The Cash Register Economics of Cenla

Where the average 'you' stands after 30 years of me.

So I am always interested in the true numbers of economics, politics, development...well basically life in general. I especially follow data that deals with me personally or with the communities I call home (usually New Orleans and Cenla).

Numbers aren't everything..they can be manipulated, read, misread, and smudged to give just about any outcome the gifted statistician desires. However, when you strip away the glitz and glamor of political rhetoric you can get to some hard truths very quickly. So in this year of big political changes and even bigger political decisions I thought it would be nice to take a look at what the past 3 decades has meant for the average Louisianian in terms of economic change.

I was born in 1976 and and the most recent data available is for 2006, so we get to look at my lifetime so far and see just how we've all fared.

A bit about the choice of data used:

I have relied on data provided by the US Census, the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis. These have been compared with the Louisiana State Census and coordinate departments of labor and economic development.

Finally, I have used two primary sets of information. The first deals with the Consumer Price Index. This data set compares the actual cost of goods and services (cost of living at any given time in a certain period) for the Southern US. I chose to use the Southern US averages because exact CPI numbers for Louisiana are not available for the entire spectrum of dates. That said, Louisiana is and has been since the 1970's among the 3 poorest states in the US and (as two of this dynamic impoverished trio - Louisiana and Mississippi - have always been in the south) that puts us in a much worse situation than the regional average. Our rates of inflation have been more than much of the south while our buying power has grown much less. So I have chosen to use the Southern Regional average because it is actually a much rosier picture than our true reality while being closer to local data than the national average. Likewise I have used the Louisiana data sets versus the Rapides or Alexandria sets for the same reason. If you want to do the math yourself, deduct 1/3 to 1/2 from the state average per capita income at any given time and you will have the Rapides and Alexandria median incomes (with Rapides as a whole doing marginally better than Alexandria alone).

1. Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I'm sure many of you have heard this term, but may not fully understand what it refers to or why it is important. The CPI is a measure used to show the changes in cost of goods and services that US households buy. It's one of the ways economists measure inflation. Basically how expensive are the things most people spent their money on this year compared to how expensive those same things were last year. It's a weighted average and also uses 'smart models' of advance computations that keep the data from being strongly skewed by one off number. It's the most realistic and neutral observation of how the individual fits in the economy or more specifically how the economy is affecting daily life for that person.

Many things can affect the CPI. The cost of fuel and energy has had very drastic effects on the CPI this year. As I hope the artificially high costs of petroleum products at the consumer level will come down considerably after the 2008 elections, I feel justified in going with 2006 numbers versus 2007. One factor that is not heavily included in the CPI is the cost of housing. This is another case where the numbers would paint a much worse picture for Louisiana. There are also some other factors involved in adding housing that I did not want to deal with as they change the meaning of these numbers from person to person. Not everyone owns a house, buys a house, rents a house, etc. But, everyone buys the basic necessities of life. That's what this is about the true cash register economics of the situation.

2. Average Per Capita Income.

I have compared the change in CPI over the past 30 years with the equivalent changes in average per capita income. This is simply the average income of someone living in Louisiana. It accounts for everything from hourly wages or salaries, to health and education benefits, retirements, housing allowances, all of it -- translated into dollars.

There are several ways to measure income. Usually this is given in household income, but this measurement is usually skewed as in a state as poor as Louisiana, there are sometimes many people living in the same household. This also excludes college students, transitory worker, and anyone else who isn't considered to have a separate permanent residence at the time of the US Census.

You may also hear numbers such as average, median and mean. in the hopes of giving the most balanced portrayal of true economic conditions I have chosen to use the average per capita. This number uses the following formula: [Total income of all Louisiana residents] divided by [Population above 16 years of age minus those unable to work (the very elderly, the infirmed, those in the penal system, etc)]. Mean per capita income would be a measure of absolute total income divided by absolute total population (a lower number) and median per capita income refers to the average income of the 50th percentile of our population ranked by wealth. So the average per capita ends up being the middle road both in numbers and in practical value.

Income numbers are given in both Dollars at the time (1976 and 2006) and converted into 2006 dollars accounting for pure inflation, changes in the value of currency, etc. The current values do not account for changes in CPI as that would eliminate the ability to compare change in cost of living with change in income.

A bit about the averages...

In Louisiana and even more so in Central Louisiana distribution of wealth is extremely skewed. If you look at the chart below you will see that in Alexandria alone the disparity between incomes is very wide with the vast majority of households making less than $50,000 per year while a small number make considerably more.



