Last week we had to pull part of a story from Observations after less than one day because some folks who were named in it felt threatened. The story was about the capture of Julius Theodore Winfield IV, 21, in the Bethany Community near Marthaville.
Law enforcement issued a bulletin Monday afternoon, August 12, that they were chasing Winfield in a car near Pleasant Hill. He jumped out of the car they were following and escaped. Law enforcement said he should be considered armed and dangerous. Was it serious? Law enforcement officers from Sabine, Natchitoches, DeSoto, Caddo Parishes and the U.S. Marshals Service were in on the chase. Sounds serious to me.
Apparently, Winfield started walking the country roads from the Pleasant Hill area. When word got out, folks in the Bethany community were concerned Winfield might be headed their way. Those folks still look out for each other and look at keeping their community safe as being important. They don’t want any kind of stranger snooping around their property, especially one who is reported to be armed and dangerous. He was captured in the early morning hours of August 13.
After a photo was published which showed the fugitive lying on the ground looking around, (and in no way being restrained by anyone), cries of “racism” started.
The capture had nothing to do with racism. Nothing at all. It had to do with people protecting their families, their property and their neighbors. It had to do with a person who had been on the run for an entire month, who was in their community, who law enforcement had said should be considered armed and dangerous.
Would similar comments have been made if the roles were reversed and, instead, the photo showed a Black official standing beside a wanted White man lying on the ground? We think not.
In the picture, Winfield was lying on the ground. He looked to be tired and ready to be taken in to be booked. There was a White man standing near him. He was not touching the fugitive, nor did he have a weapon drawn. Remember, law enforcement had said to consider Winfield armed and dangerous. How is it racist to be standing beside a fugitive?
If you ever watch the live Cops on patrol shows on television, you see a lot of people thrown to the ground - White, Black, Red, Yellow, Brown and maybe green - all the time. And it’s all because they have each failed the “ask, tell, make” test. Law enforcement will first ask, and if someone does not comply, they will then tell the person what to do. If they still do not follow the officer's directions, for the safety of everyone involved, the person is made to comply.
I only bring this up because Winfield’s capture was mild compared to what law enforcement officers across this nation must often do to bring someone under control who is under the influence, who wants to argue, run from or fight with officers.
I don’t know what happened in this case, but it is clear Winfield was not being held down or mistreated. He was barefoot and only had on shorts. No one undressed him; he was found as he appeared. And certainly, none of the loud voices who immediately cried “racism” had a clue whether Winfield was still carrying a gun, a knife or any other weapon. Apparently, they were furious because a White man was standing near a Black man lying on the ground - a man who had been on the run a month, charged with Attempted first-degree murder and considered “armed and dangerous.”
Does not make sense.
Further, if he was innocent, why was he running? Doesn’t it make sense to be cautious? That’s not the kind of situation where you are going to meet a wanted man with a bouquet of roses, invite him in to take a bath and eat breakfast. Color does not matter.
For any civilized society to function properly, there must be law and order. Sadly, we are seeing a lot of that fade away nowadays.
Winfield has been charged with Attempted first-degree murder, Illegal use of weapons, Aggravated criminal damage to property, Possession of a firearm by a person convicted of Domestic abuse battery and Terrorizing.
Sounds serious to me.
LMTA Recognizes State Senator Alan Seabaugh with Inaugural Road Warrior Award
Senator Alan Seabaugh, left, is presented with an award from LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar for his hard work to help the trucking industry; he has shown committed effort to bring down insurance rates among other issues.
On Tuesday morning, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) announced its presentation of their inaugural Road Warrior Awards, which took place Monday evening, Aug. 19, in Shreveport. The award was given to highlight lawmakers who demonstrate exemplary commitment and leadership in their respective legislative bodies, focusing on issues facing the state’s trucking industry. This year’s winners included Sen. Alan Seabaugh, District 31.
In his remarks to the LMTA, Sen. Seabaugh said, “Thank you for recognizing my efforts. The high cost of insurance is a hidden tax on the people and businesses of Louisiana. No business should ever be forced to close its doors because it cannot afford insurance. I am committed to do everything I can to make Louisiana insurance affordable.”
In recognition of Sen. Seabaugh’s hard work, LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar said, “in the Senate, the politics are just different. And I’m very grateful that Sen. Seabaugh understands… how to steer through those rough seas while remaining true to our priorities and his principles. I’ve known him for quite some time, and he has always fought hard for us and fought hard for the people in his district,” adding, “…our industry has a strong advocate in their corner.”
