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This week, Democrats just passed a massive expansion of government that will grow government, increase inflation, raise taxes, and unleash 87,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents on Americans. Even though Democrats have the slimmest of margins in Congress, and do not have a political mandate, they passed another piece of their radical agenda.
When Republicans controlled the White House and Congress during the first two years of the Trump administration, they were unable to dismantle the Affordable Care Act or build a border wall. Even though President Donald Trump tried mightily, these major agenda items were not fulfilled.
When Democrats took back the U.S. House of Representatives in January of 2019, they impeached the President twice for preposterous reasons. It set the stage for the utter horror they have unleashed on the nation since taking control of the entire government in January 2021.
Despite near monolithic power in our government, media, special interests, Hollywood and corporate America, Democrats are still suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” They cannot forgive Trump for winning the presidency in 2016 and planning to run in 2024.
Therefore, the plan to annihilate Trump and his supporters has been unleashed. It is on display with the corrupt January 6th committee, which is a one-sided probe into the protests on that day. Instead of trying to determine why two Trump supporters were killed on January 6, 2021, the committee is intent on pinning the blame for the “insurrection” on Donald Trump.
Almost 900 January 6th protesters have been charged with crimes, while dozens of these “rioters” have either received jail time or are languishing in prison, some being denied basic due process rights.
While these Trump supporters have been treated like terrorists, individuals violating the law by protesting outside the home of Supreme Court justices have not been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This same sort of indifference was shown toward the Antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters who committed acts of violence in 574 riots in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in 2020.
For too long, Republican politicians acted with politeness while being steamrolled by cutthroat Democrats who will do anything to achieve their goals. After suffering a series of stinging defeats in Congress and having their party’s top leader and his associates abused by a biased FBI, it is time for Republicans to fight like Democrats.
The last straw for any Republican should be the unconstitutional and unprecedented raid of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Florida home by dozens of FBI agents early last Monday morning. Trump received the same treatment as many of the January 6th protesters, his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, his friend Roger Stone, and his attorney Rudy Giuliani.
While President Trump has been abused since he descended from the escalator in 2015 to announce his campaign, Hillary Clinton was given a pass for her involvement in Uranium One deals with Russia, her foundation’s suspicious donations, her activities setting up Trump with a phony dossier compiled by British spy Christopher Steele and her destruction of 33,000 emails, including top secret and classified communications. Of course, her home was not raided, and her associates were given immunity, not imprisoned by FBI agents.
Another lucky Democrat is “First Son” Hunter Biden. On his “Laptop from Hell,” Hunter commits a variety of crimes like using crack cocaine and employing prostitutes. His corrupt business deals are outlined on that laptop, as well as the role of President Joe Biden, “the Big Guy.”
While the FBI has allowed Hunter Biden three years to enjoy vacations with his father, it acted quickly to raid Mar-a-Lago. It is odd, considering that President Trump was cooperating with FBI agents when they visited his home in June to investigate these disputed documents.
According to Trump, he would have given them whatever documents they wanted without the need for a morning raid. However, for the FBI, the search was beneficial because agents roamed Trump’s home for ten hours, without his attorneys present. Eventually, they removed materials from a variety of rooms and even inspected Melania Trump’s closet.
These tactics are not in keeping with American history, but reminiscent of third world countries, where dictators suppress political opposition by authoritarian government tactics. No wonder, many have referred to our country as a “banana republic” after this shocking raid.
In response to this action, leading Republicans have been calling for patience to allow the process to continue. Others, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), seem to be uninterested.
Instead of apathy, congressional Republicans should be as outraged as their party’s base. A new poll shows that 57% support Trump as the 2024 presidential nominee.
It is time for GOP leaders to stop acting like patsies and fight for their principles, their President, and their millions of faithful supporters.

Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and is a political columnist, the author of America's Last Chance and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on Crouere.net. For more information, email him at jcrouere@gmail.com

ACADIA PARISH – Shortly after 4:30 a.m. on August 16, 2022, Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 13 near Ellis Road in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Latashi Eddy of Crowley.
The preliminary investigation revealed Eddy was driving a 2006 Honda Accord north on LA 13. At the same time, a 2015 Chevrolet pickup was traveling south on LA 13. For reasons still under investigation, Eddy’s Accord crossed the center line into the path of the pickup. Upon doing so, the vehicles struck head-on in the southbound lane of travel.
