do with his job as a VP. Unless perhaps, he decides to exorcise demons from potential supreme court justices. Fyi, I'm for Obama.
June 14, 2008 8:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
i dont think jindal is going to be on the ticket. he's been governor all of five months, or something ridiculous like that.
June 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, try 7 months! Almost 8...
June 11, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Almost 8 months since he was elected, but only 5 months since he was sworn in.
June 11, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
How long since his last exorcism?
Maybe he can exorcise some demoncrats!
June 11, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
challenge him to an exorcism!
June 11, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
The power of the Gipper commands you!
June 12, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hi HyperRevue ... LouisianaLilly here.
You're right!!! I pray one day that Jindal becomes the President of the United States. He's just the type of man with faith AND courage that this country needs...although I would hate for us to lose him as Governor of Louisiana. God knows we need him here!!!
June 14, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
yes, but the idea is tantalizing.
Piyush Jindal's got the ethnic thing and he's young, two things that McCain is worried about. Since Obama is something new and exciting, McCain wants a kopy kat version.
the funniest thing about Piyush is that he assumed the name of "Bobby" because of the Brady Bunch. I kid you not.
June 11, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Creepy, for sure, but what a name! Bobby Jindal. It sort of rolls trippingly off the tongue.
Let's hope Bobby Jindal stays in Louisiana and doesn't do too much damage to reason and enlightenment before he's through....
June 13, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
hey, if you can't battle demons, how can you take on Al Qaeda?
June 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
ha! Jindal seems quite prepared to take on the new jihadists there.
Is McCain really going to pick this guy who just turned 37?
June 11, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he does, we'll know just how terrified the GOP is of Obama's youth appeal.
June 11, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is McCain really going to pick this guy who just turned 37?
No. It would seriously undermine McCain's attack against that "young man" Obama.
Jindal makes Obama almost grizzled, in comparison.
June 11, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
No.
It's a token gesture to make those damn kids out on the lawn see just how hip GrandMacster J can be.
June 11, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
What does a guy named Alfred Kyda have to do with the RNC?
June 11, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also on McCain's Vice President short list, Pastor Benny Hinn!
June 11, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Benny would be the shit! He's just like Jindal except not as young. So he brings years of exorcisms to the ticket.
June 11, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Benny Hill is British and dead . . . Ooops . . . Sorry.
June 11, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe Jindal thinks BO is a demon?
June 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Theres no way McCain picks this guy. It would completely undermine any "experience" attacks against Obama. A guy who is a heartbeat away from the Presidency who is about a decade younger than Obama?
June 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know, this seems perfect to help McCain with his fundie appeal.
June 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Until they find out his name is Piyush. Scary foreign sounding name! Actually, if it is pronounced "Pious" maybe that would help with the fundie crowd.
June 11, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a Catholic---even a supremely nutty one like Jindal---wouldn't actually help McCain all that much with the far-right Protestants.
June 11, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I pray that McSame picks him.
June 11, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be a full-time job exorcising the demons out of his lobbyist filled staff.
June 11, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Mark, LouisianaLilly here.
I agree with you. Finally, a man with courage AND faith enough to confront demons is stepping up!!! I pray that one day he becomes the President!! That's the kind of president that this country needs.
June 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McCain will pick Huckabee as his running mate because he needs to energize the evangelic base. Without that base, this will be a landslide come Nov.
June 11, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Squirrels Against McCain/Huckabee is now forming....
June 11, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Maybe she sensed our weariness; whether by plan or coincidence, Susan chose the perfect opportunity to attempt an escape. She suddenly leapt up and ran for the door, despite the many hands holding her down. This burst of action served to revive the tired group of students and they soon had her restrained once again, this time half kneeling and half standing."
Folks: You may be missing the forest for the trees.
The woman was held by force against her will. She tried to escape but she was restrained against her will. Jindahl broke the law. They took a woman and held her hostage, against her will. He can make all the excuses in the world about it being about religion, but that does not wash. No group has the right to restrain and hold some one captive for hours against their will. If the woman was suffering from some form of mental illness, then they are also guilty of physically abusing a person who was in need of competent professional care.
June 11, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given Jindal's rising star status, this devil possession bs seems worthy of its own blog.
June 11, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
And there you have it. I suggest we get Mike Nifong on the case ASAP.
June 11, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
And how are third person accusation of rape versus a first person admission of participating in an exorcism remotely comparable?
June 11, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi liam -- LouisianaLilly here.
You are obviously misinformed about the condition of people who are possessed. It's the demon inside of them that wants to escape. He finds Christ repulsive and will do anything to try to escape.
