It’s the holiday season, my favorite time of year. But what’s going on with some of our American colleagues who are now questioning every holiday that takes place. It’s going to be Christmas time. That’s right. The celebration of Christ at Christmas.  But that apparently offends certain elements of our society. So does Easter, Presidents’...Read More

Monday, December 4th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana DEFENDING OUR HOLIDAYS YEAR-ROUND! This should be my favorite time of year.  The special season beginning at Thanksgiving and extending through the Christmas holidays. But there are disturbing signs of change and not for the better, as a movement continues to grow disparaging our holidays as not being...Read More

It’s been 60 years since president John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin in Dallas Texas.  Kennedy began his campaign for president in Louisiana, and always maintained  strong Louisiana ties.  It’s such a tragedy that the dynamic young president was killed right at the height of his career. He could’ve done so much more...Read More

Hats off to  Lowe’s Building Supply, a national chain that supplies builders and consumers in stores all over the nation. They honor are veterans. So few businesses do. There are several reserved spots right outside. the front door of Lowe’s where veterans only can park.  Veterans also get a 10% discount and all purchases. Lowe’s...Read More

Thursday, November 27th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana JFK AND HIS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH LOUISIANA! The 35th President of the United States was assassinated 60 years ago this month under controversial circumstances that leave a number of questions unanswered to this day. Republicans look to Ronald Reagan as their ideal. But John Kennedy captured the hearts of...Read More

Isn’t it nice to drive along Louisiana highways and see pile after pile of trash thrown along the side of the road? Let’s face it. Louisiana is a trashy, trashy, trashy state. It’s been like that for years. So what to do? How about another study?  Hogwash!  We have studied trash pick up time after...Read More

      Monday, November 20th, 21023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana NO MORE MR. NICE GUY ON TRASHING LOUISIANA!  Big news about all the trash in the Bayou State. Government is going to study the problem. LSU is going to take the lead according to an announcement, made last week, to “help find ways to rid...Read More

To listen to new podcast, go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

Louisiana is under attack. No, not by the terrorists.  Well, yes, to some, they may be terrorists. I’m talking about the assault on the marshes and swampland in the Bayou State by those fuzzy little critters call nutria.  Nutria apparently were released by accident back in the 1930s in the marshes of South Louisiana. They...Read More

Monday, November 13th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana NUTRIA-IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER! Guess what! Nutria are back in the news. Recent press reports indicate that these pesky rodents are moving inland to gnaw away at our swamplands. These little critters are taking over the state. With so many problems on Louisiana’s plate, add to the list...Read More

If you’ve never been to the Red Dragon Listening Room in Baton Rouge, you’ve missed quite a treat. I’ve known Louisiana rock ‘n’ roll singer Marcia Ball for over 40 years. She still got the rhythm, and put on a heck of a performance this past Friday evening. Pictured with us is Chris Maxwell, the...Read More

  Over the last half century, Time and again a Louisiana congressman has tried to be Speaker of the United States, House of Representatives. Second line of being president of the United States. But despite how closely several members came, no one quite reached the pinnacle. That is until now. Out of the blue, came...Read More

Monday, November 6, 2023. Baton Rouge Louisiana FOUR’S A CHARM FOR A LOUISIANA SPEAKER! It took four Louisiana congressmen 51 years before one of them became Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Second line to being president, a responsibility and honor that very few receive.  Finally, after all this time, an obscure young congressman...Read More

For years, the Bayou State has been a minor blip on the political screen in Washington DC. In the state capital, Republicans and Democrats have fought each other, and virtually nothing got done progressively. Let’s see, is all that about the change? Dramatic power shifts are taking place with a new Louisiana governor, and can...Read More

Monday, October 30th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LOUISIANA CENTER OF THE POLITICAL UNIVERSE? Remember the story about the dog chasing cars until he finally caught one? Now what does he do?  If ever there was a time in Louisiana history when Republican elected officials all over the state “finally caught one,” now is the time....Read More

Interesting observations from the recent Louisiana gubernatorial election. First of all, voters don’t seem to care. The turnout was abysmal. Democrats in Louisiana seem to have lost their way. The Democratic party’s efforts to recruit candidates and raise campaign funds was a bust. And you’ve got to give the new governor credit. He put together...Read More

To listen to new podcast, go  to www.DatelineLouisiana.com.Read More

Monday, October 23rd, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  MAJORITY OF VOTERS DON’T CARE IN LOUISIANA! So they threw a party, and nobody came. That’s what happened in Louisiana’s recent gubernatorial election.  The turnout of voters going to the polls was a pathetic 35%.  But remember that only 50% of Louisiana citizens are actually registered.  What that...Read More

Monday, October16th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana A CLOSE CALL IN ISRAEL! In my column a few weeks ago, I shared my excitement of traveling to the Holy Land for the first time. I had set out a specific agenda to explore my own spirituality as I’ve grown older, and I listed all the places I...Read More

