Changes

A long-time investigative [[journalist]], Keith traveled to thirty-five countries in the pursuit of his writings. His work as a reporter for ''The Shreveport Times'' in [[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]], during the late 1970s. This position provided the experience and material for his 2009 book, ''The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death,''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Commissioner-Story-Deceit-Dishonor-Death/dp/1589806557|title=The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death|publisher=amazon.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref> a study of Shreveport Public Safety Commissioner George Wendell D'Artois, Jr. (1925–1977), who held office from 1962 to 1976 under the city commission form of government, which was disbanded in 1978. Keith also examines the [[assassination]] in 1976 of the Shreveport advertising executive Jim Leslie. D'Artois was implicated in the still unresolved Leslie case but died before he could stand trial.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NvpN1t9TMrgC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=George+Wendell+D'Artois&source=bl&ots=FLoGsv9uIL&sig=M4vFHkw4ijLolZvKDlHRFDjmACg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w0-XU5b6FuqH8AHr-YCoCQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=George%20Wendell%20D'Artois&f=false|author=Bill Keith|title= The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death|publisher=Pelican Publishing Company]]|location=Gretna, [[Louisiana]]|year=2009|isbn=9781-58980-655-9|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

A long-time investigative [[journalist]], Keith traveled to thirty-five countries in the pursuit of his writings. His work as a reporter for ''The Shreveport Times'' in [[Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]], during the late 1970s. This position provided the experience and material for his 2009 book, ''The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death,''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Commissioner-Story-Deceit-Dishonor-Death/dp/1589806557|title=The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death|publisher=amazon.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref> a study of Shreveport Public Safety Commissioner George Wendell D'Artois, Jr. (1925–1977), who held office from 1962 to 1976 under the city commission form of government, which was disbanded in 1978. Keith also examines the [[assassination]] in 1976 of the Shreveport advertising executive Jim Leslie. D'Artois was implicated in the still unresolved Leslie case but died before he could stand trial.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NvpN1t9TMrgC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=George+Wendell+D'Artois&source=bl&ots=FLoGsv9uIL&sig=M4vFHkw4ijLolZvKDlHRFDjmACg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w0-XU5b6FuqH8AHr-YCoCQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=George%20Wendell%20D'Artois&f=false|author=Bill Keith|title= The Commissioner: A True Story of Deceit, Dishonor, and Death|publisher=Pelican Publishing Company]]|location=Gretna, [[Louisiana]]|year=2009|isbn=9781-58980-655-9|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

While in Shreveport, Keith served as city editor of the defunct ''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' last owned by [[Charles T. Beaird]]. ''The Journal'' was the afternoon rival [[newspaper]] to the existing ''The Shreveport Times,'' a morning publication.<ref name=pelican>{{cite web|url=http://pelicanpub.com/products.asp?cat=313|title=Bill Keith|publisher=pelicanpub.com|accessdate=November 23, 2009}}</ref>At ''The Journal'' Keith joined reporter Craig Flournoy in a sensational investigation of the office of Webster Parish]] [[Sheriff]] Oscar Henry "O.H." Haynes, Jr. (1920-1996), and the police department in Springhill for corrupt practices. The reporters alleged that the two departments had covered up cases of [[prostitution]], ticket-fixing, stolen bond money, and [[narcotics]] violations. Investigations by chief criminal sheriff's deputy Thomas Cameron Bloxom, Jr. (1930-2014), and Mayor M. A. Gleason of Springhill uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing. Haynes rose from his hospital bed in Shreveport, where he was undergoing treatment for bronchitis, to deny all allegations. It was noted that ''The Shreveport Times'' was, meanwhile, preparing a story on the lower crime rate in Webster Parish compared to other nearby locations.<ref>"Sheriff Haynes answers charges of corruption", ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 6, 1977, pp. 1, 8A.</ref>  The investigations ultimately cleared Haynes. State Attorney General [[William J. Guste]] returned no [[indictment]] in the case.<ref>"Guste returns no indictment in Springhill case," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 25, 1977, p. 1.</ref>​