I bet you'll change your entire view of exorcisms if you ever find yourself having a demon destroy your life. Think about this: Satan is not retired.
June 14, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jindal makes Obama and McCain both look older, which is good for Obama and bad for McCain.
June 11, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!
June 11, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
...says the guy with the avatar of Lucifer...
June 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Christ or Crist?
June 11, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where's Idiotic when we need him/her?
After all, This is Great News!!! For McSame!!!!
June 11, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ridding the White House of its Demons sounds like a fine idea.
June 11, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bobby Jindal has never served as "president of the state's (Louisiana) university system." On the other hand, he has pushed through legislation that placed the state's ethics laws at the top of the class and is a bonafide financial and social conservative with cred among the religious right.
Underestimate him at your peril.
June 11, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bobby Jindal has never served as "president of the state's (Louisiana) university system."
?
From Bobby Jindal's biography on the Louisiana Governor's office web page:
June 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
"President of the Louisiana University System," is correct...a combine of eight state colleges which does not include Louisiana State University.
June 11, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a recovering Catholic (eighteen years now without a drop of Holy Water!). I knew people who were exorcists. Scary stuff. Definitely the nuttier, more extreme end of the spectrum there. The "liberal" end of Catholicism is made up of people -- mostly Americans -- who hold such extreme views as "women ought to have a role in the Church" and "those who presume to give Holy advice on families ought to be able to start them" and so forth.
McCain/Jindal '08! That, my friends™, is change nutjobs can beleive in!
June 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, although there are strict rules governing its use in the Catholic Church, I won't say the Church views exorcism as 'nutty' or 'extreme'. The Church will only authorize an exorcism in rare cases, and after a thorough medical exam but exorcisms are just as 'extreme' as male-only, unwed priests.
June 14, 2008 8:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
The fact that this guy is considered a rising star in the GOP shows just how spotty their farm system has become.
That's the upside. The downside is that nowadays ass clowns like Rep. Boren in Oklahoma want to gravytrain the D brand instead of joining the Rs where they belong.
June 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is exactly the kind of story I wish was uncovered AFTER he was chosen as VP on the repub ticket.
June 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to be a contrarian troll or anything...the following thought is meant entirely seriously:
If Obama can have a "chemically experimental past," why can't Jindal have a "spiritually experimental past," to use Eric's term? If he disavows it now, this really does not bother me.
June 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I missed the part where Senator Obama wrote and published a paper in which he proudly extolled the virtues of cocaine.
Plus, 1994 wasn't in the early 80s; you're talkin' recent history here.
June 11, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see a honest article describing what happened. I see no public extolling.
June 11, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not like Jindal was forced to write the piece. It's safe (and common-sensical) to assume Jindal wrote it because he was proud of what happened, and his role in it. Obama's admission of youthful indiscretions was mentionedi n interest of full disclosure and to maske a point; he disavowed the behavior as he recounted it. If you think the two situations are similar, you're welcome to that bit of cognitive inconsistency.
June 11, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
At best, you have a youthful indiscretion. I also think people will view this as a group of young people doing what they could to help a troubled friend, as misguided as their actions may have been.
June 14, 2008 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree.
But I think that bias against people who have used drugs in the past is, these days, significantly less than bias against people who appear to have engaged in a seemingly scary religious practice.
(To all Catholics: please note the "seemingly" inserted there).
Americans are bigots. Bigotry about drug use has declined. Religion? Not so much.
June 11, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely.
June 11, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because Jindahl has not disavowed it now, so you are just talking out of your Arse. Of course I could be, wrong, and it could be Satan causing you to say such crazy things. Stay where you are, and I will dispatch the Jindahl Demon Busters Squad to your home to DeSatanize you.
June 11, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
If it hasn't come up, why should he have to? And has Obama explicitly disavowed cocaine and said that its use was a mistake?
June 11, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Senator Obama has. Now what is your next lame spin. You earlier claimed that Jindahl has disavowed it now. When I challenged you on that claim; you then come back with; "why should he". What are you, a blithering idiot? You are the one who claimed that he had.
June 11, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry you don't know what a conditional clause is. I said "if he disavows it...," which is not the same as saying he has disavowed it.
As I said previously, there is no reason to require him to have disavowed it if the issue had not come up previously. Now he has the opportunity. If he does so, I have no problem with this.
June 11, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you want him to renounce his behavior of taking a woman hostage, or not. Make up your mind.
June 11, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Taking a hostage" is a really melodramatic way to label what happened here. It's no more of taking a hostage than a intervention would be.
June 11, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes.
June 11, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I must have missed the part where Bobby, in fact, disavowed this nuttiness.