To translate these numbers, out of 2000 households roughly 1500 households make $30,000 or less each year while 500 households make above $30,000; only about 50 make over $100,000. For statistical purposes a household is general defined as 4.5 people with 3 of those working. So that means that for our area 75% of workers are making $10,000 per year or less (roughly minimum wage at 40 hours per week).

So again, if you compare the numbers I'll give you to the reality of most people's situation, these are much rosier numbers than they should be.


The Cash Register Comparison:

So when I was born in 1976, quarters had a cool back side, the $2 bill was actual money, and you could ask the bank for a bicentennial silver dollar big enough to bring down an elk. Going to the Bank in Alexandria probably meant a visit to one of three local companies -- Rapides, Guarantee, or Security 1st. And most of those bank accounts probably only had a few hundred dollars in them. Things were cheaper. For instance a postage stamp cost 13 cents then whereas today that same cost is 42 cents.

Out of fairness to the US Postal Service, 42 cents just happens to be the exact value today of 13 cents in 1976. So although the numbers seem high, they have been quite thorough with their pricing throughout the years.

There are however some things that have not increased equitably in price. Education is by far one of the most extraordinary with the cost of a college education not even being the slightest bit comparable today with what it was in the 70's. I won't add even more numbers to this mess, but let's just say that, adjusting for inflation a year at LSUA in 2006 would have bought you a year at Harvard in 1976. Education costs much more, but is now considered much less optional than 30 years ago. Cars also cost much much more than they did and are basically a requirement of local existence today.

There are many examples and many reasons why things cost more now than they did. In all fairness certain things like some electronics cost less today than in 1976. That said, here's the chart:



This chart shows the change in the Consumer Price Index for the Southern US from 1976 to 2006. The CPI is given as a number -- a reference to itself. This number does not represent a dollar amount or anything like that, but rather it shows what the comparison between the cost of the same goods and services are from one year to the next.

The important thing to see here is that the CPI from 2006 is 4 times what it was in 1976. So basically the costs of daily living -- food, utilities, clothing, gas, etc today is 4 times what it was 30 years ago. That shouldn't be too much of a surprise.


The Surprise...

While the fact that things cost more now should come as no surprise, what should be of concern is that those same bank accounts today in Cenla...at those same banks (nor Chase, Capital One, and Regions) still for the most part only have a few hundred dollars in them. Now, part of this could be due to a culture of debt-based spending, or the fact that there are more accounts, or any number of reasons. But one reason should surprise you:

Even though the basic cost of living -- of buying the basic necessities of life -- is 4 times what it was in 1976, the average income is still basically the same!

Am I nuts? Well possibly, especially considering most anyone will tell you they make more now than they did in 1976. Minimum wage is even more today than the $3.80/hour it was when I worked my first high school job at McDonald's on Jackson back in the early 90's. However, when you see through the facade of pure numbers, there is a very dismal truth about the actual economic of life in Louisiana that shows through...

Income Then and Now.

So if you were an average Joe (or Jeaux) in Louisiana in 1976, you would have been nice and lucky to be making the average income of $5,555 per year. Working 40 hours per week at that $2.67 per hour would have put mighty $107 into your bank account (minus whatever your Uncle Sam may have needed to pay for his big upcoming birthday party).

In current dollars, that same amount is equivalent to $21,311 or a full-time hourly wage of $10.25 per hour and a weekly income of $410.

Compare that with the average per capita income for 2006. Our same average guy or gal earns $24,664. This gives him an hourly wage of $11.85 per hour and a weekly paycheck for $474.

OK -- first powerpoint table:



As you can see this shows that on average incomes in Louisiana are roughly 16% higher than they were in 1976 with the average worker bringing home $64 more dollars than he did 30 years ago.

The Catch...


Now here's the bad news. When you compare the differences in income between 1976 and 2006 and you stack that up against the difference in the CPI for the same years you get a massive (MASSIVE) disparity.

If you recall above, I pointed out that the current Consumer Price Index for our region is around 4 times what it was in 1976. For the sake of clarity and such allow me to use the actual numbers to demonstrate exactly where we stand (or rather where you stand when you're standing in line at Wal-Mart).

OK, chart number two:



So this is the big Whammy! It is true that on average we make 16% more money today than we did 30 years ago. However, with costs of the basic necessities being 354% higher than they were in 1976, the deal doesn't seem so sweet.

And...it's not. What these numbers tell us is that even with making more money, with all the improvements in technology, with 3 decades of politicians 'helping' the common man -- the average income in Louisiana today can buy only one third the goods and services it could in 1976.

That's right...in 1976 you could have bought 3 times as much food, used 3 times as much electricity, drank 3 times as much beer, had 3 times as nice a car, and sent your children to 3 times as nice a school for the same 9-5 you're working today.