Eddy was not restrained and suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office. A passenger in Eddy’s vehicle was also unrestrained and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver of the pickup was properly restrained and was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
Impairment on the part of both drivers is unknown at this time but toxicology results have been submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorist to never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, and always ensure every occupant is properly restrained. Taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 30 fatal crashes resulting in 33 deaths since the beginning of 2022.

Success is the progressive realization of your goals. Life is a journey, not a destination. A common source of frustration for people is comparing their progress to their ultimate goal. They then run the risk of getting discouraged and abandoning their path altogether.
Suppose Bill has a goal to lose 25 pounds. After four weeks of dieting and exercise his weight has dropped four pounds. Bill is disappointed that in spite of all that effort he still weighs 21 pounds more than he wants. Convinced his goal is unattainable, Bill gives up on his weight loss plan.
Bill has given up because he failed to recognize the progress he has made. Subsequently, he has falsely concluded that his efforts have been ineffectual. Bill’s erroneous assessment stems from impatience and his preoccupation with the end result. Had Bill maintained his weight loss plan, he would have attained his goal in another five months.
Bill shortchanged himself in a number of ways. He failed to recognize the progress he was making and give himself credit for it. He expected instant results and didn’t allow enough time for his journey. He became frustrated and gave up before he had attained his goal.
It’s virtually impossible to leap from a starting point directly to an end result. There is always a journey connecting the two. When you want to drive to a particular location you can not be instantly transported there. You have to plan a route, get started, drive safely, and stay on the road through turns, traffic, and changing weather conditions. Your progress is measured in miles and you know from past experience that if you keep going you will reach your destination.
Your journey in life is no different. But rather than one objective at a time, you will have numerous goals, each with its own time frame and unique set of challenges. The pursuit of each goal entails a journey. Some journeys overlap, others are unique and distinct. Regardless of the mix, your journeys must be managed simultaneously.
For another example, let’s look at Jane’s situation. Jane is a college freshman and has many journeys to take before she graduates. These include each subject, every class, meeting new teachers, making new friends, etc. Jane’s college experience is not measured by her diploma but by her journeys and adventures.
Your life is comprised of the sum total of all your journeys. Some journeys are thoroughly enjoyable while others may feel like endurance tests. We can’t always pick and choose our journeys but we can make the best of each one. Each journey is rich with experiences and opportunities.
Here are some ways you can make the most of each journey. Objectively measure your progress and give yourself credit for it. Each step forward, no matter how small, is significant. Each step indicates that you are not standing still, and more importantly, not moving backwards. Even if you encounter a setback, resume your forward motion.
Set a timeframe for your journey that is compatible with your circumstances. If Jane were working full time and could only take one college course each semester, there’s no way she could graduate in the same time as if she were going to school full time. Journeys are personal. Don’t compare yourself or compete with someone else.
Don’t give up or get frustrated. Be consistent and persist until you complete your journey. Once you stop, you ensure you will never reach your destination.
To enjoy life, savor your journeys. Each journey can open up new horizons and enrich you in unexpected ways.

Jonathan Dartez was thrown into the starting quarterback’s role at Vermilion Catholic as a freshman after an injury to senior starter Mikie Bazar in 2021.
Dartez showed dynamic running skills, rushing for 902 yards and 15 touchdowns and throwing for 58 yards with nine TDs. He played six games at quarterback before Bazar returned from his back injury, then played receiver, running back, and whatever else the Eagles needed him to do.
“He handled it gracefully, and he just kind of got better each week as we went,” VC coach Broc Prejean said. “And we improved as a staff, understanding what he was good at and where he was most comfortable. We all grew together, and we felt like he was in a really good place by the time Mikie got back. That allowed us to put (Dartez) into other positions, and he was a jack of all trades for us last year.”
After working hard in the offseason to improve his passing skills, Dartez earned the starting quarterback job this spring, and Prejean said he’s looking forward to the chance to run a true run-pass option offense this fall.