This week, in my new column, I review how I had a close call in getting out of Israel. My stay there was both informative and quite pleasant. I made a number of new friends, and relished traveling to a number of historic sites. I started to stay longer, but then a premonition shed in....Read More

A pleasant visit with Israeli soldiers several days before the missiles rained down. They sure have their hands full now.Read More

Imposing gag orders is now front page news all over America. Why? Because of the continuing outrageous statements by ex-president Donald Trump. He seems to want to attack everyone, and says the system is being unfair to him. Can and should the courts shut him down?  Like it or not, his right to free speech...Read More

NEW UPDATE Just a note to all my column and website readers. I want to thank so many of you for your concern over my safety during my recent trip to Israel. I found the trip extremely informative and spiritually rewarding. In fact, I planned to stay a few extra days since I was so...Read More

Monday, October 9th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana GAG ORDERS AGAINST TRUMP SHOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL! Former President Donald Trump just can’t keep his mouth shut. He rants and raves against anyone who crosses his path.  He is a lightning rod of abuse and making attacks against anyone with whom he disagrees.  As someone who is served...Read More

Monday, October 2nd, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana HOW ABOUT SOME FRESH IDEAS FROM NEXT GOVERNOR!  The Louisiana gubernatorial election is less than two weeks away with six major candidates for governor showering television stations across the state with TV ads. One candidate is a democrat and the other five are all Republicans. Here’s what looks...Read More

Louisiana gubernatorial elections are just around the corner, only days away. Who are the candidates most likely to be in the runoff, and just what kind of election system does Louisiana have? I know a little bit about this having served as Secretary of State, the state’s top elections official. OK, it was many years...Read More

  I am just completing a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in Israel. My stay is at Saint George College, and I am pictured with Rev. Richard Sewell, the Dean. This is a  stop for travelers like me who are exploring my faith. It’s been a rewarding stay, and I will be writing about it extensively in...Read More

Have you ever felt it was time to perhaps get away from it all, and do a little introspective searching, whatever your priorities might be? As you get along in life, there are choices to be made, and perhaps a review of what all you have or might have done with your life. That’s where...Read More

Monday, September 25th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SEARCHING TO FIND THE GOOD LORD AND MY LEGACY!      Regular readers of my weekly columns know that I write about a cross-section of issues, from politics to good eating, insurance issues, heroes, the joys of living in the country, and even who I think killed JFK....Read More

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana Monday, September 18th, 2023 SHOULD TRUMP’S TRIALS BE TELEVISED?  OF COURSE! President Donald Trump faces four different criminal trials in the coming months. Should each of these trials be televised for the public to watch and judge? The Supreme Court has stood steadfastly against letting the public watch the cases argued before...Read More

When someone is accused of a crime, it’s basic  in a democracy to have a trial or hearing open to the public, just like O. J. Simpson and Watergate back in the 70s. America has a right to witness the trials of anyone as important as an ex president or anyone for that matter.  Should...Read More

The title hopes of Louisiana’s flagship University, LSU, were dampened in its home opener with a messy lost to Florida State University. I have  followed the highs and lows of LSU football for over 50 years.  What a treat to follow the players who grew up in Louisiana, played high school football, then went on...Read More

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.”””H.L. Mencken See chilling article about federal government t abuse and overreach by Clicking Here.  Read More

Monday, September 11th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IT’S ALL ABOUT FOOTBALL AT LSU! I was paying my bill at the local supermarket here in Baton Rouge when the lady at the cash register asked me, “Are you going to the game in Tiger Stadium Saturday night?”  I paused for a minute, then told her: “I...Read More

Have you listened to the words of the number one country song all of the nation right now? It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to, For people like me and people like you.  Country singer Oliver Anthony, a new voice on the music scene, is stirring up lots of controversy in both political...Read More

To you listen to this new podcast, go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

What a terrible headline. To think that Americans are being spied on at the same rate of citizens in China are. This is a very chilling story that should do deeply concern all American citizens.  To read this whole disgusting article, Click Here.Read More

Monday, September 4th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SINGER OLIVER ANTHONY-RESPECTING WORKERS AND DISRESPECTING POLITICIANS! I am really confused about what’s going on in this country today.  At one time, the conventional wisdom was that the Democrats were for the blue-collar workingman, and the Republicans were for upper crust elites.  Now country music songs have entered...Read More

Anyone who says there is not something different and deeply concerning going on relating to the weather it’s just not being realistic. Maybe it’s climate change or something else, but serious weather related damage is becoming the norm. And unfortunately, the response in the US is not what it should be. We should have  learned...Read More

