Columns

Air conditioning changed politics and the world

Thank God Willis Haviland Carrier invented air conditioning — for the most part. Before air conditioning, the heat drove us outside and brought us together. Friends sought the shade of trees or a refreshing dip in a lake or river.

Device was ‘best tractor safety insurance’

It’s not clear whether Paul Trahan of Gueydan wanted to make money or just keep farmers from getting hurt when he patented his safety attachment for tractors in 1922. He may have wanted to do both.

What’s a good age gap for couples?

A recent news development has left some folks scandalized and others envious. (And still others grumbling, “I don’t need no stinking news developments!

The history of money printing and inflation

The lessons of history should never be taken for granted, especially when it comes to government deficit spending and inflation.

Biden deserves credit for immigration decision

When I hear the phrase “mass deportation,” I envision scenes from Poland in the 1940s. I know a lot of Republicans who would be appalled at that analogy, the kind of people who say things like “we have to close that border, now!” and who usually tell me that they like immigrants who do it “the...

Ten Commandments under attack in Louisiana

You just cannot keep Louisiana out of the national news. As Roseanne Roseannada used to say on Saturday Night Live: “It’s always something” Here in the Bayou State, there are happenings that stir up both interest and dismay from coast to coast.

Root cause of government chaos: Fiat money

Almost everything about the Economic/Financial Crisis being discussed today originates from one thing: Fiat Money, aka “Paper Money” not backed by gold.

Have you visited your 50th state?

“I’ve been everywhere, man/I’ve been everywhere, man…” – as sung by Hank Snow. I was overjoyed to hear that one of my high school classmates and his wife recently completed their bucket-list project of visiting all 50 states.

“Talkie” filmgoers were curious, and fickle

Ville Platte might lay claim to being the first small town in south Louisiana to offer high quality talking movies. The Gazette said the opening of the Evangeline Theater in the summer of 1930 put the town “on the amusement map,” right up there with the big cities.

Activist ambushes justice and wife

I am not a journalist. I have never pretended to be a journalist. The reason? I don’t pretend to be unbiased. I don’t usually do my own original investigation, unless the story has something to do with immigration, an area in which I can confirm my expertise. My primary job is lawyering.