“He’s one of the first guys I’ve been able to coach who truly can implement all three phases of the RPO,” Prejean said. “He can get it out there, make the right decision to hand it to the running back, get it out to the receiver if they’re not going to put enough guys over him, and then he can pull it down, and he can run it. Many teams are running the RPO style, but they’re running it intending to hand it off or throw it. Jon Jon has the opportunity to be all three. That’s exciting as a play caller, to be sure.”
That ability to run the RPO helps open up the field for the offense.
“Our mentality is to utilize the concept of spread truly — use all 53 1/2 yards sideline to sideline, and make sure we always have five guys on the field that can handle the football if they’re the right guy to it on that play,” Prejean said. “Jon Jon allows us to do that.”
Combining that run and pass threat is a goal for Dartez.
“Our goal is to be a fast-paced offense and just get whatever done,” he said. “If the throwing’s open, I worked all summer to improve it. If the running’s open, if I have to hand it off, I’ll do that, to win games.”
Dartez averaged 6.8 yards per carry and 15.8 yards per reception. He had 441 receiving yards and five TDs for the year.
“I think his time playing receiver in that latter half of the season last year is going to be invaluable to him,” Prejean said. “There were times this summer where you see he’s starting to think like us. Based on what he sees, he’ll see a defense, and he’ll know a certain route has to come open if it’s run correctly. It allows him to anticipate and be ahead of the game and manipulate safeties and linebackers when he can.”
Dartez said that being moved to quarterback was a little stressful but that he had great support from the school and community.
“It was fun because the whole school supported me as a freshman coming up, and it helped me for this upcoming year, just learning the plays.
“I made lots of mistakes last year. But it’s going to help me this year. I got all the jitters out.”
His coach said those mistakes, including interceptions that still bug Dartez, are part of the learning curve.
“I think the bumps last year were invaluable,” Prejean said. “And we talked about it even last year. I’d remind him after a tough game that next year you will remember that tough game and lean on it. You’re talking about a kid who had six starts at quarterback, six starts at wideout, and then he was the starting catcher on the baseball team, so I think at this point he has a lot more experience than many sophomores and juniors in the state. We’re not going to count on him as a sophomore anymore. He’s just our quarterback.”
Prejean said the team had a competition at quarterback in the spring, but the experience Dartez gained at the start of the 2021 season helped decide for the coaches.
“We went through spring looking at a few guys,” Prejean said. “His ability to know and handle the offense stood out. You saw the experience was there, he knew what calls to make, and the growth and maturity had come exponentially since his freeman year, so he solidified himself in that role. He had a great summer throwing the ball at 7-on-7, so we know he can do what we need him to do now.”
“I think the spring game helped me out,” Dartez. “I did good, and I got to control the offense better. I think it’s just the playbook. I knew all the routes, and I even told the coach which routes were open and which routes weren’t open. I called audibles and all that.”
While his running ability is still his strength, Dartez said, he worked hard to improve on his passing over the spring and summer.
“He did a lot of his work,” Prejean said. “He worked with a former quarterback, Drew Lege, on his own time over the summer. He was calling practices with the receivers on his own time. I think being able to watch offenses similar to ours during 7-on-7s, he started to understand where his talents lend themselves to and where the ball needs to be distributed. And he did a great job all summer of making smart decisions. That’s the biggest thing we talk about — don’t put the ball in danger, get it out where it needs to be, take what’s there, and just trust yourself. This summer, he did a great job of that.”
“(Lege) really helped me out,” Dartez said. “I can throw much harder, much farther, at least 20 yards farther.
“I think if I’m going to be a good passer and complete at least 60 to 70 percent. I don’t think they can stop my running and my throwing.”
Dartez is learning some of the position’s finer points heading into this season.
“He’s a competitor,” Prejean said. “I think he’s learning that sometimes the best throw isn’t always the deepest throw. It’s just getting the ball to a guy in space that’s available to receive it, and letting that guy be an athlete for you. As he’s starting to trust and develop chemistry with our receivers more and more, he’s understanding that. The five-yard throw might end up being a bigger play than the 20-yard throw. That’s what I think he really did a good job of this summer.”
In addition to football and baseball, Dartez also plays basketball and soccer at VC.
“He’s a kid that kind of does everything for the school,” Prejean said. “He’s just a tremendous competitor.”