Jindal talks, but says nothing.

At WWL online:*

Public housing should be made available for working class families and the elderly, not a haven for the criminal element of society, Rep. Bobby Jindal (R) said Friday...

The law already prohibits drug convicts from living in public housing in New Orleans. Plenty of public housing residents were working poor and the elderly before Katrina. Duh, Bobby.

Further into the article, he says:

“Let’s make sure we don’t allow the drug dealers, the gang members, the sex offenders, those that have committed acts of domestic violence, let’s not them back,” Jindal said.

I appreciate the sentiment behind this. Recidivism being as high as it is, chances are that allowing convicted criminals into subsidized housing means there will be a whole lotta criminal activity goin' on there. I hate druggies, and I hate living near 'em, and many people in public housing share my sentiments.

I guess you could change the law to keep out other convicted criminals. I don't see how you'll extend the ban to "gang members," unless they're ex-cons, though. And I hardly think you can ban people who don't work. What about the disabled, and people receiving welfare?

The banned people will end up living in poor neighborhoods, most likely. In low-rent districts - many of which are adjacent to the housing projects. We'll move the problem a few blocks, is all.

We punish sex offenders forever, by making them register and other requirements. I don't think we should add restrictions to other ex-cons. We want them to go straight and integrate back into society. They already have a tough time getting jobs and education - drug offenders are prohibited from federal educational aid. I don't think the potential of a ban from public housing in future will be a deterrent that keeps people from dealing or using drugs. But it might discourage them from going straight after they've served their time.

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