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JBE: Bars must meet strict requirements to reopen; restaurants have relaxed capacity limits

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 4:04pm

Businesses will be able to accommodate more people under the Phase Three coronavirus measures outlined by Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday.

But Edwards' latest proclamation, which takes effect Friday night and will last at least 28 days, will keep bars closed to on-premises drinking for now but with a chance of opening soon where the spread of COVID is contained. Bars have been allowed to continue drive-through or curbside sales and to apply for permits to serve food in order to stay open.

The statewide mask mandate will remain in place.

The highlights from Edwards' Friday press conference:

--Many businesses, including restaurants, churches, salons and gyms, have a new, higher capacity limit of 75% with social distancing, which is part of all the Phase Three mitigation measures. Many businesses had been restricted to 50% capacity.

--Bars can reopen for on-premises drinking only if they're in a parish where the two-week average positivity rate for COVD-19 tests is 5% or less. Only five parishes, which the governor didn't specify, currently meet that standard.

Even in parishes that meet the criterion, the parish government must agree to allow bars to open. Bars will be limited to 25% of capacity up to 50 customers indoors, and wait staff members must serve customers at tables.

Bars must stop selling alcoholic beverages at 10 p.m., and customers must leave by 11 p.m.

No one 18-20 will be allowed in bars.

--Social gatherings such as weddings and birthday parties at indoor venues will be limited to 50% of capacity up to 250.

--Casino limits will remain at 50% of capacity and 75% of gaming positions.

--Sporting events will be limited to 25% of capacity, and no alcoholic beverages may be served.

--In a departure from the published White House Coronavirus Task Force Phase Three rules, no nursing home visits will be allowed for now, Edwards said. But a pilot program is in the works that would allow limited visits outdoors, which pose a smaller risk of COVID-19 spread, in parishes with a two-week positivity rate of 5% or less.

The caution regarding nursing homes is because 40% of Louisiana's COVID-related fatalities, or more than 2,000, have been among nursing home residents, Edwards said.

Bars had been identified as source of COVID-19 spread months ago, much to the displeasure of bar owners who filed at least two as yet unsuccessful lawsuits over the closure of their businesses.

Another source of concern has been the spread of COVID-19 among people 18-29, said Dr. Alex Billioux, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. That group has led the way in the post-Memorial Day increase in coronavirus cases.

The focus is on 18- to 20-year-olds, who are heading back to school, Billioux said.

"This is an age group that we could see continue to increase," Billioux said. "Just as we saw last time, where this group led, the other groups follow after that."

Although Edwards said changes may be made as the data warrant, this may be the last major change in coronavirus measures before a vaccine is available.