So...with all the attention on politics, with the rethinking of what it means to be a Democrat or Republican, with the most important election in 10 years only 10 months away, perhaps we should think about what our government has really done for us...at least during my lifetime.

The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters | Cracked.com

From Cracked.com:
The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters
Disney Didn't Invent Racism but they sure Ran With it.

By Ben Joseph

These old Disney movies are a little bit like your aging Uncle Frank. Honestly, he means well when he points out that Will Smith is "well-spoken." It's just that he, like the assemblage of clips below, dates from a time when people were unfairly characterized by their ethnic background (the acceptable methods are, of course, religion, geography, sexual preference and income).

#9. The Merchant from Aladdin

The opening musical sequence from the hugely popular 1992 animated film had to be edited due to protest from Arab-American groups for saying about the Middle East what most of us were merely thinking.

Lesson Learned:


The Middle East is a barren wasteland where the justice system runs on a clear and simple limb-removal policy.

Best (Worst?) Moment:

"Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face" is the offending line, which was changed on the DVD to the much less provocative "Where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense." Whatever. Our question: In a city full of Arabic men and women, where the hell does a midwestern-accented, white piece of cornbread like Aladdin come from? Here he is next to the more, um, ethnic looking villain, Jafar.

#8. Sebastian from The Little Mermaid

In this 1989 film, a Jamaican-sounding crab teaches Ariel that life is better "Under the Sea," because underwater you don't have to get a job.

Lesson Learned:

Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'

Under the sea!

Are we reading too much into it? Do you see anything wrong with how they've drawn "the duke of soul" at 1:57?

Still too subtle? How about at 2:01 when the "blackfish" appears?

Best (Worst?) Moment:

As far as Disney movies go, you've got two choices: unforgivably offensive and just slightly racially insensitive. Sebastian definitely falls into the latter category. So while making Sebastian a charming, party-loving stereotype is a baby step forward for Disney, it's still a stumble backwards for civil rights.

#7. The Crows from Dumbo

In this 1941 classic, Dumbo the flying elephant runs into a band of jive-talking black crows who sing, "I'd be done see'n about everything/when I see an elephant fly!"

Lesson Learned:

Come on, blackbirds acting in a manner stereotypically assigned to African-Americans isn't that offensive. At least they didn't just get some white guy to do his best "black voice." Oh, really? They did? And, they called the lead character "Jim Crow?" Um, hey, look over there! It's a convincing, logical end to this argument!

Best (Worst?) Moment:

So many too choose from. The crows are very specifically depicted as poor and uneducated. They're constantly smoking; they wear pimptastic hats; and they're experts on all things "fly," so it's really a team effort contributing to the general minstrel-show feel to the whole number. You could pretty much pause this video at any second and use it as evidence in your hate-crime lawsuit against Disney.

For its time, though, the portrayal of the crows was almost progressive. The crows band together and help Dumbo learn to fly, so they're counted among the heroes of the film. Remember, this was just a couple of years after somebody introduced a bill to outlaw lynching and congress voted it down. So, you know, you take what you can get.

#6. King Louie from The Jungle Book

Having outgrown the crude portrayal of African-Americans as black crows, in 1967 Disney decides to portray them as monkeys instead.

Lesson Learned:

All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jive-talking, gibberish-spouting monkeys. Did we mention they desperately want to become "real people?"

Best (Worst?) Moment:

Fine, so an ape singing, "I wanna be like you" might be a little subtle, in a "we own multiple copies of Catcher in the Rye" conspiracy theory kind of way. Still, considering the author of the The Jungle Book also thought up "the white man's burden", we don't think it's too much of a stretch.

#5. The Siamese Twin Gang from Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers

Overt racism against African-Americans was obviously intolerable by the time this Chip n' Dale series began in 1989. Overt racism against Asians, luckily, was still on the table.

Lesson Learned:

Even as criminals, Asian-Americans immigrants, represented here by a gang of cats, have become integral parts of American culture. Kidding! They own a laundromat, run an illegal, basement gambling operation and speak in horribly mangled "Engrish." It's like a designer of World War II propaganda posters accidentally quantum leaped into the body of a late '80s cartoon writer.

The video becomes cringe-worthy about six minutes in:

Best (Worst?) Moment:

The Siamese Cats sell their karate expert Juice Lee, a Japanese fighting fish, for a suitcase full of dead fish. If you can't find something offensive in that sentence, congratulations. You're a cyborg.

#4. Sunflower the Centaur from Fantasia

Of all the items on this list, this is the one Disney has tried the hardest to make us forget.