While in Shreveport, Keith served as city editor of the defunct ''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' last owned by [[Charles T. Beaird]]. ''The Journal'' was the afternoon rival [[newspaper]] to the existing ''The Shreveport Times,'' a morning publication.<ref name=pelican>{{cite web|url=http://pelicanpub.com/products.asp?cat=313|title=Bill Keith|publisher=pelicanpub.com|accessdate=November 23, 2009}}</ref>At ''The Journal'' Keith joined reporter Craig Flournoy in a sensational investigation of the office of Webster Parish]] [[Sheriff]] Oscar Henry "O.H." Haynes, Jr. (1920-1996), and the police department in Springhill for corrupt practices. The reporters alleged that the two departments had covered up cases of [[prostitution]], ticket-fixing, stolen bond money, and [[narcotics]] violations. Investigations by chief criminal sheriff's deputy Thomas Cameron Bloxom, Jr. (1930-2014), and Mayor M. A. Gleason, Jr., of Springhill uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing. Haynes rose from his hospital bed in Shreveport, where he was undergoing treatment for bronchitis, to deny all allegations. It was noted that ''The Shreveport Times'' was, meanwhile, preparing a story on the lower crime rate in Webster Parish compared to other nearby locations.<ref>"Sheriff Haynes answers charges of corruption", ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 6, 1977, pp. 1, 8A.</ref>  The investigations ultimately cleared Haynes. State Attorney General [[William J. Guste]] returned no [[indictment]] in the case.<ref>"Guste returns no indictment in Springhill case," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 25, 1977, p. 1.</ref>​

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Keith was a war correspondent in the [[Vietnam War]] and undertook freelance assignments in [[Berlin|West Berlin]], [[Tokyo]], and the [[Philippines]]. He published biographies, medical and inspirational works, and numerous [[magazine]] articles.<ref name=pelican/> The Military Chaplains Association in Fort Worth named Keith a lifetime member in honor of  his book, ''Days of Anguish, Days of Hope,'' the story of a [[U.S. Army]] chaplain who spent forty-two months in [[Japan]]ese prisoner of war camps during [[World War II]]. Copies of the book have been given to all military chaplains in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billkeithbooks.com/wordsmith/|title=Taken by Surprise|date=October 8, 2009|publisher=billkeithbooks.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref>​

Keith was a war correspondent in the [[Vietnam War]] and undertook freelance assignments in [[Berlin|West Berlin]], [[Tokyo]], and the [[Philippines]]. He published biographies, medical and inspirational works, and numerous [[magazine]] articles.<ref name=pelican/> The Military Chaplains Association in Fort Worth named Keith a lifetime member in honor of  his book, ''Days of Anguish, Days of Hope,'' the story of a [[U.S. Army]] chaplain who spent forty-two months in [[Japan]]ese prisoner of war camps during [[World War II]]. Copies of the book have been given to all military chaplains in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billkeithbooks.com/wordsmith/|title=Taken by Surprise|date=October 8, 2009|publisher=billkeithbooks.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref>​

 

==Creation science debate==​

==In support of creation science==

In 1979, while he resided in Mooringsport outside Shreveport, Keith won the District 39 Senate seat vacated by [[Don Williamson]] of Vivian, who did seek a third Senate term and instead ran unsuccessfully for Louisiana insurance commissioner, having been narrowly defeated by the incumbent, Sherman Albert Bernard, Sr. (1925-2012). As a state senator, Keith is primarily remembered for having introduced legislation, which acquired national attention, that would have given equal emphasis in public school science instruction to creation science and evolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billkeithbooks.com/wordsmith/|title=Visit to Shreve Memorial Library|date=October 14, 2009|publisher=billkeithbooks.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name=aguillard/> The measure, signed by [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor]] [[David C. Treen]], was entitled the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act. Keith's act required that scientific evidence for creation-science, the view of abrupt appearance of organisms in the fossil records, whenever related material on evolution was presented in classes. A panel of seven creation-scientists, appointed by the governor, would advise local school districts on the appropriate curriculum. The act did not specifically require or allow instruction in any religious doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grisda.org/origins/12038.htm|title=News and Comments|publisher=grisda.org|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref>​

In 1979, while he resided in Mooringsport outside Shreveport, Keith won the District 39 Senate seat vacated by [[Don Williamson]] of Vivian, who did seek a third Senate term and instead ran unsuccessfully for Louisiana insurance commissioner, having been narrowly defeated by the incumbent, Sherman Albert Bernard, Sr. (1925-2012). As a state senator, Keith is primarily remembered for having introduced legislation, which acquired national attention, that would have given equal emphasis in public school science instruction to creation science and evolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billkeithbooks.com/wordsmith/|title=Visit to Shreve Memorial Library|date=October 14, 2009|publisher=billkeithbooks.com|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name=aguillard/> The measure, signed by [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor]] [[David C. Treen]], was entitled the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act. Keith's act required that scientific evidence for creation-science, the view of abrupt appearance of organisms in the fossil records, whenever related material on evolution was presented in classes. A panel of seven creation-scientists, appointed by the governor, would advise local school districts on the appropriate curriculum. The act did not specifically require or allow instruction in any religious doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grisda.org/origins/12038.htm|title=News and Comments|publisher=grisda.org|accessdate=November 25, 2009}}</ref>​