You might have heard about this over the weekend…

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson is suing the city of Baton Rouge over his arrest last month at a protest of a black man fatally shot during a struggle with two white police officers.

Mckesson was among nearly 200 protesters arrested in Baton Rouge following the July 5 shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling.

A class-action lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court on behalf of Mckesson and two other arrested protesters, accuses the city and police officials of violating their civil rights and using excessive force.

Hillar Moore, the District Attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish, said he’s not going to prosecute McKesson for blocking the roadway. Perhaps he ought to reconsider, if McKesson is going to file an abusive and frivilous lawsuit over his arrest.

Let’s remember why McKesson and the dozens of other protesters were arrested. They were walking down Airline Highway from Baton Rouge Police headquarters to the I-12 interchange, in hopes of blocking an interstate highway that serves as a major conduit for freight traffic from Los Angeles to Jacksonville and was accordingly full of semi trucks.

The idea you wouldn’t be arrested for that is a fanciful one, and yet this clown is suing for being arrested.

Oh, well. It’s a free country and everybody has access to the courts. Can’t wait to see how fast this suit gets tossed out of court.

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Clay Higgins, the bombastic “Cajun John Wayne” lawman running for the 3rd District congressional seat, is jumping on the Vermilion Parish coastal lawsuit as a campaign issue. Higgins called out the DA for the Lafayette area, Keith Stutes, who filed the suit against 49 oil companies alleging environmental damage from oil exploration and production on and off-shore in that area of the state.

Higgins’ video statement has the usual hot rhetoric…

In the video, Higgins calls the lawsuit “purely a scheme, hatched by trial lawyers, to line their own pockets.” While the lawsuit seeks to blame coastal erosion – in part – on oil and gas companies, Higgins states that coastal erosion is primarily caused by levees blocking “river sediments, land building deposits” from rebuilding the marshland of South Louisiana.

The video concludes with Captain Higgins stating, “Mr. Stutes…sir, perhaps you’ve been mislead. Perhaps you just aren’t thinking straight. But if you are, how can you even look yourself in the mirror knowing what you’d be doing to the families of Vermilion Parish? The men and women of Vermilion are having a hard time feeding their families, and now you try to pull this?”

Higgins continues, “Look into your own heart, sir. I implore you to withdrawal this lawsuit. If you do, you’ll find the compassionate Americans of South Louisiana quite forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes. All of us fall in some manner. I’m asking you to stand back up.”

He’s largely correct on the science, as it’s the decision to levee the Mississippi all the way to its mouth which is the principal culprit in the loss of wetlands along Louisiana’s coast (that, and the other projects by the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate the flow of water through the Mississippi rather than other distributaries like the Atchafalaya) – and the state’s Coastal Master Plan, put in place in 2012 when now-Congressman Garret Graves was in charge of the state coastal protection authority, actually depends on a robust presence of oil and gas exploration and drilling along Louisiana’s coast to generate revenues to fund a rebuilding of that coast.

And the Vermilion lawsuit, like the other half-cocked coastal suits popping up from St. Bernard to Cameron, does little but get in the way of fulfilling that plan.

Higgins is right on the substance. It isn’t like his video is going to shame Keith Stutes into withdrawing the suit, though. The question is whether voters will see an honest stand on a key issue affecting the 3rd District, or a stunt to generate media coverage. Either way, Higgins has claimed the Vermilion lawsuit as his issue now.

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Some good news to report on the progress of East Baton Rouge Sheriff deputy Nick Tullier, who remains in critical condition at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge following his having been shot July 17 by a black nationalist nut named Gavin Long.

“Every day is a miracle,” says the father of Deputy Nick Tullier, who was critically wounded during the ambush shooting. After more than three weeks of little change, the latest update shows signs of slight improvement.

“Nick’s breathing is nice and steady; enough so that they’ve removed the breathing machine out of Nick’s room,” writes James Tullier. “Vitals are good. No complications to report.”

Deputy Tullier, 41, was one of six officers who were shot during an ambush shooting on Sunday, July 17. He was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, which is where he has remained in critical condition.

