By Steve Graf

Today we’ll continue to look back at the history of bass fishing by looking at the 60’s and 70’s, which might be considered the most significant period of bass fishing history. This was without a doubt a time in which bass fishing was taken to another level. It was during this time that the greatest names in bass fishing made their mark. It was a time that the sport became something an angler could actually make a living doing. Anglers that became household names and legends were Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Ricky Green, Tommy Martin, Larry Nixon, Rick Clunn, and too many more to mention here in one writing.

We’ll start with the 1960’s, when in 1967 Tom Mann introduced the Jelly Worm which is still one of the most popular and best-selling soft plastic worms ever. That same year, the late Ray Scott hosted his first fishing tournament (The All-American Invitational) at Beaver Lake Arkansas and announced that bass fishing would become a major league sport. Just so you know…Bill Dance caught the very first bass one minute after the tournament started. The following year, 1968, Ray Scott created the B.A.S.S. (Bass Angler Sportsman Society) to unite America’s bass anglers and elevate the sport. B.A.S.S membership has grown from a little over 100 anglers in 1968 to more than 600,000 today! One more thing happened in 1968 as well… Bill Dance hosted his first television series dedicated to bass fishing, “Bill Dance Outdoors,” on ABC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 1970’s was when bass fishing really took off. A man by the name of Johnny Morris borrowed $10,000 from his father and stocked a few shelves in the family liquor store with bass tackle. Three years later, the first mail order catalog was sent out. You might have heard of this store, Bass Pro Shops…now an empire! Johnny now owns Ranger Boats, Triton Boats, and Cabela’s. He has done more for the fishing

world and conservation than any other human alive today. In 1972, Ray Scott once again made his mark by starting a nationwide campaign called “Catch & Release” which was adopted by pretty much all tournaments across the country and is still practiced today.

Let’s stay in the 70’s, as a company by the name of Mister Twister burst onto the bass fishing scene with the introduction of the first curly tail worm. This was the first soft plastic worm that had built-in action which fish could not resist. Then in 1973, Don Butler recognized that with “catch & release” tournaments anglers needed better live wells. So, he designed and filed a patent for the first live well that was put into a bass boat.

As you can see, the 1970’s were truly the golden years of bass fishing. Tournaments, bait designs and some of the greatest names to ever wet a hook came from this era. Next week, we’ll look at the 80’s and 90’s when things really heated up for bass fishing. Till next week, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt….set the hook!

Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show &
Tackle Talk Live

By: Glynn Harris

When you grew up in the country as I did, dogs were as much a part of life as the chickens that pecked around your yard, the milk cow chewing a cud in the pasture and the pig in the pen waiting for the weather to get cool enough to be converted into hams, bacon and sausage.

I mention this because we just became foster parents to a tiny puppy. More about that later.

Some of the dogs I remember living in and around the Harris household back then were Tippy, Rusty, Boots and Bitsy. Maybe there were others but time has erased their memories.

After leaving home, graduating from college and starting a family of my own, dogs have been a part of my life.

The first one I recall was, Jody, a little half Cocker Spaniel. Instead of being a pure-blooded Cocker, the mom apparently met up with a mongrel down the street. Before his pedigree was determined, we even had his tail docked like his mom. Even though he turned out not to be a full-fledged Cocker, we loved that little guy and were devastated when, out chasing a girlfriend down the road, he crossed ahead of a car and the Buick won.

Then there was Bambi, a little fawn-colored Chihuahua. She was a tiny little bundle we loved until her old age meant we had to have her put to sleep. I’ve had to do that with others that followed but Bambi was the first and it hurt the most.

Trixie was next and she came to us in a most unusual manner. Kay, my wife, was working downtown when someone came by her office holding a bedraggled little white pup she found wandering the street, a dog she couldn’t keep. Kay brought it home, we took her to the vet to get her cleaned up and learned she was a full-blooded poodle about two years old.

She came to us with no name and we tried calling her by several names to see if she would respond. When we said “Trixie,” she perked up so we assumed her former owner we never knew had named her that or something similar. We put a notice in the paper about finding her but never got a response, so Trixie enjoyed a full life with us until we had to do for her what we did for Bambi.

Then there was Rufus. We had started scanning the ad section of the paper for puppies available for adoption and located one, a Papillion, that caught our attention. It was love at first sight and we brought little Rufus home with us. He enjoyed a charmed life for over 16 years.

It was one of the saddest days ever when our good boy that had grown deaf, nearly blind and developed serious health issues had to be put to sleep over a year and a half ago. Kay and I decided that maybe our lives with dogs as companions were over; it hurt too much to have to part with those little fellows we had loved so much.

A lot can change in a year and a half. We finally came to the conclusion that after memories of Bambi, Trixie and Rufus had faded, our home was missing something we had enjoyed for years. We decided we needed to get another pup to fill the void and began praying for divine direction to be sure we were making the right decision.

It was almost by accident that we discovered a source that would soon be having puppies available for adoption. The sire was a long-haired Chihuahua and the dam a registered Yorkie. We put our name on the list for one of the puppies.

Easter Sunday afternoon, we brought our little eight-week-old Chorkie home, all two pounds of her and gave her a name, Coco, that seemed just right for her.

It feels good and right to be back in the puppy business again.

OMC SEEKING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER –
Outpatient Medical Center (Natchitoches Headquarters) is looking for a full-time CFO to join our leadership team and report to our CEO and Board of Directors. The CFO is responsible for fulfilling all financial and collections priorities/requirements of the organization and to effectively manage and direct assigned staff. Must be willing to join a new leadership team and continue improvements initiated over the past two years – necessary to rebuild an organization once seriously threatened financially.

A successful candidate will not only be knowledgeable but also an excellent communicator with the ability to clearly explain fiscal and budgetary matters to executives and policy-makers. Must be exceptionally organized, assure accuracy of reports and tasks, and meet deadlines in a proactive manner. A successful candidate will have a record of highly responsible CFO experience in a healthcare setting, managing and accounting for multiple grants and revenue sources. OMC will also consider progressively responsible candidates who have extensive FQHC experience with audits, budgeting, management reports, accounting, billing, and supervision.

Resumes are being accepted by email to hr@outpatientmedical.org. Confidential inquiries may be made to the CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry, at 318-357-2055.

WINN:
Floyd Lynn Chelette, Sr.
August 23, 1947 – June 14, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 18 at 10 am at Zion Hill Baptist Church

RED RIVER:
Henry Weston Cox
August 21, 1937 – June 12, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 18 at 11am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

When he left Northwestern State In March as the winningest college basketball coach in state history, Bossier City native Mike McConathy wasn’t sure what the future held.

Three months later, he’s considering scratching an old itch. McConathy, who counts Louisiana Political Hall of Famer and longtime influential state legislator Billy Montgomery of Haughton among his primary mentors, is considering running for the state Senate in a redesigned district spanning parts of 10 parishes in northwest Louisiana.

With the anticipated revamp of Senate District 31, incumbent Sen. Louie Bernard of Natchitoches announced last week he will not seek a second term. Bernard previously served 24 years as Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court and after over 40 years of public service, the still energetic 71-year-old said he’s going to serve out his term until 2023 and enjoy family life.

McConathy grew up with a first-hand perspective on public service. His father, John McConathy, was the Bossier Parish Superintendent of Schools for 20 years and later was a key collaborator in the development of the modern Bossier Parish Community College campus between U.S. 80 and I-20 in Bossier City.

Among his accolades, the former NSU coach is enshrined in the university’s Hall of Distinguished Educators for his service as a faculty member at Northwestern, and in 2012 he earned an elite Pillar of Education award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches for leading the Demons’ program into continuing educational outreach in area schools. His program was noted for its wide-ranging community service endeavors, and its academic performance – a remarkable 90 percent of his players earned degrees at NSU.

“This is something that has been on the back of my mind for quite some time, because I’ve known people who have served and are serving in Baton Rouge who have made a tremendously positive impact for the people they represented, and for the entire state, for that matter,” said McConathy.

“When Louie made his announcement, I had quite a few friends suggest I ought to consider this. I’m now in the process of visiting with people who have a real understanding of political life and public service,” he said, “along with many dear friends and most of all, my family members, so I can make the best possible decision for all concerned.”

The new District 31 has roughly 70 percent of its population located in Bossier, Caddo, Natchitoches and Sabine parishes, with portions of Webster, Bienville, DeSoto, Red River, Rapides and Winn included. That fits the geographic footprint which was the base of McConathy’s recruiting area and team rosters from 1999-2022 at NSU and for 16 years previously at Bossier Parish Community College.

“Some people might wonder how my career in coaching would translate to serving in Baton Rouge in a legislative body, in the political arena. In coaching, to succeed you have to nurture relationships with a variety of people from high school and college students, to colleagues and opponents, throughout a campus community and a fan base with avid alumni of all ages and backgrounds. You have to listen, you have to be responsive, you have to collaborate, and at the same time, you cannot compromise your values and your integrity.

“We all know politics can be a tough business to navigate, now more than ever. Heck, I’ve spent over 40 years trying to find middle ground with the referees,” he laughed. “As long as we understand each other, we can find paths to the best possible outcomes.”

McConathy said if he runs, he would do so as an independent, not affiliated with a political party. The only announced candidate so far is Shreveport Republican state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, who has served in the state House since 2010 but is term limited there.

Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State

In this episode, Jodi Taylor chats with District 13 State Representative Jack McFarland to discuss the 2022 Legislative Session and all his hard work to benefit Winn Parish.

Winnfield’s 6th Annual Dugdemona Festival held on Main Street was an amazing success. However, recent posts on social media have had a negative impact on the service of our police officers during this family fun-filled festival.

An unnamed citizen was cited for a city ordinance and has since taken to a popular social media site, blasting police officers. However, 3 female officers responded to various complaints about the person’s attire and the person of interest was issued a citation under the city ordinance.

The referenced city ordinance is 14-76, passed unanimously by then city council members on 6-14-2011 and is cited as follows:

“It shall be unlawful for any person to wear pants, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses, or skorts in any public place or places open to the public which either intentionally exposes undergarments or intentionally exposes any portion of the pubic hair, cleft of buttocks, or genitals.” Fines range from $25.00 for a first offense to a maximum of $300, and the person may be ordered to perform up to 40 hours of community service.

The citizen was given a court date in the Winnfield City Court, which is the proper venue to dispute any allegation. A citation, in lieu of arrest, is an allegation of an infraction, not an assumption of guilt.

“We, as public servants, will not engage in a social media war with anyone or any organization, as it is improper and brings discredit upon this department. We also cannot comment on details of any case under investigation or pending court action,” stated a department spokesperson. 

Be advised link below includes explicit language.

Date: 6-7-22
Name: Jerry Lynn William
Address: Sikes, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 51
Charge: Failure to appear (x2)

Date: 6-8-22
Name: Francena L Todd II
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: N/A

Charge: Illegal Possession of a firearm, Convicted felon with a firearm, Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute

Date: 6-8-22
Name: Cory C Pennywell
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 45
Charge: Possession of cocaine, Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of carisoprodol, Warrant (failure to appear), Failure to sign

Date: 6-9-22
Name: Alfonzell Holmes
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 41
Charge: Improper lane usage, Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Possession of schedule 2 with intent to distribute

Date: 6-10-22
Name: Jared Ardoin
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Charge: N/A

Date: 6-10-22
Name: Rusty Box
Address: Pineville, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Charge: Failure to appear for paternity and child support

Date: 6-10-22
Name: Lamarcus Deon Thirs
Address: Alexandria, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 44
Charge: Possession of schedule 1, Possession of schedule 2, Hit and run

Date: 6-10-22
Name: Jeremy Shane Maxwell
Address: Jonesboro, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Charge: No headlamps (required), Driving under suspension

Date: 6-11-22
Name: Leslie Jacob Bruce
Address: Atlanta, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 19
Charge: Running a stop sign, Resisting arrest, Aggravated flight, Reckless operation of a vehicle (Grant parish charges)

Date: 6-13-22
Name: Jody T Stacks
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 46
Charge: Failure to appear (bench warrant)

Date: 6-14-22
Name: Charles L Bush
Address: Winnfield, L
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 43
Charge: Child endangerment (x2), Domestic abuse and battery

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mayor Jennifer Smith communicated with another broadband company and they advised that they plan to draft a proposal and make a package offering. The Mayor also wanted to have the local School Board Member, Eugean Garner involved so they could discuss all issues regarding the cell tower lease and use of broadband

Qualifying dates for the Fall election Cycle are July 20-22 at the clerk of court office. Open positions include mayor, city alderman, and chief of police for the November ballot.

Christmas in the park is in the early beginning stages for this year’s festivities and they will be organizing a fall fundraiser. The council decided to hold the festival on the 2nd FRIDAY of December this year, as voting will be held on that Saturday. There will be more information to come the closer that we get to the event.

June 15, 2022, at 6:00, Goldonna Baptist Church will be beginning their “Summer of Prayer” which will be preceded by baptism in the sanctuary and followed by fellowship (food) and a corn hole tournament in the fellowship hall! There will be a 12 & under division and an adult division. Start finding your partner! You are hereby officially invited!

Goldonna elementary junior high school announced that only clear and mesh backpacks will be allowed on the school campus this year. This move was made to ensure the safety of all children attending school.

If you have news to report please reach out to Reba Phelps at Jreba.phelps@gmail.com.

Please see the attached school supply list for the students:

By Brad Dison

In the Fall of 1861, Robert Smalls became the pilot of the CSS Planter, “the most valuable war vessel the Confederates had at Charleston.” Robert, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, had been piloting vessels in Charleston harbor for several years and knew it well.

The Planter was “a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, 140 feet in length, and about 50 feet beam, and [drew] about five feet of water.” Before the war, the Charleston-built vessel was used to transport up to 1400 bales of cotton per trip. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the Confederate Navy converted the vessel into a gunboat armed with a 32-pound rifle on its forward deck and a 24-pound howitzer on its aft deck.

The boat’s captain, Charles Relyea, along with his first and second mates, had a habit of sleeping in comfortable beds in homes near the wharf. Pilot Robert Smalls, engineers John Smalls and Alfred Gradine, and crew members Abraham Jackson, Gabriel Turno, William Morrison, Samuel Chisholm, Abraham Allston, and David Jones had to sleep in the cramped quarters aboard the boat.

One night in the spring of 1862, after the captain and first and second mates had gone ashore for the night, one of the crew aboard the Planter, unhappy about their situation, joked that they should defect to the north by running the vessel to the sea. Some of the crew members readily agreed. Robert, the senior most crew member, immediately warned the crew not to discuss the defection while onboard the vessel. Robert suggested that if they wanted to discuss the defection “in sober earnestness,” that they meet at his home in Charleston.

During their clandestine meeting, the entire crew, including Robert, decided that they would defect. Knowing that Robert was born and raised in Charleston, and that he had piloted vessels in the Charleston harbor for several years, the crew left the plan entirely up to Robert. They agreed to follow Robert’s orders without question, to be ready at a moment’s notice, and swore to absolute secrecy. All of the men knew that if they were caught trying to defect, or even discussing defection in the prized boat, they would surely be hung.

Robert and the other crewmen waited for the right opportunity to defect. Robert hid provisions for the crew members in the hold of the boat. On the night of May 12, 1862, Captain Relyea and his first and second mates went on shore to spend the night. The Planter was scheduled to leave for Fort Ripley on the following morning with supplies for the fort which included a 7-inch rifled gun, an 8-inch columbiad cannon, an 8-inch howitzer cannon, a long 82-pounder cannon, and about 200 rounds of ammunition. This, Robert decided, was the perfect opportunity.

Robert quickly put his secret plan into motion. He sent for his wife and three children, and John Smalls sent for his wife, child, and sister. The rest of the crew members had no family in Charleston. The men secreted the women and children onto the boat and aroused no suspicion. Leaving them in Charleston was not an option because the captain would have arrested them until the crew members returned to face charges. At about 3:00 a.m., the crew lit the fires under the boilers and waited for the pressure to build. Their hearts beat fast as the minutes felt like hours. Finally, steam had built up enough for them to depart and the vessel paddled away from the harbor.

The crew hoped to pass the batteries of Fort Sumter in the cover of darkness, but the tide was against the Planter and the vessel moved slowly through the water. It was fully daylight when the boat neared Fort Sumter. Robert wore clothing which, at a distance, resembled the hat and uniform of the Planter’s captain. As the boat approached the fort, Robert could see the sentinel. He reached for the whistle cord. If the sentinel suspected anything, Robert’s horn blasts would be answered by cannon fire. Otherwise, the sentinel would motion for the boat to continue. Robert gave the usual signal—two long pulls and a jerk at the whistle cord. He watched the sentinel’s every move. To Robert’s relief, the sentinel motioned for the boat to continue.

Robert steered the Planter away from the Confederacy and toward the American ships he knew would be waiting. As the vessel came within sight of the US Navy’s blockading squadron, the crew hoisted the white flag of surrender. US sailors boarded the Planter, learned of their plan to defect, and allowed them to pass through the blockade. The boat then proceeded to Port Royal, via St. Helena Sound and Broad River, and reached the Wabash, the flagship of the US Navy, at 10:00 p.m. The defection was mutually beneficial for the US Navy and the Planters’ crew and its passengers. The US Navy got what they wanted— “the most valuable war vessel the Confederates had at Charleston.” The Planters’ crew and its passengers got what they so desired—their freedom. Robert and the rest of the defectors were slaves.

Source: Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, Massachusetts), May 20, 1862, p.2.

Apparently, the government has issued a command or passed a law or sent out a decree that all the world, at least every living person in America, must see the new Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun: Maverick, each in his own city, and not just once but at least two or three times, or else they’ll cut off your … cable?

So, I went to see it.

Wasn’t 100 percent sold on the idea, but if you want to have a decent conversation with anyone these days, you have to have seen Top Gun: Maverick, hereafter referred to as a space-saving Top Gun, the original movie title in 1986.

The current movie is the sequel. In the original, Cruise and his friends were hot-shot fighter pilots in the United States Navy, the best of the best. The cast did an excellent job of portraying what is required from the real pilots defending us as we speak, and let’s take a moment and be grateful they’re on our side.

A couple of things: I haven’t been “to the show” in three years and not to a show on Saturday afternoon, something normal functioning people often do, since—taking a legit guess here—Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968-ish. That show was so bad it kept me out of Saturday afternoon movie houses for decades, even when a good John Wayne or Clint Eastwood was playing.

Became a nighttime guy.

But I went back Saturday, although it was iffy. Online tickets were sold out except for a seat here or there, and this at theaters that were playing Top Gun on several screens.

Somehow, we ended up as fortunate as some of the pilots portrayed in the movie. We got golden tickets. And suddenly there we were, with Tom Cruise onscreen as himself welcoming us to the picture show in what I thought was a nice touch.

Then it started.

If you didn’t see the original, you’ll still “get the picture.” Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, years and years after his graduation from the TOPGUN Naval aviation program — Cruise’s character is basically 718 in pilot years by now — gets called back to instruct elite fliers. One of those youngsters is Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late wingman and best friend, Goose.

You’ve noticed these need-for-speed pilots have nicknames. Maverick. Rooster. Goose. The new movie is not lacking in this area: there’s Carburetor and Skeeter, Mud Flaps and Truck Nuts. Eat My Rubber. My favorite is Bob. “Bob.” True story. Apparently, any name’s game as long as it can be stenciled onto the front of a flight helmet.

Another holdover from the original: a bad mustache. Goose, who tragically did not make it through the original, had that special kind of very 1980’s porn star mustache. In any strip club in any country, you still see this kind of mustache worn by most all patrons. And by some of the dancers. Not a good look.

So, in the sequel, to make us know for certain that this was Goose’s offspring, they made the son have that same mustache. I’d have bought in without that hammer over the head, but perhaps it made for a key plot element, subliminal and all: Could Rooster overcome a haunting legacy AND the lame mustache?

Glad I bought a ticket to find out (even though the government made me go). It was worth it. Three different times, I thought the film was over, but Things Kept Happening. It was like three movies in one.

And thank goodness they made this thing a couple of years ago before gas prices soared higher and faster than a F/A-18 Super Hornet. If they’d made it today, a ticket would cost $147.

We rate it VG for Very Good. No sex. No cussing that I recall. And just the right amount of sentiment in paying homage to the original. I almost cried one time — but maybe that was because I really needed to go to the bathroom.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

By: Royal Alexander

Firearms have been available virtually everywhere in American society for decades.  Yet, there were rarely ever any of the kind of mass shootings we see so often today. 

