Free Republic

Louisiana Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer Jr. predicted Thursday another terrorist attack will occur in the United States, saying “it’s just a question of when and where.” Downer, assistant adjutant general of the Louisiana Army National Guard, delivered the brief but stirring warning during an Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce luncheon amid a longer discussion about the need for businesses to be involved in statewide disaster planning. He said businesses are needed in the recovery of communities affected by natural and other disasters, but noted there will be no advance warning for attacks against the nation. “Make no...

Downer to head vets' office Ex-lawmaker helped elevate department Capitol news bureau Former state Rep. Hunt Downer was named secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday, an office he helped elevate to Cabinet-level status. Downer was picked for the job by Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who won the race for governor last year over a field that included Downer, a Republican and former House member from Houma. Downer finished sixth in the October primary. Downer, a brigadier general and assistant adjutant general in the Louisiana National Guard, will be the first secretary of the department. The office was elevated...

Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.) is close to a decision to leave Congress to head the pharmaceutical industry's trade association after turning down an offer from Hollywood to succeed Jack Valenti as the movie industry's top lobbyist, a number of sources in Washington and Hollywood said today. [SNIP] If Tauzin takes the pharmaceutical lobbying offer quickly, a special election to fill his congressional seat likely would be held. The deadline to file for the November election to fill the seat is August. A prominent Louisiana Republican and Tauzin friend, Hunt Downer, a former state speaker of the house and gubernatorial...