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On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the war to end all wars ended.
World War I cost about nine million soldiers their lives with 21 million more wounded. Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia each lost a million or more lives in the grueling four and a half years marked by trench warfare, chemical warfare (mustard gas) and the first introduction of the airplane to the battlefield.
To put these losses in perspective, Great Britain’s population dropped below 40 million by 1917 for the first time since 1898. A weakened Tsar Nicolas in Russia was overthrown by communists led by Vladimir Lenin setting the stage for the Cold War which dominated the late 20th century. Germany’s defeat, the terms of their surrender and the rampant inflation that afflicted the German state (Weimar Republic) played a major role in the rise of Adolph Hitler and World War II.
The geography of the world was reshaped. The Ottoman Empire fell, effectively ending a millennium of war between Muslims and Christians in southern and central Europe and nation/states were drawn in the middle east out of its wreckage.
The British Empire which spanned every continent of the world was weakened and effectively collapsed in the decades following World War II.
America entered into our first European war, turning the tide against the Germans and became a major power on the world stage.
In the United States, we currently celebrate this day as Veteran’s Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, this is a day to celebrate veterans and remember those who fought to defend freedom.
But it is important that we also remember World War I on this day, as it is an even more important reminder of the danger of stumbling into a century defining conflict.
World War I set the tenor for the entire 20th century, today we can learn a very important lesson from it as it was also known as an inadvertent war.
The war happened even though none of the countries involved really wanted war. It was ignited by a series of competing alliances in Europe being triggered by the killing of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian. This led to countries allied with the Austro-Hungarian empire fighting those with treaties with Serbia (through their treaty with Russia) fueled by a domino-like effect of alliances with hostilities starting in 2014.
The United States entered the War in 2017 after re-electing President Woodrow Wilson on his campaign brag that he was the man who kept us out of war. Almost as soon as the votes were cast, Wilson was the man who got us into the war, and America turned the tide toward Great Britain and France against Germany.
Today, the world faces the potential of an even more devastating inadvertent war. A war that would be truly global and exponentially more destructive than the first or second World Wars.
Ukraine sits at the middle of this powder keg.
Russia attacked Ukraine in an attempt to regain territory, wealth and prestige lost after the fall of the Soviet Union. Russian allies include Iran, North Korea, China and most probably its vassal states around the world most likely including many communist states in South and Central America like Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and most probably Colombia, and Brazil with the recent dubious election of a communist leader. It can also be presumed that the drug cartels and their soldiers who have infiltrated the United States would ally with China which is its primary fentanyl supplier. Ukraine’s allies are the remainder of Europe, the United States and those allied with the U.S. against Russia and China from the Cold War including Japan, South Korea and Australia.
A truly global war that would pit men against men on every continent where no one would truly be a civilian untouched by war on their doorsteps could throw us back into a new dark-ages.
All with the battle for control of the northern shores of the Black Sea as the potential catalyst.
There are no easy solutions to the war in Ukraine. Russia attacked a sovereign nation. A nation that they vowed to have peace with just three decades prior in order to have nuclear weapons stationed in Ukraine returned to Russia for destruction. America signed on as a guarantor of that peace and now it is broken.
Europe is plunging into the cold months of winter with its green agenda and subsequent dependence upon Russia for natural gas. The environmentalist policy of energy dependency embraced on the continent that led to Russia holding an energy cudgel over their heads is now creating a worldwide oil and natural gas price spike with waves effecting the entire globe. Bloomberg writes that the results of having to buy natural gas wherever they can find it could create scarcity, black outs and increased energy poverty in the world’s poorest countries leading to increased starvation and death from other causes.
The Ukrainian War is complicated with ramifications that go far beyond this country the size of Texas, and it is time that Americans have an honest national discussion about our policy rather than shouting down anyone who cautions against knee-jerk escalation as being Russian propagandists.
Knee-jerk escalation is what gave us World War I as nations warred against one another for reasons that seem inconceivable today.
It is likely that the U.S. Congress will be asked to send billions more of support and arms to the Ukrainian government in the weeks and months ahead. It would be nice if someone thought to have a real discussion with the Biden administration about their exit strategy and contingency actions that need to be taken to strengthen our nation to deter what seems like an increasingly inevitable war between an emboldened China and its allies and the U.S. and ours.
Rather than depleting the West’s military capability to meet Ukraine’s needs, Congress might just consider how to strengthen our capacity to meet the growing threat across the Pacific.
Rather than drawing down the Strategic Petroleum Reserves and blind worship at the altar of the environmental lobby, Congress needs to insist on a domestic energy production policy which grows our refining, pipeline, fossil fuel and coal production to restore energy independence for national security purposes.
And rather than continuing the expansion of our $31 trillion national debt, Congress needs to roll back the massive regular government spending increases which have been put in place over the last two years. If the world economic system is broken by war, this debt will be the noose around America’s neck.
Finally, an inability and unwillingness to defend our own borders is the most obvious short-term knife at the throat of America’s ability to meet the 21st century national defense challenges. Failure to close our border to illegal alien trafficking now is effective surrender in the years ahead.
We just had an election.
Republicans will be in control of the House of Representatives and possibly have a one-seat majority in the Senate. It is time that whoever is the Speaker of the House lead an honest strategic plan in conjunction with the Biden administration and the Senate to use the power of the purse to prepare America for the war that approaches in the hopes that through strength it is avoided.
Hopefully a new start in Washington, D.C. will lead to rational planning and discourse over the future of our nation rather than demonization of those who dare ask if we are repeating the errors that led to World War I.
We can learn a lot from the first World War. On this day, which reminds us of that much forgotten war from a century ago, let’s hope modern politicians remember its lessons.

