Columns

Missing my Irish ancestors

Piglet! My Irish surname means piglet! Like millions of Americans, I’ve been poking into my heritage using ancestry sites, such as FamilySearch.com. That’s how I learned that “Purcell” is an occupational name of Norman origin for “swineherd.

Is your faith in UFOs shattered?

Well, THOSE eagerly anticipated revelations certainly crashed and burned. You may recall last summer a former intelligence officer told Congress that Uncle Sam maintains a covert stockpile of downed alien spacecraft and corpses. (“Doesn’t he look unnatural?

This week we should pity poor Frigidian

On March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the wearin’ o’ the green, and on March 19 special altars and devotions mark St. Joseph’s Day. These are special occasions and just about everyone at least takes note of them. That’s why I have for a long time felt sorry for St. Frigidian.

Searching for answers for gun offenses

In 1978, I took the first of four driving exams. I failed them all. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that you cannot convince a Pennsylvania State Police trooper that a three-point turn involves eight backups. Eventually, 30 years later, I took the test once more and passed.

Legislature punts on crime solutions

The Louisiana legislature just finished the special session on crime spending several million dollars to come up with more ways to reduce the violence that continues to plague the Bayou State.

Crime: The root cause / solutions

The Special Session on Crime has now been completed, but there are still many concerns being expressed that “we have seen no credible evidence that any of these measures will deter crime”.

What does spring break mean to you?

You probably crave a break from my patented “sour grapes” routine, but we must face facts: spring break (a.k.a. Easter break, a.k.a. mid-term break, a.k.a. “unwind, rejuvenate, have fun, but don’t forget how oppressed you are, students”) is not the same for every family.

Famous spa named for belle of the ball

Not even memories remain of the 160-acre spa called Belle Cheney Springs, that attracted visitors from far and wide to the piney woods of northern Evangeline Parish in the late 1800s.

Texas off base to go after Catholic halfway house

When Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro engaged in a legal battle with the Little Sisters of the Poor over their refusal to subsidize birth control for their employees, I got very angry.

Louisiana should take the lead in voting

This is a big election week all over America. Super Tuesday is the name given to the holding of presidential primaries and caucuses in 15 states and one U.S. territory, all who will hold elections on March 5.