June 11, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the odds of Witchfinder Jindal renouncing his powers are ... non-zero?
June 11, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since it is impossible to know what he would say about it now, one shouldn't judge him until such an opportunity is given.
June 11, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's not going to 'disavow' it, whatever that means in this context. He'll say something like, "As misguided as my actions may have been, I was young, and tried to help a close friend during a difficult phase in her life" - case closed.
June 14, 2008 9:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yikes! But then, hey, let's not rush to judgement until we see if Jindal can work magic on McCain's darker forces. "Kill, maim, burn, pillage, get Oil" might just be mitagated. Then he can work on GWB, who, we remember,told the country that God talked to him (personally) and told him to murder all those babies in Iraq, to turn a 6000 year old culture into sawdust. How ungodly is that? How crazy is that? And yet nobody challenged him. Let us pray to bring the troops home.
June 11, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Characterizing Jindal based on some writings, for which the context is lacking, as an eccentric is almost the same as talking about Rev. Wright or Obama's schooling at a predominantly Muslim school as a child. There is little relevance to any of the above as to their prowess as political leaders or their character as people today. This shouldn't have made front page TPM, in fact, this is the kind of slime I expect on a Fox "news."
June 11, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice try, but we are not buying your lame spin.
Go back and read the blog. It quotes exactly what Jindahl wrote about his own behavior, and the group actually taking a young woman hostage, and holding her against her will for several hours. He describes how she tried to escape from them, but they used force to restrain her again. The man wrote it about himself. No one else is spinning any false claims about him. If you have a problem with what he wrote about his own bizarre and clearly illegal behavior, then go take it up with Mr. Jindahl.
June 11, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
To me its just mudslinging, if it had real legal and moral repercussions there would be an investigation. I'm no Jindal fan, I just don't think its information thats relevant - to anyone regardless of party. The article above has taken snippets of the full essay - therefore we aren't privy to the whole context. Not to mention that the events described were done in college, not exactly a time of complete moral development in a person's life. If you go digging up every politician's college hijinks and use it as a moral litmus against them twenty, thirty years later - you won't have many people eligible to run the country.
June 12, 2008 2:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't care what spin you now want to put on his what her wrote. His words speak for him. He described how he joined a group that took it upon their selves to restrain a person against her will, for hours, and when she broke free from them, they all gang tackled her and held her by force for hours more.
He is not a medical doctor or a qualified mental health specialist. He did not get any authorization to do what he did to that young women, that makes him a very dangerous person to put in power.
June 12, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
He also wrote,
"Just as suddenly as she went into the trance, Susan suddenly reappeared and claimed 'Jesus is Lord.' With an almost comical smile, Susan then looked up as if awakening from a deep sleep and asked, 'Has something happened?' She did not remember any of the past few hours and was startled to find her friends breaking out in cheers and laughter, overwhelmed by sudden joy and relief."
His friend was clearly out of her mind, regardless of the cause. Would you let your friend roam the streets after a drug binge gone wrong. Ok, that was a bit harsh, but my point is made.
June 14, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Next!
June 11, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't wait to see Bill Donohue all over the cable news shows defending Jindal and demanding the heads of all the bloggers who are laughing about this!
June 11, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just what we need - Vice President Snake Handler.
June 11, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW..now that is a story to read by all...I may have to battle with him over the evil spirits in the middle earth realm...it would be nice to hear Rush and Hannity talk about him on the ticket with McFoolish....can you friggin imagine?
June 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think y'all are really over estimating the harm this would do. I know people who would vote for the guy just because he believes in possesion.
June 11, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I imagine it looked something like this:
http://megorious.com/politicklish/bobby-jindal-exorcist
June 11, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
damn..I just saw a picture on the net of Jindal being at an exorcism..no kidding! great job here...flyinsaucier
June 11, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I threw it together rather swiftly. Not my best work but it should suffice. If I had more time, I would have added McCain too.
June 11, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
This guy's more fun than the guy that wears magic underwear. YAY! McCain/Jindal '08!!!
June 11, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I say they make Romney and Jindal battle it out for the nomination, Exorcist vs. Magic Underwear. Lock them both in a steel cage with several demons and see who emerges.
My money's on the magic underwear. Impervious to flames, bullets, and skidmarks!
June 11, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hate to laugh so hard just after dinner!
June 11, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since McCain's having so many problems getting the fundraisers on board, this would also be a great way to add some bucks to fuel the Straight Talkmobile. Although I have to disagree with you. I think Jindal might have the advantage. He could cast the Nephite right out of Romney.
June 11, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
magic underwear. Impervious to flames, bullets, and skidmarks!
