The Best Little Whorehouse in Shreveport

It was built around 1890 by Michael Rosenblath and was a bordello from 1903 to 1917, but now it's going up as a sacrifice to Shreveport's new movie industry.
Josie Cooper must be rolling over in her grave as the building that housed her bordello is being burned for the HBO series True Blood. The house is at the corner of View and Douglas streets just off downtown.
Local Historians Eric Brock & Gary Joiner say the house falls within the boundaries of the St Paul's Bottoms Historic District. It is the last building in the old red light district that is still in decent condition. Brock says the city must have a permit from the state to demolish the structure. Mayor Cedric Glover disagrees. "All the i's were dotted and t's crossed," he said. "This was on the list of homes to be demolished and has been for some time."
Two crews from SFD Station 1 controlled a small blaze yesterday. Another burn is coming later in the week. If you're on Common Street and catch a glimpse of it, don't be alarmed; it's just our past going up in smoke.













Complete article in The Times.

A Republic or an Empire?

I have stated my disdain for both political parties on many occasions. I started life as a Democrat and only recently decided to disassociate myself with any party. They are both, in my opinion, evil and corrupt.
Our country is in dire straits, both in foreign relations and domestic policy. I like some libertarian thought, but the idea of an organized Libertarian Party somehow misses the mark.
Charley Reese wrote an excellent article about where we are and how we got there. I am including an excerpt and a link to the entire article.

Truly, sometimes I think there is nothing new on the face of the earth. Here's a quotation cited by Mark Twain around the turn of the 19th century. Read it and see if you don't recognize it from today's political discourse:
"Even if the war be wrong we are in it and must fight it out: we cannot retire from it without dishonor."
That war was in the Philippines. Perhaps you remember it from your history books. We "liberated" the country from the clutch of Spanish colonialism, but then decided we would just replace the Spanish rather than grant the people independence. They resisted, and we fought a second war in the islands against Filipino patriots.
Today, all of our politicians, with few exceptions, take the same position in regard to Iraq: Well, it may have been the wrong thing to do, but we're there and we can't leave without a victory. I heard the same refrain about the Vietnam War. Whatever happened to the saying "Inglorious peace is better than a dishonorable war"? The only thing that delaying our departure from Vietnam accomplished was more casualties on all sides. The only thing that delaying our departure from Iraq will accomplish is more casualties on all sides.
Why would it be a stain on our honor to end the occupation of Iraq and hand the country back to the Iraqi people to govern as they please? It is, after all, their country, not ours; the oil is their oil, not ours. Not one candidate has the guts to say, "As soon as I'm president, I will order American troops to begin withdrawal." What happens after we leave is an Iraqi problem, not ours.
Americans had better get shut of their imperial delusions and fast, because we are following the path of every empire that has ever existed toward bankruptcy. Do you really want high gas prices, food rationing, health-care rationing and unbearable debt? What kind of standard of living do you think we can maintain with a collapsed education system, a broken infrastructure, a debilitated manufacturing sector and a debt-imploded failed economy?
Original Article

Guest Blog: I'm in love!

I received this in the form of an email from my friend Jean Procell in Minden. I asked her if I could publish it in the blog, and she graciously agreed.

It's true and I am soooo excited!!!! I never thought in my wildest dreams that God would place a "new LOVE" in my life at this time.
She was four years old yesterday. She is on a "vent" and two doors down from Mom in the Nursing Home. I go each day and was surprised to find out that there are children housed in Nursing Homes in Louisiana. Presently 5 boys, under the age of 12 and there were 2 girls. One of the girls was a ward of the state and we lost her thursday to a state institution located in south Louisiana. All of these children are "vent" patients most of them have been in the Minden facility since birth. Much was done to try and keep her here, (I call my State Congressman) but to no avail.
Never a day goes by that I don't check on "baby girl" and ALWAYS rewarded with a beautiful constant smile and loving eyes. What a blessing God has presented me with! I usually unplug her and we visit with the rest of the residents. You should see the smiles that on the Seniors faces when she is wheeled in their room.
Today was her fourth birthday party. And what a party it was!!! About 50 people, food, presents, cake, ice cream -- vent patients, wheel chair residents, family, guest, loving nurses, and a child with the biggest smile, so excited and loved by everyone.
My opinion about humans has improved in the last month. People will surprise you when least expected, but never God's grace.
I ask for your prayers for all in Nursing Homes, whatever age, whatever circumstance, and I thank God for allowing me to be in love at this age!!!