 What has changed?

 As the Wall Street Journal has observed “today’s young killers aren’t motivated by material deprivation.  They are typically from middle-class families with access to smartphones and X-boxes.  Their deficit is social and spiritual.  The rise of family dysfunction and the decline of mediating institutions such as churches and social clubs have consequences.” (WSJ, 5-25-22).

 What motivates a young man to grab a weapon, look his classmates in the eyes and shoot and kill them.  What deep void is so profoundly unfilled that a massacre of friends, classmates and teachers appears to be the answer.  People often point to unaddressed chronic mental health problems and mental issues, but they are symptoms of other things. 

 The simple answer is that a society that produces an 18-year-old who can look into the faces of terrified 5th graders and pull the trigger so many times that DNA is required to identify the victims has problems that go far beyond gun control and even mental health issues.

 Let’s look at our culture today. 

 We clearly don’t value all aspects of human life as 700,000 abortions are performed in this country every year and over 60 million since 1973.  How profoundly illogical must we be as a culture to believe we can ever protect children outside of the womb when for 50 years our courts and laws have denied due process and equal protection to children inside of the womb?

 Much of our cultural meltdown is the direct result of the intended breakdown of the traditional American family which from time immemorial imparted the basic values and life lessons children need to thrive and grow—and to become good, productive, and happy citizens.  

 However, virtues contained in religion, morality, and the teaching of right and wrong and good and evil are mocked.  Notions of faith or religion are demeaned.  Self-restraint and self-discipline are often derided in this culture of instant gratification.

 Yet, after these killings we’re always urged to “pray for the schools” but we don’t allow prayer in the schools.  Our denial of absolute truth—both inside and outside of our public schools—has imposed a dictatorship of relativism which has created a culture of death in America.

Media shaming of law enforcement (“Defund the Police”) and the American military—which has always been a great avenue for young boys to learn self-confidence and self-discipline—discourages many who might otherwise consider and aspire to them. 

 Young boys, often loners, stay locked up for hours playing violent video games.  The saturation of porn in our culture contributes to the devaluing of the individual—most often females.  The feminization of our culture and the heated condemnation of “toxic masculinity” also causes young men to wonder what place they can go to feel safe, needed and valued.  Young boys yearn to know, and be affirmed about, what they should do; how they should act.  What is appropriate. What is honorable.  Our culture has emasculated millions of them. 

 The cry for “gun control” is an easy solution for politicians with the desire to “do something” but it is deeply misplaced.  Law-abiding gun owners already adhere to our gun laws but criminals—by their nature—are never going to abide by them.  The result is the disarming of the good guys, allowing the bad ones to, unopposed, inflict their violence and death on the innocent.  It’s like taking away the keys of the sober drivers to punish the drunk drivers.  That’s insane.

 We must erase the fatal conceit that so-called ‘gun free’ zones, such as schools, churches, shopping malls and other public areas, make us safer.  According to a study from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), 89% of mass shootings between 1988 and 2019 occurred in gun-free zones.  It’s not hard to understand why: cowardly mass killers look for easy targets, knowing these vulnerable victims will have no defense. 

 The truth is we simply must return to the virtues of American life.  A belief in God and the idea of a calling greater than oneself; a loving, nurturing family unit prominently including a positive male role model, a work ethic, self-discipline, respect, manners, and courtesy.  These are the indispensable supports that young people—particularly young men—desperately need and seek.  That is where we must begin.

Royal Alexander is an attorney, writer, and former politician in his native Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2007, he was the Republican candidate for Louisiana Attorney General. In addition to his law practice, Alexander is an opinion writer, a guest lecturer at public events and education forums, and a frequent guest on various TV and radio outlets.

The views and opinions expressed in the My Opinion article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Winn Parish Journal. Any content provided by the authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

Winn Parish
Lisa Thomas Coleman
October 12, 1964 – June 5, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 18, 2022, 11:00am; Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel,  Winnfield, LA
Interment: Winnfield Cemetery

Natchitoches Parish
Seab A. Horn
June 15, 1916 – June 6, 2022
Visitation: 6pm to 8pm, Friday, June 17, 2022 at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Service:  Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 a. m.
Interment:  Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in the Vowells Mill Community.