Ahh, yes. But not impervious to wedgies, as McCain and Huckabee combined to show Romney in W. Virginia.
(Note, that although wearing the magic underwear will not prevent wedgies, I believe that Brother Lamont is correct in saying that the wedgie will fail to result in skid marks when the magic is working...)
June 12, 2008 2:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
An NBC/WSJ general election poll is suppose to be released on Nightly News with Brian Williams in about 20 minutes. Why didnt they release the poll results earlier in the day beats me, but Andrea Mitchell said that everyone will be talking about the poll results tomorrow.
June 11, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I got to thinking...Man, what a perfect pair!
Talk about rounding out a ticket. McCain is old. Jindal is young. McCain has no cred with the evangelicals. Jindal is beloved by them. McCain is dumb as dirt. Jindal is brilliant. McCain is possessed by demons. Jindal is an exorcist! McCain has skin cancer. Jindal can CURE CANCER!
June 11, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
June 11, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have the audacity to belittle this colored man who has achieved so much at this young age. Your love boy at his stage was probably still snooking dope and smoking cigrettes somewhere in southside Chicago.
Simply put, Bobby at this age has accomplished much more than your love boy has ever done, until now. I understand winning nomination is an achievement.
June 11, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting racist rant.
Anyhow, when Obama was Jindal's age, he was in the Illinois State Senate. But thanks for trying.
June 11, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aimey May:
I am trying to square your Reader Post dated June6th, where you seem to be constructive in fostering discussion and debate on better ensuring that the Democratic Party all the more, better reflects the principles it stands for, and the vitriolic 'anti' Obama comments that you are dropping everywhere else on this site, including references to a commitment, on your part to vote for McCain in November (see link below). Not to mention, a deep seeded desire to see the Democratic Presidential nominee defeated.
Looks to me like you are a conflicted Democrat unwilling to work through their own petty ressentiments and resorting to trolling rants. Unfortunate sight to see.
_http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/the_final_event_of_hillarys_50.php
June 11, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awwww, I just want to give you a big hug. You're so CUTE!
June 11, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Jindahl is the master exorcist that he claims to be, then why has he not been able to fix Aimey May!
June 11, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. Don't give a rat's ass what his "color" and/or ethnic background is.
2. Do care that he believes in demonic possession.
3.. He's governor of Louisiana, one of those states (like Texas) that expects only one thing from the Gubbner - keep gummint off the backs of da po' ol' bidness man*. We're not talking about a high bar here.
(* Why, yes, I do have a license to use potentially-demeaning white trash dialect. I'm from Georgia.)
June 11, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait a second. . .did Jindal claim that he and a few friends were able to perform an exorcism? What is he a Protestant or something? Under Catholic doctrine, only God, Jesus and anyone who has been ordained by the Church can perform sacraments. And exorcism is most definitely a sacrament.
At minimum, this "exorcism" is profoundly heretical because Jindal is claiming priestly powers without having to be ordained. Then you add the whole miraculous cure thing and well, that's bad, m'kay.
Maybe the Church looks the other way here, but a couple of hundred years ago, Jindal would've been burned at the stake for making such claims.
June 11, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not quite. There is a technical difference between an "exorcism," which is very complicated and lengthy and a "deliverance," which is relatively simple, although it could still take time. This sounds more like a deliverance, and it is not forbidden for a lay person to perform a deliverance in certain situations.
June 11, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think anyone from the South wants to bring up the word "Deliverance".
June 11, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, thank you. That makes sense.
June 11, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the Catholic view of things, an exorcism is not a sacrament, for whatever little that is worth. We only have seven sacraments (baptism, penance, eucharist, confirmation, marriage, ordination, and last rites); exorcism does not make the list.
June 11, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
but 'deliverance' is definitely not catholic
June 11, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
oh great now we have add the "deliverance" aspect to this man Jindal...I didn't know he played the bango that well...who'd thought!!!
June 11, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope McCain puts Jindal on the ticket. Then the racists will either stay home or say to themselves, "Jesus if I gotta vote for a ticket with a colored guy on it I think I'll go with the one who isn't crazy."
June 11, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait I thought Louisiana's governor was a woman.
June 11, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jindal replaced Kathleen Blanco on January 14 of this year. Apparently Louisiana's gubernatorial elections were in 2007.
June 11, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain '08 - The Power of Jindal Compels You!
please make this happen!
June 11, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
June 11, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, it's Louisiana. It'll probably get him some votes in New Orleans.
June 11, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
So their friend has a seizure and they decide not to call paramedics? But instead to hold an exorcism. That's a story most people would be ashamed of.
June 11, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink