'Dumbest waste of time': James Carville slams Louisiana's new rule requiring Ten Commandments display in schools

WASHINGTON, DC: Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville sharply criticized a newly signed Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

The political consultant described the new law in his home state as the "dumbest waste of time that I’ve ever seen in my life," according to The Hill.

James Carville says 'we need a Hail Mary' instead of Ten Commandments

Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper when asked about the new law, Carville said, “I think given the storm season is coming up, we don’t need the Ten Commandments, we need a Hail Mary. It would be, you know, much more appropriate for what we face, really, in Louisiana."

“I don’t know which one they’re going to put up. There’s 10 different versions of the Ten Commandments, and our schools are so underfunded that I’m not sure half the kids even know how to read them," he added.

What is the new law requiring the Ten Commandments in schools about?

On Wednesday, June 19, Governor Jeff Landry (R) signed the GOP-led bill into law which now requires all Louisiana public elementary and high school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” on a poster or framed document which is at least 11-by-14 inches.

The posters which should be displayed by the beginning of 2025 will also feature a three-paragraph statement declaring the Ten Commandments as a prominent part of American education.

James Carville says storm season is coming ahead noting Louisiana's underfunded schools

During the conversation, Cooper highlighted Louisiana's traditionally low ranking in American school ratings, though noting certain improvements in recent years.

In response, Carville credited Governor John Bel Edwards saying he "did a great job."

"I mean, he got us, off the bottom, but Gov. Landry’s intent on putting us back on the bottom, it seems like,” said Carville.

“But I’m serious, when I look at this storm season and the summer coming ahead, it’s going to be a fundamentally different country come mid-October of this year. It’s going to really be bad," he added.

James Carville says the new Ten Commandments rule favors 'book burners'

Cooper questioned Carville on the difference between having a book with certain views in a library and a poster from the Bible in every classroom.

“Well, look, this is book burner talking points, all right? These people want to burn books, take them out of libraries. You know, you can’t substitute reading, writing, arithmetic with … you know, like I say, the courts are going to have to flush this out, but there’s a thousand founding documents,” said Carville.

“The problem is you’ve got to have kids that can read them. What I find fascinating is the book burners really want the Ten Commandments. Give me a break," he added.