Columns

By: Raymond Powell

On November 11th the veterans (both men and women) were honored in every part of America. Veterans of all branches of service were “Thanked” for their contribution for preserving the freedoms that we enjoy today. They deserve every recognition given to them – but there was a very large group of “Heroes” that has been sadly neglected. There were millions of women typified by “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II that joined the industrial work force in hard, grueling jobs to produce munitions and equipment necessary to win the war.

On November 28, 1942 during W.W.II the assembly line at Ford Motor Company’s huge Willow Run plant turned out its first bomber, a B-24 Liberator. By the time the plant reached its peak, in the summer of 1944, it was producing a bomber each hour – thanks to women like Rosie the Riveter.

By Stephen Waguespack

In 1993, professional basketball star Charles Barkley made headlines when he used a Nike commercial to say, “I am not a role model…. just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids…. parents should be role models.”

These were quite controversial comments at that time. While some agreed wholeheartedly, many saw his comments as an excuse for perceived bad behavior on his part and that of several other athletes during that era.

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By: Raymond Powell

Public schools have been an integral part of DeSoto Parish life for over one hundred and fifty years. Grand Cane in October 1894 was made a public high school. On April 3, 1895 Mansfield became a high school. The State Board of Education approved Keatchie and Stonewall as high schools in 1898.

The main focus of this article is to honor some of the early school board members and principals William Goss was elected Presidentof the DeSoto School in 1902 to succeed W.C. Scott who died in office. S.R. Cummins was elected Superintendent in October 1908 and served until 1912. G.O. Houston was elected over G. Odom on the third ballot to become superintendent and he served until May 1926. Mr. Houston resigned in order to accept the positon of Assistant Superintendent of Caddo Parish.

By Stephen Waguespack

A recent report released by 24/7 Wall Street, a national financial news and opinion research company, states that Louisiana is the fourth poorest state in the country. This sobering report comes on the heels of another recent report by Governing magazine, which used 2016 Census figures to conclude that Louisiana has had the largest decline in real income in the nation.

The report by 24/7 Wall Street specifically stated:

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By: Raymond Powell

On Tuesday, November 7, 1848 Americans all over the nation went to the polls to elect Zachary Taylor, the only president ever elected from Louisiana, on the first nationwide election day. Up to that date each state voted for president on the date of its choice just so it was before the first Wednesday in December when the Electoral College met.

As methods of communication brought speedier information the late voting states became influenced by the vote of the earlier voting states. Congress designated the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in years divisible by four, or leap years.

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By Stephen Waguespack

In the 1970’s, management consultants started using a new metaphor to convince companies they needed to think about their problems and potential solutions in a whole new way. To illustrate their point, they began to use what is called the “nine dot puzzle.”

The puzzle consisted of nine dots, equally arranged in three rows to make a box. The challenge was to connect all the dots using only four lines without letting your pencil leave the paper. The puzzle was difficult at first because most people felt compelled to stay within the box, but it became easy to solve the puzzle once they viewed the challenge differently and drew the lines to go beyond the boundary of the square. Hence, the analogy of “thinking outside the box” was born.

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By Raymond Powell

History takes many different forms and directions and today’s subject could be classified different. Huey P. Long is the topic for today not that he was admired by everyone but he certainly should not be forgotten since he is probably Louisiana’s most famous son. Of course this article will not be as complete as the T. Harry William’s book on Long (I have not read the book) but it is made from experiences and memories of him through an average citizen’s lifetime. As a four-year-old I attended one of his speeches which even as a child I thought was dramatic.

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By Stephen Waguespack

On October 18th, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation co-sponsored an event in Baton Rouge to release the Foundation’s new report, “Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Childcare.” At the event, early learning experts, business representatives, education officials and legislators all stressed the critical need for quality early learning opportunities and access to safe, affordable childcare.

By: Raymond Powell

In the early morning hours back on November 11, 1918, rulers of France, Britain, and Germany met in a railroad car near Compiegne, France to sign an armistice ending World War I or the “Great War” or “War to End All Wars” as it was called at that time. The cease-fire took place at 11:00 am that day which was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

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By Stephen Waguespack

It hit me this week while fielding questions from radio listeners on The Jim Engster Show: as much time as we all spend these days talking about what divides us, the truth is we are not as far apart as most think.

A few callers asked about proposals for new revenue streams, mandates or regulations on businesses and non-profits, while others wanted to explore different options to fight poverty. The affordability and quality of health care were discussed, as was the specific structure of our tax code and its inability to provide stability for both private markets and public services.

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