Just Call him Mister Adley

State Senator Robert Adley of Benton would prefer that articles regarding his business not reference the fact that he is also a state senator. Adley, of course, owns Pelican Gas Management which negotiates with municipalities for gas supplies.

A Plaquemine city official Wednesday rebuked members of the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority for referring to state Sen. Robert Adley as a senator. Adley's Pelican Gas Management is the sole manager of the LMGA's natural gas supply. Towns and other municipalities buy natural gas through the authority for residential customers and businesses.

Utilities Director Ronnie Rockforte said he is unhappy that Adley’s business dealings with the authority are appearing in the media with mention of the senator’s status as a state legislator.
“That was a smear,” he told the authority’s executive committee. Rockforte said authority members should refer to Adley as Robert Adley or Mr. Adley.“I think that’s wise,” Adley said.

Our question to Mr Rockforte and Senator Adley is this: If this is not a conflict of interest and is not at least morally unethical, how can it be a smear to refer to the Senator as Senator? Could it be because Adley last year killed an ethics bill because it had a provision for local disclosure, saying that we “worked very hard to put together a disclosure package for legislators and it’s not our job to sit here and pass it on to local government.”

Westlake in Calcasieu Parish and the Iberville Parish government are pulling out of LMGA.

Source: The Advocate

Will McCrery's Endorsement Help Thomspon?

A lot of people were surprised when Jim McCrery endorsed Jeff Thompson as soon as he announced for the 4th Congressional District Seat last week.
Lanewslink offered in its commentary on the announcement that "Congressman Jim McCrery (R-Shreveport) raised more than a few eyebrows with his endorsement of unknown Bossier City attorney Jeff Thompson to replace him in the Fourth Congressional District seat. Even more puzzling is the fact that a supposed pro-business, Republican Congressman would get in bed with a known trial lawyer who makes a living off government contracts suing taxpayers."
Politico noted that "Thompson is the first high-profile candidate in the Republican field, and with the congressman’s endorsement, should be the favorite to win the primary."
Note to Politico: Thompson is not high-profile, thus the surprise from everyone.
John Maginnis in his lapolitics.com noted that other, more experienced potential candidates were baffled by the choice. "Rep Wayne Waddell, R-Shreveport, went into a meeting with Congressman Jim McCrery at the State Capitol on Tuesday expecting to get his support in the fall election to fill his 4th District seat. But the three-term legislator was surprised and chagrined when McCrery told him he would instead back Bossier City attorney Jeff Thompson."
McCrery is stepping down for a simple reason, regardless of what he gives as his official reason. In his last election, he pulled only 57% of the vote. Being accustomed to landslides, this, combined with the fact the the Republicans lost the house, was the handwriting on the wall. McCrery simply didn't want to take the chance of being forced into a runoff and losing. In any event, he was poised at the last election to become chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committe, and instead has had to sit at the table with Chairman Charlie Rangel. I'm sure this taken a lot of the fun out of the job for him.
Yahoo News reported that "Jeff Thompson, the latest candidate for the open U.S. House seat in Louisiana's 4th District, was not the first Republican to enter the contest to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Jim McCrery. But Thompson entered with a credential that could be particularly helpful to him: the endorsement of the popular incumbent, who has served in the House since 1988 and is leaving as ranking Republican on the influential Ways and Means Committee."
Which raises the question: Is McCrery's endorsement a help or a hindrance to Thompson? He certainly has not generated good feelings with Dr John Fleming or Chris Gorman, who are already running active campaigns for the seat. Apparently, State Rep Waddell is not too thrilled either.
Shreveport Attorney John Milkovich has declared as a Democrat, and is well known and respected in evangelical circles in Northwest Louisiana. If nominated, he will take this vote from the Republicans. Another strong possibility is longtime Caddo Parish DA Paul Carmouche, who enjoys a good level of popularity in the area.
My judgment is that McCrery's endorsement is not worth much. I'm not sure that it will even get him the Republican nomination, but whoever does represent the Republican Party in the election will have a battle on their hands.

Personal Blog Post

I don't often post personal stuff, but memories overtook me earlier and I wrote a personal remembrance over on Jindal Watch.
If you would like to read my perspective on The Day I Met Earl K. Long, check it out.

"Social Worker" Charged

Patty Johnson is being charged with forgery after she was captured on camera using a credit card without authorization. Ms Johnson took the card from a patient while working as a social worker at The Bradford nursing home. She is being charged for a $1,452 transaction.

She also faces felony charges in Bossier City for the same crime, this time for $1,636.

She is being booked into Caddo Correction Center and later will be transferred to Bossier Parish Maximum Security.

This is the lowest of the low - stealing from helpless people who are in your care. I'm anxious to see the charges.

I am also going to investigate and see if she has any previous charges. If you have relatives who are residents in nursing homes, you are familiar with theft by staff. It is not usually for such a large amount, but certainly isn't uncommon.

We will follow up on this one.

Appeals Court affirms Abner vs KCS

In a case of local interest, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has ruled that a jury's decision to award punitive damages in a racial discrimination suit without awarding compensatory damages or back pay did not violate due process.
The court affirmed a $125,000 punitive damages award to each of eight black employees who sued their employer for discrimination.
"We agree with the conclusion of several of our sister circuits that a punitive damages award need not be accompanied by compensatory damages," the appeals court said.
The plaintiffs worked in the Kansas City Southern Railway diesel shop in Shreveport, La.
Their lawsuit described repeated instances of race discrimination and harassment, including a wire formed in the shape of a noose being left in plain sight, racial graffiti written on workshop walls, and employees making racially charged comments and threats.
The complaint was filed in U S District court in Shreveport alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A jury found for the plaintiffs and awarded each one $125,000 in punitive damages and $1 in nominal compensatory damages.
KCS appealed, but the Court ruled that there was ample evidence to support the original judgment.

Jeff Thompson to run for Congress with McCrery's Endorsement

Bossier City Attorney Jeff Thompson today announced that he will run for the 4th District seat that Jim McCrery presently holds. McCrery gave his support to his fellow Republican this afternoon.
This is an interesting development, as Dr John Fleming of Minden and Shreveport Trucking Executive Chris Gorman, both Republicans, have already announced for the seat.
On the Democratic side, longtime Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche and Attorney John Milkovich are the leading contenders.

Dumbass Sells dope to Uniformed Deputy

Matthew Tyler Dupuis, 22, was arrested earlier today after he sold a quarter bag, er, one-quarter of an ounce of marijuana to a Bossier Parish Deputy. Not the first time that ever happened, there are lots of undercover policemen working in the Shreveport/Bossier area.
No, young Matt sold to a uniformed deputy who was responding to a loud music complaint. When Dupuis answered the door, the deputies were met by the smell of marijuana. A deputy asked for permission to search and found three bags of marijuana, eight homemade pipes, 30 roaches, two bags of rolling papers and a tin can to house it all.
(Sounds like a Christmas song, 'on the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . ).
Upon finding the dope, the deputy asked Dupuis if he would like to sell some of it. Dupuis answered yes, the deputy paid, and Mr Brilliant has now added a charge of distribution to his resume`. He is reflecting on his decision at the Bossier Parish Maximum Security facility.
Source: The Times

Ethan Powell: In the Arms of the Angels

Sixteen month old Ethan Powell passed away this morning. Everyone in the Bossier/Shreveport area has kept up with Ethan's battle with lukemia.
Our hearts go out to his loving parents and family.

Ethan's Website

Hopes of Cyber Command Fading

On top of the announcement that the decision on CBAT (Common Battlefield Airmen Training) has been delayed until this fall, The Air Force also says that a decision on cyber command has been pushed forward until fall of 2009. Barksdale is one of the bases being considered for CBAT.
The Air Force also announced that localities shouldn't invest large sums for infrastructure in anticipation of landing Cyber Command. This would appear to be aimed at Louisiana, where a total of $107,000,000 has been committed for just such projects.
The governors of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia all received letters from Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne notifying them of the decision.
The $107,000,000 was committed with the idea that the returns from thousands of support jobs would make it a good investment. Since the Air Force has announced that this will be a virtual command, this could still pan out to some degree.
Although this does call into question the judgment of some local leaders who insisted that Cyber Command was 'a done deal', they still could take a realistic approach to see that the investment pays off. Perhaps they can expand the vision to include other training that would attract welcome industry to the area. The investment doesn't have to be lost; indeed, they may find that they have done the right thing for the wrong reasons.

Information on the timing and process can be found on Cyber Command's website.