Columns

Appointing federal judges is a bad idea

Several business groups in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, have suggested that the state do away with the election of judges and the undue influence of campaign funds. Their proposal would be to follow the federal path of appointment.

Beware sophisticated cybersecurity scams

Here’s a story that is growing bigger by the day: Cyber scams are on the rise. My elderly family member fell for a common scam a few weeks ago: His screen appeared be locked by “Microsoft” and he was urged to call the number the phony security alert displayed.

You had to point the antenna just right

The newspaper proclaimed that “all the wonders of science, except the atom bomb, have now been brought to Eunice” after Everett Vidrine installed a big antenna atop his West Laurel Street home in October 1950, “Residents of this fair city have all the push-button gadgets that their big city...

Confused about phone etiquette?

“Don’t you dare call me without texting first!” blared a recent headline in the Wall Street Journal.

Needed: The common sense humor of Will Rogers

Our politics sure is divided these days. Tempers are flaring and minds are rigid and closed. Here’s the solution: the wit and wisdom of legendary humorist Will Rogers. “The short memory of voters is what keeps our politicians in office.” “We’ve got the best politicians that money can buy.”

Should a sense of humor be mandatory for fathers?

Some fathers are entirely too serious. They’re paranoid about their children finding out that they had their own youthful indiscretions and regrettable choices. (“I don’t make mistakes.

Eyes rolled, but Zuschlag persisted

I remember well the day in 1971 that Richard Zuschlag appeared before the Lafayette Parish Police Jury and said that he and two partners wanted to start an ambulance service. The parish needed one badly.

Alito dust-up has nothing to do with flags

I have never been married, nor do I have any children. I grew up around married people. I descend from a whole line of married people. I have friends who are married people. I deeply admire married people, and I think that they tend to be among the happiest folks in the universe.

Trump’s conviction is not a surprise

I wrote in my column over a month ago that no one should be surprised over former president Donald Trump’s conviction in a New York Court last week. As we say in the South, Trump was a gone pecan from the get-go. There are a number of reasons why.

Ready for Pat Sajak’s final spin of the wheel?

June 7 will be a bittersweet day in TV history, as the final “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by Pat Sajak airs. Sajak announced his retirement plans a year ago, allowing himself time for a VICT_RY LAP, naming of a successor and cleaning all the spare bullion out of the sofa in the dressing room.