Former Louisiana Senator Long Said to Have Used His Power to Help People

Monroe (LA) News-Star ^ | 05-12-03 | Gannett

[Theodore R.]

BATON ROUGE - When people remember Russell Long, they remember the twinkle in his eye, his sense of humor - and his respectful use of power to benefit Louisiana.

Long, 84, died at his adopted home of Washington, D.C., Friday night, the last of a family dynasty that was one of Louisiana's most powerful for more than 50 years, from the time his father, the legendary Huey "Kingfish" Long became governor in 1928 until Russell Long opted not to run for governor of Louisiana in 1987.

[Theodore R.]

"Russell Long wanted to redistribute future wealth through employee stock ownership plans."

I had not heard previously that Long is a "father of the 40lK."

[rvoitier]

A dead former senator. Sounds like the makings for a Democratic fundraiser.

[InvisibleChurch]

My superpower is sleeping through alarm clocks.

[rvoitier]

On a more serious note, Russell's father (Huey P. "Kingfish") just wanted to flat redistribute the wealth period. He was gaining so much popularity nationally that one of the conspiracy theories was FDR had him shot.

BTW, my great-uncle was guarding Long when he was assassinated in the capitol's back hallway. Carl Weiss got the first shot off, as the story goes, then Wiess was riddled with gunfire for the bodyguards.

Colorful and crooked man, no doubt. However, now is the time to mourn Russell, a more honorable man.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Long, 84, died at his adopted home of Washington, D.C., Friday night, the last of a family dynasty"

That's not true. 2 other Congressional Longs are still with us, including cousin Speedy Oteria Long, a Conservative Dem Congressman in the '60s, and Catherine Long, interim Congresswoman in the mid '80s and widow of Gillis, who preceeded Clyde Hollaway (the first GOPer from the old "Long 8th" since Reconstruction).

[Hack]

I am so moved that I am donating $1 million of the Monroe News-Star's money to my favorite charity. Man, I feel better already.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You Wellstone liberal, you...

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

"He always seemed to me to be a very humble man, with no pretensions," Andrews said.

The opposite of humility is arrogance. I don't think that Andrews could say much better about anyone.

[Theodore R.]

Will you watch the funeral of former Senator Long if it is carred on C-SPAN on a delayed basis? I would imagine that this funeral tomorrow will draw the "Who's Who" of all living LA politicians. I would expect to see nearly everyone there but EWE, who remains in the Fort Worth prison. I don't know if the honorary pallbearers have been announced, but I would assume that his senatorial successor, John Breaux, and former colleague, J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., would head the list of honorary pallbearers.

You just don't understand how popular this man was in LA.