Columns

For Fetterman, it’s not that he’s ill, but trying to hide it

Many years ago, we knew a family that had a little boy around my age. I never wanted to spend time with Richard, because he was deaf, and couldn’t communicate clearly. But one day, my father essentially threatened that if I didn’t play with him, I’d be punished.

Abolish the death penalty in Louisiana?

A jury last week in Parkland, Florida, recommended Nikolas Cruz get life in prison for killing 17 people, sparing Cruz from a death sentence after his lawyers argued he had a troubled upbringing. I read a great deal about this case and I wasn’t impressed with his “upbringing” argument.

How to put America back on track

Can someone please tell me where anything good is happening in the U.S.? Everywhere you look, America the Beautiful has been turned ugly, weak and troubled. The economy is on the road to a recession – or even worse. Inflation is stuck at over 8 percent a year – with no end in sight.

Have you hugged an etiquette expert lately?

“Were you raised in a barn?” I never had the legendary Mrs. Montgomery as a teacher; but she was a senior class adviser and I needed her input on a school program script, so I made the rookie mistake of assuming her wide-open door meant I could forego the formality of knocking.

Lights also brought shadows

By 1900, communities across south Louisiana were beginning to prosper again after the vicissitudes of the Civil War. Growing commerce brought new comforts that we take for granted today. Railroads and telegraph lines were bringing speedier communications between our towns for better or for worse.

Inflation 101: This time is different

It is important to know the history of Inflation so that you can prepare accordingly.

Women in many other nations fear for their lives

As I write this, the clock is ticking.

Our wild debt party is over

Gosh, I hate debt. I’ve been in and out of debt from time to time. When I was younger I took out a car loan for a nice set of wheels that I really couldn’t afford. I borrowed money I didn’t have to buy a really nice stereo system, too.

The pen is sillier than the sword

For those of you who don’t know, my more respectable gig for the past quarter century, or so, has been teaching college English.

“Quiet quitting”: Is that a thing or not?

Have you heard of the “quiet quitting” trend that is being breathlessly reported on social media? Quiet quitting refers to doing the minimum requirements of one’s job and putting in no more time, effort or enthusiasm than absolutely necessary.