Local business owner arrested on marijuana, gun charges

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 1:42pm

Staff Report
The Morgan City Police Department reported the arrest Thursday of a local man on marijuana and weapon charges. The suspect is Harlan Kappel, owner of Morgan City’s East Gate BBQ.
—Kappel, 48, Seventh Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, violation of the uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug free zone), illegal carrying of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses and distribution of marijuana.
According to the daily arrest report from Police Chief James F. Blair, narcotics detectives with the Morgan City Police Department conducted an investigation at a residence on Seventh Street. While conducting the investigation, detectives came into contact with Kappel.
He was found in possession of suspected marijuana, edible products that contained THC, drug paraphernalia, a firearm and U.S. currency that was derived from the sales of illegal narcotics. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Blair also reported these arrests:
—Michael P. Merrick, 58, Lawrence Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Thursday on warrants for possession of crack cocaine and three counts of failure to appear.
Officers came into contact with Merrick on Headland Street. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department and the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—John Charles Gresco, 58, La.182, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:34 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.
—Charles Bilkey, 62, Carol Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.
Narcotics detectives with the Morgan City Police Department were conducting an investigation at an address on La.182. During the investigation, Gresco and Bilkey began to interfere with the investigation. Investigators observed both Gresco and Bilkey were in an intoxicated condition.
Upon attempting to arrest Gresco and Bilkey, they resisted arresting officers. They were restrained and handcuffed. They were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Melanie Dawn Rink, 46, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and MDMA, possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.
—Christopher James Ross, 48 , Elmira Court, Thibodaux, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense), drug paraphernalia and Zolpidem tartrate (TEVA).
Narcotic detectives executed a search warrant at an address on La. 182. Investigators came into contact with Rink and Ross. Rink was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, MDMA, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Investigators learned the methamphetamine and MDMA Rink possessed were intended to be sold in Morgan City.
Furthermore, Rink possessed U.S. currency that was derived from the sales of illegal narcotics.
Ross was found in possession of suspected marijuana, Zolpidem tartrate (TEVA), and drug paraphernalia. Both Rink and Ross were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jordan Avery Steele, 40, Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:12 a.m. Friday on a warrant for theft under the $1,000.
Warrant: Theft under $1,000.00
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Diana Drive and Chestnut Drive and identified the driver as Steele. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Landen Harper, 21, Summa Avenue, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, speeding 68 mph in a 45 mph zone and driving under suspension.
About 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, an officer in the area of La. 182 observed a vehicle traveling at a speed higher than the posted 45 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted and officers made contact with Harper. A computer check showed that that his driver’s license was suspended.
Through the course of the stop, an odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle. Subsequent to a vehicle search, marijuana was located inside, which Harper admitted belonged to him. Harper was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.
—Brock McMellon, 37, Judge Doucet Drive, Abbeville, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (over 14 grams), possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
About 4:08 Wednesday, officers in the area of U.S. 90 conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. Officers made contact with the driver and passenger, identified as McMellon.
During the stop, consent was granted to search the vehicle at which time methamphetamine, marijuana, and items of drug paraphernalia were located inside. Through the course of the investigation, McMellon admitted that the narcotics and paraphernalia belonged to him and that the methamphetamine was destined to be sold. McMellon was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Brandon Alan Gaspard, 41, La. 70 South, Pierre Part was arrested Thursday on charges of domestic abuse battery and felony violation of protective orders.
— Vickie Marie Gaspard, 37, Riverbend Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Thursday on a charge of misdemeanor violation of protective orders.
On Thursday evening, deputies responded to a call of a domestic incident at an address on La. 70. Deputies made contact with the complainant, Vickie Marie Gaspard, who provided deputies with her version of the events that transpired.
Deputies then interviewed Brandon Gaspard, who detailed his version of events that occurred.
Based on physical evidence, injuries and information that was gathered, deputies determined that there was probable cause to believe that both, Brandon Alan Gaspard and Vickie Marie Gaspard
had violated reciprocal protective orders each had previously filed.
Both Brandon Alan Gaspard and Vickie Marie Gaspard were incarcerated pending bond proceedings.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported this arrest:
—Zacolby Lionel Granger, 28, Grace Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 a.m. Thursday on charges of reckless operation with no accident and driving under suspension. Granger was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.

19 new COVID cases, one death in local parishes

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 1:19pm

Nineteen new COVID-19 cases, more than half of them in Assumption, and one St. Mary death were reported for the 24 hours leading up to midday Friday.

St. Mary had five new cases Friday, making the total since the pandemic began 1,812. The newly reported fatality raises the death toll to 75.

St. Martin had three new cases Friday, raising its total to 2,037. Assumption's 11 new cases raised its pandemic total to 710.

St. Martin's COVID death total remains at 58, Assumption's at 23.

Statewide:

--844 new cases raised the pandemic total to 156,174.

--41 newly reported deaths pushed the total to 5,032.

--39 fewer COVID-positive people are in hospitals for a total of 723.

--8 fewer people are on ventilators for a total of 117.

Friday's statistics from the Louisiana Office of Public Health were based on 27,234 new tests.

UPDATED: Tropical Depression 19 better organized

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 11:20am

Tropical Depression Nineteen Discussion Number 2
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL192020
1100 PM EDT Fri Sep 11 2020

Doppler radar data from Miami and satellite images indicate that
the depression is gradually becoming better organized. The
low-level center is estimated to be near the northwestern edge of
the main area of deep convection due to some northerly wind shear.
Surface observations and satellite classifications support holding
the initial intensity at 30 kt. The minimum pressure appears to be
a little lower than before, now 1007 mb.

The tropical depression is moving west-northwestward at about 7
kt. A subtropical ridge extending from the southeast U.S. to the
western Atlantic should steer the depression west-northwestward
across south Florida tonight and Saturday morning and then over the
eastern Gulf of Mexico late Saturday and Sunday. After that time,
the ridge is forecast to weaken due to an approaching trough,
but the trough is not expected to be strong enough to cause the
cyclone to turn northward. Instead, the models suggest that a slow
west-northwestward motion very near the northern Gulf coast is
likely during the early and middle portions of next week.
Although the models all show a relatively similar scenario, there
is a fair amount of spread by the time the system nears the
northern Gulf coast. The NHC track forecast lies roughly near the
middle of the guidance envelope close to the consensus aids.
Several of the local National Weather Service forecast offices
across the southeast U.S. will be launching weather balloons four
times per day, which should provide the models with excellent data
in hopes to provide better track guidance during the next couple of
days.

