To save a whorish industry, turn to a real whoremonger

As a candidate for the office which oversees the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Billy Nungesser would be charged with propping up an industry which may be beginning to feel the effects of the national economic slow down (despite its well chronicled "trend-bucking" proclivities.)

New Orleans area hotels continued to see the annual summer slowdown have an impact on business in August with the second lowest occupancy rate among the Top 25 markets Smith Travel Research tracks. The 55 percent rate was down from the 61.3 percent rate in July and from the 55.7 percent rate in August 2010.

Even more challenging is figuring out a way to sell New Orleans as a cultural destination while its city government takes an increasingly hostile stance toward traditional cultural institutions.

It's interesting to note, then, that Nungesser's unique experience with alternative forms of recreation might position him to perform well in these circumstances.