Lesson Learned:

Even in Fantasia's beautiful, magical landscape, African centaurs are hoof-polishing handmaidens for prettier, Aryan centaurs. Also, 1940 was a great year to be a centaur fetishist and/or Don Imus.

Best (Worst?) Moment:

It was insulting enough for Disney to include the smiling servant stereotype to begin with, but, to make matters worse, they started categorically denying Sunflower's existence with the Fantasia re-release in 1960. How does that possibly make things better?
"No, you misunderstand. In our perfect, Fantasia world, Africans aren't servants. They don't fucking exist."

#3. The Indians from Peter Pan

In this charming musical number, the "Red Man" explains his people's history and culture.

Lesson Learned:

Why do Native Americans ask you "how?" According to the song, it's because the Native American always thirsts for knowledge. OK, that's not so bad, we guess. What gives the Native Americans their distinctive coloring? The song says a long time ago, a Native American blushed red when he kissed a girl, and, as science dictates, it's been part of their race's genetic make up since. You see, there had to be some kind of event to change their skin from the normal, human color of "white."

Best (Worst?) Moment:

It's a tie between Tiger Lilly's traditional Native American hussy dance, and the number of times Native American's misogynistic tendencies are played for laughs (hint: It's more than three!)

#2. Uncle Remus from Song of the South

The tales of Br'er Rabbit are relayed by kindly old Uncle Remus, a black man happily working on a plantation in the post-Civil War South. Disney has never released this one on home video, for some reason.

Lesson Learned:

The late 1800s were a great time to be African-American and possibly on acid.

Best (Worst?) Moment:

Less eerie than any imaginary singing birds is what's not in the film. It's as if someone made a children's musical about Jews in post-World War II Germany that had a number titled "Hey! Nothing Bad Has Happened to Us, Ever." Also failing to reach the screen: When the movie had its world premiere in 1946 in Atlanta, James Baskett, the actor who played Remus, was not allowed to attend. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

#1. Thursday from Mickey Mouse and the Boy Thursday (Book)

In this forgotten Mickey Mouse book from 1948, Mickey gets a crate full of West African bananas, and finds an African inside instead! Ha!" The savage soon is confused by Mickey's human lifestyle and commits acts of random violence.

Lesson Learned:

"What's the deal with Africans? If they're not trying to eat it or throw a spear at it, they're worshiping it as a some sort of tribal deity, am I right?"

Best (Worst?) Moment:

Where to begin? The book compiles almost every offensive preconception of Africa lurking in the American subconscious.

Some choice quotes:

"Well, well." Mickey laughed ... "So I'm supposed to be your governess and nursemaid, and you can't even talk!"

"Let me see. A genuine African native," Mickey murmured. "Perhaps I should start showing him off."

Perhaps the most depressing part is that this was somebody's idea of tolerance, back in the ideallic '40s:

"Poor little guy! He just makes mistakes. He doesn't know any better. I'll just have to be patient and teach him the right way to do things," said Mickey.

View from Abroad: The Best of Cenla

View from Abroad: The Best of Cenla

In a couple of weeks I'll be flying home to Alexandria for the first time in nearly two years. As I prepare for this trip I find myself excited about access to certain things I can't get here like candy canes, Barq's Rootbeer, Golden Flake chips, and homemade sweet pickles (drool). At the same time, I realize that no matter where I've lived or traveled (which by now includes about 2/3 of US states and a pretty good list of countries), there are certain things in Cenla that I have never seen beaten anywhere. So here's my list driven by hunger pangs from abroad for the things in Cenla that I have found to be the best -- anywhere:

Part I:

Bangkok Restaurant
- Twice-cooked Chicken
- Sesame Chicken
- Lo-mein

I've been a fan of Bangkok since I was in high school. This was one of the first asian buffets I ever at at. Back then it was located in the old Howard Johnson's restaurant on MacArthur Dr. To this day I have yet to find anyone who does their three specialties better. The staff is always friendly and knows who their customers are. For a restaurant of this small size to do the volume they do and still keep the quality and flavour so high is really feat.

Their twice-cooked chicken is a delicate dish with tender batter-fried chicken cooked in a sauce with peppers, onions, carrots, and broccoli. You find it elsewhere with names such as Tiny Spicy Chicken or House Specialty Chicken but Bangkok's twice-cooked is by far the acme of perfection in this dish. If only General Tso had eaten at Bangkok, buffets around the country would have a completely different star. A serving of Bangkok Lo-mein makes a great base for this dish.