Since the depression is expected to move over very warm SSTs, once
it reaches the eastern Gulf of Mexico tomorrow, and remain in an
environment of low wind shear and high moisture, gradual
strengthening seems likely. The models suggest that there could
be an increase in westerly shear around the time the cyclone is
forecast to move inland along the northern Gulf coast in about 4
days. Based on these expected environmental conditions,
strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and the NHC
intensity forecast follows the trend of the IVCN and HCCA models.
The depression will likely be at or near hurricane strength when
it reaches the northern Gulf coast.

Users are reminded to not to focus on the exact details of
the track or intensity forecast as the average NHC track error at
96 h is around 150 miles and the average intensity error is around
15 mph. In addition, winds, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will
extend far from the center.

KEY MESSAGES:

1. Heavy rainfall is expected to produce isolated flash flooding
over portions of central and southern Florida and prolong existing
minor river flooding across central Florida.

2. Tropical storm conditions are possible overnight and early
Saturday along the southeast Florida coast where a Tropical Storm
Watch is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are possible by
Sunday night in portions of the Florida Panhandle, where a Tropical
Storm Watch has been issued.

3. The system is forecast to strengthen to near hurricane intensity
by early next week as it moves across the northeastern Gulf of
Mexico. Dangerous impacts from storm surge, wind, and heavy rainfall
will be possible along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to
southeastern Louisiana late this weekend and early next week.
Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of this system
and updates to the forecast, as Storm Surge, Tropical Storm or
Hurricane watches could be issued on Saturday.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 12/0300Z 25.7N 79.8W 30 KT 35 MPH
12H 12/1200Z 26.0N 81.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
24H 13/0000Z 26.8N 82.9W 35 KT 40 MPH
36H 13/1200Z 27.9N 84.6W 40 KT 45 MPH
48H 14/0000Z 28.8N 85.9W 45 KT 50 MPH
60H 14/1200Z 29.3N 86.9W 55 KT 65 MPH
72H 15/0000Z 29.7N 87.7W 60 KT 70 MPH
96H 16/0000Z 30.2N 89.5W 60 KT 70 MPH...INLAND
120H 17/0000Z 31.3N 90.9W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND

Sheriff's Office honors 9/11 first responders

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:45am

DIANE MILLER FEARS

dfears-@daily-review.com

On the 19th anniversary of 9/11, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Academy decided to have its traditional daily workout as a 9/11 Remembrance. The 9/11 Remembrance ceremony was held Friday morning near the Veterans Memorial at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
According to academy director Capt. Sennett Wiggins, those participating would work out in two groups with each group doing 207 reps to total the 414 first responders who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks on New York City.
“As people were jumping from the buildings … firemen and first responders were going in,” said St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith during his opening remarks.
The workout began and ended with the participants jogging with two American flags around the auditorium parking lot, in between the jogs each member of the group did five exercises in turn and counting up to the needed reps. Exercises ranged from the dreaded burpee to squats, jump squats and pushups.
The workout began at 7:46 a.m. (8:46 ET), the time the first hijacked plane hit 1 World Trade Center (North Tower) in New York City in 2001 and ended at 8:03 a.m. (9:03 ET), the time the 2 World Trade Center (South Tower) was hit.
The 9/11 Remembrance workout had 15 participants which included cadets along with two Berwick Police Department police officers and the academy personnel.
Also remembered during the event were the five Louisianians that lost their lives during 9/11. They were Kevin Yokum, 27, of Lake Charles; Michael Lamana, 31, of Baton Rouge; Louis Williams III, 53, of Mandeville; Elizabeth “Betty” Farmer, 62, and Air Force Lt. Col. (retired) Robert Hymel, 55, both of New Orleans.

