Columns

Gold fever reached south Louisiana

The famous California gold rush in 1849 was caused by dreams of vast fortunes made by just wandering around and picking up nuggets — something like picking up pecans in the fall.

Hostility to pro-life activists taken too far

In 1994, Congress passed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Modern communications: Hung up on rudeness

Changing communications technology is one of life’s never-ending annoyances, and now we have a new agitation: voice messaging. Voice messaging allows smartphone owners to record their voice and send the recording to others as they would a text or a chat.

America shouldn’t hand economic leadership to China

Globalization has its benefits but, after COVID, it might be time to consider just how much of America’s economic activity we want to continue to share with other countries.

Are you cool with surveillance cameras?

At my day job, we recently underwent a major upgrade of our security cameras. Yes, shoplifting has gotten bad enough and technology has gotten good enough that we have made this major investment.

Cajun Indians are part of Mowata story

Several weeks ago, I reported the oft-told story that the Mowata community in Acadia Parish got its name because nobody could find a board long enough to print the original name of Morewater. I have long suspected that the story was suspect, but had never heard anything to contradict it.

Things are not cool in California

In California, a historic heat wave has exposed yet again what big idiots the politicians in Sacramento are.

La. Democrats betray Jefferson and Jackson

I don’t know about you, but I have always loved to read and study Louisiana history. When it comes to examining the giant political figures that had a direct bearing on the stature and even the survival of Louisiana as an American state, two individuals stand head and shoulders above all others.

M*A*S*H, Maude and Kung Fu all turn 50

I didn’t watch all of them from the very beginning, but several significant TV shows debuted in the fall of 1972. “The Bob Newhart Show” starred Bob Newhart (who turned 93 on September 5) as psychologist Bob Hartley. Bob’s trademark stammer didn’t seem all that noticeable to me.

Trouble on the road to anywhere

Back in the days when there were no NFL games to keep us glued to the screen of our choice, we regularly piled into my Dad’s old Pontiac on a pleasant Sunday afternoon to take a ride in the country.