I learned of Bangkok's rendition of Sesame Chicken from my brother who after years of prodding me to deny my lust for twice-cooked chicken finally convinced me to try this dish. He was certainly right that this is no ordinary Chinese fare. Bangkok's unique take on this asian standard results in a chewy yet crunchy delight coated in a rich caramelized sauce and coated with sesame seeds. It's sweet, spicy, salty and rich flavour is true treat and not like any I've encountered elsewhere. Try it with white rice for a fun and filling meal.

Finally, even though it's not a specialty, Bangkok has by far one of the best Lo-mein dishes I have ever found. These are no ordinary fried noodles with a bit of soy sauce and vegetables. Bangkok sticks to traditions that so many asian restaurants have abandoned, using the proper noodles (NOT spaghetti), slowly cooking them with sauces and spices and the right blend of vegetables to produce a creamy noodle dish that it balanced and full of flavour. It makes a great meal in itself, or the perfect accompaniment to their other great treats.

Bangkok is located in Alexandria. They serve a very affordable lunch buffet as well as a dinner buffet some nights. They also have a full menu that combines the best of Thai and Chinese cuisine into a unique palate of eastern treats. Pick up is also available.

Bangkok Restaurant
(318) 449-1950

more to come later folks....please check back!

Part II: Critic's Choice Sandwich Deli and their amazing Philly Cheese Steaks

Part III: Shipley's Donuts - still one of the best reasons to get up for church!

Quick Thanks

Just a really quick Gracias Amigo to Lamar for adding a link my blog. And also a bit of gratitude to Lamar, Michael, Daniel, and PCD over at Cenlamar and to WST for giving us all some great election coverage. I wasn't home to take part in this year's political fun but certainly felt part of the action due to all the great work you guys put in.

Prost (german Cheers) to all the "little gnomes" who kept the politicos and clown talk on their toes! And a super Kudos to Michele Godard!!! I don't think I even need to say why...

Finally, if anyone out there has randomly run across this, my newest project, please let me know and if you have a Cenla-related site, send me a link:
ward at lexiconbusiness dot com

--drew

The Town the Web Left Behind

The Town the Web Left Behind
Why IT resources are failing Alexandria

Several months ago I attempted to put together an online resource site for Cenla. The idea was simple -- I simply wanted to create a central listing for things people or businesses not familiar with the area may be interested in finding. This seemed like an easy task. It was not...

Ga-Ga for Google

I began with a google search using only the term 'cenla'. This was my first surprise. The first listing to show on that search is titled "Welcome to Cenla RV park". Not bad I thought. It's not what I would consider the most important link for our area, but it could be of use to tourists. And I'm sure this site IS of use to tourists...that is, tourists visiting Spirit Lake...in Iowa.

The second link is for Cenla-SCCA -- a stock car racing association. Again, not what I would expect for slot number 2, but a seemingly valid link. Except for the fact, that the "Cenla" organisation actually excludes Cenla. This is a racing group for the Florida Parishes. I suppose it is yet another attempt of the Baton Rouge region to declare itself Central Louisiana.

Finally, slots 3-5 are occupied by actual Central Louisiana websites - Cenla Federal Credit Union, Cenla Health, and Cenla Focus Magazine (which has finally updated its site). Unfortunately the following 3 links, although local are defunct. The ninth is my own website Cenla Current which is also in dire need of update, and number 10 is finally Alexandria's Cenla RV where someone could surely purchase a lovely motorhome for their vacation to Cenla Rv Park in Iowa.

The Town Talk shows up as hit number 16, local blog WeSawThat makes page 3, Cenla Antics makes page 4, and Cenlamar finishes out page 5. The very first link for an NGO or other public agency in our area is The Arts Council of Central Louisiana which occupies the astounding slot number 131. Now admittedly I like many other people don't fully understand the logic behind Google's logarithms used to determine placement.

A search for Central Louisiana does better with the Chamber of Commerce coming in at slot number 3, the Business Incubator at number 9, and the Art's Council rounding out page one at number 10. These are however the only three agency links on the first page.

We've done quite well with "Alexandria" as page one yields 4 of the 10 slots to Cenla including the City of Alexandria (trumped only by the City of Alexandria, VA and the original old gal in Egypt), LSUA, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the Town Talk in that order.

Pineville does a bit better occupying both slot number 1 (City of Pineville), as well as 8 out of the first 10 links (including Pineville HS and Louisiana College). And finally, the more unique term "Rapides" yields local links for 27 out of the first 30 hits.

Now, this is not exactly a scientific way of measuring web presence. Nor is it totally indicative of viewership or hit counts (for instance Cenlamar and the Town Talk get far more hits than Cenla Current and certainly more than our friends at Spirit Lake in Iowa). However, this is the way most people would seek out information on our area.