School Board renews employee insurance

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:43am

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

CENTERVILLE — The St. Mary Parish School Board renewed its insurance with United Healthcare for the upcoming year, which includes no changes in employee or retiree premiums or benefits.
The board learned from James Perez of DJW Insurance Agency in New Iberia that while the commercial plan will feature a 3.2% increase, or $77,231, that will be absorbed by the board.
He said that initially, United Healthcare offered a 14% increase.
“I’ve been going back and forth with them renegotiating, and the final offer on the United Healthcare renewal, on the commercial plan, is a 3.2% rate increase,” Perez said.
Also, the Medicare Advantage Plan for retirees was approved by the board, which features a 10% decrease in rates with no changes in benefits.
The plans are effective Jan. 1.
For the commercial plan, the option was one of two the board considered as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana offered a plan with similar benefits, no changes in employee and retiree premiums and a 3.5% premium increase totaling $78,773 that will be paid by the school board.
In other action, the board:
—Awarded substantial completion for Maintenance District’s I, II and III School Security Modification projects. The District 1 projects are at Franklin Junior High, Franklin High and B. Edward Boudreaux Junior High and West St. Mary High, both in Baldwin. District II schools are Berwick Elementary and Hattie Watts Elementary in Patterson, while District III schools are J.S. Aucoin Elementary in Amelia and Wyandotte Elementary in Morgan City.
—Learned from Chief Financial Officer Alton Perry that sales tax collections are $61,000 over budget for the past month and for the year, for which they are two months into, they are $145,000 over budget.
—Learned from Child Nutrition Supervisor Claire Guarisco that a nationwide waiver has been granted allowing the summer food service program to continue through Dec. 31 or until available funds are exhausted. With this waiver, the school district will operate under different guidelines until Dec. 31 or until available funds are drained and will receive a higher reimbursable rate for each breakfast and lunch meal served and have more flexibilities with meal service.
—Approved proclamations for Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-Nov. 1), Bullying Prevention Month (October) and National School Lunch Week (Oct. 12-16).
—Heard from 16th Judicial District Court Judge Division H candidate Thailund Porter-Green and 16th Judicial District Court Judge Division F candidate Keith Thibodeaux.

KATHERINE ALLRED

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:40am

Katherine Allred, 98, formerly of Morgan City, died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, at St. Bernard Hospice Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
She is survived by a brother, Edward Allred of Osceola, Arkansas; a sister, Virginia Allred of Grenada, Mississippi; two grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, two brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. until services at noon at Hargrave Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES ONEAL JOHNSON SR.

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:39am

James Oneal Johnson Sr., 91, a native of Morgan City and resident of Patterson, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at his residence.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services with military honors at 11 a.m. at Siracusaville Recreation Center. Masks and social distancing required. Burial will be in the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary.
He is survived by his wife, Deloris Johnson of Patterson; children, James Johnson Jr. of Opelousas, Rodney Johnson of New Orleans, Charles Charlot Sr. of Bayou Vista and Fredrick Charlot and Lynette Singleton, both of Patterson; a brother, Alvin Johnson Sr. of Carson, California; a sister, Jacqueline Davis of Morgan City; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, two sisters and a brother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jim Bradshaw: Captain introduced Germans to Louisiana

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:32am

JIM BRADSHAW

A good part of Laura’s damage in Lake Charles was in a part of town still sometimes called Goosport. It was named for Capt. Daniel Johannes Goos, who was one of the pioneers of the southwest Louisiana lumber industry.
He was also responsible, at least in part, for establishing a number of German families in south Louisiana with roots quite different from the ones who settled at Roberts Cove and elsewhere on the prairie to grow rice. These emigres, like Capt. Goos (pronounced the same as the more common spelling, Goss), were lumbermen and schooner captains.
Capt. Goos was born March 23, 1815, in Wyk, on the Island of Fohr, which was part of the province of Schleswig-Holstein. He came to the United States in 1835, stopping first in Philadelphia, but making his way to New Orleans, where he married 16-year-old Barbara Katrina Moeling in 1846. She was a native of Prussia who had just come with her parents to the city.
He was yet to make his fortune. In a marriage contract dated on the day of their wedding, Katrina declared that she “brings into the marriage the sum of $2,000.00 cash.” He declared that he brought to the marriage “no property whatever.” That would change.
He and his young bride moved to Biloxi. For several years he made his living furnishing firewood for steamboats that ran between Biloxi and New Orleans. He’d set up a sawmill at nearby Ocean Springs by 1855, when he heard about the huge pine forests of southwest Louisiana and the fortunes that could be made there. He promptly loaded everything he owned, including three steam-powered saws, onto his first schooner, the Lehmann, and headed west.
He established his mill on the Calcasieu River a little more than a mile north of the young village of Lake Charles. There, he began cutting timber and building a fleet of schooners to carry his milled lumber to Galveston.
According to several accounts, he eventually brought ten shipbuilders from Fohr to build and sail his boats.
He became successful enough that southwest Louisiana historian Donald Millet concluded that “if any one man is to be singled out as the ‘father’ of the Calcasieu lumber industry, that man would certainly be Daniel J. Goos.” By some accounts he became the wealthiest man in the region.
He seems to have regularly brought workers from his homeland as his fleet and his fortune grew.
The Lake Charles Echo reported in April 1871 that “Capt. Goos and his Lady paid a visit to their native land, Germany — and whilst there, the Captain enlisted quite an army of his countrymen to come over with him. … “These newcomers … seem to be well pleased with their homes, and express themselves delighted with the country.”
A few months later, in January 1872, the Echo noted that “the little steamer ‘Cassie,’ belonging to Capt. Daniel Goos, arrived here from Galveston, with about fifty or sixty … emigrants, direct from Germany.”
The Echo’s editors seemed to like the newcomers. “They are an honest and industrious class of people and will develop the resources of this lovely, healthy, and beautiful portion of Louisiana,” the account continued. “There is ample territory in Calcasieu Parish to locate at least thirty thousand German families.”
When he died in 1898 at the age of 83, a eulogist wrote that Captain Goos’s married life “was exceptionally happy and fruitful.” The fruitful part was certainly true.
Daniel and Katrina were parents of 15 children, five sons and ten daughters, and they did their part in keeping a bit of the German culture in south Louisiana.
Several of the daughters married men with German surnames such as Funk, Wachsen, and Jessen, and between them the entire Goos brood presented the Captain and his Lady with about fifty grandchildren.
One of those grandchildren was my grandmother, née Fitzenreiter, who always responded in German when my other grandmother, née Vincent, spoke to her in French.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters, " is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Jim Brown: 9/11 changed America forever

