FROM WHERE I SIT
I’ve been under the weather and I’m told I need down time so I sit here at home on a quite Sunday morning.  Over the last many years, I’ve been at home very seldom on Sunday morning. For me it’s a down side to getting any writing done. I’m a hawk when it comes to politics and on government as a whole. Sunday has too many distractions for a political addict like me. On CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ I enjoyed a much thinner Tom DeLay, who made some good points. I also watched Meet the Press, George on ABC, NSNBC, Fox News etc. I find myself not only absorbing the different views but also identifying those bluffing and those spinning and in my mind I argue my own views. Politics are not for the faint at heart, but it is a special responsibility.

GAZING AT THE CRYSTAL BALL
I believe anyone who is even just a little knowledgeable about politics knows what the outcome was likely to be in most races. Locally, David Peck worked harder and smarter and by far ran the best campaign. He stayed on track with qualifications and why he should be elected judge of the Pct. 1, Justice of the Peace Court. On Friday we ran a phone straw poll. It indicated that Peck would win with over 50 percent, avoiding a runoff. A very unusual happening against two well-known candidates, Joel Ardoin and attorney Mike Abbott.

AND THAT’S THE WAY IT IS----
If you’re a political student or an interested observer, this is the week in the primaries we have been waiting for. By now, we have a good idea who the leaders are. In the final week those running behind will always go negative. Over the weekend, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison started her negative television ads. Going negative is akin to the lawyer creating doubt in the jury’s mind. It sometimes works.

WHEN DESTINY CALLS – SUPER BOWL XLIV
The New Orleans Saints were underdogs going into the Super Bowl. We hadn’t picked either team to win but knew that the Indianapolis Colts had the upper hand. We thought the Saints might be holding an ace-in-the-hole called destiny. When it’s cast in stone nothing can wash destiny off, if it’s going to happen it happens. If the Colts and Saints played 10 times the odds are the Colts would probably win nine of them. I believe Saint’s coach Sean Payton believed destiny would play a part when he rolled the dice to try an on-side kick to start the second half. The gamble paid off so he rolled them again going for two points after a TD. First he got a bad call but called for a replay that reversed the first.

THE JOYS AND AGONY OF LIFE
During these bad times nothing could have been more spirit lifting in the “Who Dat” Nation than the 33-28 overtime win by the Saints over Brett Favre and the Vikings. The natives are ecstatic over the Saints’ first appearance ever in the Super Bowl. Early in the season we predicted it would be the Colts and Saints in the Super Bowl.

SO YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING
I mentioned in this column that things would be ugly after this hard freeze came through. Also, I said that houses would burn and pipes would break. Unfortunately all of the above happened. When I was a boy winters were much worse than they are today. Sometimes we get an arctic blast like we just went through but in my youth, every winter was cold. Icicles hanging off of the roof were commonplace. We broke them off and dunked them in sugar and made popsicles. Most days, the old hand pump had to be defrosted with hot water to melt the ice. We slept under all the quilts we could pile on and put a hot brick at the foot of the bed to warm our feet enough to get to sleep.

A DECADE FROM HELL
Back in 2000 when the new decade arrived we were full of promise and hope. We had experienced economic growth and prosperity under President Bill Clinton.

A DROUGHT IS OK BY ME
I am tired of all the wet, fog, and just plain nasty weather. Bring on the cold, heat or whatever but this dampness has gotten on my last nerve. ******You missing a bet if you are not giving Orange County citrus for Christmas. Fresh off the tree, grapefruit, oranges, satsuma, lemons etc., the crop has never been better. I’m shipping some out this week. It’s a good way to brag about Orange County. Fresh off the tree. Contact a local citrus grower. *****You’ll enjoy this week’s paper. We have gotten great response on the history of the Port of Orange now being run in installments. Part 2 appears this week, others to follow.Enter your introduction text here.

PEARL HARBOR DAY, DEC. 7
At one time, several Pearl Harbor survivors lived in the Orange-Bridge City area. Today, I just know one, Cedric Stout, who served on the Utah. Mr. Brody and others have either moved or passed away. Pearl Harbor is a day like 9-11 that should never be forgotten.

PENNY RECORD FOUNDER GASTON SUCCUMBS
In April of 1960, Walter and Audrey Gaston started The Penny Record in Bridge City and operated it for 30 years. Plans are underway for our 50th anniversary and like previous years, we had hoped that Walter would be a part of it. He passed away Tuesday morning at age 89.

A SUPER WEEK IN STORE
Tuesday was Ground Hog Day but since I’m writing this column early, I’m not sure of the results. In south Louisiana, the Cajuns go by the nutria “Pierre C. Shadeaux.” Somewhere in this paper there is a story about Pierre and the results of if he saw his shadow or not.

HAITI NEEDS HELP BEYOND THE DISASTER
The disaster in Haiti caused by a magnitude seven earthquake leaves the estimated death toll to be 150,000 and up. The task now is providing medical care for the survivors. You have to feel for those poor people regardless what you think about their corrupt government and failed state. It’s really a hellhole for its people. It is the most corrupt and least efficient government in the world. Before the earthquake, it was an on-going humanitarian disaster. Those very poor people must not be forgotten after the dust settles.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WEATHER
This is our first column of the year 2010. The big news this week will be the worst winter blast in years. On Jan. 12, 1997, we were turned into an ice bowl with the great ice storm. This is not expected but there may be a few wet snowflakes and probably it will be colder than in 1997. Eighteen degrees will just about kill any plants in the yard. Covering them probably won’t save them. Three days of freezing will break exposed pipes. Business will be good for plumbers because some people will not heed the warning. Cats or short haired dogs will probably die if they can’t find a warmer place to hide. I remember in the 1970s it got as low as 14 degrees here and the place really looked ugly and dead. I hope the bitter cold doesn’t hurt the Orange County citrus trees.

REMEMBERING YOU AT CHRISTMAS
At Christmas time our thoughts turn to our friends, past and present. First we extend to each of you readers the best of wishes from our advertising family throughout our distribution area. We want to extend our gratitude to the many businesses and professionals who advertise in The Record through the year. They make these home-owned, hometown community newspapers possible. Please shop with them and thank them for bringing to you, absolutely free, this newspaper throughout the year. Special thanks to all of you for making us Orange County’s best read publications. Your support is appreciated. For more than 30 years, Joe Kazmar has been sending out his Christmas list. Be sure and check it out. We join him in extending best wishes to so many of the natives.

CITY CHANGING IMAGE
Right after Hurricane Ike dealt Bridge City an unexpected blow, the city’s image went down to zero. In the minds of people away from Bridge City the town was just a swamp area. They didn’t consider that the hurricane was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Even many of the lifetime residents left the place they had been proud to call home, raise their families and help to build into a great community. A lot of work lay ahead to change the negative image. I’m proud to say that 15 months later, Bridge City has taken great steps to recovery and putting the city in a good light.

GIVING THANKS
How fortunate we all are. To start with, I’m thankful that God chose to put us Cajuns and the crawfish down in the same place. How awful it would have been if he had put the Cajuns in Arizona. Personally, I’m thankful for great friends. We’re thankful for the outstanding readership The Record Newspapers enjoy. More readership than the other publications combined. Thanks to the business people who support us. It’s been a steep climb to come back after Hurricane Ike. We took a licking and kept on ticking and remain today the most popular papers in Orange County. We’re thankful to our staff that are dedicated to their jobs and take pride in putting out a good, loyal, hometown newspaper, locally owned and locally supported.