Columns

Abbeville men honored a crustacean

Elks and Moose and Owls and Lambs all had fraternal orders in south Louisiana in 1913, but a critter that was already becoming iconic had none. That’s why some men in Abbeville decided it was time to create a social and fraternal organization recognizing the crawfish.

A different perspective for America’s critics

During the Bicentennial year of 1976, I was a 15-year-old history geek. To be alive for the 200th birthday of our nation, particularly in Philadelphia, where it all began, was intoxicating.

Polling shows Louisianans support reining in Big Tech

Our politics are arguably more divided now than at any other time in modern history – however, the one thing that both Democrats and Republicans in Louisiana do agree on is the need to rein in Big Tech.

Washington’s farewell warnings to America

Many are now asking “what would George Washington do today?” President Washington has already answered that question in his Farewell Address to the Nation on 9-17-1796. The following warnings made 226 years ago should stop you in your tracks: — “Here, perhaps, I ought to stop.

Keystone pipeline: Louisiana’s economic savior?

The approval of the Keystone pipeline is back in the news as petroleum interests and members of the Louisiana congressional delegation are calling on the President to get this project moving forward.

Concerts: yea or nay?

Believe it or not, my wife and I haven’t attended a concert in nearly 25 years. (Elton John’s January 1998 appearance at Nashville Arena was our last outing.) I realize such an admission strikes a discordant note with most “normal” people.

Clear the way! Car coming!

Folks along the way were “astounded” in the fall of 1902, when the first car was delivered from the railroad stop in New Iberia to its buyer in Abbeville. R. S. McMahon and W. E.

Supreme Court ruling is not the end of abortion divide

On what should have been a morning of joy, I could not escape the darkness. Churches have been vandalized. Pro-life clinics have been fire-bombed. Supreme Court justices have been targeted. A president has called millions of Americans enemies to women and our health.

The need to vacate this summer

I sure could use a vacation about now — but I have no plans to take one this summer. That’s the breaks for self-employed people like me who do not enjoy paid-­vacation benefits. When I do not work, I do not get paid.

Inflation has our political leaders trapped

Inflation is now at a 40-year high of 8.6%, with energy and food cost leading the way. To stop inflation monetary policy requires a nominal interest rate 2% higher than the inflation rate, such as 10.6% — yet the Federal Reserve has only raised its policy rate to 1.6 percent.