There are ways of manipulating Google's search system. I did this with my website for the search term 'cenla' and as little traffic as I get still ended up on the first page of results. Our local IT developers need to focus on this. We need people to see our sites, to see the valid links, organizations, and businesses in Cenla from any computer monitor in the world.

Currently our area has the equivalent of listing a person by middle name in the phone book. Unless someone knows exactly what to look for, they'll never find them.

Partying like it's 1999 -- still?

Aside from problems with meta-tags and search results Cenla has an even more pressing online problem. We don't seem to know the date!

Several websites have recently updated and become much more active including the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The CVB however still links to files and listings from 2005 with most email addresses of hotels and restaurants now inactive. How this is supposed to increase our chances of landing conventions I don't know.

The England Authority is probably the biggest culprit in local update lag. The website is bulky, unorganized and lacks any sort of continuity. Worse though has to be the website for Alexandria International Airport. Apparently spending 40 million dollars to build a new airport did not include a few thousand for a matching website. The page does in fact tout the opening of the new terminal, along with a rather annoying voiceover but only shows photos of the facility under construction. It may just be me, but this seems like the equivalent of bragging about your toddler and showing the neighbors a copy of the ultrasound.

Do you take the Old Road to Baton Rouge?

Years ago I-49 connected with I-10 in Lafayette. Many don't realize that it was actually intended to connect Alexandria directly to Baton Rouge. However politics intervened and twisted a sharp curve just south of Alexandria and rerouted into Acadiana. The funny thing is, people like new roads (not to be confused with New Roads which ironically would be reached from Alexandria by traveling the 'Old Road'). They show up in bright colours on maps, they're safer, faster, and more direct. Right? Well not for us. There are actually two quicker and more direct routes to Baton Rouge and New Orleans from Alexandria -- the "Old Road" LA-1 and US-71 through Bunkie onto US-190. Both of these routes are fairly quick, straight, and mostly free of traffic. But ask most people how they travel south and they will more often than not tell you I-49 to I-10.

People look for the main routes. They do this when traveling and they do this online. Well, right now the digital highway seems to be bypassing Cenla. And, those who are brave enough to seek out the digital route to our region are unfortunately greeted with unorganized and out of date information.

Like billboards on the interstates, we have a responsibility to ensure that we can draw both real and virtual traffic to our region. And if and when we get that traffic to stop in Cenla, they need to like what they see. It doesn't happen by itself. We need online marketing, responsible management of websites, and active updates to be an integral part of all governmental, NGO, and private business IT support programs.

Some sites are improving -- the cities of Pineville and Alexandria both have nice and informative sites. The Chamber is taking an online lead. And, our universities and some large companies are promoting a professional cosmopolitan image of the region. However, many companies, organizations, agencies, and media outlets are doing just the opposite giving our area a rather Mayberry-ish online presence and seem to tell the world that we want you here in Cenla, but we're not likely to try very hard.

Real ID, Real Opportunity, and Fear of the Real World

Real ID, Real Opportunity, and Fear of the Real World

The ACLU is abandoning logic on this one and siding with fear-mongers.

For several years -- probably more like decades a move has been afoot to standardize information sources, data processing, and government regulation throughout the US. This has led to upgrades in computer networks, standardization of Law Enforcement practices, uniform license plates, and several new generations of driver's licenses -- our ad hoc form of official ID in the US and Canada.

Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, this movement has taken a more organized approach with the proposal known as Real ID. Simply put, Real ID would mandate from the federal level that each state use the same format and record the same information for their driver's licenses. It also requires verification of legal residence, and further strengthens proof of identification requirements when applying for a license or replacement. Finally it allows for full integration of individual state's computing systems to allow for full, active sharing of data among agencies.

Besides the fact that most of this is already in place nationwide under state laws, libertarians and fear-mongers are touting this as the final move to a virtual National ID Card. This idea of a national ID is apparently something we are supposed to fear with abject determination. The ACLU and several other organizations who are normally on the side of progress and opportunity avow that providing for a national system of ID is one step off of implanting tracking chips in our foreheads.

This is a preposterous claim and is actually counter to the many other noble motives of these groups. The ACLU normally supports movements which ensure inclusiveness for all, equality of access, and preservation of our idealized notions of equal opportunity, in every person's own life and pursuit of happiness. The argument here is that the advent of a national ID would somehow encroach on the final aspect of this American trifecta - liberty.

Well, unless you're a criminal, there is really nothing to fear in a national ID. Honest, law-abiding people don't care -- or at least shouldn't. That's because the only people the currently faulty system protects are those who don't want to be found for some reason. Even this is an outdated notion - that it's possible to hide in the current mismatched system. One thing the internet has taught us is that any 12-year old can find anything out about anybody they want. Go ahead and try it -- google yourself. It may take a few pages, but chances are you're there.