Several surgeries have been performed in an attempt to repair the damage caused by three bullets. Deputy Tullier was struck in the abdominal region, upper arm and in the head.

“They’ve removed Nick’s head bandages to allow for air to keep the head wound areas dry,” reports James Tullier. “Going to have some scars on the left side of his head, but we can live with that. Been breathing well.”

“Still some concerns in the abdominal areas,” he adds. “Further testing to come.”

Although the latest updates are the first true sign of a positive change in his condition, James Tullier says the battle is far from over and asks everyone to continue praying for Nick.

“I do believe in the power of prayer and I do believe in prayer by numbers,” says James Tullier. “We have been told of prayer groups all over the world praying for Nick. When most are sleeping in the US, prayer warriors in other counties east and west, north and south hemispheres, have been continuing the train of prayers. My family appreciates this valiant effort from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you all very much.”

All we can do is pray at this point. There has been no indication to date as to the extent of his potential recovery, but we think the Tulliers deserve a miracle and we’re praying for a full comeback for one of Baton Rouge’s finest.

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Blayne Honeycutt, the law partner of Denham Springs trial attorney and political moneybag Calvin Fayard, is running for judge.

As a Republican. Honeycutt changed his party registration to the GOP.

The state party will likely be confused as to Honeycutt’s allegiances. Here’s his record of donations in federal races…

Contributor	Occupation	Date	Amount	Recipient
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	10/19/10	$10,000	Democratic State Central Cmte/Louisiana (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD AND HONEYCUTT	3/5/02	$472	Strickland, Tom (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	ATTORNEY	6/12/06	$500	Melancon, Charles (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	11/7/00	$1,000	Clinton, Hillary (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	8/28/04	$2,000	Kennedy, John Neely (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	ATTORNEY	5/30/02	$1,000	Pryor, Mark (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	9/6/13	$2,600	Pryor, Mark
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD AND HONEYCUTT	9/8/14	$1,000	Udall, Mark
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD AND HONEYCUTT	3/31/02	$527	Strickland, Tom (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	3/26/08	$2,300	Cazayoux, Don (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	6/26/08	$2,300	Cazayoux, Don (D)
HONEYCUTT, BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD AND HONEYCUTT	3/5/02	$527	Strickland, Tom (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	3/31/10	$1,000	Sangisetty, Ravi (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	9/24/11	$1,666	Klobuchar, Amy (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	11/26/12	$2,500	Landrieu, Mary L (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT, ATTORNEYS AT LAW	6/29/15	$2,700	Clinton, Hillary (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MR DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	8/19/10	$4,800	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MR DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	10/10/10	$-2,400	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT LAW FIRM	3/23/98	$1,000	McKeithen, Majorie A (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	9/30/11	$1,666	Cantwell, Maria (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	ATTORNEY	9/25/13	$1,000	Johnson, Robert (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	ATTORNEY	3/24/16	$1,000	Knezek, Erick (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	1/10/07	$2,300	Landrieu, Mary L (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MR DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	10/10/10	$2,400	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	9/24/11	$1,666	Gillibrand, Kirsten (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE BATON ROUGE, LA 70815	ATTORNEY	6/9/94	$1,000	Fields, Cleo (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726		3/31/98	$1,000	Baker, Richard (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	5/6/99	$1,000	Kerry, John (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	LAWYER	6/30/06	$2,100	Cantwell, Maria (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	6/8/08	$1,000	Landrieu, Mary L (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	11/11/09	$500	Sangisetty, Ravi (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726		4/7/10	$-500	Sangisetty, Ravi (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MR DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	8/19/10	$4,800	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MRS DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	10/10/10	$2,400	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MRS DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS	10/10/10	$-2,400	Miller, Joe (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726	FAYARD & HONEYCUTT	11/26/12	$2,500	Landrieu, Mary L (D)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE MRS DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726		3/31/98	$1,000	Baker, Richard (R)
HONEYCUTT, D BLAYNE DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726		10/17/02	$500	Carnahan, Jean (D)

Richard Baker a thousand years ago and Joe Miller, who was seen as an unelectable Republican candidate when he beat Lisa Murkowski for the party’s nomination in the Alaska Senate race in 2010. That’s who Honeycutt has given money to on the GOP side. Everybody else? Democrats galore.