Fri, 09/11/2020 - 10:29am

JIM BROWN

I have watched through a window a world that has fallen.
W. H. Auden

The date, 9/11, turned into the frantic dialing of 911 nineteen years ago. A surreal feeling of shock and helplessness enveloped all Americans as we watched that day’s events unfold. In hindsight, we should ask many questions. Is America a safer place today? Maybe. But we also have witnessed a fundamental shift in our culture, where liberty and freedom have been compromised so that we supposedly feel “more safe.”
I was home on that horrific day when a family friend called a little after 8 a.m. to tell me about the first plane’s crashing into the World Trade Center. Like millions of Americans, I turned on my television just in time to see the second plane hit the second tower.
I was home alone, so I immediately felt the need to call the people closest to me. I was able to reach my mother, my brother Jack, and two of my daughters. I told them all to turn on their TV sets. I reached my son on his cell phone as he was entering the LSU Lab School. But, what about my oldest daughter Campbell? I knew she had flown back to Washington late the night before, from California, where she was reporting a story for NBC news on the retirement of the president’s plane, a former Air Force One. Perhaps she was still home. I called her apartment but got no answer. Then the third plane hit the Pentagon in Washington. Thoughts raced through my head. Was there a fourth plane — or more? Wasn’t the White House a likely target? Was my oldest daughter sitting in her NBC office in the White House?
She didn’t answer her cell phone. I called the White House switchboard, which is noted for being efficient. There was a brief recording saying to hold on for an operator, then the line went dead. For a moment I feared the worst: a plane crashing into the White House, my daughter inside. Then I heard Matt Lauer on the “Today Show” say, “Now let’s go to Campbell Brown for an update across the street from the White House.” Campbell told a national audience that the White House had been evacuated and that she was broadcasting from a nearby hotel. She gave hourly reports throughout the day and late into the evening.
Like millions of Americans, I stayed glued to the TV all day. That night, my wife and I kept a long-standing dinner date with friends at Chris’s steakhouse, close to our home in Baton Rouge. Halfway through dinner, around 9 o’clock, my cell phone rang. It was my son James. “Dad, I’m still watching everything on television,” he said. “I just need to do something. Do we have an American flag here at home?” I told him we had one stored in our “flag box,” where we keep banners for the various seasons, as well as holiday flags for Christmas, Halloween, and Easter. When we drove into our driveway that night, a large American flag was hanging from the front porch, waving in the wind.
Nineteen years later, we have a lot of questions to ask, and a lot of consoling to do. How is it possible that there is still such intense hatred for our country? Who is our enemy, and how do we do battle with them? Before 9/11, life was so normal and ordinary. Now we live under the so-called Patriot Act that has stripped all Americans of basic constitutional freedoms. We live with body scanners, “enhanced” pat-downs and “fusion” centers. For all of us, life will never be the same.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.