Columns

Piney woods brought mills, railroads, and towns

Longleaf pine, “yellow pine,” has been described as the most important timber tree in the southern United States. It certainly has been important in south Louisiana for more than a century, not only because fortunes were made from it, but because it helped create dozens of the places where we live.

When our divisions online meet us in real life

I was leaving immigration court the other day, feeling fairly good about the fact two of my clients had avoided deportation orders, when I heard the words “Christine Flowers, you are a disgusting human being.

Remembering Brother Jimmy Swaggart

Fifty-eight years. That’s how long ago it’s been since Brother Jimmy Swaggart’s father, also a minister, came into my small Ferriday law office where I was a sole practitioner, and asked me to incorporate his church.

Next time, please send smarter bombs

The recent 12-day war between Israel and the Islamic regime in Tehran began with a bang — literally — as some of the regime’s most notorious criminals were wiped off the map. It was a surgical strike, and for many Iranians, a moment of relief.

Easy prediction: Time for ice and shade

Today’s weather gurus use sophisticated computers to model all of the forecast possibilities as fronts push this way and that, pockets of high or low pressure skip hither and yon, and jet streams meander through the atmosphere, but the imprecise science of weather prediction still comes down to the...

Founding Fathers did not separate church and state

At our founding 250 years ago, there was much separation between the original 13 states soon to be called the United States of America (big states v. small states, slavery), and between America and Great Britain.

Lessons learned in Italy about human dignity

When I’m in Italy, I tend to focus on all things Italian. I consume ridiculous quantities of pasta. I only drink Italian wines, although I did slip in a Bailey’s on the flight to Milan.

Celebrating our republic — if we can keep it

Burgers on the grill, big-box store discounts and fireworks that rattle your windows — those are some great reasons why Americans love the Fourth of July.

Zero tolerance summer camp

Dear Mom and Dad, It’s only been a few days since you dropped me off, but you better come get me. I’m writing to you with a pencil I swiped from the office, because the camp director confiscated my iPhone for watching funny dog videos during her “Camp Inclusion and Behavioral Expectations” speech.

Ready for competitive eating?

Long ago, I learned speed-eating to fit junior high yearbook editing into my lunch break. My first two dates with my wife featured the Bonanza Steakhouse buffet. I’ve gone “plague of locusts” on deviled eggs and pimento cheese sandwiches at countless church potluck dinners.