In state elections it isn’t a whole lot better…

FilerLastName	FilerFirstName	ContributionDate	ContributionAmt
Blanco	Kathleen Babineaux	10/17/2003	$5,000.00
Burrell	Roy A.	9/22/2010	$2,500.00
Burrell	Roy A.	9/22/2010	$2,500.00
Caldwell	James	10/29/2007	$5,000.00
Caldwell	James	3/12/2015	$5,000.00
Caldwell	James	4/15/2015	$5,000.00
Caldwell	James	11/2/2015	$5,000.00
Caldwell	James	11/2/2015	$5,000.00
Chutz	Ray	7/21/2014	$5,000.00
Clark	Janice	1/21/2014	$500.00
Drake	Ernest	2/8/2013	$2,500.00
Dupre, Jr.	Reggie P.	3/16/2001	$2,000.00
Edwards	John Bel	9/14/2015	$5,000.00
Edwards	John Bel	11/10/2015	$5,000.00
Edwards	John Bel	11/10/2015	$5,000.00
Faircloth, Jr.	Jimmy R.	10/9/2009	$5,000.00
Faircloth, Jr.	Jimmy R.	10/9/2009	$5,000.00
Fayard	Caroline	8/23/2010	$5,000.00
Higginbotham	Toni	11/7/2012	$2,500.00
Hughes	Jeff	8/20/2012	$5,000.00
Hughes	M. Douglas	5/19/2003	$1,250.00
Hughes Foster	Charlotte	8/21/2015	$5,000.00
Jindal	Bobby	3/22/2010	$5,000.00
LA Democrats (DEMOPAC)		10/21/2010	$80,000.00
LA Democrats (DEMOPAC)		10/21/2010	$80,000.00
Landrieu	Mitch	11/20/2012	$2,500.00
Miller, Jr.	Charles Robert	11/4/2015	$250.00
Morvant	William	11/5/2012	$2,500.00
Morvant	William	11/5/2012	$2,500.00
Ricks, Jr.	Luther Layton	1/16/2012	$1,000.00
Taylor	Jeffrey	10/6/2011	$1,000.00
Taylor	Jeffrey	10/6/2011	$1,000.00
Welch	Jewel (Duke)	11/2/2012	$2,500.00
Welch	Jewel (Duke)	11/2/2012	$2,500.00

Sincere ideological conversions are great. This ain’t one of them. This is a Democrat donor attempting to fleece the voters in Livingston Parish who has no use for Democrats; he doesn’t have the stones to run as what he is.

Blayne Honeycutt needs to lose this fall. Hopefully the voters will see the scam he’s trying to run.

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How about a Today’s Last Thing? In case you didn’t catch this when it popped out onto YouTube Thursday…

Yes, please.

Christopher Nolan is one of the smartest and most creative filmmakers going; the work he did with the Christian Bale Batman movies transformed a comic-book franchise into a platform for some of the best storytelling and message-making about life and morality and character imaginable, and if you didn’t like Interstellar then you just don’t like movies. And now Nolan is telling one of the most heroic untold stories about World War II – namely, the Dunkirk sealift, which saved the British Army in the early stages of World War II after Hitler’s war machine had all but pushed them off the continent.

Had the Germans been able to annihilate that army on the coast of Belgium, Britain would likely have had to sue for peace and Hitler could then have turned his entire force eastward in order to wipe out Russia. We would have had a vastly different world than we do now.

And what hasn’t been told about Dunkirk is that it wasn’t some miracle of logistical organization. It was mostly a case of every boat owner along the British coast pitching in to snap up troops and get them out of there. Dunkirk is mostly the story of civilians bailing out soldiers.

We’ll see whether the civilian effort gets large-scale play in Nolan’s film. The cast is really something – Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy and a host of others.