Columns

Is it nice to fool Mother Nature?

Yes, I was hunkered down paying rapt attention to the weather report on May 8 when an EF-3 tornado rampaged through a neighboring county. Understandably, I was intrigued by a May 11 “New York Post” article about a technological push to manipulate the weather.

A father’s short life, left lasting memories

This week, I don’t want to get political. I’d like to talk to you about someone who is more important than the sum total of the occasional outrage I can muster up for strangers. Don’t worry, the outrage has no expiration date, and will be useful for another set of Sundays.

Get the politicians out of reapportionment

If you want to witness political favoritism and inside political wheeling and dealing at its worst, just witness the mess that has been created by the legislature as well as federal judges in Louisiana.

Easy solutions to the fake ESA problems

All across America conservative states have moved to universal school choice to give parents the money to educate their children as they see best — whether it be public, charter, or private schools. Other words, the money follows the child, not the school.

For Mother’s Day — teaching the art of laughter

My mother would have been considered eccentric had she been financially wealthy. She would do almost anything — and wear almost any silly costume — to bring joy into the lives of others, much to the embarrassment of her six children.

Derby winner joins impressive club

When Lafayette native Brian Hernandez Jr. rode longshot Mystik Dan to a photo-finish Kentucky Derby win he joined a list of south Louisiana jockeys who have made racing history.

Is ‘value’ a dirty word?

As I sit here admiring my 88-cent container of mustard, I can’t help feeling self-conscious.

Campus protests are pale compared 1960s

It seems silly to write a column about the recent college protests. It’s not really news when privileged students who have never been in the line of fire and whose most pressing concern is what pronoun they’ll use on any given day decide to rise up against the establishment. And yet, here we are.

Columnist says he is too young to be 84!

Here is a message I received from one of my grandkids this week. “Hey JB, it’s your birthday, and you just turned 84, I know you will live for many, many more.” I sure hope I do. I understand that I’m getting a bit older and that I cannot ignore life’s ending.

Keep food assistance flowing

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to Louisiana residents facing food insecurity.