About the Louisiana Motor Transport Association
Founded in 1939, LMTA represents trucking and related industry companies throughout the state and the nation. The association’s membership includes every type of motor carrier in Louisiana. The LMTA is the largest transportation trade organization in the State of Louisiana, as well as an officially recognized affiliate of the American Trucking Associations, Inc. in Washington, DC. To learn more about the association, visit www.lmta.la.
About Senator Alan Seabaugh
State Sen. Alan Seabaugh serves District 31, which is comprised of 10 different parishes, including all of Red River and Sabine Parishes and parts of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Rapides, Webster and Winn Parishes.
The Senator has championed freedom, common sense, traditional values and fearless leadership since 2010, and he has a track record to prove it. As a business man and attorney, he believes the key to a better future is found in strengthening families and communities, not government.
His office may be reached at (318) 676-7990 or sen31@legis.la.gov.
A Zwolle postal employee is shown in a video clip as she is being filmed outside the Zwolle Post Office. She had stopped to ask the person filming what he was doing.
Zwolle Police Chief Daniel Thomas is shown checking the interviewer’s Driver’s license.
A video made in Zwolle by a group called Traveling National Transparency has had a good bit of recent interest on YouTube. It can be searched with “Do You Understand the Words That Are Coming Out of My Mouth?” on YouTube.
Traveling National Transparency is a group that has what it calls “auditors” visiting various government agencies to check on and push the boundaries of First Amendment Rights. We do not know what date the group's representative was in Zwolle.
His video shows an employee at the Zwolle Post Office getting out of her car and walking toward the building. The man is there with his camera, and she asks what he is doing. The employees don’t want the man at the post office and call Zwolle Chief of Police Daniel Thomas.
Chief Thomas arrives quickly and is met by the camera. The Chief tells the visitor that the employees don’t want to be photographed and don’t want him around, and he has to leave. The photographer responds that he has a Freedom of Information obligation to be there. They then argue a while, and the next clip shows the interviewer and Chief Thomas at another location.
Thomas asks for the man’s Driver’s license. They argue again for a while, and then he finally gives his license to Thomas.
The two then get into another argument, and Thomas tells the man to stay away from the Post Office because they don’t want him there. “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” the Chief asks pointedly.
It’s funny to watch. Folks like that travel around and try to get a rise out of public officials. They call themselves “independent journalists,” but the main goal seems to be getting as many eyes as possible on their video content because they also say they are filming for “advertising and commercial purposes.” Some public officials enjoy playing the game with them.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 20, a total of 142,000 viewers had watched this video on YouTube. A narrator set up each portion that was shown, interjecting to comment about how public officials feel “entitled” and act “rude,” among other remarks.
Of note, kudos to the Zwolle Police Dept. On the clip, the narrator says, “Wow, the cops got there quick!”
BOM sponsored Josie Raines as she competed in the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in Guthrie, OK. Josie participated in the Barrel Racing and Poles competition. Pictured left to right are BOM’s Kayla Lasyone, Josie Raines and BOM’s Chasity Adcock.
We visited the new, expanded law offices of Attorney Ronnie Brandon and his wife, Pollie, recently. They have really done a great job of taking in the adjacent building and remodeling it. It is first-class. Congratulations to them on a fine addition to the Town of Many.
WE GET LETTERS. This one is from Derek Campbell:
“Just going to say I feel so much safer now that the Road Dept. has a police force, I saw one directing traffic at a wreck just today, at least we got something for our money today. How long before the Library and Pound get theirs? Don’t say it won’t happen, these people bought a ball field after all!
“#cutwastefulspending #sabineisajoke”
Words to Consider
There is a comparison chart making the rounds right now that is well worth sharing. The chart compares “Modern Jesus” to “Biblical Jesus.” Those comparisons follow:
Modern Jesus preaches only on love. Biblical Jesus preaches God’s righteousness.
Modern Jesus gives you health and wealth. Biblical Jesus gives salvation, hope, peace and joy.
Modern Jesus never says anything negative. Biblical Jesus warns of sin, judgement and hell.
Modern Jesus is loved and accepted by the world. Biblical Jesus was hated and despised by the world.
Modern Jesus serves your will, not God’s will. Biblical Jesus exalts God the Father’s will.
Modern Jesus hates to offend you or others. Biblical Jesus offends the world with the truth.
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” – Timothy 4:3
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