tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62752848168147970932009-04-24T10:02:07.045-05:00The blog of Bossier Press-Tribune Editor and Publisher David Specht Jr.David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-65727823401646172572009-04-24T10:01:00.000-05:002009-04-24T10:02:07.055-05:00

Recently, I overheard a friend of mine talking to his daughter about a school project that was due soon. The exchange was all too familiar.“Most people haven’t even started theirs yet, Dad. You should be glad that I am at least doing something.”“I’m not raising ‘people,’” he said. “I am raising you.” The daughter’s justification for her actions (or lack of) reminded me of some of our elected

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-464947693878386992009-04-19T12:59:00.001-05:002009-04-19T12:59:55.625-05:00

As hundres of thousands of Americans shouted a cry of protest to excessive taxation and government spending in the form of “Tea Parties,” some legislative leaders made it clear how out of touch they really are with average Americans. One leader in particular was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D – Calif.While being interviewed by a Fox affiliate in San Francisco, Pelosi belittled the protestors and

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-84140816418672336252009-03-30T09:22:00.002-05:002009-03-30T09:45:02.304-05:00

I have become a full-fledged member of the "Facebook" generation. Not only have I joined, but I have found many friends that I had lost touch with over the years.It is funny how many people from your past you forget, but they don't forget you — or vice versa. The "reunions" online bring back memories of the "good old days."The human mind has the unique ability to only remember the "good times."

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-25275858528868675282009-01-26T12:49:00.001-06:002009-01-26T12:50:23.617-06:00

With all the news surrounding President Obama and his choices for his cabinet. I would like to offer the following nominations… based on a long, thoughtful process.Department of StateSecretary: Pope Benedict XVIEveryone comes out to see him when he travels. And would you tell the Pope “no” when he’s negotiating?Department of the TreasurySecretary: Dave RamseySmartest money man out there. Of

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-76040483112039470662009-01-21T12:44:00.003-06:002009-01-21T12:47:23.691-06:00

Red Buttons was a well-known comedian in years gone by. His most famous bit usually came during the “Dean Martin Celebrity Roast” television specials.Red would spout off about the fact they were have a dinner in honor of whoever was the “honored” that night, and that many famous people never “got a dinner.”For example, Red would say, “Doctor Spock, who said, ‘Never raise your hand to your kids,

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-86636933748556040962008-11-12T16:24:00.003-06:002008-11-12T16:28:49.946-06:00

Absence makes the heart grow fonder… or so they say. By the way who are “they” anyway? That’s the subject for another blog.In 1988, I was stationed at Keesler AFB, Miss., finishing up tech school when I received orders to Loring AFB, Maine. “Maine?” was the first word out of my mouth.Being southern born and reared, and a former resident of Largo, Florida, I thought there were plenty of bases in

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-71096474811080655962008-11-07T11:29:00.005-06:002008-11-07T12:54:08.138-06:00

The events of the past several days in Specht household, our church and our nation could certainly cause one to ask "Why?"From a historic election to the tragic loss of life for a close family friend, the question of "why?" has come to mind more than once. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God heal some and not others? Why do major expenses hit when we are trying to save money?

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-71520831267078406212008-10-21T11:19:00.001-05:002008-10-21T11:23:26.275-05:00

It seems we are inundated with political commercials these days. One side is accusing the other side of this and that. The other side fires back, and no one really knows where the truth resides.Can you imagine if other commercials adopted this form of advertising?Waste in government. Waste on Wall Street. And now — waste in the Fast Food Industry.For years, McDonald’s has been wasting hamburger

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-47048891397309432512008-09-24T10:41:00.000-05:002008-09-24T10:43:02.480-05:00

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches.”1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)This past weekend, several members of our church, including my wife and I, attended the Church Ministries Convention for the Louisiana District of the Assemblies of God in Pineville, La.There were many tracts of learning, from Sunday School to Media. I chose those surrounding church

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-5654892697267446192008-09-18T08:35:00.002-05:002008-09-18T09:03:16.598-05:00

It's diet time again for good Ol' Dave. Usually, I live life by two simple rules: Eat when hungry. Sleep when tired. Every once in awhile, however, my simple life is interrupted by two other rules: Pants don't fit. Two helpings aren't enough.When I turned 33, I went to my doctor who said, "Your numbers a slightly elevated, which is no problem now, but more of a problem when you are 40 — even a

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-72885169848093421172008-09-08T17:02:00.002-05:002008-09-10T10:56:10.960-05:00

The race is on. All of a sudden, a “ho-hum” presidential race that many in this neck of the woods were less than enthused about, is the talk of the town, the television and the nation.Who would have thought John McCain would create such and uproar (both for and against) with his vice presidential pick? Certainly not me, and obviously not the Democrats or the mainstream media (notice I didn’t

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-60595530818374688192008-08-08T10:59:00.003-05:002008-08-08T16:08:47.239-05:00

In case you didn't know already, the Bossier Press-Tribune began five-day-a-week publication this week. It has been great fun and something we have been wanting to do for a long time.Here is the press release we sent out to our friends and colleagues about this exciting change.BOSSIER CITY – The Bossier Press-Tribune began publishing on a five-day-a-week schedule today. According to Editor and

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-4111116339638695372008-07-21T15:50:00.002-05:002008-07-21T15:56:41.552-05:00