Rick Manning is the President of Americans for Limited Government.

In the last column I presented the following actions you can take for just one day:

Just for today be happy.
Just for today adjust to what is.
Just for today take care of your body.
Just for today take care of your mind.
Just for today, help others and be considerate.

It’s not uncommon for someone to feel that their desired goals are beyond their reach. Experiencing a positive accomplishment, even if only for just one day, will boost your self-confidence. As a result, you will realize the power you have over your own life. Small, manageable, steps are the key to any achievement.
The following are some more suggestions for steps you can take for one day.

Just for today be positive.

Approach your day with the belief and understanding that you possess what it takes to accomplish anything you want. Life is a glass that is half-full, not half-empty. Have a can do attitude. All things are possible.
Purge from your vocabulary limiting concepts such as impossible, failure, unworkable, unattainable, hopeless, impractical, and unrealistic. You can achieve anything your mind can conceive and believe.

Just for today find solutions.

Everyone has problems and every problem has a solution. Life is a series of challenges. Take one problem or challenge and write down the ideal solution. For today, you want to identify all possible solutions as if there were no limitations.
Some solutions may be more money, more time, more education, better relationships, or a different network of friends and acquaintances. Create any wish list you want. You must be able to envision a solution before realizing it.

Just for today live in the present

Don’t allow your past to pollute your future. Don’t fret about tomorrow. Focus your energy on what’s going on today. The past is over and can never be changed. Your actions today will impact your future.
Each day is a new beginning filled with opportunity and promise. You will never be as young as you are today. Squeeze the most from the present.

Just for today have a goal.

If you have a goal, write it down. If you don’t have one, formulate one. Your goal must be your own and not imposed on you by someone else. Your goal can be short or long-term. There are no restrictions on what your goal can be.
A goal provides direction and purpose. Goals can change and be redefined over time. Goals prevent aimlessness and frustration. Goals precede accomplishments.

Just for today have an action plan.

An action plan enables you to attain your goal. A goal without an action plan is like a car without fuel. An action plan gives you the power to move forward. Your action plan is a step by step guide to reach your destination.
Today put your action plan in writing. You don’t have to complete your action plan today but you can take the first step. Each step can be as large or as small as you want it to be. A person with a goal and an action plan is unstoppable.

Just for today live without fear.

Fear is debilitating and causes paralysis. Fear is learned and therefore can be unlearned. Don’t be afraid of what others say, think, or do. Don’t be afraid of failure. Don’t be afraid of criticism or ridicule.
Fear is a mental monster rather than anything real. Freedom from fear is true independence. It takes practice and repetition to move past fear. Take one thing you are afraid of and, just for today, have no fear.
These last two columns provide you with an action plan to improve your life. Don’t be overwhelmed. Just for today pick one concept and apply it. Just for today appreciate the fact that you have control over your life.

