Metro Crime Commission's Goyeneche Responds... But Not to The BEC
Goyeneche defends inviting DA Jason Williams to speak at law enforcement luncheon
Readers will remember our reaction to the Metropolitan Crime Commission’s invitation to District Attorney Jason Williams to speak at the MCC’s annual luncheon honoring local law enforcement.
Last week we wrote:
I’d like to make you all aware that the Metropolitan Crime Commission has invited New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams to speak at their annual “Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon” in September. Also invited is Duane Evans, a Biden pick after Ole’ Joe summarily fired all 55 Trump-appointed US attorneys in 2021.
Last year, Evans used this setting to boast about a $900,000 grant to improve something-or-other. We wonder if the MCC has tracked the program’s effectiveness.
Jason Williams is a walking civil war in this city; he deserves to be publicly mocked and shamed, frankly. We are appalled at his inclusion in this event.
The BEC has emailed the MCC raising objections to these invitations and we have asked for a statement from Mr Nick Goyeneche, head of the MCC; we are several days now awaiting his reply.
We consider the Williams invitation an insult to law enforcement officers and law abiding citizens of New Orleans, and certainly to victims of crime in our city.
I fully stand by my view that Williams should be publicly ridiculed, shamed, and mocked. However, Goyeneche sees things differently.
Responding to a Friend of The BEC who emailed Mr Goyeneche after reading our post, Mr Goyeneche insisted that he “will not apologize” for the invitation.
We wonder what minimum standards of decency and competence should be met to continue the practice.
From Goyeneche:
The MCC has allowed every Orleans DA for the past 71 years to speak at our meetings. Not all the invited DA’s have spoken kindly of the MCC, nor have we agreed with every decision or policy of every previous guest speaker.
It’s unclear if “speak at our meetings” means “speak at this luncheon honoring law enforcement,” but perhaps I’m being too critical.
Goyeneche continued…
The MCC has been very outspoken in our criticism of Mr. William’s prosecutorial policies. Mr. Williams has formally expressed his displeasure with me to the MCC Board of Directors. The fact that we openly disagree on various issues will not trigger an absolute ban on our part of attempting to work with him to improve the criminal justice system and public safety in this city. We believe it beneficial to keep the lines of communication open between our respective organizations. Mr. Williams is the elected DA of New Orleans. The MCC respects the office he holds and are providing him with the opportunity to present his side of the story at our meeting. The MCC will continue steadfast in our resolve to hold all public officials accountable for the performance of their official duties.
I consider this “weak sauce” as they say, and I wonder if there are any limits to how poor a DA’s performance can be before the MCC would stop enabling him.
I should note that it is my overall view that Republicans and Conservatives generally have enabled Leftists for far too long; I believe it is past time that we harden our hearts to them and muster up the courage to confront them. As I see this, Mr Goyeneche’s “We disagree” simply isn’t satisfactory.
Consider the message it would send if, after 71 continuous years, the MCC said: “The actions of the current DA make it impossible to continue a long tradition of offering the DA a platform for his views. This district attorney’s performance is below the minimum we expect.”
That sends a message, does it not? “Proud to Welcome” Jason Williams also sends a message… a pitiful message.
Goyeneche:
I am not apologizing for our decision to allow the Orleans DA to speak at our meeting. I do not expect that my reply will alter your opinion of him or the MCC. My comments are offered to explain our thought process with respect to this matter. I respect your right to disagree with me.
I understand Mr Goyeneche’s thought process, but to speak plainly - as he will not - Mr Goyeneche is wrong.
So is Jason Williams.
Mr Goyeneche: Send a powerful message and retract the invitation to a man who deliberately and knowingly has caused great harm to the people of our city.
And for God’s Sake, let’s all stop being “nice” to incompetent Marxist Leftists who are Hell Bent to destroy New Orleans.
I AM NOT APOLOGIZING, Mr Goyeneche. Though you should, sir.
the bec