Columns

Dying makes life worth living!

Get this: life expectancy has apparently hit its peak. According to msn.com, a recent study published in the journal Nature Aging finds that, barring any major medical breakthroughs, “people will top out at a maximum average age of around 87 — 90 for women, 84 for men.

The old folks voted, but didn’t call

All the talk of possible chicanery before Tuesday’s election appears to have been only talk, But even so, it was just a new twist on an old story in Louisiana. Not too long ago, eyebrows went up if nobody called foul over a bit of election humbug.

Ready for chatbot clergy?

“Give me that old-time religion, give me that old-time religion…” I can still hear classmate Ronald Bright launching into an impromptu performance of that traditional Gospel song.

Newspapers fail liberal validation need

Opinions are like an appendix: everyone has one, it serves no particular purpose, most of the time it’s completely ignored and you only notice it when it’s removed.

Election day included a newspaper visit

As you read this, it’s a matter of hours before voting in the presidential election is over. That’s not to say that a final verdict will be determined.

After Saudi visit, ‘freedom’ just another word for home sweet home

Like millions of Americans, I often took my incredible freedoms for granted — until I visited Saudi Arabia. For years, I’ve done marketing communications work for technology companies. About a decade ago, a client asked me if I was interested in joining her on a project in the kingdom.

Turkey in the oven or crawfish in the pot?

Most people begin to think about a big Thanksgiving turkey and the dishes that go with it when the calendar changes from October to November, but in south Louisiana we also turn our thoughts to crawfish.

Some Jewish voters wising up to Democrats

About a month ago, I had lunch at a great diner in South Philly. My omelet was fantastic, oozing with cheese and fresh veggies and — dare I say it — bacon. The place was plastered with political messages attacking Trump.

Consistently wrong pollsters try again

In 1964, I cast my first presidential ballot for Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. Since that election, 15-four-year cycles, I’ve been a registered Republican, a registered Democrat, and a registered Independent. I have lived in New York, California, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

The sweet taste of Halloween

Not until it got dark! That was the trick or treating rule my mother set down every year. She didn’t want me to embarrass her by interrupting families still having dinner. I hated the rule. Tommy Gillen and I had big plans to hit as many houses as possible before we had to come home.