Monday, August 28th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LIKE LOUISIANA AFTER KATRINA, FEDERAL AND STATE RESPONSE WEAK IN MAUI! If you live in Louisiana, we know all about a dysfunctional response to natural disasters. Remember Katrina? Are we witnessing another lackadaisical and debilitated response to the wildfire tragedy on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian...Read More

              Former President Donald Trump continues to be outlandish in his attacks on his opponents, and his brash style of campaigning for a second term. He viewed by many observers as one of a kind, with a style that is unique. But Is he one of a kind? Is...Read More

Monday, August 21st, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana WHO DOES DONALD TRUMP SOUND LIKE? When the big issues are at stake, it seems like there’s always a Louisiana connection. The Louisiana Purchase, the Battle of New Orleans, the first shot of the Civil War was fired by a Louisiana Brigade.  So how does all this relate...Read More

It was just a few weeks ago when country music star, Jason Aldean’s new song, “Try That in a Small Town,” stirred up a great deal of interest, and was quite controversial. Now we have a new challenger for the top spot. Oliver Anthony has a song called “Rich Men north of Richmond” that threw...Read More

See latest on Louisiana’s insurance problems by Clicking Here.Read More

Promises, promises. For years, the politicians have assured Louisiana policy holders that their car insurance rates would come down. By 25%, said the insurance years ago. The business group LABI also assured drivers that by  cutting back on legal rights, a huge drop would take place for the cost of auto insurance. How wrong they...Read More

To listen to this informative podcast, go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

Monday, August 14th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana AUTO INSURANCE RATES SHOULD BE GOING DOWN, NOT UP! Headlines across Louisiana blared out in recent weeks that automobile insurance rates in the state will see a huge increase.  State Farm, whose rate request was rubberstamped by the Department of Insurance, will increase its rates by an average...Read More

I’m a huge fan of André Rieu & his Johann Strauss Orchestra. I sure hope I have a chance to see them in person someday in the near future. Take a look at his Orchestra performing together with the 15-year-old Emma Kok. Emma is quite an inspiration as you will learn from this video. Be...Read More

Louisiana continues to be at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to educational reform. So what’s the problem? Why are the Bayou State’s kids so far behind?  It’s not too difficult to figure out. We start way, way too late. And our kids have a hard time catching up. What are other states...Read More

Monday, August 7th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana MISSISSIPPI DWARFS LOUISIANA IN EDUCATIONAL REFORM!      To get Louisiana off the bottom of the barrel when it comes to educational reform, nothing is more important than developing a preschool program that builds the foundation for young people to learn.  For a number of years, the leading...Read More

It seems like there is always a political controversy. Last week, I wrote about liberal whining over the meeting at the new song by Jason Aldean, “Try that in a Small Town.”  Now this week, we will take a look at conservative commentators and politicians  going nuts over a movie. That’s right a movie!  Conservative...Read More

Monday, July 31st, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana PARTISAN EXTREMISTS WANT TO KEEP US DIVIDED! Is this never going to end?  Both left and right wingers continue to lash out with charges filled with rumors and innuendo on issues that seem pretty reasonable to me. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick and tired...Read More

Y You can listen to hundred formative podcast on why it’s so darn hot. Join me and my cohost Rannah Gray to listen to this informative discussion. Do you listen go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

My good friend from college days at the University of North Carolina died recently. Jim Rushton wrote 18 books. He was a historian and novelist, and he provided a 96-page “interrogation” memo for David Frost’s TV interviews that prodded Nixon to admit, “I let the American people down” over Watergate.  He was a great athlete...Read More

How do you’ve been following the controversy about Jason Aldean’s latest top hits, “Try That in a Small Town?”  The song has critics piling on, particularly those who live in big cities. But Aldean’s new song is taking off like a rocket, and it is leading most of the country related charts.  So what’s all...Read More

  You can listen to our new podcast by going to www.datelinelouisiana.com. This week, we look at our feet issues all of the nation. Martha Stewart in a swimsuit? Give us a break. How to stay  politically correct, and the Donald’s problems keep piling up. So take a listen.  Read More

Monday, July 24th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana CRITICS OF SMALL TOWN LIVING! I grew up listening to classical music. That’s all I played in my truck when I was living in the small town of Ferriday. You know what I mean. My list of classical masterpieces were by Louisiana singers included melodies from the likes...Read More

  You wonder just how bad the insurance crisis in Louisiana can continue to be.  Despite promises from the insurance department and from the legislature, the cost of insuring a home or other properties continue to rise. And sometimes the increases are tremendous. Citizens Property Insurance Company is raising rates in New Orleans by as...Read More

Monday, July 17th, 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  LOUISIANA PROPERTY OWNERS BEGGING FOR RELIEF! Can you afford your property insurance in Louisiana?  Rates across the state continue to go up. The legislature just finished its regular session, and no viable solutions were offered.  Headlines in national publications blurted out: “Louisiana insurance market is collapsing!” All the...Read More