On Friday, shortly before 6 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 338, east of Adier Road in Vermilion Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 14-month-old Dior Cormier of Katy, Texas.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2016 Kia Optima, driven by 27-year-old Jhori Danielle Peters of Abbeville, was traveling west on LA 338. For unknown reasons, Peters crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway. After leaving the roadway, the Kia entered a ditch and struck a steel culvert before overturning onto its roof.
Cormier was seated on the front seat passenger’s lap at the time of the crash. She was transported to an area hospital with injuries. On Monday, Troop I was notified that Cormier had succumbed to her injuries.
Peters and the front seat adult passenger were both properly restrained and sustained only minor injuries. Two other juvenile passengers in the rear seat were not restrained and were transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
A toxicology sample was obtained from Peters and submitted for analysis. She was cited for careless operation, no driver’s license, and two counts of child restraint violations on the evening of the crash and additional charges are pending. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind everyone that children depend on adults to ensure they are properly restrained. Using an age and weight appropriate car seat or booster seat is critical and the law. Nationally certified child seat technicians are available at Troop I each
Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. Child seat technicians across Louisiana are available to assist you with properly installing your car seat. For more information on where to go for assistance, please visit: https://www.lahighwaysafety.org/Pages/OurPrograms/ChildPassengerSafety.aspx
Troop I has investigated 53 fatal crashes resulting in 59 deaths since the beginning of 2022.

Miss Emily Theresa St. Germain of Henry and Mr. Jessie Joseph Badeaux, Jr. of Youngsville were united in Holy Matrimony during a 6:30 p.m. nuptial mass Saturday, November 12, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Henry, LA.. Officiating the ceremony was Father Manny Fernandez.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Devin and Linda St. Germain of Henry, LA. She is the granddaughter of Louis and the late Susan St. Germain of Henry, LA. Her maternal grandparents are the late John and Ida Mergist of Henry, LA.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie and Tina Badeaux of Youngsville, LA. He is the grandson of the late August and the late Mary Bonin of New Iberia, LA. and the late Clarence and the late Lillie Mae Badeaux of New Iberia, LA. and Lucy Rooks of New Iberia, LA.
Escorted by her father Devin St. Germain Sr., the bride wore an Oleg Cassini A-line dress. The dress featured sequined lace cap sleeves, a keyhole back with 3D petals and a modified v-neck with a chapel train. The bride completed her ensemble with a finger length veil that was scalloped with pearl edging and lace flower appliques. The bride carried a nosegay bouquet of white, mauve and blush roses, with white baby’s breath and eucalyptus.
The bride was attended by her maid of honor, Jessica Billiot sister-in-law of the bride. Bridesmaids were Haley Beadle, Payton Phares, and Melanie Madere, all friends of the bride. The maid of honor wore a v-neck and flutter sleeve dress with a ruffled leg slit in chianti. The bridesmaids wore v-neck and flutter sleeve dresses with a ruffled leg slit in ballet. The attendants bouquets were smaller and similar to the bride’s.
Mila St. Germain, niece of the bride served as flower girl. Mila wore a white scoop neck, sleeveless dress with a mauve bow and mauve petals throughout the dress.
Gavin Daigle, friend of the groom served as best man. Groomsmen were Keith St. Germain, brother-in-law of the groom, Preston Savoy, Jr. and Jared Naquin friends of the groom.
The mother of the bride was escorted by Keith St. Germain. She wore a white Alexa B. Nites flowy halter top floor length dress with pink, green and gold florals, accented with an embellished buckle. The mother of the groom was escorted by Jessie Badeaux, Jr. She wore a tea length dress suit with a cropped jacket in a jam color by Calvin Klein.
Readers for the ceremony were Tina Badeaux, mother of the groom and Louis St. Germain grandfather of the bride. Music for the ceremony was provided by Natial D’Augereau and the St. John’s choir with Jennifer Parker on the organ.
A reception was held immediately following the ceremony at The 107 in Erath.
The couple plan to make their home in Henry.