Local blogger 'WeSawThat" has posted an entry espousing the evils of Real ID. Now, while I don't share WST's far right view of politics, I do have quite a good deal of respect for his willingness to search out issues with special meaning for CenLa. His writing is always well-planned and logical. However on this particular issue I must definitely disagree with him. Instead I relate some of my own personal experiences and provide some what I think are very valid reasons why we need not only RealID, but an even more integrated system that encompasses all of North America.

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I grew up in Alexandria and as such new only our own Louisiana Driver's licenses. I remember my first one which I got at age 16. By the time I left Louisiana to join the Army I had received my third incarnation of this document. That was 2000, and by then we had removed some information because of identity theft, added a few new codes to the front, and fully incorporated the magnetic strips and barcodes making the Louisiana Driver's license among the most secure in the country. As with Louisiana Law, members of the military who are permanently stationed in another state must obtain a local driver's license. For me this meant a visit to the Kentucky Dept. of Motor Vehicles. There I was introduced to a non-Louisiana way of handling ID. I surrendered my Louisiana license and after filling our a form and paying a fee was given a new license reminiscent of my high school lunch card. My Kentucky license was nothing more than a folded sheet of paper with photo pasted on with the whole thing sealed in plastic lamination. Their mighty identity-theft and counterfeiting protection was to include reflective horses on the plastic. These of course rubbed off usually within a month.

Now the fact that Kentucky's license format was not as advanced as Louisiana's is not in itself a major issue. But, the fact that Kentucky at that time still used an entirely paper-based records system was. A few years into the Army I moved off post and into an apartment. Our post - Fort Campbell straddled the Tennessee / Kentucky boarder. So moving off campus meant I became a resident of Tennessee rather than Kentucky. This of course meant I needed yet another driver's license. I visited the local Tennessee DMV office to exchange my Kentucky license only to get to the front desk and learn that according to their computers I did not have a Kentucky driver's license. WTF???!?

Apparently Kentucky, although issuing me a card on the spot had never actually fully processed my application for a license. They had however surrendered my Louisiana license back to the Louisiana OMV. So, after 3 years I had the joy of learning that I had in fact been driving without a legal driving license. Had I been stopped by the police or been in an accident during this time this would have most likely meant jail time. Lovely.

It just so happens at this very time someone stole my wallet. This now left me living in Tennessee with no driving license, no picture ID, and feeling quite uneasy with the entire situation. Tennessee did issue me a state ID card, and the Army issued me a temporary driving license until I could make it back to Louisiana to get my old license reinstated. This should have been the end of the affair as a month later I did in fact get my Louisiana license back and simply washed my hands of the whole affair. However, years later as I was renewing my Louisiana license I had a problem. Apparently I still had a Tennessee driver's license. i was informed that it is illegal to hold a driver's license for more than one state, and that I would have to cancel my Tennessee license and request a letter of clearance showing I had no outstanding violations in dear old Rocky Top.

Problem number X: I've never had a Tennessee License - EVER! The problem (this time) was that in processing my ID for Tennessee, someone misclassed it as a license. This was apparently because Tennessee's computer system used a code for ID's that was common in other states for licenses. This and the Kentucky problems have plagued me repeatedly for the past 7 years. As far as I know (after as recently as last year spending hour upon hour in various Motor Vehicle offices) all is resolved. We'll see what happens when I renew m license next year.

The fact is though that had we had a national system in use in all states, this entire situation would have never happened. I know for a fact that I am not the only person this sort of thing has happened to. I also know this is not the least of problems caused by these disparate systems.

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In Louisiana we have a requirement that drivers maintain a minimum level of liability insurance on their cars. This is verified by a system of yearly inspections, insurance checks, and is also needed to renew vehicle registrations and driver's licenses.

Those who don't wish to do their part in protecting other drivers have found a unique and easy way around this. They simply buy a vehicle and register it in Texas. Many also obtain Texas driver's licenses because the Lone Star State's DMV does not require proof of insurance for renewals, nor do they require regular renewal of vehicle registrations. So, next time you are driving through town and you find yourself near a Texas-registered F-150, Ram, or Silverado (seem to be the norm there) you may want to remember that the current laws may mean that that driver is uninsured and if they hit you, you're SOL.

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In addition to my Louisiana License I also have a European Union driver's License. It was issued by Germany and is valid throughout the EU. It looks just like licenses issued by other EU countries except has a D for Deutschland and is under the purview of the German Dept of Transportation and Licensing. This means that I can legally drive anywhere in Europe without worrying about someone being unable to read my license. And, amazingly it has not led to any increased big brother action.