By now, most business folks in Bossier have received an invitation to our chamber after hours this Thursday.Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro has graciously agreed to co-host this event with us, so we all know the food is going to be excellent.Everyone at the office is sprucing up their areas in anticipation of the open house. We try to stayed as organized as possible, but we are a newspaper, which

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-27563915514467760372008-06-17T10:33:00.000-05:002008-06-17T10:34:15.150-05:00

Life happens.Isn’t it funny how the routines we enjoy in life are often interrupted by life itself? For example, I remember when I started this blog, I planned to write at least once a week, if not more often. For a while, things went well. I found myself in a routine.Then life happened.The duties of work, home and church all crept in to my established routine – right to the place where there was

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-26346919543573928212008-05-07T09:42:00.000-05:002008-05-07T09:43:49.820-05:00

When I first learned of Dr. Eddy Shell’s untimely death, my heart skipped a beat. I call it “untimely” because Dr. Shell has always been a fighter and a winner. This bout with cancer was, in his way of looking at things, another challenge in life.Many have told of Dr. Shell’s influence on them in the classroom or as a colleague. While I never sat in one of his classes, Dr. Shell taught me much

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-4533524785701778112008-04-04T16:12:00.002-05:002008-04-04T16:18:15.687-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Gov. Bobby Jindal was in town to speak about the recently completed special session. He made his stop at Bossier Parish Community College and I was in the audience to listen to his comments.With him behind the podium were many of the northwest Louisiana delegation, including District 9 Rep. Henry Burns. Gov. Jindal offered each legislator an opportunity to speak before

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-55642173030851410822008-02-27T11:53:00.000-06:002008-02-27T11:54:12.375-06:00

Beginning last Friday, I have enjoyed the privilege of throwing newspapers in the Dogwood Subdivision of Haughton. It has been a very rewarding experience.First, it gets me out of the office. It seems I have been stuck indoors as of late and throwing newspapers on a nice afternoon is really refreshing.Next, it makes me realize how fast our area is growing. Have you ever tried to map a

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-6378886932372247302008-02-19T15:32:00.001-06:002008-02-19T15:34:27.919-06:00

The following is from the Aspen Times-News. Someone forwarded it as an email, so I hope it is ok to share it with you here:In election 2008, don’t forget Angry White Man function createQString(s) { return escape(s); } var Heading = "In%20election%202008%2C%20don%92t%20forget%20Angry%20White%20Man"; var tempTitle = createQString(Heading); var Title = "&t="+tempTitle;

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-67143468545544048342008-02-06T09:49:00.000-06:002008-02-07T10:39:34.716-06:00

For those who do not know, I have a 30-mile commute on Interstate 20 to the office. Since mid January, there has been construction on that route around the Haughton exit.If you are traveling to Bossier on I-20, you have two choices, stay on I-20 or take U.S. Hwy. 80.During the past few weeks, I have tried both routes and neither one is any better than the other. In fact, I have come to the

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-63757572528591791902008-01-04T15:06:00.000-06:002008-01-04T15:11:03.502-06:00

In the Movie, Forest Gump, a young lady tells Forest that the best thing about the New Year is that you get to start over. This week has felt like a fresh start in many ways.As the holidays end and the Christmas decorations come down, you feel like you finally have your house back.The schedule is no longer filled with parties, gatherings and events, Routine can return to normal. With the return

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-73401888188923941792007-12-18T10:47:00.000-06:002007-12-18T11:07:55.702-06:00

During the past couple of days, I have some interesting encounters with the "fat man in the red suit." The first meeting with Santa Claus came Sunday night following our church's Youth and Children's Christmas production.Santa was there to have his photo made with the kids. You should have seen the look on each child's face as they waited for a chance to sit on Kris Kringle's lap. Some kids were

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-44871376164014473902007-12-11T14:43:00.000-06:002007-12-11T15:00:20.796-06:00

Today's predicted high temperature is 78 degrees. Last night's low was a balmy 62 degrees. This certainly doesn't feel like a "Winter Wonderland."Even the grass on the highway is confused. There are patches of green showing up all along the interstate. I fear mowing may be in my future if things don't change soon.Does this feel like Christmas at all? Certainly, the temperatures are not making

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-31782021329355986062007-12-06T14:30:00.000-06:002007-12-06T14:53:35.430-06:00

There has been much ado concerning the movie "The Golden Compass." Much like "the Harry Potter uprising," Christians have organized their opposition and have been quite vocal (at least in email and blogs) about it.As a Christian, I too am concerned about what can influence our kids - either on the big screen or in the pages of a book. I also enjoyed reading fantasy novels in my youth. So, I don't

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-34985619147076845342007-12-04T15:33:00.000-06:002007-12-04T15:36:58.490-06:00

We all know that my blog posting schedule is erratic at best. Sometimes, I post every day. Then it could be weeks before my next post.Since I know all my loyal readers (thank you, mom) can't wait until my next installment, I have a neat little thing that lets you know when I have posted an entry.On the right-hand side of this page, is a little "widget" that lets you subscribe to email

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275284816814797093.post-13907603132889884972007-12-03T14:01:00.000-06:002007-12-03T14:24:50.310-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving, I watched the movie "Facing the Giants" for the second time. If you can get past some of the corny acting in the beginning, the movie is a very good story, and very inspiring.At one point, the coach in the movie tells his place kicker to "give God your very best and leave the rest up to Him."That phrase stuck with me. How many times have we asked God to take care of a

David Spechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485757793746752139noreply@blogger.com0