Columns

To win the battle of ideas, you have to show up

In 1790. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, by that time bitter rivals serving together in Washington’s Cabinet, dined privately with James Madison and struck a deal.

Grateful for Punxsutawney’s silly fun

Groundhog Day cannot come soon enough. It’s the thick of winter. Cabin fever is setting in. Incivility is worse than ever. A delightful, silly diversion is what we need about now, and Punxsutawney Phil has been delivering needed joy this time of year since 1887. As you know, every Feb.

Brother, can you spare an excuse?

Middle-class philanthropy may be dying. Citing a study released by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, “National Review” magazine says the share of American households donating to charity nosedived from 66% in 2000 to 50% in 2018.

Ferry was 50 years behind the times

A sketch that appeared in Harper’s Weekly in 1866 shows what may have been the first ferry to cross Berwick Bay between Morgan City and Berwick, or at least one very much like it. It shows what is essentially a flatboat being rowed by two men.

What’s this about grotesque?

This month, for the first time in 50 years, the annual March for Life was more celebratory than cautiously hopeful, more forward-looking than burdened by a troublesome history. Since Roe v.

Kennedy assassination’s New Orleans link

The Kennedy assassination is back in the news as a series of documents have been released involving the investigation that goes back 60 years. President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov.13, 1963, while riding in his motorcade in Dallas, Texas.

Another victim of a ‘small crime’ in a big city

Last week, I was mugged. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds, because I didn’t suffer any physical injuries beyond a slight bruise to the hip where the two muggers shoved me into the self-service kiosk at CVS.

Are you old enough to be a fashion model?

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the demand for older models in the fashion and cosmetics industries is exploding. Sorry. Perhaps “exploding” is a trigger word. It might give some of the most seasoned models flashbacks of “the rocket’s red glare, bombs bursting in air.

Distressed dachshund knew what to do

In February 1953 a dachshund named Hugo barked out a testimony to at least one benefit of the good old days when telephone calls were placed through local operators who knew everyone in town and, some said, a lot of their business that had nothing to do with making a call.

It’s so hard to be politically correct!

I have enjoyed writing this column for the past 17 years. But I’ve got to tell you, it’s really a challenge writing one each week in this day and age. You see, I’ve got to be “politically correct” so as to not offend any of my readers.