It streamlines things, improves access to roadways and promotes trade.

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Finally, NAFTA and various other free trade initiatives have opened US roads to foreign drivers and vice versa. However, under the current system not all licenses are allowed in all areas. Mexicans must obtain a special permit for driving in the US and we must do the same for driving outside the Boarder Zone of Mexico. This is not so difficult, it's a little pricey, but otherwise not too much trouble.

But what is troubling is that we must accept these licenses whether they be issued in Mexico, Alberta, Alaska, California or anywhere else as valid forms of ID and driving privileges for Louisiana roads. And, we must do this with no guarantee that who we see is what we see on the license, that they are a safe and qualified driver, or that they even have a real ID.

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RealID, as it's name implies addresses a very real and serious issue. It's a step that needs to be taken, and a process that deserves support. The world is integrating whether we like it or not. Reality does not stop at the doorstep of Louisiana. What happens beyond the Mississippi and Sabine does affect us, and we should be moving toward systems that unify, integrate and ease us and our neighbours into a system that can support and deal with the world of the 21st Century, not that of the last century.

Is it Unamerican to think 'American'?

Is it Unamerican to think 'American'?
The clash of idealism and the ideal

I write this today as a response to a "yourmail" letter submitted in today's Town Talk. The letter written by Walter J. Scallan Jr., a Vietnam veteran decries the cruel nature of waterboarding as an interrogation technique and expresses his dismay over agents of the US government supporting its use. I believe Mr. Scallan's letter brings us a very valid point that deserves more discussion...

The reign of George Bush has seen quite a bit of doctrinal change regarding official views on everything from economics, development, and separation of church and state to the role of America abroad and such controversial issues as spying, government surveillance of US citizens, and of course torture.

Critics the world over agree that these changes have been far from ideal and not at all in keeping with the spirit of American democracy nor with the traditional roles of the United States. In fact despite the purported benefits of these changes, the accepted wisdom is that it will take Americans 2-3 more presidencies to undo the damage done to our country's reputation by this one. However, the blame for eight years of self-blundering, failed warfare, and an abandonment of civil liberty protections for citizens and non-citizens does not lie squarely on the ever-slouched shoulders of Mr. Bush. More than anything else, the blame, the root of the problem, and lack of a solution falls on us, the grand American populace.

In a world that in the 21st Century has not turned out to be the niceguy land which seemed to terminate the previous century, Americans have voluntarily given the world an Orwellian tinge that would have in previous generations soured the stomachs of even our most extremist politicos.

This move toward a big brother, blame the other guy mentality which has been artfully dramatized in such films as V for Vendetta and 1984 except that in our reality we have created a situation more akin to the reeducation camps of the Soviet Union and people being disappeared ala Dirty War fashion. The fact is, that in our "War Against Terror" -- an artfully disguised name that has allowed us to package all sorts of actions into a blanket term for anything that could possibly (possibly being the key word here) prevent a repeat of September 11th, we have sanctioned, supported, and come to accept many things that in themselves are rather unamerican. Of these, the primary one is of course torture -- in this case, state-sanctioned and government-operated torture at the hands of the US government.

So, this leaves me to ask, what do we do when our ideal option doesn't coincide with our traditional idealism? Basically, is it unamerican to think 'American'. Afterall, thinking 'American' has often meant doing what it takes, when it takes, to get the job done -- to protect freedom, to spread democracy, and to ensure 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'

Speak softly and carry a big stick. It's been our core for diplomacy and international affairs for over a century. And, for the most part it's served us well. in all likelihood it's served the entire globe quite well. But we've moved away from Teddy Roosevelt's motto. A more objective view of history of course shows that he himself did not always have the most noble motives in wishing to spread liberty and democracy either. We're still cleaning up the mess created by the economic colonization of Latin America brought on by his role in the region. But today, we seem to be quite content to speak loudly, carry a big stick, carry small sticks, shove them under the fingernails of anyone we may see fit to 'encourage' and to say it's all for the greater good -- even though no one has ever quite defined what that greater good is.

Now, this doing what it takes; this coming out swinging when hit from behind; this meeting a bullet with an army is very very American. It's what we do, it's how we operate. We do what it takes, when it's needed, and we do everything twice as big, bad, and better than anyone else. It's how we went from being a strip of coastal farmers, religious nuts, debtors to being the one true superpower. But, as I read this and many letters and articles calling for an end to torture techniques and the many other 'innovations' of the Bush era, I can't help but ask whether doing the 'American' thing (whatever it takes, whenever it's needed to get the job done) is in itself unamerican. And if it is, which do we choose, and are we ready to live with the consequences of that decision?